Wednesday night’s FA Cup clash at White Hart Lane pitted together the two finest English managers of their generation.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp and Fulham’s Roy Hodgson are the same age, but their careers have followed very different paths.
Both are clearly very different creatures. Hodgson, is, by all accounts a quiet, unassuming English gentlemen and a true student of the game. He is also someone who appears to throroughly enjoy the tactical side of football.
Redknapp is a little more brash, emotional and outspoken. He portrays a true ‘cockney geezer’ persona and relies on his man-management techniques and jovial personality to get the message across to his players.
So who do you think is more effective?
The two bosses have very different backgrounds. Hodgson entered coaching at a very young age and has carried out most of his best work abroad, becoming multi-lingual in the process.
Harry Redknapp has plied his trade closer to home, having never left the south of England. He was also far superior player to Hodgson, excelling as a winger at West Ham in the early 1970s.
So the question I want to ask this week is: Who is the currently the finest English manager in the game?
I used to think Alan Curbishley was. The former West Ham player achieved wonderful things at Charlton, but I can’t really include him in my list as he is currently, scandalously, out of work.
I have narrowed the list down to four and will suggest what I think are the various merits, and downfalls, of each contender.
The two names formerly mentioned are the elder statesmen of this elite group. But I also want to include two much younger candidates. They are Sam Allardyce and, perhaps surprisingly for some, Steve McClaren.
I believe the latter deserves a mention. A year or so ago, I wrote a blog commending his achievements at FC Twente in Holland. His side went on to finish runners up in the Eredivisie last season and lost in the Dutch Cup Final. This is not a bad first season by anyone’s standards.
This season however, he is faring even better, and Twente are well on course to win the Dutch title for the first time in their history – they currently lead by four points with six games left.
McClaren has competed with, and appears to have beaten, the two giants of Ajax and PSV Eindhoven to the championship. He has also managed to do so by playing attractive and attacking football, elevating the club from a fourth place finish two years ago to the position they are now. He deserves huge credit for re-inventing himself after the fiasco he endured as England boss.
It is now evidently clear that he was appointed national manager too early in his career, but is this his fault or is it the FA’s? Let's be honest, how many English managers would turn down the England job? Whatever the candidates' age, it might be their only chance.
It must also be remembered that the two teams that finished above McClaren’s England in qualification for Euro 2008 both had very good tournaments.
Guus Hiddink’s Russia went all the way to the last four, while Croatia, under Slaven Bilic, were themselves only thirty seconds away from a semi final berth.
Of course the critic’s will not pursue these facts, they just like to destroy a man when he is down. But McClaren has proved he is mentally strong enough to come back and for this he has to be respected.
I believe that he may be an outside contender for the now vacant Celtic job. Watch this space…
Sam Allardyce is a chronic over-achiever in my view, but deserves it for his innovative and unique ideas. He was one of the first top flight bosses to implement sports psychology into his regime at Bolton Wanderers, and has, down the years, proved himself to be an excellent manager who can compete with the very best.
I have to say, as a character, I am not his biggest fan. I feel his bullying tactics towards Rafa Benitez over the last year have, at times, made him look pathetic and vindictive. But no one can knock what he has achieved in the last decade, even Newcastle United fans.
‘Big Sam’ was not given a fair crack of the whip at Newcastle. And I am not alone in thinking that Newcastle certainly wouldn’t be in the Championship now if he was still there.
His teams may not play the most attractive football, but they are effective, and Blackburn have quietly lifted themselves into 11th place this season, mainly due to a terrific home record.
While Allardyce’s teams know how to rough opponents up, they can often play a bit too. One thing is for sure, the former Notts County boss certainly knows how to motivate his players.
I think he is particularly skilled at rekindling the careers of players who appear to be in rapid decline. And there have been several examples of this under his stewardship.
At Bolton, he certainly helped Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha and Ivan Campo play on at the highest level for longer than anticipated. In addition, he also helped Kevin Davies to fulfil some of the outstanding potential he showed as a youngster, all-be-it as a rough and tumble target man.
At Blackburn, meanwhile, he has made Paul Robinson believe in himself again. He has worked wonders with the club, who were bottom of the league when he took over from Paul Ince in December 2008. And, once again, he has done this, under most people’s radars.
Most significantly though, Allardyce was a revelation at Bolton Wanderers. After gaining promotion in 2001 he took them to a Cup final and four consecutive three top eight finishes between 2004 and 2007, as well as two European campaigns. In 2004-2005 they even finished level on points with Liverpool – the Champions of Europe that year – and they only finished three points off a Champions League spot. This is a remarkable achievement for such an unfashionable club.
His successes in Lancashire have been somewhat overlooked in the aftermath of the Newcastle debacle, but he certainly, in my mind, deserves to be in this elite list.
All of which brings us back nicely to Harry Redknapp and Roy Hodgson. Only five months separate the two Londoners and both have been in management for over 25 years, so it is difficult to separate them. Both their teams play decent football, so I don’t believe a differential can be made on that basis.
Hodgson has won Championships in Sweden and Denmark and has also guided Inter Milan to a European final when they were perceived to be a very average side in 1997. The Fulham boss has also managed to guide Switzerland to a World Cup in 1994 – at that time their first finals in 50 years.
Just before he hooked up with Fulham, Hodgson also took the Finnish national team to within a win of Euro 2008 qualification, a stunning achievement for such a small foot-balling nation.
There have been low points too, including poor spell at Udinese, and, following a bright start, a disastrous second season collapse at Blackburn Rovers.
But what Hodgson has achieved at Fulham is nothing short of miraculous. He has given the supporters at Craven Cottage an un-paralleled last couple of years they could only have dreamed of when he was appointed in December 2007.
The club were staring relegation in the face for pretty much the whole campaign. But a dramatic last day win at Portsmouth (ironically managed by Harry Redknapp) and an incredible 12 points from their last five games kept them up by the skin of their teeth. Since then, the club have gone from strength to strength.
Fulham finished last season in seventh place - their highest ever top flight finish - and are currently in the Europa League quarter finals after an incredible recent second leg comeback against the mighty Juventus. They have defeated Manchester United twice and Liverpool comfortably in the last year, and in addition have reached the last eight of the FA Cup in both of the last two seasons.
But perhaps his greatest achievement at Fulham (and I am not joking here) is how he has moulded Bobby Zamora into a feared Premiership striker with a superb all round game and strike rate. For that achievement alone, he surely deserves to be top dog, doesn’t he?
But then there is Harry Redknapp. I, like many have mixed feeling about the Spurs boss. As Barry Glendenning stated on the Guardian Podcast this week, Redknapp has helped to destroy Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth with his free spirited spending in the transfer market, and that has to be taken into account when you analyse the success he has had.
Portsmouth’s FA Cup win in 2008 still ranks his greatest achievement as manager, but are we now seeing the true cost of it at the Fratton Park club? What seemed such a magical achievement at the time does not seem so wonderful two years down the line does it?
He is, however, not the only big name manager to have spent a lot of money. In fact many bigger names than him have failed miserably in this respect.
Plus of course, it has to be remembered that the board does have to give the green light to a manager before they spend, so not all the blame can be placed on Redknapp’s broad shoulders.
That said, his record at Tottenham is pretty remarkable, although he has had money to spend.
If you consider that the club were rock bottom when he took over in November 2008 and now lie in a Champions League place with eight games left this season, it speaks volumes.
Redknapp also guided his sole club, West Ham United, to their only top six finish in the last 25 years. But perhaps, most potently, he deserves a huge amount of credit for the stream of top players who came through the much yielded West Ham youth system to become true global stars.
Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, and Joe Cole are all players who began their careers under Redknapp’s tuterlege. They now have 11 Premiership winners' medals and over 250 England caps between them, and it cannot just be a coincidence that Harry Redknapp was their first boss. They are starlets from his academy and his nurturing skills cannot be overstated.
This list of stars, more than anything, has to be the reason why he just get’s the nod ahead of Hodgson on my list.
And if Redknapp can deliver the FA Cup and a Champions League place to Tottenham Hotspur over the next two months, he will certainly be classed, undeniably, as the greatest English manager of his generation.
However, if the un-thinkable happens, and Roy Hodgson delivers the Europa League trophy to Craven Cottage in May, then a re-count may well be on the cards.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
BENNY'S VALUABLE INFORMATION OF THE WEEK
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
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 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.
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