Neil Jones
The chase for fourth spot hots up as underdogs lurk
To older football fans, the idea of the race for fourth place being as interesting, or as important, as the title chase or the relegation dogfight is fundamentally absurd. After all, as Bill Shankly once said “if you are first you are first, if you are second you are nowhere”.
But this season one of the [...]
The Real machine shows no sign of letting up
It was a familiar story at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday evening following yet another Real Madrid success over their poor, downtrodden relatives. A story that more often than not involves rotten luck and a reality check for Atleti, and culminates in a relentless march to success from Real. It’s been that long since the [...]
Toothless Toon show King Kev the scale of his task
It was one of the most emotional comebacks witnessed since that fella stepped out of the shower in Dallas. But if that was dramatic (as well as baffling), then Kevin Keegan’s return to St James’ Park was anything but, as his new old club were held to a goalless draw at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Keegan [...]
Diarra may live to regret his hasty exit from Arsenal
Portsmouth are pleased, they picked up a very good player, a France international no less, for a very competitive fee. Arsenal are pleased, they have made around a £2m profit on a player they only signed on transfer deadline day back in August. Lassana Diarra on the other hand, sounded more than a little defensive [...]
Nomadic Anelka deserves a bit of respect
The sight of Nicolas Anelka in his Chelsea shirt may well have been met by sighs of disappointment from many football folk, not least the already-fragile Tottenham defenders who had enjoyed a stress-free hour marking the immobile and non-threatening Claudio Pizarro.
Managers of lesser clubs (such as Bolton) will have taken his £15m move to Stamford [...]
Hicks throws a spanner in the Anfield works
Times are changing. There used to be a time when the manager of Liverpool was the most important person at the football club. There used to be a time when he was the man with the power. Whether it was picking the team, selecting and negotiating new signings, or even choosing the colour of the [...]
