• Wenger’s lack of keeper activity beggars belief
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH
    TREVOR STEVEN
    OF all the deals penned during another hectic deadline day yesterday, it was the one transfer that wasn’t completed which raised the eyebrows the most. With a scouting network to rival almost any... [Read more]

  • London clubs set for boom season
    Friday, 13th August 2010
    Ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League kick-off, our football columnist dusts off his crystal ball
    TREVOR STEVEN
    LAST year was a boom year for Premier League fortunes in the capital – and I expect this season to be even more successful in some ways. It may be unlikely that we get more than three London clubs... [Read more]
  • Hard work starts here for Capello
    Thursday, 15th July 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH
    TREVOR STEVEN
    THE Football Association have one almighty PR exercise on their hands if they are to generate interest for England’s friendly with Hungary on 11 August. After leading a dismal World Cup campaign, I... [Read more]
  • Webb just about got it right
    Monday, 12th July 2010
    OUR MAN IN JOHANNESBURG
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WITH Jabulani in hand, Howard Webb walked out into the Soccer City stadium a mighty proud man last night – but boy was he made to work for his place in history. The Dutch tactics to snuff out the... [Read more]

  • KEY AREAS
    Friday, 9th July 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    HOLLAND versus Spain going head-to-head in the biggest showpiece of them all throws up the prospect of a feast of free-flowing football and a number of fascinating individual battles. For the purists... [Read more]
  • It’s a final for the purists
    Thursday, 8th July 2010
    OUR MAN IN DURBAN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WITH their slick passing styles and fantastic quality on show, Holland and Spain will provide the perfect showpiece at Soccer City on Sunday. We saw last night just what a complete side Spain are.... [Read more]
  • Dutch will ensure a cracking finale
    Wednesday, 7th July 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WHETHER it’s Germany or Spain who meet Holland in Sunday’s World Cup final, you can be sure of one thing – it’s going to be a cracker. While the Germans have lit the tournament up with their movement... [Read more]
  • Germany are ruthless once in front
    Monday, 5th July 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    DIEGO MARADONA’S handball against England in 1986 was an extraordinary moment of pure drama on which that match hinged. Similarly, all four World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa had huge turning... [Read more]
  • Imperious Brazil are going through the gears
    Thursday, 1st July 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WITH England disgraced and back on home soil, it’s left a strange feeling here in South Africa – almost like you’ve been invited to a surprise party and someone forgot to tell the birthday boy. No-... [Read more]
  • Our problems lie deeper than knee-jerk reactions
    Tuesday, 29th June 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    THE Football Association has not always been correct in its decision-making in the past, but its response to the criticism of Fabio Capello after a dismal World Cup campaign is common sense... [Read more]
  • HOW THEY RATED ENGLAND
    Monday, 28th June 2010
    OUR MAN IN BLOEMFONTEIN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    David James (6) Made two crucial first-half saves but perhaps could have done better with Muller’s first goal. Glen Johnson (6) Drifted in and out of the game and didn’t get forward enough to give... [Read more]
  • I give England 40pc chance
    Friday, 25th June 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    A CLASH with old enemies Germany might be extra special for England supporters, but for the team it will just be plain difficult. This really is not the second round tie that Fabio Capello’s men... [Read more]
  • This has been a worse start than ‘86 or ’90
    Tuesday, 22nd June 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    ENGLAND’S mutiny may have been nipped in the bud but John Terry was totally ill-advised to tell the world about any rumblings of discontent in the England squad. Those issues should be dealt with... [Read more]
  • I’d still rather be a Spain supporter
    Thursday, 17th June 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    SPAIN may have had a shocker yesterday, but I’d still be feeling far happier if I was a fan of the European champions than I am as an England follower. We have had a chance to see every team in... [Read more]
  • Flustered Fabio has much to ponder
    Wednesday, 16th June 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    IN an ideal world, Robert Green will have held onto Landon Donovan’s tame effort, Emile Heskey would have scored from his one-on-one, England would have beaten the USA 2-0, and we’d all be merrily... [Read more]
  • Flamboyance saved for off the field
    Tuesday, 15th June 2010
    OUR MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA
    TREVOR STEVEN
    THIS World Cup has begun just as expected. Off the field it’s a fantastic carnival atmosphere, full of excitement, but on the park, it’s cagey with nowhere near the same flamboyance. I was at last... [Read more]
  • Has Fabio missed a trick with Johnson?
    Wednesday, 2nd June 2010
    THE MAN IN THE KNOW TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    ON PAPER, Fabio Capello’s squad looks well-rounded, but I just can’t help thinking he’s missed a trick with young Adam Johnson. If you’re picking players on form, there’s no-one quite in the mould of... [Read more]
  • It’s a tense time for Fabio’s fringes
    Tuesday, 1st June 2010
    THE MAN WHO KNOWS TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WATCHING the anguish on the faces of those players unsure of their place in the World Cup squad, brings back daunting memories. It wasn’t quite so bad for me in 1986 as I had played a lot of the... [Read more]
  • Lennon’s maturity gives him the edge
    Tuesday, 25th May 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    FABIO CAPELLO has a thing or two to ponder over the next seven easy before reducing his 30 down to 23 – but he certainly would have learned a thing or two from last night’s display at Wembley.... [Read more]
  • Arsenal ought to demand £45m for captain
    Thursday, 20th May 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    CESC FABREGAS, like any footballer, is entitled to ask for a move, but unless Arsenal receive in excess of £40m he can have no complaints if they refuse his request. Fabregas has been at the club for... [Read more]
  • Hodgson should feel proud
    Thursday, 13th May 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WHATEVER the result in Hamburg last night, Fulham’s achievement in reaching the Europa League final should never be underestimated. Let’s be honest here. It wasn’t Manchester United or Chelsea we... [Read more]
  • Champions League takes club to a new level
    Thursday, 6th May 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    TOTTENHAM spent a total of 193 days of the season occupying a top-four place, compared to Manchester City’s 73. That is proof in itself that the right team are going on to represent us in Europe’s... [Read more]
  • New keeper means City are vulnerable
    Thursday, 29th April 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    AMID all the wailing and gnashing of teeth about Manchester City being granted an emergency loan signing to solve their goalkeeping crisis, one thing has been largely overlooked. Marton Fulop, the... [Read more]
  • Train journeys could derail Reds’ hopes of Euro glory
    Thursday, 22nd April 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    RAFA BENITEZ and Liverpool have had to ride many twists and turns in this rollercoaster season so far, but preparing for tonight’s Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid has been a whole new... [Read more]
  • Magical Malouda has put Chelsea in box seat
    Thursday, 15th April 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    THREE weeks ago I thought Chelsea were going to throw the Premier League title away. Elimination from Europe was followed by a draw at Blackburn, and they looked short of confidence and mired in a... [Read more]
  • Messi’s best but not as good as Maradona – yet
    Thursday, 8th April 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WHEN it comes to Lionel Messi, I agree with Arsene Wenger. There is no-one to compare to the brilliant Barcelona star’s knowledge of the game and footballing intelligence. Put simply, he stands out:... [Read more]
  • West Ham should keep faith
    Thursday, 25th March 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH
    TREVOR STEVEN
    THE KNIVES are out for Gianfranco Zola but I think West Ham should stick with him and his assistant Steve Clarke – even if the Hammers do get relegated. Clearly, however, there is something going... [Read more]
  • European exit could shatter Blues’ season
    Thursday, 18th March 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    IT could take a game or two before the full extent of the damage manifests itself, but I think defeat to Inter Milan will prove to be a huge blow for Chelsea. More than just ending their Champions... [Read more]
  • Wenger boys have the momentum
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    HE’S been questioned all season, but suddenly there seems to be method in Arsene Wenger’s madness. Despite suffering plenty of knocks along the way, Wenger has stayed loyal to his Arsenal players and... [Read more]
  • Peter’s just perfect but Walcott’s gone awry
    Thursday, 4th March 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    ON a night where teamwork and unity among the England ranks were very much under the spotlight, it was the individual performances of Fabio Capello’s squad which grabbed the headlines. With the World... [Read more]
  • Capello’s is a team in crisis
    Friday, 26th February 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH
    TREVOR STEVEN
    FOUR months ago, it was all sweetness and light. Now, it’s a total mess. With the World Cup getting ever closer and England losing another key player in Wayne Bridge, this is suddenly a team in... [Read more]
  • League shouldn’t tamper with rules
    Thursday, 18th February 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WHEN it comes to the plans to introduce a play-off for the fourth Champions League place, I’m with David Moyes and Rafael Benitez. They are both against plans for the teams who finish from fourth to... [Read more]
  • Get set for a transfer scramble
    Thursday, 28th January 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    WE’VE not seen much in the way of transfer activity in this January window, but expect all that to change over the next few days as managers hit the mid-season panic button. Today and tomorrow are... [Read more]
  • Old boys’ return is shrewd business
    Wednesday, 13th January 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    SOL CAMPBELL is poised to return to Arsenal on a short-term deal and, like Manchester City’s signing of his former Gunners team-mate Patrick Vieira, it looks a shrewd bit of business. Manager Arsene... [Read more]