Showing 1 - 10 of 252
The calm, cool, and collected Swede who caused a stir in England
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 31/08/2024
» Tributes have been pouring in for Sven-Goran Eriksson who passed away on Monday at the age of 76. The fact that there have been so many headlines containing the word "gentleman" is a reflection of the respect the football world held for the Swede who was the first foreign coach of England's national team.
No great revelations in opening weekend
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 24/08/2024
» Although it was not the most spectacular opening week in the Premier League with no major upsets there were still enough talking points to whet the appetite for this weekend's action. It was also a low-scoring week with just 21 goals coming from the 10 matches, but at least there wasn't a 0-0.
Dominant Manchester City aiming for five titles in a row
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 17/08/2024
» With Manchester City having won the Premier League title six of the last seven seasons, the league could really do with a different name at the top just for a change. The current situation sparks reminders of the early days of the Premier League when City rivals Manchester United dominated the league, winning eight of the first 11 titles.
Strong Celtic hoping to make it title No.55
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 03/08/2024
» Although Scottish clubs have already been in action in the League Cup for a couple of weeks, the season really begins in earnest this weekend as teams play their first league matches. Unfortunately the top division has a familiar ring to it.
Big day for England's 'lost souls'
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 06/07/2024
» The Euro 24 quarter-finals are already under way and unbelievably England are somehow still in the mix. Their performances have been so uninspiring they are going into tonight's match against Switzerland as underdogs. This is a team England would be normally be expected to beat comfortably.
Stern test for Southgate, team
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 15/06/2024
» The word "pressure" is overused in football but there will be no one under more pressure than England manager Gareth Southgate as he leads the Three Lions into Euro 24 this weekend. England begin their tournament tomorrow against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen and will later face Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
It's a stable season for managers
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 08/06/2024
» One of the more intriguing aspects of the recently concluded Premier League action is that there were only three managerial changes during the entire season. This was in sharp contrast to the previous season which proved to be a merry-go-round with only nine of the top-flight teams keeping the manager they had started with.
Poch chewed up! It’s back to square one at Stamford Bridge
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 25/05/2024
» It is ironic that the first time in the whole season Chelsea fans have been happy with their team’s performance, the owners decide to part ways with manager Mauricio Pochettino. Despite the “mutual consent” statement the owners appeared quite happy to let the Argentine go and did not put in much effort in persuading him to stay.
Can the Hammers upset the applecart on last day of season?
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 18/05/2024
» Only West Ham stand in the way of Manchester City picking up a record fourth consecutive Premier League title tomorrow although it would be fair to say not too many football fans can see the Hammers upsetting City at the Etihad Stadium.
Tough times for clubs in the ‘Steel City’
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 13/04/2024
» Football fans in Sheffield can be forgiven if they are currently feeling a strong sense of déjà vu. Three seasons ago in March 2021 the opening paragraph in this column read: “It has not been a good year for football fans in the city of Sheffield, with United almost certain to drop out of the Premier League and Sheffield Wednesday clinging on by their fingernails in the Championship relegation battle.”