Scoring Defenders: Premier League weekend Dec 6th-8th

What were defenders doing in the Premier League last weekend?
Scoring goals that’s what!
There were 6 big goals scored in all, and each one had an implication on the result.

• Nemanja Vidic got one of the most important goals of the weekend. With Man Utd’s game vs. Sunderland heading to a stalemate, Vidic popped up in the box to knock the ball into the back of the net after it had cannoned off the post from Michael Carrick’s long range effort. The goal gave Man Utd a 1-0 win and kept them in touch with Liverpool and Chelsea. Vidic currently wears the New Puma v-Konstrukt III, which are set to be released in the US January 2009. To help with touch and control, Puma have created a new front design with padding around the shooting area. This is positioned to help with control and impact when striking the ball.
Check out PUMA v-Konstrukt II


• A double from Joleon Lescott did not help Everton beat Aston Villa, although they really should have snatched a point through Lescott’s second goal in added time. 60 seconds after he had tied the game at 2-2, Aston Villa had the ball in Everton’s net to win 3-2. Lescott wears Nike Total90 Laser II. Nike developed these cleats with swerve, power and precision in mind. Their focus was on developing a shooting sweet spot, and hence the front design of the cleat. Known as Shotshield technology, Nike placed rubber zonal rings on the strike zone with direct injected rubber.
More info on Nike Total90 Laser II


• Bernard Mendy helped Hull gain another 3 points. He scored the tying goal against Middlesbrough, getting lucky when his shot hit the post and then Ross Turnbull’s back before going into the net. Mendy, like Lescott, wears the Nike Total 90 Laser II.


• Abdoulaye Faye came back to haunt Newcastle by scoring for Stoke to snatch a point in their encounter. Faye has most recently been wearing Adidas adiPURE TRX in master blue/white. These cleats have an upper Kangaroo leather glove like fit. They are about as pure and simple as you can get cleat wise. At 9.6 ounces they are pretty light. Designed for the no-nonsense central midfielder who is not afraid to get stuck in on a tackle.
More Info Adidas adiPURE Indigo/Metallic Silver/Rave Green


• And finally, Ledley King did what Spurs strikers couldn’t do in their game against a poor West Ham -put the ball in the net! Spurs had several excellent chances to score before King popped up in the box for his first goal since 2005. King wears white Adidas Predator Powerswerve. Predators have been legendary since the Premier League’s creation in the 90’s. This version has two major advantages over other boots; Powerswerve impact and Powerpulse. Powerswerve allows a player to add swerve to the ball by using a rubber interface, allowing for extra control on contact with the ball. Powerpulse is the insole insert that has Tungsten powder filled elements. These shift as you swing into the ball adding extra power and increased flexibility. The newest version of the cleat comes in Dark Indigo/Metallic Silver/Pool.
  More Info Adidas Predator PowerSwerve White Metallic/Indiog/Rave Green

Alfonso Motagalvan: Adidas Predator and Adipure

Name: Alfonso Motagalvan

Team: UCSB Mens Soccer 2004-08
Cleat size: 8.5

Sneaker size: 10

Why the difference in sizes?

I like my shoe to be snug on my foot.

What cleats do you like to wear?

I wear the Adidas Predator and Adidas Adipure, simply because they are leather. My feet are very wide and those two types feel the best. I also find it easy to adjust when I have a new pair. I prefer wearing leather rather than plastic on my feet as it gives me a better feel of the ball.

What do you look for when choosing a cleat?
When it comes to cleats, I am kind of old school. I don't really like flashy colors, not my style! I play really simple, hence why I wear mostly all black cleats. My preferred cleats mostly come in that color. You have to know your feet and what you feel comfortable in. I personally think that leather is better than the synthetic material. You have to know also whether you want style points or comfort points.

Is there any additional advice you can give?
From my past experience, leather breaks in quickly but if it doesn't, I usually shower with my boots and they will mold to my foot. In order to maintain them in top form I use leather food before I wear them. Remember that the clears are your tools!

Alfonso had a very establisher career at UC Santa Barbara, winning a National Championship in 2006 and having the honor of captaining the team his senior year. In his Junior and Senior year, Alfonso scored 10 goals and had 4 assists from the Defensive midfield spot. Not a bad return! We want to thank Alfonso for his input, and wish him every success as he awaits this years MLS draft!

Hull City: Season so far in cleats

Who would have thought that 11 Premiership games into the season, Hull City would be lying in 6th place with 20 points! Or that they would already have beaten the likes of Newcastle and the mighty Arsenal, or score 3 goals in a narrow loss at Old Trafford to Man Utd. They find themselves in the dizzying heights of the table, more than half way to the 'safety' number of 36 points. We thought it would be nice to show you some of the current Hull warriors and let you know what cleats they are wearing as they battle their way towards staying in the premier league!

It started with promotion to the Premiership, Dean Windass scored the winning goal in the Championship playoff Final versus Bristol City. Windass is wearing PUMA v1.06 i FG K. The v1.06 were released before the 2007 season. They weigh a mere 7.80z, are made of Kangaroo Leather and are part of Puma's V-speed line. The 2008-09 version, v1.08, is discussed in the Newest Cleats review.

Next, the opening day of the 2008 season, a home game versus Fulham. And it turned out to be a great start! Fulham drew first blood, but goals from Geovanni and Caleb Folan gave Hull a well deserved 2-1 Premier League victory on their first attempt.. Hull's first top flight goal scorer, Geovanni, wears Umbro Speciali PU - Black. The Speciali's are a unique cleat designed for that hard-working, no nonsense midfielder. Weighing 10oz and made of Kangaroo leather, these cleats have a reputation for breaking in easily and being just plain old comfortable.

But they were brought back down to earth with a thumping 5-0 loss to Wigan, and then a loss to

Swansea City in the Carling cup. But Hull bounced back with at excellent 2-1 win at St James Park, taking advantage of Newcastle's bad start to the season.Marlon King grabbed both goals. King wears adidas F50.7 TUNIT Start Kit - Black/White/Royal. Tunits give you the unique ability to change your soccer boot depending on the weather conditions. What a great advantage to be able to use one pair of cleats for several different conditions! These cleats are ultra light. You can purchase different upper designs, from a countries flag colors to 'clima-cool', depending on your style.


After a tie with Blackburn, Hull traveled to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal. Paul McShane scored an own goal mid way through the second half, but goals from Geovanni and a late summer loan signing Daniel Cousins lifted the Tigers to a very famous 2-1 victory. It helped lift them to 6th in the premiership table. Cousins, who signed from Glasgow Rangers, is from Gabon. He currently wears Nike Mercurial Vapor SL FG - Pine Green/Metallic Silver/Red. These are the cleats that Christiano Ronaldo debuted earlier this season in the marine/volt/metallic color. The entire outsole of this cleat is made of carbon, a very unique composite that is much lighter and more efficient than graphite! They weigh only 7.4oz, and offer a contoured sock liner with ventilation holes to help keep your feet a little more cool.

Three more wins followed against Tottenham, West Ham and West Brom giving the tigers 20 points from 9 games!! The win against Tottenham marked two excellent victories over North London opponents in one week. Their last two games were against former Premier league champions, resulting in losses, although losing 4-3 at Old Trafford shows that the team possesses a great spirit and is not willing to lie down to even the best opponent. 4-1 down early in the second half, Hull pulled back 2 goals and could have snatched a draw late on. Hull look to have the capability of staying in the premier League for another season, even at this early stage. But can they continue there good form and stay in the top half of the table?

My prediction: With Phil Brown stating that he needs 3 more signings at Christmas, I think the team will have what it needs to stay up. If they can keep the confidence that is currently in the team rolling, I see them getting to 44points(after looking at the fixture list), which would see them finish just around the 9th-10th place spot.