SO the era of eras has ended. 27 years, 13 Premier League titles, 2 European Cups, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, a Club World Cup and even a Cup Winners’ Cup, and Alex Ferguson is calling time on a majestic career turning Manchester United into the Premier League’s jewel.
Now the eyes turn to his replacement. David Moyes has been linked to the job since time immemorial, and ever since he left Chelsea, Jose Mourinho has also looked like a possible candidate to replace his erstwhile rival.
But we at Four Five Two know better. We know that there’s only one man that can take the job:
One of the greater things about watching football in America is that most matches, especially those of the EPL, are early in the morning American time, giving people an excuse to day drink. This is part of our series discussing exactly what to drink when you’re at the pub, presented by our resident homebrewer, Keith
The Pub:The Owl Farm, on 9th Street and 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.
The Story: Goose Island was founded on the North Side of Chicago in 1988. Founder John Hall was the pioneer of the “on-premises” brewpub that we’ve become accustomed to in the hearts of many cities across the nation (think Heartland or Birreria in New York, Triumph in Philly, Cap City and District Chophouse in DC).
One of the greater things about watching football in America is that most matches, especially those of the EPL, are early in the morning American time, giving people an excuse to day drink. This is part of our series discussing exactly what to drink when you’re at the pub, presented by our resident homebrewer, Keith
The Pub:The Black Swan, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York
What You Need to Know: Breckenridge Brewery was founded in 1990 out in Denver. It’s a classic “homebrewers doin’ it for themselves” story, with founder Richard Squire, a self-described “ski bum,” homebrewing well through the late 80s before getting the bug to do it professionally. The gamble paid off, as Beckenridge today runs five pubs and produces 52,000 barrels of beer per year.
If I supported Villa I’d be going though a bottle of whiskey every game right now.
- @Regista_Michael, during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion, which Villa led 2-0 at the break
I had a big long post prepared that summarized the bad month of matches that Aston Villa has had, which saw them drop out of both Cups to lower-league opposition and mire further into a relegation fight, beginning with the 8-0 trouncing at Stamford Bridge. I had written a whole thing about how Lambert’s Norwich sides never did “boring,” which is great when you’re building confidence in League 1, but not the best when you just need to keep schtum at the back (some of which I will reprise). I did still decide to keep the above pull quote from Twitter, because it really does set the scene.
Then, in our internal email threads where we swear at each other and share fun stuff with each other, we were discussing the hilarity of the Brek Shea “donkey photo (after the jump).” And in that thread I had lamented Villa’s ouster from the FA Cup, which led Phil to say this:
Keith, is this the Brek Shea donkey photo of Villa seasons?
Memo to Waldo: THIS is how you do “brainy specs” (Credit obvs to the Beeb)
This is a series that looks at the greats (and goods) of the beautiful game that went on to sully the ears of footy fans around the world in the cushy confines of the commentary booth. Today’s subject: Just because he has Dutch ancestry doesn’t mean he’s got a Dutch understanding of the game. Step forward, Eric Wynalda!
By the numbers, Eric Wynalda is, relatively speaking, a middle-of-the-pack forward. The California native was good for about a goal every three games, dropping 34 goals in 107 appearances for the USMNT and 64 in 220 total club matches. He did hold the distinction of being the US’s all-time goals leader until 2008, when he was surpassed by Landon Donovan.
His true value in the history of the game, though, is in his pioneering a viable path to Europe through Germany for American players. Landycakes flaming out in Hoffenheim and then going on loan to Bayern later in his career? Baby Bradley bossing the Monchengladbach midfield? Those don’t happen without “Waldo” going there first. Wynalda’s signature for Saarbrucken in 1992 marked the first time that an American had played in the German top flight.
So for his work in preparing the USMNT for the Dempsey-Donovan era and in pioneering a path to Europe for American stars, I think we can definitely call Eric Wynalda a “proper player.”
One of the greater things about watching football in America is that most matches, especially those of the EPL, are early in the morning American time, giving people an excuse to day drink. This is part of our series discussing exactly what to drink when you’re at the pub, presented by our resident homebrewer, Keith
The Beer: Newcastle Brown Ale, Newcastle Brown Ale, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, UK (Now owned by Heikenken and brewed at John Smith’s Brewery)
What You Need to Know: I corrected a grievous error by reviewing a brown ale last week; Newcastle is the most famous of the Northern English Brown Ales. As I recounted when reviewing the brewery’s Founder’s Ale, the signature beer was first introduced in 1927 by Newcastle Brewing Company’s Lieutenant Colonel Jim Porter, himself a third-generation brewer.
UEFA conducted their annual Champions League Draw for the round of 16 yesterday, and the draw was surprising to say the least. Rather than the old standby of all the top teams being drawn against all the scrub teams in the knockout round, we actually end up with some tasty matchups. Below are some of our thoughts on these 8 matches.
One of the greater things about watching football in America is that most matches, especially those of the EPL, are early in the morning American time, giving people an excuse to day drink. This is part of our series discussing exactly what to drink when you’re at the pub, presented by our resident homebrewer, Keith
The Beer: Monty Python’s Holy Grail Black Knight’s Reserve, Black Sheep Brewery, Masham, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
What You Need to Know: We covered Black Sheep Brewing’s history in the Yorkshire Dales previously in this space. In 1999, the brewery was contracted by the famed British comedy troupe to recognize their 30th anniversary year. Holy Grail Pale Ale was the result, and soon after the brewery added a Black Knight’s Reserve, a “Dark Yorkshire Ale (read:brown ale).”
Oddly enough, we have NOT reviewed a basic brown ale here. We have done its precursor, the mild, however. According to Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver’s excellent The Brewmaster’s Table, brown ale was originally the workingman’s beer, as brown ale malts were cheaper to produce than a typical pale malt. Oliver continues, “In northern England, where people imagined themselves made of stronger stuff than affluent southerners, a hefty version of the style developed.” The split between Northern and Southern brown ales still does cut similarly along flavor profiles, with Northern a little drier and stronger than its sweet Southern cousin.
So, About this Beer: Pours deep brown with an ecru head. Tropical fruit and mineral on the aroma. Light carbonation and medium mouthfeel. Nutty roast flavors dominate, with just a soupçon of dark chocolate. Nice mineral snap on the back end, with little to no hop bitterness.
The Verdict: It’s a delightful beer, and would be so even if Becky at the Vic didn’t give me the special vessel pictured. Definitely give it a try.
One of the greater things about watching football in America is that most matches, especially those of the EPL, are early in the morning American time, giving people an excuse to daydrink. This is part of our series discussing exactly what to drink when you’re at the pub, presented by our resident homebrewer, Keith.
What You Need to Know: I covered the history of the Kronenbourg brewery when I reviewed their flagship pale lager. Basically, they’ve been brewing since the Holy Roman Empire.
White ale, or witbier, is a pretty popular offshoot of the Belgian Ale tradition. It’s a typically hazy ale that blends wheat with the normal barley mash, and often includes spices to help out with the flavoring and aroma. Really good wits have a really nice balance of spice, yeast funk and fruit flavors (often of the citrus variety).
A special piece on diving by FourFiveTwo friend Jeremiah.
Diving is an unfortunate reality of the game. You can see it in pretty much any match across the globe and let’s not kid ourselves, it’s ruining the game.
(This one’s properly described as “A disgrace to football”)
So how do we go about stamping out this ever-growing problem?
Unfortunately, referees don’t have the luxury of video replays that we do at home. However, the FA does have an entire week to view and review replays from matches and prospective dives. Tony Pulis has the right idea.
For those of you who saw the Liverpool vs Stoke City match two weeks ago, you saw this:
We all know about Suarez and his reputation for going down easily (even though he has more than enough skill to trouble defenders and keepers alike) and trying to get a referees decision.
Tony Pulis was demanding that the FA take action throughout the following week, something in the area of a match ban or a fine. Personally, I think it’s a great idea, for ANY player who chooses to dive.
I’d like to think that everybody would prefer to see their favorite players stay upright and continue the battle against their opponents rather than flopping all over the place to try and win a decision, a decision that they may not even get. Not to mention the strain it puts on other players, both teammates and opponents.
How does it hurt teammates? Because put yourself in a teammates shoes. You’re unmarked in at the far post, ready to smash in a cross, and your winger takes a dive and doesn’t get a decision. Or, a striker who slips in the penalty box and goes down legitimately due to a wet pitch, and is now labeled a “diver” and now has to explain to teammates, management, and fans alike that you’re not a diver. How infuriated would you be?
We all know that the FA, UEFA, and FIFA aren’t exactly shining examples of perfect governing bodies. However, if they started putting the squeeze on players who participate in diving with match bans and fines, I think we might actually be able to see some fucking progress for once. Perhaps we can propose something like this to them, as fans and call it the “Stay Upright” campaign.
