No fear, The Trequartista is here

Just changed my name from Futbol Fever to The Trequartista, as no type of player brings me more excitment or is more important to a game, than the creator in the midfield.

Zidane playing for France.

For those you don’t know what a ‘Trequartista’ is, its the playmaker behind the strikers, the ‘secondary striker’ or in football lingo, the ‘number 10’. They are the source of creativity in a team and can play in formations such as 4-2-3-1, 4-3-1-2 or 4-4-2 (diamond), where they are provided defensive cover by two or three central midfielders, thus allowing them to be the primary attacking force for their team.

They are rare in the modern game, due to the intevention of more defensive mindset of teams, but some examples include:
– Javier Pastore (PSG); Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan); Kaka (Real Madrid); Pablo Aimar (Benfica)
And of course the classics who made the role:
– Zidane; Del Piero, Rui Costa, Zico and Maradona.

My first article on EPLtalk.com

I’ve post my first articlee for EPLtalk.com, a website dedicated to Premier League!
The article is an preview for this week’s exciting clash between Chelsea and Arsenal! Let me know what you guys think!

http://www.epltalk.com/chelsea-vs-arsenal-who-will-win-the-battle-between-the-league%e2%80%99s-most-attacking-sides-36523

6-1. 7 Goals. 7 Talking Points From The Manchester Derby

Manchester City Are Title Favourites
Too early to say? Probably, as champions aren’t decided in October, but in the final run-in of March, April and May. City though seem build to be champions. Once they score, they hand out a demolition job. Their  defensive structure is unbreakable and they’ve shown togetherness on and off the field (illustrated by the Tevez saga – that could of caused dressing room problems). More importantly, they are playing with propose and professionalism. 1-0 up against United, even with 10 men, many could see City taking the pedal off the gas. They didn’t and took their game to the rivals. Five points clear, they won’t give up this lead without fighting till the last round.

Kompany’s Captaincy
When Kompany was given the captain’s armband, many wondered how he would take over from the leadership duties of last season’s talisman Tevez. Well, he has proved Mancini’s decision to give him the armband was an excellent one. He’s being the consistent rock at the rearguard, tough, but professional. Leading at back with Lescott beside him, his defensive efforts, has given City licence to roam forward at will. In the opening 25minutes of the derby, United bombarded City’s goal. Kompany held it all together, getting on the end of every cross and through ball. He made some excellent tackles as he lead the line perfectly. A complete performance from the captain.

Balotelli Can Continue Causing Fireworks
You had to laugh when you saw Balotelli lift off his shirt to read the slogan “Why always me?” The answer is clearly because Super Mario can’t help but put himself in the spotlight. He might have caused more commotion by setting off firecrackers in this house, but as long as he lights the fires for City on the field, Mancini and Co won’t care. Scoring the delightful opener, Balotelli was a menace for the United defence, drifting out on the wing, creating space for Silva to work his magic, then coming in to support Aguero. He seems to learning though, as he didn’t throw a fuss when he was substituted.

Mancini’s Tactics
Mancini knows when he’s got his tactics right and wrong. He got them spot-on in the derby. While it seems in the early stages of the first that City were playing for the draw, his decision to play five in the midfield, completely swamped United. Anderson and Fletcher couldn’t handle control the centre of the pitch, completely dominated by Toure, Barry and Silva. It was City’s defensive work that stood out. When United were in City’s half, the sat deep and played on the counter. As City pushed forward they pressured United, Barcelona-style, hounding the United rearguard. At times United struggled to get the ball out of their half. It was tactical perfection from Mancini.

United’s Lack Of Urgency
There is always that sudden shift in play from United when the go down 1-0. Last week against Liverpool, they amped up their game, before shutting up shop. Where was the fluency, urgency and desire in the derby? As City took the lead, United limped through the first half, barely forcing Joe Hart to work. Everyone expected Ferguson to rev them up in the second half. Maybe they would have, had it not been for Evans’ red card, but United are known for playing for the win, regardless of the circumstances.  They barely broke through City’s wall, scoring only when the game was done and dusted. United have lacked in the spark in recent weeks, most noticeably in games against Stoke, Basil, Norwich and Liverpool. Ferguson has got to find that spark for Everton next week.

Evans’ Dismissal
The one thing that lingers over Johnny Evans is that he always a mistake or two in him. 60 seconds into the second half and Johnny Evans’ straight red for hauling down Balotelli spelt the end for Manchester United. With Manchester City dominating proceedings, it was always an uphill battle for United, who lacked fluency throughout the game. United are known for upping their game with 10 men against the opposition, but with this solid Manchester City outfit, it was always going to be difficult. He’s on his last legs with United after another costly mistake.

Major Games Are Done For Now
The next few games for United are crucial, as it will show their reaction to such a heavy and humiliating defeat by their rivals. On a positive note, United have already played against the ‘Big Six’ and face a run over very winnable games. They are up against: Everton, Sunderland, Swansea and Newcastle in the next four games. There is the potential for Ferguson to get his team back in shape and notch up a couple of victories on the trot, bringing confidence back to the squad. They, like City are not going to give up this title race without a fight.

My Blog On FootballFriendsOnline.com

See my latest blog on FootballFriendsOnline.com: The Alternative Football Blog.

http://www.footballfriendsonline.com/blogs/2011/10/22/four-things-arsenal-have-to-do.html

Arsenal – Four Things They Have To Do:

Arsenal’s smash and grabs victory over Marseille the other night in the Champions League prompted Arsene Wenger to say that the Gunners had reached a “turning point” in their season. But that’s what Wenger said after the 1-0 win over Swansea, then in typical fragile Arsenal fashion, the following week they blew it 4-3 at Blackburn. So here is a proposal of 4 things Arsenal Wenger should do,to ensure this “turning point” won’t go off the rails again:

SCRAP THE 4-3-3

Back in the good old days of Henry, Viera, Pires, Arsenal was structured in a 4-4-2 formation. It brought the Gunners success. Back two seasons ago, Wenger began the change to structure Arsenal in a 4-3-3 system he thought would bring the Gunners glory. It hasn’t. The 4-3-3 doesn’t suit the players and while it means Arsenal controls the majority of the game through possession, it hasn’t brought any success, leaving Arsenal short in attack and weak in defence.

Walcott, Gervinho, Arshavin are all players of immense speed and skill, but being shunned tot the wing, they have gone missing. Walcott is a striker by heart; Arshavin plays behind the strikers or as secondary one and similarly so does Gervinho. In the centre, Song is solid as the anchor man, but needs support in the role, another stern body to help him out in defence. This has left
Arsenal vulnerable at the back, leaving Vermaelen and co to fend for themselves. Also, the burden of scoring goals has fallen on Van Persie, and with no one there to assist him, the Gunners lack the firepower up front.

The suggestion is simple: Go back to the basics. A switch back to the 4-4-2 formation would change things. Ferguson proved it last year it. Even Chelsea used it. Arsenal has the players to make it work.

USE THE SQUAD

Football is no longer about the best 11; it’s about the best 25. Ferguson, Guardiola,  Mourinho – victors of past three Champions League teams – know this. They chop and change the squad; ensuring that players don’t burn out during the end of the season;
keeping players fresh for the important games and making everyone feel part of the squad.

Wnger has not seemed to grasp this fact. Over the last few years it’s been well documented that Arsenal collapse in the second half of the season. The major reason is fatigue. After playing 30 or more games at the point of the season, wear and tear starts to kick in.

Wenger has to utilize his squad, giving players the chance to impress, but also to rest the big guns. Fabregas, Nasri, Wilshere all wentoff the radar in the second half of last season, because they played every game, even dead rubbers and matches against lower division teams. It’s about time Wenger starts getting the fringe players onboard.

GET THE PLAYERS FIT

Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Sagna and Wilshere all head up Arsenal’s injury list. Every season, the Gunners find themselves short in their playing squad forced to use youngsters not ready for the big leagues (the 8-2 drumming by Manchester United anyone?).

Vermaelen has barely featured over the last two seasons; same goes with Diaby and Wilshere was all but spent before the season even started. Arsenal seems to suffer injuries to their key players year after year.

Time for Wenger to change that: he has to implement a change in training regime or perhaps focus more on the physical and fitness aspects of the game to get the injured Gunners up and running. Getting the players fit, focused and ready to jump in when
required will help the Gunners this season.

STRENGTHEN IN JANUARY

Wenger needs to jump into the winter transfer this season, to strengthen the squad. Yes, it’s difficult to get a quality player during that time of the season, unless you have the money to do so – or in Wenger’s case, the inability to spend that money – but Wenger is more than capable of purchasing quality players.

Arsenal needs another midfield enforcer on their list. Song is capable, but when he’s out – who else is there? Wilshere is better as a box-to-box player, but even that he’s only 20 years old. Rosicky, Arteta and Ramsey are better creating than defending. Also, with Arsenal overly reliant on Van Persie, it’s time Wenger finds another goal scorer. His distrust in Chamakh and Park; and with Walcott and Gervinho pushed out on to the sides, Arsenal lack that consistent goal poacher. With Van Persie were to get injured, Arsenal would find themselves in trouble.

Here is a list of players that Arsenal that should look at getting this transfer (some possible and others unlikely):

Lucho Gonzalez (Marseille), Yann M’Villa (Rennes), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Edin Hazard (Lille), Juan Manuel Vargas (Fiorentina),
Christopher Samba (Blackburn), Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn) and Roberto Soldado(Valencia)

Post your opinions and let me know what you think!

Welcome to Futbol Fever!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Chicas and Hombres Welcome to Futbol Fever!

The name’s Andrew and for you football nuts out there, this is the football blog that you gotta read! I’ll be discussing, analyzing, blogging, posting my insane theories and opinions about the World Game!

I’ll be covering everything from my favourite teams (Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona to name a few) to the lastest debates and issues invovling the greatest sport on Earth!

I hope you guys and girls, will join in and give me your opinions!

As Bill Shanky (Former Liverpool Manager) said “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that”

Those words, sum up how much football means to me!