Sport Blogs
The last 12 months have flown by, as they always seem to. 14 May 2017, the Finale, the tearful heartfelt farewell to the Lane - roll on 12 months and whilst it’s been a pretty hospitable venue in terms of results (13 league wins, four draws and two defeats plus some truly memorable Champions League nights) there were vastly different emotions when the final whistle on Sunday brought the curtain down on season 2017/18.
We’re going home!
Monday, May 14, 2018
It’s been a while! My last blog was back in October just after the super draw in Madrid. I talked then about the club and fans enjoying our ride on the maturity journey and about the big five weeks coming up.
Calm down, calm down!
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Having beaten runaway leaders Manchester City in a seven-goal thriller just over a week ago, it was a case of after the Lord’s Mayor’s Show for Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium last night. As is often the case, they had enough chances to win two matches, but they failed to register for the first time since West Brom parked the bus at Anfield on December 13.
Top four predictions
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Arsene Wenger is known for fielding weakened sides in cup competitions. He only just escaped heavy criticism after Fabianski shockingly came off his line to allow a golden opportunity for Hull City to take certain FA Cup victory away from Arsenal in 2014, one case of many in which he has frustratingly been able to justify his decision to play a lesser quality team. On Sunday however, Wenger’s luck ran out, and it was to the pain of all Arsenal fans.
Wenger's unnecessary gamble backfired
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
The first Arsenal game of the new year is always an exciting occasion. Start the year off on a loss and the mood of the fans can swing the wrong way for the rest of the season, so when it is a London derby against such familiar rivals as Chelsea, the stakes are sky high.
JFS graduation caused me to miss Premier League thriller
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Football is a game of fine margins, and when you are on the losing side it is painful. I spent the whole Arsenal game on the edge of my sofa, or with my head in my hands. Every time the ball came near the goal, De Gea produced another agonising save, using every part of his body available to him.
Manchester United looked like no more than a 'rich man's West Brom’
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Just as it seemed that the winds of change were blowing Tottenham into the powerful position in north London, as the 'Mind the Gap’ jeers were coming from Wembley instead of the Emirates, as the red of North London was fading away into a haunting, empty white, Arsenal produced one of their best performances of the season.
NLD triumph feels good
Monday, November 20, 2017
West Ham yesterday announced that they have sacked Slaven Bilic, stating “that a change is now necessary in order for the club to move forward positively and in line with their ambition”.
Arsenal should take note of West Ham's action plan
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
After 10 games, Everton are in 18th place, with eight points. This has been their worst defensive start in 23 years, having already conceded 20 goals. In the 1994/95 season, they had shipped 22 goals after 10 games, and were rock bottom of the league on three points and no wins, back when the league had 22 teams.
Everton should stand by Unsworth until Merseyside derby
Monday, October 30, 2017
Last week, I wrote about the Premier League: “A few teams scramble for third and fourth, slipping up every so often, making the top two increasingly unobtainable”.
The life cycle of criticism
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
It’s a cold Wednesday morning, the sun is still hours away from peeking over the horizon and the dog is keen for an early walk. But I’m watching a second re-run of last night's tactical masterclass at the Bernabeau. A triumph for both an increasingly tactically astute manager and a squad increasing comfortable to show disciplined shape and execution for 90 minutes plus. Or at least that’s how I saw it, and how my Madrid born Real supporting mate who I watched the game with saw it.
Surfing the maturity curve
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
The Premier League has proudly owned the title of the world's best league for many years. It's competitive atmosphere in every game and the possibility of a giant-killing every week has justified this label, rather than having the best players in the world.
Premier League already a two-horse race
Monday, October 16, 2017
The England squad has not been famous for recruiting world-class players in recent years. This week however, Southgate has sunk to a new low.
England have sunk to a new low
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
The dawning of a new August, a new season is always a special time for football fans. All the hopes and expectations, the madness of the final weeks of the transfer window and the inescapable buzz that comes with hearing the click of the turnstiles for the first time in months.
Hoodoo? Do me a favour!
Friday, September 29, 2017
FIFA is set to lift the ban on the sporting of poppy armbands in remembrance of those who have died in combat, after Wales and Northern Ireland were fined by the governing body for displaying them.
Unless racist or offensive, sports fans should be allowed to express their beliefs
Wednesday, September 27, 2017