YESTERDAY they wouldn't shut the roof over the National Stadium in Waraw - even though it lashed it down with rain.
Today, they won't open the roof to help dry out the pitch - even though the sun is shining!
This is one crazy place with some inverted ideas on life.
I am told by a Polish friend that the madness in Warsaw has always been intended to help the Polish team beat England.
That by keeping the roof open the authorities hoped it would see England's players slipping and sliding around on the pitch.
And that now, by keeping it shut, it will also be to the Poles' advantage as the pitch will again not be in as good a condition as could have been expected if it had dried out more fully.
Despite all that, I am predicting that the crazy decisions will rebound on the Poles - and that THEY will suffer most because the postponement will dilute the massively partisan support they could have expected. many of those fans will now miss the game because of work commitments.
I had thought it would be a 2-2 draw but now reckon Roy Hodgson's men could pull off a 3-1 win.
FRANK WORRALL
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
JOHN TERRY MAY BE BACK FOR ENGLAND
MY sources tell me that John Terry may yet return to England duty.
Some people are suggesting JT was hoping his resignation from the national set-up would have helped him in his dispute over the Anton Ferdinand allegations, and would have sparked a demand for him to be brought back into the England squad.
He received a four-match club ban - so you can decide for yourselves whether it worked or not...in my humble opinion JT did well given the FA's verdict.
I am told John will now accept the ban to draw a line under the affair and could well go on to announce he has reconsidered his England decision and return to the squad by next year, certainly in time for the World Cup.
I was one of those pundits who questioned Terry's right to even be at the Euros, but his departure from the national scene has served mainly to highlight the paucity of alternative credible central defensive options.
In short, I was wrong about Terry's right to play in terms of his ability and I hold my hands up. He is certainly better than Cahill and formed a solid defensive partnership with Lescott.
Indeed, the way in which he made Lescott look such a good stopper is more proof if needed of just how good a defender and defensive leader Terry actually is. I would suggest that what we need with England is the emergence of a speedy, incisive smaller man to play alongside Terry - someone in the mould of say Colin Todd or Martin Buchan. I was hopeful that Phil Jagielka could be that man, but his form and judgment seems to have deserted him of late.
FRANK WORRALL
Some people are suggesting JT was hoping his resignation from the national set-up would have helped him in his dispute over the Anton Ferdinand allegations, and would have sparked a demand for him to be brought back into the England squad.
He received a four-match club ban - so you can decide for yourselves whether it worked or not...in my humble opinion JT did well given the FA's verdict.
I am told John will now accept the ban to draw a line under the affair and could well go on to announce he has reconsidered his England decision and return to the squad by next year, certainly in time for the World Cup.
I was one of those pundits who questioned Terry's right to even be at the Euros, but his departure from the national scene has served mainly to highlight the paucity of alternative credible central defensive options.
In short, I was wrong about Terry's right to play in terms of his ability and I hold my hands up. He is certainly better than Cahill and formed a solid defensive partnership with Lescott.
Indeed, the way in which he made Lescott look such a good stopper is more proof if needed of just how good a defender and defensive leader Terry actually is. I would suggest that what we need with England is the emergence of a speedy, incisive smaller man to play alongside Terry - someone in the mould of say Colin Todd or Martin Buchan. I was hopeful that Phil Jagielka could be that man, but his form and judgment seems to have deserted him of late.
FRANK WORRALL
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
MANCINI'S DEFINING MOMENT AT MAN CITY TONIGHT
NO ONE is denying that Roberto Mancini has done a fine job at Man City since taking over from Mark Hughes.
The Italian has won the league and the FA Cup and is on course for another title tilt this season.
But in the long-term that will not be enough to keep him in the hot seat at the Etihad.
The simple truth is this: Mancini needs to win the Champions League. Not just to secure his employment with City but to shoo away the doubters (including myself I might add) who feel he is a top-class manager but NOT a world-class one like Mourinho and Guardiola.
Mancini cannot seem to crack it in the Champions League. It cost him his job at Inter Milan when he was sacked for failing in Europe - despite THREE consecutive Serie A titles.
Now history appears to be repeating itself at City. Last year they exited the Champions League at the group stage - which was a disaster.
And this term they are in a very vulnerable position as they prepare to take on Dortmund at home tonight.
It is a game that I can tell you now that Mourinho would win if he were in charge at City - and with the same players at his disposal as Mancini has tonight.
Trying to analyse why Roberto could fail tonight, the thought keeps reappearing in my head that maybe he tries too hard when it comes to the Champions League. That he wants everyone on the Continent to know he is a tactical genius, who changes his personnel for this competition. How otherwise to explain the inexplicable...in the loss at Madrid he played Maicon instead of Zabaleta, the raw teenager Nastasic instead of Lescott and the overrated Javier Garcia instead of Milner.
Why gamble so much for such a big match? It just didn't make sense.
Tonight is arguably Mancini's defining moment at City - lose and they are probably out of the Champions League running for another season. Defeat would intensify the pressure and the likelihood that Mourinho will once again take over from him as he did at the San Siro.
Mancini needs to get it right - and the best way to do that is for him to rely on the likes of Lescott and Zabaleta and not dabble with Maicon or Nastasic. Go steady, Roberto - go with the experienced hands who won you the Prem and you will win...there's no need to gamble to try to look clever.
FRANK WORRALL
The Italian has won the league and the FA Cup and is on course for another title tilt this season.
But in the long-term that will not be enough to keep him in the hot seat at the Etihad.
The simple truth is this: Mancini needs to win the Champions League. Not just to secure his employment with City but to shoo away the doubters (including myself I might add) who feel he is a top-class manager but NOT a world-class one like Mourinho and Guardiola.
Mancini cannot seem to crack it in the Champions League. It cost him his job at Inter Milan when he was sacked for failing in Europe - despite THREE consecutive Serie A titles.
Now history appears to be repeating itself at City. Last year they exited the Champions League at the group stage - which was a disaster.
And this term they are in a very vulnerable position as they prepare to take on Dortmund at home tonight.
It is a game that I can tell you now that Mourinho would win if he were in charge at City - and with the same players at his disposal as Mancini has tonight.
Trying to analyse why Roberto could fail tonight, the thought keeps reappearing in my head that maybe he tries too hard when it comes to the Champions League. That he wants everyone on the Continent to know he is a tactical genius, who changes his personnel for this competition. How otherwise to explain the inexplicable...in the loss at Madrid he played Maicon instead of Zabaleta, the raw teenager Nastasic instead of Lescott and the overrated Javier Garcia instead of Milner.
Why gamble so much for such a big match? It just didn't make sense.
Tonight is arguably Mancini's defining moment at City - lose and they are probably out of the Champions League running for another season. Defeat would intensify the pressure and the likelihood that Mourinho will once again take over from him as he did at the San Siro.
Mancini needs to get it right - and the best way to do that is for him to rely on the likes of Lescott and Zabaleta and not dabble with Maicon or Nastasic. Go steady, Roberto - go with the experienced hands who won you the Prem and you will win...there's no need to gamble to try to look clever.
FRANK WORRALL
I WAS RIGHT ABOUT ROONEY
YESTERDAY I advised Sir Alex to move Rooney into midfield to solve the dilemma he had created by not buying anyone for years - and I was glad to see he took my advice!
The result? Rooney pulled the strings and Van Persie scored the goals. This is the future for Rooney at United and, if that daft old dinosaur Roy Hodgson has any sense, for England too.
Rooney has lost some of his pace - inevitable really given his lifestyle away from the pitch - and I very much doubt he will ever regain it.
Central midfield is the future for Wayne - and I was glad to be the first hack to suggest and report it for you!
FRANK WORRALL
The result? Rooney pulled the strings and Van Persie scored the goals. This is the future for Rooney at United and, if that daft old dinosaur Roy Hodgson has any sense, for England too.
Rooney has lost some of his pace - inevitable really given his lifestyle away from the pitch - and I very much doubt he will ever regain it.
Central midfield is the future for Wayne - and I was glad to be the first hack to suggest and report it for you!
FRANK WORRALL
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
ROONEY TO REPLACE SCHOLES IN CENTRAL MIDFIELD AT MAN UTD
Manchester United continue to find consistency a headache, both in defence and central midfield.
Defensively, the predicament is understandable given the number of current injuries in that position - I'm talking, of course, about Vidic, Jones and Smalling.
I would though contend that Fergie could use the scenario to give an extended run to young Michael Keane if he wanted to rest Evans or Rio - why keep putting Carrick in there when he isn't up to it?
But central midfield remains the elephant in the room for the United boss - a problem much of his own making.
He bought Van Persie when he already he had two fine strikers in Rooney and Chicharito - £22million that could have been used to strengthen that problem area.
Well, maybe the answer to part of the problem is staring him in the face - and maybe it is so obvious that he cannot see it for searching...
Rooney is the obvious man to replace Paul Scholes there.
He is perhaps the only player at the club with the vision and class to come near to Scholesy's talent.
I would play Rooney in midfield and put Hernandez up front with Van Persie. Simple as that - part of the problem solved. Chicharito is a much better player than the vastly overrrated Welbeck. He will score more goals for you and is stronger on the ball than Danny boy - I also believe it is in the club's interest to show him he is loved...I keep hearing that Real Madrid remain keen on him, even at £30million.
The other side of the central midfield conundrum concerns the lack of a ball winner to play there with Rooney,
Again, the answer seems simple enough to me - although it will cost around £30million to remedy the situation.
United need to buy Everton's Marouane Fellaini in the January transfer window. Tell me who is a better player in his position - Fergie knows how good he is, he single-handedly destroyed United earlier in the campaign at Goodison.
So there you have it...Rooney and Fellaini in central midfield, Chicha and Van P up front and Valencia and Kagawa floating in from the wings. Plus a backline of Jones, Smalling, Vidic and the new Heinze (Buttner) - and I am convinced you have a team that can contend with the best in Europe once again.
Come on, Alex - get the Glazers to part with a few quid and give Roon that floating Scholesy role...
FRANK WORRALL
Defensively, the predicament is understandable given the number of current injuries in that position - I'm talking, of course, about Vidic, Jones and Smalling.
I would though contend that Fergie could use the scenario to give an extended run to young Michael Keane if he wanted to rest Evans or Rio - why keep putting Carrick in there when he isn't up to it?
But central midfield remains the elephant in the room for the United boss - a problem much of his own making.
He bought Van Persie when he already he had two fine strikers in Rooney and Chicharito - £22million that could have been used to strengthen that problem area.
Well, maybe the answer to part of the problem is staring him in the face - and maybe it is so obvious that he cannot see it for searching...
Rooney is the obvious man to replace Paul Scholes there.
He is perhaps the only player at the club with the vision and class to come near to Scholesy's talent.
I would play Rooney in midfield and put Hernandez up front with Van Persie. Simple as that - part of the problem solved. Chicharito is a much better player than the vastly overrrated Welbeck. He will score more goals for you and is stronger on the ball than Danny boy - I also believe it is in the club's interest to show him he is loved...I keep hearing that Real Madrid remain keen on him, even at £30million.
The other side of the central midfield conundrum concerns the lack of a ball winner to play there with Rooney,
Again, the answer seems simple enough to me - although it will cost around £30million to remedy the situation.
United need to buy Everton's Marouane Fellaini in the January transfer window. Tell me who is a better player in his position - Fergie knows how good he is, he single-handedly destroyed United earlier in the campaign at Goodison.
So there you have it...Rooney and Fellaini in central midfield, Chicha and Van P up front and Valencia and Kagawa floating in from the wings. Plus a backline of Jones, Smalling, Vidic and the new Heinze (Buttner) - and I am convinced you have a team that can contend with the best in Europe once again.
Come on, Alex - get the Glazers to part with a few quid and give Roon that floating Scholesy role...
FRANK WORRALL
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
FABREGAS WANTS ARSENAL RETURN
From Frank Worrall's Weekly Sport column, Sept 5, 2012
IT'S one of those weeks when you hear some crazy inside tips about star players and their futures.
The Ronaldo to United with Rooney to Madrid story was staggering enough but there's one brewing down in London that could prove equally as mind-blowing.
My sources at Arsenal tell me that Cesc Fabregas is unhappy at Barcelona and that he has told pals at Arsenal that he would love to return to the Emirates.
His story is the one of the big fish in the smaller pond who is lost and lonesome when he becomes the small fish in the bigger pond.
His dream move back to his hometown club has not worked out as he would have hoped - he is not a guaranteed starter and his form has suffered.
The John Snag he faces is obvious: Arsenal could not afford to buy him back, or pay his wages. So would they be willing to offer Barca Jack Wilshere in a straight swop deal?
Or will he end up returning to England and playing for Man City or Chelsea?
I would not be at all surprised to see Cesc back here by this time next year. He is a class act.
FRANK WORRALL
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
NASRI - FRIMPONG WILSHERE DING DONG
I LOVE the new boy at Arsenal - Emmanuel Frimpong. Only 19 but a powerhouse and he WILL be the new Vieira given time.
Even at so tender an age he had a hell of a lot of balls.
Look at how he stuck it up Jack Wilshere over Samir Nasri's departure to Man City.
Wilshere, a tough little nut himself, had said all the usual crap when Nasri sold his soul for more money.
‘Good luck to my friend @Nanas08 (mr Nasri) learnt a lot from him. World class player! Will be missed!’ Wilshere creeped on Twitter.
Not so Frimpong. The big guy dismissed Jack's words with a heavy dose of cynicism and truth: ‘Pfffff come on Jack.’
The implication being that, no, Nasri's exit was a bad one - and that he hadn't been pulling his weight since his head was turned by the sheik's millions.
Good lad, Manny...keep it up!
Even at so tender an age he had a hell of a lot of balls.
Look at how he stuck it up Jack Wilshere over Samir Nasri's departure to Man City.
Wilshere, a tough little nut himself, had said all the usual crap when Nasri sold his soul for more money.
‘Good luck to my friend @Nanas08 (mr Nasri) learnt a lot from him. World class player! Will be missed!’ Wilshere creeped on Twitter.
Not so Frimpong. The big guy dismissed Jack's words with a heavy dose of cynicism and truth: ‘Pfffff come on Jack.’
The implication being that, no, Nasri's exit was a bad one - and that he hadn't been pulling his weight since his head was turned by the sheik's millions.
Good lad, Manny...keep it up!
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