Sheffield Wednesday lost for the fourth successive time on Saturday, this time thrashed 4-0 away to English Championship play-off hopefuls Bristol City.
Inspired by a Bobby Reid hat-trick, the Robins were far too strong for Jos Luhukay’s struggling Owls side, who looked every bit the relegation candidates that fans fear they are.
Still seven points ahead of the bottom three with 11 games to play, Wednesday need to start picking up positive results consistently if they’re to keep their heads clear of trouble.
Fans were left fuming with the result and manner of performance, aiming particular criticism at defender Liam Palmer, a player who failed to adequately deal with the City attack across the 90 minutes.
It was the player’s first start in the league since 10th February and supporters have made it clear they don’t want to see him get a regular game in the closing stages of the season.
This Saturday Queen’s Park Rangers travel to Southampton in the Premier League.
When the final whistle blows on that game QPR could be languished at the bottom of the table and, in some people’s view, a good bet to go down. What a difference almost 40 years make. This week in 1975, QPR were riding high in the old First Division.
By the end of the 75/76 season the Hoops would claim second spot (just two points off being crowned champions) behind Liverpool and above Manchester United. How Rangers manager Harry Redknapp must wish he could turn back the clock.
That season the likes of Derby County, Ipswich Town, Birmingham City and Sheffield United (relegated to Division Two for the 76/77 season) were all plying their trade in the top flight.
The ways things are in game today’s game, where only a handful of moneyed clubs can guarantee remaining at the apex of English football, it’s probable that the likes of Derby and Co. would face a battle to stay in the Premier League; always assuming they have the financial wherewithal to reach that pinnacle in the first place.
Which is exactly the point Harry was making recently when he said: “Fair play would be everyone having £30m a year to spend.”
The sentiment behind that comment was; hasn’t football got too big, financially speaking, for its boots..? Not according to all those top clubs who are doing very nicely thank you very much, from this cash cow.
And I’m sure fans of those teams with big backers, with even bigger wallets, would not wish their club’s to forsake the chance of glory by reigning in their spending. Just ask the followers of Manchester’s Reds.
In the QPR squad who were runners up in the mid-70s were the likes of goalkeeper Phil Parkes, midfielder Gerry Francis and flamboyant forward Stan Bowles.
In those days this small, unfashionable club took English football by storm and is still remembered fondly by Hoops fans of a certain age.
Would the club have been able to hang on to such mercurial talent today or would they have been sold to balance the books? How much would they fetch in todays over inflated market?
English football is a global business with lucrative markets spread across the world – one reason why the Premier League was set up in the first place.
But in all this what damage is being done to those clubs further down the football pyramid?
And before fans of those elite clubs say “we are here to stay” I would simply say; Leeds United.
In all of this we should be careful for what we wish for, or there could be tears before the final whistle.
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@RichardBowdery
Richard Bowdery writes for BobbyFC, the football website with a retro twist. www.BobbyFC.com
Last October I was lucky enough to visit Stamford Bridge and bask in the unfamiliar glow of football’s elite, as Chelsea cruised to a 4-1 demolition of Norwich City. These were certainly happier times for Blues fans, but that didn’t mean the team and indeed the manager were devoid of criticism.
As Grant Holt fired in the opening goal of the game, the crowd reacted as if he’d just consigned the club to relegation. A cascade of abuse broke the initial wave of silence, which was a strange response considering Chelsea had been in complete control and were surely only moments away from finding an equaliser.
Now, before I attract the same batch of insults, I remain convinced this is a familiar theme right across the Premier League, especially among fans that are accustomed to success. However, it does strike me that an overwhelming number of people demand perfection as standard and therefore place their expectations on an unattainable plinth.
It stands to good reason that once you’ve witnessed something utterly incredible, take Arsenal’s invincible season or Chelsea’s Champions League triumph, it’s almost impossible for anything else to resemble that same euphoric feeling. Of course, no one expected Arsenal’s silverware drought to last this long or Chelsea to crash out in this year’s group stages, but it’s not unusual for surreal highs to be swiftly followed by all-time lows.
In the past, Liverpool fans have found themselves tainted with a reputation for harbouring unrealistic expectations, thanks largely to their decorated history. Gerard Houllier has even previously claimed their craving for former glories has mutated into an unrelenting obsession.
“There is too much expectation at Liverpool – they expect you to win the Champions League every year.
But the obsession is the league. Rafa finished second and I finished second once but, for all the cups we won, they wanted us to win the league.” (This Is Anfield)
Things do appear different on Merseyside these days, with fans now relaxed and composed, much like the patient build-up play installed under Brendan Rodgers. However, this also demostrates that winning on its own simply isn’t enough anymore, you have to win with style. Barcelona and indeed Spain have set standards at a worryingly high level, with scores of supporters oozing with jealousy as their own team struggles to replicate the same precision passing.
Perhaps fans are fully justified to expect more with each passing year. As ticket prices continue to soar it’s only fair to request that the enjoyment factor of watching football improves as well. It’s natural to expect world records to be smashed every four years at the Olympics, because it is advertised as the pinnacle of physical and mental strength. But if the Premier League wants to merit its title as the best in the world, surely it has to display a similar level of progression?
As a fan of Crystal Palace, I have experienced my fair share of elation and misery. We are the clichéd ‘yo-yo’ club, having been relegated a record four times after achieving promotion to the Premier League. We’ve endured administration on two separate occasions and repeatedly witnessed our most talented prospects poached by clubs with a bigger bank balance.
However, I feel eternally grateful that I get to watch my team on a weekly basis, having nearly faded from existence almost three years ago. The club may sit second in the table at the moment, but I won’t be calling for Ian Holloway’s head should the club fail to gain passage to the top flight.
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I find an increasing number of supporters take their club for granted and I almost pity the likes of Manchester United, because they are unlikely to ever experience the joy of snatching an unlikely last-minute equaliser, against a distinctly superior team. Likewise, now Manchester City have won their first title in 44 years, anything less this season – especially at the hands of Manchester United – will be considered a failure.
Many of you may argue that it’s the new breed of football owners that expect too much, unwilling to share the same tolerance levels as a lifelong supporter. However, when results go awry on the pitch, it is the reverberation of boos around the stadium that prompts the chairman to wield his axe. Unless you’re Roman Ambramovich of course, but no one appears capable of living up to his expectations.
Does the modern football fan expect too much? Leave your thoughts below.
When Emre Can confirmed his move to Juventus earlier this week, it would have come as no surprise to Liverpool fans.
For months now, speculation has been rife that the German international was planning to leave Anfield.
The midfielder’s contract was due to expire this summer and he had no intention of penning fresh terms.
Now, Can will be plying his trade in Serie A for a club who have won the league title every season for the past seven years.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257647″ player=”12034″ title=”3 Reasons We Love To Hate… Brazil and Argentina”]
Understandably, plenty of Liverpool fans have expressed disappointment in the 24-year-old opting against staying on Merseyside.
The majority, though, are relieved that the saga is now over and the Reds can focus on moving forward.
Before embarking on his new career in Turin, Can posted a farewell message to Liverpool and the fans via an Instagram video.
/BkSwcySDzHY/?hl=en&taken-by=ec2323
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Supporters have given mixed responses to the midfielder’s parting words, with some wishing him well and others still feeling bitter about his decision to leave.
Graeme Murty’s Rangers crave major silverware but it’s been a long time since there’s been a genuine title race in Scotland with Celtic romping to the last six league trophies.
Brendan Rodgers’ side produced one of the most dominant title wins yet last season, remaining unbeaten for the entire league campaign.
This season though they’ve dropped plenty of points and after another draw at the weekend, their seventh of the season, Rangers have moved to within nine points of the reigning champions with eleven games remaining.
With Aberdeen also looking to capitalise on any mistakes, Celtic trying to progress further in Europe and big matches between the trio ahead in the next few weeks, are we shaping up for an exciting end to the Scottish Premiership?
Our writers have had their say below…
Christy Malyan
No. With goal difference included, Celtic are essentially ten points ahead with just eleven games left to go, so for Aberdeen or Rangers to catch them, they’ll have to average a point more than Celtic per game to overtake them by the end of the season.
When Celtic have the best players and probably the best manager in the league, that’s an unassailable margin.
Perhaps if Rangers had started the season on the front foot rather than keeping Pedro Caixinha in the job, they might be giving Celtic a serious challenge right now but it’s just too late in the day to make a serious comeback.
Chris McMullan
Nine points might be the gap in the table between Rangers and Celtic, but the reality is that the real gap is much wider. The difference in quality between the two sides is marked, but more importantly, you get the feeling Celtic can step up if needed.
Perhaps Rangers should be hoping for Celtic to qualify for the next round of the Europa League at the expense of their own former conquerors from the 2008 UEFA Cup final, Zenit, on Thursday night. The further Celtic go in the competition, the more change the Gers have of a comeback, but those odds are very slim for a reason.
With two derbies to come there is at least some potential for this to get interesting – but win them both and then we can talk.
John McGinley
The chances of there being something of a title race in Scotland heading into the final few fixtures are greater this season than they have been for years, but you’d still have to consider Celtic heavy favourites.
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The matches away to Aberdeen and Rangers in the coming weeks will determine a lot and neither are easy for the Hoops. The trip to Pittodrie comes just days after a gruelling trip to Russia and Graeme Murty’s side are showing enough form right now for that match at Ibrox to be a well-contested affair.
Oddly it’s the run-of-the-mill matches with less at stake that seem to trip Celtic up, recent games against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone as an example, so if Brendan Rodgers can keep his team focused and motivated, they should win their seventh title in a row.
From David Beckham to Jamie Redknapp to Alex Song, many footballers are known as much for their style off the pitch, as their prowess on the pitch.
But what about the fans? Is it possible to look chic in the stands, when the temperatures hit sub-zero? Following London Fashion Week, League Cup sponsor and credit card company Capital One commissioned research to find out who are football’s most fashionable fans.
The survey revealed Manchester United fans are flying highest in the fashion stakes this season, with Merseyside rivals Liverpool in second place. Fans decided that Jose Mourinho would be equally at home walking the catwalk as prowling the dugout after voting the Chelsea boss as football’s most fashionable manager. They also named Liverpool new-boy Mario Balotelli as the Premier League’s most fashionable footballer.
Bum-bags topped the poll as the biggest football fashion faux pas on match day. The research also found that 57 per cent of the fans surveyed wore their club shirts when they went to watch football matches, showing a high level of unity and support for the clubs.
Capital One understands it can be hard to make a fashion statement at a match, so has teamed up with a panel of fashion gurus to come to the rescue of fans who are prone to scoring a fashion own goal or two. Two deserving fans will win a professional fashion make-over with 10 runners up each receiving £250-worth of Arcadia Group (Topshop, Topman, Burtons, BHS, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Outfit and Wallis) vouchers.
The expert panel, which includes style editor Charlie Parrish, football influencer and director at online youth broadcaster SBTV Liam Tootill, and renowned stylist Gary Moore, have joined forces to help make two lucky fans the talk of the terrace.
Liam said: “Having been to Old Trafford a few times on my travels, there’s no doubt that United fans are a fashionable bunch. However, be it socks and sandals, bum-bags or a high-vis jacket, football fans are guilty of the occasional fashion hiccup. It’s great to team up with Capital One to help fans tackle their wardrobe woes.”
To enter, fans simply need to tweet their football fashion faux pas photos to @CapitalOne_Cup using #FootballFashion #promo between Tuesday, September 23, 2014 – Friday, September 26, 2014. Terms and conditions apply.
Jason Carr, sponsorship manager at Capital One, said: “As an avid football follower myself I completely understand how fans get so caught up with displaying their love for their team through what they wear, that often all sense of fashion flies out of the window. So, hot on the heels of London Fashion Week, we are aiming to give those most in need of style guidance a helping hand in outwardly supporting their club but looking good at the same time.”
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For more information about the competition and T&Cs please got to www.capitalonecup.co.uk
Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway believes Wilfried Zaha will make the most of his shock England call-up.
The Championship winger has been drafted into the Three Lions’ squad ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Sweden following a series of impressive performances for the London club.
Despite many suggesting that the 20-year-old may not be ready to represent England at senior level, Holloway feels his man will make the most of the opportunity:
“He’s an untouched, pure talent and everyone knows the more serious you get the harder it is to want take people on.” He told SkySports.
“But he’s so unique, I’ve never worked with anyone like him, he just wants to get the ball and beat people, however many there are, he can do it.
“Before I got to Palace I thought ‘yeah, but is he any better than anyone else?’ Now I’ve seen him, good gracious me, it’s quite unbelievable what he can do.
“Hopefully, if he does play on Wednesday, people will see that and I believe he can do it at the very top level.”
Although he has been impressive for his club, it has been speculated that Zaha’s call-up is merely a method of ensuring he will be eligible for future England squads.
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Born in the Ivory Coast, the winger could represent the African nation so long as he does not play for England at senior level.
These rumours are fuelled further by the inclusions of Raheem Sterling and Carl Jenkinson, who are eligible for Jamaica and Finland respectively.
More often than not, throwing away the chance to sign a World Cup hero would be ludicrous, but in this case, West Ham United should take time to assess whether a move for Mario Gotze is worth it or not.
Sky Sports News reported on Thursday that the Hammers are among a number of clubs interested in the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.
Arsenal, Everton, Marseille and Valencia are also believed to be potential suitors for the 26-year-old, who scored the winning goal for Germany to clinch the World Cup in 2014.
Gotze’s situation has changed dramatically in recent seasons, as he spent five months on the sidelines with a metabolic illness and failed to make the international team for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Despite this, the midfielder managed to show glimpses of his quality during the 2017-18 campaign.
Across 32 appearances in all competitions, the former Bayern Munich star played a hand in vital attacking plays and created 31 shots on goal.
West Ham are screaming out for more creativity from the middle of the park, and even when not at his optimum best, Gotze – who Transfermarkt value at £16.2million – still delivered for his teammates last season.
One thing that he should have done more of, though, was score goals, as he only mustered two for his tally throughout the campaign.
Gotze’s fitness concerns should not be ignored by the Hammers, and due to previous problems with injury-plagued players at the East London outfit like Andy Carroll, they should be more cautious than most.
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However, the German World Cup winner has the quality to thrive in the Premier League, and that should outweigh the risk.
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Under-fire Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has been speaking to Sky Sports about his side’s battle to stay in the Premier League this season, and he will leave the club’s fans furious after almost excusing his disappointing record this term by claiming that the fight against relegation in the English top flight gains more worldwide interest than the title race.
Saints slipped back into the bottom three following their 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at St Mary’s last weekend, with the likes of Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Swansea City all putting in impressive performances to pick up three points.
Pellegrino has been talking about what his side need to do to ensure they stay up in the remaining 11 fixtures of the season, but has also hinted that the supporters should relish being in the relegation scrap even though they have secured four top-eight finishes in a row before the current campaign.
The Argentine boss told Sky Sports: “In this moment you need to be really brave and you have to show your character, to be strong enough to challenge in this situation.
“It’s difficult [to be brave], it’s not easy. But, also it’s a really nice challenge because the most beautiful thing in football is that we are competitive people. If not it’s impossible to be at this level.
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“It’s more difficult the situation in the bottom of the table than in the top, because Manchester City is away [with] a lot of points. But in the bottom of the table, every person that I know from different countries, it’s about watching the game from the relegation.”
Southampton have a break from the Premier League this weekend when they face West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Arguably the most enchanting story of the 2014 World Cup so far has been the journey of the U.S. Men’s National Team as they defied the odds, escaped their ‘group of death’, and were narrowly edged out in 120 brutal minutes against a fancied Belgium side.
Amongst a team of national heroes, Everton’s Tim Howard is the biggest. The ex-Man United stopper put in a World Cup record performance, making 16 saves as the U.S.A. fell down 2-1 to goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in a gallant effort.
The groundswell of support for the #USMNT across the pond has been overwhelming, and the response to the Everton man has been one of hero worship.
Immediately after the encounter, Twitter ejaculated with countless #ThingsTimeHowardCouldSave tweets, as the world praised the newest all-American hero.
Take a look at just a few of the feats that the world believes Howard could achieve:
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