Reputation Harmed-ison

West Indies will forever be ecstasy for Steve Harmison, the Promised Land, it is the spiritual home for any fast bowler.
And it was five years ago, that Harmison was at his peak on the hardest and fastest pitches in the Caribbean, collecting 23 wickets in four tests at 14 runs apiece. In that series, there was the ruthless spell of 7-12 as the West Indies were all out for 47 at Sabina Park.
Frustratingly, he has never recaptured that form.
After that tour in 2004, Harmison had everything going for him – ranked number one fast bowler in the world - and he even had the ludicrous premature comparisons to West Indies legend Curtly Ambrose but it was all in blind faith.
Now he has been through the motion. Inconsistent to say the least, too often or not he has been found wandering, as he is the most frustrating English bowler to observe.
He could be on the grasp of greatest with one delivery and with the next one - he could be on the brink of suicide.
Many speak about how devastating Harmison can be; a fit and happy Harmison is one of the world’s best according to his teammates.
Well if that’s the case, he should be exploding with happy pills and covered head to toe in bubble wrap.
If Jamaica was the benchmark, he has fallen dramatically. Brisbane 2006 was his low point as the opening ball in the Ashes went straight to good mate Andrew Flintoff at second slip.
Other times have been a constraint of injuries, homesickness and Newcastle United. Three things that can’t be good for anyone.
A notable 2005 Ashes performance and figures of 6-19 and 5-67 in one test against Pakistan in 2006 was other glimpses of his potential that has failed to flourish.
His has credentials to bowl 90mph consistently and it’s bemusing why we have not seen that Harmison for a long time. His return to the test team last year was for what he could do rather than what he has been doing. Matthew Hoggard probably wishes the selectors were just as forgiving.
His inclusion in the One-day Internationals came about after good friend Kevin Pietersen asked to come out retirement but he has not done anything off worth. With Andrew Strauss at the realm, will he commandingly have a spot in the starting eleven?
It is anything part from a love story with Harmison.
Hopeful the up and coming tour of West Indies, where he performed wonders, will spark the Durham man back into life and reignite his desire for England’s main attack bowler to reclaim former glories.

Montyful

Thankfully, Colin Montgomerie has been handed the captaincy to lead Europe in the 2010 Ryder Cup.
A crushing defeat by the Americans in last year’s Ryder Cup was only inevitable in a competition that has been dominated by Europe. Montgomerie can head to Celtic Manor in a fantastic position to defeat the new breed of US talent with his own initiative.
Nick Faldo was appointed captain and he tried his best; he had an extremely difficult task to follow Iain Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance in regaining the trophy, ultimately he failed. His long-term rivalry with Paul Azinger was his downfall as his persistence and his alter egoism prevented him overturning the Americans.
A new regime was needed, Faldo was a player always in the spotlight, and it was always about him. Monty, on the other hand, tries to live the quiet life and his appointment would refuel some much-needed optimism in European golf. He is loved by all golf fans and he will get them concentrating on the golf rather than the ordeals off the course. The star of the show will be golf.
Monty has already said that he will put a good back room staff in place to assist him. Faldo relied solely on Jose Maria Olazabal when Paul McGinley opted to compete for a place in the team rather than work under Faldo. It was a fatal mistake.
Olazabal would have been the 2010 captain if his health could have been trusted as Monty looked to the Ryder Cup being held in Scotland before being appointed, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were brought back to be a vice captain once again.
Darren Clarke would be another that could be installed as a vice captain, he would add more sentiment to the team. Sandy Lyle wouldn’t come in to work under Monty; he’s rather disappointed that he was overlooked this time around. It does seem that his time has passed to captain the team.
Europe needed Monty as his record speaks volumes on how much he loves the competition. His record of 20-9-7 where he has accumulated 23.5 points is fantastic; he sits only 1.5 points behind the all time record held by Faldo.
It was one legend replaced by another as Monty duly swept in and took the role with no complaints. His attention to detail and preparation is amongst the best in the golfing circle. Hence, Montgomerie’s demand for more captain picks to make the players he has at his disposal. He wants only the players there who want to be there and he will make sure they are playing their best golf.
Monty will be able to pick the team he wants, craft a group that will be united rather than the Valhalla fiasco, where the team didn’t reach the unity of 2006.
In Kentucky, there was no conviction that there was unity, Faldo choose individuals he wanted rather than emerging a team. Ian Poulter played brilliantly, way above expectations, but he relied on a captain pick when he pulled out of the Johnnie Walker Championship and the chance to earn an automatic place in the Ryder Cup team. Monty wouldn’t have this, commitment, loyalty, and teamwork will be the main theme of his reign.
Montgomerie is a theorist, sparking his ideas and philosophy into action and backing them up with stats and evidence. Every one of his golfers Monty would know inside and out, their strengths, weaknesses, and Monty would know what to expect. He would have a plan to defeat each one of those Americans in the opposite colours the next time around.
The Scotsman is a known fan of Torrance leadership in 2002, and when Torrance provided a memorable patriotic and inspiring speech before the 2002 event, he put Europe one up mentality before a ball being struck. Monty will want to do this and without doubt, he will revert to his fellow Scot at some time for some insight and inspiration.
Corey Pavin will be the US captain and will be eager to carry on Azinger good work. For one thing, the US team will be there asking questions about the temperament of Monty. Pavin can always revert to his solitary US Open win and remind Monty where was his Major win?

Is Bolton looking to the Future?

Most teams are throwing away countless amounts of money on stopgaps to make sure on Premier League survival, Bolton Wanderers, on the other hand, are looking towards the future.
Their recent acquisition of talented youngster Mark Davies shows intent of moving the club forward in years to come whether that is in the Premier League or the Championship.
The highly rated midfielder moves from top topping Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee and is tipped for big things.
He broke into the Wolves first team at the tender age of 17 shows how determined Davies is and he would not be phrased by moving into the Premier League.
Recently he has been playing for League One side Leicester City in order to regain full match fitness and has been ever impressive, even scoring a few goals on the way.
Davies has been with his injuries; he suffered cartilage troubles that caused him to miss almost two years of professional football. Sometimes with these injuries at such a young age can put a huge element of doubt in a player’s mentality, Davies, at the moment, proves otherwise.
Gary Megson must have done his research and have full faith in his ability in carrying out important duties for his side.
Davies has already captained the England under 17 team and is a proud product of the ever improving Wolves youth academy. The man who brought him through at Wolves, Chris Evans, is now on the coaching staff at Bolton and must have mentioned his deep inner thoughts on Davies.
Bolton currently sit in 14th position and is only two points from the relegation places but is the youngster Davies be enough to secure survival?
It doesn’t seem a signing that will make noticeable impact; it won’t influence the team a great deal this season especially. Other players are needed if Bolton are looking to escape from a torrid relegation battle.

Bullard What a Bargain!

What would be the most shocking revelation this transfer window bring?
Jermaine Defoe to Tottenham Hotspur, a mesmerizing return.
Kaka to Manchester City, the ridiculous over the top transfer. Unfortunately, it never happened.
Nigel de Jong to Manchester City, an expensive acquisition to say the least.
Craig Bellamy to Manchester City, the village bike of the Premier League.
Emile Heskey to Aston Villa, a romantic story for England’s main target man.
Mido to Wigan, Why?
But none have surprised like Jimmy Bullard heading for the KC Stadium.
He has left Fulham for Hull City; the logic has completely gone out of the window.
Fulham are flying (well for Fulham), playing in midfield with Danny Murphy has been good for Bullard’s game. The call-up to the England squad was no accident, he is a class player, and a team in the top ten must have wanted him.
Middlesbrough’s, Wigan’s and West Ham’s of this world are bidding for players like Ben Watson, while Bullard was available for a very modest £5 million. Compared to the transfers above this is a real bargain.
Arsenal need centre midfielders, would he not have fitted the bill. Eligible for Europe and a craft eye for the pass, he would have fitted in perfectly. A real engine in their team, bring back the passion and the hunger to fight for that top four spot.
Although being 30 years old shows he is not spring chicken, he still has the energy to dominate a midfield and perform heroics on the field. His career has had its gaps though persistent crucial injuries, he has never been able to flourish in the manner he could.
When he signed for Wigan, he played brilliant in securing promotions through all the divisions, never once looked out of his depth.
Hull City have got themselves a pin up, an icon and a fantastic addition to their squad. A four –and-a-half contract decided Bullard’s fate in the end. He will do wonders, where finances and transfer fees are spiralling out of control; it’s absurd that a player of Bullard’s ability was snapped up so modestly.

Lowe Point for Southampton

Hurry, Hurry, everything must go. The players, the coaches, the board, the chefs, the stewards, the car park attendants, the grounds men, the sweepers, the kids, the balls, the kits, the training ground, the reverses, the specialist academy, must go.
Southampton Football Club are in dire straits and the recent resignation of Head Coach Jan Poortvleit has certainly helped their cause for playing League One football.
Stability is everything and continuity is pinnacle. The Dutchman’s departure came as no surprise in this trigger-happy age but that fact he walked is bemusing. It’s properly a matter of jumping before initially being pushed.
He took over from Nigel Pearson in the summer, and was introduced by idiotic chairman Rupert Lowe, as a new wave of continental coaching that would use the excellent academy that Southampton can boost, too fast track these youngsters to the first team.
To an extent Poortvliet did that, no big fancy or experienced loan players were brought in, he used the youth and still managed some notable performances. Two particular games against high flying Reading were the high points where the Royals were completely outplayed. However, the solitary win at home, a 2-0 win over Norwich City, is the only highlight at St Mary’s this season.
The club lie second from bottom and will have a difficult task on their hands. Financially, they make the British economy look secure, administration is a certainty and they are at the point of no return.
Any decent player will be sold instantly in an attempt to balance books, the likes of Andrew Surman, Adam Lullana and David McGoldrick will be flying out the door without a choice. Hurry, Hurry, everything must go.
Michael Wilde and Lowe will have their work cut out; they will feel the full brunt of Saints fans as the protest is proposed to be before the next home game against Swansea City. These fans have every right to be disgruntled and the incompetent running can only infuriate the club.
In a silly step, they have installed Poortlviet assistant Mark Wotte as the man to save them for the doldrums of League One.
Fair enough, cut costing measures are in place but they need a proper manager, with a proper know how to save them from this mess.

Taylor to the Rescue Once Again

In another life, Graham Taylor may have been a yellow coloured Yo-yo constantly heading back towards the hand of Watford. His immediate return to Watford hasn’t come as a big surprise; he has flung back in aid of his beloved club.
The 64 year old has been appointed as a non-executive director on the club’s new-look board as Watford look to escape from the dangers of a relegation battle.
Taylor’s return will be one for the purist, a typically justified old head that will give the Hornets a wealth of footballing experience in taking the club forward.
He was brought in, not be involved with Brendan Rodgers but, for his depth of knowledge regarding Watford as a club that will support Chairman Andy Wilson to get to grips with the state that the last regime left the club in. Graham Simpson angered Honorary Life President Sir Elton John so much, so that he quit his post; Simpson incidentally left the club after he appointed Rodgers.
Taylor joins fellow veteran Frank Lampard Senior (Football Consultant) in attempting to restore structure and stability at Vicarage Road.
Graham Taylor is and always will be remembered fondly and has the upmost of respect at the club, fans idolised him and it is a return of a legend. He finds himself in a different capacity that what he is used too but he will let the new management get on with the job in hand.
Brendan Rodgers would not be intimidated by Taylor’s presence he will welcome his advice. No doubt, Taylor will voice his thoughts and worries and Rodgers will take that aboard, he is still a student of the game with much to learn. This will help Rodgers develop as a manager and a coach as well.
Watford find themselves in a very delicate situation, Championship football next season must be the priority. After a terrible start and the departure of Aidy Boothroyd, Watford started to look steady to say the least.
Boothroyd was not popular with the Watford faithful and they blame him for the current crop of players at Rodgers disposal. The new manager is always pursuing his own players and his own squad, this will take time as money resources are not currently available. Watford fans will support Rodgers and having Taylor back on hand will reaffirm their support.

Reading calling the Tabb

The Irish contingent continues at Reading with Jay Tabb joining Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Stephen Hunt and Noel Hunt at the Madejski Stadium.
Tabb joins on an undisclosed fee from Coventry City and he will add more flair and balance to the flourishing Reading side. Coventry will miss the midfielder as their side are urgently losing much creativity; he was the Sky Blues player of the year last season.
Tabb had played for Steve Coppell before, giving him a chance at a youthful 17 years of age. However, he made more of an impression when Wally Downes was at the helm at Brentford becoming a huge cult figure a Griffin Park.
Being a modest 5’7” in height will not give him the powerhouse affect but he has the craft and cunning ability to find that through pass. He has already played at the Madejski this term and was on the end of 3-1 defeat.
He will find it difficult to break into the first team at Reading as the midfield is brimming with talent. Tabb will have to get through the competition of Hunt, James Harper, Brynjar Gunnarsson, Marek Matejovsky, Kalifa Ciise, Jem Karacan, Bobby Convey, and Jimmy Kebe. Being a versatile midfielder will obviously aid his cause. However, the signing of a midfielder where the competition is fierce signals a departure.
Coppell must have a big offer coming in for one of his players, Hunt has been linked with a host of clubs and Harper has been touted by Middlesbrough.
Despite the defeat at Swansea City, Reading look on course to an immediate return to the Premier League and adding a player of Tabb’s ability will only be an asset to the squad.

Kieren Westwood aiming High

Keiren Westwood never gets the praise and the credit he deserves. He is, at present, the best goalkeeper playing in the Championship.
This is a league with some very good goalkeepers -Marcus Hahnemann, Kelvin Davis, Adriano Basso, to name a few but Westwood is sensational and is the next up and coming goalkeeper. He will be the next name on the list of transfer targets for Premier League teams that need a decent goalkeeper.
He has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad recently and on current form Ireland looks like they have found their replacement for Shay Given when he finally hangs up his gloves. A worthy replacement when the inevitable happens.
However, Weswood’s first inclusion caused much controversy with some Irish fans as many thought he was not a worthy choice. He even foolishly claimed, “I’m not Irish as such, but I’m a Catholic boy.” Lessons have been learnt.
For his club side, Westwood is proving to be a key player at Coventry City, after his £450,000 move in the summer from Carlisle, he has been pinnacle to their mid table ‘success’. For Carlisle he was he stand out player and was easily voted the League One’s Goalkeeper of the year with a string of brilliant performances to propel the northern club into the play off places.
He has great reflexes, very dominant in the air and is one of the most agile in the game. The Irishman will have to make the step up to continue his development, he will not become the best at Coventry City but fortunately, for the Sky Blues, he has plenty of time on his side. Being 23 years old seems a long way until a goalkeeper reaches his peak. If he progresses as quickly has he had done, he will be playing with the elite in no time.

Goodbye Glenn Roeder, and that could be it!

A long time ago there was this skilful technique called the “Roeder Shuffle” that was ultimately a smart step over and was used to extricate from numerous tight spots. Well Glenn Roeder may have been its creator but he has not performed that perfection for a while now.
His sacking as the Norwich City Manager came as no surprise, these trigger happy chairmen and executives demand perfection instantly. Roeder couldn’t get out that tight spot.
He paid the ultimate price as he watched his depleted side being knocked out of the FA Cup by Charlton Athletic, and it was their first win in 20 games, quite a sad state of play.
In the league, they have not fended much better either, with only goal difference separating them from the relegation zone, as they have not won in five.
A massive lack of depth in the squad as well as quality key areas cost are the reason they are playing poorly. When Reading striker Leroy Lita came in on loan, the team looked a threat offensively but still remained vulnerable defensively.
Roeder didn’t find the right players in the summer and had to rely on the loan market, he has done a bad job, and he had to go. He lost a massive sledge of his popularity when he decided to release fans favourite Darren Huckerby and it went spiralling down from there.
The football he tried to produce was not pretty and he always spoke of the 5-2 win over Wolves, where Lita scored a hat trick, as a reason to look hopeful. Sorry but you simply can’t rest on your laurels. Even a 2-0 win over Ipswich in the ‘Old Farm’ derby could not restore respect.
Roeder did an average job at West Ham United and did a reasonably good job at Newcastle United before his initial move to Norwich. It’s just a shame his reputation has been tarnished and dragged through the mud as this failure may have just put him in managerial wilderness.

No Way Back for Charlton!

Let’s face it, being five points adrift at the bottom of the Championship is not the most ideal position to start giving up hope especially with so much riding on it. Newly installed Charlton Athletic manager Phil Parkinson gives his somewhat subdued rally cry to his players and fans, “Once we get that first win we’ll go on to get several very quickly.”
I’ve heard more sense coming out of Gordon Brown. It’s quite the ordeal.
Charlton are rooted to the bottom, scoring 28 goals so far this season, as their defence has more holes than a colander shipping an awful 47 goals. It’s a cause without hope.
Parkinson has dug deep and somehow managed to conquer the loan signing of Reading’s captain Graeme Murty, in all honesty it was probably not for his defensive ability but more for his bottle and character; A leader, something that Charlton have desperately missed.
It’s a matter of too little too late.
There latest defeat to another relegation candidate Nottingham Forest left nothing to the imagination, Charlton are stuck in a rut.
They have passed the point of no return and as ex-Premier League clubs shown previously, Charlton should be preparing for a massive clear out and establish themselves once again, even if that is in League One.
Leicester City and Notts Forest are the inspiration to aspire to, but these are two massively supported clubs unlike Charlton. They really are going struggle whatever the outcome at the end of this season.
Leeds United have been struggling to get back. Swindon Town and Bradford City have gone through the whole cycle all the way down to League Two. Southampton are so far in debt their playing their under 14s and still are doing a lot better than the Addicks.
There is a genuine chance of Charlton going out of business (Takeover must be immediate), and a sensible plan should be put in place to guarantee the future of the club rather than rely on Championship football next season. There should be no gung-ho.
Let’s remember this team was a whisker of a play-off last term and were even candidates for European football a couple of years back.
This club have fallen quicker than the government’s popularity and fans must be worried. They must start saving their pennies, especially in the time of recession, to fund the luxurious trips to Carlisle, Brighton and Yeovil.

Hungry like a Wolf

Wolverhampton Wanderers missed out on a play off place last season due to a pure lack of firepower, this season they are finding no such problem.
For much of last season goals were as rare as Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane sharing pleasantries. As the 53 goals scored in 46 games was, in truth, excessively laughable. Last Christmas was not generous as Wolves only picked up 4 points from a possible 21 over the festive period, despite having a strong finish they fell agonisingly short, in fact a mere two goals was the difference between sixth and seventh spot.
The ‘goals for’ tally was the second worst in the top 16 of The Cola-Cola Championship, even the team known for its pedestrian sideways pass and punt up field - Bristol City - conjured up an extra goal. Rock Bottom Colchester United somehow scored 9 more goals as they were condemned to hell (League one, well Leeds United do reside there).
However, in January 2008, they made a shrewd signing of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and the clubs fortune swiftly changed. The undisclosed fee agreed was well and truly worth it.
The Ex- Manchester United youth player became pinnacle to the Wolves side, scoring 12 goals in 20 games becoming their top goal scorer. Ironically, he remained Plymouth Argyles top goal scorer for the season as well.
This season, McCarthy’s team have taken the Championship by storm, the end of last season form carried on into this one. Ebanks-Blake continued his prolific streak and been fundamental in his team’s success as they have scored 55 goals this term already with 19 games still left to play.
McCarthy kicked out the untainted waste in the summer – the mediocre strikers Freddy Eastwood and Jay Boothroyd, as they could not find water from a boat. The Yorkshire man replaced them with experienced Charlton Athletic forward Chris Iwelumo and Bournemouth’s youngster Sam Vokes to freshen up the attack.
With the new forwards, Wolves embarked on the clubs strongest start since 1949. Ebanks-Blake (16) and Iwelumo (13) have scored 29 goals between them already this season to fire Wolves to top spot.
McCarthy won’t be counting his chickens quite yet, there is still a massive job to do. Ebanks-Blake will need to be fit and on form to fire Wolves a return to the top flight.
As last season proves, goals come at quite a price but Ebanks-Blake looks quite the bargain.