To be a great manager?
Posted by in Football, Other Sports
Tagged David Platt, Great managers, Jose Mourinho, Josep Guardiolo, Kevin Keegan, Roy Hodgson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Tony Adams
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Looking sideways at the appointment of Roy Hodgson the Racing Horse would like to re-examine a common question. To be a successful football manager, do you need to be a great player first? The answer is a categorical no! Playing does not give you a greater insight as to what happens on the pitch. The measure of skill a footballer … Continue reading
The next England manager is Roy Hodgson – we can live with that!
Posted by in Football, Other Sports
Tagged Betfair, England Manager, Harry Redknapp, Paul Moon, Roy Hodgson
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The Racing Horse has just received the news that the Football Association has confirmed Roy Hodgson as the next England manager. The 64-year-old has signed a four-year deal which takes him to the end of Euro 2016. The manager will remain in charge of West Bromwich Albion for the final two games of the Premier League season but will be released for … Continue reading
Relegation, dogfights and sackings…
Posted by in Football, Other Sports
Tagged Betfair, Dave Whelan, Paul Moon, Roberto Mancini, Roberto Martinez, Roy Hodgson
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Being wise after the event is very easy. We spent the weekend looking at some old pieces that the author of this site wrote for Betfair and it was amazing to see how much has changed in such a short space of time. We would like to summarise on the points raised at the end of the piece… Few managers are … Continue reading
Swansea City, style or substance?
Posted by in Football, Other Sports
Tagged Brendan Rodgers, Premier League, Scott Sinclair, Swansea City FC
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Irrespective of history, personnel, support and playing styles there are two essential pre-requisites for staying in the Premier League – to accumulate 40 points and score the goals needed to facilitate that total. Despite the Swans encouraging top-flight start they remain a side in real danger. They are a principled unit and have won acclaim for their composure and ball … Continue reading
Gary Speed (1969-2011) |
The death of Gary Speed has shook us all. We were both sport writers for Betfair until November 2007 but the article below was my take on his appointment as manager of Wales less than a year ago (10 December 2010). The response to the appointment of Gary Speed as the new Wales manager up and down the country has … Continue reading
Can Newcastle maintain their start?
Posted by in Football, Other Sports
Tagged Alan Pardew, Mike Ashley, Newcastle United FC, The Premier League
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Alan Pardew has admitted he is surprised at how well his Newcastle side has started the new season and of course he is right to be so! His team have climbed to third place in the Premier League after extending their unbeaten run since the campaign got underway to 11 games with a 2-1 home victory over Everton. The biggest … Continue reading
Gamesmanship
Posted by in Football, Other Sports
Tagged Don Revie, Gamesmanship, Holland, Jose Mourinho, Leeds United, Nigel de Yong, Sepp Blatter, Thiery Henry
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Gamesmanship is the use of dubious methods to win a game and although not always illegal it consists of pushing the rules to the limit. It is prevalent in the majority of sports but football has the highest offending rate. These days to be caught cheating or infringing the laws of the game is merely regarded as an occupational hazard. … Continue reading
Paul Lambert’s Biggest Task…
Posted by in Football, Other Sports
Tagged Betfair Relegation Market 2011/12, Grant Holt, Norwich City, Paul Lambert, Premier League, Steve Morison
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It is more than likely that Norwich will struggle to stay in the Premier League this season and one of the reasons could be a misplaced loyalty to striker Grant Holt. Holt is an old fashioned centre forward and one of a dying breed. Previously his style would have been appreciated more in the top league but the game has … Continue reading
To be a successful football manager do you need to be a good player first? The answer is a categorical no! Playing does not give you a greater insight as to what happens on the pitch, the assumption is inaccurate. The measure of skill a footballer possesses has no correlation whatsoever as to what football management entails. In recent years … Continue reading
The Gordon Taylor Interview
Posted by in Football, Other Sports
Tagged Barcelona, FIFA, Gordon Taylor, Harry Redknapp, News Of The World, Olympic Games, PFA, The Premier League
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Gordon Taylor is the Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). Despite being in the midst of the phone hacking scandal with the now defunct News of the World he kindly took time out to discuss with me the forthcoming season, but first he reflected on the events of the last year. Gordon started by saying ‘I was depressed after … Continue reading