Colin Calderwood Interviewed
In the Times Online. As I understand it, we’re not heavily in debt. But, I do like the fact that he was taking his coaching badges while he was still playing.
Posted in
Season ticket
Further to Baz’s earlier post, I thought I would take a minute out of my lunchbreak to explain why I am not getting a season ticket.
There are some personal reasons, such as the fact that we may be moving house out of Nottingham, plus the fact that the demands of my job mean I would miss a significant amount of the midweek matches.
These reasons are exacerbated by the fact that the prices are unrealistic. As Baz suggested earlier, just a token reduction in price would have been a great gesture. It would make little difference to the club’s operating margins, but would reaffirm the fan’s faith in the club. So I will settle for borrowing Baz’s ticket when he cannot make it, and upgrading Dad’s OAP ticket when he is on holiday.
Finally, it seems as though good progress has been made under CC so far. Obviously, the only real test will come when the season starts, but some of the outcasts are apparently showing a hitherto unseen level of ability and desire. The squad still needs a lot of pruning, but we seem to be heading in the right direction.
Has anyone else lost count of the amount of times I have said that recently?
Posted in
Black and White Stripes
Note to NFFC readers: Forgive me if I am outstaying my welcome here, but I thought you ought to know this.
Those reading the news in the morning are unlikely to come across this important breaking story regarding Newcastle United. I can promise you this is a world exclusive.
At this very moment, I am wearing black and white stripes.
To be more precise, I am wearing a replica version of the home strip from the 1996/7 season. The year Newcastle finished second in the league for the second year running. Not the one where we blew our chances of winning the league after being 12 points clear in January. The one where Kenny Dalglish and Alan Shearer were the key figures in a late surge following Kevin Keegan’s departure. It has a large Newcastle Brown Ale logo and was made by Adidas.
My choice of clothing is unlikely to make much of a dent on the keen journalistic instinct of the scandal-mongering tabloids, while their more sober broadsheet counterparts may dismiss it as a trifle, but I can assure you that this news is highly significant.
I can’t tell you exactly when it was that I last wore the stripes, but it must be near two years. I can tell you with certainty that I officially disowned Newcastle United on 14 April 2005, during a defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. That night, I circulated an e-mail to friends and family explaining why I had decided that I was no longer prepared to support a team of over-paid primadonnas whose ranks included, among other things, convicted thugs and alleged rapists.
It had been a long time coming. The final straw came when Laurent Robert missed the game, dropped thanks to some unguarded, but entirely reasonable, comments in the local press. Lee Bowyer played, less than two weeks after assaulting his team-mate Kieron Dyer on the pitch.
The incident finally convinced me that there was something deeply wrong about all of this. It was for me time to turn my back on the club and on the Premiership as a whole, recognising that many of the issues I faced were not unique to Newcastle United. I was not alone in deserting either ship.
In 2005-6 my attention was taken instead by Guiseley AFC of the Unibond Premier League. Guiseley have their own problems, of course, but on the whole they are not a direct result of human vileness. One of the major factors in my choice of new team was the knowledge that I could hop on a bus yards from my flat in Leeds and be at the ground in half an hour.
The season’s results (mid-table obscurity of the most dismal variety, early exits from all but the County Cup) were disappointing, but it was refreshing not to see them subjected to hyperbolic analysis of what went wrong according to Andy Townsend or Gordon Strachan. If they had an opinion, they were keeping it to themselves. They were also conspicuously silent regarding the other team who enjoyed my patronage, Hexham Juniors, the youth team coached by my brother.
Yet tonight I wear the stripes. I initially justified my decision on the grounds that I needed appropriate clothing for a stroll in baking heat, and it is after all an old shirt, not the new one. But I cannot deny that there is further meaning in my choice. Much has already changed at Newcastle, thanks to the exits of Souness and Shearer, and most recently Bowyer (the timing may be significant). Other unpleasant characters remain, most notably chairman Freddy Shepherd, but with takeover talks apparently in progress there is a hint that we are working towards a clean slate.
I am yet to be completely won back. The thought of going to St James’ Park is still much less appealing than a trip to Guiseley’s Nethermoor. I am secretly sniggering about Michael Owen’s continuing injury woes. I certainly won’t be buying the new shirt.
But I might just wear one of the old ones again, perhaps even while watching a Newcastle match in the pub. And I’m starting to say “we” instead of “them”, like I always used to. I feel like a runaway child skulking back to the family home. I’m not going to knock on the door, but if they open it, I might come in.
Posted in
New football related site
An excellent new site about Nottinghamshire football. Things I learnt about Forest: not only are we responsible for whistles and shin-pads but also the famous 2-3-5 formation that was played the world over. Who says Forest fans just live in the past?
Posted in
Quick Forest Update
We have a new keeper. Apparently the Southampton fans rated him, as he stepped in for Niemi after his departure, even though the management don’t.
Plus everyone’s favourite, Gary Megson, is in the frame for the Wolves job. Watch him get them promoted at the first attempt.
Posted in
Season Ticket
Now that all the excitement is over, it’s time to start thinking about the joys of another season in Coca Cola League One.
Last season, neither Rish nor I renewed our season tickets. Money was a major factor. “We’re serious about promotion” was another. If the club had reduced the ticket price by a mere £10 I would have renewed. A public display of humility for the gross incompetence of the season gone by. But no, they froze the price and made it sound like they were doing us a favour.
However, it’s July. Tickets are on general sale (I ain’t no renewal no more). And I’m itching to get one. Even though the price has gone up. Even though we appear unlikely to improve in any major way on the current (often lazy, good-for-nothing, fat wallet) squad. Even though MA is still in charge. Even though I can’t afford a ticket for the wife and my brother isn’t renewing for various other reasons.
You see I don’t actually like much else. There aren’t many things that make me smile, clap, sing, scream and shout like watching twenty-two over-paid men kick a ball (at least not that a thirty-something father of two can get away with). So MA gets my cash. The City Ground gets another seat filled. And I get to sit in the Trent End Upper on my own.
Posted in
Figo’s Headbutt
What’s going on? There seems to be a fair amount of interest in Luis Figo and his headbutt. All directed here.
Posted in
Winners and Losers
Winners
- Italy (obviously)
Not only for winning the thing but also having candidates for player of the tournament in every area of the pitch: Buffon; Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Pirlo; Totti (you could see how important he was as his fitness faded and Italy’s attack became non-existent). - Germany and Franz Beckenbauer
Not only has he won the thing as a player and manager, he has also managed to run what could possibly be the best organised tournament of the lot. Not much went wrong, the fans were included, the policing was good and the stadia looked fantastic (even the one with the giant spider on the roof). - Germany and Jurgen Klinnsman
Everyone’s favourite Spuz player ushers in a new era of positive German football and with it, a new found patriotism in the land. “Steh auf, wenn wir Deutscher seid” (stand up if you’re German). Will he stay with it or has the slating he had received put him off? I think he may quit while he is ahead. - Video Refereeing
There was no way that the referee saw Zidane’s headbutt. It looked doubtful that the linesmen saw it either. So it must have been the fourth official with a TV monitor. Which is technically illegal under FIFA rules (according to the bloke on the BBC this morning). But there is no way they could let that one stand. - Michael Essien
Showed why Chelsea paid so much money for him. For the first time. - Argentina
The greatest goal of all time? Definitely the goal of the tournament. - Chelsea
If today’s ruling results in Juve and the others being relegated Chelsea will be able to buy a whole third team from Serie A. There’s only Real Madrid, Inter Milan and possibly Barcelona that can even afford to come close to what Chelsea will be offering and they could only afford a couple of players apiece. Chelsea can buy the whole lot. - England Fans
The German bar owners must have been gutted when we went out. Never have so many fat tattooed men drunk so much in such large numbers and not been attacked by water cannon. - Christiano Ronaldo
Madrid here I come! - Australia
A fantastic tournament for the Socceroos. I guess it won’t be called Wogball any more. - Joe Williams
After a fabulous performance by the Resplendents on Friday night I commented that I thought this World Cup blog had been a success. Cheers Joe, a job well done.
Losers
- Zinidene Zidane
I’m sure whatever Materazzi said was totally out of order. Especially with European race relations being what they are today (I’m guessing the words “dirty” and “arab” where used). But what a way to bow out of your last professional game. A billion people watching the greatest player since Maradonna (who like him won a World Cup single-handedly). And he blew his chance to outdo Diego in the worst way imaginable. - Sven Goran Eriksson
The knives are out. £25m and what do we get? Ignoring the positives of his reign (2.29 points per game, a quarter-final team when twelve years ago we could not even qualify), both Steve McClaren and Michael Owen (Michael Owen!) have openly criticised the Swede. Apparently Rooney and Fat Frank have books lined up to put the boot in. Gerrard is rumoured to have had a stand up blazing row with Eriksson and Beckham over long ball tactics. Overall, the “foreign experiment” will be deemed a failure. - David Beckham
This was his last chance to prove that he is more than the sarong-wearing fancy dan that we all suspected. He failed. And cried. The Real Madrid fans may love him for his tireless running and fifty yard passes but his time with England went out with a whimper. - Pekerman
Whether true or not, taking off Riquelme is regarded as the decision that cost Argentina the tournament. Of course, the mood in Argentina before the contest began was that Riquelme was too slow, a luxury and shouldn’t even have been in the side. - Ruud van Nistleroy
Dropped to the bench for his club following alleged attitude problems. Dropped to the bench for his country following alleged attitude problems. Dutch strikers eh? Who would have ‘em? - Big Phil Scolari
Not only has his reputation for genius substitutions been damaged (play one up-front, then take off your striker and effectively play none up-front against a ten man team?), but his reputation for good football has been damaged as well as Portugal belly-flopped their way through many of their games. It was a cynical ploy by a man who did not trust his attackers to score in open play and I’m pleased that the entire world has noticed (and disapproves of) Ronaldo’s antics. - USA
Ranked fourth in the world. - Spain
Bottled it. Again.
Posted in
Campioni: Italy 1 France 1 AET (Italy win 5-3 on penalties)
A Sunday evening in Berlin sees the culmination of the 2006 World Cup. Perennials Italy face the 1998 champions France, unfancied before the tournament but growing in strength with every game. Between them the two sides have conceded only three goals in the tournament so far, but having scored 16 neither could be accused of being overly defensive.
There is an early scare for France when Thierry Henry suffers a blow to the head with a minute gone. David Trezeguet is prepared as Henry leaves the field, but the Arsenal man is able to resume his duties. The drama continues when after five minutes Florent Malouda goes down in the box under a challenge from Marco Materazzi. The penalty is given and Zinedane Zidane steps up. He plays a casual chip which hits the underside of the bar and bounces down and out. The Italians claim no goal, but the ball clearly crossed the line and the goal stands.
The Italians, after looking nervy for the first few minutes, gradually find their feet. Andrea Pirlo plays a free kick into the box and Lilian Thuram has to clear with a diving header. It heralds the start of a good spell of possession for Italy. On 19 minutes Materazzi makes up for his earlier error when he lifts himself into the air to meet a corner, and heads it solidly into the back of the net.
It is a tense affair, and the match is as even as the scores suggest. Italy are shading it, now looking more confident in possession than their French counterparts, but both teams look good on the ball, passing it around smoothly. There are no real chances until 35 minutes have passed, when Luca Toni breaks into the box but is frozen out by the French defenders. The resultant corner comes to Toni but he heads it against the crossbar.
At the start of the second half France have their best chance since the penalty. Henry takes the ball to the touchline and pulls it back across the box, but Zambrotta is in the right place and puts it out. France are having their most threatening period yet. Malouda is brought down in the box again and ought to win another penalty, but the referee gives nothing. A minute later Malouda mirrors Henry’s earlier move but this time the low cross slips by without any player being able to get to it.
There is a blow for France just afterwards, however, when the influential Patrick Vieira is substituted with an injury. Alou Diarra takes his place. France have lost an important player and Italy are able to recover their position. Toni has the ball in the net but the linesman’s flag is raised and the goal does not count.
At the other end Henry makes Gianluigi Buffon work, forcing an excellent save, but France have lost their brief spark. The tension resumes and neither side look like making any sort of breakthrough. Pirlo comes close with a free kick, the ball curling just wide of the post, though Fabian Barthez looks to have it covered with an athletic dive.
With ten minutes to go Zidane falls awkwardly, injuring his shoulder, and for a moment it looks like his last exit from a football pitch will be made on a stretcher, but after a little treatment he is able to continue, to the relief of the French. They are spurred on and enjoy a strong spell, but the Italians remain solid in defence, with Gennaro Gattuso performing particularly well.
Alessandro Del Piero is brought on with 86 minutes played but he is unable to lift the Italians and the game drifts into extra time. After a slow start Franck Ribery narrowly misses and is immediately substituted, with Trezeguet coming on to give France a late boost in attack. Zidane nearly clinches it when he hits a powerful header but the ball is too close to Buffon who is able to push it over.
In the second period the French forward line is refreshed again when Henry is replaced by Sylvain Wiltord. A minute later there is a fracas. The referee doesn’t seem to know what has happened as he tries to calm the situation, but television replays show that Zidane has headbutted Materazzi in the chest like a charging ram. When the referee eventually works out what has happened he has no further hesitation, and Zidane’s career ends with a red card.
The atmosphere in the stadium is now explosive as the Italians attempt to take advantage of the situation with ten minutes remaining. They are unable to do so and the best chance falls to France, but Wiltord’s shot is wayward.
For the second time the World Cup final will be decided by a penalty shootout. Italy were the losers last time this happened, and have never won a World Cup shootout, but with Zidane, Henry and Vieira all off the pitch they are surely the favourites.
Pirlo takes the first for Italy and scores, straight down the middle. Wiltord steps up and strikes it powerfully, again in the centre of the goal. Materazzi puts Italy’s second away.
Trezeguet steps up next. He looks nervous and his penalty hits the bar and bounces down. Trezeguet pleads with the referee but the ball did not cross the line and the referee gives nothing. Daniele De Rossi and Eric Abidal make no mistake and Italy are 3-2 up with two penalties left for each team.
Del Piero scores next, leaving France no room for error. Willy Sagnol needs to score and plays an excellent penalty, but Fabio Grosso comes next knowing that his penalty can win the World Cup for Italy.
He scores. The penalty curse is lifted, Italy having scored five out of five to win the biggest prize of all. It has not been a vintage tournament thanks to some very negative play by too many of the teams, and with Zidane’s dismissal it has ended on something of a sour note, but Italy have been one of the more entertaining teams and have been played well throughout. They are worthy winners and have ensured that the 2006 World Cup will be remembered for many years to come in Italy, at least.
Posted in
Deutschland Uber Alles Ausser Zwei: Germany 3 Portugal 1
The play-off game is rarely considered to be of any importance. By way of demonstration, here’s a question for any English supporter – what happened when England played Italy in the 1990 play-off? It’s unlikely that you know or care whether your team won third place.
I miss the first half hour of the match having completely forgotten that it is happening, and then see only a couple of minutes of the first half before I have to leave for the pub, where I am able to watch the second period. For perhaps the first time in my life I find myself supporting Germany, in view of Portugal’s recent performances.
The home team are clearly stronger than Portugal, who are subjected to another hostile reaction from the partisan crowd. Bastian Schweinsteiger puts them ahead after 56 minutes and after that they never look like being beaten. An own goal by Petit makes it two and Schweinsteiger gets another. Nuno Gomes gets a consolation goal but with only 4 minutes to go it is too little, too late.
Whether anyone really cares may be in doubt, but it has been an entertaining match and it seems fair that the Germans get something out of a tournament they have hosted very well.
Posted in
