It may have taken half an hour of the hors d’oeuvre clash between Porto and Napoli, but the largely partisan home crowd at Arsenal’s showpiece season opening ‘Emirates Cup’ have finally found a reason to become animated. Often noted for their quiet approach to both triumph and despair, the patrons of Ashburton Grove have laid to one side their sang froid and sputtered into a chorus of boos.
The …
Financially speaking – and the majority of us did interpret ‘trouble ahead’ through a fiscal lens when discussing potential candidates – this could be a tough year for Football League clubs. With a stifling economic outlook, more pressure will be on income streams and it may very well be that a greater number of clubs risk the wrath of the tax man and the authorities still in 2013-14. Indeed, …
A look at the Professional Footballers’ Association list of out of contract and available players becomes more depressing by the year, even if there are Premier League outcasts aplenty whose current availability is often more a consequence of protracted contract negotiations and a choice of suitors. Hence, Chris Baird, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Carlton Cole and the like will end up somewhere eventually.
Of those, the pick of the list …
Following yesterday’s start to pre-season, in which we looked at all 24 League 2 clubs, our intensive schedule continues as we move on to League 1. Tomorrow, attention will turn to the Championship.
Bradford City
Fairytale Bradford City have added a little sheen to their well built squad as they look to attack League 1 at a canter – Rochdale’s Jason Kennedy and experienced winger Mark Yeates join …
As organisations with unconventional governance structures and aims and crucially, minus shareholders, sports leagues don’t really conform to the model of a typical company, so a SWOT analysis, while a useful exercise, is relevant in a slightly more limited way when it comes to the opportunities section.
For instance, your average firm looking to grow and develop would generally obsess with increased revenues and profitability and a prime way …
Ben: Sounds like an interesting read - and a useful companion-piece to Tony...
sean smith: Brilliant article. Shared. COYS...
Steve: C.f. Phil Neville on MOTD2 talking about Rosicky's audacious blind pas...
Steve: Excellent article....
Winch: An enjoyable read. I'm not sure they bring back any good memories, but...
