Is it time to forgive Sol Campbell?

Today the first entry comes in the form of a guest blog from friend and Spurs fan Dan Raywood (He's also met Ricky Villa). He discusses former England man Sol Campbell's treatment from Spurs fans over the years

So over nine years ago Spurs fans were hit by the news that our star defender, well to be honest, best player, was heading down the Seven Sisters Road from White Hart Lane to Highbury.

At that time Spurs were not in a good state, we lacked a decent strength side and it would be several seasons before we got a sniff of European football. Our foreign players included the likes of Tarrico, Ziege and Iversen while we awaited the return of Teddy Sheringham and Willem Korsten gave one good game (the final match of the season against Manchester United in fact).

At the end of that game, the Spurs players did a lap of honour of White Hart Lane and an injured, suited Sol Campbell was among them. During this we sang the song ‘Sol Campbell Campbell, he’s done his country proud, we’ll sing his name out loud, Sol Campbell Campbell'. However just weeks later he was on his way and his return around nine years ago was met with a level of abuse rarely seen from Spurs fans. I didn’t get to the match, but went along the following season when attitudes had not mellowed. After the first instance, legendary player and manager Terry Venables claimed that he was surprised as ‘Spurs fans are usually a lot more fair than that’.

In evaluation now, the questions to be asked are: did he do wrong in leaving Spurs? Arguably not. He went and played for another club among better players and won silverware. Should he have left for free? No, he was at the end of his contract and the finest defender of his generation, who was nurtured and developed by Spurs left for nothing.

Finally did he turn his back on us as fans? Yes. He was undoubtedly aware of what sort of reaction he was going to get and while would have met with boos the like of Teddy Sheringham and Dimitar Berbatov would go on to receive, there would have been nothing like the level of abuse had he have played for Liverpool or Manchester United.

So nine years on, the question to ask is ‘is it time to forgive Sol Campbell?’ I say he has been given the criticism, has left Arsenal (and returned and left again) and in that time since summer 2001 I do not recall him saying a bad word against the club, or its employees. I am sure there is a strong level of anger running through him over the treatment he has had to endure not only from the stands, but online also.

For one of the most flexible players in our history (I recall him playing as a makeshift striker during a shortage against Derby in the mid 1990s) I don’t ask if it is time to forgive Sol Campbell, I say it is time to forgive Sol Campbell.

As he nears the end of his career I would hate for him to be judged for the rest of his life on that decision and while I do not expect a statue outside the new stadium of him next to George Graham with the 1999 league cup held aloft, I would like for one of the finest products of our academy to be told that he could return to White Hart Lane and be welcomed back with memories of the player who debuted at Spurs, earned his first England cap while as a player and learnt the skills that would go on to be performed on a national and international stage for many years.

If you wish to contribute please feel free to email me at matthew_a_doy@yahoo.com

That was an interesting week

Last weekend Liverpool beat Chelsea and Newcastle United beat Arsenal, what is significant about that you wonder. Well in the summer, when we weren't despondent about a World Cup anti climax, people were not giving much hope to Newcastle whilst Liverpool were having many other troubles to think about League position but the appointment of Roy Hodgson was giving a new hope. Well thirteen games into the season, Newcastle have, despite the off field issues, put some people in their places. A win at Arsenal which to be honest is not an easy task has showed they can take it to the opposition. Liverpool on the other hand have just been abysmal, the Chelsea victory possibly raised some hope but going to Wigan and getting a draw which should have been a win and then a pitiful display against Stoke away, shows that Roy Hodgson is not fit to be a manager of Liverpool FC. Not to mention the really bizarre opinions of Liverpool performances which have been different to everyone else.

As a Liverpool fan I'm bemused. Roy Hodgson is seemingly a nice guy and his record shows how he can do well taking small clubs far, but Liverpool FC has standards, it believes in success and playing well. Notably the last manager whose name was Roy and managed Liverpool was also a nice guy but his Liverpool managerial career came to a brief end. The same can only be with Roy Hodgson.

Chelsea continue to command the Premier League and despite last weeks minor hiccup, they look certain to retain the title. Ancelotti continues to make sure that in the League Stamford Bridge is a fortress. A 100% home record with 17 scored and no goals conceded, is making the Bridge an uncomfortable place to go. Chelsea might look less away from home, but 10 out of 18 points is nothing to be sniffed at.

They say always be wary of Manchester United, but this season regardless of injuries etc, they just don't look like winning the title. Yes people will point out that they are unbeaten in the league, but the United of old would never have more draws than wins in the league. Their away form is proving interesting, 9 points from 21 is hardly title winning material. The last time they drew more than six games was in the 98/99 season when they drew 9 ALL season. They have drawn 6 already and its not even Christmas.

Arsenal, they are intriguing, people are worried about them in some areas, but isn't it always the same every season, Arsenal go a bit wobbly then pull it off. They are still within striking distance. I have to say I do have a soft spot for Arsenal, naturally they are too big a rival to have support them as a second team but whenever they play I do love to watch them. Who can forget this http://bit.ly/b7YbfF Sorry to all my Newcastle supporting friends, but even you must admire the genius of this.

Man City have proved everyone wrong. Everyone wrong in that they'd be doing well this season. It just goes to show that money doesn't buy you success. You spend as much as you like, but if the players dont perform or gel, it counts for nothing. It maybe likely that Mancini finds himself joining Mark Hughes in the Dire Straits (Money For Nothing....)

Bolton Wanderers find themselves in the dizzy heights of fifth spot. Owen Coyle has certainly made them a tough team to beat. They certainly don't find it difficult to score away from home either. They have scored 11 goals, the same amount as Man Utd and Chelsea although they seem to be just as leaky away from home. That said they have only conceded one more away from home than United.

Tottenham seem to be going from one extreme to the other. One week they are playing out their skins the next they are all over the place. It's good to see them doing well in the Champions League group stages, but I fear that inconsistency could prove costly in the knock out stages where there are no second chances. Consistency is what will see them maintain their Champions League charge and Gareth Bale darting down the left wing.

In the Championship Cardiff City have moved into pole position after a 4-2 win away at Scunthorpe. A run of 1 win and 6 draws for QPR has seen their early charge come to a halt and with Swansea in with a chance of closing the gap on the London club, it will have the hoops looking firmly over their shoulder. The one thing with the Championship is that it's difficult to predict. Who would have thought Bristol City would beat Swansea. If I was a betting man, I wouldnt be betting on the Championship.

Liverpool FC - A new Hope

After last weeks defeat at home to Blackpool, it seemed that not much could get worse seeing as the Premier League table showed us third from bottom. The international break was now on and it would mean players off to play for their respective nations leaving Liverpool to carry on. Chairman Martin Broughton then brought a new hope to Liverpool fans with a possible takeover. NESV (New England Sports Ventures) were interested in buying the club and could wipe out the debt allowing Liverpool to be profitable and money invested into the club and not servicing debts. Of course things were never likely to go smoothly. Hicks and Gillete are saying no and claim that Broughton has no right to do anything and are taking it to court.

Now given that 15th October is deadline day for the loans and with RBS refusing to budge in refinancing, going to Court is surely the last thing they will want. If what Broughton says is true then it can only end in humiliation for the Americans. If they were to win and refuse the deal, without any funding, RBS would without doubt on Friday call in the debt, take over the club and sell it to NESV anyway. The thing that concerns many fans though is the likelihood of administration and the withdrawal of nine points. With a season already starting badly this would just put Liverpool bottom of the table and on minus three points.

It is not hard to forget that placing debt on the club and becoming another Manchester United, was something that Hicks and Gillett promised wouldn't happen. Their period of ownership has been nothing more than lies, lies and more lies. If I were Tom Hicks, I'd just give up and hand over the club. Don't drag things out longer than need be. You're not liked as it is, don't make it harder for yourself

Injury,injury they've all got an injury

Another week goes by another International week and more injuries leaving fans and club managers in despair. Harry Redknapp most of all seeing Jermain Defoe out of action for three months crucially ruling him out of Champions League action, club team mate Michael Dawson also finds himself with a spell on the sidelines but Harry Redknapp can be relieved that its only 6-8 weeks but still 6-8 weeks is a long time when you have four competitions to play in.

The international week found victims in Tottenham's North London rivals Arsenal. Wenger found him resigned to losing young Theo for upto 8 weeks (not my fault for picking him for my dream team). To add to the loss of Van Persie till mid October, it was something that Wenger could have done without, especially having lost the Dutchman for 5 months last season.

Liverpool's attempt to kick start their season took a blow when they lost Dirk Kuyt with a shoulder injury. The popular Dutchman hurt his shoulder in training and is likely to return at the end of September ruling him out of the big clash against Manchester United.

So many early international fixtures are unbelievably ridiculous. Three international games within a month of the season starting is unecessary. Fifa and Uefa should be minimising the amount of games played both at club and international level. Call me old fashioned but its time to put the game before the money. In fact it should be time to put genuine football fans in charge of the game not jealous money driven continentals who dont seem to really care.

England coach Fabio Capello has declared he will quit after Euro 2012. Should England qualify, I would say when England qualify, but we said that about the Euro 2008 qualifiers, England will need to up their game. The finals which are due to be held in Poland and the Ukraine will see the move towards an England manager being home grown. It will be interesting to see where they head to...I just hope its not Sam bloody Allardyce. He becomes England manager I will swing all my support behind the Dutch. Harry Redknapp would no doubt be the obvious choice but would the FA wish to choose him after his alleged tax exploits.

Touching on the Euro 2012 finals, Ukraine still had problems for readiness although as recent as the end of August 2010, Platini had appeared to drop any ultimatum that had been previously held. One wonders what might happen if the Frenchman had staked his reputation on Ukraine being ready for 2012 only for them to fail in being ready, another French humilation to add to World Cup 98, World Cup 2010...and thats not discounting the possibility of not qualifying for Euro 2012. Not that I wouldnt be laughing or anything...honest.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson put the boot into the Benitez regime when stating that deadwood was hampering the rebuilding process. The former Fulham boss has started the work by shipping out Alberto Aquilani , Philipp Degen, Nabil El Zhar and Emiliano Insua on loan deals elsewhere. Also departing L4 were Albert Riera, Diego Cavalieri and Damien Plessis. How Plessis had managed to lurk around at Anfield for so long I dont know.

Hot on the heels of Mark Lawrenson, its time for the predictions.

Everton v Man Utd 0-3
As Rooney scored for England after a week to forget, Rooney adds suffering to his old clubs start to the season

Arsenal v Bolton 4-1
The Gunners may have lost Walcott and Van Persie but they should still stroll past Bolton with ease

Fulham v Wolves 1-0
Mark Hughes has Zamora back and with Fulham a tough nut to crack at home, Wolves will have their work cut out. Their good start to the season will come to an end and it will be away from the Molineux.

Man City v Blackburn 3-0
The Premier League big spenders are back home for the first post international Premier League weekend. Joe Hart inbetween the sticks is looking a very hard man to beat and Blackburn will find the England number 1 continuing the good form from the beginning of the season carrying on. Blackburn will struggle away from home this season and unsurprisingly wont get anything at City.

Newcastle v Blackpool 3-0

Ian Holloway must have thought losing to Arsenal 6-0 was a blow, then to watch his next opponents destroy Villa by the same scoreline, but with the Pool shipping goals, Holloway will be glad that he hasnt got too much hair left to lose. As much as I think Ian Holloway is a great character of the game, I cannot see his side getting too much out of this game as Newcastle continue to build their unbeaten run following the opening defeat against Manchester United

West Brom v Tottenham 1-2

West Brom wont even have Tottenham's Champions League diversion to help them on the way to getting a result, but Harry knowing that Werder Bremen loom on the horizon and without Dawson and Defoe, he will rest some players but the strength will still be too much for WBA.


West Ham v Chelsea 0-3
When you're not playing well. the last thing you need is your opponents on form not only have they got a 100% record, they've scored 14 goals without conceding. This does not bode well for the Hammers who have scored 1 with 9 conceded in the process. Yes it may possibly see the return of Frank Lampard, but thats just to make things even worse for the home side. I can only see the West London side maintaining their 100% record and Premier League clean sheets.

Wigan v Sunderland 1-1

After last weeks outstanding performance, Ali Al Habsi will need to be on top form as Sunderland come into town. Sunderland's England man Darren Bent will be looking to maintain his England form and grab three vital away points. Habsi though will be more than a match for the visitors as he showed by repelling everything that Spurs launched at him. Come 90 minutes, both sides will only have a point out of this game

Birmingham v Liverpool 0-3

Previously Liverpool v Birmingham has been a good tie for the visitors but I think all will be different, new players, Torres looking more match fit, I think Hodgson's side will be too strong for a team that was fortunate to beat Blackburn in their previous game. Gerrard looking good will be a boost as they look to bounce back from the 3-0 defeat at Man City. Can only see the red coming away with the points.

Stoke City v Aston Villa 2-1

Not the best place to go when you've just taken over as manager of a new club. The Britannia Stadium is not the best place to go, but to be honest Villa fans will be glad that they wont be on the receiving end of another hammering like they did against Newcastle. A win for Gerard Houllier will have to wait another week.

Last weeks predictions

A brief blog for the time being, seeing how I did last week. Did I keep up or did I fumble like Scott Carson

Arsenal v Blackpool My Prediction 3-0 Actual Result 6-0
Birmingham v Blackburn 2-1 2-1
Everton v Wolves 2-2 1-1
Stoke v Spurs 1-0 1-2
WBA v Sunderland 0-2 1-0
West Ham v Bolton 3-1 1-3
Wigan v Chelsea 0-4 0-6
Newcastle v A.Villa 2-2 6-0
Fulham v Man Utd 0-4 2-2
Man City v Liverpool 1-2 3-0


Exact Score line 1
Correct result 3

Not as good as Lawro last week

It's a funny old game

Well, pardon me for not laughing too loud this week upon hearing a couple of news stories. Diego Maradona interested in managing Aston Villa? has the pint sized Argentinian been given a drugs test? He does know he'd be managing Aston Villa in the heart of Birmingham. Well football is a strange old game after all.

European qualifiers were the games midweek, Tottenham found themselves still within reaching distance of a Champions League group spot. A recovery from a punishing 3-0 deficit to pull it to 3-2. The late second goal should give the London side a great opportunity at White Hart Lane. Failure to progress to the group stages will not only be costly financially, but boasting rights from the Spurs half of North London would be replaced with great joy and stick from the Gooners.

Last week I made some predictions and notably I realised I screwed up by missing out on putting the United score which I backed the reds to win 3-0.

My Prediction Actual Result
Tottenham v Man City 2-2 0-0`
Aston Villa v W.Ham 2-1 3-0
Blackburn v Everton 0-3 1-0
Bolton v Fulham 2-1 0-0
Sunderland v Birmingham 3-1 2-2
Wigan v Blackpool 1-2 0-4
Wolves v Stoke City 2-1 2-1
Chelsea v West Brom 6-0 3-0
Liverpool v Arsenal 2-1 1-1
Man Utd v Newcastle 3-0 3-0

This opening week I got 2 spot on predictions and 5 results. Beat that Lawro

This week I hope to top my great start to the season

Arsenal v Blackpool 3-0
Holloway's Pool brought down to earth

Birmingham v Blackburn 2-1
City maintain an unbeaten start against Fat Sam's dull Rovers

Everton v Wolves 2-2
The Toffees still looking for a first win at home as they gain a point off Wolves who are on 4 points

Stoke v Spurs 1-0
Spurs fail to bounce back against Stoke who get their home record with a 3 point start

West Brom v Sunderland 0-2
Sunderland continue the dismal start for the Baggies

West Ham v Bolton 3-1
The Hammers bounce back after an opening season mauling against Bolton

Wigan v Chelsea 0-4
Wigan continue to fail and Chelsea continue to bag the goals

Newcastle v A.Villa 2-2
The Geordies get their first point of the season against Villa who fail to maximise their post O'Neill era start

Fulham v Man Utd 0-4
Man Utd score a win against another former Man United player managed club.

Man City v Liverpool 1-2
Optimism in the Liverpool camp continues and Roy Hodgson's Liverpool score three points against City's millionaires.

Well lets see if I can improve on the season opener. Can only hope...job at the BBC beckons?

Till next week

One day to go and what a week

Well it seems we started the week with a resignation and almost completed the week with a resignation. Martin O'Neill resigned as Aston Villa manager on Monday, which seemed a suprise to many especially so close to the start of the season. The true reason? who knows, Im sure that will come out at the end. Friend of Lerner's claimed that he thought that O' Neill believed he was bigger than the club. I wouldnt have thought that. I'm not a Villa fan myself, but what I will say is that the Irishman was very passionate about the game to say the least. Im sure it wont be too long before we see O'Neill in charge somewhere.

Steve Coppell called time on his management career after resigning two games into the Championship season. Not the greatest of timings and it seems his love just wasnt there. Word is that the arrival of David James helped the former Reading and Crystal Palace manager to make his decision. This isnt of course Coppells first early departure from managing a football club.

It was Internationals week this week. England had to perform but Capello was hit with retirements and 'injuries'. England came from behind, another dubious goal where technology would have helped. Steven Gerrard lead the way with two goals. The victory slightly overshadowed by the fact that Capello appeared to call time on Beckham's international career. Well Capello it would have been nice for you to tell him first if that was the case. I remember the last manager to call time early on Beckham's career lost his job post European Championship qualifiers.....anyone for a bit of history repeating?

Liverpool fans can start to look towards a new era. The Hicks and Gillett debacle is almost at an end. Hopefully the board will not repeat the mistakes of the last time and make a choice which will see the club climb from the depths of debt. Never again can the club be drawn into the dark gloom of misery that has plagued it off field. On field things are looking positive. Gerrard, Torres both staying, new signings including Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Milan Jovanovic, Danny Wilson, Fabio Aurelio. Hodgson has also started to shift the deadwood from the club too. Riera gone, Degen out on loan. This can only be good as Hodgson gets to grips with the task. The Mascherano saga continues to move along. Although Hodgson wants to keep him, its unlikely the Argentinian will stay as Barcelona and possibly now Inter Milan can sign him.

Man City continue their spending splurge with Mario Balotelli finally putting pen to paper. Not too much pressure on Mancini this season. Surely if they dont win the title this season then the Italian will be gone? Balotelli's departure may mean Javier Mascherano gets his preferred transfer to Italy to reunite with Rafa Benitez.

In last weeks Community Shield, Chelsea took a beating, Man United beating the Double winners 3-1 at Wembley. Nothing can be taken from this although the Blues will be hoping their Pre Season form doesnt continue into the new season.

Arsenal will be hoping that their defence will be more shipshape going to Anfield for the season opener. A repeat of the sloppy goalkeeping and defending will hopefully not be too much in the minds of the Arsenal fans as they take the long trek north. With Hodgson taking a more attacking approach than Benitez, the last thing Arsenal need is a keeper going awol in the penalty area at the wrong time.

So with hours to go lets see my predictions and how they fair

Tottenham v Man City 2-2
Tottenham to hold the City spending spree

Aston Villa v West Ham 2-1
O Neill maybe gone but the Villa still keep going

Blackburn R v Everton 0-3
Resounding opening win from the Blue half of Merseyside

Bolton v Fulham 2-1
Fulham's away day blues to continue

Sunderland v Birmingham 3-1
Last seasons heavyweight wannabes clash leaving the home side taking the points

Wigan v Blackpool 1-2
New boys Blackpool ride into town with a Premier League debut win

Wolves v Stoke City 2-1
Wolves start their battle for survival with a home win against the Potteries club

Chelsea v West Brom 3-0
The Boys in Blue back to business as they thump the Albion on their return

Liverpool v Arsenal 2-1
The air of hope around sends Liverpool to victory with Gerrard continuing his Hungary form

Man Utd v Newcastle Utd
No repeat of the last opening result between these two. Its the United in Red that take three points from this one*



*Im now dipping my hands in hot tar to get over what I just typed.

Where ever you are, who ever you support here's to a nine month journey of nervousness, misery, gloom and thats if you're a Gillingham fan

Almost upon us

Ah well here we are, the football season almost upon us. The World Cup that was full of hope but turned out to be not one of the memorable. The noteable moments of the World Cup being France and Italy crashing out early and some other stuff.

Now though the proper footy is here. The domestic season, the one where every season we all have high hopes and some higher than others and the day in day out banter between friends family and work colleagues. It has been a busy summer...well for the journos at least and the gossip columnists. Towards the end of last season Gerrard and Torres were on their way together with Mascherano. Many fans may have had doubts about them staying. I have always had the line of wait until you hear it from the player or the manager. Liverpool of course having a bad season and in financial difficulty and journalistic maths means 2 plus one equals five. Gerrard has said yes, Torres looks certain, but Mascherano? it's always been a matter of time until he did go.

Liverpool of course saw other changes with the arrival of Roy Hodgson. It seemed to split opinion. Some said he would do greatly, others said he would be a waste of time. Personally he should be given the chance. Notably since his arrival we have acquired Joe Cole on a free transfer. Considering he had the opportunity to join Arsenal or Tottenham who were able to offer Champions League football, it's a kind of scoop to sign him. Sadly Roy has the difficulty of getting a left back before the start of the season. There's not long left till the first qualifying match in the Europa League and it would be handy to have one. Benitez selling Riise and Warnock and allowing Aurelio to go and now Insua possibly gone although to be honest he's not upto standard.

Liverpool haven't been the only club involved in the transfer news. The tale of Cesc Fabregas has been dominating. It seemed he was on his way then he wasn't. Arsene has been notably up front and saying he is going nowhere. After all the Frenchman is right to state this. Fabregas should be reminded that he had not long signed a long term deal to keep him at the Emirates. Surely not the attitude of a man who wanted to depart. If he was so wanting on leaving, he should have left the contract alone and put in a transfer request.

Keeping with the Barcelona theme. I guess we were quite surprised to see the amount of debt that the Catalan club has. I wonder what Platini thinks of that. The same time though, footballing authorities had been quick to criticise the spending of Premier League clubs, but I can't wait to see what they have to say about Barcelona. I guess though I maybe waiting a long time for them to criticise the Nou Camp side. Jealousy of English football cannot go on without the pitfuls of other European clubs being home to extremely big debts. Would Uefa dare to deny Barcelona a place in the Champions League, to hell they wouldn't. English clubs are an easy target. Of course if it was the number of foreigners, then why are Inter Milan not being penalised. They are a side that has foreigners a plenty. I guess though until we get level headed people running the game, we should expect more of this to come.