Comments for The Frozen Pitch

Comment on Player profile: Mika Väyrynen by Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:40:43 +0000

I don’t watch a lot of Championship football so I’m not sure what the average speed is, but I don’t think his legs have “gone” or anything like that. He probably doesn’t have the pace to play as a winger any more, but I think he’ll be fine in the centre.

It’s worth remembering that he hasn’t had a club for a while though, and I’ve only seen him play about one half’s worth of football for Finland this season, so it’s hard to say.

Comment on Player profile: Mika Väyrynen by Kevin Grubney

Kevin Grubney — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:20:19 +0000

Nice profile! thanks.

Has he got any pace?

Comment on Player profile: Mika Väyrynen by Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:12:18 +0000

This is so helpful, thank you!

Comment on Player Profile: Sami Hyypiä by Blazco

Blazco — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:39:10 +0000

Hyypiä, great player! My favorite centre back, shame he left Liverpool!
this guy is amazing, good positioning, good reader of the game and brilliant header!

He and Stephane Henchoz were absolutely impassable.

Comment on Finland 1-2 Hungary by Oliver

Oliver — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 09:05:07 +0000

Yes, you’re right about the timing of the substitutions – I even stated as much in the team line-ups section. Just an error on my part. Thanks for pointing it out, I’ll correct it.

I agree that Eremenko Jr played well when he came on. His passing was a class above any other Finnish player on the pitch at the time. There’s just never the space to mention everything about the match, as I’m sure you understand.

But I guess we’ve mentioned him now :)

Comment on Finland 1-2 Hungary by W

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:03:54 +0000

Baxter brought on Alexei Eremenko Jr. and Litmanen after 70′. Shefki came on rather later. Since Eremenko played something of a blinder during his 20-minute cameo and set up Forssell’s goal, I think he could have got a mention. Especially since he is such a big part of the resentment against Baxter, who sees him as a destabling influence (he has a point, but it’s his job to fix that) when he is on the pitch.

Comment on Reflections on Finland vs Hungary by W

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:03:22 +0000

You have to admit, Baxter’s line about his mum sitting in the passenger seat for 35 years while his dad drove the car and her STILL not being able to drive was a beauty, and a dagger in the heart of the “if you can do, if you can’t, write about it in a newspaper” school of sports hacks. But if you are going to take on the media vermin, it’s always smarter to do it from a position of strength – they have long memories and long nails. Alex Ferguson does it every week, but then again he can afford to.

Comment on Player profile: Mikael Forssell by Oliver

Oliver — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:04:43 +0000

Thanks James! Shefki Kuqi is an interesting player, but he hasn’t played for Finland since October 2009, and I’m not sure if he’s got much of a future with the national team. I might get round to him eventually, but I want to focus on the players who will be important in this current qualifying campaign first :)

Comment on Player profile: Mikael Forssell by James Laughlin

James Laughlin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:44:54 +0000

Cracking profile, Oliver – I think you’ve discovered somewhat of a talent here with this blog!

How about Shefki Kuqi for the next profile?