How does that shirt fit, Sol?
By: Darrell |
6 Comments
Better question: Does it even look right?
The shirt is nice, but does he look nice in it?
I know, the rumor began some time ago, but since I just started writing for The Offside I thought it’d be best to address it now. Besides, it’s resurfaced in the past couple of days. One report already confirms that Campbell will sign following the completion of Portsmouth’s season. But hey, as we all know in football, nothing’s certain until pen is put to paper.
Many say he just wants a free ride to the Champions League.
But can you really imagine the big baldy donning the all-yellow? He’s done it before when Arsenal had those yellow Villarreal knock-offs as their third kits. It just looked pretty tacky.
Aesthetics aside, I’d like to know what all of you think of the potential move. The defense is already solid, anchored by Capdevila. Any need for more pace in the back, which a Campbell presence could provide? The guy is quick and good in the air, but is he really what Villarreal needs now?
I’ve been particularly wary of English nationals trying to make it in Spain. So many have tried and failed - Beckham, Woodgate, McManaman, etc. Owen was decent, but still one and done at Madrid. For that matter, nobody on the English team plays overseas, except for Beckham. By contrast, Spaniards such as Torres, Fabregas, Reina, Xabi Alonso and many others have flourished in the Premiership.
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Category: Villlarreal Team News
Sprinting to the Finish: Villarreal 2 - 0 Espanyol
By: Darrell | Add Comments
After clinching second place in the league and looking forward to Espanyol on Sunday, striker Nihat said, “Our fans deserve to celebrate this great achievement, so we have to be at our best and go out and play a great game.” (Congrats, by the way, Nihat! Reppin’ Turkey in the Euro!)
Talk is cheap, but not when you back it up. And winning… well, as far as I’m concerned, say anything you want so long as you win. Although this Nihat sound bite is pretty modest.
Villarreal failed to capitalize on some good chances early on, but two first half goals by Javi Venta and the ageless Frenchie Pires (who, I might add, can still contribute and should be on the French squad next month. Put your damn ego behind you Domenech!) put the match out of reach. 2-0 the final. Sure, it’s just Espanyol, but it ain’t Villarreal’s fault, is it?
It’s now five league victories in a row, and 9 out of 11. Madrid will still finish first, but we now have 74 points for the season with one final match next week versus Deportivo. With a win, we’ll have more points than Madrid had last season (76) when they won the title. Pretty impressive, eh?
No Robert, you’re not number one, but number two ain’t bad! And since you did score, put your finger up anyway. Feel free to give Domenech the middle one!
Category: Villlarreal Team NewsThe Submarine Sets Off to Sea
By: Darrell | 9 Comments
When I was first introduced to The Offside, I was glad to see fellow football fans sharing their thoughts about their favorite clubs. But I was like… “Damn! Where’s the Villarreal blog?!!” I mean, sure, there are bigger and better clubs out there, but how come nobody’s tracking the second place team in La Liga, undoubtedly the best league in the world?
The football landscape has its share of fairweather supporters endlessly gravitating toward Madrid and Barca, and those who think football begins and ends in the Premiership, but it’s time some of these talented, lesser-known clubs get the respect they deserve. If not on the pitch (where Villarreal has certainly earned it), then in the blogosphere. That’s why I’m here.
As this is the first post for the Villarreal blog on The Offside, I’m going to start with some info on this club. It’s time for all the bandwagon hoppers out there to know there’s a world beyond the ManUs, Milans and Madrids, as well as the Abramovichs and Glazers. So if you don’t know, now you know. No excuses.
Nestled on the eastern coast of Spain between Barcelona and Valencia lies the town of Vila-real, where its namesake club plays football. The club’s uniform is all yellow, giving it the affectionate nickname of the “yellow submarine.” A Beatles song, for all you young’uns.
The club has never won La Liga, and never has it had coffers the size of Madrid’s or Barca’s. It finished third in 2005 - its best finish ever. Although it will place second this season. Its success was followed by a semis finish in the 2006 Champions League.
Some current players you should know…
Robert Pires- former Arsenal midfielder, one of the best Premiership players during his prime, poached away from Arsenal following 2006 Champions League defeat
Giuseppe Rossi - diminutive Italian-American wunderkind
Jon Dahl Tomasson - one of the greatest Danish strikers ever, formerly played for AC Milan
Kahveci Nihat - Turkish striker, third leading scorer in La Liga
Marcos Senna - midfielder for Spain
Recent former players you’ve probably heard of…
Diego Forlan - blonde Uruguayan dude, now plays for Atletico Madrid
Juan Roman Riquelme - Argentine midfielder formerly of Barca, now back with Boca Juniors
David Albelda - reckless thug, now with Valencia
So that’s the 411 for now. This club is in the Champions League next season folks. Your education begins now. More to follow…
Category: Villlarreal Team News
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