Archives

Sir Alex Ferguson is well known for his precision timing – a quality that isn’t limited to the departing Manchester United manager’s assiduous use of his stopwatch to check on a referee’s eye for the clock. The Scot had a keen...read more »

Not renowned for their patience, the denizens of Villa Park have bucked that trend this year – and how.  Thoroughly dispirited by the on-field decline of their club since it secured three top-six Premier League finishes in consecutive years under Martin...read more »

The narrative during the build-up to England’s double header of World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro has been chiefly focused on the selection in the squad, and subsequent withdrawal, of Rio Ferdinand. Following the Manchester United man’s declaration that...read more »

O’Neill’s magnetic personality and relentless positivity, allied to owner Randy Lerner’s willingness to back his manager in the transfer market, led Villa to consecutive sixth place finishes in the three years preceding the Northern Irishman’s departure. Despite this relative...read more »

The last time the Villain’s had something good to shout about, Martin O’Neill was working his magic at the midlands club. Since then no successor of the Irishman has been able to cast the same spells that saw him have...read more »

So as it was, England escaped with their tail between their legs, as a late equaliser spared their blushes, at a less than packed Wembley stadium. Whilst England certainly made enough chances to win the game, they lacked the killer...read more »

England have once again gone to a major tournament and once again come up just that little bit short. The difference this time was that the expectations were so low that the reaction is not as negative as it would...read more »

England’s exit from Euro 2012 at the all too familiar quarter final stage posed an intriguing question. What must change for the national side to compete at major tournaments? As Alessandro Diamanti stroked home the decisive penalty to send Italy into...read more »

Well, what do you know: England were knocked out at the quarter-final stage of a major football tournament after losing on penalties to Italy last Sunday. This was despite all the players singing the English National Anthem. I thought that...read more »

Only eight teams remain in Euro 2012, and the side who were without a manager just six weeks before the start, the team ravaged by injuries, the country of whom most had lost all faith, are well in with a...read more »