… Van Gaal has never been a “template” manager,...
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Fantasy Football 2014
I am terrible at football. I misplace passes, bottle tackles and shoot with unfailing comedic flair, and the only thundering volley I have ever scored (an arcing, swerving, unstoppable beauty) found the back of my own team’s net. From the comfort of my armchair, however, I play a solid game of fantasy football. …As […]
Germany v Ghana: Kevin-Prince Boateng out to settle a score – again
… In 2010 it was a foul on Chelsea’s Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final that made Boateng, then playing for Portsmouth, public enemy No1 in Germany. The national captain was consequently ruled out of South Africa 2010 with ankle-ligament damage and never played for Germany again. In 2014 it is not Boateng’s actions but his […]
For Manchester United, a season that nobody expected
Rio Ferdinand was sitting in the near-deserted part of a Yokohama, Japan, hotel reserved for Manchester United’s team. Security guards stopped Japanese fans who had slipped into lifts aiming to reach where they thought the players would be, while an 18-year-old called Adnan Januzaj wandered around in one of Ferdinand’s branded “5” caps, wondering […]
Rodgers’ tweaks key to Liverpool’s success
Brendan Rodgers’s tactical tinkering has been crucial to Liverpool’s fast starts to games. Liverpool have an excellent starting XI but not great strength in depth, so this was a genuine challenge. (Eds note: without Henderson and Sturrdige) Rodgers was expected to return to a 4-3-3 in Sturridge’s absence, but instead he persevered with a shape […]
From bad to worse for Barcelona – the tarnishing of a golden image
For many years, Barcelona enjoyed a golden image around the globe. But that image has been shattered by a series of negative episodes – of which a transfer ban is just the latest. …It didn’t used to be like this. Barca’s ‘More Than A Club’ motto suggested a club morally superior to their rivals, who […]
El Clasico of the Century?
As one former Barcelona player puts it: “It is the game of the century, even if there are eight of them a year.” It is a comment not just on the excellence and the expectation that comes with Real Madrid v Barcelona but also on their eclipse of all else, on the dominance and potential dilution of a […]
Ferguson on Wenger reaching 1000 games
The LMA congratulates Arsène Wenger OBE, who will reach the significant landmark of 1000 matches as Arsenal manager when his side face Chelsea this Saturday. In doing so, Wenger will become one of only four men in the modern era of English football, including Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson and Dario Gradi to surpass […]
Fantasy Football – Gameweek 31
WOW! We’ve been missing for a while now! Well we’re back! Bringing the best Fantasy football articles from around the web to help you decide! With a host of DGW coming up – read the entire article and choose carefully! While making long term picks keep in mind that Sunderland and City have 11 matches […]
Ryan Giggs – 150 CL games
Reds marvel at Giggs Ryan Giggs received a glowing tribute from his Manchester United team-mates after producing an instrumental 90-minute display in the 3-0 win over Olympiacos on Wednesday night. Almost a month after his last Reds outing and on his 150th Champions League appearance, Giggs had a hand in the first two goals at […]
Wenger – 1000 games
Arsène Wenger cannot believe he is on the cusp of reaching 1,000 games at Arsenal – but says he has learnt something from every single one. The Frenchman’s first match at the Club was at Blackburn Rovers on October 12, 1996 and he has gone on to oversee 998 more in his 17 years as […]
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