So who do you think should go to the World Cup?
It is pretty much nailed on that Fabio Capello will pick four strikers to go to South Africa.
But which frontmen deserve to go?
We all have our opinions, but who has the best goalscoring records of the contenders?
The following stats from the last five seasons make for some interesting reading.
The figures below are taken from the beginning of the 2005-2006 season up to and including each player's last Premiership appearance. The figures include premiership goals only
Name Clubs Appearances Goals Strike rate
Gabriel Agbonlahor Aston Villa 148 44 29.72%
Darren Bent Charlton, Tottenham,Sunderland 157 67 42.68%
Peter Crouch Liverpool, Portsmouth, Tottenham 152 38 25.00%
Jermaine Defoe Tottenham, Portsmouth, Tottenham 155 68 43.87%
Emile Heskey Birmingham, Wigan, Aston Villa 153 24 15.69%
Wayne Rooney Manchester United 156 79 50.64%
Of course, these figures can be deceptive. Darren Bent was often a substitute at Tottenham, while Peter Crouch was frequenyly used as a subsitute at Liverpool, perhaps distorting his figures.
In addition to this ambiguity, Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Wayne Rooney have not always been selected as srikers during their careers.
However, on goalscoring records only, the four strikers going to Africa should be Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe, Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor, according to the figures.
Although being a striker is not all about goals, it is, I would suggest, quite important. Are you taking note Mr Capello?
REFERENCES:
Wikipedia
Answers.com
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
WAYNE ROONEY - FINALLY LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS...
One year ago I wrote a blog claiming that Wayne Rooney had not yet lived up to the unbelievable potential he had shown as a teenager.
I outlined many reasons for this, ranging from Rooney being forced to play the wrong position for Manchester United to the frequent suspensions the former Everton star gathered.
At this point, on the 11th March 2010, the England star is without the doubt, currently the best player on the planet.
Where would Manchester United be without him this season? In the same position as Liverpool or even lower I would suggest.
But the 24 year old is at Old Trafford, and even in second gear last night, he helped demolish an all-be-it poor Milan side with yet another expertly taken headed goal.
This is an area of the game we weren’t expecting Rooney to excel, but at this point of his career, the striker seems to be capable of anything. Nine of his last eleven goals have been headers and he has added yet another dimension to his already outstanding repertoire of skills.
The England front man now has 30 goals in 35 games this season and has a more than even chance of surpassing Christiano Ronaldo’s 42 goal total of two seasons ago.
But let’s get one thing straight here. Ronaldo, as good as he was (or is) didn’t carry United. As I commented a year ago, the Portuguese star had two excellent players – Rooney and Carlos Tevez - frequently doing his donkey work and creating the space he needed.
Rooney has no such luxuries week in week out. His usual strike partner, Dimitar Berbatov is anything but a work- horse, and United no longer possess the wonderful players they used to have in midfield.
Nani,on his day, can be a thrilling player, but not on a consistent basis.
Antonio Valencia, meanwhile, is a terrific crosser of the ball, but, is neither a work-horse, or indeed a Ronaldo.
Park Ji-Sung is a willing runner and certainly aids Rooney, when he plays. In the league, however, the Korean is not a frequent starter.
Most of the credit has to go to Rooney himself, and he has distinctly carried the team at times this season.
As England fans, we must hope that Rooney doesn’t suffer from burn out, and that he can show the same form for England this summer in South Africa.
His recent form in an England shirt certainly bodes well. He was the overall top scorer in the European World Cup qualifying pool with eight goals, and was outstanding. He was however, certainly aided by another work-horse - Emile Heskey, alongside him.
The Aston Villa striker is a crucial side kick for the United front man. He keeps defenders busy, and, as he so often did for Michael Owen before him, creates the platform for Rooney to excel.
Rooney has been a completely different player for England under Fabio Capello, and is now, without question, the main man for both club and country.
The Liverpool born forward has also improved his discipline and big game temperament. He already has four goals in the Champions League knock out stages, and has barely missed a game through suspension in the last year.
He also scored the winner in the League Cup final at Wembley and in all truth it is difficult to find any obvious flaws in his game.
For England however, it’s important that Rooney is given every chance to show his worth. In the recent friendly against Egypt he started alongside Jermaine Defoe, but this looked an un-balanced combination. Defoe is a good goal-scorer, but a selfish player who is not a particularly intelligent footballer.
The Tottenham striker is not always aware of the position of players around him and expects the team to play to his strengths.
But Rooney, not Defoe, is England’s key player. And, while Heskey may lack Defoe’s predatory instincts, the former Liverpool forward is a far more intelligent and team orientated individual.
In the Premiership his season, Wayne Rooney has 23 goals in 27 games. While this may surprise many, it doesn’t surprise me. He has always been a great finisher with supreme technique, he just needs to be playing as the furthest man forward to demonstrate this talent.
Capello has to be given much of the credit. He, and not Alex Ferguson installed this belief into Rooney, that he could play as the out and out front man.
Since the Italian has been England manager he has tried to revolve the team around Rooney and Steven Gerrard, two wonderfully gifted footballers who are also good friends away from the pitch. This is a simple, but very important master-stroke that seems to be paying dividends.
Rooney’s personal life may also be a factor in his greater consistency this season. He is now a father, and perhaps this increased responsibility off the field has helped make him a better role model on it. It certainly appears to be the case.
He is certainly the player of the season so far, both in Europe and domestically. And, just to add icing onto Rooney’s already delicious cake, Ronaldo’s Real Madrid team are out of the Champions League.
One major rival for World and European player of the year has surely left the reckoning by exiting the world’s premier club competition at such an early stage.
If ‘our Wayne’ can light up South Africa in June and July and perform to anything like his best, then surely global recognition beckons at the end of the year.
Let’s hope so….
I outlined many reasons for this, ranging from Rooney being forced to play the wrong position for Manchester United to the frequent suspensions the former Everton star gathered.
At this point, on the 11th March 2010, the England star is without the doubt, currently the best player on the planet.
Where would Manchester United be without him this season? In the same position as Liverpool or even lower I would suggest.
But the 24 year old is at Old Trafford, and even in second gear last night, he helped demolish an all-be-it poor Milan side with yet another expertly taken headed goal.
This is an area of the game we weren’t expecting Rooney to excel, but at this point of his career, the striker seems to be capable of anything. Nine of his last eleven goals have been headers and he has added yet another dimension to his already outstanding repertoire of skills.
The England front man now has 30 goals in 35 games this season and has a more than even chance of surpassing Christiano Ronaldo’s 42 goal total of two seasons ago.
But let’s get one thing straight here. Ronaldo, as good as he was (or is) didn’t carry United. As I commented a year ago, the Portuguese star had two excellent players – Rooney and Carlos Tevez - frequently doing his donkey work and creating the space he needed.
Rooney has no such luxuries week in week out. His usual strike partner, Dimitar Berbatov is anything but a work- horse, and United no longer possess the wonderful players they used to have in midfield.
Nani,on his day, can be a thrilling player, but not on a consistent basis.
Antonio Valencia, meanwhile, is a terrific crosser of the ball, but, is neither a work-horse, or indeed a Ronaldo.
Park Ji-Sung is a willing runner and certainly aids Rooney, when he plays. In the league, however, the Korean is not a frequent starter.
Most of the credit has to go to Rooney himself, and he has distinctly carried the team at times this season.
As England fans, we must hope that Rooney doesn’t suffer from burn out, and that he can show the same form for England this summer in South Africa.
His recent form in an England shirt certainly bodes well. He was the overall top scorer in the European World Cup qualifying pool with eight goals, and was outstanding. He was however, certainly aided by another work-horse - Emile Heskey, alongside him.
The Aston Villa striker is a crucial side kick for the United front man. He keeps defenders busy, and, as he so often did for Michael Owen before him, creates the platform for Rooney to excel.
Rooney has been a completely different player for England under Fabio Capello, and is now, without question, the main man for both club and country.
The Liverpool born forward has also improved his discipline and big game temperament. He already has four goals in the Champions League knock out stages, and has barely missed a game through suspension in the last year.
He also scored the winner in the League Cup final at Wembley and in all truth it is difficult to find any obvious flaws in his game.
For England however, it’s important that Rooney is given every chance to show his worth. In the recent friendly against Egypt he started alongside Jermaine Defoe, but this looked an un-balanced combination. Defoe is a good goal-scorer, but a selfish player who is not a particularly intelligent footballer.
The Tottenham striker is not always aware of the position of players around him and expects the team to play to his strengths.
But Rooney, not Defoe, is England’s key player. And, while Heskey may lack Defoe’s predatory instincts, the former Liverpool forward is a far more intelligent and team orientated individual.
In the Premiership his season, Wayne Rooney has 23 goals in 27 games. While this may surprise many, it doesn’t surprise me. He has always been a great finisher with supreme technique, he just needs to be playing as the furthest man forward to demonstrate this talent.
Capello has to be given much of the credit. He, and not Alex Ferguson installed this belief into Rooney, that he could play as the out and out front man.
Since the Italian has been England manager he has tried to revolve the team around Rooney and Steven Gerrard, two wonderfully gifted footballers who are also good friends away from the pitch. This is a simple, but very important master-stroke that seems to be paying dividends.
Rooney’s personal life may also be a factor in his greater consistency this season. He is now a father, and perhaps this increased responsibility off the field has helped make him a better role model on it. It certainly appears to be the case.
He is certainly the player of the season so far, both in Europe and domestically. And, just to add icing onto Rooney’s already delicious cake, Ronaldo’s Real Madrid team are out of the Champions League.
One major rival for World and European player of the year has surely left the reckoning by exiting the world’s premier club competition at such an early stage.
If ‘our Wayne’ can light up South Africa in June and July and perform to anything like his best, then surely global recognition beckons at the end of the year.
Let’s hope so….
Friday, February 26, 2010
BENNY'S VALUABLE INFORMATION OF THE WEEK.
In January 1996, Fulham were second from bottom of the old third division - 91st in the English football league. Only Torquay United, who they lost to that season, separated them from rock bottom.
Four months later, Juventus, under Marcello Lippi, won the European Champions League final in Rome. They defeated a brilliant Ajax team and had a side including Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Vialli, Paulo Sousa, Gianluca Pessotto and Antonio Conte.
In two weeks time, the two clubs will face each other in the UEFA Cup fourth round.
This is a terrific example how much football can change in fourteen years. It is also viable proof that football fans should never give up hope, whatever the circumstances surrounding their club.
Portsmouth fans, take note… There is hope for everyone.
Four months later, Juventus, under Marcello Lippi, won the European Champions League final in Rome. They defeated a brilliant Ajax team and had a side including Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Vialli, Paulo Sousa, Gianluca Pessotto and Antonio Conte.
In two weeks time, the two clubs will face each other in the UEFA Cup fourth round.
This is a terrific example how much football can change in fourteen years. It is also viable proof that football fans should never give up hope, whatever the circumstances surrounding their club.
Portsmouth fans, take note… There is hope for everyone.
Friday, February 19, 2010
GAY FOOTBALLERS - IS IT TIME TO COME OUT?
It is a sensitive question, especially in the ‘macho’ world of football, but is now the time for a professional footballer to admit he is gay, or would it just be opening up a whole new can of worms?
It is often stated that approximately ten per cent of the population are gay. If that is the case there are definitely some gay footballers playing in our leagues in Britain and around the world.
The recent admission by Welsh Rugby star Gareth Thomas has been received warmly and without much fuss in the egg shaped ball game. But the culture and environment within that game is very different to football.
It appears to be a far more accepting pastime and perhaps (a controversial statement) the personnel involved in the game are more educated. The game certainly appears to have a more mature fan base.
Rugby Union is mainly perceived to be a middle to upper class sport (although ironically probably not in Wales. Therefore, homosexuality will probably be more freely accepted into it.
For instance, you only have to watch a Rugby match to see the respect the players and fans have for the officials. People appear to solely care about winning the game and not much else.
Football however, is the traditional ‘working man’s’ sport and perhaps still has some way to go before an openly gay individual can be accepted at the top level.
There will be people reading this who believe that this should not even be an issue, but the fact is, in football, it is.
There are several reasons for and against footballers coming out. Although I am skeptical both ways (no pun intended) it does appear that there are more viable reasons for a player admitting his sexuality than not.
Like many issues in football, if one player breaks the ice, then many more are bound to follow suit. A snowball effect occurs in the same way it did with black players in the 1980s. The more black players that were playing, the less of an issue it became.
Sheer numbers will gradually drown out the cries of the ignorant -so called fans, and their prejudice will eventually become more tedious and less pronounced.
What is true is that the first player may at first, have to deal with some horrendous abuse - which no individual should have to suffer.
But if it changes the football fraternity in the long term then that first person becomes a pioneer and a true hero to so many people. It will surely be worth it, for both the individual and the game as a whole.
The players who do make the admissions will also help to encourage gay youngsters to play the game, when previously they may have felt afraid to enter such a ‘macho’ world.
I would imagine that many skilful footballers are not being discovered because they are homosexual and too shy to express themselves for the fear of being teased by their peers, it is human nature.
Last season at Fratton Park, when Sol Campbell was (for no apparent reason) subjected to ‘gay jibes’ was horrifying. It was perhaps a sign that the world of football, in the Premiership anyway, is not ready for the bombshell of a top footballer admitting he is gay.
But it has to be noted that it was just a small section of ‘idiots’ and most people would in all probability, not care at all.
If the FA and Premier League want to encourage freedom of expression in football, then laws should be implemented that strictly forbid homophobic chants, just as anti-racism jibes are severely punished.
But this too would be a grey area. It may have the unfortunate affect of destroying a unique aspect of English football – the atmosphere. Perhaps supporters would be caught in a conundrum about what they can and can’t say at football matches. Without the banter, football would just not be the same.
On the other hand, is it really necessary for a gay footballer to admit he is gay anyway?
And is it really worth all the hassle and publicity?
It is true that the player may become an icon, but most importantly any abuse could affect their professional performance If that is the case, they would be given even more criticism from all corners of the media, and not just from within the crowd. Of course, it may also spur them on, but this still doesn't make it right.
Straight footballers are not expected to tell the world that they are heterosexual, so why should gay footballers have to say that they are homosexual? Is that not discrimination as well? It should be up to the individual if they feel comfortable with it.
In ten years (hopefully) this debate may not even be a talking point, if only someone could start the ball rolling.
In so many instances, society has moved on, in everything it seems, but football.
The armed forces, for example, have openly gay men and women representing our country. And despite some initial issues, it seems to have run relatively smoothly since the laws were changed in the year 2000. It could be said that is the most 'macho' of all environments, so why should football be any different?
Also in the UK, the church accepts gay priests and bishops, so why shouldn’t our other ‘religion’ accept gay players. Surely football can be just as accepting as the Church of England.
Thirty or fourty years ago it was still relatively taboo in show business to admit your sexuality. It was plainly obvious to people watching them that many stars were gay or bi-sexual, but they couldn’t admit to it publically. It drove some to despair and highly publicised battles with alcohol, drugs or depression.
If this is the case, surely it is better for the person just to admit they are gay, for their own sake. Nobody deserves to have to fight such demons. Surely a little public embarrassment is a far better option.
I just hope that football can surprise us all and the issue can pass with minimum fuss. Now that a Rugby player has come out, then it is to be expected that some time or another football will follow suit.
Although not really publicised - which can only be a good thing, there have been encouraging signs previously.
Elton John, one of Britain’s most famously openly gay superstars, is a huge football fan. The musician was the long time chairman of Watford and is still a regular at many games as he still owns a stake in the club.
Does he get gay jibes from the crowd? I am not aware of any and cerainly not on any sort of large scale.
In Europe, in places such as Spain and Italy, there are still huge problems concerning racism in football. I would suggest that in very traditional catholic countries such as Italy the game may also struggle to deal with openly gay footballers as well.
In England though, racism has been severely and successfully dealt with through massive campaigning. It is still not perfect, but it is the best around and something to be proud of.
English football deserves to be identifed as the pioneer of clamping down on this prejudice and hopefully in the future the defeat of homophobic jibes in football can also be credited to our country.
Some of you may be thinking, what about the players in the dressing room? But I believe, minus a little banter here and there, it will not be a big issue. It is the crowds that concern me
The million dollar question is, do the majority of fans really care? I certainly don’t think so. Homosexuality has been accepted into society, so why not – in time – can this not be transmitted into our football stadia.
Some supporters will probably suggest that top footballers are paid enough money to justify taking any sort of abuse labeled at them.
I don't adhere to this, but until one brave gentleman takes the big step of opening up to the world, we will never know how much or how little reaction there will be.
It is often stated that approximately ten per cent of the population are gay. If that is the case there are definitely some gay footballers playing in our leagues in Britain and around the world.
The recent admission by Welsh Rugby star Gareth Thomas has been received warmly and without much fuss in the egg shaped ball game. But the culture and environment within that game is very different to football.
It appears to be a far more accepting pastime and perhaps (a controversial statement) the personnel involved in the game are more educated. The game certainly appears to have a more mature fan base.
Rugby Union is mainly perceived to be a middle to upper class sport (although ironically probably not in Wales. Therefore, homosexuality will probably be more freely accepted into it.
For instance, you only have to watch a Rugby match to see the respect the players and fans have for the officials. People appear to solely care about winning the game and not much else.
Football however, is the traditional ‘working man’s’ sport and perhaps still has some way to go before an openly gay individual can be accepted at the top level.
There will be people reading this who believe that this should not even be an issue, but the fact is, in football, it is.
There are several reasons for and against footballers coming out. Although I am skeptical both ways (no pun intended) it does appear that there are more viable reasons for a player admitting his sexuality than not.
Like many issues in football, if one player breaks the ice, then many more are bound to follow suit. A snowball effect occurs in the same way it did with black players in the 1980s. The more black players that were playing, the less of an issue it became.
Sheer numbers will gradually drown out the cries of the ignorant -so called fans, and their prejudice will eventually become more tedious and less pronounced.
What is true is that the first player may at first, have to deal with some horrendous abuse - which no individual should have to suffer.
But if it changes the football fraternity in the long term then that first person becomes a pioneer and a true hero to so many people. It will surely be worth it, for both the individual and the game as a whole.
The players who do make the admissions will also help to encourage gay youngsters to play the game, when previously they may have felt afraid to enter such a ‘macho’ world.
I would imagine that many skilful footballers are not being discovered because they are homosexual and too shy to express themselves for the fear of being teased by their peers, it is human nature.
Last season at Fratton Park, when Sol Campbell was (for no apparent reason) subjected to ‘gay jibes’ was horrifying. It was perhaps a sign that the world of football, in the Premiership anyway, is not ready for the bombshell of a top footballer admitting he is gay.
But it has to be noted that it was just a small section of ‘idiots’ and most people would in all probability, not care at all.
If the FA and Premier League want to encourage freedom of expression in football, then laws should be implemented that strictly forbid homophobic chants, just as anti-racism jibes are severely punished.
But this too would be a grey area. It may have the unfortunate affect of destroying a unique aspect of English football – the atmosphere. Perhaps supporters would be caught in a conundrum about what they can and can’t say at football matches. Without the banter, football would just not be the same.
On the other hand, is it really necessary for a gay footballer to admit he is gay anyway?
And is it really worth all the hassle and publicity?
It is true that the player may become an icon, but most importantly any abuse could affect their professional performance If that is the case, they would be given even more criticism from all corners of the media, and not just from within the crowd. Of course, it may also spur them on, but this still doesn't make it right.
Straight footballers are not expected to tell the world that they are heterosexual, so why should gay footballers have to say that they are homosexual? Is that not discrimination as well? It should be up to the individual if they feel comfortable with it.
In ten years (hopefully) this debate may not even be a talking point, if only someone could start the ball rolling.
In so many instances, society has moved on, in everything it seems, but football.
The armed forces, for example, have openly gay men and women representing our country. And despite some initial issues, it seems to have run relatively smoothly since the laws were changed in the year 2000. It could be said that is the most 'macho' of all environments, so why should football be any different?
Also in the UK, the church accepts gay priests and bishops, so why shouldn’t our other ‘religion’ accept gay players. Surely football can be just as accepting as the Church of England.
Thirty or fourty years ago it was still relatively taboo in show business to admit your sexuality. It was plainly obvious to people watching them that many stars were gay or bi-sexual, but they couldn’t admit to it publically. It drove some to despair and highly publicised battles with alcohol, drugs or depression.
If this is the case, surely it is better for the person just to admit they are gay, for their own sake. Nobody deserves to have to fight such demons. Surely a little public embarrassment is a far better option.
I just hope that football can surprise us all and the issue can pass with minimum fuss. Now that a Rugby player has come out, then it is to be expected that some time or another football will follow suit.
Although not really publicised - which can only be a good thing, there have been encouraging signs previously.
Elton John, one of Britain’s most famously openly gay superstars, is a huge football fan. The musician was the long time chairman of Watford and is still a regular at many games as he still owns a stake in the club.
Does he get gay jibes from the crowd? I am not aware of any and cerainly not on any sort of large scale.
In Europe, in places such as Spain and Italy, there are still huge problems concerning racism in football. I would suggest that in very traditional catholic countries such as Italy the game may also struggle to deal with openly gay footballers as well.
In England though, racism has been severely and successfully dealt with through massive campaigning. It is still not perfect, but it is the best around and something to be proud of.
English football deserves to be identifed as the pioneer of clamping down on this prejudice and hopefully in the future the defeat of homophobic jibes in football can also be credited to our country.
Some of you may be thinking, what about the players in the dressing room? But I believe, minus a little banter here and there, it will not be a big issue. It is the crowds that concern me
The million dollar question is, do the majority of fans really care? I certainly don’t think so. Homosexuality has been accepted into society, so why not – in time – can this not be transmitted into our football stadia.
Some supporters will probably suggest that top footballers are paid enough money to justify taking any sort of abuse labeled at them.
I don't adhere to this, but until one brave gentleman takes the big step of opening up to the world, we will never know how much or how little reaction there will be.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
TERRYGATE: THE CALM AFTER THE STORM?..
The John Terry news story has dominated both the front and back pages in the last fortnight. But now the situation has cooled slightly, maybe now is the time to assess it more objectively.
The injury to Ashley Cole at Goodison Park last night will, in all probability, mean that Wayne Bridge will be in England’s starting line up against Egypt next month. Chelsea skipper, Terry, is of course odds on be in the team as well.
The press build up to the game will be, to put it mildly, unique and the team as a whole will be under intense scrutiny for probably the first time under Fabio Capello.
But what does this actually mean for the England team and their World Cup hopes?
And is Capello justified in making an example of the (now former) England skipper and stripping him of the captaincy?
I personally think there are arguments for and against keeping the 29 year old as captain.
Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, had his usual, un-called for say on the situation today. He suggested that Terry would be applauded in other countries’ for his misdemeanors. The Swiss said that in places such as France and Italy, the centre half would be admired, not vilified.
If this is the case, then I have to ask why did Capello act so quickly in sacking Terry? He obviously deemed the situation to be unacceptable, but he is Italian.
This was yet again, another ill-informed Blatter rant. How much longer do we have to listen to this clown? Let’s just hope, for his sake, the South Africa Would Cup is successful, as this will be his true legacy.
Now I am ranting.....
I do believe that Capello’s decision was the right one. The England captaincy is the greatest honour you can receive as a sportsman in this country, and if any position in football carries the ‘role model’ tag, then this is the one.
Terry was made captain for a reason and whether or not the position is so important on the field of play is irrelevant. You are expected a leader off the pitch and you must be fully respected by the other players.
As the player who gives the most press conferences, he must be prepared to take the brunt of the pressure. The England captain is surely better off having a balanced home life without any distractions.
In World Cup year, in my opinion, it is vital that Terry is fully focused on his football and this is clearly not the case.
But there are notable examples of players performing against the odds and being inspired by outside pressures, thus spurring them on to greater heights.
Paolo Rossi in 1982 is the prime example. He entered the tournament having barely played for two years following a match fixing scandal and many thought he shouldn't have even been in Spain. But the Italian striker finished the tournament as top scorer and claimed a winners medal.
I have heard suggestions from fans suggesting England are being hypocritical in dismissing Terry. Sven Goran Eriksson was notorious for more that one affair during his six year spell as England boss, but he wasn’t sacked.
The difference, I guess, is that the Swede wasn’t married and didn't have an affair with a girlfriend or ex girlfriend of a member of his team. He was also on a huge, long term salary, which probably played a big part in the outcome.
In Terry's defence, it is also important to remember that previous England captains have not always covered themselves in glory either.
Alan Shearer 'appearing to' kick Neil Lennon in the face shortly before the 1998 World Cup is a famous example of an England captain acting in a 'thuggish' matter on the football field.
Another former captain, Tony Adams, had been in prison for drink driving five years before he was made England skipper. In most people’s eyes this would have to be deemed a far worse sin than John Terry’s, but it was quickly forgotten due to Adams' strirring displays in the England strip. Maybe the same can happen to Terry.
On a far more contemporary level, is Rio Ferdinand (the new England captain) the ultimate role model?
He missed a drugs test and has been convicted of drink driving, but that was a long time ago. Does it make any difference? Maybe it does, but Ferdinand is 31 now, and has certainly matured off the pitch, as well as on it.
Perhaps Capello believes that Terry is not as mature as he first thought, and this event, coupled with his not so squeaky clean past has tipped the Italian over the edge. This was obviously Terry's last chance even if he wasn't aware of it, but I, like many, thought he had matured sufficiently.
The defender has certainly let himself down, not to mention his family and he needs to show all of his trademark mental strength to pick himself up from such a tirade of media speculation.
It's important as a football journalist, not to elevate too much of a moral high ground here. Terry is certainly not alone in making errors of judgment, and there are several other members of the England team who have certainly not covered themselves in glory during their careers.
Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Jermaine Defoe, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are just a few high profile squad members who have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons during their careers. In this context, it would be unfair to label Terry as a monster who has embarrassed his family and let down his club and country.
But the rumours are that Terry tried his upmost to hide the story of the affair from the papers. When he was stripped of the captaincy he reportedly weeped and begged Capello not to fire him.
If this is true, is he really fit to be England skipper? Integrity and bravery are surely key traits required for such a high profile position, and perhaps he is too self-centred to be England skipper.
This is not something any football fan would have previously associated with Terry. He throws his body on the line week after week for Chelsea, but maybe we all over-estimated him.
One factor that has to be applauded is Capello’s efficiency. He made the decision ruthlessly and susequently refused to comment on it afterwards. He is moving on (in his own mind) and has once again given the impression that he will take no prisoners and demands respect.
In that aspect he is very different to both Eriksson (who seemed to be too close to David Beckham, giving him too much power) and Steve McClaren who, initially attempted to come across as a strong leader in dropping Beckham. In fact he was not doing it for the good of the team, it was just a facade. Beckham was later recalled.
Capello expects his players to be role models and respect the Three Lions shirt to the upmost.John Terry abused that privilege and obviously did not respect Capello enough to adhere to his demands.
He has paid the ultimate price. The other players will certainly has taken note.
Today, Terry has reportedly headed off to Dubai in an attempt to save his flagging marriage, which includes two children. His mistake against Everton last night perhaps illustrates that he is not one hundred per cent focused. But he needs to be.
With Chelsea fighting for the title, Terry will need to be at the top of his game in the coming weeks.
In all honesty, Wayne Bridge is not as vital as John Terry in the England set up. But the Manchester City full back is, according to multiple sources, a very popular member of the squad.
We, as England fans, will just have to hope that team spirit has not been affected.
With less than four months to go until the ‘greatest show on earth’ we should have known after such a fantastic qualifying campaign, that it couldn't all run so smoothly.
Something had to give, and it has, in volcanic proportions.
The injury to Ashley Cole at Goodison Park last night will, in all probability, mean that Wayne Bridge will be in England’s starting line up against Egypt next month. Chelsea skipper, Terry, is of course odds on be in the team as well.
The press build up to the game will be, to put it mildly, unique and the team as a whole will be under intense scrutiny for probably the first time under Fabio Capello.
But what does this actually mean for the England team and their World Cup hopes?
And is Capello justified in making an example of the (now former) England skipper and stripping him of the captaincy?
I personally think there are arguments for and against keeping the 29 year old as captain.
Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, had his usual, un-called for say on the situation today. He suggested that Terry would be applauded in other countries’ for his misdemeanors. The Swiss said that in places such as France and Italy, the centre half would be admired, not vilified.
If this is the case, then I have to ask why did Capello act so quickly in sacking Terry? He obviously deemed the situation to be unacceptable, but he is Italian.
This was yet again, another ill-informed Blatter rant. How much longer do we have to listen to this clown? Let’s just hope, for his sake, the South Africa Would Cup is successful, as this will be his true legacy.
Now I am ranting.....
I do believe that Capello’s decision was the right one. The England captaincy is the greatest honour you can receive as a sportsman in this country, and if any position in football carries the ‘role model’ tag, then this is the one.
Terry was made captain for a reason and whether or not the position is so important on the field of play is irrelevant. You are expected a leader off the pitch and you must be fully respected by the other players.
As the player who gives the most press conferences, he must be prepared to take the brunt of the pressure. The England captain is surely better off having a balanced home life without any distractions.
In World Cup year, in my opinion, it is vital that Terry is fully focused on his football and this is clearly not the case.
But there are notable examples of players performing against the odds and being inspired by outside pressures, thus spurring them on to greater heights.
Paolo Rossi in 1982 is the prime example. He entered the tournament having barely played for two years following a match fixing scandal and many thought he shouldn't have even been in Spain. But the Italian striker finished the tournament as top scorer and claimed a winners medal.
I have heard suggestions from fans suggesting England are being hypocritical in dismissing Terry. Sven Goran Eriksson was notorious for more that one affair during his six year spell as England boss, but he wasn’t sacked.
The difference, I guess, is that the Swede wasn’t married and didn't have an affair with a girlfriend or ex girlfriend of a member of his team. He was also on a huge, long term salary, which probably played a big part in the outcome.
In Terry's defence, it is also important to remember that previous England captains have not always covered themselves in glory either.
Alan Shearer 'appearing to' kick Neil Lennon in the face shortly before the 1998 World Cup is a famous example of an England captain acting in a 'thuggish' matter on the football field.
Another former captain, Tony Adams, had been in prison for drink driving five years before he was made England skipper. In most people’s eyes this would have to be deemed a far worse sin than John Terry’s, but it was quickly forgotten due to Adams' strirring displays in the England strip. Maybe the same can happen to Terry.
On a far more contemporary level, is Rio Ferdinand (the new England captain) the ultimate role model?
He missed a drugs test and has been convicted of drink driving, but that was a long time ago. Does it make any difference? Maybe it does, but Ferdinand is 31 now, and has certainly matured off the pitch, as well as on it.
Perhaps Capello believes that Terry is not as mature as he first thought, and this event, coupled with his not so squeaky clean past has tipped the Italian over the edge. This was obviously Terry's last chance even if he wasn't aware of it, but I, like many, thought he had matured sufficiently.
The defender has certainly let himself down, not to mention his family and he needs to show all of his trademark mental strength to pick himself up from such a tirade of media speculation.
It's important as a football journalist, not to elevate too much of a moral high ground here. Terry is certainly not alone in making errors of judgment, and there are several other members of the England team who have certainly not covered themselves in glory during their careers.
Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Jermaine Defoe, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are just a few high profile squad members who have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons during their careers. In this context, it would be unfair to label Terry as a monster who has embarrassed his family and let down his club and country.
But the rumours are that Terry tried his upmost to hide the story of the affair from the papers. When he was stripped of the captaincy he reportedly weeped and begged Capello not to fire him.
If this is true, is he really fit to be England skipper? Integrity and bravery are surely key traits required for such a high profile position, and perhaps he is too self-centred to be England skipper.
This is not something any football fan would have previously associated with Terry. He throws his body on the line week after week for Chelsea, but maybe we all over-estimated him.
One factor that has to be applauded is Capello’s efficiency. He made the decision ruthlessly and susequently refused to comment on it afterwards. He is moving on (in his own mind) and has once again given the impression that he will take no prisoners and demands respect.
In that aspect he is very different to both Eriksson (who seemed to be too close to David Beckham, giving him too much power) and Steve McClaren who, initially attempted to come across as a strong leader in dropping Beckham. In fact he was not doing it for the good of the team, it was just a facade. Beckham was later recalled.
Capello expects his players to be role models and respect the Three Lions shirt to the upmost.John Terry abused that privilege and obviously did not respect Capello enough to adhere to his demands.
He has paid the ultimate price. The other players will certainly has taken note.
Today, Terry has reportedly headed off to Dubai in an attempt to save his flagging marriage, which includes two children. His mistake against Everton last night perhaps illustrates that he is not one hundred per cent focused. But he needs to be.
With Chelsea fighting for the title, Terry will need to be at the top of his game in the coming weeks.
In all honesty, Wayne Bridge is not as vital as John Terry in the England set up. But the Manchester City full back is, according to multiple sources, a very popular member of the squad.
We, as England fans, will just have to hope that team spirit has not been affected.
With less than four months to go until the ‘greatest show on earth’ we should have known after such a fantastic qualifying campaign, that it couldn't all run so smoothly.
Something had to give, and it has, in volcanic proportions.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
THE WELCOME RENAISSANCE OF A FALLEN GIANT
One of the most pleasing features of this football season has been the re-emergence of a club that up to four years ago had won more European Cups than Barcelona.
Nottingham Forest (who also least we forget, signed the first million pound footballer) have been dragged through the mire more than most over the last decade. But under the measured stewardship of Billy Davies they currently lie second in the Championship and are currently on a stunning run of eighteen games unbeaten.
After flirting with relegation for the whole of last season, Forest initially made an awful start to this campaign, losing two of their first three league games.
The former Preston and Derby manager’s job was severely under threat after just three weeks of the new season. However, Davies’ young squad recovered brilliantly, and, along with Norwich City, are currently the form team in the country.
When I was growing up in the Midlands and starting to become interested in football, Forest were one of the top teams in the country. A full decade after they had been kings of Europe, the club were coming to the end the legendary Brian Clough era, but were still winning trophies as we entered into the 1990s.
The East Midlands club won back to back League Cups in 1989 and 1990, and finished third in the old first division in 1988 and 1989. The team were full of stars from that era, including Stuart Pearce, Des Walker and Neil Webb, all of whom were part of England’s celebrated 1990 World Cup squad.
They had other fine players too, such as Nigel Clough, Garry Parker, Lee Chapman, and, latterly, Clough's jewel in the crown, Roy Keane.
However, after losing the FA Cup final in 1991 and the League Cup final to Manchester United a year later, the wheels began to come off and the club went into a dramatic decline.
They finished bottom of the table in the first season of the Premier League, thus signaling a sad end to the Clough legacy.
A new era commenced under Frank Clark, himself a European Cup winner under Clough, and initially, the club remained at the top of English football.
Under the shrewd guidance of Clark and with a side including the brilliant front pairing of Stan Collymore and Brian Roy, Forest finished third in 1994-95. They also reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals the following year, but the selling of their major stars and the departure of Clark during the 1996-97 season initiated another decline that the club is only now beginning to pull itself out of.
The 1978 League Champions have been out of the top flight since 1999, and even dropped out of the top two divisions in the middle of the last decade. This gave the club the unfortunate distinction of being the only European Champions to ever drop out of the top two divisions, in any country.
Big name managers came and went. David Platt was a particularly huge name, and it was hoped that he could attract high profile players. But his inexperience was evident and the club languished in mid-table during the early part of the century.
Absolute turmoil followed. Forest, as one of the bigger names in the second tier, were hit more than most by the collapse of ITV digital in 2002. The club had budgeted for the TV money at the start of the 2001-02 season and found themselves in horrendous debt when the income was never forthcoming.
They were forced to sell their outstanding young players such as Jermaine Jenas and Michael Dawson, and despite getting to the play offs under Paul Hart in 2003, never really looked like seriously challenging for promotion again.
Another big name, Joe Kinnear, was expected to rekindle the club, but his reign was unsuccessful. Forest subsequently found themselves in League One at the start of the 2005-2006 season.
Gary Megson was appointed, but failed to deliver in his short reign at the City Ground.
It wasn’t until the appointment of Colin Calderwood, that the club’s fortunes finally began to turn around.
Calderwood’s side reached the League One play offs in 2007 (losing to Yeovil Town) and were then promoted back to the Championship in 2008.
After finally recovering financially, the City Ground club were one of the big spenders in the Championship in 2009As we near the end of January, only Newcastle United stand between them and the top of the Championship.
In Robert Earnshaw they have a goal-scorer as prolific as any in the second tier, while in the 23 year old Pole, Radoslaw Majewski, they have uncovered a superb midfield playmaker.
Paul Anderson, formerly a Liverpool youth player has also proved to be a handy winger and a bargain buy, but most importantly, under Davies, the club are finally playing the free flowing, attacking football that the City Ground faithful are accustomed to. Their long suffering fans at least deserve that.
Club football, like it or not, is built on reputations. When provincial clubs come from nowhere with a relatively small budget and a relatively low fan base to conquer all before them, they tend to stick in the hearts of neutrals.
Nottingham Forest are one of these clubs and if they are back in the Premiership come May, I, as a fan of football, am telling you straight, it will be a better place for it.
As they say (although I don't know who 'they' are) the cream will always rise to the top in the long term.
Nottingham Forest (who also least we forget, signed the first million pound footballer) have been dragged through the mire more than most over the last decade. But under the measured stewardship of Billy Davies they currently lie second in the Championship and are currently on a stunning run of eighteen games unbeaten.
After flirting with relegation for the whole of last season, Forest initially made an awful start to this campaign, losing two of their first three league games.
The former Preston and Derby manager’s job was severely under threat after just three weeks of the new season. However, Davies’ young squad recovered brilliantly, and, along with Norwich City, are currently the form team in the country.
When I was growing up in the Midlands and starting to become interested in football, Forest were one of the top teams in the country. A full decade after they had been kings of Europe, the club were coming to the end the legendary Brian Clough era, but were still winning trophies as we entered into the 1990s.
The East Midlands club won back to back League Cups in 1989 and 1990, and finished third in the old first division in 1988 and 1989. The team were full of stars from that era, including Stuart Pearce, Des Walker and Neil Webb, all of whom were part of England’s celebrated 1990 World Cup squad.
They had other fine players too, such as Nigel Clough, Garry Parker, Lee Chapman, and, latterly, Clough's jewel in the crown, Roy Keane.
However, after losing the FA Cup final in 1991 and the League Cup final to Manchester United a year later, the wheels began to come off and the club went into a dramatic decline.
They finished bottom of the table in the first season of the Premier League, thus signaling a sad end to the Clough legacy.
A new era commenced under Frank Clark, himself a European Cup winner under Clough, and initially, the club remained at the top of English football.
Under the shrewd guidance of Clark and with a side including the brilliant front pairing of Stan Collymore and Brian Roy, Forest finished third in 1994-95. They also reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals the following year, but the selling of their major stars and the departure of Clark during the 1996-97 season initiated another decline that the club is only now beginning to pull itself out of.
The 1978 League Champions have been out of the top flight since 1999, and even dropped out of the top two divisions in the middle of the last decade. This gave the club the unfortunate distinction of being the only European Champions to ever drop out of the top two divisions, in any country.
Big name managers came and went. David Platt was a particularly huge name, and it was hoped that he could attract high profile players. But his inexperience was evident and the club languished in mid-table during the early part of the century.
Absolute turmoil followed. Forest, as one of the bigger names in the second tier, were hit more than most by the collapse of ITV digital in 2002. The club had budgeted for the TV money at the start of the 2001-02 season and found themselves in horrendous debt when the income was never forthcoming.
They were forced to sell their outstanding young players such as Jermaine Jenas and Michael Dawson, and despite getting to the play offs under Paul Hart in 2003, never really looked like seriously challenging for promotion again.
Another big name, Joe Kinnear, was expected to rekindle the club, but his reign was unsuccessful. Forest subsequently found themselves in League One at the start of the 2005-2006 season.
Gary Megson was appointed, but failed to deliver in his short reign at the City Ground.
It wasn’t until the appointment of Colin Calderwood, that the club’s fortunes finally began to turn around.
Calderwood’s side reached the League One play offs in 2007 (losing to Yeovil Town) and were then promoted back to the Championship in 2008.
After finally recovering financially, the City Ground club were one of the big spenders in the Championship in 2009As we near the end of January, only Newcastle United stand between them and the top of the Championship.
In Robert Earnshaw they have a goal-scorer as prolific as any in the second tier, while in the 23 year old Pole, Radoslaw Majewski, they have uncovered a superb midfield playmaker.
Paul Anderson, formerly a Liverpool youth player has also proved to be a handy winger and a bargain buy, but most importantly, under Davies, the club are finally playing the free flowing, attacking football that the City Ground faithful are accustomed to. Their long suffering fans at least deserve that.
Club football, like it or not, is built on reputations. When provincial clubs come from nowhere with a relatively small budget and a relatively low fan base to conquer all before them, they tend to stick in the hearts of neutrals.
Nottingham Forest are one of these clubs and if they are back in the Premiership come May, I, as a fan of football, am telling you straight, it will be a better place for it.
As they say (although I don't know who 'they' are) the cream will always rise to the top in the long term.
Friday, October 30, 2009
DO FOOTBALL CLUBS MAKE TOO MANY QUICK FIRE DECISIONS?
With the amount of scrutiny projected onto football these days, it is hardly surprising that managers seem to be sacked more frequently that Jordan appears on the front page of the Daily Star.
But do clubs really think things through?
Are they really so influenced by the numerous online fanzines, radio phone in’s and blogs that are so freely available both to the football fan and the board room members.
Nobody can tell me that some club executives don’t read or tune into these media outlets ? I’m sure some of them do.
There are numerous examples of sets of fans probably regretfully thinking ‘we should be careful what we wish for next time’. And for me, two examples in particular, spring to mind.
Firstly, there is Alan Curbishley at Charlton. He originally took the London club up to the Premiership in 1998, but they went straight back down again in 1999 after a season which saw them lose twelve successive league matches.
However, the former West Ham and Birmingham midfielder had learned his lesson and was up to the challenge.
Curbishley took the Addicks back up as champions in 2000 and there they stayed until 2006.
The club not only escaped relegation with ease throughout those six years, they were more often that not in ‘nose bleed’ territory for a club with such a small fan base.
In 2001 and 2004, Charlton finished in the top ten. In 2003-2004 they only finished three points off a European place, completing a league double over Liverpool in the process. It was their highest top flight finish since the 1950s.
In the other four seasons the club were positioned comfortably in mid-table come the season’s end, and were rarely under any serious threat of going down. But fans’ expectation had been lifted. The near miss of glory in 2004 meant that various fans dialled into various radio shows calling for Curbishley to go after the club had finished a mere 11th in 2005.
The boss, rightly so, felt hugely hurt by this and he quit the following year.
A short lived Iain Dowie stint followed, but his reign was a disaster and the club were relegated to the Championship in 2007.
This year Charlton were relegated again and now languish in League One.
From being a mid-table Premiership team as recent as May 2006, the Addicks are now lumbering in the same league as Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United. Sometimes fans really should be careful what they wish for.
The other club that springs to mind are Newcastle United. A club, who in my view, perceive themselves to be a little bit higher than their natural station suggests.
After two seasons of Champions League football in the early part of this decade, the Toon reached the UEFA Cup semi finals in 2004, as well as finishing fifth in the Premiership. It proved to be Sir Bobby Robson's last year at the helm, as the boardroom's thirst for success and an unrealistic expectation that the club could topple all of the big four, took fruition.
Following a poor opening three games of the 2004-2005 season, the former England manager was shipped out. Despite being 71 years young at the time, there was no obvious candidate who could be talked about in the same breath as the football legend.
In the five years he was there, Robson had led Newcastle from the bottom of the table to a third place finish in 2003.
Graeme Souness took over. Hardly a man with a terrific track record at big clubs, he was a disaster from the moment he began, finishing well down the table in his first season and being ousted half way through his second.
Glen Roeder then took over and started off brightly, steadying the ship. But in 2007 ‘big’ Sam Allardyce, who’s outstanding record at Bolton almost got him the England job, landed the Newcastle hot seat.
The club started off with some excellent results, but by December, they had slipped into mid table and once again the impatient Toon faithful grew restless.
While, still being a big improvement on Sounesss, the football he played was deemed un-attractive by the supporters. The board once again bowed to fan power and 'Big Sam' was sacked at the end of 2007.
The return of 'King Kevin' Keegan steered the club away from relegation by the end of the season, and being the fans choice, the former boss was a popular appointment.
Again though, the boardroom squabbles proved to be too much for Keegan and he walked out at the beginning of the 2008-2009 season.
Despite having a squad worthy of a mid-table position in the Premiership, the club now find themselves in the Championship.
Alan Shearer, the expected ‘saviour’ didn’t deliver at the end of the last campaign, despite having eight games to get just four points. He was once again paraded as the club legend and local boy who would turn around the fortunes through his passion for the club. It backfired terribly.
The power of the supporters at St James’ Park has left the club in ruins. They wanted Keegan, they wanted Shearer, but they didn't want Allardyce and were given what they wanted. Has it paid dividends? No.
When the fans called for Alladyce to be sacked two years ago, they probably never envisaged being in the Championship eighteen months later. If the former Bolton boss had stayed, and I doubt many fans disagree with me, Newcastle would certainly still be in the Premiership, and probably in the top half. This is not unrealistic, when you consider Big Sam’s track record.
There are other examples of fans over-reacting to a few bad results and then later, looking like fools. It is, thankfully, because the boardrooms involved, sensibly didn’t react to their supporters' over-exaggeration.
Steve McClaren is another manager who deserved far more respect than what he got from a minority of supporters when he was manager at the Riverside.
The Yorkshire man won the League Cup in 2004, Middlesbrough's first major silverware. He then took the club to seventh place in the league and European spot in 2005. To cap it all of, he took the team (and the fans) on a roller coaster ride to the UEFA Cup final in 2006.
What do supporters really desire? Following a heavy home defeat to Aston Villa in February 2006, McClaren had a Boro shirt thrown at him in the dug out by a ‘fan’. Two weeks later the club beat Chelsea 3-0 and all was forgotten as he took them on that unforgettable run. I'm sure McClaren, himself, didn't forget though.
Every club has periods of poor results. Sir Alex Ferguson is the most famous example of a manager who was under-achieving and probably even deserved the sack, but didn’t get it. The rest as they say, is history.
The Scot was on the verge of being given the boot in January 1990. The club had been First Division runners-up in 1988, but had finished a lowly 12th in 1989 after an appalling run of results. They were again languishing in mid table in the middle of the 1989-90 season and had crashed out of the League Cup at home to Tottenham at the third round stage.
The Scot's team went to Nottingham Forest (then a superior side under Brian Clough) with an injury-ravaged team. Media knives were sharpening, knowing that a defeat would almost certainly spell the end of Ferguson's three year reign. They won the tie courtesy of a Mark Robins header, went on to win the FA Cup (primarily down to Robins’s goals) and we all know what happened in the subsequent two decades that followed.
Eleven league titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two European Cups and one Cup Winners’ Cup later, only us old enough to remember know just how close he was to leaving that cold January day in Nottingham.
The 'big' clubs tend to stay big clubs over a long period because they are loyal to their managers and don’t panic when things go a little awol. There have however, been occasions when loyalty has stretched too far.
Liverpool, for example, stuck with Graeme Souness far too long. The former midfield legend led the club to two sixth place finishes in his two full seasons in charge. He also managed to watch his team crash out of the FA Cup third round in successive seasons to lower league clubs at Anfield.
It was a far cry from the Daglish, Fagan and Paisley years that preceded him.
The Scottish boss managed to destroy the club, by trying to change the old guard too quickly and really should have been fired a year earlier when the club were in 17th position in March 1993.
The Merseysiders also stuck with Gerard Houllier too long. At the beginning of November 2002 the club were top of the league with 30 points from 12 matches, but were seventh by mid January and had only taken six points from a possible 33. He somehow kept his job for another 17 months.
However badly a manager is performing though, sticking by him for as long as possible keeps the club stable and the players settled. This is why Liverpool will always be somewhere near the top most of the time, and the same rule applies for clubs such as Aston Villa, Everton and Arsenal.
Chelsea are a very recent example of not being particularly objective with their managers and actually bowing to another modern day phenomonen, player power.
The West London club can attract the biggest names, but the only one of their recent managers not to be a big name was the one who was an inch away from being the greatest.
When Jose Mourinho left the post in September 2007, the club had 15 points from nine games and were already ten points off the pace in the league. Avram Grant, known little outside his native Israel, turned their fortunes round quite spectacularly. Whether this was by luck or judgment, his record as Chelsea boss is astonishing.
They reached the League Cup final (losing to Tottenham) and reached the FA Cup quarter finals. But most remarkably, they took the title race down to the last day after being six points behind at the end of March, and finally defeated Liverpool in the Champion’s League semi final, something the ‘great’ Mourinho never managed to do.
The Blues were one John Terry penalty kick away from European glory and also twice hit the woodwork during the 120 minutes played in Moscow.
The Israeli was therefore, a fraction away from immortality, but was sacked and replaced by a bigger name, Phil Scolari.
The Brazillian was nowhere near as successful in his time there, but once again was only given six months at the helm. Who knows what he might have achieved given time, however, he was once again, as with Grant, forced out of the exit door by player power.
Carlo Ancelotti has made a similar start to that of Scolari, but it wouldn’t surprise me if a bad sequence of results gets the spoilt Chelsea players and fans in a pickle once again
Martin Jol led Tottenham to two fifth place finishes in the middle part of this decade, but had a poor start to the 2007-2008 season and was fired.
His replacement Juande Ramos, won only four league games in charge, and despite winning the League Cup with Jol’s team, he was a complete flop.
After taking only two points from his first eight games as boss in 2008-09, the Spaniard was un-surprisingly given his marching orders.
People now talk up Harry Redknapp’s team as Champions League contenders and top six material, but they also were under Martin Jol. In fact in the 2005-2006 season, they were fourth until the last day.
It’s taken an expensive dismissal and appointment to take the club back to where they were two years ago. Was it really all worth it?
Back to the current day, and the speculation regarding Phil Brown’s departure is, in my opinion, disconcerting.
Hull City’s fans must remember where the club was three years ago and where it is now. Who would be his obvious replacement?
In his two seasons at the club he has achieved both of his aims – promotion and staving off relegation. However, he just happened to beat a few big teams along way to provide the Hull fans with some novel excitement. That’s all it should be.
Instead it has raised expectations to a much higher level than they should be.
Hull are not at breaking point, they have a few points in the bag this season. Granted, the manager's record in 2009 is woeful, but the club are still in dreamland and the fans should remember that. I have a feeling they may 'do a Charlton' if Brown is forced out.
The eccentric boss has earned the right to take the club through another full season in the top flight. He did, after-all, get them there in the first place.
Middlesbrough’s recent dismissal of Gareth Southgate is puzzling. They were only one point off the top of the Championship at the time, but Steve Gibson – who can never be criticised for being disloyal – has a lot to answer for on this occasion.
Make no bones about it, Boro were awful last year. But why wasn’t Southgate fired in the summer, and not when the team lies in fourth place in their league?
I personally think Southgate will go on to become an excellent manager, and it shouldn’t be forgotten that he led the club to mid-table finishes in 2007 and 2008, so he can manage competently at the highest level.
It also has to be remembered that his transfer budget was slashed and he was forced to sell key players. Any manager would struggle when placed in the same boat.
Rafael Benitez, Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi are a just a few big names who have been fired more than once in their managerial careers. Clubs and fans should be more patient with their managers' and ignore some of the ridiculous media tirades that occur in this day and age.
The examples of Charlton, Newcastle and other clubs like Norwich City (who sacked Nigel Worthington) and Southampton (Gordon Strachan) should be assessed and taken note of by other clubs looking to make what could be make or break decisions.
The decision makers involved only have to look at where those clubs are now, and look at where they were when the fore-mentioned managers were dismissed.
This is one of the more frustrating aspects of our wonderful modern game. Everyone just needs to step back and take a deep breath.
Things take time, just ask the Old Trafford faithful. What were you thinking back in September 1989 when you lost 5-1 at Maine Road to your biggest rivals? They probably don't even remember.
But do clubs really think things through?
Are they really so influenced by the numerous online fanzines, radio phone in’s and blogs that are so freely available both to the football fan and the board room members.
Nobody can tell me that some club executives don’t read or tune into these media outlets ? I’m sure some of them do.
There are numerous examples of sets of fans probably regretfully thinking ‘we should be careful what we wish for next time’. And for me, two examples in particular, spring to mind.
Firstly, there is Alan Curbishley at Charlton. He originally took the London club up to the Premiership in 1998, but they went straight back down again in 1999 after a season which saw them lose twelve successive league matches.
However, the former West Ham and Birmingham midfielder had learned his lesson and was up to the challenge.
Curbishley took the Addicks back up as champions in 2000 and there they stayed until 2006.
The club not only escaped relegation with ease throughout those six years, they were more often that not in ‘nose bleed’ territory for a club with such a small fan base.
In 2001 and 2004, Charlton finished in the top ten. In 2003-2004 they only finished three points off a European place, completing a league double over Liverpool in the process. It was their highest top flight finish since the 1950s.
In the other four seasons the club were positioned comfortably in mid-table come the season’s end, and were rarely under any serious threat of going down. But fans’ expectation had been lifted. The near miss of glory in 2004 meant that various fans dialled into various radio shows calling for Curbishley to go after the club had finished a mere 11th in 2005.
The boss, rightly so, felt hugely hurt by this and he quit the following year.
A short lived Iain Dowie stint followed, but his reign was a disaster and the club were relegated to the Championship in 2007.
This year Charlton were relegated again and now languish in League One.
From being a mid-table Premiership team as recent as May 2006, the Addicks are now lumbering in the same league as Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United. Sometimes fans really should be careful what they wish for.
The other club that springs to mind are Newcastle United. A club, who in my view, perceive themselves to be a little bit higher than their natural station suggests.
After two seasons of Champions League football in the early part of this decade, the Toon reached the UEFA Cup semi finals in 2004, as well as finishing fifth in the Premiership. It proved to be Sir Bobby Robson's last year at the helm, as the boardroom's thirst for success and an unrealistic expectation that the club could topple all of the big four, took fruition.
Following a poor opening three games of the 2004-2005 season, the former England manager was shipped out. Despite being 71 years young at the time, there was no obvious candidate who could be talked about in the same breath as the football legend.
In the five years he was there, Robson had led Newcastle from the bottom of the table to a third place finish in 2003.
Graeme Souness took over. Hardly a man with a terrific track record at big clubs, he was a disaster from the moment he began, finishing well down the table in his first season and being ousted half way through his second.
Glen Roeder then took over and started off brightly, steadying the ship. But in 2007 ‘big’ Sam Allardyce, who’s outstanding record at Bolton almost got him the England job, landed the Newcastle hot seat.
The club started off with some excellent results, but by December, they had slipped into mid table and once again the impatient Toon faithful grew restless.
While, still being a big improvement on Sounesss, the football he played was deemed un-attractive by the supporters. The board once again bowed to fan power and 'Big Sam' was sacked at the end of 2007.
The return of 'King Kevin' Keegan steered the club away from relegation by the end of the season, and being the fans choice, the former boss was a popular appointment.
Again though, the boardroom squabbles proved to be too much for Keegan and he walked out at the beginning of the 2008-2009 season.
Despite having a squad worthy of a mid-table position in the Premiership, the club now find themselves in the Championship.
Alan Shearer, the expected ‘saviour’ didn’t deliver at the end of the last campaign, despite having eight games to get just four points. He was once again paraded as the club legend and local boy who would turn around the fortunes through his passion for the club. It backfired terribly.
The power of the supporters at St James’ Park has left the club in ruins. They wanted Keegan, they wanted Shearer, but they didn't want Allardyce and were given what they wanted. Has it paid dividends? No.
When the fans called for Alladyce to be sacked two years ago, they probably never envisaged being in the Championship eighteen months later. If the former Bolton boss had stayed, and I doubt many fans disagree with me, Newcastle would certainly still be in the Premiership, and probably in the top half. This is not unrealistic, when you consider Big Sam’s track record.
There are other examples of fans over-reacting to a few bad results and then later, looking like fools. It is, thankfully, because the boardrooms involved, sensibly didn’t react to their supporters' over-exaggeration.
Steve McClaren is another manager who deserved far more respect than what he got from a minority of supporters when he was manager at the Riverside.
The Yorkshire man won the League Cup in 2004, Middlesbrough's first major silverware. He then took the club to seventh place in the league and European spot in 2005. To cap it all of, he took the team (and the fans) on a roller coaster ride to the UEFA Cup final in 2006.
What do supporters really desire? Following a heavy home defeat to Aston Villa in February 2006, McClaren had a Boro shirt thrown at him in the dug out by a ‘fan’. Two weeks later the club beat Chelsea 3-0 and all was forgotten as he took them on that unforgettable run. I'm sure McClaren, himself, didn't forget though.
Every club has periods of poor results. Sir Alex Ferguson is the most famous example of a manager who was under-achieving and probably even deserved the sack, but didn’t get it. The rest as they say, is history.
The Scot was on the verge of being given the boot in January 1990. The club had been First Division runners-up in 1988, but had finished a lowly 12th in 1989 after an appalling run of results. They were again languishing in mid table in the middle of the 1989-90 season and had crashed out of the League Cup at home to Tottenham at the third round stage.
The Scot's team went to Nottingham Forest (then a superior side under Brian Clough) with an injury-ravaged team. Media knives were sharpening, knowing that a defeat would almost certainly spell the end of Ferguson's three year reign. They won the tie courtesy of a Mark Robins header, went on to win the FA Cup (primarily down to Robins’s goals) and we all know what happened in the subsequent two decades that followed.
Eleven league titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two European Cups and one Cup Winners’ Cup later, only us old enough to remember know just how close he was to leaving that cold January day in Nottingham.
The 'big' clubs tend to stay big clubs over a long period because they are loyal to their managers and don’t panic when things go a little awol. There have however, been occasions when loyalty has stretched too far.
Liverpool, for example, stuck with Graeme Souness far too long. The former midfield legend led the club to two sixth place finishes in his two full seasons in charge. He also managed to watch his team crash out of the FA Cup third round in successive seasons to lower league clubs at Anfield.
It was a far cry from the Daglish, Fagan and Paisley years that preceded him.
The Scottish boss managed to destroy the club, by trying to change the old guard too quickly and really should have been fired a year earlier when the club were in 17th position in March 1993.
The Merseysiders also stuck with Gerard Houllier too long. At the beginning of November 2002 the club were top of the league with 30 points from 12 matches, but were seventh by mid January and had only taken six points from a possible 33. He somehow kept his job for another 17 months.
However badly a manager is performing though, sticking by him for as long as possible keeps the club stable and the players settled. This is why Liverpool will always be somewhere near the top most of the time, and the same rule applies for clubs such as Aston Villa, Everton and Arsenal.
Chelsea are a very recent example of not being particularly objective with their managers and actually bowing to another modern day phenomonen, player power.
The West London club can attract the biggest names, but the only one of their recent managers not to be a big name was the one who was an inch away from being the greatest.
When Jose Mourinho left the post in September 2007, the club had 15 points from nine games and were already ten points off the pace in the league. Avram Grant, known little outside his native Israel, turned their fortunes round quite spectacularly. Whether this was by luck or judgment, his record as Chelsea boss is astonishing.
They reached the League Cup final (losing to Tottenham) and reached the FA Cup quarter finals. But most remarkably, they took the title race down to the last day after being six points behind at the end of March, and finally defeated Liverpool in the Champion’s League semi final, something the ‘great’ Mourinho never managed to do.
The Blues were one John Terry penalty kick away from European glory and also twice hit the woodwork during the 120 minutes played in Moscow.
The Israeli was therefore, a fraction away from immortality, but was sacked and replaced by a bigger name, Phil Scolari.
The Brazillian was nowhere near as successful in his time there, but once again was only given six months at the helm. Who knows what he might have achieved given time, however, he was once again, as with Grant, forced out of the exit door by player power.
Carlo Ancelotti has made a similar start to that of Scolari, but it wouldn’t surprise me if a bad sequence of results gets the spoilt Chelsea players and fans in a pickle once again
Martin Jol led Tottenham to two fifth place finishes in the middle part of this decade, but had a poor start to the 2007-2008 season and was fired.
His replacement Juande Ramos, won only four league games in charge, and despite winning the League Cup with Jol’s team, he was a complete flop.
After taking only two points from his first eight games as boss in 2008-09, the Spaniard was un-surprisingly given his marching orders.
People now talk up Harry Redknapp’s team as Champions League contenders and top six material, but they also were under Martin Jol. In fact in the 2005-2006 season, they were fourth until the last day.
It’s taken an expensive dismissal and appointment to take the club back to where they were two years ago. Was it really all worth it?
Back to the current day, and the speculation regarding Phil Brown’s departure is, in my opinion, disconcerting.
Hull City’s fans must remember where the club was three years ago and where it is now. Who would be his obvious replacement?
In his two seasons at the club he has achieved both of his aims – promotion and staving off relegation. However, he just happened to beat a few big teams along way to provide the Hull fans with some novel excitement. That’s all it should be.
Instead it has raised expectations to a much higher level than they should be.
Hull are not at breaking point, they have a few points in the bag this season. Granted, the manager's record in 2009 is woeful, but the club are still in dreamland and the fans should remember that. I have a feeling they may 'do a Charlton' if Brown is forced out.
The eccentric boss has earned the right to take the club through another full season in the top flight. He did, after-all, get them there in the first place.
Middlesbrough’s recent dismissal of Gareth Southgate is puzzling. They were only one point off the top of the Championship at the time, but Steve Gibson – who can never be criticised for being disloyal – has a lot to answer for on this occasion.
Make no bones about it, Boro were awful last year. But why wasn’t Southgate fired in the summer, and not when the team lies in fourth place in their league?
I personally think Southgate will go on to become an excellent manager, and it shouldn’t be forgotten that he led the club to mid-table finishes in 2007 and 2008, so he can manage competently at the highest level.
It also has to be remembered that his transfer budget was slashed and he was forced to sell key players. Any manager would struggle when placed in the same boat.
Rafael Benitez, Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi are a just a few big names who have been fired more than once in their managerial careers. Clubs and fans should be more patient with their managers' and ignore some of the ridiculous media tirades that occur in this day and age.
The examples of Charlton, Newcastle and other clubs like Norwich City (who sacked Nigel Worthington) and Southampton (Gordon Strachan) should be assessed and taken note of by other clubs looking to make what could be make or break decisions.
The decision makers involved only have to look at where those clubs are now, and look at where they were when the fore-mentioned managers were dismissed.
This is one of the more frustrating aspects of our wonderful modern game. Everyone just needs to step back and take a deep breath.
Things take time, just ask the Old Trafford faithful. What were you thinking back in September 1989 when you lost 5-1 at Maine Road to your biggest rivals? They probably don't even remember.
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