John Barnes interview: People want perfection but football isn’t like that November 22, 2018 When the two teams closest to his heart meet in the Premier League on Saturday, Liverpool and Watford great John Barnes knows what result he is expecting. “Of course it's going to be a hard game because Vicarage Road is a tough place to go. It's going to be an interesting game but hopefully it's [...]
EFL TV deal: Why Championship clubs are revolting against new £595m Sky broadcasting agreement November 21, 2018 There is a revolt brewing in the second tier of English football. Rather than being met with acclamation, the announcement on Monday that the EFL, which represents the three divisions below the Premier League, had signed a new record £595m, five-year broadcast deal with Sky Sports was greeted by anger from within. As an important [...]
Trevor Steven: England are burying their inferiority complex and Nations League success can accelerate the process November 20, 2018 As a footballing nation, England cannot expect to be winning every international tournament; all we can really ask is that the team is competitive – and we have achieved that now. Sunday’s victory over Croatia, which sent England into next year’s Nations League Finals, was further evidence of the development seen at the World Cup [...]
England break from past by learning from mistakes to overcome Croatia November 18, 2018 Among the many painful aspects of England’s failings over the last three decades has been the tendency of the most promising teams to repeat the same mistakes tournament after tournament. At both the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup, Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side departed on penalties to Portuguese opponents who, while gifted, outsmarted more [...]
England 2-1 Croatia: Five things we learned as Harry Kane sends hosts through to the Nations League semi-finals November 18, 2018 With time ticking away at Wembley England appeared to be heading towards another disappointing defeat at the hands of their newest international rival. But, unlike in this year's World Cup semi-final, it was the hosts who finished on the front foot, clinching a 2-1 win over Croatia. The Nations League may not carry the prestige [...]
England 3-0 USA: Five things we learned as Wayne Rooney’s final match ends in convincing Wembley win November 15, 2018 The night was billed as Wayne Rooney’s big send-off, but the Wembley crowd couldn’t help but be drawn in by Jadon Sancho. The 18-year-old winger was unfazed by making his first start for England in the national stadium as the Three Lions cruised to a 3-0 victory over the USA. Sancho showcased exactly why Gareth [...]
Premier League executive chairman to receive £5m golden handshake despite widespread criticism November 15, 2018 The Premier League will give its outgoing executive chairman a £5m leaving bonus after top-flight clubs were asked to contribute to the sum. Richard Scudamore will receive the money over the next three years as part of a non-compete agreement and in light of his ongoing advisory role, the Premier League said today. The company [...]
Away games hurt Manchester United top line, but outlook remains unchanged November 15, 2018 A six per cent drop in revenues after the team played fewer home games was not enough to knock Manchester United which reiterated its outlook for the financial year. The figures Revenues at the club dropped 6.1 per cent to £135m in the first quarter of the financial year, driven largely by a 27.2 per cent decrease [...]
England v USA: Christian Pulisic leads youthful visitors as they start afresh a year on from their nadir November 14, 2018 Thirteen months ago the US men’s national team reached its nadir. Needing just a draw against Trinidad and Tobago – ranked 99th among national sides – to qualify for the World Cup, the unthinkable happened. Omar Gonzalez scuffed a horrendous clearance over his own goalkeeper and into the net after 17 minutes and 19 minutes [...]
Trevor Steven: Moving abroad is a risk but young English footballers can only benefit November 13, 2018 To understand why young English players are increasingly attracted to the prospect of joining teams in other European leagues you need only look at the case of Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The midfielder, 22, was part of the England squad that achieved their best World Cup finish in 28 years during the summer, yet back at Chelsea [...]