Right Man For The Job

Fabio Capello breezed into town as the new manager of England promising his English will be so much better when he takes charge of his new squad.

There is no doubt in my mind that the FA have made a great choice, there were other people on the list who also fall into that category but Capello got the nod.

The "we want an English manager" brigade have had their say, Paul Ince was said to be upset that a non English manager was selected, well Paul I've news for you, most of the football supporters in this country are upset we haven't qualified for the European Championships and we know the nationality of the guy responsible for that.

Fact: No living English manager has won the European Cup.

Fact: No English Manager has ever won the Premier League.

The FA had to go foreign, no ifs or buts about that.

There will be so much rubbish wrote about Capello between now and his first game (and so much more after) but the simple facts remain, he is a winner and his list of trophies is second to none, he knows how to deal with players and he is an ex international.

The FA should back him to the hilt, him and his backroom staff and the English Football team might just give us all something to shout about again.

England, My England.

The dust has settled on the English Football teams debacle against Croatia, Steve McClaren has been spared the ignominy of falling on his sword and quite rightly shown the door by the F.A, all the players who played on Wednesday night (and even some that didn't) were roundly booed in their premiership matches today and the merry go round that is, has begun to find the next England manager.

All the usual suspects are thrown into the mix and a few new candidates.

The England managerial position is considered to be one of the best in the world, lets face it, its not that difficult, about 12 games a year, the best (English) players to pick from and a pretty solid coaching structure right down to grass roots level.

McClaren should never ever have been given the job, he was a decent coach at Man Utd but there is a lot of decent coaches at a lot of clubs, many of whom the average football fan will never have even heard of.

As a manager, he was nothing short of a joke, his tactical awareness was naive at best and his man management skills left a lot to be desired, it was plainly obvious that he didn't have the respect of his players.

So, who is going to replace him. Once again there are a few footballing luminaries clamouring for an English manager, are they having a laugh, who?

Sam Allardyce is currently heading for the sack at Newcastle, he did a decent job at Bolton, but did they ever win anything? ditto Alan Curbishley, Harry Redknapp would be very interesting but seriously, after that we start to run out of candidates.

So we need to go foreign, if (and its a big if) hes interested, the FA should be hammering Jose Mourinhos door down (assuming Wengers not interested).

If these two are crossed off the list then Fabio Capello has to be a contender, his record is impeccable (his English not so apparently). Martin O'Neill would be a good choice (at least hes British) but I'm not sure hes quite got the passion for it. Jurgen Klinsmann? give me a break.

Football is now more than ever a global game and although Sven had his critics, his record as England Manger was actually extremely good, he was criticised mainly for his lack of passion but tactically he was a very astute manager and his knowledge of the game was spot on.

This is what England need, not a British bulldog who would die for his country but a clever tactician who can read his opponents and can get the best out of the current decent crop of English payers.

And does the English Football system need a complete overhaul? The answer is a resounding no, we just need a decent manager.

Out Of Africa

Once again, it time for The African Nations bandwagon to roll into town.
The opening match kicks off on the 20th January next year and the tournament finishes 10th February, the venue, Ghana.
More than a few years back this wouldn't have meant much to European Football but in an age of multi cultural teams and a great many Africans playing in the Top leagues in England, Spain, Italy and the rest of Europe, it is time for the bellyaching to begin.
Many of Europe's top managers have already gone on record bemoaning the fact the tournament kicks off bang in the middle of Europe's domestic season.
Avrim Grant and Chelsea will lose four first team regulars and has joined a long list of managers ruing the nations cup.
Senegal captain and Bolton forward El Hadji Diouf has recently gone on record asking the administrators to review the timing of the event.
Since 1968 the Nations Cup has been held every two years and although it is rarely played without its lions share of problems it is a major spectacle in the World footballing calendar.
European clubs have in the past laughably said they will stop signing African players and may demand that their top players take up international retirement. This isn't going to happen so what is the solution.

The Conféderation Africaine de Football reckon the tournament is held in January and February because it is the rainy season in June and July and much of Africa is under water in that period.

Now I'm no meteorologist and I don't wish to sound flippant but this is Africa we are talking about, its a big place, is the weather really that bad that it would mean you couldn't play football matches for two months and just when is the South African World Cup due to kick off, that's right, 11th June.

Money must (as always ) come into the equation, if the Nations Cup moved to summer it could quite conceivably be competing with the World Cup,European Championships or the Summer Olympics and this would hit the Africans TV rights and the like.

Surely the answer then would be to move it to an odd year and we could then look forward to a Football tournament every summer.

Whatever the outcome, you can see both sides of the coin, Europe's top managers are well aware of the situation when they buy African players and football squads (especially in England) are usually big enough to cope with any forced absentees, but when it comes round to May and some top club has once again failed to fulfil their potential, you can bet your bottom dollar that the absence of vital players during the African Nations Cup will be high on most managers list of excuses.

Fantasy Football Update,The Smear Campaign

Just a quick update on my Fantasy Football season, I am now leading the league at work (and have been for a few weeks now). I am actually into the top 2000 now, 1936 to be precise so I am chuffed to bits.

There has been a few accusations thrown at me over ultra negative tactics, I currently have (8 including the goalie) defensive players in my side and a midfielder up front but they keep clocking up the points.

I have also been accused of poaching players that are playing well for other teams and putting them into my line up, Clint Dempsey (above) been an example.

All I can say is I'm top of the league and no-one would be bleating if they were above me

Memoirs of a York City Fan

Bootham Crescent

York City Football Club now languish in the Blue Square Premier League. At the time of writing they are just above the relegation zone after a terrible start to the season although their form has improved over recent games picking up 2 victories and a creditable draw at Oxford.

I first started following City in the 1981-82 Season when the club was languishing (notice a pattern here) in the lower reaches of Division 4.

It was a first round league cup game against the once mighty Sheffield United who had now fallen on hard times and found themselves in the same division as City.

Although City were well beaten, the game whetted my appetite and Bootham Crescent became my second home for the next ten years or so.

Most of that season was a struggle and York finally 17th after spending most of the year flirting with Re-Election.

1982-1983 was the season everything changed. Denis Smith was appointed player Manager (after a spell on loan the season before) and Viv Busby became his assistant.

After a slow start City became unbeatable at home scoring a hatful of goals and it was only their indifferent away form that prevented them finishing higher than seventh (remember no play offs in them days). I went to my very first away game that season visiting Halifax Town, City were 2-0 down with about five minutes to play and me and many others left early to make sure we caught the train back only for York to pull it back to 2-2, would you believe it.

The next season was the big one 1983-84 was a record breaking season in more ways than one.

I never missed a home game that season (and wouldn't again until 1987), I also started to follow the boys away from home more often. City were pretty much unbeatable that season especially after Christmas as they embarked on a long run without defeat, highlights included victories at Peterbrough, Bury and Colchester and the 1-1 draw at Chester that clinched promotion which is where I managed to nick the corner flag (which I think I still have somewhere). Chester fans reacted to our draw by putting the coach window in but we drove back home (on a pretty chilly night) full of high spirits. The coach window was also put through at Mansfield which was visited smack bang in the middle of the miners strike and I think most of the Mansfield fans were venting their fury out on the City supporters as they pelted the coach-park with stones (good practice for the clashes with the police on the picket lies I'm sure).

City were the first side in history to reach 100 points and won their first ever trophy.

1984-1985 is my favourite season I had following York, i only missed 6 games home and away (and I spent all the time unemployed(happy days)).

Great memories that season included the famous dispatch of Arsenal in the FA Cup and the subsequent matches against Liverpool. City finished 8th in the league. Great away days included Brentford, Lincoln, Derby County and Cambridge where city's game was one of only about 8 on that day due to heavy snow, they played with an orange ball and ended up winning 4-0.There was also a impressive kickabout on the pitch for the fans at half time.

I was also arrested at Rotherham that season for allegedly painting a Police Car with paint that was hanging around in the toilets (Not guilty).

The coppers behaved like they were in an episode of "life On Mars" that day, believe me, a hang up from the recent miners strike I was led to believe.

1985-1986 was a very similar season the the one before, City this time finished 7th and again reached the FA Cup 5th Round. This time though they were robbed at Anfield, Tony Canham scored a perfectly good goal to put York 2-1 up but the referee disallowed it and to this day, I and thousands of other city fans don`t know why (Liverpool ended up winning 3-1 in extra time and you have to remember they were then, as they are now, one of the best sides in Europe).

More excellent away days followed, fond memories of Plymouth where city drew 2-2 in an excellent match and the coach broke down in Birmingham on the way but we still managed to get into the ground about 5mins before kick off. Wolves and Swansea were also experiences.

The next few seasons were nothing seasons really 1986-1987 City finished 20th just above the relegation zone and Denis Smith departed York for Sunderland.

1987-1988 was a terrible season, Bobby Saxton took over the reigns as City Manager but to be fair to him he inherited a squad all out of contract and moving on, I believe on his first day in office, he possibly had 2 players signed up, Derek Hood and Marco Gabbiadini.

Only real highlights of the season for me were a home victory over Sunderland and an away trip to Leeds in the League Cup where we scraped a 1-1 draw.

City ended up relegated and only avoided bottom place on the last day of the season.

My home record fell that season after a trip to the dentist for a tooth extraction.

I remember standing on the terraces all alone(most of my mates had stopped going) in serious agony as the cold seeped into my newly acquired hole in my gums and it was there and then I decided to stop devoting my life to the City.

I began working on a Saturday in 1989 and my trips to Bootham Crescent became more and more sporadic, I was still managing the odd away game but the people going were changing and the atmosphere for me was different.

The 1992-1993 season was the last time I went to a City away game. First there was Bury in the Play-off semi final in which City ground out a dour 0-0 draw which set them up for a 1-0 victory at Bootham Crescent, then it was on to Wembley for the final against Crewe. City ended up victorious after a penalty shoot-out and I and a few friends paid £17 ( seemed like a lot of money in them days) for a taxi back to Kings Cross so we could get the train back to York for wild celebrations. I also met my future wife that night for the first time so all in all a pretty successful day.

From then on I was content with the odd home game here and there, I saw two successive 3-2 victories (one against Everton in the League Cup, one against Millwall where the ball burst twice) in the 96-97 season that were as good as anything I have seen on a football pitch.

I seriously regret not going to Old Trafford when City won 3-0, I also seriously regret not going to Millwall way back in 1984 when I had the chance (too many beers the night before).

The last time I visited Bootham Crescent (for a game) was their last season in the league, they were actually doing quite well, it was the 2003-4 season and they were near the top of the table (this was probably around late September). I took my then 5yr old son and he was bored stiff at Half time and was begging me to take him home. I didnt and City ran out 2-1 winners against a half decent Bristol Rovers side who finished 15th that season.

Although I`m pretty sure there are many more City fans out there who have been to a lot more games than me, I still consider myself a loyal fan. I have some great memories of my time following City and remember fondly trips with the York Nomads, The York City Travel Club and numerous train trips to the capital and beyond.

For me, it would be just nice to see City back in the league, they nearly managed it last season so you never know, it may take a few years but they will do it one day.

Favourite City player of all time, without a doubt Big Keith Walwyn.

Just do me a favour, get rid of Kit Kat Crescent and bring back Bootham.

Artificial Excuses

Refreshing to note Steve McClaren not making excuses about Russia's Artificial pitch after England's defeat at the Luznikhi Stadium in Moscow.

UEFA allowed the use of"plastic pitches" from the beginning of the 2005-06 season mainly for clubs from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe who would possibly be playing in the Champions League in the middle of a severe winter.

I remember visiting a very cold Loftus Road (home of QPR) way back in 1984 and leaning over the advertising boards to steal a piece of Astroturf which the London club had installed in 1981.

This wasn't artificial grass, this was like a piece of matting you could get at B&Q.

QPR were the first British club to install a plastic pitch and were followed by Luton, Oldham and Preston but the pitches were much maligned and were heavily criticised for shortening players careers.

Twenty years on though and Modern science has improved the Artificial pitch no end and Legendary footballers Jean Pierre Papin,Karl Heinz Riedle and Ian Rush were present when Scottish Club Dunfermline unveiled their new plastic pitch in 2003. Rush was quoted as saying (about the pitch) "It is the way forward for Europe. It has give in it like grass and always gives a true bounce."

Unfortunately this didn't hold much sway with the SPL who banned Artificial pitches in 2005 after complaints from visiting clubs(particularly Rangers and Celtic).

In sporting terms plastic grass first made its debut in the Houston Astrodome in Texas in 1966 and has earned a bad reputation ever since but as we edge ever further from the 20th Century and into the 21st, could Artificial pitches become commonplace in sport.

Grass costs money and is difficult to maintain in extreme weather, many sports have already approved the use of artificial pitches including Rugby Union, Rugby League and Tennis and as many lower league football clubs look to maximise their assets and cut their costs, the appeal of plastic is becoming undeniable.

Their will always be critics but in an age when we can clone sheep and graft ears on to peoples arms then surely we can make a man made surface as good as grass.

It may not be a plastic revolution but it will be worth watching developments over the next few years.

FANTASY FOOTBALL RE-BORN

Well into Fantasy Football at the moment.

Am in a league at work, joined the Metro( daily newspaper given away free on public transport in the North of England) competition and entered my team of world beaters imaginatively named The Enforcers.

Very exciting as there are only 3 points separating 1st and 3rd in our league (I am currently 2nd) and studying my teams form on a Saturday morning and making the required transfers(you are allowed three a month) has now become the highlight of my week.

I made some inspired choices at the beginning of the season, Fabregas and Vidic have racked up the points while my defence has been very solid although the choice of Obi Mikel (a natural midfielder) in defence has not quite paid off, especially after his sending off on Sunday.
My forwards haven`t really fired but I sacrificed big name strikers for a solid defence (Reyna in goal) and an outstanding manager (Ferguson).

My current team is

1 Reyna (Liverpool)
2 Vidic (Man Utd)
3 Mikel (Chelsea)
4 Clichy Arsenal
5 Richards (Man City)
6 Johnston (Man City)
7 Fabregas (Arsenal)
8 Warnock (Blackburn)
9 Jagielka(Everton)
10 Dempsey (Fulham)
11 Forssell (Birmingham)

Highest position I have been is 2117 which is pretty good considering there is possibly over 250000 people in it.

I will update things at a later stage

The Special One has gone

The beautiful game is a little less beautiful as Jose Mourinho has left Chelsea by mutual consent(just what the hell does that mean anyway).

I am not a Chelsea fan but without a doubt this is a sad sad day for football and the media. This guy was the best thing to happen in football management since Brian Clough first breezed into the Victoria Ground at Hartlepool.

For a guy on around six million pounds a year (and remember that's what it took to build the bionic man) he seemed pretty unhappy most if not all of the time (check the websites for photos and see if you can find a picture of him smiling), what were the reasons for his dour expressions we can only guess at.

His management skills can not be called into question, 2 titles in 2 years and an FA Cup and League Cup but what made this guy special was his attitude and his raincoat and his so quotable quotes, these are some of the best

"Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one."Introducing himself to the English press after arriving from Porto in 2004.

"For me, pressure is bird flu. I'm feeling a lot of pressure with the problem in Scotland. It's not fun and I'm more scared of it than football."Insisting his side wouldn't catch a cold as Man Utd breathed down their necks.

"It's like having a blanket that is too small for the bed. You pull the blanket up to keep your chest warm and your feet stick out. I cannot buy a bigger blanket because the supermarket is closed. But the blanket is made of cashmere!"On the injury 'crisis' at Chelsea in February.


"The style of how we play is very important. But it is omelette's and eggs. No eggs - no omelette's! It depends on the quality of the eggs. In the supermarket you have class one, two or class three eggs and some are more expensive than others and some give you better omelette's. So when the class one eggs are in Waitrose and you cannot go there, you have a problem."What turned out to be his parting shot to Roman Abramovich.

Mourinho and the extra special one
"It all depends on my wife. If I am at home, yes, I will see it. But maybe my wife would like to go somewhere. I would like to see it - I like to see football and it is a big game. But maybe I will have no permission."Waiting to hear whether he'd be allowed to watch Arsenal-Man Utd.

"A brilliant reaction. I hate it when players just walk off."Following Arjen Robben's sharp exit down the tunnel after being substituted against Aston Villa.

"When I saw Rijkaard entering the referee's dressing room I couldn't believe it. When Drogba was sent off I didn't get surprised."Claiming Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard had met with Anders Frisk at half-time in their Champions League tie.

"If you ask me if I jump with happiness when I know Mr Poll is our referee? No."Not a fan of Graham Poll.

"Wenger has a real problem with us and I think he is what you call in England a voyeur. He is someone who likes to watch other people. There are some guys who, when they are at home, have this big telescope to look into the homes of other people and see what is happening. Wenger must be one of them - and it is a sickness."Astonishing attack on Arsene Wenger.

"Three years without a Premiership title? I don't think I would still be in a job."Putting the boot into Rafa Benitez.

"Many great managers have never won the Champions League - a big example is not far from us."Reminding Wenger there's only room for one Special One in London.

"This is the only time we have had to play before United and that's because we control the fixtures. Just imagine if we didn't control them!"Hitting back at Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that Chelsea engineered their game with Tottenham to take place just 39 hours after Spurs' Uefa Cup match in Seville.

"How do you say 'cheating' in Catalan? Barcelona is a cultural city with many great theatres and this boy has learned very well. He's learned play acting."Claiming Lionel Messi got Asier Del Horno sent off in a Champions League defeat by Barcelona.

"During the afternoon it rained only in this stadium - our kit man saw it - they tried everything. There must be a micro climate here."Bemoaning Blackburn's pitch-watering tactics after the Blues' hard-fought win at Ewood Park.

ENGLAND 3 RUSSIA O 12th SEPT 2007

The boys done well, no disputing that. Excellent performance last night against a decent side.
Is this a new era after the Erickson safety first half decade.
I don`t think McClarens the man to lead England, I don`t think he has the technical nous but if he goes on to win the Euro Championship then i`m sure he will become a national hero.
England look a better side without relying on Rooney, Lampard is the most overrated player in the country and Beckham should never have been re-called.
It is truly amazing that Gareth Barry has not played more for his country, I have been telling people that for years (not that anyone ever listens to me).
Michael Owen is a legend, I can not believe the amount of people who write him off. The two greatest sporting highlights of my life are Ian Bothams Headingly 100 against the Aussies in 1981 and Owens goal against the Argies in the 1998 World Cup.
In defence we look flashy if not solid, Ashley Cole does not convince me as a defender but I like Richards and you can`t argue with Terry and Ferdinand (well you could but they earn a lot more money than me and could afford good lawyers).
We should qualify now, we might not even need a result on the Astro-Turf in Russia if results go our way. We might even be joined by the chilly Jockos after their superb result in France