Matt Jones

With the England national team on their way home from Brazil after three abject performances in the group stage, the intense coverage of the World Cup has been turned down a notch on this side of the Atlantic. There’s still plenty of excitement as we stand on the brink of the knockout stages of the tournament, but […]

It’s extremely difficult to steer clear of the hyperbole that accompanies Wayne Rooney. After all, the current plight of the Manchester United man is a fascinating one and it certainly wouldn’t feel quite right if the English media didn’t impinge their hopes onto one man in the build-up to a big game. Unfortunately for Rooney, […]

“Change” and “stability,” while obviously completely contrasting concepts, are both vital in soccer. Most would agree with the notion that a successful team is built upon the appropriate amount of each, but it’s a precarious balance to strike. After all, too much change and the players will lack familiarity and cohesion. Too little and a […]

If you aren’t really into soccer, I can’t begin to imagine how strange this time of year must be for you. Whilst the rest of the planet—quite literally—is gearing up for the World Cup, here's your chance to get up to speed on the world's most watched sports competition. The meeting of different cultures, the […]

No.14: Michael Owen Bursts Onto The World Stage (France, 1998) When it comes to World Cup memories, positive ones have been pretty scarce for England in recent years. Prosperous and promising qualifying campaigns have only paved the way for major tournament disappointment since Bobby Robson’s Three Lions side reached the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup. Penalties, […]

No.15: Brazil Crumble At The Maracana (Brazil, 1950) If there’s any moment on our list that’s most applicable heading into the 2014 World Cup, it’s perhaps this one, when Brazil last hosted the tournament 64 years ago. Back then, the format was a little different from what we are accustomed to in the modern game. Four […]