Showing 1 - 10 of 43
Doomed Vale dare to dream against Blues at Stamford Bridge
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 14/03/2026
» The best thing about the FA Cup is that it briefly puts the spotlight on clubs that would normally hardly receive a mention and this season it has been refreshing seeing teams like Mansfield and Macclesfield enjoying their moment in the sun. Last week's fifth round didn't let us down either with struggling League One side Port Vale upsetting Sunderland from the Premier League.
Playing from the back takes skill
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 19/04/2025
» Back in the old days when football was a straightforward game our school coach had an equally straightforward golden rule for defenders -- "Never pass the ball around in your own penalty area. Just hoof it!" That might explain why we did not win any medals.
Kiwi Wood flourishing in Forest as he finds his footing
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 08/02/2025
» Over the years probably one of the most underrated players in the Premier League has been New Zealand centre-forward Chris Wood. The 33-year-old striker was at the hearts of things last weekend scoring a hat-trick for Nottingham Forest in the 7-0 thrashing of Brighton.
Midweek goal fest: 35 strikes, thrilling ties
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 07/12/2024
» For many years there has been something special about matches between Newcastle and Liverpool that guarantees entertainment. Fans were not disappointed in the midweek clash at St James' Park as they witnessed a 3-3 thriller in a game that some called the best of the season.
Coote videos could have bad ramifications for refs
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 16/11/2024
» Making the news this week for all the wrong reasons has been Premier League referee David Coote who was suspended after a video surfaced of him appearing to make disparaging comments about former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp.
Kane joins the 100 club in golden style
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 14/09/2024
» Harry Kane celebrated his 100th appearance for England in true style by scoring both goals in the 2-0 defeat of Finland at Wembley on Tuesday night. Fittingly he was wearing golden boots after receiving a golden cap for reaching the century mark
Watkins adds spark to England attack
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 13/07/2024
» Considering all the negative comments they have been subjected to throughout the tournament it seems quite remarkable that England have actually made it to the Euro 2024 final. They have achieved this with a mixture of good fortune, battling spirit and a most timely goal courtesy of Ollie Watkins.
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.
Soft penalties put English Premier League referees on the spot
Sports, Nobby Piles, Published on 06/04/2024
» Last weekend there were some very contentious penalty decisions given in the English Premier League. That's nothing new of course, but it's becoming a regular occurrence and makes one wonder if the authorities should take a long hard look at the rules. There are also feelings that VAR could be better utilised.