Tuesday 22 August 2017

Red Rose Football Bllog (Number 44)


 


Red Rose Football Blog Edition 44


August 22nd 2017



Red Rose Player of the Week



The likes of Michael Keane and his co-centre backs plus the young Dominic Calvert-Lewin may have been extremely impressive in Everton’s hard fought draw at Manchester City on Monday evening but if someone in the game scores their 200th Tier 1 goal, there can only be one Red Rose Player of the Week. Wayne Rooney is  only the 29th player since 1888 to reach this total and with Tony Cottee on 214 in 17th spot, Wayne could be well into the Top Twenty before this season ends. The goal at the Etihad may not be the best he has ever scored; in fact it went through the legs of Ederson, City’s new goalkeeper but it needed scoring and Rooney was the man on the spot. And to use a much used but eminently true cliché, “they all count”.





Great Red Rose Strikers


When the “Tiger” comic first presented its new weekly strip based upon the exploits of a young footballer called Roy Race in 1954, it was no coincidence that the soon-to-be Melchester Rovers super star was a centre forward. He wore the number 9 shirt, as did all the strikers of that time, and he was every boy’s hero. There was something about playing centre forward that appealed (and still appeals) to youngsters. Roy of the Rovers was the one who scored the goals, he was the one they all talked about, he was one you wanted to emulate. Physiologically, the characteristics of a main striker have generally remained the same. It helps if you are tall and can jump higher than the defenders, it helps to be powerful because defenders are out to bully you and a lethal shot was always a pre-requisite. As the game has developed, mobility, pace, awareness and intelligence have also entered the equation as seen in the likes of Gary Lineker, Thierry Henry and recently in Jermaine Defoe, but the archetypal striker a la Shearer or Lukaku is still in demand. The list below contains 39 of the best strikers, showing that the Red Rose County has had its share of super goal scorers, the majority whom you would class as natural centre forwards. The 70s introduced the concept of double strikers and you will notice that Keegan and Toshack are in the list. This Anglo-Welsh partnership, something of a “little and large” duo, ran amok in the 1st Division in that decade as Liverpool took a stranglehold on the top honours. Ferguson at Old Trafford used a similar format with any combination of Yorke, Cole, Solskjaer and Sheringham when winning the treble in 1999. There have been “withdrawn” or “deep lying” centre forwards; Cantona played this role for United as did Don Revie in the 50s across the city. The current buzz word is “a number 10” who arrives late into the space created by the main striker to knock in the loose ball. Wayne Rooney was used in this role towards the end of his time in Manchester but basically they have one thing in common; goal lust. In this concluding article, the criteria will still centre on having played in 150 league games or more for the club and been awarded a minimum of 10 international caps in that period of time. 


Eric Cantona, Manchester United


Manchester United: Tommy Taylor (England 19 caps),  Denis Law (Scotland 55 caps), Lou Macari (Scotland 24 caps), Frank Stapleton (Republic of Ireland 71 caps), Norman Whiteside (Northern Ireland 38 caps), Mark Hughes (Wales 72 caps), Brian McClair (Scotland 30 caps), Eric Cantona (France 45 caps), Andy Cole (England 15 caps), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Norway 67 caps), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands 70 caps), Wayne Rooney (England 119 caps),

Stan Mortensen, the Blackpool goal scoring hero



Blackpool: Stanley Mortensen (England 25 caps), Jackie Mudie (Scotland 17 caps), James Quinn (Northern Ireland 50 caps).

Bolton Wanderers: Nat Lofthouse (England 33 caps), Wyn Davies (Wales 33 caps), John McGinlay (Scotland 13 caps),

Burnley: Billy Hamilton (Northern Ireland 41 caps), Sam Vokes (Wales 50 caps),

Blackburn Rovers: Alan Shearer (England 63 caps).



Everton: Roy Vernon (Wales 32 caps), Bob Latchford (England 12 caps), Graeme Sharp (Scotland 12 caps), Romelu Lukaku (Belgium 57 caps).

Liverpool: Roger Hunt (England 34 caps), Ian St John (Scotland 21 caps), Kevin Keegan (England 63 caps), John Toshack (Wales 40 caps), Kenny Dalglish (Scotland 102 caps), Ian Rush (Wales 73 caps), Robbie Fowler (England 26 caps), Michael Owen (England 89 caps), Emile Heskey (England 62 caps), Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands 104 caps),

Manchester City: Francis Lee (England 27 caps), Niall Quinn (Republic of Ireland 92 caps), Shaun Goater (Bermuda 36 caps), Sergio Aguero (Argentina 82 caps),


The leading League goal scorers at North West clubs in Tier 1 since the 1946

Number
Striker
Club
Goals
Career Dates
1
Nat Lofthouse
Bolton Wanderers
255
1946 – 1960
2
Ian Rush
Liverpool
229
1981 – 1996
3
Denis Law
Man United / Man City
201
1960 – 1973
4
Wayne Rooney
Manchester Utd / Everton
199
2002 – 2017
5
Bobby Charlton
Manchester United
199
1956 – 1972
6
Stanley Mortensen
Blackpool
197
1946 – 1955
7
Ray Charnley
Blackpool
190
1957 – 1966
8
Jack Rowley
Manchester United
173
1938 – 1954
9
Roger Hunt
Liverpool
168
1962 – 1968
10
Tom Finney
Preston North End
164
1946 – 1959




Performances of the last week



Talk about a flying start!! The Premier League’s Manchester United made it 8 goals in 2 games by eventually thumping  Swansea City 4-0 down in Wales. Many more games need to be won before the Reds can equal their best ever start to the season (10 straight wins in 1985-86 when incidentally, they finally finished 4th in Ron Atkinson’s last full season at the club) but they have certainly shown already that they can over power and out football the poorer sides. Swansea relied on dogged defence, but once the flood gates opened, United were able to score three times in under 4 minutes towards the end of the game, the goals being shared around between Bailly, Lukaku, Pogba and Martial. Stronger tests will be waiting down the road but for the moment, Jose Mourinho must be a happy man. Liverpool’s flamboyant boss Juergen Klopp will no doubt be expressing similar emotions, but with a huge slice of relief thrown into the mix following his sides’ 1-0 victory at Anfield over Crystal Palace. Andrew Robertson, their new signing from Hull City, certainly made a difference, storming forward from the left back position and creating chances, but Sadio Mane scored the decisive goal in a game which Liverpool totally dominated despite taking until the 73rd minute to clinch victory. There were so many talking points after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at the Etihad with Everton. With £360 million of new signings (£220 City, £140 the Toffees) either on the pitch or bench, an extremely harsh sending off, a question mark about the shot saving ability of yet another Guardiola goalkeeper and Wayne Rooney’s 200th Premier League goal, the media have had a field day. City showed their fighting spirit after Kyle Walker’s 44th minute dismissal and Sterling’s volleyed goal was certainly well deserved but Everton seem determined to be one of the main players this season, and this with 8 Englishmen in their starting XI. 
Andrew Robertson, Liverpool


You would have to be brave to bet on Preston North End gaining automatic promotion from the Championship this season but Alex Neil appears to have replicated the work of the previous manager Simon Grayson, making “Fort Deepdale” such a hostile environment for visitors. Two of last year’s Play-Off sides (Sheffield Wednesday and now Reading) have already tasted defeat there and PNE currently sit in 7th place. Once again, away form could be their “Achilles Heel”, but it was good to see Jordan Hugill, last season’s leading scorer, find the net for the first time in this campaign on Saturday. The highlight in League 1 was at Valley Parade as Bradford City suffered their first home league defeat for over a year. It was Blackburn Rovers who at last found some form, a Dominic Samuel low header registering their first points for the season as the Rovers suddenly remembered how to defend. No such problems for Fleetwood Town who kept their third straight clean sheet, Devante Cole scoring twice to sweep away AFC Wimbledon to top the table. Keeping them company are Peterborough, Shrewsbury and a rejuvenated Wigan Athletic who travelled to Boundary Park to comfortably defeat Oldham Athletic, Ivan Toney and Michael Jacobs both scoring early without reply. John Sheridan’s side have made a dreadful start to the season, propping up the other 23 clubs on zero points.

There is a quiet confidence around Accrington Stanley at the moment and no wonder after defeating the strongly fancied Mansfield Town to move into the Play-Off positions in League 2. Kayden Jackson, their new signing from Barnsley, but who was on loan at Grimsby Town for most of last season, scored his 4th goal in 3 games and after the Stags had equalised, Billy Kee scrambled the ball home at the death to give Stanley a deserved 2-1 victory.
Billy Kee, Accrington Stanley


The Red Rose County’s big 2 in the National League North made further progress over the weekend.  Southport eased their way to a 1-0 victory in Derbyshire v Alfreton, the one-time England U/19 captain Steven Schumacher driving home the winner. Salford City survived a first half Kidderminster Harriers’ penalty to take complete second half control, Jack Redshaw coming on as a second half substitute and scoring a hat-trick. Warrington Town are showing promotion form in the Northern Premier League, winning at Coalville Town to set the early pace at the top of the league. Ashton United upset the previous incumbents with a fine 2-1 home win over Grantham Town to move into the top ten.

It was FA Cup Preliminary Round day for Tiers 8, 9 and 10 and seven Northern Premier League 1 North sides have already progressed through to the 1st Qualifying Round to earn a bonus payment of £1925 from the FA. Bamber Bridge won at home but Mossley, Droylsden, Skelmersdale United, Colne, and Clitheroe all won on their travels. The best performance however was reserved for Atherton Collieries who won 4-1 at Hallam, the prolific scoring Jordan Cover netting a hat-trick. Two North West Counties Premier League sides won through also, Ashton Athletic and Barnoldswick Town but the biggest gate of the day was at Prescott Cables where 973 spectators watched their 2-2 draw with  City of Liverpool. This coming week’s replay will be interesting.

In the league, Bootle thrashed Barnton 5-0, last season’s leading scorer Ryan Cox notching a 4 timer as they chase the league’s surprise packets, newly promoted early leaders Charnock Richard. In the North West Counties Division 1, Bacup Borough are flying the Red Rose County flag, winning 2-1 at AFC Blackpool to move into the 3rd spot.



Games to look forward to this week

The two Merseyside giants have European engagements this week. On Wednesday Liverpool take a 2-1 lead back to Anfield in the Champions League against Germany’s 1899 Hoffenheim whilst on Thursday, Everton defend a 2-0 lead in Croatia against Hajduk Split in the Europa League. It will be a surprise if either of our two clubs fail to qualify for the group stages. There is a big Premier League game for Burnley on Sunday when they travel south to meet Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. The Clarets have turned last season’s form book upside down, winning at Stamford Bridge then losing at home to West Brom. Spurs have a poor record at their temporary new home but they made chances galore when they lost to Chelsea. It will be a tough ask for Burnley who will probably debut Chris Wood, newly signed from Leeds United. He scored goals a plenty in the Championship and Sean Dyche, with his record of developing players from lower divisions, will hope that he can make the Kiwi into a Premier League player, replacing the recently sold  Andre Gray. Bolton Wanderers have lost both of their home games, drawing the two away from the Macron so they may well be pleased to be on their travels on Friday evening as they visit Hull City for a vital Championship clash. The East Yorkshire side has made an indifferent start also, so a win against one of last year’s relegated Premier League teams will go a long way to improve the confidence at the Wanderers; hopefully setting them up for a successful relegation battle. Two other Red Rose County teams with relegation on their minds meet at Spotland in the League 1 M66 derby. Bury began with a win but have conceded 7 goals in their last two games. Rochdale have had a tough set of opening fixtures but competed strongly in all 3 games in spite of gaining just 1 point, Perhaps with home advantage, they may just have the edge on the Shakers. In another Friday evening fixture, Accrington Stanley journey into the Midlands to take on Notts County. Both sides have started well and whoever wins this tussle will be looking at a League 2 automatic promotion position. Barrow are unbeaten in their last 4 National League games, but 3 draws in that period mean they occupy a mid- table position. On Saturday they entertain newly promoted Maidenhead United, managed on and off for years by West Ham United legend Alan Devonshire. They have made a decent start but will not be relishing a coach ride to the far North West coast. A win for Barrow here? Chorley have come close to promotion from the National League North several times recently so it is surprising to see them currently struggling in 17th position. Saturday’s opponents at Victory Park are Brackley who have won all five of their games thus far. A much improved performance from Matt Jansen’s side will be required to take anything from this fixture. In the Northern Premier League, unbeaten Lancaster City will look forward to a trip to lowly Hednesford Town whilst in Division 1 North, leaders Bamber Bridge are away to the much heralded South Shields; a real table top clash. In the North West Counties Premier League, relegated Burscough will look to kick start their season at AFC Darwen and in NWC League 1, two unbeaten sides, Litherland REMYCA and Chadderton clash on Merseyside.



Quiz of the Week (Answers at the foot of the Blog)

             Each question has a Red Rose County club connection


1                    Who was capped 5 times for England in 2003 and immediately preceded John Coleman in his second stint as manager of Accrington Stanley?

2                    Which Englishman was manager of Liverpool in between the tenures of Rafa Benitez and Kenny Dalglish (his second “reign”)?

3                    David Healy, Northern Ireland’s leading ever goal scorer, scored 45 goals in 139 appearances for which Red Rose County club between 2001 and 2003?

David Healy; the Northern Ireland legend


4                    Which Premier League club started the opening fixture of the 2017-18 season last Saturday with 4 Brazilians and only 2 Englishmen in their starting line up?

5                    In 2008, which Red Rose county club broke their transfer record when signing Sweden’s Johan Elmander from Toulouse for £8.25 million?

6                    What is the nationality of the 22 year old Sandro Ramirez, a striker signed by Everton during the summer?

7                    Who is currently manager of Swindon Town, having made over 100 appearances for both Rochdale and Bury as a player as well as being Assistant Manager of “The Dale” and manager of “The Shakers” respectively?

8                     Jimmy Bullard has starred at Hull City and Fulham in the Premier League and been a star of Reality TV as well as appearing on numerous shows, but which Red Rose County club did he make 145 appearances for between 2003 and 2006?


                                   Jimmy Bullard, playing in the Hull City colours


9                    Which French international goalkeeper made a total of 139 appearances for Manchester United?

10                Burnley have sold Andre Gray to which Premier League side this summer for a club record fee?



Post Weekend Musings

Early doors predictions for the Champions of our leagues (Just for fun)

League
Prediction
Comments
Premier League
Manchester City
The strongest squad and money in the bank.
Championship
Middlesbrough
Pedigree, hungry manager and resources.
League 1
Peterborough United
Made the perfect start and recruited well.
League 2
Coventry City
A one-time big club turning the corner
National League
Dagenham & Redbridge
Unbeaten and with recent experience in the club of playing at a  higher level.
National League North
Salford City
Made a good start, plenty of resources and well supported.
Northern Premier League
Warrington Town
An excellent infrastructure and steady progress in recent years.
NPL 1 North
South Shields
Money to burn and well supported.
North West Counties Premier League
Runcorn Linnets
Well supported and been close several times before
NWC League 1
Litherland REMYCA
The class of the league.



All of our Tier 11 leagues have now started and none of the reigning champions from each of the five sought promotion to the North West Counties League 1. Here are the early indicators of what may be the 2017 -18 final tables.

League
2016-17 Champions
Early Indications
West Lancs League
Longridge Town
Last year, Blackpool Wren Rovers pushed Longridge all the way and this term looks like a repeat.
Manchester Premier League
Rochdale Sacred Heart
Runners up Wythenshawe Amateurs from last year have started like a train and have the ambition to succeed this time.
Liverpool County League
Aigburth Peoples’ Hall
It is early days. Aigburth have been champions for the last 5 years but it could be close this year, as they have already lost.
Cheshire League
Whaley Bridge
Knutsford are flying and the best placed Red Rose club is Rylands from Warrington in 3rd.
West Cheshire League
Newton
The historic South Liverpool are 3 points clear of Newton after 3 games.



Quiz Answers:  1 James Beattie, 2 Roy Hodgson, 3 Preston North End, 4 Manchester City, 5 Bolton Wanderers, 6 Spanish, 7 David Flitcroft, 8 Fabien Barthez, 9 Watford, 10 Wigan Athletic.

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