Hughton: Good job, but not good enough?



Speculation Hughton may be on his way out
(Guardian)



Chris Hughton has delivered instant success as manager of Newcastle United Football Club. Alright, it's not the Premier League title the club has craved for many, many years. It's not Champions League football, the standard of football the club of Newcastle's stature should be playing at but promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking is something not easy for anyone at any club, but Hughton has delivered success.

Managers' have come and gone at St. James', the late, great Sir Bobby Robson being the most outstanding name in recent history. But the majority have failed the reach expectations.

Ameobi celebrates one of his two goals in the Tyne-Wear
derby (BBC)

Here, Hughton's win percentage at Newcastle is fantastic. Prior to today's Tyne-Wear derby (Newcastle 5-1 Sunderland), Hughton's track record as manager is impressive. He took over in June 2009, when the Magpies were in the Championship, (Newcastle clinch title), after a dismal Premier League season and steered the club to a first place finish clinching the Championship title. Before this derby fixture, he has played 64 games, winning 38 and losing 11 of them. Drawing 15. His win percentage is well above 50. 59.38 it reads, and some of you reading this may think, "the majority of the games played were in the Championship". So? The Championship is one of the most toughest leagues to come across, maybe not the best, but the toughest! You only have to look at Leeds United's fall from the Premier League to League 1! (Leeds Relegation)

Currently, Newcatsle United sit in seventh place, played 10 games and have 14 points on the board. Newcastle played Arsenal in the League Cup and got hammered nil-four. Hughton fielded a weaker side, and all of a sudden there was media talk that he was on his way out! What a load of rubbish! (Rumours)

So if you was Hughton, what would you do? You're doing a fantastic job at one of the biggest clubs in England, you're seventh placed and the fans love you. You're settled. You've exceeded expectations already, but still insist on staying in the Premier League is top priority. You may lose your job.

Sam Allardyce, "Go to the owners, ask them to sort my contract out, and end speculation".
Yes that is an option. But you may hear something you don't want to hear. A new manager may have already been lined up, possibly, they are ready to come in on training on Monday..

Owner Mike Ashley (PA)

They have to think here. And think through this. Mike Ashley isn't exactly the most popular round Geordie land right now, he won't be doing himself any favours if he gets rid of Hughton. So if he gets rid of Hughton, they have to start all over again. You go from the bottom: the supporters - they would go ballistic! The 52,000 die hard Magpies turn out every week to support their beloved club, you lose them, you lose out on income. The players - they love working under Hughton, and a change of manager wouldn't help. You need the player's respect and they probably won't want to play under a new manager. The performances would drop, their league position would falter. So you then have another problem on your hands. He (Mike Ashley) can't afford to find himself and the club in dire straits again.

Everyone, under Chris Hughton, would benefit. The club, the fans, the players and himself would produce the goods. He's no Mourinho. He's no Ferguson. He's an household name in English football but over time you will see success at St James' again. Ashley can not afford to make a rash decision, but make the right one. That right decision would be to kill off any talk of a new manager and stabilise the club and it's position in the English Premier League.

Ashley and Hughton together, will he stay on? (Telegraph)

Roo-Turn..

Loyalty Means Nothing.

Ian Holloway, the media-friendly, fun loving Blackpool manager. Never one to shy away from the media, as we all know.

Earlier today (Friday), the Premier League manager expressed his anger and frustration of a few topics: player power and the Bosman ruling. Holloway's Rant.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, there is no doubt about that, but was 'Ollie' right to come out and slate Wayne Rooney and the FIFA/UEFA ruling over the Bosman transfer? Bosman Ruling.

Yes. I believe so. OK, so he has nothing to do with the situation but I feel he hit the nail on the head. The two main subjects in this were Sir Alex, and Rooney. Sir Alex has been the most successful manager English football has ever seen. He's won everything over his 24-year managerial career for Manchester United, and the recent headline to dominate the back pages was Rooney's desire to leave. Oh, and how he was taken for a mug. Publicly humiliated over the striker's fitness, Fergie found himself in an unwanted situation. He bought Rooney from Everton for a £30 million fee, and Rooney wanted out.

There is no doubt about it, Fergie has nurtured this young boy, to become one of the world's most deadliest players, and in return, Rooney wanted out. Fair enough, his contract was coming to an end, and maybe he wanted a change, but the lad is 24. There is nothing in the rule book to say, 'a player must stay to reward the faith the manager has shown in him'. Rooney does have a right to move if he wanted to, but what I'm about to write about is 'loyalty'.

Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs of Manchester United, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, both of Liverpool. They've defined loyalty. They've been at their clubs all of their football careers. They've all had opportunities to move, but they haven't. Maybe Rooney should follow suit. But loyalty means absolutely nothing in the modern game. To see a player last three years at a club could be considered a miracle. Money rules. Simple as.

Football is a business. Money is a major factor nowadays. If a club comes in for you, you consider money, naturally. Yes, you want the right deal, the right club, but wages and bonuses are probably the first thing a player would ask. "How much?" It was an honour to play for your football club. For Wayne, to play for Manchester United, it should be an honour, but before signing a new contract (five year deal until 2015), it wasn't ambitions that he chased, it was the money. Real Madrid was willing to offer something ridiculous, as was Manchester City (£300,000 p/w). Unreal, this really is out of this world.

But loyalty means nothing in the beautiful game today. You sign a long term contract such as a five year deal, you are expected to honour it and see it out. This doesn't happen anymore. Players' are clever, they know what they are doing. Within a couple of years, they can leave, and expect a three year pay off. I don't believe Rooney will stay for five years. Manchester City, Barcelona and Madrid will soon come in and tempt Rooney of a move away, and he WILL leave.

So what would of happened if Rooney went and didn't sign a new contract? A major football club would approach Rooney and Manchester United would get absolutely nothing for it. For Rooney's value, United for get nothing in return and how insulting would this of been for Rooney.

Thank God for United he did sign a deal, for the footballing purposes. He's a major asset in the club. A massive influence on everybody who plays for them. Roo Signs Contract.

So, on to the Bosman, yes I agree with Holloway. The Bosman ruling needs to be shut out, because you can snatch a player from a club without paying absolutely anything for him, and this isn't right in today's game. Trading should be made fair. Everyone has a value and clubs' must pay up for what the trading club feels he is worth. But the state of the game today is, the Bosman ruling is allowed.

Holloways' dig may get him in trouble with the football's Governing Bodies, but they can not brush Ollie's comments aside. Something needs sorting, and fast.

Football club's will soon find themselves making losses, and serious losses at that. By this, they will soon find themselves in the red, and it will be too late by the time FIFA make a change.

The Ashes: Down Under, 2010/2011

Well, what do you know!?
England will go in to Australia above them in the ICC Test Rankings in fourth and fifth respectively.

Going back on history, England haven't won a series down under since 1986-1987 and Andrew Strauss and co are looking to add a little bit of history of their own by retaining the Urn.

As per, the pre-Ashes mind-talking games' have already started. Young bowler Steven Finn and top-order batsman Kevin Pietersen have already been targeted by Ricky Ponting but with KP's experience, he will brush this aside, and let his game do the talking (fingers crossed). This will be a different ball game for Finn. The Middlesex seamer has shown his potential, most notably versus Test minnows Bangladesh and troubled Pakistan. But the Australian deck will offer something different than those in Bangladesh and in England. The deck will be harder and the pace will be quicker. His inexperience going down under will come as an easy target for Messrs Ponting and Michael Clarke.

England:

Let's take a look at The Ashes squad to go down under, and I will tell you who should be in the First Test.

Andrew Strauss, Captain: Without a doubt, the Middlesex opener will be leading at the top of the order. With an average at 43.11, you can't dismiss the fact he's had a whirlwind year and an half. Took over the captaincy from KP, he hasn't put a foot wrong since. A key-man to get out early, once Straussy gets going, he can destroy anyone in the world once he is on top of his game.

 

Alastair Cook: Essex left hander has struggled for form this summer. An average of 42.78 boasts an impressive return, but on what will be a batting track Down Under, Cook will have to prove his worth in the touring squad this winter. He may get away with it as he and Strauss are the only opener's in this side, but Kieswetter and Jimmy Adams, both unproven and inexperienced will look to push Strauss for the number-two spot.

 

Jonathan Trott: South African born Trott who plays for Warwickshire has had a sensational year and a half, coming onto the scene in the Ashes Series in England, hitting a ton at The Oval. I believe he will be at number three, unless something dramatic happens, an anchor man who can bore the bowlers to death, he will thrive on the Aussie decks. An average of 55, you can not afford to leave Trott out.

 

Eoin Morgan/Kevin Pietersen: Now here's a number four place you can debate about. Do you go with an Irishman who hasn't been bedded in fully yet on the test scene, or do you go with the off-form, vulnerable Kevin Pietersen, who will be inevitably be targeted by the Aussie pacemen and the Aussie crowds. KP desperately needs runs. He's dried up, and Morgan has proved himself back home, but as mentioned above, Down Under is different to the English wickets. I'm undecided about slots 4/5, I will let you decide, but if I had to choose, KP would just pip Eoin.

Paul Collingwood: Experienced cricketer. Colly boasts an impressive average at just under 50 in Australia, but his recent form suggests otherwise. Along with KP and you could say Strauss as well in the troubled-series versus Pakistan, he couldn't buy a run. Again, he is one you can't rule out, along with the lads who had been selected to tour. I believe 5 belongs to Collingwood, who has the ability to anchor the innings if the top order collapse.

 

Matt Prior, Wicket-keeper: Yes for me. I am a massive fan of Prior, as I am of Ian Bell. Two similar players with the same prowess. A wicket keeper must score runs as well as the ability to stand behind the sticks. Also, a wicket keeper is a number seven bat. That's what I believe anyway. This boy has proven his worth over the years, scored centurys' versus many big nations, with the top order, and even with the tailenders, with help from Broad, Swann and Panesar before.

 

Graeme Swann/Stuart Broad: Hmm. In all due respects, they can be considered all-rounders. If you like anyway. Broad has scored runs at eight. He has also scored runs at nine. Knowing Broad's background, he represented Leicestershire CCC Academy as a youngster, as an opening batsman. So he is no mug with the bat. He does have his off-days, but when needed, Broad can show what he can do with one Test century to his name. On the other hand, Swann. Broad's team mate at Nottinghamshire CCC. He can bat too. But maybe not as dangerous as Broad, but he can be stubborn at the tail. The ability to frustrate the bowlers, he can play too. But who do you put where? For me, Broad goes above Swannn at eight, Swann at nine. Just so long Broad keeps his head screwed on, Broad can have a massive impact in Australia, not just as a seamer, but as an all-round batsman too.

Swann would be my only spinner. OK, there has been talk of the Aussie deck starting to offer spin, but I would go with a seam attack. But you have to take a spinner, and on form and ahead of Monty by a long mile now, Swanny would be my first and only choice spinner. Second in the ICC bowling ranking, the right areas and set field and he could rip through the Aussie top and middle order. BROAD 8, SWANN 9.

Tim Bresnan: Yorkshire's very own. He's had a good year for club and country. I believe he has earned his right to be in the squad, adding to the three-seam, one medium and one spin bowling attack. I wouldn't go with Tremlett. Unbiased this time, he doesn't offer a great deal for me. The only assistance he would get would be the deck, but he isn't a potential wicket taker who could take 3-5 wickets a test. Bresnan offers a little more. A skiddy bowler is Tim, the Aussie's now know a little more about this lad, but he has to get the line and length right along with his field. There are no margin for errors here for Bresnan, get it wrong, and the batsman would destroy him.

Jimmy Anderson: Crowd favourite Jimmy Anderson. Anderson had played only three one-day games for Lancashire when he was hurried into England's one-day squad in Australia in 2002-03 as cover for Andy Caddick. He didn't have a number - or even a name - on his shirt, but a remarkable ten-over stint, costing just 12 runs, in century heat at Adelaide earned him a World Cup spot. The Burnley-born bowler hasn't looked back since. Only 28, Anderson may be considered a veteran of the side, especially of the bowling attack. He's been there, and done that has our Jimmy. He will be leading the attack for me. The ability to reverse swing, can emulate Matthew Hoggard as a front-line swing seamer, and could cause chaos for the Aussie batsman.

Verdict:

This is going to be one hell of a series for those involved. It will be close. You will not see a whitewash from Australia. You won't see a demolition job. This will be closely contested. Sledging, banter and all sorts, expect the lot. There will not be a dull moment Down Under, I can assure you of this. For us England hopefuls, we can only watch something spectacular this winter, but fingers crossed, let's hope Strauss could do the unthinkable, and bring home that little Urn for the first time since Mike Gatting and co.

I'll go for a 3-2 win for England. I just hope I haven't jinxed them..

Roo Have Let Me Down..

What a crazy time at Manchester United, not just for Wayne Rooney, but for Sir Alex Ferguson.

To say you want to leave the biggest club, not just in England, but in Europe, you must be nuts. The boy wonder, who came on to the scene as a baby faced 16 year old, scoring the winner vs Arsenal, now 24, has declared his desire to leave Old Trafford. It was supposed he told Sir Alex way back in August. What a bombshell!

Rooney has been involved not just in the back pages, but also in the front. His alleged romps with prostitutes behind wife Colleen's back has been an obvious trouble for the England striker, but he's also been struggling for form for Manchester United. Sir Alex claims that Rooney isn't fit, still struggling from an ankle injury, but Rooney himself believes he isn't struggling, and he showed that vs Montenegro last week, where he lasted the full 90 minutes, despite not having the best of games.

What does Sir Alex do now? Sit down with the lad, talk him out of this, or move on? Dilemma. Fergie has shown over the years that he doesn't mess around if his players have caused a stir (Ronaldo most recently and Jaap Staam most notably). Fergie won't hesitate to get rid, no matter what their star status suggests. Life goes on at United, but this week, publicly, Ferguson seems to have found himself in a situation where he doesn't know what to do.

In the last 24 hours, major clubs such as Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid and Harry Redknapp's Spurs' (long shot) have declared an interest, but both bosses think Rooney will change his mind and stay at the 'Theatre of Dreams'. We can pretty certain he won't be joining major rivals Liverpool to help out of their mess, Chelsea may be out of the question as they are one of the title contenders and it could be possble, a transfer over Mancini's City, but highly unlikely as Fergie probably doesn't want to enhance their chances of going for the Barclays Premier League.

These next few months could get very interesting regarding the former Everton striker. January could seem pivotal, whether Roo goes or not, Fergie must find a way out of this trouble.

New Cricket Season.. Winter Nets..

Good Evening.

The season just gone hasn't been as successful as the season before. Last year, I broke into the first team for the first time as a Sileby Town CC member. I had been a top order batsman and a key bowler for the second team for a few year, even at such a young age.

The story over the past few years has been quite crazy. Three years ago, the season had began, and I was batting at three and bowling long spells at 15/16 years of age. I had been enjoying my cricket, the season before that. I hit my first half century, my first senior century and taking plenty of wickets even at Leicestershire Young Cricketers. Going back to the season after, I had a slow start. I went in at three again, and one game at 4. I scored no runs, literally, and didn't get a bowl. But it took a turn; I had a shock call-up to the first team. How?! I will never know. Skipper Matt Ellis at the time asked me to go to with them away at Lutterworth. And how cricket can be a funny game..

Current professional Jacques du Toit of Leicestershire CCC was on-song. He opened the batting on a rain affected game, overcast and drizzly, and was hitting boundaries for fun off bowlers Phil Hackett and Matt Ellis. "Get loose Mick" said the skip. But my first spell was delayed as rain forced the teams off. Eventually we came back on the field to play, and Hackett resumed his spell, and the first ball back, a half 'tracker' from Phil and du Toit mis-timed his shot and I got the catch at mid-off. And boy what this day would turn out to be. Even if I can say so myself, I had a fantastic debut, and one to remember. I bowled at the Pavilion End, and immediately caused havoc to the Lutterworth middle order. A devastating 6 over spell had Lutterworth at 80-6. I took three massive wickets including one of Karl Smith the captain who had the potential to destroy any bowler. I returned with 3-18 off 6 overs. Admittedly, my batting didn't change the course of the game but I never looked back.

I finished up on 20 first team wickets, and had a steady average at number eight of 24. This would see me as the third highest average in the first team, and second leading wicket taker as well. As a result, I claimed the Player's Player award, voted by the rest of the first team, recognising my performances all year. As well as this, I claimed the 'Alan Trasler trophy' - Junior Cricketer of the Year. This has to be one of my biggest achievements to date, along side a Leicestershire YC cap, a Midlands call-up and runner-up in the National Knockout Championship at Bournemouth at Under 15's.

The following season came round, and I was ever so excited. But unfortunately, I couldn't hit the same notes as the season before. Shortage of runs and wickets had cost me my place in the First team, but it didn't take away the claim of bowling at Saqlain Mushtaq, ex Pakistani spin bowling legend. I also had the privilege of facing him too, and not managing to get out to him!

Back to where I was, my poor performances had seen me dropped. New captain, taking over from fairly new-ish captain, Jake Gillet, Mo Khan had no choice but to replace me. I started back in the Two's at Ratby, and I came back impressively. Taking 4 wickets bowling 22 overs without stop and hitting the winning runs, but this wasn't enough to regain my place in the First team. I struggled all year, confidence had gone, wickets dried up as well as runs. I hadn't enjoyed my cricket, and couldn't of waited for the season to go any quicker.

Three months on, and I am ready to go again. Undecided on where I am playing next season, I could well be at a club up north, or back at Sileby, but at the moment, I just want to pick up a bat and ball again. University of Huddersfield have cricket nets on, on a Friday night. This would be ideal for me, early nets, early training, improvement of fitness. It's all there for me. I can't wait.

My main aim, academically is to concentrate here in West Yorkshire, but professional cricket is my ideal aim. I love cricket. I live it, breathe it, drink it. I'm raring to go, and looking to win some trophies and medals again.