Weekend Mailbag - 12 August
Saturday, August 12, 2006
The ever-popular "Weekend Mailbag" is back! After our summer holiday, Bryce and Brian are back to answer your probing football questions and give you, the reader, a forum to voice your thoughts on the world of football. Send in your questions and comments for our next mailbag! Today Brian steps up to the penalty spot. Unlike David Trezuguet, he always comes through in the clutch. As always, these are actual questions from actual readers...
Anuj in Milpitas, CA: Looks like Steve McClaren really wants to shake things up with the England squad. I applaud his decision to drop pretty-boy Beckham, but I'm afraid he'll get recalled for Euro 2008 qualifiers. Do you think Becks is out of the England squad for good? What are your impressions of McClaren?
Brian: I was pleasantly surprised to see Beckham dropped from the England squad. Let's be honest here. Beckham hasn't delivered the goods in an England shirt since his marvelous free kick against Greece in 2001. That was five years ago. Since then, Becks has been hopelessly off the pace, a defensive liability, and nothing more than a free kick specialist. We all know about my man-crush on speedy, skillful wingers. Becks has never been one of those. While Sven is crying in his Chianti in Tuscany right now, I am pleased and hope that McClaren follows suit and starts Aaron Lennon in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Sven's team of stars didn't work. It's time for England to field a proper football team.
Roger in Des Moines, IA: Brian, given the fact that you're an Arsehole fan, where do you think Ashley Cole would rank on the list of all-time villains should he complete his move cross town to Chelsea?
Brian: Let's watch our language around here, Roger. Cole is just another egotistical, selfish athlete who puts himself above any loyalty towards a team that nurtured him and gave him his big break. It's all sad, really. Was Cole underpaid? Yes. But that doesn't mean it's OK to personally arrange a meeting with Jose Mourinho and Peter Kenyon. And, once you get caught, it's not OK to go around whining about it and blaming your current employer that you've been fined. The whole situation reeks of unprofessionalism. With that said, I think the Cole saga reveals a big problem facing Arsenal. English players do not feel comfortable at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger reminds us that he doesn't check the passports of his players. But Arsenal is an English club, and unless it creates an environment that's more conducive for English players, you can expect a lot more Flaminis, Fabregases, and Toures then Lampards, Gerrards, or Carricks at the Emirates Stadium.
Betsy in Tempe, AZ: Who's your money on in Italy this season, Inter or Roma? Or do you think Milan can pull it off? Or should the question really be, "Who's giving the referees the money this year?"
Brian: It would take a minor miracle for Internazionale to NOT win the Scudetto. In the past month, Inter has added Crespo, Ibrahimovich, Vieira, Dacourt, Cesar, and Grosso. And last time I checked, that Adriano cat still wears blue and black. Yikes. But Inter is famous for choking, and despite the eight point penalty, I expect AC Milan to be in the running for the Serie A crown. As for Roma, I'm afraid the giallorossi just doesn't have the depth to compete. With guaranteed Champions League football and soon-to-be 30-year old Francesco Totti, I had hopes that Roma would spend some cash to bolster its squad. But that hasn't happened. So expect the Scudetto to end up in Milan this next spring, one way or another.
William in Glasgow: Aye. What does Bryce know about Hearts? Can he even name one of their players? People in Edinburgh don't even like Hearts.
Brian: I'm with you on that one, William. Funny how Bryce starts getting all excited about Hearts once some Russian gazillionaire buys the team and they start winning. Isn't Clan Campbell from up in the Highlands? What about Inverness, Bryce? It's looking like Hearts participation in the Champions League will be short lived. Whether or not Bryce's interest in the team also is short lived remains to be seen.
Photos courtesy yahoo.com, deadspin.com, and home.debitel.net. It's good to be back. If you want to take Brian to task or just see your name on the internet, send in a question to our mailbag at bookableoffense@gmail.com.
Anuj in Milpitas, CA: Looks like Steve McClaren really wants to shake things up with the England squad. I applaud his decision to drop pretty-boy Beckham, but I'm afraid he'll get recalled for Euro 2008 qualifiers. Do you think Becks is out of the England squad for good? What are your impressions of McClaren?
Brian: I was pleasantly surprised to see Beckham dropped from the England squad. Let's be honest here. Beckham hasn't delivered the goods in an England shirt since his marvelous free kick against Greece in 2001. That was five years ago. Since then, Becks has been hopelessly off the pace, a defensive liability, and nothing more than a free kick specialist. We all know about my man-crush on speedy, skillful wingers. Becks has never been one of those. While Sven is crying in his Chianti in Tuscany right now, I am pleased and hope that McClaren follows suit and starts Aaron Lennon in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Sven's team of stars didn't work. It's time for England to field a proper football team.
Roger in Des Moines, IA: Brian, given the fact that you're an Arsehole fan, where do you think Ashley Cole would rank on the list of all-time villains should he complete his move cross town to Chelsea?
Brian: Let's watch our language around here, Roger. Cole is just another egotistical, selfish athlete who puts himself above any loyalty towards a team that nurtured him and gave him his big break. It's all sad, really. Was Cole underpaid? Yes. But that doesn't mean it's OK to personally arrange a meeting with Jose Mourinho and Peter Kenyon. And, once you get caught, it's not OK to go around whining about it and blaming your current employer that you've been fined. The whole situation reeks of unprofessionalism. With that said, I think the Cole saga reveals a big problem facing Arsenal. English players do not feel comfortable at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger reminds us that he doesn't check the passports of his players. But Arsenal is an English club, and unless it creates an environment that's more conducive for English players, you can expect a lot more Flaminis, Fabregases, and Toures then Lampards, Gerrards, or Carricks at the Emirates Stadium.
Betsy in Tempe, AZ: Who's your money on in Italy this season, Inter or Roma? Or do you think Milan can pull it off? Or should the question really be, "Who's giving the referees the money this year?"
Brian: It would take a minor miracle for Internazionale to NOT win the Scudetto. In the past month, Inter has added Crespo, Ibrahimovich, Vieira, Dacourt, Cesar, and Grosso. And last time I checked, that Adriano cat still wears blue and black. Yikes. But Inter is famous for choking, and despite the eight point penalty, I expect AC Milan to be in the running for the Serie A crown. As for Roma, I'm afraid the giallorossi just doesn't have the depth to compete. With guaranteed Champions League football and soon-to-be 30-year old Francesco Totti, I had hopes that Roma would spend some cash to bolster its squad. But that hasn't happened. So expect the Scudetto to end up in Milan this next spring, one way or another.
William in Glasgow: Aye. What does Bryce know about Hearts? Can he even name one of their players? People in Edinburgh don't even like Hearts.
Brian: I'm with you on that one, William. Funny how Bryce starts getting all excited about Hearts once some Russian gazillionaire buys the team and they start winning. Isn't Clan Campbell from up in the Highlands? What about Inverness, Bryce? It's looking like Hearts participation in the Champions League will be short lived. Whether or not Bryce's interest in the team also is short lived remains to be seen.
Photos courtesy yahoo.com, deadspin.com, and home.debitel.net. It's good to be back. If you want to take Brian to task or just see your name on the internet, send in a question to our mailbag at bookableoffense@gmail.com.
posted by Brian at 8/12/2006 04:30:00 PM 
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