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 →
Video: Where Has Freddy Adu Gone?
In The Stands’ Rolly Pelovangu examines the development of Freddy Adu, the young American soccer player once tipped to be the next great world beater.
Does the name Fredua Koranteng “Freddy” Adu ring any bells to In The Stands fans? If no then where have you been the last eight years? If yes, then can you also name the team that Freddy Adu – ‘the next big thing’ plays for?
Thought not! And so it is. Born on June 2, 1989, in Tema, Ghana, Adu arrived in the United States at the ... Continue Reading →
5 Things We HATE About Football
From conniving cheats, pitch violence, spurious transfer rumours and ridiculous attempts at the impossible, the In The Stands team showcases 5 things we hate about ‘the beautiful game’!
We at In The Stands will be amongst the last to besmirch the beautiful game. After all, football runs deep in our blood.
Nevertheless, after a somewhat unpleasant debate, and in the wake of the mounting criticism of ‘boring boring Spain’, we have managed to (admittedly through gritted teeth) compile ... 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 →
‘Never Forget’ No. 4 – Luis Figo
The latest instalment of our weekly feature – ‘Never Forget’ – looks at one of Portugal’s outstanding players to emerge from the so called ‘Golden Generation’ – Luis Figo. Cristiano Ronaldo take note!
Sublime skill, breathtaking ball control, tantalizing touches and flamboyant flicks – just some of the many adjectives used to describe the playing style of Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo.
Indeed, with the national team currently struggling to ... 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 →
In The Stands: Never Forget – No.3 Paul Gascoigne
In The Stands’ weekly feature – Never Forget – delves into the archives to pay homage to the stars who have transcended the ‘beautiful game’ over the past 15 years. In our third instalment we look at the legendary English midfield maestro Paul Gascoigne.
Everyone knows ‘Gazza’; that’s Paul John Gascoigne the now retired English football legend who had spells with Newcastle United, Rangers and Italian giants Lazio to name but a few clubs.
Gazza was blessed with ... Continue Reading →
Laurent Blanc – The Birth of A Legend?
As a player, Laurent Blanc was one of France’s most loved and respected servants – a composed and calm sweeper who read the game superbly and was big and physical, he was a key component of the side which won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
But success as a player does not always equate to success as a manager; just ask Diego Maradona. Blanc, however, in contrast to the hapless Argentina legend, always seemed to have qualities that would translate well to the dugout.
Nicknamed ‘Le ... Continue Reading →
Never Forget: No. 2 Dennis Bergkamp
In the second instalment of our hugely popular ‘Never Forget’ series In The Stands looks at Arsenal and Holland legend Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp.
“Dennis is the best player I have ever played with as a partner. It is a dream for a striker to have him in the team with you,” Thierry Henry once said of his former striker partner.
You’d struggle to get a better description of the Dutchman, although Ian Wright comes close.
“He’s the messiah. We told him ... Continue Reading →
Video: Best Ever Football Manager Celebrations
After Patrick Vieira bemoaned the fact that England and England bosses lack the passion to win major tournaments, In The Stands’ Rolly Pelovangu looks back at some great managerial celebrations from recent years.
Speaking to the Daily Mail French and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira insisted that the Three Lions lack pride and, in recent years, have not been led well by the man in the dugout.
‘When you look at the kind of midfield that England have had, with Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and ... Continue Reading →
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