...r static strikers were being easily marked by defenders they should have been running rings round.

Perhaps the only other player I cannot fault for effort was Milan Barros, who unfortunately looked like he did not relish the cold and his touch on the ball was often well short of what we know he is capable of. I think the game perhaps turned on the penalty claim which TV replays show was an abject penalty when Milan Barros was chopped down in the box. Villa seemed to give up after the penalty was turned down. That aside Doncaster should have had another one when Liam Ridgewell very deliberately shoulder barged one of their players off the ball.

Considering that the league cup was our only realistic chance of success this season, you would have thought that we could have expected a little bit more from the players. It seems to me that the hunger has gone from the side and we have accepted the mid-table mediocrity that is so often the result of a long hard season. And indeed, the league position suggests that they think that even that will be handed to them on a plate. Quite simply it is not good enough. These players are earning - a very loose definition of the word - thousands of pounds per week, and much of that comes out of the ordinary supporters pockets.

I know for a fact that Aston Villa have some of the most fiercely loyal supporters in the land, which perhaps explains why they continue to spend money on substandard products rather than shop elsewhere. However you cannot help thinking that in years to come, unless things change radically, this will not be the case. In todays society where more and more people are moving away from their towns of birth for employment and social reasons, clubs cannot rely on regional association to maintain their fan base and success, however infrequent, is the only thing which will keep the fans returning.

Aston Villa has always been considered the bigger of the two Birmingham cl...more

Soccer Goalkeeper's Skill, Techniques and Goalie training

...ce or game.

Goalkeepers are also the leaders of the teams and usually have dominant personalities. These individuals must be helped to fulfill this role by being placed in a vocal and demonstrative capacity.
They are definitly leaders in the 18 yard box, and should be allowed to gain respect from their team.
The ball can only be handled by the goalie in the 18 yard box, anyone else who is unfortunate to let the ball touch an arm, a free kick is given against. In the case of the goalkeepers team mate it is a penalty shot from "the spot".

Soccer Drills Kids Will Love!

...u say as you teach them how to drive and stop when you say. Any player that doesnt do immediately as you say is out. Play for two minutes before restarting. This drill teaches ball control (dribbling, how to stop the ball with the foot, pullbacks, using the outside of each feet).

Description:

1. Go-start dribbling

2. Stop-stop the ball with a foot on top

3. Slow-slow down pace of dribbling

4. Speed Up-dribble faster

5. Turn Right-push the ball with the outside of the foot towards the right and dribble in that direction

6. Turn Left-follow the same instructions as Turn Right with left as the dribbling direction

7. Pull Back and Go the Other Way-use the bottom of the foot to pull the ball in a backwards direction, and then turn to dribble that ...more

FA Cup Third Round - Back Top 10 Championship Sides

... (a) and Burnley @ 1.79 (h) before drawing at home to Tranmere in the quarter final, despite being odds on at 1.50. However, they made amends in the replay, winning at Prenton Park at odds of 2.32.

Backing Millwall to win each match before they faced Sunderland would have netted a profit of 26.20 for 10 level stakes, a 52% return on turnover.

Third Round
Millwall @ 1.91 vs Walsall. Result: 2-1
Forest vs WBA @ 2.30. Result: 1-0
Preston vs Reading @ 3.48...more