Saturday, April 22
JEFF STELLING lived up to Hartlepool’s nickname of the Monkey Hangers by demanding in his TV show that the victim two centuries later should be David Jones, whose record as boss has been abysmal.
Jones was duly sacked and that may save Pools from relegation.
I applaud Stelling’s passion. It must be hard to stay an impartial observer and to call for anything more than a decent report from Chris Kamara.
Stelling has since offered to resign as president of his club, but not as a supporter.
Sunday, April 23
IT’S no substitute for the knighthood he (and his wife) so passionately desire, but this year David Beckham has to make do with the award he acquires tonight from the PFA for an outstanding contribution to football.
True, he’s done quite a lot. But it’s 14 years since he played in the Prem and never captained his country to anything silver.
The irony is that Becks, as a one-man industry with charitable intentions, is a good deal worthier of a knighthood than the meaningless bronze statuette from Gordon Taylor.
Monday, April 24
ALONG with the fanfare for securing promotion, Sheffield United are said to be about to spend £500,000 on buying back Ched Evans from Chesterfield.
That’s more like two fingers in the direction of acceptable conduct.
You will remember Evans was controversially found not guilty of rape in a retrial after spending half of a five-year sentence in jail.
I suspect Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is relieved her name is no longer on the Bramall Lane stand.
Tuesday, April 25
STICK or twist? That’s the Arsenal dilemma over Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean forward is demanding weekly gushers of money to stay.
Manager Arsene Wenger says, if the worst came to the worst, he’d stick with Sanchez until his contract runs out next summer.
But what of the likely £50million Arsenal will sacrifice by not selling fairly soon. That isn’t Kroenke mathematics.
If the player is determined to go, then in my experience he will.
Wednesday, April 26
THIS morning West Ham FC provide documentation to HMRC in relation to player transfers as part of a wider probe in football.
This was the extent of their request and no approach has been made to any directors, officers or employees of the club.
The club is thoroughly satisfied it has conducted itself appropriately in its transfer activity.
HMRC’s enquiry relates to transfer activity which I do not, and have not, had any involvement with during my time at the club.
most read in football
Thursday, April 27
GIANNI INFANTINO — the less-than-convincing successor to Fifa chief Sepp Blatter — announces there will be a video assistant referee at the World Cup in Russia.
So it’s OK to have a second opinion in a football match but not in Putin’s country where opposition is silenced. Yes, the irony is terrible.
Fans of England (if we get there) will be targeted so my advice is to never look a Russian soldier in the eye and laugh. You’ll be inside with a big headache and with definitely no video to help your case.
Friday, April 28
MAURICIO POCHETTINO hasn’t been around Seven Sisters Road long enough to realise what being cock of North London means to fans.
I was born in the area so I know there is nothing Arsenal people enjoy quite like finishing ahead of Spurs in the league.
Seems such a minor achievement to a manager from Argentina with eyes on the title and a place in the Champions League.
But Spurs have been second-best for 22 years.
Overturning that run on Sunday would give their fans back a bit of mickey.
Leave a comment