Both sides will be looking to bounce back to winning ways this weekend for very different reasons. Bolton went down 2-1 at relegation threatened Birmingham, whilst West Ham’s own relegation woes continued after the 2nd half demolition by Manchester United which ended in a 4-2 defeat at home.
Owen Coyle could put defender Zat Knight back into the first team after his return from a knee injury suffered in February. But will be without the likes of Stuart Holden and Sam Ricketts for selection after both underwent surgery for injuries.
At present there are no new injury concerns for Avram Grant and his Hammers team who sit in the relegation zone. A win at the Reebok will move them up the table and ease worries but it’ll be a tough ask against a Bolton side who have only lost one in the last ten games at the Reebok.
Although, Bolton haven’t won any of the five games that midfielder Holden has missed and with West Ham midfielders, Scott Parker and Thomas Hitzlsperger impressing, they will look to control the game.
The form guide suggests this should be a home win, with Bolton only a point behind Everton in 7th, a win would move them into a comfortable position in the table if Everton lose at Wolves. However, with the character shown by West Ham since January has been impressive and hard to beat.
Match Prediction: Bolton 1-1 West Ham
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You can get odds of 5/1 on a 1-1 draw between Bolton and West Ham!
The relationship between football and writing used to extend little beyond the occasional player autobiography – almost always not actually written by the player, but a sympathetic journalist instead – and the enthusiastic but banal content of Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly. All that started to change at the beginning of the 1990s, around the time British football was undergoing a fundamental change of image brought on by the onset of all-seater stadia and the formation of the Premier League.
When looking for positives from the accelerated commercialisation of football over the past couple of decades, the upturn in the market for books associated with the game can certainly be cited. Football fans under thirty have lived through a period blessed with a wealth of fascinating texts about the game across a broad range of subjects. We should be grateful; it wasn’t always thus.
With that in mind, I present a list of my top ten favourite football books. There are some glaring omissions – All Played Out by Pete Davies and The Glory Game by Hunter Davies, to name but two – but then that is because I haven’t got round to reading so many of the books I want to yet. There will be titles missing here that would be on other people’s lists but this, after all, without wishing to sound too morbid or threatening, is a list of books to read before you die.
Click on the book below to see the Top TEN
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The writing has been firmly scrawled on the walls at St James’ Park for some time now. It’s just a matter of when not if Jose Enrique will leave Newcastle United for pastures new. The Spaniard has continually refused to sign a new contract with his current deal ending next summer. He’s also decided to criticize the club on twitter, which can only be a ploy to hasten his move away from Tyneside. It looks like he’s off to Liverpool but if a transfer doesn’t materialise will he be welcomed back with open arms?
In his four years at the club he has improved dramatically as a footballer and matured into one of the best left backs in the country. Trying to hold onto him has been a chore although you can’t knock him for being ambitious. It’s no lie when I say that it will be a long time before Newcastle United win a trophy again, that’s a cold hard fact. Enrique craves silver wear and if he didn’t I’d think he were as unambitious as our current owner. He wants to perform at the very top and he certainly has the ability to do so.
It’s common knowledge that he’s repeatedly spurned the advances of the club as they try to convince him his future lies on Tyneside. However I do believe there is a way back for Enrique solely due to his status as a favourite with the Geordie faithful. As I’ve said his performances have been marvellous over the last few years not to mention he stuck with the club after the disastrous relegation season. A year in the Championship was the making of the man affectionately known as ‘The Bull’.
He coped superbly with the tougher climate of England’s second league and turned it up a notch last season on our return to the Premier League. His form and general love for the club endeared him and fans took him to their hearts. They now see him is one of their own. I’ve no doubt that if he went round to a fans house and asked for his clothes to be washed the matriarch would simply suggest he put them in the laundry basket with the others.
The fans adore players who play well, love the club and show commitment when things threaten to go South. Even his twitter rants last week have been excused because what he said connected with the thoughts that are already flowing from those in and around St James’ Park. Even the management can’t fault his comments even if it was foolish to air them over a social network notorious for igniting trouble with footballers. They know he is the best left back we’ve had since the days of John Beresford and they can’t hold him back if he wants to play at a club challenging for honours. We’re simply not competing at the level that Enrique strives to be at. Both the fans and management understand that.
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Personally I wouldn’t have him back simply because of his desire to force a move away from the club. I like Jose and I think he’s a fantastic footballer but the fact that he held off negotiations for months and didn’t bother to inform the club of his desire to leave was wrong. Even on the pitch his form stunk of a man who’s passion for the club was waning rapidly. Gone were the lung bursting bolts up the left replaced with frigid meanders that barely penetrated half way. Moving him on as soon as possible and bringing in a replacement that wants to play for the club should be on Alan Pardew, Derek Llambias and Mike Ashley’s mind.
There is no doubt that the fans would welcome back Enrique forgetting about his rants on twitter and determination to leave the club that gave him his chance in the Premier League in the process. Whether he’ll be staying is another issue. I firmly believe he’ll be trotting down the Anfield left wing come the first whistle of the new Premier League season.
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans is determined to make his mark on the Premier League next season.
The 23-year-old Scotland international netted 18 goals to help the Baggies return to the top-flight at the first time of asking, having made little impression two seasons ago in the Premier League.
He told the Express & star:"I feel I can still develop. There were some games last season when I came off the pitch disappointed because I still felt I could give more.
"I enjoyed the season, but I still feel I've got more to come. You can always still improve and you never stop learning."
"I am confident in my own ability that I can hold my own in the Premier League.
"I came down here when the club were in the Premier League and I was confident that I would work my way in.
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"I played a handful of games in the Premier League last time and really enjoyed it, but unfortunately I picked up an injury towards the end.
"But hopefully next season I can kick on and we can do well."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
If you think the England team has major problems, then just look what’s been going on in the French camp this summer.
The French national side look to be out of total control and in utter disarray, after several bust-ups involving staff and players has effectively ended their World Cup campaign in South Africa.
All the drama kicked off prior to the start of the World Cup when Raymond Domenech left a number of French stars including the likes of Samir Nasri, Patrick Vieira and Karim Benzema at home. Domenech omissions of these stars have left not only the French population scratching their heads, but as well as other fans around the world (including myself)
The manager has not been a popular figure amongst the players, the French press and many of the country’s fans for his tactics and team selection in the World Cup. The players body language suggest that there is a lot of friction and disharmony amongst the group, and at half-time against Mexico last week, Nicolas Anelka let rip on Domenech. The Chelsea striker is reported to have told the disillusioned manager ‘Go f*** yourself, you son of a w****’, this inevitably saw the French striker being sent home by the French Football Federation, and as such, the player will not feature in the national side any time soon.
Following Anelka’s exclusion, the French squad have since refused to train and have revolted against the FFF’s decision on sending the striker packing. The walk-out came just moments after an intense dispute between France fitness coach Robert Duverne and captain Patrice Evra boiled over, with the left-back claiming that the Anelka story had been leaked by some form of ‘traitor’.
Taking this all into consideration (and it is a lot) what would the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger make of their French stars actions in South Africa this summer?
Evra appears to be the ringleader of this ‘French circus’ following his actions and recent statements released to the media. However, with this being said, would Fergie actually care what his left-back does whilst wearing the Blue of France? It’s debatable, and this would probably be the same for Wenger with Abou Diaby, William Gallas, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna. Nevertheless, the two Premier League managers would like to see their players play football and more importantly to act in a professional manner whilst on international duty. Wenger and Fergie may be surprised to hear and see what has transpired in the French camp, although, they may have seen it coming from the start.
Many fans around the world will agree that the French players are certainly not acting in a professional manner, especially by revolting against any sort of authority, it’s just wrong to do as a footballer, period. Even if the manager is disliked and or not respected highly, it’s still the player’s job to play the game, and as such, perform well…if not for themselves then for their fans back at home and those who travelled to South Africa.
I would think that Fergie and Wenger would be slightly concerned with their player’s actions, but not overly. They would not stand for such behaviour at their clubs that’s for sure. If it were to ensue at club level at any time, then both Fergie and Wenger would unquestionably deal with the problem quickly and sufficiently. Both managers would not like to see their players in the papers for the wrong reasons, due to the fact that it may draw bad and unnecessary publicity towards their clubs. However, I would argue that whilst the players in question are not wearing their club colours, then it won’t be too much of an issue for Fergie and Wenger to worry about, but that’s just my opinion of course.
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Click image below to see a gallery of the Italian babes at the World Cup:
England's World Cup squad numbers may have given a strong indication as to which players will start the first game against the United States in Rustenburg next week.
Fabio Capello and his 23-man squad touched down in South Africa on Thursday morning before travelling to their training base at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus.
The England contingent were greeted by local dignitaries and residents in a colourful welcome ceremony before the Football Association revealed the squad numbers for the players during the tournament.
David James has been given the number one jersey despite West Ham's Robert Green being widely tipped to start as England's first-choice goalkeeper.
The widely predicated back four of Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, captain Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are numbers two, three, five and six respectively.
Peter Crouch may be given the nod to start alongside number ten Wayne Rooney in attack after being handed the number nine shirt.
Fellow strikers Jermain Defoe and Emile Heskey have been named as numbers 19 and 21 respectively.
Meanwhile, Aaron Lennon could be the set to start the tournament as the first-choice right-sided midfielder after taking the number seven jersey.
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Elsewhere in the first 11 numbers on the official list submitted to FIFA, Steven Gerrard is number four, Frank Lampard eight and Joe Cole number 11.
Following the curtain-raiser against the USA, England then play Algeria in Cape Town on June 18 before completing their Group C programme with a match against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth five days later.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Before Hodgson starts his managerial campaign at the Hawthorns in earnest, I want to revisit one last time, the topic of his time at Liverpool.
I read this week that Roy Hodgson should receive some credit, at least, for the signing of Raul Meireles. It appears that despite his poor record, both in collecting points and playing attractive football, Roy’s legacy at Liverpool could be defined through the Portuguese player. The midfielder has scored 5 times in his last six games since Hodgson left. If Meireles goes on to become a great player, Hodgson will have to take the plaudits. His goals have pleased those in defence of Hodgson, who have criticised the Liverpool team as a whole, saying that the players have been good enough all along, but just not been up for it.
I disagree with this on two levels. Firstly I think a manager’s job in the modern game is just as much about motivation as it is about tactics, and secondly, Hodgson played Meireles out of position.
I have always been a fan of Hodgson, I think he is dignified and should be respected for a long and successful career, but I just don’t think the style of football that he was insistent on, was suited to Liverpool.
He did well at Fulham, building his side around a solid defence. But teams would go to Fulham and try to win, consequently leaving themselves more exposed and open for Fulham to score. But against Liverpool, opposing teams expectations were lower. The majority of teams are happy to draw with Liverpool, home and away, so sit back and play them on the counter, or look to defend. This was something that Hodgson proved himself unable to cope with.
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Since Dalglish has arrived, he has allowed Meireles to play a more offensive role. Firstly this lets the player, who has great technique (evidenced by his string of volleys), get into goal scoring positions. Secondly it gives Lucas a more defined role. Before Lucas was one of two deep, holding midfielders, he is now on his own. In this new system, Lucas seems surer of his defensive duties and attacking limitations, he knows what is expected of him. When both central midfielders sat back it seemed that neither was sure who’s turn it was to attack or defend.
Benitez saw great success with this tactics where he had top class players in Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alosno. Once he lost Xabi, neither Lucas nor Aquilani filled this role effectively. This is part of the reason his side failed to succeed and he was sacked. Hodgson, to his own detriment, tried to replicate Benitez’s failed tactics, but since Xabi Alonso and Mascherano had already left the club, he had no chance.
Sad as I am to say it, it seems Dalglish is more in touch of what positions and roles to play the Liverpool players in. But not only does he get the best out of them tactically, he also seems to be able to motivate them in a way that Hodgson could not. You only have to look at some of the most successful managers around, see the relationships they have with their players, to believe how important being a motivator is in a modern manager. That is why Avram Grant, despite all of his tactical knowledge has been unsuccessful at Portsmouth and now West Ham, it is also one of the reasons that Holloway, and at the other end of the spectrum Mourinho, have been so good. Tactics are one thing but motivation is equally important, especially at somewhere with expectations like that of Anfield. Rather than Meireles being a beacon of what Hodgson achieved at Anfield, he will remain as a reminder of Hodgson’s tactical flaws and lack of motivational ability.
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Despite his failure at Liverpool, it is too soon to write off Hodgson as a manager, or ‘head coach’ for that matter. He can still be a great coach at WBA and his organisation of the defence would no doubt do them wonders. I hope he keeps WBA up, which won’t be an easy task, but it is a good thing for Liverpool that he has left.
Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has accused Manchester City of breaking rules over their continuing pursuit of midfielder James Milner.
The England international scored in Saturday's season-opening 3-0 victory over West Ham at Villa Park.
Milner has been linked with a £30million move to big-spending City throughout the summer after they made an initial bid for his services before the World Cup.
Villa have successfully held off City's interest in the 24-year-old midfielder, but Lerner is unhappy with the conduct of their Premier League rivals.
Twelve months ago Villa lost fellow midfielder Gareth Barry to City in similar circumstances.
"Big, bad Manchester City came along and asked for Milner and we said, 'No, he is not for sale'," Lerner told the Mail on Sunday.
"Under the rules you have to respect that. Manchester City respected that for two whole days. And then they violated the rules and came in for him again.
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"We are not a selling club. A selling club is when you let it be known that you want to sell a player, through an agent or whatever.
"That didn't happen with Gareth Barry and it didn't happen with James Milner either. As for Ashley Young, he was never going."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
After seeing some crunching tackles in the World Cup final between Spain and Holland, particularly from the Dutch, and to more specific from captain Mark van Bommel and Nigel De Jong. It got me thinking about some of the worst tackles that we’ve seen over the years so here are a compilation of the top 5 worst tackles ever:
1. Harald Schumacher on Patrick Battiston
In the semi-final of the 1982 World Cup between West Germany and France, Michel Platini fed a through ball is substitute Battiston, rather than attempt to catch the ball or block the shot, German ‘keeper Schumacher decided he would clothesline the player. As a result of the challenge Battiston was knocked unconscious, lost his two front teeth and had damaged his vertebra. Platini said that he thought he had died, because “he had no pulse and looked pale”. To top it all France weren’t even awarded a penalty and ended up losing the game on penalties
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2. Roy Keane on Alf-Inge Haland
After Roy Keane injured his cruciate ligament attempting to tackle Haland, the Norweigian lay over Keane and accused him of feigning injury to escape a punishment. Keane clearly wasn’ happy with these comments and four years later, after Haland had transferred to Man City he exacted his revenge with an awful tackle in the Manchester Derby.
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3. Paul Gascoigne on Gary Charles
In the 1991 FA Cup final between Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, Gascoigne went in for a horrific tackle on Charles which ended up having severe repercussions on himself. The challenge ended up rupturing the cruciate ligaments in Gazza’s right knee. Many people believe that had he not suffered that injury, then he would have gone on to become a much better player than he already was. To make matters worse Stuart Pearce scored from the resulting free kick that he had given away, although Tottenham did eventually win the game after extra time.
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4. Benjamin Massing on Claudio Caniggia
How do you stop a dazzling Argentinian forward getting past your defence? Why you just take him out with a a late tackle. At least that was Cameroon defender Benjamin Massing’s idea when he took out Claudio Caniggia at the 1990 World Cup. Still despite his dismissal Massing’s team were able to hold on to a 1-0 lead and record one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all time.
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5. Francesco Totti on Mario Balotelli
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Roma icon Francesco Totti decides to take a similar leaf out of Benjamin Massing’s book here to Mario Balotelli from waltzing past his defence. Except Totti’s ‘challenge’ was a lot more blatant and as the team’s captain he should know a lot better than to do that.
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Are there any tackles that you think should be on the list?
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has stated that it is unlikely that Darren Bent will leave the club in the January transfer window, despite receiving criticism of late.
The England international striker was sighted shopping during the Midlands club’s defeat to Liverpool, whilst the attacker was unavailable through injury.
Despite this, the Scottish coach has stated the importance of Bent to the Villa Park side, and feels he will not leave in the new year.
“I wouldn’t think anybody can afford Darren. I wouldn’t think so,” he told Mirror Football.
“It is very much a kind of juggling of the balls at the moment. We have got to trade carefully so that means I can’t just go into the market without there being a kind of balance.
“But losing a striker of Darren’s ability would be difficult to replace. His goals last season were a vital part of Villa’s season in terms of keeping them up,” he stated.
QPR have been linked with a move for Bent, but McLeish knows the importance of having a proven goalscorer in his side after being relegated with Birmingham last term.
“People say that strikers make the difference in this league.
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“That was something that badly affected Birmingham City last year when we lost Nikola Zigic after the League Cup final and Obafemi Martins breaking his leg was a massive blow to that club,” he concluded.