Red Rose Football Blog Edition 45
August 28th 2017
Red Rose Player of the Week
Sadio Mane; Liverpool
The Senegalese
forward player, ex of Southampton, is beginning to be the new Anfield talisman.
Whenever he played last season, the Reds looked like a well set up machine but
African Nations’ Cup duty and a serious injury towards the end of the season
meant that his appearances were somewhat restricted. The potential was easy to
spot as he scored 13 goals from 27 appearances and this season, he now seems to
be blossoming into an outstanding player. Coming in off either wing and always
willing to track back, he has pace to spare and his goal against Arsenal, curling
the ball around Peter Cech, speaks volumes about his technical ability. With
Mane contributing so much, Liverpool could be serious title contenders and
following on from Sunday’s performance, the African is a worthy beneficiary of
the Red Rose Player of the week.
 |
| Sadio Mane |
Performances of the
last week
Predictably Liverpool and Everton
coasted through to the group stages of the Champions League and the Europa League respectively. A
rare Emre Can double set the Reds up nicely for a 4-2 (Aggregate 6-3) win over
1899 Hoffenheim whilst a stunning Gylfi Sigurdsson 50 yard strike was
sufficient to earn the Blues a 1-1 draw (aggregate 3-1) over Hajduk Split.
The Belgian has a knack of
coming on to score important goals and with 9 points from 3 games and a 10-0
goal difference, this has been a strong statement of intent from “United”. The
Sunday fixtures were all about London v the Red Rose and in boxing parlance, it
was a narrow points defeat for the southerners. Liverpool’s performance against Arsenal was simply stunning. The
score line was 4-0 but if it had been 6 or 7, Arsene Wenger could not have
complained. Talk about taking the opposition to the cleaners. Even without
Philipe Coutinho whose illness seems to be in the head rather than of the body,
the sheer pace and ingenuity of the Red’s attacking options were far too much
for the lightweight Gunners with Sadio Mane being the star of the show. The
goals were shared around; a Mane shot, a Roberto Firmino header, a solo effort
from Mohamed Salah and a closing header from Daniel Sturridge. Predictably,
Chelsea were too good for Everton,
the Toffees, possibly fatigued from a heavy August programme, slumping to a 2-0
defeat, but it was Burnley who
tipped the balance in the Northerly direction. Their record signing Chris Wood
snatched a late equaliser at Wembley as Tottenham Hotspur continue to struggle
at their new home. Another gritty performance from the Clarets!
Preston North End continued their
successful start to the season, travelling to Middlesbrough and comfortably
seeing out a 0-0 draw to remain close to the Play-Off spots in the Championship.
“North End” dominated the stats and even Garry Monk, the opposing manager, said
that Alex Neil’s side deserved the victory. August was predicted to be a
difficult month for “PNE” when the fixture list was first published but this
young side has rode out the potential storm in fine style.
After a disastrous start to the
campaign, pre-season League 1 favourites Blackburn Rovers made it two
out of two when cruising to a 4-1 win over MK Dons. Defender Charlie Mulgrew
helped himself to a couple of goals as the “Rovers” hauled themselves into the
top half of the league. The Scottish international flies off on international
duty to Lithuania during the week, content in the knowledge that he is the
joint leading scorer with 3 goals at Ewood Park, alongside the new striker Dominic
Samuel. In one of the two Red Rose County derby games, Blackpool continued to prosper
by defeating Oldham
Athletic 2-1 at Bloomfield Road. There has much to be pleased about
at the seaside. Gary Bowyer has blooded several young hopefuls with Newcastle
United loanee Sean Longstaff netting three times in 3 games but the “Latics”,
pointless and in 23rd place, are in deep trouble. In the other
derby, Rochdale
and Bury
fought out a tame goalless draw at Spotland, a result that better suited the
“Shakers” who had keeper Joe Murphy sent off for an innocuous hand ball outside
the area when there was no opposition player in sight. There has certainly been
no dream start for these two clubs or for Oldham, all three neighbours in the
North East Manchester triangle, and a massive amount of hard work faces
managers Lee Clark, Keith Hill and John Sheridan.
There was a heroic Friday evening
performance from Accrington Stanley in League 2. They were 2-0 down at Notts County,
they then had a man sent off but came back to draw the game 2-2. Mallik Wilks,
on loan from Leeds United, equalised in the 95th minute to sustain
the “Stanley” promotion push so can the League 2 longest sitting tenant be finally
about to exit…… in an upwardly direction?
scored the second goal on Saturday, making him the
“Coasters’” all–time record goal scorer as they moved well away from the
relegation places. In the National League
North, FC United of Manchester also produced their first 3 pointer,
defeating Boston United 2-1 at home. It was a much needed win but they were
greatly assisted by 2 Boston second half dismissals.
It has come as something of a surprise but Ashton United
find themselves on top of the Northern Premier League following their 2-0
win at Sutton Coldfield. It is early days but the “Northern Prem” is already
looking like an extremely close fought and competitive league indeed. With
defeats in their first 2 games and having been on the wrong end of an 8-2
massacre in their FA Cup replay at City of Liverpool
in midweek, Prescot
Cables regrouped, winning 2-1 at Tadcaster Albion to move into the
safer reaches of the Northern Premier League 1 North. West Didsbury & Chorlton won impressively at
Congleton, Tom Bailey scoring twice, to remain
in the mix at the top end of the North West Counties
Premier League, whilst Prestwich Heys stayed on the heels of the leaders with a 5-0
thrashing of Holker Old Boys in the NWC Division 1,
Rio Wilson-Heys notching a couple of goals.
Games to look forward to this week
The
International Break dominates the football fixtures for the coming weekend.
Friday evening sees three of our Home nations in action. All three are away
from home and England (in Malta) and Northern Ireland (in San Marino) will be
looking to boost their goal difference in what ought to be routine victories.
For Scotland, Lithuania will prove a definite threat but this is a must win
game for Gordon Strachan’s “Tartan Army”. There is a great deal riding on the
two Group D fixtures on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland need a win in Georgia
whereas Wales, boosted by the return to fitness of Gareth Bale, simply must
defeat Austria in Cardiff.
International
call-ups mean a non-Premier League/Championship
weekend and have also caused the cancellation of the Blackburn Rovers v Fleetwood Town
League 1
fixture. Bury’s home game against
Scunthorpe United however still stands. The “Shakers” in 17th
position are precariously close to trouble and Graham Alexander’s “Iron”, who
performed so well for most of last season, are so far unbeaten in 6th
place. Home advantage may just help Bury to at least a draw. No question as to
the top League
2 game. The Globe Arena at Morecambe stages the Lancashire derby and Accrington
Stanley, robust and competitive on their travels, will be looking to
further cement a Play-Off place at least. The “Shrimps” also have lost just one
game and will take heart from a point gained at Cambridge United last Saturday.
The Red Rose County’s game of the day could be close.
With
life now looking somewhat more blissful in the National
League, AFC Fylde will
be “up for” a rough old mid-table encounter when they visit AFC
Halifax Town. In the National League North, Southport play host to
Darlington in a battle of two former League Clubs. The “Sandgrounders” narrowly
lost at Salford City on the Bank Holiday but Darlington are stuttering slightly
after winning their first three so hopefully the 3 points will remain at Haig
Avenue. It is the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round day and
there are several interesting ties with local interest. The improving Marine are
at home to Ashton
United, briefly table topper’s over the weekend, in an all Northern
Premier League clash. Ashton Athletic are one of only 4 North West Counties Football League clubs still
standing in the competition and they have a home fixture against Bamber Bridge from
the league above. Colne, from the Northern Premier League 1 North have yet to
hit last term’s form but they will be difficult opponents in the Lancashire
derby for Lancaster City from
the Premier League. The winners in this round receive a £3,000 bonus from the Emirates FA Cup
prize fund; money, at this level of the game, not to be sniffed at. There are
routine North West Counties Premier Division matches
and one that catches the eye is at Hanley Town where the Potteries’ side take
on surprise leaders Charnock Richard. Hanley shocked Bootle at the weekend, winning by the
odd goal in 7 on Merseyside so this could be a close run thing. Finally in Division 1, Bacup Borough, the Lancashire club
from way up in the foot hills of the Pennines, play host to Cammel Laird 1907. They have
made a much improved start to the season and may have too much for a Wirral
side struggling to come to terms with a dismal relegation last term.
Unsung Red Rose County Footballing Heroes
Simon Garner, Blackburn
Rovers
Every
side, at whatever level, has produced players whom the supporters adore, often
as much for their reliability and endeavour as their ability. They are probably
not quite good enough to be lured away by the top clubs but amongst the club’s
fan base, they are idolised and then forever remembered.
He
never played in the highest division and the end of his career at Blackburn coincided
with the beginning of the Jack Walker era when super stars were being
parachuted into the club on a weekly basis. He moved to West Brom, scoring
goals and helping them back into Division 1 (Tier 2) via the Play-Offs and
continued to find the net at Wycombe Wanderers, scoring in a successful
Play-Off final, before retiring at the age of 36. His finest goal scoring feat
was when he was later sent to Kirkham Open Prison for a month for contempt of
court following a messy divorce. Selected to play against a rival prison, he
allegedly smashed in 9 goals.
But
more seriously, we often wondered why higher ranked clubs never came dangling
their cheque books. He played of course in the days when there was a drinking
culture at clubs and players were less concerned about health and fitness
regimes. He admitted to being a 20 a day smoker; the gossipers also saying he
was not averse to a pint or 4 of lager. With more application, his career may
have moved upwards but that would have robbed the “Roverites” of many warm memories
of their local hero. The goal scorer still has links with his old town, writing
a weekly column in the sports pages of the Lancashire Telegraph, also providing
quotes and comments on the performance of the “blues” on local radio. The
supporters’ chant “there’s only one Simon Garner” was a statement of belief as
well as fact.
With the World Cup
qualifiers due this weekend and early next week, here are the Red Rose Players selected
for the Home Country International Squads. One omission of course is the now
“internationally retired” Wayne Rooney.
|
Club
|
England
|
Scotland
|
Wales
|
Northern Ireland
|
Republic of Ireland
|
|
Burnley
|
T Heaton
|
|
S Vokes
|
|
K Long
S Ward
J Hendrick
R Brady
J Walters
|
|
Everton
|
M Keane
J
Pickford
|
|
A Williams
|
|
J McCarthy
|
|
Liverpool
|
J
Henderson
D
Sturridge
|
A Robertson
|
D Ward
B Woodburn
|
|
|
|
Manchester City
|
K Walker
J Stones
R
Sterling
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manchester United
|
P Jones
C
Smalling
J
Lingard
M
Rashford
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preston North End
|
|
|
|
|
G Cunningham
A Browne
D Horgan
S Maguire
|
|
Blackburn Rovers
|
|
C Mulgrew
|
|
C Evans
|
|
|
Bury
|
|
|
|
A Thompson
|
|
|
Oldham Athletic
|
|
|
|
R McLaughlin
|
|
Quiz of the Week (Answers at the foot of the Blog)
1
There have been 14 permanently appointed England football managers
since the position was introduced in 1947. Which of the managers has gained
most international caps for England as a player?
2
There are 16 Red Rose County clubs currently in the top 4
Divisions. Morecambe, Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and which other has never
played in Tier 2?
3
Manchester
United have won 5 Football League Cups in total, scoring 10 goals in those Cup
Final winning games. Who has scored 3 of them?
4
Martin Paterson (pictured) was
Burnley’s leading goal scorer in their 2008-09 promotion year. For which country
has he gained 21 international caps?
5
Only 3 clubs have been founding members of the Football League
in 1888 and the Premier League in 1992, Aston Villa, Everton and which other?
6
Who
played 285 times League games for Liverpool between 2005 and 2013, holding the
record for most Premier League appearances by a Spanish player?
7
Recent Preston North End local hero Joe Garner (pictured) is now
playing with which club?
8
The 1985 UEFA Cup winning Everton side featured three Welshmen
in their back five, Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe and which most un-Welsh
sounding left back?
9
Which Manchester City player, with a total of 296, has made the
most Premier League appearances for Manchester City?
10
The ex-Blackpool star Charlie Adam was signed by the Seasiders
in 2009 from which Scottish Premier League side?
Post Weekend Musings
In something of a shock move, Paul Cox has left his role (by
mutual consent) as manager of National League
side Barrow. Cox had certainly
improved things at Holker Street, but 3 draws, a defeat and a win in the
season’s first five games has been insufficient for both Board and manager, so the ex-Mansfield boss exits
after a 21 month stint in the hot seat.
The big football debate away from the pitch in recent weeks
has been the length of the “Transfer Window”. There has always been a lack of
logic in it continuing beyond the start of the season and 2 months was way too
long a period. It seems that a number of top flight managers agree and so
hopefully, it will become a one month exercise next summer. This will move it
out of line with the rest of Europe so there may be much wrangling at the Nyon
headquarters of UEFA, situated close to Geneva, before it can become a reality.
The media may also feel aggrieved, having less time to ponder and pontificate
on predicted transfers (and it certainly sells papers), but a one month window will
please those of us who have become totally switched off by this seemingly never
ending soap opera.
Nature surely never intended August to be part of the
football season, but now it is; a period of time when hopes are raised or
dashed. You never win a title in August and a poor start does not necessarily
consign you to a relegation battle, but a good start beats a poor one any year.
So where are the biggest smiles and the deepest frowns within the Red Rose
football community as September beckons. In the Top 6 Tiers of English
football, only 3 clubs can still boast a 100% record, Cardiff City,
Peterborough United and of course our own Manchester
United. Jose Mourinho, who has never failed to win a title in his second
season in charge since his tenure at Porto in 2002, must be ecstatic with the
start that the Reds have made, although he is far too experienced to take his
foot off the pedal. John Sheridan is currently wearing the deepest frown, his Oldham Athletic
side has zero points and other managers in the relegation spots and looking
upwards are Phil Parkinson at Bolton Wanderers in the Championship, Keith Hill
at Rochdale
in League 1
and Matt Jansen in the National League North at Chorley. We all know about “ fat
ladies singing” and there is much truth in the cliché, but what the strugglers
need is a Board of Directors who will give them time to sort things out,
although “patience” is probably a word conspicuous by its absence in the Job
Description of Chief Executives, Chairmen and Owners. All Mourinho needs however
is an injury-free season; he has enough talent at his disposal to give the rest
of the league a run for its money. From Tier 7-10, there are only 3 clubs yet
to drop a point, one being little Charnock Richard
in the North West Counties Premier League. This
shows the competitive nature at the summit of our leagues but down in the
basement it is a different story. Radcliffe Borough at Tier 8, Squires
Gate and surprisingly Padiham at Tier 9 as well as the Tier
10 club St Helens Town have still to even
register a draw. Early days yet, but….?
Quiz Answers: 1 Kevin Keegan, 2
Fleetwood Town, 3 Wayne Rooney, 4 Northern Ireland, 5 Blackburn Rovers, 6 Pepe Reina, 7 Ipswich
Town, 8 Pat van den Hauwe, 9 Richard Dunne, 10 Glasgow Rangers.
Red Rose Football Blog Edition 45
August 28th 2017
Red Rose Player of the Week
Sadio Mane; Liverpool
Performances of the last week
Predictably Liverpool and Everton
coasted through to the group stages of the Champions League and the Europa League respectively. A
rare Emre Can double set the Reds up nicely for a 4-2 (Aggregate 6-3) win over
1899 Hoffenheim whilst a stunning Gylfi Sigurdsson 50 yard strike was
sufficient to earn the Blues a 1-1 draw (aggregate 3-1) over Hajduk Split.
Preston North End continued their
successful start to the season, travelling to Middlesbrough and comfortably
seeing out a 0-0 draw to remain close to the Play-Off spots in the Championship.
“North End” dominated the stats and even Garry Monk, the opposing manager, said
that Alex Neil’s side deserved the victory. August was predicted to be a
difficult month for “PNE” when the fixture list was first published but this
young side has rode out the potential storm in fine style.
After a disastrous start to the
campaign, pre-season League 1 favourites Blackburn Rovers made it two
out of two when cruising to a 4-1 win over MK Dons. Defender Charlie Mulgrew
helped himself to a couple of goals as the “Rovers” hauled themselves into the
top half of the league. The Scottish international flies off on international
duty to Lithuania during the week, content in the knowledge that he is the
joint leading scorer with 3 goals at Ewood Park, alongside the new striker Dominic
Samuel. In one of the two Red Rose County derby games, Blackpool continued to prosper
by defeating Oldham
Athletic 2-1 at Bloomfield Road. There has much to be pleased about
at the seaside. Gary Bowyer has blooded several young hopefuls with Newcastle
United loanee Sean Longstaff netting three times in 3 games but the “Latics”,
pointless and in 23rd place, are in deep trouble. In the other
derby, Rochdale
and Bury
fought out a tame goalless draw at Spotland, a result that better suited the
“Shakers” who had keeper Joe Murphy sent off for an innocuous hand ball outside
the area when there was no opposition player in sight. There has certainly been
no dream start for these two clubs or for Oldham, all three neighbours in the
North East Manchester triangle, and a massive amount of hard work faces
managers Lee Clark, Keith Hill and John Sheridan.
There was a heroic Friday evening
performance from Accrington Stanley in League 2. They were 2-0 down at Notts County,
they then had a man sent off but came back to draw the game 2-2. Mallik Wilks,
on loan from Leeds United, equalised in the 95th minute to sustain
the “Stanley” promotion push so can the League 2 longest sitting tenant be finally
about to exit…… in an upwardly direction?
It has come as something of a surprise but Ashton United
find themselves on top of the Northern Premier League following their 2-0
win at Sutton Coldfield. It is early days but the “Northern Prem” is already
looking like an extremely close fought and competitive league indeed. With
defeats in their first 2 games and having been on the wrong end of an 8-2
massacre in their FA Cup replay at City of Liverpool
in midweek, Prescot
Cables regrouped, winning 2-1 at Tadcaster Albion to move into the
safer reaches of the Northern Premier League 1 North. West Didsbury & Chorlton won impressively at
Congleton, Tom Bailey scoring twice, to remain
in the mix at the top end of the North West Counties
Premier League, whilst Prestwich Heys stayed on the heels of the leaders with a 5-0
thrashing of Holker Old Boys in the NWC Division 1,
Rio Wilson-Heys notching a couple of goals.
Games to look forward to this week
The
International Break dominates the football fixtures for the coming weekend.
Friday evening sees three of our Home nations in action. All three are away
from home and England (in Malta) and Northern Ireland (in San Marino) will be
looking to boost their goal difference in what ought to be routine victories.
For Scotland, Lithuania will prove a definite threat but this is a must win
game for Gordon Strachan’s “Tartan Army”. There is a great deal riding on the
two Group D fixtures on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland need a win in Georgia
whereas Wales, boosted by the return to fitness of Gareth Bale, simply must
defeat Austria in Cardiff.
International
call-ups mean a non-Premier League/Championship
weekend and have also caused the cancellation of the Blackburn Rovers v Fleetwood Town
League 1
fixture. Bury’s home game against
Scunthorpe United however still stands. The “Shakers” in 17th
position are precariously close to trouble and Graham Alexander’s “Iron”, who
performed so well for most of last season, are so far unbeaten in 6th
place. Home advantage may just help Bury to at least a draw. No question as to
the top League
2 game. The Globe Arena at Morecambe stages the Lancashire derby and Accrington
Stanley, robust and competitive on their travels, will be looking to
further cement a Play-Off place at least. The “Shrimps” also have lost just one
game and will take heart from a point gained at Cambridge United last Saturday.
The Red Rose County’s game of the day could be close.
With
life now looking somewhat more blissful in the National
League, AFC Fylde will
be “up for” a rough old mid-table encounter when they visit AFC
Halifax Town. In the National League North, Southport play host to
Darlington in a battle of two former League Clubs. The “Sandgrounders” narrowly
lost at Salford City on the Bank Holiday but Darlington are stuttering slightly
after winning their first three so hopefully the 3 points will remain at Haig
Avenue. It is the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round day and
there are several interesting ties with local interest. The improving Marine are
at home to Ashton
United, briefly table topper’s over the weekend, in an all Northern
Premier League clash. Ashton Athletic are one of only 4 North West Counties Football League clubs still
standing in the competition and they have a home fixture against Bamber Bridge from
the league above. Colne, from the Northern Premier League 1 North have yet to
hit last term’s form but they will be difficult opponents in the Lancashire
derby for Lancaster City from
the Premier League. The winners in this round receive a £3,000 bonus from the Emirates FA Cup
prize fund; money, at this level of the game, not to be sniffed at. There are
routine North West Counties Premier Division matches
and one that catches the eye is at Hanley Town where the Potteries’ side take
on surprise leaders Charnock Richard. Hanley shocked Bootle at the weekend, winning by the
odd goal in 7 on Merseyside so this could be a close run thing. Finally in Division 1, Bacup Borough, the Lancashire club
from way up in the foot hills of the Pennines, play host to Cammel Laird 1907. They have
made a much improved start to the season and may have too much for a Wirral
side struggling to come to terms with a dismal relegation last term.
Unsung Red Rose County Footballing Heroes
Simon Garner, Blackburn
Rovers
Every
side, at whatever level, has produced players whom the supporters adore, often
as much for their reliability and endeavour as their ability. They are probably
not quite good enough to be lured away by the top clubs but amongst the club’s
fan base, they are idolised and then forever remembered.
He
never played in the highest division and the end of his career at Blackburn coincided
with the beginning of the Jack Walker era when super stars were being
parachuted into the club on a weekly basis. He moved to West Brom, scoring
goals and helping them back into Division 1 (Tier 2) via the Play-Offs and
continued to find the net at Wycombe Wanderers, scoring in a successful
Play-Off final, before retiring at the age of 36. His finest goal scoring feat
was when he was later sent to Kirkham Open Prison for a month for contempt of
court following a messy divorce. Selected to play against a rival prison, he
allegedly smashed in 9 goals.
But
more seriously, we often wondered why higher ranked clubs never came dangling
their cheque books. He played of course in the days when there was a drinking
culture at clubs and players were less concerned about health and fitness
regimes. He admitted to being a 20 a day smoker; the gossipers also saying he
was not averse to a pint or 4 of lager. With more application, his career may
have moved upwards but that would have robbed the “Roverites” of many warm memories
of their local hero. The goal scorer still has links with his old town, writing
a weekly column in the sports pages of the Lancashire Telegraph, also providing
quotes and comments on the performance of the “blues” on local radio. The
supporters’ chant “there’s only one Simon Garner” was a statement of belief as
well as fact.
With the World Cup
qualifiers due this weekend and early next week, here are the Red Rose Players selected
for the Home Country International Squads. One omission of course is the now
“internationally retired” Wayne Rooney.
|
Club
|
England
|
Scotland
|
Wales
|
Northern Ireland
|
Republic of Ireland
|
|
Burnley
|
T Heaton
|
|
S Vokes
|
|
K Long
S Ward
J Hendrick
R Brady
J Walters
|
|
Everton
|
M Keane
J
Pickford
|
|
A Williams
|
|
J McCarthy
|
|
Liverpool
|
J
Henderson
D
Sturridge
|
A Robertson
|
D Ward
B Woodburn
|
|
|
|
Manchester City
|
K Walker
J Stones
R
Sterling
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manchester United
|
P Jones
C
Smalling
J
Lingard
M
Rashford
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preston North End
|
|
|
|
|
G Cunningham
A Browne
D Horgan
S Maguire
|
|
Blackburn Rovers
|
|
C Mulgrew
|
|
C Evans
|
|
|
Bury
|
|
|
|
A Thompson
|
|
|
Oldham Athletic
|
|
|
|
R McLaughlin
|
|
Quiz of the Week (Answers at the foot of the Blog)
1
There have been 14 permanently appointed England football managers
since the position was introduced in 1947. Which of the managers has gained
most international caps for England as a player?
2
There are 16 Red Rose County clubs currently in the top 4
Divisions. Morecambe, Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and which other has never
played in Tier 2?
3
Manchester
United have won 5 Football League Cups in total, scoring 10 goals in those Cup
Final winning games. Who has scored 3 of them?
4
Martin Paterson (pictured) was
Burnley’s leading goal scorer in their 2008-09 promotion year. For which country
has he gained 21 international caps?
5
Only 3 clubs have been founding members of the Football League
in 1888 and the Premier League in 1992, Aston Villa, Everton and which other?
6
Who
played 285 times League games for Liverpool between 2005 and 2013, holding the
record for most Premier League appearances by a Spanish player?
7
Recent Preston North End local hero Joe Garner (pictured) is now
playing with which club?
8
The 1985 UEFA Cup winning Everton side featured three Welshmen
in their back five, Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe and which most un-Welsh
sounding left back?
9
Which Manchester City player, with a total of 296, has made the
most Premier League appearances for Manchester City?
10
The ex-Blackpool star Charlie Adam was signed by the Seasiders
in 2009 from which Scottish Premier League side?
Post Weekend Musings
In something of a shock move, Paul Cox has left his role (by
mutual consent) as manager of National League
side Barrow. Cox had certainly
improved things at Holker Street, but 3 draws, a defeat and a win in the
season’s first five games has been insufficient for both Board and manager, so the ex-Mansfield boss exits
after a 21 month stint in the hot seat.
The big football debate away from the pitch in recent weeks
has been the length of the “Transfer Window”. There has always been a lack of
logic in it continuing beyond the start of the season and 2 months was way too
long a period. It seems that a number of top flight managers agree and so
hopefully, it will become a one month exercise next summer. This will move it
out of line with the rest of Europe so there may be much wrangling at the Nyon
headquarters of UEFA, situated close to Geneva, before it can become a reality.
The media may also feel aggrieved, having less time to ponder and pontificate
on predicted transfers (and it certainly sells papers), but a one month window will
please those of us who have become totally switched off by this seemingly never
ending soap opera.
Nature surely never intended August to be part of the
football season, but now it is; a period of time when hopes are raised or
dashed. You never win a title in August and a poor start does not necessarily
consign you to a relegation battle, but a good start beats a poor one any year.
So where are the biggest smiles and the deepest frowns within the Red Rose
football community as September beckons. In the Top 6 Tiers of English
football, only 3 clubs can still boast a 100% record, Cardiff City,
Peterborough United and of course our own Manchester
United. Jose Mourinho, who has never failed to win a title in his second
season in charge since his tenure at Porto in 2002, must be ecstatic with the
start that the Reds have made, although he is far too experienced to take his
foot off the pedal. John Sheridan is currently wearing the deepest frown, his Oldham Athletic
side has zero points and other managers in the relegation spots and looking
upwards are Phil Parkinson at Bolton Wanderers in the Championship, Keith Hill
at Rochdale
in League 1
and Matt Jansen in the National League North at Chorley. We all know about “ fat
ladies singing” and there is much truth in the cliché, but what the strugglers
need is a Board of Directors who will give them time to sort things out,
although “patience” is probably a word conspicuous by its absence in the Job
Description of Chief Executives, Chairmen and Owners. All Mourinho needs however
is an injury-free season; he has enough talent at his disposal to give the rest
of the league a run for its money. From Tier 7-10, there are only 3 clubs yet
to drop a point, one being little Charnock Richard
in the North West Counties Premier League. This
shows the competitive nature at the summit of our leagues but down in the
basement it is a different story. Radcliffe Borough at Tier 8, Squires
Gate and surprisingly Padiham at Tier 9 as well as the Tier
10 club St Helens Town have still to even
register a draw. Early days yet, but….?
Quiz Answers: 1 Kevin Keegan, 2
Fleetwood Town, 3 Wayne Rooney, 4 Northern Ireland, 5 Blackburn Rovers, 6 Pepe Reina, 7 Ipswich
Town, 8 Pat van den Hauwe, 9 Richard Dunne, 10 Glasgow Rangers.
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