The Football Pubcast had a full house this week, with Jim, Stu, Dan and Si all in attendance for what proved to be a packed show of football chat.
Here’s what’s on this week’s show:
– QPR’s 1-0 win against nine-man Chelsea
– The John Terry racism allegations
– Manchester City hit United for six
– Melbourne Heart’s shaky start
– The flawed genuis of Mario Balotelli
– Aaron Ramsey – international assassin?
– Our managers of the season…so far
You can subscribe to the show via the iTunes Music Store by clicking the button on the right of the screen, or you can listen via the player at the top of this article.
They’ve called it “The Impossible Job”, and judging by the performances of England teams in recent international tournaments, England’s recent managers have done a pretty good job of proving that particular title to be true.
But, with Fabio Capello set to step down after Euro 2012 next summer, who should come in to replace him?
The name most regularly touted is that of Harry Redknapp. The Spurs boss hasn’t hidden his interest in the England job and his relationship with the press will certainly go some way to improving the goodwill between the papers and the team.
But is “Happy Harry” really the right man for the job?
But where do YOU stand on the argument?
In this week’s instalment of Pitney v Coxon, the series where our two pubcast sparring partners take opposing sides for footballing arguments that we’ve heard (or had) with mates, cab drivers and workmates in the pub.
Should Harry Redknapp be the next England manager?
Simon Pitney says YES
Let me start by clarifying that I don’t think Harry Redknapp is the best manager for England – for sure the claims of Messrs Mourinho, Ferguson and an embattled Wenger would certainly ring far louder and truer than old cheeky chappy ‘Arry. However I do think that Redknapp should be the next England manager – providing the FA lurch once more towards the jingoistic cry for an “Englishman”.
With such a well defined criteria who are the realistic alternatives? Stuart Pearce has already ruled himself out as not experienced enough, Roy Hodgson still has the look of a man haunted by Anfield, Tony Pulis has done a fantastic job at Stoke, but much like Neil Warnock at QPR is tarnished with “up and at ‘em” approach that last had success in the global game in the late nineteenth century. Plus the latter two can hardly claim that they have been tested at the higher reaches of the game, although the Europaen adventures of Stoke this year are a step in the right direction.
With all of the above ruled out it only leaves ‘Arry – and lest we forget, this is a man who has taken Spurs into the Champions league and didn’t look fazed. His teams have always played attractive football which given the attritional nature of the game coached by Capello would be a welcome turn of events. With the ever advancing end of the oft called (but should be oft mocked) “golden generation” the next England manager will have to freshen the squad up and find new heroes. Perhaps it ought to be the man who saw the crop of Lampard, Ferdinand, Cole and Defoe (amongst others) through to the professional ranks and has never been afraid of throwing the youngsters in.
Critics will argue that a) ‘Arry is a wheeler dealer, and for all his notable successes there have always been some real stinkers and that b) until he inherited a very talented but underperforming Spurs team he had never really been more than a middle tier manager. As England manager – he doesn’t need to sign anyone – just do the best with whatever our forefathers seed has bestowed us. As for the latter – it may be true but then look back at all the other contenders and there isn’t a compelling case amongst them. Last English manager to win a major trophy, plays good football, gives youth a chance and has handled some big egos – which other Englishman can say that?
He may not be the best manager England could have, but he’s the best English manager England can have. Unless Peter Reid gets the job. That’s a joke.
Mike Coxon says NO
If ‘arry Redknapp becomes England manager I will officially stop supporting England.
I got my first England kit for my 5th birthday at the start of Euro 92. I remember Lineker being substituted, the disappointment of USA 94 (but what a goal by Ray ‘oughton) and the shame of Lansdowne Road. I remember the booing of Neville, Butt, Scholes and Beckham in 1997 for the crime of being United players and the booing of Beckham in 1998 for the shame of reacting to extreme provocation. I remember Eileen Drewery, slurs on disabled people and Keegan resigning in the showers. I remember the turgid Sven years (indeed, the best years of my England supporting life), the defeat at Windsor Park and the Wally with the Brolly. Most recently I remember South Africa. I’ve not always loved England or our players (the depressing Golden Generation springs to mind) but I’ve always kept the faith.
But ‘arry Redknapp would be a wrong turn. And I know, I know, I’ve been vocal in my disdain for ‘Arry in the past. And I do admit, ‘e ‘as done a good job at Spurs. But could ‘e really ‘ave done worse? ‘e’s ‘appy to remind us that when ‘e took over Spurs had 2 points from 8 games. They also ‘ad an expensively assembled squad that in the past three seasons ‘ad fininshed 5th twice and won the Carling Cup.
‘arry apparently is a marvellous “wheeler-dealer”. But for every Di Canio and Kanoute there’s a Soma or Boogers. And ‘e wastes talent. Look at the likes of Taarabt, who ‘ad to leave before fulfilling their potential, or Chris Gunter who was massively ‘ighly rated but ultimately wasted. ‘ell, look at the whole West Ham team from the mid-90s onwards. Ferdinand, Lampard, Carrick, Cole, ‘islop, Di Canio, Kanoute, Ian Wright, ‘artson, Kitson, Dicks, Stuart Pearce…this was a squad that could ‘ave challenged every year for a top 4 place but never managed it.
Fans of ‘is former clubs ‘ate ‘im. Supporters of West ‘am, Southampton and Portsmouth (twice) have been screwed by him. If ‘e doesn’t ‘ave potential to be a new Don Revie then I don’t know who does.
Alternatives? I’d punt for Martin O’Neill or Roy ‘odgson. And if one particularly interesting rumour is to be believed, I’ve always thought that Arsene knows…
Oh, and in case you ‘aven’t noticed…’e doesn’t pronounce ‘is bloody “h’s”!
Whose side are you on? Vote now!
Which Pubcaster do you agree with? Should Harry be England’s next manager after Fabio Capello? Register your vote using the poll below and we’ll announce the results on the next column. Also, feel free to add your thoughts and comments on the issue by using the comments box at the foot of this article.
LAST TIME ON PVC: Should the Champions League be reserved for championss only?
35% said YES
65% said NO
AS A SPURS FAN I WOULD BE GUTTED IF ARRY WAS TO BECOME ENGLAND MANAGER, NOT BECAUSE I AM UNPATRIOTIC BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST I AM A SPURS FAN.
I NEW WHEN ARRY TOOK OVER AT SPURS IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST 3 YEARS FOR HIM TO ASSEMBLE THE SQUAD NEEDED TO CHALLENGE ANY OF THE TOP 4. THIS IS INDEED HIS 3RD YEAR AT SPURS AND WE ARE NOW AT THE BEGINNING THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOUR
SPURS NOW HAVE A BRILLIANT SQUAD OF PLAYERS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IT LOOKS AS IF WE ARE NOW THE DOMINANT FORCE IN NORTH LONDON, AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SAY THAT FOR MANY A YEAR
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I FEEL REDKNAPP HAS A GIFT FOR SPOTTING GOOD PLAYERS!
AND THAT ONE THING WOULD BE A WASTE, TO LOSE IT ON A BUNCH OF OVERPAID PREMADONNAS, THAT HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU BECAUSE OF THE MONEY THEY EARN. BUT THEY ARE NO GOOD ANYWAY
I THINK REDKNAPP LOVES IT AT SPURS, TO THE POINT THAT, I HAVE A SNEEKING FEELING, EVEN IF REDKNAPP IS JUST BY CHANCE, OFFERED THE ENGLAND JOB, HE WILL REFUSE IT.
AND ANYWAY CERTAIN FUTURE COURT CASES MAY WELL EXCLUDE HIM ANYWAY, I HOPE SO. THEN WE CAN WATCH SPURS FLOURISH
I am an Ulsterman and a long time Spurs Supporter firstly i would love change at my beloved Spurs ie Carlo Anchelotti if spelt correctly to be signed for Spurs and you can have Harry , now i don`t dislike Harry one bit infact the job he has done for us has been great but i believe he can`t take Spurs any futher tactically so for that reason Mr Levy should not let Harry buy any more players incase the manager in waiting would prefer his own squad of new players , so thanks Harry for the good times and from an Ulsterman whose team last won the Home International`s I wish Harry great fortune and Spurs all the Georgie Best IN THE 2012 SEASON and ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With Jim recovering after having his busted knee fixed, Simon, Dan and Stu were left to discuss the burning issues of the day at the pub for this week’s episode of The Football Pubcast.
Here’s what’s on this week’s show:
– Jim’s knee, and how the NHS can get things VERY wrong
– England’s “performance” against Montenegro
– Fabio Capello – four more years?
– Si’s (almost certainly flawed) theory on why English players underperform at international level
– How to cock up a cup draw
– How to turn a fun run into a half-marathon
– Our cult hero managers
– A review of Melbourne Heart’s first game of the season
You can subscribe to the show via the iTunes Music Store by clicking the button on the right of the screen, or you can listen via the player at the top of this article.
Simon was back at the helm for our 53rd episode of The Football Pubcast, where the lads catch up on the latest talking points of the footballing week.
Here’s what’s on this week’s show:
– Merseyside derby + crowd trouble
– North London derby + Arsenal fans chants at Adebayor
– Weekend results
– McClaren leaves Nottm Forest
– Lampard return to form
– Cult hero strikers
– Preview of Melbourne Heart’s upcoming A-League opener at Newcastle Jets
– Stu’s attempt to get a new word into the Oxford English Dictionary – “Interpretator”
We all know that the best referees are the ones that you don’t even realise are on the pitch.
And we all hate the ones that like to try and make a name for themselves in the big games by getting far too involved or making controversial decisions.
However, the ref in the recent Valencia vs Granada game took it to the next level with a cleanly won but devastating two-footed slide tackle on Valencia’s Sergio Canales
It robbed the former Real Madrid man of possession in the final third with all the skill of a seasoned centre half.
As we build up to this weekend’s A-League kickoff, we look at two behind-the-scenes videos from Melbourne Heart’s pre-season.
Heart are set to take on Newcastle Jets away from home this coming Saturday and Dutch head coach John van’t Schip has been putting his new-look squad through their paces in preparation for the big kickoff.
In the first vid, we see Heart’s behind-closed-doors warmup game with Northcote City at the spectacular AAMI Park.
And in the second vid we check in on Heart as they take on a Peninsula Select side.
It’s the biggest, richest and most drawn out club competition in the world. The UEFA Champions League is rightly considered the pinnacle of club football, and many believe it’s the pinnacle of all football in terms of sheer quality.
But should it continue in its current guise?
Some say the Champions League should return to its roots and be a competition reserved for the champion teams from each European League. After all, it IS called the Champions League.
Others suggest the competition has benefited hugely from allowing more strong sides from the big European leagues into the competition.
But where do YOU stand on the argument?
In this week’s instalment of Pitney v Coxon, our two pubcast sparring partners take opposing sides for the argument that I’ve heard (and had) with mates, cab drivers and workmates alike.
Should the UEFA Champions League be reserved for champion clubs only?
Mike Coxon says YES
The Champions League should be just that…a Champions League.
I know how great it is to have Barcelona vs. AC Milan, and if that were the case the world (and Clive Tyldesley) wouldn’t have “that night in Barcelona”. But I have two major problems…
Firstly, the disparity in European footballing nations. Since 2000 only teams from Spain (five times), Italy (three times), England (twice), Germany (once) and Portugal (once) have won the Champions League. And Porto were something of a blip. Compared that to the 90s: Italy (three times), Spain (twice), England, Germany, France, Holland and Yugoslavia all once. And going back, yes teams and nations dominated but there was a greater depth of countries who’s champions had a chance. Will we ever see another Romanian team reach the knock-out stage, let alone win the thing? Or a Scottish team for that matter.
In fact, can you honestly you can see an Champions League winner coming from outside Spain or England, with Italy and Bayern Munich at a push? All this has one cause – money. And what will keep happening? More money will pile into these leagues. With the possible exception of the Russian teams (keep an eye out for Anzhi, home of Eto’o, Roberto Carlos & Zhirkov), no one will break these barriers.
And secondly, it’s taken all the prestige from all other competitions. Even the Premier League pales in comparison (just ask Mr. Abramovich and his revolving door of managers). The Europa League is a joke, most teams don’t even want to be in it and the few that do tend to be either resurrecting their season or savouring a rare jaunt to the lesser reaches of Eastern Europe (Stoke will reach the final, that’s my tip). It’s a patronising tournament for losers.
The solution? Well we’re always hearing about how teams play to many games…so play less. 4 groups, 16 teams after qualifiers, you’d still get a good enough quality. This season you’d be looking at Manchester United, Barcelona, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Ajax, Zenit St Peterburg, Lille, Olympiakos, Rangers, Copenhagen and Shakhtar Donetsk. Big clubs, big games, and after a few years you would hope a slightly more level playing field with top players wanting to play in the top tournament.
And then below that you have a reformed Europa League; a genuinely competitive, top class tournament with the best of the rest. Remember when you’d get the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Arsenal in the UEFA Cup final? That could happen again and what’s more you get that bit more prestige for the teams from smaller nations. Would Shamrock Rovers rather face Fulham (no disrespect) or Chelsea? And there’d be an actually competitive Super Cup at the end rather than a glorified friendly.
Europe should be the pinnacle of club football, but everyone deserves a chance and not just the rich elite. Just don’t bring back the Cup Winners Cup. That was rubbish.
Simon Pitney says NO
I want to play a little quiz with you – Can you name me the current champions of Estonia? Of Macedonia? What about the current champions of Iceland? If you know the answers to the above then you really ought to get out more, but should the quiz above leave you scratching your head then don’t worry you are like almost every other current football fan.
Lets try another quiz – who finished second in Spain last year? Third in the Premiership? What about the runners up in Italy? Feel more comfortable now? Of course you do because you are now talking about some of the largest clubs in the world, who can parade the best players and ultimately play the best football.
There will never be a “European Super League” but in the current Champions League format we have the closest thing possible. Want to see Barcelona play Milan? Simple just tune in midweek – want to see Barcelona take on Skendija (Answer to quiz question 2)? I would wager not – a)because the gulf in class would be enormous and b) the standard of football wouldn’t be worth tuning into and c)the result would never be in doubt. I don’t pay money to watch one sided events but I would happily pay to see Giants of the game going head to head in the latest of an ongoing battle for supremacy.
To those who quibble and state the Champions League should only be for Champions – I think your argument is with grammar rather than the current product – keep the teams as they are but rename back to the European Cup – problem solved.
To illustrate my point I have taken 32 random champions of Europe and conducted a draw (no seedings) – so if you listen to the “Champions League for Champions only” argument – this is what you could have been left with!
GROUP A
Rangers
Basel
Skonto
Shaktar Donetsk
GROUP B
Boraz Banja Luka
Skenderbeu
Porto
Sturm Graz
GROUP C
BATE Borisov
Flora
Olympiakos
Lille
GROUP D
Milan
Zenit
Zestafeni
Videoton
GROUP E
Wisla Krakow
UBK
NK Maribor
Copenhagen
GROUP F
HJK
Ajax
Dortmund
Dinamo Zagreb
GROUP G
Litex Lovech
Viktoria Plzen
Mogren
Barcelona
GROUP H
Skendija
Man Utd
Sloven Bratislava
Fenerbahce
The only thing the above has in common with the current tournament is that once again Man Utd got an easy draw! Seriously look at the above and ask yourself it is more palatable than the current offering that gives you Aguero, Sneijder and Ronaldo?
Whose side are you on? Vote now!
Which Pubcaster do you agree with? Should England be ranked fourth in the world? Register your vote using the poll below and we’ll announce the results on the next column. Also, feel free to add your thoughts and comments on the issue by using the comments box at the foot of this article.
LAST TIME ON PVC: Should England be ranked fourth in the world?
20% said YES
80% said NO
The Football Pubcast had a full house this week, with Jim, Stu, Dan and Si all in attendance for what proved to be a packed show of football chat.
They’ve called it “The Impossible Job”, and judging by the performances of England teams in recent international tournaments, England’s recent managers have done a pretty good job of proving that particular title to be true.
JOHNNY, and 
Aicher are discussing. 
With Jim recovering after having his busted knee fixed, Simon, Dan and Stu were left to discuss the burning issues of the day at the pub for this week’s episode of The Football Pubcast.
Simon was back at the helm for our 53rd episode of The Football Pubcast, where the lads catch up on the latest talking points of the footballing week.
We all know that the best referees are the ones that you don’t even realise are on the pitch. 
As we build up to this weekend’s A-League kickoff, we look at two behind-the-scenes videos from Melbourne Heart’s pre-season.
Ticker is discussing. 
It’s the biggest, richest and most drawn out club competition in the world. The UEFA Champions League is rightly considered the pinnacle of club football, and many believe it’s the pinnacle of all football in terms of sheer quality.
Aicher 1:08 pm on October 25, 2011 Permalink
AS A SPURS FAN I WOULD BE GUTTED IF ARRY WAS TO BECOME ENGLAND MANAGER, NOT BECAUSE I AM UNPATRIOTIC BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST I AM A SPURS FAN.
I NEW WHEN ARRY TOOK OVER AT SPURS IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST 3 YEARS FOR HIM TO ASSEMBLE THE SQUAD NEEDED TO CHALLENGE ANY OF THE TOP 4. THIS IS INDEED HIS 3RD YEAR AT SPURS AND WE ARE NOW AT THE BEGINNING THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOUR
SPURS NOW HAVE A BRILLIANT SQUAD OF PLAYERS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IT LOOKS AS IF WE ARE NOW THE DOMINANT FORCE IN NORTH LONDON, AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SAY THAT FOR MANY A YEAR
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I FEEL REDKNAPP HAS A GIFT FOR SPOTTING GOOD PLAYERS!
AND THAT ONE THING WOULD BE A WASTE, TO LOSE IT ON A BUNCH OF OVERPAID PREMADONNAS, THAT HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU BECAUSE OF THE MONEY THEY EARN. BUT THEY ARE NO GOOD ANYWAY
I THINK REDKNAPP LOVES IT AT SPURS, TO THE POINT THAT, I HAVE A SNEEKING FEELING, EVEN IF REDKNAPP IS JUST BY CHANCE, OFFERED THE ENGLAND JOB, HE WILL REFUSE IT.
AND ANYWAY CERTAIN FUTURE COURT CASES MAY WELL EXCLUDE HIM ANYWAY, I HOPE SO. THEN WE CAN WATCH SPURS FLOURISH
JOHNNY 1:25 pm on October 25, 2011 Permalink
I am an Ulsterman and a long time Spurs Supporter firstly i would love change at my beloved Spurs ie Carlo Anchelotti if spelt correctly to be signed for Spurs and you can have Harry , now i don`t dislike Harry one bit infact the job he has done for us has been great but i believe he can`t take Spurs any futher tactically so for that reason Mr Levy should not let Harry buy any more players incase the manager in waiting would prefer his own squad of new players , so thanks Harry for the good times and from an Ulsterman whose team last won the Home International`s I wish Harry great fortune and Spurs all the Georgie Best IN THE 2012 SEASON and ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!