Euro 2012: Fantasy Football Tips and Tactics

The Euros are fast approaching. The squads have now been confirmed, and pre-tournament prattle is sweeping the nation, dominating the topic of conversation from schoolyards to pub gardens.

Controversial questions are being asked of various selection policies, and to pick one at complete random, it appears that Stewart Downing’s inclusion in the England squad has become a hot topic of debate. Personally, I feel that this statement represents the biggest oxymoron since the inception of the ‘Democratic People's Republic of Korea’. Words like ‘controversy’ and ‘debate’ imply that there is more than one logical opinion to be held. There isn’t. Stewart Downing isn’t that good at playing football for Liverpool. He has produced one assist (against Oldham) and no goals all season. Chances are, therefore, that the trend will continue into the European Championships, and that he won’t be that good at playing football for England.

Expect the Unexpected that you were Expecting...

 Much like Englebert Humperdink, England started off the evening in a relatively positive and impressive manner. The geriatric crooner had enjoyed the same kind of hype as his footballing compatriots with talks of ‘no expectations’ but more ‘pleasant surprises’ in a way to make our horizons seem less bleak.

The Countdown to History: Our Verdict on the Playoff Final

This Saturday the world of football prepares itself for a showdown of monumental proportions and far reaching consequences. A game the victory of which means more to both clubs that any other single match in world football. Step aside Chelsea and Bayern Munich as this Saturday's "Day of Destiny" belongs to West Ham and Blackpool.
The Championship playoff is a fixture like none other as the rewards bring not only promotion and glory, but possible survival as a football club. The game is often referred to as "the richest game in world football" with a £40million windfall up for grabs, and with 2 of the Championship's biggest teams set to contest the showpiece final, there's sure to be fireworks. Let us take a closer look at the 2 teams vying to reach the holy grail of English football.

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea Preview: All Thriller, No Filler



The end's not near, it's here. The UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea marks the culmination of the European season, as the competition draws to its annual conclusion at 7.45PM this Saturday. It ain't going quietly. Some 62,000 fans will pack out the Fußball Arena München for the 2012 showpiece finale, a figure likely to be dwarfed by the number of fans tuning in to televisions worldwide (estimated viewing figures for the 2011 final were "in excess of 300 million" according to UEFA spokesman Kimmo Bellmann). From Brazil to Beijing, the world will be watching this weekend. Don't believe the hype? We've barely scratched the surface.

The Myth of the Messiah

A great scholar, perhaps it was Paul Merson, once wrote, "And on the pedestal these words appear: 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' Nothing beside remains. Round the decay, Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, The lone and level sands stretch far away". It was perhaps the erudite Merse's most eloquent moment; a scathing critique of the transient nature of human power, a damning warning to those proclaimed an untouchable messiah. The demise of  Kenny Dalglish is just the latest in a long line of fallen kings scattered across the landscape of professional football. King Kenny? Acrimoniously departed having led Liverpool to a decidedly unregal 8th place. King Kev? His comeback was more 5ive than Aragorn. Marlon King? He's really, really rubbish.

ENGLAND SQUAD SHOCK....it isn't that shocking

So the England squad for the European Championships has been announced and I have to say it looks set to be the most under-whelming England squad that we have taken to an international tournament in the last 30 years.

United and City - The Dust Settles

Ferguson is "shredding his legacy at every turn", said the Guardian. "After three seasons of papering over the cracks, it seems most United fans are awaiting the moment that the fault lines tracing a veiny path across Old Trafford are exposed". A new dominant force is expected, a glittering empire to replace the burning ruins of the old. It is the dogged belief that football works in cycles; that there is a clear break from one age to the next, each epoch defined by the dominance of one, and only one, side. Yet is such a simplistic narrative, so appealing to hacks everywhere, necessarily the most accurate? I say this not to belittle Manchester City's achievement, and do not deny that they deserve this title and look set to add many more to it. I say this because sometimes in the midst of hysteria the truth can get a little lost. Predicting the future and belittling the past is not so much impossible as simply pseduo-science. The Guardian quote? It came in 2006, Ferguson's shredded legacy just about to create the most successful period in United's history.

The Kids Are Alright...

As the end of the domestic season looms it’s time to look beyond Manchester and to Poland and Ukraine. Newly appointed ‘Uncle Roy’ has a tough few days of decision making before the 16^th May when his squad is announced. However, who the hell is he going to take!?

FA Cup Preview: Its importance to the two sides

At the moment, everyone involved in Liverpool Football Club seems to have hit the same crossroad that all owners of a Mercedes SLK arrive at. They have invested in something which is overpriced and underperforming, and as such there are two possible avenues to go down. The first option sees the owner show humility, as he humbly jacks in his Mercedes for a Mazda MX-5. The second owner chooses the path of denial, cruising round in his Merc seemingly unaware that everyone else on the road is laughing at him. From the Suarez case, to their lackluster form in the league, Liverpool seem to have chosen the ultra-defensive path. What better way then for Liverpool FC to add fuel to the fire of denial than to win their second trophy of the season?

Our Premier League XIs of 2011/12

It was down to a whisker, but Stewart just missed out

So it's that time of the season. We all cast a nostalgic eye back across the thousands of hours of Premier League football that has been played in this most remarkable of seasons. Recall the effortless brilliance of luxurious Spanish playmakers. Remind ourselves of the breathtaking tactical efficiency that sprouted in the most unexpected corners of South Wales. Awaken long forgotten memories of Welshmen, Dutchmen and the occasional Englishman bestriding our overblown, and often overrated, behemoth of a division and attempt to decide which of these sporting giants make our team of the season. And conclude, as we do every year, that there really are no good right backs in English football.

Hodgson's Zenith

Two and a half months after the resignation of Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson has been named as the new England manger. He has been appointed to arguably the most prestigious, prominent and respected jobs in world football but in accepting the position he has agreed to shoulder the always heavy, occasionally crippling burden of expectations, hopes and dreams the England fans will undoubtedly bestow upon him. His appointment surprised many in the football world, probably none more so than Harry Redknapp who has been the media, players and fans almost unanimous choice throughout the selection process. But is Roy Hodgson really the man to end England’s 46 year wait to win a major tournament?