David Anderson Trinity Mirror Trinity Mirror 2010-03-10T12:50:29Z 2010-03-10T10:31:23Z MirrorFootball can reveal why the FA are so keen to suppress publication of the secretly-taped England team meetings.We have heard part of the clandestine recordings made at the England HQ at the posh Grove hotel in Hertfordshire and the conversations between Fabio Capello and his players go right to the heart of the team's problems.(A door opens and footsteps are heard)Fabio Capello: "Good afternoon everyone and before we start, can I check that everyone's wife or partner - past or present -...

MirrorFootball can reveal why the FA are so keen to suppress publication of the secretly-taped England team meetings.We have heard part of the clandestine recordings made at the England HQ at the posh Grove hotel in Hertfordshire and the conversations between Fabio Capello and his players go right to the heart of the team's problems.(A door opens and footsteps are heard)Fabio Capello: "Good afternoon everyone and before we start, can I check that everyone's wife or partner - past or present -...

2010-03-10T10:31:23Z 2010-03-09T17:06:43Z 2010-03-10T08:00:35Z There's more than just a whiff of mediocrity about the Premier League this season. So much so that it's made me nostalgic for the good old days - everyone's good old days. So I've put together a dream top tier from the best teams of the last 30 or so years. Imagine a league where Billy Bremner, Graeme Souness, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira squared up to each other, or where you could see the sublime skills of Kenny Dalglish, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs? Champions: Manchester...

There's more than just a whiff of mediocrity about the Premier League this season. So much so that it's made me nostalgic for the good old days - everyone's good old days. So I've put together a dream top tier from the best teams of the last 30 or so years. Imagine a league where Billy Bremner, Graeme Souness, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira squared up to each other, or where you could see the sublime skills of Kenny Dalglish, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs? Champions: Manchester...

2010-03-10T08:00:35Z 2010-03-09T16:56:11Z 2010-03-10T08:00:17Z Hull fans don't have much to be optimistic about right now. Their team is getting beaten from pillar to post and the Championship beckons. But at least in Tom Cairney they can have hope for the future. Cairney caught the eye when he scored on his debut aged just 18 against Southend in the Carling Cup earlier this season. He impressed against Chelsea when he was up against Frank Lampard in only his second league appearance, prompting George Boateng to tip him as a future England star. On Sunda...

Hull fans don't have much to be optimistic about right now. Their team is getting beaten from pillar to post and the Championship beckons. But at least in Tom Cairney they can have hope for the future. Cairney caught the eye when he scored on his debut aged just 18 against Southend in the Carling Cup earlier this season. He impressed against Chelsea when he was up against Frank Lampard in only his second league appearance, prompting George Boateng to tip him as a future England star. On Sunda...

2010-03-10T08:00:17Z 2010-03-09T16:51:43Z 2010-03-10T08:00:14Z It's always the way in today's world that if a small team defeats a big team, the headlines are all about the big team losing. Tuesday was another example and it was all about Liverpool slumping to their ninth league defeat and not so much about Wigan achieving a historic first league win over the Reds. That's a shame because Roberto Martinez and his players deserve huge credit for their victory over Liverpool - to add to their success this season over Chelsea. They say if it ain't broke don'...

It's always the way in today's world that if a small team defeats a big team, the headlines are all about the big team losing. Tuesday was another example and it was all about Liverpool slumping to their ninth league defeat and not so much about Wigan achieving a historic first league win over the Reds. That's a shame because Roberto Martinez and his players deserve huge credit for their victory over Liverpool - to add to their success this season over Chelsea. They say if it ain't broke don'...

2010-03-10T08:00:14Z 2010-03-03T08:19:13Z 2010-03-03T08:02:57Z Sod Max Clifford. If John Terry and Ashley Cole really want people to stop hating them, they should turn to the Beano.The legendary kids' comic has given its famous characters a makeover to make them nicer and more appealing to the public.Dennis the Menace - or Dennis the Only Slight Nuisance as he's now known - has gone from the tearaway ASBO teenager to a slimmer, more sensitive soul.Gone are his trademark peashooter, catapult and knuckleduster and he has stopped his attacks on Walter Softy...

Sod Max Clifford. If John Terry and Ashley Cole really want people to stop hating them, they should turn to the Beano.The legendary kids' comic has given its famous characters a makeover to make them nicer and more appealing to the public.Dennis the Menace - or Dennis the Only Slight Nuisance as he's now known - has gone from the tearaway ASBO teenager to a slimmer, more sensitive soul.Gone are his trademark peashooter, catapult and knuckleduster and he has stopped his attacks on Walter Softy...

2010-03-03T08:02:57Z 2010-03-02T13:56:08Z 2010-03-03T08:01:49Z Imagine the outcry if Wales or Scotland spent time and money bringing a young player through their youth system, only for him to be nabbed by England when he is ready to make his senior debut. Such an unfair situation exists across the Irish Sea where the Republic of Ireland are luring some of Northern Ireland's best young players south of the border. Because of Northern Ireland's unique political status, players born in the Province are eligible to play for the Republic. Manchester United's ...

Imagine the outcry if Wales or Scotland spent time and money bringing a young player through their youth system, only for him to be nabbed by England when he is ready to make his senior debut. Such an unfair situation exists across the Irish Sea where the Republic of Ireland are luring some of Northern Ireland's best young players south of the border. Because of Northern Ireland's unique political status, players born in the Province are eligible to play for the Republic. Manchester United's ...

2010-03-03T08:01:49Z 2010-03-02T13:52:10Z 2010-03-03T08:00:42Z If John Portsmouth Play Up Pompey Westwood - or whatever that loony is called - and Pompey's other fans feel hard done by, they should be thankful they don't follow Chester City. Compared to Portsmouth, poor old Chester really are a club in crisis. After taking knock after knock since being relegated from the Football League last season, between administration and a 25-point deduction, the final blow was delivered on Friday when they were expelled from the Football Conference. The club, which...

If John Portsmouth Play Up Pompey Westwood - or whatever that loony is called - and Pompey's other fans feel hard done by, they should be thankful they don't follow Chester City. Compared to Portsmouth, poor old Chester really are a club in crisis. After taking knock after knock since being relegated from the Football League last season, between administration and a 25-point deduction, the final blow was delivered on Friday when they were expelled from the Football Conference. The club, which...

2010-03-03T08:00:42Z 2010-02-24T09:17:38Z 2010-02-24T09:17:36Z One of the most stunning revelations from the UFO files published last week was the account of a policeman who claimed he saw some bright lights hovering above Stamford Bridge.What the files did not disclose was an even more shocking claim that a huge shimmering object was seen landing at Old Trafford 24 years ago.What makes his even more intriguing is that the incident took place on the night of November 6, 1986 - the day Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed Manchester United manager.The theory t...

One of the most stunning revelations from the UFO files published last week was the account of a policeman who claimed he saw some bright lights hovering above Stamford Bridge.What the files did not disclose was an even more shocking claim that a huge shimmering object was seen landing at Old Trafford 24 years ago.What makes his even more intriguing is that the incident took place on the night of November 6, 1986 - the day Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed Manchester United manager.The theory t...

2010-02-24T09:17:36Z 2010-02-24T09:14:12Z 2010-02-24T09:14:10Z Two months in and Phil Gartside's decision to axe Gary Megson is really paying off.Whatever trouble Gartside thought Bolton were in at Christmas is nothing to the real crisis gripping the Reebok now.Sunday's defeat at Blackburn was as abject as they come and Wanderers really are in danger of going down.But of course the boo boys who helped hound Megson out will say it's all his fault.They are his players and so he should carry the can.They will not blame Owen Coyle, even though the man who du...

Two months in and Phil Gartside's decision to axe Gary Megson is really paying off.Whatever trouble Gartside thought Bolton were in at Christmas is nothing to the real crisis gripping the Reebok now.Sunday's defeat at Blackburn was as abject as they come and Wanderers really are in danger of going down.But of course the boo boys who helped hound Megson out will say it's all his fault.They are his players and so he should carry the can.They will not blame Owen Coyle, even though the man who du...

2010-02-24T09:14:10Z 2010-02-24T09:09:46Z 2010-02-24T09:09:45Z After taking all the plaudits during the first 13 months of his Leeds reign, Simon Grayson admits he is now facing his toughest test at Elland Road. He has got to turn around Leeds' slump before yet another promotion campaign ends in tears. I said it at the time and I'll say it again, beating Manchester United was bad for Leeds' promotion chances. In an instant, Grayson's players were thrust into the limelight and, for some of them, the adulation turned their heads. The problem was they were ...

After taking all the plaudits during the first 13 months of his Leeds reign, Simon Grayson admits he is now facing his toughest test at Elland Road. He has got to turn around Leeds' slump before yet another promotion campaign ends in tears. I said it at the time and I'll say it again, beating Manchester United was bad for Leeds' promotion chances. In an instant, Grayson's players were thrust into the limelight and, for some of them, the adulation turned their heads. The problem was they were ...

2010-02-24T09:09:45Z 2010-02-16T22:58:39Z 2010-02-17T08:32:33Z Before each World Cup, there is usually one player who comes from nowhere to gatecrash England's squad and make an impact at the finals. There was Geoff Hurst in 1966, Peter Beardsley in 1986 and David Platt in 1990. This year it could be Manchester City's uncapped wing wonder Adam Johnson. Scientific research has identified Johnson as the most likely candidate to make a late run for the England plane to South Africa. When I say scientific research, what I really mean is that I've flicked thr...

Before each World Cup, there is usually one player who comes from nowhere to gatecrash England's squad and make an impact at the finals. There was Geoff Hurst in 1966, Peter Beardsley in 1986 and David Platt in 1990. This year it could be Manchester City's uncapped wing wonder Adam Johnson. Scientific research has identified Johnson as the most likely candidate to make a late run for the England plane to South Africa. When I say scientific research, what I really mean is that I've flicked thr...

2010-02-17T08:32:33Z 2010-02-16T22:57:22Z 2010-02-17T08:31:25Z It seems there is no limit to the pampering of today's top players. Take Manchester United's stars. It has long been the case that their passports are collected off them in advance to make sure none of them forget them when they are flying out on Champions League trips. But yesterday I witnessed a new development in the nannying of our top professionals. They were met at check-in by a representative from their travel company who collected all their washbags from their snazy designer Paul Smit...

It seems there is no limit to the pampering of today's top players. Take Manchester United's stars. It has long been the case that their passports are collected off them in advance to make sure none of them forget them when they are flying out on Champions League trips. But yesterday I witnessed a new development in the nannying of our top professionals. They were met at check-in by a representative from their travel company who collected all their washbags from their snazy designer Paul Smit...

2010-02-17T08:31:25Z 2010-02-16T22:53:21Z 2010-02-17T08:30:30Z Like all kids of my generation, I was brought up on the magic of the FA Cup final. It was near enough the only club match I ever saw live on the telly in the 1970s and the final truly was the highlight of the footballing year. Liverpool may have been winning title after title, but lifting the Cup seemed to have much more glamour and kudos attached to it when watched from our settees at home.Over the years, this lustre has dulled and the Cup has lost much of its sparkle. I know people are swit...

Like all kids of my generation, I was brought up on the magic of the FA Cup final. It was near enough the only club match I ever saw live on the telly in the 1970s and the final truly was the highlight of the footballing year. Liverpool may have been winning title after title, but lifting the Cup seemed to have much more glamour and kudos attached to it when watched from our settees at home.Over the years, this lustre has dulled and the Cup has lost much of its sparkle. I know people are swit...

2010-02-17T08:30:30Z 2010-02-09T21:53:19Z 2010-02-10T08:03:56Z Fabio Capello's decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy is a bad precedent. The worst, in fact, since George W Bush. Capello's ruling that indiscretions in his players' private lives have a bearing on their international careers has opened the floodgates. Several players are nervously hoping the various skeletons in their wardrobes do not get a rattle before the World Cup in South Africa. One England star, in particular, is sweating on his fine by Blockbuster Video becoming publ...

Fabio Capello's decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy is a bad precedent. The worst, in fact, since George W Bush. Capello's ruling that indiscretions in his players' private lives have a bearing on their international careers has opened the floodgates. Several players are nervously hoping the various skeletons in their wardrobes do not get a rattle before the World Cup in South Africa. One England star, in particular, is sweating on his fine by Blockbuster Video becoming publ...

2010-02-10T08:03:56Z 2010-02-09T21:51:57Z 2010-02-10T08:01:54Z You can only feel sorry for Gary Cahill after the news that his World Cup dream is over because of a blood clot on his arm. Bolton boss Owen Coyle claims his star defender will be out for the rest of the season, dashing his hopes of forcing his way on to the plane for South Africa. Cahill has developed rapidly at Bolton and is emerging into one of the best young English defenders, alongside Ryan Shawcross. He would not have let Capello down if he had gone to this summer's World Cup. But he wi...

You can only feel sorry for Gary Cahill after the news that his World Cup dream is over because of a blood clot on his arm. Bolton boss Owen Coyle claims his star defender will be out for the rest of the season, dashing his hopes of forcing his way on to the plane for South Africa. Cahill has developed rapidly at Bolton and is emerging into one of the best young English defenders, alongside Ryan Shawcross. He would not have let Capello down if he had gone to this summer's World Cup. But he wi...

2010-02-10T08:01:54Z 2010-02-09T21:49:37Z 2010-02-10T08:00:58Z According to Robinho, in addition to love, money also can't buy happiness. Manchester City paid him a truck load of it to move to Eastlands in 2008 - £160,000-a-week to be precise - but, bless him, he says he still couldn't find true happiness. He did look miserable every time he was pictured out with his mates partying in Manchester's swankiest hotels. Robinho claims he has only discovered true happiness since returning to Santos on loan for the next six-months. That's ironic, because we've ...

According to Robinho, in addition to love, money also can't buy happiness. Manchester City paid him a truck load of it to move to Eastlands in 2008 - £160,000-a-week to be precise - but, bless him, he says he still couldn't find true happiness. He did look miserable every time he was pictured out with his mates partying in Manchester's swankiest hotels. Robinho claims he has only discovered true happiness since returning to Santos on loan for the next six-months. That's ironic, because we've ...

2010-02-10T08:00:58Z