The recriminations following Sam Allardyce’s bizarre sacking at Ewood Park continued in earnest this week, as rookie coach Steve Kean was handed the responsibility of guiding the Blackburn ship for the rest of the season. Club captain, Chris Samba, has since announced his desire to leave the Lancashire club, although Kean has maintained that this request is a long standing one and has nothing to do with his recent appointment.
Even so, Blackburn fans will view the appointment as being a major, unnecessary risk despite Kean’s behind the scenes experience both in England and abroad.
Tony Pulis should have no such worries about his job security, having done an excellent job in the top flight over the last two and a half seasons. His attentions have moved from pure Premier League survival to attaining a top-half finish, the Stoke squad at his disposal now has some serious quality.
Ewood Park remains a real fortress for Blackburn, and Kean’s success with the club will depend on maintaining this status. Their inability to put a limited West Ham side away during last weekend’s snow affected fixture was hardly a promising start, however I can see the new Blackburn boss getting his first win here this weekend. Whether this will placate player concerns about his suitability remains to be seen.
Although it may not seem strange to us now, but seeing Manchester’s top two clubs battle it out at the top of the Premier League hasn’t been a regular occurrence. Obviously, money has played a massive part; Manchester City’s billionaire owner has bank-rolled them straight into title-winning contention. But more than just another team entering this season’s enthralling hunt for glory, are we now seeing a shift in power? Is Manchester becoming the new London?
Manchester United have dominated large proportions of Premier League years. But discounting Blackburn Rovers’ year of glory, their only rivals have normally been from the capital. Despite going without a trophy since 2005, Arsenal always have been, and, always will be, a threat. Chelsea are the current champions – that says enough about their quality. But as United managed to carry on their unbeaten record with a draw against another rival from London; Tottenham, their real concern is the team who reside right across the city.
Whether or not you agree with the way they have muscled themselves into contention is another matter. The fact remains Man City are in with a real chance of winning the Premier League, and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will know that better than anyone. The 69-year-old Scot tries his best to talk down his ‘noisy neighbours’ but as it stands, the team sitting second in the league are the closet challengers to United reclaiming the Premier League.
So what does that say about the rest? We’ve all been impressed by Spurs this season, but realistically the chances of them actually winning the league are slim to none. Arsenal still look lightweight, whereas Chelsea don’t look half the side they were last season.
Manchester is the place to be. United welcome City to Old Trafford next month and it could be a decisive game in the race for the title. Many have the opinion that City will fail because they lack experience. As a club, yes, maybe. But individually, most of the players have been there, won the trophy and got the t-shirt.
They certainly have enough to win the league, and once they win one, it could start a spell of dominance for the Eastlands club. As long as Sir Alex is in charge, United won’t let their rivals run away with the league year after year, but other than the Red Devils, does anybody else have enough?
If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich refuses to pump the club with money as he has previously done, they can’t expect t keep up with City or United for much longer. Arsene Wenger’s policies mean Arsenal are unlikely to invest when they probably need to, and you have to wonder how long Spurs can keep hold of the likes of Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart.
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This is by no means a certainty, but the signs are there. Since its existence, Manchester has been the Premier League trophy’s home for 11 years and counting. London has been a second home, but it could be a while before we see the coveted honour return to the capital. Manchester has the money, and could have power for years to come.
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We all know that Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers of his generation – what we were reminded of last week though is what a graceless man he can be too.
I am biased against him though, but he doesn’t make it difficult to hate him, not that any United fans will care, nor should they.
Darren Ferguson was sacked at the end of last week, a decision not that surprising considering their results and poor league position – the club itself is in a very poor financial position, making the need to avoid relegation almost their last chance of salvation, and the need for loan signings all the greater.
Alex Ferguson though was known to be furious at the sacking, as is his right – he will rightly be protective of his family.
But this does not make what he did next defensible – in fact it was beyond the pale. He immediately recalled 2 United players on loan at Preston, and a third player receiving treatment for an injury back in Manchester has clearly been advised not to return.
Why he has done this is clear – revenge. But taking him and the clubs out of this, the people who suffer most out of all of this is the players themselves. They wanted to stay – they want to develop and want time on the pitch to help do this – but they are being used as pawns in a petty argument. And it hardly helps United to have these players back at United playing in the reserves. No doubt they will soon be loaned out somewhere else, but there’s no guarantee they will play.
Defenders of Ferguson will point out the loans only happened as a favour to his son, so once he is not there, the favour is no longer needed – but I hardly see this as an excuse as it makes a mockery of the whole system – the system is not there for old pals’ networks and favours.
On the surface Tony Pulis’s decision to then recall two of his players from Preston reeks of one of Ferguson’s bunch of acolytes doing as he was told. Ferguson was busy yesterday criticising Arsene Wenger for criticising the style of play of Stoke while Pulis was keen to point out United would have first refusal on Shawcross. It seems however that Pulis had talked of recalling the players two weeks previously in a press conference, so fair enough. Don’t expect any of these players to appear near a Premiership football pitch anytime soon though.
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Ferguson protects his family – a Panorama programme questioning his agent son is the reason he still refuses to speak to the BBC. But perhaps for once he should put personal prejudices and nepotism to one side and do what’s best for his club and his players.
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Aston Villa’s new record signing, Darren Bent, became an instant hero as a goal on his debut was enough to see off Manchester City.
The 24-million-pound man was given a rapturous welcome by the Villa Park faithful beforehand, and he repaid them in the best possible way, with his 18th minute striking sealing a 1-0 result.
Of the early exchanges City looked more threatening, Aleksander Kolarov drilled over free kicks and corners but no one could get on the end to convert.
Villa weathered the early storm and Bent’s magic moment came when Gabby Agbonlahor played a ball through to Ashley Young. His curling effort was well saved by Joe Hart, but Bent was on hand to convert the rebound.
City were almost level four minutes later when Vincent Kompany’s header was expertly tipped over by Brad Friedel.
And ex-Villa man Gareth Barry went even closer, heading a Jerome Boateng cross inches wide.
Villa finished the first half stronger and Hart had to be alert to get behind efforts from Ashley Young and Stewart Downing.
And the City keeper was busy again in the 66th minute, diving low to palm away another long-range Young effort.
Manchester City stepped up the pressure, while Villa were content to sit deep and catch them on the break.
But it was certainly an off day for the visitors as, while they had plenty of possession, they were frustrated in front of goal.
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James Collins in particular was a rock in the Villa defence, making some outstanding goal-saving blocks, the best averting a Carlos Tevez volley from close range with 12 minutes to go.
Nigel de Jong looked to have rescued a point with seven minutes left, but his 20-yard drive took a lucky deflection off Ciaran Clark and then the post.
Seconds later Edin Dzeko headed a great chance wide from close range, and Kolarov saw another shot deflected wide before hitting another into the stand.
Another game tonight between two out form clubs at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton are without a win in their last five League games whilst Wolves have one of the worst away records in the division. Owen Coyle will welcome loan signing Daniel Sturridge into his squad to boost his team’s chances of scoring since Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies have hit a drought.
Wolves could give a debut to their new loan signing Jamie O’Hara who signed from Tottenham and could recall Kevin Doyle back into the squad after illness. Mick McCarthy will be hoping for a result tonight as his side look over their shoulders at the bottom of the table.
Bolton who made a great start to the season have dropped down from 4th to 11th place in the last 10 weeks but they are yet to lose to a side in the bottom half of the table this season. Also, the visitors have not won in their last seven visits to Bolton which should bode in favour of the Trotters.
Prediction: 2-0
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Striker Aritz Aduriz believes Valencia can go to Schalke and win the second leg of their last 16 Champions League encounter.
The tie is finely poised after the sides drew 1-1 at the Mestalla on Tuesday, giving the Germans a slight advantage heading into the second leg.
But Aduriz believes Valencia are good enough to get a result away from home and earn their place in the last eight of the competition.
“It is an exciting game for ourselves and for everybody, as we have the chance to put ourselves among the top eight teams in Europe,” Aduriz said.
“We will try to keep on going. We have to go there (Veltins Arena) looking to score, and win the game. We will certainly do that.”
“I don’t know if I would call it the most important game of my life, but it is one of the better ties in my career. I hope to be lucky enough to play in more games like this.”
Roberto Soldado gave Valencia the lead after 17 minutes at the Mestalla on Tuesday, but a second-half strike from Spanish forward Raul gave Schalke a vital away goal.
But Aduriz said he thought the hosts deserved more from the match.
“They had chances and at times they were dangerous. We were superior for the most part,” Aduriz said.
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“We had more possession and more chances, although we lacked a cutting edge. In football, goals are what count. They make the difference, and they were what we were missing yesterday.”
“We always try to be consistent for the whole game, in terms of intensity and pace. When you come up against a tough opponent, this is more difficult.”
The Cult Hero in football is a romantic and sentimental side to the beautiful game that will never fade away. In today’s game, the cult hero is even more important with the vast amount of money involved with the sport and the multi-media coverage of the top players in the game. So forget Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, even your Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand at least for the time being as I construct the essential ingredients as to what makes a Cult Hero.
When constructing the recent Top TEN Cult Hero article, I had a list of 50 odd players and probably even more if I kept on researching. The fact is, the cult hero is in abundance in the game and this week they should be celebrated because without them, it just wouldn’t be football as we know it! But what makes a cult hero? The standards are pretty high and wide so let’s go through some of the necessary traits…..
The Unsung Hero – The player that does not make the headlines but always gives 110% without fail. He may not get on the score sheet often or be partial to a step over or a Cruyff turn but when he’s out of the team you realise what an important player he is. Ian Holloway summed up this type of player with this funny quote : “It’s all very well having a great pianist playing but it’s no good if you haven’t got anyone to get the piano on the stage in the first place, otherwise the pianist would be standing there with no bloody piano to play.”
The Eccentric – This player is all about personality. Whether it’s the comedy factor of Jimmy Bullard or Gazza, or the crazy hairstyles like Marc Bircham or Taribo West, there is something about them than the average footballer. Or it could be players like Andrei Kanchelskis or Lee Trundle who liked to do some showboating on the pitch, check them out on YouTube for your own entertainment. Also the likes of former USA defender Alexi Lalas fit this bill perfectly.
The Trouble Maker – The pantomime villain that the opposition love to hate but you love him for exactly that. Whether it’s the exuberant tackles or moaning to the referee, it’s always a fiery encounter when they are on the field. Robbie Savage deserves a mention here although he could also fit the eccentric side of things with his flowing blonde hair. Other shouts have to be Vinnie Jones and FFC’s very own Neil Ruddock, without these types of players football wouldn’t have character.
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Mr Football Club – Joining the club as a young boy and playing out his whole career at the club. This Cult Hero is in the fans’ hearts forever although he may not have been the best they’ve ever seen, his loyalty is seen as something far greater. Southampton can boast a fair few of these players with the likes of Matthew Le Tissier, Jason Dodd and Francis Benali. Also former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Steve Bull, these types of cult hero’s are usually involved with the club long after they retire.
The Foreigner – Perhaps more favourable away from the top clubs where players from abroad are in abundance, the foreign signing can become a bit of a cult favourite amongst a section of supporters. I fondly remember the likes of Argentinean left back Gino Padula at QPR who looked a bit out of place playing in the old Division Two but was admired at Loftus Road during his time there. Other shouts have to go to ‘Nobby’ Solano of Newcastle and Richard Sneekes at West Bromwich Albion, let’s not forget Juninho and Emerson at Middlesbrough.
It’s in the Name – Everyone loves a good football chant and some players’ names are just asking for it and in return they become a hit with the fans. It wasn’t that long ago down at QPR where we had Doudou and Shittu playing in the same team, other names include the likes of Uwe Fuchs (Middlesbrough, Millwall) and Joseph Desire-Job. It does not have to be a funny name for a popular chant amongst the terraces, I have a dozen of examples I could use to prove my point but such language would not be appropriate.
So bad, they’re good – In some cases the Cult Hero stems from the player being so bad that they actually have an ironic following by supporters. That striker who never seems to score but always finds a way into the first team, Carl Leaburn anybody? Or it could be the likes of former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen or current Watford defender Lloyd Doyley who score once every solar eclipse but the fans love to shout ‘shoot!’ whenever they get the ball.
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One Hit Wonder – Ever heard of Jimmy Glass? He is a Carlisle United legend despite only making 3 appearances for the club on loan. Why? Because the Goalkeeper scored, yes scored, an injury time winner back in 1999 in the last game of the season which kept the Cumbrian side in the Football League.
These are the archetypes of the Football Cult Hero, please feel free to comment with your own cult heroes below or alternatively tell me on Twitter – @verbal_football
An Idol. An inspiration. A Hero. A Trailblazer. A Martyr. These types of words are banded around frequently and liberally for all manner of people these days (except perhaps martyr, which does come with the relatively sturdy and mandatory requirement of death) be they entertainment celebrities, sportsmen or charismatic if ultimately ideologically barren politicians. These are words we’re all too familiar with and mostly for the wrong reasons. They are also all words that are seldom if ever used to describe the one and only top-flight footballer – in the world – to come out as gay, Justin Fashanu.
Don’t get me wrong, Fashanu was not necessarily any of these things (though he’s surely as close to a martyr as football will ever get, even if football didn’t play a direct role in his death – a myth that still perseveres today, acting as a scare story to any would be closeted players and fans.) He was – like us all – a flawed individual. Notoriously difficult to work with, with a reputation for being aggressive and opinionated on the training field and often courted the media gratuitously in that age-old celebrity duality of being both the user and the used by the tabloid press. As a footballer he ultimately failed to live up to his early billing as the first million pound black player and flopped on his first and only move to a big club. He died tragically amidst lurid allegations, a year after retiring after a journeyman career in Scotland and the US. But despite all this, his status as a trailblazer, a genuine original and an eventually bullish and motivated combatant for social progress and tolerance on two fronts – the burden and brunt of which he seemed to bare all alone – is rarely appreciated in the wider circle of public life in the way many other more trivial cases are.
It’s all too natural to lionize people after the fact, to romanticize the tragic as saintly figures and throw generous hagiography the way of anyone who’s ever performed a kind or valiant gesture in the public eye. Yet this man, for all this flaws and sadly still vain sacrifice, was a true pioneer and is still brushed under the carpet and kept out of the spotlight like an embarrassing relative when polite company calls.
Ever since that Cricketer who wasn’t actually that Snooker player came out I’ve been trying to write an article on Fashanu. The man has always struck me as a fascinating figure, and the fact that so little is known about him by so many of my age group (mid-20s) beyond his death and sexuality only added to the mystery. Unfortunately I’ve been suffering from crippling writers block, a condition, nay disease as obviously serious and important as sex addiction or compulsive eating but which never the less allowed me the time to research the subject in a more expansive way than I would’ve if I’d just knocked this up of an afternoon.
During this period of research two things struck me most prominently. Firstly, that the reaction of those closest to him was every bit as archaic and patently damaging emotionally than even the oft exaggerated passage of time had insinuated. Specifically his agent Eric Hall – who still believes there are no gay footballers – and even more strikingly his brother, the elbow mad Gladiator baiter John. John Fashanu came out after his brother’s death and expressed sadness and the belief he was at least in heaven, but had spent the aftermath of his outing relaying to the media his overt disapproval. Brian Clough, who became aware of Justin’s homosexuality long before his outing and during his stint as the worlds most expensive black footballer, expressed deep regret for his treatment of him, something it seems hard to imagine a man like Cloughie – never one to mea culpa if he didn’t have to – would admit to lightly or without significance. He certainly never apologized for punching his own players or even, on occasion, his own fans, but for this he did. That alone must lend a deal of significance to the level of treatment Justin endured during what was supposed to be the peak of his career. A career in which – it should be remembered – he was a very promising and talented player.
The other thing that stood out, and which runs almost at a contrast to the point above, is how much of his footballing persecution is mythically tied to his death. One of the most tragic things about Fashanu’s story is how it’s still used today as a scarecrow for gay players. It’s a cautionary tale, and is remembered as such by many of my age. “Don’t come out or you’ll end up like Fash.” Fashanu’s outing certainly caused the well of clubs after his signature to dry up, but he still played on for seven more years. He was even briefly made assistant manager at Torquay in 1992. He was certainly a pariah, but he wasn’t a total outcast and his death was as much the result of his personal rejections and tribulations – including his struggle with religion – as it was his professional. His suicide note told of his sadness at being presumed guilty of sexual assault in America and the embarrassment it would bring his family. A belief made all the more tragic as his guilt hadn’t been assumed, and the charge was never followed up on and had already been dropped.
And yet football continues to treat Fashanu as both it’s cautionary tale and it’s embarrassing secret. Both of which serve no purpose but to dissuade any future outings. When it suits football, it’s football’s fault, and serves as a terrifying reminder to those who wish to follow suit. When it doesn’t, it’s not, and is simply not their problem, or any reason to address it. But it’s both, and it’s all. If football wants to ignore it’s role in his decline then it can’t continue to propagate the lie that no one can survive the process, or as Max Clifford claimed in 2009 that it would “end their career in two minutes.” Paradoxically if football wants to acknowledge it’s role, then it should hold Fashanu up in a better light for fighting against it, and if he was remembered as a less tragic and more heroic figure then his legend might serve as an inspiration rather than a curse.
This was a man who came out at the end of the 80s, whilst a black footballer in still a relatively (compared to today) hostile racial football environment, whose family abandoned him, profession forsook him, and religion condemned him, each to some degree. Who still took to the pitch to play for seven more years, went on talk shows and eloquented his trials and tribulations and argued his points incredibly well for a footballer, and ploughed on strongly, and seemingly alone in the world until the burden evidently became too much.
It’s very easy for those who wish to ignore it to say “it doesn’t matter he was gay, why should we care” or other such Daily Mail comments page type wafflings seemingly designed to ignore the issue or remove it from the public consciousness with a disingenuous display of egalitarianism. It does matter, because social progress depends on people like Fashanu. It shouldn’t matter, but it does, and to ignore that is to ignore the reality of the world we live in. Only through proliferation does acceptance grow. It mattered that America had it’s first black President. It mattered that the UK had it’s first female Prime Minister and it mattered that the world had it’s first gay footballer.
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When Gareth Thomas can be admired so readily for his coming out in socially progressive 2010, why this man, who was both far more brave, far ahead of his time and far more alone, not remembered as a similar icon, or hero, or some other kind of lionized figure that he seems – in my young mind at least – to deserve? Where Fashanu failed he suffered for it greatly but where football failed, it shrugged it’s shoulders. He was a beautiful and intelligent man who was failed by many, even himself, and although it wasn’t football alone that lead to his demise, it failed him too, and he should at least be remembered much better by it. At least for the sake of those who may wish to follow in his footsteps.
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The Wanderers return to St Andrews having previously defeated the Birmingham side 3-2 in the FA Cup that booked their semi-final fixture at Wembley. They will be hoping to copy the Birmingham side that went on to win the League Cup earlier this season, especially as Bolton look to have Premier League security in 7th on the magical 40 points.
Despite City’s cup win, the Blues go into this game 2nd from bottom and Alex McLeish’s men will be hoping that his side are able to treat their remaining league fixtures, like they treated that final against Arsenal.
The Blues are without a win in their last 4 league games but welcome back key players; Nikola Zigic and Lee Bowyer from injury with also Alex Hleb tipped to return to the squad.
Owen Coyle’s made an impressive step up to management in the top flight with Bolton, top half of the table and a FA Cup semi-final coming up, however the Trotters have suffered 5 defeats and 1 draw in their last six away games in the Premier League.
With Stuart Holden’s unfortunate injury at United, Bolton are stretched for midfielders which may give Birmingham the opportunity to dominate this game. However, Bolton can boast they’re undefeated against Birmingham in the last 5 encounters.
Considering Birmingham’s league position, Alex McLeish and his team will be desperate to get out of the relegation zone and start moving up the table to avoid the drop which would certainly sour the taste of cup success. However, they will have to be on top form if they are to defeat a very competent Bolton side.
Prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
Watch Jason Cundy & Scott Minto on Scoreboard and see their pre-match predictions
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Petr Cech has admitted that Chelsea were beaten by the better side after exiting the Champions League against Manchester United.Chelsea lost 3-1 on aggregate over the two legs of their quarter-final against English rivals United.
The English Premier League leaders won the first leg 1-0 away at Stamford Bridge, before a 2-1 victory in the return at Old Trafford booked their passage to the last four at Chelsea’s expense.
The visitors finished the match with 10 men after Brazilian midfielder Ramires was shown a second yellow card with 20 minutes remaining.
“We lost both games so we can’t say that we deserved more,” Cech said.
Despite the disappointing defeats in the two legs, goalkeeper Cech insists that spirits remain high within the playing squad.
“You can see that the team is together because if you are not together then you go down to 10 men, losing 1-0 you will fall apart and we didn’t do so,” he said.
“Seven games to play, 21 points in it, so I think if you win most of the games then you can finish second. I think that our aim is to get as many points as we can.”
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is rumoured to be set for the sack at the end of the season, but Cech claims the players should share responsibility for a disappointing season.
“We win together, we lose together,” the Czech Republic international said.
“The players need to finish the season well for ourselves, the club, for everybody. We are not only playing for the manager or the owner, we are playing for the entire club.”
“It is always disappointing if you are part of a big club and you don’t win a trophy. After winning the double last season everyone thought we would defend the titles. We had a good start and then the season became difficult.”
“But we were doing well in the Champions League until the two games against United.”