Some thoughts and reflections on tonight’s Champions League final, in Moscow. 1: There is something undignified about victory secured via a penalty shoot-out. The winners chase after their goal-keeper, whilst the losers are left alone with their dejection. It’s unseemly and not in keeping with the spirit of the game. The two teams have finished on level terms after extra-time. Therefore, for one team to become so hyper after winning on penalties, overlooks the truth, that neither side has been good enough to win outright. 2: The United psychology to highlight Didier Drogba’s fondness for diving, worked in their favour. […]

”When he’s at his best, he’s an unbelievable player. He’s big, strong, he scores goals – left foot, right foot, headers – and at times he is unplayable. But sometimes he seems as if his head’s not quite there.” The words of Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, describing Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba. In the light of Drogba’s positive reaction to ill advised comments from Rafael Benitez, before the Champions League semi-final, it’s an interesting strategy from Rooney and Manchester United. ‘He seems as if his head is not quite there’. If this is part of a well thought-out, deliberate mind-games strategy, […]

So Portsmouth secure their first FA Cup win, since 1939. However, it was unfortunate that they should secure victory, following a handling error, by Cardiff City goal-keeper Peter Enckleman. For this was Enckleman’s highest profile match, since the ill-fated Birmingham derby incident, a few years ago. Then, live on Monday night TV, the Villa custodian, famously allowed an Olof Mellberg throw-in, to slip through his grasp, into his own net. To his immense credit, Enckleman, recovered from his Second City derby trauma, to win the man-of-the-match award, the following Saturday at Old Trafford. But this wasn’t just a triumph of courage in adversity. […]

So Cambridge United fail in their bid to return to League football. A single goal defeat to Exeter City, condemning them to another season in the Blue Sq. Premier League. Manager, Jimmy Quinn was gracious in defeat. But he must be bemoaning the fact, that his team, really failed to do themselves justice at Wembley. Far too much valuable possession was conceded, through poor passing and decision-making. It really looked, as if the occasion had got to the The U’s. Perhaps they had failed to engage in a Wembley familiarisation process. When you are playing at a venue such as […]

In April, Hull City went to Oakwell on a Monday evening, and with a performance of some authority, beat Barnsley 3-1. On that night in S. Yorkshire, Hull had ‘the look’ of a team destined for promotion. The Tigers played with a natural confidence and self-assurance. Players seemed comfortable in their team roles. Energy levels were good. The team, purposeful and well-motivated. Manager Phil Brown seemed both focused and at ease with the pressure. And the fans had a buoyancy and togetherness about them, as if feeling and knowing, that promotion was ‘on’. It was hard to contain the sense […]

”We beat Wycombe 6-0 here and they were so fearful of us down at their place they played for a draw at home which was interesting.” The words of Stockport County boss, Jim Gannnon, as he speaks ahead of this week-ends League Two play-off clash with Wycombe Wanderers. You can imagine that Wanderers boss Paul Lambert will be pinning that one up, in the home dressing room, on Sunday. ‘They were so fearful’. Lambert shouldn’t have to say too much to fire his team up. Being seen to be ‘fearful’, should be sufficient motivation for the Chairboys. At play-off time, […]

“It’s a lottery now. We’re in the semi-finals of a cup”. The words of Hull City manager Phil Brown, as his team prepare to face Watford in the Championship play-offs. It’s become something of a cliche, amongst players and managers, to describe the play-offs as a lottery. As if footballing matters are completely out of their hands. That the football gods are about to influence proceedings, in an arbitrary way. In a way, this may be a strategy, designed to cushion the blow of a play-off exit. To lower fans expectations. To say, look, any one of four can go […]