We could probably spend a day listing all the difference between our traditional North American sports leagues (MLB, NFL and NBA) with the way European soccer clubs are run, or in fact almost all leagues around the world are run, aside from MLS.
For me, one of the key differences is roster construction.
Let's not get into the issue of salary caps for the time being.
As it stands, a MLB active roster can only have 25 players. For the NFL its 53 and the NBA can officially roster 15, though few teams are doing that this season due to the economy and much to the dismay of the Rick Brunsons of the world.
In soccer leagues, or specifically in this case, the Premier League you could conceivably have 100 guys on your roster, assuming they didn't mind sitting the bench.
There are reasons for this. Money jumps to the top of the list. So too does the quality of the team and how many concurrent competitions its playing in. Bigger clubs, too, can afford to bring in a slew of young players and stash them away on the bench or reserves.
Don't ask me why I did this, but I went through the rosters listed on Wikipedia for the 20 Premier League clubs and counted up the first teams. (Granted, this isn't wholly scientific since Burnley had about six players tacked on with numbers in the 30s and 40s that didn't even have pages.)
Before I did this, I thought there would be a huge variance in the teams, but the average roster size is a hair over 30.
The largest squads belonged to Manchester United, Wolves and Hull City with 35 each.
The smallest, surprisingly, was Manchester City at 24.
So it doesn't seem like there's a scientifically proven "right" number a team should have.
All this thinking started when I selected Tottenham in a game of "FIFA 10" online. When I went to set my lineup, it took me a while. I wanted to get Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch, Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar, Tom Huddlestone, Wilson Palacios, Jermiane Jenas, David Bentley and even Roman Pavlychenko all on the field at once. Obviously, since I needed a defense this can't happen, which lead to the question -- can you have too much talent on a team. (Look at Inter Milan's roster. It's more stacked than Christina Hendricks.)
So since there isn't a perfect number for a squad, I went to a different approach and tried to classify player types that a good squad should have and in which proper balance.
For lack of better terms here's basically what a soccer roster boils down to, regardless of positions:
1) Transcendent talents -- Fairly self explanatory. These are the guys like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, etc. who are either technically or physically or both, head-and-shoulers better than the average player. There are only a handful of these guys and are fairly irreplaceable. Your favorite club is likely going to have to have the words "Real" and or "Madrid" following it, to have a chance at these talents.
2) Difference makers -- Basically the next step down from the elites. Basically the line that divides them is that the top-tier players, when in form, are unstoppable. Me, I'd rather have 3-4 difference makers than just one elite player. Right now, at his current age, Ryan Giggs is a difference maker when he plays.
2a) Hero Men -- Sort of the uber-difference maker. A guy that can inspire his team to victory by sheer force of will. The most obvious example is Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, though even in lower divisions clubs can have its own hero man.
2b) Temperamental talents -- Maybe you put a lot of stock in the mythical term "form." For the bulk of players, their performance chart is usually a straight line graph, but others its fluctuates. Didier Drogba can be the best striker in the world, or he can spend an entire match bitching at the refs and or pouting, you just never know. For a team to succeed, you can probably only have one or two of these guys on the field at once. It's just too risky.
3) One dimensional assets -- Maybe all a guy can do is score? Or maybe he has a long throw. This type of player has flaws, but also brings something to the game that makes him useful under the right circumstances, if the manager can design ways to utilize his assets.
3a) No-dimensional assets -- Yes, there is something to be said for the jack-of-all-trades type players, guys like Dirk Kuyt or Gareth Barry. These guys might not have one "plus" in their game, but they are versatile, know how to play and will give an honest account almost each game. If you're a high-level team, you need guys like this, especially if you're in a European competition.
4) VORPers -- If you're a baseball stat guy, you know V.O.R.P. -- value over replacement player. In soccer, I'd say these are players that aren't all that great, but they're not bad either. If you line them up in a league match the manager can expect them not to take anything off the table for 90 minutes. Every good squad needs a strong collection of VORPers to get through the long campaign, especially with injuries so prevalent in modern-day soccer. Look at Manchester United's run the last couple of years. Could the Red Devils have won three-straight Premier Leagues without guys like John O'Shea, Michael Carrick or Darren Fletcher? However, at the same time, this lineup of players wouldn't function -- or get results -- without a transcendent talent or group of difference makers.
4a) Sub-VORPers -- In short, these are competent enough, but won't really make too much of an imprint on a match. Normally found on poor teams. In fact, you could say the bulk of the current Portsmouth team is sub-VORP level.
5) Ummmm, can you tie your shoes -- Fairly self explanatory. These are the players that you field and hope they don't embarrass you for 90 minutes. Currently there aren't too many out-and-out horror shows lining up each week in the Prem, though Ibrahim Sonko comes close.
Still, the leaves us back at square one. There isn't an exact formula of the five player types that equal success. This isn't "Ice Hockey" on the NES, where you could find the ideal combination of skinny guys, medium guys and fat guys.
In fact, there probably isn't a secret corollary. Teams simply need to find what works for them in a given situation and get the results.
That, as always, is easier said than done.
Saturday:
* Aston Villa v. Bolton -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Thanks Aston Villa. Just when I think I can trust you, tie Wolves and Everton then lose to West Ham. Basically back to where we started with this team. For what it's worth, Randy Lerner's other team -- the Cleveland Browns -- only has seven touchdowns on the season, two via Josh Cribbs returns. At least Aston Villa has scored 15 goals. Bolton? Oddly enough two of its three wins are away from the Reebok. ... Aston Villa 1, Bolton 0
* Blackburn Rovers v. Portsmouth -- Portsmouth rising from the ashes and smacking around Wigan left me more surprised than when somebody told me the lead singer of Silversun Pickups was a dude. I'm still not sure I believe them. Blackburn's loss at Old Trafford ... considerably less stunning. ... Blackburn 1, Portsmouth 1
* Manchester City v. Burnley -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) I'd love for Setanta to display a graphic during the match how combined Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor's wages dwarf the entire salaries of Burnley. That would be fun, like when the New York Mets play the Florida Marlins and Johan Santana makes more than all the Fish. Anyway, even with its recent run of draws, City still sits in fourth. I'm still not sure that the current team and Mark Hughes is a marriage built to last. Burnley is pesky, but City is due a solid performance like it was putting up in August and September. ... City 2, Burnley 0
* Tottenham v. Sunderland -- (Live, ESPN2, 10 a.m.) As great as Spurs start was, they're only two points ahead of Sunderland right now. Ouch. Fourth place is going to be on the table, so matches like these are a must three points, though Spurs seem to have lost a lot of their early-season juice, too. Don't you think Darren Bent is going to be pissed off for this one? ... Spurs 2, Sunderland 1
* Wolves v. Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Even with that draw to West Ham a couple weeks ago, I think I trust Arsenal, even on the road against a team that figures to pack it in defensively. ... Wolves 0, Arsenal 2
Sunday:
* Hull City v. Stoke City (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Here's why Hull City is in an exceedingly dangerous spot. Yes, there is still a core of players than manager Phil Brown lifted through the lower leagues and into the Prem. Yet, there is also a lot of semi-high priced talent brought into consolidate things. Do these guys really care about the Hull cause, as long as the checks clear? Even if the Tigers are relegated they can try to find work elsewhere, right? ... Hull City 1, Stoke City 2
* West Ham United v. Everton -- West Ham won on Wednesday to move a little bit away from the garbage dump at the bottom. This isn't a bad team. Plenty of PL teams have bad runs where they don't get a win for a month and change. West Ham might be in good shape since they got their stinker month out of the way already. Everton? Mikel Arteta is still hurt, more seriously than thought. What else is new? ... West Ham 1, Everton 0
* Wigan Athletic v. Fulham -- Since I have nothing of interest to offer about this match, the other day I was covering a high school game and an assistant coach was wearing a Fulham sideline jacket with the Europa League insignia. Not sure why, but I felt like sharing. ... Wigan 1, Fulham 0
* Chelsea v. Manchester United -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) Oh boy. Superpowers colliding at Stamford Bridge. My one wish, please no controversy from the match officials overshadowing the game. Can both managers please talk to their teams and plead with them to keep cool heads? Please? Is it possible? Probably not.
This match is fairly straightforward. We can rationally assume what we're getting from Chelsea. You can expect strong week-in, week-out performances from Lampard, Anelka, Essien and even Ballack. If the Blues get anything from the likes of Malouda, Kalou, Joe Cole or the fullbacks, you're not going to be able to out-score them.
Manchester United? For the Red Devils to have a chance to walk away with some points, both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will need to show they have something left in the tank, or if they're dragging themselves out there like a sad, 1970s rock band that still grinds away at state fairs. Kansas comes to mind, though outside of 'Carry on My Wayward Son', they weren't all that great. I digress.
Also, Dmitar Berbatov needs to show he can do something against the best, instead of feasting on the dregs of the league.
All that said, I don't think I've seen enough mental toughness and fortitude for United to either get the lead, or be able to hold it against Chelsea, who at home almost has a New York Yankees like ability to crack the other team's resolve and come back and win.
To me, the result here isn't too hard to figure. Which player gets the inevitable red card, is a little trickier. ... Chelsea 2, Manchester United 0
Monday:
* Liverpool v. Birmingham City -- (Live, ESPN2, 3 p.m.) I've got to hand it to Anfield. The crowd rarely turns on the boys in Red, ever. Of course, they have the easy targets of Hicks and Gillett to spew at, when things get ugly. Without the slightest hint of exaggeration, this is a must-win for Liverpool, but I just worry about that defense. ... Liverpool 2, Birmingham City 1
Last week: 6-4
Season: 57-49
For me, one of the key differences is roster construction.
Let's not get into the issue of salary caps for the time being.
As it stands, a MLB active roster can only have 25 players. For the NFL its 53 and the NBA can officially roster 15, though few teams are doing that this season due to the economy and much to the dismay of the Rick Brunsons of the world.
In soccer leagues, or specifically in this case, the Premier League you could conceivably have 100 guys on your roster, assuming they didn't mind sitting the bench.
There are reasons for this. Money jumps to the top of the list. So too does the quality of the team and how many concurrent competitions its playing in. Bigger clubs, too, can afford to bring in a slew of young players and stash them away on the bench or reserves.
Don't ask me why I did this, but I went through the rosters listed on Wikipedia for the 20 Premier League clubs and counted up the first teams. (Granted, this isn't wholly scientific since Burnley had about six players tacked on with numbers in the 30s and 40s that didn't even have pages.)
Before I did this, I thought there would be a huge variance in the teams, but the average roster size is a hair over 30.
The largest squads belonged to Manchester United, Wolves and Hull City with 35 each.
The smallest, surprisingly, was Manchester City at 24.
So it doesn't seem like there's a scientifically proven "right" number a team should have.
All this thinking started when I selected Tottenham in a game of "FIFA 10" online. When I went to set my lineup, it took me a while. I wanted to get Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch, Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar, Tom Huddlestone, Wilson Palacios, Jermiane Jenas, David Bentley and even Roman Pavlychenko all on the field at once. Obviously, since I needed a defense this can't happen, which lead to the question -- can you have too much talent on a team. (Look at Inter Milan's roster. It's more stacked than Christina Hendricks.)
So since there isn't a perfect number for a squad, I went to a different approach and tried to classify player types that a good squad should have and in which proper balance.
For lack of better terms here's basically what a soccer roster boils down to, regardless of positions:
1) Transcendent talents -- Fairly self explanatory. These are the guys like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, etc. who are either technically or physically or both, head-and-shoulers better than the average player. There are only a handful of these guys and are fairly irreplaceable. Your favorite club is likely going to have to have the words "Real" and or "Madrid" following it, to have a chance at these talents.
2) Difference makers -- Basically the next step down from the elites. Basically the line that divides them is that the top-tier players, when in form, are unstoppable. Me, I'd rather have 3-4 difference makers than just one elite player. Right now, at his current age, Ryan Giggs is a difference maker when he plays.
2a) Hero Men -- Sort of the uber-difference maker. A guy that can inspire his team to victory by sheer force of will. The most obvious example is Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, though even in lower divisions clubs can have its own hero man.
2b) Temperamental talents -- Maybe you put a lot of stock in the mythical term "form." For the bulk of players, their performance chart is usually a straight line graph, but others its fluctuates. Didier Drogba can be the best striker in the world, or he can spend an entire match bitching at the refs and or pouting, you just never know. For a team to succeed, you can probably only have one or two of these guys on the field at once. It's just too risky.
3) One dimensional assets -- Maybe all a guy can do is score? Or maybe he has a long throw. This type of player has flaws, but also brings something to the game that makes him useful under the right circumstances, if the manager can design ways to utilize his assets.
3a) No-dimensional assets -- Yes, there is something to be said for the jack-of-all-trades type players, guys like Dirk Kuyt or Gareth Barry. These guys might not have one "plus" in their game, but they are versatile, know how to play and will give an honest account almost each game. If you're a high-level team, you need guys like this, especially if you're in a European competition.
4) VORPers -- If you're a baseball stat guy, you know V.O.R.P. -- value over replacement player. In soccer, I'd say these are players that aren't all that great, but they're not bad either. If you line them up in a league match the manager can expect them not to take anything off the table for 90 minutes. Every good squad needs a strong collection of VORPers to get through the long campaign, especially with injuries so prevalent in modern-day soccer. Look at Manchester United's run the last couple of years. Could the Red Devils have won three-straight Premier Leagues without guys like John O'Shea, Michael Carrick or Darren Fletcher? However, at the same time, this lineup of players wouldn't function -- or get results -- without a transcendent talent or group of difference makers.
4a) Sub-VORPers -- In short, these are competent enough, but won't really make too much of an imprint on a match. Normally found on poor teams. In fact, you could say the bulk of the current Portsmouth team is sub-VORP level.
5) Ummmm, can you tie your shoes -- Fairly self explanatory. These are the players that you field and hope they don't embarrass you for 90 minutes. Currently there aren't too many out-and-out horror shows lining up each week in the Prem, though Ibrahim Sonko comes close.
Still, the leaves us back at square one. There isn't an exact formula of the five player types that equal success. This isn't "Ice Hockey" on the NES, where you could find the ideal combination of skinny guys, medium guys and fat guys.
In fact, there probably isn't a secret corollary. Teams simply need to find what works for them in a given situation and get the results.
That, as always, is easier said than done.
Saturday:
* Aston Villa v. Bolton -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Thanks Aston Villa. Just when I think I can trust you, tie Wolves and Everton then lose to West Ham. Basically back to where we started with this team. For what it's worth, Randy Lerner's other team -- the Cleveland Browns -- only has seven touchdowns on the season, two via Josh Cribbs returns. At least Aston Villa has scored 15 goals. Bolton? Oddly enough two of its three wins are away from the Reebok. ... Aston Villa 1, Bolton 0
* Blackburn Rovers v. Portsmouth -- Portsmouth rising from the ashes and smacking around Wigan left me more surprised than when somebody told me the lead singer of Silversun Pickups was a dude. I'm still not sure I believe them. Blackburn's loss at Old Trafford ... considerably less stunning. ... Blackburn 1, Portsmouth 1
* Manchester City v. Burnley -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) I'd love for Setanta to display a graphic during the match how combined Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor's wages dwarf the entire salaries of Burnley. That would be fun, like when the New York Mets play the Florida Marlins and Johan Santana makes more than all the Fish. Anyway, even with its recent run of draws, City still sits in fourth. I'm still not sure that the current team and Mark Hughes is a marriage built to last. Burnley is pesky, but City is due a solid performance like it was putting up in August and September. ... City 2, Burnley 0
* Tottenham v. Sunderland -- (Live, ESPN2, 10 a.m.) As great as Spurs start was, they're only two points ahead of Sunderland right now. Ouch. Fourth place is going to be on the table, so matches like these are a must three points, though Spurs seem to have lost a lot of their early-season juice, too. Don't you think Darren Bent is going to be pissed off for this one? ... Spurs 2, Sunderland 1
* Wolves v. Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Even with that draw to West Ham a couple weeks ago, I think I trust Arsenal, even on the road against a team that figures to pack it in defensively. ... Wolves 0, Arsenal 2
Sunday:
* Hull City v. Stoke City (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Here's why Hull City is in an exceedingly dangerous spot. Yes, there is still a core of players than manager Phil Brown lifted through the lower leagues and into the Prem. Yet, there is also a lot of semi-high priced talent brought into consolidate things. Do these guys really care about the Hull cause, as long as the checks clear? Even if the Tigers are relegated they can try to find work elsewhere, right? ... Hull City 1, Stoke City 2
* West Ham United v. Everton -- West Ham won on Wednesday to move a little bit away from the garbage dump at the bottom. This isn't a bad team. Plenty of PL teams have bad runs where they don't get a win for a month and change. West Ham might be in good shape since they got their stinker month out of the way already. Everton? Mikel Arteta is still hurt, more seriously than thought. What else is new? ... West Ham 1, Everton 0
* Wigan Athletic v. Fulham -- Since I have nothing of interest to offer about this match, the other day I was covering a high school game and an assistant coach was wearing a Fulham sideline jacket with the Europa League insignia. Not sure why, but I felt like sharing. ... Wigan 1, Fulham 0
* Chelsea v. Manchester United -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) Oh boy. Superpowers colliding at Stamford Bridge. My one wish, please no controversy from the match officials overshadowing the game. Can both managers please talk to their teams and plead with them to keep cool heads? Please? Is it possible? Probably not.
This match is fairly straightforward. We can rationally assume what we're getting from Chelsea. You can expect strong week-in, week-out performances from Lampard, Anelka, Essien and even Ballack. If the Blues get anything from the likes of Malouda, Kalou, Joe Cole or the fullbacks, you're not going to be able to out-score them.
Manchester United? For the Red Devils to have a chance to walk away with some points, both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will need to show they have something left in the tank, or if they're dragging themselves out there like a sad, 1970s rock band that still grinds away at state fairs. Kansas comes to mind, though outside of 'Carry on My Wayward Son', they weren't all that great. I digress.
Also, Dmitar Berbatov needs to show he can do something against the best, instead of feasting on the dregs of the league.
All that said, I don't think I've seen enough mental toughness and fortitude for United to either get the lead, or be able to hold it against Chelsea, who at home almost has a New York Yankees like ability to crack the other team's resolve and come back and win.
To me, the result here isn't too hard to figure. Which player gets the inevitable red card, is a little trickier. ... Chelsea 2, Manchester United 0
Monday:
* Liverpool v. Birmingham City -- (Live, ESPN2, 3 p.m.) I've got to hand it to Anfield. The crowd rarely turns on the boys in Red, ever. Of course, they have the easy targets of Hicks and Gillett to spew at, when things get ugly. Without the slightest hint of exaggeration, this is a must-win for Liverpool, but I just worry about that defense. ... Liverpool 2, Birmingham City 1
Last week: 6-4
Season: 57-49
Labels: English Premier League, Prem Picks, Soccer
Lee Bowyer took the Spurs' juice when he broke Modric's leg, their poor run of late can be attributed to that and Lennon's absence. Losing two 'difference makers' would do that to almost any club.
Small note: MLB rosters are 25, not 26.
Did you really group Darren Fletcher in with the VORPers? Is there any particular reason you hold such a low opinion of him? If last season and this season have shown anything, it is that he is a vital player in the squad who can really play box to box. You won't catch me thinking he is a top player in the league but he is that next level down, in my opinion.
To be more clear, if I was fitting Fletcher into your system he would definitely be in the No-Dimensional assets category.
Believe me, I like Fletcher, though you're right, he wouldn't be a difference maker on a mid-tier team. He is pretty versitile, so much I did undervalue him. Thanks for the input, nonetheless.
I should apologize for not making clear that I love this classification system and think it has a lot to it. It's definitely a fun way to think about players, especially ones from the past, and where they would fit in.
Love the classifications you put forth, but my favorite was the piece about the Fulham game. The anecdote says plenty about most people's opinions of a Fulham Wigan matchup, well those who aren't watching the Deuce's every move.
i support fulham to the end, just having dempsey is the icing on the cake. cardillo i totally get the feeling you don't like fulham just because they are a midtable team (just an inference, basing only off what i have read the past few weeks). they run good, but boring tactics and always seem to be in the match. so what if a dude has a europa cup hoody on, at least its better than seeing someone else wearing one of the big 4 or a barca madrid shirt.
however, it is a must win match for fulham who were robbed in rome on thursday with double red. they need to win these matches to hopefully repeat last seasons finish.
chelsea, united. i hope chelsea wipe the reds off of of the pitch. way too much arrogance from fergi this season.