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  • footballpubcast 1:53 pm on March 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , Euro 2012, , , Gudni Bergsson, , , , ,   

    Pubcast #71: Headbutts with Gandhi 

    It was the Football Pubcast’s first ever Gillingham free show (almost) this week as Mike took on hosting duties in the style of a violent Mahatma Gandhi and was joined by Stu, Dan and Sean for another exhilarating hour of nonsense that included…

    • The Pubcasters’ worst away trip
    • Gheorghe Hagi’s face
    • The greatest player Man Utd never had
    • Gudni Bergsson’s heroism
    • Arry Redknapp’s intimate tattoo
    • The plight of Rangers
    • An award nomination!
    • The Frank Lampard/John Terry managerial dream team
    • The ladies of Kiev
    • And all the usual junk you know and tolerate…

    Pubcast #71: Headbutts with Gandhi (mp3)

     

  • Michael Coxon 7:46 am on December 5, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Charlton Athletic, , Euro 2012, , , , , , ,   

    Everyone wins with this weekend’s draws 

    So, two major tournament draws a the weekend and two corkers!

    Let’s start with Euro 2012. I can’t think of a better line-up for the tournament. England have got the nice balance of a massive game against France, a match with the stronger of the two host nations and a tie with our bogey team. Fabio Capello will walk away fairly happy from Friday’s draw knowing that, on paper, England should be favourites to win the group. However it will need to be a different England to the one who lost against France at Wembley last year because Laurent Blanc’s side look incredibly far removed from the cough and splutter of South Africa 2010.

    Should England make it through to the knock-out stages then they can look forward to a tie against regular foes from recent years Croatia, Fabio Capello’s home nation Italy, neighbours Ireland or recently vanquished minnows Spain…If England are going to progress beyond the quarter finals then it will be a huge but not necessarily impossible ask. Ireland on the other hand will need three huge performances to escape the group. Still, Croatia are beatable and expect to see Ray Houghton’s goal from USA 94 a thousand times between now and June. Oh, and Spain? Well just remember the opening game in South Africa and an excellent performance from the Swiss.

    The other groups look tasty for different reasons. The prospect of a Germany/Holland game always whets the appetite but throw in Portugal and the team that finished above them in qualifying (and neighbours of Germany) Denmark and it will probably prove the strongest of the four groups. On the other hand, Poland must fancy their chances of success on home soil lining up with Russia, Greece and Czech Republic, arguably the weakest team in each of their respective pots.

    Predictions: Germany, Holland, Spain and, very, very optimistically, England in the semis…Holland to win it

    And then we had the FA Cup draw, which through up a few ties between top clubs and minnows…Everton & Tamworth, Stoke & Gillingham (good luck lads!), Arsenal & Leeds…Manchester United and Manchester City…

    A few years ago that would have been a hearty joke at our smaller neighbours, now we’re looking at a revenge mission in early January. The 6-1 defeat hurt everyone connected to United so expect strong line-ups and a fiery game. Fergie loves the FA Cup and he won’t want to go out at the hands of City for two successive seasons.

    The talk will be all about the big Manchester derby but the rest of the draw looks good to. Teams like Cheltenham, Southend, Oldham and Bristol Rovers can all savour the prospect of facing Premier League elite and there’s a couple of cracking derbies thrown in to. I quite fancy Charlton to pull off an upset against an inevitably under-strength Fulham and Paolo Di Canio will be looking forward to hosting Wigan.

    My girlfriend asked me yesterday why I was sat watching two men speaking bad English and fiddling around with balls…and then why I watched the FA Cup draw (boom boom!). But it’s these little events and little details that make the season that bit more exciting. Whether you support Manchester United or Macclesfield Town, England or Ireland, what awaits over the coming weeks and months is excitement, anticipation and hope that when all the waiting is over you’ll emerge victorious.

     

  • Michael Coxon 9:23 am on December 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Euro 2012   

    Just done a simulated draw for Euro 2012 (the real one is happening today at 5pm…or more likely 7.30pm after all the usual UEFA guff). If this was official we’d be looking at…

    Group A: Poland, Italy, Sweden, Denmark
    Group B: Spain, England, Portugal, France
    Group C: Holland, Russia, Croatia, Czech Republic
    Group D: Ukraine, Germany, Greece, Ireland

    England in the group of death? Ireland getting Germany? A rather tasty looking Scandinavian derby and a strong Group C? I’d take that as a draw, certainly make for an exciting tournament! Check back over the weekend for my reaction to the draw (you know it will be your highlight)

     

  • Simon Head 11:06 pm on November 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Euro 2012   

    My Euro 2012 XI: Simon Head 

    Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

    There’s really no competition here. Hart is by far and away the best custodian available to Fabio Capello heading into 2012 and I don’t see that changing between now and next summer. Fabio and his coaching staff will be keeping their fingers crossed the City stopper steers clear of injury during what will be a demanding second half of the season. Such is the lack of quality backup the thought of going into the championships without him is a scary one indeed.

    Right Back: Micah Richards

    I like my defenders to defend first and foremost – and Richards offers a much better defensive option than current first-choice number two Glen Johnson. That’s not to say the City fullback isn’t capable of offering an attacking threat himself – Richards isn’t shy of a buccaneering run down the right wing – and he’s a genuine threat in the air from set pieces, while being a much stronger defender from dead-ball situations, too. I just hope his strong performances for City will help force him into Capello’s thinking before the summer. For our best right back to not even travel with the squad would be a travesty, not to mention a monumental oversight by Don Fabio.

    Left Back: Ashley Cole

    Perhaps not the same player that was arguably the best left back in the world in the early 2000s, Ashley Cole is still England’s standout performer in the number three spot. Leighton Baines offers a safe backup option, but doubts remain about his ability under the intense pressure of games at the highest level. Cole plays at that level most weeks – and rarely looks flustered. Has cleaned up his act off the pitch, too, which is to his credit.

    Centre Half: Phil Jagielka

    Undoubtedly England’s problem position, the middle of the Three Lions’ defence is in a period of transition. The previously undisputed pair of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry will almost certainly not play together in the summer. It remains to be seen whether Terry will survive the allegations levelled against him and, if he does, it’ll also be interesting to see whether Rio would want to play alongside him. Those off-the-field issues aside, I’d leave both out of the team. Terry is too divisive a character in my opinion, and has been shown up as too one-dimensional at the top level to justify his continued inclusion, while Ferdinand’s usual calm composure seems to be on the wane this season. In place of Terry I’m selecting Phil Jagielka. He can do everything Terry does, but without the baggage, arrogance or attitude.

    Centre Half: Phil Jones

    A calculated gamble, the inclusion of Phil Jones in my XI is testament to his performances for Manchester United this season. Strong, fast and with the ability to read a game rarely seen in young players at this level, Jones would prove an ideal foil for Jagielka’s more traditional centre half qualities.

    Centre Midfield: Scott Parker

    England’s clear choice to anchor the midfield has been outstanding for Spurs and is finally getting the recognition at international level that his performances have deserved. Leads by example, getting on with his job simply, effectively and without too much fuss. Exactly what we need in a key position for this team.

    Centre Midfield: Jack Wilshere

    Supremely talented, Wilshere’s first opportunity to make a serious impact on a major tournament comes this summer and, providing he isn’t burned out by a long season with Arsenal, Jack Wilshere could become one of the stars of the tournament. Question marks remain over his discipline, but as one of my chosen midfield three, he’ll have the stage to prove to the rest of Europe that he’s one of the continent’s best young midfielders.

    Centre Midfield: Steven Gerrard (captain)

    For my money Gerrard is still England’s most potent midfield weapon. He’s the best leader in the squad and would wear the captain’s armband in my side. With the ability to link the midfield with the attack Gerrard’s threat, running from deep, will still cause problems for opposition defences forced back by the pace of my XI’s front three.

    Left Wing: Ashley Young

    I’ve climbed down from my original stance on Ashley Young. While at Aston Villa, he was a diving cheat, far too keen to hit the deck and get players booked and sent off. But since his arrival at Old Trafford Young’s game has moved up a few notches. The diving has been replaced by a focus on creating and scoring goals – and Young has arguably been the best breakthrough England player of the last 12 months. A must on the left of an attacking three.

    Right Wing: Theo Walcott

    Unfairly criticised early in his career for a lack of end product, Walcott’s game has developed over the past 18 months and the result is a more mature, composed attacking player whose decision making in key areas has improved markedly. His raw pace and goal threat will offer balance on the opposite wing to the equally dangerous Ashley Young and he’ll bring big tournament experience with him, too.

    Centre Forward: Darren Bent

    With Wayne Rooney ruled out through suspension, the focus on the central striking role is sharper than ever. My selection is a straightforward one. The central striking role is tailor made for a natural finisher – someone who can thrive off the through-balls from midfield and the cutbacks from our two quick wingers. And if we’re looking for the best English finisher available, there’s only really one choice. Darren Bent has been a consistent scorer at Premier League level for the last few seasons and should now be given an extended run in the England side. Come the summer, he should be comfortable in the system, relaxed that the coach has put his faith in him and ready to deliver the goals.

     

  • Sean Miller 2:51 pm on November 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Euro 2012   

    My Euro 2012 XI: Sean Miller 

    Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

    Surely the simplest decision of all, Hart is the only man who has looked anywhere near competent in an England jersey since David Seaman was in his early thirties. Kiss of death? I really hope not…

    Right Back: Micah Richards

    Having burst onto the scene as a highly promising teenager, making everyone except my Mum and Gary Lineker laugh by swearing live on national TV and impressing particularly for his marauding runs down the right flank, Richard’s development stalled somewhat in his early 20s. However, this season he has firmly cemented his place in the starting line up of one of the most competitive club squads in world football, looking defensively assured as well as posing an attacking threat. Under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, he seems to be finally fulfilling his obvious potential. However, this season’s exceptional work still hasn’t been rewarded with a recall to the national side, with Capello preferring to persevere with distinctly average toilet seat thief Glen Johnson or test out talented but inexperienced Kyle Walker. For me however, on form and ability Richards is by far the best option of the three.

    Centre Back: Joleon Lescott

    Centre back is another position where England have a worrying lack of depth. Joleon Lescott gets the nod from me; having hopefully put his poor form from the past two seasons, Lescott is another Man City defender who has flourished this season. At his best, he is athletic, composed and reads the game well – we just need to hope his form holds until the summer.

    Centre Back: Phil Jagielka

    Solid, good in the air, reliable for Everton although inexperienced at this level. Looked very good in partnership with Joleon Lescott against world champions Spain, which coupled with the poor form of John Terry and particularly Gary Cahill, who has been woeful for Bolton this season, is probably why I’ve gone with him. Man Utd’s Chris Smalling and Phil Jones may be the centre back partnership of the future, but I don’t feel they have enough experience playing centrally for club or country just yet.

    Jagielka is also probably the country’s third best goalkeeper, which is handy too.

    Left Back: Ashley Cole

    Age is catching up with him a bit, but Ashley Cole remains one of our most consistent performers and is one of the first names on the team sheet. Has a more than able deputy in Leighton Baines, who has looked lively in recent friendlies down the left.

    Central Midfield: Scott Parker

    Last year’s PFA Player of the Year, Parker has matured into his defensive midfield protector role impressively over the past few seasons and is now one of the most important members of England’s first team. His phenomenal work-rate, his ability to win and retain possession and drive the team forward are irreplaceable.

    Central Midfield: Jack Wilshere

    Arguably, alongside Rooney, Wilshere is England’s most talented player – definitely the most creative midfielder we possess. I feel the team benefits from Wilshere playing in a slightly deeper role, alongside Parker where he can dictate play from deep, and where his ability to keep possession of the ball can be used to greatest effect. Parker’s defensive qualities give him licence to get forward from here, and when England are dominating he should be pulling the strings in the opposition’s final third.

    Left Midfield: James Milner

    Milner’s workrate and tenacity win him the place for me ahead of the more exciting Adam Johnson. Hopefully at club level, Roberto Mancini can instil into Johnson the discipline and defensive qualities he needs without limiting his creative output, and Johnson can begin to dictate games in the way his manager feels he should. In the meantime however, James Milner is a very consistent performer who works hard and rarely has a bad game. Can chip in with goals and assists, and his willingness to track back allows Ashley Cole to get forward down the left hand side.

    Right Midfield: Theo Walcott

    Inconsistent and sometimes frustrating, Walcott still has the ability to frighten defenders with his pace alone. I know we should be asking more from our national team’s footballers than the ability to run really fast, but on his day Walcott does show that he can play a bit too, and has been impressive in key games in the Champion’s League for Arsenal. Those days are nowhere near regular enough, but currently I feel he remains the best option.

    Attacking Midfield: Ashley Young

    Ashley Young’s form for club and country recently has been excellent, scoring and creating some impressive goals. In Rooney’s absence, Young will need to take more responsibility in a central role feeding off the striker and trying to work openings with his pace and skill. Can take a quality free-kick too.

    Striker: Darren Bent

    I know I’m going to get stick for this, but I’m putting it out there; currently, without Rooney, he is the best we’ve got. I can see arguments for both Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, but until either of them start scoring for their clubs with the same regularity that Bent does, the Villa man gets the nod from me. Good finisher in the air and on the deck, with a burst of pace and decent hold up play, he showed last season that he can link well with Ashley Young, and so is my man to lead the line in this team.

     

  • Michael Coxon 2:19 pm on November 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Euro 2012   

    My Euro 2012 XI: Michael Coxon 

    GK: Scott Carson…only kidding, of course the choice for goalkeeper is Joe Hart.

    When you think back to the 90s, England had Seaman, Martyn, Flowers, James, Walker, Pressman…yes a few of those reputations may have faded but in that list were two genuinely top class keepers (people forget just how good Nigel Martyn was), two very good top flight goalkeepers and two solid if unspectacular top class keepers. Now who do we have at our disposal?

    The aforementioned Carson is currently playing in Turkey for Bursaspor who stand 12th in the 11th best league in Europe. He started his career so promisingly with Leeds, Liverpool and on loan at Charlton and Villa, but lo things haven’t quite panned out. And besides he looks permanently shellacked at international level, another blunder just waiting to happen.

    And it gets worse. Rob Green has gone in on himself since that howler in South Africa, Ben Foster and Paul Robinson are both in international exile, David Stockdale and Frankie Fielding are un-tested and playing in the Championship and John Ruddy looks good but has a long way to go after an impressive start this season to show he’s international class. How long before the names David James or Chris Kirkland are bandied about?! And are we still checking to see if Manuel Almunia is eligible?

    Luckily we have Hart, a truly top class goalkeeper. Let’s hope City have lost the title by March so they can rest him for the rest of the season (the alternative, them having won the league by then, doesn’t bear thinking about). If he gets injured then we are well and truly screwed.

    RB: Chris Smalling

    For years England only had one right back – Gary Neville (I think I’ve mentioned him before?). When he was injured we had to resort to the likes of Wes Brown, Luke Young, Danny Mills or Phil Neville as back up, or play the likes of Jamie Carragher and Owen Hargreaves out of position to fill in. Not ideal, and thus it was consistently one of England’s weaker positions.

    But not anymore. Now it is perhaps our strongest place and that’s why it’s so hard to pick. Five men are in the frame – Glen Johnson, Kyle Walker, Micah Richards, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

    Straight away I’m ruling Jones out. He can do a very good job at right back but Capello will use him elsewhere and frankly he’s better elsewhere. I still think that, if he has a strong second half of the season, he’ll start alongside Terry as the ball-playing centre half. Likewise it will take Micah Richards an awful lot of fortune to take the spot. It seems Capello doesn’t fancy him, which is strange given that he can play centre half or right back and is playing regularly for the current Premier League leaders.

    So that leaves us with Walker, Smalling and Johnson. And club allegiance aside I’m going for Smalling. Walker was great against an average Sweden side but he’s inexperienced at the highest level which will count against him. Johnson, to borrow from a well known light-hearted football site who pump out quality stuff (almost) 365 days of the year, is great going forward but awful going back, plus he’s facing increased competition for his club place from Martin Kelly (again, the Euros will come to soon but another great right back for the future). So for me it’s Smalling. Champions League experience, Premier League winner and when everyone’s fit I think he’ll be United’s first choice right back. Capello plumped for him over the rest against Bulgaria and Wales and when everyone is fit I think that will continue.

    LB: Ashley Cole

    Again, really, who else? Leighton Baines is a great left-back but he lacks the experience and class of Cole. You might not like him but he’s the best we’ve got and unless he suffers some serious injury problems in the next few years he’ll probably overtake Peter Shilton as our best capped player. That will be horrible.

    Alternatives? Aside from Baines you’ve got Joleon Lescott (a centre back), Stephen Warnock (average), Kieran Gibbs (injury prone), Martin Kelly (really a right back)…and that’s about it, unless someone wants to call Phil Neville?

    CB: Phil Jones

    Capello is clearly a big fan and he’s getting a lot of game time both in the league and Champions League. I see Jones being groomed as the future and getting the ball playing centre half role, especially after the comparisons to Hierro and Baresi this week. He’s also got the perfect mentor at club level in Rio Ferdinand.

    Rio himself will still want to be first choice, and if he stays fit for the rest of the season maybe he will be, but the only way I can see him making the squad is an injury/racist shaming for John Terry (he’s not going to take two old carthorses). Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka resumed their excellent partnership from the Everton days at the weekend and will be a good shout to go given that both are versatile (to the extent that Jagielka is probably 4th choice keeper at the moment) but I think Gary Cahill might be the unfortunate one to miss out given his lack of versatility and experience. A shame because he’s performed well whenever called upon at international level.

    CB: John Terry

    It’s an if, and a very big if. If John Terry is cleared of all racism charges (and we’ve all seen the youtube video) then he will lead England into the Euros. Otherwise I fully expect a centre half pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones. If he is cleared however then I expect Rio to be left at home altogether (give the younger, more versatile lads some experience) and “JT” (shudder) to captain us. Not sure how I’d feel about him raising the trophy but there you go.

    CM: Scott Parker

    It’s a straight shoot out between Scott Parker and Gareth Barry in midfield and the only advantage Barry has is that he’s left footed.

    That’s not to say that Barry is poor, to be fair to him he’s come on leaps and bounds since South Africa for both club and country, but Parker is just what the England midfield needs. He looks like he’d run himself into the ground for his country (and regularly does so), and for a defensive midfield spoiler he’s got as good a shot and range of passing as I’ve seen.

    The only alternatives that are arguably good enough are the perennially unfit Owen Hargreaves and the perennially offensive Joey Barton. Unless either has a spectacular run up to the season it already looks like a lost cause. Likewise Michael Carrick looks like his international career is over, I’m sure many will shed a tear…

    CM: Jack Wilshere

    The slightly more attacking central midfielder, the Pirlo to Parker’s Gattuso if you will, will be Jack Wilshere…if he’s fit. Frank Lampard gets a lot of stick but very few midfielders have his record at club and international level and he will go to the Euros. But the young, dynamic Wilshere should start, especially if he’s managed to string a good run together for Arsenal.

    Behind those two there’s Tom Cleverley, who will be cursing the London riots for cancelling his debut opportunity and his injuries for falling behind Jack Rodwell in the pecking order. Rodwell looked like a breath of fresh air but if everyone is fit and firing I think he’ll miss out. Jordan Henderson will pay the price for a slow start at Liverpool but he’ll get his chance to shine at the Olympics.

    AM: Steven Gerrard

    Another big question mark. If he’s fit, he’ll be England’s driving force in the absence of Rooney. If he’s not we best hope that there’s someone to fill the gap until Rooney returns, should we make it through.

    The only other player who could fill this role is Ashley Young. He has the skill, vision, drive and attitude, plus Stewart Downing is just waiting to come in one the left. But Gerrard’s track record and drive mean he’ll play an essential role in any England success.

    RW: James Milner

    A favourite of mine, despite the foul shirt he currently wears at club level. Milner has pace, skill and goalscoring ability in buckets plus he offers versatility going back (indeed he could probably fit easily into seven of the eleven positions if required). Theo Walcott might have the electric pace but he lacks the final product, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is probably a better shout for 2014. I think that Walcott might find himself on the unfortunate end of a dropping for the second international tournament running unless he can find some electric club form because Capello will want a squad for all scenarios and the likes of Milner give a lot more.

    Meanwhile spare a thought for Matt Jarvis, incredibly an England cap winner in the last year to little fan fare (if only his much-lauded move to Liverpool had come off), and Aaron Lennon, who Capello now seems permanently out of love with. I’m sure he’ll be ok come next autumn should ‘Arry take over.

    LW: Ashley Young

    England’s player of 2011, and the man who makes our attacking offering look a lot more dangerous. Stewart Downing has had a good 18 months but it’s his former team mate who provides a spark and looks a lot more like he’s going to do something special.

    A lot will depend on Young’s fitness (it seems to blight a lot of this team) but when he’s fit and on form he’s top quality. He’s shown great tenacity for United so far this season and this could be his tournament. He and Downing will almost certainly go but it’s worth an outside bet on Joe Cole. He looks rejuvenated playing for Lille and he could offer England that little bit of genius they’ll miss without Rooney.

    God I sound like a tabloid hack calling for Michael Owen to go.

    ST: Danny Welbeck

    Darren Bent will probably start, and I’d say Zamora is probably ahead in the pecking order, but I think it could be Danny Welbeck.

    Same again…he’s a bit injury prone and a lot will depend upon that and how often he features for United, but Welbeck is the man to step up and do an Owen 98 or Rooney 04. He’s quick, skilful, good in the air and scores goals as well as creating them, and if he starts the tournament well he can link up easily with Rooney upon his return.

    Zamora is the man to play a Heskey “doesn’t score but offers a lot of endeavour and link play” role, Darren Bent scores but won’t have anything in his arsenal to test the Spains, Hollands or Germanys. Then you’re looking at Jermain Defoe who seems to be past his peak, Andy Carroll who seems to have gone for lifestyle over success for both England and Liverpool and Daniel Sturridge who really didn’t look like he gave a f*ck against Sweden. Gaby Agbonlahor would be a nice outside bet but is very much a form player and Peter Crouch will probably spend a few years in the international wilderness a la Heskey before returning as a professional nuisance in a few years time.

    So there you have it. On current form my squad would be…

    GK: Joe Hart, Rob Green, John Ruddy

    DF: Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, John Terry, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka

    MF: Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, James Milner

    ST: Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent, Bobby Zamora

     

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