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‘Financial Fair Play’ in football’s lower leagues
What do Portsmouth, Leeds United, Rangers and Deportivo La Coruna all have in common? They are all stark reminders of the financial fragility of modern-day football and how quickly the joys of ‘the beautiful game’ can turn sour. The phrase ‘Financial Fair Play’ has been part of football jargon since it was first agreed in … Read more
The ridiculous Clattenburg case and how it might have been avoided
The issue of racism is seldom from the headlines these days. Over the past year or so, the list of events involving racism goes on and on. Incidents involving players such as Luis Suarez and John Terry, Racist taunts from Serbian spectators at an Under-21 International fixture, and now allegations of a referee making a … Read more
August – Player of the month
August – the Premier League season is back! And judging by the opening fixtures, it’s back with a bang. Michael Laudrup’s new-look Swansea City tore QPR apart, 5-0, on the opening day; Southampton came close to upsetting the two Manchester clubs; and it seems that Arsenal fans were right, Robin Van Persie really does score … Read more
Liverpool Fans’ Season Preview: Rodgers’ revolution will put us back in the mix
Published by: Sabotage Times Liverpool Pre Season: Good, bad or ugly? Pre-season isn’t really about results, it’s about building fitness, and anyone who watches their side’s pre-season games will usually tell you that they are pretty tedious to watch. Nevertheless, ‘encouraging’ is the word that springs to mind. The match results weren’t great and we … Read more
Newcastle and Montpellier prove money isn’t everything in football
Published by: Sabotage Times When Sergio Aguero fired home Manchester City’s winner against QPR, the dramatic goal that clinched Man City’s first league title in over 40 years, it was yet again proof that money can buy a club trophies. Manchester City’s owner, Sheikh Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has invested a tremendous amount of money to bring … Read more
Arsenal should sell Van Persie – and do so quickly
Last week, Robin Van Persie declared it was his intention to leave Arsenal after it “became clear” that he disagreed with the Arsenal chiefs on how the club should move forward. The timing of the announcement and the manner in which it was released would perhaps have surprised and upset Arsenal fans – but in … Read more
FSG, Liverpool, decisions and the future
This season, Liverpool won their first trophy in six years, after beating Cardiff City on penalties in the Carling Cup final. Liverpool also reached the FA Cup final, only to lose at Wembley to Chelsea. The ideology of the fans that “clubs exist to win trophies” was not wholly shared by the club’s owners, though. … Read more
Melwood Today Preview Panel: Fulham
Fulham v Liverpool Monday, December 5th, 2011 In Saturday’s Melwood Today, we get the thoughts of the new This Is Anfield Preview Panel ahead of Monday night’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.. This week, Jack Wells and Nikola Mitrovic provide their thoughts on Fulham; their hopes for team selection; player to watch and their … Read more
Gary Speed: 1969-2011
Unfortunately, I didn’t know Gary Speed on a personal level. However I did have the pleasure of meeting him on one occasion, when I was a ball boy at Newcastle Vs Birmingham. I was a lot younger then, but one thing I remember about that day was meeting him. At the time, Gary Speed was … Read more
Season Preview: Liverpool
For Liverpool fans, last season was a rollercoaster ride – a terrifying one. 2010/11 will live long in the memory of Liverpool supporters as the season that their beloved club came close to destruction. At its lowest point, under the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, it seemed the Reds were being dragged towards … Read more
