I’ve had a soft spot for Brian Laws dating back to 1989 when John Aldridge patted him on the head in thanks for an own goal in an FA Cup Semi Final that Nottingham Forest were almost morally disallowed from winning, coming as it did in the wake of Hillsborough. Liverpool achieved partial solace by going on to win the Cup but Laws retained my strong sympathy for this maltreatment.His ascension to the Premier League is a heartening reversal of fortune. I am currently reading Stuart Sutherland’s psychology classic Irrationality and although that book advises paying no attention at all…
All posts tagged Scunthorpe
Behind the Iron Curtain
Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins seemed content with the pay off from his tactical plan in the 1-1 draw with Reading at the weekend, although why one might choose merely to counter attack against a side with one home win since January is a whole other question. Still, given the unbalanced nature of the play, the Iron are right to be content with a point, especially given the absence of Martyn Woolford and Joe Murphy.Given that Scunny rarely ventured into the final third, the former’s absence was largely irrelevant, but his goalkeeping compadre’s injury might have been a major problem, had…
Most Feared Opponents
The superb website Mirko Bolesan, named after an Italian midfielder who enjoyed a single appearance for Cardiff City a few years ago, is a great port of call for an assessment of some of football’s oddities. Amongst the varied topics discussed can be counted a masterly account of 2009-10 kit sponsors, club badges (didn’t we call them “crests” in the seventies?) and the Czech Republic’s Gambrinus Liga.Now, the site’s instigators have turned their attention to the notion of the bogey side. I’m sure all of us are guilty of pronouncements along the lines of “we never beat Pompey” or “Andy…
Ten Emerging Talents in the Championship
Among the performers who have lit up this burgeoning Championship campaign are some familiar names. Michael Chopra has so far justified every last dime of his weighty fee, Kevin Nolan has buckled down and rehabilitated his reputation as an all purpose midfielder-cum-forward, and Adam Johnson’s sleek skills on the Middlesbrough wing have helped Smogheads forget the injured Stewart Downing. But who are the emerging stars of the league? Which players have burst on the scene and chalked up their greatest achievements this season? Here is a pick of those who have grasped our notice:Chris Burke (Cardiff City)Burke has that wispy,…
Frank Heaven: I had no idea Telford was so big. As you say, it is close to the West ...
Lanterne Rouge: I didn't know these nuggets - cheers for enlightening us Alexandriang...
alexandriang: Another factor is probably that both the TItans and Panthers played th...
P Squires: Interesting read, but '...which by train is comfortably further from L...
Lloyd: An enjoyable, snappy piece of writing Will.
Going through Worcester...
