England Should Eye Double Figure Victory over San Marino!
It is almost impossible to preview the upcoming World Cup qualifier between England and San Marino this week without reminding ourselves of that San Marino goal that inflicted a final ignominy on Graham Taylor when he was the England manager that ended England’s hopes of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup.
The goal in question was scored by Davide Gualtieri and came just 8.3 seconds into the match after full back, Stuart Pearce, under hit his back pass to David Seaman and Gualtieri was on ... Continue Reading →
XI series: Sexual Innuendo XI
GK: Fabian Assmann
This Argentine goalkeeper, who currently plays for Independiente, has been given the nickname Billy Gun. (by me)
LB: Jullian Dicks
“Julian Dicks is everywhere. It’s like they’ve got eleven Dicks on the field.” – Sometimes football can be a sausage factory.
RB:Rod Fanni
Unflappable French right back for Olympique de Marseille has impressed in recent years. It’s no wonder that Wigan, Sunderland and Newcastle have been eyeing up ... Continue Reading →
Too Much Finances & Money Is Wasted In Football
In The Stands’ Rolly Pelovangu explores the world of football finance taking care not to spill his tea as he cringes at the level of money wasted in the game nowadays.
The end. And that was that. It had taken me just under 2 hours to read from cover-to-cover the ‘I am The Secret Footballer’ book written by an anonymous pro who having played the game at the highest level, now is determined to declassify all the murky details from the football world.
“It is often said that 95% of what happens ... Continue Reading →
Dan Warren’s ‘England Will Win Euro 2008′ revisited in 2012
So to the old. Today, I have decided to revisit Dan Warren’s England’s Euro 2008 winning side 9 years after the piece was first written (find it here)
Tactics:
A 5-1-2-2 Do me a favour Warren!
Goalkeeper Prediction’s:
“Chris Kirkland, 21 now, will be the world’s finest goalkeeper by 2008″
in 2012:
He’s slumming it at Championship new boys Sheffield United after shadowing at Wigan.
Defence Predictions:
“Brothers, and Rio and Anton Ferdinand will ... Continue Reading →
Robin Van Persie: Should he Stay or Should he Go?
For the pleasure of ITS, John-James Grice investigates the proverbial short-plank that Robin Van Persie now stands on…
Much of Arsenal’s achievements last season were all down to one man, Robin Van Persie. The Dutch forward enjoyed an outstanding season last year, scoring 30 goals in what turned out to be his best ever domestic season as a professional footballer. Fittingly, Van Persie was appointed Arsenal captain at the beginning of the season, following the departure of the influential, ... Continue Reading →
Should More English Players go Abroad?
The English Premiership is truly global league. Their are, in fact, 62 different nationalities represented within a mere 50,000 sq Miles. But in the other 5,730,000 sq Miles, only 35 English players, not including Scotland, are playing abroad.
The questions is; But why? Why are so many English footballers put off by the prospect of adding the experience of more technical leagues in Spain and Italy? Spanish, French and Italian players have always jumped at the chance of playing in the more phisical ... Continue Reading →
It Is Good David Beckham Was Left Out Of Olympics Team GB
David Beckham was said to be sobbing over not being picked for the Great Britain Olympic football team. In The Stands’ Rolly Pelovangu has little sympathy.
Beckham will not be featuring for Team GB come the summer. Instead the three over-23 spots have gone to Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards respectively. One word…good.
Yes, ‘Golden Balls’ is an icon and an ambassador for British football, but let’s face it, David Beckham is past it. He is a complete shadow of the ... Continue Reading →
Why Didn’t Ronaldo Take An Early Penalty Kick?
Portugal crashed out of Euro 2012 after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out defeat to Spain with talisman Cristiano Ronaldo bizarrely not even taking one. What happened?
Admittedly, without their captain, Portugal may not have even reached the last four so superb was Ronaldo’s performance in overcoming the Netherlands in the Group of Death, before easing past Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.
But, in big moments, the big men really stand up and come the penalty shoot-out, the entire continent was ... Continue Reading →
Italy Through England Out – Justice Was Done At Euro 2012
After yet another quarter-final heartbreak In The Stands’ Rolly Pelovangu celebrates the fact that footballing justice was done as Italy progressed at the expense of England.
You can’t always get what you want in life. That is a common fact and even with all the grafting and passionate fervor inimical to achieving success, it cannot and will not be the overriding guarantee to winning a major tournament.
The significance of it all? Look no further than England’s elimination at the ... Continue Reading →
Euro 2012 Exit To Spain Proves That Young France Are Still Not Ready
Spain brushed France aside 2-0 to send Les Bleus crashing out of Euro 2012 leaving In The Stands’ Rolly Pelovangu to question whether this youthfully French side are ready to win big things.
In the end it wasn’t even close. Two goals by Xabi Alonso – the second from the spot – gave holdes Spain a comfortable 2-0 win over Laurent Blanc’s men who exit the tournament with their tails between their legs.
Putting the petty squad problems aside, the reality is this France ... Continue Reading →
Euro 2012 Daily Round-Up: Fabregas Slams Pitch As Spain Draw
Cesc Fabregas slammed the state of the pitch as Spain and Italy played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in their Group C opener.
“The pitch was a disaster,” said Fabregas. “It’s lamentable to play on a pitch like that. We deserved a lot more. It’s lamentable that we still have to play on pitches like that.”
And guess what, he had a point. The state of the turf was not so much ‘a disaster’ – rather bad enough to deny the Spaniard’s the opportunity to play their free-flowing ... Continue Reading →
Euro 2012 Daily Round-Up: Netherlands Are 1 Dimensional & More…
In The Stands brings the first of its daily Euro 2012 round-ups straight from our offices to your mind with our premier opening being Holland’s 1 dimensional play and the best players of the tournament so far
The entire continent saw Holland crash and burn in their opening match with Denmark at the Euros. The 1-0 defeat coupled with Germany’s slender 1-0 win over a pitifully defensive Portugal team brutally accentuated the shortcomings of Bert van Marwijk’s men with striker Robin ... Continue Reading →
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