There’s always going to be some knee-jerk in the wake of a humbling tournament exit. But as discussed in my previous post this is not just about getting caught on the break a couple of times and being victim of a gross officiating mistake. Joe Cole, who originally predicted that England could win the tournament (and […]
I said yesterday that England needed to produce a credible performance to match the bold claims made by the likes of David James and Joe Cole. They didn’t. What they produced against Germany was as bad if not worse than the display against Algeria. The stats might show that England had more possession and more shots […]
For a group of players that were highly fortunate to make it out of their “easy” group it’s admirable to hear how confident England are ahead of their second round World Cup clash with Germany. First/second/third (delete as applicable) choice goalkeeper David James believes that England are the better team: …I think we’re a better […]
As a talisman they don’t get much more intimidating than Wayne Rooney. But even England’s front man seemed to wave a white flag after losing yet another fifty-fifty in last night’s dire draw with Algeria. I was set to put a tenner on the temperamental striker seeing red when it was obvious his side’s second […]
Martin O’Neill has said he will not take a Liverpool bid for his services lying down. The Irishman was named as 6/4 favourite for the manager’s role at Anfield after Rafa Benitez left by mutual consent on Thursday. But after rebuffing repeated attempts by Liverpool to sign his captain Gareth Barry in 2008 and 2009, […]
Dogma. A settled or established opinion, belief, or principle. I had a dogmatic belief that Harry Redknapp was bad news for Tottenham. I told you in October 2008, January 2009 and had a good go him and our flops after the embarrassment of a 2-3 League Cup defeat to Burnley. By April 2009 I offered him a smidgen of credit but it […]
1. Coyle springs in to action Is it a sideways move for Owen Coyle to join Bolton from Burnley, a stepping stone to bigger things (Aston Villa, eventually?) or is the young manager destined to bounce around teams like Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn and Birmingham until he joins long-term unemployed such as Roy Evans, David O’Leary […]
After a few months off for ‘logistical’ reasons, Five Things returns with absolutely nothing new to say at all. 1. Roberto Mancity Bloody foreigners, coming over here, stealing our women and jobs. I’m not sure if Mrs Hughes was part of the deal but Roberto Mancini certainly did take Mark’s job at Manchester City. The […]
1. Rafa creates a schism Rafa Benitez is not going through anything right now that his peers haven’t already endured. An historical look through the message boards and football websites will show many calls for the heads of Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger during their teams leaner days. Manchester United went three seasons without a title […]
1. Return of the Robot Should players never be allowed to party? Tottenham players Peter Crouch and Jonathan Woodgate were pictured dancing to what looked like two complete different songs last weekend, leaving manager Harry Redknapp a bit miffed. Redknapp does not mind players having a few quiet drinks but does not want them “rolling out of […]
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