My personal highlight for this weekend's Premier League fixtures will be attending Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur at Ewood Park for a crucial 6 pointer...I still consider Spurs to be in the relegation dog fight. Blackburn Rovers have had a long, hard season with managerial issues. Paul Ince was appointed as Rovers boss in August just before the start of the 2009-2010 season and wasn't given a budget - which was his main complaint when being sacked just before the winter transfer window. Then ex-Bolton boss Sam Allardyce arrived back to Lancashire when Blackburn Rovers were in the bottom three and has definitely steadied the ship but between Pedersen, Santa Cruz and the gang they are still not out of it. This will be my fifth time to this fixture, both teams play good football so it is always easy on the eye. Blackburn's corporate hospitality is excellent, good food and ex-player guest speakers make the day extra special. I've also been pre-warned that we might be approached by one of the corporate hospitality, inviting you on to the football pitch to have a photograph taken with one of the Blackburn Rovers players. Now, my good lady and I are about to have a baby boy - is it fair that I see this as his first chance to go on to a Football pitch...a Premier League one at that?!
Any way, my money will be on with my heart - 0-2 or 1-2 to the Tottenham.
Watch this space for a match report and full details.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Shearer second-coming typical Toon thinking
Newcastle United’s imminent appointment of former hero Alan Shearer as boss until the end of the season will be lauded by the passionate Magpies fans as being a masterstroke – the man who can lead them out of the Premier League relegation mire and, hopefully, help usher in a bright new era at St James’ Park.
Don’t believe a word of it. On the face of it, it seems a logical decision to bring back the striking legend to stir the Geordies – both on and off the pitch –but surely Shearer’s short-term appointment smacks of more Newcastle short-sightedness plucked right out of the ‘Kevin Keegan-quick-fix’ box.
If KK couldn’t do the job second-time around then how they think Shearer, with his complete lack of experience in a role like this, will do any better is beyond me.
The former No.9 is likely to engender a superb atmosphere in the dressing room and will ensure the downbeat fans have something tangible to cling on to in the remaining eight games of the season, that’s for sure. And, while it might work in the next few weeks and Shearer may save their bacon and keep them in the top flight, surely then it’s time for some long-awaited long-term thinking in the north east. How about appointing an experienced, continental coach? And getting hold of Gerard Houllier or Sven Goran Eriksson’s phone numbers might be a start.
From the outside looking in, this huge provincial club always appears to be led by the heart with its all-singing and dancing ‘Toon Army’ dictating the direction. Keegan’s return last year was going to be the catalyst for another rebirth, but it failed dismally. I can’t help but think Shearer’s return will eventually end in similar embarrassment.
Guest Blogger Aidan Perkins is a sports journalist who writes regularly for Betfair.
Don’t believe a word of it. On the face of it, it seems a logical decision to bring back the striking legend to stir the Geordies – both on and off the pitch –but surely Shearer’s short-term appointment smacks of more Newcastle short-sightedness plucked right out of the ‘Kevin Keegan-quick-fix’ box.
If KK couldn’t do the job second-time around then how they think Shearer, with his complete lack of experience in a role like this, will do any better is beyond me.
The former No.9 is likely to engender a superb atmosphere in the dressing room and will ensure the downbeat fans have something tangible to cling on to in the remaining eight games of the season, that’s for sure. And, while it might work in the next few weeks and Shearer may save their bacon and keep them in the top flight, surely then it’s time for some long-awaited long-term thinking in the north east. How about appointing an experienced, continental coach? And getting hold of Gerard Houllier or Sven Goran Eriksson’s phone numbers might be a start.
From the outside looking in, this huge provincial club always appears to be led by the heart with its all-singing and dancing ‘Toon Army’ dictating the direction. Keegan’s return last year was going to be the catalyst for another rebirth, but it failed dismally. I can’t help but think Shearer’s return will eventually end in similar embarrassment.
Guest Blogger Aidan Perkins is a sports journalist who writes regularly for Betfair.
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