SPORTS NOTES - TRANSFER THIS - January, 2009

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Of the 2008 FIFA World Player nominees which will be handed out at the Zurich Opera House January 12th Kaká ( Brazil ), Lionel Messi ( Argentina ), Cristiano Ronaldo ( Portugal ), Fernando Torres ( Spain ), and Xavi ( Spain ) the name that keeps coming up the most to help out Robinho at Man City is KaKa. - Part 1 FOOTBALLS TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

Monday January 5, 2009

Does Money Talk Enough to Make Bulls#!t Walk?

The transfer window is upon us and the first name mentioned in a move is Chelsea fullback Wayne Bridge to Manchester City. Bridge couldn't find a spot as a starter with Chelsea but could be a major fix for Man City.

When you look at the standings entering the year Man City was in the bottom half of the table in the 13th position with 22 points only four points above the bottom dwellers West Brom who have 18 points. With only six wins Man City shows a glaring weakness on defense where they gave up 30 goals while Chelsea had the leagues best giving up only nine goals. Chelsea also has the leagues best offense scoring 40 goals but is in 2nd with 42 points and trail Liverpool who have 45. With a better defense Man City could be in a much better situation as Liverpool has scored only 35 goals while giving up only 13.

The talk of how much money Man City has available to spend on acquisitions doesn't translate into wins as Real Madrid's Los Galácticos. proved that having the best talent in the world isn't a quick fix.

Of the 2008 FIFA World Player nominees which will be handed out at the Zurich Opera House January 12th Kaká ( Brazil ), Lionel Messi ( Argentina ), Cristiano Ronaldo ( Portugal ), Fernando Torres ( Spain ), and Xavi ( Spain ) the name that keeps coming up the most to help out Robinho at Man City is KaKa.

Though KaKa says he's happy at Milan it remains to be seen if money turns talk into bulls#!t. Though he says he's happy where he is the buzz continues. The rationale being that Man City with Robinho and KaKa on the same side they could sign more strong players to the club. At this point their disappointing 6 W - 4 D - 10 L record with Robinho isn't that enticing.

Part 1 FOOTBALLS TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

TRIVIA QUESTION

After spending seven seasons as a Detroit Piston that included two NBA title winning teams (1989-90) Dennis Rodman was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. Who was the Spurs coach?

ESPN LOST THE PLOT

It was like listening to a college radio broadcast the way ESPN Singapore's sportscasters telecast the Suzuki Cup. Throughout the series the continued to praise Thailand as if they (the sportscasters) attended the University of Thailand. There is no such thing and their cheerleading type of coverage was unprofessional.

A professional approach is to be unbiased and describe the action blended in with some color and stories about some of the players, coaches and the background of the competition. When Vietnam won the title with a last second goal for a 1-1 tie and 3-2 aggregate victory in Hanoi the announcer's energy level of Vietnam's success never matched the praise given for Thailand whom they expected to win though they lost the first leg 2-1 in Bangkok. It was fair enough as Vietnam deservedly won with arguably less overall talent but more heart.

MORE ESPN

The Singapore feed of their sports news noted that former Thai national coach Peter Withe is being considered for the Malaysia national team manager's position. Withe was Thailand's most successful coach ever as he took a team that were quitters in the 1998 Tiger Cup and turned them mentally around to be winners. They made their mark with a golden goal win over South Korea in the 1998 Asian Cup with only nine men. They also defeated Arsenal 4-3 in a friendly a few months later.

Sports Notes ARCHIVES Peter Withe's Soccer Magic - Part 1 - May, 1999
He inherited a team that was in shambles after an embarrasing Tiger Cup showing. He took a team that was humiliated and within TWO months, he transformed losers into winners. - The Former England & Aston Villa Striker PETER WITHE MADE A SILK PURSE OUT OF THAILAND'S SOW'S EAR With Wins Over SOUTH KOREA and ARSENAL ... - Entertainment - TV

Sports Notes ARCHIVES Peter Withe's Soccer Magic - Part 2 - September, 1999
The Thai's national team's reputation was badly scared from a 1998 Tiger Cup match with Indonesia. Both teams were trying to LOSE the game. Why? The winner would face VIETNAM ... - Entertainment - T

TRIVIA ANSWER

John Lucas. With Rodman the 1993-94 team finished second n the western division with a 55-27 record. That was Lucas last season as the Spurs coach. He moved on to coach the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers, each for less than two seasons. He compiled a 174 - 258 overall coaching record.

Prior to entering the NBA Lucas attended the University of Maryland where he was an all-American in basketball as well as tennis. He played for the US national team in the 1974 FIBA World Championship, winning the bronze medal. Lucas was a good NBA player who had a 14 year NBA career was with six teams from 1977-1990. He was the number one overall NBA draft pick by the Houston Rockets in 1976 ahead of NBA Hall of Fame players Robert Parish and Adrian Dantley. He was a member of the 1986 Houston Rockets team that made the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics.

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