Its the week of Fabio Capellos debut as England manager. A home friendly against Switzerland provides an undemanding test. Although it is, essentially, an exhibition match, the coach has been made aware of how important the press and, through it, the public, regard even the most insignificant game and the myriad of trivial issues which arise from it. Much of the talk is of the Capello Code of Behaviour as if this is some kind of revolutionary approach to managing people. In essence, he demands respect for self and respect for others; the kind of common decency and professionalism which […]

In advance of Havant & Waterlooville’s game at Anfield, the Havant squad made an agreement that any shirts received from Liverpool players, in the after-match shirt swap, would be put into a collective pool. Then lots would be drawn to determine which Havant players would receive which Liverpool players shirt. A very fair system. One which builds the team ethos. Unfortunately the plan went out of the window. Havant players Alfie Potter and Rocky Baptiste acquired the shirts of Jamie Carragher and Steve Gerrard. They are refusing to part with them. Their sense of acquisitiveness is understandable. However, it may […]

The Tottenham Hotspur sporting director, Damien Comolli, issued an apology to Arsne Wenger in the wake of Tuesday’s 5-1 victory over Arsenal after the visiting manager’s post-match television interviews were interrupted by a trio of home players bursting into the room and spraying champagne. Wenger was the innocent victim of what sources at Spurs admitted were “players’ high jinks” as Jermain Defoe and two team-mates emerged from the celebrations in the home dressing room and into the White Hart Lane interview area, spraying bubbly as they went. It is understandable that Spurs would be pleased with their night’s work. This […]

So Havant & Waterlooville will be feasting on a Rocky diet before the trip to Anfield. It a common practise for football clubs to use motivational film to lift their players. Here are some good examples and possibilities: Film: Bridge On The River Kwai Scene:The British POW’s march into the Burmese camp, whistling Colonel Bogey. Their boots are falling apart, some are on crutches and the heat is blistering. Yet they are disciplined, defiant and united. They are coming in on their terms. Message: Building team-spirit before a tough away match at an intimidating venue. Film: Pulp Fiction Scene:Jules and […]

So Kevin Keegan is to return to St. James Park. A homecoming. Back to unite the Geordie Nation. To reconnect Newcastle United to the champagne football he had them playing in 1996. It makes perfect sense. Keegan was one of the few men available who understands the code that can liberate Newcastle United. No wonder they are milling in their thousands around St. James Park tonight. Yes – it makes perfect sense. And yet it is a huge gamble. Keegan bowed out of football management after losing his way at Manchester City in 2005. Disillusioned. You can’t imagine any other […]

So we understand that Sir Alex Ferguson is furious with the BBC for comments made by commentator Jonathan Pearce during Saturday’s game with Newcastle. Pearce said when Rio Ferdinand scored United’s fourth goal, ‘It’s a Manchester United romp – and they’re all getting in on the act’. Ferguson has taken this comment to represent a dig at Manchester United’s Christmas party shenanigans. So unto itself the remark is harmless. But not for Ferguson. It’s more than a dig at United. It’s another salvo from the enemy. A sly shot from the bows in the war. The war against Manchester United. […]