Grounds for concern

How do you solve a problem like England?

2012-02-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

Arrivederci Fabio: Capello and Bernstein's showdown talks ended in a handshake and farewell

Fabio Capello sensationally resigned as

England

manager yesterday just 121 days before the European Championships get underway in

Poland

and the

Ukraine

Four months before the first ball is kicked, England are without a manager, and a captain.

Many have tried and failed in the hot seat. Capello’s reign will ultimately be remembered for the shambles at the World Cup two years ago, where England succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Germany.

But Capello isn’t the problem. Nor McClaren, Eriksson, Keegan or Hoddle.

England

’s record in major tournaments since they lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966 has been far from stellar. Semi-final appearances at Italia ‘90 and Euro ‘96 the best they have managed.

The fact England has arguably the best league in the world is more to do with foreign imports since the inception of the Premier League, Sky’s money, and the fact England is a swell place to live (despite the recent arctic temperatures).

England

currently lie fifth in the FIFA world rankings, but their record against the cream of world football defies such lofty status.

In the last two years, England under Capello have faced Spain, Holland, Germany, Brazil and

France

A 2-2 friendly draw with Holland in August 2009 was followed by a 1-0 defeat in Qatar at the hands of Brazil that November.

The thrashing to Germany followed, while a 2-1 reverse to France at Wembley in November 2010 didn’t provoke confidence in the national side.

The one anomaly to these set of results is of course the 1-0 victory over Spain last autumn. That, paired with a comfortable victory by the same score line to Sweden a few days later, was supposed to propel England towards to Euros this summer.

However, true to form, circumstance and ill-decision have derailed this momentum.

The points is, England have flattered to deceive for almost five decades, and despite a wealth of managerial talent to pass through the revolving doors at Soho Square, few have come close to replicating Sir Alf Ramsay’s feat.

The archaic structure that is the FA is at the root of the national side’s problems.

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan tweeted to say he thought the FA Committee was ‘old school’. Despite his lack of affiliation to the sport, he was not wrong.

It is chock-a-block of old bigwigs who need a kick into the 21^st Century. Not enough time and effort is spent on grassroots, and the much-delayed home for England’s future stars, St George’s Park, is long overdue.

The academy in Burton won’t be ready until August. Just in time for a new manager one could argue. But too late for a generation that would have benefitted from similar tuition seen at Clairefontaine, a football centre famed for providing the platform for France's onslaught towards World Cup glory in 1998 and Euro 2000 success.

In many ways, the latest chapter in England’s helter-skelter history encapsulates how the FA has always operated: by dilly-dallying and missing the boat.

The debacle that set the wheels in motion for Capello’s resignation, the allegations made against John Terry, should have been cleaned up by now.

The incident involving Anton Ferdinand took place at Loftus Road on October 23. Over three months ago.

Terry’s behaviour both on and off the pitch over the past two years has not been in keeping with that of national team captain. The trial is scheduled for July 9, eight days after the Euro 2012 final. Therefore, there is no question he was rightly deposed last week.

But why has it taken this long?

Furthermore, after Capello’s words to Italy's state broadcaster RAI, where he totally disagreed with FA chairman David Bernstein's decision to strip Terry of the captaincy, three days elapsed before he was summoned to a meeting.

Bernstein was not bold enough to dismiss a man who openly rebelled against an organisation who paid him a reported £6m annual salary. It gave Capello time to assess his options, leaving the FA with egg on their face once more.

St George’s Park, Terry, Capello. A pattern is beginning to emerge.

There is no firm leadership at the FA and, as Martin Samuel argued in today’s Mail, Capello quit over a basic point of principle - that the football man does the football. And when this is taken away, he walks away.

You do wonder what Harry Redknapp is potentially letting himself in for.

Would the FA have stood by their man in the same way Tottenham have in recent weeks?

So, how do you solve a problem like

England

Recent events have cast serious aspersions on how the FA is run, but it is not the only concern.

Capello was supremely qualified for the role: Seven Seria A titles, four Italian Cups, two La Ligas, one Champions League and a Super Cup i

a managerial career spanning 21 years. Add to this a win percentage of 66.67 with England.

One could even argue his three-and-a-half year tenure with the national side was a relative success.

Barring the humiliating exit at the hands of Germany, where there were no mitigating circumstances (Matthew Upson perhaps one), his record in qualification was exemplary, and a fresh, exuberant England team was beginning to blossom this qualifying campaign.

Capello ultimately struggled to assert his authority on the England side

Capello, in my opinion, walks away from this with his dignity intact as he proves he is not merely a puppet.

His club record puts Redknapp to shame, so there’s nothing to suggest two years down the line after a World Cup in Brazil, we won’t be returning to the same old issues as to where the problems lie.

Redknapp may be the people’s choice, but it doesn’t solve the crux of the problem: the FA.

It is too easy to say, ‘see how

Spain

do it, let’s follow them’.

What works for one, doesn’t necessarily work for the other. What is clear though, is that a change in approach, organisation and delivery is needed from the FA.

Keri-Anne: the first of many

2011-08-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

Swimmer Keri-Anne Payne cemented her place in London 2012 last week when she won gold in the 10k open water event at the World Championships in Shanghai.

Despite having to deal with flying limbs, scorching temperatures peaking at over 30c, Keri-Anne ploughed her way through to become the first of 550 athletes to represent the UK next summer.

Making a splash: Keri-Anne is bucking the GB trend ahead of 2012

Keri-Anne is regarded by many to be the poster girl of British swimming - and with good reason.

But what do we know of our young Olympian?

She was born in Johannesburg, moving to Britain at 13 when her parents decided to return home.

Now settled in Stockport, the 23-year old is engaged to long-term boyfriend David Carry - a fellow swimmer.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Keri-Anne won silver in the inaugural 10k race, while a year later, she grabbed her first world championship gold in Rome.

Add to this last week's success, and the 23 year old's achievements to date are staggering.

The wave she is riding at the minute shows no sign of abating. In October she travels to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games. Here she will look to conquer the 200m and 400m indoor races, a far cry from her long-distance endurance tests.

And with Keri-Anne already the English record holder for the 200m and 400m individual medley, she has already demonstrated she is able to juggle the severe differences between endurance swimming and the sprints.

Many top athletes have already withdrawn from Delhi. World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis and her British rival Kelly Sotherton are out, while the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, is yet to decide.

Bucking the trend is commendable, but it awaits to be seen whether Keri-Anne has made the correct decision, as burn-out is a possibility with the countdown to London well under way.

But it would be wrong to question the decision making of a born winner, an athlete who knows how far they can push their body, in a career that has so far yielded so much.

With less than a year until the greatest sporting event arrives on our doorstep, 2012 promises to be a massive year for British sport and Kerri-Anne is all set to play her part.

Two wrongs don’t make a right

2011-04-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

Iniesta thought he was picking up a one-way ticket to the Bernabeu

UEFA today revealed they are considering banning Andres Iniesta, Barcelona’s midfield maestro, for a further game in this season’s Champions League.

Iniesta picked up a caution for failing to retreat the required distance at a free-kick during the quarter-final first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, triggering a one-game ban which saw him sit out the second leg in the Ukraine.

Every cloud has a silver lining, and for Iniesta it meant he could return with a clean slate for the semi-final first leg, which turns out to be against El Classico rivals Real Madrid.

The imposed sanction comes after UEFA match officials alleged Iniesta’s faux pas was deliberately incurred.

But Iniesta is only guilty of flouting an absurd rule that needs reviewing.

Article 22 of the Regulations of the Champions League 2010/11 states:

“In case of repeated cautions:

…from the first match in the group stage, a player is suspended for the next competition match after three cautions in three different matches, as well as following any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc).”

This law is flawed.

It means a player could potentially miss the Champions League final for incurring three misery yellow cards in the ten games it takes to get to Wembley.

That hardly merits a suspension of that magnitude, does it?

Sure, if a player is a menace on the field and is a constant threat to his fellow professionals, one could argue the suspensions are serving their purpose.

But anyone who watches the bread-and-butter of our domestic game, then tunes in to watch Europe’s premier knock-out competition will tell you the referees are far more trigger-happy on the continent.

Free-kicks and yellow cards are dished out like hot cakes, just ask Duncan Ferguson how he faired with Pierluigi Collina when Everton flirted with The Champions League in 2005.

A suspension is easily acquired from three innocuous fouls.

Yes, Iniesta’s petulance merited a booking, and the footage does not look good for the gifted Spaniard as he awaits UEFA’s decision on Wednesday.

If the ban is imposed, the Spanish midfielder will sit out the crunch first leg against Real on 27 April at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But Iniesta’s infringement is understandable, considering the baffling rules that are in place.

Why should he have missed the first leg of the semi-final for acquiring three yellow cards?

It is not as if he is a constant threat on the field, in fact he is quite the opposite, and to deny a player of his quality the opportunity to showcase his talents in a game of this magnitude would be farcical to say the least.

Yes the rules are in place, but he has worked within their ludicrous nature to ensue he and his team have the best possible chance of winning a fourth European title.

If UEFA don’t like it, they should flag up their own performance and regulations. Not Iniesta’s.

Shameless!

2011-03-01T05:13:00.000-08:00

How two ‘role models’ make this evening's clash a shameful occasion for football

Party: What could have been for Wayne had he not found stardom

An air rifle going off. A calculated forearm into the back of someone’s skull. It’s the sort of script that would not look out of place in a Guy Ritchie film.

Instead, these are the actions of two experienced England international football players and role models to millions of children worldwide.

On Saturday, Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United cruise to a 4-0 win over Wigan at the DW Stadium.

But the game will be remembered for all the wrong reasons as, eight minutes in, England’s star player charged into midfielder James McCarthy, appearing to use his forearm to get the better of his marker.

What kind of an example does this set to youngsters; those who replicate the actions of their heroes in the playground the next day?

A couple of weeks ago, Rooney scored the goal of the season when he acrobatically won United the derby game against cross-city rivals City.

The day later, kids up and down the land will have attempted to replicate this act of virtuosity.

But will this mean this time they will be smashing into their pals in order to get a shot on goal?

Rooney’s prodigious talents were born on the streets of Croxteth, Liverpool, where he grew up. Yes he has produced some breathtaking moments in his short career, but this latest indiscretion makes him more street-brawler then street-baller.

Rooney’s United will come up against Chelsea tonight, who have a less-than-squeaky clean player on their books also.

Ashley Cole’s latest faux pas has seen him not only take a firearm into Chelsea’s training base in Cobham but, apparently against his better judgement, fire it at a 21-year-old work experience student.

Ashley Cole: shooting himself in the foot once again

What kind of a work place has Roman Abramovich created at Chelsea that a 30-year-old, 87-capped international footballer feels it ok to bring an air rifle into work with him?

Both players should know better, but repeatedly seem to take advantage of the privileged positions they have found themselves in.

The two have continuously flouted the lifestyles many would love to swap, but yet they constantly keep finding themselves at the mercy of their clubs, who persist in supporting them through thick and thin.

Cole’s manager Carlo Anchelotti said: “What do we have to do now? Kill him? No. We have to support him. It would be very different had he not said sorry.

“We are not happy because he stepped over the line, but we have to support him.”

On the work-expo, Anchelotti said: “We’re really disappointed for the guy who was a victim in this.”

Hardly an apology, Carlo.

But when will these two learn?

This was the perfect opportunity for both the FA and their clubs to throw the book at them.

Rooney and Cole should be facing lengthily suspensions, starting at Stamford Bridge tonight.

No player likes to miss the big games, and if the FA had made an example of them, perhaps it would have gone a long way in curbing their mischievous streaks.

Graham Poll, a former Premier League and World Cup referee, has argued once referee Mark Clattenburg (surprise, surprise) dealt with the Rooney incident on the field and indicated he did as much in his post-match report, there was very little the FA could do retrospectively.

Yes we all want to see the best players playing on the biggest stage, and no doubt this may have played on the minds’ of the FA bigwigs who ran the rule over the collision.

But at what cost? McCarthy could still be in intensive care or permanently handicapped from the assault. While the 21-year-old who was a victim of Cole's stupidity could have seen his life turned upside down, if not taken away from him.

Neither have had to face up to past indiscretions - Cole losing wife Cheryl the only anomaly to this rule - so expect further misdemeanours down the line.

Instead, it appears the worst Rooney will face is a hotter reception than usual from the Chelsea fans, while Cole will face disciplinary measures internally from his club, which will ‘remain in-house’, according to Anchelotti.

Tonight they line up on opposition teams as Chelsea and United go head to head in a crunch game in the race for the Premier League.

But in truth, they both represent a thug culture that, I’m afraid to say, makes it a shameful evening to be a football fan.

Why Keys and Gray should face the music

2011-01-24T16:26:00.000-08:00

Spec-tacular O-G: Gray and Keys face an anxious wait over their future

Richard Keys and Andy Gray made the front pages this week for sexist remarks made towards a female assistant referee.

The commentators, who believed their mics were turned off, questioned whether Sian Massey knew the offside rule during the Wolves v Liverpool game on Saturday.

Today the repercussions were felt, as Sky suspended the pair from presenting tonight’s Monday Night Football.

Their words are sickening, bigoted and wrong, but are they surprising?

Only last week, I was having lunch with a friend of mine who works for Sky, and he revealed Keys was a sexist git who was living in the stone-age.

And that is where the pair of them belong.

As much as it pains me to say, as for many years I have been a massive fan of Sky’s coverage – in particular Keys and Gray’s input – the pair must walk or be shown the door.

In the current age we live in, such comments are unacceptable and an example must be made of them.

Should the fact the pair are stalwarts of Sky Sports, Keys has been associated with the channel since 1990, mean an apology suffices?

And should the fact comments made by Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, in which he suggested in 2004 female footballers should wear tighter shorts and low-cut shirts to attract more male fans, make such comments more acceptable?

The answer is of course not.

If the pair worked towards the bottom end of the Sky ladder and made such slurs, obviously the ripples would not be as significant, but a zero-tolerance policy would be in place and they would be shown the door.

The same must be applied for these two dinosaurs.

Can you image what kind of message it sends out to young football fans should the pair be reinstated following suspension?

I don’t have the figures, but there must be tens of thousands of kids who watch Sky’s coverage and take in their analysis and views.

Condoning the remarks by re-instating them would certainly be the wrong message, and Sky have a moral duty to terminate their contracts should they not walk.

Karen Brady was also targeted by Keys, and she was damning towards the pair today.

She told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It never would have occurred to me that they had those views whether public or private and I'm disappointed.

“It almost makes it worse that they're speaking when the microphones are not on as opposed to when they are on because they'd never really have the brass neck to say it publicly.”

Brady is known as the first lady of football since becoming managing director at Birmingham City in 1993 at just 23 years old, and is well placed to comment on the apparent sexism that exists within the game.

In a column she wrote for the Daily Mail last week, she said she had ‘experienced sexism at its rankest, lies about my personal life and a level of calculated mischief that is simply appalling’.

If this is the case, perhaps Keys’ and Gray’s comments are a mere drop in the ocean of an epidemic that needs to be uprooted, and fast.

For this to happen an example must be made, starting with this furore.

Since the mid 80s, Keys has forged a successful career in television presenting, starting with TV-am, a breakfast show on ITV.

In 1990, he became one of the presenters for The Sports Channel on British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB), before leaving ITV in December 1990 for the renamed Sky Sports.

Gray’s move into TV presenting has been a little less orthodox as, unlike Keys, he was a former professional footballer.

He won the League Cup with Aston Villa and Wolves, before success with Everton, where he won the League, FA Cup and the Cup Winners Cup in the mid 80s.

Since hanging up his boots, he has forged a successful career as both a presenter and a commentator with Sky, and this is the first real sneer he has been hit with.

Despite the two having relative success thus far, this story will end up haunting them long into 2011.

When a story such as this gathers momentum, especially in a relatively dry-news period such as this, there can only be one outcome.

Remember the Ross-Brand-Sachs scandal in the autumn of 2008? The public outcry to this was enough for Russell Brand to leave the country temporarily, for both to be suspended, and for Jonathan Ross to never quite recover his TV career.

Sky themselves have already proved they can be ruthless operators. Rodney Marsh made an ill-timed joke about the Tsunami that hit South-East Asia in January 2005.

On Gillette Soccer Saturday he quipped: “David Beckham has turned down a move to Newcastle United because of trouble with the Toon Army in Asia.”

He was promptly fired and has never worked for Sky since.

It remains to be seen who fills in for Keys and Gray tonight, but one thing is for certain, whoever it is should prepare to take over for good.

------------------------------------------

So, what was said?

Keys: “Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.”

Gray: “Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.”

Keys: “Course they don’t. I can guarantee you there will be a big one today. Kenny (Liverpool manager Dalglish) will go potty. This isn’t the first time, is it? Didn’t we have one before?”

Later in the exchange…

Keys: “The game’s gone mad. Did you hear charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love.”

Gone, but not forgotten. Steven Pienaar’s finest moments in an Everton shirt

2011-01-20T07:34:00.000-08:00

Steven Pienaar was only an Everton player for three-and-a-half years, but his legacy at the club is telling. Despite failure to win any silverwear, he was integral in taking Everton to the next level; from low-lying underachievers to a club that enjoyed European football in each of the three full seasons he spent on Merseyside. Here is a look back at some of the little magician's finer moments in royal blue.

v Arsenal

Without question the South African’s finest moment in an Everton jersey. Pickling up the ball on the halfway line, he continues unaposed before delightfully clipping the ball over the onrushing Manuel Almunia.

v Aston Villa

A wonderful curled effort from 25 yards to put Everton 3-1 up in yet another Villa-Everton epic (0:26).

v Man City

Pienaar curls in a delightful freekick (1:16) to set Everton on their way to a 2-0 triumph.

v AEK Athens

Picking up the ball 30 yards out, there is only one thing in Pienaar’s mind as he drives towards goal before rifling an unstoppable drive into the corner (0:42).

v Sporting Lisbon

A neat finish into the top corner after Tim Cahill’s audacious back-heel.

v Man Utd

In a game that will forever be remembered for the two goals Everton scored in stoppage time to level at 3-3, you could be forgiven for forgetting Pienaar put the Toffees 1-0 up in the first half. This tap in sent Goodison wild (thanks to the Gremlins at the Premier League, I can't use the footage yet).

Edwin van der Sar: "Oooaaah" Pienaar: "That's the way, aha aha"

v Middlesborough

Pienaar tenaciously wins the ball back, starting and finishing a move that resulted in his first Everton goal (1:22).

v Burnley

A goal made in Africa: Yakubu’s Ronaldinho-esque pass finds Pienaar who drives into the area before curling a left-footed effort past the Beast in the Burnley goal (2:10).

v Tottenham

Is this the reason Harry signed him up? In November 2008, Pienaar struck the decisive goal as Everton triumphed 1-0 at White Hart Lane. Found by the quick-thinking Mikel Arteta, his deflected effort dumfounded a helpless Heurelho Gomes (2:10).

v AS Larissa

Ok, so he doesn’t score this one, but Pienaar’s Cruyff-esque pass into the path of Leon Osman is poetry in motion.

Classic derby moments

2011-01-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

It may not have escaped your attention that this weekend plays host to a number of mouth-watering derby games. In recent years, Sky’s Super (must-view-mega-grand-slam) Sunday’s have tended to put all the big games on one day and Sunday is no different, with no fewer than three derbies to wet the appetite.

Such is the importance of Spurs v Man Utd, the sub-plot to the David Beckham: will-he-won’t he sign for Harry circus, the Tyne-Wear derby has been cast aside, playing fourth fiddle in a day that also sees the Second City and Merseyside derbies.

To get us all in the mood, here are ten top derbies from bygone years.

Everton 4-4 Liverpool, FA Cup Fifth-round replay, 20 February 1991

Evertonians have this week joked it took two games to get rid of King Kenny last time while now it’ll only take one. The two games they refer to include this gem from Goodison, where Everton levelled the game no fewer than four times. Dalglish has been quoted in saying: “recalling the see-saw sequence of that match is distressing. Liverpool kept taking the lead but Everton kept equalising. It was like watching a car crash and not knowing which emergency service to call first.”

Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City, Premier League, 20 September 2009

City levelled this contest three times, and when Craig Bellamy picked Rio Ferdinand’s pocket in stoppage time to make it 3-3, surely that was it. United’s old-guard had other ideas, however, and when Ryan Giggs picked out Michael Owen with a delightful through-ball in the sixth minute of injury time, Owen rolled back the years to steal all three points for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham, Premier League, 29 October 2008

This game will be remembered for a number things: David Bentley scoring an outrageous volley to open the scoring from 50 yards, Darren Bent netting for Spurs, and Aaron Lennon’s dramatic injury-time leveller. Arsenal were 4-2 up heading into the 89^th minute of Harry Redknapp’s first official game in charge, but Jermaine Jenas made it 4-3 before Lennon tapped home the rebound from Luka Modric’s effort that crashed back off the post. Cue carnage in the half-deserted away end.

Everton 2-3 Liverpool, Premier League, 16 April 2001

A game that quite possibly had everything. Five goals, a sending off, 12 yellow cards, a missed penalty, a converted penalty, an Emile Heskey goal and an injury-time winner. Heskey put the Reds ahead early on, but talisman Duncan Ferguson levelled on the stroke of half time. Markus Babbel restored Liverpool’s advantage before Robbie Fowler missed a penalty, striking against the post. Everton equalised when David Unsworth typically crashed home his effort from twelve yards, but there was to be one final twist in the tail. Look out for where Gregory Vigal is tripped to where Garry McAllister takes, and scores, the free kick.

Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal, Premier League, 23 October 1999

“It’s Kanu, what’s he gonna do?!” shrieks Martin Tyler as the Nigerian curls in an improbable goal from the acutest of angles to score his and his side’s third goal. Tore Andre Flo and Dan Petrescu, names that will resonate with avid Merlin sticker album collectors, put Chelsea 2-0 up. But the magician had other ideas and scored a 15-minute hat-trick to steal all three points. (“Kanu believe it?” was also bellowed by Tyler in this sequence).

Liverpool 3-2 Everton, FA Cup final, 20 May 1989

At a time when Britain was mourning the 96 who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster, perhaps it was fitting the two Merseyside clubs contested the Final. And contest it they did, in one of Wembley’s most dramatic encounters. Liverpool took an early lead through John Aldridge and it was not until injury time that Stuart McCall equalised for the Toffees. Five minutes into extra time, Ian Rush retook the lead, only for McCall to level once more with a stunning volley. Rush and Liverpool had the last laugh though, and just as he did in the 1986 Merseyside derby final, he grabbed a second to give Liverpool their fourth FA Cup triumph.

7. Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City, Old First Division, 27 April 1974

In United’s last game of the 1973–74 season, they needed to beat their city rivals at Old Trafford to stand any chance of remaining in the top flight. United legend Denis Law, now at City, scored an audacious back-heel to give City a 1–0 win. Thinking his goal had relegated United, he did not celebrate and walked off the pitch with his head down immediately after scoring. As it transpired, United would have been relegated even if the match had been drawn.

Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham, Premier League, 10 November 2010

Spurs staged a stunning fight-back to claim their first league victory over Arsenal in 17 years thanks in no part to their two outstanding performers, Welsh wonderkid Gareth Bale and Dutch maestro Rafael van der Vaart. The hosts were ahead 2-0 at the break, but Spurs had other ideas and when Bale reduced the arrears in the 50^th minute, the alarm bells began ringing in the Arsenal rearguard. Van der Vaart’s penalty levelled the game, before Younes Kaboul headed the Dutchman’s freekick past a shell-shocked Lukasz Fabianski with just five minutes remaining.

Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland, Premier League, 25 August 1999

Leave Alan Shearer out of a Tyne-Wear derby at your peril. This is what Ruud Gullit found out when he took charge of his final game for the Magpies. On a rainy night at St. James' Park, Newcastle took the lead through Kieron Dyer, but a second half comeback saw current Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn equalise. Kevin Phillips capped off the comeback to strike the final nail in Gullit's Toon coffin as the Dutch legend was sacked the next day.

Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal, Premier League, 13 November 2004

It was Martin Jol’s first Premiership game as Head Coach, and what a game it was. Despite Spurs taking the lead, they surrendered their advantage to a Thierry Henry effort on the stroke of half time. When Lauren’s penalty made it 1-2, Tottenham played catch-up for the remainder of this enthralling contest. Patrick Vieira made it 1-3, before Jermain Defoe reduced the deficit to 2-3. Freddie Ljungberg restored Arsenal’s two-goal advantage at 2-4, only for Ledley King to hit back at 3-4. Bobby Pires shimmied his way past Noe Pamarot, Paul Robinson and a match-day programme to make it 3-5 and Freddie Kanoute set up a grand-stand finish at 4-5 with two minutes left. Unfortunately for Spurs fans, there was no dramatic comeback this time.

EPL's Half Term report

2011-01-05T06:40:00.000-08:00

Man Utd

So far, so good for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. United were always going to be there or there abouts, and the ominous thing for the rest of the league is they usually experience better second halves to the season. Despite their poor away record thus far (played nine, won two, drawn seven) they remain undefeated. What chance of them replicating Arsenal’s achievement in 2003/04? Grade: A

Man City

Man City’s spending prowess over the past three seasons has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since the Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club in August 2008, they have spent over £320 million. With Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko set to arrive in January, their spending shows no signs of letting up. Due to their financial muscle alone, they could and should be looking down on the league at this stage. With none of the title chasers taking command at the half-way stage, City could achieve what they haven’t since 1968, and spend their way to the title this year. Grade: B-

Arsenal

Monday night’s moral-boosting win over Chelsea will do wonders for The Gunners’ confidence. With visits to Eastlands, Old Trafford, Anfield and Stanford Bridge out of the way, not to mention a game in hand over City in second place, this could be the year the Wenger bus rides into town once more. Look out for their visit to rivals Spurs on 26 February. Grade: A-

Tottenham

The most impressive aspect of Spurs’ season to date has been their ability to excel both in their debut season in the Champions League and on the domestic front. The days of Tottenham fans lamenting inconsistent displays appear to have subsided for now, and game week 20 saw them overtake Chelsea into fourth place. Countless superlatives have been heaped on the Welsh wonderkid Gareth Bale and stand-out summer signing Rafael Van der Vaart, and justifiably so. The pair have quite simply been the outstanding performers of the season so far. Grade: A*

Chelsea

Chelsea made an explosive start in their campaign to retain the title, scoring 21 goals on the way to winning their opening five games. Their recent set of results, which has seen them fail to win in six, incurring three defeats, is relegation form and serious questions will be asked of Carlo Ancelotti’s future should they not win at Wolves tonight. Frank Lampard’s return to full fitness cannot come soon enough. Grade: C-

Sunderland

Perhaps Sunderland’s biggest strength this season has been the form of their strikers. Between Danny Welbeck, Asamoah Gyan and England International Darren Bent, the three have scored 20 of the Black Cats’ 24 Premier League goals. However, over the course of the season, they will need to find goals from all over the park if they are to continue to push for the European places. However, having three strikers who can find the back of the net is a big plus, and one that will draw envious eyes from several clubs around them. Grade: A-

Bolton

Owen Coyle’s team have been the surprise package of the season. Relinquishing the shackles of a ‘long-ball side’ gained under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce, Coyle has The Trotters playing a brand of football that at times would not look out of place in the Champions League. With one or two astute signings in January, who knows where they could finish? Expect a dip in form at some stage, but with consistency failing most teams in the 2010/11 season, Bolton could well retain their current position and end up playing European football next term. Grade: A-

Stoke

Tony Pulis is doing a sterling job at The Britannia and after cementing Stoke as a Premier League club, he is now in the process of taking them to the next level. He is slowly adding brains to his squad of brawn, with the technically gifted Matthew Etherington, Ricardo Fuller and Şanlı Tuncay able to turn a game in an instant. Perhaps their biggest compliment this season is they are where they are without having to draw as heavily on the human catapult, Rory Delap. He has started all but three of their games thus far, and yet his trusted arm has barely featured on Match of The Day. Despite it only being January, it is safe to say the Potters will be here next season. Grade: B+

Liverpool

Liverpool are a team in transition – but into what? Time will tell whether they are descending into the bleakest period in their illustrious history, or whether they are merely taking a breather. As perverse as it may sound, it may not be the end of the world if they were to sell one of Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres in order to raise the cash needed to improve the overall quality of their squad. It is only now we are seeing the perilous sate Rafa Benitez left the club in. Those calling for his return better know what they are wishing for. Grade: D

Newcastle

Chris Hughton’s sacking was a shock to everybody, and was wholly unjustifiable. You have to wonder what more he could have done since taking over in the summer of 2009, when the beleaguered Toon had just suffered relegation from the top flight. Not only did he emphatically guide them back up at the first attempt, but, at the time of his sacking, had stabilised the club in mid table. Add to this impressive wins at Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea in the League Cup, not to mention the 5-1 hammering of rivals Sunderland, and the decision makes even less sense. What Mike Ashley expected from him is anyone’s guess. Will the knives be out for newly-appointed Alan Pardew should he not deliver European football this season? Probably not, but it would render his appointment totally unnecessary if they do not finish significantly higher than the 11th place Hughton left them in. Grade: B

Blackpool

Who says the romance of the game is dead? Blackpool’s start to life in the top flight has been nothing short of a fairytale. Their 2-0 win at Sunderland to cap off a remarkable 2010 for Ian Holloway was their fifth on the road in a season that has also included an outstanding 2-1 triumph at Anfield. Sitting comfortably at this stage in eleventh and playing attacking, carefree football, Ollie will hope his side do not capitulate as Hull did in their maiden season of 2008/09. Hull survived that year, but had to wait until the final day. Would Ollie take that? Probably. Grade: A*

Blackburn

Along with the departure of Chris Hughton at Newcastle, the sacking of Sam Allardyce shocked the club’s fans. It did not, interestingly, draw as much sympathy from the media, however. With Rovers sitting comfortably in mid table, only time will tell whether the new poultry owners from India, Venky’s, have made the correct decision. By appointing the untried and untested Steve Kean (an underwhelming playing career was followed by assistant managerial roles at Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry) they’re leaving themselves open to criticism immediately should results fade. Their challenge over the coming weeks will be keeping hold of skipper Christopher Samba, who has voiced his displeasure over Allardyce’s departure. Grade: B+

Fulham

Last season’s UEFA Cup Finalists have been the draw specialists this time around, with a staggering ten of their 21 games yielding a point. But for long-term absentee Bobby Zamora, many fans will be wondering how many of these draws could have been turned into wins. On the plus side, they have not lost nearly as many games as those around them, and with the return of Andy Johnson and Zamora in the spring, their fortunes could take a turn for the better. However, should results go the other way, I wonder what price Fulham fans will be calling for a Roy Hodgson return should Mr Benitez be reinstated at Anfield? Grade: C

Everton

After yet another sluggish start, David Moyes’ side will again have it all to do in 2011 to salvage anything from their season. The main thing going in their favour is it is so tight this season in the Barclays Premier League and if they were to put a run together, you would not back against them finishing in a European place. Conversely, if they cannot sort out their inability to convert the amount of chances they are creating, they could find themselves struggling at the wrong end of the table. A striker is desperately needed in January, but who will Moyes sell to raise the cash? Grade: C-

Birmingham

Many would regard this as a par score for Alex McLeish’s side, but try telling that to the ambitious Scotsman. After finishing last season in ninth spot following promotion, any talk of second-season syndrome should be rebuffed. Firstly, they have spent six of the past nine seasons in the top flight and should know their way around this division by now. Secondly, the league is scintillatingly close and 15th could turn to top ten with two results. Never-the-less, there is undoubted quality in their ranks and perhaps McLeish’s biggest task is keeping hold of key midfielders Barry Ferguson and Seb Larsson, the latter approaching the final months of his contract. Grade: C

West Brom

The fact all three promoted clubs are well placed at this stage is phenomenal. Should West Brom, Newcastle and Blackpool stay up, it will be the first time since 2001/2002 this feat has been achieved (promoted clubs Bolton, Fulham and Blackburn maintaining Premier League status at the expense of Leicester City, Derby and Ipswich). The Baggies are perennially known as the ‘Yo-Yo Club’, but this year manager Roberto Di Matteo has them playing with confidence and a resilience that has escaped them in previous seasons at this level. Summer arrivals Peter Odemwingie and Somen Tchoyi have been revelations, as has the continued development of Chris Brunt, whose left peg has been striking the fear of life into opponents. Expect another nervous season climax, but there will be no need of a similar great escape of 2004/05, as survival will be wrapped up much earlier. Grade: B+

Aston Villa

Villa’s demise since Martin O’Neil’s exit in the summer should come as little surprise. When the Ulsterman took over in August 2006, he was inheriting a side who had just finished in 16th spot. In his final three seasons in charge, he restored the reputation of the club, guiding them to three consecutive sixth-placed finishes and a League Cup final. But was the fact O’Neil was not given a lavish summer transfer kitty in order to inject life into an aging squad, a squad he had constructed, the main reason for his exit? Or was he simply jumping ship, with the subsequent lacklustre performances envisaged? Either way, the start Gerard Houllier has endured has been average at best. The one positive is the success of their youth system, with Barry Bannan, Jonathan Hogg and Eric Lichaj all making their Premier League debuts, while recent graduates Ciaran Clark and Marc Albrighton have excelled. Expect a recovery of sorts, but not enough for top-six. Grade: C-

West Ham

A recent turn around in form has elevated the East London club from the bottom of the table. Only one other club, West Brom in 2004/05, has managed to survive when propping up the league on Christmas Day since the inauguration of the Premier League, so Avram Grant will still have it all to do to keep the Hammers afloat. It is imperative they keep star players Scott Parker and Carlton Cole, but with the latter’s form hit and miss this season, Grant may look to cash in to bolster evident weaknesses throughout his side. Too good to go down? Don’t count on it. Grade: D

Wigan

You do feel for Wigan. You get the impression no matter how much money chairman Dave Whelan makes available for Roberto Martinez, they either won’t be able to attract the calibre of player they want, or those they do bring in see it as an opportunity to promote number one and engineer a move within a few seasons. As a result, progress is more or less impossible to achieve. The best they can expect is to hover around the mid to bottom end of the league and, to their credit, this is exactly what they’ve done since gaining promotion in 2005. Their player of the year last term, Charles N'Zogbia, made it clear he wanted out in the summer and he encapsulates this type of player. However, with few clubs interested this window, he may stay to preserve their top-flight status for another year. Grade: C

Wolves

So much for my pre-season prediction of Mick McCarthy’s side having a successful year. Wolves have played some decent football at times, but like Everton have been unable to translate this into results. McCarthy was asked in November if he thought there were three worse-off teams in the division and his response was a resounding ‘yes’. Half-way gone, he will have it all to do to prove this to his supporters. Key players Kevin Doyle, Matt Jarvis, Steven Hunt and George Elokobi need to demonstrate why they are held in such high esteem. The problem is you need more than three or four players to hold your own in this division. Expect tears in May. Grade: C-

The Big Sleaze

2010-12-03T05:11:00.001-08:00

And tonight Matthew: Blatter confirms Twitter's Russian prediction

“When you have the best technical bid, fantastic inspection visits, the best economic report, and, from what people told us, the best presentation, it's quite hard to stomach that all that seemed to count for absolutely nothing.” – Andy Anson, chief executive officer of

England

’s 2018 FIFA World Cup bid.

Unless you’ve been trapped indoors due to the arctic conditions and had the double misfortune of a power cut to boot, it will not have escaped your attention

England

failed in their bid to host the 2018 World Cup yesterday.

Instead, the honour goes to Russia, a nation as corrupt and as scheming as the bigwigs who sit on FIFA's 22-man Executive Committee.

Far from sounding bitter, the simple truth is England’s bid was the best going. As FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been quoted in saying, England could host it tomorrow.

Every box was ticked as England’s bid resembled near perfection. Led by their Three Lions, PM David Cameron, Prince William and its most-tattooed footballer David Beckham, few could predict the thrashing England would go on to receive.

Even the one area flagged up as England’s Achilles heel, a lasting legacy, was covered by arguably the most impressive speech conducted by an Englishman since Winston Churchill’s WWII rallying cry.

Eddie Afekafe, a social inclusion manager with Manchester City, was the star of the show, explaining how football had given him the opportunity of escaping the clutches of Manchester’s gang culture.

He said: “Mr President, mine is just one story. A World Cup here could change the lives of millions of people like me.”

England

were sent crashing out at the first round of voting with only two votes. To add insult to injury, one of them was cast by an Englishman - 2018 bid chairman Geoff Thompson who has a seat on the committee.

Effectively, England's outstanding bid attracted a miserly one vote from 21 going.

The professional manner in which England conducted their campaign and the round-the-clock efforts of bid president, David Dein, meant it deserved more, and casts serious aspersions over how the process is carried out.

Yes the best team does not always win in football. But more often then not, if they dominate a game and play as impressively as England did, they will score more than once.

This is why there is certain to be a thorough investigation in the coming months into how FIFA choses the host nation.

There are two reasons why England were so comprehensively beaten, and thoroughly overlooked by the committee members.

The first is so obvious I shall not delve too deeply into it. But a certain investigative TV programme, screened just three days before the announcement, may have something to do with it.

The BBC cannot be blamed. Can you imagine if they had waited until after the announcement then given the go-ahead?

Cynics and the world’s media will no doubt have pointed to sour grapes.

By the same token, there would have been a public outcry if such damning evidence had been held back.

But enough of that, as England’s bid was defeated by a landslide. It’s not as if it was lost by a small margin, the sort of defeat where you could then look for extenuating circumstances.

No, England’s bid was never going to win for reasons beyond its control, reasons that are so profound and, in truth, damning for the game.

FIFA are a licence to themselves, and are so corrupt they make Oliver Twist's Fagan look like Santa Clause.

They are accountable to no one, and this must change if nations such as England want to succeed in any future bid.

Throughout the process, England were led to believe they had an excellent bid and members promised them their vote.

With these assurances not fulfilled, one has to ask the question: what changed their minds?

Anson has called for extensive changes to the voting system

The bid's chief Andy Anson revealed today how Blatter had spoke of the 'evils of the media' in his final speech to the committee just before their vote.

Asked if he thought England should bid for future tournaments, Anson told a news conference in Zurich: “I would say right now don’t bother until you know that the process is going to change to allow bids like ours (a chance) to win.

On Blatter’s address, Anson added: “I think that was unhelpful - the last thing those guys hear before they go and tick the box is the evil of the media.

“There was a final sum-up before they voted and I think it was at the beginning of that. That's not helpful to our cause.”

FIFA should also be asked to defend why they chose to conduct two bids side by side.

This opens up the possibility of collusion, and Anson added: “Running two bids together was clearly a huge mistake.

“Everyone who had a vote and a bid clearly wanted to trade that vote for something that helped them get over the line in that campaign.

“Australia had a very good bid and they got one vote, we had a very good bid and we got two, the USA had an unbelievably strong technical bid and got three.

“Six votes in the first round between those three, there's something not quite right.

“You have to open it up to all member associations and have transparency and open voting so everyone knows who voted for whom.”

Earlier this month, FIFA has been the subject of further corruption charges when the Sunday Times named and shamed six committee members who asked for money in exchange for votes.

Two were banned over these allegations, while the remaining four have been suspended pending investigation.

At the time, Blatter said: “No, I'm not pleased about that because this is not very fair, but now we have a result it gives us an opportunity to clean a little bit whatever has to be cleaned.”

It appears Blatter is waiting until the spring.

Another question mark hovering over FIFA is the Swiss controller's unrelenting crusade of taking football to the nether reaches of this world.

It has led Twitter user DavidBedwell to quip: “After Qatar wins the 2022 bid, 2026 is rumoured to be between Narnia, Mordor and Krypton.”

Indeed, before Russia 2018, the score was Western Europe 10-0 Eastern Europe in the hosting stakes.

So, a result for change, but we should not be too surprised.

This year, the tournament was hosted by South Africa – the first time the World Cup has travelled to the continent.

A change gonna come: Blatter sandwiched between Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad
bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.

It was also revealed yesterday that football will cross further frontiers when the World Cup travels to Qatar in 2022.

“Expect Amazing” their bid motto promised, and the World certainly was amazed as Blatter slowly pulled open the envelope.

Qatar will have their work cut out, however, in hosting the World Cup, and serious questions will need to be answered closer to the time.

Cynics may argue such was Blatter’s desire to continue his quest, he conducted a joint bid, thus giving Qatar the longest possible time to prepare.

The Emirate nation is half the size of Wales, and only has two cities.

It will need to build nine new stadiums, while England fans will be pleased to hear it is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages in public places.

Perhaps the biggest stumbling block to Qatar 2022 is the searing heat that will meet the teams in June and July.

Playing in temperatures of 50C is not going to be viable, so expect the first World Cup to be held either in the spring or the autumn (either that or those air conditioning machines are going to have to put on one hell of a show).

So, in conclusion: why can’t us Brits be magnanimous in defeat? (‘Congratulations Russia and Qatar, your bids were worthy and we look forward to gracing your countries as and when.’)

The reality is, when you are defeated by a better team, you hold your hands up.

But when you feel you are robbed, just as Germany did in 1966 with Geoff Hurst’s phantom goal, and as Frank Lampard did 44 years later when his effort was half a meter over the line, you feel a sense of injustice.

There is sure to be an inquest into how FIFA select their host nations, and stand by for further programmes in the not too distant future.

I hope the fallout does stimulate enough debate for FIFA to reconsider how they conduct future World Cup bids, rather than fuel the fire of discontent that is apparent between England and football's chief governing body.

My hunch is that it won’t.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NB Spare a thought for the Aussies, their bid to host the 2022 World Cup only received one vote. Will Adelaide bring them any joy in the coming days? Don’t count on it…

Giving something back. The nicer side of football

2010-11-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

Flying the flag: Essien was in Ghana supporting his foundation

Overpaid, poor role models, on field prima donnas, disenfranchised from reality. These are only a few of the slurs aimed at the modern-day footballer.

The off-the-field antics of the likes of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and even youngster Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere in recent weeks have only fuelled the fire of ill-feeling towards this particular group.

Believe it or not, although there are some bad eggs who continuously profess to have turned a corner (Joey Barton perhaps?) there those who go the extra mile to give something back.

Only this week Michael Essien returned to his hometown in Ghana, Awutu, to help promote his charity, the Michael Essien Foundation.

To date, it has helped fund a water bore hole in the centre of the town, as well as new public toilets.
“It is so good to be home and be able to give something back to my community,” said Essien.

“It is great to be here, where I used to play football, and the amount of people here is really special, it makes me really proud.”

The Ghana international is not alone by any means. Football fans across the land may have been surprised to learn Craig Bellamy opened a school in Sierra Leone earlier this year.

Although the cynics may see these as well-timed PR stunts, the Essien visit coinciding nicely with a three-game ban following a nasty two-footed lunge last week, while the Craig Bellamy Foundation set up to placate those who feel the Welsh international is little more than an angry thug, the pair are demonstrating a more generous and compassionate side to their feisty characters.

But there is plenty that goes on out of the public eye.

“Lots of players are setting up foundations,” said former Liverpool defender Phil Babb, speaking at The Sue Ryder International Cup, a charity event hoping to raise money for its international work.

“There are so many things going on behind the scenes. People don’t always see what’s happening – players are constantly out there giving something back.”

Babb was joined by fellow ex-pros Bob Bolder, Steve Lomas, Kerry Dixon and Steve Claridge in a legends team which faced the tournament’s winners.

Football friends: Getting up close and personal with the legends

Claridge and Dixon regularly feature in tournaments, while Lomas helps out at Children’s Hospice Haven House back in his native Northern Ireland.

Lomas said: “There are a lot of wonderful people involved there.

“Ray Winstone’s a patron and they give valuable support to the families.”

Babb said he and his teammates realise just how privileged they are and he remains grateful for the impact football has had on his life.

The former Republic of Ireland international has played for various Liverpool legends teams over the past seven years, while the club regularly host a Football Aid event.

Indeed, Liverpool as a club, and city, have a rich history of charitable work.

Both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have raised money for LUPUS UK, while vice-captain Jamie Carragher has set up his own charity, the 23 Foundation, which hopes to give children on Merseyside a better life.

Across Stanley Park, Everton skipper Phil Neville and his wife Julie are patrons of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity.

Their daughter Isabella was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was just 18 months old and they were told she may never walk.

Despite this setback the couple, in particular Julie, have embarked on a vigorous fund-raising campaign which has seen a celebrity auction, a reception for the appeal at No10 with the Prime Minister, a series of fundraising races and two concerts.

To date, the charity has raised over £20 million.

In June this year, celebrities and some of the biggest names in football joined forces for Soccer Aid, a match held at Old Trafford to raise money to benefit UNICEF projects around the world.

While all of the above barely scratches the surface of charitable work carried out by current and former pros, it remains to be seen whether the football community can shackle the tarnished image created by many of the game’s less than responsible characters.

As long as the fund raising continues, be it in the public eye or behind the scenes, I doubt the game’s true legends will care.

Bolt from the Blue

2010-11-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

Monday, Tuesday, Happy Days: Ray enjoying a joke with Ancelotti and Terry

Yesterday evening, Chelsea Football Club announced the shock departure of Ray Wilkins as their assistant manager.

Ray was one minute putting the ground-work in at their Surrey training base in a reserve-team game with Bayern Munich, and the next being told his services were no longer required.

Senior members of the backroom staff are rightly stunned by the decision to part company with such a popular character and this is a travesty not just for Chelsea, but for the football community.

In an age where loyalty is seemingly on the wane in the game, Ray was a breath of fresh air at a club that defines everything bad about the modern game: 1. foreign ownership and 2. debts only manageable by securing ludicrous loans and qualifying for the Champions League season-in season-out.

Ray has been associated with his boyhood club on and off for 37 years and, despite Chelsea’s flirtation with countless foreign managers, he has provided a solid English pillar.

Leader of the pack: A youthful Wilkins was handed the captaincy at just 18

He made 179 appearances for Chelsea, joining them as an apprentice in 1973, and filled in as caretaker manager twice, before assuming his role as assistant manager in 2009.

To sever ties with him is saddening, while the timing sickening.

Why wait 12 games into a season before rendering his services redundant? Surly it would have been preferable for an amicable parting of the ways in the summer.

The press have come to the conclusion there must have been a falling out with the manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

Such a scenario would make sense. In his latest book, The Beautiful Game of an Ordinary Genius released in August, Ancelotti was full of praise for his assistant.

“One of the reasons I fit into the locker room was thanks to the fundamental role played by Ray Wilkins, my number two and my friend,” it reads.

“It's one thing to translate words – plenty of people can do that – but translating feelings is the gift of only a select few.

“Ray is one of those select few, always present, noble in spirit, a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins.

“Without him, we couldn't have won a thing.”

The book also states what a great bloke John Terry is.

The fact Ray is held in such high esteem by the same man who was part of consultation process to oust him is telling; so I wouldn’t get too ahead of yourself John.

So all points to a very bitter, and recent falling out.

But I believe in an all-too-sinister alternative.

Today the game is run as a business; a cut-throat industry ran as meticulously off it as on it.

If an owner pours billions into a club and is dissatisfied with even the most minute of irritants, the axe is wielded, with timing and the individual concerned barely taken into consideration.

Quite how Ray fell victim to Roman Abramovich's regime is left open to speculation.

But from the outside looking in, the way this ‘blue-blood’ has been treated is despicable, and both Ancelotti and Abramovich should hang their heads in shame at this apparent coups d'état.

Anyone who has met Ray will tell you how likeable he is and, from a football fan’s perspective, he is a rare gem.

Ray spotted collecting his Barclays Merit Award for services to CFC

He is not of the Mick McCarthy or Ian Holloway school of comedy, nor part of the cryptic crew of Messrs Cantona, Ferguson or Benítez.

But his charm offensive is unique and likeable.

His tone of voice and charisma in discussing a John Terry elbow or a Didier Drogba dive is as eloquent as if he were giving a treatise on a Monet, or a Mozart violin concerto, all while sitting back to a glass of burgundy.

Quite what his views on French impressionist painting and Classical music is anyone’s guess.

But his passion for Chelsea is insatiable and was evident not least when he acted as a judge in Sky One’s Football Icon, a nationwide talent search for the next Frank Lampard.

Ray had no obligation to get involved in such a charade, but never-the-less offered four-decades worth of experience to these kids as if they were his own.

Perhaps this paternal instinct, evident when he skippered a youthful Chelsea team to promotion in 1977 and his work under two managers for the England Under-21s, is wasted on prima donnas such as Drogba and better suited to a youth set-up.

There is no doubting should he pursue this career path next there will be no shortage of admirers.

But the way he has been treated this week by Chelsea is despicable, and should be a wake-up call for football – loyalty is not something that can be bought, nor taken for granted.

With Chelsea looking down on the Football League, flying high in Europe and with an FA Cup to defend, don’t be surprised if Karma makes a timely appearance when the pots are handed out in May.

Henson Circus Set To Continue At Sarries

2010-10-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Strictly professional: Henson with his new Saracens team-mates

Gavin Henson revealed this week he hopes to play rugby for Wales again after signing a deal with Saracens until the end of the season.

The exiled Henson raised a few eyebrows when he was chosen to launch the new Wales kit last month, but this move is the first step towards international redemption.

And after signing for the Sarries, Henson hopes to grace the Millennium Stadium sooner, rather than later.

“I know I still have so much to give to rugby, and I can’t wait to get back on the field, playing for Saracens and hopefully for Wales,” he said.

“Now it’s time to start working hard, getting back to match fitness as soon as possible and then to let my rugby do all the talking.”

Henson has been in self-imposed exile from rugby for 19 months, and after suffering a turbulent year off the field, the rugby world was beginning to wonder whether he had fallen out of love with the game.

But Henson dispelled any such fears, adding: “I am genuinely delighted to get this opportunity to play for Saracens.

“They have created a special vibe at the club and just being around them has rekindled my enthusiasm for the sport.”

Time will tell whether Henson has rekindled his love-affair with rugby, as to date he has seemingly courted more publicity off the field than on it.

He is not alone, however, as a number of sports stars have looked to make a name for themselves away from the day job.

Danny Cipriani

Not dissimilar to Henson, Cipriani has made more headlines off the field than on it in his short career. Set to make his England debut against

Scotland

on 8 March 2008, Kelly Brook’s former hubby was removed from the starting fifteen after been snapped leaving a nightclub a few days before. Currently waiting for his visa to join the Melbourne Rebels, Cipriani allegedly spent the summer ‘maintaining his fitness levels’ at Tottenham, QPR and at Lindsay Lohan’s.

Anna Kournikova

Probably the biggest pin-up of a generation, Kournikova broke onto the scene as an innocent 15-year old at the 1996 U.S. Open. Her singles career never took off, however, with a semi-final appearance at Wimbledon a year later the furthest she progressed in a major. The Russian has earned millions off the court, appearing in numerous FHM and Maxim shoots, and was the face of the highly successful ‘only the ball should bounce’ billboard campaign for Berlei's shock-absorber sports bras. She has dated pop star Enrique Iglesias since 2001 and appeared in his music video ‘Escape’.

Ana Ivanovic

Like Kournikova, Ivanovic is fast becoming more of a pin-up than a tennis sensation, also appearing in FHM. Despite winning the 2008 French Open, she has disappointed in all majors since and after defeat in the first round of Wimbledon this year, fell to 64^th in the world rankings.

Jenson Button pre-2009

The current Formula One World Drivers’ Champion did not always have it his own way on the track. After a staggering 113 races, Button won his first Grand Prix in Hungary in 2006. In this period, Button did have the consolation of having a series of stunning spouses. During a five-year romance, Button was engaged to actress and singer Louise Griffiths. He has also dated Rose McGowan and model Florence Brudenell-Bruce. It has taken nine years, but Button has finally managed to successfully juggle life in the fast lane with his love-life, currently back with the dazzling Jessica Michibata after a short break.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr

Mayweather is an undoubted force in the ring, but labelling him a ‘great’ will have to wait until his protracted fight with Manny Pacquiao is sorted out. The five-division world champion has courted publicity elsewhere, and his self-proclaimed money tag has seen him dabble in wrestling, appearing in WWE's No Way Out in February, 2008. Like Henson, he has also appeared in a reality-series dance show, lasting four rounds in America’s Dancing with the Stars in 2007.

Mike Tyson

Where do you start? Since becoming the youngest boxer to win the WBC title at the age of 20 and the first to simultaneously hold all WBA, WBC and IBF titles, Tyson’s private life could be held accountable for regularly stalling one of the greatest heavy-weight boxers of all time. In 1992, Tyson was convicted of sexually assaulting Desiree Washington, and served three years in prison. He re-gained a portion of the heavyweight title in 1996, but lost it to Evander Holyfield later that year by an 11^th round TKO. In their 1997 rematch, Tyson’s troubled past reared its ugly head once more when he was disqualified for biting off part of Holyfield’s ear. Tyson declared bankruptcy in 2003, despite receiving around $300 million during his career. In May 2009, Tyson's 4-year-old daughter tragically died after becoming tangled in an exercise treadmill’s cord.

Player Power on the Wayne

2010-10-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

Roo-turn: Rooney has signed a multi-million pound deal to stay at Old Trafford

So, the inevitable has happened. Wayne Rooney has thrown his toys out the pram and today managed to secure a new five-year deal at Old Trafford.

But, despite the recent circus surrounding Rooney, are the events of the past week in fact a victory for football, rather than a smash-and-grab job from Wazza?

Ian Holloway expressed his concern in a manner only he knows how on Thursday, but his emotional rant did highlight an increasing concern in the modern game: player power.

“If Alex Ferguson is being bullied by his player and his agent, how wrong is the game?” he said.

“Some say it’s unfair on the player – rubbish! He’s had his wages every week guaranteed come rain or shine, whether he’s injured or not.

“They bought him, they work with him – he belongs to them.”

But as Rooney looks set to stay at United for the foreseeable future, perhaps Ollie’s concerns are not as widespread as he would have us to believe.

The conclusion of this week’s events proves Sir Alex is still the master, that he and he alone decides the comings and goings through the proverbial door at Old Trafford.

Although this is arguably the most high-profile case of a manager biting back in recent times, there have been examples of players publically expressing a desire to leave, only to find the door slammed in their faces, and a large slice of humble pie to accompany their new contract.

In July 2005, weeks after captaining the side to Champions League glory, Steven Gerrard submitted a transfer request at Anfield.

But, in a similar twist to close-friend Rooney, Stevie G performed a miraculous u-turn and opted to stay with his beloved Reds.

The same could be said of Cesc Fabregas this summer.

After winning the World Cup, the Arsenal skipper made it clear he wanted to rejoin his compatriots at Barcelona.

But Fabregas’ expected move to the Nou Camp will have to wait for now, as Arsène Wenger, like Fergie, has shown who is boss and managed to persuade his want-away star to stay.

“I convinced him to stay. I am confident we will keep him for a few more years,” said the Frenchman, after rejecting two bids for his star man in the summer.

Dismissing the theory there is a gentleman’s agreement in place for his captain to return to his home city next year, Wenger said: “He deeply loves this club – if he did not love the club, he would have gone.

“You have to remember that Barcelona has an attraction because he grew up there, but I believe he wants to win with this club.”

Arsenal fans may well cite Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid as an example of player power eventually coming to the fore to secure a desired transfer.

But in the time after Sir Alex managed to convince Ronaldo to stay in the summer of 2006, United won a further three league titles, a League Cup and a Champions League, before Ronaldo tottered off to the Bernabeu with the club’s best wishes.

If Cesc delivers the goods in the next couple of seasons, ending Arsenal’s six-year wait for a trophy, then he too may well leave with a pat on the back.

Rooney’s high opinion of himself to the extent where he feels he can pull a stunt like he has is surprising only for the timing.

He has so far failed to replicate the stunning form of last term, but one player who is currently scaling the heights is Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and, refreshingly, he remains grounded.

The Welshman hit a stunning hat-trick this week in The San Siro against Inter Milan, but refreshingly remains grounded on his future.

“I don't see a team in my mind that is not Spurs," said the former Southampton man.

“I don't have another club in my mind in Italy, Spain nor England. I am fine here at Tottenham.”

This must be music to the ears of the White Hart Lane faithful, and proves loyalty can prevail in an era of mercenary footballers.

Roongate is over, for now, but when football scholars many years from now look back on this protracted saga, they may well pinpoint this as a crucial victory for football. Let’s all raise a glass to Sir Alex.

Arsenal on cloud nine

2010-10-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

UEFA Womens Champions League – Round of 32

Arsenal 9

Yankey 19, E. White 23, Little 26, 42, Davison 51, Nobbs 55, Sampanidis og 79, Carter 84, Ludlow 90

ŽFK Mašinac 0

(Arsenal win 12-1 on aggregate)

Davison jumps for joy, while her team-mates mob Ellen White

Laura Harvey praised her strongest ever Arsenal squad as they eased to a 9-0, 12-1 aggregate win over ŽFK Mašinac and into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Despite playing in their off-season, Rachel Yankey, Ellen White and a Kim Little double put the hosts four up by half time to put the tie well beyond the Serbs.

Not content with this, the home side scored five more in the second period, with Gemma Davison, Jordan Nobbs and an own goal from Hristina Sampanidis making it seven.

Two late efforts from Danielle Carter and Jayne Ludlow sealed the rout, and Arsenal now face Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano in the next round.

For manager Harvey, it was a pleasing day at the office.

She said: “Not conceding’s always good, but as we were four up at half time, it was nice to enjoy ourselves in the second half.

“It’s been tough recently, not playing consistently, then having to play a Champions League game.

“But we’re pleased with how the players we’ve brought in are playing, and they’ve added an extra quality.

“This is the most competition we’ve had for a while, our bench is the strongest it’s ever been.

“It’s difficult to put your finger on a starting XI and this keeps the performances high.

“It’ll be tough against the Spanish as they’re in season, so I’m going out there to see them next week.”

The home side dominated throughout, playing an attacking brand of football which no doubt pleased the on-looking England coach Hope Powell.

Yankey was enjoying a lot of the ball in the opening exchanges, and had a couple of half chances before opening the scoring.

After a quarter of an hour, the England international sprayed a super 40-yard ball out left to Davison, who cut inside to return the ball to Yankey, but her powerful left-footed drive was well saved by Allysa Clark.

Moments later, Little showed decent trickery on the left of the area, before finding Yankey, who was once again foiled by Clark.

Despite her heroics, Clark was powerless to stop the breakthrough and, 19 minutes in, Ellen White’s right-wing cross found Yankey, who netted at the second attempt.

The hosts were finding their rhythm, and four minutes later doubled their advantage.

Ellen White played a neat one-two with Little on the edge of the box, before firing past a helpless Clark ten yards out; her defence failing her once more.

With the tie all but over, Arsenal’s approach was anything but relaxed as they continued to pass the ball with flair and purpose, and this brought about their third of the afternoon just before the half-hour.

Little powers through for her first of the day

Following a passage of neat passing, Little picked up the ball from just inside the opposition’s half and after a mazy run, she finished emphatically into the left-hand corner.

Three minutes before the break, Davison found Little inside the six-yard box and she powered home her second.

On 51 minutes, the hosts had their fifth when a short corner found Davison on the edge of the box, and after hurdling a challenge, she curled a delightful effort into the top right-hand corner.

Four minutes later, substitute Nobbs got in on the act, rifling home from the right side of the penalty area after the ball ricochet off a ZFK defender.

To further add to coach Perica Petrovic’s woe, his side had to play the final 18 minutes with ten players, Ivana Kostic seeing red for a second yellow after a cynical lunge on live-wire sub Carter.

With just over ten minutes remaining, the ladies got number seven when Little’s menacing ball from the right was turned into her own goal by Sampanidis, while Carter bundled home a eighth six minutes from time.

An injury-time ninth came when Yvonne Tracy squared for Ludlow to tap home the easiest goal of the afternoon to end a miserable day for the visitors.

“We want to offer our congratulations to Arsenal. At this moment we are not at their level,” said Petrovic.

“Our team is very young, and they need to work hard to reach the standards Arsenal are playing.

“In the first leg, we matched them physically, but today we never reached the same standards.

“We hope we will be able to play at their level as we are the best team in Serbia, but it may take two or three years before we are there.”

Arsenal: Byrne, Houghton, F. White (Tracy 56), Flaherty, Fahey, Davison, Ludlow, Grant (Nobbis 45), Yankey (Beattie 68), Little, E. White.

Subs not used: Spencer, Carter, Bruton, Fay.

ŽFK Mašinac: Clark, Kostic, Sampanidis (Smiljkovic 89), Dimitrijevic, Nikolic, Vujosevic (Trisic 45), Pavicevic (Ristic 63), Stojanovic, Lilic, Krstic, Radojicic.

Subs not used: Marinkovic, Stankovic.

Referee: Marina Mamayeva

Attendance: 325

Star player: Gemma Davison, Arsenal left-winger

Commonwealth Games Farce

2010-09-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

All eyes will be on India in the coming weeks

This week revealed some shocking images from India as it prepares to host the nineteenth Commonwealth Games.

New Delhi plays host from the 3^rd–14^th October, and India 2010 has been billed as a celebration of diverse culture, traditions and heritage.

But this week’s news highlighted the difficulties facing the Indian Organising Committee as it builds up to the opening ceremony, with the footbridge collapse on Tuesday triggering a whole host of revelations.

Sky revealed a hole in the ceiling of the weightlifting hall which eventually gave way, while various media outlets have exposed the filthy state of the accommodation provided for the athletes.

Images of stained wash basins, urine-splattered bathroom floors and paw marks from wild dogs who roam around Delhi’s streets all came to light on Thursday – just hours before the first lot of English athletes were due to fly out.

Wales, having previously set a deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, seem to have been convinced by India’s efforts, and will send out their athletes tomorrow, but others are less than impressed.

Despite Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh taking control of the dire situation, the federal government have ordered the Organising Committee to hand over management of the village, the Scotland team are delaying their first party of 41.

Now William Hill is offering 5-1 odds the games will fail to go ahead as scheduled, and 2-1 that either England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will pull out.

Big names of the athletics world have already said they will not compete, further casting doubt over the credibility of this year’s games.

Great Britain’s quadruple Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy withdrew in July, admittedly sighting a clash with the European Championships which carry Olympic qualification points.

However, Sir Chris is not the only Brit to have snubbed the games.

He has been joined by 400m’s reigning Commonwealth and Olympic Champion Christine Ohuruogu and triple jump’s World Champion and reigning Commonwealth Games Champion Phillips Idowu in the last week.

Not to mention Jamaica’s 100m sprint-sensation Usain Bolt, above, and fellow countryman and defending 100m champion Asafa Powell.

Both speed daemons have sighted niggling injuries and a preference to get into shape ahead of next year’s World Championships in South Korea as their reasons for withdrawing.

Elsewhere, Australia’s Minister for Sport Mark Arbib claimed more could follow world discus champion Dani Samuels’ tearful withdrawal over health and security worries, while Canadian officials have described the Indian officials as ‘incompromisable’.

All in all, it has probably been the worst build-up to a games in recent history, if not of all time.

But how has it been allowed to get to this calamitous stage?

Seven years ago, The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), chose

India

as its nation to host the quadrennial event.

Few could blame them.

India, the second most populous country with over 1.18 billion people, has a wealth of commercial and cultural heritage.

It has as diverse a culture as you can imagine, founding four of the world’s major religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism – while Judaism, Christianity and Islam joined during the first millennium CE.

Add to this one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal (pictured), and fellow UNESCO World Heritage Site The Mahabodhi Temple, and none can argue India lays host to some of the world’s finest beauty spots.

Responsible for the direction and control of the games, the federation’s 71 nations all gave consent to India; therefore it is difficult to pass the buck.

However, once India was chosen, in the same way as when London was awarded the 2012 Olympics in 2005, the CGF passed all responsibility to the Indian Organising Committee.

The latter must take responsibility for this farce, but it does cast serious aspersions over the handing-over process.

With just nine days remaining, the fact they find themselves in this precarious position is laughable, and surely the CGF are ultimately responsible and must re-asses the handover process and their responsibility during the build up to the games.

It also begs the question: are the withdrawals solely due to the horrendous conditions at the time of writing, or because the Commonwealth Games are becoming devalued?

The irony is that in dismantling the British Empire, Britain was supposed to relinquish control over its former colonies.

It is now thirteen years since the handover of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China, thus giving independence to most of the Empire’s former territories, and yet the way Britain has reacted to India’s preparations does smack a little of a parent telling their child “I told you so”.

Perhaps justifiably so, as there can be no excuses for the state of the village.

But you can be sure that if was the World Championships at stake, there would not be this spate of withdrawals from the top athletes.

The star withdrawals, and the shambles in which preparations have been allowed to develop thus far, do lend to the idea the games are in decline and one lasting remnant from the Empire.

Australia's retired marathon runner Steve Moneghetti said that Indian organizers ‘have got two days to do what's probably going to take about two weeks’.

I for one hope they get it right as, at its best, India is a spectacular setting and a fitting venue for any games.

One which, potentially, could capture the hearts of even the most cynical of critics.

Why Henson would be better off foxtrotting his way over to Adams Park

2010-09-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

Welsh Dragon: Henson dancing to his own tune at the Millennium Stadium

This week saw the BBC reveal their line up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Among the names set to light up our Saturday evenings is Gavin Henson, Welsh rugby’s former darling who helped his nation to two Grand Slams in 2005 and 2008.

For non-rugby enthusiasts, Henson’s involvement in the dance competition will add a rare panache to a show which usually showcases former sports stars, rather than current ones.

But Henson is the poster boy of Welsh rugby – what David Beckham is to English football if you will – and, however much Becks is perceived to be a prima donna, you will not see him tiptoeing around a ballroom dancefloor anytime soon.

And nor should Henson.

Henson has come to prominence playing rugby, and playing it rather well. There are few who can combine the flair, elegance and brutality on the field as the boy from Bridgend.

Despite his club side Ospreys winning the Magners League in his absence last term, Henson's talents have been missed by both club and country since his self-imposed exile from the game some 18 months ago.

In many ways, there are similarities between Henson and Beckham. Both enjoy the spotlight, the fast cars, the good looks, and the celebrity partner (although Henson has recently split from his fiancée Charlotte Church).

There is, however, one major difference between the two.

Beckham has excelled in his sport and, despite earning millions in non-sporting endorsements, has never forgotten what put him on the map: playing football.

Golden Balls still harbours a burning desire to represent his country in the autumn of his stellar career, and revealed this week he is chomping at the bit to be involved in the LA Galaxy’s fixture with Columbus Crew this Sunday after a six-month absence to an Achilles injury.

Henson, by stark contrast, appears happy to dip in and out of the sport which gave him his name, and this disrespect for the most unforgiving of sports, at least physically, will surely come back to haunt him.

Those close to the mercurial Welshman have no doubts he still harbours hopes of donning the famous red jersey again, and representing his nation in a World Cup.

After tasting Grand Slam success twice, he has yet to appear in a World Cup after being omitted from Gareth Jenkins’ squad that performed so dismally in France in 2007.

This glaring omission from his playing CV still haunts Henson, and he still hopes to address this as New Zealand 2011 approaches.

Just how he expects to do so when he is messing around on a television show is anybody’s guess, especially when he is approaching the peek of his career.

Henson may well go on to reproduce his top form for both club and country, and point to the fact he had this break from the game. But how many have followed a similar decision?

Strictly is only on for four months, while rugby is Henson’s bread and butter.

To even be considered for Wales in 2011, he must be playing regularly for a club, which brings us nicely onto this week’s rumours that Wasps are set to sign him in January.

The move would make perfect sense. Shaun Edwards is the current head coach of the London outfit, while also juggling this role with his part-time position as the Welsh defensive coach.

Edwards knows Henson inside out, and also has a direct link to the national team and Warren Gatland should Henson turn out eye-catching displays at Adams Park.

For Henson to figure for his country in a World Cup though, he must look to eradicate this playboy image – one that has seen him appear on The Jonathan Ross Show, banned from numerous Cardiff night spots, engaged to a celebrity, and appear on the said talent show.

There is no doubting Henson has talent, I just hope he decides it is best utilised on a rugby field, rather than in a ballroom.

EFC Injury Jinx Strikes Again

2010-09-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

Going in for the kill: Ex-Liverpool player Neil Warnock's reckless lunge

Apparently Tottenham are suffering an injury crisis at the minute.

Michael Dawson and Jermain Defoe were today ruled out for six weeks with respective knee and ankle injuries.

Their absence leaves Tottenham in a bit of a fix and comes at the worst possible time, according to the Daily Mail (it must be true).

The gremlins at the Mail also revealed in their injury-blow-themed back page that Manchester City's latest big-money acquisition Mario Balotelli will be facing, you guessed it, six weeks out after undergoing knee surgery in Italy.

Cry me a river...

Evertonians would have chocked on their cornflakes to learn their star protégé, Jack Rodwell, will face up to THREE MONTHS on the sidelines.

The England Under 21 star has suffered ankle ligament damage after an ex-Liverpool player, Stephen Warnock, hacked him needlessly in the centre circle during Aston Villa's game with Everton last week.

Anyone who saw Dawson's horrific fall last Friday will tell you the defender is lucky not to be facing at least six months out, rather than the six-week prognosis, while City will hardly notice Balotelli's absence.

For Spurs and City, these 'injury blows' should not derail their plans for success both domestically and abroad.

Rodwell's injury, however, is the latest in a long line of lengthy lay-offs to have affected the club since Yakubu was cruelly ruled out for 10 months in November 2008.

Show me an injury crisis, and I'll show you an injury crisis.

Everton's treatment room:

Yakubu, ruptured Achilles (November 2008-September 2009, 10 months)

Mikel Arteta, ruptured cruciate knee ligament (February 2009-January 2010, 11 months)

Victor Anichebe, damaged knee cartilage (February 2009-January 2010, 11 months)

Phil Jagielka, ruptured cruciate knee ligament (April 2009-February 2010, 10 months)

Phil Neville, posterior ligament damage (September 2009-December 2009, 3 months)

Steven Pienaar, knee (September 2009-November 2009, 2 months)

Marouane Fellaini, ankle ligament damage (February 2010-August 2010, 6 months)

Dan Gosling, ruptured cruciate knee ligament (March 2010-present)

2010/11 Season: Les Be Avinu!

2010-08-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

A new season also means a new sticker album. "Got. Got. Need..."

This time of year sees the hacks give their low-down on the campaign ahead. Almost every paper will have their guide to the season and fill it with a fact file on each club.

There'll be sections such as what the club needs, who they've bought and sold, and then the prediction.

Each year, the journos try to outdo each other. Yes, you'll have the perennial clubs mooted for the title, and no doubt there'll be numerous combinations in which the top clubs will be placed.

There'll be predictions that throw impartial views on deaf ears, as football writers look to outdo each other and be as controversial as possible.

Sam Wallace, of Sunday Supplement and Independent fame, last weekend took the Liverpool circus full circle when quizzed on his surprise package of the year. He argued with Roy Hodgson at the helm, and by securing the short-term futures of Messrs Torres and Gerrard, the Anfield club will 'surprise' us all.

I do like Wallace, but what rhubarb! How can a club of Liverpool's history, fan base and status in the English game be labelled a surprise package when they finished in second place the season before last and have won five European Cups?

More staggering still, is how quickly the Reds can go from a crisis club to a surprise package in the space of a summer; all because journalists consistently have to churn out original material.

Come the business end of the season, the usual suspects will be in the mix - but I see there being a twist.

Thanks to the World Cup (oh how shoddy it all was and how good it is to have the bread and butter of the domestic game back), I see the title race going down to the wire - with four or five teams contesting first place.

Chelsea have contrived to lose four out of their five friendlies, and it will take time for Carlo Ancelotti's charges and the remaining top sides to find their rhythm early on with so many big players only having had around 10 days of pre-season following an extended summer break.

I see Tottenham joining Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Man City all in the mix for the race to the summit, as the 'sky four' is well and truly dismantled. Don't be surprised to see Everton knocking around the top in February (injuries permitting), but their title push will almost certainly fade due to the sparseness of David Moyes' squad.

And the rest?

Aston Villa will unquestionably be weakened by the departure of Martin O'Neill and the impending exit of James Milner. O'Neill, depending on what source you read, had grown disillusioned with life at Villa Park, with the cash generated from Milner's potential move to City not being re-invested in the squad. Don't be surprised if they experience teething problems under the new regime and have an indifferent season.

Their city rivals Birmingham punched well above their weight last term, and manager Alex McLeish will do well to replicate their ninth-placed finish.

At risk of sloppy journalism, McLeish's men join a band of teams who, in all honestly, could finish anywhere from ninth place to seventeenth or below.

Blackburn, Bolton, West Ham, Stoke, Sunderland, and Wigan could all conceivably be sucked into a relegation battle at some stage. Conversely, a good run of form at any point could see them comfortably in mid table and have their fans dreaming (hopelessly) of a European tour.

On the subject of European tours, and Fulham had the season of their lives last time out, and every superlative under the sun has been used to describe the job Woy performed at Craven Cottage as they marched their way to the Europa League final.

Without the European 'distraction', Mark Hughes could well oversee a successful domestic performance, and who knows, with the same group of players, Hughes could mastermind an extended run in the domestic cup competitions.

Special mention must go to Mick McCarthy at Wolves, who against the odds is constructing a competitive side at Molineux, and expect them to comfortably avoid the drop and build on their 15th-placed finish.

We also see the return of the Toon Army, and the bellies who proudly adorn the sub-zero temperatures while supping on Newcastle Brown Ale. They have a new number nine, and it will be intriguing to see how Andy Carroll deals with the added responsibility. I expect Chris Hughton's side to consolidate, then kick on next year.

West Brom? Sorry Adrian, but I'll be willing to put my mortgage (if I had one) on your side returning to the Championship as you stay true to yo-yoing form.

There'll be much song and dance about Blackpool's return to the top flight after a 39-year absence, not least thanks to Ian 'Olly' Holloway's insightful, post-match analysis.

The seaside town will almost certainly become the Away Day of the season, with travelling fans desperate to make the trip to Bloomfield Road and the added tomfoolery on the Pleasure Beach and piers.

However, it will - regrettably - be a one-year stay in England's premier competition. Holloway has struggled to improve his squad in the close season, with reports suggesting League One's Huddersfield were able to outbid him for the services of Marlon Harewood.

Blackpool may even inherit the unwanted tag of 'worst ever Premier League team' from Derby (although the latter's points haul of just 11 from the 2007/08 season will be hard to beat).

Champions? Well, I won't be stepping into Alan Hansen's shoes just yet (when has he got it right anyway??). What I will say is we are in for a roller-coaster ride that will be difficult to predict with so many teams battling until the death for the Premier League crown. Over to you, White Hart Lane. Lights, camera, action.

Blow whistle on ‘Golden Generation’

2010-06-29T04:53:00.000-07:00

End of the world: England's players after conceding the fourth goal

Pain, anguish, despair, regret. Just a few of the emotions that should have been etched across the faces of our fallen ‘heroes’ as they left the Free State Stadium on Sunday evening.

Instead, following the humiliating 4-1 reverse to arch-rivals Germany, Ledley King and Ashley Cole’s ill-advised reaction was caught on camera as they shared a joke leaving the team plane at Pilanesburg – only hours after the defeat.

Gazza’s tears of Italia ’90 both during and after the semi-final exit at the hands of Germany made him an icon to many, and demonstrated his commitment to the England cause.

Conversely, just what King and Cole found so hilarious is anyone’s guess, especially to those who forked out upwards of £7,000 to see them perform so dismally at this year’s tournament in South Africa.

Yes it was probably an opportunist snap in an otherwise sombre post-match retreat to the team hotel, but these over-paid shysters have some of the best advisers around them. With their experience (Cole has already played in three World Cups at the age of 29), they should have known better.

This episode is a mere drop in the ocean involving a group of players who by now have tested fans’ tolerance levels to the limit, and it is now time for a radical overhaul on the pitch. Immediately.

Based on their endeavours at club level, England’s current crop of under-performers have been dubbed the Golden Generation. Years down the line they may well keep this title, but mainly thanks to their bank balances.

There are calls for Fabio Capello, England’s under-pressure Italian manager, to be relieved of his duties following

England

’s worst-ever performance in a World Cup match and for the FA to appoint an Englishman. But Capello is not the problem, nor his nationality.

Since Italia ’90, twenty years of underperforming at major tournaments has yielded just one semi-final and three quarter-final appearances.

In recent times we have seen a vast array of characters and styles take to the England hot seat, most of them English.

Glenn Hoddle’s creative playing style was reflected in his teams, while Kevin Keegan ultimately got found out at international level for his perceived tactical naivety.

Then there was Sven who, despite relative success on the pitch, struggled off it. Scandals in his private life and the WAGS who reigned supreme in Baden Baden, England’s base for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, finally led to his downfall.

Steve McClaren’s attempt to be ‘one of the lads’ resulted in his failed campaign to qualify for Euro 2008 and the infamous ‘Wally with the brolly’ snide from the Daily Mail.

Capello has recently been criticised for his overly-strict stance in South Africa, but this approach was universally praised when he first took to the helm.

Additionally, he would have learned a great deal from this tournament ahead of qualification for Euro 2012. There was evidence towards the end of England’s doomed campaign he was adjusting his management style and showing greater leniency; affording the players the odd beer.

What this current group of players needs is a disciplined leader, and Capello must stay to oversee the short-term dismantling and renaissance of England’s national team.

Failing to progress from the group stages at Euros ’92 and 2000 - not to mention the no-show at USA '94 - are the results of an epidemic that lies at the hands of the FA and not over whether an Englishman should take over the reigns of what has been in recent times a poisoned chalice.

One of the more striking statistics from Sunday’s exit was our opponents had four players in their starting line up who guided Germany to victory in last summer’s European Under-21 Football Championship final over England. From our starting XI only James Milner, Aston Villa’s midfield powerhouse, has graduated.

Certainly food for thought for Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA’s Director of Football Development. But while questions remain over the infrastructure at grass-roots level, it is not all doom and gloom for England as we look to replace our failed generation of ‘stars’.

As mentioned, Stuart Pearce’s Under-21s finished runners-up to Germany last year, while England’s Under-17s went one better; becoming European champions for the first time when they defeated Spain 2-1 in Liechtenstein last month.

It is always difficult to predict who will make the grade from such an age group. A crumb of comfort, however, lies in the class of 1993; before this year the last England team to win an international trophy. There were some familiar faces – proving the cream can rise to the top.

Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Paul Scholes, Robbie Fowler and Nicky Butt all went onto become household names and can look back on distinguished careers. Ipswich Town's latest prodigy, Connor Wickham, should take note.

The Victory Shield, an Under-16s tournament played out by the home nations, has also borne fruit for England. Despite it consisting of only four teams, England have won the last four and seven of the past nine tournaments; the other two shared with Scotland and Wales respectively.

This suggests domestic dominance and, coupled with the showing in the European Under-17 tournament, reveals talent is creeping through.

Patience from the top managers in the Premier League is essential for the sake of the national team as it looks to rebuild ahead of Brazil 2014.

Poland and Ukraine 2012 may well come too soon for a good number of our hot prospects, but with a qualifying group consisting of Wales, Switzerland, Montenegro and Bulgaria, there should be plenty of opportunity for Capello to experiment.

Club managers must look to blood these youngsters through, and not continue to splash out on foreign recruits.

But with such high stakes involving title chases, European qualification and relegation scraps, time will tell whether they can risk such a philosophy.

In a fortnight’s time, Capello may well be given the golden handshake, reported to be in the region of £12million. But this is not necessarily the change

England

needs.

It is a vast overhaul in the current crop of players, and a cull in a generation that have missed the cut, and failed to live up to their billing.

England

team in Brazil 2014:

Joe Hart (Manchester City, 27), Glen Johnson (Liverpool, 29), Jack Rodwell (Everton, 23), Chris Smalling (Manchester Utd, 24), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal, 24), Jack Wilshire (Arsenal, 22), James Milner (Manchester City, 28), Tom Huddlestone (Manchester Utd, 27), Adam Johnson (Manchester City, 26), Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd, 28), Andy Carroll (Newcastle Utd, 25)

Why Merit Money means sweet FA to progress

2010-05-17T04:16:00.000-07:00

Ronnie Corbett still struggles to upgrade

While munching on my croissant on Sunday morning, I was greeted with a familiar sight on the Sunday Times’ sport pages: Chelsea players celebrating yet another cup triumph.

This was an unprecedented double for the club, but Nick Harris kindly juxtaposed their achievement with a rather striking statistic – the rundown of revenue generated by each Premier League club.

Although each team is rewarded on how they perform during a season (each place in the league is worth an extra £800,424), there is a rather less-than-equal jackpot reserved for the elite.

TV rights in the top tier are not distributed evenly, and something must be done in the upper echelons of the Football Association to address this trend.

Clubs towards the bottom are having to gamble to try and make leaps forward towards the higher reaches of the league, while those at the top are being spoon fed extra revenue.

Of course football clubs should be more responsible when managing their books. As a Portsmouth butcher told me this weekend, at the end of the year, the books are weighed up and budgets made accordingly, so how the farce at Fratton Park has been allowed to take place is anyone’s guess (perhaps it is something to do with the club having four ‘owners’ in the past 12 months).

The totals demonstrate a clear correlation between the ‘Sky four’ and the mega bucks. Manchester United were top earners, despite finishing in second place to Chelsea. They came away with almost £53m in total, meaning they earned £37.8m in TV revenue to supplement the £15.2m merit payment.

By contrast, Portsmouth propped up the league, earning £800,000 for their final league standing and £31m in television rights: 31.8m overall.

It boils down to the ‘bigger’ clubs being aired more on TV. Aston Villa finished in sixth position, one place higher than Liverpool in the league, and yet were shown on television 16 times, six fewer than the Anfield club. Indeed, Tottenham finished three places higher than Liverpool, and were shown twice less.

Each Premier League club benefits from a £14.6m equal share of domestic television money and a £10.1m equal share of overseas television money. Therefore there is equality to a certain extent, and no doubt FA bigwigs will point to this.

However, the more times clubs are shown on TV, the more they benefit from “facility fees”. The Times reported Portsmouth pocketed £6.3m from such fees; a staggering £630,000 a game.

Everton, who finished just one place below Liverpool in the league, were shown 13 times – nine fewer than their Mersey rivals. Although facility fees differ from Sky to ESPN and from Premier League games to the Champions League and Europa League, Liverpool earned £13.8m in domestic facility fees alone, compared to Everton’s £8.2m.

From Stoke in eleventh place to Portsmouth, not one club in the bottom half of the league was aired more than twelve times domestically. Yes Chelsea should be rewarded financially for finishing on top of the pile, but this should be reserved to merit payments, and not carried onto other gains. The fact that Portsmouth were aired less than half as many times as any of the top six is a shocking indictment on the uneven distribution of TV revenue.

This week, yet another scandal broke in the FA with Lord Triesman having to stand down from both his positions as chairman of England’s 2018 World Cup bid and chairman of the FA.

But distribution of TV revenue is arguably the bigger scandal and, since the conception of the Premier League in 1992, has so far gone unnoticed.

If things continue the way they are, the rich will only get richer, while the poor will get left behind, sucked deeper into the red, and possibly extinction.

Everton win in FA Women's Cup Final Blockbuster

2010-05-04T03:07:00.000-07:00

Dowie opens the scoring in a five-goal thriller at The City Ground

Mo Marley heralded a new era after watching Natasha Dowie strike an extra-time winner to secure Everton the 2010 FA Women’s Cup.

Dowie and a Faye White own goal had twice given the Toffees the lead in an enthralling cup final.

Kim Little’s penalty and Julie Fleeting scored the equalisers for the Gunners, but it was Dowie who had the last laugh in what could be a shift in power for English women’s football.

“It’s always been coming, we’ve said all along we’re good enough,” said Everton manager Marley.

“We’re used to being the under dogs, but today showed we’re capable and hopefully we’ll do it on a regular basis.

“We had to defend well as they’re the best team in the league. There were brave tackles – bodies and limbs were thrown on the line today.

“We need to prove we can do this on a regular basis, but days like today will benefit the players and they’ll hopefully get used to winning under pressure.”

Everton took the lead just after a quarter of an hour when Dowie pounced at the second attempt after Fara Williams saw her 20-yard effort saved by Emma Byrne.

Arsenal almost replied instantly when Julie Fleeting headed wide at the far post following decent wing work by Gemma Davison.

Everton should have doubled their advantage on the half-hour when Jody Handley delivered an excellent ball into Williams, but the England international flashed a header wide from six yards.

The equaliser came two minutes before the break when Rachel Unitt upended Davison following a surging run into the area, Little converting from the spot.

As the half-time whistle approached, there was still time for Everton to retake the lead.

In the second minute of injury time, Toni Duggan whipped a menacing ball in from the right and Faye White inadvertently headed into her own net while under pressure from Jill Scott.

Arsenal levelled deservedly on 54 minutes when the tricky Rachel Yankey found Fleeting unmarked on the penalty spot, and Scotland’s skipper swivelled and looped her effort over a despairing dive from Rachel Brown.

Everton were on the back foot for much of the second period, but almost went ahead with fifteen minutes remaining when Dowie cut in from the right and saw her fierce drive deflected wide by team-mate Michelle Hinnigan.

Arsenal almost grabbed the winner with a minute remaining when Yankey pick-pocketed Becky Easton on halfway to set up a two against one situation, but Little dallied, enabling Everton to recover.

Five minutes into extra time, Handley flicked it on to Dowie, but the goal-scorer failed to make decent contact with the ball in a glorious opportunity inside the six-yard box.

Two unlikely sources almost secured the cup for Arsenal, Easton blocking Gilly Flaherty before her centre-back partner White struck wide with five minutes remaining.

With a minute left, substitute Brooke Chaplen threaded Dowie through and with Byrne rushing out, Dowie chipped it over her into the back of the net for her 28th and most important goal of the season.

For Arsenal boss Laura Harvey, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

“We created a lot of chances in the second half, but we just couldn’t get the clinical finish,” she said.

“We started slowly, and we’ve learned that we can’t afford to have a sloppy first 45 minutes at this level.

“We have to pick ourselves up now as we must win the league after today’s defeat.”

STATS:

Arsenal LFC 2
Little (pen) 43, Fleeting 54

Everton LFC 3
Dowie 16, 119, White og 45+2

Referee: Ms Una Hong 7/10

Attendance: 17,505

Match rating 5/5

Star player: Natasha Dowie

Arsenal: (4-3-3): Byrne 6, Fahey 6, Flaherty 6, White 6, Yorston 6, Little 7, Grant 6, Beattie 6, Davison 8, Yankey 7, Fleeting 7 (Carter 70 6).

Subs not used: Spencer, Tracy, Lander, Bruton.

Everton: (4-3-3): Brown 7, Easton 7, Westwood 7, Johnson 7, Unitt 6 (Whelan 63 7), Scott 8, Williams 8, Hinnigan 6 (Chaplen 77 7), Handley 7, Duggan 7 (Evans 111 6), Dowie 9.

Subs not used: Hobbs, Culvin.

Satisfying the Football fan: The Impossible Dream

2010-04-13T04:49:00.000-07:00

Southend United are embroiled in a relegation scrap at the foot of League One. With five games remaining, they have it all to do following a second-half capitulation away at Leeds United at the weekend.

If the Shrimpers are relegated to the fourth tier of English football, it probably will not send many ripples through the footballing community. But it will highlight an issue troubling many clubs of a similar ilk, and especially the die-hard supporters who turn up week in, week out to support their local team.

Southend currently have five on-loan players in a group of just twenty. Maths has never been my forte, but that makes a quarter of Steve Tilson’s squad temporary acquisitions. Ones who, by no fault of their own, have no inherent loyalty to the club.

I’ve covered a handful of Southend’s games this season, and the last visit to Roots Hall had a lasting impression on me. One disgruntled fan piped up and said he would rather see Southend in the conference with local players or those developed through the club’s youth system, than have a squad littered with loanees playing in a decent league.

That Southend have utilised 35 players to date this season (one off a club record) highlights the comings and goings at a club that has failed to show any signs of stability and continuity among its ranks.

Last weekend, Portsmouth overcame the odds to reach their second FA Cup final in three years. John Westwood, better known as the overly tattooed, bell-ringing Pompey fanatic with the big hat and blue wig, follows his side home and away and will continue to do so come rain and shine.

“I'm not worried about what level we play at,” he said.

“I started supporting the team in the old Fourth Division when I was 12. It's about where you are from, it's about your identity. It's the city, the community.

“Pompey is a working-class city. We like football and we like a drink. It's about entertainment on a Saturday afternoon, singing my heart out and watching a game. As long as we have a club to follow, it doesn't matter what league it's in.”

Although his words are reserved to the foreign owners that have crippled his club, the values he stands for sit universally among football fans up and down the land. They don’t care if they’re not competing with the Manchester Uniteds and Chelseas. All they ask is their club is run transparently, and their players play with a drive and determination that mirrors their own.

As the Premier League continues to rack up the millions and sees the rich go further into the red and sees the poor, well, put into administration, it is lower down the leagues where you find the values that made football so good in the first place.

That is why when clubs like Southend flirt with extinction, or in Chester’s case actually cease to exist, it makes it all the more striking. That Tilson has had to bring in loan players to seemingly balance the books is a crying shame.

It has left the supporters watching a side play with no guile, determination and, subsequently, four points from safety and facing an uphill battle to remain in League One.

Their home game with Brentford tonight is crucial if they are to remain in League One, and takes on an added significance as Chairman Ron Martin will appear at the high court tomorrow to sort out an outstanding tax bill.

I for one hope – irrespective of relegation – they are still around next season and, once this has been negotiated, are able to put out a side that plays for the supporters and sends them away satisfied; happy in the knowledge they have put in a shift and stood for the values the club represents.

Half Marathon...Done

2010-03-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday (Mother's Day), myself and fellow News Associates-trained journalist Dan McKeown completed Silverstone’s Adidas Half Marathon for our chosen charity, Amnesty International. Dan manfully ran for nine Nicaraguan women, while I was representing Ferhat, a Turkish lad who was shot by Police and is now paralyzed from the waste down.

My Just Giving page is www.justgiving.com/nickgrounds

while Dan’s can be found at www.justgiving.com/dangmckeown-amnesty

So far, myself and Dan have raised an amicable sum, both in the region of £200 each. My target is £400, and I would very much like to reach it and, if possible, surpass it. Dan will also be running both the Sheffield and Coventry half marathons in April and May respectively, so credit him where credits due.

I had never ran a long-distance race before, and I have to admit, I enjoyed every minute of it. The adrenaline at the start and the pain-free opening miles where runners bounce around the circuit exchanging pleasantries (or in my case chirp out melodies from my iPod - Blondie’s Heart of glass and Abba's 'knowing me, knowing you...SAHA!!' in-house remix) were particular highlights.

Yes there are times where you feel like packing it in, but that’s the challenge you are facing. Despite putting the hours in around Highbury Fields and in the gym, nothing prepares you for the real thing – other than experience. Now I have one under the belt, I hope to do many more halves.

A massive shout out has to go to the organizers at Silverstone, who got it spot on. There were regular water stops along the way, with two much-needed Lucozade ones. At the end, where I felt as though I wanted the world to swallow me up, they provided a goody bag of treats: more Lucozade, a yazoo chocolate milkshake (which I believe is still curdling with the said Lucozade), an energy-boosting bar, and a limited edition Ricola sweet, which went down very well with the mother.

Dan completed the course in a very impressive 1hour42mins58secs, while I hit 1hour47mins17secs, which I was quite pleased with – considering I went for a one-minute pit stop at mile 10 for a ‘number two’.

Much love to all those who have sponsored us thus far. It is for a worthy cause, and your gratitude has not gone unnoticed, and is greatly appreciated.

Who knows, maybe one day I’ll enroll onto a full marathon, joining illustrious names such as Radcliffe, Yelling, Selassie and McKeown – who yesterday announced, pint of Guiness in hand, that he’s attempting the Loch Ness Marathon. Running bug indeed…

Terry: Should he stay or should he go?

2010-02-01T02:23:00.000-08:00

John Terry dominated the front and back pages this weekend as his private life reared its ugly head and portrayed the England captain in a less-than favourable light.

For those of you who missed the nuclear missile that hit our tabloids, Terry had his super injunction lifted by Mr Justice Tugendhat on Friday, revealing he tried to keep his affair with Vanessa Peroncell, the former partner of England team-mate Wayne Bridge, secret.

Calls from esteemed sporting journalists have requested he either steps down as captain, or, should he not have the bottle, for Fabio Capello to strip him of the armband.

They argue if Terry is not relieved of the armband, it could lead to infighting and a split in the camp that would eat away at team morale and cost the side glory in South Africa (clearly failing to consider the almost inevitable exit on penalties at the quarter final stage, as has become the norm).

Last night, the Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe entered the debate. He said: “On the field John Terry is a fantastic player and a good England captain, but to be the captain of England you have a wider responsibility for the country and clearly if these allegations are proven – and at the moment they are only allegations – then it does call into question his role as England captain.”

I, far from offering myself as England’s Messiah, suggest an altogether different proposition for Messrs Capello, Terry and the England squad as the World Cup countdown begins.

It would be very easy to write a piece lambasting the promiscuous Terry, demanding his sacking as national team leader – arguing he has been given too many chances and this latest act of unfaithfulness towards a team-mate is the final straw.

I believe I have an obligation to football to offer a contrasting argument, and if Capello is thinking how to best deal with the situation, and I know you are a regular viewer of grounds4concern Fabio, prick up your ears now.

If this is a matter that can cause a split in the camp, then it immediately becomes a squad issue, and should be dealt with as such.

A team meeting should be arranged, and the issue be dealt with in-house, where the England players are able to have their say on the matter and ultimately come up with a group decision on whether Terry keeps the armband.

I do not know if this will cross Capello’s mind, nor if this sort of scenario would ever happen at international level, but if it does not – it should.

The players are increasingly becoming disconnected from reality, and despite this proposed meeting initially sounding patronising to ‘adults’ who pick up wages in excess of £100,000 a week, a reported £170,000 in Terry’s case, this saga demands the need of a reality check (for some of them at least).

If Terry is “a leader of men”, as his supporters point to, he should welcome the chance to hear from his team mates just how they feel about his latest misdemeanour, and whether they remain united in his leadership.

The other scenarios are much more likely to happen, but I feel will end up doing more harm than good.

Should Capello speak to Terry privately, there is every chance that Terry, with one of the best chances to emulate Bobby Moore and lift the Jules Rimet trophy this summer, will suggest he retains the captaincy.

Speculation of course, but if there are members of the England team who believe they no longer have full trust in the captain, then this will sow the seeds for the beginning of the end of this side, months before a ball has been kicked against the USA in Rustenburg.

By the same token, should Capello take the decision to either keep him as skipper or, more unlikely, publicly strip him if of it, it would be a decision he will not relish, and will feel has been forced upon him at a time when he is gearing up for the equinox in his managerial career (after all, he may be paid £5m a year, but relationship counselling is not on the job description).

Yes, he is employed to deal with the players, and be able to expertly man manage them, but I believe this is a humanitarian issue, rather than a footballing one and such an unprecedented scenario demands an unprecedented response.

All three more likely outcomes to this farce will be detrimental to the future of this Golden Generation, and Capello should hold the squad referendum sooner rather than later, to prevent the rumoured ill-feeling from getting out of control.

This is the World Cup we are talking about after all, not John Terry’s bedroom aerobics.

Alex Scott Interview

2010-01-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

Whilst women’s football in England has yet to achieve professional status, all this will change by 2011 with the inauguration of a new Super League. Looking ahead to this new era, Nick Grounds talks to England’s Alex Scott about the switch to professionalism and the differences it will make to the national side.

It is September 10th 2009 and England’s Faye White is leading her side out in Helsinki to face Germany in the final of the Women’s European Championships. Fast forward 90 minutes, and a 6-2 reverse and a lesson in how to kill off a game at the highest level duly follows. But England’s defeat to Germany was not a true reflection of the final, nor an indication of how far England have come under Head Coach Hope Powell since her appointment in 1998.

Not since the euphoria of Sir Alf Ramsey’s triumph with the men’s side in 1966 have England tasted success in a major tournament. However, there are already indications that, should Fabio Capello fail to deliver the ultimate prize in international football next summer, Powell’s women may well be the team to end the jinx and bring home the 2011 Women’s World Cup, fittingly to be held in Germany.

Quite a change, since Sir Trevor Brooking, Director of Football Development, speaking in October 2006, said the England women’s side that had just reached 2007’s World Cup, had done so “without structure.” But a quarter final place in that competition and a runner’s up medal against all the odds in this year’s European Championships have elevated the side to eighth in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings. So in terms of Booking’s assertion three years ago, what has changed and what does the future hold for a sport clearly on the way up?

In September 2008, a year before England reached their first official final, FA Chairman Lord Triesman revealed plans for the new professional Super League in England from 2010. Whilst this has now gone back a year – owing to a review of the FA’s financial commitments in the global economic downturn – the league will run from the summer of 2011 and rival the USA’s Women’s Professional Soccer league (WPS) and Germany’s Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, England’s talent, frustrated at having to wait until 2011, began a mini-exodus to the US, in time for the inaugural 2009 WPS season. Eniola Aluko, at 22 seen by many as an England mainstay for years to come, joined Saint Louis Athletica, while Kelly Smith, the symbol of the women’s game in England scoring a staggering 73 goals in 66 Arsenal appearances, was drafted in by Boston Breakers.

One of Smith’s new team-mates, England’s right-back Alex Scott, is another player to have pursued the American dream.

Blaming the uncompetitive nature of the current Women’s Premier League for her decision to crack America, Scott agreed with White’s condemnation of the league as “unstable”. Now professional, the defender revealed it was an opportunity she could not turn down and now she can focus all her energies on her football and concentrate on developing her game.

“Playing in America is like playing international standard every week because all the best international players are in the league,” she said.

“The standard’s a lot harder. Every game is a real fight – you don’t know whether you’re going to win, lose, or draw – whereas when I was at Arsenal, you could predict what was going to happen in the game.”

As WPS takes a breather and prepares for its second year, Scott admitted she eagerly anticipates its return in March after missing out on the play-offs by a point in the seven-team league.

“It ended up being a disappointing season for us as we were billed as one of the top teams along with Los Angeles.

“The league’s going to be even harder next year with all the other international players that will be joining us.”

Scott admitted she and Smith had adapted well to life in Boston, with the club catering to their every needs; providing them with both an apartment and a car each. So, would she be tempted by a return to play in the Super League?

“Never say never! But definitely, you’ll be able to play more and train more, so it’s an option,” she said.

“It will help retain some of England’s best players as they will be training everyday and playing will be their main focus – not having to struggle with a nine to five job as well.”

Intriguingly, only three English players will join the WPS in 2010, compared to seven British women in 2009 (Scotland’s Ifeoma Dieke represents the Chicago Red Stars) and although this evidence is only based on two seasons, perhaps the arrival of the Super League will help retain the UK’s best talent.

On top of the introduction of the Super League, the FA awarded 17 England players centralised contracts in May 2009 on a salary of £16,000. Although it is a meagre sum compared to the money on offer in the men's game, it is a step in the right direction, indeed, the FA are committing £1.28m to the scheme over the next four years.

Plans are advanced to appoint a performance manager who would oversee all the England women's teams, the FA talent development structure, players’ central contracts and liaise with and support the Super League, all with the purpose of closing the gap between England and the world’s best.

Following FIFA’s approval that an all-England team can represent Great Britain at London 2012, and the aforementioned changes, it all points to a promising few years ahead for England.

Scott added: “We were very disappointed with the score-line and everyone who watched the final knows we took the game to Germany and it wasn’t until the second half in a ten minute spell where they scored a lot of goals.

“The gap’s definitely closing and I think it will continue to close in time as we continue in the right direction.”

The FA must now ensure the Super League and the switch to professionalism does not suffer any further delays or it risks losing England’s most precocious talents to the professional leagues elsewhere and, more damagingly, prolonging the opportunity to reduce the gap between a force in waiting and the elite.

Jimmy Bullard, you gotta love him!

2009-11-29T13:27:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Bullard, where do you start? On and off-field prankster, dead-ball specialist, golden-locked Soccer AM favourite, the likable Eastender has won countless plaudits for his care-free attitude to the game.

Due to his qualities as the in-house joker, his playing abilities have often been unnoticed. However, there is absolutely no question that Hull’s recent upsurge in form has coincided with Bullard’s return from a lengthy knee injury. During his absence, Hull’s 2009/10 season was looking bleak, a continuation of their dismal second half to last season.

Their opening eight games yielded just seven points with five defeats, including a 5-1 mauling at home to Tottenham and a demoralising 4-1 reverse at Sunderland. Since his return, a substitute appearance against former club Fulham, Hull’s fortunes have improved notably. Confidence has been restored at the KC Stadium and the dark clouds hovering over Phil Brown’s tenure have evaporated, for now.

Hull have recently picked up nine points, winning two, drawing three, with two defeats. Ok, perhaps not championship winning form, but Bullard has given a much-needed lift around the place and the general consensus is Hull have a better chance of survival now; a mid-week victory over Everton and a creditable draw against Manchester City at Eastlands, indicative of this.

Bullard may not have the technical qualities demanded by Arsène Wenger, nor the guile and strength evident in Manchester United and Chelsea squads, but Bullard’s ability has been evident ever since he began his playing career at the relatively late age of 20 at non-league Gravesend & Northfleet.

His performances at that level attracted the interest of boy-hood club West Ham and, despite not making a single appearance for The Hammers, his career was rejuvenated by Barry Fry at Peterborough, where he scored a credible 11 goals from 62 appearances.

After his success under Fry, Bullard made the journey north to Wigan for £275,000 in January 2003 and was subsequently named in the 2002/03 PFA Division Two Team of The Year. A key component in Paul Jewell’s side, Wigan’s renaissance saw them rise from League One mediocrity to the Premier League’s surprise package of the 2005/06 season.

This was where the jester first came to everyone’s attention and Bullard’s antics were a far cry from the modern-day footballer, severely detached from reality. The Micah Richards’ and John Terry’s of this world who happily park their flash cars in undesignated parking spots just for convenience could do worse than following Bullard’s example.

Indeed, Jermain Defoe earlier this month was lambasted by a judge for playing 'the litigation game', just because he could afford to. Following a six-month driving ban after his Land Rover was clocked twice for speeding last year, Defoe's appeal was labelled by the judge as 'sad and frivolous' and ordered the England star to pay more than £1,500 in costs.

Jimmy’s arrival onto the scene was a ray of sunshine at a time it was much needed. In Wigan’s home leg of their League Cup semi-final against Arsenal in February 2006, he was honoured on Soccer AM for running the length of the pitch in an attempt to score when the floodlights went out.

His antics in his first season in the Premier League did not stop there. During a home fixture against Everton, a goal-mouth scramble resulted in a pile-up, much to the delight of an incoming Jimmy who leapfrogged the pile, landing flat on his face.

In the same match, Jimmy fronted up to hard-man Duncan Ferguson, following the Scot’s dismissal for a punch on Paul Scharner. Jimmy had the courage to stare up at Ferguson with a cheeky smirk on his face. Someone had obviously not alerted Jimmy to the fact that Ferguson had single-handily dealt with two burglars in 2001, with one spending three days in hospital as a result.

Then came his celebration this weekend. Only Jimmy could have the audacity to mimic the embarrassing on-pitch team talk carried out by Phil Brown last season. Jimmy’s Pièce de résistance, however, had to be his antics in a Wigan dressing room involving a laundry cart. Wearing nothing more than underwear on his head, Jimmy led his former team-mates in a battle chant before being thrown around in the cart before crashing into the locker room wall.

It may surprise some people that the midfielder is 31 and, with no international caps to his name, he may well have missed the boat for such recognition and ultimately forgotten for his technical qualities. However, this would be unjust, as his pedigree is without doubt. If his legacy as a player is forgotten, so be it. But what is beyond any question is he will be remembered as a breath of fresh air in the modern game and one of football’s true characters.

Setting the wheels in motion

2009-09-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

British Women feel it is no longer safe to cycle on our roads and are currently launching a safety plea to governments.

Sustrans, a sustainable transport charity, revealed in a poll that women have major concerns for their own safety on the roads.

Since September, the public have been supporting ‘Motion for Women’, Sustrans’ urgent plea to governments to make cycling in Britain safer for women. The petition is already being backed by organisations including Mind, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes and the Townswomen’s Guilds.

One of their major requests is the creation of more cycle lanes that are separated from all other vehicles. Melissa Henry, Sustrans’ Communications Director, said:

“Women’s response so far to the woefully inadequate provisions for cyclists in
Britain has been simple; they don’t cycle.

But, they are also telling us that they desperately want that situation to change.

The desire to cycle, and to enjoy all the benefits that cycling brings, is becoming a
priority for women.

We need to make it a priority for governments too and push for real changes in the way our villages, towns and cities are planned.”

The poll revealed 79 per cent of women do not cycle at all while 67 per cent believe the plea will encourage more women to travel by bike.

Women have until the end of November to register their support to ensure their voices are heard. All signatures will be presented to Government in December.

Women are asked to add their support at www.bikebelles.org.uk/index.php/sign_our_petition/

Heather causing a racket

2009-09-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

Rising tennis star Heather Watson almost pulled off an astonishing scalp in a senior event in Canada last week.

In the first round of the Saguenay ITF tournament, Watson took the opening set with world number 133 and tournament second seed Valerie Tetreault, before gallantly losing 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 7-5.

The US Open girls' singles champion, ranked 736 in the world, came through qualifying on the Monday to give Tetreault a massive scare, and this performance is sure to give Watson a lot of confidence.

The 17-year-old from Guernsey seems to favour the hard courts following her success at Flushing Meadows, and this tie proved no exception.

Taking 18 games off an opponent ranked some 603 places above her in the world rankings is encouraging for the starlet, and is promising news for British women’s tennis.

The ITF Women's Circuit is the level below the WTA Tour.

Most Overrated Premier League XI

2009-09-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

3-4-3:

David James
Despite being the holder of the record number of clean sheets in Premier League History, the former Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City, Portsmouth Keeper has been around enough seasons to acquire such an accolade (548 games in fact). That Harry Redknapp labels his the best English Keeper at a time where our nation is hardly blessed with goal keeping excellence is barely a tribute to a man who has also conceded the most goals in Premier League history.

Lauren
Currently unemployed like myself, the Cameroonian international was Arsenal's right back during the 'invincibales' season of 2003/04. Part of a back-line that failed to lose a game during the Gunners' stunning season, Lauren's name will not be featured at the Emirates' role of honour as messrs Henry, Basten, Nicholas and Brady are. To say he was fortunate enough to be a part of this historic achievement would be a rather mild understatement.

John Terry
But for the inclusion of his Chelsea team mate Frank Lampard, he would retain the armband in this outfit. The nation's skipper has recently been voted the best defender in Europe, but this does not pardon him from an over-rated team. What all of his accolades and champions fail to show are his limitations as a footballer. He lacks the required pace to come up against Europe's fastest strikers, and this was highlighted as Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi tested his resolve over the two legs of last season's Champions League semi-finals. But for his two Premier League medals, Terry, 28, has failed to deliver when it truly matters, spurning a penalty kick in Europe's premier cup competition in 2008 and has hardly scaled the heights internationally. Hopefully he proves me wrong next summer in South Africa.

Joleon Lescott
The new Citizen, purchased for a modest £24 million pounds, became the third most expensive defender in world football history last month. To say he is situated in the same bracket as the two above him, Rio Ferdinand and Alessandro Nesta, is tomfoolery of the highest order. He is a decent top flight footballer at best, and City's financial loss (not that they care too much anyway) is very much David Moyes and Everton's gain. Another astute bit of business by the Glaswegian.

Jesper Grønkjær
Whilst at Chelsea, the 70-capped Denmark international flattered to deceive almost as much as a Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Pizza. Due to his lack of crossing ability, the pacy winger never quite made the grade at Stanford Bridge, and failed to live up to the £7.5 million price tag Chelsea paid for him in October 2000; making him the most20expensive Danish football player of all time. The kings Road are a rather unforgiving bunch, and Grønkjær found himself the butt of many jokes, one of which was the chant to the tune of Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer: "Oh, he's halfway there. Oh, oh, Jesper Grønkjær. Give him the ball, he'll F**k up I'll swear. Oh oh..."

Darren Anderton
Arguable the most technically gifted midfielder to be conceived during the Premier League's inauguration, Darren 'sick note' Anderton, was no use to Spurs fans if he failed to make it onto the pitch (which was the majority of the time). In twelve seasons at White Hart Lane, he managed just 299 appearances. To put this into perspective, in this period, he would have had the opportunity to have appeared in around 460 top flight games. Recently retired, Anderton will unfortunately always be remembered for his injury record, rather than his one on the pitch.

Frank Lampard (C)
Yes, Chelsea's darling is my midfield engine - you have no need to re-adjust your computer screens. Remember, in an 'over rated' XI, there can be room for exceptionally gifted players. Exceptional gifted at getting the rub of the green that is. Lampard has this incredible knack of finding the wall from free-kicks and then somehow, miraculously and unbeknown to man, the ball ends up in the opposition's net, following the slightest of deflections. Sure, Lampard will be in most people's fantasy teams and he consistently bags 20 or so goals every season. But that does not give him immunity from my team. You can even take the skipper's armband off JT this time Frank.

Seth Johnson
Johnson is arguably as injury prone as the aforementioned Anderton, and would be as equally vulnerable as a china vase should a bull enter an antiques shop. The once capped Englishman moved to Leeds Utd for £7 million in 2001 after impressing for both Derby and Crew. It would be an underestimate to say Leeds didn't get value for money. In 4 years in West Yorkshire, Johnson managed a measly 50 games, suffering from a series of horrendous injuries. There are rumours that when Johnson first met chairman Peter Ridsdale, his agent wanted to hold out for £13,000 a week. Ridsdale entered the room and said "Right, I'm sorry but I can only offer you thirty thousand a week". Johnson's agent uttered some exclamation of disbelief so Ridsdale replied "Alright, thirty-seven thousand then". Leeds went into administration on the 4th May, 2007.

Emmanuel Adebayor
OK, so he has started pretty well this season - and is unrecognisable from the sultry figure that ended the last campaign at Arsenal, but this is the very reason this prima donna is in my line-up. In three seasons under Arsène Wenger, the Togolese international only had HALF a good season - not the ONE good season some critics claim he had. He was petulant, sulked, and was the very essence of a disruption on the young squad Wenger is seemingly continuously moulding. £25 million quid is good business for Arsenal, their only gripe is that they did not sell him last summer for a far larger sum to Milan.

Robbie Keane
When 'Keano' returned to White Hart Lane in January, his reputation as one of the Premier League's most talented forwards took a bit of a bashing following his ill-fated 5 months in Liverpool. It also took the combined transfer total spent on the Irishman to around £75 million pounds with Coventry, Inter, Leeds, Tottenham and Liverpool all splashing the cash on him following his emergence at Molineux with Wolves. There is no doubting he is in the better half of the top-flight's strikers, however, such a combined fee for someone who, in 390 professional games, has only been a regular at 3 of his 6 clubs is rather inflated and he now faces a struggle to keep the Tottenham captaincy with Peter Crouch knocking on the door.

Duncan Ferguson
Hailed by many on the blue half of Mersey side as their best striker since the lofty days of the mid 80s with Andy Gray and Graeme Sharp, Duncan 'Disorderly', as he became known to his doubters, spent more time in the treatment table at Goodison than on the pitch. When he played, few could match his passion, aggression and aerial presence on the park, and he was surprisingly good on the deck as well. That's when he played.

Toshack to continue his policy of youth

2009-05-22T08:06:00.001-07:00

John Toshack, the Wales manager, has named three uncapped youngsters in his squad for the next two internationals, including the World Cup trip to Azerbaijan. Toshack has called on Swansea's Joe Allen, Reading striker Simon Church and Leicester City's Andy King and all three can expect to be handed their first full caps in the warm-up friendly on May 29 against Estonia at Llanelli.

With Toshack set to cut his 22-man squad to 20 for the World Cup Group Four qualifier in Azerbaijan on June 6, the emphasis will remain on the development of the nation’s top young talent. In addition, with many of the experienced regulars out through injury, it is predicted that Cardiff 's Joe Ledley will be named captain of his country for these two matches.

Allen, 19, impressed in the final months of Swansea's failed push for promotion, while 20-year-old King starred in Leicester's surge back into the Championship. Church, 20, has also escelled and impressed with eight goals in ten Under-21 games. He also figured in Reading 's play-off semi-final against Burnley.

Wales are without a string of senior men through injury, including captain Craig Bellamy (knee), midfielder Simon Davies (foot) and defender James Collins (calf). Young defender Rhys Williams has now defected to Australia , having won 10 Under-21 caps, while Toshack can no longer call upon the services of the retired Carl Robinson.

Also left out are veteran midfielder Carl Fletcher and Wigan playmaker Jason Koumas, who is expected to have an operation on a troublesome hip injury which has meant he has not started a Barclays Premier League match since Wales ' last international against Germany on April 1.
West Ham's Danny Gabbidon, who has been missing for 18 months with stomach muscle problems, is back in full training with the east London side, but will not be risked for the forthcoming fixtures in a bid to return unscathed for pre-season training.

Teammate Jack Collison is also back in the Wales squad for the first time since serious injuring his knee in early March. Peterborough defender Craig Morgan also returns after a foot injury ruled him out of much of his club's successful promotion campaign. Elsewhere, Derby goalkeeper Lewis Price comes back into the squad as third-choice with Stockport 's Owain Fon Williams out with a shoulder injury.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article6342679.ece

Charm and charisma, Mayweather revels in Indian summer

2009-05-22T08:05:00.001-07:00

As summer looms round the corner for most of us, there is one person currently revelling in an Indian Summer of his own. Floyd Mayweather Jr was every inch the champion as he met with the world’s media in the Landmark hotel ahead of his showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico. Often described as brash and arrogant, the self proclaimed "Money Mayweather" was refreshingly humble and full of praise for just about everyone in attendance; including his opponent.

Mayweather Jr has been out of the ring ever since he overcame Ricky Hatton by knock out in the tenth round in December 2007, and time has seemingly healed more than just his body. “I’d like to thank God, without whom none of this would be possible” the American sang as he greeted the press conference. “I am truly blessed to have been able to have worked with the best. Boxing is something I have been doing all of my life. It is written.”

Whether time has mellowed the 32 year old, or whether he saw this as an opportunity to distance himself from the insensitive, over confident character we are so used to - images of him throwing money away at the camera have become synonymous with him - remains open to interpretation. Whatever the case, Mayweather conducted himself admirably and with a grace that bellied his aforementioned image.

He also defended his father, who he is rumoured to share a less than amicable relationship with. Commenting on Mayweather Sr’s coaching of Hatton, the champion of five different weight classes admitted: “My father is one hell of a guy, and trainer. It (Hatton’s performance against Manny Pacquiao) was not my dad’s game plan. I’d like to take this opportunity to take the heat off my father.”

Such press conferences are usually billed as an opportunity for the fighters to promote their own abilities, and can portray boxers as chauvinistic, self-righteous individuals. London witnessed a refreshing change this afternoon, and Mayweather was orchestrating proceedings. “This is not a weight thing. I am not thinking about Pacquiao, I believe Marquez beat him in those two fights. Mexico has a lot of great champions – he’s a warrior – and I’ve got to stick to my game plan”.

The boxing world waits in anticipation for the bout, and Mayweather also shares the anticipation as he looks to further cement himself in boxing folklore. “I’m still here. I’ve been around since the eighties. Boxers have come and gone and I’m the last standing. Where are thy all now? They’ve gone”.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather returns to the ring on July 18th and despite an apparent distortion in his persona, he will be looking to prove he has not altered from his vast array of boxing prowess, including his signature mix of speed, power and natural instinct in the ring. Marquez awaits, and boxing fans the world over look forward to what should be a classic encounter.

Rose withdraws from PGA

2009-05-22T08:04:00.001-07:00

Justin Rose has withdrawn from the PGA Championship due to a niggling back problem. The Englishman had pulled out of last Wednesday’s pro-am tournament in a bid to be fit for the main competition.

The injury is the latest setback on what has been an indifferent period for the 28 year old. Ranked sixth in the world in 2007, he currently sits at 38 and has only managed top ten in six attempts this year, that at the Dubai Desert classic in February where he finished runner up to Rory McIlroy.

Rose has suffered back problems throughout his career, and the latest setback is attributed to his life off the golf course. "Being back in the UK always ends up being very hectic for me as commitments always get crammed into the one week I am home," he said.

“It has been even more hectic this year travelling back with Leo (his son born in February), where we have been taking him to meet all the extended family and friends.

“Maybe all this rushing around has resulted in my back flaring up again and I am really disappointed to report that I have just had to withdraw.

“This has been a tournament that I have always loved competing in and is the main reason we travelled back, so having to withdraw is very frustrating for me.”

Scotland’s Richie Ramsey will now take Rose’s place in the draw.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/golf/article6328049.ece

Life after relegation: is there return from the abyss?

2009-05-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

This weekend will see two from a possible four join West Bromwich Albion in the second tier of English Football. Sunderland, Hull City, Newcastle and Middlesbrough all face the biggest weekend of their recent histories.

Relegation from the Premier League has never guaranteed an immediate return, indeed the last five years has seen mixed fortunes for those who have found themselves flung out of the revolving doors of England’s elite league. Some have returned, while most have had to wait. Others have been dealt crueller fates. This season has seen Norwich City, Southampton and Charlton fall further from grace and all three will be turning out in League 1 come August. Is there hope following relegation? Let us look at the past five years; the comings and goings, what faces the doomed clubs, and see how this year’s relegation candidates compare to previous casualties.

The evidence suggests relegation hits clubs hard. Out of the 15 demotions over the previous 5 seasons, only four clubs have returned, with Birmingham showing decent bounce-back-ability, gaining promotion twice. The other three, Wolves, West Brom and Sunderland, have hardly cemented their statuses in the top flight. Wolves are only now returning after a 5-year absence, the Baggies find themselves back in the Championship and Sunderland face an anxious final day shootout.

Countless others have failed to return following heartbreak. Crystal Palace, relegated on the final day in 2005, have hardly threatened a return in recent years; the same could be said of Watford and Derby. Despite coming close this year, both Sheffield United and Reading ultimately failed in their attempts.

Then there are the extreme cases. Much has been said regarding Leeds United’s fall from grace, but what of Leicester City? Along with the Yorkshire club, they featured in League 1 this season after struggling to retain their top-flight status following relegation in 2004. Thankfully for Foxes fans, they ended the year as champions and will be looking to build on their promotion. The same cannot be said of Leeds, who will have to spend a third successive season in England’s third tier. Then there is the tragedy of this season’s Championship dropouts. Charlton, Norwich and Southampton will join Leeds for an intriguing League 1 next season, but as history will tell you, there is no guarantee these clubs will dominate the division, see the recent deterioration of Luton Town who have had three successive relegations.

One of the reasons clubs find life so difficult after the Premier League is the financial restrictions they face. Sure, there are the parachute payments, but if the clubs fail to return after this two-year window, managers are forced to work under a shoestring budget and are thus unable to exert the authority they would like in the transfer market. A return to the top flight is subsequently made even harder.

A further problem these sides face is the dilemma surrounding their prodigious young talents. Neil Warnock in particular has blooded his young stars through in recent seasons. However, he has seen one such, John Bostock, snatched from his grasp by Tottenham, who paid Palace a measly sum of £700,000 following a tribunal. One may ask what hope such teams have of survival if they are priced out of moves for players and then see their home produced talents leave almost immediately? It is a seemingly vicious and never-ending cycle.

The one thing all the sides who have returned have in common is a fantastic support. I am not suggesting those who have not returned lack this, but a future warning to the four facing relegation this Sunday: disperse your team at you peril. West Brom, relegated three times over the past 6 seasons, are one such club whose support never wavers and this was demonstrated over the weekend following their defeat to Liverpool. Thankfully, the support the Northeast sides receive is arguably the best in the country, and the two that do go down will need it as they enter the next chapter.

Billed as ‘survival Sunday’, this weekend will have a massive say on the futures of the four gunning for Premier League survival. Stay up and there is the opportunity to regroup over the summer, make the appropriate additions and learn from the hardships of a poor season. Relegation and the future of the football club is far from secure. History has shown that promotion the following year is by no means guaranteed and failure of an immediate return can spell the decline of a once great club. The declines of Leeds United, Southampton, Charlton and Luton Town in particular are a warning to whoever falls short this Sunday. Evidence suggests it may get worse before it gets better – just ask Manchester City fans.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2009/05/life-after-relegation-is-there-return-from-the-abyss.html

Northeast sides deny possibility of court action

2009-05-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland have all firmly denied this morning’s allegations they are to take legal action against Manchester United ahead of the champions’ visit to Hull City this weekend. All three Northeast sides rely heavily on Sir Alex Ferguson’s men ending Hull’s debut season in the Premier League and rumours were circulating the trio would take legal action against the Old Trafford outfit should they field an under strength side with the Champions League final in mind next Wednesday.

Newcastle need to better Hull’s result, with Phil Brown’s men currently one point above the Magpies who occupy 18th position. Middlesbrough, who travel to West Ham, need both themselves and United to secure healthy wins, as Gareth Southgate will be looking to make up a deficit of five in goal difference. Sunderland’s task is a little more straightforward: win and safety is there’s. With Ricky Sbragia’s men hosting Chelsea, such an outcome is far from an inevitability and they will be hoping Aston Villa, who entertain Newcastle, and United both avoid defeat.

Each were quick to deny the possibility of a court wrangle based on the Premier League rules which state that member clubs are required to field full-strength teams. (Ironically, the last team to be docked points for such a scenario were Middlesbrough in December 1997, when they called off their fixture away at Blackburn Rovers due to a flu epidemic sweeping through the club).

A Boro spokesman revealed: “It’s not true, it’s nonsense” whilst a Newcastle statement read: “There’s no truth in it whatsoever”. Despite Sunderland refusing to comment on the story, sources from the club insist there is no foundation to the reports.

Following their damaging 1-0 home defeat to Fulham at the weekend, Alan Shearer was asked about the side Sir Alex would field at the KC Stadium. He responded: “Alex, when he has been in that position, has always put out a side that does his club proud, so whoever he puts out, Manchester United are that professional so they will go out and try to win that game. I have not got any problems with that.”

Battle to fill James’ gloves underway

2009-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

This summer, England face both Kazakhstan and Andorra with Fabio Capello looking to cement England’s place in next year’s World Cup Finals. The Italian’s task is, on paper at least, a straightforward one; however, he will have to do it without his number one goalkeeper, Portsmouth’s David James. In addition, it was revealed yesterday that Manchester United’s Ben Foster will also be out for the next few months, undergoing an operation on a troublesome thumb. Capello will now have to shuffle his goalkeeping pack, but who will win the race to fill James’ gloves?

Despite England having a plethora of outfield talent, the nation is not exactly beset by goalkeeping excellence, and the current crop is hardly setting the world alight. Yes, James has served the nation admirably since the retirement of Arsenal legend David Seaman, but he will hardly go down in the history books as a world-class stopper. And the rest? Paul Robinson has arguably set the best case for selection this summer, with a string of impressive performances since the New Year. Tipped to be England’s number one for many years, the Blackburn stopper suffered a sever fall from grace following an indifferent World Cup in Germany. The Yorkshire lad has got himself into good shape, and seems to be flourishing under the recent guidance of Sam Allardyce. His critics will point to the fact he was given a good crack at the jersey, and cannot hack it on the big stage. However, if there is one position on the park that benefits from experience it is goalkeeping, and for that reason alone Robinson cannot be ruled out for return from the international wilderness.

The next name Capello will certainly consider is West Ham’s Robert Green. Since joining the Hammers from Norwich in the summer of 2006, Green has more than held his own in the Premiership, and has put in some impressive performances. Earning a reputation as an excellent penalty stopper, the one thing counting against him is consistency and this has perhaps cost him usurping James in recent years. West Ham have had a relatively successful campaign by their standards, missing out on the Europa League in the final weeks of the season, and Green has played a pivotal role in their resurgence under Gianfranco Zola. Whether Capello sees Green as the long-term option between the sticks remains open to question, but ‘England’s number four’ (a reference to Green’s own self-deprecation) certainly merits a chance this summer.

Then there are the unlikely lads. Manchester City’s Joe Hart, Wigan’s Chris Kirkland and the recently deposed Scott Carson at West Brom. Hart arguably has the biggest credentials to be England’s number one for many years, but the challenge for the former Shrewsbury trainee is to get himself back into the City line up. Following the arrival of Shay Given in January, Hart has not kicked a ball in anger, and he will have to decide whether Eastlands is the right place for him to continue his footballing education before he even considers adding to his solitary cap.

Kirkland is an interesting case. Despite bursting onto the scene some eleven years ago at Coventry City, I for one still regard the Wigan keeper as a relative novice. With over ten years of top-flight experience, including five years at Anfield, one may have expected Kirkland to have developed more. There is no doubting his ability, but while others shine at so-called lesser clubs, Jussi Jääskeläinen at Bolton and Given when he was at Newcastle are two that spring to mind, Kirkland fails to produce match winning performances at the JJB.

Carson, like Kirkland, is another failed Liverpool acquisition. Signed from Leeds in the January of 2005 for a reported £750,000, the current West Brom player has endured a torrid start to international football. Despite keeping a clean sheet on his England debut against Austria in November 2007; his next two appearances have been shocking by his own admission. Although he cannot be held solely accountable for the failure of qualifying for the Euros last summer, he certainly contributed more than most on that infamous night when Croatia ended Steve McClaren’s short reign as the national coach. In addition, he seems more affected by the big stage than any of the aforementioned options, and he will need to beat this mental barrier if he is indeed to stake a claim for a regular shot at the number one jersey.

Finally, there is the wildcard: Arsenal’s Manuel Almunia. Spanish by birth, growing up in Navarra’s mountainous valley of Pamplona, he has been one of the success stories in an otherwise disappointing season at the Emirates. Expressing on more than one occasion a desire to represent England, Almunia will qualify for British citizenship in July 2009 having spent five years residence in the United Kingdom, purists would not entertain such a notion. His quality would ensue that he would command a place in the England squad and, on current form, he would walk into the team. For me, it is a no go. Imagine the scenario of a Spain-England Final come the tournament in South Africa, and the furor that would surround his involvement for the mother nation of the game. It would place unprecedented pressure on his shoulders, and no sportsman should be subjected to such scrutiny, let alone be able to perform under it.

Ultimately, Capello’s selection should have no bearing on the overall outcome of this qualifying phase. England should qualify for football’s premier national tournament and with the amount of quality in front of England’s goalkeeper, results against the Kazaks and Andorra should boarder on a rugby scoreline. Who the Italian goes for is open to interpretation, but Paul Robinson should count himself an unfortunate man if the number one spot evades him once more come June 6.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2009/05/debate-who-should-be-englands-no-1.html

Lucky escape for Ferguson family

2009-05-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

The family of Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson are recovering from a serious car accident that took place earlier this month. Nadine Ferguson, 30, currently separated from Sir Alex’s son, was trapped along with the pair’s two children, Charlie, 10, and their youngest, Grace, 6, when their car was involved in a head-on collision on May 5.

Despite the severity of the incident, where it has been revealed by Darren that neither of the children were using their booster seats or wearing their seatbelts correctly, all three are in a stable condition and recovering well, in particular Charlie, who underwent an operation.

The Peterborough chief remarked: “Luckily, Charlie is making a full recovery. Grace is reasonably unscathed.

"Personally I would like to thank the hospital staff for all their support.

"They have been outstanding throughout this difficult time.

"I would also like to thank everybody for their best wishes and support over the last few weeks."

With change in Southeast Asia inevitable, Nick Grounds examines which elements the region should inherit from its Western friends.

2009-03-28T03:20:00.000-07:00

The West has set the blueprint for growth all over the globe and Southeast Asia has joined the list of regions to follow in the footsteps of the West since the great Empires of Britain and Spain in the 19th Century.

Western elements can be found almost anywhere the eye looks. From the impoverished yet beautiful 4000 Islands in Laos, to the hustle and bustle of the Khao San road in Bangkok, traces can be found from London, Paris and New York. The issue I raise is whether this is a good thing for SE Asia?

(Should it be making its own inroads in developing, or is this tagging along the best way forward? I argue that change is both inevitable and necessary, and therefore the nations of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand should take some aspects of the Western world - those that suit their people - but not all.)

For modern day Laos, read Cambodia ten or twenty years ago. Likewise, for Cambodia, see Vietnam in the Nineties. The latter, reeling from the devastation of the Vietnam War, has recovered a great deal and is continuing to develop. A great deal of its development has been as a result of the tourist industry. Tourism in Vietnam and in the aforementioned nations is, from an economic perspective, always a good thing; this is undeniable.

What does get overlooked, however, are the repercussions of tourism. The cultural identity of these places is either in danger of becoming merged with Western influences, or being wiped out all together. Picking up a menu in Da Lat, Southern Vietnam, shades of the Costa del Sol or Ibiza can be seen - rather than the authentic excellence of Vietnamese cuisine. The streets are awash with pizzerias or burger bars. Although you can find traditional dishes, there is an increasing wave of Western bars or restaurants and it will only continue to spread, like a virus, to suit the needs of the traveller, and the pockets of the locals.

This presents a dilemma for the traveller. Miles away from home, there are times when you long for a fry up or a roast dinner with all the trimmings. Indeed, months without pizza can take its toll. However, the entire reason of hopping on a plane to travel over 5000 miles is to sample new cultures and traditions, and this includes sampling new cuisines.

I found the best dishes were the authentic ones, not the Western pretenders. I am not saying that I turn my nose up at burger and chips, for I too am a sucker for a good fry-up as much as the next man. However, whilst out there, a plate of steamed or sticky rice accompanied with a steaming Thai Green Curry and I would be as happy as Larry. It’s either that or a badly attempted, over-priced pizza. I know where my preference would be. Stick to what you know guys!

Vang Vieng, located in Northern Laos, is the greatest example of a town catering for the traveller’s needs. The tourists' desires are met in every way possible, but you cannot help but feel they’re needs are being met in the way the locals believe they should be. Tourism has completely infiltrated local customs and has taken over the town. Restaurants offer DVDs of Friends or the Simpsons, with the occasional Family Guy thrown in for good measure and serve a plethora of western dishes.

This, combined with the main attraction of the area (tubing along the river, stopping off at regular bar pit-stops) made the four days feel rather hollow and empty in hindsight. If the plan was to spend time rubbing shoulders with paralytic-western youths, then a week in Magaluf would have been a far cheaper option. It will not be long before we see a Mc Donald’s sprout up, and all for what? For the good of the tourist? Not in my opinion. The only ‘good’ to come from this circus is the people of Laos are making good money and earning a decent living. Beyond this, there is no ‘good’ to come from this – only the defacing of a national identity and a discoloration of local customs and traditions.

The beauties of Mui Ne in South Vietnam and Laos’ Dondet Island far outweigh the superficial natures of Vang Vieng and Da Lat. Despite being light-years behind in development, their grace, naivety and innocence compelled me and other travellers, drawn in by their natural excellence. Dondet was and is a miracle, a paradise that will enchant me for ever. It was so different to anything I have ever experienced before or since.

Electricity is cut off across the island from 11pm and there is no reliance on TV or video games from their children. If only more were as kind, generous and welcoming as the locals of Dondet. The danger is the island feels compelled to cater for the aliens that encounter their way of life, and in doing so follow in the footsteps of Vang Vieng. In an ideal world, things would stay static and continue to amaze the purists who temporarily seek solace from sometimes material nature of the Western world. However, although the heart wants this, my head tells me in no longer than five years, it will follow the likes of Ko Phi Phi and Ko Samui, Thailand's commercial islands for tourists.

It could be seen as rather selfish of me to sample and experience such natural wonders, and not want it to develop for the good of the locals' pockets. However, a compromise must be found.

The happy medium lies in Southeast Asia taking the elements that suit them. Travellers, who come and go like the wind, must not dictate change for the good of a few days indulgence. With tourism inevitable, change and growth in paradise is also. It is how this is controlled that really matters. The fear is they see the dollar signs and build that extra bungalow that will inevitably trigger a first hostel on Dondet.

So, the development continues as I write; onwards and upwards, until paradise is lost. I sincerely hope a compromise is met, but who am I to play God? Who am I to dictate ‘progress? Only time, and money, will tell.

Why this years Premier League is the best yet

2009-02-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon, and greetings from Vietnam. Despite this nation not being renowned for its football excellence, the natives have adopted the Premier League as their very own. In fact, the same could be said of several other countries in South-East Asia I have encountered in the past three weeks. They live, breathe and sleep football. No exaggeration. Walking along Nha Trang's main high street today I was regularly stopped and informed that Tim Cahill, whose name proudly adorns my back, is the best player in the world AND that Everton are the best team in England. Now although you would be hard pressed arguing for either cause, they did an excellent job attracting me into their respective bars and restaurants.

It is rather fitting therefore that, whilst I am out in a land where our stars are elevated to even greater heights, this year's campaign is arguably the most compelling yet since its conception in 1992. As we enter February, there is a staggering six points separating West Brom in 20th position to Manchester City, who have recently crept into tenth. Although not too likely, apologies to my West Brom friends, the Baggies are theoretically two games away from not only getting themselves out of the scrap they currently find themselves in, but challenging for Europe - well, at least the Intertoto anyway. Hull, despite tremendous victories in the autumn, most notably the six points they accumulated in back to back away wins against Arsenal and Tottenham, are nervously looking over their shoulders. What seemed like a fairytale season has turned into a drastic dip in fortunes. Despite manager Phil Brown playing down their chances during their purple patch, the Tigers find themselves in eleventh place; just five points off the drop-zone.

Then there are the in-betweeners. Portsmouth, Newcastle, their neighbors Sunderland, and Bolton all find themselves in precarious positions. In previous seasons, occupying sixteenth to twelve respectively would usually carry with it a warning, but also the knowledge that a run of points would apply sufficient breathing space. Not now. These sides, in particular Sundarland and Tottenham, should have nothing to worry about, but with only four points separating Blackburn in eighteenth to Bolton, the race for survival is hotting up.

Competition for Europe and honors is as compelling, if not more so, than ever. Despite the usual suspects being there or there abouts (I refrain from using the label they have acquired from Sky over the years) there are some young pretenders, literally. Ashley Young has arguably been the league's player of the season, and his form has elevated Aston Villa to the lofty heights of third in the table. A great deal of respect and acknowledgement must be bestowed on Martin O'Neill for this, and for only the second time in seven years, the last being Everton in 2005, a side is making a genuine case for Champions League Qualification. Amen to that. Everton, like Villa, have built a side of hungry, talented, young players who are tied down to long-term contracts. The continuity seen at Goodison since David Moyes' appointment in the spring of 2002 has given the Toffees a belief that they too can challenge the monopoly of the 'top four'. (Curse, Sky's marketing strategy has worn me down). In all seriousness, Moyes is doing a fabulous job and long may it continue.

Arsene Wenger's irrepressible desire to breed top, young talent is refreshing, but even his staunchest supporters would find it difficult not to argue they need both experience and guile in midfield and at the back. True, the world finds itself in a precarious financial position, and the credit crunch may or may not have effected the club's performance in both the summer and January transfer windows. It is costing the Gunners big time in terms of honors, and a club of their size and recent history deserves better, some may argue. It is now an incredible four years since Wenger guided his side to FA Cup glory - even that a fortuitous penalty shootout win over Manchester United. Despite Andre Arshavin's belated arrival, Wenger needs to invest in the aforementioned problematic areas come the summer, where they will be fortunate to find themselves in the qualifying phase of Europe's elite cup competition.

As I bask in Everton's epic performance on Wednesday night, defying all logic by overcoming their Mersey-Millionaire neighbors over two games of FA cup heart-in-the-mouth stuff, I also revel in this season's Premier League. So too do my friends over here. With at least three matches screened on a Saturday evening and into Sunday's early hours, I will have no problems in sitting back and watching the business end of the season unfold...to the sweet taste of Tiger beer. Oh, the hard life.

K.P Must Relinquish Pride to Save England

2009-01-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

English cricket is in a state of mourning. Recent weeks could best be described as a farce and if England harbour any chance of regaining the ashes come the summer, it is a period both the players and coaching staff should look to put behind them. One man in particular will be looking to rebuild his reputation following this inexplicable public dispute. Kevin Pietersen has certainly seen better days and the only way he can begin his equinox is by knuckling down, keeping as low a profile as possible, and proving to his teammates he is capable of moving on by performances both in training and on the cricket field. At this stage in time, the jury is still out on K.P. the man; however, his calibre as a cricketer is without question. This is the route he should pursue for public salvation. The one thing stopping him? The same thing that hindered Hitler, Stalin and Mugabe. Pride.

There is an argument in sport that if you were to take away the one part of an individual’s personality that keeps it ticking, it would hinder them when they cross the white line. Countless times Sir Alex Ferguson has said of his tenacious forward Wayne Rooney that if he were to quell his appetite for the game, and channel his aggression away from the sport, it would lead to Rooney being half the player. Although Pietersen does not possess such an aggressive quality as Rooney, or Andrew Flintoff for that matter, he has this individualism and roaming spirit that needs to be unleashed. Who can forget his reverse sweep that went for six against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in the second test in 2006? Pure genius (sigh). Such maverick skill, so unconventional and difficult to execute, is rarely seen and was rightly celebrated.

Is such a personality suitable for the role as England cricket captain, one might ask? I would be inclined to suggest it is not. But what makes a captain? Strength of character is an attribute I would bring to the table. KP certainly has this; the public dispute with Moores proves he is firm in his thinking. It is just rather ironic that he has given up the captaincy to stick with such beliefs. Excellence in the particular field one is leading, and there is no questioning Pietersen excels at the sport. Leadership, and until this fiasco I would say he showed glimmers in his short spell. Leading his team out to India despite the security concerns following the tragic terrorist scenes in Mumbai was no easy course of action, and this brings me onto my next attribute: bravery. Such an act proves he is willing to fight for his adopted county when needs must.

Loyalty is the final quality Pietersen offers when dissecting this individual’s worth in the England fold. His allegiance to England, born from his displeasure at the racial quota system in place in the South African national side, is unquestionable. In the 2004-05 tour of Zimbabwe, several players voiced their disapproval with Robert Mugabe’s regime. Steve Harmison withdrew for “sporting and political reasons”, whilst Freddie Flintoff, after voicing is concerns with the moral justifications behind the tour, was “rested”. Pietersen jumped at the chance to represent England and, in the face of adversity, hit an average of 104 in the five match ODI series, helping England to a 4-0 series whitewash. In his first encounters against South Africa, only called into the squad following injury to the aforementioned Flintoff, KP was subjected to boos and catcalls from hostile wherever he played. Labelled a traitor he said:

“I knew I was going to cop a lot of stick...I expected stick at the start of the innings, and I'm sure it will carry on through the whole series. But I just sat back and laughed at the opposition, with their swearing and 'traitor' remarks... some of them can hardly speak English. My affiliation is with England... In fact, I'm going to get one of (Darren) Gough's tattoos with three lions and my number underneath...No one can say I'm not English”

Enough said on allegiance.

Despite such a strong loyalty and commitment to the England cause, making him a prime candidate to replace Michael Vaughan last summer, there are elements of his character which made him a dubious decision for captaincy. Teamwork is a quality a captain must have in abundance and despite spectators not being afforded the luxury of the England dressing room, Pietersen’s character suggests he is at his best as an individual. He plays to the rhythm of his own tune and what this fiasco proves is that he cannot cope with the pressures of leading a group.

Professionalism is another element which has been open to question with Pietersen. Whilst rumours of a rift between the England captain and coach surfaced this winter, KP was sunning himself in southern Africa. Instead of sorting out the indifferences that were obviously apparent man to man, face to face with Moores, Pietersen seemingly looked to avoid the situation, leaving it to simmer until it reached an irreconcilable boiling point.

Kevin Pietersen is a world class cricketer, both in test cricket and in the shorter forms of the game. His indifferences with Peter Moores exploded onto the public radar recently and the repercussions are still being felt. Andrew Strauss will lead England forward, and one hopes such a kerfuffle will not hinder the team too much as the Ashes approach. If England are to get the best out of its star, it will be as a squad player, rather than as captain. For Pietersen, this may well end up being the best thing to have happened to him, as the shackles of captaincy have been lifted. Expect fireworks the next time he pulls on the three lions jersey, for he more than anyone will be looking to set the record straight. England and cricket fans the world over will be hoping for more magic over the coming years from this nonconformist. However, he must put aside his differences with the ECB and look to the future if this is to be the case.

How the True Spark of the FA Cup Remains

2009-01-06T03:40:00.000-08:00

14th April, 1999 – perhaps not a date that immediately triggers a response. If I were to say it was the date a flying Welshman picked up on a misplaced pass from one of France’s greatest centre midfield players of the modern day, it will certainly reawaken the memory. Ryan Giggs’ trickery, balance, composure and his venomous left footed drive that bedazzled the watching millions, let alone the majority of the Arsenal team, helped United on the way to an unprecedented treble. The greatest FA Cup goal of all time? That is open to some debate. What is without question is that ever since this moment of wizardry, the cup seems to have lost its edge...until now.

Returning to Wembley has certainly helped fuel a renewed interest and excitement in the Cup. English football’s showpiece event, despite being in safe hands in Cardiff’s impressive Millennium Stadium, was beginning to stagnate. I am not saying the alternative venue was the sole reason for the cup’s diminishing profile on the world stage, far from it. One must extend their deepest thanks to those at the upper echelons of the Welsh FA for allowing their neighbours the breathing space to dig their way out of the farce that was the new Wembley’s belated development. However, despite the 74500 capacity proving more than an adequate platform for an event of such magnitude, it just was not the same. No climbing of the stairs to lift the cup, no twin towers, and confusion up and down the land with how to slip in ‘Cardiff’ or ‘Millennium’ into those Wembley chants. The move to Cardiff, despite a decent contemporary venue, was merely a contributor to a slumber that had its wheels in motion for some time.

After guiding his side to a since unrivalled treble in 1999, Sir Alex Ferguson withdrew Manchester United from the FA Cup to concentrate on the World Club Championships in Brazil. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it was a ridiculous notion at the time, and with the valuable hindsight, an even more ridiculous decision. From Brazil, the obstinate Ferguson commented:

“It's been fantastic here - what a chance for us to come out and get some sun," he told the BBC. "Back home we would have been freezing our toes off. Playing in the Maracana stadium - that's an experience that probably 90% of the top players in the world don't get.”

Whilst I agree with the last sentiment, the above excuse for why he swapped arguably the biggest club cup competition in the world for an up and coming world club championship – that has since been rescheduled to a diluted version in order for no future clashes – does not cut it with me. A chance to get some sun? Give me a frozen pitch and Bovril any day ahead of a retreat to the Maracana in the pursuit of the FA Cup. The fact that Ferguson thought otherwise proved the magic of the cup was beginning to elude some. He was not alone.

When Reading took their side to Old Trafford in the fifth round of the cup in the February of 2007, few could argue with Steve Coppell’s decision to field an under strength team. They were newly promoted to the Premier League, and their priorities lay with cementing their status as a top flight side. However, would this have happened before the financial rewards of staying in the top tier arose? I would be inclined to suggest not. As it was, Coppell’s side managed to pull off a 1-1 draw to force a replay, so our argument does suffer a slight setback. However, once more, what this does prove is that managers were not showing the FA Cup the respect it deserves. The once cherished road to Wembley was seemingly set to lose its panache, and stagnate to an extent where managers were not fielding their strongest eleven. That sparkle that once existed was beginning to dim. Cue the renaissance.

This weekend saw several David versus Goliath encounters, and not one proved to be as conclusive and as straightforward as form and class would suggest. Everton, riding on a crest of a wave that has seen them re-establish themselves as a top six Premier League outfit in recent weeks, travelled to lowly Macclesfield, currently mid table in league 2 and sixty-eight places lower. Despite a moment of brilliance from Leon Osman that sent Everton through to a mouth-watering fourth round tie with local rivals Liverpool, further adding gloss to this year’s competition, Macclesfield produced a display that deceived their lower league status, and could well have earned them a replay.

On Monday, non-league Blyth Spartans took on Blackburn Rovers, winners of the competition six times. This should have been a whitewash. Instead, the minnows produced a dogged display that belayed their semi-professional status, and gave the millionaires a run for their money. If only Andrew Wright had converted five minutes from time to earn Blyth a replay, and hopes of a similar cup run they experienced in 1978, where the club made it to the fifth round.

Elsewhere, more pertinent shocks took place. Southend secured a lucrative replay at home to Chelsea by looting an injury time equaliser at the Bridge. Forest Green, currently in the relegation zone of the Blue Square Premier League, gave Championship side Derby a scare in a 7 goal thriller, before finally succumbing 3-4. Middlesbrough could only beat Barrow at home 2-1, Forest trounced Manchester City 3-0, and Jeff Stelling’s Hartlepool humbled Premier League boys Stoke 2-0.

Who said the magic of the cup had disappeared? This weekend’s fixtures proved that on the day, anything can happen, and despite the gulfs in supposed class and lifestyles, football is a game played by eleven against eleven, on grass and not paper. Unfortunately a spark has left this year’s competition, with Mark ‘Sparky’ Hughes’s side completely humiliated at home by Nottingham Forest. However, the true spark of the FA Cup remains and I for one look forward to witnessing the march to the twin towers, urm sorry, the arch.

Why The Beckham Circus Must Go On

2008-12-04T02:44:00.000-08:00

This weekend, David Beckham was unveiled as an AC Milan player during the Rossoneri's 5-1 home victory over Udinese. While it is yet another example of Brand Beckham embarking on a new project, as the boy from Leytonstone further cements his status as a global icon, the move is essential for Beckham the player. The star will be looking to regain his match-fitness and prove to Fabio Capello he is worthy of a place in the next England squad for the qualifier against Ukraine. If selected, he will pick up his 108th cap and in doing so equal Bobby Moore's outfield record.

Much has been said and written regarding Beckham's unerring quest to continue to represent his country. There are some claiming his desire to clock up as many caps as possible is to reach yet another milestone, to add a further achievement and celebrity, and that his selection by Capello in recent qualifiers has been purely for sentimental reasons. But why should he give up his dream of representing his country? His services to our nation, both on and off the field, not to mention his truly amicable charity work, places Beckham in a category that few can be associated with. He is a great and as long as he is fit and playing well in Milan, surely he deserves to oust Moore whilst there is the opportunity to do so.

But is this the right thing to do? It may be for humanitarian reasons, but is it the best thing for England? There is no doubting that very few can strike the ball as good as Beckham, and certainly there are few better who can deliver a cross with as much menace and accuracy. However, Capello's decision to play him eight times, and more recently as a cameo substitute, could be called in for scrutiny. There are plenty of talented young right-sided players waiting in the wings (no pun intended). Theo Walcott, David Bentley, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aaron Lennon, James Milner and Ashley Young will all be looking to replace the monopoly Beckham occupies on the right flank long-term.

It will certainly be interesting to see whether a fully fit Beckham is chosen in April ahead of these talented Premier League players. Certainly Walcott has done enough recently to deserve his selection. However, with the young Arsenal man suffering with a dislocation of the shoulder, it looks as though it will be a fight between Beckham and the remaining candidates for the number 7 shirt. Bentley is only just beginning to find form at Whit Hart Lane since his big money move from Blackburn, as is Lennon; and the two certainly look like they are much more comfortable under Harry Redknapp than Juande Ramos. Wright-Phillips has always flattered to deceive in an England shirt, Milner must cement himself in the Villa line-up first and Young, whilst impressing recently for the Villans, is still a work in progress. Come April, if Beckham's move to Milan is proving to be a success, I know who my money will be on to fill in on that right hand side.

Although Beckham has had his fair share of criticism during his career, he has always managed to rise above it. Rebbecca whose? France 98 saw him become one of England's most despised individuals. He responded by helping United win an unprecedented treble the following season, and the next year saw him appointed England captain by the stand-in manager Peter Taylor for a friendly in Italy. He has since shone in Madrid, and despite the America adventure not entirely going to plan, he has certainly boosted the profile of 'soccer' across the pond and will continue to do so whilst out there.

David Beckham is all set for his next challenge, and while his people will be looking to ensure the Italian job runs smoothly, the pretenders will be waiting in the wings. Perhaps Trademark Theo, Product Shaun, Label Lennon or even Variety Young may be the next marketing schemes to tackle to global market. But for now, the Beckham circus must go on. Golden Balls for 108? For now, it is a nobrainer and, more crucially for Brand Beckham, a certainty.

Bit late, but here's my team of Euro '08

2008-11-09T15:17:00.000-08:00

I appreciate this may be a tad late in the day/month/year, but I had time on me hands, got all nostalgic, and thought hows about giving this a go. There were some truly Stella performances this summer and, as an England supporter, may I just add how refreshing it was to sit back and enjoy the cream of the Europe's top talent compete against one another at the highest level. Well, World Cup aside.

Here are my eleven, no doubt many of you will have your own say, and feel free to post your own thoughts in the comments section.

Iker Casillas
The Real Madrid stopper had an excellent tournament, keeping three consecutive clean sheets in the knock out stages to lead his side to their fist trophy in 44 years. A standout performance in Spain's penalty shootout victory over Italy in the quarter-final stages.

Sergio Ramos
The young full back had an outstanding tournament, bombing up and down the right flank offering both offensive and defensive excellence. After finally seeing off his predecessor Míchel Salgado, the Real Madrid man is sure to be a firm fixture in the national setup for many years to come.

Carlos Marchena
Yet another Spaniard. The Valencia Captain grew in stature as the tournament developed. Renowned for his man-marking ability, this hard-nut was not to be crossed and was integral to their solid defensive displays.

Pepe
The Euros elevated this Portugezer to new heights with his impressive displays at the heart of Luiz Felipe Scolari's back line. Solid in defence, the Real Madrid player also proved a nuisance in opposition's penalty areas, getting on the score sheet in his side's opening victory against Turkey.

Philipp Lahm
Not blessed with Crouchy-esque height, this nipper from Bayern Munich proved why Sir Alex has been casting a watchful eye over him lately. Assured on the ball, he hit the crucial injury-time winner versus Turkey at the semi-final stage. One for the future as well as today.

Andre Arshavin
Received interest from Europe's elite clubs following his outstanding attacking midfield displays. The Zenit St. Petersburg magician turned matches and heads and is largely responsible for Edwin Van der Saar's premature retirement from international football with his man of the match display in their 3-1 extra time victory over Holland.

Cesc Fabregas
Despite starting the vast majority of the games on the bench, the Arsenal prodigy appeared from the touchline to produce some mesmerising displays. Comfortable in possession of the ball, the Spanish starlet was a key component in their eventual triumph. Hit the winning penalty in the shoot-out against the Italians.

Marcos Senna
Unquestionably the unsung hero of Luis Aragonés side. This midfield general marshalled his side to glory, providing an excellent shield to an already impressive defence. The Villarreal man was crucial in dead ball situations, able to deliver the ammunition to Torres and Villa.

Wesley Sneijder
When Holland topped Group C comprising of France, Italy and Romania, much of what the Oranges did well came through the Ajax graduate. Now at Real Madrid, Sneijder demonstrated why he is regarded as one of Europe's finest playmakers, scoring key goals in their victories against Italy and France.

David Villa
Took the tournament by storm in Spain's opening fixture, putting Russia to the sword with an impressive hat-trick in their 4-1 triumph. Despite only adding one more to his tally for the competition, he terrorised opposition defences and was the perfect foil for the equally dangerous Torres, who just misses out on my eleven.

Roman Pavlyuchenko
Now finding his feet at White Hart Lane, the Russian forward hit an impressive three goals as the Russians continued to defy the odds in their route to the semi-final. With eloquent grace on the ball for one so tall, he was able to bring team-mates into the game as well as score important goals. As the Harry Redknapp revolution gathers pace, Premiership defences beware.

The Constant Gardner

2008-11-03T04:16:00.000-08:00

This Sunday, something beautiful happened. Lewis Hamilton became the youngest ever Formula One World Champion and, in doing so, gave the British public something to cheer about; the same which could not be said about our current crop of rugby league players carrying the flag down under. However, beauty is to the beholder, and I observed something that, although not obviously beautiful, brought a smile to my face, restored my faith in sport, and I believe eclipses Hamilton's achievement. This was the beauty that radiated from the the Reebok Stadium as Bolton ground out a 2-0 victory over Manchester City and, in particular, from one man: Ricardo Gardner.

At half time, the score stood at 0-0 in this mundane North-West derby, with the only real endeavour coming from those dishing out the pies and bovril to help keep those poor souls who turned up to this 'contest' satisfied. However, the second half proved to be a much greater spectacle, largely due to the introduction of the aforementioned Jamaican. Both of the host's goals can largely be accredited to the wide man, with him netting the first and providing the assist to Richard Dunne's own goal for the second. He sparked the contest into life and proved one thing to the millions no doubt watching the game from around the world: that you don't need the millions of a tycoon to win Premier League football matches.

Who better than to prove this point to than against Manchester City, the latest club to be bought by billionaire owners? In the 1998/99 season, Gardner was bought for a respectable £1,000,000 from the Jamaican outfit, Harbour View FC. Since then, he has gone on to clock up 292 appearances and 16 goals. Now, although his goals tally could be bettered, his service to Bolton spanning over ten years is refreshing in an age where money dictates so much, and players move to the tune of the big spenders.

He is approaching 300 appearances for a club who, at best, are seen as a stable Premier League outfit, but, more often than not, have flirted with the lower reaches of the division. Indeed, Bolton have plied their trade in what is currently known as The Championship for three of the years Gardner has stuck around. Quite conceivably, he may have asked for a transfer in this period, in the hope to better his career. However, far from in keeping with what a large number of Premier League footballers have done in recent years, Gardner has demonstrated a loyalty and a professionalism that more than merits the testimonial he will receive in the near future.

Gardner is not alone in his campaign demonstrating true allegiance to his football club. This summer, Joseba Etxeberria of Athletic Bilbao signed a contract effectively meaning he will play out his final season in professional football for free. Contracted to the Basque club since his transfer from Real Sociadad in 1994 at the age of 17, the midfield ace hopes to reach the landmark of 500 appearances for the club who only has players born in the Basque region on their books. Modestly, he remarked on signing, "I wanted to do this gesture but never did I want to set a precedent."

Both Gardner and Etxeberria are of course not alone. There are countless others who have demonstrated a dignity and an integrity whilst at a football club that have lasted less than ten years, or even beyond. Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes from Manchester United alone all fall into this category. However, they have received countless plaudits over the years which has seen United win 10 Premier Leagues, 4 FA Cups and 2 Champions League trophies. At risk of sounding like a broken record, I though I would leave these legends alone for now, and focus on a dread-locked Jamaican from Bolton. Much of his eleven seasons have been spent in the shadows, and very rarely has Gardner received the plaudits his play and loyalty deserves. Until now. Bravo Ricardo Gardner, the unsung hero of the Reebok.

The Ultimate Penalty

2008-10-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

I have a proposition for the FA. Increasingly there have been cries for referees to show a greater leniency when met with challenging decisions concerning foul play. Yes, if a player is considered to be a danger on the field and has put in a reckless challenge, then he should be punished. However, we all want a contest fought out between two sides consisting of eleven players and for skill to be the overriding factor on the day; rather than a card-happy ref handing over the initiative to one side by reducing the other to ten men.

After watching ten man Tottenham battle so bravely at Stoke this weekend, the red card shown to Gareth Bale got me thinking. After bundling his way into Spurs' area, Tom Soares was unceremoniously brought down when put clear through on goal. Granted it was a goal-scoring opportunity, and Bale certainly denied Soares the chance to put his side ahead. However, there are never any guarantees in football and Soares may well have put the ball into row z. Therefore perhaps the red card was rather harsh.

My main argument is thus: surely the penalty being awarded is punishment enough. Eye for an eye etc, etc. If Bale has denied Soares the chance of a goal, then perhaps a penalty is adequate punishment for the foul committed. My thoughts continued to roam, and my train of thought stumbled upon the rather interesting notion of a sin-bin style punishment. The player who has committed the foul, in this case Bale, temporarily waits on the sideline for the penalty to be taken. There are now two scenarios. If the penalty is scored, Bale returns to the pitch, with a goal conceeded sufficient punishment. The goalscoring opportunity that had been denied has been rectified and normal play can resume. Conversely, if the penalty is missed, then Bale would have to sit out the remainder of the game and there is sufficient punishment with the side now a man short.

Therefore the foul is punished, in my opinion, in a more pragmatic way. Rather than reducing a side to ten men and putting the accused a goal down, which has proved to kill games off in the past, there is a more reasonable solution. Upon reading this, there may well be those thinking shut up, why change rules for the sake of it? Fair point. But I, like many, want to see the beautiful game played out eleven versus eleven, with skill and finesse the ultimate judge on the result.

During Credit Crunch, why we should not support Cashley

2008-10-14T03:02:00.000-07:00

When the boos rang around Wembley Stadium on Saturday, one could be forgiven for thinking they were being directed at a team who had been struggling against a side placed 131 in the world. As it was, the jeers were reserved for a solitary figure. Right or wrong, Ashley Cole was singled out amongst a squad of players that increasingly look detached from reality and from the people who continuously inject their hard-earned cash into the game. A right to boo? You bet they do.
The media this week have had a rather mixed response to the cat-calls directed at arguably the premier left back in Europe, if not the world, at this current time. Paul Hayward at the Daily Mail labelled those who berated the full back as naive and immature, whilst others have supported the notion that the players should take it on the chin whatever is thrown at them from an expectant crowd. What has not been touched on, however, is the real reason why Ashley Cole was victimised by some sections of the Wembley crowd.
Thus far, it has been suggested that Cole was singled out for the rather dreadful cross-field pass that lead to Kazakhstan halving the arrears on the night. Although there is no question this would have acted as a catalyst for his abuse, the real reason why 'Cashley' was subject to such a reaction is simple. He typifies everything that is bad about the current crop of professional footballers. Far from writing this piece in an attempt to lambaste the entire playing population as money-lead scumbags, I will merely be attempting to highlight the current ills that are polluting our game. Gone are the days when, after a gruelling 90 minutes of blood, sweat and, in Gazza's case, tears, the players would join with the locals for a pint and discuss the afternoon's entertainment. Now although I am not suggesting a return to this, as the notion of Messrs Beckham and Henry delightfully indulging in a pint of John Smith's is ludicrous, a bit of a reality check for these overpaid prima donnas would not go amiss.
So out of touch with reality are these footballers, that our very own Ashley was once heard in stipulating why he did not take up Arsenal's offer of a contract extension: "I nearly crashed my car when they only offered me £55,000 a week". Hello? If only I could earn that in two years! And the current crop of journos think the boos were served up due to a misplaced pass? Get real. This is the first in a long line of reasons why Mr. Cole is not on the vast majority of England fans' Christmas card list (not that he should be anyway).
I would even go as far to say that the recent respect campaign we are seeing in the Premier League came as a direct result of the antics of our Nation's number 3. We all remember the incident at White Hart Lane as Mike Riley tried in vain to calm this petulant squirt down. "Ashley, please turn around, you're going to get yourself sent off in a minute" was the plea from the despairing man in the middle. Surely the fact he said "please" could have counted for something? Cole displayed a complete lack of respect, refusing to cooperate with the official as he took his name in the book. If only he had shown him a second yellow. The incident provoked huge debate on the current disregard for referees in the modern game and, thankfully, measures are now being made to follow in the footsteps of the respect we see from our top rugby stars. However, it is a shame that it had to take an act of such petulance to alert those at Soho Square, and the wide-spread condemnation that followed; which was increasingly portraying a man who was quickly becoming public sporting enemy no.1.
As we go through the keyhole, there are yet more clues which suggest why Cole has fallen into the boo-box. The scene at White Hart Lane is not the first time Cole has turned his back on a figure of authority. The contempt and lack of loyalty he has shown to those who have looked after him and supported him both in his professional and personal life beggars belief. Our first port of call is Arsenal Football club and, in particular, Arsene Wenger. Wenger has created a legacy at the Gunners, continuously giving youngsters the chance to flourish at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Fabregas, Clichy, Denilson, and now Wilshere to name but a handful have all been thrown in at the deep-end by Wenger and have relished the opportunity to work with seasoned stars. Cole, despite established in both the Chelsea and England set-ups, was once a starry-eyed teenager and it was Wenger who had the faith to put him in and amongst the likes of Sol Campbell, Lee Dixon and Martin Keown. Wenger's chance on Cole, with hindsight, has not been fully rewarded, as the cash of Roman Abramovic proved too much of a lure. This explains why Arsenal fans hold him in such contempt, but the general footballing fan was beginning to see a side of a man that would be subjected to such abuse on Saturday evening.
Without wishing to go into too much detail of his sordid affair, as the girl seeking to audition for WAG factor need not be given the time of day, how Ashley treated Cheryl was despicable. I mean, how could he? He has managed to land one of the most beautiful girls available on the celebrity market, and what the average Jo on the street wouldn't do to just converse with the stunner remains open to interpretation. Either way, it was a further example whereby Mr. Cole has wrongly exploited the privileged situation he has found himself in at the expense of someone who is close to him. This is what grinds the gears of the aforementioned Jo Bloggs, because you can bet your bottom dollar that if he was in Cole's privileged position, he would not have exploited the luxury afforded him.
The boos on Saturday may well have been due to a misplaced back pass. However, I can almost certainly guarantee that if it had been from Barry, Upson or Lampard, the chorus that followed would have never taken place. Sure, perhaps we would have come to expect it from these players, but the menace and disdain in the barrage was down to a collaboration of incidents involving a man who has not portrayed himself in a positive light ever since he was given the marvellous opportunity by one of the current greats in management.
Thankfully, Cole sits out Wednesday's tie in the Dinamo Stadium, due to a niggling hamstring injury. I can only hope that he takes this opportunity to reflect on his recent demeanours and begins to plot a way out. It is not impossible, nor improbable. David Beckham managed it following France '98 as he was subjected to sickening chants and burning effigies when he returned home. He has since transformed himself into one of the most respected and revered individuals of our country. Although these are rather large boots to follow, Cole can mute the boo boys, and I sincerely hope he does. He is a talent, and when he is on the top of his game there are few better. After all, we're going to need him if we are to silence the world doubters in South Africa 2010.

Blow the whistle on Respect

2008-10-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday 5th August 2008, the FA launched a new respect initiative in an attempt to eradicate the unsavoury scenes that have become more commonplace in recent campaigns. The scheme has received great backing, from managers and players alike and all was well, until the season kicked off.
Respect is a two way street, and although managers and players have adhered to this new policy, it seems as though the men in black have not kept to their side of the bargain. This new period of respect has in actuality given the referees an even greater celebrity, one which they have done little to earn judging on the opening months of the season. They have become far too big for their boots and, if anything, the controversies that were in existence before the new initiative are here in even greater capacities.
Stoke City versus Everton, The Britannia Stadium. Located in the land of the giants, it was a chance for the man in the middle to be an ever bigger man. He failed. Although early in the season, it was a key game for both sides. Stoke had already won their first game at home, against an already impressive Aston Villa outfit, and were looking to add to their early points tally. Everton, similarly, after an erratic start, needed the points to stabilise their opening to the season. The result, a 3-2 victory for the Toffeemen, was perhaps deserved. However, the scene of events which led to this scoreline could be best described as farcical.
Victor Anichebe gave the visitors a 2-0 lead and it seemed as though the points would be heading to Merseyside. However, the hosts rallied and halved the arrears, thanks to a well taken volley from Seyi Olofinjana. What then happened just was not cricket, let alone football. Ricardo Fuller legitimately deposessed a clumsy Joseph Yobo, rounded Tim Howard, and levelled the match. Cue pandemonium in the Potteries. Wrong! Alan Wiley, respected referee of 27 years, saw what both 25,000 Stoke City fans and messrs Grey and Tyler in their tv gantry did not and awarded a freekick against the forward. Justice was done thankfully when Phil Jagielka headed into his own net to make it 2-2, but no thanks to Wiley.
Not to be outdone by his referee, the linesman conjured up an equally impressive howler. Leon Cort clearly handled in his area under pressure from Everton's Yakubu. Wiley gave the penalty, but after discussing it with his linesman, gave a freekick to Everton outside the area. There may have been a push by Yakubu on Cort, which may have placed doubt in Wiley's head, but if that was the case why give the freekick to Everton? Visiting manager Moyes now looks set to receive a touchline ban and possibly a heafty fine following his touchline tantrum, but had Wiley made the correct decision such a hardline stance from the FA would not be needed.
As if two controvertial incidents in one game was not enough, there have been two more seperate occasions in as many opening months to this season. Last weekend, Bolton were holding on to a well earned point at Old Trafford. Although United comfortably went on to win the contest, the pentalty decision ultimately turned the game and the hosts, having taken the lead, were perhaps under less pressure to get the win and were able to take their foot off the gas and add a second.
Rob Styles, again one of the more respectable referees in the game. But even he has history, in particular in the awarding of soft penalties. He allowed Chelsea to equalise at Anfield in August 2007 and penalised Sun Ji Hi for, at worst, a shoulder-barge on Birmingham's Garry O'Connor during their 3-1 victory over Ji Hi's employers at the time, Manchester City. Now although City can buy their own luck these days, that is no excuse for Styles' inability to make the correct decision. And they want our respect?
As if this wasn't enough, lets examine possibly the most controvertial incident in recent footballing history. Well, almost. Vicarige Road, Watford, and the 'Ghost Goal' that possibly cemented in my mind the need to address the inbalance in the respect relationship that is supposed to be existing between the officials and our football clubs. A great deal has already been said on this phantom goal. Should Reading have allowed Watford the freedom of their half to equalise? Should goal line technology be used to erradicate such incidents? Either way, there is no doubt in my mind that this result is void of any legitimacy, and the fans of both Reading and especially Watford have been cheated. The culprits? At risk of sounding like a broken record, the officials.
David Moyes now faces an extended spell on the sidelines, at the potential detriment to Everton Football club and, most importantly, their fans. Bolton are potentially one point worse off then they should be. Watford, like Bolton, have been the victims of refereeing incompetence. How much longer can this go on for? They say that over the course of the season things even themselves out. But why risk this? Why do we always turn to this excuse and the hope that the Footballing Gods will look upon the aggrieved clubs? Do we honestly trust this court located in the midsts of the unknown? Video technology is used in cricket, and in both codes of rugby. It is only a matter of time before the souls of Soho Square realise the need to join this club of common sense. In the words of Aretha Franklin: R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Take care, referees.