.... Let's not give up the ghost too soon! Let's not get into the coffin before our time.

Soccer managers live on the edge of life. They are always on the knife edge of success or failure. They are sacked when their teams fail to perform.

I enjoy listening to them especially after their teams have lost! Their comments usually have a motivational tip or two in them.

jose Mourinho won the european soccer champions league with Porto in 2004 and then moved to Chelsea in West London where his team won game after game

Recently he has had two poor results and already is being asked if the honeymoon with Chelsea is over. He looked glum after two unaccustomed losses but denied that he was worried. He has retained his confidence and motivation.

"Our mood has changed but not our confidence or motivation. When you lose you don't smile so much but the confidence is still there".

He was asked about the Carling Cup final (one of the two main knockout competitions in England) and pointed out that his team had reached the final by a harder road than their rivals in the final - Liverpool. However, he said: "When you arrive in the final you have to forget how you got there and concentrate on the final." jose knows how to focus on what is important.

A reporter asked him how long it would be before his injured Dutch star Arjun Robbin could play again. jose replied in typical fashion.

"I want to be fair with you. I have no idea and to be fair I don't want to have. I'm just interested in the players I have and the doubtful ones that might come and give you a hand. Robbin is not in either of these groups and I just prefer to forget!"

jose knows how to concentra...more

Soccer Systems of Play, Team Formation and Positional Set up, 4-4-2

...rrying out the plans the coach and players have designed and used as the methods of attack and goal scoring.
These positions have traditionally played these roles. However nowadays the play making comes from anyone and sometimes all the players at any given time.
These inside players have also been more defensive in their general on field play.
This defensive idea is to stop the opposition from creating attacking options.

Forwards;

These are the main ggoooooooooooalll scoring machines. The ones who react to the ball quickly and are able to shoot from any place on the field.
To be effective they should work closely together as a team and pair. To this extent they are sometimes called "twin strikers".
They are also responsible for creating space by making the defenders mark them.
They make the defense leave their zonal resposibilities whereby taking them "out of the game".
<...more

League Two Betting Review - 29 January 2006

...Wycombe Wanderers remained top of League Two despite a coupon busting performance by failing to beat Stockport county. After only managing a draw at Barnet last week, the bookies priced Wycombe at a best price of 2/5 to see off Stockport who had won away just twice all season.

However, midfielder Matthew Hamshaw gave Stockport a shock 38 minute lead at adams Park. The Hatters almost hung on for an unlikely 6/1 victory until striker Ian Sto...more

Score - It's a Partying Soccer Goal!

...Soccer is growing in popularity around the country. Many kids want a soccer themed party for their birthday. There are lots of fun ways to have everything at your event be soccer related!

Pick a list of kids to attend your party and send out soccer ball invitations. A party supply store will have all the accessories and motifs available for soccer. Have the kids wear their soccer cleats to the party if they have ...more

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