Michael Steele/Empics Sport
There’s many ways to score a goal, and ultimately it doesn’t matter how you do it. They all count, after all. But while a tap-in is worth just as much as a goal from a player’s own half, it’s not quite the same thing to watch. There’s nothing like seeing a truly great goal, be it a free kick, a chip, a lob, a volley, whatever.
Even including that, though, there’s something special about seeing a ball struck harder than you’d think possible. A screamer; a thronker; an absolute thunderbastard. A Tony Yeboah, if you will (although sadly he has no place on this list)
While reaching speeds of 100mph might not cause us to bat an eyelid when it’s a serve in tennis, and approaching those speeds is fairly commonplace in cricket, it’s generally more unheard of in football.
There’s many ways to score a goal, and ultimately it doesn’t matter how you do it. They all count, after all. But while a tap-in is worth just as much as a goal from a player’s own half, it’s not quite the same thing to watch. There’s nothing like seeing a truly great goal, be it a free kick, a chip, a lob, a volley, whatever.
Even including that, though, there’s something special about seeing a ball struck harder than you’d think possible. A screamer; a thronker; an absolute thunderbastard. A Tony Yeboah, if you will (although sadly he has no place on this list)
While reaching speeds of 100mph might not cause us to bat an eyelid when it’s a serve in tennis, and approaching those speeds is fairly commonplace in cricket, it’s generally more unheard of in football.
- 1/12/2016
- by James Hunt
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
When you think of Italy, a number of stereotypes will run through your brain. The food? Of course, pasta, pizza, risotto and more are now essentially weekly staples all over Europe. The fashion? Sure, I’m Welsh so by blood I know nothing about such things, but even I’m aware enough to know it sits pretty at the top of that world.
And of course the football. Growing up, Serie A was the league in Europe, providing winners of European trophies on a yearly basis and generally being competitive as anything domestically. Beautiful women? Yes. Oh good lord, yes.
The following is a list of some of the finest looking female human beings to ever be associated with a Serie A players – past, present or future.
11. Ilary Blasi Plinio Lepri/AP
We might as well start with the wife of one of Serie A’s...
When you think of Italy, a number of stereotypes will run through your brain. The food? Of course, pasta, pizza, risotto and more are now essentially weekly staples all over Europe. The fashion? Sure, I’m Welsh so by blood I know nothing about such things, but even I’m aware enough to know it sits pretty at the top of that world.
And of course the football. Growing up, Serie A was the league in Europe, providing winners of European trophies on a yearly basis and generally being competitive as anything domestically. Beautiful women? Yes. Oh good lord, yes.
The following is a list of some of the finest looking female human beings to ever be associated with a Serie A players – past, present or future.
11. Ilary Blasi Plinio Lepri/AP
We might as well start with the wife of one of Serie A’s...
- 8/26/2015
- by John Bills
- Obsessed with Film
Michel Euler/AP
Newcastle United and Sunderland have both been urged to make an audacious move for Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma by Don Hutchison.
The former West Ham United and Black Cats midfielder, who now works as a columnist for The Chronicle, tweeted that the pair should try and hijack Roma’s rumoured offer for the Blues defender.
Zouma replaced John Terry, who was substituted for the first time ever by Jose Mourinho, at half-time of Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City at weekend and is rated highly by the Blues boss, although Roma’s rumoured interest suggests a move could be agreed.
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
And Hutchison tweeted about the 20-year-old:
“Apparently Roma favourite to get Zouma on loan.
“Where on earth are Newcastle and Sunderland on this…….”
Interestingly, Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli tweeted last month a seemingly far-fetched rumour that the Magpies had enquired to the...
Newcastle United and Sunderland have both been urged to make an audacious move for Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma by Don Hutchison.
The former West Ham United and Black Cats midfielder, who now works as a columnist for The Chronicle, tweeted that the pair should try and hijack Roma’s rumoured offer for the Blues defender.
Zouma replaced John Terry, who was substituted for the first time ever by Jose Mourinho, at half-time of Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City at weekend and is rated highly by the Blues boss, although Roma’s rumoured interest suggests a move could be agreed.
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
And Hutchison tweeted about the 20-year-old:
“Apparently Roma favourite to get Zouma on loan.
“Where on earth are Newcastle and Sunderland on this…….”
Interestingly, Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli tweeted last month a seemingly far-fetched rumour that the Magpies had enquired to the...
- 8/18/2015
- by Chris Waugh
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
There’s never a dull day as far as Newcastle United Football Club is concerned. It’s a cliche that’s far-too often used in connection with the Magpies – but that’s because, for the large part, it is 100% true.
It’s not always doom and gloom on Tyneside, however, with the Toon Army providing extreme highs – as well as the unfortunately painful and bitter lows, admittedly – down the years.
With the club having been formed all the way back in 1892, it is hard to keep track of exactly what happened at Newcastle on a specific date in history. Football in the modern era is a 365-day operation – with nine months of the year filled with matches, press conferences and the like, and the rest of the calendar dominated by transfers and managerial changes (of which the Magpies have had more than their fair share).
But...
There’s never a dull day as far as Newcastle United Football Club is concerned. It’s a cliche that’s far-too often used in connection with the Magpies – but that’s because, for the large part, it is 100% true.
It’s not always doom and gloom on Tyneside, however, with the Toon Army providing extreme highs – as well as the unfortunately painful and bitter lows, admittedly – down the years.
With the club having been formed all the way back in 1892, it is hard to keep track of exactly what happened at Newcastle on a specific date in history. Football in the modern era is a 365-day operation – with nine months of the year filled with matches, press conferences and the like, and the rest of the calendar dominated by transfers and managerial changes (of which the Magpies have had more than their fair share).
But...
- 8/11/2015
- by Chris Waugh
- Obsessed with Film
Barrington Coombs/Pa Archive
Newcastle United’s latest signing oozed confidence in his first official interview after signing for the club – with the ex-Northampton Town forward declaring: “The bigger the stage, the better I play.”
The Magpies completed the acquisition of Toney on Thursday, with the 19-year-old forward signing a “long-term deal” at St James’ Park, and the forward does not seem overawed by making the huge step-up from League Two football to the Barclays Premier League.
And the ex-League Two hitman admitted he is “happy” to be on Tyneside, and intends to let his “feet do the talking”.
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Speaking to Nufctv, Toney said:
“Last season I played well and started scoring a few goals and then there was a drought around when I was going to go to Wolves. I didn’t get back on form but then towards the end of the season I...
Newcastle United’s latest signing oozed confidence in his first official interview after signing for the club – with the ex-Northampton Town forward declaring: “The bigger the stage, the better I play.”
The Magpies completed the acquisition of Toney on Thursday, with the 19-year-old forward signing a “long-term deal” at St James’ Park, and the forward does not seem overawed by making the huge step-up from League Two football to the Barclays Premier League.
And the ex-League Two hitman admitted he is “happy” to be on Tyneside, and intends to let his “feet do the talking”.
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Speaking to Nufctv, Toney said:
“Last season I played well and started scoring a few goals and then there was a drought around when I was going to go to Wolves. I didn’t get back on form but then towards the end of the season I...
- 8/6/2015
- by Chris Waugh
- Obsessed with Film
Jon Buckle/Pa Archive
Ivan Toney is undergoing a two-day trial at Newcastle United as the Magpies rule the roost over the Northampton Town forward before attempting to finalise any deal for his signature.
The 19-year-old trained with the Magpies on Friday and is expected to do the same on Saturday as he looks to secure a £500,000 transfer to Tyneside, according to The Chronicle.
A player regularly watched by Newcastle’s chief scout Graham Carr over the past 18 months, Toney is one of the most highly-rated talents in the Football League right now.
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Toney reportedly underwent a medical earlier this week and is likely to sign once his trial is over, as long as he impresses.
The forward has featured only intermittently for Northampton during their pre-season campaign while speculation over his future continues.
Town’s manager Chris Wilder revealed earlier in the week that he...
Ivan Toney is undergoing a two-day trial at Newcastle United as the Magpies rule the roost over the Northampton Town forward before attempting to finalise any deal for his signature.
The 19-year-old trained with the Magpies on Friday and is expected to do the same on Saturday as he looks to secure a £500,000 transfer to Tyneside, according to The Chronicle.
A player regularly watched by Newcastle’s chief scout Graham Carr over the past 18 months, Toney is one of the most highly-rated talents in the Football League right now.
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Toney reportedly underwent a medical earlier this week and is likely to sign once his trial is over, as long as he impresses.
The forward has featured only intermittently for Northampton during their pre-season campaign while speculation over his future continues.
Town’s manager Chris Wilder revealed earlier in the week that he...
- 8/1/2015
- by Chris Waugh
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Newcastle‘s manager doesn’t really do under-statement when things are going his way: fair play to him, his last two results have been won on the back of belligerent rigid structure and patience (as well as thanks to some costly mistakes by the opposition). But surely he wasn’t suggesting that he was just like Sir Bobby Robson in the wake of his latest victory against Liverpool?
Perhaps his allusion to Robson having some dark days on Tyneside was just an indication that it can happen to anyone, and that life up here is “not all gin and tonics and aperitifs” (no, me neither). Perhaps he wasn’t trying to say that he is to be judged alongside the Geordie knight, but it’s hard to resist that when he’s also claiming he sort of foresaw victories coming, a little bit (but don’t...
Newcastle‘s manager doesn’t really do under-statement when things are going his way: fair play to him, his last two results have been won on the back of belligerent rigid structure and patience (as well as thanks to some costly mistakes by the opposition). But surely he wasn’t suggesting that he was just like Sir Bobby Robson in the wake of his latest victory against Liverpool?
Perhaps his allusion to Robson having some dark days on Tyneside was just an indication that it can happen to anyone, and that life up here is “not all gin and tonics and aperitifs” (no, me neither). Perhaps he wasn’t trying to say that he is to be judged alongside the Geordie knight, but it’s hard to resist that when he’s also claiming he sort of foresaw victories coming, a little bit (but don’t...
- 11/2/2014
- by Simon Gallagher
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
The Premier League has been fantastic since it began in 1992: it’s a money-spinning, fan-dazzling premium competition to end them all, and it is rightly considered the best league in the world. Although older generations may like to claim that it’s ‘not the same as the old days’, the quality, entertainment and passion seen over the last 22 years has been unrivalled in the eyes of many. It’s easy to romanticise the past, but was it really that great?
There have been numerous top class sides to have lifted the title since 1992, while some terrific teams have fallen just short too. Over a 38-game season – it used to be 42 in the competition’s early days- the best team will virtually always come out on top though, conquering all that stands before them.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City have shared the 22 titles to date,...
The Premier League has been fantastic since it began in 1992: it’s a money-spinning, fan-dazzling premium competition to end them all, and it is rightly considered the best league in the world. Although older generations may like to claim that it’s ‘not the same as the old days’, the quality, entertainment and passion seen over the last 22 years has been unrivalled in the eyes of many. It’s easy to romanticise the past, but was it really that great?
There have been numerous top class sides to have lifted the title since 1992, while some terrific teams have fallen just short too. Over a 38-game season – it used to be 42 in the competition’s early days- the best team will virtually always come out on top though, conquering all that stands before them.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City have shared the 22 titles to date,...
- 10/28/2014
- by Henry Jackson
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Tottenham Hotspur have had a number of great English players over the years – not least in the Premier League era – from goalkeepers to centre forwards and everywhere in between.
Some of them have earned international recognition, some of them haven’t and, in both cases, often those players got exactly what they deserved based on talent and performance in a Spurs shirt (or in the shirts of any other clubs they played for, for that matter).
However, there are a select few players who turned out for Spurs that you can’t help thinking should have got more England caps. Whether it’s because they didn’t earn any, whether it’s because they only earned a handful or whether it’s because, even though they earned a lot, they deserved more, a number of Spurs players appear to have been sold short on the England cap front.
Tottenham Hotspur have had a number of great English players over the years – not least in the Premier League era – from goalkeepers to centre forwards and everywhere in between.
Some of them have earned international recognition, some of them haven’t and, in both cases, often those players got exactly what they deserved based on talent and performance in a Spurs shirt (or in the shirts of any other clubs they played for, for that matter).
However, there are a select few players who turned out for Spurs that you can’t help thinking should have got more England caps. Whether it’s because they didn’t earn any, whether it’s because they only earned a handful or whether it’s because, even though they earned a lot, they deserved more, a number of Spurs players appear to have been sold short on the England cap front.
- 9/13/2014
- by Kev Stewart
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
All Gooners want is a little electricity, a smidgeon of unpredictability and a dash of je ne sais quoi. They want to see their valiant warriors fight for the cause, treating the crest like a badge of honour, as they lack horns with their opponent in a do-or-die battle for 90 minutes. Sick of having their hearts ripped from their chest by the latest ‘golden boy’ hopping to the next money-laden city – lately, it always seems to be Manchester – it’s fair to say that Arsenal supporters have been stung by certain fan favourites in recent history.
However, there are some who have etched their names into Gunners folklore and barring any sort of career meltdown, there doesn’t seem to be any danger of them being scribbled out. Uniquely, however, the list compiled is that of ten players who Gunners supporters actually didn’t want in the first place.
All Gooners want is a little electricity, a smidgeon of unpredictability and a dash of je ne sais quoi. They want to see their valiant warriors fight for the cause, treating the crest like a badge of honour, as they lack horns with their opponent in a do-or-die battle for 90 minutes. Sick of having their hearts ripped from their chest by the latest ‘golden boy’ hopping to the next money-laden city – lately, it always seems to be Manchester – it’s fair to say that Arsenal supporters have been stung by certain fan favourites in recent history.
However, there are some who have etched their names into Gunners folklore and barring any sort of career meltdown, there doesn’t seem to be any danger of them being scribbled out. Uniquely, however, the list compiled is that of ten players who Gunners supporters actually didn’t want in the first place.
- 9/8/2014
- by Michael Ramsay
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes and transfer windows. Every six months the football watching country celebrates its own ridiculousness by having a party to the sound of Jim White shrieking with joy, and Sky Sports celebrating their own importance by introducing the researchers as if they matter.
And just as every transfer deadline day you can expect fans to stand in car parks and abuse roving reporters, you can also expect a huge number of lies. The deadline day is built on the same things as theatre, and as soon as the audience starts to acknowledge reality – or the ridiculousness of the situation – things fall apart.
But for now, that won’t happen. Football fans live for deadline day, flocking to computer screens and TVs, and trading social media “insider knowledge” with woefully unqualified ITKs and opening their ears to the avalanche of...
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes and transfer windows. Every six months the football watching country celebrates its own ridiculousness by having a party to the sound of Jim White shrieking with joy, and Sky Sports celebrating their own importance by introducing the researchers as if they matter.
And just as every transfer deadline day you can expect fans to stand in car parks and abuse roving reporters, you can also expect a huge number of lies. The deadline day is built on the same things as theatre, and as soon as the audience starts to acknowledge reality – or the ridiculousness of the situation – things fall apart.
But for now, that won’t happen. Football fans live for deadline day, flocking to computer screens and TVs, and trading social media “insider knowledge” with woefully unqualified ITKs and opening their ears to the avalanche of...
- 9/1/2014
- by Simon Gallagher
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Spurs have spent an awful lot of money over the years – and not all of it has been used to buy players who have done particularly well at White Hart Lane. That said, in modern football, very few players come cheap, so every transfer is a risk.
Splashing out £15 million for David Bentley, £11 million for Sergei Rebrov and £8 million for Helder Postiga were just some of the examples of signings that Spurs made which ended up working out terribly financially, as none of those players really contributed anything worthwhile – at least not on a remotely consistent basis – after they arrived at White Hart Lane.
However, for every extortionate waste of money, there’s a player who comes in and makes their fee look like pittance when they start performing – especially when expectations weren’t particularly high.
So, either because the fee paid for them was small,...
Spurs have spent an awful lot of money over the years – and not all of it has been used to buy players who have done particularly well at White Hart Lane. That said, in modern football, very few players come cheap, so every transfer is a risk.
Splashing out £15 million for David Bentley, £11 million for Sergei Rebrov and £8 million for Helder Postiga were just some of the examples of signings that Spurs made which ended up working out terribly financially, as none of those players really contributed anything worthwhile – at least not on a remotely consistent basis – after they arrived at White Hart Lane.
However, for every extortionate waste of money, there’s a player who comes in and makes their fee look like pittance when they start performing – especially when expectations weren’t particularly high.
So, either because the fee paid for them was small,...
- 8/26/2014
- by Kev Stewart
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Signings at a major club are the result of months, sometimes years of extensive scouting and research. They are the result of collective agreements between the manager, board members and often a director of football over the needs and aspiration of the team and what one or more players can offer to bring those aspirations a little closer. Even when the player has been officially signed, the work is far from over. Even the right player needs to be carefully integrated into a team, given time to find their feet in new surroundings and the training to make the best of their talent and justify their cost.
Sometimes players repay that trust with performances that elevate the club to heights never before imagined. Frank Lampard was deemed overpriced when he signed for Chelsea for £11 million from West Ham, yet his dedication in training and trust from...
Signings at a major club are the result of months, sometimes years of extensive scouting and research. They are the result of collective agreements between the manager, board members and often a director of football over the needs and aspiration of the team and what one or more players can offer to bring those aspirations a little closer. Even when the player has been officially signed, the work is far from over. Even the right player needs to be carefully integrated into a team, given time to find their feet in new surroundings and the training to make the best of their talent and justify their cost.
Sometimes players repay that trust with performances that elevate the club to heights never before imagined. Frank Lampard was deemed overpriced when he signed for Chelsea for £11 million from West Ham, yet his dedication in training and trust from...
- 8/21/2014
- by Xander Markham
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Pa Wire/Press Association Images
Two moments of individual inspiration gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory against Hungarian side Ferencváros in the first game ever played at the Groupama Arena. With only two days having passed since the Blues’ last pre-season outing, a charity tournament against Besiktas and Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, Jose Mourinho elected to give starting minutes to youngsters Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen in defence and recent World Cup returnees Ramires, Willian and Andre Schurrle in midfield.
The lack of fitness and experience in the side weighed heavily on Chelsea in the first half. Their ponderous football struggled to break down a Ferencváros side pressing aggressively and playing out from the back. An early cross from Daniel Nagy found Attila Busai at the far post, but the striker sliced his shot over the crossbar before being ruled offside.
Chelsea responded with Schurrle picking up the ball with...
Two moments of individual inspiration gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory against Hungarian side Ferencváros in the first game ever played at the Groupama Arena. With only two days having passed since the Blues’ last pre-season outing, a charity tournament against Besiktas and Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, Jose Mourinho elected to give starting minutes to youngsters Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen in defence and recent World Cup returnees Ramires, Willian and Andre Schurrle in midfield.
The lack of fitness and experience in the side weighed heavily on Chelsea in the first half. Their ponderous football struggled to break down a Ferencváros side pressing aggressively and playing out from the back. An early cross from Daniel Nagy found Attila Busai at the far post, but the striker sliced his shot over the crossbar before being ruled offside.
Chelsea responded with Schurrle picking up the ball with...
- 8/11/2014
- by Xander Markham
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Having already done some seriously impressive business in the transfer window, and impressively early compared to normal, Arsene Wenger must be sitting around twiddling his thumbs, as the Arsenal manager is being linked with moves for pretty much anyone who is available at the minute – no doubt as a conspiracy to give Jim White something to get over-excited about on August 31st.
The latest - following the supposedly nailed-on news that Wenger was about to sign William Carvalho – is that the Frenchman is about to complete a loan deal to bring Brazilian attacker Douglas Costa to North London after he followed Facundo Ferreyra in refusing to go back to parent club Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Gunners aren’t exactly shot of wide attacking options, with recognisable wingers Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Serge Gnabry and Ryo Myaichi being supplemented by Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky and Santi Cazorla...
Having already done some seriously impressive business in the transfer window, and impressively early compared to normal, Arsene Wenger must be sitting around twiddling his thumbs, as the Arsenal manager is being linked with moves for pretty much anyone who is available at the minute – no doubt as a conspiracy to give Jim White something to get over-excited about on August 31st.
The latest - following the supposedly nailed-on news that Wenger was about to sign William Carvalho – is that the Frenchman is about to complete a loan deal to bring Brazilian attacker Douglas Costa to North London after he followed Facundo Ferreyra in refusing to go back to parent club Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Gunners aren’t exactly shot of wide attacking options, with recognisable wingers Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Serge Gnabry and Ryo Myaichi being supplemented by Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky and Santi Cazorla...
- 8/8/2014
- by Simon Gallagher
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
With Chelsea strikers having become so profligate in front of goal in recent seasons, it makes little sense that Jose Mourinho would readily depart with the prolific Romelu Lukaku before he has even entered the best years of his career. At just 21 years of age, he has over 30 caps for his country, has scored in a World Cup quarter-final and reached double figures in each of his last two seasons on loan in the Premier League.
Built like the returning Stamford Bridge icon Didier Drogba, and possessing frightening pace to accompany his larger-than-life frame, Lukaku is a menacing presence for any Premier League defender. The only thing that held him back at Stamford Bridge, it would appear, was patience.
For it was his lack of it which demanded a last-dash loan move to Everton last September, when it was in fact Demba Ba who was almost granted his wish.
With Chelsea strikers having become so profligate in front of goal in recent seasons, it makes little sense that Jose Mourinho would readily depart with the prolific Romelu Lukaku before he has even entered the best years of his career. At just 21 years of age, he has over 30 caps for his country, has scored in a World Cup quarter-final and reached double figures in each of his last two seasons on loan in the Premier League.
Built like the returning Stamford Bridge icon Didier Drogba, and possessing frightening pace to accompany his larger-than-life frame, Lukaku is a menacing presence for any Premier League defender. The only thing that held him back at Stamford Bridge, it would appear, was patience.
For it was his lack of it which demanded a last-dash loan move to Everton last September, when it was in fact Demba Ba who was almost granted his wish.
- 7/31/2014
- by Michael Ramsay
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Everton are not only about to pull off one of the coups of the season, but also of the club’s entire history, as they close in on the eye-wateringly (but reassuringly) expensive capture of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
With confirmation expected in the next few hours, the player has taken to social media to tweet out a picture of him on board a plane – reportedly headed for Merseyside – carrying the caption “Time to write a new chapter….” That new chapter will cost Roberto Martinez’s traditionally frugal team around £24m, earning Chelsea a £5m mark-up on a player they’ve never given a chance to, and who was unthinkably not deemed of a sufficient quality to actually play for them. The finances of the football world continue to baffle.
The move was not unexpected, as the Chelse club shop has stopped fans from buying shirts...
Everton are not only about to pull off one of the coups of the season, but also of the club’s entire history, as they close in on the eye-wateringly (but reassuringly) expensive capture of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
With confirmation expected in the next few hours, the player has taken to social media to tweet out a picture of him on board a plane – reportedly headed for Merseyside – carrying the caption “Time to write a new chapter….” That new chapter will cost Roberto Martinez’s traditionally frugal team around £24m, earning Chelsea a £5m mark-up on a player they’ve never given a chance to, and who was unthinkably not deemed of a sufficient quality to actually play for them. The finances of the football world continue to baffle.
The move was not unexpected, as the Chelse club shop has stopped fans from buying shirts...
- 7/30/2014
- by Simon Gallagher
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
It’s very rare that footballers please everyone, and in all honesty, it’s becoming an even greater task to please anyone at all. Players are paid so heavily, and seem so far removed from the reality of their fans that they seem entirely alien, and entirely unrelatable, which makes it all the more easy to praise them to super-human levels and hate them as sub-humans when they transgress. Some players repay their fans with loyalty but there’s a select few who have contributed to their own downfall over the years.
Being a one club man is a bizarre occurrence in the modern era of football, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard are amongst a limited group of the games greatest players to have achieved such a feat. They may not be the best individuals, but longevity gains a lot of respect from fans,...
It’s very rare that footballers please everyone, and in all honesty, it’s becoming an even greater task to please anyone at all. Players are paid so heavily, and seem so far removed from the reality of their fans that they seem entirely alien, and entirely unrelatable, which makes it all the more easy to praise them to super-human levels and hate them as sub-humans when they transgress. Some players repay their fans with loyalty but there’s a select few who have contributed to their own downfall over the years.
Being a one club man is a bizarre occurrence in the modern era of football, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard are amongst a limited group of the games greatest players to have achieved such a feat. They may not be the best individuals, but longevity gains a lot of respect from fans,...
- 7/15/2014
- by Connor Hutton
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
It doesn’t really surprise us when the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero or Robin Van Persie score a world class goal or grab a hat-trick in the Premier League. It doesn’t really surprise us when the likes of David Silva, Aaron Ramsey or Juan Mata slot a perfectly weighted through-ball to assist one of these goals. It doesn’t really surprise us when the likes of Yaya Toure, Steven Gerrard or Eden Hazard produce that moment of magic to change a game.
But which players are capable of exerting their own special influence on a game, yet go largely unnoticed in comparison? Which players are perhaps not so well-known or recognised, yet are equally important to their clubs?
Claude Makelele (above), formerly of Real Madrid and Chelsea, is perhaps the most striking example of a player whose importance to teams throughout his career,...
It doesn’t really surprise us when the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero or Robin Van Persie score a world class goal or grab a hat-trick in the Premier League. It doesn’t really surprise us when the likes of David Silva, Aaron Ramsey or Juan Mata slot a perfectly weighted through-ball to assist one of these goals. It doesn’t really surprise us when the likes of Yaya Toure, Steven Gerrard or Eden Hazard produce that moment of magic to change a game.
But which players are capable of exerting their own special influence on a game, yet go largely unnoticed in comparison? Which players are perhaps not so well-known or recognised, yet are equally important to their clubs?
Claude Makelele (above), formerly of Real Madrid and Chelsea, is perhaps the most striking example of a player whose importance to teams throughout his career,...
- 7/6/2014
- by Scott Williams
- Obsessed with Film
Owen Humphreys/Pa Archive/Press Association Images
Players come and players go, some stick with you, and some are irreplaceable when they leave. Sunderland’s ups and downs since the turn of the new century are such, that written down it would make a compelling, though ultimately unbelievable screenplay.
Obviously, it is due to these low points that Sunderland have had to shed or lose players they haven’t wanted to get rid of. On some occasions it has been beyond our control, while there have been plenty of players who have spoken so fondly of their time here that they must hanker regrets that they ever had to leave before their playing days were up.
Here is a run-through of what I believe are the ten players who most regret leaving Sunderland for one reason or another. There are plenty of former heroes and one or two villains in the pack,...
Players come and players go, some stick with you, and some are irreplaceable when they leave. Sunderland’s ups and downs since the turn of the new century are such, that written down it would make a compelling, though ultimately unbelievable screenplay.
Obviously, it is due to these low points that Sunderland have had to shed or lose players they haven’t wanted to get rid of. On some occasions it has been beyond our control, while there have been plenty of players who have spoken so fondly of their time here that they must hanker regrets that they ever had to leave before their playing days were up.
Here is a run-through of what I believe are the ten players who most regret leaving Sunderland for one reason or another. There are plenty of former heroes and one or two villains in the pack,...
- 6/27/2014
- by Gary Engel
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
As a breed of footballer the hardman is one that is facing extinction from the modern game. Theres no denying that the robust gladiators who wouldn’t have a seconds hesitation to rake a boot down your achilles or deliver a body check out of the referees eyeline that leaves you gasping for air are becoming an increasingly rare commodity.
Newcastle have housed their fair share of violent bruisers down the years including intimidating defenders, snarling midfielders and powerhouse strikers who’ve all pulled on a black and white shirt with the objective to senselessly clobber the opposition to a snivelling pulp and pinch the ball from them like a schoolyard bully.
We miss these remorseless tyrants of the football field for their unwavering passion and commitment to Newcastle United and in commemoration have listed the the top 10 hardmen to have played for the club.
Note:...
As a breed of footballer the hardman is one that is facing extinction from the modern game. Theres no denying that the robust gladiators who wouldn’t have a seconds hesitation to rake a boot down your achilles or deliver a body check out of the referees eyeline that leaves you gasping for air are becoming an increasingly rare commodity.
Newcastle have housed their fair share of violent bruisers down the years including intimidating defenders, snarling midfielders and powerhouse strikers who’ve all pulled on a black and white shirt with the objective to senselessly clobber the opposition to a snivelling pulp and pinch the ball from them like a schoolyard bully.
We miss these remorseless tyrants of the football field for their unwavering passion and commitment to Newcastle United and in commemoration have listed the the top 10 hardmen to have played for the club.
Note:...
- 5/7/2014
- by Jak Penny
- Obsessed with Film
Lynne Cameron/Pa Archive/Press Association Images
Tossing his sweat soaked shirt into the depths of the Gallowgate and bidding the Geordie crowd adieu with a blown kiss and a wave it was the clearest sign yet that Mathieu Debuchy was saying his last goodbyes to Newcastle United.
It’s not uncommon for players to bequeath their strip into the crowd at the climax of the final home match of the season but watching a shirtless Debuchy walk away was emblematic of what is to come and said more than words ever could.
One of the few players to emerge with discernible credit from this most chaotic of seasons it will be agonising to lose a player of his full blooded passion and commitment after only 18 months together. It’s a separation we’ve prepared for but pray for it not to come to pass.
Thus it will be up...
Tossing his sweat soaked shirt into the depths of the Gallowgate and bidding the Geordie crowd adieu with a blown kiss and a wave it was the clearest sign yet that Mathieu Debuchy was saying his last goodbyes to Newcastle United.
It’s not uncommon for players to bequeath their strip into the crowd at the climax of the final home match of the season but watching a shirtless Debuchy walk away was emblematic of what is to come and said more than words ever could.
One of the few players to emerge with discernible credit from this most chaotic of seasons it will be agonising to lose a player of his full blooded passion and commitment after only 18 months together. It’s a separation we’ve prepared for but pray for it not to come to pass.
Thus it will be up...
- 5/6/2014
- by Jak Penny
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Fraser Forster has been a talking point for England fans for a few months now as his performances for Celtic continue to impress. All of the hype that surrounded him in October and November attracted the attention of England boss Roy Hodgson, resulting in Celtic keeper making his first England start against Chile in November. This was a remarkable achievement for a player who plies his trade in Scotland, and it was well deserved. He is only the second Celtic player in history to start for England.
Now though, the spotlight should return to Fraser Forster as England’s next friendly against Denmark is less than a month away. Despite the fact that his ability to showcase his talent with Celtic in the Champions League is now over until next season, Fraser still has plenty to offer to the England squad.
Here are the 4 reasons Forster...
Fraser Forster has been a talking point for England fans for a few months now as his performances for Celtic continue to impress. All of the hype that surrounded him in October and November attracted the attention of England boss Roy Hodgson, resulting in Celtic keeper making his first England start against Chile in November. This was a remarkable achievement for a player who plies his trade in Scotland, and it was well deserved. He is only the second Celtic player in history to start for England.
Now though, the spotlight should return to Fraser Forster as England’s next friendly against Denmark is less than a month away. Despite the fact that his ability to showcase his talent with Celtic in the Champions League is now over until next season, Fraser still has plenty to offer to the England squad.
Here are the 4 reasons Forster...
- 2/7/2014
- by Mark James Cassidy
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Manchester United could be set to clinch a last minute deal for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, after an intriguing odds change just hours before the transfer window slams shut.
The speculation is stemming from the intriguing odds change that bookmakers have just made from 7/4 to 5/4 on the talented star joining United. While this could again fluctuate, it has lead some to speculate that David Moyes and Ed Woodward are indeed trying to pull off one last strong signing this transfer window.
United are still short in midfield, and they actually tried to clinch Herrera in the last transfer window. On that occasion the deal was lost at the very last minute. Could this transfer now be back on?
Sky Sports had reported earlier in the window that this would not be the case. Herrera had been expected to stay at Bilbao, stating to the club that he wanted to stay.
Manchester United could be set to clinch a last minute deal for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, after an intriguing odds change just hours before the transfer window slams shut.
The speculation is stemming from the intriguing odds change that bookmakers have just made from 7/4 to 5/4 on the talented star joining United. While this could again fluctuate, it has lead some to speculate that David Moyes and Ed Woodward are indeed trying to pull off one last strong signing this transfer window.
United are still short in midfield, and they actually tried to clinch Herrera in the last transfer window. On that occasion the deal was lost at the very last minute. Could this transfer now be back on?
Sky Sports had reported earlier in the window that this would not be the case. Herrera had been expected to stay at Bilbao, stating to the club that he wanted to stay.
- 1/31/2014
- by Grahame Herbert
- Obsessed with Film
Dave Thompson/Pa Archive/Press Association Images
Very rarely did former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson slip up in any transfer windows. Yes, we are often reminded (and I’m sure he is too) of the flops he signed such as Eric Djemba Djemba, Kleberson and Massimo Taibi, but what about the players he showed the door to, who have since gone on to impress at a top level, some of them that have even won major awards as world class players.
Most clubs, if not all of them, regret letting players leave at some point or another, but at a club like Manchester United, it often gets left forgotten due to their success. But this season, the prospect of not winning anything and possibly missing out on a top four place under David Moyes surely questions that should the following five players stayed at United, would it have...
Very rarely did former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson slip up in any transfer windows. Yes, we are often reminded (and I’m sure he is too) of the flops he signed such as Eric Djemba Djemba, Kleberson and Massimo Taibi, but what about the players he showed the door to, who have since gone on to impress at a top level, some of them that have even won major awards as world class players.
Most clubs, if not all of them, regret letting players leave at some point or another, but at a club like Manchester United, it often gets left forgotten due to their success. But this season, the prospect of not winning anything and possibly missing out on a top four place under David Moyes surely questions that should the following five players stayed at United, would it have...
- 1/31/2014
- by Joseph Speckman
- Obsessed with Film
Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Football, when you boil it down to the core, is all about scoring goals. Even a centre-back who seldom passes his halfway line dreams of getting that last-minute winner from a corner. Mainly though, the job of goalscoring is left to the midfielders and the strikers.
What every manager loves is seeing a goal-laden partnership developing in his side. It has become less and less common in recent seasons, especially with it becoming increasingly fashionable to have a lone striker. When you add that to the neccessity of having both firing at the same time, and it is a pleasure that few managers have enjoyed.
This season the strike partnership is making a comeback. Liverpool have Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, and Manchester City have Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo. Even Manchester United, when both are fit, have Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie. However, it...
Football, when you boil it down to the core, is all about scoring goals. Even a centre-back who seldom passes his halfway line dreams of getting that last-minute winner from a corner. Mainly though, the job of goalscoring is left to the midfielders and the strikers.
What every manager loves is seeing a goal-laden partnership developing in his side. It has become less and less common in recent seasons, especially with it becoming increasingly fashionable to have a lone striker. When you add that to the neccessity of having both firing at the same time, and it is a pleasure that few managers have enjoyed.
This season the strike partnership is making a comeback. Liverpool have Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, and Manchester City have Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo. Even Manchester United, when both are fit, have Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie. However, it...
- 1/26/2014
- by Gerard Walton
- Obsessed with Film
Brooke Astor and Anthony Marshall at her estate Holly Hill, in Briarcliff Manor, New York, circa December 2001. Photograph by Alec Marshall. Charlene Marshall tends to dominate any room that she is in. As her 85-year-old husband, Anthony Marshall—gaunt, weary, sad-eyed—stoically waited in Manhattan Criminal Court this week to be sentenced after being convicted for stealing from his mother Brooke Astor, Charlene sobbed uncontrollably. Although Tony was the one facing prison, he was in the odd position of trying to comfort his volatile wife, hugging her and whispering gently. Her loyal friends from St. James Church huddled protectively nearby, to no avail. Charlene wept noisily, making herself the center of attention. Indeed, the Brooke Astor trial really was always all about Charlene. During opening arguments back in April, prosecutor Liz Loewy declared that Charlene was “the motive” for Tony Marshall’s crimes. At the sentencing hearing this week, prosecutor Joel Seidemann,...
- 12/22/2009
- Vanity Fair
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