The futures Bright, the futures full of Villians

Buy safe buy English was a motto profoundly used for the ‘cow’ crisis not so long ago and this motto has certainly kept Martin O’Neil going.
When other managers fading away and searching high and low into the deepest forest of Chile or the dusty buildings in China, O’Neil has decided to keep English and buy young. He has more or less have brought the England B side and more promptly this team could, arguably, play better than the current national team.
Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over a woeful Tottenham Hotspur side looked the most impressive so far. Spurs credentials look rather bleak as the next ‘big’ challengers to the big four looked anything but a football team guided of ill-advised players whom cannot communicate with each like Ramos to any English-speaking person.
Villa on the other hand, seem to be playing with class and, more importantly, with confidence. Organised, adventurous, their movement of the ball was dazzling and they show real determination to work for each other.
O’Neil public spat with Gareth Barry was a huge talking point for the club and the way he seemed to have handled it was nothing short of excellent. Stripped him of his captaincy and fined him, now he has to look those teammates in the eye, knowing he has to make an impression. He has a lot of kissing up to do.
For the English side, O’Neill has drafted in Luke Young, Nicky Shorey, Steve Sidwell, Ashley Young, Nigel Reo-Coker, James Milner, Zat Knight, and Claude Davies. With all of these you cannot say you are not impressed. They all have moved to another level and he has managed to get good out players like Nicky Shorey and use him more evidently than his playing days at Reading. (Where he still remains a hero of mine.)
Reo-Coker left West Ham in a big money move and has not looked back since. Ashley Young impressed at Watford, the manager took a calculated risk with him, and he looks a dead cert to be a permanent fixture in the squad, pushing very close to the starting eleven.
He saved Sidwell from the Chelsea mediocre reserve team and going to try to arouse his football career once again, when recovers from injury. (Another superstar back at Reading)
Knight again, was lost at Fulham and what a fine centre half he is, slowly, turning out to be. Luckily, for Milner, Newcastle are suffering a crisis and O’Neill pounced and finally got his man after years of trying.
Add to this other England internationals Gareth Barry and Gabriel Agbonlahor to have an incredible line up. Do not forget to add experienced foreigners (the way it should be) John Carew, Brad Freidal, Petrov and Martin Laursen to the squad and it looks rather promising.
The owner Andy Lerner has been pinnacle to this success and he lets O’Neill do his job and carry the football side the way he wants. Unbroken trust seems the massive link in any good professional relationship. When situations arrive like the Americans at Manchester United and Liverpool or Mike Ashley commercial circus act at Newcastle, Villa must be glad they probably, albeit Arsenal, have the strongest business model in the Premiership.
The future looks bright and successful and they are closer to catching the ‘big four’, more so than Manchester City presently. Good luck they will need it.

Ashes to Lay

So Mike Ashley has gotten bored. His pragmatic view of his ‘beloved’ Newcastle United went up in agonising smoke. Love and passion cannot go in hand in hand with determination and being a strict, domineering businessperson.
A fan cannot make the tough decisions, sure, we all know best as fans, but we are not always realistic. Ashley was sceptically torn from love and lust. He is right to sell up; he is right to move but unlike other ex-owners done not lose the love you have for the club. It is a bigger part in your than you think.
Swiftly sacking Sam Allardyce was a blessing for many Newcastle fans, as he grew oblivious of what he has taken on. Ashley looked for a saviour and there was only one man the fans would ever want and that was Kevin Keegan. It was a bold decision and he grew many plaudits and slaps on the back from his fellow Toon Army. He wanted to be everyone’s friend, so picking Keegan seemed like the best way to do that even though it would not be the best for long-term concerns.
He has paid the price for trying to pro long his popularity. Shrewd businesspersons need to make the call.
It was a beautiful fairytale bringing Keegan back who was well away into early retirement. He was out of practice and the Premiership has certainly changed in recent times.
Keegan’s reign at Manchester City was relevantly successful but never as high profile as his second stint at Newcastle.
The director of football is not necessarily a bad thing for managers as they can do the horse work in getting transfer targets and sorting out the youth team. The manager needs to identify targets, realistic targets. The Director of Football should never decide what player the club need, suggestion etc should take place, but the buck should stop with the manager.
Dennis Wise wanted to be manager, why leave Leeds United? He was in the hot seat of a mammoth club and he chose money, so you can see where his credentials are.
Keegan was out of the game and must have been out of practise asking for Jonny Woodgate, Thierry Henry, another ridiculous transfer target should have been squashed, and they were promptly. He must at that time rely on scout reports, speak to his chief scout explain what he needs. Star players do not make the team.
Ashley, it must have been fun in the honeymoon period but divorce is immediate. Still be a fan but next time behave in the manor of your position.

Happy Vettel

Kudos to Sebastian Vettel and Toro Russo team’s maiden win in an outstanding Italy grand prix. This season has been remarkable as all pars, I suppose Valencia, and every race has been sheer entertainment. He is now the youngest winner of a grand prix and his the potential to be a huge player in the future of formula one.
The horrid conditions situated in Monza was similar those at Monaco and Silverstone. It resulted in a phenomenal race full of unpredictability and sheer delight for the fans.
Vettel qualified in pole and it came quite as a shock and his ability withstand the pressure was breath taking and in all honesty he made it looked rather easy. When he was out in front, he was racing not only to maintain his led but also to enhance it. Winning by twelve seconds and achieving that with having two pits stop where most had only one.
The Germans performance has relinquish the status that formula one is about to embark in a new golden era and age of the sport with youngsters like Lewis Hamilton, Robert Kubica, Vettel, Fernando Alonso (even), Timo Glock, and Sebastien Bourdais seem pinnacle to the future of sport.
It was odd seeing another German being successful in the Italian grand prix as Michael Schumacher was always triumphant here with the country native Ferrari team. Even Schumacher would have been proud with Vettel’s performance and would have congratulated his compatriot.
As for Hamilton, it was probably one of the most professional races I have seen from him as he managed to finished seventh with Felipe Massa sixth, to keep his world champions lead intact, albeit it is only a point.
Chicanes seemed to be everyone’s mind as TV pundits watched closely for any unfair advantages and this will blow over soon as it is the newest controversy to talk about.
Heikki Kovalainen finished a creditable second to support the team standings, as he was particularly good in the wet conditions.
After this, it is a shame we have to wait two weeks for the night race in Singapore and that is going to be exciting.

Benitez got it Right for Once

Rafa Benitez will always be slanted. His tactics are not correct. What is the deal with rotation? Why spend silly amounts of money on people who are simply not good enough. He has his critics including myself, who I argue is that there is no better out there to manage Liverpool, even though Benitez is not quite enough.
However, yesterday he did do quite shockingly get it right, every aspect. So well, that I actually felt, like catching the next train to Lime Street, and give him a smacker. For the first time we may be able to be classed as genuine title contenders. Defeating Manchester United, the old enemy, 2-1 was not only a fantastic result but it is a foundation for the season’s success. If Liverpool can beat the Mancs, they, theoretically, can beat anyone.
Unlike other seasons, Benitez tried to see out a draw as a point seems good enough against, at current, the champions. I saw another approach, massively worked out tactics that not only frustrated Man U but preventing them playing any sort of football. Paul Scholes was ammonias, Wayne Rooney was shockingly ineffective, and Anderson could not get into any rhythm. It was fantastic to see.
A player that impressed me the most yesterday and was probably a huge unsung hero was Robbie Keane. He laid the intention from the off, pressing down every ball not allowing any player to settle. His work rate was outstanding and you noticed he played for the team, he performed for the team, and that was the most blessing thing.
Dirk Kuyt impressed me a striker as he looked a threat and could have easily walked away with a brace as Edwin Van Der Sar made two top-notch saves. His hard work and willingness set up the Ryan Babel winner. He has not to be seen as the world-class striker since his move to Liverpool. As he came with a massive reputation he has not been a 20/20 (20 goals and 20 assists) man he was back in his native Holland. We see glimpses but never anything of pure magic, Benitez has been playing him far right too often and it is clear his place is down the middle, well to get full effectiveness from him.
My man of the match was Javier Mascherano, simply, like Keane; he controlled the game with his pressing and ‘mopping up’. Mascherano did not allow Scholes, Carrick, and Anderson anytime on the ball and was ever influential in preventing Rooney claiming the ball deep.
Since his highest priced move to Liverpool, he has always been a bit temperamental as shown in the last game between the two clubs when he was sent off in the first half for dissent. This game we saw a completely different side of him, let us mention that Liverpool were without their best two players in Fernando Torres and largely Steven Gerrard, who only made a brief cameo. This says something fundamental; perhaps Liverpool has actually become a decent side without these two world-class players. We did jostle with Manchester United and was successful.
Xabi Alonso played as well as ever as it looked rather bemusing that he is performing after Benitez summer long pursuit of Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry. This may be just a huge blessing in disguise. His passing and positional player is probably on par with any other excellent midfielder. Who needs Barry?
Albert Riera spurned out a fantastic debut and he is the left-winger that Liverpool may need. I hope it is not just a flash in the pan but on this games performance he looked like a decent element of the squad. Ryan Babel took his place and looked equally impressive. There does seem healthy competition in all positions.
This may be the moment where Benitez has a squad capable of applying much needed pressure upon Chelsea and United. No team are invincible and, on their day, anyone can defeat anyone.
It has been 20 years since Michael Thomas won the title at Anfield this season and may we may see the title in the hands of Steven Gerrard when the Premiership leads to its conclusion.
At least remain competitive please.

The Return of 'GOD'

My favourite player of all time has given me some glimmer of hope that football remains in reality hands. Robbie Fowler has just signed a THREE-MONTH performance related deal with Blackburn Rovers after impressing on a trial. This is a credit to himself and his dedication.
He is only a tender age of 33 but as he has had enough serious injuries to satisfy a pensioner and he is willing to prolong his dream of performing at the highest level.
I turned cold the day Gerard Houiller sold him to Leeds for £11 million; he was a hero for many, including myself, and the name ‘God’ related to him among many followers.
He is the fourth highest goal scorer in the Premiership and should be higher. If injuries did not hinder that, he would have been pushing Alan Shearers all time record.
Only 26 England caps and 7 goals seemed to really undermine his high credentials. He should have played more but he was living in the era of Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, and Michael Owen, he remains the most gifted goal scorer and predator with the penalty area.
Arguably, he had never lived up to his potential but he remained close. Just imagining what he would have been like staying at Liverpool after the most successful season they had for a very long while.
His brief cameo at Cardiff City last year remains reasonably successful and Fowler willingness to go for a trial and risk of not getting a contract is remarkable and honour of his ability. Paul Ince has cut his old pal a deal but he must have proved worthy. It will not be easy for him but undoubtedly, he will try his very hardest.
His hat trick against Arsenal was always a highlight of mine, the fourth goal in the UFEA Cup final against Alaves, his goal against Birmingham in the League Cup final as well as coming on in the FA Cup final to inspire Owen’s two goal coming back against Arsenal. He always loved scoring passed Manchester United and that ‘chip’ is always fondly remembered by most.
Congratulations Robbie, good to have you back again. Let us hope for a repeat.

Here's Jonny

There is a man who has more comebacks than Phil Mitchell and Dirty Den put together. Jonny Wilkinson is finally going to get his season debut against Northampton this weekend.
England’s winner in the 2003 World Cup final must be the unluckiest bloke to walk the planet, as he seems more injured probed than Jamie Redknapp or Darren Anderton. It is ludicrous. He has now recovered from the shoulder injury that has put him out for a summers worth of rugby, let us hope he fends well and shapely gets back into the England set, and recapture that form which won the heart of the public.
He may have lost his place, temporary, to new wonder kid Danny Cipriani but a fully fit and fledged Wilkinson will be an automatic starter. He is the only specialised scum-half to be included in Martin Johnson’s first elite squad. Plus he is the titleholder of the highest points six in test history during the six nations this term.
Newcastle Falcons will be glad that they have their star player back, but more importantly, he has to get prepared for England, as that is where you want your best players. Wilkinson get back on form and be injury free for at least a month and you will play a profitable role in the England set up for many years to come.

People it was only ten men Croatia

So, England won against Croatia, a historic win, one ‘apparently’ that is up there with the 5-1 drumming of Germany. In all honesty, I have to blatantly disagree.
It was a great win and Theo Walcott played superbly and completely deserved his hat trick but it was only Croatia. They have dazzled the world recently and are an overachieving fifth place in the world rankings. 4-1 sounds like a thrashing but it was Croatia who had the first shot on target, and they were reduced to ten men. It could have been a harsh decision has I have seen players do similar incidents and get away scot-free. Therefore, Croatia were reduced to ten men and they were missing two of their most influential players: Nico Kranjcar and Eduardo. Hardly memorising really.
Beating the old enemy Germany was much more significant and worthwhile. Man for man, England should be all over them but the good thing is that it has seemed to get the public back on their side.
Fans and ‘fans’ have claimed that this will be a fantastic new era, etc, etc we have heard it all before and it will all end is disappointment. I did really enjoy watching the game and confidently, and mean it, cheer when Walcott scored all of his goals and there was even a little glimmer smile when Wayne Rooney scored.
Frankly, we have an easy group and if they do anything par walk it, Fabio Capello should hand over his six million pounds to Terry Venables for business opportunities or Glenn Hoddle so he can actually make any sense.
Has this justified leaving out Michael Owen? No not at all, has everyone forgotten about the Andorra appearance already. Does England only play with any dependency when we play the supposed big boys and Croatia you regard as one of them. I find it all rather embarrassing.
Steve McClaren did beat Argentina with an Owen brace. Russia, who I regard a better team than Croatia, were beaten 3-0 by England. Israel by the same score.
So far, France, who lost 3-1 to Austria, has beaten us, yes you did read that correctly. A draw against Czech Republic, and they actually have a decent outfield player now.
An unimpressive 2-1 win against Switzerland. A draw against USA or was it a win. It does not really matter.
England simply turned up on a good day. Every player played well but let us see a repeat against someone of note before generating so much hype and too be let down again. I am afraid no real test be there until the actual 2010 World Cup, we may have to wait until then.

He Beats Cancer, Now the World

In all honesty I am quite frankly bemused about the shock reemerging of Lance Armstrong back on the Cycling circuit. The seven time champion claims he has came out of retirement to provide more awareness for cancer through the global event.
He bids to win his eighth Tour De France title as he has surprisingly shocked the world and I am rather excited to see a true legend come back on the circuit when the event has been shamefully tortured with numerous drugs allegations and an upheaval of controversy.
I see Armstrong’s return as a savior. He came to save the credentials of the sport that has been ran through the mud and destroyed.
He has seemed to have gone all ‘Bono’ on us and will try single commandingly to rid the burden of cancer amongst the neutral world.
The American is in the record books and I do not feel that this will do much for him, has he came in to be ultimately competitive? Was their huge financial rewards on offer to prize him out of the comfy life? How will be fend?
I will certainly take a bigger interest in the sport next year as someone I regard as a true and inspiring legend on his sport and of it. Beating cancer and then winning the title again is an remarkable feat and I do not want to lose that enormous respect I currently have for him.

A Classic Battle between Man and Boy

A game that separated man and boy. Legend and up coming. Smart and rough. Privileged and needing. Calm and aggression. The best and the best against of the rest. This was Roger Federer against Andy Murray in the final of the US Open.
Class prevailed as Federer swiftly defeated Murray in three sets as the Scot only providing stiff competition in the second set.
Class shown and Murray looked out of his depth; alas, he did not perform the same way when he ousted Rafael Nadal in the semi-final. He was not allowed to play. One of Murray’s strength at the moment is his powerful serve and that undid, what I could only presume, a tired Nadal.
Federer played his serve brilliantly and broke him almost instantly as he won the first set 6 -2 in a mere 26 minutes.
Murray started to get more involved as Federer edged out the two set 7 – 5 as Murray found his dominate forehand and started to hit spectacular passes.
In the third set, it was obvious that there would be only winner as Federer played, pundits say, the best in two years. He has finally reached the dizzy heights and he has been running on fourth gear for the past two years. Not bad considering that this was his fifth straight US Open win. He must be determined to get back his rightful number one spot from Nadal.
Murray showed character as he began the third but his basic instincts got the better of him as he resorted to self-swearing and massive yells in agony. He is obviously a difficult loser but reaching the final is no disappointment and if anyone else were standing on the other side of the net, it would have been a much different story.
Murray will take a lot of heart from this and he has learnt that he can mingle among the best. This best ever grand slam performance has put him at number four in the world and the top three are certainly going to be difficult to crack.
He has the solid fundamentals and around nine years ago it would have been easily been capable of being the world number one as he is a lot better than Andy Roddick, Albert Ferrer or Leyton Hewitt ever was but unfortunately he is in the world of Nadal and Federer and those two will dominate the modern era.
Third should be his next target plus a lucky break in the Australia Open.

Movie Star spotted at St James

I find the Newcastle whole episode rather bemusing and surreal in all honesty. After Kevin Keegan's, dare I say it, controversial departure the dust has settled and a few more familiar faces have left following their messiah with their tails between their legs.
Terry McDermott and funnily enough Adam Sadler have left their roles as assistant manager and reserve team coach respectively.
I was just daydreaming that this Adam Sadler was actually that Adam Sadler, the movie star, and the whole Newcastle United was an unscripted movie ready for the box office. You can imagine the happy go lucky feel and the, rather, reckless ordeals and going-on's.
A cameo from John McEnroe would not be without question but imagine Keegan as boss and that would be in the feel of Henry Winkler in the Waterboy. Newcastle may even need a local ‘waterboy’ to rescue their much damaged pride.
Sadler could be there is spearhead a drive for fans to support their club. He could be one of the fans, whilst holding an important role within the club, and drink regularly with those fans so he feels important. Sounds like Mike Ashley actually.
Perhaps he could have a side kick in Rob Schneider as a man who disputes everything, makes absurd comments and gives in to everything the ‘boss’ wants. Hang on that is Dennis Wise.
Perhaps Newcastle should be ran more like a soap opera where consistency is everything and that remains the biggest fundamental of any real live drama.
I am just waiting for the next movie to come out. Maybe a sequel to Ruud Gullet stint as the manager. Alan Shearer finally swoops in to save his precious club. Graeme Souness returns to cause more problems.
The fat controller Freddy Shepherd tries to re-buy the club with the promise of Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas. Alternatively, my favourite, this one may cost a lot of money, Newcastle United to actually win a meaningful trophy. Now there is entertainment.

Ham Strip

I cannot believe they stripped Lewis Hamilton of first place, it made a complete mockery of the sport. Does these officials have something against him?
He made a mistake and was overtaken by Kimi Raikkonen on lap two and he accepted that and he drove a flawless race. Raikkonen made an error and Hamilton took full advantage, now he has been punished leaving Flippo Massa being bumped up from second to first leaving him only a mere two points behind Hamilton in the standings.
Hamilton has revolutionised the sport and made it appeal to the masses and he is being hit by the harsh realities of that resentment. Spa-Francorchamp circuit is superb with many high speed dashes and it would have been a victory well earned and more importantly it would have been his fifth of the season.
Controversy seems to follow Hamilton, McClaren, rightly, are going to launch an appeal to overturn this mockery.
The race was pretty standard until the last five laps when it all heated up and the rain began. Fortune favours the brave as Nick Heidfeld and Fernando Alonso decided to pit with two laps remaining and it did seem to do the trick. Heidfeld moving from eighth to third (well now second) instantly. Alonso still finished a respectable fourth.
What are the clear guidelines of overtaking, Nico Rosberg impeded Hamilton so to avoid a collision he went over the bus stop chicane and took an advantage but initially he gave that straight back to Raikkonen.
He then managed to overtaken him when Raikkonen span in the wet conditions. I do not understand the sheer logic.
In my view, he has been stripped of victory for a very poor reason. Hopeful the stewards will come to their senses.

Is it all worth it?

I have gave up on England, it does not interest me anymore. I will watch my nation and hope them on the best but it seems really hard to support them at the moment.
England has not had a good performance for a long time now, or even a worthy one. The best was probably when we defeated Russia 3-0 at Wembley last year. That is it.
Fabio Capello may be the missing link but he is running out of time to be successful. He needs to get it right. Does he actually know the fundamentals of his squad. Those who will not be playing in 2010 should not be playing now. It does not make sense.
I like to think that every footballer out there aspire to, and dream about playing in a World Cup. I hope every who puts an England shirt on enjoys it and honours it.
Jamie Carragher has came out claiming it hurts more to lose for Liverpool than it does for England. I cannot disagree with that as if Liverpool lose he has to face his kind everyday. He would know he had let down a fellow neighbour. As for England he would be letting down some Millwal thug.
I still agree David Beckham should be in the squad, but not a regular starter. He has not put in a fantastic performance since his heroics against Greece in 2002. He would be there to help Theo Walcott and David Bentley become established internationals.
Ashley Cole looks to comfortable in left back and no one is really pushing him to earn his place which seems very disappointing. Gareth Barry has not played well for a while now. Without Steven Gerrard the team lacks any real passion or urgency.
My ideal England team would be:
David James – he last until he is 40, there is no one better yet.
Micah Richards – Strong, adventurous, and seems a better option than Glen Johnson or Wes Brown.
Ashley Cole – Still our best left back but Wayne Bridge, Leyton Baines, Nicky Shorey, etc really needs to push him for Cole to earn his place.
John Terry – The captain, the inspiration, enough said.
Rio Ferdinand – a good footballing centre half, his understudy should be Jonny Woodgate as their games are pretty similar.
Theo Walcott – He is going to be England’s best player for the next 15 years so why not stick him in now and really get to grips with the scene.
Ashley Young – superb little player, most assists last season he should be a must.
Owen Hargreaves – a decent engine and a perfect player to sit and do the messy work.
Steven Gerrard – The heartbeat and the match winner.
Wayne Rooney – On his day he is fantastic, let him play the game. He needs to be more offensive and stay where he is the most dangerous in the oppositions half.
Michael Owen – he is still our best goalscorer and always comes good on the big stage.
Others who run this team close our Joe Cole, Jonny Woodgate, Gabby Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, Glen Johnson, Joe Hart and Frank Lampard.
This should the nucleus of the squad and for other players to get in they must be more on top of their game.
Players like Wayne Bridge, David Bentley, Joleon Lescott, Michael Carrick, etc need to be performing week in and week out to deserve to play.
But in all cases, Croatia will be interesting on Wednesday.

Boxed

A lot of victories are sweet, many are over riding, many are deserved. Occasionally a victory comes a long and stuns every one.
Seeing Amir Khan flat on his arse brought an unnecessary smile to my face. This defeat might make Khan realised the world of professional boxing is much more difficult than anyone could imagine.
Breidis Prescott you may have saved Khan’s career. He thought it was all too easy, putting him down after just 30 seconds will come as a shock too many spectators but it is down to his doing.
The Olympics Boxing team showed grit and determination and was under good leadership. Frankie Gavin did not make the weight but he still wants to stay amauter for now. He becomes Britons first ever World amauter boxing champion last year and the offers would be pouring in.
Khan simply won the silver medal and decided he was good enough to take on the world. This humiliation may spark an onslaught of decent training and him having more respect for him. Actually behave in a dignified manner.
Gold medallist James DeGale was ringside and he may want to continue as in his class and he witnessed the reparcusions of turning pro too early. Khan, the 2004 silver medallist and Audley Harrrison, the 2000 gold medallists look anything but the decent fighters they were.
Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton are trained veterans and a page should be taken out of their book.
But for now Khan it is make or break time.

Long Rest King Kev

All hail King Kev, the pride of the north. The football man, everyone’s best mate. He will be going out of Newcastle even more popular than he walked in.
It looks like he walked out on Newcastle before he was pushed out, inevitably, that was the case. Kevin Keegan you are a hero, you stand for so much. Your principles stand for much more than anyone could have bargained for, as the Manic Street Preaches sing -a true working class hero.
You leave those adoring fans who worshipped every step you took. It is a pity that they have to suffer but they will stand by you. You can tell by the hundreds protesting outside St James Park, they will never desert you.
Mike Ashley and Dennis Wise, or Cannon and Ball what I like to call them, will have to go into hiding. There will be thousands baying for their blood and they will not settle until they achieve that.
Ashley you are a supposedly a huge Newcastle fan, you sit in the stands, recklessly downing pints but it is true that people with money lose reality and a sense of belonging. Act your age and act you responsibilities. Keegan will go into footballs wilderness and leave a decent side in which Wise tried to destroy.
He was desperate for a left back so he got a striker. Logic please?
The club has even came out saying that Keegan was being unreasonable, he sticks to his guns. He will stick up for what he believes in and that is not renegotiable.
Keegan, Bill Shankly once told you to go on to that field and drop bombs. Newcastle fans I suggest you do similar. Not actually drop real bombs of course, but boycott, protest, petitions, your much devoted club deserves better. Keegan saved it and it only take a couple of twats too ruining it.
Ruud Gullet ruined a well run club, Sir Bobby Robson took you so close to glory and Keegan had to save the Graeme Souness era.
There is never a better time for the one they call God. Alan Shearer you are desperately needed. Restore the pride, the honour, the realisation in the northeast before it is too late.

Pieter-pan

I wish to congratulate Kevin Pietersen on a successful start to the new era of English cricket. He was deprived of a 5-0 whitewash over South Africa as typical British weather ruined the last one-day international at Cardiff. (Yes I know it is the English team)
Destroying the place of his birth will go down in folk law as one of the most successful starts as the new England captain. He has many thank yous to dish out, first being with the old guard: Freddy Flintoff and Steve Harmison.
These two reignited the fortunes that is England’s one-day side. Harmison’s epic return has sparked others around him and he has found form at the perfect time. Pietersen would not be able to believe his luck was in as these to ‘veterans’’ helped guide the youngsters to stand up and perform. Stuart Broad was another highlight within the one-day ranks.
His performance at Trent Bridge was without doubt a major highlight in a spectacular series. Owais Shah was pleasing to see at three and it was a bold move from the skipper, especially moving himself down to four to benefit the team.
Ian Bell has came into his own as an opening batsman, and in all honesty I have not been a big fan of Matt Prior but I will have to eat my own words as he took a record-equalling six catches in and innings and provided very worthy with the bat as well.
With Flintoff and Harmison back in the fray and firing on all cylinders we look a good force, we deserved that second spot in the world rankings and that would have rubbed further salt into the South Africans wounds.
This is no Indian summer for Pietersen that hard work is about to start, be need to be ready for the ashes next year and a settled side playing good cricket will be needing. The test side needs fine tuning and it should resemble the one-day side ethic and togetherness.

Curb-ed

So everyone’s presumption is correct Alan Curbishley has finally resigned and left his ‘dream’ post and probably retreated in football’s wilderness. He did nothing at West Ham of note and he should have really stayed at Charlton rather than rely on his laurels at took the ‘special’ and I do mean special job at West Ham.
He has spent money and failed to deliver. Alan Pardew was not granted much funds but still managed to get them with a whisker of winning the 2006 FA Cup against Liverpool. It only took that man ‘Steven Gerrard’ to score an out-of-this-world goal to save their blushes.
It has gone all downhill from there as Carlos Tevez saved West Ham single handily from relegation as Alan Pardew failed to repeat the previous season’s success.
Curbishley simply was unlucky with countless injuries last term and saved to finish a respectable tenth. It is a shame to see how he easily he fell and with the chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson selling players of the calibre of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney damaged West Hams credentials.
Having being promised transfer funds he brought in the likes of Craig Bellamy, Kieran Dyer, Lucas Neill and Freddie Ljungberg and all either ended up injured or completely loss for form. It is a shame as Curbishley took a gamble and it failed to materialise.
Unfortunately, nice people never gain the credit they deserve, you have to be ruthless and simply, nasty to be successful. Nice guys always get the bullet and to be fair Curbishley may even end up going back to Charlton if Pardew continues to struggle.
Slaven Bilic is rumoured to join the Hammers and I would welcome him to grace the Premiership but I do hope he understands the full significance that he is going to take no. This is no easy job. Harry Redknapp proved how you run a team like West Ham and he has provided similar traits at Portsmouth.
Hard work and knowing the transfer market will be crucial.

Bully to the Top

I wish to congratulate Jimmy Bullard on his deserved England call up but appallingly deny the manner and the timing of the call up.
He is exemplary and Arsene Wenger even took time out of his whinging and arguing and claimed Bullard to be an engine of any side. I like him as a player, I even like him more with the personality he applies to his football and his complete professional manner, and he is a credit for the squad.
I would have liked him to play against the Czechs and gain experience that way to see if he can handle at this level. His performances for Fulham his year has been nothing short of amazing. Against Arsenal, he ruled the game and was picking the right passes and getting in the right spaces.
I believe that he and Steven Gerrard would work brilliantly with Gareth Barry hanging around would even give those energetic enthusiast tired eyes as these three would be full of energy and would want to perform graciously for the team.
Bullard’s career was almost cut very short with very badly damaged knee but he has recovered confidently and it looks like he has taken his second chance with both bands.
Good Luck Bully.

Owen the need

How would feel if you take Joey out of friends? Dr Cox out of Scrubs? Peggy out of Eastenders? Pretty bummed I guess. Why take out an important element of anything successful and they do not come bigger than Michael Owen’s omission from the England squad. I do not know Fabio Capello’s thinking but it had better have something good.

To omit England’s only decent goal scorer is beyond me and the majority of the public. Yes Owen has been injured of late but if he is fit enough to play for Newcastle, well it is Newcastle, he is fit enough to represent his country. He has always come good in the time of need; he has saved our skins on numerous occasions.

I was left baffled. It is rather amusing that he is insistent on leaving him out in favour of Emile Heskey, Jermaine Defoe, and Wayne Rooney who can have barely shared twenty goals between them. The local and concept does not added up in any aspects. I am glad Theo Walcott has gained a place in the squad and he will grow with these experiences.

Owen and Peter Crouch seem rather bemusing. This is his team and he has his own ways and his own visions in seeing England play. Will David Bentley, Joe Cole, and Frank Lampard play a more offensive role with Rooney up front on his own, where he fades quicker than an ugly bird at a popular party?

40 goals in 89 games is a brilliant record in any form of football, especially at the highest level, is remarkable. It will be missed severely. No, we have to rely on Wes Brown popping up with an equaliser or something ridiculous like that.

I would not place money on any striker scoring over the two games. I do not have any confidence in those strikers to be our match winner. With Steven Gerrard all ready out injured, England have lost one of their prominent players and the match winner of the side. We have to hope with scalper through as we always do this early in a competition.

Owen and Heskey reunited for Israel and Russia last year in devastating effect; they worked brilliantly together even when Rooney was not in the side. Crouch put on a good sideshow but Owen has been the threat in attack.

Any way good luck England I am sure you are going to need it.

This is No Eastenders Episode

A day of drama, back stabbing, ungraceful banter. A day of stubbornness, sheer arrogance, and greed. Nevertheless, this is no Eastenders episode.

This unfortunate soap is the 1^St September 2008 and deadline day. Thankfully, the transfer window is firmly shut, so we have no chance of another nasty return for Dirty Den.

The day was a revelation, to say the least. We now have a new boy on the block, Robinho. Whilst the red half, wheeled and dealed and practically kidnapped Dimitar Berbatov.

City even put in a rather hopeful attempt to put one over on their rivals and steal the stroppy striker’s signature, but Berbatov moaned and whined until he got his way.

Sir Alex Ferguson you appear, in most cases, above the law and it is a real shame Daniel Levy does not have a strong backbone to shred you into pieces. At least you have Frazier Campbell on loan for the season, and Spurs fans you remember the last time you sported Campbell on the back of a replica shirt don’t you?

Ferguson always gets what he wants. It does not matter when or how, he will get what he wants, or do as his pleases. You cannot questions his motives and he is the most successfully to grace the Premiership and Europe in recent years, but you cannot conduct the way he acts.

Tottenham just enhanced their justification of being a feeder club, a stopgap even where every player who destined to join spurs are also destined to move on. Sol Campbell, Michael Carrick, Robbie Keane, Berbatov, Rohan Ricketts (HAHA), Jermaine Defoe, Teddy Sheringham, etc.

That is why I have a lot of respect for Martin O’Neil at present as he stuck to his guns in Liverpool’s pursuit of midfielder Gareth Barry and he won. Rafael Benitez will not be happy having that ‘Barry’ void within his squad. Well done O’Neil you can occupy Tottenham’s position as the best of the rest. Bringing good young hungry English players in the form of James Milner, Steve Sidwell, Nicky Shorey, and Luke Young will make your squad more intense as they will strife to work together. No big egos, one squad, I like O’Neil’s thinking.

As for Liverpool, shocking transfer window, shocking. I was encouraged by the signing of Keane, in fact, I was almost in heaven, but it did cost us. Bringing in another 8 million player in Albert Riera is a mistake; again, he is just a stopgap. It is a left-winger but to be honest I would have preferred Milner. Last year we had Fernando Torres, we had an edge, and it seems Liverpool has taken another step sideways as Manchester United and Chelsea step further forward. Even Villa and City are slowly catching.

I am glad it is all over and we can solely concentrate on the football first hand but first we have to put up with two England games. Eastenders do not sound that bad now.