Who is playing for Britain in the Olympics?

 
WHO ARE YA?

An introduction to the Team GB squad for the Olympics

Stuart Pearce has named his 18 man Great Britain squad. But just who are the men he has selected in the Great Britain Lineup?

Goalkeepers:

Jack Butland (Birmingham), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough)
With a maximum of 18 players to pick, there was only room for two keepers. Steele started against Brazil in Britain’s warmup game whilst Butland also got some action in the latter stages. Jason Steele is a Middlesbrough regular keeping 10 clean sheets throughout the season. People have spent more time talking about Jack Butland than he’s actually played for parent club Birmingham. Still his time on the park against Brazil limited the likes of Neymar and Hulk from scoring a third. Butland has yet to concede for Great Britain.

Defenders:

Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham), Craig Dawson (WBA), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Neil Taylor (Swansea), James Tomkins (West Ham)

Starting with the full-backs we have Ryan Bertrand. Bertrand is most famous for making his debut in the Champions League at this year’s final. That day he performed a much more attacking role than the left back role we shall expect him to play. Chelsea pinched Bertrand at a young age and sent him out on loan throughout his career where he showed glimpses of promise particularly when at Reading.

Competition for left back is fierce with Neil Taylor in the fray. Taylor has yet to score for Swansea, but has far more international experience than Bertrand. Expect to see a lot of Taylor in the early stages before Pearce reverts to Ryan Bertrand.

Is he a full-back? Is he a centre-back? Micah Richards is our first overage player. Whilst Richards’ workrate has come into question over the years, Stuart Pearce has always had a soft spot for the City player and his starting place is the only sure call.

Tottenham’s Steven Caulker is more associated with Swansea City as a loanee where he impressed enough away from home to earn a new contract with Spurs. To date Caulker has just one appearance in a Spurs shirt where he wore the prestigious number 45 in the Carling Cup. Traditional centre-back, would pair nicely with…

James Tomkins played a key part in West Ham’s promotion to the Premier League. Good bet for saving a little bit of money in your Fantasy Football team for 2012/2013 and may even crop with a goal here and there. The one black mark against his name came in a game against Everton. Tomkins gave away a penalty to let Everton equalise as Tomkins was given his marching orders. Victory that day could have seen West Ham sneak into Europe.

If you thought Tomkins had a goal up his sleeve, then get ready for Craig Dawson. Like all fan favourites, Dawson made his name in non-league with an impressive strike rate. That trend continued as he stepped up to football league action with Rochdale. Here Dawson netted 22 times in all competitions after making a hundred odd starts. Not bad for a defender. Dawson’s parent club is West Brom and despite not being a regular he hasn’t looked out of place in the top flight.

Midfielders:

Joe Allen (Swansea), Scott Sinclair (Swansea), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Southampton), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Danny Rose (Tottenham)

Staying on the theme of defenders, Danny Rose is an interesting pick. Often played as a left-back for Tottenham, it wasn’t always this way for the Yorkshire born wonderkid. Rose started life as a striker, but with a natural left foot, Leeds staff wanted to try him wide. The system worked well enough for Tottenham to fork out the best part of £1m for the unheard of player. Shortly afterwards Rose made a loan move to Watford. Watford often tried to operate Rose up top, but Rose was pushed wide which is where he stayed. Bristol City again tried Rose up top but as he struggled for goals they pushed him wide as well. Fast forward to today and with Gareth Bale hogging the left wing, Danny Rose has been playing left back. Where will Rose play in this tournament? How about the bench?

Tom Cleverley. How many times have we heard the phrase “next David Beckham?” It’s been given to English wingers such as Chris Eagles, David Bentley and most recently Tom Cleverley. Like Eagles, Tom Cleverley spent time on loan at Watford in order to get some first team action. Performances were of the highest standard and it is injuries that have prevented the Basingstoke born midfielder from being a regular starter for Manchester United. Like a young Beckham, Cleverley has a mean right boot and confidence at set plays – maturity well beyond his age – a captain in the making.

Speaking of captains and speaking of Manchester United players, we have Ryan Giggs. Giggs will wear the captain’s armband at the start of the 90 minutes; the question remains whether he’ll still be wearing it come the end of the 90 minutes. Giggs has never played in the finals of an international competition before and the number of games being played in a matter of days may take its toll on the 38 year old.

The next Welshman is Aaron Ramsey. Arsenal had sold Cesc Fabregas and had a huge hole to fill. Ramsey had shown great promise for Cardiff City and Arsene Wenger took a punt. Like a number of players in this 18, Ramsey had injury problems and was sent back to Cardiff to gain some fitness. Ramsey has performed well both at club level and international level. So much so, Ramsey is now the captain of the senior Welsh squad. Ramsey will look to learn from Ryan Giggs and take his experiences back to club and country.

Joe Allen is one of the names that may be familiar to Swansea fans, but less so to others. Allen has played for two Welsh clubs, the first quite obviously being Swansea and the second being Wrexham in the Conference. Swansea recalled Allen from loan where he put in some strong performances towards the end of the season. With injuries keeping Allen from regular first team action he came into his own when Rogers’ Swansea gained promotion to the Promised Land and Allen played week in week out. Allen is still hunted by Rogers’ who is hoping to bring the young midfielder to Liverpool.

Scott Sinclair was spotted by Chelsea scouts and followed a similar career path to Ryan Bertrand in so much as getting loaned out to a different club every season. He flew onto our back pages whilst on loan at Plymouth. In the FA cup against Barnet, Sinclair took the ball from inside his own half to run 75 yards, beating 3 players and slotting home from a difficult angle. It took a long time, but finally Scott Sinclair was taken on a permanent basis by Swansea. His first season went fairly well as it took Swansea City to a playoff final with Reading. Sinclair scored a hat-trick and took the Swans to the Premier League.

Completing the midfield is Jack Cork. Cork is the defensive option in the centre of the park that brings the security which in turn provides greater freedom to the more creative Aaron Ramsey. Cork’s career started at Chelsea under the guidance of reserve coach Brendan Rogers. Cork was loaned season after season scarcely getting a look in at Stamford Bridge. Notable loan moves included Watford where Cork was reunited with Brendan Rogers and Southampton where Cork would eventually move to on a permanent basis several years later. After years of frustration, Cork managed 39 starts in the league and as for the remaining seven games he appeared as substitute ensuring that Cork played every game of Southampton’s 2nd consecutive promotion and return to the top flight.

Strikers:

Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), Marvin Sordell (Bolton), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)

Craig Bellamy was unfortunate to be born between two generations of great Welsh talent. Too young to enjoy the heyday of Giggs, Speed and Hartson, but too old to enjoy the best that is to come of this developing Welsh side. Bellamy’s CV may read like a who’s who of Premiership football, but 10 clubs in 12 years means his poor dressing room attitude often rubs people the wrong way. Popular players like Grant Holt, Stephen Fletcher and David Healy would be disappointed at this one.

The right footed Robin van Persie Marvin Sordell! He’s not Welsh, so must have played for Watford, right? It’s a strange pattern, but you would be right. Marvin Sordell did used to play for Watford. In January of this year, Bolton swooped in to pick up Sordell for £3m. The plan was to bolster Bolton Wanderers’ front line in order to stay in the division. Upon purchase, however, Sordell was limited to just substitute appearances. Bolton Wanderers were relegated and Marvin Sordell is a Championship striker again. Sordell’s movement in front of goal and former international youth experience is what Stuart Pearce is basing his decision on. The van Persie reference doesn’t come from his £3m price tag that van Persie went for back in 2004, moreover it is Sordell’s love to take the ball on to his right foot before firing past the keeper. Just like for Bolton, expect Sordell to make some substitute appearances.

Daniel Sturridge is last but by no means least. His well publicised viral meningitis looks to be clearing up and his health should see him start against Senegal. An out-and-out striker who was often played wide at Chelsea with fierce competition from Drogba. Sturridge has pace with the ball and will be a joy to watch with former Chelsea team mate Scott Sinclair. Sturridge has international experience at the highest level for England’s full squad, but omission from Euro 12 has qualified him as eligible to play for Team GB. Although he hasn’t been playing week-in-week-out a strike rate of 46 starts and 25 goals isn’t a bad return.


Amazingly 9 of the 18 players receiving international callups have worked under Brendan Rogers:
Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea Reserves), Steven Caulker (Swansea), Neil Taylor (Swansea), Joe Allen (Swansea), Scott Sinclair (Swansea), Jack Cork (Watford), Danny Rose (Watford), Marvin Sordell (Watford), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool)

With the Brendan Rogers' influence, some would expect some degree of attractive football from this uniquely selected Great Britain lineup. With both Spain and Brazil in the competition it will be fiercely contested and a semi-final appearance would be acceptable goal.

What level of success can Brendan Rogers bring to Liverpool Football Club?

It’s taken me a while to produce this article as I wanted to really collect my thoughts rather than jumping head first into a job, that although looks appealing on paper, might be more difficult than first imagined.

So as Liverpool wave goodbye to a Liverpool legend with an impressive résumé they replace him with a man who is without a trophy on his CV. Some would argue that a playoff final victory would constitute a trophy, but I struggle to recognise a 3 match tournament to finish 3rd as a glowing achievement like the FA Cup or Premier League title.

So whilst Rogers’ trophy room achievements haven’t necessarily been celebrated, it’s his onfield antics that earned the Swansea squad the reputation of ‘Poor Man’s Barcelona’. Moving from poor man to rich man, Rogers will enjoy the luxury of the financial banking of Fenway Sports Group. With that said, Rogers’ hasn’t made too many of his interests public.

One thing to look out for is the ever improving Danny Graham who could be considered unlucky not to sneak into the England squad. Contrary to common belief though, Rogers had not managed Danny Graham prior to his time at Swansea. Though the thought of Graham playing alongside Carroll does sound delicious.

It was not that long ago that Rogers was planning on bringing on board Gylfi Sigurdsson to Swansea. Now he’s continuing the chase to get hold of him in a Liverpool shirt and will have to fend off offers from Tottenham to do so.

The main issue with this appointment isn’t in the signings it’s in the finite points’ tally that Rogers has accumulated. To see this, we must go back to the Liverpool App.

Rogers’ first season as a manager took place at Vicarage Road where he was thought to have brought success in a 13th placed finish. This was achieved with a large dive into the loan market and a change of philosophy from the Northern Irishman where he confessed that the side may have to start winning ugly as they fought perilously close to relegation places. It was at this time, around the start of the New Year, that they were thumped by his next club Reading by 4 goals to nil.

After turning things around and ‘winning ugly’ Watford moved up from 21st position to finish 13th with Jobi McAnuff scoring on the last day helping Watford to a win over Derby County. Rogers, at this time, had the belief that he understood the Championship and moved onto Reading where he took Watford’s Jobi McAnuff with him.

Rogers’ time at Reading is considered a blip in his record as again he took a side to 21st position in the league table, but on this occasion did not have the backing of the board to take some time to turn it around. And it is for moments like this that you must question the patience of the Fenway Sports Group on their willingness to keep hold of an untested manager. Kenny Dalglish had a history behind him and love and support from the Liverpool faithless. Watford didn’t have a better offer on the table and plodded along as Rogers’ took them to the brink of relegation. Reading didn’t like looking up the league table and waved farewell to his services.

Rogers does not have long at Liverpool and a single loss away to Everton could seal his fate as early as November. Looking at Rogers’ history it’s difficult to see where this strange appointment came from. He’s been a manager for 4 football seasons averaging a 12th place finish. In a results based industry it’s difficult to use style of play as an adequate argument.

Rogers played with a midfield six to keep the ball away from Wolverhampton Wanderers and went 4-1 up within half an hour of football. However, as Wolves crept back into the game there was no plan B as Rogers left the Liberty Stadium with just a point from the worst team in the division. An uncharacteristically defence display by Newcastle contained Swansea’s passing game as Newcastle adapted to take down the Swans by 2 goals to nil. The examples are in excess of how Swansea came undone without a plan B.

The football on display was entertaining for a newly promoted team, but that statement always came with that disclaimer: “for a newly promoted team”. A statement both complimentary yet patronising simultaneously. Rogers must combine everything he has learned along his short managerial career not make any mistakes along the way. He must play pretty, win ugly, have a plan B and appeal to the fans. Lest we not forget that it only takes a second to score and the same time to get fired.

Rogers’ Swansea side did enough to attract the services of Danish hero Brian Laudrup and if you look hard enough you can find a Liverpool fan who is happy with this appointment. But again, Rogers’ best finish to date is 3rd and how many Liverpool fans would be happy with that? My guess – neither of them.

Argentina 4 -3 Brazil

A game that didn't happen in Europe??

Whilst the German’s cruised past Ronaldo and Portugal in Euro 2012 there was another score to be settled. Messi had scored a pathetic 79 goals for club and country this season and was therefore desperate to add to that tally.

The match didn’t get off to the quickest of starts and it took a whole 23 minutes for Romulo to break his international duck. The much talked about Brazilian peeled away from a Neymar freekick to fire home for 1-0.

Argentina had their reply in the form of a breakaway. A Brazilian penalty shout was denied and Higuain sprinted into the Brazilian half to feed Leo Messi. Messi squeezed his way between the centre halves to equalise. Growing in confidence Messi had the audacity to round Rafael Cabral in the Brazilian goal and slot home for 2-1.

Oscar knew that his time on the pitch was limited and exited in style by scoring. Levelling the game at 2-2 was his last contribution with a sublime finish. Messi was drifting in and out the game and you could see his head drop when Neymar’s corner found Hulk to put the Brazilians into the lead.

Messi’s hat trick had to put on hold as the Manchester City dangerman enter the fray. Aguero found the head of Fernandez and the Argentines went crazy. With 84 on the clock a Messi freekick was wasted. However, Messi found the ball in open play and curled from 35 yards into Rafael Cabral’s top corner.

Messi took the Argentines into the lead and that’s how the game finished at 4 goals to 3. Messi took his record breaking season to 82 for club and country and after Ronaldo’s service today against the Germans, that record is looking pretty safe.

Brazil: Rafael Cabral, Rafael da Silva, Bruno Uvini, Juan, Marcelo, Sandro, Romulo, Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Leandro Damiao

Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Fernandez, Garay, Rodriguez, Mascherano, Gago, Sosa, Higuain, Messi, Di Maria

Poland 1 - 0 Greece

Welcome to the first game of Euro 2012

Greece kicked off the tournament and in classic Greek fashion played it around the back four before losing possession.Poland dominated the early stages with Murawski forcing a save from Chalkias but settling for a corner.


First Greek chance of the half came from Gekas. A Karagounis freekick 50 yards from goal floated to the unmarked head of Gekas with pace and in 2004 it looked a certain goal. Unfortunately for Gekas it slid wide of Szczsny’s post. Samaras showed great movement right from the off and throughout the first 45 could be found all over the pitch.

First blood to Poland.

With 17 minutes on the clock the much talked about Robert Lewandowski brought the game to life. He fired a warning shot wide with a left footed volley before smashing home a header to bring the score to 1-0.


Greece looked like a Championship side not making the most of possession in the final third. Gekas had the ball stationary at his feet 8 yards from goal and was forced to pass it backwards. Boenisch ended the move by conceding a freekick. Greece had two chances to score from the resulting freekick the first was asked to be retaken and the second was cleared with ease.


The referee was incredibly lenient throughout the game and the first yellow card of the tournament was shown to Sokratis Papastathopoulos in uncharacteristic fashion. Papastathopoulos challenged for a header and picked up a yellow card for a 50/50 challenge. Then, out of nowhere on 44th minute Papastathopoulos was deemed to have denied a goal scoring opportunity and left the field after picking up a second yellow card.

At half time it’s 1-0.

Second half to follow...

Poland: Szczesny; Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch; Murawski, Polanski; Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus; Lewandowski

Greece: Chalkias; Torosidis, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, A Papadopoulos, Holebas; Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis; Ninis, Gekas, Samaras

Euro 2012 Preview

Understanding Euro 2012

Been bullied into an office sweepstake? Drawn Sweden and not sure if that’s good news or bad news? Want the briefest of briefs? Every team put into bitesized chunks; find your group and your guide to Euro 2012.

Euro 2012 Group A

Russia and Greece must be getting pretty sick of each other meeting for three consecutive European Football Championships at the group stage. And despite Greece winning the tournament overall in 2004, Russia won both previous meetings. Greece are the wildcard no one wants to predict whilst Russia are more consistent and will expect to qualify out the group. Poland are co-hosts with Ukraine and have famous names such as Lewandowski and Blaszczykowski; excuse me whilst I blow the dust off my ‘Z’ key. For Czech Republic they have Petr Cech to keep the ball out of the net and Vaclav Pilar who has shades of Andrei Arshavin about his play.

Euro 2012 Group B

Never heard of any of these sides: Portugal, Germany, Denmark and Netherlands. Portugal are a funny one, players like Hugo Viana should have shone brighter throughout Europe but any side with Ronaldo can win a game and expect big things from Joao Moutinho. The Germans are the anti-racists favourite for the tournament with a selection of multinational players. Then there’s Denmark: Agger, Kahlenberg and Bendtner - goals from all over the pitch, don’t rule them out. Holland haven’t won the tournament since the 80s and since they finished 2nd in the World Cup they’ll want to put in a performance.

Euro 2012 Group C

Luck of the Irish… a half injured goalkeeper and not a single player who plays domestically in Ireland. They’d need an absolute saint to win this tournament and in Sean St Ledger they have one. Italy may have great World Cup success but their only win in this tournament came as hosts back in 1968. Spain are the current holders, but after Barcelona’s trophyless season and Pep Guardiola’s resignation, Spain now have their doubters. That leaves Croatia and they have the Brazilian born forward Eduardo leading their frontline with support from Nikica Jelavic who ended his season top goalscorer for both Everton and Rangers.

Euro 2012 Group D

England didn’t take Pacman Adam Johnson and therefore will not win. France have a shaky defence but Real Madrid’s Benzema up front, any squad strong enough to leave out Eric Abidal is one to watch out for. The Swedes won Eurovision and they’ll need a performance from Ibrahimovic if they expect to take anything from this tournament. The Swedish midfield is immense going forward; my prediction is to see Goal of the Tournament come from the Yellow and Blue. Speaking of yellow and blue, that leads us to the final participants, Ukraine. As hosts they have homefield advantage and Andriy Shevchenko (36) will be looked to in hope more than expectation. No Ukrainian has filled the boots of ‘Sheva’ as Coach Oleh Blokhin takes 5 strikers none of which under 27.

What are the odds on that?

Spain	3-1
Germany	3-1
Holland	6-1
France	10-1
Italy	14-1
England	15-1
Portugal	20-1
Russia	20-1
Ukraine	40-1
Poland	50-1
Czech Republic	50-1
Croatia	50-1
Sweden	66-1
Greece	66-1
Denmark	80-1
Ireland	80-1

Odds are to be used as a guide from How Football Changed Your Life and for more up to date football odds please visit a betting shop directly.

Bulgarian Match Fixing

Nine Lokomotiv Sofia Players Sacked Over Match Fixing Fears

A fortnight after the Bulgarian Football Union announced a reduction of 16 teams to 14 teams in order to improve standards, nine Lokomotiv Sofia players have been sacked in conjunction to a match fixing scandal.

If referee, Adrian Petrov, was not expecting a pitch invasion Thursday night, he certainly wasn’t expecting threats to abandon the match moments before the full time whistle. Three men invaded the pitch and threatened Adrian Petrov’s life. His assistant was assaulted and you could hardly blame Petrov for wanting to call the match to a close.

It's no joke

Surprisingly, this occurred in a junior championship match. In Bulgaria many junior championship matches appear on betting slips in the bookies. The Bulgarian Football Union have called for a thorough investigation and some parties have requested for all junior championship matches to be suspended indefinitely.

Lokomotiv Sofia president, Nikolay Gigov, described the behaviour as unacceptable and it was he who sacked the nine members of the playing staff without revealing their identities.

At the time the three men ran onto the pitch, Lokomotiv had just converted a penalty to make the score 4 – 3 and if nine got sacked, you’d hope the penalty scorer wouldn’t be one. It shall be interesting to see how this fiasco progresses and what the future holds for the integrity of Bulgarian football.

The Bulgarian Football Union want to reduce their topflight from 16 teams down to 14, but if things progress badly it might be unlucky for some and 13.

England 1 - 0 Belgium

We Shall Score One More Than You

The words of Fat Les’ Vindaloo ring true in the ear of many England fans. “We shall Score One More Than You, ENGLAND!” And whilst one extra goal does quantify a victory, an extra two or three may put some of the travelling English fans slightly more at ease.

Roy Hodgson’s men travelled to Wembley for the first time and without a huge weight of expectation. The absence of Wayne Rooney was part of this and the return of the former of Everton prodigy may be something that Hodgson is not looking forward to. Rooney’s talent, whilst obvious even to the untrained eye, may not fit exactly to the England gameplan.

Take Saturday’s affair with Belgium and specifically the goal; a picture perfect through-ball from Ashley Young would glide majestically to the foot of Welbeck who choose to finish with an heir of Samuel Eto’o about his goal. Welbeck took little time to control the ball and chipped Simon Mignolet using his left boot. This incisive breakaway made the score 1 - 0 and that’s how the game finished and I suddenly feel a great sense of déjà-vu from my last blog entry.

England invited pressure and caught their opponents out using a moment of inspiration from Welbeck as they did last week with Ashley Young. And the more I watch the replays the more I think Greece 2004.

1 - 0 no more

It’s not pretty, it’s not impressive and it times it looks lucky. Come the end of 90 minutes you can’t argue with the result. England won. Yes Belgium hit the woodwork through Guillaume Gillet, but Defoe did the same after he came on. And ask either of the Liverpool fans there are no rewards for hitting the woodwork.

Liverpool hit the post, crossbar or upright more than any other Premiership club.

Belgium made many attempts to get back into the game and Lukaku grimaced at the sight of the assistant referee’s flag in injury time. An otherwise brilliant ball from Fellaini put Lukaku through on goal but after the flag went up Romelu Lukaku was been living in the land of ‘what ifs’.


So the final whistle blew and England finish one goal to the good. Shades of Greece 2004 sitting ever present in memory. That year Greece’s best player Stelios Giannakopoulos spent the vast majority of the tournament watching from the sidelines and in Wayne Rooney, England may be feeling the same.


The omens are there... and for the superstitious readers out there, here’s one more. Who hosted the Olympics the year Greece won the Euros?

Norway 0 - 1 England

Norway 'Stay' 1 - 0 down to England

Stay was the Norwegian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest and Stay was the word coming from Egil Olsen in the Norwegian dugout. England went one goal to the good thanks to a sublime Ashley Young finish and Norway stayed put for the remaining 80 minutes.

Roy Hodgson’s men lined up quite defensively with Andy Carroll playing as the sole striker. Carroll's aerial prowess was ever-present as it took just four minutes for Carroll to get overexcited heading wide of the mark. Gerrard was rock solid in the centre of the park for the opening 20 minutes, but began to give away possession cheaply as the half wore on. At the stroke of half-time it was a routine substitution that saw Gerrard give way to Gareth Barry.

Barry, whose fitness had come into question, lasted little more than 25 minutes. Barry was replaced by Jordan Henderson after complaining of strain to the groin.

Young subbed for someone younger

The other substitution of note was Young leaving the field to be replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain who made his fiery debut. Oxlade-Chamberlain made some exciting runs but without an end product. It was Young, who perhaps didn’t have the pace of Oxlade-Chamberlain but did have the experience to finish. This was the difference between the two players.

Young’s goal came about from a good old fashioned long ball over the top. Young ran to the edge of the penalty area and placed the ball onto his right foot ready to score. Young had us all fooled including the Norwegian defence. He skipped past his man and dribbled the ball into the box, his finish was struck left footed and into the far corner. This made it 6 goals for Young and 1 – 0 to England. The game looked set to be a rout from here on out, but no man in a changed blue England strip could double the tally.

Robert Green, who hadn’t played for England since his famous day against the USA, will grow in confidence after springing together a few good saves and earning England a clean sheet. Rob Green will certainly come up against stiffer opposition should he pick up a cap in Euro 12. As for the opposition, the best routine of the night to come out of Norway came from Tooji and his backing dancers.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOdRFtwTzb8 

England: Green, Jones (^Kelly), Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Parker (^Walcott), Gerrard (^Barry (^Henderson)), Milner, Young (^Oxlade-Chamberlain), Downing (^Pacman Johnson), Carroll

Norway: Jarstein, Hogli (^Ruud), Demidov, Hangeland, Riise, Tettey (^Jenssen), Elyounoussi, Henriksen (^Berisha), G Pedersen (^Grindheim), Braaten (^Huseklepp), Moa

Goals

England: Young

Man of the Match: Tooji

He didn't play, but then again, neither did the Norwegians.

QPR 'Stars' Sign New Contracts

Why QPR can’t become a successful club

Take note of the absence of a question mark from this headline. This is a statement of fact as opposed to any inquisitive journey. But before we look at the lack of QPR ambition, to fully understand the extent of the damage we must first look at how successful clubs operate.

Where better to start than with the Premier League champions? Manchester City enjoyed their best season since the Rolling Stones were number 1, Mark Hughes was in nappies and anyone saying Mancini would have been greeted with, “bless you.” And in this fantastic season you’ll have fond memories of the hardworking midfield general Owen Hargreaves.

No? Don’t remember Owen Hargreaves?

He came on as sub when Man City were 4-1 up against Villa. No? Still nothing? Well, that’s sort of my point. Owen Hargreaves had a silently quiet season and it’s no surprise that you couldn’t recall his efforts. Again, it’s unsurprising that after managing just one league appearance in a City shirt that he would be released come the end of the season.

Moving swiftly onto the red half of Manchester and their injury-prone star. The quick-witted readers will see the Michael Owen reference coming a mile off. Michael Owen’s goal scoring record at Manchester United was phenomenal: 18 starts, 17 goals. Come the end of the 2011/2012 season and Michael Owen is released.

Michael Owen released from Manchester United

The reason for Michael Owen’s release was the injuries and resulting lack of fitness. Manchester United couldn’t rely on Michael Owen to crop up with the goods and his release was hardly a surprise. Last season United released Owen Hargreaves and Manchester City snapped him thinking they’d got a bargain. But just as Owen Hargreaves was released the season before, his lack of first team action cited a déjà-vu and Hargreaves became a free agent. Both these clubs recognised the necessity to live without legends in exchange for men who could play 90 minutes.

This brings us awkwardly to QPR. Queens Park Rangers had a less than successful first stint back in the Premier League. They departed company with manager Neil Warnock, put up with Joey Barton and relied on Stoke City to win on the final day of the season to guarantee survival. And so to build on their roaring success of 2011/2012 Queens Park Rangers offer new contracts to a selection of senior players, amongst them Clint Hill, Akos Buzsaky and Kieron Dyer.

Kieron Dyer signs new contract

But as we all know Kieron Dyer made just one league appearance this term. So why would he be offered a new contract? Because QPR are living in hope that Dyer shall regain fitness and recapture his form that earned him his England call-up. Is this going to happen? It’s difficult to say but certainly hard to see. Take a man who has played less games in 5 years than Oxlade-Chamberlain or Michael Owen and it’s big ask to see a turn-a-round now.

So as Manchester City release their 31 year old and Manchester United release their 32 year old, QPR hold onto their 33 year old in the hope (and nothing more than hope) that magic shall happen. Looking to the transfer window and the names City and United attract, it shall be interesting to see who shall be brought in by Mark Hughes.

Why QPR can’t become a successful club? Because to win football matches you need 11 fit players and not a Windows version of Football Manger 2006.

Sailing the Premiership

Football Twitter for Pre-Season

That's right, the start of the Premier League season is ages away. So following my last post, West Ham United will have to wait a little while to join the likes of Reading and Southampton with the Premier League big boys. Meanwhile, the heavys at Sailing the Premiership have got itchy feet of their own regarding their ambitions.

I started out as mere Goal.com live match commentator. Then Keith McLeish asked me to come on board Sailing the Premiership.

But who are Sailing the Premiership?

That's a very good question, my interrupting sub-heading friend. Sailing the Premiership is a live account for the best of the Premier League action - free to access anywhere in the world and no dodgy links in site or in sight. Why settle for live text commentary, when you can have some of Britain's top football commentators streamed straight to your PC?

But just like West Ham United, you'll have to wait for the Sailing the Premiership launch party. Do not fret, however, as our Twitter team (which I am a regular particpant) is ready to build you up to the 2012/2013 Premier League season. Follow us @STPremiership

STPremiership Twitter

My Blog here shall remain active whilst I divide my time between this and Sailing The Premiership (who have Twitter) and I'll be ready for when the pilot comes around. I'll keep you posted with who shall be appearing on the show and I'm pumped to join up with Keith McLeish again.

Back to the present and we've got Huddersfield vs Sheffield United in the League One final this Saturday. Let me know if you want the match report for the game. Leave a comment below... or alternatively did I mention we've got Twitter? @stpremiership

West Ham 2 – 1 Blackpool

West Ham have become the 20^th team to join the Barclays Premier League for the 2012/2013 season.

It was not too much of a surprise to see 2 of the relegated sides in a closely fought playoff final. Similarly it was not too much of a surprise to see West Ham returning to the top flight once again. For 4 of the last 5 years, the team who finished 3rd in Championship has gone onto win the playoffs and Sam Allardyce’s men have made it 5 from 6.

West Ham started of as the brighter of the two teams with Nolan feeding a through-ball to Cole within the first minute. Although this proved unsuccessful in the opening stages, the Nolan-Cole-Connection would prove vital in dying embers.

Blackpool played an attacking 4-2-1-3 formation with Stephen Dobbie in the hole. Dobbie was a constant pest and struck from close range less than five minutes played. Rob Green did turn it onto the post as Dobbie grew in confidence as the game progressed. Dobbit could’ve even been considered greedy not finding a pass after leaving 2 West Ham defenders for dead.

Not to be outshone by Dobbie’s dribbling skill, Blackpool wideman Matt Phillips showed off dribbling finesse and finished with Blackpool’s first shot on target. Moments later, West Ham full-back, Demel, misjudged the bounce of the ball and Matt Phillips pounced on the mistake. M Phillips turned Winston Reid on the spot to get his shot away which fizzed past Robert Green’s goal when we all expected better.

West Ham had to wait just under the 20 minute mark for their first shot on target which came courtesy of a Matt Taylor effort that Gilks was more than equal to. West Ham favoured the left hand flank for the majority of the game and used Taylor to pump a long ball forward to find Vaz Te. It was one touch football from there with Cole and O’Neill interlinking and returning to Vaz Te to strike wide on Gilks’ right hand post.

West Ham’s first half efforts did not finish in vain. On the 35^th minute Carlton Cole struck. Matt Taylor ran for 70 yards after taking the ball off of Ince, his beautifully floated ball went over the head of Ian Evatt and Carlton Cole finished from 10 yards.

At half-time it was West Ham 1 – 0 Blackpool.

West Ham vs Blackpool

The second half didn’t take long to get started. Matt Phillips’ huge ball over the top to Ince was inch perfect. Ince’s first touch of the half found the back of net in a very similar situation to the West Ham goal of the first half.

With the scores level Blackpool came into their own and even centre-back Baptiste got in on the action attempting to chip Rob Green. His effort wasn’t a poor one and it required a goal-line clearance.

For the opening quarter-hour of the second half, Blackpool were in the ascendancy and it took a while for Gilks’ to be called into action. Gilks’ was eventually awakened by Cole as his turn and shot stung his hands a little.

Demel was forced to leave the pitch on 56 minutes and was replaced by Faubert. Although this decision was forced it brought about a tighter marking for Blackpool’s wingers. Faubert remained tight on Ince and he fizzled out of the match.

With Ince occupied and Kevin Phillips not performing to his highest standards, it fell to Dobbie. Literally. Eardley’s cross bobbled nicely to an unsuspecting Dobbie, but Dobbie couldn’t convert. Within moments, a corner kick bobbled nicely to an unsuspecting Matt Phillips, his effort was on target and it was another goal line clearance.

With the game looking in Blackpool’s favour, they chose to bring on Sylvestre at the expense of Kevin Phillips. Sylvestre’s passing looked exceptional as Blackpool completed a 20 pass move that concluded with Dobbie firing to the bottom left corner. Rob Green reminded us why he was selected for England as he pushed the effort round the post.

Speaking of posts, with just 10 minutes left to play, Kevin Nolan hit the woodwork. An attack from the left hand side resulted in a floated ball that Nolan smashed on the volley. Gilks’ was lucky to get a fingertip to it, but a fingertip was enough to turn it onto the crossbar.

Dobbie could’ve had a hattrick! An okay freekick isn’t enough to win playoff finals and an okay freekick it was. Plenty of swerve and Rob Green did scramble to get it, but it was on the floor and never had real pace.

And just as the game looked a ‘dead cert’ to get into injury time a penetrating attack from the left flank brought about a rare Nolan cross which got to Cole who had to battle with Crainey and Gilks to turn the ball into Ricardo Vaz Te’s path who smashed home the winner.

West Ham Playoff Winners 2012

It was 12 goals for the season for the West Ham number 12 and more than enough to see Blackpool out for just 3 more minutes. Ian Holloway immediately made a double substitution and even ran for the ball to take a throw-in a few seconds quicker. Holloway’s efforts were futile as the Hammers march on with the aim to start Sailing the Premiership next season.

In a day where the Champions of Europe is decided, we experience the first ever £1m non-league signing. Added to that, Sir Trevor Brooking watches West Ham return to the Premiership, it truly is a joy to be watching football in 2012.

Vaz Te may be the number 12 who scores 12 in 2012, but next season the only Hammers player you can expect to score as many as his shirt number is Robert Green… and even that’s optimistic.

West Ham: Green, Taylor, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (^Faubert), O’Neill (^McCarthy), Noble, Nolan, Collinson, Cole, Vaz Te

Blackpool: Gilks, Crainey, Eardley, Baptiste, Evatt, Ferguson, Angel Martinez (^Dicko), Dobbie (^Bednar), Ince, K Phillips (^Sylvestre), M Phillips

Goals

West Ham: Cole, Vaz Te

Blackpool: Ince

Man of the Match: Carlton Cole

Carlton Cole held the ball well and made the most of West Ham’s potent left wing. Getting his name on the scoresheet will put him in Hammer folklore like Bobby Zamora.

Why Children Don't Grow-Up Supporting Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish ...

Mr. Liverpool Football Club, King Kenny, however you want to describe the football manager - Kenny Dalglish truly epitomises what Liverpool football club is all about.

Or at least what they used to be about winning league titles and European Cups like there was no tomorrow. Children would grow up wanting to be just like their heroes. Those children who grew up in the 70's and 80's are in their 40s and 50s now.

I was born in 1991 and that makes me 21. I'm old enough to drive. I'm old enough to vote. I'm old enough to drink. I'm old enough not to be challenged for alcohol. I'm old enough to go into those specific clubs for specifically over 21 year olds (which by the way are definitely employing ladies under that 21 mark).

Strangely, I'm not old enough to have a Liverpool league title in my lifetime. But the television keeps telling me how people grow up supporting Liverpool. There weren't any Liverpool fans in my class!? I remember there being a boy in the year above who was nicknamed Robbie Fowler, but that's because he wore a plaster on his nose.

Still, I'd watch Match Of The Day with my Dad and my four big brothers who'd tell me that Liverpool are a good side who've been winning things for years; "Oh yes," I'd say to them, "Liverpool win loads." As I watch Michael Owen score a hattrick whilst Liverpool still fail to beat Sheffield Wednesday.

"They're the best." I'd say to fit in. Followed by, "They're a top side." Followed by, "Liverpool are a top four side." Followed by, "Liverpool will get into Europe easily." Followed by, "Hang on a minute, I'm sixteen and this is getting a little bit silly now."

Fowler had left, Owen had left and Gerrard was debating moving to a bigger club. Gerrard wanted to move to a bigger club. This wasn't the same Liverpool I knew growing up? TV kept telling me that Liverpool was bigger than sliced bread, but I'd always had sliced bread and I was fed up of that 'n' all. Gerrard never did leave and as he aged so did the club's ability.

Fastforward just a few more years and Kenny Dalglish is appointed as manager back at Liverpool. Suddenly the same clips are showed to me with a grainy picture that makes my Dad pull on his glasses. Finally the glory days are back to Liverpool again. Suddenly I'm 7 years old again, but I still don't have any Liverpool fan numbers in my Blackberry.

Supported clubs in my phone book

Something I do remember growing up is wanting to be Alan Shearer and how Kenny Dalglish masterminded that Blackburn Rovers team to the league title. After Kenny left the team fell to pot, I remembered that too. Everything started to fall into place now, of course Dalglish could bring Liverpool up the league table. Of course he sells that floaty Spaniard even if he is the top goalscorer. King Kenny remembers how to win a league title... with a rock hard centre-forward Geordie! What could possibly go wrong?

Let me tell you what can possibly go wrong. It's 2012 not 1990. Kids growing up are getting pretty fed up of hearing about Liverpool Football Club and the glory days. Did you like listening to your parents bang on about the war? No I guess not, but you sat and you listened because it was the polite thing to do. "And you should have been grateful to." And I bet you were.

But at no point did your Uncle Buck ever say to you, "Kids who grow up today know to run and hide in their Anderson shelters." Because that would make no bloody sense; because the war is over. So don't tell me that kids grow up wanting to support Liverpool Football Club, because they don't. Because it is over!

As I said in the opening paragraph Kenny Dalglish truly epitomises what Liverpool football club is all about and it is about time he stopped drawing games and start drawing his pension.

So dearest press, old people and 'football experts' please stop telling me that kids grow up supporting Liverpool because I experienced growing up more recently that you have and quite simply... you're wrong.