Moyes the key to Everton’s progress

Having been on holiday for the past week, I have been devoid of any major football news recently. Not surprisingly, the Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Barry transfer sagas continue to rumble on, while Alexsander Hleb has left Arsenal for Barcelona.

But whilst at the beach on the final day before setting off for home, I picked up a couple of British newspapers to try and get up to speed with the footie news and, as an Evertonian, a small piece on David Moyes being close to agreeing a new contract with the club caught my eye.

The article said that the Toffees manager was close to agreeing a new 5 year deal worth £60,000 a week after seeking assurances about the club’s future transfer dealings from chairman Bill Kenwright. Everton have, so far, been quiet on the transfer front while losing a vital cog and one of the Premier League’s most underrated players in Lee Carsley to Birmingham City.

But, as players come and go, the most important thing for Everton has to be securing Moyes on a long term deal, which I’m sure they will, but I’d rather see it done sooner rather than later. In my view Moyes has cemented his place as one the top managers in the British game with his work at Goodison Park.

When he arrived, the club were a sinking ship. The memories of the successful era of the 1980s, when League and European success was the norm, had long gone as relegation battles became common place, with two great escapes in 1994 and 1998. Joe Royle’s 1995 FA Cup win wasn’t built on in the way the Goodison faithful had hoped.

In stepped Moyes. He steered the club away from relegation and has secured European qualification, including the club’s first ever Champions League campaign, 3 times. Much of this achieved on a shoe string budget, though he has three times smashed the club’s transfer record- £6 million on the departed James Beattie, £8.6 on Andy Johnson and £11 million on Yakubu, who had a terrific first season last term.

Moyes initially made Everton a hard working team who were well organised and hard to beat. Indeed, the number of 1-0 scorelines in Everton’s favour in that historic 04/05 Champions League season indicated that. But a team of grafters has slowly been added to with gifted, technical players- Mikel Arteta, one of the finest midfielders in the league, the aforementioned Yakubu, Joseph Yobo and Joelon Lescott, a fine footballer for a centre back and scorer of 10 goals last season.

Everton’s fans are keen to see the club build on last season’s fifth place finish, run to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup and Carling Cup semi final appearance. Hopefully a trophy and a top 4 finish could be achieveable and of course the manager needs funds to bring more quality to what is already a talented squad.

But firstly, the board should give Moyes the assurances he needs and sign him now. It is clear that he loves the club and its fans and it is hard to see him manage elsewhere. If he keeps progressing, he may become a target for an even bigger club than the Blues, but if the board back the manager in the transfer market, why would he want to go anywhere else? Under his guidance, Everton are going places and tying him down could be one of the most important the signings could make in recent years.

The ongoing Kirkby stadium yes/ no debate still rages on and may or may not have an impact on the manager’s transfer budget. The new stadium is a debate for another day, but what is clear is that an Everton with David Moyes will continue to be a prosperous and strong Everton. An Everton without, well, I’m not so sure it would be so bright.

Pars fans prejudging? Who’d a thunk it?

Being a Dunfermline Athletic supporter guarantees quite a few things. For every high point, you know that just around the corner, a low point awaits you. It is ingrained in you to be rather pessimistic about things, as if you dare be optimistic, it all goes pear shaped (see last season’s First Division campaign as proof).

Back in the mid 1990s when I first started attending Pars matches home and away, we had a terrific core support. Now, currently we still have a good core support in terms of number, which can hover anywhere between the 4-6,000 mark. Back then though, the crowd were right behind the team from the off- and could act as the proverbial 12th man.

Manager of the 1995/96 First Division winning team, club legend Bert Paton, noted that, in reference to the 1-0 defeat of Dundee United in the penultimate day which almost assured the Pars of the championship, “anyone who doubts our support is a 12th man should have heard the volume that day.”

Those days are still there for the big games, but Pars fans in recent years have taken on a new side to their persona, and it is one of prejudging players, or finding a scapegoat for if things don’t work out too well on the pitch.

Why am I bumbling on with this? Well, manager Jim McIntyre finally secured the signing of his top summer target this week in the shape of Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker, Graham Bayne. The Athletic paid the Highlanders £30,000 to lure the Fifer back to the Kingdom to bolster our attacking options which had been left down to the manager and youngsters such as Iain Williamson, following the departures of Mark Burchill and Stevie Crawford, adding to Jim Hamilton leaving for St Mirren in January.

Having seen him play with Caley against us before, I know exactly the kind of player we’re getting. Bayne, as McIntyre points out, will bring a physical dimension to the team. He will act as a player to link the play, bring his team-mates into it and create chances for them.

“He is strong in the air and can hold the ball up. He is good with his back to goal and his strength is his team play. He works hard, runs the channels- he is just a good all round team player,” McIntyre commented.

However, despite this, some Pars fans have immediately dismissed him as “rubbish” and “a waste of money”. Why? The only thing they have looked at is his goalscoring record- 33 goals in 159 games. Admittedly, strikers will always be judged on their goalscoring record and Bayne’s isn’t exactly prolific, but I can’t get my head around punters immediately dismissing him as a no-hoper.

McIntyre is fully aware that he isn’t renowned for hitting 15-20 goals a season, but he will be able to lay on chances for a more prolific strike partner, with the boss working hard to sign at least 2 strikers as well as a right sided midfielder before we kick off our First Division assault at Partick Thistle in August.

Instead of prejudging, I wish some Dunfermline fans would wait until they’ve at least pulled on the black and white before assessing the contributions, or lack of, a player can make to the team. What should count in the hitman’s favour is that he’s determined to come in and work hard- Pars fans love a grafter- and is a Fifer, which is another plus point when playing for the West Fifers.

I welcome Graham to the club and am sure he will be a success. It would be ironic if he went on to score 20 odd goals and have his most prolific net bulging season- the opinions of those already judging him would soon change.

Goodnight Vienna for brave Turks as Germany reach final

They do it all too often that it shouldn’t surprise anymore. They can play exceptionally well and win football matches. They can also play rather poorly and still win football matches. Germany have such a great habit of winning games even with their backs against the wall; a winning football mentality which is why they have been world and European champions three times apiece.

And it happened again last night in their Euro 2008 semi final against shock troops Turkey. An enthralling match ended in what had been expected beforehand; a German victory and place in Sunday’s final against Spain, who defeated Russia, another tournament shock troop, with surprising ease this evening. But not before Germany had effectively got out of jail against a Turkish team who were bereft of a whole host of their first choice players.

Their star striker Nihat was injured towards the end of the quarter final with Croatia and missed out along with Newcastle United’s Emre, while first choice goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was also serving the second of his two game suspension after a red card in the group game with the Czech Republic which dramatically saw the Turks progress.

All pointed to a comfortable evening for Jochaim Low’s team, who had impressively disposed of new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Portugal at the last eight stage. With the luxury of a full squad to pick from, it seemed that it be a certain victory for Germany.

But Fatih Terim’s Turks had other ideas and London born former Bury, Brighton and Sheffield United striker, Colin Kazim Richards, gave the favourites their first fright of the night when his fierce drive rattled goalkeeper Jens Lehmann’s crossbar after only 12 minutes.

It should have served as a warning to Low’s team who had started in a really sluggish and lethargic fashion. They were failing to create anything going forward, skipper Michael Ballack was anonymous and defensively they were all over the place. And they were made to pay 22 minutes in.

Kazim Richards again caused the problems, and another of his efforts hit the woodwork but fell for Ugur Boral, who squeezed a shot between Lehmann’s legs to give the outsiders the lead. Cue pandemonium from the Turkish supporters, who had seen their team lead in these championships by all of 3 minutes prior to kick off.

The lead did last longer than that- 4 minutes to be precise as the Germans hit back with an excellent leveller. In their first meaningful attack, Lukas Podolski broke down the right hand side and his low ball into the area was finished via a deft touch from Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has responded to criticism from German legend Franz Beckenbauer earlier in the tournament in style.

His second goal of the tournament was a blow to the impressive Turks and Podolski blazed over with Miroslav Klose unmarked in the middle, but not before Lehmann was caught out completely by a Hamit Altintop free-kick, very much akin to Ronaldinho’s effort against David Seaman at the 2002 World Cup. But the Arsenal goalkeeper just about got back to push the ball over.

Germany were rocking and Lehmann made a better fist of things as he was called into action again, this time pushing away a fierce free-kick from Ugur.

Low would’ve been relieved to get his troops into the dressing room still level at half time; the lack of urgency and invention from Germany was puzzling, in complete contrast to the quarter final with Portugal. Ballack was anonymous and Torsten Frings, not fit enough for the starting XI, was introduced in place of Simon Rolfes, who had received a nasty head wound.

Frings for me has been one of the outstanding players of Euro 2008 but even he couldn’t inspire his side to rise above, at best, mediocrity as Turkey continued to look the better team and Ugur against had Lehmann worried with a fine shot.

But, as they so often do, Germany made their opponents pay for failing to take advantage of being on top with 11 minutes remaining, and it was a massive error by veteran keeper Rustu, who today confirmed he has retired from the international arena, which gifted the Germans their second.

Full back Philip Lahm sent over a cross ball which looked like it would be easily dealt with, but instead Rustu got nowhere near it and Klose was on hand to nod Germany into the lead.

2-1 down, it looked over for Turkey but the team who had come back from the dead with 3 minutes left against the Czech Republic by scoring twice to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and who equalised Croatia’s 129th minute opener in the Quarter Final, roared back in sensational form once more.

Superb play on the right hand touchline by Sabri Sarioglu saw him knock the ball around Lahm, and from the goal-line he played the ball to the near post where Semih Senturk was on hand to flick the ball into the net with four minutes to play.

But Turkey’s celebrations were short-lived as Germany gave them a tase of what the Czechs and Croatians had to endure in the last minute by stealing a winning goal. And with the German defence rocky all evening, it was ironic that a defender should send them through. Lahm charged forward and, via a neat one two with ex Aston Villa man Thomas Hitzlsperger, he planted a shot high into the net to break Turkish hearts.

As Germany celebrated their place in the final out of relief more than anything, Turkey’s players sank to the ground in the midst of such an agonising and cruel defeat. A team which had a patched up look about it again confounded experts and produced a display which deserved to take them into Sunday’s showpiece with Spain.

One wonders how they would’ve fared had Nihat et al been available, but it’s goodnight Vienna for them. If Germany are to waltz their way to the trophy Viennese style, they will have to play a lot, lot better than they did against the brave Turks.

Domenech on the brink

There was one camera shot of Raymond Domenech, the France coach, which summed up his Euro 2008 last night. His team were seven minutes from the departure lounge back to France, 2-0 down to Italy and down to 10 men following Eric Abidal’s first half red card. Thierry Henry looked to have won his side a corner in a desperate effort to give Les Blues a glimmer of a chance of qualification. But referee Lubos Michel incorrectly awarded the Italians a goal kick.

The coach’s reaction? One of disbelieving laughter. It had been a night where everything that could go wrong for his team, did go wrong. Captain Lillian Thuram was left out due to concerns over his attitude, which marks a sad end to international football for the French’s most capped star. They lost the influential midfielder Franck Ribery to injury, then the opening goal on 25 minutes thanks to Andrea Pirlo’s penalty after Abidal hauled down Luca Toni to earn an early bath. Ribery’s replacement, Arsenal target Samir Nasri, then had to be sacrificed for defender Jean-Alain Boumsong before Daniele De Rossi despatched a free kick via a big deflection from Henry into the net to clinch a quarter final with Spain for the World Champions.

Whilst Roberto Donadoni’s team have recovered from their opening defeat to the Netherlands, France haven’t got going in the tournament. Indeed, even during qualification they very rarely looked the impressive force they were in 1998 and 2000, and in the latter stages of the 2006 World Cup. Scotland defeated them twice in the qualifiers and in the match in Paris (the glory goal below), we rarely looked troubled; France lacked any imagination or craft to fashion any clear cut openings.

And it was a similar story in their snore draw with Romania. The Romanians were content to sit in and see if Domenech’s team could break them down- they couldn’t. Indeed, France could’ve lost it towards the end as Romania adopted a bloder approach.

They then took on the Dutch, who have taken the tournament by storm with their fast, free flowing attacking style. And they showed no mercy, inflicting a painful 4-1 thrashing to set up last night’s make or break game with Italy, providing Romania failed to beat Marco Van Basten’s team.

But it all went spectacularly wrong for the 2 time European Champions and they have to endure the humiliation of finishing bottom of the “group of death” with just one goal to their name. Domenech last night looked like a man about to pay for the price of failure- his look in the camera shot I mentioned had one of resignation about it.

France may be lacking the creative genius of a Michel Platini or Zinedine Zidane currently, but they have enough gifted stars to have made a better fist of things. The likes of Henry, Claude Makalele and Franck Ribery are established world class stars, playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Added to that they have rising stars such as Lyon’s Karim Benzema and Nasri to call upon. They are not a side lacking in talented players.

The buck ultimately stops with the manager and it seemed to me that some of the players had lost confidence in Domenech. His team, for most of his tenure, looked unconvincing and with the likes of Makalele and Thuram retiring from the international scene, a fresh start all round could be wise for France as they build towards the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Au’ revoir Domenech and bonjour Didier Deschamps? I would not be surprised.

Greece- A total turn off

This latest Euro 2008 post is one which I feel compelled to make following the end of the opening matches of the tournament. Group D’s opening games were played yesterday and as Spain wowed and delighted en route to a sparkling demolition of Russia, the later game between Sweden and Greece had a lot to live up to.

Now, not for a minute am I suggesting that the quality in this game should have been equal to David Villa’s fantastic hat-trick, but this is Europe’s elite tournament, so you would expect the games to be high on quality and contain excitement.

Already, we’ve had a candidate for the most boring game at a major finals as France and Romania battled out a dour 0-0 draw in Group C. But to eradicate that, we had the magnificent Holland and Italy clash, providing a high point of the tournament along with the performances of Spain, Portugal and Germany.

As artistic and full of individual brilliance that these teams are, the same cannot be said of the reigning European Champions Greece. They shocked the continent by winning Euro 2004 but did not endear themselves to neutrals in doing so.

The Greeks deployed a rigid defensive strategy, which invited teams to try and break them down and if they failed to do so, they would hit them on the counter attack. It worked for them in Portugal four years ago, frustrating teams into submission, most notably the hosts in the final, before emerging triumphant.

So I wasn’t exactly looking forward to a free flowing game between them and the colourful Swedes, who had Henrik Larsson back in the side. Before the match, I expected Lars Lagerback’s side to make the running and attack, while Otto Rehhagel’s would defend in numbers in an attempt to stifle the game.

I have nothing wrong with playing defensively per se. Defending is an important part of the game, and has as much skill involved as a Marco Van Basten screamer. Indeed, I have watched Scotland play a cautious game on many occasions, most notably against France at Hampden Park in the qualifiers- and we emerged victorious.

But, my friends, the Greek philosophy on football plumbed to such a depth that I turned the game off at half time in favour of a round of Mario Golf on my Nintendo Gamecube. Yep, that’s right, you did just read that- me, football nutter extraordinare, switched a game off in favour of playing a video games console.

I somehow had watched France and Romania in full, but this game was even worse. Sweden to their credit tried to make things happen, with Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic busy up front, but failed to really penetrate a well marshalled Greek backline. But the holders, apart from a shot from Euro 2004 goal hero Angelos Charisteas, created nothing and indeed seemed to be happy with making no effort to attack.

There were 2 incidents towards the end of the opening period which caused my turn off. The first was the sight of the Greek back 3 playing keep ball between them for about a minute in their own half, with no intention of moving forward. Someone should’ve told them that this isn’t a passing exercise in training- this is match one of the European Championships, where a win will go a long way to securing qualification.

The second saw a Greek player (forgive me for forgetting who it was) booting the ball from around half way out of play down by the corner flag, almost like a rugby player kicking for touch to gain yardage. It was unbelievably infuriating to watch and the crowd made their displeasure known.

Not only was it poor that they were seemingly happy to do nothing in a constructive sense and try to hold on for a draw, they were cheating the millions watching across Europe, and most importantly their own fans, who have travelled to the tournament in large numbers to see their side play and hopefully progress.

I earlier made the point that I have watched Scotland play defensively, so you could accuse me of being hypocritical. However, I will counter that point with the fact that Scotland play to a much higher tempo and use their pacy, energetic midfield players and full backs to push forward when breaking forward to create chances of their own. Scotland play an exciting game, particularly at home- Greece I’m afraid do not.

I was only inclined to switch back on once I’d heard Ibrahimovic had shot Sweden into a second half lead with a fine goal, and the second, a real comedy scrap of a goal which you can enjoy here, was one I was pleased about. Pleased that a team who could be so negative at a major international tournament had their fate sealed by a woeful goal to lose from a defensive stance.

So Spain thrill, Greece turn off. Greece V Romania in the quarter finals? That’s a terrifying thought, but one which we needn’t worry about. The Greeks negative, boring style will not see them through. In my humble opinion, take Spain and Sweden’s attacking intent and ability to progress to the quarter finals.

Dazzling Dutch Destroy shell shocked Italians

The most eagerly anticipated match of the opening fixtures of Euro 2008 pitted two of world football’s heavyweights. The Netherlands, European Champions in 1988, against Italy, the reigning World Champions. For the neutral, this promised to be an enthralling game, certainly of more entertainment value than the other Group C match earlier in the day as France dismally failed to break through a stubborn Romania in a 0-0 draw.

History pointed towards the Azzurri. Their last defeat to the Dutch had come way back at the 1978 World Cup and had beaten Holland in the last competitive game between the two countries, in the Euro 2000 semi finals. But they were missing injured captain Fabio Cannavaro, sidelined for the entire tournament. Marco Van Basten meanwhile had to contend with injuries to key men such as Arjen Robben, as well as the withdrawl from internationals of AC Milan star Clarence Seedorf.

But still they fielded a potent side in Berne. As a Scotland fan, I watched with a veted interest- to see how Italy, who defeated us in the final qualification match to seal their spot in the Alps ahead of us, would progress, and also to look at the Dutch, who will provide formidable opposition in the race to qualify for the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

But back to the present and the game started at a ferocious pace, with both sides showing their attacking intentions clear. Italy, famed for their defensive qualities, began with an adventurous formation, Antonio di Natalie and Mauro Camoranesi supporting front man Luca Toni, while the Dutch deployed Ruud Van Nistelrooy up front, supported by Wesley Sneijder.

The Bayern Munich and Real Madrid strikers exchanged early chances, with Toni heading a Rino Gattuso cross wide, then Van Nistelrooy latched onto a Dirk Kuyt pass and rounded Buffon but he couldn’t quite turn the ball into an effort at goal.

But the Oranje didn’t have to wait long for the opener, which arrived in controversial fashion. An inswinging free-kick from Rafael Van der Vaart was punched clear by Buffon, but fell to Sneijder at the edge of the box. His shot was touched in by Van Nistelrooy from inside the 6 yard box, and the striker looked offside but the Swedish officials failed to spot it and the goal stood.

Italy were furious, but part of this observer felt it quite ironic. Their winning goal against the Scots at Hampden in November came from a free-kick for a non-existent foul on our full back Allan Hutton. Karma.

But if they felt an injustice there, they could do nothing to prevent the second goal six minutes later. An Italian corner was cleared from the line by Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, who embarked on a lung bursting run upfield following the release of Van der Vaart down the right hand side. He switched the play back to Van Bronckhorst, who in turn crossed the ball beyond the Italians far post to Kuyt. The Liverpool forward nodded the ball into the path of the onrushing Sneijder, who planted a half volley beyond the helpless Buffon.

It was one of the greatest counter attacking goals you are likely to see, and an early candidate for goal of the tournament. Van Nistelrooy should’ve put Holland out of sight before half time after being put one on one with Buffon, but the world’s most expensive keeper made a fine save.

Donadoni’s side were shell shocked and came out for the second half in determined mood, and created a few chances. Subsitute Alessandro Del Piero forced Edwin van der Sar into a save, while Toni wasted a golden chance as he lobbed over the bar with Van der Sar beaten from close range.

The Manchester United keeper was then forced into a brave block to deny World Cup final penalty hero Fabio Grosso before inspiring the goal which sealed a famous night for the Dutch. A vicious Andrea Pirlo free-kick was superbly saved by the Holland number 1 at his near post, and Andre Ooijer started a move which saw Sneijder on the left hand side move over halfway and release the tireless Van Bronckhorst. The Dutch left back squared the ball to Kuyt, with just 3 Italians defending. His shot was saved by Buffon but Kuyt retrieved the ball on the right and crossed back into the box for the unmarked Van Bronckhorst to head home, despite the best efforts of Gianluca Zambrotta on the line.

A second astonishing counter-attacking goal from Holland and a great goal and fitting topping to the performance of former Rangers and Arsenal man Van Bronckhorst, who had an outstanding display all night. Italy in fact had played well in the second half but they simply couldn’t put the ball into the net. It was Holland’s night and they are now firm favourites to qualify for the quarter finals, topping the group by 2 points.

The Italians have it all to do against Romania, who they play next, and France but they can take heart from their second half showing- certainly, Italy played better than France did against Romania. That tells you the vast difference in quality there was between the games played on day 3 of the championships.

But Van Basten can be proud of his team, a wonderful start and fabulous display featuring the famed Dutch “total football”. I said in my previous post that Germany are my tip to win it, but on this evidence, Holland will not be too far away. 20 years ago, they triumphed in Germany, with Van Basten the star as a player. I feel they have a very good chance of progressing far if they continue the way they did in their opening match.

Good news for Holland, bad news for Scotland and the rest of our World Cup rivals……..George take note- the Dutch are good. In fact, they can be very very good.

Germany and Portugal the early stars of Austria/Switzerland

Euro 2008 finally got underway on Saturday afternoon after weeks of anticipation across Europe. Not that you would have known in Britain, as the country’s media have chosen to somewhat ignore the showpiece event until the week of its kick off after none of the home nations managed to make it to the Alps. And this lack of interest even threatened, albeit briefly, to spill on to me, as I was unsure about including it on my blog.

But, with a feast of football to look forward to over the next month, I had to include it. Switzerland kicked off proceedings with the Czech Republic, who in my opinion are definitely one of the dark horses to look out for in the championships. The Czechs impressed me in their 3-1 defeat of Scotland prior to the tournament, though George Burley’s team were very much understrength.

The Swiss themselves have a decent pedigree in recent years, so a close content was anticipated. And it was, with the Czechs scraping a one goal victory thanks to Vaclav Sverkos. The Swiss, who will be without captain Alexander Frei for the rest of the tournament due to a knee injury sustained in the game, had a dramatic late penalty appeal for handball turned down, as well as hitting the bar through Johan Vonlathen in a second half dominated by the co-hosts.

So it was a nervy start for Karl Bruckner’s Czechs, but it was not so for another fancied team, Portugal, as they confirmed their status as Group A favourites with a comfortable victory over Turkey in Geneva. Phil Scolari’s team played with a zest and a flair throughout that the Turks couldn’t match, with Cristiano Ronaldo in menacing mood, hitting the post with a first half free-kick. Striker Nuno Gomes also hit the woodwork before he played a one two with centre back Pepe, who slid home the opener on 61 minutes.

The Portugese were impressive to watch and Gomes hit the bar with a header before Sporting Lisbon captain Joao Moutinho set up Raul Meireles to seal the win in stoppage time. A convincing and well deserved win, and you feel it will be hard for either Switzerland or Turkey to qualify for the quarter finals at the expense of the Group A pacesetters.

The opening matches of Group B took place yesterday and it was Austria’s turn to light up their own tournament. They were up against the much fancied Croatia, and this author has them down as real dark horses to go all the way. Having witnessed at first hand Slaven Billic’s side at Hampden in March, I believe they are a good side with excellent individuals, technical ability and a great team ethic. The Austrians are ranked 92nd in the FIFA World Rankings, as opposed to Croatia in 15th. On paper, it was a total mismatch in favour of Croatia.

But this didn’t matter little, as Austria put up a very creditable performance in the Ernst Happel Stadion, which will host the final. However, Luka Modric’s 4th minute penalty after Rene Aufhauser felled Ivica Ollic was enough to give Croatia a win they barely deserved, as the hosts threw everything at them in the second period. Umit Korkmaz saw a shot well saved while Roman Kienast headed narrowly wide as Austria narrowly missed out on a draw they at the least deserved.

A win then for Croatia, but much for Billic to mull over ahead of their next game, against Germany. Comparing the performances of Croatia and the Germans, Billic’s team will have to up their game significantly if they are to defeat the 3 time world champions as they impressively dismissed Poland in Klagenfurt.

This was an eagerly anticipated game, given the history between the two countries and the rather heated build up in the Polish and, to a lesser extent, German media. I expected a fierce contest but what we got was a competitive game played in the right spirit, with some good football. While the Poles certainly played well in spells, particularly at the start of the second half, they lacked penetration to hurt the German rearguard, even though they did look shaky at times.

And Germany punished them and deserved the win, handed to them by a Polish born striker. Lukas Podolski, who moved from Poland to Germany when he was 2 years old and subsequently went on to represent Deutschland, fired them on the path to victory on 20 minutes, aided by some horrific Poland defending. They were static as Miroslav Klose broke free and squared for Podolski to tap home.

Germany’s attacking play was a joy to watch, with Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack in impressive form in midfield, initiating their side’s attacking play. While their opponents had them on the back foot in the second half, Chelsea star Ballack forced a brilliant save from Celtic keeper Artur Boruc after a fierce drive before Podolski wrapped up the win with 18 minutes to go.

There was good fortune about it, as Klose completely miscued what appeared to be a shot from a Bastian Schweinsteiger pass, which fell to Podolski who smashed home a brilliant volley past the helpless Boruc. This was a confident, assured and at times classy German display, and they showed why they are my tip for the tournament.

Poland however simply must win against Austria on Sunday to have a chance of going through, and the same has to be said for the Austrians. Germany take on Croatia next and I feel that will be a lot closer than tonight’s game for Germany, and I expect a much a much improved Croatian display. However, I expect both to progress from Group B.

So there we go then, impressive early starts for Germany and Portugal. Croatia and the Czech Republic look nervy early on. Later today I’ll focus on Group C, or the ‘group of death’. France take on Romania at 5pm, before Holland and Italy play at 7.45 in what is a mouthwatering clash. Its a game where the beers are being well chilled in preparation.

Until then, Auf Wiedersehen……..

From Red to Blue as City nab Sparky

If you leaf through those players who were revered by the Stretford End, the number of attacking players immediately stick out at you. The likes of Best, Law, Charlton, Jordan, Giggs, Cantona, Cole, Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo. Each of whom have earned their place in the folklore of Manchester United. Another one of those United fans would instantly name is Mark Hughes, who had 2 highly successful spells at Old Trafford, scoring 164 goals in 470 games for the club. In a glittering playing career, he won 2 league titles, 3 FA Cups, the European Cup Winners Cup and a League Cup with the Reds, and was quite often the scourge of their Manchester rivals in derby fixtures.

But today, Hughes put all this aside as he took over as Manchester City manager after Sven-Goran Eriksson’s departure. Earlier on this blog, I made my views about that affair and City’s owner Thaskin Shinawatra quite clear but it is my belief that they have picked a tremendous successor to the Swede.

Since retiring from playing in 2002, the Welshman has embarked on a successful managerial career. In 1999 he was appointed manager of Wales, despite still playing with Southampton, and latterly with Everton and Blackburn Rovers.

His time in charge of his country is most noted for their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign, where they finished 2nd in their group to Italy, forcing a play off match with Russia. Although this included a famous defeat of the Italians in Cardiff, they fell at the last hurdle to the Russians over 2 legs.

But Hughes’ work had not gone unnoticed and in September of 2004 he took charge of Blackburn, following Graeme Souness’ move to Newcastle. Working on a shoestring budget, Hughes guided Rovers to Premier League safety and an FA Cup semi final, their first in over 40 years, but they lost out to Arsenal.

Rovers continued to improve under his guidance and a superb 6th place finish in his second season ensured European football back at Ewood Park. They reached the UEFA Cup round of 32 the following season, losing out to German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Another top ten finish and FA Cup semi final appearance, along with this season’s 7th place, saw his stock rise still further. Working with one of the smaller budgets in the Premier League, with one his bigger buys being Roque Santa Cruz for around £3.5 million, it is widely acknowledged that Hughes has worked miracles with Blackburn, establishing them as one of England’s leading clubs.

But today he moved back to Manchester with the blue side, citing greater potential at Eastlands for the move. He said: “I had a fantastic time at Blackburn.

“There was a limit to how far I could take the club and it’s a case now that I’m at a club that can match my ambitions.”

Clearly, Hughes will not let past club loyalties get in the way of his progression as a manager, and that has to warm the hearts of City’s fans. With all due respect to Blackburn, a club whom I greatly admire, Hughes has joined a far bigger club- larger squad, larger fanbase and they are awash with money thanks to Shinawatra, in contrast to the more limited resources available to him at Ewood.

He sees City as a club that can, and should, challenge regularly in Europe and in domestic competition. Given the success he had signing bargain players at Blackburn, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Sparky can have City reaching cup finals and challenging the European spots in the league with financial backing.

Early on at Blackburn, Hughes’ team had a reputation for being physical, which Arsene Wenger complained about after the aforementioned FA Cup semi final. But Hughes progressively built a side that was attractive to watch, with players such as Santa Cruz, Morten Gamst Pedersen and England star David Bentley coming to prominence and giving Blackburn a real zest and flair to their play.

And that sort of level is what City’s supporters will be hoping for. They saw it for the first half of the season under Eriksson and they will hope Hughes can restore that in the coming season. I still feel that Shinawatra was perhaps hasty in sacking the Swede, but I have to feel that he will have appeased the supporters by acquiring Hughes.

It poses the question though- if he is successful at Eastlands, could he be the man to eventually succeed Sir Alex Ferguson when he retires from Manchester United? I wouldn’t be surprised at that.

But that is for the future. For the present, what is Blackburn’s loss will almost certainly be Manchester City’s gain. The fact he is a hero of their sworn rivals will eventually be forgotten.

The Dream is Over as Gretna booted to Division 3

Gretna Green. Famous for its weddings for loved up couples, perhaps the most romantic destination in Britain. But for the village football club, the honeymoon is over and those wedding chimes can now be replaced with a funeral march. Gretna are on the brink of oblivion after being demoted all the way down to Division 3 on Thursday night.

The decision comes following a meeting between the Scottish Football League and the club’s administrators, still desperately seeking a buyer for the striken club. Gretna had been given a deadline in which to assure the SFL that they would be able to fulfil their fixtures for next season but they failed to do so, resulting in the league invoking a ruling which sends them down to the bottom division following their Premier League relegation.

The decision means that the losing play off finalists will each take a step up, so Airdrie United enter the First Division, and Stranraer move up to Division Two. However, Gretna look likely to go bust this week with still nobody showing a genuine interest in rescuing the club, which was placed in the hands of administrators in March.

The club’s major benefactor, the likeable and colourful Brooks Mileson, has had his share of health problems and was admitted to hospital in February, after which he withdrew his financial support for the club. They struggled to raise a team for an SPL match at Aberdeen and just after they entered administration, a record low crowd for a Scottish Premier League match of 501 turned up to watch them play Dundee United.

The fact they have had to play at Motherwell’s Fir Park as Raydale didn’t meet SPL requirements hasn’t helped as their already small fanbase began to dwindle. Now, with all staff having been paid off, it looks like the Gretna fairytale will end in tragedy with the closure of the club. One man’s dream has ended in one club’s total nightmare, despite the many highs they have had along the way.

From Division Three to the Premier League in successive seasons, via a Scottish Cup final and shortlived European adventure, it was too much, too quick for Gretna. They never had the fanbase to sustain Premier League football, never mind playing at a ground 75 miles away from their own. And when a club only has one way of generating income through a benefactor, the reality is always there that things can go belly up. Mileson is famed for his love of lucozade and fags. The club that he built up in a rags to riches tale would be lucky to afford one bottle of the energy drink to share around the club now.

Awaiting developments this week with interest will be Spartans, Annan Athletic, Cove Rangers and Preston Athletic. If Gretna go out of business, then a place will be open in the Third Division and these clubs are all ready to apply to join the SFL for next season. East of Scotland rivals Annan and Preston have applied for SFL membership before and been rejected, but have plans to upgrade or move grounds. But my smart money would be on Spartans, who have been a big name in recent years due to twice reaching the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

The club are moving to a brand new stadium in Edinburgh for next season and my feeling is that the SFL may seek a change from inviting Highland clubs having invited Ross County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Peterhead and Elgin City in the last 10-15 years.

So by the end of the week, it looks set to be wedding bells sounding to witness the marriage between the SFL and a new member club. The church that does the weddings down at the border should start preparing itself for the expected funeral of a club who have been terminal for some time.

Living the Dream? They lived and chased it and it was mostly a happy union. Sadly, Gretna’s love affair with the Scottish game is ending in poverty stricken divorce.

Football League Play Offs review

Now everyone, I know that today is Wednesday and the football league play off finals took place over the Bank Holiday weekend, so forgive me for posting about it later. I’ve had a strenuous few days of posting on other topics, and preparing an assignment due for this Friday before Uni disappears until September. Well, that’s my token argument anyway.

But, as usual, the play offs didn’t disappoint as six teams battled it out for promotion. Normally, the League Two play off is on the Saturday, with League One on Sunday and the Championship on Bank Holiday Monday. But this year the Football League switched the League Two and Championship finals because of Euro 2008 and the fact some of the home nations may be involved. Alas, none made it and we’ll all be picking a European side to follow from our armchairs.

But the match for a place in the Premier League still went ahead on Saturday between Bristol City and Hull City at Wembley. Earlier on this blog, I have lauded the Championship as one of the most exciting and unpredictable leagues around, and I also applauded the achievements of Bristol in reaching the play off final in their first Championship season after promotion.

Hull also deserve immense credit as former Derby County boss Phil Brown has turned them from relegation battlers into a side brimming with confidence and challenging at the top end. They went to London in search of a top flight place for the first time in their entire history, with 40,000 fans backing them.

The West Country side’s fans didn’t disappoint the Robins either, with similar numbers turning out to create a terrific atmosphere under the arc. It doesn’t sound as sexy as the Twin Towers does it? Oh well, never mind.

The two sides were seperated by just a point in the league table, with Hull 3rd and Bristol 4th, and it was a tight match as you would expect, with nerves on both teams and chances at a premium. But it was a moment of genius which saw Hull go in front after 38 minutes.

Dean Windass, the former Aberdeen and Bradford City striker, is remarkably still turning out at the age of 39 for his hometown club. Not for sentimental reasons, but because his undoubted ability has never waned and he marked his first appearance at Wembley with the goal which sent Hull to the promised land.

His strike partner Frazier Campbell, on loan from Manchester United, crossed to the edge of the area and Windass struck with a superb volley 18 yards out to give Bristol keeper Adriano Basso no chance.

Gary Johnson’s team fought back in the second half and Lee Trundle went agonisingly close to an equaliser, but it was not enough and Hull celebrated top flight promotion. At this point, credit has to go to the two managers for leading their clubs to wonderful seasons and I believe Bristol City will bounce back next year.

But Phil Brown deserves immense credit. To be the man who leads the Tigers into the top league for the first time is tremendous and his team have had a consistently good season. And when I saw goal hero Windass play for Aberdeen against Dunfermline many a time in the mid to late 1990’s, I never imagined that in 2008 he’d be heading to Old Trafford and the Emirates to go up against the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Kolo Toure. Remarkable.

So as East Yorkshire celebrated, a great deal of the south of the county headed to Wembley on Sunday as Doncaster Rovers took on fallen giants Leeds United in the League One final. Donny had been outwith the second tier of English football for over 50 years and were in the non league doldrums just five years previous, while Leeds had never been as low as League One until this season. And, amazingly, just 7 years ago, they were taking on Valencia in the semi final of the Champions League.

But that was then and former Scotland and Leeds skipper Gary McAllister aimed to take them back to the second tier after replacing Dennis Wise in January. Its been a controversial season, with Leeds docked 15 points at the start of the season for financial mismanagement but they prodcued stunning form to overcome that defecit. Indeed, their record of 27 wins, 10 draws and just 9 defeats would’ve seen them win promotion behind champions Swansea if they had not been given the deduction.

But Sean O’Driscoll’s Rovers side were superior on the day and James Hayter’s header in the second half from a corner kick proved enough to win the match. Rovers passed the ball around the slick Wembley surface with ease and dominated the opening exchanges, with United failing to get any sort of foothold on the game, with Doncaster creating chance after chance.

Hayter’s goal 2 minutes into the second period was just reward and while McAllister’s men poured forward in the final 10 minutes, they failed to trouble former United keeper Neil Sullivan to any real degree and it is Doncaster who join Swansea and Nottingham Forest in next season’s Championship.

For Leeds, it was more final heartbreak. In 2006 they lost out to Watford in the Championship play off in Cardiff, while on their last trip to Wembley in 1996, they were beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa in the Coca Cola Cup. However, you’d think they will be strong favourites to win promotion next term.

Onto the final match on Monday now and, living in the shadow of Manchester United and Manchester City, Rochdale and Stockport County don’t get much limelight. But Monday was their day in the sun and I confess to knowing little about either team (apologies to fans of both sides!) However, I do remember Stockport from the 1990s when they were in the Championship and, oddly, a Coca Cola Cup game with Middlesbrough which was live on ITV. I remember nothing about it apart from Stockport playing in Adidas, Robinson’s juice sponsored strips at Edgeley Park.

County had been beaten in four previous visits to Wembley in play off games, Rochdale manager Keith Hill had transformed them from relegation battlers to promotion chasers but the gods were not with his team- they had won promotion just once in their entire history and had played in England’s bottom league for 34 years.

In a terrific game, Rochdale took the lead early on through a Rory McArdle header but a Nathan Stanton own goal, an Anthony Pilkington header and Liam Dickinson sealed it for Jim Gannon’s County before Adam Rundle’s volley gave Rochdale a consolation.

So more misery for Rochdale who will enter their 35th year as a bottom tier club, while County are aiming for eventual promotion to the Championship. And why not- football without ambition, hopes and dreams is nothing. Stockport have played there before, so why not again?

So there we have it, Hull City, Doncaster Rovers and Stockport County earned Wembley glory. Congratulations to them and best wishes for next season as they each take a step up, but commiserations to Bristol City, Leeds United and Rochdale. There’s no reason why those clubs can’t bounce back next season and become heroes next season.