The Beautiful Game

MS EHQ: James Fraser

2010-06-15T04:09:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from wearemedia

MS EHQ: David Norris

2010-06-15T04:04:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from wearemedia

Nike EHQ: Mike Cookson

2010-06-15T03:59:00.001-07:00

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Untitled

2010-06-15T03:51:00.001-07:00

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Untitled

2010-06-15T03:50:00.001-07:00

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Mindshare EHQ: David Norris

2010-06-15T03:38:00.001-07:00

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UK:

2010-05-28T14:59:00.001-07:00

The latest instalment in Nike's World Cup campaign on the Cromwell Road in London - one of the largest poster sites in the UK.

The huge installation plays on the idea of Mount Rushmore by replacing the faces of the iconic American Founding Fathers with four key English Nike athletes: Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, James Milner and Rio Ferdinand as they head to South Africa to WRITE THE FUTURE.

With the England national team's first game against the USA, there is increased symbolism to the structure. The words PLAY TO BE REMEMBERED are carved into the rock formation, inspiring the players to give history-making performances on the pitch.

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Europe: UCL Audience exceeds estimation

2010-05-28T13:59:00.001-07:00

Using audience figures for UK, Germany, France, Italy and Netherlands the UCL Final delivered slightly higher audiences than estimated - creating real scale to the launch of the 180 spot.

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Time to deliver Fabio

2010-05-10T13:54:00.001-07:00

Okay so we qualified with ease, got Gerrard and Lampard playing together and tonked Croatia Home and Away. We turned the corner, we made the game look easy and we got pride back in our Three Lions. Yet we have been there before - Sven was a master of Qualification and yet always came up short in the big moments (v Brazil (02), v France & Portugal (04), v Portugal and Walcott (06)). Now is the time for Capello to earn his crust - even before we get to South Africa. The squad selections are the first indication of Capello's direction and confidence in his players and his team.

There are a number of dead-certs in the squad but putting down 30 names is a tough exercise - and if Capello is true to his word then players that are not in form will not be considered.

thebeautifulgame's 30

Keeper

David James - Rob Green - Joe Hart

Defence

Rio Ferdinand - John Terry - Glen Johnson - Ashley Cole - Ledley King - Matthew Upson - Michael Dawson - Gary Neville - Leighton Baines - Jamie Carragher

Midfield

Frank Lampard - Steven Gerrard - Theo Walcott - Aaron Lennon - Adam Johnson - Gareth Barry - James Milner - Scott Parker - Michael Carrick - Ashley Young - Joe Cole

Strikers

Wayne Rooney - Peter Crouch - Emile Heskey - Jermain Defoe - Bobby Zamora - Darren Bent

There are a few names in there that will cause an eyebrow or two to be raised - most notably Gary Neville, Joe Cole and my man Bobby Z. Right back is a surprisingly tough position to fill, and provide cover and with Wes Brown hopefully being over-looked for Jamie Carragher as 'utility man' I think Fabio will want to look at Gary Neville. Bags of experience and has been up there as the best right back in the Premier League for the 2nd half of the season - will probably not make the cut but potentially Neville is a stronger option than Carragher for Capello as he does pose a threat with his deep delivery, and Capello's puts so much on his full-backs to give the side the width and movement in midfield.

On Joe Cole - although he has not played much for Chelsea he is a top, top player who has performed for England at a World Cup. A few weeks of intense confidence building and team unity could mould Cole back into a key figure for England and with Barry's injury problem it could be that what England really need is a player to rove in from the left if Lampard and Gerrard pair up again in the middle (probably more likely than Carrick or Parker starting). I would love to have Joe Cole around the squad, even if just for the option of needing a goal in the latter stages when a player with his vision can make the difference.

For Zamora - I have been a passionate supporter all season - and hope that he plays in the final for Fulham and is fit enough for a call up. He has had an outstanding season and is a real handful - he also has that unknown quality, similar to Adam Johnson that I feel should be part of any World Cup squad, it gives an extra dimension to the squad and both have had great seasons. He deserves a chance in the warm-up matches and if he takes it, and is fit, then he should go as the fifth stiker. Darren Bent will be in the 30 but he has had chances for England before and not taken them so if Bobby Zamora gets the nod ahead of him then I will not shed a tear.

Come on Fabio - do me proud and match my 30, then we shall see about a final 23

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No Rooney, No Cesc - but I still fancy United and Arsenal

2010-04-02T01:28:00.001-07:00

So you lose your best player, you get played off the park, you waste possession and you have an uphill battle to make it through to the UEFA Champions League Semi-finals. This is the same scenario facing both Manchester United and Arsenal. Rooney and Fabregas have been their team's talismen - they have scored the goals, lead the passion and been integral to the best efforts of both sides. Cesc is out for the rest of the season while Rooney will probably only miss three to four weeks (a nation's relief being tangible). Regardless they go into the second legs of their Quarter Final matches struggling on the scoreline and without their main men.

Barcelona looked ever impressive on Wednesday with Xavi dominating (112 passes, 95 completed vs Fabregas 39 passes, 31 completed) and Zlatan seemingly getting the hang of scoring in the UCL. It seems that with that kind of dominance Barcelona will walk the second leg and the Gunners will surely drift to a trophy-less close season. While on Tuesday, United seemed to score too early and almost knock themselves out. Bayern played some great stuff and if Robben can get fit for the return then it will be a very tough night for United as Bayern. It was a stange performance by United who were so sloppy with the ball, and wastefull with it - even Mr Rooney (despite scoring again) had a bit of an off-night.

Yet it would not surprise me to see the two English sides progress.

Both sides need to win their return, I think the last 20 minutes should be a blueprint for Wenger on how to approach the Camp Nou. Let Barcelona come on to you and then break with pace - Walcott has to start - and if Maxwell retains his place at leftback Arsenal should look to get the ball to Theo at every opportunity as he scared the hell out of them. While the quite Nasri on the left has the potential to exloit the amazing Alves who seems to have lungs better than Darren Fletcher, but seems to spend more time attacking than defending. As Barca knock the ball around and dominate possession (as they will do), Arsenal just need to be patient for their moments to press and break with pace, they also need to be clinical and if they create a chance then they must take it. To me Barcelona are more vulnerable at home than away and I just fancy the Gooners pulling a little surprise on Pep and his troops.

As for United, it is probably an easier task at first glance. They need to win, and on reflection Ferguson is probably happy to have the away goal and will back his men at Old Trafford. It feels like one of those matches that will hit 75 minutes with it being 0-0 and the tie on a knife-edge. If United score then they will want to get the second goal as 1-0 is as dangerous a score for them as 0-0. We will see but I fancy United to steal it 1-0....in fact, I wonder what the odds are on a injury time winner for United?!

______

The other quick point to reference is the other English team in doing well in Europe (im not including Liverpool) and that is the mighty Fulham. Once again last night they played great and have a shot at the semis - what a fantastic story that would be for Roy Hodgson and once again my main man Bobby Zamora made the difference - I do hope he gets a shot against Mexico or Japan....just have a look at him Fabio.

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The art of being United

2010-03-15T11:25:00.001-07:00

There I was on saturday evening away from ESPN, and away from the Hull City v Arsenal match. I knew it was 1-1 and was constantly checking out BBC Sport on the Blackberry to see if Bendtner had scored me some Fantasy League points. It got to 88 minutes, still 1-1 and then my mind wandered and I thought about the wider context of the title race - if it was United then they would score, they just would.

However, the little faith I had in the Gooners to break down 10-man Hull meant that I did not check back to see if the score had changed, assuming that as usual all Arsenal players would stay true to their religion of not scoring, or even shooting from outside the box (I was startled to read last week about the Arsenal's warm up and the squad's favourite 'Never shoot if a pass is on' routine). As I watched MOTD on the Sunday morning, I was already congratulating myself on my decision and feeling that Arsenal were going to keep wasting chances no matter how much football they played against the tiring legs of Hull City.

Yet in the 93rd minute up pops Denilson to unleash from 30 yards, get a dodgy rebound and a very tidy finish by young Bendtner ensured that Arsenal walked away with the 3 points and left Hull feeling mugged after working their nuts off. This is real title form, being away from home and getting frustrated by a very average team yet still finding the goal you need to walk away with the points. Well done Arsene -for doing a United - and well done Denilson for having a pop.

Looking at the run-ins from the 3 top teams it seems that the real chance of a remarkable double comeback is on. Remember when Arsenal were destroyed by United and Chelsea at home, 11 points off the top spot. Now it is a real three horse race and with United having to play Chelsea and Liverpool it bodes to be a very interesting few weeks.

In fact, the team who comes out on top could well be the team who gets knocked out of the Champions League first - so Arsene might bizarrely be cheering on Carlo and the boys at the Bridge tomorrow night.

One thing we can be sure of is that this race will go down to the wire - United look in great form at the moment and if Rooney can keep it up then that should be enough for Sir Alex, and Chelsea seem to have their power back and have moved on from Terry-gate - but I think Arsenal could sneak it - especially if they keep the faith to shoot, the faith to grind out wins and Bendtner has more Porto's than Burnleys.

8 games to go (9 for Chelsea), the tightest race in Premier League history? I love football.

The Beautiful Game

MS EHQ: James Fraser

MS EHQ: David Norris

Nike EHQ: Mike Cookson

Untitled

Untitled

Mindshare EHQ: David Norris

UK:

Europe: UCL Audience exceeds estimation

Time to deliver Fabio

No Rooney, No Cesc - but I still fancy United and Arsenal

The art of being United

What is all the fuss about Wayne Bridge?!

Pele for this Generation

The future of the global game is terrifying

The Beautiful Game's Highlights of the Decade

Rafa the next to go..

Arise Sir Jimmy Bullard?!

Thierry is not the French cheat - it is Platini

Predict the performance of your team

The lottery of life as a football manager

The lottery life of a football manager

Will it be the World Cup of the team, not the Superstar?

Phil Brown and Paul Hart: Squeaky Bum Time

Yes he will

Will Owen teach City a lesson?

United to teach City a lesson?

Thanks Emile : Now let's give Carlton a chance

Why has Platini got it in for the English Premier League?

The underrated players of the Barclays Premier League