Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson pledges his future to the club despite Hans Backe’s exit as manager…. From BBC News. Full story

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Verkko-ohjaus pitää sisällään ohjaustoiminnan lisäksi opiskelun suunnittelun, eli verkko-ohjauksessa tulee huomioida ne keinot ja menetelmät jotka edistävät oppijan oppimista erilaisissa verkkoympäristöissä. Suvi Eriksson ja Seija Luoto kertovat mitä haasteita työ ohessa opiskelu tuo opiskelijan ohjaukseen.

Kommentoi ja kerro minkälaisia odotuksia sinulla on työn ohessa opiskeluun ja verkko-ohjaukseen? Minkälaisia esteitä tai hankaluuksia olet kokenut verkko-ohjauksessa? Mikä on verkko-ohjauksessa parasta?

>>Esityksen aineistot saatavilla (pdf).

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No puedo evitarlo. Sven me cae bien. Considero que algo debe tener como técnico y, ahora veo, como actor. Vaya forma de dominar la bola de papel en este anuncio de Kleenex.

Y por si no bastara, el Detrás de Cámaras:

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Manchester City a aliniat o aparare inchegata din 58 de milioane lire sterline dar tot a incasat trei goluri pe teren propriu de la nou-promovata cu cel mai mic buget si din cel mai mic oras reprezentat in Premier League. Iar al treilea gol, al mijlocasului scotian Kevin McDonald, abia intrat in teren, a condamnat echipa lui Mark Hughes la a cincea remiza la rand.

3-3 acasa cu Burnley, ce incasase 17 goluri in precedentele 5 deplasari de la sosirea in elita, nu suna deloc bine pentru “miliardara” City. Cu acest bilant recent a zburat Hughes si neselectionabilii sai la loturi nationale in Dubai, pentru un intermezzo cu scop de pregatire si reincarcare a bateriilor. Prilej cu care proprietarul azuriilor, seicul Mansour, isi va vedea pentru prima oara jucaria la lucru, intr-un amical cu nationala gazda.

Hughes se va scuza in Golf cum a tot repetat in declaratiile sale, ca echipa are nevoie de timp pentru a se omogeniza. A tot repetat verbul ”to gel”. A se inchega. Gelul cu rol de ungere a relatiilor de joc nu si-a facut inca efect iar linia defensiva Zabaleta – Toure – Lescott – Bridge, cu ultimii trei alipiti in acest an argentinianului, a fost demascata de 3 scotieni ai lui Burnley.

Si nici atacul de multe karate si 72 milioane n-a punctat, Adebayor si Tevez fiind ajutati de-aceasta data de capitanul Kolo Toure si aripile Wright-Phillips si Bellamy.

City mai are timp, Hughes poate nu chiar la fel de mult, dar cert e ca banii n-aduc nici succesul instantaneu, nici fericirea, Sir Alex Ferguson parand a avea momentan dreptate: “City nu e un pericol pentru suprematia lui United”. Pasatul Tevez nu e intre golgeterii campaniei iar trupa lui Hughes are mai putine puncte si sigur mai putini admiratori pentru stilul ei de joc comparativ cu garnitura lansata ca din pusca in 2007 de Sven-Goran Eriksson, pe mai putini bani, la inceputul formei de proprietate straine, de extractie asiatica, de la City of Manchester Stadium.

Thaksin i-a cedat jucaria lui Mansour, ce a decartat sutele de milioane, dar fara ingredientul aici pe nume gel parul fanilor e inca ridicat maciuca de alde nou-promovate ca Burnley. Care cat a costat sa puna de-un unsprezece? Parca opt milioane…

This special edition 2 DVD set includes non-stop action from all the rounds of the World Enduro Championships and from the International Six Day Enduro from 2004.

You’ll see the world’s greatest enduro racers go head to head across Europe to battle it out for the world’s most prestigious enduro championship crown. Merriman, Albergoni, Oblucki, Silvan, Aro, Knight, Cervantes, Ahola, Eriksson along with Team KTM, Team Husqvarna, Team Husberg, and Team Gas-Gas, tear up off road terrain from rock climbs, to river crossings, to hill climbs, and wood and meadow runs on the world’s most insane off-road racing courses.

You’ll travel to Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Sweden, Slovakia, Greece, and Germany to see the complete review of the World Enduro Championship series from 2004. Then it’s off to famous race, the International Six Days Enduro from Poland 2004. It’s exclusive cover as seen of SPEED. 2 DVD set includes two full length one hour DVDs.

2004 New 2 DVD Set – World Famous Off-Road Racing available at www.DadsVintageAds.com in the “ Motorcycle Gifts & Collectibles ” category

Search our Magazine Back Issue Index for old Motorcycle Magazine Back Issues for sale.

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İsveçli teknik adam Sven Goran Eriksson’un, Milli Takımı’nın başına geçeceği iddia edildi. The Daily Mirror’un haberine göre, şu anda Notts County’nin başında yönetici olarak bulunan tecrübeli teknik adam, İsveç’in Dünya Kupası’na katılamamasının ardından Lars Lagerback’tan boşalan göreve getirilecek.

Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson rules himself out of the running to become the new Sweden coach, the Swedish FA has announced…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: spanish football. For a different topic see potato recipes. The blog is also related to: portuguese soccer.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, currently director of football at Notts County, will be sounded out about the Sweden managerial job this week, BBC Sport can reveal…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer games. The blog is also related to: turkish soccer.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, currently director of football at Notts County, will be sounded out about the Sweden managerial job this week, BBC Sport can reveal…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer league table. The blog is also related to: premiership football.

Notts County deny that director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is in talks with North Korea about becoming the country’s new manager…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer player. For a different topic see here. The blog is also related to: german football.

Toate au un inceput. Trist dar adevarat, precedentul tocmai a fost creat.

Sambata, cu ocazia jocului Ucraina – Anglia, din preliminariile C.M. 2010, suporterii Albionului nu vor avea posibilitatea sa vizioneze evolutia favoritilor, nici pe un canal de televiziune terestru, nici pe unul prin satelit. Pana acum cativa ani, difuzarea meciurilor Angliei pe BBC era litera de lege. Mai recent, de cand Setanta a castigat si ea drepturi de televizare prin satelit, canalul irlandez a transmis meciurile nationalei engleze din deplasare, disputate in actualele preliminarii. Dar falimentul Setantei, petrecut in vara, a lasat un gol si nimeni n-a cules cioburile, in conditiile in care Anglia obtinuse deja calificarea.

Fara alt difuzor licitand pentru jocul din Ucraina, federatia de la Kiew a optat pentru distribuirea drepturilor unei companii online, ce va transmite meciul pe internet. Anglia, in drumul spre Africa de Sud, a ajuns doar pe internet. Nu la televizor, ci pe PCuri. Pentru o buna calitate a imaginii, difuzarea este restransa la un numar de un milion de abonati, cu totii platitori. Cinci lire achitate pana miercuri, 10 in cazul platii facute joi si vineri respectiv 12 in ziua meciului. Cati englezi se vor inghesui in jurul monitoarelor? 2,5 milioane, conform estimarilor difuzorului. Cu alte cuvinte, fiecare proprietar de PC isi va chema unul – doi amici… Cert e ca zeci de milioane de insulari vor ramane cu buzele umflate.

Fericiti cu adevarat vor fi doar fanii plecati in Ucraina. Vor vedea la treaba o garnitura aproape completa. Capello nu se joaca. Dar difuzorii o fac, pe pielea sustinatorilor nationalei…

Si mai rau, Puburile, gazde traditionale in asemenea ocazii, nu vor avea ocazia sa trasmita, ceea ce se va rasfrange negativ asupra incasarilor lor. O alta lovitura pentru aceasta adevarata institutie a coltului de strada din comunitatea Albionului, Public House si asa vaduvit de profituri intr-o perioada de criza. Cinematografele Odeon au preluat in schimb jocul din Ucraina, asa incat urmasii inventatorilor jocului se vor duce “la film” pentru a-si vedea la lucru nationala. Hilar, nu-i asa? Iar pentru nevricosi, vestea ca in platoul comentatorilor jocului se va afla Sven Goran Eriksson, e prilej de pastile antidepresive. Macar dupa calificare, cand vor veni niscaiva meciuri amicale, deplasarile trupei lui Capello vor fi acoperite de ITV, post terestru privat.

Sir Bobby Robson a fost comemorat zilele trecute intr-un impresionant serviciu religios in Catedrala din Durham, urbea sa natala din nord-estul Angliei. In luna iulie, in varsta de 76 ani, remarcabilul om de fotbal, fost excelent jucator si antrenor, ceda dupa cativa ani de suferinta in lupta contra cancerului.

Fotbalul n-a pierdut in acest an doar un mare antrenor, de fapt ultimul cu care Albionul a ajuns la un pas de finala Campionatului Mondial, cand cu penultimul act pierdut la penaltyuri la Torino, in fata Germaniei, in ‘90, ci mai ales un om minunat, un gentleman desavarsit, de moda veche, ce a impartit binete si intelepciune tuturor celor care au avut sansa sa-l cunoasca, fie ei din lumea fotbalului ori ilustri necunsocuti.

Asa cum remarcau in cursul serviciului religios atat Gary Lineker, devenit golgeter al turneului final din 1986 tocmai sub bagheta lui Robson, cat si Sir Alex Ferguson, antrenor al Scotiei la vremea respectivului Campionat Mondial mexican, Sir Bobby a fost extrem de popular si mult iubit datorita farmecului sau cu care i-a inaltat si i-a facut mereu sa se simta bine pe cei din jurul sau. Robson a avut timp, un zambet si-o vorba buna pentru fiecare…

Asa cum mi-a confirmat si destainuit, intr-un interviu pe care-l realizam la inceputul anului trecut, pe cand starea sanatatii lui Sir Bobby se subrezise simtitor, si Morgan Phillips, autor a doua carti despre Fulham Football Club si tot ce tine de alb-negrii londonezi, si anume <Fulham We Love>, publicata in 1976, la un an dupa prezenta in finala Cupei Angliei, respectiv <From St. Andrew’s to Craven Cottage>, aparuta in 2007 si mergand pe firul istoriei initiale a vest-londonezilor, de la o grupare fondata pe langa biserica din zona, la sosirea pe Craven Cottage, in folosinta pana si astazi.

Reproduc in continuare pasajul despre Sir Bobby Robson, prin vorbele autorului Morgan Phillips, referindu-se la sosirea unui tanar jucator, Robson, sosit de la alb-negrul lui Newcastle United, din nord-estul natal, la alb-negrul lui Fulham…

- When did you first see Bobby Robson?

- In the 1940s and 1950s most players lived locally and our neighbours Mr and Mrs Ray, devoted supporters, looked after some of the single men including a homesick Bobby. If the Rays had not welcomed him so warmly, he might well have gone back to the north east of England at the first chance. He became a really exciting forward, almost as skilled as his partner Johnny Haynes. Unfortunately, the club sold Bobby in 1956 but he returned six years later when Fulham was in danger of relegation. He came to our rescue again in 1990 by which time he was manager of the England team. Fulham was in serious financial trouble and Bobby gave a fund raising talk. When he finished he heard someone mention my name. He called me over and spoke appreciatively about my family and our neighbours the Rays, because he still remembered the welcome that he had received 40 years before. Sir Bobby Robson is one of the finest men in British football.

Morgan a subliniat ca Sir Bobby Robson, tanarul sosit la club in anii ‘50, a sarit in ajutorul lui Fulham in 1990, pe cand londoneza avea mari probleme financiare, in cadrul respectivului dineu in scopuri caritabile minunatul antrenor mentionandu-i si pe Morgan si familia Ray, de care nu uitase peste decenii, rasplatindu-i cu vorbe bune pentru ospitalitatea cu care-l ajutasera initial sa se acomodeze in capitala. Si dupa cum mai spune Morgan, Sir Bobby devenea iute aproape la fel de iscusit in avanposturile lui Fulham ca eroul legendar al locului, Johnny Haynes. Ulterior, in ‘56, Robson a fost cedat, revenind la club in ‘62, pe cand alb-negrii erau in pericol de retrogradare.

Sir Bobby a fost apreciat in lungul si latul continentului dar pentru a intari remarcabilele-i virtuti, demn de mentionat este ca antrenorul perindat pe diverse meleaguri a ramas cu sufletul, atasat din inima, nord-estului sau iubit. Iar cand Newcastle United l-a solicitat, intr-un moment de descrescendo pentru club, in 1999, Sir Bobby a sarit din nou in ajutor. Pentru ai sai, din nord-estul industrial, ar fi facut orice. Si a pornit atunci la drum cu un 8-0, record al clubului pe St. James’ Park, contra lui Sheffield Wednesday, finalmente salvand corabia de la retrogradare, dupa o perioada nefericita cu Gullit la timona. Sir Bobby chiar a calificat-o pe Newcastle in Champions League si pana in semifinalele Cupei UEFA, dar a fost pe nedrept si nepoliticos demis, in 2004, de bossul Freddy Shepherd, lovitura care poate a declansat boala gentlemanului, parasind clubul in stilu-i caracteristic, fara ranchiuna ori controverse, ci doar retragandu-se demn, si in plus lovitura ce in mod cert a destabilizat pe termen lung “Cotofenele”. Sfarsite in aceasta vara in liga secunda…

Deloc de mirare, la Durham l-au comemorat si antrenori ca Pep Guardiola, elevul sau la CF Barcelona, ori alti fosti sau actuali selectioneri ai Albionului, de unde, la fel, eronat a fost pus pe faras, si cu smotruieli nemeritate din partea presei, ca Sven Goran Erikkson si Fabio Capello. Fotbalul a fost intr-adevar in doliu dupa Sir Bobby Robson iar lacrimile lui Paul Gascoigne, junele titularizat in acea semifinala de pomina pe Delle Alpi si plangand stins la Torino, s

SirBobby Robson, 1933 – 2009. Odihneasca-se in pace.

Orice verdict e vremelnic dar cateva impresii pot fi impartasite. In fond, s-a scurs deja o treime din turul Premier League 2009-2010.

Incep prin a reaminti un paragraf din editorialul “Fotbalul, pe locurile 14-15″, pe care-l semnam in Fotbal Vest in luna iulie, pe cand prim-divizionarele abia isi incepusera pregatirile precompetitionale, si in care le aminteam pe Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers si Hull City drept ocupante ale locurilor retrogradante, 18, 19 si 20, la finele actualei editii, in mai 2010: “Culmea ironiei e ca si la anul focurile retrogradarii ii vor perpeli probabil tot pe antrenorii englezi iar de-ar fi sa ma dau bookmaker pentru o zi, le-as trece pe Portsmouth, Bolton si Hull pe lista neagra, prima fie ea si preluata de un bogatas arab, dupa modelul de la Man. City, cu tot cu petrodolarii sai dar fara a fi fost pus la “testul de prestanta” in ceea ce priveste standardele Premier League. Adica Hart, Megson si Brown, asta daca luna mai ii va regasi in posturi. Dar nu incercati si Dumneavoastra acasa, sa aruncati bani pe aceasta speculatie cu cele trei, caci s-ar putea sa va arda. Am presupus si eu, asa…”

Visiniu-albastrul lui Burnley a fluturat triumfator in mai, pe Wembley. Momentan, datele problemei nu s-au schimbat, nou-promovata luand in piept elita si batand deja trei cluburi la zero, acasa, pe Turf Moor. Iar la ultima ocazie, gratie unui varf adus de la o recenta participanta in Cupa UEFA, dar acum doar amarata cu zero puncte in coada. "Pompey"...

Dar nu la cele trei ma voi referi, ci la nou-promovata Burnley Football Club, principala candidata a bookmakers la retrogradare, conform cotelor dinaintea inceperii stagiunii. Caci Burnley a infirmat sambata proverbul cu ulciorul care nu merge de trei ori la apa, invingand din nou acasa, in primul joc al rundei a sasea, televizat pe Sky Sports, 3-1 cu Sunderland.

Turf Moor, datorita capacitatii sale restranse, a inregistrat cea mai mica asistenta a etapei din elita, doar 20.196 spectatori, insa… ce mai spectatori. Vorba unui suporter al visiniu-albastrilor, fanii au cantat si scandat la nesfarsit, o ora si jumatate plus prelungiri si la lovituri de departajare, in editia trecuta, cand viitoarea nou-promovata a descins pe Stamford Bridge, a remizat cu Chelsea, si finalmente a eliminat-o din Cupa Ligii, in urma suturilor de pe punctul cu var. A fost o campanie a competitiei K.O. in care Burnley nu doar a facut 1-1 acasa la Chelsea, dar le-a invins la Turf Moor si pe Fulham, Arsenal si Tottenham, fiind eliminata abia de ultima, in prelungirile mansei a doua a semifinalei, datorita golurilor in plus marcate in deplasare. Pazea, vine Burnley!

Fanii sunt acum si mai entuziasti, si mai calzi, ridicandu-se, aidoma echipei, la nivelul elitist al Premier League si percepand insemnatatea momentului. Incredibil dar adevarat, dupa 6 etape, doar Chelsea lui Ancelotti, lidera fara punct risipit, are o linie de clasament superioara lui Burnley in meciurile de pe teren propriu.

Burnley avea sa debuteze in Premier League cu un dus rece la Stoke, promovata de anul trecut, esec care o punea deja sub lupa scepticilor. Dar trupa lui Owen Coyle a strans imediat randurile, inregistrand doua succese de moral, pe teren propriu, in decurs de o saptamana de la debutul campionatului. A fost mai intai acel neverosimil 1-0 cu Manchester United, cand campioana a ratat inclusiv un penalty in jocul de la mijloc de saptamana, iar apoi un alt 1-0, tot in dauna unei ”europene”, Everton Liverpool, si ea “inghetata” la punctul alb de danezul din poarta nou-promovatei, Jensen. Saha l-a copiat pe Rooney iar Burnley a strans 6 puncte din doua meciuri creditate cu… “2″.

Sambata, Burnley s-a impus in acel gen de confruntare tipic pentru echipele amenintate de retrogradare. Un meci de… 6 puncte. Sunderland e in aceeasi luntre si, doar invingand formatii mai mult sau mai putin de calibrul ei, Burnley isi poate consolida postura in elita. Restul, gen victorii contra campioanei en-titre, sunt bonusuri mai mult decat binevenite, excelente pentru moral, insa nu neaparat jocuri deseori amintite drept fiind de 6 puncte.

Remarcabil e si faptul ca Owen Coyle n-a facut nu stiu ce achizitii, in mare aceeasi jucatori ce au urcat treapta in elita, via – Wembley, purtand falnic stindardul clubului din Lancashire si in Premier League. Tot Wade Elliott, marcatorul unicului gol din finala play-off, 1-0 contra lui Sheffield United, s-a aflat la originea primului gol de sambata, smulgand un penalty, si tot scotianul Alexander, veteranul capitan, si-a reconfirmat precizia de la 11 metri.

Abia dupa pauza, cand era introdus in minutul 57, un nou recrut a pus si el umarul la redistantarea lui Burnley. David Nugent, abia reintors in Lancashire, dar nu la Preston, unde isi facea un nume cu care debuta cu gol in nationala Angliei, ci la micuta Burnley, si-a redescoperit pofta de gol pierduta la Portsmouth, reusind o dubla de efect, cu capul si cu stangul, din pirueta, dinafara careului: 3-1. Lui Nugent li se adauga fundasii Mears, sosit de la Derby County, via – Marseille, unde a fost imprumutat, si africanul Bikey, un munte de om ce n-a inghitit ratarea revenirii in elita, cu Reading.

Coyle a adaugat ici-colea, prin partile esentiale, dar colectivul unit ce a surprins Albionul, promovand la mustata, continua sa minuneze, pastrand procentajul maxim la Turf Moor. O fi arena cea mai mica din elita, dar vocea suporterilor se face auzita. Iar idolii raspund pe masura, cu 1-0 si 3-1.

In contrast, un club care era egalat in prelungiri de AC Milan, in 27 noiembrie 2008, intr-un joc din grupele Cupei UEFA, n-a acumulat inca nici un punct in Premier League si a incasat o medie de doua goluri pe meci in primele 6 etape. Portsmouth, caci despre “Pompey” este vorba, s-a despartit si de sus-amintitul Nugent, care nici nu figura in acel 2-2 de la Fratton Park, ce a fost… 2-0 pana in minutul 84. Atunci au iesit la rampa Ronaldinho si Inzaghi.

Altii insa, dintre care cei mai remarcabili ar fi Johnson, ajuns la Liverpool, Distin, la concitadina Everton, Crouch, dupa Redknapp, la Spurs, ori Davis, inhatat de Bolton, au parasit Titanicul din portul Portsmouth, la fel ca veteranul Sol Campbell, neutilizat in acel joc de referinta cu milanezii, dar care, transferandu-se tocmai in liga a patra, la Notts County, trupa avandu-l drept director pe Eriksson, a dat masura completa a necesitatii sariturii de pe punte. Tony Adams, la carma contra rosso-nerilor, si-a frant si el de-atunci gatul, iar Paul Hart, inlocuitorul, a tesut cu chiu cu vai plasa mentinerii in elita insa nu mai are solutii si pe 2009-2010.

Portsmouth s-a anuntat a fi drept o victima previzibila, iar startul ei confirma temerile, nu datorita numelui lipsit de sonoritate de pe banca tehnica, Paul Hart, nume ce a atras in intersezon recruti pe masura, jucatori de nivelul doi, cu care doar poti sfarsi sub elita, ci mai ales datorita instabilitatii de la conducerea clubului, destabilizat de interminabilele discutii din cursul verii legate de preluarea gruparii de catre un consortiu arab. Pestele de la cap se impute si incertitudinea de la Fratton Park se rasfrange evident asupra rezultatelor din teren. Cele doua coordonate sunt inseparabile, orice delimitari ar vrea unii sa faca…

Portsmouth e macar la… zero, insa vecina – rivala de pe coasta sudica, Southampton, sta chiar mai rau. Pornind cu un handicap de zece puncte, din nou pe motive legate de imputirea pestelui de la cap, “Sfintii” abia au inregistrat primul succes stagional, 2-0 acasa cu Yeovil Town, in fata a peste 19.000 suporteri, pe St. Mary’s, oaspetii declarandu-se insa dezgustati de acordarea celor doua penaltyuri din care noul recrut Rickie Lambert a asigurat primele puncte alb-rosilor.

Macar Portsmouth e inca in Premier League, cu amintirea unui joc cu milanezii, in Cupa UEFA, acum nici zece luni. Insa Southampton, adversara Stelei in Cupa UEFA, in toamna lui 2003, e lanterna rosie a ligii a treia, si desi handicapul e surmontabil, “Sfintii” fiind la -2 si deci la opt puncte in urma unei clasate pe o pozitie salvatoare, si anume tocmai Yeovil, exemplele nefericite din editia trecuta pot pune sub semnul intrebarii capacitatea clubului de a raspunde adversitatii. Luton s-a scufundat, torpilata de cataroiul din start, -30 puncte. Altele s-au salvat…

Dar sa se fi inclinat oare Anglia aidoma Titanicului, cu coasta sudica luand apa? Nu de alta dar si “verzii” de la Plymouth Argyle, fara succes in 8 etape, proptesc ierarhia ligii a doua…

Unii se scufunda, nou-promovata Burnley exulta. Si nu pare a fi doar un foc de paie. Cata vreme “visiniii” vor invinge si tine la distanta adversare directe, “ambarcatiuni usoare”, gen Birmingham City, si ea o nou-promovata, viitoare oaspete pe Turf Moor, trupa lui Coyle va putea spera la supravietuire. In fond, calculele spun ca si 39 de puncte pot fi suficiente, iar Burnley a strans deja noua.

Urmatoarele luni doar vor confirma (sau infirma) speculatiile rezultate din primele confruntari. Dar Burnley pare a avea vant bun. Si poate ca proximul derby local, la vecina de pe Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers, va aduce clubului fondator al The Football League, participant la acea memorabila prima editie de campionat din 1888, si primele puncte externe. Ce ziceti, Alexander si Nugent? Se poate…

di Angelo Calianno

Pensate ai vostri regali, pensate a quante volte dei genitori per far felici e rendere più moderni i loro figli gli hanno regalato telefoni cellulari e video giochi di ultima generazione. Ma qualcuno si è mai fermato a pensare a quanto costa realmente quell’oggetto così normale oggi per noi? Non in termini di denaro, ma in termini di vite umane e distruzione.

Uno dei componenti fondamentali di tutti i nostri telefoni, video camere, video giochi è un conduttore chiamato Coltan.

Che cos’è il Coltan? Molti pensano che molte guerre Africane siano la causa di conflitti tribali, ma non è così. Quasi nessuno lo sa, ma questo minerale è la causa principale della guerra che dal 1998 ha ucciso più di 4 milioni di persone in Congo ed è oggi, uno dei componenti fondamentali dei nostri cellulari, un metallo più prezioso dei diamanti. Il coltan è la combinazione tra COLOMIBTE e TANTALITE e la percentuale di quest’ultima appunto è quella che determina il prezzo del Coltan, dal Coltan si estrae la Tantalite , che è quello che serve nei nostri componenti tecnologici.

Il coltan ha l’aspetto di sabbia nera e rappresenta un elemento fondamentale in video camere, telefonini e in tutti gli apparecchi HI TEC (come la playstation) serve a ottimizzare il consumo della corrente elettrica nei chip di nuovissima generazione e rendono possibile un notevole risparmio energetico. Ma come si lega il problema della guerra al coltan? L’ 80 % del Coltan in circolazione si trova solo in Congo, alcune delle più grosse multinazionali sfruttano queste miniere ed i congolesi che vengono pagati 200 dollari al mese (la paga di un normale lavoratore in Congo è di 10 dollari al mese).

Questo scatena una vera e propria corsa alle miniere da parte dei guerriglieri che se ne vorrebbero impadronire, non solo dal Congo ma anche dalla vicina Uganda e Rwuanda. Ma come è facile prevedere estrarre questo prezioso minerale ha i suoi effetti indesiderati, solo per i minatori ovviamente.

Il coltan contiene una parte di uranio, quindi è radioattivo, provoca tumori e impotenza sessuale, viene estratto dai minatori a mani nude… Le miniere di Coltan hanno l’aspetto di grandi cave di pietra, il minerale si ottiene spaccando la roccia; spesso i guerriglieri del RDC (Rassemblement Congolaise pour la Democrazie ) si divertono a terrorizzare i civili ed i minatori uccidendoli nelle miniere,tanto che racconta un ragazzo i lavoratori hanno dovuto scavare delle buche in cui ripararsi ogni volta che arrivano i ribelli.

Qualche anno fa in Italia la gente impazziva per trovare nei negozi la Playstation 2, diventata introvabile, il motivo fu proprio la carenza del Coltan di cui si era fermata l’estrazione per i problemi legati alla guerra. I soldi che le multinazionali spendono per estrarre il Coltan come sempre non servono per alimentare la popolazione, costruire scuole o ospedali, tutt’altro, servono a finanziare la guerra, comprare Armi, dar da mangiare ai soldati.

Pochi sanno quali sono esattamente le società che comprano il Coltan, non è facile scoprirlo, perché ci sono decine di intermediari che passano dall’Europa, in particolare dal Belgio (si sospetta che anche l’ex compagnia aerea di bandiera belga la “Sabena” trasportasse illegalmente il minerale). Ma i principali fautori di questo che sta diventando un genocidio sono Nokia, Eriksson e Sony, non basta ma sotto c’è anche un mercato nero del coltan che viene rubato dai guerriglieri e poi rivenduto attraverso altri mediatori ugandesi, rwuandesi, e spesso europei ed americani.

Come detto precedentemente il prezzo del Coltan varia a seconda della percentuale di Tantalite, nel 1998 il Coltan costava 2 dollari al kg, oggi ne costa 100, ma questo mercato è estremamente instabile ,perché nel 2004 quando la richieste da parte dell’occidente erano tantissime arrivò a costare 600 dollari al kg. Recentemente è stato scoperto un nuovo giacimento di Coltan, in Amazzionia, si comincerà a lavorare presto con le conseguenze che tutti possono prevedere, forse altre storie di ribellione degli Indios e morte.

Da piccolo mi venne insegnato che la risoluzione della guerra è sempre la PACE , temo che in questo caso se nulla cambierà, la fine della guerra del Congo, si otterrà solo con la fine delle sue risorse minerarie, e guerra e distruzione si concentreranno in un altro….
…. meraviglioso posto…..da distruggere. Da:http://www.disinformazione.it/coltan.htm

Inleiding

We hebben het de laatste dagen genoeg mogen horen en zien in de media. De begroting geraakt maar niet in evenwicht, met alle toekomstige gevolgen van dien (denk aan de rentesneeuwbal), de economie toont nog geen duurzame verbetering waardoor de financiële macht van het Westen (en daarmee zowat alle macht) nog steeds zeer fragiel blijkt, de ineenstorting van grote bedrijven lijkt dan wel gestopt maar bij de toeleveringsbedrijven is het huilen met de pet op, etc…

De vrije meningsuiting?

MAAR! Laten we even deze grote problemen vergeten want… er is iemand die een Hitlerportret en een portret van Bert Eriksson heeft hangen en een VMO-vlag in haar living heeft staan. Deze vrouw is dan ook nog eens erkend door Kind&Gezin en vangt dus kinderen op. Op één persoon na, die zijn reactie dan nog via internet deed, zijn er nooit klachten geweest over de kwaliteit van de opvang. Als het zo’n monster zou zijn, dan is het mijn inziens, zeker met de mediahetse in gedachte, absoluut niet moeilijk om véél meer verontruste ouders te vinden. De vrouw zelf heeft ook nog eens, zonder dat er enig probleem is geweest, in een joods rusthuis gewerkt. Maar haar denken, los van enige morele beschouwingen daarover, past niet thuis in het brave burgerlijke liberale denken en de sociale moord moet gepleegd worden. Ze moeten eerst stevig gekauwd worden door de media, die het verhaal daarna voorgekauwd uitbraakt in de geesten van de maatschappij die haar vervolgens kan uitspuwen (met excuses voor de misschien té plastische beeldtaal).

En het was nog makkelijk ook want Hitler roept 63 jaar na zijn dood nog steeds de grote schrikbeelden op van het nazisme, de holocaust en Wereldoorlog II. Vrije meningsuiting, hoe walgelijk de denkbeelden ook moge zijn, kon (nee, moest) even vergeten worden in naam van de heilige strijd voor de verdraagzaamheid. Voltaire draait zich om in zijn graf. Maar het ergste moet eigenlijk nog komen. De partij van de vrije meningsuiting kon niet diep genoeg in het stof kruipen om te tonen dat zij dan wel voor de vrije meningsuiting is, maar niet voor die van “nazisten, communisten of maoïsten”. Ze klagen, vaak terecht, dat ze te weinig of niet aan bod komen i.v.m. constructieve oppositie in de parlementen. Dat men dan gewoon had gezegd: “Zodra de media daar aandacht aan wilt geven, willen we ook over andere zaken praten. Voor de rest kunnen wij geen controle uitoefenen over het denken van al onze leden. En als partij van de vrije meningsuiting wensen wij dit ook niet”. Punt en gedaan. Nu, over die “nazisten, communisten en maoïsten.” Dat het Vlaams Belang het nodig vindt om dat laatste te vermelden is nogal bizar, maar wie weet zitten er toch een paar bij, men weet maar nooit. En al ben ik voor geen van de drie genoemde ideologieëen te vinden, toch vind ik dat ze alledrie vrij uitbaar moeten zijn. Want wat is de volgende stap? Als extreem-linkse en extreem-rechtse ideëen verboden worden en enkel de “aanvaardbare” ideëen overblijven, trekken de grenzen van het “extremisme” steeds meer op naar het centrum tot het verschil tussen politiek aanvaardbaar en extreem hoogstens 2 millimeter bedraagt op de politieke as. Het volgende zal immers kritiek zijn op de christen-democratie omdat zij vanuit religieuze standpunten vertrekt en dus een inbreuk is op de scheiding van kerk en staat.

De selectieve willekeurigheid bij het afnemen van vergunningen voor kinderopvang kunnen we dan ook in bepaalde dingen terugvinden:

http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/989/Binnenland/article/detail/996882/2009/09/17/Kind-en-Gezin-gaat-alle-dossiers-herbekijken.dhtml

Volgende week start in Mechelen de rechtszaak tegen de crèche waar in oktober 2006 een vier maanden oude baby stierf. Zijn ouders vinden het onbegrijpelijk dat het kinderdagverblijf nog steeds open is. Eén van de betrokkenkinderverzorgsters zou immers tijdens een ondervraging toegegeven hebben dat er fouten gemaakt zijn. De ouders begrijpen niet waarom de nazi-onthaalmoeder uit Hoboken en de vrouw van imam Nordin Taouil wél op non-actief gezet worden zelfs al waren er bij die laatste blijkbaar geen klachten en de Mechelse crèche niet.

Een onwaarschijnlijke bondgenoot

Als het nu echt enkel een probleem was met iemand het nationaal-socialisme aanhangt, dan konden we zeggen dat het puur op die ideologie gericht is. Maar kijken we naar iemand die ook lijdt onder de liberale meningsdictatuur, dan zien we wel dat er een andere agenda speelt. Imam Taouil heeft nu ook mogen ondervinden wat het is om deze mediabehandeling te krijgen. Meneer Taouil, welkom bij de club van de uitgespuwden. En, hoe raar het ook moge klinken, de man is op veel vlakken onze bondgenoot!  Waar staat de man o.a. voor en hoe is dit toepasbaar op dat waar wij voorstaan?

• Nadruk op traditie i.p.v. modernisme: de man ijvert voor het behoud van bepaalde culturele traditionele kenmerken en wijst op het belang van traditionele culturele uitingen. Dat maakt van hem geen extremist, dat maakt van hem een conservatief.
• Nadruk op het belang van het religieuze i.p.v. het extreme secularisme: gelovigen moeten elke dag bijna wel eens horen hoe slecht religie, en zeker de openbare uitbundige uitingen, wel niet is. Dat het merendeel van de kunst van Europa uit religieuze hoek komt en dat stijlen als de gothiek puur uit religieuze hoek is ontstaan, wordt dan maar wijselijk vergeten. Secularisme is geen toelating van alle godsdiensten, laat staan tolerantie. Het is een poging tot het uitwissen van bepaalde eigenheden die de individuen aan elkaar binden. Het totalitaire individualisme in de praktijk!
• Nadruk op de gematigdheid i.p.v. de individualistische excessen: wij moeten elke dag horen hoe goed het is om individualistisch te zijn en vooral het eigenbelang na streven, gemengd met de massaconsumptie. Hiertegenover staat het gemeenschapsgevoel, de solidariteit en de collective identiteitsbeleving van een conservatieve visie voor. In dit geval een islamitische, maar ook één die zéér nadrukkelijk aanwezig is in de katholieke en orthodoxe visies op de wereld.

Dat imam Taouil oproept tot het stichten van moslimscholen vind ik dan persoonlijk ook weer een zeer positieve evolutie. Een volk zijn cultuur afnemen is immers misdadig en om een volk ten volste zijn cultuur te laten beleven, moeten zij dat kunnen doen in een omgeving waarin die cultuur is ontstaan, geëvolueerd en gedijt. Daarom is het ook meer dan wenselijk om te ijveren voor een terugkeer naar de eigen streek in plaats van hun kinderen te vergiftigen met liberale en/of extreme seculiere ideëen. De joodse gemeenschap heeft immers ook haar eigen scholen en daar hoor ik toch niemand druk over doen?

Conclusie

Taouil is op vele vlakken dan ook een onverwachte en onwaarschijnlijke bondgenoot. In een strijd tegen de afbraak van tradities, tegen extremistisch secularisme, tegen het dwingend willen opleggen van de liberale gedachte, tegen de sociale moord op mensen met een afwijkend gedachtegoed. En als de criticasters nu zeggen: “Hij is voor de islam te verspreiden en de islam is een bedreiging voor Europa, dus hij is onmogelijk een bondgenoot!” dan kan ik daar kort op antwoorden. Het probleem met de islam is een etnisch en demografisch probleem, geen cultureel. Zowel het christendom als de islam zijn missioneringsgodsdiensten. Als hier geen toevloed van migranten zou zijn en de islam zich dan nog zou verspreiden, dan is het een cultureel probleem. Maar dan ligt dat probleem bij ons. Bij wij die onze christelijk-heidense wortels hebben verworpen ten voordele van een individualistisch en seculier discours. Gemengd met de demografische neergang is er een vacüum in de geesten ontstaan. Vacüums blijven echter niet bestaan en de islam vormt enkel dat gat op.

Wat moeten wij dan doen? Terug durven ijveren voor de terugkeer van het merendeel van de vreemdelingen, waarbij de moslimscholen een hulp moeten zijn, en terug durven ijveren voor het herstel van de christelijke-heidense waarden van Europa. Want al ben ik een overtuigd katholiek, ik zal op elk moment de traditionalisten van Wodan verkiezen boven de liberale afgod van het individualisme!

Ahora que quedó vacante el puesto de director técnico en el Guadalajara, se dice que Jorge Vergara estaría  buscando un técnico europeo de renombre para la próxima temporada, entre los que suenan Ronald Koeman (holandés), Avram Grant (Israelí, ex DT de Chelsea), Hristo Stoichkov (búlgaro) e incluso el sueco Sven-Göran Eriksson, quien todos sabemos que no tuvo un buen paso por la Selección Mexicana.

Lo que sí es seguro es que no lo traerán este torneo, sino para enero, cuando el Rebaño se mude a su nuevo estadio (a ver si ahora sí). Para lo que queda de este pésimo Apertura parece que seguirá la dupla formada por Luis Díaz y Marco Fabían como interinos, u otro entrenador mexicano, pero sólo hasta que termine el año.

Efraín Flores, vicepresidente deportivo del Guadalajara, dijo que primero deben ver qué es lo que quieren (he ahí el problema con Vergara!), para después tomar la decisión.

“Primero necesitamos plantear qué queremos, si un técnico para el corto plazo, o un técnico para el mediano plazo. Esto último nos llevaría más tiempo, por lo que en este momento lo primero es definir lo que buscamos”, dijo Efraín.

Se dice que por ahora la opción más probable es Eriksson (no, por favor!), aunque también sería el más caro de los que están en mente de la directiva rojiblanca.

Hagan lo que hagan, esperemos que los malos manejos de Jorge Vergara y su esposa cambien un poco, y por lo menos se tome una buena decisión en cuanto al técnico. De ahí en adelante habrá que ver si lo aguantan pese a posibles malos resultados iniciales, o si las Chivas seguirán teniendo espírituo de equipito que cambia de DT luego de once partidos o menos.

Saludos!

Fuente: Récord

La ora la care Sven-Goran Eriksson si a sa Notts County erau intampinati la Macclesfield de chibiti  ai gazdelor travestiti drept Ulrika Johnson, un fan al trupei din Nottingham prefera sa dea deplasarea ce avea sa se dovedeasca de vis, gratie unui 4-0, pe o vizita la terenul “buturugii mici” Wembley F.C., adaugat astfel listei de peste 800 de arene pe care a asistat la jocuri de fotbal, dupa cum mi-a dezvaluit cu ocazia unui meci din runda extrapreliminara a Cupei Angliei. 

Nu stiu pe cate stadioane insulare am fost dar Neil nu se incurca in zeci, spunandu-mi inca din primele vorbe ca a trecut bine de opt sute. Adica mii de meciuri, aducandu-mi imediat aminte de regretatul Branco Vuin. Neil nu actioneaza insa cu aparatul de fotografiat ci e loial cercului restrans al cutreieratorilor pe cat mai multe terenuri, denumiti “Groundhopper”. Hopa de pe o arena pe alta.

L-am remarcat cum schiopata, la intrarea pe Vale Farm, terenul lui Wembley Football Club, inaintea jocului din runda extrapreliminara a Cupei Angliei, cu Basildon United. Mi-a impartasit imediat preferinta sa pentru meciurile din ligi amatoare, cu explicatia de care aminteam in reportajul precedent, ca “aici suntem tratati de la poarta ca fiinte umane si apoi spectatori, si nu ca portofele, cum e cazul in primele esaloane”. Nu l-am contrazis, el fiind mult mai umblat, pana si acum, cu un genunchi “in pioneze” dupa o miuta, accidentare ce l-a impiedicat recent sa asiste la traditionalul amical Wimbledon – FC United of Manchester, ocazie cu care si-ar fi adaugat in palmares prezenta pe arena sud-vest londoneza Kingstonian.

“Te admir ca ai avut curaj sa stai cu ei in peluza”, m-a gratulat Neil, dupa ce i-am spus ca m-am simtit in largul meu intre fanii oaspetei din Manchester, dizidenti ai “marii” United. De ce? “Au fost cei mai acizi la adresa opiniilor mele, dupa ce am scris ca n-am mai vazut asemenea comportament ca al lor in ligile mici, cu ocazia primului joc din istoria lui FC United, cu Leigh RMI. Ce mai scandari… Plus ca i-au stropit cu bauturi alcoolice pe jucatorii adversarei. Am opinat ca asemenea atitudine nu cadreaza cu fotbalul amator”.

Asadar Neil scrie… Cutreieratorul intre doua varste, cu cercel in forma de peste in urechea stanga, si aducand perfect cu un fan inveterat, mi-a explicat ca semneaza sub pseudonim un editorial sub genericul “Povestile calatorului”, in revista saptamanala a fotbalului amator din Albion, comentarii de tot felul primindu-le in casuta virtuala. La care scoate din punga si o revista sub acelasi nume, insiruind toate diviziile si cluburile din fotbalul amator, plus tintarul competitional pe 2009-2010.

Cu asemenea “Biblie”, Neil a “coborat” in sfarsit de la Nottingham si pe Vale Park, arena lui Wembley F.C. din preajma marelui Wembley. Pe care, desigur, l-a bifat demult. Ii arat programul de meci, pe ale carei ultime pagini e radiografia facuta sub acelasi generic “Povestile calatorului”, la 6 jocuri la care asista de marti pana sambata, de un anume Brian Buck, prezentat drept un “Groundhopper” senior si abonat anual la Tottenham. Il intreb pe Neil daca e si el cutreierator “senior” si imi arata recordul lui Brian Buck, publicat in aceleasi pagini: 9.373 de jocuri pe 2.837 terenuri vizitate.

De unde pana unde “Groundhopper”? Si aici Neil ma da gata. “Ca abonat al lui Notts County, am mers si in toate deplasarile, si cum intre 1984 si ’91 ne-am plimbat din prima liga intr-a treia si inapoi, am ajuns sa vad arenele destulor profesioniste. Iar in 1997, cand am cazut chiar in esalonul patru, am sfarsit prin a contoriza spre 91, totalul stadioanelor din Premier League plus Football League. Dupa care m-am concentrat sa le vizitez, tot cu County, si pe cele ramase inca nebifate. Am batut astfel lejer suta, datorita numeroaselor promovate peste ani dintre amatoare, in primele 4 ligi. Asa ca in acest nou sezon am de mers doar intr-o deplasare cu Notts County, pe 28 decembrie, la nou-promovata Burton Albion”.

L-am intrebat daca nu merita acum sa se intoarca la statutul de abonat al alb-negrilor “The Magpies”, preluati in iulie de investitorii arabi de la Munto, cu al lor director de fotbal Sven-Goran Eriksson. “Am avut destul! Notts e clubul cel mai plimbat intre divizii, cu 12 promovari si 15 retrogradari, iar mai nou intre ligile mici ale profesionismului, plus ajuns la un pas de desfiintare la mijlocul acestui deceniu. Cand am descoperit deliciul de a fi <Groundhopper> pe cat mai multe arene, am imbratisat fotbalul amator. E alta viata… N-as mai fi ca fani ai lui Manchester United care pana si acum isi ocupa sambetele calatorind la Old Trafford. Multi sunt afaceristi din Londra. Altii, de exemplu din Exeter, umplu doua autocare pentru a <taia> o jumatate de tara, pana in Manchester. Lipsiti de imaginatie…”

Odata toate arenele profesionistelor vizitate, cu Notts County, Neil s-a axat intr-o buna zi pe meciuri de referinta, ultimele pe stadioane vechi, ce urmau sa fie scoase din circuit, ori inaugurale, pe terenuri noi-noute. “De exemplu am fost peste drum, pe vechiul Wembley, la cantecul de lebada… Anglia – Germania.” Zic Didi Hamann si ma ingana. Joc de referinta i s-a parut si acesta, al lui Wembley F.C., in chiar primul tur al Cupei Angliei. “Acum voi incerca sa merg in fiecare tur pe cate un teren nevizitat…”  

Neil imi spune ca e cat se poate de obiectiv in “pastilele” sale, ferindu-se sa laude fara acoperire, pentru a nu fi ulterior “dovedit” de potentiali alti “Groundhopper”, care, unsi cu toate alifiile, pot face diferenta intre nenumarate terenuri, tribune, atmosfere de meci. Wembley F.C.? “Un calificativ bun. Primitori!”

Auzim la radio ca e Macclesfield 0 – Notts County 4, dupa ca in prima etapa “Macalendrii” lui Eriksson o zdrobisera cu 5-0 pe Bradford City, si il intreb daca n-are chiar nici un regret. De la locul 21 in 2008 si 19 in mai, adica la un pas de retrogradarea dintre profesioniste, lidera acum in liga a patra. “M-am bucurat recent, acolo, pe Meadow Lane, la amicalul cu rivala Forest, 2-1 pentru noi, la debutul lui Sven. Dar mai degraba sunt fan al fotbalului amator, in intregul sau, decat al lui County, si – la urma urmei – toti acesti bani noi la profesionism, fie in Premier League, fie la Notts, pot fi retrasi intr-o buna zi. Tocmai au pompat peste 5.000 lire pe saptamana in salariul noului varf Lee Hughes, enorm pentru liga a patra, ca de, are cota, dar tocmai asemenea contracte pe <plimbareti> ne-au dus pe buza falimentului. Deci…”

Deci Neil cu cutreieratul sau, spre “cota” 1.000 si pe urmele “seniorului” Buck, iar Notts County sub bagheta lui Sven, incercand intr-un cincinal sa redea stralucirea celui mai in etate club profesionist din lume. Da. Fondat in 1862, County e mai vechi decat federatia engleza, infiintata in 1863, si participant la prima editie de campionat din istoria fotbalului, clasandu-se pe 11 din 12 cluburi, in 1889. E drept, un unic trofeu major, Cupa Angliei, in secolul XIX, dar clubul care va aniversa la anul centenarul pe vechea arena Meadow Lane se poate lauda cu admirabilul rol de esantion pentru alb-negrul vertical al “Batranei Doamne” Juventus…

Manchester United

A strange off season for the ‘red devils’ has seen the world’s most expensive player leave the club. The big talking point of the summer for most United fans has been the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, the footballing sensation leaving for an amazing £80 million. Losing Ronaldo can only be seen as a huge blow to the team, there were many times last season when Ronaldo single handedly won them games and looked the best player in the world. However, £80 million is a lot of money even to a massive club like Manchester United and given Alex Ferguson’s track record of signings the money will almost certainly be well spent. So there are definitely two sides to the argument on the sale of Ronaldo, some fans are gutted at losing perhaps the best player in the world, whilst others believe the money will help Fergie strengthen his squad to be better than it was even with Ronaldo.

The strange thing is Ferguson has had no intention of spending the money this summer. Earlier in July Ferguson announced he had made all the signings he wanted to and was happy with the squad he had. The only really notable signings being Antonio Valencia from Wigan for £16 million and the surprise signing of Michael Owen on a free transfer from Newcastle. Fans are unlikely to believe that either of these players can fill Ronaldo’s boots.

Michael Owen is a world class forward when fit, the problem is he is hardly ever fit. Ferguson has taken a gamble on him but should Owen get injured United’s squad begins to look a bit bare. With the loss of loanie Carlos Tevez, United’s forward line is weaker than it was. Berbatov has not justified his big money move yet and Rooney will need to score a lot more goals if United want to win the title for the 4th season running. Ronaldo’s goalscoring will be sorely missed and some players will have to step up and fulfill their potential to help United lift more trophies this season.

Always strong at the back, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will be hard to get past, there is no reason to expect any different.

The nucleus of the team has been kept but the holding core has been withdrawn, it is hard to see how this will not draw the other teams closer this year. This season may be one too many for United to win the title and without some more world class signings they may lose out.

Prediction 2nd

Portsmouth

What on earth has happened to this club? Last season talk was rife of massive foreign investment, rumours of an Arab takeover and even talk of Sven Goran Eriksson taking charge. Whilst this has failed to happen the club has hit a downward spiral, reporting massive debts and scrapping plans for stadium expansion, it is tough to see how the tide can turn.

The sale of Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch for a combined £26 million may seem acceptable but none of the funds have been invested in new players. With two star players gone it looks like this season will be a real struggle for Pompey. Fans are seething and with such a passionate following the club will be in for a rough ride should they not perform this season.

A shame perhaps because manager Paul Hart has done such a wonderful job since taking over, he has saved the club from almost certain relegation in the hands of Tony Adams. Portsmouth may just have enough in their ranks to survive this season but their future looks bleak and it probably will not be too long before they are relegated.

Prediction 16th

Stoke City

The heroes of last season return to fight again. Stoke were undoubtedly the overachievers of last year finishing a fantastic 12th having come up from the Championship the season before. Perhaps not the most beautiful football team to watch but they could not be criticized for their resilience and incredible home form. The Britannia Stadium was a fortress last year and if Stoke can repeat this then there is no chance of relegation.

Manager Tony Pulis was probably the manager of the season in the Premier League and although his tactics are not liked by many they get the results and at the end of the day that is all that matters.

Probably the least busy team in the transfer market this off-season, Stoke have only signed Sunderland’s Dean Whitehead for £3 million. The only sale being Seyi Olofinjana to Hull again for £3 million. This will not worry fans however as last years team has more than enough battling qualities in them to survive this league.

Stoke will look to capitalize from some poor sides down at the bottom this season, not just promoted teams but also the Hull’s and Portsmouth’s who really look set to struggle. Staying alive should be no problem for Stoke this year.

Prediction 13th

Sunderland

Sunderland fans should be buoyed by the signing of manager Steve Bruce. One of the best out their with mediocre teams on limited budgets Bruce could finally be the man to help Sunderland reach the heights their fans so desperately crave. With one of the best chairman in the game in Niall Quinn, there is no reason Sunderland cannot start to think about Europe in years to come.

Darren Bent is a great signing for Sunderland, a bit pricey at £16.5 million but he is a proven goalscorer anywhere he goes and guarantees you at least a few each season. Lorik Cana is again not cheap at £5.4 million but the former Marseille player could be a star of the future is he develops well.  Frazier Campbell has also been signed and fans will be hoping this former Manchester United youth starlet can fulfill his promise. Bruce does have the knack of picking out players of great potential, look at Antonio Valencia, Wilson Palacios and Amir Zaki all top class players who were found by Bruce.

Selling Michael Chopra, Dean Whitehead and Greg Halford will not set alarm bells ringing in the North East, Sunderland have done well to hang on to their main stars.

This is a big season fro Keiran Richardson, Manchester United’s academy product has always had the potential to be a quality player and certainly showed glimpses of that last season. If Bruce can get the best out of him then Sunderland will be a creative attacking force. Sunderland should also benefit from Bruce’s defensive knowledge making them a tough team to beat.

Relegation is not an issue that Sunderland will have to deal with but this is a building season and fans should be happy with a mid-table finish looking to push on next season.

Prediction 12th

11 august 2007. Sven Goran Eriksson revenea val-vartej in prim-planul peisajului fotbalului englez, ca manager al lui Manchester City, cu un 2-0 in deplasare la West Ham, in etapa de debut. Avea sa fie prima din trei succese la rand, toate la zero, in sezonul 2007/2008 din Premier League. Aventura sa avea sa se sfarseasca tot pe 11, dar in luna mai, in 2008, cu un usturator 1-8 la Middlesbrough. Locul 9 si o calificare in Cupa UEFA. Peste putin timp, vara trecuta, suedezul era debarcat de la Eastlands cam cum era nevoit sa se desparta candva si de nationala Albionului.

A fost o poveste cu seici ce i-a retezat picioarele scaunului sau la reprezentativa Angliei, inaintea WorldCup 2006, si s-a intamplat ca atat in 2007 cat si luna trecuta sa revina in fotbalul englez tot datorita unor oameni cu relatii si bani din lumea Orientului. Acum doua veri, sosirea thailandezului Shinawatra la Man’City il propulsa imediat pe Eriksson in scena.

Luna trecuta, in 14 iulie 2009, preluarea lui Notts County de catre un consortiu din Dubai condus de un om cu dare de mana din Qatar a adus cu sine si investirea aceluiasi uns cu toate alifiile globe-trotter. Munto Finance Limited a stiut din start ce vrea si pe 21 iulie era dezvaluit numele lui Eriksson. Imediat, pe 25, directorul de fotbal al trupei de liga a patra se lansa la apa cu un 2-1 in amicalul cu concitadina Nottingham Forest.

Pare peste mana, fortat, faptul ca unul ca Eriksson s-a reapucat de treaba taman la Notts County. La prima vedere, ar parea doar un mariaj financiar, un alt tun al “oportunistului” scandinav acum in varsta de 61 ani, insa nu-i chiar asa. County are acea aura cu totul aparte, in consonanta cu valorile absolute ale fotbalului englez, si anume traditia indelungata a jocului si pasiunea pentru fotbal, pentru culorile locale, pentru sustinerea clubului comunitatii, fie el cat de mic sau cu probleme. Iar County numai mic nu e, daca vrem sa vedem mai mult decat bani, rezultate, glorie, locuri fruntase.

Notts County e cel mai vechi club profesionist din lume si al cincilea ca vechime din istoria jocului. De fapt, fondat fiind in 1862, e mai batran chiar si decat The F.A., infiintata in 1863. Mai mult, alb-negrii in dungi verticale se numarau printre cele 12 grupari fondatoare ale Football League, cu a sa prima editie de campionat din istoria jocului, pe care o incheiau pe 11 in 1889. Mai apoi, erau sursa de inspiratie pentru ceea ce e si astazi trusoul lui Juventus Torino.

Pe de alta parte, County nu si-a depasit ulterior conditia de pioniera a jocului, ramanand oarecum in anonimat dar mereu cu acea poveste minunata a inceputului, pastrata in analele fotbalului. Doar un trofeu major, Cupa Angliei, si acela in secolul XIX. Apoi, un numar nedorit de retrogradari, 15, care, coroborat cu cele 12 promovari, o fac drept cea mai plimbata profesionista intre divizii. Din pacate, mai mereu intre cele inferioare. Si aici ajungem la Sven…

Caci Notts a incheiat pe 21 in 2008 si pe locul 19 in luna mai, de fiecare data in liga a patra. Adica aproape de locurile 23-24, retrogradante din fotbalul profesionist. Ei bine, la un club care doar de doua ori a reusit sa castige acest esalon patru, in 1971 si 1998, s-a inhamat Sven la lucru. Ca director de fotbal, secondat de sfatuitorul Tord Grip, mereu mana sa dreapta, si de preparatorul Svensson, un alt compatriot. Va reusi Sven minunea? Mai are suedezul charisma succesului?

Primii pasi spun da. In 25 iulie, 2-1 contra concitadinei Forest, din liga a doua. Amical – amical, dar la cata rivalitate e intre cele mai apropiate ca locatie cluburi profesioniste din Albion, a fost mai mult decat un amical. Meadow Lane, pe care County joaca din 1910, adica de aproape un secol, e la 300 metri distanta de mai faimosul City Ground, al lui Forest, dar – esential – peste apele raului Trent… Ca o paranteza, s-o fi numind arena lui Forest a orasului, “City Ground”, dar pozitionarea sa este inafara granitei lui Nottingham. Cu alte cuvinte, County e echipa orasului, gratie pozitionarii lui Meadow Lane pe malul ”bun” al raului. Pana si in aceasta privinta, Notts County are “dosar” bun, mai cu fir de aur, pe masura sosirii unuia ca suedezul.

Iar startul in noua editie a fost aidoma celui al suedezului, la intoarcerea in Albion, in 2007. Adica la superlativ. 5-0 acasa cu Bradford City, cu 3-0 la pauza. Hat-trick al ex-puscariasului Lee Hughes. Lidera dupa prima etapa. ”Macalendrii” zboara la inaltime. Intreaga poveste pare un scenariu de film. Desigur, Sven e doar director, supervizeaza, si victoria e a managerului Ian McParland, un scotian, de fapt al optulea marcator all-time al alb-negrilor, cu 90 reusite intre ‘80 si ‘89. Al doilea ar fi un anume Tony Hateley. Va surprind asemenea nume asociate cu clasata pe locurile 21 si 19 in liga a patra? Ei bine, Meadow Lane a magnetizat peste ani si alde Dixie Dean, Tommy Lawton ori Martin O’Neill. Iar de luna trecuta un tar intre antrenori, Sven Goran Eriksson.

Unde e Sven, se vorbeste de Premier League. Atat de bombastice sunt planurile alb-negrilor. Pare greu de crezut, la cat de sinistre au fost ultimele clasari ale clubului, dar Notts County se alinia la startul ultimei editii a vechii primei ligi engleze, in 1991, inaintea lansarii F.A. Barclays Premier League. Pe care trupa pe-atunci a lui Allardyce n-a mai prins-o, retrogradand din elita in ‘92. De atunci, amar si lacrimi. Din aceasta vara, planuri si sperante.

Dupa 5-0, ti-ar putea fugi pamantul de sub picioare, mai ales cand clubul il are la carma pe unul ca Sven. O noua frumoasa fila de poveste, tipica fotbalului englez, e in tiparire pe una din micutele dar atractivele arene din insula. Trupe ca Notts County dau in felul lor mai multa culoare unui fotbal mult prea patronat de titlurile cu litere de-o schioapa legate de alde Ronaldo si bolizii sai gata de-a fi facuti zob de parapeti, ca de, asta e cand ai prea multi bani si nu si integritate pe masura, sa-i chibzuiesti. Sven va chibzui in schimb fiece pas, orice miscare sau transfer, si rezultatele vor aparea, neindoios. E doar o chestiune de timp…

With the Football League season just a few days away, it’s time to preview the coming season.

First up, it’s League Two.

The Strugglers

Expect the usual teams to struggle in League Two. Macclesfield and Barnet often struggle to compete at this level but usually manage to avoid the drop. However, this season the division looks tougher than recent years with the promoted teams looking strong, the relegated teams unlikely to struggle and no teams with points deductions to use as a safety net.

Macclesfield will be hoping for less of these scorelines next season. Photo: David Ingham

Macclesfield have strengthened the side with the signings of experienced heads such as ex-Lincoln duo of Paul Morgan and Nat Brown. Yet Morgan’s form is on the descent since it peaked around 2005, and Brown has been playing non-league football with Wrexham for the past year.

Meanwhile, Barnet have failed to significantly improve their squad for the new season, having to recruit a mix of untried youngsters such as Yannick Bolasie and veteran players like ex-Watford midfielder Micah Hyde. They have also lost key players such as Neale Bishop, Michael Leary and Adam Birchall which will make their survival task all the more difficult.

Accrington Stanley’s summer has been shaken by the punishments of four former Stanley players after breaching Football League betting rules. That is unlikely to affect the club going into this season, but again the lack of recruitments this summer has only added to the feel of a club that seems to be stagnating. Manager John Coleman and his squad have a long season in store.

The final pick to struggle could well be considered controversial. After almost making the playoffs last season, Dagenham and Redbridge would certainly not be a team that somebody would tip for relegation- certainly not on face value alone. However, the loss of imposing centre half Magnus Okuonghae coupled with continuing speculation about the future of striker Paul Benson, could be massive.

The Surprise Package

For some reason, teams promoted to the Football League do so well in their inaugural season. Burton Albion were convincingly promoted to League Two.  During the course of the season, they lost manager Nigel Clough to Derby County, drafting in Roy McFarland to replace him on a temporary basis. After securing promotion, Burton decided to appoint the unproven Paul Peschisolido as his replacement. Such a young, fresh manager seems to be the catalyst for an optimistic pre-season buzz around the Pirelli Stadium. The high quality signing of ex-Bristol Rovers striker Richard Walker will provide goals, while Paul Boertien and the rumoured arrival of Marc Edworthy should provide stability at the back. A playoff push is more than possible.

Don't be surprised to see Burton fans celebrating in May. Photo: Diego's Sideburns

For a club that was in the second tier of English football six years ago, Grimsby Town’s fall from grace has been remarkable. However, with manager Mike Newell’s arrival last season came a better quality of football and a renewed sense of buoyancy. Players were actually interested in joining a club in a footballing backwater. Signings such as Adam Proudlock, Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro and Peter Sweeney followed and, despite the Mariners only avoided relegation by one position, this season will undoubtedly bear greater fruits.

Like Grimsby, last season was a disappointing one for Port Vale. But with a new manager- and a very good, experienced one at that in Micky Adams- Vale will almost certainly not find themselves in such disarray this season. Adams has an ability to get the best out of his players and has done some of his best work in the lower leagues, most notably at Brighton.

The Favourites

The club on the lips of everyone this summer has been Notts County. After a less than mediocre season last time out where the club briefly flirted with relegation out of the league, the arrival of new multi-million pound investors mean that improvement is mandatory. Promotion is expected. Manager Ian McParland and new director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson have bought wisely so far, drafting in experience and class in Graeme Lee, Ben Davies and Karl Hawley. It will be interesting to see whether the Magpies will live up to expectation.

Bournemouth have the luxury of starting on zero points this year. Photo: Stuart Bramley

A whole host of other clubs will be looking to challenge them for the top three automatic spots. Bournemouth should be aiming for a promotion push after shrugging off the points deduction that handicapped them so much last season. Stuart McCall’s Bradford City came agonisingly short of the playoffs and will be hoping that the likes of central defender Zesh Rehman can help finish higher this time round. While relegated teams such as Northampton and Cheltenham will be looking for an immediate return to League One.

Joe Hart. Manchester City to Birmingham. Loan.

Not much of value can be found in my hometown. The fishing industry that had once been so lucrative for the port of Grimsby is now all but dead. Public transport is falling apart; the stale stench of sweat and urine is all that grants those that dare to ride it. Even the football club which punched above its weight for years is now as down in the doldrums as the population that rattles around its Blundell Park home.

But in 2006, that very stadium was lit up by the brilliance of one Shrewsbury Town player. He was a beacon of confidence in the Shrews goal; claiming every cross that dared threaten the penalty area, pulling off fantastic saves to deny strikers and kicking the ball long distances to set up the counter attack. He did not look like beaten. The Mariners needed a late penalty to finally get past the inexperienced yet immovable object.

It was obvious to every spectator that day that Joe Hart was destined for much bigger things than the fourth tier of English football. Premiership scouts were already hovering over the youngster, looking to pounce on a future first choice international keeper. In the summer of that year, Manchester City made their move.

Stuart Pearce signed Hart initially as a third choice goalkeeper behind Andreas Isaksson and Nicky Weaver so it made sense for Hart to be loaned out to continue his development. After settling into Manchester life in the first half of the 2006/2007 season, Hart was borrowed first by Tranmere Rovers and then Blackpool.

When Sven-Goran Eriksson replaced Pearce as manager in the summer of 2007, he relegated Isaksson to the bench, giving Hart the opportunity to cement his place in between the posts at Eastlands. He took Eriksson’s decision in his stride, with a series of excellent Premier League performances paving the way for an international call up and subsequent cap against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008.

Photo by Rude and Reckless

With a Premier League starting place assured and a fledgling international career, it looked like everything was on track for Hart to become the country’s top goalkeeper. His good form continued in the back end of the year, but in the January transfer window his place was snatched away.

Despite possessing one of the country’s best, Mark Hughes found it impossible to resist the temptation of drafting in arguably the Premier League’s best goalkeeper- Shay Given. Signed on the cheap at an alleged initial fee of around £6million, few contested the ‘bargain value’ of the buy. But behind the excitement of the Given deal lay a player who was surely more disappointed and confused than anything.

Here was a player with the world at his feet, or hands as the case may be, who had had his number one position snatched away by no fault of his own. A few days after the transfer was completed, Given himself told the Mirror that it was ‘awkward’ when he first greeted Hart on the training pitch.

While Given picked up at City from where he left off at Newcastle, Joe Hart was relegated to the status of bench warmer for the final five months of the season.

Twelve months previous, Hart was making his international debut. Now he was back in the reserves for his club. He initially talked up his chances of challenging Given for the number one spot, but eventually conceded defeat- at least for now. With the World Cup in South Africa also on the horizon, a move away from the club to secure first team football was needed.

Fresh to the Premier League, new club Birmingham are exactly the type of club that could help Hart reignite his stalling career. A new defence which lacks in top flight experience, ‘Brum’ are likely to be severely tested by the pace and power of their rivals, giving Hart every chance to impress in goal.

A loan deal will be beneficial for all parties. With the signing of Stuart Taylor, City have adequate cover in the goalkeeper position without having huge potential wasting away on the sidelines, only emerging in the odd League Cup game. Birmingham were short of a top class goalkeeper, and Hart provides a commanding presence which will help manage a backline which will undoubtedly need plenty of organising.

But for Hart himself, the advantages could be most great. He has a point to prove to his employers and will be raring to show them what they’re missing out on. A successful season in the Midlands may be unlikely to shift Shay Given from the primary keeper spot, but could alert other clubs to his ability. And of course, in June 2010 a seat is up for grabs on the plane to the World Cup in South Africa.

And that is a whole different kettle of fish to League Two matches in Grimsby.