Hodgson unsurprisingly out – Kenny Dalglish in
Roy Hodgson has finally ended his bad half-season in charge of Liverpool leaving the club “By mutual consent”. He’s been replaced by Kenny Dalglish, the former Liverpool player and manager, who was trying to get himself into the frame for the job in the summer.
Roy has had a torrid time of it at Liverpool – partly self inflicted, partly doomed from the very start. He was of course appointed in the dying days of the Tom Hicks and George Gillett owndership, which allowed him little money to rebuild from the start, but the signings he did made were shakey, or in the case of Raul Merelies played hopelessly out of position.
Liverpool’s support is so passionate, perhaps more overtly so than any other side in the league* and Hodgson’s calmer more tactical way of addressing the media and fans and habit of never upsetting anyone meant he never could feel the supporters embrace.
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Ronaldinho to…Blackburn. Of Course!
By: Rob |
16 Comments
Ronaldinho-Brasil.jpgRonaldinho’s brother and agent has confirmed that the Brazilian former-genius is in talks with Blackburn (and another, unnamed Premier League club) about a move away from Milan. Apparently Blackburn, who made everyone sit up and take notice when they sacked Sam Allardyce for absolutely [...]
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Allardyce axed as Blackburn’s owners state ambition
By: Rob | 7 Comments
Curious. Sam Allardyce has been sacked as manager of Blackburn Rovers, with the owners citing “Ambition” as the reason they want a new manager.
This obviously bears some similarties to Chris Hughton being axed last week, both clubs who had varying degrees of success in the 90s, but [...]
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Carlos Tevez and the battle for Man City’s Soul
By: Rob | 6 Comments
So Manchester City have confirmed not only that Carlos Tevez has requested a transfer, but also that that request has been turned down. Tevez is reportedly homesick, missing his two daughters in Argentina, highlighting that City can throw as much money as they like at the players, they can’t keep them happy with just that. [...]
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Trigger Happy Newcastle sack Chris Hughton
By: Rob | 13 Comments
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has sensationally sacked Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton, deciding that the club needs “more experience” to move forward. Another astonshingly bad PR move from Ashley, just as everyone was beginning to forget about him.
Two years ago, in a previous spell as Caretaker [...]
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A Carling Cup Win or Staying in the Prem?
By: Rob | 7 Comments
There is a really interesting article in today’s Daily Mirror (usually the home of random transfer speculation, but occasional good opinion writing) from a West Ham fan, stating he’d rather win the Carling Cup and go down, than stay up and lose a semi-final. The Hammers beat Man United, 4-0 last night, and despite being [...]
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Roundup: Chelsea cool off, Arsenal hold on, and Berba hits five
By: Rob | 6 Comments
Another great weekend of football has been and gone, the first weekend in Premier League history* that all 20 teams have played, and all 20 have scored. A mixed bag at the top of the league. Dimitar Berbatov – once compared on this blog to Juan Sebastian Veron - scored five goals in a season, [...]
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Spurs shock Arsenal as comeback ends Away run
By: Rob | 9 Comments
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I sort of had a feeling yesterday, when writing my preview, that with all the talk about Spurs awful record away at Big Four teams that they would end it. Its often the case that when everyone is talking about it, that is all the inspiration you need.
But at half [...]
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I’m Back, So to the Weekend’s Action!
By: Rob | 6 Comments
I realise I’ve been a bit AWOL here at the Premier League offside, and i can only apologise and hope it never happens again, and that i’ll be even better than before. I did say hope, not promise.
A good weekend of Premier League action ahead, but [...]
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Spurs overwhelm Inter, as Bale shines yet again
By: Rob | 8 Comments
Two years ago – two years ago and a bit actually – Harry Redknapp became Spurs manager. were looking awful, struggling in the table, generally looking lacklustre. Its pretty unbelievable that just two years later, they have not only beaten the European Champions, but overwhelmed them. The best player in the park, as he [...]
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Team News
West Brom vs Man Utd Report (Ferguson bows out with a final record in goal mania game)
After celebrating his 1499th game at Old Trafford last week, Utd fans had one final opportunity to witness Sir Alex's Reds in action away to West Brom yesterday. Personally, I didn't want the game to ever go ahead. I didn't want to witness the moment where the whistle blew, signalling the end of the game, a game that has been 39 years long, completely unique and utterly special. Unrepeatable. Irreplaceable. But the team bus drew up to the Hawthorns, the teams ran out, and the last 90 minutes of Sir Alex's career were played out. And what a crazy 90 minutes they were.
May 21, 2013 | Read this article...
Deja Sodding Vu
I really cannot be arsed to repeat myself. I see little point in writing the exact same article again so I'll simply supply a link to the old one as it is clearly a 'one size fits all' point of view for any given season. No doubt I'll be able ...
May 19, 2013 | Read this article...
Utd News Roundup and preview of Fergie's last game
I perhaps should have done this earlier, because there has been plenty of Utd-related news strolling across the bottom of Sky Sports News this week. So let's run through some little news bites and see where we go....
May 18, 2013 | Read this article...
Fergie's Farewell: The Master and one of his greatest apprentices bow out of Old Trafford
And so, 26 years, 6 months and 7 days after his appointment, Sir Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford looking to oversee his final encounter in the stadium he has made home. A capacity crowd of 75,572 were in attendance to show their appreciation for the work of the greatest club manager the football world has ever seen. A man who took a struggling side and made them into champions, not just once, but 13 times. A man who built a side, and built another, and more still, each achieving success in their own right. A man who has become synonymous with the name, Manchester United Football Club. A man who has written an enormous chapter of the club's history. They were there to watch him turn the last but one page, the last ever in front of his followers, the last in front of the stand that will forever bear his name. Sir Alex Ferguson. The Greatest.
May 13, 2013 | Read this article...
Moyes is the man for Manchester United
Well, in the last few moments, the fastest moving and most important sports news story of the year has thrown us the expected, with the confirmation that David Moyes will become the new Manchester United manager. Over the last day or so, Moyes' name had come firmly to the front of the likelihood list, and now it is a done deal. This will come into effect on July 1, with Moyes signing a SIX-year deal. With the length of the contract, it signals a very strong vote of confidence from the Utd management, with a unanimous approval from the board.
May 09, 2013 | Read this article...
Thank you Sir Alex, the greatest manager of our time
The shock of the news of Sir Alex's retirement this morning hit me more than any sports story I have ever read. Can I write a fitting tribute? No, I am not a good enough writer. It is a time every Utd fan knew would come one day, but like ...
May 08, 2013 | Read this article...
Man Utd vs Chelsea Match Report (The fire's gone out for the Reds as Chelsea look to Champions League place)
I suppose the key point to make before we start is the fact that Utd have nothing left to play for, whereas Chelsea still have to do the business to get a Champions League place. They'll be aware Arsenal and Tottenham are watching their games with interest and for a large part of yesterday, with pleasure. For Utd, after clawing back to a draw last week, the chance was there to put in a carefree performance. Instead it was as sluggish as a sluggish man caught in a particular sticky and sluggish marsh. The team lacked a cutting edge in the same way a spoon does, and it was incredibly boring to watch. But, if only in the interest of completeness, review it we shall.
May 06, 2013 | Read this article...
Arsenal vs Man Utd Match Report (Robin's return to the Emirates)
Utd fans have had their excitement for this week already, so in the interests of natural balance, it could be said that the match against Arsenal was always going to be a bit more in the ilk of a middle-of-the-table clash. Many things tried beforehand to point to the contrary. Yes, the Reds may have enjoyed a cold beverage or six during the week, but there was the record points haul on offer? It's all about records, right, to be the best of the best? Beside that, there was the Arsenal guard of honour, classily organised, but understandably not adhered to by some Gunners fans, with their players effectively applauding ex-main man RVP on getting some silverware that they haven't got. In nautical terms, a bit like the captain leaving the boat first (Hey, you're the big man - get back here!). That would be enough to get Arsenal riled up enough to get a good performance out of them, and by association, Utd. So perhaps not a damp squib?
Apr 29, 2013 | Read this article...
Wolves set for second successive relegation
Wolves fell to defeat with a bit of a whimper against a team that had nothing to play for at Molineux on Saturday and so virtually secured their own piece of history by being the only team relegated from the top two divisions in successive seasons twice. The last time ...
Apr 28, 2013 | Read this article...
Wolves have two matches to save their skin
The defeat at Charlton on Saturday saw Wolves return to the relegation positions, and now there are only two games left to achieve an improved league position and preserve their Championship status. The faith that they can avoid a second successive drop in divisions is being stretched to the limit ...
Apr 23, 2013 | Read this article...
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