Only Time Will Tell

Really

2009-07-02T19:26:00.002-05:00

When I first read the headline: Owen to United. I first thought it would be a great signing for Leeds, but the more I read I was surprised it was Manchester United. After thinking about it for a little bit, it might not be that bad an idea.
First of all its not going to cost a transfer fee and Owen's contract is going to based on performances so if he stinks he will not get paid. If it happens he will be an extra part and will not beat out of names such as Berba, Rooney, Walbeck, and Kico for starting spots. He could be a great asset coming off the bench in the 70 minute. While it sounds crazy to bring the former Kop legend to United, it does make sense on a couple of levels.

It's Schedule Day in the EPL

2009-06-17T12:32:00.001-05:00

The schedules have been released in England now its time to plan and look to the future. Thanks to Setanta for this pix

Saying Good Bye in video form

2009-06-12T12:32:00.003-05:00

Saying good bye to Ronnie, with great video from Country Football.

The King of All Newspapers

2009-06-12T08:47:00.005-05:00

Only one soccer player can turn the front pages of papers around Europe into his own personal playground, Ronnie. His move from United to Real Madrid dominates the front pages of newspapers in England, Portugal and Spain.

The Guardian (England)

El Mundo (Spain)

Journal de Noticias (Portugal)

AS (Spanish Sports Daily)

Marca (Spanish Sports Daily)

Bye Bye Ronnie and Thank You

2009-06-11T19:27:00.005-05:00

The hair gel, the step overs, the temper tantrums, and the goals it has been a remarkable run at Manchester United for Ronaldo and that run now appears to be over. Real Madrid have made an offer of 80 million pounds for the Portuguese winger and United have accepted so all that has to be done is personal terms between Ronnie and Real, which will happen really soon. So this is the end.

Some people will say good riddance, but I can not. All I can say is thank you Ronnie. You always said Real Madrid was your dream move now you will be able to live out that dream, and good luck.

During the last six years there have been so many moments of magic from the goal in the championship league final against Chelski, to the goal at Porto in this years Champions League, to the come back against Spurs and Aston Villa, and the thropies. Oh yes the thropies. Premier League Trophies, an FA Cup, League Cups, World Club Cup, Community Shields and Mr. Big Ears it has been a great six years and now we go our separate ways.

But in two decades when people list the best players to ever wear the number 7 at United you are at the top of the list. I have faith that United are not done, but rather this is just the next great team that Sir Alex is building. It was fun while it lasted and again good luck at Madrid.

Gimmick Infringement?

2009-06-04T20:08:00.006-05:00

For the last two years Irish boardcaster Setanta has been making the world laugh with the puppet series Special1 TV. The series includes puppets that depict The Special One, Wayne Rooney, and Sven. The series is classic and has drawn critical acclaim. Now they have company in the puppet sports world.

Now Nike is getting into the puppet business with the Kobe and LeBron commercials during the NBA Finals. Nike will have to show me that they are on the same level as Special1 TV. I really don't think that they will ever be up to that level. It's weird that Nike would go in this direction, maybe they saw the success of Special1 TV and wanted to get in on the sports puppet world.

Best of Special1 TV

2009-05-31T13:55:00.003-05:00

The gang wraps up the season with a best of episode, classic bits.

OTWT Non-Top Four All EPL Team

2009-05-31T10:12:00.007-05:00

All of the trophies have been given out, the season has officially come to an end, so now its time to name the Only Time Will Tell Non-Top Four All EPL Team. It would have been easy to select an all EPL team that included the top four sides, but this was a little more fun.

So here goes:

Goalie: Tim Howard, Everton
Defense: Brede Hangeland, Fulham (pictured right)
Defense: Phil Jagielka, Everton
Defense: Lucas Neill, West Ham
Defense: Glen Johnson, Portsmouth
Midfielder: Ashley Young, Aston Villa
Midfielder: Stephen Ireland, Manchester City
Midfielder: Tim Cahill, Everton
Midfielder: Antonio Valencia, Wigan
Forward: Robinho, Manchester City
Forward: Luka Modric, Spurs

If you have any issues with this team post your comments below. I can not wait for the start of the 09-10 season. Its only approximately 10 weeks away.

All Hail the Champions: Barcelona

2009-05-28T08:51:00.004-05:00

If United would have won I would have done the same thing, so in the interest of fairness here is how some of the daily papers in Spain and England covered the Champions League Final:

The Guardian (England)

LaVanguardia (Spain)
Avuli

Pure Class

2009-05-27T20:48:00.001-05:00

It has been a couple of hours since Barca lifted the Champions League Trophy and as a United fan, all I can say is "Pure Class." Sure it hurts to see your team beaten on the biggest stage but when they are beaten by a five star performance, you have to tip your hat to the other team.

After starting the game slowly, the Barca midfield showed why they are the best in world. Their runs were great, their passing was five star. It was a performance for the ages by the red and blue and the trophy is well deserved.

For a United fan the last two years have been amazing. The trophy haul includes: two Community Shield, two Premier League Titles, a Carling Cup, Champions League and a Fifa World Club Cup. Seven trophies in 24 makes the pain go away a little quicker.

My United scarf is sitting on the couch knowing the season is over and ready to be put in the closet for summer. In August the scarf will again come out of the closet for the Community Shield and today in Rome will be a thing of the past.

Its almost game time

2009-05-26T20:54:00.001-05:00

The Champions League Final will kick off in less then 20 hours and for one I can not wait for the battle in Rome between United and Barca.

Here is the line up I see Sir Alex going with:
Goal: Van der Sar
Defense: Evra
Defense: Rio
Defense: Vidic
Defense: O'Shea
Central Midfield: Giggs
Central Midfield: Carrick
Central Midfield: Anderson
Wings: Rooney
Wings: Park
Forward: Ronaldo

This is similar to the lineup that Sir Alex used against Arsenal in the semifinals. Rooney and Park will track back enough to limit the wing play of Messi and Barcelona and if things go crazy Carlos and the Berba are ready to be called on.

Let's go United.

Save Carlos

2009-05-26T11:47:00.001-05:00

A new signing for the show. The worlds most famous Hammers fan joins the crew for next season.

The Premier League will look a little different next season

2009-05-25T16:45:00.001-05:00

I started watching the Premier League in the mid-90 and there have been a couple of things that have stayed the same during that time. The Champions League representative almost always come from the Big Four, Liverpool will not win the title, and Newcastle United will pack St. James for any game. But next year that will not happen as the Toon were relegated yesterday afternoon after falling to Aston Villa 1-0.

While not a big fan of the Toon, the black and white shirt meant something, but now because of bad management and spine less players Newcastle will have to fight to rejoin the Premier League. But next season the Toon Army can enjoy their trips to Sheffield and Forest.

Did you ever think that Burnley would be in the Premier League and Newcastle would not.

The great wordsmith of the SPL

2009-05-22T11:44:00.001-05:00

He might be in the hot seat at Hearts in Scotland by Csaba Laszio has quickly developed a reputation as one of the quotable managers anywhere in the world. Here are some samples of his great use of the English language, well Scottish that is:

"I am not stupid. The fans hear Csaba Laszlo. They think 'Who? Ah yes, he kicked the Hearts record goalscorer'. Ugh...Uganda?! Where is Uganda?! Some people, if you ask about Kampala, he think 'this is a nice food!' but yeah, it's true I am not stupid."
"If you see that your team plays this s**t like we did in the first half, you can just run out of the stadium and say 'it's Mothers' Day tomorrow' and forget about the football. But we are guys, we are at Ibrox and we are still in the first half. I wanted to kill some of the people in my dressing room at half time, but then I have to go to jail and we don't get a point! But the second half was sexy." - Csaba 21/3/2009
"Always on the television is Rangers, Celtic, Celtic, Rangers, Rangers, Celtic and other teams only get on the television one or two times, but only if they play against the Celtic."
"We didn't get any red cards, we didn't get any yellow cards and we didn't get any punishment from the referee for arresting the time. The referee never had the possibility to tell my players to go quicker. We used only the rules that football gives us.''

United in White

2009-05-21T10:23:00.003-05:00

So the big ears cup final is almost here and United will be wearing white the for final, a little surprised by this. Its a nice look and they will be wearing white shorts too. Photo is from manunited.com.

Show some class Rafa

2009-05-19T17:09:00.001-05:00

Tradition has it that the second place manager in the EPL pens a letter of congratulation to the championship winning manager. Sir Alex had to send it to Wenger and Jose.

Wenger had to send it to Sir Alex. It just part of the deal.

But now based on his war of words with Sir Alex, Rafa Benitez has all but refused to send the ceremonial letter to Sir Alex. He said he does not agree with what the ole Scot has had to say during the season.

I know some people at Liverpool don't even like Rafa but this has gone far enough. I know Rafa will go on and on about how his side had the best record against the other top side. But the fact is that the Spanish manager did not get job done and now has to do what is right and write a letter to Sir Alex. So its time for Rafa to grow up and show some respect.

Abs by Ronnie

2009-05-17T13:10:00.000-05:00

The puppet Ronnie teaches you how to get ready for the summer.

A picture is worth a 1,000 words

2009-05-16T18:52:00.004-05:00

It only took a point and that is exactly what United did this morning, got a point against Arsenal and got their trophy. After being challenged by Liverpool, the Red Devils showed their class and took home another Premier League title. Now United and Liverpool are tied with 18 English First Division champions. Next years race should be epic.

Special One TV: Wormholes

2009-05-11T08:42:00.001-05:00

Wenger has lost his mind and thinks that hey might be in the Champions League Final despite being knocked out by Manchester United.

Trade Ya

2009-05-08T11:01:00.001-05:00

The National Football League is thinking about doing the unthinkable, playing the Super Bowl in a foreign country as early 2016.

It appears that talks have started between London and the league. So maybe there is something possible. This season the NFL is going to play regular season games in three different countries: United States, Canada, and England. In the past the league has also played a game in Mexico City, so there is an international market for the great American game.

The Super Bowl is the most watched game in football and to have it played in another country might upset some purist, I for one don't real care because I'm never going to be able to go to a Super Bowl, so who cares where it played.

But here is a suggestion, if London gets a Super Bowl then we should get their biggest event and I don't mean the FA Cup, give us the next Champions League final that is schedule for England. It would be the perfect trade. People on each side of the pond would go to see each event meaning a ton of money in tourism. So let's make this happen.

The Main Event: The Champions League Final

2009-05-07T09:36:00.000-05:00

The build up for the Champions League final has already started and its clear what the main story line of the show piece event is going to be: Messi vs. Ronaldo. The Daily Mail has hit it right on the head with the photo above. So lets get the hype machine rolling and hope for a great final.

Trophy is Hot Hot Hot!

2009-05-06T11:28:00.002-05:00

Corinthians won the Paulista Championship over the weekend but something happened when they got the trophy it ended up on fire.

The Red Devils march on to Rome

2009-05-05T16:12:00.004-05:00

For the second year in a row United are marching on to the European final. Ronnie is amazing and Park might be the most underrated player in the world and that showed in their 4-1 aggregate win over Arsenal. But I feel for Fletcher who will miss the final because of a red card. So the Only Time Will Tell Tailgating Crew will be marching back to Fado in Philly for the Final again.

More on the game later after I have a chance to watch it.

The Trap Door

2009-05-04T10:23:00.005-05:00

Leeds, Charlton, Southampton, and Norwich have something in common. During the last decade all four of they have been in the greatest league in the world, the Barclays Premier League. Next year they might have something else in common, playing in League One, the third division of English football.

The lure of the Premier League is great but dropping out of the League can almost drive a team off a cliff. When teams go down they are saddled with large wage bills and have to do their best to trip them without the killing the product on the field and usually that is a dangerous balancing act.

Just take Charlton for example. A couple of years ago they were the model premier league team finishing safely out of the relegation zone, then something happened the fans at The Valley wanted more and that is when the slide started. First they parted ways with long time manager Alan Curbishley and then they tanked with the end of the season two years ago seeing them relegated to the Championship. Large wage bills and bad decisions saw them end this season relegated to League One.

At this rate Newcastle should watch out, going down could lead to the same slippery slope.

Sven has Swine Flu?

2009-05-02T16:34:00.001-05:00