Tuesday, December 28, 2010

CHELSEA - HIDDINK, ANCELOTTI

Much talk around Chelsea FC today that Roman's nervy finger may be hovering above the trigger re Ancelotti. Given funds and time (much as was the case with Big Phil Scolari) I am sure the Italian would turn Chelsea into a force again, but Roman does not have much respect for the virtues of patience. I am told that he misses Guus Hiddink, that he liked the big Dutchman being around the place - and that he would be the No 1 choice (also among the players) if Carlo bites the bullet.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

ANCELOTTI ENGLAND

...and that it may not be Harry Redknapp who becomes the next England manager. Insiders at the FA tell me that they are looking seriously at the claims of Carlo Ancelotti to take over from fellow Italian Capello. Unlike Capello, he speaks English fluently and is more of a communicator (ie less distanced). Also, his record at Chelsea and AC Milan speaks for itself...and he would like the job!

ALLARDYCE WEST HAM

Just heard from 'a source' (as they say in the game!) that Sam Allardyce is the man most likely to take over from Avram Grant if, as expected, he goes within the next fortnight...

Thursday, December 9, 2010

NEWCASTLE, ALAN PARDEW, MIKE ASHLEY

JUST seen that Newcastle have appointed Alan Pardew as their manager. That in itself not a shock (although I don't see what credentials he has for the job apart from being a mate of Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias).

But the really big shock is this - he has been given a FIVE AND A HALF YEAR CONTRACT!!!

Jeez, the way Ashley runs such a fine, proud club is unbelievable. He gets rid of a man who has done well (Hughton) and brings in a bloke who has proved nothing - and then gives him a deal that is longer than any manager in the game (including Sir Alex, Ancelotti and Wenger).

Pardew will be lucky to be there in FIVE AND A HALF MONTHS, let alone five and a half years! Then, the Toon will have to pay him up for the FIVE YEARS he doesn't work for them - at a time when cash is in short supply. Absolute bloody madness...

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Laurent Blanc pushes his credentials for Manchester United

Meant to say this after France's emphatic 2-1 win over England at Wembley last week...

Laurent Blanc has yet again reinforced his case to be considered as one of the three favourites for the Manchester United job (along with Mourinho and Moyes) when Fergie finally hangs up his chewing gum for good.

He did a fine job previously at Bordeaux, guiding them to the 2009 league and cup double and took over a mess after Raymond Domenech's reign rightly collapsed after the fiasco suffered by the Frencg in South Africa.

Already Blanc has turned things around - bringing much more vitality, creativity and energy to the French national side, as exemplified by their easy demolition of England.

If the United board decide Mourinho would only come in for a couple of years - and would pay no attention to youth development etc as is his usual way - Blanc would rival Moyes as a serious empire builder at Old Trafford. And Blanc has also the advantage of playing at Old Trafford at the end of his career.

He might just be l'homme spécial...

Messi, Ronaldo, Mourinho, Guardiola...and Mark Hughes!

Well, that was a shock result was it not - 5-0 to Barca as they crushed Real Madrid at the Old Camp last night (it should be renamed the Old Camp rather than the Nou Camp as it is such an old crumbling wreck of a stadium - or at least it was when I last visited it three years ago).

I am sure Jose Mourinho will have been up most the night following the crash plotting how he can reshape his team to make it more like his bonecrushing Inter outfit of the previous season. I am not convinced by his three summer signings - di Maria can run like a greyhound but is not in the same class as Antonio Valencia, Luis Nani, Ashley Young or Florent Malouda, let alone Messi and Ronaldo. Marty Feldmen, sorry Mesut Ozil has gone backwards since the World Cup and Sami Khedira looked a journeyman holding midfielder.

But, apart from the scoreline, the biggest shock of the night - for me, anyway - was the sight of Mark Hughes on the touchline as part of the SkySport's analysis team.

In the middle of a week when he would surely have been better advised to stay in the cold of London to work on his struggling Fulham team, he is out in Spain being paid money he surely does not need for work he surely does not need.

If I were Mohamed Al Fayed or any of those Fulham players looking for inspiration as a relegation battle looms, I would be a bit peeved at the sight of the manager enjoying a nice little earner over in Spain...

Thursday, November 18, 2010

ANDY CARROLL ENGLAND

Andy did good against France for England - as I said he would!

He was big and confident in the air but, more impressively, was also excellent on the ground for a big fella. One little jink past two defenders in the first half would have left any winger proud.

So it is important Capello perseveres with him. It will be especially interesting to see how he works with Rooney when Wayne returns to the England fold next time.

Of the rest of the England team - Kieran Gibbs and Jordan Henderson...OK fragile but deserve another chance.

The one man who should be out of the team - and surely will be when Jack Wilshere finally makes the first XI after injury - is Gareth Barry. I am baffled what Capello sees in him - passes astray, poor tackling and a yard off the pace.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

ANDY CARROLL

The big raw Newcastle centre forward must play for England against France next week.

At last, we have found a striker who can hopefully prove a proper foil to Rooney.

Crouch, Heskey etc - all pretenders.

Carroll has the fear factor they never had. A big horrible bastard (and I mean that as a compliment, Andy!) who scares the shit out of defenders.

A Mark Hately for the 2010s. Bring him on...

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

HARRY REDKNAPP INTER MILAN

Big moment for 'Arry tonight...

He desperately needs a win against Internazionale at White Hart Lane.

He ain't won against any of the Prem's big four for an eternity - but a win against the European champs would reinforce his credentials to be viewed as the next manager of England.

Defeat would be a body blow - my opinion is that he has got a great midfield with Huddlestone and Modric etc but needs a real striker to replace Crouch (Andy Carroll of Newcastle maybe??). Plus his defence - without King and Dawson - could well struggle against Sneijder, Milito and Co.

By the way , it was great to see 'Mad Rafa..I talk about facts' Benitez' back in London.

He did himself proud in his eternal pursuit of Eric Cantona's crown as football's enigmatic linguistic master, with the line: 'Some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar.'

But he is wasting his time. He will never be as talented - off or on the pitch - as the legend who is King Eric.

Coronation Street has a problem

An unusual one this, I know it ain't got nothing to do with football...

But it struck me today that I bet the Corry producers are praying there are no casualties from today's gas blast in Salford.

If there were, it would be inappropriate to say the least if they were still to go ahead with their planned tram disaster episodes next month, which apparently result from a gas blast below the viaduct at Coronation Street...in Salford.

A million pound special could be in jeopardy...

Thursday, October 28, 2010

George Best

So United finally got around to doing something right after I suggested they should have bought George Best's 1968 European Cup medal.

No, they didn't actually stump up the £156k for that one (which they should have done - and put it in the museum).

But, in a case of better late than never, they have at least bought Nobby Stiles' World Cup winning medal and some memorabilia for £160k.

A United spokesperson said: 'We’re delighted to have acquired these items, which possess tremendous historical significance for Manchester United and English football, and look forward to proudly displaying them in our museum.'

Fair enough...but wouldn't George's medal have meant even more given that he is arguably United's greatest ever player?

It is a major bollock dropped by the world's biggest football club.

John O'Shea - worth £16.5m deal?

Let's assume for a second that Rooney really did threaten to leave United because of the club's 'lack of ambition' rather than wanting more money himself.

If that was the case, he would surely now be thinking of doing a U-turn (again) and quitting the T of Dreams next summer if the club's ambition amounts to offering John O'Shea a £16.5million deal for the next four years?

The bloke is a journeyman footballer - on 'a modest 80k a week'....'modest'...Jeez, what is the game coming to? United would be better off letting him go and ploughing the £5million fee (probably from someone like Everton, who seem keen on Utd old boys) into buying real quality players...

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Roberto Mancini...the befuddled 'Bobby Manc'...

Questions are starting to be asked about the reign of the so-called 'Bobby Manc' at Manchester City.

Yes, Mancini.

What the hell was he doing playing Dedryck Boyata in the first place?

The Belgian youngster started in place of Joleon Lescott, who partnered John Terry in central defence for England against Montenegro a few weeks ago.

Why wasn't Lescott lining up with Kompany against Arsenal? He is a much better player and a better bet than Boyata - especially in such a big match.

It don't make any sense, Roberto...call yourself a true Manc?

Rooney, Fergie....the secret deal behind the deal

SO, are we all sitting happily?

Contented with the deal that keeps Rooney at OT "for five years" and shows Fergie is still the man in charge?

Well, I wouldn't get too comfy and contented if you are a United fan (or MUFC fan as Wayne would have it).

My information is that there is a secret deal behind the deal - one very similar to the one Cristiano forced through before joining Madrid.

Just as Ronaldo gave Utd one final season's service - so Rooney apparently is keen to do the same. He was shocked, bewildered and frightened by the reaction to his decision to seek a transfer - especially when the blokes in hoodies turned up outside his house.

So he instructed his agent to broker the new deal which, on paper, looks a facesaver all round.

But don't be surprised when he leaves in 8 or 20 months - in Rooney's eyes he will have now done the 'honourable' thing ie made sure that Fergie gets the proper transfer fee for his services - say £65m - rather than the the £25m Chelsea would have paid come January.

Both men are happy and live happily ever after...his new club then is likely to be Madrid or Man City (Chelsea will not now be able to finance a bigger money deal...their upper limit was £25m). City if he makes up with Coleen or Madrid if he needs a new career in a new town...

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Come on Rooney - forget the ambition scam, it's all about the readies

I felt disgusted last night when Wayne Rooney released his statement three hours before United's Champions League clash.

If we ever wondered how selfish he could be if pushed, this unacceptable move provided an answer. Three hours before his team-mates were due to play - throwing the club into yet more turmoil just before a vital match.

OK, of course we all know the statement wasn't actually from Roon - it was from his lawyers/agent but he knew about it and that it was going to be released, surely he could have held the wolves off for another day?

No, the Roon circus wanted to capture the limelight once again - even if it meant a situation that could have affected his team-mates.

As for the claim that Rooney wants to go because Utd lack ambition - hey, I thought we were in October, not April 1!

Pull the other one, mate.

No, that was merely a clever ploy to try to detract some of the abuse he is getting (and not enjoying) off himself - to feed the Glazers to the lions, yes, they are to blame for me wanting away. What a load of bullshit! Don't get me wrong, United would be much better off as a football club if the Glazers were gone and the likes of say Man City's owners took control.

But don't be taken in by this scam by Roon - he wants to leave because he wants more money, the whole thing is about the readies.

He is jealous Ronaldo earns more than him and that the likes of Yaya Toure and Tevez at Man City also do - and he knows Chelsea, Real, Barca or City will all pay him more.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

ROONEY = KAKA PLUS £10M...FERGIE'S FACESAVER?

News reaches me from the bowels of Old Trafford and the Bernabeu that Jose Mourinho wants Rooney to join him, but he has a problem.

How can he keep good friends with Fergie and Utd if he takes the boy for what would probably be a knockdown £25m in January? Especially as Jose wants to be the next boss at Utd when Fergie retires..

How to find a solution to satisfy everyone? Easy, if your name is Mourinho. You do Fergie and Utd a favour!

You swop Rooney for Kaka and also give United £10m or the chance to take Diarra too.

That way Utd and Fergie get a world-class name to quell the fans' anger and Jose is a hero too for his fair treatment in effectively valuing Rooney at £65m.

The only hitch they would all have to settle? Persuading Kaka that United were still a side capable of winning the biggest honours...and not just a feeder club for Madrid! And persuading Roon to go to Madrid rather than Chelsea...

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

STRACHAN

How refreshing to see Gordon Strachan refuse to take the million pound sweetener that was his by rights when he left Middlesbrough.

Most managers would have grabbed the money without a second thought.

It is especially positive because the wee man has not always been the easiest man to like in the game.

He has had frequent hissy fits and can be irritating as hell. Like the time one reporter mate of mine asked him if he could have a quick word as Strachan was leaving Celtic Park for a training session with the Hoops.

'Yeah, sure,' Strachan replied in a 'fuck-you, pal' voice. 'Velocity.'

ROONEY AND FERGUSON

So...what to make of the saga of the two Old Trafford key men a couple of days after it all blew up?

Well, I did the first ever book on Wayne in 2004 and found him a really good lad - sure, he had a side that marked him down as a loveable, likeable rogue, but he was also down-to-earth and easy to talk with.

Six years on, the boy has changed - and not for the better. If he was the equivalent of 11 or 12 in 2004 in true emotional terms, he is now like the stereotypical moody, miexd up, messed up teenager. Rebellious, troublesome and wrong in the way he thinks he is right.

He is not worth the £200k a week he is asking for at the moment - and he is not as good as he thinks he is right now. He needs someone to tell him to buckle down, work hard and get his form back.

Unfortunately, when Fergie did just that, he took it the wrong way - his head is too big and he won't listen to advice.

My understanding is that Fergie is backed by the board for taking a moral stance and, even more importantly, by Sir Bobby Charlton - who was very upset that the club's name was dragged through the mud with the prostitute allegations.

This is Fergie's last stand and a fight he has to win, he hopes with a public backdown from Rooney and a pledge to stay.

If not, he will let him go and try to build one final great team - and he will spend all the cash he gets for him to quell any fans' rebellion over the idea that the Glazers are using the money to fund their debts.

I also hear that if Rooney does leave, his preferred option is Chelsea and his old mate, John Terry.

On this one, I back Fergie - and hope Wayne comes to his senses, backs down and stays...

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Lisandro Lopez - another Cantona? Utd should sign him

I see from today's Daily Mail that Lyon's Lisandro Lopez is being eyed by Spurs and Liverpool (although I can't see how Liverpool can really be eyeing anyone at the moment with their nightmare off the pitch!)

I saw Lopez last year in the Champions League and thought he looked a class act - and he could also be a body double for Eric 'the King' Cantona. Lopez impressed me with his skill and raw determination - surely he would be a good signing for Man Utd?

If he made half the impression Cantona made at OT he would be worthwhile at around £14million...I hear he even has 'issues' like Eric had ie being a winner...and never wanting to lose...sounds good to me

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Get a driver, George Michael!

Just a quickie...re George Michael's freedom after his jail spell for crashing his car while under the influence...why not just get a driver, George? Surely you can afford one with all your millions, mate - it would save you a helluva lot of aggro!!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

O'NEILL IN, CAPELLO OUT?

SO Martin O'Neill exits Villa Park and the thickheads at the FA haven't even noticed.

Well, surely if they had, they would be having clandestine meetings with the man who could do a job for them?

The FA have got a lot of things wrong over the last six months - including the bungling decision to extend Capello's contract as England boss before the World Cup -but now here is a big chance for them to make some sort of amends.

Adrian Bevington of 'Club England' has already said he wants an English boss next to take charge of the national side.

But there are only two realistic candidates who fall into that category - Harry Redknapp and Woy Hodgson.

Woy is hardly likely to leave Anfield - unless he gets the boot, in which case his standing falls dramatically anyway - and the FA are wary of Uncle Harry.

There is no one else - apart from Steve McClaren and Glenn Hoddle - so why not employ the BEST BRITISH MANAGER apart from Sir Alex Ferguson?

Yes, come on FA, get Martin in and persuade him to take on the job. He is the best qualified man, yes, I believe even better than Harry or Woy - he is an inspirational genuis....and as he is the heir to Cloughie, it would finally also draw a line under the decision never to employ old Big 'Ead as England boss. The best boss the national side never had...

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Capello's 'brave new world'....Terry retained, Rodwell omitted

SO Fabio Capello has unwrapped an England squad that is new and daring and that will overwhelm all-comers - or so some of the Sunday papers would have you believe.

My belief is that the Italian has done nothing of the sort, that he is guilty of tokenism and that he has shown a worrying lack of clarity and vision.

His tokens to those who cried for youth to be given its chance are the inclusion of Wilshere and Gibbs...but why on earth is there no place for the wonderful Jack Rodwell??

Surely Capello can see that England's failings in South Africa were, among other things, down to his reluctance to play two holding midfielders...as did all the success stories of the tournament, including Spain?

Gareth Barry is not a holding midfielder, and with the continued unavailability of Owen Hargreaves it would surely have made sense to slot together the next best two, maybe even the only alternatives ie RODWELL and Scotty PARKER?

It means that the 'new-look England' have no recognised holding midfielders in the squad.

And what on earth is John Terry still in the squad for? Surely by dropping Terry Capello would have sent out his most ominous message that, yes, he was planning for a brave new future now. Apart from showing he will not tolerate ego-based dissent (Terry was, after all, a one-man failed coup in South Africa) Capello has permitted a man who has lost a yard of pace to continue to blunder at the heart of his team.

A big letdown, Capello...certainly not Ab Fab...

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Joe Cole, Nani and Man City

Liverpool's acquisition of Joe Cole has given a much-needed boost to the Premier League after England's dreadful World Cup shows.

I would never have thought Joe would have chosen Anfield, but it is good for Liverpool, good for football and good for Joe.

My sources had told me he was heading for Old Trafford...until United got wind of the wages he was expecting. An ill wind blows through M16 as the Glazers continue to keep a close hold on the purse strings...has-beens like Michael Owen and hopefuls like Smalling and Hernandez are ushered in with open arms (because they only cost half the price of bigger names, or half the wages of free agent Cole in Owen's case).

And United continue to miss out on the star signings that could transform them.

So there will be no Ozil to replace Scholesy, and no Joe Cole to add strength and a little more magic to the squad.

Cole will thrive at Anfield (although I am not so sure of this bullshit he is going on about re playing in the middle...is he strong enough physically for that?) - and his presence gives a lift to Woy Hodgson's hopes of keeping hold of Gerrard and Torres.

As for United...well there is still Rooney, and I am convinced that Nani will become a major star over the next 12-24 months. Did you see the pics of him training today in the Mail? God, he has doubled in size...not fat, but muscles...it can only be good news..I hardly recognised him...have alook here...http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296172/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-rules-signings-Manchester-United.html

Man City? Again, very exciting for City and football. The Serb left back they are getting is class as is Silva...they just need a top striker now and they will be a force.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

FABIANO FOR BERBATOV

There's talk that Brazil centre-forward Luis Fabiano would like to join Man United from Seville...

That would surely be a great piece of business for Fergie? The guy has scored three goals in four games for his country at the World Cup and is a class, proven act.

If he turns down AC Milan for United, it would also provide an excellent opportunity for Fergie to unload Dim Berbatov to the San Siro boys?

What an excellent piece of business - a winner for a loser...

But knowing the Glazers they will put a block on it, saying the Fab fee is too high for a 29-year-old.

Note to the Glazers: Berba is also 29...

Monday, June 28, 2010

Capello Press conference, why Fab must STAY

Have just watched Capello on SkySports News for his final Press conference in South Africa - and have changed my opinion on him...

I know I said yesterday that he should go...but nowt is set in stone, is it?

Now I believe he should STAY. He looked to me like a man who had learned many lessons - yes, he agrees we should build with young players and I am sure he will weed out the deadwood and the stirrers. He looked contrite and even humble...the great Capello humbled! Whatever next...

But the main reason he should stay (apart from those 12 million smackers which, rather than being used to pay him off could be employed to more useful benefit like opening up the national centre for excellence in Burton) is that here is a man who had a point to prove.

For the first time in a distinguished career Fabio Capello is being viewed as a FLOP. He has the ideal motive to make England great again - to salvage his own rep - so give him two years to do it.

Two years to give us a team we can be proud of. A young team playing with vibrancy, urgency and passion for the shirt.

I believe it is a win-win situation if we keep him.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Germany 4 England 1: Why defeat can be good for us, Capello and the future

SO THERE WE GO AGAIN.

Mass hysteria after mass expectation led to heartache.

England. Our dear England. Our torturuos nightmarish England, more like.

Well, what did you expect? The same as the last 40 years I suppose...that we would win the World Cup with something to spare...

Someone once told something very profound that we, as England believers should always bear in mind when we go over the top with our dreaming...the definition of INSANITY is doing the same thing time and time again and expecting a different outcome. Ring any bells with the English national football team?

What if I said the loss to Germany might actually do us some good? That we could now use it to move forward and build what we have not had since 1990...an England TEAM...

Sure, we have the individual players, but they do not work as a team when they are imported from their clubs.

When we beat the Germans 5-1 in Munich in 2001, we were, typically, ecstatic. We were going to conquer all and win the Euros and the World Cup. The Germans, in contrast, used the agonising loss they suffered to rebuild and to plan for the future. On the surface, they simply appeared to pull themselves together and marched into the World Cup final (which they lost to Brazil) a year later.

But much deeper momentum was developing behind the scenes as they planned for the future.

Their manifesto hinged on building a team for the future - by encouraging young German players to develop and make their way through the ranks together. To play top level football within the Bundesliga and to come up through the ranks together at international level.

It worked - as exemplified by the German Under 21 team that taught our Under 21s a lesson a year ago in the Euro Under 21s final. The German team that night read: GERMANY (4-1-4-1): Neuer, Beck, Howedes, Boateng, Boenisch, Hummels, Johnson, Castro, Khedira, Ozil, Wagner.


Note the names Neuer, Boateng, Khedira and especially OZIL, the star of the show. Yes, key components of the team that also helped thrash the English national team a year later.

We need to rebuild from now, encouraging English youngsters to move forward and break through in the Premier League, finally setting up that centre of excellence in Burton, and bringing youngsters who have the talent and who could BECOME a team into the national set-up for the Euro qualifying campaign.

We need to put JOE HART in goal...now. He has the most amazing confidence to back up his burgeoning talent.

We need a new right back to put pressure on the inconsistent Glen Johnson. Maybe Micah Richards will come good again with proper management?

KIERAN GIBBS can come in to put pressure on Ashley Cole.

IN central defence, JOHN TERRY survives, but it must be made clear to him that any further attempts to delegate himself as skipper/manager will result in him being dropped from the squad...for good.

RIO also survives for the Euros, but we need to find another quality centre back, who is speedy and classy. Maybe CHRIS SMALLING will fit the bill in a year or two?

In midfield it is time for ASHLEY YOUNG, JAMES MILNER, JACK WILSHERE and JACK RODWELL to be given a run. And THEO WALCOTT must be brought back in.

With ROONEY up front and GERRARD behind him.

Rooney becomes skipper, the responsibility could bring the best out of him.

Manager/head coach? Hard to see how Capello can survive. He clearly is not in tune with the English psyche and sending on Emile Heskey as a sub when we needed three goals probably nailed the lid on his coffin.

Put it this way...would we have lost 4-1 with Mourinho in command?

Given we cannot get Jose now, I would put HARRY REDKNAPP in charge, with DAVID BECKHAM his assistant.

And if we need a boost right now - and hope that we do have the talent for the future - let's not forget that England won the Under 17s Euros recently.

As Arnie once said, 'we'll be back'...but we must get it right this time, not waste the opportunity to use this crushing defeat for our benefit.