Red Rose Football Blog Edition 53
October 24th 2017
Happy Birthday
The Red Rose
Football Blog is One Years Old Today
It
was started on a whim exactly 12 months ago with no forward planning, no long
term goals and has somehow staggered on for a full year. Thanks to everyone who
has read it, made comments about it and on occasions corrected my mistakes.
When I suggested to my wife that this may be a good time to call it a day, she
was quick to pooh-pooh the idea. “I think you should carry on with it” she
said, “it will help to prevent Alzheimer’s”. So for medical reasons if nothing
else, the show goes on.
Red Rose County Player of the Week
Leroy Sane
Manchester City
He has the
skills and pace to play as a conventional winger but he can produce off the
ball runs from deep positions which, when fed with inch perfect passes from
either David Silva or de Bruyne, totally destroy defences. His finishing is
deadly and he can also strike a dead ball to great effect. Against Burnley he
was able to find the head of Nicholas Otamendi with a corner kick, no mean feat
against a defence that prides itself on water-tight marking and when the
Dutchman found him with a defence splitting ball, there was always only going
to be one outcome. There is an athleticism about Sane that is at once
eye-catching and his acceleration reminds me of a young Sebastian Coe. He can quicken in an instant without appearing
to expend any extra effort. I suspect that in Russia this coming summer, he
will be one of the stars of the World Cup and his value will sky rocket. At 21
years of age, this son of an Olympic medal winning gymnast and a former
Senegalese international footballer has the footballing world at his feet, but
for the moment he is just one of a number of potential match winners in the
armoury of the Etihad club.
The Premier League
Klopp’s problems surely remain at the back. His Liverpool side had recently kept clean
sheets against a Manchester United outfit
which had only turned up for the draw and against an extremely poor Maribor
side who were so busy picking the ball out of their own net that they had no
time to attack. Against a rampant Tottenham Hotspur in the form of their lives,
his defence and goalkeeper were simply not good enough. The 80,827 attendance
was a Premier League record and although the “Reds” had 64% possession, the
crowd would have left knowing that this is one very meaningless statistic in
modern football; a far more relevant one is that “Spurs” won 4-1. Next
Saturday, the Anfield side welcome Huddersfield Town in a game which many would
have had down as a home banker, but looking at the respective weekend results,
who knows? The Goodison club travel to Leicester City on Sunday, probably under
the temporary managership of David Unsworth. It is another 50/50 game, both
sides needing the points but Koeman’s successor has a mountain to climb this
season.
The
Manchester United 2-1 defeat across
the Pennines in Huddersfield was a result that came completely out of the blue.
They had only conceded 2 goals in 8 games so far this term but the influential
Phil Jones was injured early and in no time at all, they were two down. “United”
improved considerably after the break and Marcus Rushford’s header reduced the
arrears, but they have now fallen 5 points behind their cross city rivals. They
have a massive home game against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunch time, a
clash which will provide a strong indicator as to their progress under Mourinho
this term. It is one thing for him to travel to the big clubs and “park the
bus”, but at Old Trafford, he has to attack, a scenario which has all the
ingredients for a mouth-watering 90 minutes. The Manchester City v Burnley
encounter had the makings of a potential upset, the “Clarets” having succeeded
in nullifying the threat from opposition attacks on their travels thus far. For
half an hour, City struggled to make an impact but a controversial penalty call
against the Burnley keeper Nick Pope swung the game in the “Sky Blues” favour. This
was Sergio Aguero’s 177th strike for the Etihad club, equalling the
record of Eric Brook (pictured)
from just before the onset of the Second World
War but it needed further late pressure to finally crack the Lancashire club’s
determined defensive work; a Nicholas Otamendi header from a corner before
Leroy Sane knocked in yet another slide-rule accurate pass from Kevin de Bruyne
to make it 3-0. The Turf Moor side however could leave with heads held high,
having given the league leaders plenty to think about. Burnley’s next fixture
is a home tie against Newcastle United on Monday evening, a game they will be
looking to win to move closer to the Europa League spots, even though the
Tynesiders have only lost once in their last 5 games. For “City”, it is an away
trip to West Brom, a sometimes difficult engagement but one that you would
expect the leaders to win in a canter.
The Championship
Preston North End almost came back from the dead at Molyneux,
losing 3-2 to Wolverhampton Wanderers having been three down on the hour mark.
It was a match full of incident with both managers complaining about the
performance of the referee in post-match interviews. Jordan Hugill led the “North
End” revival with a headed goal and then an own goal in the 76th
minute set up a frenetic last quarter of an hour. “PNE’s” Alan Browne was twice
sent off for a second yellow, farcically being recalled by the official because
he had actually run off without waiting for the red card. Such pettiness does
nothing for the referee/player relationship and only seems to highlight the
incompetence of the referee. There was then a melee involving a number of
players which followed soon after which he was slow to deal with. Even with 10
men, Preston attacked non-stop until the final whistle but were unable to find
the equaliser against the league leaders. This was only their second defeat of
the season but they do however have a golden opportunity to stay in the
promotion race next Saturday when they welcome Brentford, nine places below
them in the Division. Bolton Wanderers made it two on the bounce without
defeat when they drew 1-1 with Queens Park Rangers at the Macron Stadium.
Before an encouraging crowd of 14,243, they started strongly and deservedly led
at half time through the skipper Darren Pratley (pictured).
The second half was one
long defensive slog however and the “Wanderers” had to thank goalkeeper Ben
Alnwick on several occasions before even he was forced to concede a late equaliser.
Bolton are still 5 points below the drop zone but manager Phil Parkinson will
be much encouraged with the results in the last two games, although next
Saturday’s trip to Craven Cottage to meet Fulham will test them to the full. The
Londoners have not quite repeated the form shown last season when they were so
unlucky to miss out on promotion but they have some quality players. The “Wanderers”
need the points to catch up and go beyond the likes of Sunderland, Burton
Albion and Birmingham City, their nearest rivals in their battle to retain
their place in the Championship.
Leagues One and Two
Blackburn Rovers produced the performance of the weekend,
comprehensively outplaying a useful Portsmouth side on their way to a 3-0
victory. In stormy conditions which caused the cancellation of a number of Lancashire
games, the Ewood Park pitch stood up to the heavy rain and goals from Bradley
Dack, Danny Graham and Craig Conway propelled the “Rovers” back into the
Play-Off spots. They lead a number of rivals on goal difference in a very
congested League 1 mid-table. Charlie Mulgrew was once again the stand-out
player. The Scottish international could easily play in the Championship or
even then Premier League and such is his skill and understanding of the game
that he has rarely to run or make a tackle. How the “Rovers” have kept hold of
him for a second season is a mystery. Wigan Athletic produced an almost equally
storming performance, travelling to Blackpool and winning 3-1. The “Tangerines”
were gifted an early goal when Kyle Vassell was able to tap home after a
dreadful headed back pass from Chey Dunkley. The “Latics’” striker however
eventually made amends, scoring either side of half time and substitute David
Perkins added a third to make the game safe. The “Seasiders” have had a decent
season so far but Wigan are a class above and comfortably won the game. All
eyes now turn to the DW Stadium on Saturday when Wigan play host to the “Rovers”.
It has all the makings of a quality match-up watched by a big crowd, Wigan
seemingly unbeatable against an Ewood Park side which may just be beginning to
perform to maximum potential. The result, even at this stage of the season,
could have a bearing on how close these two sides finish to the summit of the
league. Blackpool
can quickly return to winning ways, travelling to Northampton Town who
currently occupy one of the four relegation places. It was backs to the wall
for Fleetwood
Town when they visited Shrewsbury Town and Uwe Rosler must have
thought that his team had secured a point against the table toppers when up
popped a central defender to head home from an 89th minute
corner. The “Cod Army” are not quite
producing the goods so far and it may well be that the opposition teams have
sussed out their way of playing out from the back. Saturday gives them the
opportunity to return to winning ways at Highbury Stadium, but Oxford United
are defensively strong and difficult to break down. The three struggling Red
Rose clubs in this Division had mixed results with Rochdale moving out of the
relegation zone following a 1-0 home win over Bristol Rovers. “Dale” took an
early
lead through veteran striker Matt Done
(pictured), now in his third stint
at the Spotland.
Keith Hill’s side then had to defend tigerishly to prevent
their West Country opponents from coming back into the game. On Saturday they
travel to Plymouth Argyle to meet the bottom club. Oldham Athletic came extremely close
in what was a most exciting game at MK Dons. Richie Wellens’ side led 3-1 at
half time through goals by Craig Davies and another Eoin Doyle double and when
centre back Tom Clarke made it 4-2 midway through the second half, the points
seemed secure. Unfortunately the defence capitulated, conceding twice in the
last 10 minutes to make it a memorable 4-4 draw, but the new manager is still
unbeaten. The “Latics” now occupy 20th place although they are 3 points clear
of the drop zone. They have a tough task on Saturday when Scunthorpe United
come to town but the Boundary Park fans will be so pleased that the pendulum is
now swinging in the right direction. Bury played well at Southend United and with
slightly more clinical finishing could have returned home with all 3 points. As
it was, they were undone with 6 minutes remaining by a long range rocket shot
from the “Shrimpers” and they remain in the relegation places. Saturday brings
an opportunity of 3 home points when a lowly Doncaster Rovers provide the
opposition.
Billy
Kee moved to the top of the League 2 goal scoring charts when he converted
an early penalty for Accrington Stanley at Crewe Alexandra. Jordan
Clark knocked in the second after 11 minutes and “Stanley” coasted to a 2-0
victory at Gresty Road. This return to winning ways has moved the “Reds” back
into the automatic promotion places and with a struggling Barnet side next up on
the fixture list, they can consolidate this strong position by 5.00 next
Saturday. Morecambe
were perhaps unlucky not to claim all 3 points at a rain lashed
Globe Arena. Grimsby Town had to defend for long spells but the “Shrimps”
showed in this 0-0 score line, just why they have scored the fewest goals in
the league; failing to create chances from so much possession and multiple
corners. Last Saturday was a missed opportunity to put clear water between them
and their rivals. This Saturday opportunity knocks again at Forest Green Rovers
away, one of only two clubs now below them.
The Non-League page
AFC Fylde’s game
against Maidstone United was abandoned with the “Coasters” 2-1 up, such was the
torrential rain that fell in Lancashire and Barrow
were narrowly defeated 3-2 at Ebbsfleet United in spite of Bedsente
Gomis scoring twice, thus leaving both clubs hanging perilously above the
relegation places in the National League.
In the National
League North however, Salford withstood a tremendous comeback from York
City to hang on for a 3-2 win, helped considerably by two Liam Hogan goals. The
“Ammies” are just 1 point behind Harrogate Town at the top of the table but 5
clear of the chasing pack. Home wins for Chorley (2-1 over FC United of Manchester) and Curzon Ashton (2-1
over Boston United) have moved them up to 6th and 7th
respectively and there was a 2-2 draw for Southport against Gainsborough Trinity, a
sign perhaps that new manager Kevin Davies has steadied the ship on his
managerial debut. A total of 952 spectators packed into Warrington Town’s Cantilever
Park to
watch the Northern
Premier League top of the table scrap with Altrincham, non-league
footballing aristocrats. In spite of the atrocious weather conditions, it was a
thrilling but ultimately goalless encounter and these two clubs plus South
Yorkshire’s Shaw Lane are separated only by goal difference at the summit of
the league. The 1st Round proper of the FA Vase was the highlight
for North West Counties’ clubs but the weather caused postponements at Ashton
Athletic and AFC Darwen. The performance of the day was City of Liverpool’s 7-0
thrashing of Dronfield Town from the Northern Counties East Division 1. John
Connolly and Elliott Nevitt each scored twice as the “Purps” moved into the
last 128 of the competition along with neighbours Bootle.
Red Rose County Non-League Club
of the Week
Squires Gate
It took them 12 years to earn promotion to Tier 9, the NWC Premier Division where they have remained for the
last 16 seasons. Their highest finish has been 6th, last achieved in
2015, but they have never progressed beyond the 2nd Qualifying Round
of the FA Cup. They did however reach the last eight of the FA Vase in 2006,
losing in London to Hillingdon Borough by a 2-0 margin. The club colours are
all blue, they are managed by former player Dave Penswick and the ground is now
named the Brian Addison Stadium after the legendary and current groundsman of
the same name. They made a wretched start to the season but have slowly picked
up, pulling themselves away from the bottom of the league. With an average gate
of 91, the club has shown excellent commitment both on and off the field to
stay in a very competitive league for so long.
Quiz of
the Week (Answers
at the foot of the Blog)
1 Which Liverpool striker scored 40 Premier League goals whilst still a teenager, a record for the competition?
2
Brad Friedel (pictured ) holds the record for most
consecutive appearances in the Premier League. He began the run with Blackburn
Rovers and completed it with Tottenham Hotspur but with which club did he make
114 appearances in in the middle of this extraordinary run?
3
Which current Red
Rose Football League club appeared at Wembley in 1973, losing to Scarborough in
the FA Trophy Final?
4
Who was the Japanese
footballer who made 17 appearances and scored 6 goals for Manchester United in
Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season as a manager?
5
Steve Cotterill
managed Burnley from 2004 until 2007, but which club does he now manage?
6
Which club splashed out a total of
£26million on three international strikers between 2005 and 2007, the players
being James Beattie, Andy Johnson (pictured)
and Yakuba?
7
Danny Philliskirk
has been leading goal scorer for which club in the 2013-14 and the 2015-16
seasons?
8
Number 23 is a
retired shirt number at Manchester City in memory of which Cameroon international
and former player who died on the pitch during an international game in 2003?
9
Which club were
promoted to the Premier League in 1995 when goalkeeper Keith Branagan saved a
penalty in the Wembley Play-Off against Reading?
10
Roy Hodgson has
managed 5 Premier League clubs. Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, West Bromwich
Albion and Crystal Palace plus which other one?
Post Weekend Musings
The League Cup is an often forgotten competition, but
sixteen clubs are closing in on its sharp end this week. The cup has its
detractors but it has to be remembered that the final is played at Wembley and
that the winner automatically qualifies for the Europa League. It is an
important competition and three Red Rose County clubs are involved this week. Manchester United are away at a
struggling Swansea City whereas Manchester
City welcome Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both should win
on Tuesday night. Managerless Everton, who
travel to Chelsea on Wednesday, have a more difficult task. The Londoners have
yet to produce their best but if on form, ought to win with ease.
It was good to see that Skelmersdale
United managed to win 2-1 at Tadcaster Albion on Saturday in the Northern Premier League 1 North after a week of
turmoil off the pitch. In brief, “Skem’s” ground is owned by a construction
company which also owns Burscough. They planned to build on the Burscough site
and move the North West Counties club on to the Skelmersdale ground, thereby
kicking Skem out. The Northern Prem side, Amateur Cup Winners in 1971, were still
involved in discussions when the bailiffs walked in and locked up the ground.
Marine have offered them a temporary home and there are plans to then ground share
with Prescot Cables, but one can only feel sympathy for this historic club,
relegated last season and close to the relegation spots again this year.
The papers and social media are full of stories regarding the
termination of contracts of prominent managers. Koeman went yesterday, Bilic is
on the edge and even Klopp appears to be far from safe. Already de Boer and
Shakespeare have departed and lower down the pyramid, there have been a number
of changes also. I firmly believe that the vast majority of Joe Public (and I
include myself in this) do not really know how effective a manager is at their
club. Results of course are strong indicators and we are always being told that
it is a “results driven industry”, but it is not that simple. The likes of Tony
Pulis and Sean Dyche can find that elusive extra 10% in inferior players to
keep poorer clubs afloat but generally success comes to the rich in
professional football. “He has lost the dressing room” is a familiar phrase at
the moment, but we can only go on hearsay for that one. I think however that it
is impossible to determine how good a manager is unless you are involved with
your club on a daily basis. For everyone else it is gossip or guess work. Those
of us who played under a manager knew if he was any good; did he treat us fairly,
communicate his understanding of the game, actually like the players and was he
easy to talk to? Even more importantly, did we respect him? Today’s Everton
players could give us chapter and verse on Koeman but being under contract, they
will keep their mouths shut until they publish their autobiographies. I would
hope that Bill Kenwright and Farhad Mashiri talked to the likes of Jagielka,
Baines, Coleman and Rooney before making their decision because these guys will
definitely know if he was the right man for Everton Football Club.
Quiz
Answers: 1 Michael Owen, 2 Aston
Villa, 3 Wigan Athletic 4 Shinji Kagawa, 5 Birmingham City 6 Everton, 7 Oldham Athletic, 8 Marc-Vivien
Foe, 9 Bolton Wanderers, 10 Fulham.
