Sports Illustrated journalist and would-be FIFA President Grant Wahl tweeted just as the transfer window was shutting: "If Arsenal comes away with Arteta , Benayoun , Park , Mertersacker and Santon in last few days, is that enough to finish Top 4?" It's an interesting question, Mr Wahl. Let's try and answer it. From the opening exchanges in the Premier League this season, it seems like the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea are that...
With the league title secure Manchester United play Blackpool at Old Trafford this weekend, going into the game with both eyes firmly looking towards London and the Champions League final against Barcelona. The battle at the bottom still yet to be decided the game between the Tangerines and United could have huge repercussions on the rest of the sides looking to survive relegation. The 2006/07 relegation fighters faced a similar issue when...
There is a powerful, collective reaction whenever a club is in a financial crisis. The press blames the financial irresponsibility of the owners (past or present). The coaches and players assure us that the “off the field” nonsense isn’t affecting their performances. And then we, as football fans, cluck our tongues and shake our heads – how dare the Football League dock them points. How can they punish the fans? This knee-jerk...
Twitter is a wonderful place. But it’s also a platform for some of the most ridiculous, stupid, and outright offensive opinions. Take, for example, one Manchester United fan who was defending his decision to sell “Without Killing Anyone” t-shirts on his website. For those of you uninitiated, those words refer to the chants made by United fans in reference to the Heysel stadium disaster. United, despite having two fewer European Cups...
As someone who spent 10 years refereeing at parks level, I never had to deal with the pressure of a capacity Old Trafford crowd screaming in unison for a penalty in the last twenty seconds of a Champions League tie. But then again, nobody ever (to my knowledge) had video footage of my most ridiculous decisions. I’m sure I made many. I’m sure I also got a lot right that nobody else could see. Thing is (mercifully) nobody will ever know for...
Well you'd think so on how quickly some fractions of the Arsenal supports have looked to Wengers head. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have been a marriage for over 15 years. In that time playing 843 games he has a win ratio of 57.18% (Alex Ferguson 59.21% from 1385 games). 3 Premier League trophies, 4 FA Cups and a constant finalist in the Champions League, on that alone you would be a little bemused by the loud fractions of the Arsenal fans who are...
2002 was the last time that Jose Mourinho last failed to win a trophy. He has enjoyed a record breaking home unbeaten run which came to an end at Gijon and this week in Valencia celebrated his first Copa Del Rey, his first silverware at Real Madrid, the first Copa Del Rey for Real since 1992. There can be no doubt that Jose Mourinho is a winner and will do anything in the pursuit of silverware. But Jose in the way he operates, goes out and...
Liverpool has been a club in transition for what seems an age. Changing manager and owner, their biggest star also jumped what he saw as a sinking the ship while, two exciting prospects climbed aboard to take up his space. It seemed that the media spotlight and soap opera was never going to end and when two week ago Sports Illustrated broke the news that LeBron James was going to be a minor shareholder in Liverpool. It left many fans confused...
The PFA released their six man short list for player of the year on Monday. Together the Players Union voted and the short-list was drawn those names are: Samir Nasri, Gareth Bale, Carlos Tevez, Scott Parker, Nemanja Vidic and Charlie Adam. A good representation of players from overseas and home nations represented in Wales, Scotland and England. Nasri started to the season well, moving out of the Cesc's shadow and the Spaniard struggled for...
Football Manager in the past 20 years has become as much part of the footballing culture as, jumpers for goal posts, meat pies and the back page of the local rag. The game has become an assured top seller each year selling into it's millions all over the world. It will be no doubt that anyone who follows football knows about the game or it's predecessor Championship Manager. But how has Football Manager come to change football? When...
