Cool Runnings

The final week of February brings with it thoughts of pancakes, longer days and most importantly welcoming arms to the impending warmth of spring. As we look to embrace our countdown to the summer months and the World Cup in Brazil, what better way to banish the frosty days of winter and greet sunnier times than celebrating all things tropical, with a star studded Caribbean XI.

The rules are straightforward. The player must be capped at international level for a member of the Caribbean nations. In accordance with FIFA regulation, international eligibility will be prioritised over birthplace. For instance, Raheem Sterling, despite being born in Kingston, Jamaica, is not eligible to play for the Caribbean XI as he has represented England at international level. Conversely, Aylesbury born Emmerson Boyce qualifies to play as a result of his caps for Barbados. Simple?

Then here goes! Trinidad & Tobago were the last Caribbean team to qualify for a World Cup and stand at 77^th in the FIFA world rankings, the highest of the Caribbean nations. In recent years they have produced a plethora of British footballing cult heroes, including Stern John, Russell Latapy and the legendary Dwight Yorke. It is no surprise, therefore, that the smallest nation to compete at a World Cup provides the captain and spearhead, Cardiff City’s Kenwyne Jones.

Given the large Jamaican population in the UK, the “Reggae Boyz” dominate the Caribbean contingent playing in the English leagues. The Jamaicans last qualified for a World Cup in 1998, a campaign which included a 2-1 victory over Japan. Members of the famous ’98 squad included Deon Burton, Marcus Gayle and Robbie Earle. Former Bolton, Bradford and L.A Galaxy ‘keeper Donovan Ricketts is in between the sticks, with Watford legend Lloyd Doyley at the heart of the defence. Alongside him in a back three, is Crystal Palace’s Adrian Mariappa and the man who captained Wigan Athletic to FA Cup success over Manchester City, Barbadian Emmerson Boyce. Notable mentions go to veteran Jlloyd Samuel, Wes Morgan and Justin Hoyte who will play on the bench.

In midfield is where the greatest problems are posed. With the plethora of attacking options, versatility is the name of the game in the middle of the park. One such example is Reading skipper Jobi McAnuff, who will partner Leeds destroyer Rodolph Austin in central midfield, despite being primarily a winger. Completing an all Jamaican midfield will be McAnuff’s Reading team mate Gareth McLeary and Sheffield Wednesday winger Jermaine Johnson. Former Bolton Wanderers stalwart, Ricardo Gardner, who has 112 international caps to his name, is also in contention, despite the currently being a free agent.

Up front, the Caribbean team is spoilt for choice. Kenwyne Jones has already been confirmed as the central striker, so the dilemma is in who will play alongside the 29 year old. The two wingers in midfield demands that an aerial presence is required, alongside an ability to stretch the opposing defence to create space for the wide men. Former Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller is one option, having featured over 70 times for Jamaica and scoring over 100 goals in English football whilst Antigua & Barbuda international Dexter Blackstock has gained a reputation in the Championship for an ability to hold up possession and link other players in to the game.

Jermaine Beckford’s prolific spell with Leeds and Premier League experience with Everton also puts him in with a strong chance of appearing for the Caribbean XI. Marlon King further provides the option of a player who has experience of scoring goals at the top level. Grenada international Jason Roberts could also stake a claim for the central forward berth, having played in the Premier League for Blackburn, West Brom, Portsmouth, Wigan and Reading. The 36 year old, however, admitted recently that numerous attempts to recover from injury and return to completive, consistent football have failed and that the dreaded trapdoor of retirement looms.

The absence of a Caribbean nation from Brazil 2014 may seem to be a damning reflection of the standard of football in the Atlantic islands. However there is reason to believe that future tournaments will be more fruitful. Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and the Dominican Republic have all risen in the recent FIFA rankings and the emergence of Cuba as a competitive force, having won the 2012 Caribbean Cup suggests that this corner of the world could potentially supply a representative at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Until then, however, how would the fortunate few chosen men suffice if they were to perform this summer? Presenting to you the “Reggae Boyz”, the “Spice Boys”, the “Soca Warriors” and more, the Caribbean XI. Think you can do better? Grab a cocktail, play some Bob Marley and see how you would fare as the Caribbean coach!

3-4-1-2

Ricketts (Jamaica)

Boyce (Barbados) Doyley (Jamaica) Mariappa (Jamaica)

McLeary (Jamaica) Austin (Jamaica) McAnuff (Jamaica) Johnson (Jamaica)

Blackstock (Antigua & Barbuda)

Fuller (Jamaica) Jones (Trinidad & Tobago)

BENCH: Jlloyd Samuel (Trinidad & Tobago), Wes Morgan (Jamaica), Heinz Barmettler (Dominican Republic), Marlon King (Jamaica), Carlos Edwards (Trinidad & Tobago), Jermaine Beckford (Jamaica), Justin Hoyte (Trinidad & Tobago)

Man in the Middle

Manuel Pellegrini’s incandescent attack on the integrity of Jonas Eriksson ensured that the visit of Catalan giants Barcelona will be remembered for more than just a demolition of Manchester City’s dreams of an unprecedented quadruple.

Pundits and fans have been waxing lyrical over the swashbuckling nature of the sky blues this season leaving many to afford optimistic glances towards a mouth-watering tie with Messi, Xavi and Neymar. It was only 15 years earlier that Shaun Goater spearheaded City to a 2-0 over Macclesfield Town. Last night it was £20 million Spanish international Álvaro Negredo who dared to do battle with the Spanish champions.

However the game was never in danger of any genuine physical battle. A bemused Negredo was penalised countless times for displays of strength whilst the wide-eyed figure of Yaya Touré with arms abreast questioning the referee became an image so symbolic of City’s evening.

Barcelona deserved the win on the night. Martín Demichelis’ red card was definite and the decision to award a penalty, whilst debateable, was understandable. The way to deal with such a debate was for the defence to deal with the first ball, not desperately point fingers at a foul on Jesus Navas in the build-up.

BBC’s Phil McNulty damned Pellegrini’s outburst and attack on Swedish sporting culture as “bizarre and ill-advised”, lambasting the Chilean’s “verbal destruction of Eriksson’s performance”.

The most telling decisions however, were not the red card, the penalty or even Barcelona’s wrongly disallowed goal for offside. If Pellegrini is correct in saying that the referee decided the game, then he did so in the complete censorship of physical battle.

Following the match skipper Vincent Kompany claimed “there was a lot of soft fouls. In the Premier League they would not have been given”. The Belgian is right.

English football culture is such that speed, strength and athleticism are valued alongside technical ability and tactical nous. Eriksson denied City any opportunity to “ruffle the feathers” of their Spanish counterparts, penalising even the softest of challenges.

Referees need to have a greater understanding of the different styles of play across Europe instead of pandering to the possession game currently in vogue across southern Europe.

It would be interesting to see how Eriksson would have controlled the game should he have spent a season refereeing in England. If football is becoming an increasingly global competition with foreign players and managers, why should referees be exempt from foreign footballing culture?

The expanding European network has to be opened up to men who officiate the game.  A certain drafting system of elite referees performing weekly across Europe would guarantee a greater knowledge and respect for how different cultures approach the game.

There is no doubt that City were deservedly beaten last night and that Pellegrini now faces the iron fist of UEFA’s disciplinary board. The referee was competent in the major decisions, but in his totalitarian protection of the Spanish outfit, City were denied the opportunity to express why they have been such a force in the Premier League this season. 

Sir Tom

Deepdale cried this weekend at the loss of their favourite son, the great Sir Tom Finney. “The Preston Plumber” as he was affectionately dubbed, passed away this weekend at the age of 91 as one of the all-time greats of English football. A true gentleman of the sport blessed with an immense talent to go with such genuine humility, Sir Tom’s legacy will live long in the hearts of football fans worldwide.

I write this piece being of an age where the exploits of Finney were long before my time. He was part of a unique batch of players who performed before success of 1966 and therefore became a thing of myth to a young boy who would flick through the pages of book after book marvelling at the legends of the sport. Stanley Matthews, Billy Wright, Nat Lofthouse, Stan Mortensen and of course Finney all existed in a world of grainy black and white photographs, baggy kits and thick, leather footballs, immortalised in statues and tales of football folklore. Each player represents footballers of a bygone era. This was the era of the gentleman footballer, the club loyalty and the sheer, unerring patriotism endearing them to fans so passionate about the game. Finney was at the core of this golden era.

Any follower has their own understanding of where Finney fits in to the majestic puzzle that is football. With stories ranging from walking to matches alongside fans, to bringing his plumbing tools with him to training just in case anything needed fixing, Finney represented an England still reeling from the devastation of war. He served in the Royal Armoured Corps from 1942 before a goal scoring debut for the Three Lions in a 7-2 victory over Northern Ireland in 1946. The man himself is quoted as saying “we felt a responsibility to entertain after the war”. It is a far cry from suggestions today that footballers reduce international duty to a substitute role in favour of the riches of club competition.

Twice he was awarded the revered player of the year award, in 1953-54 and 1956-57, scoring 30 goals in 76 England appearances. With Finney playing on one side and Matthews on the other, England played a style of football feared by many nations across the globe. His 30 goals, often from a wide position gave him the honour of becoming England’s record goal scorer. More than 50 years after his retirement, only 5 players have scored more in the white shirt of England than Finney.

Attention must also be paid to his beloved Preston North End. Born, raised and educated in the vicinity of Preston’s Deepdale home, Finney was loyalty personified and appeared for the lilywhites over 400 times. Such was the importance of Finney to Preston’s successes that the “one club man” became the face and identity of a squad often labelled a “one man club”. Despite many rejections in his youth for being too small and slight, the outbreak of World War Two and having to complete his plumbing apprenticeship at the demands of his father, Finney eventually achieved his dream of regularly performing for his childhood club in 1946. He would go on to become an icon with the Lancashire club. The hallmark of the legend perpetuates itself across Deepdale, a stadium with such a rich heritage. It is located upon Sir Tom Finney Way and the old West Stand has been redeveloped and renamed the Sir Tom Finney stand. Behind this lies a statue replicating the legendary image of Finney taking on defenders at Stamford Bridge in near monsoon conditions. This sculpture now embraces scarves, flowers, jerseys and memorials from Prestonians mourning the loss of the man who united the city in love of their club.

In truth, Preston’s 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient was always going to be a sideshow to the overwhelming respects paid to the winger. A minute’s silence, black armbands and applause in the 7^th minute all complimented the melancholy emotions of the day, as the home players adorned the name of “Finney” upon their shirts. The man who served as club president was fittingly remembered with grace, pride and dignity. His charitable work only endeared him to the public further, particularly with Alzheimer’s organisations, the illness which cruelly claimed the life of his partner, Elsie in 2004. Tributes no doubt will continue to pour in to the man who made Preston proud.

Quotes on Finney hold him in the greatest reverence possible. Friend and team mate Bill Shankly quipped that “"Tom Finney would have been great in any team, in any match and in any age ... even if he had been wearing an overcoat" whilst Tommy Docherty affectionately labelled Lionel Messi as “Finney reborn”. No amount of waxing lyrical, it appears, will do the player and gentleman justice. From one football lover deprived of the sheer joy and privilege of watching you play, I would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye Sir Tom, my sport has been truly blessed by your presence and you will remain forever immortal in the footballing hall of fame.

On the Plane

As Liverpool left the once again hallowed turf of Anfield on Saturday following the 5-1 demolition of title hopefuls Arsenal, many pointed to the skill, craft and sheer ruthlessness of the attacking quartet of Suarez, Sterling, Sturridge and Coutinho. Liverpool were rampant in attack and capitalised on an Arsenal performance which defies so much of the good work they have done in the last 6 months. However it was in the 15^th minute where the game was won. Jordan Henderson, supposedly an expensive flop charging down and dispossessing the supposedly sensational Özil on the half way line to set up the third goal. His energy and pressing has been crucial to the progression of the reds this year, and could be invaluable for England in the sweltering climes of Brazil come summer.

Arsenal’s season has been built upon a solid defence and an unmatched ability to retain possession. They keep the ball, play it short and have a tight, solid bank of a back four with deep lying playmakers allowing for the flair players to do the damage. It is an easy option to say that they simply did not do these things at the weekend. But a large amount of credit has to go to the style of play employed by Brendan Rodgers. The perhaps unlikely combination of Steven Gerrard and Henderson, both at times deserving of criticism in the last season or two, played in perfect tandem and not only stifled an Arsenal midfield overwhelmed with ability, but outclassed them too.

Gerrard’s teething problems in the deeper position have been well documented in recent weeks, despite signs of promise. The injury to Lucas has placed even greater responsibility upon the captain who has time and time again carried the club through the mire. He has been accused of lacking discipline in this role and questions have been asked as to how effective the barn storming, aggressive Gerrard of the past can be in terms of grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and raising the tempo of the match. He is however, an outstanding reader of the game and his presence as a captain and leader is invaluable as Liverpool look to rise from the murky depths they were plunged in to following the reign of Hicks and Gillett. So how does Rodgers fit in his iconic general along with the exciting, promising attacking talents?

The reality is that instead of simply employing Gerrard as a holding midfielder for 90 minutes, Rodgers asks the 33 year old to sit in a fairly generic midfield  position but to pick up the ball in far deeper areas. The Irishman refused to blame Kolo Touré for trying to play football from the back in the 1-1 draw against West Brom and it is this “playing out from the back” where Gerrard becomes a deeper player. Liverpool ensure that he is given possession as early as possible, often picking up a position between, or even behind the centre backs. Gerrard therefore becomes the quarter back; he is a permanent option to return possession to should there be nothing on whilst also in a position to use his trademark passing abilities to pick out the runs of the incessant attacking players. This allows for the two centre backs to split and bring the line of the back four forward, often up to the halfway line. Not only is this a unique way of playing a high defensive line, but the defenders, in this case Škrtel and Touré, in effect become the midfield destroyers. The potential inadequacies in Gerrard’s discipline and tackling are solved by the opposition attacking midfielders having two central defenders marking them whilst Gerrard, temporarily, becomes a sweeper.

However such a strategy relies heavily upon the athleticism of Gerrard’s midfield partner Henderson. Firstly, he must always ensure that he is either an option to pass to, or is stopping the opposition player from applying pressure to Gerrard. If there is not activity in front of Gerrard when he picks up the ball so deep, the system is dead. The job is similar when Liverpool are not in possession too. Liverpool rely on Henderson to do the running for the captain to guarantee that not only are opposition players under permanent pressure, but that when the ball is won, the loose ball either spills to the nearby, free, Gerrard or the claimer of the ball can recycle it to the number 8.

The former Sunderland player is also vital to the success of the attacking quartet. An inconsistent, vulnerable back four stipulates that attack is the best form of defence and as a result, the pressing of the opposition is lead in the attacking third of the pitch. Henderson ensures that wherever the ball may be on the pitch, there is the perpetual threat of two players to worry about, the Liverpool player occupying that position and Henderson as the support presser. Another feature of his game which has grown this season is an ability to make late surges through the very middle of the pitch. Sturridge and Suarez stretch the pitch and very rarely operate in one zone, whilst Coutinho plays a diminutive, tricky figure throughout the match.  Henderson’s attacking runs compliment the vision and mobility of such players. One such run should have been rewarded with a goal vs Arsenal when played in beautifully by Coutinho only for the England international to lob narrowly wide.

Liverpool remain a long way off being the finished article and despite promise, the Gerrard and Henderson partnership remains in its infancy. Rodgers will need to invest in midfield depth and an alternative option against teams where space and chances are at a premium. However the combination is certainly something which could be beneficial to both Liverpool and England. Henderson is still only 23 years old and is already full of experience. Playing alongside England’s best player in recent years and a Premier League legend can only improve him as a player and character. As for England, the international game demands a greater retention of possession. The Liverpool formation could be replicated for England, with Gerrard and Henderson continuing their roles, swapping the creative but frustrating Coutinho for the neat and tidy Jack Wilshere. In the stifling heat of Brazil, Henderson’s energy could be absolutely crucial, particularly if Hodgson can incorporate Wilshere’s ability to keep possession and Gerrard’s leadership qualities alongside him. If England are to be successful in Brazil, or even to grow as a team for future tournaments, the hideously underrated Jordan Henderson has to be on the plane. 

Ins and Outs

As January 31st approaches, Jim White gets to sleep early, the Sky Sports team iron their fresh, colour coded yellow ties and the nation prepares for one of the most exciting days in the football calendar. Every agent across the world charges their phone for a big day at the office, ending hopefully in a bumper pay day and security for the year. Every player, every manager and every coach becomes more and more of a commodity while reporters zip up their jackets to brace the cold, January winds. Finances, plans and tactics are all forgotten in order to put a smile on fans' faces who yearn to see the bright yellow banner flash across the bottom of the screen announcing a signing for their club. So as we recover from the enjoyment of Harry Redknapp's yearly interview from the Range Rover window, how will we reflect on January 2014 at the end of the season and in years to come?

BBC broadcaster Alan Green described Manchester United's acquisition of Juan Mata as "a plaster, an expensive plaster". As phenomenal a player as Mata is and whilst his impact on the club, on paper, should be a positive one, he does cover the somewhat glaring inadequacies in the Manchester United squad. But can this turn of phrase be applied more suitably to the window as a whole?  An opportunity to lick the wounds, cover the problems and manipulate the realities of situations on and off the field at a club? How much does the window really benefit the progress of a club, or is it simply a chance to appease the fans in this ever growing fickle environment that football is becoming?

Arsenal's surge to the top of the table has been based upon an unusually solid defence, a wealth of skill and guile in attacking midfielders and the goal scoring endeavours of Frenchman Olivier Giroud. They have impressed on many levels and Gunners fans have a right to feel genuine optimism going in to the final stretch of the season given the promise of their form thus far. But with Theo Walcott injured and Nicklas Bendtner continuing to cut the figure of the inconsistent maverick, the previously large yoke upon the back of Giroud is suddenly that much heavier given that his form and fitness are now of absolute and utmost significance. This plays as much upon his mental fitness as his physical in the knowledge that he, and he alone, must produce in the final third. He has proven his ability so far, and surely will have every confidence of continuing his impressive form, but as the pressure mounts in the final weeks, how much will Arsène Wenger regret not bringing in an extra body to help carry the immense responsibility of firing a team to the title.

 Kim Källström is a quality, experienced player but he is not a player who will turn an Arsenal team into potential champions in to title favourites. After many windows in the wilderness however, Wenger knows that some transfers are as much about appearing to be busy and keeping fans happy as they are to helping build a squad. Wenger’s admission that given more time, he would have reconsidered signing the Swedish international provides a scathing insight in to the reasons for conducting business on January 31^st. The Frenchman‘s refusal to enter the transfer market unless it was absolutely crucial to the club’s progression saw him come under immense amounts of pressure. This season he has purchased Mesut Özil and the aforementioned Swede on loan and the media scrutiny of his transfer dealings has been more tumbleweed than tornado. However if Arsenal finish 3^rd, a position more than possible given how close the top three have been this season, he will simply be matching the final positions of 2008, 2010 and 2012 where each time his job security was under threat.

Manchester City conducted most of their business in the summer window and have been rightfully praised for their domineering form and sheer satisfaction in pouring forward in pursuit of goals. As a result of not significantly entering the market in January, Pellegrini has issued a statement to the rest of the league: we have the firepower already to win this league, I am happy. No such plaster required. Manchester City have conceded more, and indeed lost more games, than Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton, suggesting that defensive cover is required for the brilliant but frequently injured Vincent Kompany and the learning Matija Nastasić. Admittedly the last defeat was in November of 2013, but the point remains that City have decided to avoid the proverbial plaster and as a result look in imperious condition moving in to the remaining few months.

At the other end of the Premier League table, both Fulham and Crystal Palace appear to have bought very well, Lewis Holtby and Tom Ince in particular should offer flashes of magic to give the relegation threatened clubs hope of survival. However both clubs have been forced in to such dramatic flourishes of activity because they have both had to change managers. Wiser money would suggest that Sam Allardyce’s West Ham will prosper further from January’s exploits as they bought in players of genuine quality to a side which is underperforming and in poor form, but settled. Likewise the activity of Aston Villa and Hull City focus more on putting faith in to a settled manager and tweaking the squad rather than mass spending sprees covering the wounds of the previous 3 months. The acquisition of Shane Long could prove to be a masterstroke by Steve Bruce whilst Grant Holt will provide a seasoned head in a side with vast potential but little experience.

In a window dominated by the Juan Mata transfer, trends across the Premier League all point to the importance of people pleasing, to the degree where fans are happy to crave links even should they not materialise. Liverpool will argue that in the pursuit of Yeheven Konoplyanka, they are proving to be on the right track, despite not completing the move, echoing summer shades of Diego Costa, Willian and Christian Eriksen. Chelsea on the other hand have gone against the status quo in selling a fans favourite and bringing in players who appear to feature under the “ones for the future” category than out and out title winners. If they are to win the league however, no doubt Mourinho will point towards the head having the final say over the heart in a roller coaster transfer window that annually tests the resolve and grit of even the firmest managers and squads. Never more so has the “plaster” effect been prominent as fans continue to demand and desire. Yet while the music blares louder and the rumours grow stronger, the one thing that is guaranteed come deadline day, is that no matter where your opinions lie, nor your creed or colour, when the flash of yellow comes and “Breaking News” adorns our screens, we all hope and pray in earnest that it is our club that has pulled off the signing of the season.