Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland adds his opinion to this Thierry Henry storm. London, Paris, New York, Munich, everybody’s talking ‘bout a cheating Frenchman. Wednesday night the Republic of Ireland’s world cup dream was destroyed by the ‘Hand of Sod’ as the gleaming charm of a Gillette sponsored athlete evaporated. Thierry Henry has…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland feels that Wayne Rooney needs to start taking the big games by the balls. Does anyone remember Wayne Rooney? No not the one captaining England at the weekend; the one that bullied people in his teens at Everton, the one that shook the world at Euro 2004,…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland doesn't feel there is room in Capello's World Cup squad for Peter Crouch. There is a clamour of noise for Peter Crouch to be on the plane for South Africa, and while his goal scoring record makes it easy to see why, there is one problem; England always seem to play badly with him in the…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland wonders why Manchester United were so bereft of ideas against Sunderland. It was very nearly master beating maker at Old Trafford on Saturday night. Sunderland ran Manchester United ragged; from Andy Reid, through to Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones. United looked bereft of imagination and ideas. But why?  The most worrying thing is that the…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland feels that the summer departures have simply galvanised the football club, not to mention improved team spirit. Two big players left Old Trafford this summer and we all know about their goal scoring records and inside leg measurements etc. but…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland wonders if Fabio Capello will bow down to public opinion, with his selection for tonight. There seems to be pressure on Senor Capello to change his first team ahead of tonight's visit by previous party spoilers Croatia to Wembley, but will the England…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland believes that UEFA and FIFA are right to take their no nonsense approach to football. Uefa and Fifa seem to have taken a no nonsense approach to football all of a sudden, and why not? Eduardo and Chelsea have suffered the wrath of the world footballing body's and they deserved to.  Arsenal's Croatian striker did…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland think talk of Campbell's arrival causing resentment among other Notts County players is total tripe. There has been lots of talk this week that Sol Campbell's move to Notts County will disrupt the club and cause jealousy as the players eye his £40,000 weekly wage. What a load of rubbish. If I played for Notts…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland feels that Jozy Altidore is the key to Hull City's success this season. There have been some interesting (Michael Owen), strange (Glen Johnson) and downright sensible signings (Gareth Barry). But which signing will prove most valuable to their club's Premier League campaign?  The answer is Hull City's Jozy Altidore. The American will be the Premier…

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland watches normal service resume at the DW stadium. Three days after a shock defeat at newly promoted Burnley, Manchester United produced a sensational performance in a potentially tricky encounter at Wigan.  Importantly, the goals were spread across the front men; players that need to give the side goals this season. Berbatov,…