http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/ Brian Reade Trinity Mirror Trinity Mirror http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/The-Brian-Reade-Column-Chelsea-s-Champions-League-exit-showed-Roman-Abramovich-is-paying-a-high-price-for-meddling-with-Jose-Mourinho-s-team-Plus-Enough-of-the-Special-One-love-in-already-article361219.html I reckon real Chelsea fans excused the nation its face-splitting grin on Wednesday night.The plastic ones though, who, prior to 2004 thought Chopper Harris was a helicopter, and who were probably responsible for the swathes of upturned seats after Inter scored the killer goal, may not see it that way.But the ones who went down the Bridge way before Roman Abramovich doused them in dodgy roubles, will know that this was the downside of the Faustian Pact they signed up to. You takes your money a... I reckon real Chelsea fans excused the nation its face-splitting grin on Wednesday night.The plastic ones though, who, prior to 2004 thought Chopper Harris was a helicopter, and who were probably responsible for the swathes of upturned seats after Inter scored the killer goal, may not see it that way.But the ones who went down the Bridge way before Roman Abramovich doused them in dodgy roubles, will know that this was the downside of the Faustian Pact they signed up to. You takes your money a... Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:02:21 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/The-Brian-Reade-Column-Chelsea-s-Champions-League-exit-showed-Roman-Abramovich-is-paying-a-high-price-for-meddling-with-Jose-Mourinho-s-team-Plus-Enough-of-the-Special-One-love-in-already-article361219.html 2010-03-19T23:02:21Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/The-Brian-Reade-Column-Why-Liverpool-flop-Albert-Riera-s-World-Cup-dream-is-just-that-and-Portsmouth-boss-Avram-Grant-might-have-the-last-laugh-after-points-deduction-article361217.html Albert Riera has told Spanish radio that Rafa Benitez's refusal to play him for Liverpool is jeopardising his World Cup place.Despite the fact that even if he made it on to the plane, there would need to be a mass outbreak of swine flu for him to get a place in the Spanish side.According to Riera, Rafa Benitez is "deaf" to his needs. Which may be so. But he's not blind to his faults. And Riera's have been glaring on the few occasions he's been match-fit this season.His lack of presence, pace,... Albert Riera has told Spanish radio that Rafa Benitez's refusal to play him for Liverpool is jeopardising his World Cup place.Despite the fact that even if he made it on to the plane, there would need to be a mass outbreak of swine flu for him to get a place in the Spanish side.According to Riera, Rafa Benitez is "deaf" to his needs. Which may be so. But he's not blind to his faults. And Riera's have been glaring on the few occasions he's been match-fit this season.His lack of presence, pace,... Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:01:18 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/The-Brian-Reade-Column-Why-Liverpool-flop-Albert-Riera-s-World-Cup-dream-is-just-that-and-Portsmouth-boss-Avram-Grant-might-have-the-last-laugh-after-points-deduction-article361217.html 2010-03-19T23:01:18Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/The-Brian-Reade-Column-The-real-reason-why-Hull-appointed-Iain-Dowie-and-perhaps-it-s-time-Roy-Keane-thought-about-giving-management-up-article361215.html On the surface Ian Dowie looks a bizarre choice to keep Hull in the top flight. He's had three goes in Premier League dug-outs, getting Crystal Palace relegated, being sacked after 15 games at Charlton, and helping Alan Shearer take Newcastle down.Which makes you wonder if they're looking for the man who invented bouncebackability to get them promoted next year, or became so disillusioned with Phil Brown's self-love they've gone for the least-tanned manager they could find.In which case you h... On the surface Ian Dowie looks a bizarre choice to keep Hull in the top flight. He's had three goes in Premier League dug-outs, getting Crystal Palace relegated, being sacked after 15 games at Charlton, and helping Alan Shearer take Newcastle down.Which makes you wonder if they're looking for the man who invented bouncebackability to get them promoted next year, or became so disillusioned with Phil Brown's self-love they've gone for the least-tanned manager they could find.In which case you h... Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:00:14 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/The-Brian-Reade-Column-The-real-reason-why-Hull-appointed-Iain-Dowie-and-perhaps-it-s-time-Roy-Keane-thought-about-giving-management-up-article361215.html 2010-03-19T23:00:14Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-How-Arsenal-s-Arsene-Wenger-s-transfer-policy-has-been-vindicated-while-Real-Madrid-suffer-plus-Everton-s-landon-Donovan-has-been-a-star-in-stripes-and-a-possible-defence-for-Blackburn-s-El-Hadji-Diouf-article353223.html Last summer Arsene Wenger's traditional transfer window kicking was more vicious than usual.Oh how he was pummelled for selling Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure for huge mounts and replacing them with an unknown Belgian centre-half. Even Alex Ferguson claimed Arsenal were the Big Four team who looked most vulnerable. For many, the phrase "Arsene Knows" became "Arsene Knows Eff-all" and obituarists sharpened their quills.Meanwhile in Madrid, praise was lavished on the cavalier genius of  Flore... Last summer Arsene Wenger's traditional transfer window kicking was more vicious than usual.Oh how he was pummelled for selling Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure for huge mounts and replacing them with an unknown Belgian centre-half. Even Alex Ferguson claimed Arsenal were the Big Four team who looked most vulnerable. For many, the phrase "Arsene Knows" became "Arsene Knows Eff-all" and obituarists sharpened their quills.Meanwhile in Madrid, praise was lavished on the cavalier genius of  Flore... Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:00:13 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-How-Arsenal-s-Arsene-Wenger-s-transfer-policy-has-been-vindicated-while-Real-Madrid-suffer-plus-Everton-s-landon-Donovan-has-been-a-star-in-stripes-and-a-possible-defence-for-Blackburn-s-El-Hadji-Diouf-article353223.html 2010-03-13T06:00:13Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Why-Wigan-s-Dave-Whelan-is-right-for-once-over-Liverpool-mess-plus-dark-days-for-Chester-City-and-the-FA-Cup-article353219.html These are words I never dreamt I would type: Dave Whelan, you are 100% correct:  "Liverpool are in a mess," he said. "The owners don't feel what the fans feel.  There's absolutely no atmosphere and no heart at all at present. The supporters feel that and I think the players are starting to feel it." Spot-on.For three years Liverpool has been riddled with poisonous and incompetent factions and finally the poison and incompetence has spewed out on to the pitch. This club is lost at every level.... These are words I never dreamt I would type: Dave Whelan, you are 100% correct:  "Liverpool are in a mess," he said. "The owners don't feel what the fans feel.  There's absolutely no atmosphere and no heart at all at present. The supporters feel that and I think the players are starting to feel it." Spot-on.For three years Liverpool has been riddled with poisonous and incompetent factions and finally the poison and incompetence has spewed out on to the pitch. This club is lost at every level.... Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:59:11 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Why-Wigan-s-Dave-Whelan-is-right-for-once-over-Liverpool-mess-plus-dark-days-for-Chester-City-and-the-FA-Cup-article353219.html 2010-03-13T05:59:11Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Portsmouth-players-are-above-the-financial-law-as-staff-get-the-boot-plus-AC-Milan-are-old-not-gold-and-Arsenal-defender-Sol-Campbell-s-summer-plans-revealed-article353215.html Portsmouth have sacked 85 staff and cut the chief executive's pay by 40% before his departure as they club tried to drag itself away from bankruptcy.One set of employees who won't face redundancies or pay-cuts though, are the players. Not when there's an agreement between the PFA and the Premier League that their contracts are untouchable.The next time a player scandal breaks, and Gordon Taylor demands that footballers are treated like everyone else, I hope he remembers how he's helped make t... Portsmouth have sacked 85 staff and cut the chief executive's pay by 40% before his departure as they club tried to drag itself away from bankruptcy.One set of employees who won't face redundancies or pay-cuts though, are the players. Not when there's an agreement between the PFA and the Premier League that their contracts are untouchable.The next time a player scandal breaks, and Gordon Taylor demands that footballers are treated like everyone else, I hope he remembers how he's helped make t... Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:58:08 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Portsmouth-players-are-above-the-financial-law-as-staff-get-the-boot-plus-AC-Milan-are-old-not-gold-and-Arsenal-defender-Sol-Campbell-s-summer-plans-revealed-article353215.html 2010-03-13T05:58:08Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Here-s-what-makes-Peter-Crouch-so-freakishly-good-for-England-and-Tottenham-plus-I-d-rather-have-Manchester-United-s-David-Gill-than-Red-Knight-s-Keith-Harris-and-no-if-and-butts-about-Zinedine-Zidane-s-refusal-to-apologise-to-Marco-Materazzi-over-France-v-Italy-World-Cup-final-article345357.html One of the most bizarre football conversations I ever had took place a decade ago in a Brussels Chinese restaurant.It was lunch-time before one of England's utterly forgettable Euro 2000 games and Des Lynam was holding forth on why Kenny Dalglish was class."You know why nobody could get near him? His a*se. He had a huge a*se," he yelled, as a bemused Chinese waitress tried to put down three bowls of Singapore vermicelli. "He used to stick it out when he was shielding the ball and no-one could... One of the most bizarre football conversations I ever had took place a decade ago in a Brussels Chinese restaurant.It was lunch-time before one of England's utterly forgettable Euro 2000 games and Des Lynam was holding forth on why Kenny Dalglish was class."You know why nobody could get near him? His a*se. He had a huge a*se," he yelled, as a bemused Chinese waitress tried to put down three bowls of Singapore vermicelli. "He used to stick it out when he was shielding the ball and no-one could... Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:32:53 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Here-s-what-makes-Peter-Crouch-so-freakishly-good-for-England-and-Tottenham-plus-I-d-rather-have-Manchester-United-s-David-Gill-than-Red-Knight-s-Keith-Harris-and-no-if-and-butts-about-Zinedine-Zidane-s-refusal-to-apologise-to-Marco-Materazzi-over-France-v-Italy-World-Cup-final-article345357.html 2010-03-05T22:32:53Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Why-Blackburn-s-Big-Sam-Allardyce-not-Stoke-s-Tony-Pulis-is-king-of-the-cloggers-plus-Djibril-Cisse-will-give-France-the-blues-and-England-hero-Sir-Geoff-Hurst-is-a-Knight-to-forget-article345351.html Arsene Wenger is as wrong to say Arsenal are the only Premier League team given rough-house treatment as he is to say Stoke are the only one dishing it out.Sadly, this country has produced a type of manager who believes the only way to stop a side with superior skill is to kick them off the pitch. A coach whose only strategy to gain a point (that's all he mostly plays for) is a dead-ball booted or thrown on to giants' heads in the penalty area.And there's a worse offender than Tony Pulis: Sam... Arsene Wenger is as wrong to say Arsenal are the only Premier League team given rough-house treatment as he is to say Stoke are the only one dishing it out.Sadly, this country has produced a type of manager who believes the only way to stop a side with superior skill is to kick them off the pitch. A coach whose only strategy to gain a point (that's all he mostly plays for) is a dead-ball booted or thrown on to giants' heads in the penalty area.And there's a worse offender than Tony Pulis: Sam... Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:31:47 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Why-Blackburn-s-Big-Sam-Allardyce-not-Stoke-s-Tony-Pulis-is-king-of-the-cloggers-plus-Djibril-Cisse-will-give-France-the-blues-and-England-hero-Sir-Geoff-Hurst-is-a-Knight-to-forget-article345351.html 2010-03-05T22:31:47Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Why-Manchester-United-striker-Michael-Owen-s-brochure-should-attract-Trading-Standards-plus-the-Wembley-way-was-all-wrong-at-England-v-Egypt-and-ITV-pundit-and-Talksport-host-Andy-Townsend-s-hypocrisy-over-Chelsea-skipper-John-Terry-s-affair-article345355.html I've just been digging through some old mail and found that 32-page Michael Owen brochure. The one where it said he was sexier than George Clooney, faster than Usain Bolt and done more for charity work than Mother Teresa. And even more ridiculously, that he was "fit and healthy."Owen's doctor John Green BSc (Hons), MCSP, HPC even wrote that all this talk of him being injury-prone is "nonsense".Indeed, the doc concludes: "Owen will play at the highest level for many years - trouble-free."Start... I've just been digging through some old mail and found that 32-page Michael Owen brochure. The one where it said he was sexier than George Clooney, faster than Usain Bolt and done more for charity work than Mother Teresa. And even more ridiculously, that he was "fit and healthy."Owen's doctor John Green BSc (Hons), MCSP, HPC even wrote that all this talk of him being injury-prone is "nonsense".Indeed, the doc concludes: "Owen will play at the highest level for many years - trouble-free."Start... Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:30:38 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Why-Manchester-United-striker-Michael-Owen-s-brochure-should-attract-Trading-Standards-plus-the-Wembley-way-was-all-wrong-at-England-v-Egypt-and-ITV-pundit-and-Talksport-host-Andy-Townsend-s-hypocrisy-over-Chelsea-skipper-John-Terry-s-affair-article345355.html 2010-03-05T22:30:38Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Wayne-Bridge-of-Manchester-City-was-right-to-quit-England-over-Chelsea-friend-John-Terry-s-affair-with-Vanessa-Perroncel-plus-the-Countdown-conundrum-I-d-love-to-see-Burnley-s-Clark-Carlisle-unjumble-article336571.html It would have been so different if it had been played out in the Scorer cartoon strip.The Gaffer would have called Skipper and Bridgey into his office and said no-one was leaving until it was sorted. Skip would have admitted he crossed the uncrossable line, and told Bridgey to smack him if it made him feel better, which he would have done. And as the two foes stared hard at each other, Bridgey would have said what needed saying: "She was a slag, gaffer. Let's put it to bed."Cue a firm handsha... It would have been so different if it had been played out in the Scorer cartoon strip.The Gaffer would have called Skipper and Bridgey into his office and said no-one was leaving until it was sorted. Skip would have admitted he crossed the uncrossable line, and told Bridgey to smack him if it made him feel better, which he would have done. And as the two foes stared hard at each other, Bridgey would have said what needed saying: "She was a slag, gaffer. Let's put it to bed."Cue a firm handsha... Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:32:16 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Wayne-Bridge-of-Manchester-City-was-right-to-quit-England-over-Chelsea-friend-John-Terry-s-affair-with-Vanessa-Perroncel-plus-the-Countdown-conundrum-I-d-love-to-see-Burnley-s-Clark-Carlisle-unjumble-article336571.html 2010-02-26T21:32:16Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Lessons-of-Mark-Hughes-at-Manchester-City-and-Gary-Megson-Megson-at-Bolton-Wanderers-show-that-changing-managers-in-mid-season-is-madness-Plus-Everton-s-home-fire-still-burning-at-Goodison-Park-and-bully-for-Hull-s-Jimmy-Bullard-article336561.html In December Manchester City sacked Mark Hughes and Bolton sacked Gary Megson, despite most observers feeling both managers were doing decent jobs in trying circumstances.However their chairmen disagreed. They were impatient. They had "minimum targets" to ensure this season - City to make the Champions League places, and Bolton to remain above the relegation places - and they were prepared to spend their January transfer window budgets paying off managers and bringing in new ones on bigger con... In December Manchester City sacked Mark Hughes and Bolton sacked Gary Megson, despite most observers feeling both managers were doing decent jobs in trying circumstances.However their chairmen disagreed. They were impatient. They had "minimum targets" to ensure this season - City to make the Champions League places, and Bolton to remain above the relegation places - and they were prepared to spend their January transfer window budgets paying off managers and bringing in new ones on bigger con... Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:31:32 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Lessons-of-Mark-Hughes-at-Manchester-City-and-Gary-Megson-Megson-at-Bolton-Wanderers-show-that-changing-managers-in-mid-season-is-madness-Plus-Everton-s-home-fire-still-burning-at-Goodison-Park-and-bully-for-Hull-s-Jimmy-Bullard-article336561.html 2010-02-26T21:31:32Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Graham-Poll-is-clueless-over-Kiki-Gonzalez-the-referee-who-denied-Chelsea-s-Salomon-Kalou-a-clear-penalty-Plus-Arsenal-are-still-a-title-threat-and-Ashley-Cole-s-women-are-far-from-blameless-article336555.html ALL those Chelsea fans still enraged by the cast-iron penalty they weren't awarded at the San Siro should comfort themselves with this knowledge.At least such woeful refereeing decisions are providing work for the needy. Take Graham Poll, who's enjoying a lucrative post-whistling career, by stating the bleeding obvious. You, me and David Blunkett knew instantly that the cynical hacking down of Salomon Kalou merited a penalty and a red card. But that didn't stop a national newspaper the next d... ALL those Chelsea fans still enraged by the cast-iron penalty they weren't awarded at the San Siro should comfort themselves with this knowledge.At least such woeful refereeing decisions are providing work for the needy. Take Graham Poll, who's enjoying a lucrative post-whistling career, by stating the bleeding obvious. You, me and David Blunkett knew instantly that the cynical hacking down of Salomon Kalou merited a penalty and a red card. But that didn't stop a national newspaper the next d... Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:30:51 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-reade/Brian-Reade-column-Graham-Poll-is-clueless-over-Kiki-Gonzalez-the-referee-who-denied-Chelsea-s-Salomon-Kalou-a-clear-penalty-Plus-Arsenal-are-still-a-title-threat-and-Ashley-Cole-s-women-are-far-from-blameless-article336555.html 2010-02-26T21:30:51Z true