Number 16 February
6
2017
Considered
opinions; not many of these around in football
Everyone who follows football from the press to
the ordinary fan quickly jumps to conclusions. It may be harsh criticism or
lavish praise but we ought to take stock of the situation before having a rant.
The Jürgen Klopp situation at Anfield is the perfect example. We all love him
for his larger than life personality. Because of the way he handles the press,
the relationship he has built up with his players and his generosity of spirit
to spectators and opposition alike, few would object too much if his team lifted
the Premier League Trophy. To Liverpool supporters he was their saviour, the
man that would deliver their first title since 1990. Newspapers, Radio and TV
could not get enough of him. But suddenly questions are being asked; questions
about his tactical knowledge in particular. Now Herr Klopp is no longer flavour
of the month. Pundits from all areas of the media are telling us that they play
too narrow, that he finds it difficult to change tactics mid-match and that
there are defensive deficiencies in his side, not least in goal. They say he
loses his cool too quickly so speculation about his successor can only be a
couple of defeats away. Trying to think rationally, it might be reasonable to
conclude that the German is a great motivator and a magnificent man manager but
is perhaps limited in technical knowledge. The ex-Dortmund boss has a first and
second assistant coach, both of whom joined him from Germany. Is the
long-haired Zelijko Buvak the tactician, but does it matter who it is providing
“Team Klopp” delivers? They were worryingly inept against Hull, defending like
a Sunday League side; an eleven lacking in confidence. Yet the general
consensus after the 1-1 midweek draw at Anfield versus Chelsea was that the Reds
were probably the better side and his keeper brilliantly saved a Costa penalty.
So is Klopp the Messiah or is he the showman imposter living on borrowed time?
I don’t really know because I don’t frequent the Melwood Training Ground, but it
now seems almost impossible to find a thoughtful, considered opinion in the hot
house which is modern English football. But one thing is certain. Should
Liverpool win their next 4 games and the strikers start to hit the back of the
net, all will be forgotten as the media rush to praise Klopp, the “tactical
genius”. As Jimmy Greaves used to say to a former Liverpool striker, “it’s a
funny old game Saint.”
PRESTON NORTH END: THEIR FINEST HOUR
The FA Cup began in 1871 and since then, 24 sides
from the 2nd Tier have contested the final. Red Rose County clubs
feature on this list 3 times. Bolton Wanderers lost to Manchester City in 1904,
Burnley went down to Charlton Athletic in 1947 and Preston reached Wembley in
1964. The Lilywhites, as they used to be known, were one of the strongest sides
in English football during the 1950s with 2 runners-up and a 3rd
place finish, but the retirement of Tom Finney in 1960 was the precursor to
relegation the following season. PNE have never returned to Tier 1 in the
subsequent 56 years, but they came closest in the 1963-64 season under the
management of Scotsman Jimmy Milne. They had been amongst the front runners throughout
but they lost twice in the final 4 games at Rotherham and Bury to finish 3rd
behind an emerging Leeds United and Sunderland. There was no play-off system in
those days. Milne had put together a side with a balance of youth and experience
including the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly (Senior), 2 ex Busby
babes in captain Nobby Lawton and powerhouse centre forward Alex Dawson plus
England international winger Dougie Holden. He was a veteran of 2 previous
Wembley finals with Bolton Wanderers. In the FA Cup, they defeated 2 First
Division sides after replays in the 3rd and 4th Rounds,
Nottingham Forest and Bolton. This was followed by odd goal victories over
Carlisle United and Oxford United, both from the 4th Division. The semi-final
draw paired them with Swansea City, also from Division 2. In the tie played at
Villa Park, Preston came from behind to scrape a 2-1 victory with goals from
Dawson and centre half Singleton. The final was London v Lancashire and 2
future legends of the English game, Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst lined up in a
young and vibrant West Ham side. Milne was not afraid to blood a youngster
either and the 17 year old Howard Kendall became the youngest FA Cup finalist
since 1879. North End led twice with goals by Holden and Dawson, but the
Hammers twice levelled the game through 18 year old Sissons and Hurst. As the
90th minute approached, Ronnie Boyce became front page news when he
headed home and the Hammers serenaded
with “I’m forever blowing bubbles”. Looking back over Preston’s long
history, it was not quite their most magical moment but it was their finest
hour post Sir Tom’s retirement.
A young Howard Kendall in his North End strip.
Performances of the last week
West Ham United 0 Manchester City 4
(Premier League)
Pep
Guardiola compared Gabriel de Jesus to a “water melon”, but it’s more like a “lucky
dip” with City. You simply don’t know what you will pick from game to game. They
certainly do enjoy going to the 50,000 capacity London Stadium where their
January aggregate score from 2 games is 9-0. Interestingly the manager has just
made the point that I made in my blog last week; namely this could be his side
for the future. Goals from Sterling, de Bruyne, de Jesus and penalty king Yaya
Toure closed the gap in the race for second spot.
Everton 6 Bournemouth 3 (Premier
League)
Only
1 name was on everyone’s lips at Goodison Park as Romelu Lukaku scored 4 plus 1
assist in this 9 goal thriller. It was the first 4 timer in the league since
Georginio Wijnaldum’s quartet for Newcastle 15 months ago and the first for
Everton since Louis Saha achieved the same feat in 2011 against Blackpool. The
Belgian is now the league’s leading scorer with 16 goals as Everton move a
little closer to a possible Europa Cup place.
Blackburn Rovers 1 Queen’s Park
Rangers 0 (EFL Championship)
Before
the match, the word was that the Rovers had to win their next 2 games to have
any chance of staying up. When the 4th official signalled 3 extra
minutes, they had surely blown it. But loan signing Marvin Emnes, who had
literally achieved nothing since coming on as a substitute, produced a touch of
magic and Sam Gallagher blasted the ball home. Other Saturday results went
against the Rovers but the light is still shining at the end of the tunnel.
Chesterfield 0 Oldham Athletic 1 (EFL
Division 1)
John
Sheridan saved Oldham from relegation last year and he has returned as manager.
This win at relegation rivals Chesterfield has lifted them to the fringes of
safety, so the longest incumbents of Division 1 may still be around for their
21st season in Division 1 in August.
On
the Non-League Scene, Barrow battled through against
Kidderminster Harriers to reach the last 8 of the FA Trophy, the game’s only
goal being scored just after half time by Richie Bennett. A sensational Salford City smashed
a stumbling AFC Fylde 5-0 at the head of the National League North, Jordan Hulme netting a hat-trick as the Reds
go second. The Battle of the Roses in the Northern Premier North Division
produced the expected thrills and spills as Lancaster City fought back from 2 down to beat title challengers Farsley
Celtic 3-2. In the North West Counties Premier Division Bootle hit a hapless AFC
Darwen with an avalanche of goals, their 9-0 victory keeping them top of
the league on goal difference. In Division 1, Litherland REMYCA moved into the top slot with an easy 5-1 win over
bottom club Ashton Town, aided by newcomers Prestwich Heys producing the performance of the day to dislodge the
leaders Whitchurch Alport, winning 3-1 away from home.
Games
to look forward to this week
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
Saturday February 11, 17.30
The
scrap for places 2-6 goes on unabated and this is another big game. Liverpool have
yet to turn up in 2017 but Spurs are quite capable of dropping points away from
home. The African Nations Cup is now out of the way and Coutinho is returning to
full fitness. Liverpool at Anfield might just have too much going forward for an
injury hit Tottenham back line, but putting your money on the Mersey Reds has often
been a coupon buster this season.
Rotherham
United v Blackburn Rovers (EFL Championship) Saturday February 11, 15.00
This could be the last train waiting in the
station for the Rovers and to quote the old 50s skiffle classic, “If you miss
this one, you’ll never get another one”. The Rovers struggled to make any
signings of note in January and there is an air of resignation among the fans
now who believe that there is no future for the club as long as the Venkys are
there. Blackburn battled through against QPR on Saturday but if they cannot
beat relegation fodder like Rotherham, who can they beat. It is no fun being a
fan at Ewood Park at the moment.
Fleetwood Town v Rochdale (EFL Division 1)
Saturday February 11, 15.00
Three Division 1 sides have never played at a
higher level and 2 clash at the Highbury Stadium. Both have had tremendous runs
this season but there is a feeling that the magic is beginning to evaporate at
Rochdale. Fleetwood however are unbeaten in 13 and with David Ball scoring
regularly, must be firm favourites here in this 4th v 7th fixture.
But a win can be just around the corner in football so Keith Hill’s men could
upset the apple cart.
David Ball; Fleetwood Town’s leading
goalscorer
Atherton
Collieries v Bootle (North West Counties Premier League) Monday Feb13, 19.45
The biggest game in the non-league world takes
place in Atherton on Monday evening as the “Colls” take on Bootle. The clubs
are neck and neck at the top of the league, level on 64 points although the
Merseysiders have played 1 game more. It is certainly not a 2 horse race as
Cheshire teams 1874 Northwich, Runcorn Town and Runcorn Linnets are hot on
their heels. Any positive result would help Atherton’s cause but it is a must
win game for Bootle,
Quiz
of the Week (Answers at the foot of the
Blog)
All of the answers have Red Rose
County connections
1
Everton
bought John Stones from which current Championship club in 2013?
John Stones;
a prodigious talent but not yet the finished article
2
Rochdale
manager Keith Hill made 96 appearances at centre back for which current Red
Rose County club between 1987 and 1992?
3
Who
was the left back who scored the only goal of the 1990 FA Cup Final replay,
giving Manchester United their first trophy for 5 years?
4
Which
EFL Division 1 club from the Red Rose County plays on the second highest league
ground in the country?
5
Which
Republic of Ireland player was Burnley’s record buy prior to them signing his
international colleague Robbie Brady for £13million last week?
6
Red
Rose County non-league clubs South Liverpool, Maghull and Rainhill Town all
play in which Tier 11 league?
7
Which
Rangers legend, who has also played for Blackburn and Blackpool, holds the
record for most appearances in European competitions by a Scotsman?
8
Alan
Hansen signed for Liverpool from which Glasgow club?
Alan Hansen,
playing in Scotland just prior to moving south
9
Who
managed Wigan Athletic from 2001-07 which included promotion to the Premier League,
before managing Derby County and Ipswich Town?
10
Which
North West ground was initially built for the Commonwealth Games?
Post Weekend
Musings
Apologies
to “Take That’s” Mark Owen for referring to him as Mark Smith in last week’s
article on Chadderton FC. I am
reliably informed by Mike Ryan that Mark E Smith was/is the lead singer of the
Manchester punk band “The Fall”. However as the last “Manc” band I saw was
probably Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, I plead age and ignorance in
mitigation.
There
was the last minute torrent of transfers on deadline day. All 4 of our big city
sides kept their cash in their pockets but Burnley
moved late and spent big, purchasing wide left player Robbie Brady from Norwich
and the experienced Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood. “Not panic buys” said Sean
Dyche and I believe him. Is the Turf Moor club beginning to see itself as an
established Premier League side and not the yo-yo club of recent years? Two surprising
moves; Bolton selling the talented
Zach Clough to Notts Forest and Wigan
off-loading influential winger Yanic Wildschut to Norwich. I hope neither club has
regrets at the season’s end. One pleasing move was the signing of Radcliffe Borough’s young striker Raul
Correia by Blackpool following a
successful week’s trial.
Ashley Westwood; swapping one claret and blue
shirt for another
It
is all a touch sad down Skelmersdale
way where the football club is rock bottom of the Northern Premier League and
they have just sacked manager Tommy Lawson. The veteran held the reins for 10
years, a tremendously long shift in football management, having taken the club
from Division 1 to the Premier Division before financial constraints bit deep. Steve
Burr has also been sacked at Southport.
Liam Watson becomes manager for the 3rd time and he is the 3rd
incumbent this season at Haig Avenue. A most unenviable job!!!
How
do you motivate a team in the lower reaches of the league prior to taking on
the runaway leaders away from home? Don’t pay them for a couple of months would
seem to be the answer, particularly in Morecambe’s
case. They travelled to Doncaster, led early and hung on for a
well-deserved draw. The club is a shambles off the field as various unscrupulous
wannabe owners scramble for the deeds to the club, but manager Jim Bentley and
his players have proved that the club’s future is paramount; at least on the
pitch.
I
suspect that there is genuine sadness around the plight of Leicester City. Last
year’s adventure is now a distant memory as the spectre of relegation looms ever
larger. They were outclassed by Mourinho’s men on Sunday and the Old Trafford
bandwagon continues to roll. Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks increasingly like the
Premier League’s best buy of 2016 and full marks to the manager for taking a
gamble on a 35 year old with a reputation for self-idolatry. His CV bulges with
13 league titles from Holland, Italy, Spain and France (although 2 at Juventus
were revoked because of the Turin side’s corrupt practices) plus 316 league
goals and still counting. He is missing a European medal but don’t bet against
Manchester United winning the Europa League and if he stays and the Reds make the top 4,
the Champions League beckons in 2017-18. Age is just a number for Sweden’s best
export since Abba.
Tier 10 Club of the Week
Bacup
Borough; when it rains it pours
The
Brian Boys West View Stadium, perched up on the Pennine Moors, is the 3rd
highest football ground in the country. This part of the Rossendale Valley certainly
receives its share of wind and rain and postponements are regular in winter. But
in spite of the demise of several clubs in the area at this level, this
traditional football club soldiers on. They have played here since 1889, but
have only 2 league trophies to show for their endeavours. They won the
Lancashire Combination in 1947 and were North West Counties Division 1 champions
in 2003. This achievement was master minded by Brent Peters who became manager
in 1997. He is still in charge today, a tremendous feat of loyalty, stamina and
determination. They were relegated from the Premier Division in 2015 and are
struggling down in 18th place at the moment although they appear
safe from relegation. They attract an average gate of around 50 hardy souls but
with almost 140 years of history behind them, the club continues to look forward
and provide football for the community.
West View Stadium, Bacup; it’s a scarf, hat
and gloves type of ground
Quiz Answers
1
Barnsley, 2 Blackburn
Rovers, 3 Lee
Martin, 4
Oldham Athletic, 5 Jeff Hendrick,
6 West Cheshire
League, 7 Barry
Ferguson, 8 Partick
Thistle, 9 Paul
Jewell, 10 Etihad,
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