“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 […]

Basketball legend Michael Jordan used to thrive on opponents taunts and abuse. He would use them as motivation to prove them wrong. To throw their words right back at them. For Jordan that abuse was critical currency in his desire to find an edge. That extra something, to take his game to another level. Cricketers around the world would never, for example, get under Australian legend Steve Waugh’s skin. For they knew, that if they wound Waugh up, with ill-advised sledging, it would only serve to increase his focus and determination. So wisely, opposing fielders learnt to keep quiet when […]

So, a week after the death of his mother, Frank Lampard returns to the Chelsea side, for the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool. As the game goes into extra-time deadlock, Chelsea are awarded a penalty. It’s presumed that Michael Ballack will carry on spot-kick duties. So, there’s a real sense of surprise, when Lampard steps up to take the pressure kick. With remarkable coolness, he outwits Reina, and places the penalty, with aplomb, to the keepers left. It’s a great demonstration of mental and emotional strength from Lampard. For, from his reaction after scoring, it’s obvious that the goal is […]

So Manchester United are through to the Champions League Final. Despite a nervy last ten minutes, their spirit was simply greater than that of Barcelona. The Spaniards had the artists and technicians, but what they didn’t seem to have was a powerful sense of purpose. A cause. United, on the other hand, had two powerful causes to support their endeavour. The first was the fiftieth anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. To play for a place in the Champions League Final, on behalf of those who lost their lives in honour of the football club. That, in itself, would get […]

At the beginning of the Championship season, Watford were strong favourites for a swift return to the Premier League. And their form at the start of the campaign, confirmed that optimism in Hertfordshire. Runaway leaders of the division, it was assumed that everyone else was playing for second place. Now, with two games of the season to go, they are competing for a play-off place. It’s unlikely, on current form, that any of their potential play-off opponents will fear them. Watford have lost the critical momentum and authority they once had. Hornets fans are scathing in their criticism of their […]

It’s the period just before the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. Rafael Benitez has silenced the critics, as his settled side produce their best form of the campaign. All is looking good for a cracking end of season. Then along comes Tom Hicks. Firstly, the American co-owner makes his displeasure of Rick Parry’s performance in marketing the club, public. Then a war of words breaks out between Hicks and fellow co-owner George Gillett. Whatever Tom Hicks’s views are, he should be keeping them to himself. Opening up a public debate about boardroom matters, is naive and unprofessional. And disruptive. For […]

“It is so easy, I could have 50 to 100 bets a day no problem. I was betting on anything. It starts off from pounds, then it’s a hundred, then it’s thousands. I was addicted to betting on everything. I would wake up and the first thing I would think about would be to have a bet rather than play football”. David Bentley speaking frankly about his gambling addiction. Happily, he is not longer subject to this problem. But when a footballer becomes consumed by gambling, it can have a serious impact on their form. What happens is, when a […]