Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
There are some things, however, that never change. Avram Grant is a bad manager. Thanks to the autonomy of Chelsea’s squad, he was able to tag along as the players had a good, but ultimately unsuccessful season. He failed dramatically to instil any calm or stability at Portsmouth, who were relegated in style, despite a good cup run that was hardly due to Grant’s tactical nouse (nor his tactical Yorker). Gold and Sullivan will pay for their rash, ‘man-of-the-moment’ appointment of Grant, whose profile was momentarily boosted by the F.A. Cup run. Susan Boyle was about as fashionable as Grant at the time, and would do a similar job. They may survive, but after signing frivolous wingers like Piquionne, and inspiring Matthew Upson and Robert Green to magnificently recapture their World Cup form, Grant is far more of a hindrance than anything else.
The game of the weekend was undoubtedly at Goodison Park. Throwing away leads in the dying minutes is not a very Fergie thing to do at all. Even without naughty Rooney, United were in control but, like those burglars in Home Alone, were comically distracted as the cheeky Toffees made fools of them. United face Liverpool this weekend and there’s a great opportunity for Hodgson to take advantage of the derby situation on Sunday and generate some optimism and confidence at Liverpool. Torres, too, may find that the big-game atmosphere will help him capture some form. It all depends on formations, and it will be interesting to see two of this season’s weakest tacticians do battle.
Elsewhere, Blackpool continued to ride their luck, as Newcastle huffed and puffed and were done on the counter attack. Chelsea won again despite still not having played a game this season, and Spurs and City (literally) dropped more points. Will the sheiks be consistent and sack Mancini if this goes on, or will he be allowed longer than Mark Hughes to climb the league? All will be revealed soon......
Little clip of an amusing recent penalty mishap:
blackpool in the champions league - that i would like to see!
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