Football News: Arsenal Off To Oz, Scottish Prem Off To America

1. Paul Sturrock has announced his retirement from football management
After being sacked by Yeovil Town, who are sat rock bottom of the Football League, the former Scotland striker has called time on his career. Judging by the way his time went with the Glovers, he might not really have had much in the way of choice. Sturrock began his managerial career at St Johnstone in 1993, and he subsequently took charge of Dundee United, Argyle (twice), Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon Town, Southend United and, finally, Yeovil.

2. What is a re-entry draft?
The Re-Entry Draft Order is determined by the reverse order of the final standings in the MLS season, taking into account postseason performance. A player may choose to opt out of the Re-Entry Process prior to Stage One or Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft. In such instances, the right of first refusal for the player will remain with his previous club.

2015 Re-Entry Draft:
Chicago Fire
Greg Cochrane, Option
Jason Johnson, Option
Alec Kann, Option
Lovel Palmer, Option
Matt Watson, Out of Contract
Colorado Rapids
Carlos Alvarez, Option
Vicente Sanchez, Option
Gabriel Torres, Option
Columbus Crew SC
Matt Lampson, Out of Contract
D.C. United
Jairo Arrieta, Option
Michael Farfan, Option
FC Dallas
Michel, Option
Bakary Soumare, Option
Houston Dynamo
Oscar Boniek Garcia, Option
Chandler Hoffman, Option
Alex Lopez, Option
Jermaine Taylor, Option
LA Galaxy
Tommy Meyer, Out of Contract
Brian Perk, Option
Donovan Ricketts, Out of Contract
Charlie Rugg, Option
Montreal Impact
Hassoun Camara, Option
New England Revolution
Kevin Alston, Option
New England Revolution
Andy Dorman, Out of Contract
Jeremy Hall, Option
New York City FC
Jeb Brovsky, Option
Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Option
New York Red Bulls
Roy Miller, Option
Dane Richards, Option
Anthony Wallace, Option
Orlando City
Tony Cascio, Out of Contract
Josh Ford, Option
Tally Hall, Option
Danny Mwanga, Option
Lewis Neal, Option
Philadelphia Union
Fred Carreiro, Option
Warren Creavalle, Option
Danny Cruz, Option
Antoine Hoppenot, Out of Contract
Zac MacMath, Option
Portland Timbers
Michael Nanchoff, Option
Maximiliano Urruti, Option
Real Salt Lake
Chris Schuler, Out of Contract
San Jose Earthquakes
Mike Fucito, Out of Contract
Jordan Stewart, Option
Seattle Sounders
Leo Gonzalez, Option
Marco Pappa, Option
Zach Scott, Option
Sporting Kansas City
Jalil Anibaba, Option
Seth Sinovic, Out of Contract
Toronto FC
Joe Bendik, Option
Robbie Findley, Out of Contract
Jackson, Option
Chris Konopka, Option
Vancouver Whitecaps
Steven Beitashour, Option
Pa Modou Kah, Option
Mauro Rosales, Out of Contract
Paolo Tornaghi, Option
No Club
Bright Dike, Option
Tony Lochhead, Option

Just one question left, what on earth is a re-entry draft anyway?

3. Does Morata need the constant push to bring out the best
For the second season in a row, Juventus striker Alvaro Morata has been relegated to the bench in the early part of the season. Last season it was fellow Spaniard, Fernando Llorente, but this season it is Croatia's Mario Mandzukic who has kept former Real Madrid youngster Morata on the sidelines. Last season Morata grabbed his chance with both hands, when it came along, and went on to impress, despite the defeat, in the Champions League final against Barcelona. This season he will once again get his break, as Massimo Allegri will be forced to leave out Mandzukic after he came down with a dose of the flu. Morata started the season in good form, but the 23 year old faded and then saw Paulo Dybala and Mandzukic nail down the starting spots. The kick up the backside he has received by being dropped could well be the push he needs to return to form.

4. What to do with Benteke
Jurgen Klopp will have to decide quickly what to do with big money summer signing Christian Benteke, as the Belgium international is struggling badly to fit into the system Klopp is trying to implement on Merseyside. The pressing Klopp requires was starkly evident by its absence with Benteke leading the line against Newcastle United. As Liverpool surrendered meekly to the Toon, one thing that was clear was that there was a complete lack of any pressure from the front. Benteke's lack of movement when the Reds have possession is one thing, with his power he can receive the ball under pressure, so it can be excused, partly at least, but failing to offer any kind of pressing and so allow the opposition an easy out ball, is inexcusable. Klopp will have to decide quickly if he can change Benteke's attitude or whether the club need to cut their losses and move him on. It is the biggest decision facing Klopp right now.

5. Shawcross was lucky to get two England caps
I keep reading comments in the media about how Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross is unlucky to have only two England caps and deserves more, how it is all bias keeping him out of the England team and the latest one was how he should play for Wales instead. It is beyond me why people think he deserves to play international football, though I do think there is some truth in the fact that it is bias that stops him getting so many caps, due to Stoke not being one of the 'bigger' clubs. While I do agree that playing at somewhere like Manchester United would see Shawcross pick up more caps, they would not be deserved. Shawcross is a player that is very much in the Tony Pulis school of football, defending by thuggery, rather than ability. Things that are much easier to get away with at league level are likely to lead to penalties in international competitions. Shawcross is a very good Premier League defender, but that is all he is and, even then, it is only because he gets away with so many fouls that he can cope at that level.

6. The Scottish Prem wants to play games abroad
With Celtic and Dundee already in talks about playing a game between the two in the USA, the SPFL chief, Neil Doncaster, has said that league games should be played abroad. The League Cup in Scotland has already been revamped, to try and increase its attraction to foreign TV viewers, now Doncaster wants to build on it. With Dundee owned by an American and Celtic having a large following there, that does seem the best place to start. Personally I am not sure I am keen on the idea, I suppose it comes down to choosing between it being a sport and being a business. Businesses go where the money is, but football clubs are meant to be the heart of their community.

7. It always seems to happen
In the summer Juventus discarded Spanish striker Fernando Llorente, moving him on to Sevilla, as they brought in Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic to replace him and Carlos Tevez. As often happens in these cases, Juve were drawn against the Spanish side in the Champions League group stages. With Juve facing Sevilla in the final match, it was always going to be a stage for Llorente. Luckily for the Italian champions, they had already sealed passage to the knockout stages, they were only playing for the top spot, and the chance to avoid other group winners in the next round. Still, Llorente will have enjoyed scoring the only goal of the game, consigning Juve to second place in the group, plus ensuring Sevilla a Europa League slot. It did not quite have the importance he would have liked, but I am sure he would have enjoyed it anyway.

8. Why does it feel like LVG just wants to prove he knows better?
Every game, it just feels like Louis van Gaal is trying to show he knows best and everyone should bow down to his greatness. Each time Manchester United run out on to the pitch, the team seems to be picked deliberately to be contrary. While I am sure, despite his arrogance, that is not what LVG sets out to do, there is clearly something in the background that makes him dig his heels in and try to prove his point. It is reminiscent of Brendan Rodgers, to a degree, in that success seems to have gone to his head and is clouding his thinking. The only problem for the both of them is that they are not the reason for their success, well not entirely, but both are trying to claim the full credit. LVG got off to a great start in his career by being with clubs with a system that he could build on, a great foundation that gave him something to build on rather than what he now faces. A club in decline, with foundations that are crumbling, in desperate need of a complete ground up rebuild. Right now he is struggling to do that, with a series of buys that are struggling to have the desired effect and a style of playing that is boring the crowd to sleep.

9. Do long distance summers hold teams back?
All the Premier League clubs moan about the travel they have to do during the season, complaining it tires out their players and stops them being able to perform at their best throughout the season. So why do they all spend their summers heading out to the furthest corners of the world? Arsenal have just put pen to paper on a deal to play two games in Australia in July 2017, which is especially odd for a club that often blames tiredness for the injuries that plague it throughout the season. It just shows that football puts money ahead of on pitch performance in the modern era.

10. Celtic take a look at Libor Kozak
The thing I do not understand is why the £7m signing has not been given a chance in the first team, despite being one of their best players in pre-season. It would be understandable if Aston Villa were not struggling so badly up front. As he is clearly not in the plans of new manager Remi Garde, it is probably best for all if he does head out on loan and get some competitive football, as Celtic definitely need a striker. It does make you wonder about Villa's signing policy in recent years, as the players do not seem to be the ones the manager at the time is looking for. That is the thing Garde most needs the club to sort out if he is to take the club further.

Written by Tris Burke December 09 2015 14:00:33