tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80287522011-12-15T13:43:43.991+11:00"Naive dribble... you can't write for toffee." --An Anonymous ReviewerJames No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.comBlogger1551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1124974525540041392005-08-25T22:54:00.000+10:002005-08-25T23:00:48.526+10:00

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Robbie Savage is the "supporter on the pitch".I remember Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes saying at the time of the Robbie Savage signing that he bought him not only because he thought him a good player, but also because he observed that he is a player who very much play to the crowd. That observation could not be more than apparent last night against Tottenham

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1124924090097688212005-08-25T08:55:00.000+10:002005-08-25T09:18:29.820+10:00

The English Premier League fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur ended in a 0-0 draw at Ewood Park in front of a crowd of some 22,000 fans, which will be remembered for the controversy on the pitch rather than the quality of play.If there is anything that must be said about this match from a Blackburn perspective, it must be said that Rovers could have easily earned the three

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1124884232403770882005-08-24T21:50:00.000+10:002005-08-25T02:23:04.120+10:00

The coupling of Newcastle United and Graeme Souness is a match made in heaven.I am often amused, and bemused, by the lack of respect that some sections of Newcastle United supporters give their manager Graeme Souness, although I do acknowledge that he has performed poorly so far. Having witnessed his period at Blackburn Rovers, I know that he is a good manager. He did get the Rovers promoted to

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1123957139769504472005-08-14T04:18:00.000+10:002005-08-15T05:08:38.270+10:00

The situation for Blackburn Rovers at the moment looks very depressing, but there is no reason to panic after only one English Premier League game just yet, according to this Rovers supporter.Watching today's game English Premiership game between Blackburn Rovers and West Ham live on television from "Down Under" I was, like all Rovers supporters, jumping for joy when captain Andy Todd put us in

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1120850304938343092005-07-09T00:00:00.000+10:002005-07-10T23:34:39.900+10:00

Blackburn Rovers' signing of Craig Bellamy adds to the ever-increasing Welsh contingent at Ewood Park, and that has this Rover dancing to a happy tune.The only way now for the Blackburn Rovers Football Club is up, up, and up after the latest signing of 25-year-old Welsh forward Craig Bellamy, who adds to the ever-increasing Welsh contingent at Ewood Park which started since manager Mark Hughes

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1119278533654372802005-06-21T12:00:00.000+10:002005-06-21T00:46:38.383+10:00

UEFA President Lennart Johansson should be making positive steps to enable women's football attract better sponsorship, instead of idling with a silly idea."There are so many companies who could make use of the fact that if you see a girl playing on the ground, sweaty, with the rainy weather and coming out of the dressing-room, lovely-looking, that would sell well," said UEFA President Lennart

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1119258411551164512005-06-21T00:00:00.000+10:002005-06-20T19:24:14.880+10:00

No. 7 is proud of the fact that "his man", John Aloisi, has shown his worth for the Australia national team during the Confederations Cup campaign so far.For a long time now, I have wanted Australia national team head coach Frank Farina to give Spanish-based Osasuna striker John Aloisi a proper chance to prove his worth on the international stage, and that has finally happened in the

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1118076934249899972005-06-07T12:00:00.000+10:002005-06-07T02:55:34.273+10:00

Any solution that leads to Liverpool's UEFA Champions League qualification for next season while not compromising Everton's place is the correct solution.Liverpool will find out within the next two days whether they will be given a UEFA Champions League place for next season by the Union of European Football Associations executive committee, since they are European champions yet in the ridiculous

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1118070439894878962005-06-07T00:00:00.000+10:002005-06-11T05:06:44.213+10:00

No. 7 is back after an absence of two weeks to rant about Chelsea's arrogance. And no, he does not have an opinion of Blackburn manager Mark Hughes' decision to put promising striker Jonathan Stead on the transfer list... at least one that he wants to share with us.I must profess that I do not see anything wrong with arrogance. It is a wonderful thing to see the likes of Graeme Souness ask a

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1116845066190050792005-05-24T12:00:00.000+10:002005-05-27T03:23:29.300+10:00

Newcastle United is already starting to bear the fruits of manager Graeme Souness' labour.Appointed in September of 2004, he has seen to a poor finish of 14th in the English Premier League table, although that was not helped too much by the poor start under former manager Sir Bobby Robson, as well as the inevitable ups and downs that comes with a change in managements and coaching staff.Although

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1116843405333077352005-05-24T00:00:00.000+10:002005-05-23T20:27:35.936+10:00

Well, kind of.Arsenal showed the world in the English FA Cup final on the weekend at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff exactly how Blackburn Rovers' tactics are supposed to be played.Rovers, who took a media barrage after their FA Cup semi-final encounter against the Gunners for their defensive and aggressive pressing style of play, were copied by an unashamed manager and employed by Arsene

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1116240682397032542005-05-17T12:00:00.000+10:002005-05-16T20:57:07.103+10:00

"Any club at the bottom of the English Premier League table at Christmas is a certainty to be relegated by finishing in the last three places at the end of the season," would state any football fan, as if it was a holy truth.However, West Bromwich Albion has proven that truth to be wrong, with Bryan Robson taking the manager hot seat in November 2004 and leading them to safety on the last day of

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1116238855696537802005-05-17T00:00:00.000+10:002005-05-16T20:57:54.043+10:00

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.On Wednesday May 11 at Highbury, the Arsenal delivered a telling message to all English Premier League followers.In what was a match between second and fourth place in England's top flight, the Gunners went on to demolish Everton by 7 - 0.In a very important way, it is a very sad result for all concerned, because it tells us that the gap between the top three clubs (

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1115702987009404392005-05-10T00:00:00.000+10:002005-05-10T15:29:47.186+10:00

As the end of another English Premier League season draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the misfortune of Blackburn Rovers.The 3 - 1 loss to Fulham at home on the weekend exposed the fact that Rovers is thin on real quality at the moment, and it could not have come at a better time, because it has shown that after confirming top flight status for season 2005/2006, a mental "switching off"

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1115032640036300012005-05-03T12:00:00.000+10:002005-05-03T03:11:32.410+10:00

Chelsea has won the English Premier League this season and they do thoroughly deserve it.There is no denying that they have been the best team throughout the 2004/2005 season, with defending champions Arsenal and Manchester United performing poorly in comparison.However, that congratulations comes with plenty of bitterness, because it was their manager, Jose Mourinho, who was the one who started

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1115031112257382762005-05-03T00:00:00.000+10:002005-05-03T03:14:19.733+10:00

There is much fuss being made over the UEFA Champions League places for England at the moment, with Liverpool in with a chance to win the trophy, but there is also the chance that they might not qualify for next season if they finish fifth in the English Premier League, which is just one spot outside the automatic qualification for the financially lucrative tournament.In fourth place at the

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1114511403845019732005-04-26T12:00:00.000+10:002005-04-27T21:28:40.146+10:00

Australian football pundit Les Murray might think that the clubs for Australia's new A-League (to start in August) generally have unimaginative recruitment policies, which is all very well and good, but the big name signing of former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, which he specifically points out as imaginative, is certainly not a standout from the crowd.This is a player that does not

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1114505502160156472005-04-26T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-26T20:12:59.490+10:00

What is the difference between the Blackburn versus Arsenal FA Cup semi-final and the Everton versus Manchester United English Premier League match-up?Well, in the first match there was thuggery by Blackburn, and in the second match there was some foul play by Manchester United, but nothing too malicious.At least that is the report you would get and have been getting from the media.However, let

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1113892569824443172005-04-19T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-19T16:36:09.830+10:00

For the first time in my lifetime, I will be hoping that Manchester United will win against Arsenal, and I speak specifically of the English FA Cup final between the two teams in May.And why is that so, I hear you ask? Let me take you through the whole ordeal of the semi-final on Saturday between (my team) Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium in Wales which ended 3 - 0; before,

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1113488827896367762005-04-15T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-15T00:27:07.896+10:00

Former France captain Zinedine Zidane has ended speculation that linked him to a possible return to the France national team who are somewhat struggling in their World Cup qualifying group, standing at two wins and four draws.It is a sensible decision by Zidane to reject any thought of a comeback, considering the toll that extra international football in addition to club football can have on a

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1113238024771944582005-04-12T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-12T02:47:04.773+10:00

It is an absolute travesty that fans from places such as London and Manchester in England will have to travel to Cardiff in Wales for the FA Cup semi-final encounters at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.To host the English FA Cup final there is all very well, since it is a momentous occasion that should have as many fans on stadium seats as possible, but making four sets of fans travel

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1113110965987332602005-04-11T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-10T22:12:04.666+10:00

Blackburn Rovers, derided in the media as "boring" and "unfashionable", has shown that they can thrill in their 3 - 0 English Premier League win against Southampton at Ewood Park on Saturday.Mathematically, Rovers could yet still be relegated, but that looks highly unlikely given that they are nine points above the relegation zone with six Premiership matches remaining.The Southampton result is

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1113029152548944822005-04-09T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-09T16:45:52.550+10:00

Watching some ten minutes of the Chelsea versus Bayern Munich Champions League game midweek, I was a little surprised by the way the Blues were playing.You see, they were hoofing the ball up to their forwards in those ten minutes, rather than the short passing, silky Chelsea that I had witnessed in matches earlier in the season, and I found myself puzzled as to why this had not been pointed out

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112870988188672952005-04-08T12:00:00.000+10:002005-04-07T20:49:48.190+10:00

Chelsea defender John Terry was very unhappy about Bayern Munich's Michael Ballack diving in the penalty box after the game on Wednesday night, which earned a penalty in a 4 - 2 win for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.He said that it was a terrible decision by referee Rene Timmink to blow the whistle for a penalty and that quite a few of the other Munich players were diving all night.While diving

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112718265023766452005-04-06T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-06T02:24:25.023+10:00

Retired Wales international Robbie Savage has said that Wales national manager John Toshack should be the one to pick up the telephone, say that all is forgiven, and that he has been recalled to the Wales squad."I've got nothing to apologise about. I told the truth, I've always told the truth, and I do feel I was good enough to get in the 24-man squad that lost to a team [Austria] who are below

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112679768356269492005-04-05T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-06T20:18:28.083+10:00

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been branded as "an arrogant coach" by former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who further added that the controversial Portuguese "is very cold and sure of himself -- and that's not a sportsman."That is a fair comment to make, because he indeed is very arrogant, with some actions including not shaking Blackburn manager Mark Hughes' hand after a game, and

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112539084957123922005-04-04T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-05T19:43:56.763+10:00

One minute Kieron Dyer regrets his misconduct under former manager Bobby Robson, and then the next minute he finds himself in a fight against team-mate Lee Bowyer and red carded during a match against Aston Villa on Saturday!To be fair to Dyer, Bowyer was the aggressor in the fight, which was fought in an English Premier League match-up in front of 50,000 fans, but it was disappointing to see

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112463780861461162005-04-03T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-03T04:15:00.840+10:00

Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer has spoken of his regret at his refusal to play out of position on the right of midfield at the start of this season against Middlesbrough in August.He believed that his misconduct contributed to former manager Sir Bobby Robson’s sacking only a few games later, and has now taken "some responsibility for him getting the sack".Hopefully, Dyer will pay the

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112379284930464452005-04-02T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-02T04:42:08.636+10:00

Alan Shearer has decided that he will continue to play for Newcastle United until the end of next season, despite planning to retire at the end of this season.I would have to say that I support the 34-year-old's decision, since he clearly has the determination to continue, but more importantly he has the backing of manager Graeme Souness, who has repeated many times throughout the season that he

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112282313606265762005-04-01T00:00:00.000+10:002005-04-01T01:23:57.073+10:00

Jose Mourinho's backflip on his version of events of the alleged Frank Rijkaard - Anders Frisk incident has seen him fined only £9,000 and given a two-match touchline suspension, while Chelsea were fined £33,000 by the Union of European Football Associations.One media report suggested that the Mourinho backflip was essential in keeping Chelsea from UEFA Champions League expulsion, and that

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112192238368877762005-03-31T00:00:00.000+10:002005-03-31T00:17:18.370+10:00

When browsing my favourite football news sources, looking for that issue to write about for this very blog entry, I came across nothing of interest, and consequently nothing to write about.I then thought of why this is so, and then I came about a reason for this, which ironically gave me something to write about: international football.Quite frankly, international weeks are very boring, and these

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112104521424528442005-03-30T00:00:00.000+10:002005-03-30T02:26:26.493+10:00

Whether Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has a conscience or not is debatable after he contradicted his initial version of events of the half-time scrape in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg match against Barcelona in late February.Initially, he complained to the media that he saw Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard enter the referees' room: "When I saw Rijkaard entering the referee's

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1112020323975952542005-03-29T00:00:00.000+10:002005-03-29T02:52:03.436+10:00

Raul's recent comments on fellow Real Madrid player Michael Owen can be interpreted as a request for the English midfielder to leave the club.He said to the Sunday Mirror: "If anyone is unhappy here I think it's best that they leave. And that means anyone, including Michael Owen.""We only need people here who are desperate to represent Real Madrid."And why would captain Raul question Owen's

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111932638088805902005-03-28T00:00:00.000+10:002005-03-28T04:09:34.056+10:00

If there was any national team deserving of success, you could probably look no further than Brazil.A crowd of 25,000 fans turned up on Saturday to watch Brazil train before a Sunday World Cup qualifier against Peru, which is quite an astronomical figure for a training session before a match of little importance, considering that World Cup qualification is expected. It demonstrates just how much

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111841452408605542005-03-27T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-26T23:56:02.910+11:00

Australia's 2 - 1 win against Iraq on Saturday night in their friendly international at Sydney's Telstra Stadium is plainly not good enough.If they are to have any success in World Cup qualifying against the fifth-placed South American team, then they should be shrugging off challenges from weak Asian football nations, rather than giving them a sniff of victory.The defence is especially an area

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111747422416516532005-03-26T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-26T23:56:21.126+11:00

The news that the English Football Association has decided that replays for the FA Cup fifth and sixth rounds next season for European competitors will go ahead is a victory for the integrity of the honourable cup competition.The idea of having no fifth and sixth round replays for matches involving European competitors was suggested as part of a plan to allow the England national squad four weeks

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111666088477243902005-03-25T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-25T22:50:21.530+11:00

The English Football Association have finally charged Chelsea, manager Jose Mourinho, and Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole for the "tapping-up" affair involving the three entities, and about time too.After many weeks of wrangling, you would have suspected that this charge would come out soon, especially since there was plenty of evidence to be found to support the existence of the alleged meeting in

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111582934761327402005-03-24T00:00:00.000+11:002005-04-02T04:45:56.306+10:00

The Asian Football Confederation has accepted Australia's request to join them, which would see the Oceanian nation move out of the Oceania Football Confederation after the next World Cup in 2006, should FIFA accept the proposal.The move would be great for Australia, since qualifying for the World Cup is far more competitive, but more importantly, it is also a host to four-and-a-half Cup

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111474785048642282005-03-23T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-26T23:56:55.890+11:00

Wales national manager John Toshock has told the media that his predecessor, Mark Hughes, failed to put in a plan of action for the future, with seven players already retired.However, Toshack can hardly blame Hughes for this, as the retirements took place due to the resignation of the man who helped the team overperform in his time there.In addition, it was Toshack himself who jeopardised Wales'

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111317967027909102005-03-21T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-20T22:34:08.193+11:00

You just have to wonder when Malcolm Glazer will take the hint and stop his plan to take control of Manchester United PLC, which has been labeled "aggressive" and "potentially damaging" by United chief executive David Gill.A survey taken by independent market research company Benchpoint, commissioned by the Red News fanzine, has revealed that 97% of respondents are against the American business

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111213433826347852005-03-20T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-19T17:35:12.740+11:00

Blackburn Rovers are currently treated very negatively in the media -- being the least reputable club in the final four of the FA Cup, they are seen as undeserving of their place.Coupled with the dogged defensive football they play, they receive very little plaudits, with Wednesday's 0 - 0 draw at Liverpool remembered as a boring game, rather than as the excellent Rovers performance that stifled

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1111062067097667522005-03-18T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-17T23:21:07.100+11:00

Tim Cahill has been named the Oceania Football Confederation Player of the Year for 2004, an award that he fully deserves in comparison to his rivals.The two most popular Oceanian players, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton, have achieved little with clubs Liverpool and Blackburn respectively, while Marco Bresciano and Mark Schwarzer, two other contenders who finished second and third respectively,

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1110892931742226292005-03-16T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-16T04:13:29.846+11:00

Blackburn Rovers' advancement to the semi-final of the FA Cup, in which they will play Arsenal at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on April 16, has seen numerous pundits and football fans frothing at the mouth.Being the most unglamourous and least talented team of the four teams, which also includes Manchester United and Newcastle United, they have come under a heavy barrage of criticism, especially

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1110798927933535762005-03-15T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-16T00:36:56.180+11:00

Shortly after my last article on the forced resignation of referee Anders Frisk, which I specifically blamed on Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's outburst, and generally on the negative attitude amongst managers and players toward referees, I found that UEFA Referees' Committee Chairman Volker Roth very much agrees.He called Mourinho an "enemy of football", while saying that "it's the coaches who

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1110687739611133082005-03-14T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:17:19.246+11:00

The news that leading referee Anders Frisk has resigned in order to protect his family is a very sad day for football, which should have the powers at FIFA scrambling to prevent these forced resignations in future.The threats that Frisk and his family have received were a result of the heated Barcelona - Chelsea Champions League second-round first-leg encounter.Didier Drogba was shown the red

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1110605310783825772005-03-13T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:17:27.023+11:00

The recent appointment of Gerrard Houllier in a casual technical director role for Football Federation Australia is great news for the development of the world game in Australia, which is a long way under par at present.The former National Technical Director for the French Football Association from 1990 to 1998 will no doubt bring a vast amount of experience to Australian football, which should

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1110474894779954832005-03-12T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:17:34.053+11:00

When it comes to anything involving Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic, banality reigns supreme.The rivalry and hatred between the sets of fans of the Protestant and Catholic clubs respectively is puzzling to the outsider, those without tempered experience in the religious clash, and this writer.The banality continues in the case of the March 23 Auld Firm charity match, which will feature former

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1110441923229363092005-03-11T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-17T21:33:42.196+11:00

Ian Plenderleith recently wrote an article on football web logs, in which Football Musings and other blogs (some of which I recommend in my right menu) were criticised for not being very readable.The article is featured in the April issue of the When Saturday Comes, a magazine that first appeared as a fanzine in 1986. "Which leads me to too much news and not enough musing at Blackburn blog

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1110157536850358582005-03-08T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:17:40.453+11:00

Striker Jonathan Stead scored the winner for Blackburn Rovers over Everton in an English Premier League fixture at Goodison Park to overcome a season-long scoring drought.Winger Steven Reid was the player who executed the through-pass which allowed Stead duly score from the right corner of the penalty box.Stead, who came on to replace an injured Paul Dickov in the first half, truly looked like a

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1110028241244356752005-03-06T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-26T23:57:29.066+11:00

Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes has correctly trumpeted the signing of New Zealand international captain and defender Ryan Nelsen, who was signed on a free transfer in the January transfer window after playing in the United States of America.Nelsen has only played seven games so far for the top flight English club, but he has already made an impressive mark on Blackburn, especially with his

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109939846912375302005-03-05T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:17:50.696+11:00

While I am sympathetic to England national coach Sven-Goran Eriksson for wanting the English season finished earlier, in order to have adequately prepare his players before the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the English Football Association's subsequent solution to implement Eriksson's request has butchered their most prestigious Cup competition.The FA Cup final and the end of the English Premier

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109855200266400482005-03-04T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:17:54.783+11:00

Spain national coach Luis Aragones has been given a virtual pat on the back after receiving a measly £2,060 fine by the Spanish Football Federation for a racist comment.He was heard referring to France international Thierry Henry as “that black shit” at a training session in October.A friendly between Spain and England following the incident was marred by racist abuse towards the black players on

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109716328891568352005-03-03T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T23:05:36.163+11:00

Blackburn Rovers have won the East Lancashire derby and fifth round English FA Cup replay against Burnley 2 - 1 at Ewood Park, thanks to a Morten Gamst Pedersen winner.Tugay got Rovers off the mark with a goal from a deflected shot on 31 minutes, before the Clarets' Micah Hyde equalised before the break.However, left winger Morten Gamst Pedersen played the hero by hitting back five minutes before

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109683500528561732005-03-02T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:18:52.700+11:00

The tide has turned on Jose Mourinho; once the arrogant, but likeable manager of Chelsea Football Club, the man has now found himself few fans after his finger-shushing gesture in front of Liverpool fans in his team’s 3 - 2 win at the Millennium Stadium in Wales.He is now simply an arrogant manager who has only a few redeeming qualities, namely his ability to organise his players and win trophies

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109531053880180212005-03-01T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:18:59.440+11:00

Steven Gerrard helped Chelsea win the Carling Cup final 3 - 2 at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday to mark the beginning of a potentially successful Roman Abramovich era.The score was 1 - 1 after 90 minutes, thanks to a Gerrard own goal that cancelled out John Arne Riise's first minute opener for Liverpool, before Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman hit back with a goal each in extra time.A late

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109483365435976122005-02-28T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:19:02.483+11:00

The International Football Association Board, the law-making body for world football, has announced that they have agreed to trial a new microchip ball that bleeps when it crosses the goal line.The ball, developed by Adidas, will be tried out at this year's under-17 world championship. There has been controversy over the nature of goal line decisions in the past few months, especially since the

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109395047815487562005-02-27T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:19:11.083+11:00

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in an interview with a German football magazine in reaction to a refereeing match fixing scandal in Germany, has suggested that top flight referees should receive more pay."It would depend on the league, but I think the salary could be something in the region of E100,000 a year," he said.This solution makes sense, since the higher pay would make it less likely for

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109337438274925362005-02-26T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:19:14.396+11:00

Australia national team coach Frank Farina and several regular players spoke the Football Federation Australia last year about the possibility of playing November's World Cup 2006 qualifier home leg (provided they first beat the Solomon Islands, as expected) against South America's fifth-ranked nation in London, England.However, that suggestion has now been formally rejected by the FFA, with

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109257170409938122005-02-25T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:35:10.276+11:00

The Carling Cup final will be played on February 27 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff between Liverpool and Chelsea, in what will be an interesting match between a team high on confidence and the underperforming English Premier League leaders respectively.Liverpool have been most impressive recently, winning four out of their last five matches, and especially dazzled football fans in their win

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109170429522434952005-02-24T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:19:26.810+11:00

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted that his team produced their worst ever UEFA Champions League display against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.The Gunners' defence collapsed as Bayern romped to a 3 - 1 first leg victory, which put their hope of European success in severe doubt.“I feel we had a very bad performance -- certainly our worst in the Champions League,” said Wenger.This was the

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1109068114869925572005-02-23T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:21:47.586+11:00

The English Premier League's Blackburn Rovers have been given the easiest draw in the English FA Cup so far, having played and disposed the likes of Cardiff City (from the Championship) and Colchester (from League One).They now have a terrific chance to reach the semi-final, having drawn Championship club Leicester City in the sixth round, although they will first have to beat Lancashire rivals

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108966154164445412005-02-22T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:21:55.063+11:00

Coin throwing and pitch invasions were the highlight of a 0 - 0 FA Cup fifth round encounter between Burnley and Blackburn at Turf Moor on Sunday.The most significant pitch invasion of the Lancashire derby was during the five minutes of second-half injury time, when a Burnley fan ran onto the pitch and confronted Rovers' Robbie Savage.However, he backed off when the midfielder received support

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108909014468576972005-02-21T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:22:00.603+11:00

Newcastle United's deputy chairman Douglas Hall has revealed that the board thought their club would be relegated under former manager Sir Bobby Robson.Robson was replaced by former Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness in September last year.So far, he has proven to be an unpopular choice amongst United fans, with Newcastle struggling in 13th place in the English Premier League.Indeed, an

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108819402427223432005-02-20T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:22:09.903+11:00

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has announced that El-Hadji Diouf, who is on loan to the Wanderers from Liverpool until the end of the season, is wanted as a permanent fixture at Reebok Stadium.Diouf, who is more well known for his spitting and diving than his football abilities, struggled to score three goals in his two-year at career at Liverpool, but has vastly improved for the Lancashire

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108713807937381492005-02-19T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:22:10.906+11:00

If one main reason can be pointed to as the reason for the declining popularity of the FA Cup, that reason would be the UEFA Champions League.The Champions League is a money-spinner and is seen as the ultimate prize in European football; therefore we currently have the scenario whereby several top-flight English clubs are either willing to rest players in other cup competitions to progress

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108623525798355932005-02-18T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:22:13.296+11:00

Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has been offered the chance to join Australia's Sydney FC and will make a decision on the offer in the immediate future.Yorke would become a "marquee player" -- a player whose wages is not included in the AU$1.5 million-a-year salary cap -- if he signs for the Sydney club.The 33-year-old has been out of favour with Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108538884068601702005-02-17T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:22:21.690+11:00

Blackburn Rovers, who were in last position earlier this English Premier League season, are now eight points clear of the relegation zone with eleven matches remaining.The reason for this success can be pinpointed to Rovers' remarkable defensive effort under manager Mark Hughes, who was appointed in September 2004.In their last eight league games they have conceded a limited four goals, a record

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108461368510784852005-02-16T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:22:24.633+11:00

Arsenal won convincingly against Crystal Palace on Monday night at Highbury to ensure that they continue to be a slim chance for the English Premiership title.The Gunners are now eleven points behind first-placed Chelsea, and two points shy of second-placed Manchester United with eleven games remaining.They won in a 5 - 1 goal glut, thanks to strikes from Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Antonio Reyes,

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108367952302762382005-02-15T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:22:30.766+11:00

Newcastle Jets, who are one of eight clubs who will participate in the new A-League in August, have been looking to have Terry Venables down to Australia to play a role in their club for more than a year.They said that he was going to be their manager a year ago, but that was soon revealed to be a mere "gentleman's agreement" between Venables and Newcastle, while his agent denied he was going to

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108287786312871952005-02-14T00:00:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:22:34.143+11:00

Malcolm Glazer, the American billionaire who is seeking to takeover the Manchester United Football Club (he has already had three bids rejected), is very confusing in his motivations.He has a safe investment in the club (his shareholding is under 30%) with the richest football club in the world, and yet since late last year he has been trying to takeover the club and introduce an aggressive

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108232367787459542005-02-13T05:20:00.000+11:002005-03-16T02:33:05.153+11:00

Blackburn has won their Saturday afternoon match against Norwich in a goal glut that has ensured Norwich stay in the relegation zone of the English Premier League.Rovers, however, have pulled further away from the relegation zone, and are now eight points above 18th-placed Norwich.Blackburn's 3 - 0 win, thanks to a Morten Gamst Pedersen goal and further two goals from Paul Dickov, was their

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108196892972622912005-02-12T19:30:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:23:18.866+11:00

Saturday afternoon's Blackburn versus Norwich fixture at Ewood Park is considered a "six-pointer" by many, due to the fact that both clubs are involved in a relegation battle.The result will heavily influence both clubs’ fortunes in the English Premier League.A loss would be a big blow to Norwich, who is stuck in the relegation zone and trying to get out. A Blackburn win will see the Lancashire

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108106144322445332005-02-11T18:16:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:23:20.106+11:00

England international Gary Neville was correct to warn that as far as anti-racism campaigns in football were concerned, "we have just got to be aware that it is not cheapened slightly by companies like Nike getting a lot of PR out of it for nothing."Nike have been heavily marketing the "Stand Up, Speak Out" anti-racism campaign recently -- a campaign launched by footballers Thierry Henry and Rio

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1108012299700267902005-02-10T16:11:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:24:32.883+11:00

Australia dished out a rubbish performance against South Africa in Durban in front of 25,000 people on Wednesday night, but managed to draw 1 - 1 thanks to a late Scott Chipperfield strike.The score line flattered the Australian team in the international friendly fixture, who were played off the park by South Africa for most of the match, until their goal at the 77th minute mark.Benni McCarthy

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107968712614605532005-02-10T04:06:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:24:39.070+11:00

Graeme Souness, manager of Newcastle United, has been under pressure to have his team perform following poor on-field results since his appointment in October 2004.United are currently in 12th place in the English Premier League this season, with 31 points earned from 26 games.That is simply not good enough for a club that is looking for European qualification, and especially Champions League

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107881821046728512005-02-09T03:58:00.000+11:002005-02-09T03:57:01.046+11:00

The Oceania football championship has been pushed back from March 31 to May 15 in order to allow the seven Australian clubs in the yet-to-be started A-League to play a mini-tournament to decide Australia's representative. The Oceania tournament winner will represent Oceania in the World Club Championship in Japan in December. This date change has come at the expense of other Oceania nations'

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107877894680026302005-02-09T02:53:00.000+11:002005-03-29T02:54:38.636+10:00

Simon Hill, an Englishman who is currently a football pundit in Australia, wrote an article on the decay of the FA Cup some time ago for The World Game website.Hill wrote of how he was awed by the hype that surrounded the FA Cup as a teenager, when he visited Wembley Stadium to see Manchester City."For northern Englanders, the trip 'down south' has always had a magic of its own...and the convoy

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107843652420106262005-02-08T17:22:00.000+11:002005-03-14T22:24:54.133+11:00

American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has decided to retire from international football, and has decided to forego the World Cup 2006 finals with the United States of America, in order to prolong his club career.He had a fantastic World Cup campaign in 2002, where the United States reached the quarter finals.He also had a great 2002/2003 English Premier League campaign with Blackburn, and was voted

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107665734141221042005-02-06T15:55:00.000+11:002005-02-06T18:59:42.616+11:00

The claim that Arsenal's Ashley Cole was illegally approached by Chelsea has not been proven as of yet -- indeed the English Football Association are still examining the situation -- but it would be highly appropriate to comment on what sort of punishment Chelsea should get if it is indeed proven guilty. Saying that, surely a fine would not be appropriate for Chelsea. Perhaps it would be for

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107413769892589902005-02-03T17:56:00.000+11:002005-02-09T00:27:17.376+11:00

Chelsea won 1 - 0 against relegation strugglers Blackburn at Ewood Park on Monday night (GMT), propelling to an eleven-point lead in the English Premier League title race with 13 games to be played. The Blues' Arjen Robben scored the first goal early in the first half in a quick counter-attack that went under goalkeeper Brad Friedel's arms. Soon after his goal, Robben sustained an injury in a

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107322302023833772005-02-02T16:32:00.000+11:002005-02-02T16:32:15.620+11:00

Barry Ferguson will be remembered as the player who was dishonest to his club, Blackburn Rovers, held them to ransom, and thought that playing for them was a mistake. It was only in December 2004 that Ferguson stated the following to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "I've still got more than two years left on my contract here and since the new regime have come in, I've really enjoyed it." "

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107321212646877822005-02-02T16:16:00.000+11:002005-02-02T16:40:07.590+11:00

Barry Ferguson's move back home to Scotland marks the end of an unsuccessful attempt to make his name in the English Premier League. He spent only 18 months with the Blackburn Rovers Football Club. Ultimately, he was very disappointing, since his reputation suggested that he should have made his name mentioned among the likes of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira. However, his actual ability was

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1107232548096278882005-02-01T15:36:00.000+11:002005-02-01T17:27:56.876+11:00

Blackburn Rovers captain Barry Ferguson has headed back to his old club Glasgow Rangers for a transfer deal of STG5 million. Ferguson handed in a transfer request in January, and has now made his wanted move back to Ibrox Stadium in Scotland from England, just hours before the end of the January transfer window. Rovers were asking for STG6 million from Rangers, but were content to settle for

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1106890330555146772005-01-28T16:32:00.000+11:002005-01-28T16:32:10.556+11:00

There is an internet petition that has been floating around that would be worthy of your signature called "Kick Diving Out of Football". It states that English football fans are unhappy that diving is quickly becoming constant behaviour by professional footballers and it is bringing the game into disrepute. It points out that divers are breaching the "Code of Conduct for Players", breaking the

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1106837066741419012005-01-28T01:46:00.000+11:002005-01-28T01:59:33.330+11:00

Forward Craig Bellamy, of Newcastle United, has landed himself in a spot of bother by refusing to play on the right side of midfield, feigning an injury, and publicly criticising his manager. The situation was going to be handled internally, until Bellamy decided to go public with the feud between himself and manager Graeme Souness. Bellamy's behaviour and subsequent fine of about £80,000 by

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1106764203977119592005-01-27T05:26:00.000+11:002005-01-27T05:30:03.976+11:00

To the English Football Association: I am writing to display my disgust at the poor level of refereeing on Monday night, UK time, in the English Premier League fixture involving Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park. Referee Steve Bennett was clearly not up to the proper standard and I encourage that the Football Association decide a suitable punishment for the referee. What

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1106614957065466572005-01-25T13:03:00.000+11:002005-01-25T19:52:10.500+11:00

Blackburn Rovers have lost 1 - 0 to Bolton Wanderers in an English Premier League fixture due to a controversial decision on Monday night, UK time. Bolton's El-Hadji Diouf, on loan from Liverpool, dived in the penalty box after goalkeeper Brad Friedel missed a tackle. There was no apparent contact between the two players, but referee Steve Bennett awarded Wanderers a penalty kick in the 77th

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1106611319362125572005-01-25T11:02:00.000+11:002005-01-27T01:28:22.763+11:00

Blackburn Rovers have told midfielder Barry Ferguson that if he wants to re-join Glasgow Rangers, the Scottish club will have to meet their transfer valuation of STG6 million. Rovers have already rejected a derisory STG3 million bid for the player they paid STG6.5 million to Rangers for one-and-a-half season ago. In related news, Ferguson was not selected in Blackburn's 1 - 0 loss to Bolton at

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1106577477088821442005-01-25T01:39:00.000+11:002005-02-01T02:06:02.650+11:00

Barry Ferguson, who indicated in December that he was happy playing for England's Blackburn Rovers, handed in a transfer request last week, with the view that he would head back to Glasgow Rangers in Scotland. This came after Rangers' STG3 million transfer bid for their former captain was turned down, considered a derisory bid by Rovers since they paid STG6.5 million for him (with STG2.1 million

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1106148656619361352005-01-20T02:30:00.000+11:002005-01-22T04:25:06.100+11:00

Robbie Savage has joined Blackburn Rovers after months of speculation, abuse, and plenty of media involvement. The transfer fee is thought to be worth some STG3 million for Birmingham City, with Savage receiving a three and a half year deal with the Lancashire club. Rovers fans would be especially happy that the sorry saga has ended, since the upper echelons at Birmingham kicked up a fuss in

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1106111300481877032005-01-19T16:09:00.000+11:002005-01-19T16:08:20.480+11:00

English Premier League team Liverpool has been knocked out of the English FA Cup by Championship team Burnley at Turf Moor, in a surprise result. Defender Djimi Traore's own goal gave the Lancashire team plenty to cheer about, but the fact that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez decided to play a much weakened team of youngsters has belittled what is arguably the most prestigious domestic cup in the

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1105846182975426042005-01-16T14:30:00.000+11:002005-01-23T18:56:08.146+11:00

Blackburn Rovers' 23-year-old Norway international, Morten Gamst Pedersen (affectionately known as "MGP"), has kicked two goals in two consecutive Rovers games. He scored a 54th minute strike against Portsmouth in their English Premier League encounter on Saturday to give Rovers the win, thanks to a David Thompson through-ball, and also scored in last Saturday's FA Cup encounter against Cardiff

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1105756500174628522005-01-15T13:35:00.000+11:002005-01-16T04:54:26.506+11:00

To Birmingham City fans and the football world in general, Ever since Birmingham City Football Club owner David Sullivan stated that "there is absolutely no question in my mind that Robbie Savage has been tapped up by Blackburn," bitter Birmingham fans have been bleating the statement as fact. The actual fact of the matter is that Sullivan has made an allegation of illegal activity, which has

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1105277159906798522005-01-10T13:27:00.000+11:002005-03-16T02:36:31.323+11:00

Birmingham City owner David Sullivan has told the Sunday Mirror that Blackburn Rovers are guilty of illegal activity.He claimed that they have been in discussion with Birmingham's Robbie Savage while he was still in the first year of a four-year contract.That is indeed illegal, but strangely enough he further claimed that Savage (who has publicly stated he would like to move to Blackburn) is

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1105086328470098872005-01-07T19:25:00.000+11:002005-01-19T16:12:00.563+11:00

The push for technology to be introduced in deciding goals has never been greater after the controversy of the "goal that wasn't" at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Pedro Mendes' long-range lob toward goal was dropped by United goalkeeper Roy Carroll, who then proceeded a scramble to keep the football away from goal. It did indeed go over the goal line, but

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1104814566612664692005-01-04T15:56:00.000+11:002005-01-04T20:52:13.480+11:00

Spain coach Luis Aragones, who infamously referred to France international Thierry Henry in a national team training session in October as "that black shit", is still digging himself deeper into a hole. In a bid to explain his previous comments, he recently told a Spanish newspaper: "Reyes is ethnically a gypsy and all I did was to motivate the gypsy by telling him he was better than the black."

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1104383828440845352004-12-30T16:16:00.000+11:002004-12-30T16:35:38.536+11:00

English Premiership teams over the Christmas and New Year holiday period play four games in as little as nine or ten days (starting from December 26). This is an unacceptable amount of games to play in such a short amount of time, and a tradition that should be scrapped. It is clearly dangerous to the physical (and perhaps emotional and mental) health of players. There is too much strain put

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1104313003718293582004-12-29T20:37:00.000+11:002004-12-29T20:37:51.283+11:00

After Blackburn's 1 - 0 win away to local rivals Bolton on December 28, things finally look to be going up for Rovers under September-appointee Mark Hughes. The last 10 English Premier League games have seen the Lancashire club earn nine undefeated games. The one lost match to Tottenham Hotspur was quite unfortunate. The defence is looking to be really solid, with four clean sheets being

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1103774845983622232004-12-23T15:21:00.000+11:002004-12-23T15:20:42.646+11:00

FIFA, the world game's governing body, has sent a weak message to racist fans in its punishment handed down to the Spanish Football Federation. FIFA issued a fine of just E65,000, which is "ice cream money" in comparison to the earnings that the Spanish Football Federation would have earned from gate receipts. The punishment followed by a vocal proportion of Spanish fans hurling monkey noises

James No. 7http://www.blogger.com/profile/01162389123319614238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028752.post-1103725568315663932004-12-23T01:26:00.000+11:002005-01-20T02:18:24.060+11:00

If you want to see poor communication, insulting comments, and utter stupidity, look no further than Birmingham managing director Karren Brady’s reaction to a simple transfer bid. In the public communication in response to a transfer bid, Brady insulted a club, insulted the intelligence of one of Birmingham’s players, and made a ridiculous assertion in the process. Reports suggested that

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