The Unfit Referee: Premier Edition

This is my first instalment of weekly column that will focus on some of the hotter topics in the world of soccer. I like to see myself a student of the game, whether it be on or off the pitch. You can find me either screaming out instructions at my team-mates from my position as a goalie or at the television from my position on the couch. Sometimes it is through joyful celebration, but let's be honest most of the time it is out of frustration. One thing is certain. I love this game and all the emotions it provides.

Now lets dive in with two feet, studs up and tackle my main targets this week...

Tweet on Joey, Tweet On
Good old Joey Barton was at it again on Twitter, his target this time was poor Karl Henry. I cannot get enough of footballers using social media to voice their honest opinion about things that happened on the field, minus the censorship of their clubs PR team. Clubs pay players to play and represent them professionally when on official duty, but when off the clock they should have the freedom of free speech just like the rest of us. Managers hate it, but the supporters love it. I say let them tweet!

Torrid Torres
Oh Fernando, I'm almost starting to feel sorry for you. As a Liverpool supporter I have rather enjoyed Fernando Torres' struggles in Chelsea blue. I've seen some bad misses in soccer, but this latest one at Old Trafford was catastrophic. Any Sunday league player could have done better. I remember a similar opportunity versus Derby County during his early days at Anfield . The run was identical, as was the move to go around the keeper before scoring his second of the game. It is fair to say he is not the same player for Chelsea that he was for Liverpool. To think of him as a prolific striker anymore is foolish. That player is long gone, visibly lacking in confidence, and with a fifty million-dollar transfer price tag hanging over his head, the pressure is too much for Torres to handle.

Venky Revolution
Not to worry Rovers fans, you will get your wish soon. Steve Kean might have bought himself some time after the surprising home victory versus Arsenal, but he will get the boot soon. The axe should fall on the new owners, but unfortunately that is implausible. It is a gong show at Ewood Park under Venky's Limited. They are a perfect example of how not to run a football club. Firing Sam Allardyce and installing the in-experienced Kean, they have plummeted down the table. Full of ambition and empty promises. Ronaldinho, Raul and Champions League football have been but boasted, however reality paints a different picture. Welcome David Goodwillie, Ruben Rochina and Championship football.

Fork In The Road
The media can speculate all they want but Arsenal would be foolish to sack Arsene Wenger at this point. Gunners fans remain very loyal to their gaffer, but the rumors continued to circulate within the soccer world, which led to Arsenal executive chief Ivan Gazidis speaking out to reaffirm the club's stance on the matter. It would be a horrible decision to axe Wenger during the season despite poor results. The club is stable financially now that Emirates Stadium is completely paid for, and one season without Champions League revenue will not send them into a crisis mode. Stick with Wenger through this campaign and if he fails to steady the ship, then go after David Moyes in the summer. That is the best option available for Arsenal.

Riches Not Enough For Mancini
Roberto Mancini's sense of entitlement has reached new levels following Manchester City's draw at Craven Cottage. Spoiled with riches, the Italian had the nerve to complain about not having enough midfielders in his bloated squad list! Last time I checked there were eight on the roster that would make the starting eleven for any number of clubs. Inept defending is the reason for dropping points, which is the same reason why the league title will elude them. Stop crying and looking for excuses. No one feels any sympathy for you.

Arrivederci Gian Piero Gasperini
Massimo Moriatti pulled the trigger and sacked the shell-shocked Gasperini after another humiliating loss, this time to newly-promoted Novara. What do you expect, Gasperini was third choice for the job and got it virtually by default. He had yet to win a match for the Nerazzurri, suffering one embarrassment after another. Italians are not known for their patience in soccer, so this was not all that surprising. The players were misfiring, and it has a lot to do with positioning and tactics by the manager. Three down post Mourinho, and a fourth on the way. The merry-go-round of manager hiring and firings in Serie A is shame full.

Shambolic SPL 
The only games that matter on the Scottish calendar is the Old Firm derby. Rangers came out victorious at Ibrox to stay atop the SPL in the first encounter of the season. Celtic have two more opportunities to get some bragging rights back, and more importantly their title ambitions. The remaining league fixtures are irrelevant  for the Glasgow giants, maximum points being all but a certainty against the rest. The competition is extremely watered down, and the quality is atrocious. To give a good example of how stagnate it has become, I would put the MLS in higher standard than the SPL. Hate to break it to the Tartan Army, but Scotland have fallen way behind the USA in development and overall standard of play. I would bet on current MLS Cup holders the Colorado Rapids to beat either one of Rangers or Celtic if they ever were to meet. Their is a reason it has been eleven long years since the Scots have been ranked above the Americans.

Winter Revival On The Horizon
Five years, and five rebuilding projects. Life has been tough for TFC nation. Prices continue to rise from tickets to merchandising, but the quality on the field seems to deteriorate as seasons pass. BMO Field has been a revolving door since day one, as managers have come and gone. Never has Toronto FC made the post-season and this year will not be any different. The supporters have been loyal since day one and deserve better. Aron Winter's first season in command has been below par if you look at the standings, although he inherited a dire squad full of dead weight. Playing 4-3-3 total football is difficult with the players at his disposal, but finally were able to see small signs of improvement. Winter needed a full season to construct his vision of the club and style of play, judge him next year. They need to build around their big five of Stephen Frei, Torsten Frings, Ryan Johnston, Joao Plata and Danny Kouvermans.  If that happens, this might be the final re-building proccess for a long while.


Check back next week for a new edition of The Unfit Referee.