Savage shakes off 666 image for 606

This may seem surprising coming from a Birmingham fan but Robbie Savage is a breath of fresh air to football punditry. Driving home from the football (a minimum 4 hour journey) back to Cornwall from Birmingham can often be an arduous task not made any easier by the one sided same old same old from the likes of Alan 'top four' Green on BBC 606.

Now as a Birmingham fan I was as repulsed by the exit of Savage as everyone else. I was further angered when Savage sat in a television studio looking smug and delighted at a Blues defeat not too long after his departure. But I'm not one to hold a grudge and to give credit where credit is due, Robbie Savage made the journey home last night far more enjoyable than normal.

Robbie Savage is so opinionated you'll either love what he says or hate it. He really is Mr Marmite. He calls a spade and spade and last night he managed to not just hit the nail on the head but absolutely smash it to pieces. A Chelsea fan phoned up dismayed by the 1-0 defeat at St Andrews and questioned what had gone wrong at Chelsea. Robbie's response took me totally by surprise. He's not the most eloquently spoken pundit you'll ever hear but his response put basically was:

Sometimes the bigger teams lose because they get beaten by the other side. Give Birmingham Credit, and give Sunderland credit for their 0-3 battering of Chelsea last week. It doesn't mean Chelsea played awfully, it doesn't mean Chelsea are in crisis, it means that Birmingham and Sunderland attacked better than Chelsea and defended better than Chelsea on the day.

Booom. That was Robbie Savage. Not Alan Green, Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Alan Shearer (this list could go on).

God forbid any team that dare beat a 'top four' team. How dare they indeed. If you listen to most of the media you would think four or five teams in England have an absolute divine right to win every game and if they don't then they must have done something wrong rather the other team do something right. Believe it or not, Robbie Savage of all people, speaks the most sense in the media these days. Long may it continue.

(Picture Credit : BBC)

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave!

During my final year at University one of my housemates and I decided to stay up and soak up the atmosphere of the Superbowl in the USA. For such a spectacular sporting and entertainment event, with amazing scenes of madness going on from the teams bursting through huge banners to the camera flashing-firework exploding bonanza of the coin toss the one thing that stuck out was the singing of the National Anthem.

So strong was the impression left by Kelly Clarkson's rendition of the wonderful Star Spangled Banner that one of the studio analysts went on to announce that was in his 'Top 3' of anthem performances. What a bizarre statement we thought as we looked at each other bemused and amused. Did this man really have a list of great national anthem performances?!

After a little thought however I can see why he would have such a list. The National Anthem for me is one of the most exciting parts of the World Cup, moving grown men to tears and subconsciously forcing you to stand a few inches taller with pride at your nations call to arms and unity. With the World Cup fast approaching, and having recently been reminded of my experience watching the Superbowl anthem I have taken a leaf out of said Superbowl commentators book and compiled my own list of top anthems for the teams in the World Cup. I tried to whittle it down to top 3 but felt compelled to include a top 5 to do the teams justice.

The Proudest moment for any player

The moments when the teams line up in symmetry with the crowd in the stands and the first few notes of the national anthems start booming from the roof tops you know the World Cup is upon us.

In Fifth and Fourth place respectively we have the rousing German Anthem and the most enjoyable Brazil Anthem. Both bring back memories of previous tournaments, and as both sides are usual suspects towards the latter stages of the tournament they are both anthems that are familiar with your average football fan. However both anthems miss out on a top 3 spot due to the magnificence of the French Anthem and the absolute brilliance of the Italy Anthem.

Yet for all the emotion and excitement evoked by such works of musical art, nothing can come close to the rising crescendos of the superb Star Spangled Banner. The USA Anthem comes out on top as no one does national pride quite like the Americans. The very basis of the American psyche is to be a beacon of light for the world to follow and the Star Spangled Banner screams with pride and joy at being the 'Land of the Free and Home of the Brave'.

Humorist Richard Armour said of the American Anthem:

Bombs were soon bursting in air, rockets were glaring, and all in all it was a moment of great historical interest. During the bombardment, a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner, and when, by the dawn's early light, the British heard it sung, they fled in terror!"

Many in the American camp at this years World Cup will be hoping for a similar affect on the English players on Saturday night in Rustenburg.

Picture Credit: MCT Direct

Picture Credit (2) :Bob Thomas, Getty Images

Two wrongs don't make a Wright

Don Fabio has got this wrong. Quite a judgement indeed, but the announcement of the England squad has left me feeling like Capello has picked up the wrong suitcase from the carousel at the airport terminal. That wrong suitcase comes in the shape of Shaun Wright-Phillips, but the right piece of luggage is not Theo Walcott as many people argue, but in fact Man City's Adam Johnson.

Walcott's omission has been widely reported on, whilst various theories on the reasons behind his exclusion have come to light. Walcott is often see cruising the wings with blinkers on, unable to deliver an effective final Beckham-esque ball, rather speeding down dead ends highlighting a lack of creative vision.

Whilst his performances against Mexico and Japan failed to spark the imagination into illustrations of greatness, rumours have also surfaced of a rift in the England camp between Messrs Walcott and Rooney. Such a rift would hardly be surprising with Walcott's seeming inability to cross the ball to his striker on a daily basis on the training pitch. Stories of a Rooney red mist following defeat to Walcott in a game of pool a few months ago add further fuel to such speculation - (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2950538/Wayne-Rooney-snaps-cue-after-Theo-Walcott-pool-defeat.html)

Johnson has had a great half season at Man City, and most interestingly is ahead in the pecking order at club level against his ex-international team mate Wright-Phillips. For me Wright-Phillips has done nothing this season to merit a place in the World Cup squad whilst Johnson offers something different. Naturally left footed he can play on either wing and unlike Walcott can deliver a killer ball when needed. Coupled with his pace and deft touch, plus the added benefit of being something of an unknown quantity in World Football circles certainly gets the pulse racing as a potential secret weapon for England.

7 Minutes in Heaven for Johnson and England

Picture the scene, 80 minutes gone, England 0-0 USA and Capello needs to get a goal from somewhere, anywhere. Who would you bring on? Wright-Phillips and his scintillating form and confidence from the season gone? No? Or Johnson, brimming with enthusiasm and ability to match, getting himself a yard of space and whipping the ball to Crouch...

Capello was right to drop Walcott, but wrong to drop Johnson and wrong to include Wright Phillips. As the saying goes, Two wrongs don't make a Wright.

Walcott finds another Dead End

Photos PA, Daily Mail

Legends of the Past, Icons of the Future

Au Revoir ZiZou

The World Cup is once again upon us and the people of the world await with excruciating excitement for the first ball to be kicked. Memories of the World Cup often revolve around those iconic images of the greatest players in the world, Moore and Pele in a shirtless embrace in '70, Maradona and his fist in '86, Baggio with hands on hips and head bowed in '94, Zidane sinking down the steps in '06. Just a couple of the many iconic moments from the iconic players in the greatest show in the world.

On a personal note my memories of the World Cup stretch back just about as far as 1994, although as a 6 year old my memories of the matches, the goals and the headlines are all a blurry haze that become focused by the glut of youtube montages sparking vague recollections of watching the yellow of Romania or green of Ireland. But the one thing that sparks the light bulb in my head are the names of the great players. Hagi, Baggio, Stoichkov, Romario, Maradona, Valderamma all spring to mind as icons of that hot American summer to name but a few.

The best players in the world not only offer the most exciting and impressive footballing talent, but they offer a story to go with it. A legendary status that can only be achieved in hindsight perhaps. I look back with a nostalgic fondness at the names i grew up with and a regret and sadness that, now the squads have been announced, their names are missing from the guest lists invited to the party.

This World Cup has almost come in at a transitional period in World Football. No Longer are the legendary names of Zidane, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cannavaro, Beckham, Crespo, Ballack et al invovled yet the brilliance of Kaka, Messi, C Ronaldo, Rooney, Torres have yet to rise to the level of their predecessors.

Who will step up and become a legend? Who will write the future as the Nike commercial asks?

In ten years time we will look back on the next month and reminisce about how they don't make 'em like they used to. The way we now look at names like the Baggio's or the Ronaldo's or Zidane's or Beckham's of the past we will do so of some of the names announced this week in the squads going to South Africa. Iconic images will be made and I for one can not wait to witness future being written.

Hoddle's rejection hit 'Gazza' hard

Photo: (1) Perenyi/Augenklick

Standing Room Only

Could standing on the terraces at football matches in England be set for a surprising return?

Well, in a recent interview with the three men all vying for the next position as the minister heading up the Department for Sport, Media and Culture the most interesting answer came from the Liberal Democrat candidate Don Foster. Foster suggested that the Liberal Democrats would explore the options for a move towards 'safe standing' areas, with the Conservative candidate Hugh Robertson also open to such a proposal.

After the infamous Hillsborough disaster in 1989 and the much needed regeneration of the English game, standing terraces in the top two tiers of the football pyramid were replaced by seated stands following the Taylor report in 1990.

But now, 20 years on from that damning indictment of the state of English football a return to standing terraces is a real possibility. One argument goes that there is a working model for such a move in the Bundesliga in Germany.

With tickets for football escalating in price and attendances decreasing resulting in more subdued atmospheres the option of safe standing is a popular one amongst many football fans. Borrusia Dortmund houses a 24,000 capacity terrace with vociferous supporters enjoying a superb atmosphere at a reduced cost. This could certainly be seen as one way to bring back alienated fans from clubs who simply can not afford the price of a modern day football match.

Some would argue however that the cost of converting stadiums that have now shifted to all seater is a price that clubs would be reluctant to pay. Of course new build stadiums could have this option, and its certainly something that would be popular with football fans who reminisce about the 'good old days'.

I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to have experienced standing at an FA cup tie in the mid 90's between Plymouth Argyle and Kidderminster Harriers. Unfortunately my memory of that day, beyond a dourer than dour 0-0 draw was the urine stained crumbling concrete of a terrace that was in bad need of rebuilding. It is safe to say that modern day terraces would be less of dilapidated open air public toilet and more state-of-the-art seated convertible terraces as seen so successfully in Germany.

Dortmund offer standing and seating options

Photo: Stadionwelt.de

If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.

Is it time for Rafael Benitez to leave Liverpool? In short, Yes. It's not about success or failure so much, it's more about stagnation, staleness and constant thirst for change in football.

LIverpool have been moderately successful under the auspices of Rafa. The Champions League victory in 2005, in such dramatic circumstances is something that has eluded some of the best managers in the world, most notably a one Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Liverpool followed their Champions League win with arguably an even more dramatic F.A Cup win the following year.

Nevertheless those victories came in 2005 and 2006 respectively, and whilst other teams have moved on and progressed, Liverpool haven't quite reached the potential that the early Benitez reign promised.

Whilst many predicted that it was only a matter of time for Benitez and Liverpool to win the Premier League title, a stagnation has set in this season that has seen Liverpool fail to make even the most minimum of expectations, Champions League qualification.

What has happened to Liverpool under the guidance of Rafael Benitez shares strong parallels with the Steve Bruce era at Birmingham City. A start that promised so much, promotion to the Premier League after 16 years of absence followed by three years of consistency and growth came crashing down in one foul swoop in the 2005-2006 season. Relegation for Birmingham that season was like going ten steps back after taking 9 forward. Although not the same ultimate result, Benitez has seen Liverpool grow under his leadership only for it to come crashing down over the last 12 months.

Shared Destinies

One bad season should not define a career at a club, yet this is the beginning of the end for Benitez. Despite Steve Bruce launching a successful promotion campaign with Birmingham following the season after relegation, calls for him to leave were growing louder and louder. Stagnation and Staleness had set in to the football club, not entirely through faults of Bruce, rather a combination of factors. Plans for a new stadium were at best floundering, rumours of boardroom unrest were rife, and supporters cried out for serious investment. Sounds familiar? For Birmingham 2005-2007 see Liverpool 2008-2010.

Bruce is now continuing to build his profile, and in many eyes has the potential to one day manage Manchester United, although tactical awareness will always hold Bruce back. Birmingham have been revitalised by Alex Mcleish and a takeover, seeing the stagnation swept away to be replaced by a new era of exciting optimism. This is inevitably the path that Liverpool will be forced to take. A new board will soon arrive, a new manager too, and that in itself will be enough to breath new life into the staleness that has tarnished The Reds this season.

In football if you dont move forward you move back. Standing still is essentially moving back as every other team progresses forwards. For many Liverpool have started to stand still, therefore a change needs to happen. Not because Benitez is a bad manager, or because Liverpool are a bad team. Far from it. But if nothing changes, nothing changes. And in football, if a change comes, its a safe bet to say it'll be the manager on his way.

Photo: PA

Welcome to Golaccio!

Welcome!

This blog is my window to the world in which you will witness what may appear to be the ramblings of an obsessed, nay addicted footballite.

So Where to begin? Well here's the essentials -My name is Jonny Randall and I'm soon to be a post graduate student in the study of Sports History and Culture. I have been a season ticket holder at Birmingham City for the best part of ten years.

My most enjoyable moments in football in a nutshell are watching my beloved Birmingham City play (and win, I hope), early season excitement, end of season drama, and the World Cup.

We all have our earliest memories of football and mine stretch back to the mid 90's. Two memories particularly come to mind. Firstly, just about managing to stay awake long enough to watch the penalty shootout of the USA 94 World Cup between Italy and Brazil ( I was only 6 at the time) and watching Football Italia on a sunday on Channel 4 (before Sky had really kicked off). This second memory provides the name of this blog, perhaps better pronounced as Goooooaaaaaaallll Lazio!

The immortal scream of Jose Altafini, an ex footballer come commentator. The excitement of a beautiful goal erupted into screams of Golaccio, often misunderstood in England as Goooooaaaaalll-Lazio! The word loosely means Goaltastic, which is fitting as Altafini, an Italian-Brazilian is the third highest scorer in Serie A history.

This blog will mainly focus its attention towards off the pitch analysis rather than match reporting. Such reporting would only highlight my lack of tactical nouse, although i may give it a go now and again! Thank you for reading this far, no doubt the content will improve over time so watch this space.

Jose 'Gooooooooaaaaal -Lazzziiioooooo' Altafini

Photo: storiedicalcio