Category: Football

Sunderland have sacked manager Martin O’Neill after just sixteen months in charge of the premier league club. Sunderland are on a abysmal run of form and find themselves just a point above the drop zone with seven games remaining.

O’Neill took over the Wearside club in December 2011, when the club found themselves in a similar position around the relegation zone. O’Neill’s first game in charge was a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at the stadium of light. The club pushed on to secure a mid-table finish.

In the summer of 2012, O’Neill spent big on both striker Steven Fletcher from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Adam Johnson from Manchester City. Many anticipated that Martin O’Neill would take Sunderland to new heights and hopefully achieve European football. However this season hasn’t materialised as planned and Sunderland are hovering above the drop zone and now searching for a new manager.

The timing of O’Neill’s sacking has surprised many. With only seven games of the season remaining, it’s difficult to see who Sunderland can bring in to make an instant impact and turn the clubs form around.

Whoever is O’Neill’s successor has a tricky start, with trips to Chelsea and Newcastle followed by a home game with Everton.  Early bookmakers at time of writing have made Paulo Di Canio the shock front runner for the job just ahead of ex-England boss Steve McLaren and Mark Hughes.

Martin O’Neill leaves Sunderland with a win percentage of 38%.

England fans would’ve woken up this morning still disappointed by last night’s events in Podgorica. After a professional performance at bottom-ranked nation San Marino, the England camp will feel a little despondent after last night’s proceedings.

Like I mentioned before, England comfortably beat San Marino 8-0 at the Stadio di Serravalle. There is an argument still to this day stating that teams such as San Marino shouldn’t be in these qualification tournaments and teams such as England, Germany and Spain do not need these sorts of “training” matches in order to qualify for such an illustrious event (World Cup).

Podgorica is a hostile city in Eastern Europe. Montenegro itself has recently been involved in wars for independence and has a reputation of racism. Crowd trouble was a major factor that worried many ahead of this crucial fixture. This problem occurred earlier in the season when Montenegro played Moldova, as a Firecracker was thrown at the Moldova goalkeeper. This led to a major fine given to the country by UEFA.

Roy Hodgson’s selection was relatively similar to the side that defeated Brazil in a friendly earlier in the calendar year at Wembley. The situation before play was that Montenegro had a two point led over the three lions, although England’s goal difference was superior compared to their opponents. If England lost, then they faced a major challenge to win the group and would most likely have to settle for a play-off place. A win for England on the other hand, would be a significant step towards qualifying for Rio next summer.

The game started brightly for England and in particularly Wayne Rooney (who was sent off 17 months ago against Montenegro). His cheeky chip early on in the match was perfect in every way; too good in fact to go into the net as the ball agonisingly hit the post. England did eventually gain a much deserved lead as Rooney headed home from Steven Gerrard’s corner. The first half was dominated by the team in white, and the score could easily have been three or four- nil at the break.

But the oldest of all the sayings in football seemed to come into effect. Montenegro came out a completely different side, a side that looked more like the ones that the press and media had previously talked about leading up to the game and a team topping the group. The manager had made the side more attacking, making positive substitutions (eventually going 3 at the back!). As each minute passed, England fans were clinging on by the edge of their seats; each Montenegro shot was getting closer towards an equaliser. Vucinic and Jovetic were getting more and more into the game which caused problems for England’s backline.  Eventually, after holding on against constant Montenegro pressure, England lost their lead with twenty minutes to play. A fast paced, in swinging corner was headed by Damjanovic straight at Joe Hart, who could only parry his save downwards towards the penalty area. It was like pinball in the area as England defenders tried to clear the ball but Damjanovic was there to stab the ball into the net. This sent the fans crazy- flares were being set off in celebration.

Roy Hodgson’s response was to bring on Ashley Young, his only substitution of the game. However, this failed to act as a catalyst and an England revival never materialised. Although Steven Gerrard was close to winning the game for England in the final minute as his free kick was only just pushed over the crossbar by the Montenegro goalkeeper.

In the end, England had finished the night as it had started; they now have to win crucial matches away in Ukraine and home ties against Montenegro and Poland to win the group. Although the three lions are still undefeated, they haven’t beaten any of the “bigger” nations in the group, drawing all three games against Poland, Ukraine and Montenegro. Ukraine and Poland also closed the gap between themselves and the top two as they both won their respective fixtures. The winners of the game between Poland and Ukraine will find themselves only a point behind England who occupies 2^nd position in group H.

“It was a game of two halves”.

Derby days are exhilarating for anyone associated in the game that day. Whether it is the 22 players on the pitch: the two managers: the backroom staffs or the fans cheering on their respective teams. These are the fixtures that many fans pick out firstly because they are the best to be involved in. That’s certainly how I feel whenever Brighton play Crystal Palace.

Back in June, when the 2012-2013 fixtures were released; my initial move was to seek out the two dates for the Palace games. As a Brighton fan, it was always the home match at the Amex on the top of my priority list to find. The fixtures were confirmed as Saturday 1^st December 2012- up at Selhurst Park, and then back at the Amex on Sunday 17^th March 2013.

The game in December was nothing more than painful for any Brighton fan such as me.  Lewis Dunk dismissed after 8 minutes really killed the match as a spectacle, as it was always going to be difficult to hold on a man down with near enough a full 90 minutes to play (if you include additional time). Two Glenn Murray penalties and a Yannick Bolasie goal gave Palace a 3-0 victory. All in all, that was a day to forget for the seagulls.

But yesterday saw a chance for us to gain revenge on that awful day. 3 months of painful banter with mates who were Palace fans were hopefully going to be silenced by an Albion victory. It all started a bit equally, with Palace midfielder Jonathan Parr having the best opportunity to score early on, if it hadn’t been for a fine Tomasz Kuszczak save. He also denied Matthew Upson from both total embarrassment and anger from Brighton supporters after his misjudged header was clawed away from goal by the Polish keeper.

Then there was a 5 minute window that will be forever in Albion fans’ memories- or certainly in their minds for the next few years. A pinpoint perfect cross by winger Will Buckley was tucked home by January signing, Leo Ulloa. He sent the Albion fans into raptures. A few minutes later, Buckley was again involved when he was brought down by an unfair challenge by Palace central midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi. The two players standing over the ball were Spanish pair Andrea Orlandi and David Lopez. Initially, many anticipated a left footed strike by Orlandi, but David Lopez took the chance on, and his right foot curler flew past the wall; the palace keeper and found the top corner of the next (courtesy of the underside of the Crossbar). Brighton found themselves 2-0 up going into the break.

The second half started just as the first half ended, with a well created Brighton attack ended by a quality finish by Leo Ulloa; his second of the game and 5^th in his last 2 matches at the Amex. He rifled the ball home after it was cushioned down perfectly by Orlandi. It could’ve been 4-0 hadn’t it not been for a fine double save by Juliano Speroni. He first denied Leo Ulloa for his second successive hat-trick at the Amex and then saved Buckley’s rebound. Brighton held on comfortably for a 3-0 win and a first rivalry win since Gus Poyet’s reign began back in 2009.

Revenge is bitter sweet.

This week saw a lot of controversy surrounding Manchester United Football Club. The sending off of Nani left Sir Alex Ferguson fuming and reluctant to report to the media after the game. Rio Ferdinand escaped a disciplinary charge after his sarcastic clapping in front of the Turkish ref at the end of the game.  But the most considerable controversy was Wayne Rooney’s surprise dropping from the starting eleven, igniting gossip of his future at Old Trafford hanging in the balance.

The United forward is now 27, and has been considered a vital first team player in past seasons. He would’ve played either up front, or moved into a deeper or wider role, but the Englishman was considered the first player on Ferguson’s team sheet.

But this season, he hasn’t cemented a place in the first team since the arrival of Dutchmen Robin Van Persie; and young Danny Welbeck, who is developing more and more into an influential player in the red jersey. Wayne Rooney did suffer a horrific gash on his leg in a game against Wigan Athletic earlier in the season, which kept him out for a month. Wayne Rooney hasn’t been as prolific in front of goal either this season, only scoring 14 goals this campaign compared to 34 that he scored last season.

As newspapers claim that Rooney could be on his way, major European clubs have been reportedly interested in the England forward- including massive spending Paris-Saint Germain and fierce rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.

Since joining Manchester United as an 18 year old back in 2004, Wayne Rooney has gone on to score 195 goals in 393 appearances in a red devils shirt.

Personally, I think we will still be seeing Wayne Rooney in the famous red shirt next season. The England international hasn’t come out publically saying he is unhappy and Sir Alex has claimed that he will be keeping the 27 year old at Old Trafford.

Think back three weeks ago and I wrote a match preview on the eve of the “perfect match”; and the game certainly didn’t disappoint. The two teams battled it out on a cool Wednesday evening in Madrid. With end to end action, the two giants couldn’t be separated and the game finished 1-1, a reasonable result for both clubs although united must have felt happier than their Spanish counterparts.

So three weeks on and I again cannot justify a guaranteed result tomorrow night. Manchester United know that they will qualify into the quarter finals if they do not concede- but this is hugely unlikely due to the sheer power, speed and quality of the Real Madrid counter attacking mentality.  Jose Mourniho wasn’t too unhappy by the result, and knows a win would be enough to see the most successful team in European competition go through to the last 8. Mourniho will also bear in mind that the away goals rule applies and if Madrid score twice, United will have to win the game to win the tie. To score 3 goals against the Spanish champions is a very daunting challenge and one United will hope to avoid.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be without Phil Jones tomorrow night, a man who was so crucial for the red devils in the first leg. This will mean that Johnny Evans or Chris Smalling will probably partner Rio Ferdinand at centre back. A man who must be credited for his outstanding performance in the Bernabeu is Spanish Goalkeeper David De Gea. He made some fantastic saves to keep United from losing the first match and you would have to feel that the Spaniard will be busy again at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid will be boosted by the return of captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The Spain no.1 is recovering from a broken hand he suffered in a La Liga clash. I expect to see a similar side to the one that played in the first game, possibly a start for Higuain in place of Karim Benzema. But one man who will play for sure is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese will again be hoping to spoil United’s dream by scoring at his former home. The Spanish giants will also have a morale boost after defeating fierce rivals FC Barcelona twice in a week. There is a sense this Madrid side will be tougher than the one that Ferguson and his men faced three weeks ago.

The score is currently 1-1, so a 0-0 would see United through, but like I said before, I think a 0-0 is out of the equation when you analyse the attacking quality of both sides. Old Trafford will be buzzing tomorrow evening and this may impact the players- especially the Man United players- to help guide them to victory. I think personally you can cancel out extra time and penalties as well due to the fact I think tomorrow will be more of a goal fest and 1-1 will not be the final score.

Finally, I would like to mention that Ryan Giggs is set to make his 1000^th appearance in professional football. This is an outstanding achievement made the Welshman. Now 39, the winger has just signed a new one-year-contract that will keep him playing into his 40s. He is the only player to have appeared and scored in every season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. He is also won the most honours in the history of any British footballer. He has a creditable 24 trophies to his name with Manchester United, including 12 Premier Leagues, 4 FA Cups, 4 League cups, 2 Champions Leagues and a Club World Cup.  I don’t think we will see another player hit this landmark. Congratulations Mr Giggs.

My Prediction: Manchester United 3-2 Real Madrid (4-3 on Aggregate)

Gareth Bale is at the centre of the footballing world at the moment. Let’s be honest, he is scoring for fun at Spurs. He is in the form of his career and he is quite possibly the best player in Europe right now. He is one of the biggest success stories of this generation. But should the Welsh winger be considered as World Class?
People could say yes. Like I said he is in the form of his life. He is consistently performing at the highest level which he struggled to have in seasons gone by. Gareth Bale torments full backs all across Europe. We saw this on the big stage a few years ago in the Champions League; where he utterly destroyed Inter Milan full back Maicon in the San Siro (a game in which the Welshman scored a hat-trick). Every week domestically, he seems to be scoring wonder goals with ease, including last nights’ winner against West Ham United. He has grown stronger mentally and physically. He is strong on the ball and has fantastic movement off the ball.
Other footballing fans would disagree, saying that he isn’t world class. Compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale isn’t as consistent or technically as good. Ronaldo and Messi for the past couple of seasons have always scored at least 30 goals a season and grab the headlines in every game. Gareth Bale has been quiet in certain games against the bigger teams in the past although now he seems to be coping against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
After being asked about his own thoughts on how good he is; Gareth Bale last night told Talksport Radio “I’m just focusing on playing my football, at the moment I’m enjoying my Football and if people in the media want to say stuff about me its fine, I can’t stop that”. This shows that Gareth is a down to earth guy, not really paying much attention to the media and is fully focused on himself, the team and more importantly his football.

Last night saw Paulo Di Canio resign from his managerial post at Swindon Town football club. He brought to the club a new mentality, and has improved the players since taking over the club in May 2011. When Paulo took over the club, they were in a tough situation; they were in a difficult position financially and had just been relegated to the fourth tier of English football (Npower League Two). But he was determined to gain promotion back into League One and possibly to the Championship the season next.

Di Canio’s side triumphed in League Two, winning the league in the process.  Di Canio’s men were playing attacking, attractive football and for League Two, the quality that the players were producing was top quality. This season, the Italian started the season well, knocking out championship side Brighton and Hove Albion of the league cup comprehensively 3-0.  It got better for the league one side when they knocked out Premier League Stoke City in the same competition. The team have been flirting with the top of the Npower League One table most of the campaign, and currently sit sixth position, 3 points off the top.    

There have been famous spats between Di Canio and some of his players in the Italians 22 month reign. In 2011 (7 games into his managerial career at the County Ground), he had a confrontation with striker Leon Clarke in the tunnel after tasting defeat to Southampton in the League cup. This season, he had an argument with young Goalkeeper Les Foderingham after substituting the shot stopper after 20 minutes for an error that led to the opposition scoring.

Di Canio leaves the promotion Contenders with a decent record. He won 54 of his 95 games in charge of Swindon which leaves him with a win percentage of 56%.