´óÏó´«Ã½

Sorry Dan, you might think you wrote a whole blog without mentioning food but you you forgot about the Cornish pasty in Carlisle.

Ibrahimovic is an interesting one. He has been with Juve, Inter and now Barcelona, but every time I've seen him play he has been anonymous. I have no idea why he is so highly rated by so many.

Also interesting is that Adebayor is being interviewed again, barely a couple of months since his last one. Can I ask who is number one one the wishlist of interviewees?

Always enjoy reading your blogs Dan, its a pity that this one is not on the football homepage. As #1 points out, there is a cornish pasty mentioned!! Keep the blogs full with food realated topics, always good to read and try new food combinations.

I'm in the top 7!
Does that get me into the bloggers Champions League, or do i have to go through a playoff?

Hello Dan...thanks for the mention last week I was pleased with Brown's answer too.

I think it is a good idea, you are addressing exactly what the fans want to know from the guests and it saves yourself and the producers a bit of time having to come up with questions in the run up to the show...brilliant!

In terms of pasties, cornish may have been the easy choice at a service station but had you been anywhere near a sayers you could have tucked into an award winning beans and sausage pasty the food of winners.

Ibrahimovic will be an interesting one, has climbed a steady ladder of progression from his days in Malmo to arguably the best club on the planet. Those who have never seen him perform it is a shame because on his day he really is one of the best around with unbelievablecontrol for such a big player.

I would be interested to know if he feels personally he has shown his true ability on the International stage yet. The general perception is that he has flattered to deceive in both European competition and International tournaments...is there more to come (i think there is, does he?)

I wondered if what linked Dan to Katie Price was the same thing that linked her to Dane Bowers, Dwight Yorke and Peter Andre.....

Ha ha. This is genius.

6ft6! I never knew you were of the bean-pole persuasion to such an extent.

Dan. Can you ask Zlatan why he is so overrated? Thanks, Dave

6ft 6' have you ever had to squeeze on to the tiny gantree at Ashton Gate? Its essentially a plank of wood where comentaters sit in the roof of the Willaims stand. I imagine your legs would dangle in someone view.

Haha, Another good blog Dan - Actually had me laughing at my computer screen, God knows what the other guys in the office thought!

I'm agreeing with the first comment though, Never really been a fan of Ibrahimovic and think Inter must be laughing with the deal they got in the summer. Oh also good to see there was no mention of the black and pudding words this week, Coconut cake gets a thumbs up from me ;)

Good blog mate...

Mr Walker, was the suit a designer piece or just a Marks & Spencer disposable job? Phil Brown has gone a long way to shed the 'pillock' tag. If he removed the earpiece completely he'd have more of my attention. I like Tony Pulis. Like Brown, he's an old school football league player now mixing it with the continentals and modern thinkers in the Premier League. He has somehow fitted in without the need for a tan, a mobile communication device or an ill-fitting suit.

Imagine letting rip at Darth Vader... a bit Denny Crane of you. (hopefully Im not the only person to watch Boston Legal)

I hope the inclusion of Zlatan doesnt start the big Ibra debate everytime he comes up.. folk mention Martin O'Neill saying he is overrated, folk point out his goal scoring record.. folk talk about Pro Evo and Fifa.. no one ever points out the size of his nose.. This could be a mistake Dan.

When I met Princess Diana I had poo running down my legs. I was 6 or something. It happens.

Yeah nice blog fella.

People hating too much on zlatan saying that he is overrated i think hes one of the best finishers in europe and hes record at inter and juve speaks for itself. How is overrated when a club like barca would want him so bad its like saying david villa or aguero is overrated youlot dont know anything about your football to say such a thing. English players are the most overrated rooney,gerrard all the british media hype up all these players but if see them in the world cup their woeful!

Tomefccam…I’ve seen those sausage and beans pasties in the café near work but I haven’t taken the plunge yet. They haven’t got any cheese in, have they?

Nasri_The_True_French_Gooner...in my case it isn't that I think he is over-rated, it is simply that every time I have seen him play he has had a bit of a mare. I've no doubt that he is a very fine player, I just haven't seen it with my own eyes.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

ps - i think Adebayor - but it is something that really divides opinion every time we meet down the local

Post number 12 - absolute genius mate, i was laughing out loud!!

The English believe Zlatan Ibrahimovic is over rated because he does not play in the Premiership. Wipe off that arrogance.

Good stuff Dan.

Had to laugh at the embarrasing bits, you´re a big man (6"6') for sharing them.

I saw Ibra play a few times when he was at Ajax, the guy definetly has class, just seems to go missing in the really big games, but for those that say he´s over rated I think that that´s a little wide of the mark.

Enjoyed FF once again this week (keep up the good work) and thought that Phil Brown was great. (Never thought I´d say that) His honesty was refreshing and I feel that his step away from the spot light has co-incided with an upturn in Hull´s form. The new chairman has done well to reel him in and get him back to basics, the rewards are starting to be reaped.

Admitedly I will miss some of his rants and wierd behavior, but I´m sure someone new will step up and fill his shoes. Cue Warnock.

Post 15 - It isn't like saying aguero or villa are overrated - they've not been transferred for 40m euro's + samuel etoo. that kind of deal brings huge expectation, and he is yet to live up to it on the continental stage.

Also, what's the argument about rooney & gerrard at world cups got to do with ibrahimovic? Yes, they're both hyped up by the media, and yes, neither have done much at world cups, however, gerrard was the main component in liverpool winning the champions league in 2005 (ok that was some time ago now, but it's still something ibrahimovic is yet to do) and this season rooney has come into his own as the most important player for both his club and his country. what about ibrahimovic? he has given up on his country, and i do not think you will find many people who would say he is barcelona's most important or best player.

however, now playing for the best team in the world, he now has the ultimate opportunity to silence his critics once and for all, and can only have himself to blame if he fails to shine given the supporting cast of messi, henry, xavi, et al.

21) Are you suggesting that because Ibra doesn't play in the Premiership this is the reason he's not rated? I can't talk about others but me personally you couldn't be more wrong. Xavi, Messi, Sneijder have all never played in the Premiership but players I rate very highly.

I'm not one of these that believe the Premiership is the best in the world, Maybe for talent but certainly not the best IMO. Please don't stereotype :)

Phwaor Dan I agree with 12 - Mikey, you have opened up a huge can of words by bringing up Ibramihovic, he truly is the footballing equivalent of Marmit. It is actually easier to argue about Marmite though because it always tastes the same - Ibrahimovic can look like three different players in one match!
Also 18 - Boomshakalak, I am very glad there is another group of mates out there who have this conversation, me and my friends have the same debate ongoing about Micah Richards and Nedum Onohoua.
Completely unrelated to the blog, I wondered Dan, what is the majority opinion within the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport Dept. about having to move next year up to Salford? The papers make out it is like a mini-riot in the dept. and that almost everybody doesn't want to do it - what's it really like?

25 rossfox.

I'd say nedum... Possibly by a good couple of inches as well

Good blog Dan,

I have mixed thoughts about Ibrahimovic. Started off well this season, and has a great touch, but his general contribution to the Sweden and Barcelona teams I question. You could say that's not his style of play but for the hefty price tag pai during the summer, you would expect more from him.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

I think the english view Ibrahimovic as overated because we have seen him in the Champions League and so far he hasn't performed as he has in domestic leagues. I've watched him play for Sweden a fair bit and he has moments of magic, but he can be a bit quiet too. I think that Ajax goal is possibly one of the greatest goals I've ever seen and he has scored some outrageous goals for Sweden, Inter and Juve.
So my verdict as an Englishmen is that he is supremely talented, but has a way to go before being considered truly great. I question his work rate. If you watch premier league, champions league and international football you will know that Rooney & Gerrard are fantastic players.

The Ibrahimovic debate is one that will never end , no doubt ibra is a marmite player, love him or hate him. I think alot of people look at it to simply, the reasons people give for ibrahimovic being overated is lazyness, not scoring in the big games . I for one do rate Ibrahimovic , to suggest he isnt one of the best strikers in the world is naive and false, i am not suggesting he is the best as i think rooney , torres , villa , and drogba are all ahead of him at the moment. If you look at the way Zlatan plays it can frustrate people, but to suggest the top goalscorer in serie a last year with 28 goals is an average player is lauhable. Their is a number of departments in which Ibra is better than villa , torees etc. His first touch is superior to all the players above with only rooney being near to him. He is better in the air than all the above barring drogba and is on a par with torres, however the department he is miles ahead in compared to the other top forwards is assists. Many people overlook the amount of inch perfect passes ibra gives to his team mates , his vision is by far the best of any forward in the world and the only other striker i can think that is close in terms of vision to Ibra is Robin Van Persie , and wayne rooney is just behind these two.

One of the points made above about english premier league fans not seeing ibra every week in la liga is a valid one . I dont see how people who don't see a player reguarly can comment for or against a player, another problem with this debate is the english media , and the papers in paticular. Whenever Ibrahimovic is being talked about in the english which is very rarely, an example though is when he scored the goal in the classico to give barca a 1-0 win. Journilists in england say the obvious things about ibrahimovic when he is in the news , stuff like " he wouldnt last a day in the premiership" or " he isnt half the player of eto'o , so why did barca make the WORST deal in football history?". And this ties in with alot of fans in england beleifs that Ibrahimovic is vastly overated , they see journalists saying he is a flat track bully etc etc..... and because they don't see him every week they agree with the 'experts' and jump on the bandwagon.

Heres an idea , sit down and watch a couple of barcelona games and form a proper opinion .

Very high standards of blogs, Dan. Always a good read. I also like any food-based input.

If Ibrahimovic is so 'marmite', 'overrated' etc, why has he performed so well for his clubs? Not just any old clubs either. He's gone to different countries to ply his trade. He's a great player. Simple. Scores scruffy goals, spectacular goals, but like any other player, can drift in and out of a game.... and to use a well-used phrase, 'he's got a great touch for a big fella.'

Looking forward to FF on Saturday.....

Disagree entirely with the notion English people don't rate Ibrahimovic because he doesn't play in the Premier League. The simple fact is that most English people have only been exposed to him through watching the Champions League and World Cups/Euros, three competitions that he's never performed in.
It's arrogant to say we're arrogant because we don't rate a player who doesn't play well in the three most important tournaments a footballer competes in.
Agree entirely with the Marmite comments - it's an issue of watching goals he scored at Ajax in the league, and then watching non-displays in big games/tournaments.
Players rated very highly by English people who don't (and have never played) in the Premier League: Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Kaka, Pato, Sneijder, Buffon, Ribery, Casillas, Villa, Etoo, Ronaldinho, I could go on...
Note: if you look at the above list, how many of these players have given great performances in Champions League or World Cup or Euros? That's right, all of them. Ibrahimovic, from what I've seen, has yet to tick that box - which is a huge shame, given what I've looked at on Youtube from his Ajax and Juve days.

Re. The Portsmouth case. If the Premier League forward them next year's TV money, how does that work when they are relegated? It seems like the PL are trying to tide them over to get the fixtures completed so that they can fob Pompey off to the Football League and wash their hands. There are shades of how the FL forced the Conference to take on the basketcase of Chester City against their will and the Conference are paying for that now. A lesson needs to be learned from the Chester case: either Pompey enter the Football League within the remit of its financial regulations, or they disband at the end of the season and reform at the foot of the pyramid.

"At about 13:33"? Exactly how precise is your time-keeping, Dan?

I try to predict football using Thai astrology by comparing birth charts of competing team managers, but it requires estimating correct birth time. I predict Liverpool will win v Man C 21 Feb / Man U will win v Everton 20 Feb. Posted on Twitter 18 Feb. Based on estimation of birth time of Liverpool’s Rafael Bentiez born 16 Apr 1960 converted to GMT 0.0 at approx 06.00/ Man C’s Roberto Mancini born 27 Nov 1964 at approx 23.00/ Man U’s Alex Ferguson born 31 Dec 1941 at approx 06.00/ Everton’s David Moyes born 25 Apr 1963 at approx 06.00. Can anyone confirm this? [

Post 35, Predicting football matches with Thai astrology is a big joke.
................90mins will tell you.

At 06:37am on 18 Feb 2010, kornaek wrote:

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You plank!

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

How much is that suit worth? i'm wondering how much I should sell it on for! lol

16 - cheeseisthedevilswork

No cheese involved...i'm sure you'll be glad to know. Tuck in

Phil brown is spot on....

37. At 08:15am on 18 Feb 2010, simon samm wrote:
At 06:37am on 18 Feb 2010, kornaek wrote:

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You plank!

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What will you call him if he is right? A complete wooden floor?

I find it remarkable that tall people seem to need to get their height into the conversation at every opportunity. I am of normal height and the only time I have ever put my height in feet and inches into the conversation is in response to the question "what is your height in feet and inches?"

At 10:47am on 18 Feb 2010, collie21 wrote:

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He can be the complete wooden wooden floor if he likes.
I've put a double on Liverpool, United - no need for the Thai Malarkey

On the Ibra thing, every player can drift out of games. I've seen Ronaldo play poorly in big games (CL Final against Barca anyone?) I've seen Kaka playing poorly helping Milan not qualify for Europe, I've seen Drogba and Torres play poorly for their respective teams. I know he can be hot and cold but he is a top player who could be a legend if he added the slightly higher levels of consistency that the aforementioned players have. But lets think about it, people say he doesn't score in big games, surely El Classico is as big as it gets for people at Madrid and Barca? A pretty decisive contribution most people would agree...

Good Blog Dan!!
If you ever get chance to speak to someone at the FA could you ask them why they have such doubt standard regarding fileding weakened teams (Ref: wolves fine) dont the big 4 do this all the time without punishment??

"Unbelievable, I've got through a whole blog without mentioning food!"

"I stopped at Carlisle services for a Cornish pasty"

Now lets discuss pasties!

I am not the biggest fan of Ibra but you cannot argue with what he has won (or what the team he is playing for has achieved!)

2 League titles at Ajax 01/02 & 03/04
2 Serie A titles for Juventus 04/05 & 05/06
3 Seria A titles for Inter 06/07, 07/08 and 08/09

Add to that a Dutch Cup, 2x Italian Super Cups, Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and;

Serie A Top Scorer: 2009
Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2008, 2009
Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2008, 2009
Serie A Goal of the Year: 2008
Guldbollen: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
Jerringpriset (Sweden's Sports Personality of the Year): 2007
Swedish Male Athlete of the Year: 2007, 2010
UEFA Team of the Year: 2007, 2009

Not bad and if Barca win La Liga this season he will have won the league title for 7 seasons in a row across three leagues!

Phil Brown may have made a few more friends generally after his FF appearance, but he certainly hasn't made any new ones in Portsmouth.

So it's o.k. to hold a racist discussion on this board, but pointing out that this debate is both homophobic and racist "contravenes house rules". Well done ´óÏó´«Ã½! The message is that it's fine to be sexist and racist, just don't use the words "sexist" or "racist" or your comment will be removed by the nervous moderators

Windy Walker, brilliant.

Just on the Zlatan debate,I think people dislike or don’t rate him highly enough is because of his Berbatov style of play, (who also gets a lot of criticism) looks very lazy and uninterested, but his passing is top class, along with his first touch and as someone said before 28 goals in a season is not bad for a striker. I have only seen a couple of Barcalona matches this season, and he was a stand out performer in all of them. His goal against Real was quality. When he moved to Barca I was a bit confused because Etoo can score from almost anything. However, he has great link up play with the like of Iniesta, Xavi and Messi. Lets put it this way, if Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardihola think he’s a quality player, who are we to argue with top managers?!?!

6 foot 6 aye Windy, you ever thought about playing rugby, my team could do with a tall second rower?!? You will get a choice of the world’s best lasagna or tatie pot after the game?!?!

Re 50. BJG, I am really struggling to find anything remotely racist or homophobic in this discussion. I saw posts 17 and 18 before they were removed but whilst it wasn't exactly family viewing it wasn't racist/homophobic and it certainly wasn't what the majority of the debate was about.

Anyone wondering about Ibra's talents can't watch much La Liga. Admittedly his form has dipped of late, but for the first few months of the season he was outstanding IMO and clearly Barca's best player.

His flicks and style may not be to everyone's taste, but look at the medals he has won and the managers he's played under, including Capello and now Guardiola. He has added a lot to his game since he broke through initially, more clinical finishing and a much better worth ethic in recent seasons. Top player.

Mourinho and Guardiola are the ones i will trust in regards to Ibrahimovic.

RE:52 Most of it has since been removed, I think I may have embarrassed the mods!

Looking forward to the Ibra & Ade interview, is there anywhere to catch last weeks show?

Also a suggestion for a future interview, Tomas Rosicky. Would be interesting to hear his thoughts on his 20 month injury and how he coped.

Dan you needed to have watched him in Serie A to see his genius, doesn't perform in the Champions League as much as he should. Started really brightly in La Liga but his form has now dipped. Now lets see if he has the character to bounce back.

Never ever been a fan of Addebayor.

Its now come to the point where everything that comes out of his mouth I question as to whether its for his own self promotion.

Why players need to come out and say they could of been gangsters but worked hard not to be Ill never know.

His behaviour at Arsenal, his comparisons to somebody he is even fit to lace their boots.

Apparently he is one of if not the highest wage earners in the prem.

Hes a decent player but I think his attitude will mean he never will become a great. He is still a very one dimensional player.

And from one player to the other with attitude but this guy clearly has a lot more talent than the one above, but again i think the mindset is the problem, gimpses but no consitency,

Well I hope your not going to get caught up in snow. Just interested to know how the holiday is going with the little one, we are due to go on holiday for the first time in a couple of months with our 6mnth old. Im a bit nervous!

Good Blog
Dan Walker

Good to know you were near my town(Derby).
Mentioned on comment #57

Should do something about the change in fortune for Derby County recently.

A good FF this week with some good interviews. I loved the Durham feature. I understand that you have been spotted under-cover at the sort of mid-week Championship game which could be considered above and beyond the call of duty. I hope you keep doing 'how the other half live' features. It can even be quite traumatic listening to radio commentary on our big city / small club games.Fans will be fans!

I can imagine that, it's a hell of a long move. The videos about Mediacity do make it look amazing though, certainly there are going to be loads of guys my age in their early twenties, clamouring for entry-level jobs within ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport like I am at the moment; apparently there are going to be lots of new jobs created, but I would think thousands upon thousands of people will apply for them, certainly just trying to get a job there is going to be a difficult start to my twenty-year-plan-to-gently-oust-the-Lineker-as-presenter-of-the-US Masters!

I suppose that my most embarassing moment is when I asked Mr Dan Walker of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ why he was going to interview Emmanuel Adebayor so soon after the last time he interviewed him. The African Cup of Nations did pretty much pass me by but even then I should have remembered what happened to him on the way to the tournament. Sincerest apologies.

Dan,

Good blog. Loved the suit thingy. The fact that you improvised and didn't bother forking out for another, even cheap suit your size!

Great to see City beaten again. Well done Stoke. What was wrong with Mark Hughes. I'm sure he's loving it. Managers need a decent chance. Men with money can't win the league overnight.

Yeah, Phil Brown seems to have his head switched on, but needs to wind his neck in now and again. Would be good for the league if Hull stay up, which I think they will.

Whats the reaosning behind not being able to watch FF on ´óÏó´«Ã½ iplayer or anywhere else on the net??

MB