If last night was the most shockingly one-sided result in this World Cup, then tonight's semi-final should prove to be a much more tight and evenly matched affair. It would be astonishing to see such a one-sided game as we witnessed in Belo Horizonte yesterday, but Argentina must be wary of that sensational Dutch performance […]

As he was stretchered off the field clutching his back, Neymar yet again had an entire nation praying on his behalf. Just as they have done at every point of this World Cup, the Brazilian public set their gaze firmly and hopefully on the 22 year old attacker. So central is Neymar to this Brazil […]

June 1st 2014. Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. I´m standing at the desk of a hostel after returning from 3 days in the Amazon rainforest. As I attempt to check in for my final two nights stay in the city, the receptionist shows me a bill which amounts to more than twice what I had paid for […]

Since Sir Bobby Robson was relieved of his managerial reigns at St. James' Park, there have been a steady succession of suitors to his throne. Most notable and arguably most successful was Chris Hughton who was ignominiously sacked by villainous millionaire owner Mike Ashley. After that disgraceful dismissal last October, Alan Pardew was handed the […]

As the famous saying goes, football is a gentlemen's game played by hooligans and rugby is a hooligans game played by gentlemen, but whether or not you agree with such a sentiment, it is hard to argue that football is a sport now worthy of it's tag as the 'beautiful game', especially when compared to […]

So, you've made it. All those schoolboy daydreams have become a reality and you're a top class Premier League footballer. Fans adore your every touch of the ball, your manager gushes about your talents to the media, beautiful women scramble to get near you, your car only cost you two weeks wages, but it's Italian, […]

Since returning to the managerial spotlight at Anfield, Kenny Dalglish has set about constructing a Liverpool team with a solid core and an old-fashioned British mentality. Although several of Liverpool's squad possess overseas passports, the transformation of the sides core has a particularly home-grown feel. At the back we can expect to see the ever reliable Jamie Carragher […]

Much has been made of Daniel Sturridge’s torrid start to his loan spell at Bolton, scoring in each of his first three appearances with the club. But with the arrival of Sturridge and his instant emergence as Bolton’s most dangerous finisher, it remains to be seen what Owen Coyle will do when it comes to […]

Well the epic survival Sunday is now over and it included tears flooding in Newcastle and Middlesbrough – not to mention Fulham qualifying for Europe and Ricky Sbragia quitting as manager of Sunderland. We now turn our attention to the Championship final tomorrow at Wembley between Sheffield United and Burnley, contesting for that precious final place in the Premier League. […]

It has been announced after Sunderland's home defeat to Chelsea, Ricky Sbragia has stepped down -despite avoiding relegation. Sbragia initially took over at the Stadium Of Light in December as caretaker manager in the wake of Roy Keane's departure. Following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, Sbragia went on to take seven points from the next […]

Before todays mixed signals coming from the Giussepi Mezza, we were 90% sure that Carlo Ancelotti was coming to Chelsea. However, there is still a strong possibility of this and we expect to find out this week. Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani confirmed last week that the club will make a statement on Ancelotti's future this coming monday, […]

With West Bromwich Albion's fate sealed last week we can now prepare ourselves for a dramatic conclusion to the Premier League season on Sunday. The neutral (including yours truly) will relish it and will want to see as many twists and turns as possible. Anyone supporters involved will have struggled to sleep for a week. We all have our […]

With his international career apparently over and his club's Premier League status under major threat it begs the question, 'What will happen to Micheal Owen'? On 30 June 1998, 18 year-old Michael Owen's name resonated around the football world after scoring THAT goal for England against Argentina. Michael James Owen had made his debut just a year previously, […]

When Gianfranco Zola got back on the team bus from Goodison Park yesterday he could be forgiven for thinking "Only one more week and we can get this club sorted out". Gianfranco Zola is a legend of English football – particularly at West Ham's city rivals Chelsea. A connection that may have initially made some hammers […]

On 27 May the last meaningful game (apart from the FA Cup Final) involving an English club will take place this season. That is of course the Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona – a nice little birthday present for me. It will be an even better week for me should my team prevail at Wembley on […]