In the last great battle of the coaches fought on the weekend

Teacher Coach Juande Ramos 2 got destroyed by Player Coach Pep Guardiola 6.

Player coach Guardiola’s version of “Total Football” wins universal accaim.

Next Round:

Teacher Coach Hiddink vs Player Coach Guardiola.

I, and most of the footballing planet, hope the Player coach wins this battle.

Because, there is more to football than just getting results (ala Hiddink, Mourinho).

You cut me SJ, cut me deep… lol.
Jesse giving Anthony medical attention after Slippery Jim’s hurtful comments

You really are a sock puppet, aren’t you? If you are going to turn up out of the blue to join in a conversation which is not related to you at all in the first place, at least try to add something original to it. Jesse has already called me a limpet (and by extension, implied it of all the other bloggers who have posted the 69 comments on his blog) and tried to brand me a stalker.

When it comes to the former, it is ironic and somewhat eye-opening to see how someone who blogs for a living really feels about his readers and contributors.

I recall what seemed at the time to be righteous indignation coming from Jesse’s Roar article “let’s get some more lunatics in the Asylum” directed at John Kosmina for his comment to an internet Journo. Jesse quoted Kossie this way: “Ah, internet,” he [Kossie] said, rolling his eyeballs and letting a Dr Evil-like grin crease his lips like he’d just come up with the joke to end all jokes. “Lets the lunatics out the asylum. The lunatics run the asylum.”

What followed was Jesse pointing out, rightly, the value and relevance of the internet, including blogs, when it comes to football issues.

Next thing you know he’s calling his own bloggers limpets, as if it is ‘the joke to end all jokes’. Charming.

As for the “manic stalker” comment, give me a break!

When Jesse started his blog on the Roar, he sent an email to me and about a dozen of his regular blog readers inviting us to follow him across to the Roar, to leave our thoughts, and to read his articles. So if the guy never wanted me to comment on his articles, why specifically invite me? Way back when he was at Fox, I was occasionally disagreeing with him on some issues (Nick Carle etc) just the same as I do now.

If you sent an invitation to a group of friends to come around to your house for dinner one evening, would you then accuse them of being manic stalkers and take out a restraining order on the ones that had the gall to turn up? Who would be the ‘manic’ one in that scenario?

I am not usually even the one making the most comments on Jesse’s articles (despite having to fend of twits like you who feel slighted at having been stirred by me some time in the distant past).

Number of comments (from most recent to least recent Jesse Fink articles on the Roar):

Pippu 15
SJ 13
Sam 5
AGO74 4
Vicentin & Kazama 3
—
Ben of PP 7
Midfielder 5
The Bear & SJ 3
Jesse & DaSilva 2
—
Dasilva & SJ 13
Jesse 10
Midfielder 8
The Bear 6
Jimbo 5

No poster should ever be called either a limpet or a stalker, but surely a ‘manic stalker’ would be top of the above lists every single time, rain or shine.

Is Pippu, Ben of Phnom Penh, DaSilva, or Jesse himself a manic stalker? According to these stats and your reasoning, they must be! In actual fact I have not commented on several recent articles Jesse has written, either here or on TWG, for whatever reason.

In point of fact, others have pointed out (as even Jesse alluded to) that I have done him a favour by stimulating debate and generating comments on a lot of his blogs. One poster even thought I was secretly a pseudonymous Jesse created for the express purpose of creating comment on his own articles!

It is interesting that you have not commented on any of the last three articles Jesse has written on the Roar, yet choose to dive in out of nowhere with a sharp uppercut to the old jawbone on this one. What does that say about you, your input, and your motives Anthony?

Food for thought, even for us limpets.

At least I use my real name. Not hiding? That’s exactly what you’re doing! The fact that you mentioned it before I did proves that fact. What are you scared of, Fink knocking on your door…? lol. I hear he’s been in the gym and taking boxing lessons. Apparently he wears a green pair of Hulk-like gloves with the words “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” embroidered on them. Sounds scary!

“Until chaps like you start presuming and inventing imaginary backstories and profiles of bloggers, to discredit otherwise logical and reasoned points you happen to disagree with, that is. My point is, why wade in and act all splinetic, making personal attacks about someone you do not know and have never met? I doubt anyone else on the roar wants to read these bitchy sort of remarks from you, me or anyone else. Kind of distracts from the football talk.”

Wasn’t it you talking about tongue-in-cheek humour? Oooooh, that’s right, on your terms only as you sit on your high horse as chief of the counter-arguers, the union boss of blog rights. Your stalking of Fink’s blogs is nothing short of manic.

“As for my accusing people of acting in the very way I do, please tell me when I have ever wished violent bodily harm on anyone on a blog, or written a personal attack on anyone. Yet Jesse has done this to me, one of his regular and long standing readers, several times, simply because on occasion I sometimes disagree with his viewpoint, and explain my reasons for this.” If you think that’s acceptable then you deserve each other.

You sometimes disagree with his point of view?! Laughable. You’re like one of those little fish who sit under the belly of a shark, you won’t leave him alone.

I’ll give you credit for knowing your stuff, I’ll also give you credit for your ability to debate but try some of your own medicine, stick to football. As for my blog, I’m flattered you spend the time to research how many articles I’ve written and how many comments. It’s not The Roar and never meant to be.

I repeat: why don’t we all agree to avoid personal comments and stick to football ones in future.

Sure boss, anything you say.

Jesse, while you write the little article that gets the bloggers blogging, the readers comments including SJ’s are much more interesting than your articles.

Your self titled following is in fact due to the bloggers, not you.

SJ is right, stick to the football. Not everyone agrees with your views, but that is no crime.

Off topic … maybe … but also maybe right on topic …. massive announcement today by FFA copied below..this is happening on top of the U 13 squad is very good news moving forward … makes me a happy mann

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/2009InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem_new&id=27292

FFA launches blueprint for international success
Friday, 1 May 2009

Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced another new landmark initiative with the unveiling of a new National Football Curriculum (NFC) which has the long term aim of improving the skill level, quality and performance of Australia’s top players and teams.

“The National Football Curriculum is the next important stage of the Talent Identification Development Review and the National Football Development Plan that was announced in November 2007,” said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.

“It sets the blueprint for the quality and style of Australian football for the future and aims to significantly improve our skill levels.

“It is the first time we have had a national curriculum which sets the basis for the development of all young players and coaches, whether at community or elite level.”.

“The key objective is to create a talented player development program that emphasises skill and sustains international success for generations to come, as well as a coach development system that produces quality coaches who are able to implement the curriculum and realise similar goals,” Buckley said.

The NFC has been developed by researching best practice in talent development and identification in football and other sports and tailoring it to football in Australia.

The evidence-based curriculum has been developed by FFA’s National Technical Director, Han Berger, following on from preliminary work by the previous National Technical Director, Rob Baan.

Berger, who started in the role in January, will oversee implementation of the NFC.

“The new national curriculum recognises two streams of development,” Berger said.

“The first is for talented players who aim to play the highest level possible, and the second is for community players who just want to play the game and enjoy the sport..”

Berger said the NFC is for male and female footballers aged between 6-19 years, from those playing Optus Small Sided Football to the 11-a-side competitive environment.

The guiding principles of the NFC are:

- the approach is ‘game-related’ rather that ‘isolated’, which impacts all training and exercises

- an emphasis on skill development

- a proactive style of playing that corresponds with the Australian competitive psyche

- the mandating of the 1-4-3-3 formation for all FFA controlled development teams (eg. Qantas Joeys, Westfield Young Matildas) as the best developmental model, and the best structure for the proactive playing style

- the integration and mutual dependency of physical conditioning with football training so that they are not separated

Berger has consulted with all national coaches, Institute coaches and State Technical Directors as well as Member Federations in developing the curriculum.

Berger said that, as part of the implementation process, a number of actions are required to ensure compliance to the curriculum. These include:

- It will be mandated for national development teams and for programs under FFA (and member Federation) control

- Each State/Territory will appoint a Technical Director, funded under the FFA’s new Member Federation Charter, with the State Technical Director reporting to the National Technical Director

- Coach Education Programs will be reviewed to reflect the NFC

- Specific levels of coaching qualification will be required for all higher level coaching positions (National Team, Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League, National Youth League, Institute and State technical Directors)

- By 2010 each State/Territory will need to appoint at least one ‘Skill Acquisition Trainer’ whose role will be to ensure that skill development programs for talented players are universally implemented.

- Football Clubs, schools and academies will be accredited and rated. Adoption of the Curriculum will be a pre-requisite to accreditation and rating

Additional material will be added to the NFC to assist coaches and clubs with the ongoing implementation.

The NFC will begin an Australia-wide roll out in the coming months.

As for Miron / Okon, well it’s just my opinion of course but I think there are better out there, but much worse also. At least Miron likes to play good football. It would have been nice to see Clive splash the cash and get a big name coach / technical director but he had his heart set on Miron. Okon isn’t an idiot though, he should be fine. I can see him having as much early success as Viddie. I think he’ll bring plenty to the table when he gets the reigns. Maybe Clive can buy a top coach for his youth team instead.

I do like the practice of established coaches taking apprentice coaches under their wings to pass on knoweldge etc (i think liverpool were very good at this with shankly-paisley…all the way to roy evans). Curiously though, did Aurelio Vidmar serve a great apprenticeship under Kossie or should he have tried his hand at an over seas club first? he has had great results, but could he have been even better with a few years overseas coaching? I know it’s hypothetical at best but on a friday arvo that’s all i have…and in line with that, is blieberg really the best coach to groom Okon etc?

We should have the best coaches we can afford helming both the A-League and NYL sides, and the up and coming Aussie coaches assisting them. IMO that would be the best scenario for all considered aspects / levels of the game here.

However I may be underselling the capacity of individuals, particularly those that have undertaken the AFC coaching license.

Does anyone know if the FFA has an official view on this?

Define limpet.

Someone who uses a website that invites comments and articles from its readership? Someone who uses a publisher? Someone who capitalises on the wave of publicity surrounding the Socceroos success at qualification for the last world cup?

Or do we all need to set up our own publishing corporations and be founding members of websites now to spare ourselves the ignominy of being called a limpet? Talk sense, man.

As for the wish that I fell off a cliff, what an amusing pun it was. As was the one suggesting I go blow myself up with landmines or words to that effect.

Another hilarious turn of phrase.

If these qualify as appropriate comments to make, I’d hold your tongue the next time you take a flight as you may find yourself getting unwanted attention from customs.

No, those comments were the very definition of an inappropriate personal attack, the kind of thing that gets reported and removed from the roar every week, much like the one the other day in which a blogger told one of the other roar of the crowd writers to go hang himself because he was such a hack.

Not the kind of thing we deserve or expect from bloggers, let alone professional writers, to say the least.

“Please tell me when I have ever wished violent bodily harm on anyone on a blog, or written a personal attack on anyone. Yet Jesse has done this to me, one of his regular and long standing readers, several times, simply because on occasion I sometimes disagree with his viewpoint.”

You poor flower. Playing on your handle, I suggested you slip off that cliff that is your address. Big whoop. What a bad man I am.

Reminds me of the time I wrote a counter article to Pippu’s complaint about the Vics being conspired against by refs entitled something like “Melbourne are a dirty team”. Amused me no end just imagining the expression on his face when he read it.

Of course, Pippu had his usual good grace to laugh about it and take it for the good natured article it was rather than mistaking it for some sort of unacceptable vicious attack on his manhood.

back to football – percieved credibility is important and gets you so far… – i dont think many outside of Newcastle, for example, percieve Shearer as more than a newbie at the game he graced as a player. He too will have to earn his stripes. Keane’s attempts at Sunderland were marvellously mixed and doomed.

Coaches can reinvent themselves too though – McClaren in Holland (ridiculous accents aside).

I see you are something of an aspiring blogger yourself, if your work at mrfootball is anything to go by. Let’s see…30 long blog articles and a grand total of – how many? 13 comments garnered from readers. What was that about pots and kettles? At least I garner a few more comments than that.

I don’t particularly want to turn this into a pissing contest, but you are not in a position to compare merits as for all you know I could be Brian Glanville or Simon Kupar.

Or her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England.

I’m not hiding behind that, just making the point that if you take reputations and personal histories away, we are left with argument and counterpoint, an objective reasoned conversation that addresses issues, not individuals, which is the beauty and strength of blogs. Until chaps like you start presuming and inventing imaginary backstories and profiles of bloggers, to discredit otherwise logical and reasoned points you happen to disagree with, that is.

My point is, why wade in and act all splinetic, making personal attacks about someone you do not know and have never met? I doubt anyone else on the roar wants to read these bitchy sort of remarks from you, me or anyone else. Kind of distracts from the football talk.

As for my accusing people of acting in the very way I do, please tell me when I have ever wished violent bodily harm on anyone on a blog, or written a personal attack on anyone. Yet Jesse has done this to me, one of his regular and long standing readers, several times, simply because on occasion I sometimes disagree with his viewpoint, and explain my reasons for this.

If you think that’s acceptable then you deserve each other.

I repeat: why don’t we all agree to avoid personal comments and stick to football ones in future.

The best managers in the world are first and foremost consultative man-managers. “This is how I used to do it” just doesn’t cut it anymore. Mourinho, Benitez, Hiddink; these brilliant managers use both sides of the brain, the methodical left and conceptual right to outsmart their opponents. All of them have said it’s the details that make the difference at the top.
However, we live in a world of credibility. If you have been a successful player then you have expert power and the attention of a wider range of important people, hence the need for teacher coaches to work harder to get a go and prove their methods. Perceived credibility!

Kind of like Slippery Jim, he sooooooo wants to be Jesse Fink it oozes out in his comments. Fink has credibility, a successful book, experience with a number of magazines and blogs and a significant fan-base. Unlike, SJ. The bloke needs to bring out his own line of black pots and kettles, the Slippery Jim Series or something to that effect. All he does is accuse people of acting in the very way he does. Still, he probably thinks he’s keeping Fink honest. I’d like to end all of this constant banter between the two of them and suggest a bout in the ring. The Fink v SJ title fight!!!

Good result for Chelsea etc but you have your opinion and I’ll have mine. I’m not happy it worked.

This is from Spanish paper as quoted by Sid Lowe in one of his recent Guardian articles.

….He certainly wasn’t talking about the first – a game in which La Vanguardia pointedly described Didier Drogba as an island in a wide open sea, miles from anywhere, utterly isolated.

“What would you take on a desert island?” asks Carles Rupiérez. “You could always go to Didier Drogba for suggestions. He had 89 minutes to think about it last night, 89 minutes to choose a book, a CD, to go for a mobile phone or a Swiss army knife or a lighter to make fires. Every now and then Piqué or Márquez visited him as they went to collect some strange object his team-mates occasionally sent his way, always by air mail.”

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1642520,00.html

The ONLY club, EVER, during 2008-2009 to go to the Nou Camp and stop Barcelona from scoring is…can you guess? Eh? Eh? To build the suspense, the answer will be posted later…but I can tell you now, it is a pretty special club indeed!

I think that a manager’s success revolves around a fine line of variables. Hodgson was deemd a failure at Blackburn but is being lauded at Fulham….same guy, i assume same approach in the same football culture. Hughes was lauded at Blackburn but is hardly doing so well at Man City. (…trying to think of teachers and players to even the ledger there).

Martin Jol ( i feel i had to nominate one other from Spurs) is a good example. Isn’t Jol now doing well in the bundesliga?