Archive for November, 2011
Sunderland wrong to hit the panic button and sack Steve Bruce – but Martin O’Neill is perfect tonic for the Stadium of Light
It is not just because we are still in November and Sunderland are the first club to lose their nerve and sack their manager, but getting rid of Steve Bruce was a spineless act by the Wearsiders.
True enough Brucie’s boys only won two of their 13 Premier League matches so far this season. But the board must accept their fair share of the blame for Sunderland’s disappointing decline since they hit the top six at the end of January and finished a respectable 10th at the end of last season.
It was against the manager’s wishes that the Black Cats sold out when they let Darren Bent join Aston Villa for £24m earlierthis year with the team soaring. And the subsequent loss of £13m signing Asamoah Gyan in September when Bruce claimed “parasites” lured the striker away from the Stadium of Light compounded the side’s lack of potency in front of goal.
For chairman Ellis Short to announce today’s sacking as being in the “best interests of our football club” is hypocritical because had he done what was right for the club and given the manager the financial support he needed, Bent and Gyan may still be playing for Sunderland and Bruce would not be looking for a new job.
Ellis has stated: “It is my job to act in the best interests of our football club and I can assure everyone that this is not a decision that I have taken lightly. Sadly results this season have simply not been good enough and I feel the time is right to make a change.”
In my humble opinion these are hollow words from a ruthless chairman who should be taking his share of the blame. But the means will justify the ends if Sunderland succeed in signing up Martin O’Neill as their new boss and finish up nearer the top of the table than the bottom
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BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award an insult to women
The disgraceful failure to include any women in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist has devalued the worth of winning this year’s award.
It is the first time since the format was changed in 2006 – to voting for a top 10 selected by a panel of sports editors – that no women have been included. And it is not because there are no candidates worthy of consideration.
Rebecca Adlington's tweets express dismay at the twits who overlooked our top women
As Rebecca Adlington, one of those to miss out, commented on twitter: “There’s been some great sportswomen like Keri-Anne Payne, it’s sad they are not recognised.”
Lord Coe, winner of the award in 1979, expressed his surprise when he said: “We have had Rebecca Adlington winning a world title in the world swimming championships, we have had other women world champions this year too.”
The problem is just 2 percent of media coverage goes to women’s sport and we have an old-fashioned breed of newspaper sports editors who are out of touch with modern society.
Karen Pickering, the BBC commentator and former world champion swimmer, confirmed as much when she told BBC Radio 5 Live:”It does indicate how sport is viewed in this country. It is very male-orientated; it’s written for men to read.”
But some newspaper editors have simply lost the plot. The Manchester Evening News bizarely included Dimitar Berbatov, Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira in their nomination. Sports editor Peter Spencer tried to defend his nomination of Vieira by stating he “has lived in this country for well over a decade. He’s done some grand work for City on the community side of things. I think he’s a great ambassador.”
The contenders (in alphabetical order): Mark Cavendish (cycling), Darren Clarke (golf), Alastair Cook (cricket), Luke Donald (golf), Mo Farah (athletics), Dai Greene (athletics), Amir Khan (boxing), Rory McIlroy (golf), Andy Murray (tennis), Andrew Strauss (cricket).
Gary Speed’s final public appearance on BBC Football Focus
Gary Speed final public appearance on the BBC Football Focus Show
Gary Speed R.I.P: 8 September 1969 – 27 November 2011
To hear that Gary Speed is dead at 42 and may have committed suicide is just one of the most shocking things I have ever heard. RIP to the Wales manager.
The statement above was my immediate reaction after the news broke on BBC Radio 5Live on Sunday afternoon. In 35 years working in the media I can’t remember a piece of news that has come as more of a shock.
Twenty four hours later as genuine heart-felt tributes continue to pour in from around the world I am still numb with disbelief.
The events leading up to the tragic end to Speed’s life and the comments from the friends and colleagues who were in contact with him only highlight why this is such a shock
Poignantly Gary Speed was in high spirits and showed no signs of anything being wrong in his life when he appeared as a guest on the BBC’s Football Focus show on Saturday with host Dan Walker.
Just 24 hours later Walker tweeted: ‘Staggered by the news of Gary Speed’s death. Was with him for most of yesterday. I genuinely cannot believe it. Thoughts with his family.’
Speed – who was also appearing with Gary McAllister on the show – told Walker that there was nothing like playing football.
Gary Speed was a role-model who was universally liked and respected by everyone in the game and everyone he came into contact with. I have met many footballers in my life in the media and none more likeable and genuine than Gary Speed.
How many times do we have to tell FIFA football in the 21st century needs video replays?
When the officials at Old Trafford got it so blatantly wrong and awarded Newcastle United a match-saving penalty that robbed Manchester United of two points this afternoon, it was simply the latest example of a refereeing blunder that has decided the outcome of a football game.
For FIFA or anyone else to argue that football will be losing some of its appeal by introducing video replays to determine crucial decisions is living in the dark ages.
How can it be right in the 21st century that everyone in the world knows the referee and his assistants have got it horribly wrong and the result has been determined by a mistake by the match officials.
As Sir Alex Ferguson pointed out “everyone in the stadium knew it was not a penalty” when Rio Ferdinand was wrongly punished for a perfectly good tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa.
Following the match for Sky Sports News Matt Le Tissier burst into laughter live on air when the spot kick was awarded saying “I don’t need to see a replay of that one. No way was that a penalty. It was a perfectly good tackle by Ferdinand.”
Demba Ba clinically converted the spot kick to cancel out the opening goal by Javier Hernandez and Newcastle bravely held on for a point after going down to 10-men when Jonas Gutierrez was red-carded thanks largely to a brilliant display by goalkeeper Tim Krul. But the match only ended in a draw because the officials got it wrong.
Not only do such decisions destroy the integrity of the competition, it is short-changing the fans who have paid good money to watch what is supposed to be a sporting event and the injustice just gives the watching television audience the evidence it needs that football authorities do not know what they are doing.
Penalty award was a 'travesty' laments Sir Alex Ferguson
‘Rock bottom’ England need Rob Andrew to bring back glory days
Rob Andrew looks on as Martin Johnson resigns as England team manager
From world champions to the laughing stock of rugby union in just eight years, England has never had it so bad. But sacking Rob Andrew is not the answer.
It is no surprise the media circus has jumped on the bandwagon of trying to force the elite rugby director Andrew to resign or be sacked. We live in a blame culture. And the former England fly-half was responsible for hiring team manager Martin Johnson who led the resignations at the top after England’s failure at the 2011 rugby world cup. But the critics have got it wrong if they believe the answer is simply to see the guys at the top booted into touch.
In my view Johnson should have been persuaded to carry on. That is Andrew’s biggest failing because Johnno now has the experience needed to move on and put right his mistakes.
Andrew is an intelligent and honourable man from the age when England’s rugby stars were only semi professional and had day jobs. He was made for this role and his declaration that rugby has “hit rock bottom” is spot on. But we need him at the helm to sort out the mess.
It is easy to blame Johnson for all the embarrassment that has engulfed England. But the real culprits here are the players who have let their manager down in more ways than one. The controversy caused by leaked reports based on anonymous interviews given by players who were part of the World Cup squad only highlights the divisions in the England camp.
England’s rugby stars have lost touch with the sporting ideals that made their game great since turning professional. And that is the root of the problem. Too many fast cars, loose women and a weakness for celebrity status chasing has turned our heroes with big fat zeros in their bank accounts into first class chumps.
We need to get back to the days when playing for England was all about pride and passion. Ironically we need to rediscover the days when Andrew was a star player with team mates like Johnson and record breaking try scorer Rory Underwood.
That is why Andrew must carry on. He knows what makes England great. There is little chance of Johnson being persuaded to return as manager – but without him the job of re-building England is only going to be harder.
David Beckham deserves the Hollywood ending to the latest chapter in his unique football career
Becks celebrates in the LA Galaxy dressing room
When David Beckham agreed to leave Madrid for Major League Soccer five years ago and joined LA Galaxy most pundits wrote him off – but England’s most famous footballer revels in proving the critics wrong and the more he achieves the more popular he becomes.
It was fitting that Becks got his happy Hollywood ending with a heroic performance to secure the MLS Cup for the Galaxy in what looks like being his final game for the Americans.
Combining with Irish team-mate Robbie Keane, the 36-year-old set up Landon Donovan for the only goal in Sunday’s final against Houston Dynamo. For Beckham, playing through the pain barrier despite being clearly injured, this was his first silverware in America since his arrival in 2007.
And boy did he deserve his triumph, in front of over 31,000 fanatical MLS fans at their Home Deport stadium in Carson.
Champagne Becks toasts LA Galaxy success
Linked with a move to wealthy Paris St-Germain, Becks said: ‘Whether I stay or not, I’ve had an amazing five years.” And summing up exactly what it meant to him he added: ‘People were talking about if we didn’t win it was going to be a disappointment and an unsuccessful five years. It’s quietened a few people which is always nice.’
Paris would definitely be the perfect sequel for the the showbiz footballer who has starred in Manchester, Madrid, Milan and Los Angeles – becoming only the second Englishman after Trevor Steven to become a champion in three different countries.
Andre Villas-Boas must drop skipper John Terry if he wants to prove he is strong enough to manage Chelsea
Ridiculous as it may sound Andre Villas-Boas’s Stamford Bridge honeymoon is already over – and the rookie Chelsea manager could be out of a job before the New Year.
While Roberto Mancini has spectacularly come of age as a Premiership manager by turning Manchester City into a genuine force to challenge Europe’s best, the problem facing AVB is that his boss Roman Abramovich has no patience. The Russian billionaire will be counting the disastrous cost of failure if Chelsea fail to qualify for the Champions League and that will now be a worry after two successive home defeats to rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.
With skipper John Terry – embarrassed by Arsenal when the Gunners trounced the Blues 5-3 last month – again the fall guy as Liverpool won 2-1 at the Bridge, Villas Boas must decide whether or not to stand by his captain.And that hot potato is a dilemma that could define his future in West London.
The Portuguese manager is only 34 years old and has only been sitting in the Stamford Bridge hot seat for 18 matches. But his appointment is only ever going to work if Abramovich makes it clear he is giving him the time he needs to re-build the Blues. And there is less chance of that happening than Carlos Tevez winning a Mr Manchester popularity contest. Especially with Abromich already making it know he would love to reappoint Guus Hiddink
Blatter’s apology for racist comments is just not good enough and neither is his rebuke for stars like Beckham criticsing him
FIFA President says sorry and then hits back at players for daring to criticise him
The problem with Sepp Blatter and his apology for his racist remarks is that he will do and say anything to stay in power. The FIFA President is simply out of touch with the modern world and he just can’t be trusted to be the most powerful man at football’s governing body.
The truth is that Blatter knew his position was untenable if he did not say sorry for causing worldwide outrage for his controversial comments that racial discrimination could be settled with a handshake. And it is simply not good enough to say he is sorry and that he did not expect his comments to cause such a reaction.
Even as he was making his apology in an interview with the BBC, Blatter went on to make further inflamatory remarks that will anger football’s biggest stars – including David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand – for daring to criticise him.
The 75-year-old Swiss, who is being urged to quit by players, fans, officials and politicians, hit back by saying he expected “better understanding from star players”
Blatter sparked universal outrage when he said that on the pitch it is not racism and can be settled with a handshake, but off the pitch it is racism.”
It was a bold attempt to repair the damage when he read out a statement in which he stated: “I started my FIFA career in Africa 36 years ago and it is part of my core values to respect all nations all cultures and I see football as a game that unites people. i am sorry and I regret that my statements earlier this week have resulted in an unfortunate situation. I am committed to the fight against racism. And I have no doubt about that. i want to make it very clear i will not stop until we have stamped out of football racism.”
But the fact that Blatter did not expect his words to cause such a reaction is confirmation that he is not fit to govern football. While his headmasterly rebuke for the players who have condemned him just underlines the feeling that FIFA’s President is a dictator who mistakenly believes he can do no wrong and can stay in power forever.
Players who have publicly criticised Blatter include Andy Cole who said he is “an out of touch buffoon.” Ferdinand said the comments were “so condescending it’s almost laughable”. Garth Crooks admitted he was “shocked” because “”Fifa have a policy of zero tolerance on racism” and the “is not really actually living up to what he signed up to.” Beckham described Blatter’s utterances as “appalling” and said some things “can’t just be sorted out with just a handshake.”
Despite the furore, the FIFA boss will not walk away insisting: ” i can not resign. Why should i resign? This is not compatible with my fighting spirit.”
There is no doubt Blatter is an extremely clever politician and he has done many good things for football during his 13 year tenure as president. But the beautiful game is bigger than any one man and for the good of football Blatter must go before his next big gaffe brings more shame on the world’s most popular sport.
The Blatter controversy comes at a time when Chelsea captain John Terry is being investigated by the police and the Football Association over alleged racist remarks made to Ferdinand’s brother, QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, in a recent game between the two sides. While Liverpool’s Luis Suarez has also been charged by the FA for alleged racist comments towards Ferdinand’s Manchester United team-mate Patrice Evra.
Asked if racism was a problem on the pitch, Blatter told CNN World Sport: “I would deny it. There is no racism, there is maybe one of the players towards another, he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one. But also the one who is affected by that. He should say that this is a game. At the end of the game, we shake hands.”
He also said, on Al Jazeera: “During a match you may say something to someone who’s not looking exactly like you, but at the end of match it’s forgotten.”
Blatter tells BBC he is sorry and then rebukes players for criticsing him
Blatter tells gays to refrain from having sex at Qatar World Cup
Time for the much-maligned Frank Lampard to take a bow as England beat World Champions Spain
Pride of England - Frank Lampard
When Frank Lampard crowned his 90th international appearance as skipper and celebrated with a matchwinner against world champions Spain it was a well-earned tribute to one of England’s most loyal servants.
Not always the most popular player to wear the three Lions, Lampard has come through some testing times with his country. But the way he has handled taking over the captain’s armband from controversial Chelsea team-mate John Terry, it is impossible to fault Chelsea’s former West Ham United protege.
Back in 2008 Lampard was jeered – not for the first time - when he came on as a second-half substitute during a comfortable 3-0 win over Estonia in a Euro Championship qualifier at Wembley. I remember Ashley Cole saying: “I can’t believe it. He is one of the best players I have played with. I can’t remember him having too many average games in an England shirt. But Frank is a strong character. If anyone is a strong enough character to deal with that, it is Frank.”
Hearing Lampard’s dignity in his pre-match comments, especially the way he talked about his pride in playing for England and wearing the poppy in remembrance of our fallen war heroes, it was impossible not to feel the utmost respect for the much-maligned star.
Frank Lampard has always been a quality player - ever since he came through the Academy at West Ham United
There have been times when Lampard’s arrogance and bad-tempered snarling wearing a Chelsea shirt has earned the venom of rival fans. But you can not fault his loyal service to his country. England are most certainly not world beaters despite their 1-0 win over the No.1 team on the planet in a meaningless friendly. But credit where credit is due and it is time for Frank Lampard to take a bow.
Lampard – leading his country in the absence of rested Chelsea team-mate John Terry – headed in from close range in the 49th minute after Darren Bent had struck the woodwork.
I remember back in the 90s when Harry Redknapp promised disbelieving West Ham United supporters at a fans’ forum during his days as Hammers boss that Lampard was destined to play many times for England. Redknapp was heckled for making that audacious prediction about a youngster who was just breaking into the team at Upton Park. But Harry – surely England’s next manager after Fabio Capello departs in the summer - has always been an impeccable judge of football.
For anyone who wants to see why Redknapp was so convinced that Lampard was a star in the making check out one of the great football DVDs I have produced for West Ham United including Hammers Classics, Right Hammerings, and Hammers Greatest GoalsThe First 100 Years – The Official History.
How fitting that the FA Cup celebrated its 140 anniversary by returning to Maidenhead’s historic York Road stadium
On the weekend English football celebrates the 140th anniversary of the world’s greatest domestic competition it is fitting that this season’s first round kicked off with at a tie at one of its first venues – York Road, Maidenhead.
Back on 11 November 1871 the ground hosted one of the first four fixtures ever played in the FA Cup when Maidenhead beat local rivals Marlow 2-0.
This afternoon York Road – the oldest continually used ground in the world by the same club – saw Maidenhead battle out a 1-1 draw with Aldershot.
Who would have thought all those years ago that the FA Cup would become the most popular domestic cup competition in the world?
York Road - where Maidenhead beat Marlow 2-0 on 11 November 1871.
In a world of modern stadia, Maidenhead’s York Road is a throw back to a bygone era and there are constant reminders of their past and present in the club’s boardroom, with photos and memorabilia dating back to its inception in 1870.
FA Cup Round One
Saturday, 11 November 1871
Upton Park 0-3 Clapham Rovers
Crystal Palace 0-0 Hitchin
Maidenhead 2-0 Marlow
Barnes 2-0 Civil Service.
“This is a club packed with history and tradition and it is great being a part of it,” Maidenhead chairman Peter Griffin told BBC Sport. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest football ground in the world is Sandygate Road in Crosspool, Sheffield. A football and cricket stadium, it is home to Hallam F.C. and Hallam Cricket Club.
Played at Sandygate Road - the world's oldest football ground
