The Worst of the Worst

A New Award for the Holiday Season: The Ballon du Merde
photo by johannal	via PhotoRee

It seems as if virtually everyone else has used the Christmas break to come up with their Season-to-Date Recaps, or EPL Best XI list, but we don't work like that here at farlieonfootie.  Instead, we're proposing to do something just a little bit different.  Herewith the First Annual farlieonfootie Nominations for the Ballon du Merde, a new award we're trying to convince FIFA to grant to this year's worst players in the EPL:


Goalkeeper: Robert Green, West Ham United.  His problems began back in the World Cup, allowing an inexplicable goal against the USA and promptly losing his starting spot, and have continued into the EPL season.  By allowing 31 goals so far, Green's conceded more often than any other 'keeper in the EPL this year (he's actually tied for this dubious honor with Scott Carson of West Brom).  Although Green's not always terrible, he's routinely bad enough to take home the prize this year. 


Defender: Jonathan Spector, West Ham United.  Dismiss the two goals he scored against Manchester United in the League Cup, and focus more on Spector's consistently poor defending, which sets an awful standard even for an American.  He's been so bad in defense that the Hammers are now trying to hide him in midfield  They'd be better off hiding him on the bench.


Defender: Richard Dunne, Aston Villa.  Where did this guy's skills go?  Like Rhett Butler, they're seemingly Gone With the Wind.  Last year this guy was a joy to behold and a rock in the center of defense.  This season he's arguing with management and his status is sinking like a rock.  What a difference a year makes.

Woody's Round Up Redux

Hmmm....  You Don't Think He Has Ulterior Motives Here, Do You?  England Goalkeeper Coach Ray Clemence has apparently stated that all three goalies called up for England's games this coming week should become number one in the squad, and all in the same day.  It's a wonder he's intellgible at all speaking out of both sides of his mouth.  Shortly after seeing a comment attributable to Clemence that West Ham 'keeper Robert Green could regain his starting position I was startled to see an article from the same day quoting the same Ray Clemence tipping Birmingham 'keeper Ben Foster to challenge Joe Hart for the starting spot in the England lineup.  I guess I didn't realize that a team could start three goalkeepers, although I'm pretty certain it would affect their offensive output if they chose to do so.

I Don't Think This Gesture Means You're Number One.  Maybe this means he will be moving to Old Trafford after all....  One can only hope that this recent sign of Harry Redknapp's displeasure with Luka Modric may tempt the Croatian to begin to look elsewhere for gainful employment.  Although he once described Modric as "our only world class player," I'm guessing Uncle Harry might put Rafael Van der Vaart in that category for Spurs now, as well.

Welcome News.  Atleti just aren't the same team without El Kun, Sergio Aguero, in the starting eleven, so it's nice to see that Los Colchoneros are trying to re-sign him rather than using him for trade bait.  So much for all the rumors of Aguero being shipped out of Madrid.

photo by dhyasama	via PhotoRee

A Fish Rots at the Head.  Great to see Bolivian President Evo Morales setting an example for the youth of his nation by kneeing an opposing player in the groin during a recent "friendly" match in La Paz.  Just goes to show you that politics truly is a contact sport.

Pay No Attention to That Man Behind the Curtain.  I've had a good chuckle reading all the laudatory articles about what John Henry would do for Liverpool as New England Sports Ventures looks to buy the reds (note the small "r").  Henry may be a good guy (or not), but I'll give him credit for one thing: he knows how to hire.  Although articles such as this one give Henry credit for thinking outside the box while hiring the youngest GM in baseball history and bringing a fan-friendly approach to the fan experience, true insiders know that its NESV President Larry Lucchino who is the brains behind the operation.  Lucchino oversaw the masterful construction of Oriole Park at Camden Yards while President of that team, and was also responsible for finding and hiring young Theo Epstein at the Sox.  Liverpool fans should hope that John Henry sticks to counting his money and leaves the sporting decisions in Lucchino's more-than-capable hands.

And that's farlieonfootie for October 7th.