Most fans, during the course of their lifetime, have had cause for complaint when it comes to feeling victimised by the powers that be. Whether it is the media, the FA, referees, or some other authoritative body: most fans, teams and managers have tried to argue that they’re getting the short…

League Managers Association (LMA) chief executive Richard Bevan yesterday claimed that some Premier League clubs would not be opposed to scrapping relegation from the English top flight. Bevan stated that “there are a number of overseas-owned clubs already talking about bringing about the avoidance of promotion and relegation in the…

After being the first choice striker at Madrid and favoured by Mourinho, Gonazalo Higuain got a sharp shock on his return from a lengthy lay off last season, as Karim Benzema had played him out of the team. During Higuain’s absence, Benzema took his chance, and this season especially his…

Another weekend and another impressive Newcastle United performance has got everybody taking notice of the wonderful work of manager Alan Pardew. Despite being an unpopular choice ten months ago the 50-year-old has transformed the Magpies’ from relegation candidates to the league’s surprise package, sitting…

Sunday football gossip can usually be treated with the same respect as that teabag you’ve left on the side for two days. You don’t really want to look at it, you know that it’s no good for you but you can’t quite bring yourself to ignore it completely (or as…

It's fair to say that beer tasting has never really enjoyed the same status as wine tasting. At least that's what I thought until I headed to Old Billingsgate and the Stella Artois World Draught Masters competition last week. The event, which brought together the world's 25 best…

This is the first World Cup to be held on the African continent and for the first time in a long time there in no clear out and out favourite. Sure some will fancy the likes of Argentina, Brazil, and Spain but none are overwhelming favourites. As with every fan, pundit,…

When Carson Yeung arrived at St Andrews in 2009, his pledge of up to 40 million pounds for transfers would have been met with a sceptical smile from Blues fans who knew from past experiences that promises are sometimes left unfulfilled. The January transfer window was largely unsuccessful…

Dunga’s Brazil side may not produce the free-flowing, picturesque football which illuminated the World Cup in 1970 and 82 this summer, but their status as perennial favourites is not without merit. The coach, who captained the side to glory in 1994, has built a side in his own image; efficient, powerful…

Spain boast perhaps the most complete squad of all 32 nations competing in this summers World Cup. The reigning European champions made light work of their qualifying group, winning all 10 fixtures with the style and conviction shown in Austria and Switzerland two years ago. Coach Vicente Del Bosque is…