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The Lalas factor

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Famous for having a very ginger goatee in 1994. He also managed LA Galaxy, (yes THE galaxy), before getting fired after winning errrm, nothing. A fine CV in which to impart his wisdom. Welcome to ESPN's premier 'soccer' analyst for the next month here in the US.

However, I am particularly excited by this development - a stroke of genius by the programming masterminds - in the space of about an hour, he has given me a month's worth of material.....

"well, when you think about it, Bob Bradley has done as much as Fabio Capello in his career"
"US to win 2-1 on Saturday, I see England getting out of their group but not sure after that"
"but what kind of defensive message does this send to the players - I can't agree" (in response to a scarily great tactical suggestion by John Harkes - yes of Sheff Wed fame - to play Landon Donovan, the US' best player, behind the striker to exploit the fact that neither Lampard or Gerrard will ultimately want to stay in the holding role)

Absolutely brilliant! Clearly a man who is tactically clueless, (or make that just clueless), yet talks as if he knows he is right and his outlook is completely blinded by sheer patriotism and over excitedness.............ladies and gentlemen, we have found the American Ian Wright....

Keep up the good work Alexi, I'm sure there's more quotes to be posted over the next few weeks......

Ok, I'll leave you with one more...

in response to Steve McManaman - a post for another time and place - nominating Cesc Fabregas, subject to a 30M Barcelona bid, as his 'star player to watch from the bench', our Alexi perused the field before nominating his pick..... Herculez Gomez...... google him. You'll need to. But you don't need to guess which fine nation this bloke plays for....

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