It seems that the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, Carlo Cudicini, has been involved in a serious crash this morning after hitting a car whilst riding his BMW motorbike. It’s been confirmed that Cudicini has fractured both wrists and sustained serious pelvic injuries according to a statement by London’s Metropolitan Police.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “London Ambulance Service, HEMS [helicopter emergency medical service] and police attended and discovered the 36-year-old male motorcyclist suffering from injuries described by LAS as possibly life-changing and has been taken to an east London hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

Thankfully the driver and passenger of the car involved in the crash didn’t need medical assistance, but the extent of Cudicini’s injuries are yet to be ascertained. With most road traffic accidents, the time waiting between the initial diagnoses and the results of the x-rays and tests over the the next few hours can change. Yet the term “possibly life changing” is a strange and worrying term to be included in a statement.

It’s unusual for a detail like that to be released, I can’t think of another incident recently that would have included such language and already social networking sites are buzzing with the news and wishing Carlo a speedy and healthy recovery regardless of what team they support.

Cudicini has been a firm favourite for both Chelsea and since he joined Tottenham in January this year and has constantly given 100% wherever he has played. Only ousted at Chelsea by the arrival of Petr Cech, who was at that point the worlds best goalkeeper, that saw his run as Chelsea’s number one come to an end. Signed by Gianluca Vialli in 1999 for the bargain price of £160,000, Cudicini saw off Mark Bosnich to make the number one jersey his own at Stamford Bridge.

He even won the player of the year award in the 2001-02 season as Chelsea struggled to maintain a consistent level of performance, but as the side grew, Cudicini continued to grow as a player. In fact, when Chelsea stood on the threshold of the Champions League final, it was his absence in the semi-final against Monaco in 2004 that probably cost the Blues the chance to face to Porto.

He continued to deputise for Cech at Chelsea and  give 100% when the opportunity arose to play. One of his most notable appearances under Mourinho was during the infamous game at Reading’s Madjeski Stadium in October 2006. After replacing Cech, injured by Steven Hunt’s wayward knee in the first minute, Cudicini was also carried off unconscious after a disgraceful challenge by Ibrahim Sonko and John Terry ended up going in goal for the last few minutes.

He’s certainly continued to impress be it at Chelsea or at Tottenham. where he has continued to put pressure on Heurelho Gomes, probably bring the best out of the Brazilian who is now showing his form that earned him his transfer to Tottenham in the summer of 2008. When he’s had the opportunity to play, he’s given his all.

I’m sure all football fans will wish Cudicini a swift and speedy recovery and be thankful that his injuries are not more serious.

In the annals of Arsenal’s history, one name conjures images of a bygone era, baggy shorts and a dead eye for goal. In the record books, his name still stands alone for the most goals scored in one season, with 44 in the 1934-35 season. In the modern era, first Ian Wright and then Thierry Henry surpassed his overall record but that shouldn’t overshadow Drake’s achievements for Arsenal.

Drake was born in Southampton in 1912 and was an adept sportman through his schooldays excelling at cricket and football, though when he left school he became a gas meter reader. A chance to play regular non league football for Winchester Town came along, and Drake took the opportunity with both hands, whilst continuing the meter reading! After two goal filled seasons, in 1931 Southampton came calling and Drake returned to his home town team.

Drake’s first season saw him become accustomed to the hustle and bustle of Second Division football but by the end of his first season, he’d got 7 goals and had established himself as Southampton’s main striker. The Saints were a poor side and even with Drake’s goalscoring prowess, the highest they finished whilst he was at the club was 12th, nowhere near promotion. Drake’s first season had caught the eye of the legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman and he made an attempt to sign him in the summer of 1933 but Drake didn’t want to move that far north!

That first full season had seen him plunder 20 league goals and after turning down Arsenal’s advances, Drake hit the ground running in the 1933-34 season. He scored 8 goals in his first 5 games and continued in the same vein eventually getting 22 goals before Arsenal came back in for him in March 1934. This time, frustrated by the lack of progress Southampton were making and with the club facing financial difficulties, Drake moved to Highbury for £6,500.

Arsenal were top and Drake continued to score goals, hitting another 7 in the 10 games he played for the Gunners but missed out on a League Championship medal through lack of appearances. He was to get his hands on one the following season though and hit 42 league goals in 41 games, with 3 hatricks and 4 four goal hauls in his stats for the season setting a record that still stands today.

The following season Drake continued to hit the goals and on December 14th 1935 he set another record when he hit 7 against Aston Villa in a 7-1 rout. Incredibly, he also had another goal chalked off as it cannoned off the crossbar, bounced over the line and back out but the referee didn’t see it.

What makes Drake’s record for the Gunners even more remarkable was that he constantly battled injury problems throughout his career, especially a niggling back injury that would catch up with him at the end of his career. Yet Drake continued to push himself through the pain barrier to make Highbury his hunting ground and whilst Cliff Bastin mesmerised opponents with his wonderful ball skills, Drake would punish any lapses in the penalty area.

Drake was rewarded with his fine form with being called up for England and scored 6 goals in 5 appearances, injuries curtailing his opportunities to represent his country more than just a handful of times. He made his debut in the game that became known as the “Battle of Highbury” against Italy in November 1934, one of an incredible 7 Arsenal players to start the game. Typically, Drake scored the winner in a bad tempered 3-2 win.

As the decade continued, Drake finished as Arsenal’s top scorer in 5 consecutive seasons, as Arsenal continued to be the dominant force in English pre-war football. Between 1931 and 1939, Arsenal’s lowest position was 6th in the 1935-36 season, but they managed to win the F.A Cup with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United. Guess who scored the winning goal. Another League Championship medal came along in the 1937-38 season as Arsenal pipped Wolves by one point.

As with most of his contemparies, Drake’s career was stopped dead in its tracks with the outbreak of World War Two in September 1939 aged just 27. Drake went to serve in the RAF but continued to play for Arsenal in wartime fixtures. On the resumption of League football, Drake was injured against Reading and was forced to retire from playing. Despite this set back he took over as manager of non-league Hendon in 1946, moving to Reading in 1947 were after 5 seasons, Chelsea came calling.

Upon his arrival, he completely revamp the club, who were classed as London’s poorer side. Changing the badge, the motto, the kit and the club’s philosphy for big signings who continually failed to deliver, he used his knowledge of the lower leagues to sign the quality of player that Chelsea needed. As his team knitted, Chelsea became a force to be reckoned with and won the league in 1955 shocking the two titans, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. With it, Drake became the first person to win the league as a manager and a player.

It was as good as it got for Drake as Chelsea amazingly didn’t finish in the top ten again that decade and in 1961 he was removed from his position as manager. He continued to keep involved with football, having spells as Assistant Manager at Fulham and Barcelona under Vic Buckingham. He continued to love football and would often travel to all the clubs in London, for the simple pleasures of just enjoying watching football.

Drake passed away on May 30th 1995, aged 82.

• Scored 139 goals in 186 full appearances for Arsenal from 1934 – 1939
• Two League Championship medals 1934-35 & 1937-38
• One F.A. Cup Winners medal 1935-36
• 5 Appearances for England, scoring 6 goals
• First man to win League title as a player and manager
  
• Scored 7 goals in one match against Aston Villa on December 14th 1935
• Arsenals top scorer in every season from 1934-1935 until 1938-39
• Became Life President of Fulham
• Played County Cricket for Hampshire from 1931 until 1937
  

It’s quite odd that in some circles Sunderland’s near draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford this past Saturday is being heralded as a massive achievement. What I saw was one of the most negative and anti-soccer performances in ages.

For the entire 90 minutes, Sunderland “parked their bus” in front of their goal and had ten, sometimes eleven, players blocking any advances made by Manchester United.

It almost worked except for a lucky bounce against the post that fell into the path of Nemanja Vidic who slotted in the late winner to give all three points to United.

This was a match that reminded me a lot of Manchester United’s opening game of last season when they drew 0-0 against Reading at Old Trafford. At that time, it seemed that Steve Coppell was hailed as the second coming. Of course, we all know that Reading’s season went downhill from there and they ended up getting relegated. So much for that one point that Reading achieved by playing negative football.

Sunderland’s tactics this past Saturday against Manchester United were painfully obvious. The Black Cats often had eight players in their penalty area, blocking Man United’s advances down the middle. You could say that their formation was a 8-1-1 with Djibril Cisse being the lone man up front. Even Cisse could be seen in Sunderland’s penalty area defending at times, too.

The sad but funny aspect of Sunderland’s tactics was that on the rare occasions when they start dribbling the ball in Manchester United’s half, the Sunderland players slowed down the tempo to allow players to catch the breath and to keep possession of the ball, at least for a few minutes. Most teams would relish the chance of attacking the opposition in the opponent’s half. Not Sunderland.

While Sunderland is no Manchester United, they do have enough quality on their team to at least try to win a match and play more attacking football. Take the case of Wigan’s performance against Arsenal from this weekend when Wigan played a contained game but at least tried to win the match. The scoreline was the same in both games, but Wigan walked away with their heads held up high after a spirited performance. The result may have been different if Wigan had worn their shooting boots Saturday.

Contrast Sunderland’s performance against Manchester United with that of Hull City. The Yorkshiremen played a lot more open game and came so close to drawing after a sensational comeback.

Yes, Sunderland played well against Manchester United if you consider that they followed interim-manager Ricky Sbragia’s instructions to a tee. They threw themselves into tackles, blocked a ton of shots and saved plenty of attempts at goal courtesy of Marton Fulop. But for the neutral observer, where’s the enjoyment in watching a team play such negative anti-football?

If Sunderland can take something out of the game, it’s that the club still has a lot of fight left in it and that their defense has improved significantly since the last match when they lost 4-1 at home against Bolton Wanderers. The other benefit for Sunderland is the hope that their team spirit has been restored.

The next huge test is this Saturday when Sunderland plays at home against West Bromwich Albion, another team in trouble of being relegated.

What is worrisome for Manchester United, meanwhile, is that more clubs will employ similar tactics like Sunderland. United, no matter how hard they tried, couldn’t seem to break down the wall of defenders that blocked their path toward goal. Even the combination of Rooney, Berbatov, Ronaldo, Anderson and Tevez couldn’t break down the Sunderland defense until Vidic tapped in the shot.

What are your thoughts about this past Saturday’s performance by Sunderland against Manchester United? Click the comments link below to share your feedback.

I admit it. I have a soft spot for underdogs. Three years ago, I was enamored by Wigan’s brilliant beginning to the season where they surprised so many teams and fans by playing attacking football. Two years ago, it was Reading’s turn to brighten up the Premier League. Last season there was no underdog, but this year we have Hull City, the Yorkshire Terriers of the Premier League.

After watching Hull’s gutsy performance against Manchester City in the 2-2 draw, here are 9 reasons why it’s impossible to not to love Hull City:

1. They give 100% whenever they go in for 50/50 balls,
2. Midfielder and captain Ian Ashbee has been at Hull City for seven years,
3. Geovanni. Say no more,
4. Striker Marlon King has regained his form despite being kicked off the Jamaica team and written off by many pundits when he was at Watford two seasons ago,
5. The foreign contingent of Kamil Zayatte, Daniel Cousin and George Boateng have been spectacular,
6. Defenders Paul McShane, Michael Turner, Zayatte and Andy Dawson have been a rock for Hull City at the back,
7. Unsung heroes such as Boaz Myhill, Dean Marney and Samuel Ricketts have been a joy to watch,
8. Phil Brown looks like a Sam Allardyce in training, which is exactly what he is (in a good sense), and
9. Perhaps most importantly of all, the entire squad plays together so well as a team.

Hull City is everything a Premier League underdog should be. They’re battlers. They’re a joy to watch. The fans are exuberant. Their stadium is sold out. And the eleven players on the pitch never give up.

Phil Brown has instilled a winning belief in the Hull City side. They don’t play in fear of their opponents. How could you not love a team like Hull City?

You may have missed an article by Oliver Kay in The Times this past weekend that featured a very revealing interview with Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook regarding the future of the Premier League. The headline perfectly sums up Kay’s article: “Vision Of A Breakaway League With No Relegation.”

Here are the revealing quotes followed by my opinion:

1. “I wouldn’t have promotion and relegation. That’s what central entity is, like the NFL in American football. Once you get central entity, you basically share the wealth.” — What? Promotion are relegation are two of the reasons why the Premier League is so much more attractive to global viewers compared with the NFL. We’ve heard the Premier League mention this idea before, but the reaction from the paying public would be totally against it.
2. “If you want to become a multi-multibillion-pound empire, you may have to look at changing the model.” — ‘May have to look at changing the model’ is business talk for ‘Definitely will change the model.’ Be forewarned.
3. “I talk to Richard Scudamore about this all the time: ‘Are we maximising the central entity of the Premier League?’ And he rolls his eyes and says: ‘If only, if only we could, if only we would.’” – Quite a revealing statement from Cook that gives us a peek inside Scudamore’s thought process.
4. “We’re getting into a situation where there are maybe ten clubs. Do Saudi Arabians want to buy – and no disrespect to these clubs – Stoke City or Derby County? Or do they want to buy Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Manchester City?” – So, let me get this straight. The end goal is to sell all of these major clubs to the Middle East? Could D.I.C. be the first?

While the NFL is what the Premier League wants to be, especially in terms of their TV revenue, the biggest mistake the EPL could make is by creating a central entity. It’s the promotion and relegation which adds so much excitement and drama to the league.

If they Premier League did move to a central entity, a closed league, who would the 14 teams be?

1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Aston Villa
6. Portsmouth
7. Tottenham Hotspur
8. Everton
9. Manchester City
10. Newcastle United
11. West Ham United
12. Sunderland
13. Middlesbrough
14. Blackburn Rovers

The teams that are currently in the Premier League who would not be included in the central entity, I believe are:

1. Fulham
2. Stoke City
3. West Bromwich Albion
4. Hull City
5. Wigan Athletic
6. Bolton Wanderers

Fulham would not be included due to the small capacity of their stadium. There’s little to no chance of the club leaving Craven Cottage. Wigan’s average attendance is the worst in the league, while I don’t see Bolton remaining in the Premier League much longer based on their current form.

The advantage of a central entity is that the league can have all 14 clubs working together and sharing the TV revenue to build the Premier League brand worldwide. The other advantage is that it would ensure club owners that their football team would continue to generate massive amounts of revenue each year rather than having to worry about the threat of dropping down a division due to relegation.

But by closing the doors on the league, it would break the hearts of the fans of other clubs hoping to be promoted into the top league. Massive clubs such as Leeds United, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and others would be refused the opportunity to see their club regain greatness.

And plucky clubs such as Reading would be prevented from reaching the upper echelons of English football.

Sure, the NFL generates more revenue than the Premier League does right now but that doesn’t mean that the Premier League has to imitate the American football league to achieve success.

What do you think? Share your feedback via the comments link below.

For the upcoming Premier League season, I have one wish.

If you’re a neutral follower of the league, as I am, all I wish is that we can find a team that has the balls to play attractive, attacking football and that isn’t afraid to go for the jugular against the Big Four. Simply put, I’m looking for an underdog who is pleasing to watch, delivers results, makes opposition teams work harder and is something you can believe in.

In previous seasons, it was Wigan Athletic (2005-2006), Reading (2006-2007) and Fulham (latter half of 2007-2008).

Right now, the only team I think is capable of winning hearts and minds this season — outside the Big Four — is Tottenham. What do you think? Who could be the surprise underdog of the 2008/2009 season?

It’s squeaky bum time in the Premier League, with two matches left to play.  There is the ever exciting battle between underwhelming uberclubs for the title.  Yawn.  The second tier battle to see which club can send itself careening down next year’s table for the right to lose to a Spanish club in the UEFA Cup semifinals.  Bigger Yawn.

Like a Kim Kardashian sex tape, the most exciting action will be at the bottom, with six clubs grappling desperately to be one of the four that avoid relegation to the demented morass that is the Championship.  There is nothing that motivates footballers more than having to trade their prawn cocktails, exclusive parties and high-class prostitutes for a bacon sandwich, a bar wench and a rainy night in Sheffield.

Here is how the teams look with two games to play.

Wigan Athletic

The Latics currently sit 14th on 37 points.  They are on a strong run, earning seven points from their last four matches, and they need just one point from the remaining two matches to secure the status quo.  That will be a tough task, however, as they must travel to Aston Villa, who are fighting for a UEFA Cup place and then host Manchester United on the final day, with the title on the line.  But, even if they don’t get the magical point, it is hard to see fate relegating Wigan.  It would require Bolton, Birmingham, and Reading to win their remaining two matches, and for Middlesbrough to take at least one point from their remaining two and to pass Wigan on goal difference.  Not a likely scenario.

Middlesbrough

Southgate’s men will probably be safe though not from their own exertion, having won just one of their last ten, including crushing defeats to Bolton and Sunderland, when results would have all but secured their place.  They would need a win to clinch, or a point to pretty much assure.  Away at Portsmouth, with Pompey still in contention for Europe, might be a reach, but Man City look ripe for plucking a result with their recent form.  Even if they lose both, 36 pts would likely still keep them up.

Bolton

Bolton looked dead and down when they took just one point from seven matches through February and March, but seven points from their last three matches leaves them one point above the drop zone.  They look like a safe bet to get three, with safe Sunderland at home next week.  Though, they will surely drop points the last day of the season at Stamford Bridge.  If they get a win against Sunderland, they will likely be safe.  If not, they could be in grave danger.

Reading

Reading are holding their noses above water as well, one point from the drop.  Winning just three of their past eighteen matches has not helped their cause.  They have the lowest goal difference of any of the relegation candidates, so they will likely need to go through on points.  However, they have the easiest run in of any of the clubs.  They face a Tottenham team who are already planning for vacations at home, and then face bottom feeder Derby, winner of just one match all season, at Pride Park.  Coppell’s men would like six points, though four would probably keep them up.

Birmingham

Bongo FC blew a bountiful chance by letting Liverpool skulk away with a 2-2 draw.  They will likely need to win both their relegation six pointer with Fulham and their match against an aimless Blackburn at home to ensure their Premier League status.  They do have an advantage over the clubs on goal difference, however.

Fulham

Fulham have the hardest road, needing to win both their matches to bump them to 36 points and get some help.  They face Birmingham in the aforementioned six pointer, and also face Portsmouth at home.  Everton and Aston Villa next week could be key, as their performances may dictate whether the last match of the season will be a meaningful one for Portsmouth.  It will certainly take one of those mythical Brian McBride miracles for Premier League football to be played at Craven Cottage next year.

Prediction

Birmingham and Fulham will be relegated.  I can see Fulham winning the relegation six pointer with Birmingham, but I am not confident they can take the three points at Portsmouth, leaving them at 33/34.  I don’t think Birmingham gets more than one point from the next two matches, leaving them on 33.  I think Reading gets four points to 37 and escapes.  I think Bolton will draw Sunderland and lose to Chelsea leaving them on 34.  I see Bolton beating out Fulham and Birmingham either by one point or by goal difference.

Manchester United 3 – Liverpool 0: The scoreline was unfair, United should have won by more.  Rooney and Ronaldo combined for five fluffed chances.  Captain Stevie disappeared twice for the Reds.  First, when he decided to stop running and not defend on the Wes Brown goal.  Second, when he failed to get between the referee and Mascherano before the second yellow card.  Javier’s post-sendoff Latin shrug produced the lasting picture for the match.  He deserved the red, but Bennett would not have sent him if off at Anfield or if he was English.  Being the big man is easy with a crowd behind you.

Chelsea 2 – Arsenal 1: The Gunners have dropped eleven points to United in five matches – having not won in the league since Feb. 11.  Once five points clear, they reside six points behind, seven with goal difference.  Chelsea passed Arsenal into second, which is likely how it will stay.  Gallas’ decision-making at the back was shocking.  His captaincy requires more than rash rhetoric, alpha-male displays and a stegosaurus hairdo.  A decade in the team is pure Arsene, but maybe that’s not such a great thing.

Newcastle 2 – Fulham o: Newcastle finally get a win under Keegan.  The same lot who heaved Allardyce for not getting to Europe are now erupting like loonies when they beat the 19th place side at home.  Keegan’s last remaining gray hairs will hang on for another week.  Fulham have not won away since 2006, I blame their away kits.  Whatever marketing flunkie chose baby blue from head to toe should be fired.

Reading 2 – Birmingham 1: Reading came out on top in the other relegation six pointer, pushing themselves five points safe.  Memo to Andre Bikey: you must meaningfully manipulate the ball on a goal before celebrating with a flip.

Derby 0 – Manchester United 1 This match epitomizes the season for both clubs.  Derby worked but weren’t quite good enough.  United’s only enemy was their own cuteness.  Ronaldo should have scored at least three, or more according to his own verbal tally.

Birmingham 1 – Newcastle 1 The result risked being critical, but little Mickey was there to muscle it back to mediocrity.  He may have saved Keegan’s last silver hair.  Not a win, but certainly a start.

Sunderland o – Chelsea 1 Leave it to the Dark Lord to plunge the Stadium of Light into darkness.  So it goes for Sunderland.  Keane should save some Just for Men for his beard.

Liverpool 2 – Reading 1 Matejovski’s strike was nice.  Mascherano’s was spectacular, with a few tasteful “Fuck Offs” tacked onto it.  Apparently, Dirk Kuyt played in that match.