Magpies still have plenty to play for this season

Magpies still have plenty to play for this season Thursday, 28 April 2011 12:58 Michael Weightman So it seems to be mission accomplished with four games remaining in what has been another anarchic campaign for Newcastle United. The aim at the start of the season was clear; survival at all costs with many a fan prepared to accept finishing 17th on goal difference. But losing first the manager and then the local hero in a matter of months had threatened to blemish the good start to the season. Yet credit where it’s due the new manager and players have stuck together and this must continue right up until the final kick on the final day. There’s still plenty at stake for all concerned; not least those fringe players who could well be culled to make way for new recruits and the current starters entrusted with making sure that the season does not fizzle out. The manager has already stated that he wants a strong finish to the season and there is the small matter of potentially finishing above Sunderland. Performance levels must not drop as all are on trial as the Magpies build for the next season. Splashing the Cash It’s becoming tiresome hearing the same £35 million story being bandied about on a daily basis. Pardew stating he has the cash but the fans still sceptical that it will materialise. Earlier blog about the financial results stated that the loss from the Championship was £33.5million; now even the most optimistic of Newcastle fan would see that the sale of Andy Carroll covers this very difference. It is however imperative we do strengthen as Carroll had helped put a decent amount of points of the board before he left and next season it’s vital that we have a goal-scorer of that ilk. It should also be a motivation for the final few matches to try and finish as high as possible in the league as the extra money per place could come in handy for Pardew’s transfer kitty. Especially after Fulham and Stoke overtook the Toon with wins midweek. Pardew And so we come on to the man himself. Is he the manager that the fans wanted- probably not? But he has achieved his target for this season and now needs to be given the financial means to do his job and the full support of all at the club.  His first task is tying down at least two of his three big hitters. It may be time to admit defeat in the Enrique equation as rumours are rife that he has handed in his tenancy termination. He’ll go with the blessing of most after he stayed and helped the club return to the Prem and of course if he did declare he wanted to stay- then all our smiles would be wider than the Tyne Bridge. Because of this likely departure it becomes even more crucial that he keeps hold of Barton and Nolan.  A source close to Joey Barton stated that he wanted to stay on Tyneside and there won’t be a single Newcastle fan not wanting that outcome.  Nolan’s contract negotiations have apparently begun and it’s just as key that he stays. Andy Blair praised Pardew’s start at Newcastle back in February and his main question at the time was whether or not we would be a Premier League club. Pardew has all but guaranteed this and now has to invest wisely whatever money he is given in the summer. The Players Inconsistent would amply sum up recent games with erratic performances aplenty.  Brilliant home displays in the win against Wolves and the draw with Man Utd, but dreadful away results at Stoke and Villa. There are players in the team who are playing to their level and it’s up to Pardew to decide who can improve our standing; but the likes of Guthrie, R Taylor and Smith should be looking nervously over their shoulder if the manager does get ruthless. It would be unfair to be too critical of the team as who would of thought we’d of been sitting in safely in mid-table with four matches left, but this should not act as an excuse to simply let the season peter out Onwards and Upwards Shola was quoted this week saying that he wants to play in the Champions League again with Newcastle and the team are on the cusp of good things once again. Although this may be slightly ambitious from the big striker- all supporters live in hope that the owner will back the manager and that the right type of player is able to be attracted. The fans have already showed their support by hitting a record high with season tickets sales and now it’s over to the club and its employees to finish this season on a high and start next season with a bang.

Why Tony Pulis should be manager of the year

Written for Sport.co.uk

Why Tony Pulis should be manager of the year

Michael Weightman 
Posted on: 27 April 2011 - 17:39
Football
Comments: 2 Go... 

As the fat lady sits in her dressing room, warming up the voice for the final chorus of the 2010-2011 Premier League campaign - the footballing world have already decided on their leading duet.

Gareth Bale & Scott Parker became the title-holders of the PFA and Football Writer’s awards with more accolade due to follow in the coming weeks as leagues and cups are finally decided.

Although the players have voted on their fellow professionals and the journalists have had their say, the Manager of the Year award is yet to be decided.

In a season with no outstanding candidate, much like the player awards in which it’s been claimed Scott Parker won by two votes, it could well be a very close call.

It’s been a season of the unexpected and because of this there would be no better time to recognise the wonderful work of Tony Pulis.

The Other Guys

However as Manchester United approach their record 19th league title it would take a brave man to bet against Sir Alex Ferguson picking up this award for the ninth time and what would be the fourth time in the last five years. Yet is Fergie truly deserving this year? Or is it more a case of United profiting from other’s inconsistencies.

Prior to the Birmingham and Barcelona games Arsene Wenger could well of been the victor and if it was voted at the end of November, Ancelotti would have scooped the prize. Were it to be awarded on entertainment value then Holloway would win hands down and Alex McLeish should be a strong contender after guiding Birmingham to Carling Cup success.

Nevertheless, if Pulis were to win the FA Cup it would eclipse all other achievements and even if Manchester City did pinch it ahead of them, the job he’s done is nothing short of miraculous.

Mick McCarthy threw his weight behind Pulis this week saying:

“You get to vote for three of them [Manager of the Year] and Tony has got a vote of mine."

"It was a great semi-final victory, but just the job he has done - he has improved the club year-in year- out and they've got better as a team.

"They get much maligned, but never from me because there is more than one way to win a game of football and what he does is get the best out of people,"

Style of Play

Unfortunately for the Stoke gaffer the fact that the thought of praising himself and his footballing philosophy is allegedly blaspheming against the beautiful game often means that he is overlooked. This altered perception, created by Mr Wenger’s Arsenal, would have us believe that there’s only one way of playing football.

This way, which Wenger has been nurturing for the last six years, has proved fruitless so far despite some wonderfully talented footballers to have donned the red jersey.

And forgetting the skill, the flair and intricacies infused through the philosophy, the one thing missing from the theory and ultimately the biggest flaw in Wegner’s side is backbone; something which undeniably the Potters have in abundance.

Arsenal would love the backbone and fighting spirit of Stoke and could do a lot worse than having Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcorss in their side. And this is not an attack on the Gunners but when you recall the games against Newcastle away, Liverpool at home and both derbies against Spurs - you see what difference that grit and determination could have made.

The Barcelona-esque football that the world’s clubs are all apparently trying to emulate is the exact reason the antidote has been employed at Real Madrid; to win trophies and stifle the undoubted creativity of the Catalan side by outmuscling and overpowering them.

Nobody argues with the way Mourinho goes about the things and so why not Pulis? Especially as he can not call on the likes of Ronaldo, Di Maria and Kaka.

Myth Busting

Furthermore in the style criticism, many claim that Rory Delap is the source of the majority of Stoke’s goals this season. However Kenwyne Jones’ header at the weekend was only the third goal this campaign that the Delap throw in has assisted in.

The Potters have also only scored two less goals than Tottenham on their home turf and as many as Bolton away from the Britannia. And staying with Owen Coyle’s men; Stoke’s 5-0 demolition of them in the FA Cup Semi Final was the biggest ever winning margin in an FA Cup tie as Pulis guided the club to their first ever FA Cup final. It’s often easy to forget in football but it was that long ago that Pulis was saving the club from relegation to the third tier of English Football.

Player Rejuvenation

There are a few players plying their trade at the Britannia that are indebted to Pulis for resurrecting and kick starting their careers. Matthew Etherington had practically been written off after spells at Tottenham and West Ham - yet Pulis has reinvigorated him, and his wonder goal at White Hart Lane is evidence of that. Kenwyne Jones and Robert Huth had both gone stale in the North East and yet Jones now looks back to his best and the German defender has been transformed into to one of the most prolific centre halves in the league. However the biggest success story of the current campaign has to be Jonathon Walters. The former Ipswich forward arrived in fairly modest fashion but his consistent performances reached a pinnacle with two fine strikes at Wembley and it backs up McCarthy’s belief that he knows how to get the best out of all his players.

Decisions Decisions

It does seem that it all hinges on the result on May 14th at Wembley; if Stoke beat the City millions then the Welshman should be a shoe in for the title. It may prove a lot trickier if it’s a reverse result in the final but either way his capped head can leave held high.

There’s no stand out candidate in the list, and yet regardless of that he still merits his potential nomination. Much like the fat lady at the opera, he may not be to everyone’s taste but looking past personal preferences - both are giving great performances and hitting all the right notes.

Why is Kevin Nolan constantly overlooked

As the dust settles on the decision to crown Gareth Bale PFA Player of the year, one would not be judged too reckless in predicting that it probably won’t be the Welshman’s last. It’s also fair to say that Scott Parker and Charlie Adam deserved their nominations for standout performances in struggling sides, and Vidic & Nasri have both been excellent for Man Utd & Arsenal. Of course this award is decided by fellow professionals and votes will have been influenced by who has played well against themselves, hence why many a quivering right back would have put a cross next to Mr Bale.

With the Football Writers award just around the corner it would be easy to assume that there won’t be much difference in their list and so it must be considered what attributes command recognition: influence, importance to team, goals, assists, passes made, games won etc... and if this is the case where was the inclusion of Kevin Nolan? The Newcastle captain ticks all the boxes and yet seems to be constantly overlooked.

The Facts

With 12 goals to his name this season Nolan is joint highest scoring midfielder in the league, as Van der Vaart and Malouda drew level with goals in yesterday’s games. He’s also on par with Didier Drogba and has struck more times than Rooney & Asamoah Gyan- not bad for a player in a newly promoted side.

Not known for his creativity, amazingly Nolan has one more assist in the league than Gareth Bale and just an interesting aside fact on the left winger; he has created less goal scoring chances than Welsh compatriot Simon Davies at Fulham.

Many would consider Steven Gerrard the greatest attacking midfielder of a generation and in the course of his Premier league career he has only bettered Nolan’s tally in one season; 2008-2009 when he hit the back of the net 16 times. Unquestionably Gerrard is in a different league to Nolan and you’d be hard pushed to find someone to disagree, but it does highlight the achievement thus far and just how vital Newcastle’s number 4 is to his side.

As well as his memorable hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Sunderland, a goal in the 1-1 draw with former side Bolton saw him notch up his 50^th premiership strike. Furthermore, aside from the home game against Stoke, Newcastle have not lost in any of the other games in which he has scored. Undeniably the other nominees are important to their clubs but certainly no more than Nolan is to Newcastle.

Unfashionable Curse

The former Bolton man is not one to go looking for plaudits and was honoured to be named Championship Player of the Year 2009-2010- yet recognition on the highest level has proved more elusive. Let’s not forget the Scouser was a key part of Sam Allardyce’s successful Trotters side, and much like his old boss he’s found it difficult to shake off the ugly label. 10 yellow cards and a recent two game suspension has done little to help matters.

Yet is he any uglier a player than say Scott Parker? Or are they both simply committed, competitive midfielders. Toon fans have witnessed both first hand and if you were to take a poll on the two- the votes would be stacked on the side of the current skipper rather than the previous owner of the armband.

It’s no doubt a frustration to all concerned that this label has followed him; as concentrating on his impact to his team should be the barometer on which he is judged, rather than a misguided and antiquated tag.

What Next?

It’s difficult to know what else the midfield general can do as his performances and influence this campaign have been of the highest calibre.

By no means are the achievements of any other player in the league being diminished as all that have been mentioned are exceptionally good footballers who have earned their praise through consistently good performances.

Yet it remains a puzzle and fuels the need for understanding as to why someone, backed by stats, is being ignored. Whether it’s snobbery or just plain ignorance there’s 52,000 people who appreciate his value every other Saturday; and although this is probably enough for Nolan, the time has come for more to recognise just how good he is.

Top 10 goal scoring centre backs

Written for sport.co.uk

Top Ten: Goal scoring centre-backs

Michael Weightman
Posted on: 25 March 2011 - 15:53
Football
Comments: Be the first to comment 

The centre half; the footballing position for the failed striker or the backbone of the team?

Their primary objective is to stop the opposition netting but having the ability to bag one themselves can come in more than handy.

David Luiz’s blistering start to his Chelsea career and two crucial strikes against both Manchester clubs shows the value of a goal-scoring centre back and the difference their inclusion can make.

So join Sport.co.uk for an eclectic mix of goal scoring centre halves, past and present. 


John Terry
Love him or loathe him, the one thing not up for debate is the man’s quality. His defending ability is unquestionable and the Blues’ captain has chipped in with his fair share of goals over the years for both club and country. Hitting the back of the net six times for the Three Lions makes Terry one of England’s top goal scoring defenders and forty two goals in his Chelsea career shows just how important he is to his side. 

Robert Huth
Before this year, a couple of goals was the most the German centre half had managed in a season, despite having a commanding aerial presence and a powerful strike in his locker.  Yet, like so many others, he is rejuvenated under Tony Pulis’ stewardship and has notched 8 times in all competitions this season including a last minute winner against Sunderland.  Frank Lampard, Andrei Arshavin and Nicolas Anelka have all failed to score more league goals than Huth this campaign and it would be a brave man to bet against him adding to his tally. 

Matt Elliott
He may not be to everyone’s taste, and the football purist may turn up a nose to his inclusion, but the former Leicester man’s stats speak for themselves. In the 1998-1999 season he netted as many times as David Ginola, in the same season the Frenchman won PFA Players’ Player of the year. The following campaign Bergkamp and Beckham could only hit the back of the net as many times as Elliott. Added to this the integral part he played in guiding Leicester to League Cup success- means the former Scotland international will not be short of friends in the Midlands. 

Franz Beckenbauer
The man credited with inventing the modern day Sweeper role, Beckenbauer is widely considered the greatest German footballer of all time. Having originally started as a midfielder Der Kaiser clearly had an eye for goal scoring 60 times in the red of Bayern Munich and notching 14 times for the national side. America was the next stop on the great man’s football tour and New York Cosmos benefitted from his 19 goals in just over 100 games.  Immortalized for the way he kept the ball out of the net, but seemingly just as good at getting it in. 

Steve Bruce
Known for not been able to stick around at a club, the former Manchester United centre back certainly knew how to stick it in the net and finished his Old Trafford career with 36 goals to his name. The 1990-1991 season proved to be a record breaking one for Bruce as he netted 13 times in the league and 19 times overall making him the most prolific centre back in a season. Exemplified for his two match winning headers against Sheffield Wednesday en route to Man Utd's triumph in the inaugural Premier League and his current central pairing at the Stadium of Light could certainly learn a thing or two from their boss. 

Marco Materazzi
Once of Everton, the Italian defender seems to attract controversy wherever he goes and this often undermines the good aspects of his game.  While at Perugia Materazzi scored 12 goals in a season and in the process attracted the attentions of Inter Milan who duly paid 10 million Euros for his services. His equalising goal and penalty conversion were intrinsic to the Italian’s success at the 2006 World Cup although the match, and Matterazzi, will always be remembered for that Zidane head-but.

Jack Charlton
Nowhere near the goal scoring exploits of younger brother Bobby, but the elder of the Ashington lads was not shy in front of goal either. By hitting the back of the net 70 times in his Elland Road career, the tough centre half proved that he was more than just another tackling defender and helped Leeds to a league title in 1969. This itself of course coming 3 years after England’s World Cup triumph with big Jack scoring six times overall for the Three Lions. 

Fernando Hierro
Just like Di Stefano, Puskas and more recently Raul- the former Real Madrid captain is part of the century goal scoring club at the Santiago Bernabeu- with a highlight being a home hat-trick against Real Zaragoza. His finishes and performances helped Madrid to five league titles and three European Cup conquests and his career best 21 goals in the 1991-1992 season further consolidates his position as one the game’s greats. Although he only managed one in his stint with Bolton- with 109 for club and 29 country Hierro has a record that any player would be envious of. 

David Unsworth
Despite the majority of Unsworth’s goals coming from set pieces, his 38 league goals make him the highest goal scoring defender in the Premiership history and this more often than not in teams that were struggling.  His defining moment came when he scored the winning penalty for current club Wigan, away at old club Sheffield Utd, to condemn the Blades to the Championship and secure the Latics top flight status for another season. 

Nikos Dabizas
The former Greek international will forever be part of Geordie folklore after his header gave the Magpies a win over their arch rivals Sunderland in 2002. The defender described it as ‘the most important’ of his career and the flamboyant stopper finished his career on Tyneside as the highest goal scoring central defender in the club’s history. Although ask any Leicester fan and you may not get the same glowing review.

Special Mentions
William Gallas- 24 league goals for his three London clubs.
Sami Hyypia- The flying Finn was always a danger from set pieces.
Joleon Lescott- Although form has eluded him at City, he has an impressive strike ratio at his other two clubs.

Interview with Laura Robson and Jeremy Bates

Talking memories, music and more with Tennis stars past and present.

After the Davis Cup debacle cumulating in the resignation of John Lloyd after five straight losses you’d think there would be a bleak future in store for British tennis. Only one player in the respective men and women’s top 100 and seemingly no surge of new talent on the horizon. However maybe we have got it wrong, maybe things are changing. Sport.co.uk caught up with the two formerWimbledon champions past and present at the 75th anniversary of the Robinsons Wimbledon sponsorship to talk memories, Murray and er.. music.

Laura Robson shot to fame with her success as a 14 year old in the 2008 Wimbledon championships. The surprisingly tall teenager began by telling us of her memories of the triumph:

“The best memory I have of Wimbledon was winning the junior title here two years ago, it seems like so long ago now but it was really great to play on court number 1.”
If she was feeling any pressure about being the new British hope then she certainly was not showing it and was quick to dispel thoughts that there was a dark future for tennis in this country:
 

“All the girls are doing really well at the moment, maybe not so many of the guys but there’s a few coming through so things can only get better.”

Laua on the red carpet at 75th anniversary of the Robinsons Wimbledon sponsorship.

At 16 Robson will be an integral part of British tennis in the years to come and reached the final of the Junior Australian Open back in January for the second time in her fledgling career. She went on to tell us of her plans for the coming year:

“For me the idea is just to keep playing; because I can only play 12 tournaments a year I’m just trying to play in as many tournaments as I can and then get in to the US open qualifiers on my own ranking and I’m not that far off now, so that’s the short term goal.”

Like Andy Murray she has moved overseas to seek the best possible start to her career. She’s currently training at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Paris and only has good things to say about it and founder Patrick Mouratoglou: “He’s really nice but I have my own coach over there so he’s not working with me but it’s just good a really good atmosphere there- I really like it.”

It’s here that she is preparing for the new grass season despite the apparent lack of resources: “They have clay courts over there and we always play on clay. I prefer grass over clay so as soon as I can get on the grass I always do.  I don’t know what tournaments I’m going to play in yet but I’ll have a week of training before I start playing matches.”

Coincidentally, Robson did team up with Murray in the Hopman Cup in Australia and admitted that she enjoyed the experience. Although, unfortunately for British fans, she does not envisage a reunion at this year’s All England Club -saying: “I think he’s going to focus on his singles so I doubt I’m going to play with him.”

Laura looking dashing on the red carpet...

Someone who knows all about doubles action is Jeremy Bates. He was mixed doubles champion in 1987 and although he described his win as ‘unexpected’ he recalls his it as his greatest Wimbledon moment. “I was playing together with Joe Durie and we had a bit of a fairytale run through the tournament and we ended up playing the final on Centre Court right after that famous victory for Pat Cash (vs. Ivan Lendl).”

Bates knows the feeling of lifting a trophy on the famous turf and feels our hopeful has as good a chance as anyone:  “I think Andy (Murray) has a great chance, there’s no question. He has established himself as a major contender for every major tournament and I think he has the support of everyone behind him”

He Continued:  “The whole event is geared around looking after him in many ways I mean you can’t fix the draw but you can certainly look after him in terms of courts and scheduling. Him winning would not be an upset and neither would (a win for) Federer or Nadal and outside of those three I wouldn’t put any money on anyone else.”

Jeremy Bates on the red carpet 75th anniversary of the Robinsons Wimbledon sponsorship.

Bates also feels that a Murray victory could lift the gloom cloud from British tennis and be the start of something special: “I think it would galvanise everyone because something like that gives everyone a boost. It gives the young kids a boost because they can relate to it and they will hopefully want to pick up racquets and get out and play.”

On Murray the man: “He has street cred as well which I think a lot of people can relate to and has a great competitive and fiery attitude towards things and I think a win would give a massive boost to everyone really.”

A seasoned pro, Bates realises the necessity to get the next generation involved with tennis and importance of learning from our mistakes: “I think we have got a lot of kids now who are introduced to the sport through mini tennis and that’s going pretty well.  I think where we can improve is to make sure that all those young kids are retained in the sport because the transition from mini tennis to the full sized court revolves around the success of clubs, the fun that they have in clubs and obviously lots of competition. In other sports kids compete and that’s what they love doing and that’s one of the areas that has let us down in the past.”

He went on to stress the importance of the structure: “It comes down to having a good experience in the club, we have to get the kids introduced to the sport and then into the clubs because if you look at all the European countries, that’s where all the success lies.”
He is also taking an by helping promote touch tennis, a new form of the game aiming to stir interest in much the same way as 20/20 did to cricket and hopes to play in a tournament just after Wimbledon. He explained what all the fuss was about:

“I think it is something that has an interesting future because it’s user friendly and a good work out. It’s competitive and is also something where you can adapt your technique and is relatively easy to play and so is not prohibiting in that sense.”

“There’s an opportunity to get more and more people interested and it has been very well received so far. I’m involved in it going forwards and I think ii is something we want to try and grow because from what I’ve seen so far is that all the adults playing it have had a huge amount of fun.”

Another side to Jeremy Bates on the red carpet

So a new era is up and running in British tennis- Leon Smith has the unenviable task of turning around Britain’s Davis Cup fortunes and in a few weeks all eyes will be on SW19 once more as two weeks of Murray mania ensues. You get the impression that everyone is starting to realise that there is a big job ahead and they are beginning to pull in the right direction. But it wouldn’t be fair to not give the final say to our newest hope and just before leaving we found out an interesting fact about Laura Robson the person: “I love Hanson they are my alarm every morning. I wake up to it and I’m immediately happy.”

Maybe not the first record choice for everyone, but let’s hope that this inspires her to go Mmmbopping her way along the road to success.

Laura Robson and Jeremy Bates attended the Robinsons Gala evening at Wimbledon last night. The event saw past and present tennis stars gather to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Robinsons Wimbledon sponsorship.