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Hull and Burnley have shown lack of ambition

When Hull City announced that they had appointed Iain Dowie as their new boss I had the same feeling I had when Burnley appointed Brian Laws. The feeling was that the club is preparing for life in the Championship already. Ambition The lack of ambition... Read more »

Will Martin O’Neill leave Villa to gain greater success?

The fact that Aston Villa face Manchester United in the Carling Cup final tomorrow got me thinking, (dangerous I know!) Will Martin O’Neill ever achieve greater success in his managerial career? For the Irishman it’s his third League Cup final, having... Read more »

The standard of League One surprisingly high

As I was flicking through the TV guide last night I came across some live football. I thought great live football, but then I read on that it was a League One game. I had second thoughts about watching the game between Bristol Rovers and Charlton, but... Read more »

Who will replace Ashley Cole if he doesn’t make the World Cup?

It seems that England are undergoing one blow after another. Firstly there was the John Terry scandal and on Wednesday it got worse for England’s World Cup hopes. England’s first choice left-back Ashley Cole in a clash with Everton’s Landon Donovan... Read more »

European Championship groups drawn to suit bigger nations

Before we’ve even had the World Cup, the draw for European Championships in 2012 has been made. Now what jumps out at me straight away is that there is a big name in each group. I know well worked out Einstein! However I do have a point (somewhere!). Sure I... Read more »

How can Arsenal compete with the big guns in the future?

Arsenal’s last three results have basically ended their challenge for the Premier League title. Chelsea and Manchester United both proved that the Gunners are not yet ready to challenge for the Premier League title. So what are Arsenal’s main problems... Read more »

Quiet deadline day in January transfer window

The usual flurries of transfers on the deadline day of the transfer window didn’t seem to happen. The last few minutes of the transfer window are usual quite exciting but this year was dull. Only one major player moved clubs and that was after the English... Read more »

Bargains to be had in English lower leagues

Yesterday Tim Cahill marked his 150th league start for Everton with the winning goal at Wigan’s DW Stadium. He has proved an incredible success for the Toffees and considering Everton paid just £1.5million for the Aussie he’s proved a steal. Everton... Read more »

Will Van the Man prove a success at Hamburg?

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has joined Bundesliga side Hamburg to extend his career at the top level of football. Despite reported interest from the Premier League, he has decided to try his luck in Germany instead. First Team At 33 years-old the Dutch striker... Read more »

CAN semi-final gives food for thought for next summer

I haven’t seen much of the African Cup of Nations this year but from what I have seen the competition has proved interesting to say the least. The first 38 minutes of yesterday’s semi-final between Algeria and Egypt was quite uneventful but then burst... Read more »

Scotland the great for managers

I recently read a superb article about the 50 most influential managers in the last 50 years. Something struck me just how many came from Scotland. There were quite a few Scottish coaches on the list. Two of those changed the history of English football... Read more »

Loan moves perfect for young players development

This week two of the most promising players from Manchester United and Manchester City have joined smaller clubs on loan to gain first team experience. Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has joined United’s North West rivals Preston North End.... Read more »

Is the balance of power about to shift in Milan?

This evening we will see one of biggest derbies in the world. None of the recent Milan derbies between AC Milan and Internazionale (Inter) has meant as much as tonight’s. Chance The reason for the excitement around this fixture is the fact that... Read more »

Are Tottenham good enough to qualify for the Champions League?

Earlier this season I predicted that Tottenham would win the race for fourth place in the Premier League and clinch a Champions League spot. Doubts A reader of my editorials made a valid point that Tottenham’s defence wasn’t good enough for... Read more »

Players come back to haunt former clubs

This week two players have came back to haunt their favourite clubs. The two players I’m talking about are Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez and Arsenal defender Sol Campbell. They came back to haunt their old clubs in very different ways though. Carlos... Read more »

Should Ronaldinho go to the World Cup?

As I watched Ronaldinho terrorise Siena for AC Milan at the San Siro on Sunday, it took me back to the halcyon days of his career at Barcelona. It took me back to the days of the smiling assassin receiving a standing ovation at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu,... Read more »

Mancini’s City still in decent shape despite defeat

Everybody was talking about Saturday’s game with Everton being Roberto Mancini’s first real test as Manchester City boss. It proved too tough a test as Everton outplayed their North West rivals and won 2-0 at a heaving Goodison Park. Form City have... Read more »

Should Rafa Benitez leave Liverpool?

I almost feel sorry for Liverpool fans at the moment (almost!). Liverpool’s 2-1 home defeat to Reading in the FA Cup replay and the draw with Stoke illustrated why Liverpool are struggling this season. Inspiration Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard... Read more »

Is Roberto Mancini a temporary fix at Manchester City?

The sacking of Mark Hughes as Manchester City boss wasn’t really a surprise. The fact that he was replaced by former Inter boss Roberto Mancini surprised me slightly. I wasn’t that impressed with the former Lazio striker when he was Inter... Read more »

Bundesliga can show Premier League the way

I recently read that Bundesliga clubs have agreed to keep clubs in the hands of members. The only clubs in the Bundesliga that aren’t currently owned by their club members are Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen, who were founded as work sides. 50 plus... Read more »

City owners inpatient in sacking Mark Hughes

So just like Santa Claus Mark Hughes has got the sack this Christmas. Bad Christmas jokes apart, I think Manchester City have been harsh on the former Wales boss. Successor lined up Mark Hughes insisted he had no knowledge of his fate till after the game.... Read more »

Interesting Champions League draw for English sides

The draw for the knockout stages of the Champions League has thrown up some very interesting ties for the Premier League sides. It’s also brought some big personalities back to familiar surroundings. Familiar faces The draw has brought together... Read more »

Multinationals the key to Swiss success

Switzerland won their first ever World Cup at any level in the Under-17 World Cup recently. They beat the highly rated Nigerians in the finals, to complete an unexpected victory. Success at all levels Swiss football has been in the doldrums in recent... Read more »

Foreign investors could destroy Premier League clubs

There is a common factor at Liverpool, Portsmouth and West Ham. That common factor is that foreign investors have put the clubs in major financial trouble. Money men Don’t get me wrong I don’t think that major foreign investment is a bad thing... Read more »

Struggling duo get capital results on Saturday

Struggling Wolves and Everton picked up very good results in London yesterday. Wolves 1-0 victory at Tottenham took almost everybody by surprise. Everton’s 3-3 draw at Chelsea was almost as surprising considering the players that were unavailable... Read more »

African Nations Cup a World Cup preview

The African Nations Cup kicks off in January and we will see some of the teams taking part in next year’s World Cup. Some major European teams will be losing some top talent to the competition, including Premier League and La Liga sides. Favourites... Read more »

English teams hoping for favourable draw in Champions League

Three out of the four English teams involved in the Champions League have won their groups. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United found their groups almost too easy at times. Surely the knockout stages will prove slightly more difficult for the three... Read more »

Is Donovan set for a Premier League move?

According to most of newspapers in Britain, my club Everton are about to complete the loan signing of USA legend Landon Donovan. The LA Galaxy star could complete a similar move to David Beckham’s move to AC Milan. Moving to the Premier League then... Read more »

Agent rules out Lazio move for Cigarini

Napoli ace Luca Cigarini will not join Lazio in the January transfer window, according to his agent Francesco Romano. The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Lazio as part of a deal that will see Cristian Ledesma join Napoli. “Cigarini is... Read more »

Do Arsenal need another striker?

Arsenal losing striker Robin Van Persie was a disaster for the club. The Dutchman is a touch above all the other strikers in Arsene Wenger’s squad. Lack of options Arsenal really don’t have that many other options up front. They have Eduardo,... Read more »