The Red Rose football Blog (Number 55)

Red Rose Football Blog Edition 55

November 7th 2017

 

Red Rose County Player of the Week

Leighton Baines; Everton

Anyone who has taken a penalty kick, particularly at a tense moment in a game, knows that the battle to keep the nerves in check is paramount. For most of a match, players rely on adrenalin to see them through the big moments, but when it is a penalty, the world stands still, silence descends and the whole world appears to be watching you. So when Everton were awarded a penalty in time added on at a frenzied Goodison Park where the Toffees had come back from a two goal deficit against Watford and the fate of the caretaker manager and to some extent the careers of several veteran players were on the line, a cool head was needed.  Leighton Baines (pictured) stepped

forward and even though the substitute goalkeeper guessed correctly, the shot had too much pace and precision and somehow, the Merseysiders had stumbled out of the bottom three. The 32 year old was born in Kirkby on Merseyside but he played at Wigan Athletic for a number of years, being an integral part of the team promoted to the Premier League in 2005. He joined Everton for around £6million in 2007 and has been a virtual ever present. Renowned for his dead ball specialism and his crossing ability from the left flank, he is the third ranked goal scoring defender in Premier League history behind John Terry and David Unsworth and these qualities were to the fore on Sunday. His corner had been nodded home by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and his spot kick was spot on, making him a worthy recipient of the Red Rose Player of the Week Award. 

Premier League

Burnley continued on their merry way on Saturday, travelling down to Southampton and winning 1-0 courtesy of a Sam Vokes headed goal. Once again the Clarets defended magnificently and appear to have unearthed yet another quality goalkeeper in Nick Pope. The Turf Moor fans must have been concerned when Tom Heaton suffered his serious injury, ruling him out for a long period, but the 25 year old East Anglian, signed from Charlton Athletic for a small fee 18 months ago, has certainly risen to the occasion. Sean Dyche’s side has conceded just 9 goals in 11 games and although they have only scored 10, the manager has set up a side which is so difficult to defeat, hence their 7^th position in the Premier League. Another fascinating statistic in this era of squad rotation is that only 17 players have so far been used in league games, with back four players Lowton, Tarkowski and

Ben Mee (pictured) playing every single minute. Left back Ward has started all 11 matches and been taken off once for just 27 minutes. Midfield players Cork, Gudmundsson and Brady have also been ever-present starters, proving that continuity can be a vital ingredient in a successful campaign.  Liverpool suddenly cannot stop scoring goals and they cracked in another four at West Ham’s ex-Olympic (now the London) Stadium, conceding one in reply. Since the goalless stalemate against Manchester United, the Merseysiders have been involved in 5 games which have yielded a total of 23 goals of which only 5 feature in the goals against column. Also they now appear to possess a new goal scoring Talisman in Mohamed Salah. He was again on target on Saturday tea-time, scoring twice against a most unimpressive West Ham for whom manager Slaven Bilic, as it turned out, was spending his last 90 minutes in the dugout. Salah, like Kevin de Bruyne, was quickly axed by Chelsea and the Egyptian had to move to Italy to find international recognition. Jürgen Klopp brought him back to England from Roma and he has so far scored 7 times in the Premier League. He was helped on Saturday by the return of Sadio Mane whose ability to carry the ball forward through midfield proved too much for the Hammers. The Anfield side are now in 6^th position with equal points to Burnley and the recent goal spree has certainly brought a smile back on the manager’s expressionful face.

The Blue Moon continues to rise and rise over the Premier League, Arsenal failing to stop the progress of Manchester City on Sunday. Their front three of Sane, Aguero and Sterling (you can throw Jesus into the mix if you wish) is destroying defences like Law, Charlton and Best did across the city 50 years ago. It was a different era, they were different types of player, but their effect is certainly similar. Against the Gunners, their pace on the break and sublimity of their passing was simply too much for a side that has not found a strong defensive model since the days of the Dixon, Adams, Keown and Winterburn back four. There are still question marks about City’s defending as shown by how easily Alexandre Lacazette carved through their defence for the Gunners’ goal, but to attack the City defence, you first of all need the ball and the midfield trio of de Bruyne, Fernandinho and Silva is far too selfish to give it away. Now with an 8 point lead, it will take a brave gambler to bet against them. It would have been interesting to travel back with the Manchester United from Stamford Bridge following their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. Knowing the City result, was the mind set of Mourinho and co still optimistic? The Reds have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season and are second to City in the goals for table, having notched 2 and 3 goals more (respectively) than the allegedly free scoring Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur sides. So the argument that the manager simply parks the bus and is content to win by the odd girl seems without substance. He has lost his massively priced midfield player Paul Pogba to a long term injury and

Lukaku (pictured) has seriously started to misfire, but the league has history of its leaders throwing away large advantages. In 1996, United caught Newcastle United after being 12 points behind in January. They were however caught themselves in 2012 when, after leading the table by 8 points with 6 games remaining, they were overtaken by Manchester City on that memorable last day of fixtures. So the Old Trafford side need to remain positive because a competition is not over until it is over. Remaining positive has to be in the DNA of Everton supporters because they have suffered more lows than most since the inception of the Premier League, but half way through the second period on Sunday afternoon, optimism must have reached zero level. Two goals down to Watford and perhaps it was time for an early spectator exit, but suddenly fate took a hand. The Hornets had their keeper carried off with a severe head gash and it was a different game. Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both scored (the latter having just replaced Wayne Rooney) and then the 4^th official indicated 12 added minutes. Leighton Baines converted from the penalty spot after Aaron Lennon had been tripped and as time ticked away, Watford themselves were awarded a penalty after Jordan Pickford fouled the Brazilian Richarlison. Up stepped Everton old boy Tom Cleverley and he screwed his effort horribly wide; as poor a penalty attempt as you will ever see. The “Blues” were the unexpected benefactors of 3 points, out of the relegation zone and caretaker manager David Unsworth’s smile was wider than the Mersey. It may have come too late to save his job, and whether the game will be long remembered depends on what comes next. It may be a renaissance, a turnaround in the club’s fortune or it may just be a rogue result, normal service being resumed for all Evertonians after the international break, but the 38,609 spectators certainly had their money’s worth; a 58 minute second half and all.  

The Championship

Bolton Wanderers climbed to within touching distance of survival in the Championship (well within 2 points actually) when they defeated Norwich City 2-1 at the Macron Stadium. It was the Wanderers’ 5^th game without defeat following that totally abysmal start and this against a team looking for their 5^th successive away win. The home side generally conceded possession to the “Canaries” but when they went forward, they certainly hit the target and two goals just before half time sent them into the dressing room in a happy frame of mind. Gary Madine had scored the opener, converting a right wing cross from skipper Darren Pratley and five minutes later they were two ahead

thanks to Adam Armstrong (pictured) on loan from Newcastle United, who curled the ball into the corner of the net. As to be expected, they had to withstand a Norwich second-half onslaught, but their defence was only breached in the last minute giving them another lifeline and 3 valuable points. An injury hit Preston North End made the reverse trip to East Anglia and suffered their 4^th consecutive defeat, going down 3-0 to the Ipswich Town. With scarcely a fit defender to choose from, it was always going to be a difficult task for North End and three goals within a 20 minute period either side of half-time sealed the game for Mick McCarthy’s side. Apart from a Daniel Johnson shot which hit the bar on the stroke of half time, PNE were never in the game and they have subsided to 14^th place, although as usual, the Championship table is so concertinaed that a couple of victories could have them close to the Play-Off spots once again.

The FA Cup  

All nine of our League 1 and League 2 sides plus AFC Fylde and Chorley featured in the 1^st Round of the competition and Wigan Athletic had a tougher than expected game against Crawley Town from the league below. The Harry Kewell managed side defended stubbornly and took a 20^th minute lead before goals from Ivan Toney and Lee Evans secured a victory for the 2013 cup winners. Along with our other successful teams, they will hope for a friendly draw on Monday night which will hopefully ease them into the 3^rd Round and a potential money spinning tie with one of the big boys. Before then however, they can concentrate on the league for the next three weeks, starting with a less than easy visit to Rochdale next Saturday. The Spotland side were far too good for Bromley from the National League, doubles from Brad Inman and Ian Henderson seeing them to a comfortable 4-0 victory. There was a similar story at Ewood Park to the one at the DW Stadium; Blackburn Rovers being given a fright by the League 2 relegation threatened Barnet. The Rovers went into the half-time break a goal down but it was all the Lancashire side deserved after a dreadful first-half performance. Whatever Tony Mowbray said to them at half time needs bottling because they came out a completely different side and coasted to an eventual 3-1 win, Joe Nuttall (his second in two substitute appearances), Danny Graham and Marcus Antonsson supplying the goals. Because of international calls the Rovers have a day off next weekend.  AFC Fylde continue to set records and they have now reached the 2^nd Round of the FA Cup for the first time following their 4-2 win over Kidderminster Harriers. They were always going to be favourites against a former Football League side which has dropped down to Tier 6 but the Coasters rocketed to a four goal lead within the hour. Inevitably Danny Rowe scored a couple and there was a sensational individual effort from Jonny Smith and another from Sam Finlay before the Worcestershire side reduced the arrears somewhat. They are back to the bread and butter of National League football on Saturday, travelling to 9^th placed Aldershot Town. The Lancashire club has certainly found some form of late and a good result here would place them in sniffing distance of the Play-Off places. The FA Cup is always a potential banana skin for higher level sides such as Blackpool and Hertfordshire’s Boreham Wood, a mid-table National League club, were always going to give it everything. However a League 1 side, again comfortably mid-table, ought to have had sufficient class, but apparently not on this occasion. Gary Bowyer picked several fringe players for this away trip and it obviously backfired on him. After a goalless first period during which the “Tangerines” missed a number of chances, Danny Philliskirk (pictured)

put them ahead, but the home side quickly equalised and then, showing a level of stamina not usually associated with non-league sides, Boreham Wood scrambled a late winner. With the air of optimism following the decision from Monday’s court case which ought to liberate the club from the clutches of the Oystons, a decent cup run would have further lifted morale by the seaside, but this is one former FA Cup winner which has not cleared this year’s 1^st Round hurdle. On Saturday they face the fellow promoted Portsmouth, a decent footballing side, but hopefully home advantage will be vital as Blackpool seek to return to winning ways. Oldham Athletic must be disappointed with their 3-2 loss at Carlisle United. The Latics seemed to have turned the corner following the appointment of Ritchie Wellens as manager but they found themselves 3-0 down after an hour to a less than outstanding Cumbrian side. Goals by Peter Clarke and substitute Aaron Amadi-Holloway gave them a chance but it was too little too late and Oldham slumped to their second 3-2 defeat in a week. They now have 2 weeks to sort out their defensive problems.

Managerless Bury faced the prospect of another defeat at Woking but made a most encouraging start when Michael Smith scored in the first minute. The Surrey side from the National League equalised before half-time and that was the way it finished with both clubs having to meet again in Greater Manchester. The “Shakers” travel to Gillingham in League 1 next weekend; neighbours at the foot of the table. A point at least is essential for the Gigg Lane club. There was a similar result in the Guiseley v Accrington Stanley tie. In this case however, neither side found the net although both keepers were kept busy to the final whistle. Their combined skills secured a 0-0 draw, which was particularly commendable for the struggling National League side. Stanley have a tricky match at Cambridge United on Saturday. Cambridge are in 10^th place in the league, somewhat behind 2^nd placed Accrington but with much to play for to reach the Play-Off spots. Thankfully Morecambe found a victory on Saturday, knocking out Hartlepool United by a 3-0 margin with goals from Kevin

Ellison, Andy Fleming (pictured) and an unfortunate own-goal by the Hartlepool goalkeeper. The Durham side have been making good progress in recent weeks in the National League after being relegated in May and an upset was on the cards here. As it was, the Shrimps at long last “got their house in order” and romped home in fine style. It will be good for the club financially but will also be a morale booster for their League 2 home encounter against Wycombe Wanderers this coming weekend. Chorley from the National League North must be kicking themselves after wasting a golden opportunity to progress into the 2^nd Round when they went down 2-1 to League 1 side Fleetwood Town in front of 3,500 spectators at a house full Victory Park. I watched the Cod Army at Ewood Park the other week and was impressed by their team work, but the “Magpies” were the better side for 70 minutes, going one up with a goal from Marcus Carver and then receiving a further boost when Fleetwood’s impressive right back Lewie Coyle was dismissed. Bizarrely, this kick-started the League 1 side’s revival and they scored twice late on with goals from Devante Cole and Jack Sowerby. Chorley must now concentrate on aiming for promotion to the National League and they entertain Nuneaton Town on Saturday; a game they ought to win.  Fleetwood Town meanwhile are away to MK Dons, a side which has lost its way since relegation 2 seasons ago, but still an eleven which can produce shock results. Eight league places separate the teams but a mere 6 points, so the Cod Army will have to improve on their cup performance if they wish to push towards the Play-Off spots.

The Non-League Scene

Barrow, with no FA Cup commitments had a weekend off but welcome Macclesfield Town to Holker Street on Saturday. The Cheshire side are one of English football’s iconic Non-League clubs, ex-Football League also and are currently occupying second spot in the National League. The Bluebirds need every point they can find to pull away from the relegation places but this will be one difficult 90 minutes for them. Salford City edged out Alfreton Town 1-0 to go 4 points clear in the National League North but they have a tricky encounter at Tamworth in store on Saturday. The South Staffordshire side have a knack of upsetting the high-flyers so 3 points will be a huge bonus for the “Ammies”. It is FA Trophy weekend and there are two ties which pit Red Rose clubs together. Atherton Collieries from the Norther Premier League 1 North may well fancy their chances against a struggling Marine from the league above and two other Northern Premier League clubs clash in one of the ties of the round. The draw has produced a 2^nd versus 5^th encounter, matching the consistent Warrington Town against an “inconsistent but formidable on the day” Ashton United. There are FA Vase fixtures also and Ashton Athletic from the North West Counties Premier Division face tough opposition in the shape of Morpeth from Northumberland. This Northern League club won the trophy in 2016 and are currently 2^nd in their league, but the Wigan side have produced some excellent cup results this season so it could be close.

Non-League Club of the Week

Irlam

Irlam Town were prominent in Non-League circles at the back end of the last century but after reaching Tier 8, they quickly slid down the pyramid and the club folded in 1995. This present Irlam

incarnation started playing locally as Mitchell Shackleton in 1969, added Irlam to their name in 2001 when they were successful in the Manchester Premier League and then became plain Irlam in 2006.  Two years later they were promoted to the North West Counties League 1 and settled into a mid-table position for the next seven years. In the 2015-16 season they upped their game and were promoted to the NWC Premier League after finishing runners-up. They ended last season in an encouraging 8^th position and so far this term, the Michael Dodd managed side has slipped to 14^th, but are still considered to be competitive opposition. They play at Silver Street in Irlam (now known as the Ambitek Stadium for commercial reasons) where their average gate is 121 spectators and their strip is all blue. With the club now run by ex-manager Steve Nixon, their goal is steady progress towards the Northern Premier League 1 North.

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

1                    Which Red Rose Club competed in 2 consecutive FA Cup Finals in the 1950s, winning 1 and also lost again in the final in the 80s?

2                    Brian McClair (pictured) played 355 league games for Manchester United but from which club did they buy him?

3                    Who played 300 times for Cheltenham, 342 times for Burnley, 24 times for the Northern Ireland international side and is now the manager of the Burnley Under 23 squad?

4                    Which Red Rose club, which has only qualified for European football on two occasions, drew away to Bayern Munich and then defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 on aggregate to reach the last 16 of the 2007-08 UEFA Cup?

5                    Born in St Asaph, the same Welsh village as Ian Rush, goalkeeper Chris Maxwell (pictured) was signed by Preston North End in 2016 from which local club where he made 110 appearances?

6                    In two stints as manager, which Red Rose County boss has clocked up 486 games at a current League 1 club?

7                    Prior to moving to their new ground in 2010, which Lancashire club played their home games at Christie Park?

8                    Which French international is his country’s second most capped player with 123 appearances, winning 86 of those while playing down south in the Premier League?

9                    Which Red Rose club reached the Championship Play-Off final in 2012, losing 2-1 at Wembley to a last minute West Ham United goal?

10                Who made his professional debut at the age of 25, but went on to make 147 league appearances for Blackpool, 171 for Burnley, 89 for Preston North End and 182 for Oldham Athletic before leaving the professional game at the age of 42?

Post Weekend Musings

Lee Clark has been sacked as manager of Bury with the club deep in the relegation mire in League 1. I remember the Geordie as an outstanding schoolboy international, once scoring a hat-trick for England at Wembley. He became an extremely talented midfield player with Newcastle United, Fulham and Sunderland but never added an England cap to the eleven gained at U/21 level. As a manager he has been employed by five different clubs in ten years, having been sacked by four of them. He twice reached the League 1 Play-Offs with Huddersfield Town, saved Birmingham City from relegation, could do nothing to arrest Blackpool’s rapid descent from the Championship and also rescued Bury from relegation last season. It was only at Kilmarnock, where he completed another Houdini act to keep the Ayrshire club in the Scottish Premier League, that he resigned to take over at Gigg Lane. In such a results based industry, it came as no shock that the Greater Manchester club dismissed him and no doubt he will have received a handy sum of money as a pay-off, but I am left pondering once again over the lives of managers in the modern game. With the sack just a few defeats away, there must be less stressful ways of earning a living.

If Morecambe go down this season, it will be the first time in their 98 year history that they have been relegated. This is a phenomenal record, bettered only in terms of longevity by Arsenal who have resisted relegation for 105 years. Interestingly the club in 3^rd place on this list is Everton who were last relegated in 1951. If they and the “Shrimps” are relegated, they will be replaced in 2^nd place by Liverpool whose last taste of the drop was in 1954.

Once upon a day, the Republic of Ireland international side would have had a fair sprinkling of Tier 1 players, notably from Red Rose giants such as Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and, going back to when I was a boy, Blackburn Rovers. Martin O’Neill’s squad for the vital World Cup 2-legged Play-Off games against Denmark contains four such players. Interestingly they are all from one club; Burnley FC. Hendrick, Brady and Ward seem sure to start so let us hope that some of the Clarets’ magic can be sprinkled on to the Irish.

Is the current Manchester City side the best to play in the Football and Premier Leagues? Can they join the two other “Invincibles” and complete a season undefeated? It is of course too early to make such a statement but they are heading in the direction of football’s very own Valhalla. The majority will remember the Arsenal glory season of 2003-04 but sadly the 1888-89 exploits of the original Preston North End “Invincibles” are lost in the mists of time.

The High Court decision in the Oyston v Belokon case, in which the current Blackpool owners have been ordered to pay the £31million owed to the ex-shareholder from Latvia, may be a game-changer in the Oyston’s long running battle with Blackpool supporters. It is difficult to believe that the family have any other option but to sell the club, hopefully to an interested party who genuinely wants to see the “Tangerines” return to the days of their former glory, but such is the level of negativity around football owners in the modern age that we will believe it when we see it. 

Quiz Answers: 1 Manchester City, 2 Glasgow Celtic, 3 Michael Duff 4 Bolton Wanderers, 5 Fleetwood Town, 6 Keith Hill, 7 Morecambe, 8 Thierry Henry, 9 Blackpool, 10 David Eyres.