Ten young football starlets set to take 2009 by storm

2009 is set to be a fine year indeed for football fans. And no less so for these ten players; ten players who all have the potential to excite audiences across the country. Big moves could well beckon for these young stars in 2009.

Jamie Ward – Chesterfield

The diminutive striker has notched 14 goals in 22 starts for Chesterfield this season, and is attracting the interest of a number of Championship clubs. Pacy and with an eye for goal, The Northern Ireland U21 international may be due a big move sooner rather than later with his current contract due to run out in June. However, a summer move could be the more likely option, with Ward looking increasingly likely to review his options at the end of the season.

Tommy Rowe – Stockport County

With five goals already this season, Rowe is a big part of the Hatters second successive push for promotion, with the 20 year old left winger having all the physical and technical attributes to make an impact in the higher echelons of English Football. Rowe is one of many young starlets attracting interest at Edgeley Park, with the likes of Kevin Pilkington and Jimmy McNulty also being monitored by scouts across the country. Manager Jim Gannon will certainly have a job keeping his young side together over January to maintain their playoff charge.

Joe Lewis – Peterborough

England have already come calling, what next for the Peterborough goalkeeper? Everton and QPR have expressed an interest in the past for the 6’6 keeper, who commands his area well and can pull off spectacular saves when required. The Posh won’t let him go easily though, and have the financial clout and big ambition to convince Lewis to stay at London Road.

Victor Moses – Crystal Palace

The sky is the limit for Moses, who has bags of pace and ability. A regular for England’s Under 19 squad, Moses is equally at home on either wing, and after bursting onto the scene so successfully last season, the winger was the subject of much transfer speculation, with the likes of Arsenal expressing an interest in the player. However, after signing a 4 year deal with Crystal Palace, it appears Moses has committed his future to Palace – for now at least.

John-Joe O’Toole – Watford

Watford’s fans haven’t had much to cheer about this season, but in O’Toole they have a proper player. The midfielder has come through the ranks at Vicarage Road, and at 6’2 is a great athlete as well as a great passer of the ball, with eight goals to his name already this season – not a bad return for a 20 year old in only his second season as a professional. With international football at senior level for the Republic of Ireland surely beckoning, will Watford be tempted to cash in on another of their assets when the big clubs undoubtedly come crawling?

Scott Davies – Reading (on loan at Aldershot)

After leaving his mark on the Blue Square Premier, the on loan Reading youngster is now setting his sights on the Football League, and Gary Waddock’s Aldershot are once again reaping the benefits of the winger’s services. A player with a great work rate and accurate delivery, Davies is also quite capable of producing the spectacular. However, it remains to be seen whether the 20 year old will be given the chance to show off his obvious talents at his parent club, Reading. If not, other clubs will be sure to express an interest in the midfielder.

Sam Baldock –Milton Keynes Dons

Born and bred in Milton Keynes, the emergence of Sam Baldock from promising youngster to first team regular has surprised almost everyone at Stadium: MK. A player with great pace and movement; Baldock is also very composed in front of goal, as his 9 goals in 21 starts this season would testify to. Celtic are rumoured to be interested in the 19 year old hitman, but MK will want to keep hold of their sole home grown talent as long as possible.

Kyle Naughton – Sheffield United

A product of The Blades youth academy, Naughton has made the right-back spot at Sheffield United his own this season. A player comfortable in defence but just as adept going forward to support the attack – Naughton is a fine player, with blistering pace and skill to boot – not traits you’d necessarily associate with a defender. A lifelong Blades fan, Naughton will be hoping to take his hometown club back to the Premiership this season – before the Premiership comes to him.

Scott Dann – Coventry City

Strong, brave and good in the air, The 21 year old has shown maturity beyond his tender years for Coventry during this campaign as captain as one of the youngest backlines in the Championship. After making a successful into the England Under-21s set up, the future certainly looks bright for the young centre-back, who has played at every level in the Football League pyramid so far.

Will Buckley - Rochdale

Premier League scouts have been flocking to Spotland to watch this exciting winger for quite some time now, and the 19 year old has duly obliged with some splendid performances. With six goals to his name already this season, it seems like a matter of time before Buckley moves on to pastures new. But after losing top stars such as Grant Holt, Glenn Murray and Rickie Lambert over the years, Rochdale will be determined to hang on to their man for a while yet as they strive for promotion from League Two.

BSP report cards

That’s right, we’re coming up to that halfway stage already, or near enough to do this anyway.

So, it’s time to reflect on the first half of the season in the BSP, and see just how right (or wrong!) I’ve been so far with my pre-season predictions. Feel free to have a giggle at my expense HERE: http://shaunicus.blogspot.com/2008/08/bsp-preview.html (sorry, I cant work out hyperlinks!)

Oh, and I’ve decided to do it in a school report format, just for something a bit different.

‘Citing, aint it? Let’s get on with it then..


1) Burton Albion (A+)

Despite the losses of some key players, and the lack of transfer activity in the summer, the unfancied NCBA (that’s Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion to me and you) are once again ticking over rather nicely and currently sit top of the pile. It shouldn’t be a surprise, they’re a team who don’t live beyond their means, a strong infrastructure, and with a bright young manager in Nigel Clough to boot, promotion looks increasingly likely with the Brewers currently 8 points clear at the top. A model of consistency.


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2) Histon (A+)

Ah, so the humiliation begins. Once again, Histon have shown that hard work and endeavour really can get you so far, and have made a mockery of my mid-table prediction. A team of part-timers with no real stars, but make no mistake, the Stutes are as hard to play against as anyone in the division. The table doesn’t lie, after all.

3) Torquay (A-)

No bias here folks, just pure unadulterated fact. The Gulls recovered magnificently after a poor start, and went on the greatest of all unbeaten runs – 16 games to be exact. Like I said from the start, pissing this tinpot league. Don’t doubt me for a second. Buckle out? Fickle, the lot of them..

4) Kidderminster (A)

A team quietly going about their business, slipping under the radar if you will. After years of disappointment, lack of ambition, and players constantly being moved on, Kiddy fans will be delighted to be involved in the playoff hunt this time around. Ignore them at your peril - I should know..


5) Crawley Town (A-)

It’s always good to see your dark horses do well, isn’t it? Say what you like about Steve Evans (and most people don’t hold back..) but he is a good manager at this level, and he knows this league and market as well as anyone. People won’t like it, but Crawley are a team on course for the playoffs in my opinion. And we won’t be hearing the end of it..
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6) Cambridge United (A-)

With wholesale changes in the summer, and financial troubles behind the scenes, I felt a season of transition was on the cards for the U’s. Oops. The management team of Gary Brabin and Paul Carden have helped Cambridge to hit the ground running and erase all those nasty memories from Wembley. There’s been no playoff hangover here, that’s for sure.

7) Wrexham (B-)

Arrived in the BSP with such big expectations, but have flattered to deceive really. A change in management and some strong recent form suggests they’ll probably reach their potential later in the campaign and peak late on, with the team currently lying just outside the playoff spots. Don’t count them out just yet.


8) Rushden and Diamonds (C+)

Given the money spent at Nene Park this summer, I think more was expected of Garry Hill’s side this season. And rightly so. There’s still time to turn it round, however, and there’s always one team who makes a late surge at the playoffs. That team could well be Rushden, who still have some undoubted quality in their ranks. Let’s just hope the money doesn’t run out.


9) Kettering (A-)

I always felt Kettering would do well this season..but not this well. To be so close to the playoffs at this stage is beyond all expectations for the newly promoted side. Mark Cooper’s side have certainly ruffled a few feathers in the BSP.

10) Stevenage (C-)

The perennial under achievers are at it again. Why must they flatter to deceive, year after year? Bringing back the controversial Graham Westley as manager hasn’t produced an upturn in fortunes for Boro, and with his side eight points away from the playoffs, a strong second half to the season is required if Boro are to make an assault at the playoffs.

11) Weymouth (B+)

A prime example of a club not using problems behind the scenes as an excuse for matters on the pitch. Despite the mounting debts and the loss of the experienced John Hollins as manager, Weymouth are doing just fine, and should have enough about them to avoid a relegation battle.


12) Ebbsfleet United (B)

A team probably where I expected them to be, comfortably sat in mid-table. Another team who probably need more quality and more consistency to mount a playoff challenge. Will Daish be given the support he needs from all 25,000 of the owners to take the Fleet to the next level? Doubts remain over the whole situation.

13) Oxford (D-)

The agony continues for Oxford fans. A season which promised much but has delivered little, with Oxford’s watertight defence from last season going missing and their much-lauded strikeforce mis-firing. With manager Darren Patterson now given the boot and the experienced Jim Smith back at the helm on a temporary basis, Oxford will need to improve to mount a playoff challenge – and fast. Appointing the right man as manager will be crucial.


14) York (C+)

Living proof of hard it really is to escape the BSP. After years in the Football League, relegation eventually caught up with the Minstermen and they’ve found it difficult to make their way back – no more so this time around. With ex Port Vale manager Martin Foyle now in charge, City fans will be looking for an upturn in fortunes.

15) Altrincham (A-)

Altrincham in non-struggling shocker? Who would have thought it? Some would say they don’t deserve to be in the BSP at the expense of others, but I’d say the other clubs are more at fault for some terrible mismanagement off the field. Credit to Altrincham for running their club properly and living within their means, unlike others.

16) Eastbourne Borough (B+)

Comfortably above the relegation zone? Eastbourne will be happy with that. The Sports cite strong team spirit and work ethic as their reasons for success, with a squad that’s been together since their days in the Southern League. Complacency is not an option is Boro are to avoid a relegation battle, however.

17) Barrow (B)

It’s been a season where Barrow may well be more remembered for their cup exploits, but the Bluebirds domestic campaign has been one of considerable success too. The management team of David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan have adapted to life in the BSP well enough, but will be hoping the FA Cup doesn't become a detriment to their league form.

18) Sailsbury (C)

Financial difficulties have hampered the Whites progress somewhat this season, with key players being loaned out to balance the books at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium. It looks like a case of too much success too soon for City, and staying up would be an achievement as things stand.

19) Mansfield (E)

The nightmare has continued for Stags fans, with the club embroiled in a second successive relegation battle. With little money to spend and no manager, relegation is not an option for Mansfield, and they’ll be happy to see the back of this season and start fresh. Still, it could be worse, at least they’re not called Harchester United..

20) Woking (D-)

Well, the Kim Grant experiment was always doomed to fail, wasn’t it? Still, Phil Gilchrist has improved the Cards fortunes slightly, and Woking have a fighting chance of staying up.

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21) Grays Athletic (D-)

What was that about dark horses doing well? After a promising end to last season, things certainly haven’t continued in the same vain this time around for the Blues, with players being asked to take a 50% wage-cut certainly not helping matters. However, under the guidance of Wayne Burnett, Grays have shown signs of improvement recently, and only one point keeps them in the drop zone. It’s certainly never dull at Grays, that’s for sure..

22) Forest Green Rovers (E+)

Now, this did surprise me. After years of steady progress, many expected Jim Harvey’s side to push on and mount a playoff challenge - me included. It just hasn’t materialized though, with Rovers deep in the relegation mire as things stand. The losses of key players such as Michael Brough and Stuart Fleetwood in the summer wouldn’t have helped matters, and with these players yet to be replaced, it could be a long season at the New Lawn.

23) Lewes (E)

Yet another club that have let financial difficulties hold them back,with Lewes on the verge of administration. A summer of total upheaval didn’t help the Rooks, with all but one squad member leaving for pastures new after the controversial (and ridiculous) sacking of Steve King. Staying up is a tall order.

24) Northwich Victoria (F)

Another miracle is required for the Vics,who sit bottom of the pile. Last season’s saviour, Dino Maamria, was sacked after a poor start, so it’s up to former Lewes manager Steve King to save Northwich, a man who has more than earned his chance to manage in the BSP. He’s got a mammoth task in hand..

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So, there it is. What a first half to the season it’s been, with plenty of surprises and lots to get fans excited about. And I’m sure there’s more to come..

Johnson ready for his shot at the bigtime

In light of the two management roles made vacant at Premiership sides Sunderland and Blackburn, many managers were considered. Some candidates had Premiership experience, some had experience abroad, and some had little or no coaching experience at all. However, one manager was ignored altogether, and when looking at his record and undoubted pedigree, it’s hard to see why Gary Johnson wasn’t considered for either role.

He’s served his apprenticeship in all of the lower leagues, with success stories at Cambridge United, Yeovil Town and more recently, Bristol City to speak of. And he’s managed at international level with Latvia. His CV is one that many managers would envy.

Yet, when it comes to the big jobs, Johnson is constantly ignored.

Is it because he isn’t seen as a big name? It’s a common thought that the best players don’t necessarily make the best managers, and that could well be true in Johnson’s case, where his playing career was modest to say the least. It’s through hard work and endeavour that he has got to where he is today.

His record compares favourably with that of Paul Ince, yet it was the former England midfielder who got the call to take the Blackburn job in the summer. Six months later, Ince unceremoniously got the boot at Ewood Park. Who’s to say Johnson couldn’t have done a better job?

After all, he has all the tools to succeed. Johnson is seen as a great man-manager who can get the best out of people. Players work hard for him, and more importantly, enjoy working for him. Who expected Bristol City to be in the promotion mix last season? To be 90 minutes away from The Premiership was beyond all Robins fans dreams.

And his manner with the media is something to admire. In front of the cameras, the Londoner is confident and perceptive. It’s to his credit that he has appeared on Match Of The Day, a place where managers from the lower leagues are largely ignored.

The football? Like the best managers, Johnson adapts to the conditions accordingly, and isn’t afraid to instruct his team to go direct when adverse weather conditions make a crisp passing style difficult. But on their day, The Robins are as attractive to watch as anyone in the Championship.

Johnson’s approach was no more evident than at Yeovil – where the Glovers stormed the Conference and Divison Three titles with displays of scintillating, attacking football. It was a joy to watch, and it was this success that saw him get the call at Ashton Gate.

So, has he taken Bristol City as far as he can? Quite possibly. City currently lie in 15th place in the Championship – nine points away from the playoff spots. A fresh challenge may be required if Johnson is to fulfil his undoubted management potential.

But as times go by, it seems Premiership clubs are becoming increasingly reluctant to take a punt on managers from the lower leagues. Foreign appointments are seen as a better option.

The last success story to come from the lower leagues was a certain David Moyes, who after impressing with Preston North End was taken from Deepdale to Goodison Park in 2002.

And he hasn’t done too badly, has he?

Portsmouth's defensive woes continue

You could be forgiven for thinking Christmas had come early for Newcastle United at Fratton Park today, such was the naivety of Portsmouth’s defending.

The manner in which they gifted the visitor’s three goals and their first three points on the road this season is a problem that threatens to turn Pompey’s season into more of a struggle than they would have liked.

Granted, it’s hardly reached crisis point on the south coast. Far from it in fact -
they sit 7th in the league and a full five points clear of the relegation places.

However, with 13 goals conceded in their last six games in all competitions, it’s clear to see where the problem lies for Tony Adams’ side. And it’s the sloppy manner in which they’ve been conceding which will be of most concern to him.

The organisation Adams himself was renowned for during his days at Arsenal and England was badly missing as three times in the second half Newcastle were allowed to breach their backline.

Sylvan Distin and Sol Campbell in particular look complete shadows of the players that served Pompey so well last season. Last season’s they were solid, and they could be relied upon. Now they look hapless and out of place.

Newcastle weren’t even particularly impressive today – nor did they have to be. And to compound matters, even when Portsmouth fashioned numerous chances, they were wasteful in front of goal - Jermain Defoe the main culprit with a host of missed chances.

Even with the chances Portsmouth created today though, their defending just cannot be excused. Being solid at the back is the basis for any success at any level. You’d think of all the people, Adams would have grasped that theory.

So, is this all down to the manager? The former Arsenal captain has tried to make his own mark, and while results have been of a satisfactory standard since the departure of Harry Redknapp, goals have come in steady supply – at both ends of the pitch.

With Portsmouth’s European adventure ending early, Adams now has the Premier League and the defence of the FA Cup to focus on. And though any talk of a relegation battle is premature to say the least, due to the unpredictable nature of the league, Pompey are far from safe.

And with January fast approaching, he has a job on his hands convincing the likes of Lassana Diarra and Niko Kranjcar that their futures do indeed lie at Fratton Park. It could well be an interesting January for Portsmouth, a month that could well make or break their season.

One thing is for sure, Adams needs to be given time to do things his way. He needs to be backed by the owners, whoever they may be. By promoting him from his assistant manager role, they gave the club continuality at a time where it would have been easy to bring someone else in, and start over.

But for now, stopping the rot at the back has to be the priority.

How Portsmouth could do with a Tony Adams at the heart of their defence right now.

Brighton dream finally becomes a reality

The 24th of July, 2007.

A day that will go down in folklore for Brighton fans, as it marks the day that planning permission for their new home in Falmer, East Sussex was finally granted, after over ten years of temporary homes.

Finally, Brighton have the luxury of home comforts, the luxury of a stadium to call their own. A luxury most football fans take for granted.

It’s been a struggle to get this far, however. Many obstacles have stood in Brighton’s way, and much money has been lost.

It all began in 1997, with Brighton’s financial situation looking precarious and bankruptcy becoming increasingly likely.

In an attempt to generate money and pay off the mounting debts that were crippling the club, a controversial decision was made, a decision that to this day has hampered the club’s progress.

The Goldstone ground was sold without the fans consent by the club’s directors, and the land surrounding the stadium was sold to property developers.

Brighton had been left homeless, and almost penniless.

In the club’s final season at the Goldstone ground, with only two games remaining, Brighton were staring at relegation from the Football League to the Conference flat in the face.

Brighton beat Doncaster Rovers 1-0 in the final match at the Goldstone, setting up what was billed as a winner takes all match against the team directly below them, Hereford, on the final day of the season. Brighton had to draw or win to stay up, and despite an early set back, The Seagulls managed to draw 1-1 and send Hereford down in the process.

After ground sharing with Gillingham for the 1997/98 season, Brighton moved into their temporary home, the Withdean stadium, a stadium they reside in to this day. The ground is primarily used as an athletics track, and only holds 8,500 people.

Suffice to say, this was not the long term solution that Seagulls fans craved.

Of course, the move to Falmer was always the long term objective, but that seemed far away at this point.

However, despite this turmoil Brighton prospered, on the pitch at least.

After a few turbulent years at the wrong end of the table, Micky Adams stabilized the club, and delivered promotion from the old Division Three, with the Seagulls going up as champions in 2001. It proved to be Brighton’s most successful season in 13 years.

The momentum continued the following season, despite the loss of Adams to Leicester, who gave the lack of a permanent stadium and facilities as his reasons for why he traded the Second Division title race for the Premiership relegation dogfight.

Peter Taylor replaced Adams in the hot seat, and Taylor maintained the Seagulls momentum. Brighton ended the season as Division Two champions, and back to back promotions had been achieved.

Suddenly, after the threat of extinction and non league football, Brighton were now only a division away from the promised land of the Premier League. It had been quite the turn around.

Life in Division One wasn’t quite so plain sailing, however. Taylor left The Seagulls to take on the Hull City job, a club who were below Albion in the footballing pyramid, but well ahead in ambition and facilities.

Once again, Brighton had lost a talented manager, and the lack of good facilities at the club was hampering their progress on the field.

Martin Hinshelwood was promoted from youth team manager and charged with the job of keeping Brighton in the division. Hinshelwood struggled, proceeding over an 11 match winless streak, and was eventually relieved of his duties, with Steve Coppell taking over.

Coppell improved the club’s fortunes, but couldn’t do enough to stop the inevitability of relegation.

Coppell eventually left Brighton for Reading, a club who were once again well ahead in terms of infrastructure, and was replaced by Mark McGhee, who took the Seagulls back up at the first attempt through the playoffs. McGhee even managed to keep the club in the division during the following campaign, with Brighton finishing in 20th position, in what was their highest league position in 14 years.

No small feat with such small crowds, and you felt a new ground was the final piece of the jigsaw to exploit Brighton’s undoubted potential. Afterall, managers were departing because of this, and the club would always struggle with such low income streams.

And sure enough, problems began to arise.

While Brighton City Council approved the stadium plans for Falmer, Lewes District Council fought valiantly against it, believing “the stadium will erode the important gap of open countryside between the built up area of Brighton and Falmer village.”

However, onthe 28th October 2005 , the plans for Falmer were finally approved, and the city of Brighton could finally rejoice. The hard work had paid off.

Or so we thought.

Lewes council appealed the decision, citing problems with where the stadium is located within the boundary of the built up area of Brighton. Due to this, the plans were withdrawn, and The Albion were back to square one.

And on the field, the Seagulls were once again struggling. Brighton had been relegated from the Championship, and the following season began with uncertainty.

McGhee was eventually received of his duties, with the inexperienced Dean Wilkins given the chance to revive the club’s fortunes.

And while he did so with moderate success, achieving successive mid-table finishes with a relatively young squad, off the field was where the real success story came.

On Tuesday the 24th of July, 2007, The Secretary of State said yes to Falmer once again, subject to appeal within a 6 week period.

And to the relief of all those concerned, Lewes District Council announced that they would not appeal against the decision.

Relief all round for the city of Brighton, who had fought valiantly for this. All the marches to Falmer and petitions to the MP had now been worth it.

Brighton had a place to call home.

So now we come to today. Micky Adams is now back at the helm at Brighton, the very man who kick-started this whole success story on the pitch.

Still relatively young in management terms at 47, Adams could well be the man to provide success for the Albion faithful. With the club hovering just over the relegation zone though, there is work to be done.

And work is due to begin on the Falmer project later this month, which looks ambitious to say the least. The project is due to finish in August 2011, and the new state of the art stadium should hold 22,000 fans.

Some have called these plans overly ambitious, but with the potential of the Sussex area and the size of The Seagulls fan base, which has been shown by their large Wembley followings, Brighton should finally prosper and establish themselves in the Championship.

After many false dawns, exciting times could lie ahead for the city of Brighton and their long suffering fans.

And after ten years of frustration, who could begrudge them that?

Scolari begins to feel the heat..

Prior to yesterday’s 2-1 defeat against title rivals Arsenal, ‘Big’ Phil Scolari had avoided controversy during the opening six months of his reign as Chelsea manager. Scolari let his Chelsea team do their talking on the pitch, and with some fabulous football along with some good results, the Brazilian had adapted to life in England well.

There were no mind games, and no criticising referees. Scolari just seemed to go about his job nicely—a stark contrast to the days of The Special One, that’s for sure.

Dare I say it; people were starting to respect Chelsea, if not necessarily like them. People admired their football. They were gracious in defeat, as shown when beaten by Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, a defeat that ended Chelsea’s record breaking home record, where they didn't lose for 86 games.

However, the pressure cooked environment of the title race has finally got to Big Phil, with yesterday’s defeat prompting an outburst more reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s days at the Bridge.

And there was nothing "likeable" about it.

Scolari accused Mike Dean, the referee in yesterday’s encounter, of “killing” his Chelsea team, and even hinted at conspiracy theories, after Dean’s assistant failed to spot Robin Van Persie was offside for Arsenal’s first goal.

All quite ludicrous really, and with the club’s fuor and a half year unbeaten home record now an all too distant memory, maybe it’s all starting to get to Big Phil? Has he shown the first signs of cracking under the pressure?

Because although it’s clear Van Persie was indeed offside for Arsenal’s opener yesterday, there was still half an hour of football to play after that incident. And in that period, Chelsea conceded another goal not too shortly after, and in reply, failed to seriously test the Arsenal goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia.

And that isn’t down to the officials, that is down to Scolari and his Chelsea team.

The fact is, Chelsea don’t have a plan B, and the rest of the Premiership seems to have worked this out. Much like Newcastle and Liverpool did so successfully, Arsenal stopped the Chelsea full-backs from marauding forward, and therefore negated Chelsea’s threat down the flanks.

And by stopping John Obi Mikel and Deco from starting attacks from deep, Chelsea struggle to get going, and look slow and sluggish.

Chelsea’s recent results would indicate that the Premiership has realized this, with poor results against Liverpool, Newcastle, and now Arsenal halting Chelsea’s early momentum. But Scolari continues to persist with his tactics, refusing to deviate from what he knows.

And though it’s far from a crisis on the domestic front, in the Champions League Chelsea qualification is far from guaranteed, with victory needed in the final group game at home against Romanian Champions CFR Cluj to ensure qualification.

Furthermore, without Ricardo Carvalho at the heart of the back line, Chelsea’s defence looks desperately exposed. The lack of strength of depth in the Blues squad is all too evident, and with Chelsea needing a goal yesterday to equalize, there was little firepower on the bench for the Chelsea boss to call upon. The failure to sign Robinho in August looks increasingly like a missed opportunity.

It seems Scolari may well be facing his first signs of adversity as manager, though this won’t be anything new. It’s the nature of the beast, as they say, and Big Phil is indeed big enough to deal with any pressure that may come his way.

But instead of blaming match officials for his teams failings, Scolari may be better advised to look closer to home.

Capello's England continue to deliver

Well, I could certainly get used to this new England. A pointless friendly? Try telling that to Fabio Capello and his team.

Sure, it’s wasn’t the 5-1 whitewash from years gone by, but it was something that’s become a rarity from England when it comes to international friendlies over the years: impressive.

And this was only the second string – England’s ‘reserves’, if you will.

Much was made over the various withdrawals in the squad throughout the week, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney dropping out due to injury.

A disaster, some would say.

As it turned out, it was more like a blessing in disguise, as it gave the second string a chance to stake their claims and gave Capello, a man for whom reputations count for nothing, a big problem for the next game.

And they did just that.

Matthew Upson was solid and composed in the heart of the England defence, and managed to get himself a goal.

Michael Carrick was neat and tidy with the ball, and disciplined without it.

Stewart Downing provided balance on the left hand side, and created both goals with two dangerous set-piece deliveries.

And in his first England appearance, Gabriel Agbonlahor caused the Germany defence problems all evening with his raw pace and clever movement.

Capello now has a problem, the kind of problem every manager wants to have. There's healthy compeition for places, and that can only be good for England.

Make no mistake about it, bar the Carson debacle (which to be honest I’m sick of talking about, Terry and Carson are equally culpable), everything clicked into place for England tonight.

Despite the unfamiliarity of the line-up, England looked more like a team than other England sides from years gone by.

Because every time I see this England team, they look better and better. More comfortable in possession, more compact without the ball, and more like a team. There was balance, shape, and professionalism.

And that’s the key. No longer do England play as a team of individuals. There’s now balance, and unsurprisingly, things are beginning to click into place.

After a slow start in charge, Capello is beginning to make his mark. Long may it continue.

Unfashionable Megson still not everyone's cup of tea

Sitting comfortably in mid-table, after two wins and clean sheets in a row, you'd think Bolton fans would be fairly content with their team's form, and their manager Gary Megson.

After all, Megson kept Bolton up in remarkable circumstances last year, after Sammy Lee's disastarious tenure in charge. And there was even a decent UEFA Cup run to boot, with memorable results against the likes of Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade something to savour.

Yet there are still rumblings of discontent from the Wanderers faithful. The football is too negative, apparantly, with Bolton more concerned about keeping a clean sheet than actually going and scoring at the other end.

But there lies the problem. Because football, first and foremost, is a results business. There's just too much money involved for teams to go out and attack these days. The risk is simply too much, with the money in the Premiership so vital, especially for teams like Bolton. Relegation would be disastarous.

Taking a step back to last season, and after the departure of Sam Allardyce, Bolton decided to change things. Sammy Lee attempted to get Wanderers playing a more expansive brand of football after the direct style of Allardyce, but ultimately failed, with only five points from their opening ten games a poor return. The experiment could so easily have cost Bolton their Premiership status.
So Gartside went back to basics, and went back to what he knew. Lee was given the boot, and to the dismay of many, Megson was appointed. Fans at the Reebok Stadium were outraged, so much so that only 1.7 per cent of fans were in favour of his appointment, according to a website poll.

Talk about starting on the wrong foot.

Then again, this is nothing new for Megson. He's never been a popular manager, with his pragmatic style of play never endearing him to fans, who prefer to see attractive, attacking football. And who doesnt? But pretty football doesnt get you out of a relegation battle. It's about rolling your sleeves up, working hard, and getting the basics right.

So Megson got to work, and got Bolton doing the basics properly again. Of course, it took time, but slowly but surely, the Trotters began to get results. They were hard working, organised, defensively sound, and strong from set-pieces. The old Bolton Wanderers were back, doing what they did best, playing to their strengths, and doing what they needed to do to stay up.

What's more, the loss of influential striker Nicolas Anelka in January was seen to be the last straw by many, with the goals supply surely drying up. He was seen as the only bit of quality in an otherwise mediocre side. Without Anelka, there were no goals, and seemingly no hope.

But Megson didn't panic, and strenghened elsewhere in the squad. Matt Taylor, Gary Cahill, and Gretar Steinsson were all trafted in, amongst others. Once again, they weren't signings to get the fans pulses racing, but they were hard working players who would give their all for the cause. And the new signings certainly had the desired effect, as the likes of Cahill and Taylor all played their part in keeping Bolton in the Premiership.

And so Bolton did stay up, in what was quite frankly a remarkable achievement. At one stage, Bolton looked dead and buried, and some journalists had wrote them off completely, condemning the team to relegation. But in the end, we were all proved wrong, as Bolton pulled off what was in my eyes one of the greatest turnarounds in recent history.

There was even the added bonus of a profitable run in the UEFA Cup, though the competition eventually proved to be too much of a distraction, as Megson put the club's domestic campaign first. Once again, Megson was criticised for not giving the competition enough respect, but in the end his decision proved to be vindicated.

Now moving onto this season, and it's been more of the same from Bolton and Megson, and the fans don't like it. Sure, it's been an inconsistent start, and results havent always been good. And the style of play hasn't changed.

But given the way Megson turned things round last season, you'd think Bolton fans would be more patient towards the man who kept them up against the odds last season.

The abuse that Megson suffered at the hands of his own fans away at Tottenham was nothing short of ridiculous, and in my opinion completely undeserved.

Then again, football fans have notoriously short memories, don't they? Megson out? Be careful what you wish for..

Adomah shines as Barnet production line rolls on

Over the years Barnet have produced their fair share of talent. Given their obvious lack of resources compared to the rest of the league, signing promising young talent has been crucial to the team's progress, and the likes of Nicky Bailey, Dean Sinclair, and Jason Puncheon have all developed at Underhill before moving onto pastures new.

It's a policy that's worked well for the club and for the player, with the players in question developing at Barnet before getting their chance at a higher level, and becoming a more complete player as a result, and Barnet getting some much needed money into their coffers - vital money for a club the size of Barnet's, where attendances are amongst the lowest in the division.

And now it seems that Albert Adomah is the latest to shine, with a big move surely inevitable for the 20 year old winger.

Before his days at Barnet, Adomah impressed for Harrow Borough where his performances on the right wing attracted interest from various Football League clubs. Eventually, it was Barnet who won his signature, due to their upstanding reputation in developing young players onto bigger and better things.

And from then on, Adomah's progress has been impressive to say the least.

A debut goal against Hereford United in a 2-1 win ensured Adomah made an instant impact with the Barnet faithful, and goals against the likes of Chester City and Shrewsbury Town helped make Adomah a firm fans favourite at Underhill, with his blistering pace and skill on the ball causing League Two defences no end of problems.

And it wasn't long before bigger clubs came calling for Adomah's signature, with many Championship and Premiership clubs expressing an interest after only 5 months at Barnet.

A written transfer request followed, with the young man clearly wanting to test himself at the highest level possible. And Barnet reluctantly agreed to let Adomah leave, should the right offer come in for the club.

However, months later Adomah had a change of heart, feeling that he 'owed Barnet' after they took a chance on him in the first place.

Refreshing loyalty indeed, from a player who could have dug his heels in until he got the move he wanted. Instead, Adomah pledged to do his best for Barnet - the club who gave him his chance, the club who took him from relative obscurity to the Football League.

And this season, the good form has continued, despite Barnet's shaky start to the season. Four goals in 15 games an impressive return, and Adomah's pace and direct running continues to frighten League Two defences.

No doubt about it, Adomah is an exciting talent, and he will go on to bigger and better things. But he isn't the finished article yet, and this raw talent needs to develop further. And there's no better place to do that than Barnet, where manager Paul Fairclough has nurtured young talent at Underhill for years.

But for now, Barnet are reaping the rewards of this young man's talent, and hopefully, they'll continue to do so. Until the next rough diamond comes along, that is, and the cycle can continue

Potential Cupsets

Ah, the FA Cup. The greatest cup competition in the world, or an unwanted distraction? It totally depends on who you ask really, with some managers putting their league campaigns first, and others looking for that bit of cup magic to spark life into their season.

Personally, I love the FA cup, but it seems others are slowly falling out of love with the competition, with league position taking precedence in today's money orientated footballing world. And that's a great shame, with some of my greatest footballing memories coming from the FA Cup..and some of my worst too. But that's just it, it's a competition where the part-timers get their 90 minutes of fame, where the minnows get to mix it with the big boys.

And sometimes, miracles happen, and the big boys get embarrassed. And that's the magic of the cup. Heroes can, and will be made.

Anyhow, I digress. The First Round proper kicks off this weekend, and there's some rather tasty looking ties indeed.

So, where are the potential banana skins? Where will the magic come from?

Histon vs Swindon Town

With Histon going so well in the Blue Square Premier currently, and Swindon looking so inconsistent in League One, this one could have cupset written all over it. Under the stewardship of John Beck, who will have his Histon side up for this I'm sure, you just know The Stutes will be hard to play against, and will pull out all the stops to get a result. Throw in the tight non-league ground factor - something Swindon wont be accustomed to, and it could be Histon's day.

Carlisle United vs Grays Athletic

Two sides in complete turmoil, but for very different reasons. Either way, this game should provide a welcome distraction for both sides.

For Carlisle it's all change, with John Ward leaving the club earlier in the week and Greg Abbott taking temporary charge of team affairs for the second time. A chance for Abbott to stake a claim for the permanent job, you'd have to think, though he has a job on his hands rejuvinating this Carlisle side, with only one point from their last 27.

It's not all rosy at Grays howver, far from it in fact. Sat firmly in the relegation zone in the Blue Square Premier, with the squad asked to take a 50% paycut, their problems really put things in perspective at Carlisle. But a cup run might be just what the Essex club needs, and with nothing to lose and the squad no doubt all pulling together in their current plight, I fancy Grays to pile on the misery for Carlisle at Brunton Park.

Kettering Town vs Lincoln City

Sure, Kettering have bigger fish to fry, with promotion on the agenda (and who could have predicted that?) but winning breeds confidence, and at the moment Kettering Town are flying. The Blue Square Premier table toppers will no doubt fancy their chances against a frustratingly inconsistent Lincoln side, who just havent got going this season in League Two.

Team Bath vs Forest Green

What on earth has happened at Forest Green? So effective and easy on the eye last season, this season they look a different proposition altogether, with Jim Harvey's side languishing in the relegation places. On the other hand, Team Bath are going strong in the Blue Square South, and the passionate home support at Twerton Park could well guide them past a Rovers side looking desperately short of confidence.

Torquay United vs Evesham

No upset here folks (wow, how much could I regret saying that?), but a chance for the Gulls to stretch their unbeaten record to 13 games in all competitions. The club record of 16 games unbeaten is within sight, as Paul Buckle and his Torquay squad look to make history. Let's just hope Evesham dont spoil the party.

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So, there we have it. Contrary to popular belief, the FA Cup doesnt start in Round 3 when the Premiership teams join in, and plenty of heroes will be made this weekend alone. Could Havant and Waterlooville upset the odds again against high flying Brentford? Could Hornchurch bring big spending Peterborough back down to earth? Or better yet, how about AFC Wimbledon getting one over on Peter Taylor's Wycombe Wanderers?

AFC Wimbledon vs Milton Keynes Dons in Round Two anyone? Now wouldn't that be something..

Winner takes all

With all the talk about the new golden boy of British tennis, Andy Murray, you could be forgiven for forgetting about other matters in the world of tennis. But there is more to life than Andy Murray, as much as the British press wouldnt let you believe it, and the conclusion to the Paris Masters this weekend proves that fact.

With the Masters Cup in Shanghai fast approaching, six spots out of eight have been clinched, with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko, and more recently Andy Roddick booking their places. However, with two spots still up for grabs, it's up to David Nalbandian and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to stake their claims.

Nalbandian is the defending champion, and is aiming to become the first player in history to win back-to-back Masters titles in Paris. By reaching the final, Nalbandian has moved from 12th to 10th place in the rankings, and a victory in Paris would move him to 7th place, and therefore book his spot to Shanghai.

On route to the final, there's been victories against the likes of Davydenko and, whisper it, Murray himself. So you can't argue with Nalbandian's form going into the final.

On the other hand, Tsonga is looking to reach his first Masters cup, and a victory in Paris will deliver just that, improving his ranking from 12th to 8th place. On his way there's been victories against the likes of James Blake, another man who was vying for Masters cup qualification in what was a tense semi-final encounter, and World number three Novak Djokovic once again suffered the wrath of Tsonga.

So, enough of the permutations, who's going to Shanghai?

Prior to this tournament, both men weren't exactly talked about as potential winners, with all the talk about the big four players. However, by the time the semi-finals came around, the big four had departed, and it was anyone's title. Nalbandian shown his strong credentials with a fantastic performance against Murray, defeating the in-form player on the tour. Say what you like about Murray's fatigue, but anyone who defeated Murray with his momentum would have to be at his very best, and Nalbandian most certainly was. An impresive victory against Davydenko followed, as the Argentine booked his place in the final. But the question is, can he beat the local favourite?

Tsonga's route to the final has been just as impressive, with big victories over Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick to his name. So while it's clear Tsonga has the game to trouble the big boys, can he step up when it really matters? With only one singles title to his name, questions remain over the young man's temprement.

On matchday, Tsonga has the undoubted crowd support, and the lethal power game to trouble Nalbandian. Both players play aggressive games from the baseline, so it could come down to who plays the bigger points better. This is where experience becomes a big factor, and where Nalbandian has the edge. But with the French crowd on his side, Tsonga will always have a chance. It's a match that could go down to the wire.

Whatever happens, it proves to be a fascinating climax as the tennis season draws to a close. Both players have stepped up to the plate when it really matters, and it's a shame one player has to miss out. But that's the factor that will make Sunday's final all the more fascinating, as both players lay it all on the line.

Living the dream..

They just never learn, do they?

After a summer of overspending and overambition, the recent news coming from Rushden and Diamonds doesnt come as too much of a shock.

We all knew it was promotion or bust, and we all knew it would go wrong at some point. But to see it all go wrong so quickly is concerning to say the least.

8 players have been made available for transfer, and judging by the quality of players on offer, this isn't for footballing reasons. It seems the bubble has burst.

Then again, it was always destined to fail. The budget was unmaintainable for a club of Rushden's size, but that didnt stop them. It never does. Because to chase success, some will stop at nothing, and it doesnt matter about the casualties along the way.
Of course, Rushden have been here before.

In 1992, Rushden and Diamonds were created by Max Griggs, the owner of the Dr Martens shoe empire, as two small non-league clubs Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds were merged together. And almost immediately, the money was poured in as Griggs aimed his sights at the Football League.

Nene Park was built, an attractive modern stadium that cost £30million pounds to construct, and then boss Brian Talbot was given all of the funds he required to get Rushden to the promised land.

And for a short time, it worked. Rushden made it to the old second division, and the dream had become a reality. Or so they thought. Because like so many clubs before them, Rushden were living beyond their means.

Griggs eventually left, and took his substancial financial backing with him. And without a sugar daddy behind them, Rushden simply couldnt sustain themselves.

Consecutive relegations to the Conference followed, with the club now in the hands of the supporters trust. Briggs still helped financially when he could, but the most important thing was security. Rushden couldn't afford to take anymore gambles with their future. The most important thing for Rushden and their fans was having a club to support.

Unfortunately, that looks to have been the case. Keith Cousins took the reigns as Chairman, and backed his manager Garry Hill in spending big in the summer on the likes of Daryl Clare and Lee Phillips, amongst others. Clearly another push at the Football League was on the agenda, as Cousins and Hill looked to relieve the glory days.

For a team of Rushden's size, it was a big risk.

And it seemingly hasnt paid off, with Rushden languishing in mid-table and players being sold off to balance the books.

Living the dream? The dream hasn't even begun.

And as usual, it's the fans that will suffer. The same fans who have suffered before. Who would have thought lightning would strike twice?

No doubt the main culprits will walk straight into another club and get away with it, just like Peter Risdale did.

But the fans? The real victims in this piece? Let's just hope they have a club to support at the end of all this.

Harry takes biggest gamble yet..

It's always been known Harry Redknapp likes a gamble. Be it his forrays in the transfer market, or the 12:40 at Kempton, he's always been one to take a risk. And usually, they pay off.

However, by taking the Tottenham Hotspur job, has Harry went one gamble too far? Looking at Spurs and the current predicament they find themselves in, it's hard to see the logic in Redknapp's decision.

Spurs are a team in decline, with no confidence and seemingly no hope - on and off the field. The team simply cannot buy a win at the moment, and their tally of two points from eight games has seen Spurs slump deep into a relegation battle. Too good to go down? On recent evidence, far from it.

Furthermore, Redknapp had a job for life at Pompey. It was a job with little pressure, where expectations weren't too high, and where he was adored by the fans. At Spurs, things will be different. The supporters and board demand success - and unrealistically so in my eyes. It will be a far cry from the low-pressure job he had at Pompey, that's for sure. Just ask Martin Jol, who was scandalously sacked from his post as Spurs manager only a year ago. Does Daniel Levy believe in karma? He certainly should. Jol can afford a wry smile at latest developments at White Hart Lane, you would have to think.

But maybe that's just it. The challenge. Maybe Harry got too comfortable at Portsmouth? Maybe he thought he's taken them as far as they can go. The challenge of rejuvinating this Spurs team may have been too much to turn down. This is Redknapp's last chance to prove he can mix it with the big boys before he retires, and who can deny him that?

In any line of work, you want to test yourself. And managing Spurs will certainly test Redknapp. The team looks desperately short of confidence right now, and Harry needs to address that. Big players are going missing for Spurs, when leaders are required. And in Redknapp, Spurs have one of the best man-managers in the game. Players enjoy working for him. He gets the best out of people. He might be just the man Spurs need.

Should Harry get it right at Spurs, he enhances his reputation further. Get it wrong and it's a small blotch on an otherwise fine management career, in a job where it could be argued no-one could bring success. Maybe it's not such a gamble afterall?

As for Pompey, I think they'll be fine. The £5m in compensation will soften the blow somewhat, and in Tony Adams they have an astute young coach ready to step up to the plate. And what's more, Redknapp has left the club in a rather comfortable position indeed, with Pompey comfortably sat in mid-table and in European competition. Things could certainly be worse.

So Harry, the pressure is well and truly on. Welcome to the circus at White Hart Lane. Don't get too comfortable, will you?

NFL takes first step in making sport global..

Football attempted it with the infamous 39th game, but failed miserably as the idea was met with derision and dismay from many. So it's been left up to the Americans to take the first tentative step in making sport global, by taking the NFL out of it's American comfort zone.

On Sunday, 5,000 diehard NFL fans will travel from their homes in San Diego and New Orleans to London, or Wembley Stadium to be exact. It's the first regular season match ever to be held in London, and the sport's second big step into the unknown, after last year's exhibition match between the Miama Dolphins and the New York Giants.

If all goes well, there could be more games to be staged in the UK, with talks ongoing to extend the NFL season from 16 games to 18. Afterall, behind the US, the UK is deemed to be the most lucrative market for the NFL.

But is it really? Will we as a nation suddenly embrace American Football as a long lost brother, tossing aside the likes of 'Soccer' and Cricket?

Sure, the 85,000 locals inside Wembley would suggest so. But, when it's all said and done, beside the fanatics inside Wembley, how many of us casual fans will be more interested in the latest Premier League scandal? The NFL will be nothing more than an afterthought.

For me, American Football is just one of those sports that will seemingly never translate outside of the US. You have Baseball in Japan, Ice Hockey in Eastern Europe, and Basketball across the world. What about American Football? NFL Europe was destined to fail from the start, and another foray into European territory will be met with much trepidation.

Furthermore, for the casual sports fan, NFL just doesn't appeal. Which is strange, considering it's the most watched sporting event in the world. There are too many stoppages, too many complicated rules, and it's too much to take in for some. Aside from the Superbowl, how many of us really keep tabs on matters in the NFL? The Superbowl is an event that sees many of us become American Football fans for an evening, before returning to the sports we know and love. I should know, I'm one of them. And I'd hazard a guess that you are too.

That's not to say there isnt a fair share of NFL fanatics in the UK, because there are. Sky's coverage is second to none in giving American Football fanatics the action they crave. And the 85,000 locals crammed into Wembley stadium will no doubt be back for more NFL action, given the chance.

But for the majority of us, it'll be forgotten about come Monday morning. American Football is a minority sport in this country, and you feel it always will be.

By pouring so much money into this experiment - $5 million dollars to just stage the game, the NFL are banking on success.

But for all the money in sport, you cant buy history and tradition. Which is why this experiment wont make great waves in the UK.

Dowie given the boot as Briatore loses patience..

Well, it’s finally happened. After 15 games and a mere 5 months in charge, Iain Dowie has been relieved of his duties at Queens Park Rangers. A decision that isn’t a huge shock to anyone really, no less Dowie, who must have felt like a dead man walking throughout his tenure. So much for Dowie’s comments through the week, then, where Dowie himself spoke to the media sure that his job was indeed safe, with the team still in the playoff mix and into the last 16 of the Carling Cup.

So, another premature sacking, or completely justified?

It has to be said anything less than challenging for promotion at this stage would be deemed as failure, such was the big expectations from the wealthy owners of the club. And that’s just what happened, with Rangers currently lying in 9th place and winning just one from their last six - against bottom club Nottingham Forest. Hardly promotion form, and not good enough for a club who dream of Premiership football - however deluded these dreams may be.

However, in days like this where managers are all too often given the boot, would it have been too much to ask to give Dowie more time? Titles arent won in October, and I’m sure Dowie would have had Rangers in the promotion mixer come May. He’s got teams promoted from worse positions than 9th, afterall. Remember Crystal Palace? Dowie took them from relegation candidates to the Premiership in a matter of months. And with a bit of money to spend in January, who’s to say he couldn’t have done it again?

The last straw for Dowie surely came at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night, where QPR and Swansea played out a goalless draw. Not a bad result on the face of things, but when you consider Swansea were without a specialist goalkeeper for the majority of the match, things become more alarming. Swansea were rarely troubled, with Dowie choosing not to go on the offensive, but to take the draw on offer. Not the sexy, thrilling football that Flavio Briatore would like to see, I’m sure. Suddenly his new toy didnt seem quite as exciting.

It’s clear that Dowie never really fitted in with the new glamourous image at QPR. He’s never been an attractive appointment - in more ways than one. And his direct footballing philosophy didn’t really fit in with the technically sound foreign players that were brought into the club. However, with the right personel, he does get results. He’s proven at this level. But in today’s money crazy football world, results sometimes aren’t enough.

Almost inevitably, big names will be linked with the job - from the likes of Gianluca Vialli to Roberto Mancini. You feel a big name manager will be on the agenda for Briatore and his board, and with the finances on offer, the job will look tempting to some.

Others might see the job as a poisoned chalice however, a job where the owners are expecting too much, too quickly. A job where the manager can never feel truly secure in his position, and will always be looking over his shoulder. Yes, the huge cash on offer is nice, but will the new manager truly have a say in who’s being brought in?

But that’s just the nature of the beast at the moment. Football’s no longer about long term goals, it’s all about instant success. And there’s only one way to achieve that, and it doesnt matter how many managers are given the boot on their way to doing so.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. You’d think with the new Italian influence at QPR, they’d have realised that. Yet apparantly, the penny hasn’t dropped.

A stay of execution?

Football. It's a funny old game, isnt it? One minute you're hanging on to your job and facing the fans calls to go, and the next minute you're the best thing since sliced bread.

Take Chesterfield, and their under fire manager Lee Richardson for example.

Booed off at Saltergate after being held 1-1 at home to Chester, and booed off again after going down to Lincoln, it seemed Richardson's days were truly numbered. The team was languishing in mid-table, with lacklustre performances to boot. The fans expected better from a side expected to be in the promotion hunt this season. Mid-table mediocrity isnt good enough.

Yet, with the pressure seemingly on for the manager and the players, Chesterfield produced one of their performances of the season, comprehensively defeating Aldershot by 5-1.

However, Chesterfield supporters can't afford to get carried away, and rightly so. Afterall, this is only their first win in their last 8 attempts. It's been a disappointing start to the season to say the least.

So, this begs the question that remains from last season. Why cant Chesterfield be more consistent?

Clearly they're a match for anyone in the division on their day, and the talent is no doubt there within the squad.

Jamie Ward was at the forefront of Chesterfield's 5 star performance with an impressive hat-trick, and you have to feel he surely wont be playing in this division regardless of Chesterfield's progress this season. He is too good for this level, with his blistering pace and clever movement too much for so many defenders at this level. Keeping hold of the young striker will be key to any progress Chesterfield make this season.

And alongside him you have former Nottingham Forest man Jack Lester - the striker who took the division by storm last season with 27 goals in all competitions. It was Lester's goals alone that kept Chesterfield in the playoff hunt last season, and if the Spirites will be hoping to get Lester firing again this time around.

At the back, Chesterfield can call upon the likes of Kevin Austin and Robert Page. Two vastly experienced professionals, and proven winners throughout their careers. Their presense in defence and around the training ground will no doubt be of great benefit to the younger players at Saltergate.

Having said all that, the loss of Peter Leven to MK Dons would no doubt have hurt the Spirites. His influence and work rate in the midfield will be sorely missed, and it could be argued that he is a player yet to be replaced in the heart of Chesterfield's midfield. And that boils down to the manager.

Maybe Richardson is the problem? With such a strong squad at his disposal last season, Chesterfield failed to even make the playoffs, eventually finishing in 8th place. A strong start was always required this time around to gain some early momentum and ease the pressure on himself, but that hasn't materialized. Is a change of manager required?

One thing's for sure, consistency is key for Chesterfield this season if they are to truly prosper. A run of wins is required if fans are to even entertain thoughts about promotion. Wednesday night's win will mean little if it's not followed up with another result against Notts County at Saltergate on Saturday.

It's a game Chesterfield should really win, but all too often seem to draw or lose. It's a habit they need to get out of - and quickly.

Buckle turns the corner..

And they say football fans are fickle?

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog believing Paul Buckle's time was up at Torquay United. I believed he'd lost the players, the fans, and the board alike. Results were poor, and performances were even worse. Many fans agreed with me. He had to go if Torquay United were to prosper as they should.

So, to see Paul Buckle turn it round in the manner he has is nothing short of remarkable. He's proved me and many other Torquay fans wrong, and deserves credit for doing so in what seemed like the biggest adversity.

While the Nortwhich debacle seemed like a new low at the time, , what it really represented was a turning point in the Gulls season.

Yes, we didnt play well, and yes, we rode our luck. But since then, Paul Buckle and his squad haven't looked back.

8 games without defeat have followed since that day, with 6 wins to choose from, including wins against Stevenage and Rushden and Diamonds. Performances are better. The football is more expansive, and less predictable. The team is now defending as a unit, and not as indivuduals, and the team looks more solid as a result.

But more importantly, the spirit is back within the camp.

Players are fighting and playing for each other, when before, heads went down far too easily. Take United's 2-1 win against Forest Green. Faced with the most uphill of tasks after losing goalkeeper Michael Poke early on, striker Tim Sills went between the sticks. And conceding a goal on the stroke of time didnt help matters. But Torquay didnt give up, dug in, and got the three points with a last gasp winner, despite coming from behind to do so.

It was a remarkable victory, but more importantly a real team effort. Every player played their part and worked their socks off.

And that's the most pleasing thing of all.

So credit to Paul Buckle for seemingly turning things around. It seemed so unlikely a matter of weeks ago, but he's well on his way now.

Of course, only promotion would truly heal the scars that still hurt from last season. Is he the man to deliver? We'll have to see.

Southampton set for season of struggle..

No matter who you are, be it Chelsea or Chipstead, you can always grab a goal from a set-piece. They give limited sides a chance to get the ball in the box and get the big men from the back forward, and with a good delivery, anything can happen. It constantly amazes me how teams take them for granted. Set pieces can win you football matches. But a lack of concentration from defending them can prove equally as costly.

Take Southampton for example. For all their total football they just didnt do the basics properly yesterday. Three first half set pieces, and three goals conceded. It's unacceptable at ANY level, let alone the Championship. It's basic bread and butter stuff, stuff you work at on the training ground throughout the week. Yet no-one was taking charge, there was no organization. This is hardly suprising really, considering the lack of experience in the Southampton backline. Oliver Lancashire and Jack Cork looked every bit the inexperienced pro's that they are. They needed an experienced head to guide them, but Chris Perry was inexpicably left on the bench. You have to wonder why.

And while Southampton's expansive style of play is indeed admirable, in the long run it wont get them anywhere. Far too often the final ball was lacking yesterday. For all the neat passing in the centre of the park, there was no urgency, no penetration. And in midfield, despite the man advantage they were out-ran and out fought by the experienced pairing of John Eustace and Lee Williamson. Notice a pattern emerging?

And in the final third, the difference was once again clear to see. Where McGoldrick lacked composure and nouce, Tomas Priskin was intelligent and clinical, and took his two goals well. But this wasnt down to experience, more down to service. Watford moved the ball forward to the frontline quickly, getting Priskin in behind at every available opportunity. And it worked.

The faith being put in Southampton's youngsters is a good thing, don't get me wrong. It's always good to see youngsters getting a chance in football, and home grown youngsters as well. But a healthy blend of experience and youth is required if Southampton are to prosper, especially throughout the spine of the team, where experience and know-how is just as important as flair and creatvity.

For me, Southampton look a side destined to struggle. Crowds are down lower than anyone other team in the Football League, the whole total football plan is destined to fail, there's no money, a poor manager with no experience and knowledge of football at this level, and a squad of kids with no real leadership. Relegation is an all too real possibility as things stand, and that's a shame for a club of Southampton's size. The fans deserve better than this.

Look at Watford. They were strong, organized, won their second balls, and got the ball forward and in around the box quickly. Which is where goals come from. It's not rocket science, but it's a concept Southampton have yet to have grasped.

They may not have been as easy on the eye as Southampton, but they were a lot more effective. And I know what I'd rather watch.

Pretty football doesnt win you games, organization and a bit of grit certainly does. And that's a lesson Southampton's young side will need to learn - and fast.

Triple whammy

Three football matches, one day. Brilliant, eh? Here's how I got through my footballing marathon.

The day started with Milton Keynes Dons taking on Carlisle United in a lunchtime kickoff, and this was a fantastic way to start proceedings.

Carlisle took an early lead through Danny Graham, and looked a good bet to get a result. However, this wasnt to be the case.

With the industrious Peter Leven driving the Dons on in midfield, it was only a matter of time before the Dons got themselves back in the game, and it was Leven himself who duly obliged with a strike on the edge of the area. A second followed through Miguel Angel Llera, heading in from the impressive Leven's cross, and it was that man again who made sure of an MK Dons victory, with Stirling clearly tripped in the penalty area, and Leven making no mistake from 12 yards out.

The game itself was a great advert for League One, with both teams competitive, playing attractive and entiprising football, and looking to win the game.

Carlisle look a side desperately low on confidence, and a fifth defeat on the bounce wont be helping their cause. A playoff hangover perhaps? With key players leaving and not being replaced and the lucky breaks just not going their way, it looks like John Ward has a big job on his hands. He's experienced enough to deal with such pressure however, and Carlisle have enough about them to turn it round in my opinion.

At MK Dons, things couldnt be more different. Against all the odds, Roberto Di Matteo has the Dons playing good football and winning matches. They certainly looked impressive yesterday, with the aforementioned Leven pulling the strings in midfield, and young Sam Baldock emerging from nowhere and banging in the goals. The momentum from last season has certainly continued for the Dons, and a playoff push isnt out of the question as things stand, with the Dons currently lying in 5th place. Paul who?

Second game of the day, and it was off to the Fitness First system to see Bournemouth take on Rotherham in League Two, two teams who were docked 17 points at the start of the season following spells in administration.

The drop in standard was unfortunately there to see however, as both teams laboured towards a 0-0 stalemate.

That's the thing with football though, it cant always be entertaining, and sometimes teams have to do what they can to get a result. Rotherham for their part were very well organized and defended well, as you should do away from home. You cant always go out on the attack, and sometimes a bit of perspective is required. Rotherham boss Mark Robins will certainly be happy with a point, a point which sees the Millers march on from their minus points total. It's been quite the rebirth for Rotherham this time around.

Bournemouth on the otherhand havent adapted to life on minus points quite as well as Rotherham, and find themselves on -7 points. Still, 10 points from 10 games is a fairly decent return for the Cherries, and they can feel optimistic about their chances of staying up.

Finally, it was back off to the pub to see England take on the unknown and unheard of Kazakstan. After all the euphoria that followed England's win against Croatia, could things continue in the same vain?

Well, in the first half it was more of the same old England. Labrorous and lacking in ideas in possession, it seemed that old habits really dont die hard. 0-0 at half-time, but no booing, which was good to see.

In the second half there was noticeable improvement, though it took set-pieces and an own goal to put England in a comfortable position. And Kazakstan even scored themselves, with Ashley Cole's error giving them the goal their performance richly deserved. Far too often do Countries pack men behind the ball and play for damage limitation, so it was refreshing to see a team come to Wembley and have a go. Fair play to them.

But 5-1 it ended, and it was job done for England. Though we still dont know if Gerrard and Lampard can play together. Nor do we really care, for that matter.

So there we have it, Three games of football, and my thoughts on all three. Though the entertainment and standard certainly varied, it was clear that you can never have enough football in one day.

Tigers continue to roar on..

Saturday, 21 February, 2004. A day that wont mean too much to many, but on this fateful day, Hull City faced Torquay United in a League Two encounter. Yes, you did read that right. I should know, I was there. And not only that, but Torquay won the match 1-0, with Martin Gritton's win sealing the victory.

Fast forward 4 years or so, and things couldnt be more different for both clubs. Torquay find themselves out of the Football League altogether, after years of mismanagement. On the other hand Hull find themselves in the Premier League, after a meteoric rise to the top. A true rags to riches story..or is it? I'd say more of a team finally fulfilling their potential.

You see, Football is full of supposed sleeping giants - teams who continuously flatter to decieve, season after season. But Hull really were punching below their weight, and crowds of 18,000 in their League Two days proved that fact. In fact, average crowds went up by a quarter in this time, thanks in no small part to Hull. And even in their troubled times at the turn of the century, Hull achieved big crowds when on the verge of relegation and possible extinction. The potential of Hull as a city has always been there to see.

In 2001, Hull were given a fresh start. After emerging from adminstration, with Adam Pearson stabilizing the club's finances, the council paid for a 25,000 seater stadium, now known as the KC Stadium. This was the start of a new beginning for Hull City, a chance for the club to really prosper and realise their undoubted potential.

Back to back promotions from League Two to the promised land of the Championship followed for the Tigers, under the management of the experienced Peter Taylor. The ambition was clear to see, with experienced campaigners like Nick Barmby brought to the KC Stadium to achieve their goal and establish themselves in the Championship. But even at this early stage, dreams of Premiership football seemed like little more than pipe dreams.

Enter Phil Brown. The man who assisted Sam Allardyce so well at Bolton, who would have thought he would be the man to take Hull to the promised land? Things didnt quite work out at Derby for Brown, with poor results and his direct style hardly appealing to the Derby County faithful. However, he got another chance in management after the departure of Phil Parkinson at Hull and took it with both hands.

The way his team approached the Arsenal game was a masterstroke, not deciding to sit back and soak up pressure, but to take the game to the Gunners with what was essentially a 3 man attack. It paid dividends, with a 2-1 victory at the Emirates, the first domestic away victory there in 40 attempts, and only the second ever defeat at the Emirates stadium. It's been called one of the greatest Premiership upsets of all time, and you cant argue with that.

And it's not only Arsenal that have felt Hull's wrath. Newcastle and Fulham have also been punished by the Tigers. Hull currently find themselves in 7th place, just one spot from the European places, and their no fear attitude is ever so refreshing to see in the Premiership. Write them off at your peril, as many have already found out.

One of the more remarkable stories of Hull's climb through the divisions is that the spine of the team remains the same, with Boaz Myhill, Michael Turner, and Ian Ashbee climbing all three divisions with the Tigers. Many players may have come and gone around them, but these players have been everywhere imaginable, from the Moss Rose to The Emirates Stadium. It's been a fantastic journey.

It's been a truly remarkable rise to the top for the Tigers, and there were some tough times.

Owners going to jail for fraud, fans being locked out by bayliffs, and at one point the threat of non-league football loomed large. Administration and extinction really was a possibility. But that was then. This is now. And the bad times will make all the recent success taste all the sweeter.

A sporting week in review..

Just a new feature I'll be giving a whirl, it's all very Ronseal really - a review of the sporting week just gone. So, without further ado..

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Monday:

Maybe it was just too good to be true. After defeating the world's best player in Raphael Nadal in comprehensive fashion, we all though it was Andy Murray's time to shine. The US Open was his. He'd be the first Brit to win a Slam since 1939. It was written in the stars.

Erm, we were wrong.

The young Scot was outclassed and outplayed by a rejuvinated Roger Federer, who played his best tennis in years to win in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, 6-2. And they said the king is dead?

Still, a tournament to remember for Murray, who at 21 has a very bright future indeed. And the Yanks still love him, which isn't suprising really. He may as well be American, what with his total arrogance and love for all things American. Just look at him, mingling with the likes of Will Ferrell. I await the fake American accent with baited breath, ala Joss Stone. I preferred him when he was Scottish and miserable, quite frankly.

In football, Rio Ferdinand declared himself fit for battle in England's crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia for Wednesday. A big boost indeed for a match where England will have to be at their very best defensively against a dangerous Croatia side. I predict a 0-0, for the record. And David Beckham called for experience in the key clash. Not at all angling for a first team spot, eh David?

Tuesday:

Cricket took prominence today, as the England squad for the $20m Stamford Super Series was announced, and there was no real suprises. Steve Harmison was in, after recently completing a U-turn on his one day international retirement. I'm sure the $1m had nothing to do with it. In all fairness though, Harmy looks as good as ever, and his good form definately warrants his selection.

And also in Cricket, Michael Vaughan retained his central contract for a further 12 months, and was given selector Geoff Smith's endorsement. A class act on and off the field, it's a decision that should have Andrew Strauss should be looking over his shoulder, that's for sure. An in-form Vaughan is an asset to England, so let's hope he gets there.

Wednesday:

Well, all the talk was about football, and more specifically, England. And for once, it wasnt all apathy and doom and gloom. Oh no..

Croatia 1-4 England. And they said Capello was a hard nosed pragmatist? It was brilliant stuff from England, who produced their first great performance since 'that night in Munich', all of seven years ago. So, there we have it. The World Cup is now ours. Consider yourselves on notice, rest of the world.

Elsewhere in the UK, Scotland perhaps got more than they bargained for in Iceland, with a great 2-1 win to get their campaign underway, and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland achieved respectable 0-0 draws against the Czech Republic and Montenegro respectively. Unfortunately, Wales let the side down, going down 2-1 to Russia in Moscow. But never mind, Wales are building for 2018, dont you know..

Thursday:

Football again, and it's the appointment of Gianfranco Zola at West Ham that has people talking. And with good reason. Probably because it's yet another ludicrious appointment in Football. No real managerial experience, no real say in who will be coming and going, a rather inpatient and deluded fanbase to please..it's doomed to failure. But hey, dont worry West Ham fans! You'll get that attacking football that you craved, and thats all that matters, right? Results are just an irrelavance.

Prediction: Wet Sham to get relegated.

Elsewhere, the snooker caught my eye, as the Premier League of Snooker started again in that oh so attractive venue..Grimsby. Way to make snooker look more exciting and accessible to the younger folk, guys. With the 25 second shotclock in place and a World Championship already under his belt, Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan has to be the favourite for this tournament, and he did his chances no harm with a hard-fought 3-3 draw against former world champion, John Higgins.

Friday:

They say some things in life are worth fighting for. Love, friendship, happiness..and, erm, Dwight Yorke. Sunderland boss Roy Keane and Fifa vice-president Jack Warner engaged themselves in a war of words over the veteran Sunderland star (and I use the term star loosely), with Warner accusing Keane of "disrespecting the smaller countries", after Keane allegedly withdrew Yorke from his international duties. Keane's riposte? "Yorke is retired. I've told Jack what I think of him and where to go. He's a clown, a disgrace."

Right then. And the fued intensified further later in the day, with Walker having a sly dig at Keane for walking out on the Ireland squad on the eve of the 2002 World Cup. Handbags at dawn or what? What next? My dad's bigger than your dad?

And in Rugby, it was the return of Jonny Wilkinson from shoulder surgery that made headlines. Great news for Newcastle and England, and a timely return indeed for Wilkinson, with fellow fly half and young pretender to the throne Danny Cipriani out until at least November with ankle troubles.

Saturday:

Speaking of Rugby, the tri-nations finished today, and it was New Zealand who triumphed, beating Australia by 28-24 in a winner takes all affair. A welcome return to form for New Zealand, and a result that eases the pressure on All Blacks coach Graham Henry somewhat, after an awful performance in the World Cup last year. Ah, we all know they'll flatter to decieve when the World cup comes around anyway. It's what New Zealand do best.

And of course, being a Saturday, football deserves a cheeky mention. With so much going on in the footballing calendar, I'll just focus on one result, and that has to be Shrewsbury's 7-0 mauling of Gillingham, equalling their record league win from 1955 in the process. Sitting pretty in 4th place, things certainly look good for Paul Simpson's men in League Two.

Ok, so I lied, but I had to mention Torquay United. A last gasp winner from Wayne Carlisle gave the Gulls the win over high flying Cambridge in the BSP, and apparantly they played passing football and everything. More performances like this, and Buckle simply has to go. What a clown.

And finally in F1, Sebastian Vettel achieved pole position in the Italian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton only able to qualify in 15th. And there wasnt a stewarding scandal in sight, this was all down to strategic errors and bad weather. But how refreshing is it to see no Ferrari's or Mclaren's in the front row? Was this an indication of things to come? And they say F1 is predictable..

Sunday:

Formula 1 on the agenda first, and yesterday's shock qualifying result certainly was a sign of things to come. It was Sebastian Vettel who triumphed at a wet Monza, giving himself and his Toro Rosso team their first win in F1. Great stuff from the young man. It was certainly an exciting race, with the wet conditions resulting in much unpredictability and drama. After a barren and predictable few years in the sport, it's good to see F1 exciting people again, and just in time for the move back to the BBC, too.

Only one game in the footballing calendar, with Stoke hosting Everton. It was the Merseysiders who prevailed, winning 3-2, but the real story has to be Rory Delap and his ridiculously long throws that helped Stoke towards two more goals. He could rival Ashley Young for assists at this rate.

Continuing on the football theme, and stop the presses, Mike Ashley is selling up at Newcastle! Apparantly 50,000+ Geordies baying for your blood is just too much, so he's decided to cut his losses. It's a bit of a shame really, because it looked a good move on paper with Ashley wiping out the club's debts and being more prudent with the finances, but you just dont mess with the messiah where Newcastle fans are concerned..

And finally, athletics, and Sanya Richards gained a small measure of revenge for her Beijing defeat in the 400m, defeating Christine Ohuruogu in the World Athletics final. But still, we have the one that matters, right?

Wolves young guns hungry for success..

"You win nothing with kids." A famous quote from a certain Alan Hansen, when referring to Sir Alex Ferguson's young Manchester United side that lost to Aston Villa 3-1 on the opening day of the 95/96 season. He believed that Ferguson had made a massive error of judgement in having such faith in his young players, and selling his experienced stars.

Of course, Hansen was wrong - Man United went on to do a domestic double that season. And there were many more titles to come. And it's took Hansen years to live the quote down.

It's now 2008, and its the young guns of Wolverhampton Wanderers that are making waves in the Championship, with their young squad of players impressing on their quest to the Premiership.

Five games played, and 12 points from a possible 15. Not a bad return, and a start that was needed after last season's play-off disappointment. There's no hangover here, that's for sure.

So where did it all go wrong last time around?

Well, scoring goals was never a problem last season, and you can see why, with an attack containing the likes of Michael Kightly, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, and Andy Keogh. All 3 players are only 22, and are as exciting as they come. Kightly in particular has been a revelation, making the step from Non-League to Football League with relative ease. Comparisons with Ryan Giggs are not too far off the mark, in my eyes.

And it doesnt end there. The likes of Wayne Hennessey, Sam Vokes, David Edwards, and Kevin Foley are also on Wolves' books. Young and hungry is definately the order of the day at Molineux.

However, as exciting as it was watching Wolves last season, it also proved to be frustrating. Wolves drew far too many games - games they should really have won. 16 times in fact. Naivety, perhaps? An inability to close a game out could certainly be down to a lack of experience, as could a lack of killer instinct. Either way, it cost Wolves a playoff place on the final day of the season.

It could also be argued that the young squad were not battle-hardened to the vigours of the Championship. Perhaps teams couldn't outplay Wolves, but they could certainly out-muscle them and out-smart them.

However, a line has been drawn from that campaign, and Wolves have started this season with fresh confidence and optimism. They now look like the team to beat, though doubts remain if the young stars can keep this good form up. Will they fold under the pressure? If last season is anything to go by, you wouldnt bet against it.

Of course, with millionaire Steve Morgan on board, the funds are there for Wolves. Players progressing through the academy it certainly aint. But at least money is being invested in young English players. Which is more than you can say for other clubs around the country, quite frankly.

The average age of the Wolves squad is 24, a quite startling statistic. It's refreshing to see a manager have such faith in young players, but it is, in my eyes, a gamble. Watching it unfold should be fascinating.

Heskey - the way forward?

Yes, another England blog, but here's a question for you. What is the one parallel between England's great performance last night, and the last great England performance, seven years ago? On both occassions we performed very well and won comfortably, and on both occasions, one man was leading the line for England.

No, it wasn't Michael Owen, he's been dropped, remember? And it wasnt the boy wonder himself, Wayne Rooney. Nor was it Steven Gerrard, he's injured.

Step forward Emile Heskey. A man critisized by many - unfairly in my view. But the facts are clear. When Heskey plays, and England use him correctly, England play well.

No really, it's true.

Of course, Theo Walcott will earn the plaudits, and rightly so.

But is it any coincedence that Rooney and Lampard had their best games in England shirt for ages? Heskey's workrate and unselfishness was a huge factor in this, creating space for the pair to run into and cause damage. And that's exactly what they did.

And look how well Michael Owen plays with Heskey. Owen worked with Heskey better than any other strike partner - for club and country, past and present. He brings the best out of people, making others around him look better.

Ok, so 5 goals in 45 international appearances hardly strikes fear into opposition defenders. But he is a handful. He'll win free-kicks. He'll hold the ball up, like he did for England's third goal last night.

Of course, there are other alternatives. Dean Ashton for one, who has all of these attributes but has that goalscoring touch, as well. And what about Peter Crouch? Forgotten by many, but Crouch would offer a more intelligent option to the role, with his great touch and intelligent link-up play.

One thing is for sure, a target man is a must if England are to prosper. The likes of Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney are wasted as lone-strikers, they need someone to do the 'dirty work' for them. Heskey is that man.

He may look useless and awkward at times, and among England's so called 'golden generation', he may look out of place. But Heskey's role cannot be underestimated any longer.

World beaters once again!

Well that wasnt too shabby, was it? I wonder what Harry Redknapp thought of that?

Croatia 1-4 England. A result I dont think anyone saw coming. I certainly didnt. I could only see a 0-0 draw, with sound defence being the order of the day. I'd have taken it, if offered. 4-1? I'd have snapped your hand off.

Being totally honest, before the match I wasnt too confident. The inclusion of Theo Walcott was something I found bizarre in such a high pressure game, and in the first 25 minutes, my decision looked to be vindicated. His first touch was poor, and Walcott was struggling to get into the game. With Capello being as ruthless as he is, it wouldnt have been a suprise to see Walcott hauled off in the early stages of the game.

And that's why Capello is paid the big bucks. To make the big decisions.

In the end, Walcott stayed on, and the decision paid dividends. Walcott was outstanding, with his blistering pace, clever movement, and clinical finishing causing Croatia no end of problems. It was his big chance, and how he took it with three fantastic goals.

But it wasn't just the Theo Walcott show. Everyone played their part, from the composure of Rio Ferdinand at the back to the tidy and assured job of Gareth Barry in the holding role. Emile Heskey was also a real handful; drawing fouls, working hard for the team with some unselfish play, and even having a hand in one of the goals.

Even Frank Lampard looked remotely useful in an England shirt.

One thing is for sure - this was an England side with balance, and it's no suprise to see it all click into place.

It's now clear we need to play with a target-man. Gerrard and Lampard never could play together - a holding midfielder who can pass the ball well is required. And David Beckham's time has come and gone.

It's not rocket science. In fact, it's all glaringly obvious.

However, as tempting as it may be (and it certainly will be if the national press has anything to do with it) - we cant afford to get carried away with this result.

The first goal came from a lucky deflection, whatever way we look at it. Things could have went a lot differently should Croatia clear their lines properly - the game was evenly poised at that point. The Croatians going down to 10 men did England no harm at all, also. But more importantly, there's a long, long way to go in this qualifying campaign. There is much work to be done.

You have to feel tonight's result would set the tone for the rest of Capello's reign. Win or draw and things would be rosy. Lose and the pressure was on already. And things certainly do look positive.

It's not a result that makes up for the travesty of failing to qualify for Euro 2008, far from it. But it's something to build on for the future, something to be optimistic about, something to smile about, even.

And that in itself is rather pleasing.

The Buck stops here..

Picture the scene. Torquay United vs Nortwich Victoria. It's 1-1, at home, and stoppage time is almost up. After a dreadful start to the season, three points are absolutely crucial if we're to keep in touch with the chasing pack.

So when we get a last gasp penalty to be slotted home by Tim Sills to seal the three points, you can imagine my relief. I was jumping for joy like the rest of the Pop Side. Right?

Wrong.

Part of me was indeed happy to see it go in. I want to see my football team win, don't we all?

But part of me wanted Sillsy to miss that penalty, because it would have probably spelt the end for Paul Buckle. But as it stands, Buckle is still the man in charge. Which prolongs the agony for us Gulls fans further.

Why should he go?

You see, if it's not the baffling team selections, it's the questionable tactics. Recent team selections have been nothing short of ludicrious, with many players playing out of position. The Hargreaves experiement was doomed to failure from the start, yet Buckle persisted with it. We still dont have a recodnized right-back at the club. Robertson and Mansell are short term fixes, not long term solutions. The fact that this problem has been left unresolved since last season is nothing short of a shambles. And why are we still deploying the direct style which saw us found out by many in January? A change to a more expansive style of play was lauded by many, but so far it has failed to materialize. Now dont get me wrong, I have no problem with direct football - with the players at our disposal last season, it made sense, and it was effective. However, with the signings made in the summer, this is no longer the case. The players we brought in are being left isolated and unable to show their obvious talents - on and off the pitch.

Today saw Michael Brough and Roscoe Dsane made available for loan. Both players came with glowing reputations from their previous clubs, yet for us they cannot get a game. This is strange to say the least. Nicky Wroe has arrived for £17,000 with a big reputation, and is nowhere near the team with Buckle persisting with the hard-working but uninspiring Chris Hargreaves and Lee Mansell in midfield.

Rumours are also circulating of dressing room unrest. Rumours of players handing in transfer requests, in-fighting, and storming off after games remain unconfirmed, but it is clear all is not well in the Torquay camp. The strong team spirit and work ethic that was key so often last season has evaporated.

One thing is abundently clear however. Buckle has lost the fans. They no longer believe he's the man to take us back into the league, and you feel he's lost the dressing room too. You cant support or play for a man who no longer inspires, and thats the position we now find ourselves in.

When the inevitable does happen (and I believe it will sooner rather than later), I will ultimately be thankful to Paul Buckle for his tenure at Torquay United. He came to the club when we were at its lowest ebb, and helped the club back onto its feet. He helped bring the pride back into our football club when we were a total shambles from top to bottom. He came close to taking us to the Football League last season, and he took us to Wembley for a day I will never forget. I will always be grateful to him for that.

Unfortunately we need to reach the next level, and he isnt the man to deliver that. His time is now up.