Comments on: Fighting the Fixture List http://www.worldfootballcolumns.com/2009/04/14/263/ Articles about football (soccer) covering North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania regions covering both club and international level. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:05:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Alex Allen http://www.worldfootballcolumns.com/2009/04/14/263/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Alex Allen Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:34:34 +0000 http://www.i-web-solutions.org/worldfootball/?p=263#comment-89 I think psychology can play a part, but it is certainly something that is hammered home by the media as being important in order to strengthen their image of having an influence on the game to sell more papers and generate more hits. In terms of managerial bickering, the odd Kevin Keegan aside, I think the majority of managers now are wise to it and it isn't that influential, but it comes in many forms. From Mourinho giving the Southend players a tour of Stamford Bridge before an FA Cup tie to enhance the sense it was just a day out for them to naming his team before the game and then picking a different team on the night against Barcelona, there are definitely ways to turn games. In terms of playing first, I think Everton benefitted from going first in their shootout, although Berbatov's effort would barely have found its way in to an open goal. There isn't much at the top between the best sides, I genuinely believe that a comment here or there can make all the difference. I think psychology can play a part, but it is certainly something that is hammered home by the media as being important in order to strengthen their image of having an influence on the game to sell more papers and generate more hits. In terms of managerial bickering, the odd Kevin Keegan aside, I think the majority of managers now are wise to it and it isn’t that influential, but it comes in many forms. From Mourinho giving the Southend players a tour of Stamford Bridge before an FA Cup tie to enhance the sense it was just a day out for them to naming his team before the game and then picking a different team on the night against Barcelona, there are definitely ways to turn games. In terms of playing first, I think Everton benefitted from going first in their shootout, although Berbatov’s effort would barely have found its way in to an open goal. There isn’t much at the top between the best sides, I genuinely believe that a comment here or there can make all the difference.

]]> By: Steve Atkinson http://www.worldfootballcolumns.com/2009/04/14/263/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Steve Atkinson Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:51:26 +0000 http://www.i-web-solutions.org/worldfootball/?p=263#comment-79 So you think complacency could play a part in Manchester United potentially losing the title? It still seems unlikely that Liverpool can close the gap but they have undoubtedly been the best attacking team this season, how they must rue that spell before Christmas when they drew several games consecutively. Maybe things would have been different if Torres had been fit all season but every team has had injuries. Still can't see Liverpool doing it but if it goes to the wire, it will be a fantastic final day. Do you think the psychology of football is the major factor at this level of the game? So you think complacency could play a part in Manchester United potentially losing the title? It still seems unlikely that Liverpool can close the gap but they have undoubtedly been the best attacking team this season, how they must rue that spell before Christmas when they drew several games consecutively.

Maybe things would have been different if Torres had been fit all season but every team has had injuries. Still can’t see Liverpool doing it but if it goes to the wire, it will be a fantastic final day. Do you think the psychology of football is the major factor at this level of the game?

]]> By: Steven Jones http://www.worldfootballcolumns.com/2009/04/14/263/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Steven Jones Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:33:21 +0000 http://www.i-web-solutions.org/worldfootball/?p=263#comment-77 Even as a Man Utd fan I have to agree Liverpool have probably been the better team. I think one thing that puts them at a disadvantage is that they haven't won the title for so long that their mentality must still be that Manchester United are the favourites. Man Utd on the other hand must be thinking that they are going to win it and that could decide it come May. At least the neutral this season can't complain, it's a fascinating title race with lots of twists and turns along the way. Even as a Man Utd fan I have to agree Liverpool have probably been the better team.

I think one thing that puts them at a disadvantage is that they haven’t won the title for so long that their mentality must still be that Manchester United are the favourites. Man Utd on the other hand must be thinking that they are going to win it and that could decide it come May.

At least the neutral this season can’t complain, it’s a fascinating title race with lots of twists and turns along the way.

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