Red Rose Football Blog Edition 44
August 22nd 2017
Red Rose Player of the Week
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 There have been “withdrawn” or “deep lying” centre forwards; Cantona played this role for United as did Don Revie in the 50s across the city.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 |
 |
Stan Mortensen, the Blackpool goal scoring hero
|
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).
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.
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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