Number 15 January
30
2017
Marco
van Basten – radical thinking or just plain ridiculous
The off-side law is
certainly a massive bone of contention, probably causing most disputes at
amateur level. We have all ranted and screamed at club linesmen who rarely give
a correct off side decision because of bias, a lack of understanding of the law
and not being up with play; a referee’s worst nightmare. At professional level
at least, the assistant referees are none of the above but with the current law
as it is, they make mistakes. Technology could check off-side decisions but
games need to flow, not be more stop start than a rush hour traffic queue or
American football. It would help if the law was simplified because as it currently
stands, it is easier to explain cricket’s LBW rule to a Frenchman. But what
would happen if the law was scrapped and there was no off-side? It would be a
completely different game and potentially the physiology of the defenders would
change. They would stay in and around the penalty area so bulk and heading
ability would replace stamina and pace as the chief requirements of a centre
back. Interestingly last week, one of the most talented strikers of all time
suggested just that. All of us of a certain age will remember one of the
greatest goals ever scored. European Championships 1988 and with the volley of
all volleys, Marco van Basten ensured that Holland would be champions. The
Dutchman, who became a legend in Milan and has since managed the Dutch national
side, is now a Technical Director at FIFA. In an effort to improve the quality
of the game, he is advocating a worldwide discussion on a series of radical
changes, some of which are eminently sensible. Unfortunately, stuck somewhere
in the middle of them all is the abolition of the off-side law. To be fair to him,
he hopes to improve the flow, eradicate the midfield log jams which the offside
law causes and encourage forward rather than sideways/ backwards passing. I
think this is a ridiculous suggestion but I do see where he is coming from. The
current offside law surely can be improved upon so what about a line perhaps 25
yards out with offside only applying goal side of it. More midfield space would
be created and athleticism from all players would still be required; surely one
of the game’s attractions. Football and its offside law needs to change but it
does not require its rule book to be ripped apart with a chain saw as MvB is
suggesting. A touch of evolution not revolution please.
LIVERPOOL
FC: Their finest hour
From 1976 to 1985, Liverpool was the best club side in the world.
They dominated the domestic league and with 4 European Cup wins out of 5 finals
plus a UEFA Cup victory, they were unstoppable. Without the Heysel tragedy and
the subsequent banning of English clubs from Europe, Dalglish’s double winning
side would have brought back further silverware. Such was their mastery that success
was taken as read, so for their finest hour, I am choosing a night which no-one
saw coming. In June 2004, the club appointed Rafa Benitez as their new manager,
the first Spaniard to manage in the Premier League. He arrived to find that the
top players were threatening to jump ship. He could not prevent Owen going to
Real Madrid but persuaded Gerrard to ignore the overtures from Chelsea,
appointing him captain. He wielded the cheque book, buying Djibril Cisse, Luis
Garcia and Xabi Alonso. The domestic season was disappointing, a 5th
place finish and a 1-0 defeat at Burnley in Round 3 of the FA Cup. Milan Baros
was leading goal scorer with a paltry 9 goals but they reached the League Cup
Final, losing 3-2 to Chelsea after extra time. The Champions’ League form was
initially no better. They scraped through the group stage, beating Olympiacos in
their final game to pip the Greeks for second place and suddenly it was a
different story. Bayer Leverkusen was beaten home and away, they beat Juventus
2-1 at Anfield and clung on for a goalless draw in the second leg in Turin to
meet Chelsea in the semi-final. Only 1 goal was scored in two controversial
matches, Luis Garcia’s goal proving decisive. Half of Liverpool was now hell
bent on booking tickets for Istanbul where the mighty AC Milan awaited. The
Italian superstars totally dominated and led 3-0 with goals from Maldini and a
Crespo brace. Sunderland fans would have walked out at half time and watching
in my lounge in Great Harwood, it really did feel all over. But cometh the
hour, cometh Steven Gerrard and for 15 minutes he played like a man possessed. He
headed home Riise’s cross and immediately afterwards, Smicer scored from long
range. “Stevie” was then upended in the box. Alonso took the penalty, Dida
saved, the Spaniard rammed home the rebound and the scores were level. For the
subsequent 30 minutes and a further half hour of extra time, Milano pressurised
the Liverpool goal but the much maligned Jerzy Dudek stopped everything thrown
at him before becoming the hero of the penalty shoot-out. He made 2 wonderful
saves, using his “spaghetti legs” routine to distract Shevchenko as he took the
final penalty of the game. Liverpool, with converted penalties from Hamann,
Cisse and Smicer, had won their 5th European title and Istanbul
became a sea of red in what was Liverpool’s finest hour.
Jerzy Dudek holds the trophy.
Performances of the last week
Sheffield United 0 Fleetwood Town 2 (EFL
Division1)
Each
away trip is becoming a joyful pilgrimage for the Cod Army as they have once
more travelled home victorious, buoyed by goals from Conor McLaughlin and
Devante Cole. The Sheffield club has a long history but it was the “Johnny come
latelies” who triumphed at Bramall Lane, long time home of the current league
leaders. Bolton stands in the way of automatic promotion but a 12 game unbeaten
run can become the foundation for success.
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 3 (FA
Cup Round 4)
Gabriel
de Jesus has arrived, exquisitely setting up Sterling’s goal. Leroy Sane scored
his third in 3 so are we seeing signs of a new Pep side? Kompany was another
who completed 90 minutes and we soon may see the long awaited first choice
centre back pairing when John Stones returns to the fray. Palace were poor so
this is not necessarily an indicator of a Sky Blue revival, but at least the
success starved fans have something to shout about.
Vincent Kompany; a career riddled with
injuries
The pick of the non-league results
Barrow performed magnificently on Tuesday to record a
3-0 victory over leaders and 2017 giant killers supreme, Lincoln City. The
Seagulls crept into the play-off places with this victory but unfortunately crept
out again on Saturday when losing 3-2 at home to Forest Green Rovers, the
National League’s 2nd best side. In the National League North, Salford moved into 4th
position by winning 3-0 at near neighbours FC
United of Manchester whilst Curzon
Ashton continued their fine run by replicating Salford’s score at Darlington.
Warrington Town came from behind to draw 3-3 at 3rd
placed Buxton in the Northern Premier and in Division 1 North, Trafford slipped up, only drawing 2-2
at home to Clitheroe. In the same
league, Colne keep on climbing
following a 3-0 win at Ramsbottom
United.
Rain
wiped out most of the North West Counties League programme but both Chadderton at Eccleshall and Widnes at home to AFC
Blackpool knocked in 7 goals in Division 1.
Wythenshawe Amateurs beat Springhead
1-0 at the top of the Manchester Premier League.
Games
to look forward to this week
Watford v Burnley (Premier League) Saturday February
4, 15.00
We have waited half a season for
Rooney to break Sir Bobby’s Old Trafford record but the wait for Burnley’s
first away win goes on and on. A quite unexpected goalless draw at Old Trafford
is their solitary return on their travels, but giving credit where credit is due;
their season so far has exceeded all expectations. Watford is a punter’s
nightmare because of their unpredictability but they represent a golden
opportunity for Dyche’s men to break their duck at a club where their “gaffer” has
previously been captain and manager.
Milton
Keynes Dons v Bolton Wanderers (EFL Division 1) Saturday February 4, 15.00
As the good people of Bolton were singing Auld
Lang Syne, the Wanderers were sitting pretty at the top of the league having
just beaten leaders Scunthorpe United. A month later following 3 defeats and 2 draws;
they are now engaged in a promotion dog fight. MK Dons are down in 15th
place and eminently beatable, but it is the sort of away fixture that they have
to start winning if an immediate return to the Championship is to happen.
David Wheater; ex Middlesbrough and now Bolton
centre back
Accrington
Stanley v Notts County (EFL Division 2) Saturday February 4, 15.00
While Stanley were bravely going down 1-0 on
Saturday to a Stuart Downing individual goal at Middlesbrough, both Notts
County and Newport County were winning, causing the bottom 5 in League 2 to
concertina together. Stanley is neither a poor side nor a desperate side, but
they are in 20th place with 26 points whereas Leyton Orient in 23rd
position has just 1 point less. John Coleman has been here before and is
sufficiently experienced to find an escape route but these are worrying times
for the Stanley faithful.
Lancaster
City v Farsley Celtic (Northern Premier League 1 North) Saturday Feb 4, 15.00
It is arguably the Red Rose County’s match of
the day. Lancaster top the table and Farsley are 5 points behind, but the Yorkshiremen
have 2 games in hand. Whoever can win on Saturday will certainly feel the
benefit at the end of the season. Can Phil Brown’s city slickers grab the
points and move into their comfort zone?
Quiz
of the Week (Answers at the foot of the
Blog)
All of the answers have Red Rose
County connections
1
Who
was the official club captain of Liverpool FC from 2002 – 2005, preceding
Steven Gerrard in that role?
2
Who
is the only current Premier League manager other than Mark Hughes to have
scored a goal in the semi-final of the FA Cup?
An
extremely young Mark Hughes
3
Which
Everton player has made 615 appearances in the Premier League, second only to
Ryan Giggs?
4
Which
current Manchester United player made his England debut in 2001 as a substitute
for David Beckham, two years prior to Rooney’s 1st cap?
5
Which
Manchester City goalkeeper holds the record for most club appearances?
6
Andy
Cole and which other striker scored the Blackburn Rovers goals in their 2-1
triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in the 2002 League Cup Final?
7
In
2007, which Preston North End player became the first to win an England cap
since Sir Tom Finney, scoring a goal v Andorra?
Tom
Finney; the famous “splash” picture at Stamford Bridge
8
Who
did Blackpool sign from Wycombe Wanderers in 2010 for £350,000 and sold to
Queen’s Park Rangers for £5million in 2013?
9
Which
Red Rose County club striker scored England’s only goal in their 2014 Brazil
World Cup opening game v Italy?
10
Who
is the only English international to have scored in 3 separate World Cup
Tournaments?
Post Weekend
Musings
Shane
Long’s last minute winner at Anfield in the League Cup semi-final robbed us of
a second consecutive Red Rose County final in this competition. It has also
presented Manchester United with a golden opportunity to pull level with
Liverpool as the most successful English club of all time. If they can master
Southampton at Wembley, it will be 41-41 in terms of European and domestic successes.
Arsenal is way back in 3rd place with 29 titles.
Sadly,
Atherton Collieries exited the FA Vase to Cleethorpes Town on Saturday. The
Wigan side had led 2-0 with goals from Mark Battersby and Gareth Peet but
succumbed in the final minute of the tie. This ends all North West interest in
the competition for this season.
Ever
since he arrived in England in 2004, I have found it difficult to like Jose
Mourinho. I respect his successes and he has to be on anyone’s top ten list of all-time
great managers. His “work in progress” at Old Trafford is almost complete, but
why does he have to behave so poorly in front of the press. To call his
performance after the Hull City game childlike is an insult to all Primary
school pupils. I could accept his rationale for suggesting a change in the
score if he would do the same when United are beneficiaries of a poor
refereeing decision but that will never happen. He may be a nice guy in private
but in public, his attitude stinks.
It
is the last throw of the dice on Saturday for the Red Rose County with regard
to non-league national competitions. Barrow entertains Kidderminster Harriers
in the last 16 of the FA Trophy. The Worcestershire club, with allegedly the
best pies in the country, has been in the Football League recently. Last season
they dropped into the National League North, although they are currently
holding the runner’s up spot. Barrow will be favourites……just.
Four
Red Rose County clubs in the last 16 of the FA Cup is par for the course and it
ought to be 3 in the quarter finals of what is a bonanza of a draw for Premier
League clubs. City will have to be careful at a much improved Huddersfield Town
but will be favourites. Burnley at Turf Moor can beat anyone so Lincoln’s
magical mystery tour will reach the terminus. The only all North West tie is in
Blackburn but the struggling Rovers have little chance against Manchester
United, the Premier League’s second most consistent side at the moment.
Elliott Bennett scoring a screamer against
Blackpool at Ewood Park in the last round
The
transfer window closes this week, late on Tuesday evening and there may of
course be an explosion of transfers as the clock ticks down. So far there have
only been 3 transactions of note in the Premier League regarding Red Rose
County clubs. Manchester United has sold Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton for over
£20million and Memphis Depay to Lyon for £16million. Both have been flops at
Old Trafford with Mourinho playing neither of them for much of the season.
Everton has also paid Charlton Athletic £11million for the promising youngster
Ademola Lookman. The majority of transfers below Tier 1 have been either loans
or for undisclosed (usually low) fees but it will all happen on Tuesday.
News
coming out of Morecambe FC at the end of last week has indicated that a new
Board of Directors will be in place next week and that wages will be paid. We
have heard it all before of course and the new Italian-American owner is still
to pass the league’s “fit and proper person’s” test. This club desperately needs a good and decent person
at the helm.
Tier 10 Club of the Week
Chadderton
FC; breeding ground for Pop Stars?
Chadderton is a small town between Rochdale,
Oldham and Manchester. It is now in the Borough of Oldham and was once renowned
for its red brick cotton mills. The football club was founded in 1946 and it
followed a familiar route from local league to Manchester Premier League,
Lancashire Combination and North West Counties League. The club play at The
Broadway Stadium in the town and have a healthy average attendance of 121 this
season. They have played in Tier 9 for a total of 5 seasons but since relegation
in 1998 for failing the ground criteria, they have completed 19 years in
Division 1 with a 4th place high
finish in 2010. They reached Round 4 of the FA Vase in 2015 and Mark
Howard’s side are currently mid table this season. Famous ex-players? Allegedly
Mark Smith of “Take That”.
Snow stopped play
at The Broadway Stadium, home of Chadderton FC
Quiz Answers
1
Sami Hyypia,
2 Sean
Dyche, 3 Gareth
Barry, 4
Michael Carrick,, 5 Joe Corrigan,
6 Matt Jansen, 7 David
Nugent, 8 Matt
Phillips, 9 Daniel
Sturridge, 10 David
Beckham,
