Coppell 'Hunt' Strikers

Steve Coppell may be that man who can find the needle in a haystack.

His craft eye in scouring the country and overseas is the sole reason why Reading have so many priced gems.

Premier League clubs may be walloping the door down with bag full’s of money to snatch these players away but Coppell remains that his modest and honest attitude have helped players develop and become some of the finest he has ever witnessed.
Some have gone and some have stayed but all in all Coppell must be considered a master in changing lower league strikers into fine, top rate players.

Coppell was the man responsible for Ian Wright’s spectacular career as he joined Crystal Palace after being touted from non-league Greenwich Borough. The Wright and Bright combination did Palace a world of good as they gained promotion almost 20 years ago.

Now Coppell is re-establishing the same torment with recent addition Noel Hunt and partnering him with Kevin Doyle.

Hunt’s brace against Coventry City is a welcomed reminder that Coppell has a thing for strikers and plucking them from lower divisions to produce them into world-beaters.

Even though Hunt originally was signed from Dundee United where he had a one in three strike rate, Coppell knew his potential when he started out for Shamrock Rovers and when he struggled at Dunfermline

He has now have eight goals in the Championship so far and have no signs of slowing down. He is sparking up a lethal partnership with fellow compatriot Doyle, they are the envy of any Manager in the division.

Under Coppell’s guidance, Hunt has begun his international career with the senior squad, coming on as a substitute against Poland back in November. He has followed in Kevin Doyle’s steps and Coppell is hoping that Hunt can contribute similar to what Doyle had done.

Doyle scored 19 goals in his first season of English football as Reading achieved promotion in stunning fashion. Coppell will be wanting similar benefits.

Dave Kitson came for a modest £150,000, even though Coppell did take massive advantage of Cambridge United’s worsening financial state. What a player he turned out to be. The club made a smooth £6 million pound profit in the meantime as he moved on to Stoke City.
Leroy Lita could be added to that list. Costing £1 million from Bristol City seems money well spent, even after his phone exploits.
David Mooney joined from Cork City as well and may the next rising talent. He was the top goal scorer in Ireland in 2007 and is the next one for Coppell to take credit.
Shane Long is another up and coming talent. He is now an established squad member of the Republic of Ireland squad and been having more impact than he had in previous seasons.
Now Reading have some strike force and if one is to leave, Coppell will have another gem to pick from.

Robins Left Flapping

Some may say that lightning never strikes twice. Bristol City maybe finding that out.

After a successful season last year, where they were only denied a place in the Premier League by Hull in the playoff final, they find themselves struggling in the bottom half of the Championship.

Gary Johnson will certainly have his work cut out as he tries to inspire his team. Dean Windass’ only goal in a 1-0 win at Wembley last May knocked the stuffing out of The Robins as their momentum did not carry into this campaign.

Poor individual performances and a lack of unity seem to be pinnacle to their failure.

The Bristol City Manager came out after the recent poor form and told BBC Radio Bristol: “They are an honest bunch. Obviously, we’re all disappointed together. We are together in what we’re trying to do.

“Individuals have got to get their games right and then hopefully the team will get their game right.”

City’s failure to win since their 1-0 victory over Southampton has showed a lack of solidarity and togetherness as their latest 2-0 defeat to the hands of a high flying Preston side did not help matters.

The table may say that they are only a mere two wins away from the playoffs but in retrospect terms it is a much greater divide.

The performers last year have not lived up to their potential this term, as players of the quality of Adriano Basso, Bradley Orr, Lee Trundle and Michael McIndoe have hardly reproduced that glittering form that saw them well last season.

Even the additions of Nicky Maynard and Stern John from Crewe and Southampton respectively have not made the impact for what the club were hoping. Maynard being the clubs top goal scorer with four goals. That is not enough to compete at the top end of the table.

Being beaten in the playoff final has not always been a bad omen. In recent times, only Leeds United have dropped right out of the picture when losing to Watford 3-0 back in 2006. Preston, West Ham United and West Brom have made relatively decent pushes the following term with West Ham and West Brom both being promoted.

Reading FC: 1995 v Current Squad

As Reading sit pondering in the play off places I threw my mind back to their classic 1995 play-off defeat to Bolton Wanderers and debate whether which is the better team that 1995 team or the current one.
Reading famously went two up with goals from Lee Nogan and Adie Williams, before Stuart Lovell missed a penalty. That allowed Bolton to score two to take the game into extra time. Bolton eventually ran out 4-3 winners with Jimmy Quinn scoring the third for Reading. That heartbreak is often hard to take, but it was a superb season. Reading finished second behind Middlesbrough and had to go into the playoffs as the Premier League was reduced to 20 clubs from 22. Any other season we would have been playing in the Premier League.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City are currently in the driving seat and with Reading’s inconsistency so far this season, a place in the playoff is on the cards. Of course, I would prefer to see us promoted automatically but a trip to Wembley. How could I turn that down?
I may have been the tender age of eight at the time of the 1995 final, but as an avid Reading fan I have passionately looked back and seen some of the play and been told many stories. The easiest thing I can do is compare every player in every position and debate whether who should take the starting line up spot. I will compare the 1995 play off final side to the current line up.
Shaka Hislop v Marcus Hahnemann
Shaka was one of the finest goalkeepers to wear the jersey for Reading and he led the mass player exodus following ‘that’ defeat to Bolton in 1995 where Newcastle United snapped him up for £1.575 million a British record for a goalkeeper at the time. He became a runner up twice in the top division with Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle.
He was a firm fan favourite and managed to earn the Royals Player of the Year award twice. Hislop was known for his speed and agility in claiming crosses and was a great shot stopper. Hislop’s 20 clean sheets in the 1994/95 season were valuable as Reading took the division by surprise.
Marcus, like Hislop, has always been a fan favourite. Handing his goalkeeper’s shirt to a member of the crowd after every match has given him a cult-like status where kids adore him and everyone else loves him. A fantastic shot stopper and brilliant dispatcher of the ball, he often creates attacks from his big kicks or long throws. Having played in over 280 games for the Royals and was the only one to play in the Premier League. He will be difficult to replace.
Andy Bernal v Liam Rosenior/ Graeme Murty
Bernal may not be remembered solely for his football, as he became a football agent and personal assistant for David Beckham.
His 187 appearances and two goals made him a regular at right back. He signed in 1994 from Ipswich Town. Bernal represented his native Australia 21 times before retiring at the age of 34.
Currently this season, Rosenior has been playing the role of right as Murty has been suffering from injury. Murty will forever be associated as our finest right back ever as he led the club to the Premier League for the first time in their history. Murty and Rosenior play in similar ways, as they both like to attack even though goals came too few and far between.
Dariusz Wdowczyk v Andre Bikey
Wdowczyk was originally the Polish national teams left back before reverting to one of three centre backs for Reading during the 1994/95 season. He was signed from Celtic after Reading supposedly offered him a derisory pay deal. He was able to deliver pinpoint passes and provided the front men with accurate cross balls.
Bikey on the hand is often reckless but with full concentration, he is one of the Championships finest. If he had ten seconds to do something, he will take nine of them and that is often nail biting watching on the terraces. Superb in the tackle and is an often a threat from set pieces.
Adie Williams v Ivar Ingimarsson
Two of the finest centre halves to ever grace Reading football club along with Martin Hicks, and both have been ever influential in the Royals success.
Williams played 398 games and was captain before Coppell ended his love affair with Reading. Since his first appearance in 1991-1992 season, he has played in every position from centre forward to emergency goalkeeper, wearing every shirt number 1-11 in the process. Dominate in the air and an elegant passer of the ball. He was pure genius.
Ingimarsson was Coppell’s first signing and played a crucial since. He formed good partnerships with Williams (in his third spell with the club) and with Ibrahima Sonko, to become the king pin of the side. He took over the captain role from Murty where he has been injured.
Simon Osborn v Chris Armstrong
Osborn is naturally a midfielder but played at left wing back in the final due to the injury of Dylan Kerr. Osborn moved to Premier League club Queens Park Rangers before going into the lower league wilderness but what a fine player he was for Reading.
Armstrong has recently joined the club to replace Nicky Shorey and so far he has not done a great deal wrong as he has slotted nicely in the keeping of the back four.
Jimmy Kebe v Michael Gilkes
A race to the death, these two pace men are probably the fastest two players you will ever see in the hoops. Gilkes played in over 400 games for Reading as his right wing exploits made him a huge fan favourite as he went from the old fourth division to the brink of the top-flight. He was also a part of the 1988 Milk Cup winners squad that defeated Top division side Luton Town 4-1 in the final.
Jimmy Kebe, despite having a poor season in the Premier League, is playing full of confidence and he has made that right wing spot his own after the departure of Glen Little.
Mick Gooding v James Harper
Gooding spent eight years at Reading and was the joint manager for the remainder of the 1994/95 season with Jimmy Quinn as McGhee left controversially for Leicester City. He was a sitting midfielder and linked play very well, bringing in every teammate into the game. He was able to inspire.
Harper covers every blade of grass and certainly makes his presences felt. He joined from Arsenal and was trusted to start in the Walsall play off final ahead of Darren Caskey, since then he was ever present in the teams of Alan Pardew and Steve Coppell.
Keith McPherson v Kalifa Ciise
McPherson also played one the three centre halves and his power and determination has singled him out amongst the rest. He was ever present in the side during the 1990s before his transfer to Brighton.
Ciise plays a defensive position for Reading and he is known to pop up with the occasion goal. Similar in stature with McPherson, and has an uncanny resemblance to the way they both go in for a tackle.
Scott Taylor v Stephen Hunt
Taylor was a flying midfielder and has many attributes that Hunt has. After the playoff defeat, he refused a new contract and swiftly joined Leicester City. He was a trainee at Reading before playing in over 200 games for the Royals and was instrumental in our promotion to the first division in 1994.
Hunt was signed from Brentford on a free in the 2004/05 season, where he was mainly used as a substitute for Bobby Convey in his first season but he soon made that spot his own with an unusual style of flair and hard work. He is loved by Reading and hated by everyone else. Touted by Premier League clubs throughout the summer, he is one of prized assets.
Lee Nogan v Noël Hunt
Nogan came in half way through the 1994/95 season and hit 10 goals in 20 games to make sure Reading secured second spot. He began his career at local rivals Oxford United before moving to Reading via Watford. He scored the first in the playoff defeat.
Noel, Stephen’s brother, have jumped straight into the starting line up and contributed massively to this seasons form. His goals have been constant, as he has sparked up a good partnership with Kevin Doyle. His move from Dundee United came about when Dave Kitson moved on to Premier League side Stoke City.
Stuart Lovell v Kevin Doyle
Lovell was unorthodox striker where he played most of the game trying to create rather than score. ‘Archie’ had a modest goal scoring record for Reading where he scored 58 goals in 227 appearances before moving north of the border to have a relatively successful career in Scotland. Lovell captained Livingstone to an impressive third place in the Scottish Premier League.
What a sensation Kevin has been since his move from Cork City. In his debut season, he scored 19 goals in 51 appearances as we secured promotion, this term it looks like he will be doing better than that. His pace and ability to be at the right place at the right time is one of his finer skills. He works hard for the team as he is often played out of position to accommodate the team.

After remembering the whole squads there were a few I left out. I simply named the 1995 Playoff Final team but added to that –
- Jimmy Quinn came on and scored whilst doing his job as joint manager but was in his autumn of his career.
- Dylan Kerr was out through injury
- Phil Parkinson was beginning to make end rows into the first team.
- Jeff Hopkins came on as a substitute.
- Adi Viveash played a few games that season.
Plus today’s squad I am missing –
- Marek Matejovsky is, par Robin Friday, the most natural gifted player we have had at the club.
- Brynjar Gunnarsson
- Leroy Lita
- Shane Long
- Bobby Convey
- Plus a few others.

My Best Team (Putting both squads together) is:
1: Hislop
2: Murty
3: Kerr
4: Gooding
5: Williams
6: McPherson
7: Gilkes
8: Matejovsky
9: Doyle
10: Lovell
11: Hunt
Subs
12: Ingimarsson
13 Hahnemann
14: Harper
15: Osborn
16: Quinn

Concerning Paines over 2010 World Cup

Terry Paine has instigated his worries about the impact of the 2010 World Cup will have for his beloved South Africa in the years following the event.
Paine, the current Southampton all time appearance record holder, feels that the legacy from South Africa World Cup is “questionable.”
He is concerned that the grassroots will suffer and the county will abstract a mammoth debt.
He said, “I do have my worries about the 2010 World Cup. I fear that there would be escalating debts that the country would not be able to handle.
“I fear the legacy may not be as successful as they would have liked.”
Paine was an ambassador for the 2006 and 2010 bid and conceded that the failure to land the 2006 World Cup was “a blessing in disguise.”
The 69 year old said, “Germany winning the bid gave South Africa another four years to get ready. Fortunately, this allowed them to have extra time to upgrade and build better stadiums.
“The authorities and federation had adopted new measures, FIFA have been especially helpful in contributing to finances.
“South Africa even beat England to the 2006 bid because of hotel rooms. England has planned sport events running throughout the summer, so that could not guarantee enough rooms for visitors.
“The extra four years gave South Africa a less of margin for error; however it is questionable whether there will be a legacy left behind.”
The nine new conformed stadiums have helped the country to get more prodigious. Brand new stadiums are under construction at Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth and at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. Where Limpopo will be rebuilt, as will King Senzangakhona Stadium in Durban.
Five of the current football stadiums will undergo renovations for 2010 - Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, the Royal Bafokeng stadium, and the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Kings Park and Green Point stadium in Cape Town will become completely new multi-sport facilities, Green Point complete with a retractable dome to protect fans and players from the Cape’s unpredictable winter weather.
These stadiums need to be ready and that is the main factor why South Africa will be debt ridden. The world demands the best and the best comes at a price. We will have to wait and see if that price will be justified.
Paine feels with a successful campaign in 2010, the World Cup will return to Africa in the near future.
He said, “There is no reason why the World Cup cannot return to Africa, South Africa will showcase the continent’s intent and perhaps in the none too distance future the event will return.
“It is vital that it runs smoothly. I cannot wait.”
The ex-England international believes a good performance is needed from the South African National Team at the World Cup but is worried about how the team may perform.
He said, “The quality of South African football is not at the highest because any half decent players venture abroad. Out of the national squad, only three play in the Premier League regularly.
“The national team’s target must surely be the second round knockout phase, if the country is going achieve any sense of credibility they need to perform well and make the people proud.”
With successful Rugby and Cricket teams, Paine still claims that football is the biggest sport in South Africa.
He said, “Rugby and Cricket are merely modest compared to the popularity of football. Football is by far the biggest and most participated sport in South Africa. Rugby and Cricket seems only important for the richer parts of the country, where football appeals to the masses.
“I just hope that FIFA do not deprive those local communities of a chance to watch World Cup matches. With the intake of visitors I can see the ticket prices will become unaffordable for the locals.”
Paine’s love affair with South Africa began early on his career. Much of the 1980s were spent in Johannesburg where he went on to coach Wits University Football Club, but he returned briefly in 1988 to work at Coventry City with his ex-Hereford United manager John Sillett.
He soon returned to South Africa and began work as a football presenter on digital satellite TV sports channel Supersport. He often appears alongside former Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey, and normally presents English Premier League and UFEA Champions League matches.

Watford appointed Rookie Brendan Rodgers as Manager

Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan Rodgers has been named the new Watford manager.

Rodgers takes over following Aidy Boothroyd’s recent departure, as the Hornets are one spot above the relegation places in the Championship.

Caketaker boss Malky Mackay will stay on as a first team coach as his experience of the club will be vital to Rodgers to turn the clubs fortune around.

There is potential at the club as Mackay led the Hornets to a hugely impressive 3-0 win over promotion contenders Queens Park Rangers at the weekend. The ex-Watford captain looked firm favourite to take over the hot seat of a permanent basis before the appointment of Rodgers.

In an impressive step, the former West Ham United player and assistant manger Frank Lampard Snr has joined as a football consultant to help matters. His experience will be valuable for Rodgers to succeed, as this will be his first time managing at first team level.

Rodgers told Watford’s website: “Frank is someone I have known for a little while now – he has great experience.

“He is a football man, an honest man and a loyal man. When you are a young manager, those are the key qualities you want someone who is your mentor.”

Watford fans will remember Boothroyd taking over in similar circumstances and in a similar position. He, remarkably, led the club into the Premier League after defeating Leeds United 3-0 in the Play Off final back in 2006.

The Vicarage Road outfit may be hoping for parallel success.

Rodgers, who is originally from Northern Ireland, was a successful youth academy director at Reading before Chelsea swooped in. He took up an important role in the development of Chelsea’s youth before being promoted to reserve team coach.

Now, Rodgers has taken another step in his career. It is impressive that he has worked his way up the ladder and has now taken over a big Championship team, who is placed at the wrong end of the table.He will certainly have his work cut out.

Pardew has finally gone

For a first time in a long while Alan Pardew will get to eat his Christmas Turkey stress free as he and Charlton Athletic have parted company by ‘mutual consent’.
Following Charlton’s 5-2 defeat by Sheffield United at the Valley, the Addicks had no other choice but to relief Pardew off his duties as they plunged into the relegation zone.
Phil Parkinson looks likely to be in temporary charge for the game against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday as more than 300 fans protested against Pardew’s position.
The ex-West Ham manager took over from Les Reed nearly two years ago but could not help Charlton from avoiding the drop that season.
Now in the Championship, Pardew has struggled to rekindle any of the form that saw them well last term. They narrowly finished in ninth place, on the brink of a play off place.
This current season they have lost 10 games already and it was no surprise that Pardew left and the club would be pleased to see the back of his high wages. The clubs finances have struggled to come to terms without the Premier League money as the position they find themselves in is concerning, relegation would pretty much destroy the infrastructures of the club and send them into further financial trouble.
The major fact to Pardew’s dismissal was the 31 goals leaked in just 18 games, the defence simply were not playing their part.
The 21 goal in return is also not good enough. The whole round team performances have been woeful.
Andy Gray have been the only notable player this term scoring six goals, as his closes rival have been midfielder Nick Bailey whose chipped in with three.
Luke Varney, who Pardew paid an astonishing £2 million for, has not made the impact he should have. The two goals he has scored from the 16 games he has played this season have been pitiful. He was signed from Crewe Alexandra where he was not the most prolific, so it seemed that Pardew spent most of his budget on a player that did not guarantee goals.
That was probably the beginning of his downfall. It got considerably worse after that.
The speculation regarding the foreign ownership of the Addicks was altogether distracting with regards to the clubs financial vulnerability. This did not allow Pardew to improve his much depleted squad.
Charlton received an indicative offer from a Dubai-based diversified investment company but that eventually fell through.
The club is heading into dire straits and Pardew had to go, he had lost the dressing room and new blood is required immediately to save them from going under.
It would seem that there is a ready made replacement out there to save them free falling further down the divisions, fans favourite Alan Curbishley.
A return might be unlikely but a manager that knows the club and can work within a shoe string budget is required.

Swansea star Bodde ruled out for season

The Championship, and more importantly, Swansea City will be deprived one of the most creative midfielders in the division as Ferrie Bodde was stretchered off in the 3-2 defeat by Birmingham City and looks likely to be ruled out of the whole season.
Scans revealed that Bodde had suffered anterior cruciate knee ligament damage and torn cartilage in his left knee.
He was incidentally the second player from the club to be ruled out for the entire campaign with the similar injury as defender Marcos Painter suffered the same faint last month.
Swansea’s top goal scorer will sorely be missed as he is pinnacle in everything the Welsh club do.
Manager Roberto Martinez told the BBC: “Ferrie is a big player for us as he is important in the way we do certain things. The way we play, we rely on Ferrie’s distribution.”
Martinez may have no option but to dip into the loan market to try to find someone who is worthy of taking Bodde’s place. No doubt Swansea will have to adjust the way they play and he will be solely missed by his team mates and by the Swans faithful.
The Dutchman was touted for a move to a Premier League club last summer, some even believing his value was worth in the region of £4 million.
Recently, Bodde committed himself to the Liberty Stadium after seeing Derby County having three bids turned down, subsequently Bodde handed in a transfer request before retracting it to show his worth to the club who brought him for a mere £85,000 from ADO Den Haag.
He has had an impressive start so far this season and unfortunately he will not be able to finish what he had started.
Everyone would hope Bodde a speedy recovery as his skill and craft of finding that killer pass will be sorely missed.

Sousa new man at the helm

So the funfair continues at Loftus Road as Queens Park Rangers have appointed Paula Sousa as their new first-team coach, taking over from caretaker Gareth Ainsworth.
Flavio Briatore placed player/coach Ainsworth at the helm following the surprise sacking of Iain Dowie. Briatore had a major say in team affairs under Ainsworth and that is why many big-named English managers chose to stay out of the running because of the involvement of the board.
Ainsworth was initial favourite to get the job before QPRs defeat to Burnley last Saturday leaving them a disappointing tenth in the league.
Sousa had a very successful club-playing career where he had spells with Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, Inter Milan, Parma, and Borussia Dortmund. He won consecutive Champions League trophies in 1996 and 1997 with Juventus and Dortmund respectively.
The 38 year old was one of the most celebrated and highly regarded Portuguese footballers in the modern game. He was a classic defensive midfielder, hunting down every ball and possessing the ability to provide precision passes for the rest of his teammates to take the glory. He played 51 times for his country without scoring and QPR can hope he can take his organisation qualities and motivation skills into management.
He has very limited experience as a coach with only a small stint as assistant coach of the national side to his name; he will have his work cut out in the Championship.
Briatore decided to act and instantly installed Sousa to carry the club forward. He described Sousa appointment as “very good for this football club.”
Briatore he added: “He has great experience after working with the Portuguese national team and he is part of the new generation of coach.”
Sousa was the assistant coach for the Portuguese national side before accepting the role. He told the QPR’s website: “It is an honour to be part of this project.
“I have always wanted to work for a big club and I am very excited about the opportunity to work for Queens Park Rangers.
“I have great belief in my ideas and my coaching ability and I firmly believe I can achieve the objectives set by the management.
“I believe in playing positive, attacking football and am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”
Sousa first started to know Briatore from his time in Italy where they clawed up a close bond. Now Sousa takes over and have already drafted in Bolton Wanderers striker Heidar Helguson on loan to supply another attacking threat.
The QPR faithful will be excited at the thought of flair and attack minded philosophy that has been promised. They may be worried about Sousa’s lack of experience and knowledge of the English game but it is another new start for QPR. Those fans just hope they can see a manager to stay around long enough to imply their ideas upon the club and see some benefits.

Hewitt: Please Come Back

I remember when I was a tad younger and a little more naive, I watched, what I thought at the time, a tennis legend being born.
The year was 2002 and I was 15 years old. I have not taken much interest in tennis before, so I began to play it at secondary school and became reasonably average. Our tennis club then went on an annual schedule trip to Wimbledon where I grazed my eyes upon Lleyton Hewitt and became an instant fan.
His aggression, his competitiveness, his willingness to battle for everything was truly remarkable and won me over. I did not even mention his highly skilled footwork. A fresh break from Tim Henman to say the least.
Hewitt is classed as a defensive baseline counterpuncher meaning he holds back and very rarely ventures forward. I saw all that, being a fan of the big hitters it was great seeing a man take on experienced men and succeed. He represented youth and was an Andy Murray of his time.
His ability to return serves is first class and he would always get involved in instant rallies, too much delight of the crowd. He provided much enjoyment, his passion always ran riot and playing havoc with umpires. It was known he was disliked in the pro circuit.
He won Wimbledon in 2002 as I eagerly watched it on the tele with my mum when he epically defeated David Nalbandian in the final. It was a tennis moment that has always stuck with me as Hewitt won easily, a flawless 6-1 6-3 6-2 victory.
Hewitt became the first man since Andre Agassi to win the grass court championship by playing as a baseliner. Traditional serve and volley players normally triumph, well that was the days before tennis became a monopoly with main competitors Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer conquering the last six finals.
He started to turn heads the year before in 2001 when Hewitt beat Pete Sampras in straight sets in the US Open. The new kid on the block.
That is why I took to him and began to follow his career.
Unfortunately, he never reached those height again. Only an appearance in the Australian Open in 2005 has been of note.
He has now dropped to a disappointing ranking of 70. Remember this was the man who became the youngster ever man to become the male No. 1 ranked in the world. His career has spiralled. The emergence of arguably the best two players to have ever graced the game may have had something to do with that.
His 70th position is not warranted though as his fall down the ranks have been solely down to the amount of injuries he has been suffering. A hip injury Hewitt acquired in March 2008 has been put down to his underlying injury problems. Despite his ongoing hip trouble, he was able to make moderate success this season, however after a disappointing Olympics campaign where he furthered damaged his hip he understandably chose to opt out the rest of the season.
Hewitt is a player down on his luck, I am hoping for an epic return of a man who feed my passion and enthusiasm for tennis. Still only 27 years old, he may make that comeback yet.

Will Button ever come good again?

Will Jenson Button ever recapture his form? Evitable the answer I see is no.
I remember watching Button complete 96 laps on a testing day at Silverstone earlier this summer and he failed to impress me, I saw the Brit trying to push his Honda as hard as he could and achieved nothing. He completed the most laps of the field but he remained the second slowest.
This season he has not done anything of note, another wasted season. The Brit that promised so much has let down so many. If it were not for the emergence of fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton to take his thunder, the British public would have been left to ponder more disappointment.
Button’s 2008 car had to simply run its course, and then maybe the newly installed Team Principal Ross Brawn will be able to set a flamethrower to it, destroy any remains, and bury them deep into the ground. Concentration on next season must be the key.
Once again, Button saw out another season where he massively faded. His car was ‘complained’ as the reason but you have to start questioning his ability.
His solitary win at Hungary in August 2006 seems a distant memory. It took him 113 races to win just one and it will probably take another 113 for him to come even close again. This season he has not bettered his 15 podiums and that may always be the case.
Button’s 2008 teammate Rubens Barrichello has been achieving the better results, a third place finish at Silverstone was majestic, and it was with the same car. Again, Button remained disappointing.
Question marks are touted for his next contract extension for Honda Racing. His current deal expires at the end of next season. Will another disappointing campaign spark the end of his love affair with Honda?
Nigel Mansell came out to criticise Button especially as the pre-eminent British drive in F1 was taken by newbie Lewis Hamilton. Mansell claimed, “He (Button) had the opportunity and he didn’t take it-there won’t be any more.”
I believe that is the case also. His time in the sun is well and truly over. I am not even convinced that Honda will offer him a drive after next season. His high wages and failure to reach his potential has come under scrutiny.
When Button joined Williams Formula One team in 2000 at age 20, he wowed fans with electrifying driving and scored points all season. Unlike Hamilton, Button did not win a race in his season. However he the youngest man to ever score points in Formula One when he finished sixth at the Brazilian Grand Prix before Sebastian Vettel took that title off him with an eighth placed finished at the United States Grand Prix.
From then on Button spent several seasons in eclipse, before rising briefly to score a few podiums and a race victory. He has now disappeared once again. And who knows when he may rise again?

Sheffield United look to Ex-Premiership to Shine

Premiership class in the Championship may be overrated. Many of the players that have made the transition, or ‘step down’ have struggled with keeping up with the pace and power of Championship football.
Whilst the massive players like James Beattie and Kevin Phillips have certainly flourished in the league as many others end up struggling.
Andy Cole was a prime example as he announced his retirement from Nottingham Forest. He found it difficult to adapt and Colin Calderwood simply choose not to select him.
No club has quite recaptured the form of the players just like Sheffield United. They have many ex-Premier League stars turning out for them each week and they have been performing well.
So far this season The Blades have not been doing so bad; sitting a healthy fifth position firmly in the promotion picture.
Kevin Blackwell assembled his squad with the tried and tested notion and it has pinnacle to his success.
The relegation in 2007 hit them hard, huge controversy surrounded the saga. Famously West Ham stayed up through a Carlos Tevez winner at Old Trafford. Last season was a year of transition and it is encouraging to see a good club like Sheffield United looking admirable again.
Last season they finished nineth but never looked the side that achieved promotion with Reading and Watford in 2006.
Ex-Premier League talent came pouring in and soon it became the norm at Bramall Lane, players with huge calibre and reaching the twilight of their careers were putting on the red and white strips. Blackwell made a shrewd move in bringing these players; it may be deemed that they may not be up to the task. However so far this season they have defied that believe.
The most prodigious one must be Beattie. He has been scoring goals for fun since his £4 million move in the summer of 2007. The expensive price tag was justified as he supplied 22 goals last term and 7 so far this term. He came with bags of Premier League and scoring known how. He scored plenty of goals for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, and Everton before deciding to take a step down to rediscover his touch.
Sun Jihai was a regular right back at Manchester City before joining the Blades, par his straight red card against Coventry City he has been performing well.
Gary Naysmith joined from Everton and is still good enough to be playing in a Premier League club. His £1 million pound transfer has been worthwhile has he has really tightened up the left side of defence.
Gary Speed has performed superbly at every club he has represented and it is no surprise that he has been doing the same. He currently holds the esteemed honour of ranking up more Premiership appearances than any other player. After joining in January 2008, Speed has been vital in United’s recent success.
Keith Gillespie was another Premier League startle who was touted for bug things, unfortunately he never really reached those expectations. Neil Warnock signed him in 2005 to add experience and flair to his midfield, but times have been difficult and he often is found fighting for a spot on the bench.
Ugo Ehiogu is another experience Premier League campaigner; he joined from Rangers also in January 2008. He certainly adds experience and much steel to the defence. Once costing £8 million, he has been the hairpin at the back and has formed a good partnership with Chris Morgan.
These players have dropped down to the league and have done a good job, Blackwell must have been trying to preserve these players and prolong their careers. So far, he has been able to do that. Well maybe leave out Lee Hendrie, who is on loan to Blackpool.
With more foreign influences invading the Premier League, the Championship may even the next call of protocol for the next breed of English talent.

Capello once again loses out

I do find it ironic that with a mid season England friendly coming up, the so-called big guns of the squad have already pulled out. Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard leads the absentees, with Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney also missing out.
Rafael Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson are obviously playing the game. This just shows me the Capello have not overpowered the most dominating managers in the Premier League as of yet. I am sure that Martin O’Neil, Tony Adams, and Mark Hughes would want their most influential players at their club training this upcoming week. A call up to their players would mean more.
Not being a ‘powerhouse’ in the league is a hinder rather than a benefit as it does seem that the big managers do have their own ways.
Gerrard has occurred a mystery torn leg muscle injury that I am sure if was wearing Liverpool’s red he would be playing. I am certain he will be playing for the Reds next weekend.
Ferguson clearly left out Ferdinand and Rooney to protect them further injury and with the England game on Wednesday it was only convenient that they happened to miss the Stoke City game as well. They were not missed as Manchester United hit Stoke for five, but the Red Devils depth of talent was too much for the Potters.
The matter of it is only a ‘friendly’ does come in to the situation.
I am sure if it was a competitive international Fabio Capello would have more urge to force those players to join the squad, to the much annoyance of Ferguson and Benitez.
John Terry is also struggling but you see no signs of him pulling out. You would see Terry playing centre half if he had two broken legs, impaired vision, and severely bruised nipples. He would still perform better than the Arsenal joke of a defence at present.
The person who I feel much sorrow for is Manchester City’s Joe Hart. He was possibly in-line to make an appearance, unfortunately, the former England number one Paul Robinson has taken his place, and I bet Tottenham still wished they had him.
Emile Heskey will not be able to carry on his good run of form for the Three Lions as injury have robbed Capello of his main striker. Even with Rooney and Heskey missing, Capello have overlooked Michael Owen once again.
Owen has only been making cameo appearances for Newcastle United at present, so it is understandable that the lack of match practice and sharpness should be in question.
Chelsea’s Ashley and Joe Cole are going to miss out and Manchester United’s Wes Brown will also be missing.
However, this may be Capello’s chance to oversee his fringe and future players. Not really, a full strength squad to play one of best teams in the future then.
Uncapped Aston Villa’s pair Curtis Davies and Gabriel Agbonlahor may have the chance to shine, as does the surprise inclusion of Michael Mancienne.
The Chelsea youngster has been rewarded for his fine performances in the Under 21s. The defender is currently on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers and performing well.
Without the big players, England versus Germany loses significance. Although it was not Capello’s choice, next years friendlies against Slovakia and Slovenia have been touted so England can play morale boosting games rather than financially spinning ones.
I am sure that these problems of the release of players will still be of effect next year. Capello do need to make some ground and assess these players for himself, especially if it is a competitive fixture.
With new players involved in the squad, it will be interested but I am sure that Capello would prefer his strongest at his disposal.

Robson To The Future

As Andy Murray grips the wide spread plaudits that follows him around the world, back home in Britain there is a somewhat unknown talent that could conquer the world.
Laura Robson at a tender age of 14 has won the Wimbledon Girls title this year to propel herself onto the international tennis scene, and since then she has rarely looked back. Embracing tennis with her youthful charms and charisma, this is one ‘Briton’ that the world cannot dislike.
As a fellow Briton, I cannot claim the country that she represents was the birth place of her talents. Robson lived in Australia for the first 18 months of her life before moving to Singapore until she was six.
Well the good old nature versus nurture debate could conclude that her natural talents initially came from her Australian parents. Robson simply became a British Citizen a mere four months before winning the Wimbledon’s girls titles.
It is always useful to see another member of the commonwealth helping their fellow nation out.
Many critics have labelled this as a poor excuse to grab extra earnings in the future. Being the Female British No.1 would be more financially rewarding as opposed to being a small fish in a large pond in comparison in the female Australian tennis circuit.
Before winning at Wimbledon, she has previously won four junior tennis titles as an Australian. Being a patriotic Englishman, I regard Andy Murray as British rather than Scottish (unless he loses) and I regard Robson as British as Only Fools and Horses, Fish and Chips, and the Queen. So before Australians jump on her back, let them remember she is British. Therefore, Britain fortunately have a massive prospect in impede the future of the female’s game.
Her asset is her serve and putting her opponent on the back foot straight from the off. Reaching speeds of 100mph is not rare. Throughout her Wimbledon win, she had served a total of 31 aces in just six matches, although her second serve did not match up as she did suffer 39 double faults in the same space of time. Her aggressive nature gets a sealed approval from the fans as she always aims for match winning strokes. A few times these shots not come off and she does concede quite a few unforced errors.
Being a bit unpredictable and unreliable is common with some so young and so new. It will take a few years for Robson to find herself. Expectations should remain minimal and anything she does achieve should be appreciated. We should not demand too much and not to crowd her with unwanted media attention and escalating amounts of pressure that the British public constantly demands.
Her first appearance of the Women tour inevitably ended in defeat in three sets to Iveta Benesova. It was the case of the number 549th in the world playing the 42nd ranked player in female tennis. A difficult match but Robson never looked out of her debt, which is very encouraging.
Excuse me for the cliché – but every journey begins with a single step. At least, Robson has now started her professional career.

Toro Rosso: Bourdais, Sato or Buemi?

On the back of a good year, Toro Rosso has still yet to name their two drivers for next season.
The 2009 line up still remains inconclusive as team bosses ponders between three main rivals consisting of Red Bull tester Sebastien Buemi, former Super Aguri Takuma Sato, and the Italian team’s 2008 driver Sebastien Bourdais.
Competition will be soaring; it will be two from three. Sebastian Vettel will move to Red Bull Racing next season as his fantastic performance and win in Italy proves he is ready for the step up to take over from the retired David Coulthard
As Vettel joins Mark Webber, Buemi, Sato, and Bourdais will head to Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya to battle it out for his seat and the spare one. Toro Rosso will be keen to access the three drivers.
Japanese Sato would bring a vast range of audiences as well as extra supporters if he would join. He is hugely supported, especially with the Asian fans. He has had somewhat of a poor racing career at the top level as he has only provided one podium from 93 races.
His former employers include Jordan, BAR, and Super Aguri, he hopes to secure another chance at Toro Rosso.
At Jordan, he remained very ineffective and gained a name for himself as ‘crasher’. In 2003, he took over from Jacques Villeneuve at BAR for the last race and finished a very respectable sixth. He raced with BAR full time in 2004 and had the most successful season he has ever had.
At the United States of America Grand Prix, he finished third, only behind Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. Sat was only the second Japanese person that achieved a podium finished following Aguri Suzuki at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix.
Throughout the remainder of the season, Sato points tally suffered, he did not finish many races. His Honda powered engine often gave up, the rumours started spiralling that it was his driving style and technique that caused the premature end to many races that season. Teammates Jenson Button’s car showed no similar problems, leading to talk questioning Sato’s ability.
He joined Super Arugi and an eighth place at the Spanish Grand Prix recorded his new employers the first ever world championship point. Later at Canada, he finished sixth, where Lewis Hamilton won his first ever grand prix. Super Aguri went bankrupt earlier this year leaving Sato without a drive.
Sato must remain one of the favourites to win a seat for Toro Russo. However, being 31 years of age team bosses may refer to younger and more untested driver to look if they can take the competition by storm.
Buemi, opposed to Sato, is only 20 years old and has been the current test driver.
He has done all of his graduating work through Formula BMW, Formula Three, the A1 Grand Prix and the GP2 Series and achieved limited success. He finished sixth in GP2 with two wins to name.
Buemi is certainly up and coming and fills Toro Rosso vision for the future as young, gifted and something to prove.
As for 2008 driver Bourdais, he underachieved massively compared to Vettel. Again, Bourdais is creeping up to 30 years of age and he has limited time to make impact.
He is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Champ Car World Series, having won four successive championships from 2004-2007 before his promotion to Formula 1.
On his debut at the 2008 Australian Grand prix in Melbourne, he worked his way up from 17th to an impressive fourth before engine troubles caused Bourdais to retire three laps from the end. He later claimed seventh place after all the accidents involved in the race.
He showed that he struggles to deal with the pressure as a fifth place finish looked on the cards but a chaotic last lap bumped him down to seventh.
Bourdais is experienced on a wide range of motorsports, he regularly drives in his hometown race of Le Mans 24, and his best position was second in 2007.
I do expect Toro Russo to stick with Bourdais and go with Buemi as the drivers to participate in the 2009 season. Sato have had the chance to make an impact in the sport and his age is certainly against him. Toro Russo will want to finish races and acquire credibility; Sato’s driving technique may not be what the team bosses want.
Bourdais did relatively satisfactory on his debut season with only the talent of Vettel overshadowing him. Buemi was the favourite to get one of the seats and I expect that to be the case.
What do you think?

Bodde to reject chance for Premier League

It is always good to see some morality in the championship. Swansea’s manager Roberto Martinez is convinced that his star midfielder Ferrie Bodde would reject a move to a Premier League club.

This is a bold statement, the lure of top flight has not been rejected by many.

Bodde’s agent has simply been putting the feeders out to clubs, claiming that his client and the agent have a gentlemen’s agreement regarding a possibly move if a Premier League club came in for him.

This just shows the Dutch midfielder have had a productive time this season as he is currently Swansea’s joint-top goal scorer with six goals, all being in the Championship.

His value has considerably increased. Swansea paid a mere £85,000 for Bodde back in 2007 and in the current climate his value has rocketed to somewhere in the region of £4 million.

Swansea have an agreement that half of the sell-on fee will go to his previous club ADO Den Haag. Therefore, they want to get as much as possible if he would to leave.

His general all round play has been effective as two of his goals has come from 30 plus yards out. He has been ever-present in producing defence-splitting passes, causing havoc against any time he has played. Producing a flurry of interest as clubs touted for his signature.

It seemed he was heading for the exit door in the summer as he handed in a transfer request after initial interest from Derby County.

A change of heart was evident as he rescinded it and agreed a new deal. It was then his agent Sjaron Vink claims the gentlemen’s agreement was reached with chairman Huw Jenkins.

Swansea currently sits in a healthy ninth position after being promoted last season and only a point of the play off places.

Hamilton? Chilton wants his title

What is a young age in Formula 1? Lewis Hamilton became the youngest man to win a Drivers Championship this term but there may be a fellow Brit to challenge that title.
Max Chilton became the youngest driver to race in the British Formula 3 Championship in 2007 when he raced at Donnington Park on his 16th Birthday. This was the beginning of his valuable experience to try to pursue his route to the top.
Now only modestly 17 years old, he has added another years worth of experience. The 2007 season was his first racing a single seater and to be in racing in Formula 3 at his age is quite remarkable. Whilst competing for Arena Motorsport, Chilton showed great maturity, as he was able to finish most races, adding to his learning of the sport.
His pace and ability was quickly scouted and was swiftly signed up for the well-known Hitech Racing team, who initially won the 2007 Championship. The 2006 Karting Champions Cup runner-up fills the seat of Estonian Marko Asmer, who won F3 in 2007. He has been signed by the BMW Sauber F1 tem as test and reserve driver to continue his developing career.
He had a somewhat indifferent 2008 campaign but at his age, you can barely argue. Still adjusting to the handling of the car, he knows that his was just another learning curve season for him and he expect from himself to be challenging next year.
In the Touring Car Championship in 2006, he managed an impressive 14 podiums out of 20 races, with seven wins, two seconds, and five thirds. He was only denied the Drivers title by controversial circumstances, as he lost out by 3 points. Running parallels with Hamilton possibly.
He also achieved a memorable victory in the European Kart Race in Portugal, racing away from an experienced field to win comfortably. These series showed great indication that he was ready for the step up.
Chilton is still relatively unknown in the upper echelons of motorsport and despite his modest good looks and appealing name, he remains firmly determined to reach his evitable goal – to become a Formula 1 driver.
He is under no illusion that getting into one of those 22 seats will be difficult. Some who rose up the ranks with Hamilton in junior Karting ranks have not achieved such great success. Wesley Graves and Gary Paffett both were with the McLaren’s Young Driver Programme before Graves faded away through the lack of financial support and Paffett making a name for himself in the German sports car series DTM.
It is a harsh and tragic truth that the majority of drivers will end up disappointed. Formula 1 is the pinnacle point of motorsport and the competition for those seats will always be severely competitive. They are the finest drivers going head to head with the most technologically tuned four wheeled vehicles.
Chilton is certainly heading towards the right direction. Yet being able to legally consume alcohol, he may be light years ahead of his time. Scouts will be searching these feeder series for the next best thing and if Chilton continues his development he will be snapped up and follow the Hamilton’s example to success.
A successful 2009 series will lead him to GP2 before heading into the glitz and glamour that is known as Formula 1.
Watch out for this name.

Derby still not good enough?

It seems like Paul Jewell has finally admitted that his squad at present is not good enough for an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Derby County manager is looking to dip his hands into the loan market to see if he can add some fresh blood to his somewhat depleted squad.
He told the local radio show, “I think we need two or three players to try and help the squad along. We’ve made good progress but we just look a bit jaded at the moment.” This came after Derby reached the Carling Cup quarter- finals after their 2-1 defeat over Leeds United.
Jewell tried to buy big in the summer and tried to offload the deadwood that helped relegate Derby last term. There abysmal cameo appearance was obviously down to a lack of talent and it is missing this year too.
Currently sitting thirteenth and only 4 points of the playoff picture does not seem bad going. However, the start of fellow relegated clubs Reading and Birmingham have shown another class as they occupy two of the top three positions in the Championship without spending the money Derby did.
Jewell has some quality within the squad but they are simply not playing well. Confidence is badly damaged and those fans who watch them week in week out must be frustrated. Derby had the best fans in the Premier League, and that was evident when they sold more season tickets this term than they did in when they were in the top flight.
The players brought in have the calibre to be in that top two rather than playing around in mid table. So far, they have all been rather disappointing.
Nathan Ellington (on loan from Watford) has been prolific before but this term his form has dried up.
Rob Hulse was also added to that attack from Sheffield United, has he has been known to score goals, especially in this division.
Defenders Jordan Stewart and Paul Connolly have provided more cover, they joined from Watford and Plymouth respectively.
Other players including: Austrailian Ruben Zadkovich, Paul Green from Doncaster Rovers, Kris Commons from Nottingham Forest, promising forward Steve Davies joined from Tranmere Rovers, , Martin Albrechtsen from West Brom, and youngster Liam Dickinson from Stockport County have been drafted in but have not been playing that well.
Starlets Przemyslaw Kazmierczak and Nacer Barazite have also joined on loan from FC Porto and Arsenal respectively but their impact have been limited.
The season is only 16 games old and there is a matter of 30 games yet to be decided. I hope that for Derby’s sake Jewell can get those ‘two or three’ players in to help gel the squad and getting them to play the football the fans deserve.

Hume-Morgan Legal Action

Sheffield United’s Captain Chris Morgan may be in a bit of bother as he his reckless challenge on Iain Hume has left the striker with a fractured skull and internal bleeding.
Barnsley are consulting their lawyers and considering legal action.
Hume, 25, has just recently been moved out of a high dependency unit in hospital after undergoing a very serious operation.
Morgan was only initially booked for the challenge but replays show a clear indication that the Sheffield United defender forcefully used an elbow whilst challenging for a header with Hume. This caused an angry reaction from Barnsley’s manager Simon Davey as he deemed the incident as a straight red card.
Referee Andy D’Urso has been heavily criticised, Davey and assistant Ryan Kidd approached him at half time over Hume’s treatment by the Blades. D’Urso was a Premier League verified referee and this display adds to the poor refereeing currently been had in the Championship.
Stuart Atwell’s performances for the Reading-Watford and the Nottingham Forest- Derby County game were very much questionable.
In the Reading-Watford game, he gave a goal that clearly went a yard wide and gave a poor penalty decision at the end of the Nigel Clough Trophy game.
We can only hope the ex-Leicester City man can make a full speedy recovery to this horrid, unusual injury.
The Blades have sent their sympathy, they are known to be ‘saddened’ and ‘concerned’ regarding Hume being monitored in a high dependency unit. They are clearly disgruntled and the threat of legal action hovering over the club and Morgan is certainly worrying.
United sit in a healthy position of fourth position and if the League hands further punishment to Morgan they would use one of their stronger players. As for Barnsley, they will be missing a vital striker for a significant about of time as they look to race clear of the relegation zone.

Southampton Youth Forced to Jump Ship

The QEII set sail for its last voyage on a brisk Southampton evening recently. The most prodigious cruise liner was leaving the docks and travelling the world, before settling down in Dubai to become a floating hotel. Southampton has seen the back of many famous iconic belongings before.
Southampton Football Club, unfortunately, has followed a similar stature.
Those who are born down in the South Coast built the QEII, like many other cruise liners. Generally, they are always sold to the highest bidder after going into retirement. Normally they go to the Far East where the money seems to grow on trees. The powerhouses and money always tend to get what they want.
Southampton Football Club follows in a similar blueprint again.
The relegation in 2005 contributed to the free fall of the fragile club. Promotion was necessary as money quickly dried up. The club has seen Harry Redknapp, George Burley, and Nigel Pearson come and leave, promotion has rarely been insight.
The wrong end of the table is more often or not is where you will see Southampton. Only an amazing survival mission last season, led by Pearson, confirmed their Championship status on the last day.
Now in the latter part of 2008, new coach Jan Poortvliet has only the youth team to, more or less, choose from, it is obvious that any potential gems would be snapped up as the Saints are in desperate need for funds.
Rupert Lowe is trying to sort the finances to make the club self-reliant. Attendances have been spiralling and the ticket prices cannot be reduced because it would not cover the expenditures. Lowe relied on a minimum of 18,000 turning up every game but that figure reads more like 14,000 currently. They are literally scraping the bottom of the barrel. Sending big earners like Stern John, Nathan Dyer, Marek Saganowski, and Grzegorz Rasiak out on loan to cut costs in an essential process.
Young players have to be the ones to rely on, Andrew Surman, Adam Lallana, Oliver Lancashire and David McGoldrick are vital to the team’s success. The fans irritably know that if any of these performers play well enough constantly they will be soon joining the bigger clubs.
Many homemade Saints players leave in a similar way to the QEII. Leaving to the highest bidder and forgetting the sheer foundations they began with. The glorified money from the Premier League and Dubai run hand in hand. The lure seems too much for some. They both seem to want everything and it is the teams like Southampton and their productive youth system that suffer.
Players like Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, and Wayne Bridge have been prime examples of overzealous fat cats digging their claws in the smaller teams.
Bale was casted off to Tottenham Hotspur when he was worth something. He is young, gifted and an uprising pinnacle star for the Welsh nation side, so it was no surprise he attracted the big clubs. He was worth more than the mere £5million they receive for him.
Walcott was keenly sold to Arsenal. His potential was huge and he rightly made a massive profit for his former employers. He sparked plenty of talk and publicity for the club as his worth of £12million remarkably helped fund the team.
Bridge was another left back that appealed to the masses of the Premier League; he left for Chelsea and their Russian Revolution for £7million, after establishing himself as a regular England squad player.
Chris Baird is another well-established international and another one that graduated through the Saints academy ranks before leaving and plying his trade in the Premier League.
Do you remember Alan Shearer scoring a hat trick on his full debut against Arsenal? Looking how his career has unfolded.
However, some gems do stay on board. The famous of which must be Matt Le Tissier. He graced the club with so much prestige and class that he never wanted to leave. The closest he came was when he was on the brink of joining Tottenham Hotspur before he chose his heart over money. Not many players can do that this day and age.
Francis Benali was Southampton through and through. He has spent his complete professional career at the Saints, now he is winding his career down with a few appearances for Eastleigh.
Jason Dodd was a permanent fixture at right back for 16 years; he learnt his trade through the Academy as well. He was good enough to move on and if he did, he could have had England credentials.
Dodd was another shining example of the fine academy Southampton has provided.
Well it seems blatantly obvious that Southampton’s strength is also its downfall. Producing high quality players year in and year out, but having to be under the severe pressure to sell them when they are undervalued and before they reached any sort of peak.

Bent? Darren's on Fire

Has Harry Redknapp managed to unearth the Darren Bent we all saw score so frequently at Charlton Athletic?
Five goals in the last two games may have confirmed that.
His stunning hat trick against Dinamo Zagreb in the Uefa Cup was one of pure goal scoring pedigree. He was able to justify himself as a worthy £16.5 million pound man by scoring with three top-notch finishes. Plus, a useful brace against super rich Manchester City, condemning them to a 2-1 defeat, placed a reminder to those critics and pundits who was against him - that Darren Bent is back and firing on all cylinders.
His time at Tottenham Hotspur so far, has been somewhat subdued but under the famous ‘Arry he is lavishing playing decent football once again.
Before Bent was completely overshadowed by fellow strikers Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, and Jermaine Defoe and their moves to Manchester United, Liverpool, and Portsmouth respectively materialised to find him the only one left. Now Bent finds himself pinnacle in the set up and with that his confidence starting to soar.
He stood up and answered what was asked of him. He scored 11 goals so far this season, and from his pre-season exploits this should not come as much surprise.
With Tottenham as a team playing awful and having their worst start ever to a League season, Bent faded. Juande Ramos seemed to pay little faith in him, he often found himself on the bench looking wary.
Redknapp came ruthlessly in, changed the team fortunes, and played Bent up front with Luka Modric supporting. With that, the goals have been pouring in. The ex-Portsmouth manager must have the expertise in dealing with players like Bent. Whether it is putting an arm around his shoulder or a kicking him up the backside, Redknapp must be doing something right.
New Russian signing Roman Paulyuchenko have found himself playing sparingly as Bent has been given the starting berth and grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Fabio Capello must be encouraged to see a gifted natural goal scorer finding his feet once again. Whilst Capello feeling his attacking options for England remain rather limited, Bent recent performances have certainly been eye catching and provided the England manager with something to think about.
His goal against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium showed his eye for goal, he pounced on a ball that Manuel Almunia had spilt and finished it superbly. He was on the ball like a flash and he reacted faster than any of the poor Arsenal defence did.
Bent has the ability to frighten any defender; his strength and pace is an asset to any team. Like many other striker’s his form resembles his confidence. When he has it, he looks unerring but without it, he looks like Humpty Dumpty.
Surely, the Redknapp factor cannot play that much of a difference; the then, manger of Charlton Alan Pardew managed to get Bent’s confidence roaring, even though his goals did not managed to keep the Addicks safe.
At Charlton, he did not have the quality players around him like; he does in a Spurs shirt. Players like David Bentley, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, and Gareth Bale all supplying him with great opportunities and genuine goal scoring threats.
Bent would be undoubtedly be grateful, as Tottenham’s revival looks very much in action and he will need to continue this scoring streak if he is too fire his team up the table.

One Game: One Event: One Nation: One Team

Tory leader David Cameron has foolishly suggested that the football team to represent Britain at the 2012 London Olympics should be decided by a home nation’s tournament.
If Cameron knew anything about sport or patriotism he may understand why this is a bad idea?
I understand that the football governing bodies of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland would want to protect their independence but for the sake of a one-off event, they should look aside.
If worse, comes to worse the Olympic team should be unquestionably English. It is London 2012 and the thought of no English participant in the team frightens me.
People from Scotland are Scottish, from England they are English, etc but for the Olympics and as a government, we are united.
For an event that occurs every four years it should be deemed reasonable we merge to become one and have a team that is not only competitive but to be proud off for the whole of Great Britain. Britain has not had a team in the Olympics since 1960 and it is wrong that the game we gave to the world is not contested by our patriotic state.
Fifa should promise those nations independence and they should respect that they are individual nations in the football world and they should not be punished for wanting to protect their own football identity.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already been touted by Lord Sebastian Coe to manage the Olympics team and it would be good that a break in the normal Premiership season occurs to give Britain every chance to win a gold medal.
Olympic Football is not seen as the pinnacle notion of football as, rightly, the World Cup is seen as the biggest football event. Every footballer out there dreams about playing with or against the world’s best, which happens only at the World Cup. Unfortunately, in the Olympics massive amounts of talent is missing and professional clubs like Barcelona reluctantly allow their players to participate.
If Britain wants a squad full of a talent to compete at the Olympics, surely it is up to Fifa to allow this to happen. Football should be given the respect it deserves and the Olympics are the most respected competition in the world.
There should not be a ‘home nations’ scrap to find which country should play, there should a team that is the best available to the state of Great Britain.
It would not be a joke.
We can finally hear something more sincere about An Englishman, a Scotsman, and An Irishman in a pub. The punch line - Together supporting their united team in a chance to win a gold medal.

Formula 1 heads to New Golden Era

Lewis Hamilton won this year’s Drivers Championship in fanatic fashion, passing Timo Glock when he was on the penultimate corner of the last lap to claim the title by a point. Sheer breath-taking stuff but the 2008 season had me excited for one main reason: the fact that Formula 1 is about to embark on a new golden era.
There are so many new decent drivers making a name, and the next ten years of the sport will be the most exciting yet.
The 2007 season showed the sheer competitiveness between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton battling it out for the championship before the squabbling allowed Kimi Raikkonen to take the glory and the Championship.
The 2008 season showed Felipe Massa and Hamilton having to battle it out on the last race at Brazil that provided a thrilling end.
Throughout the season, we had three new winners McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen, Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel, and BMW’s Robert Kubica at Hungary, Italy, and Canada respectively.
Alonso reminded everyone that he is not dead in the water as the former champion won at Singapore and Japan ousting the McLaren’s and Ferrari’s to take the chequered flag with a Renault.
He won back-to-back championships with Renault back in 2005 and 2006 before his ill fate season with McLaren and next year Renault will be more competitive as they look to close the gap.
The 27 year old has the determination and the talent to win another title yet.
Kubica had a fantastic start to the season before eventually fading in the final races. His win at Canada was partly down to luck, when Hamilton stupidly crashed into the back of Raikkonen, but that should not prevent any negative credibility.
His second placed finishes at Malaysia, Monaco and Japan and other podium finishes at Bahrain and Valencia showed much dedication and prominent signs of a future world champion.
Vettel joined the sport this year and had an astonishing season in a Toro Rosso where the team was not expected to do well. The win at Italy was a high point and a fourth spot finish in Brazil certainly showed his credentials as he made Hamilton undoubtedly sweat. He had fantastic pace and his ability should not be ignored.
His promotion to the Red Bull team to fill Davis Coulthard’s position has been granted and utterly deserved.
After the first four races where he suffered retirements in each one, he started to look like a competitor. Fifth place finishes in Monaco, Belgium, and Singapore were hugely creditable.
Kovalainen had a relatively poor season compared to the potential he promised after his successful debut season with Renault in 2007.
In 2008, his highlights were his win in Hungry and achieving pole at Silverstone by a mile. He only achieved two other podiums throughout the season with a second spot at Italy and Malaysia.
Next season, where he will play a massive second fiddle to Hamilton, Kovalainen will be under pressure to perform but he needs to, to make sure off his seat in the future.
Massa, 27, and Raikkonen, 29, may not be as young as the others may be, but both will have a huge say for a few years yet.
Jenson Button 28 has the promise of a decent car for next year, it may be competitive, and he could possibly add to his solitary win at Hungry in 2006.
The next ten years will be huge and there are hopes to emulate other keenly contest throughout the years.
Alberto Ascari and Juan Manuel Fangio during the fifties were huge rivals.
The Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and John Surtees British dominance in the early sixties was fondly remembered as thy contested for the title the best of British.
Perhaps the most famous rivalries came from the Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, and Ayrton Senna era, and with Nigel Mansell supplying more strong rivalry in the latter part, it was the best level of competitiveness yet.
You even had seven-time champion Michael Schumacher trying to oust Damon Hill.
Not until now, you have so many talented drivers ready to battle it out for the championship.
We can only wait in anticipation.

Now We're Keane

Welcome to Anfield -Robbie Keane.
He has begun on his road in pursuing to emulate the greats who have graced the prodigious Number Seven Red Shirt.
He is now an integral part of the current Liverpool squad and have the chance to make history for the team and himself.
The Kopites will always remember the legends that have occupied the number seven shirt, the likes of Ian Callaghan, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Peter Beardsley have always been fondly thought off and remembered and cherished.
Now it is up to Keane to cement his place among these prestigious men.
He resembles the ‘typical’ Number seven in many ways and has all the main attributes that Keegan and Dalglish both had. These ‘Number 7s’ have all had quick, intelligent feet and an unerring ability finish at considerable chance. Impeccable movement and the aptitude to change a game.
I am no way comparing the impact Keane is having too Keegan and Dalglish nor sparking any identical similarities.Keegan and Dalglish will always be the best players to have ever played for Liverpool but in recent times the Number 7 has not been up to scratch.
Harry Kewell? Vladmer Smicer? Nigel Clough? Steve McMahon? Steve McManaman? None of them have even came close.
Keane has the chance to turn these fortunes.
Fair enough, he has only scored two goals against a poor West Brom side but it was in the manner he did it in, everyone watching saw what it meant to him. These were his first goals at Anfield and ones that will stick in his mind for the rest of his career.
They were two classic goals as one was from a precise pass from Captain Steven Gerrard and the other one was rounding keeper Scott Carson before slotting home from a tight angle.
The only down point was that neither of these goals were in front of the famous Kop end. It will be only a matter of time before he does score in front of the faithful.
He has been instrumental in Liverpool’s early season form, creating many goals but now that he has found his own goal scoring touch, he may become the player we knew at Tottenham.
Jimmy Case once famously said that ‘you know when you’re a fanatic – you’d do anything and travel anywhere. I’d happily die for those(Liverpool) fans. I know exactly how they feel because they were me – I was them.’
Keane can relate to this. Liverpool are his club, the team he supports and the team he has always been destined to play for. An understanding should soon follow suit between him and the fans. They are known for their unconditional love for those who sport the Number seven shirt, so in retrospect he is already lucky in that sense.
Keane has joined his boyhood club after going through 11 years of plying his trade for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City, Inter Milan, Leeds United, and Tottenham Hotspur. And at 28 years old you can argue that he is currently in his prime and has to supply his best football straight away. Benitez must have wanted a striker with the know-how and Keane seemed to fit that very tight criteria.
Moving from Spurs will always be challenging, as it is a venture into the next level, the demands of Champions League football. A massive step up.
He was vital to Tottenham’s success and was the hairpin in the side but at Liverpool, he will have to prove himself again.
His charisma and enthusiasm will always be well liked and his personality and willingness for the cause is outstanding.
Keane may have thought that this chance would have never materialised and with Benitez spending almost £20 million on a striker that he feels that finishes off his Liverpool ‘title’ team, Keane must feel under pressure to perform.
Hopefully, for Keane these goals will start as a beacon, not only for him but the whole team.

Full Backs Needed

It maybe the time that Rafael Benitez delivers.
Geroge Gillett and Tom Hicks may eagerly be ready to hand over a new contract extension just to get them in the good books with the Liverpool faithful.
Perhaps in a time of a credit crunch, the Americans may be reluctant to sell up, as they will not value for money. So they are going to bide their time. What a way to do that by giving the hugely popular Benitez a slap on a back and a new money-spinning contract.
Benitez has been given the funds to pursue his and the clubs title aspirations but when will that be. This season looks the most likely so far in his campaign as he has already gained victory in two six-pointer games against Manchester United and Chelsea.
The signing of Robbie Keane and Albert Riera has certainly made the squad much better. Keane especially maybe the missing jigsaw piece to the Benitez set up. Riera has been impressive, despite not showing any of this form when on loan to Manchester City, and has taken a firm grip of that left midfielder position.
The positions that do not convince me are the full backs. Benitez spent big on Italian left back Andrea Dossena and so far, he does not look convincing. Swiss Philipp Degan has joined but has not been selected. Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio are no better. Looking at the teams around Liverpool, it is a place where they struggle and relativity poor at.
The blank cheque at Chelsea was able to obtain Ashely Cole, Wayne Bridge, Juliano Belletti, Paula Ferreira and Jose Bosingwa as they top the league. They even have Michael Essien to fill in as he did in the Champions league final.
Champions Manchester United have captain Gary Neville, Patrice Evra, Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Rafael Da Silva to rely on.
Arsenal have Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue, or even William Gallas to fill those full back position.
It is obvious that Liverpool certainly are lacking in these position and in the new age of modern football, the full backs are integral in fluent attacking side and this position should not be underestimated.
Roberto Carlos and Cafu showed how important attacking fullbacks could be. For Brazil, they were the fundamental part of any surge forward and the quick relief, or overlap, is any move down the wings.
John Arne Riise was a goal scoring left back but often played in midfield. Steve Finnan’s career slowly began to go of tracks as age is playing nuisance with him.
Jan Kromkamp was a quick export as was Josemi, both can and went within a year.
Aurelio has a good left foot (remember the volley against Bolton Wanderers) and has good passing ability but you will not see him terrorising the opposition.
Arbeloa is a great addition to any squad but remains similar to Aurelio as he do not scare the opposition.
New arrivals Dossena and Degan still have time to make an impact but current form they are not massive assets to the first team as a whole.
This may be the weak point in trying to regain top spot.
In the Benitez reign, Liverpool have acquired a famous Champions League win in his first season and a FA Cup in his second but it remains that Premiership that has eluded him.
That would be the hardest trophy to win for Benitez.
If Manchester United win the title this year, it would leave a disgustingly bitter taste in those supporters grubby mouths. Simply because they would have equalled Liverpool’s all time championship wins of 18.
Records are there to be broken and some records are there to be fought for.
This season is crucial.

Return of the Chop

Cardiff City may have made the most sensational recapture of the championship for many years. Sunderland’s Michael Chopra is returning to the club where he made a household name for himself - on loan until at least January.
The 24 year old will be trying desperately to get within the goals again to prove to his current manager Roy Keane that he is a natural goal scorer. There has been premature rumours that the loan deal may end up being permanent one when the transfer window re-opens .
The Bluebird will graciously open their sympathetic arms for the return of Chopra who only spent a mere 13 months at Ninian Park. Whilst there he scored an excellent 22 goals from 42 appearances including a stunning hat-trick to defeat Leicester City 3-2.
Subsequently he moved to Sunderland for £5 million after the Mackems activated a release clause in his contract. After which he managed to score an opening day winner against Tottenham at the Stadium of Light last season.
Having been a former Newcastle starlet, the fans never warmed to him abd found his chances too few and far between. He did manage to score six goals to help contribute to Sunderland’s survival in the Premiership as he did play many of his games from midfield.
This term though, manager Roy Keane has shot Chopra down the pecking order as he focused on his strike force this summer with the captures of El-Hadji Diouf and Djibril Ciise.
He did score a memorable brace against northeast rivals Middlesbrough earlier this season to keep his name in the headlines but his chances were promptly limited.
The chance came about when Cardiff’s front pairing of Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd were both ruled out of action for a lengthy period due to hamstring injuries.
McCormack has been the star of the show this season as his 11 goals so far has helped Cardiff into the play-off places and with Bothroyd, they supplied a lethal partnership as 14 out of the 19 goals has been scored by the pair.
Manager Dave Jones moved shrewdly to prevent his team losing any momentum and with the upcoming game against rivals Queens Park Rangers they need to maintain their good form. And looking to cement their place firmly in the play-off picture.

Lose Flamini Lost thePremiership

NIcklas Bendtner may be the only man out there who is confident that Arsenal can still win the Premiership this season.
The Big Dane may deluded as his goals has hardly set the club on fire nor any of his performances so far have crafted much credibility.
Even the most arrogant or optimistic of Arsenal fans may feel that opportunity has been and gone. As lowly Stoke City, Hull City and Fulham have condemned them to three rather largely disappointing (laughable) defeats.
It is again obvious that they are playing for fourth spot once again as it seems that the other ‘three’ have made strides to improve and it does seem Arsenal have halted.
The biggest problem that has destroyed Arsenal this term was the departure of Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan.
He was the hairpin of the side, he held the whole team together and without him, Arsenal looks vulnerable, and dare I say, average. They have became so easy to play against and again fourth spot may still be a worry. If Tottenham did not have such a pathetic start to the season, Arsenal may have been in a worse position.
Cesc Fabregas does not have the same impact he currently had last season and that is because he has to do masses of ‘donkey’ work - covering runners, following markers, and shielding the back four. This is not his best position, nor where he can be the most influential.
Flamini was arguably the best holding midfielder last term and Fabregas flourished under him. Now Fabregas finds himself ten yards further back and not scoring.
Denilson nor Vassiriki Diaby are the answer and it seemed Arsene Wenger sat on his laurels when trying the graft Flamini to sign a new contract.
Unfortunately, for Wenger he did not bide in and knew what he was worth. The club and the manager knew his contract was expiring and they acted far too late. Flamini must have felt his loyalty and decent performances deserved a new lucrative long-term contract.
In hindsight, I guess Wenger regrets his inability to move quickly as it quite obviously apparent that Arsenal are easy to play against.
Flamini was that shield in front of the defence and again without him the current crop of defenders seem to be struggling.
The Frenchman was Arsenals muscle and the key to start fine attacking moves. We all know Arsenal can play the best football in the world but they struggle when they do not have the ball.
There are no tacklers at the club and with club captain William Gallas failing to sort out defensive woes, Flamini would have been an ideal inclusion this term. He won a tackle and gave it simple, he knew he was not the most technically gifted but winning the ball back was his forte.
And that was his influence, not since Patrick Vieira or a younger Gilberto Silva that Arsenal had that.
Now that is the big hole in the Arsenal team, Wenger must reverse that problem in January to make sure they are at least challenging for that fourth spot.