Wearside Yorkie

The new season: Sunderland

2010-07-22T23:44:00.003+01:00

So it's nearly here, only a few weeks to go until we start it all over again. So what's going to happen? Who's going to do well, who's going to struggle? Well here's my guide to the new season, and seeing as though I live up here, we'll start with Sunderland.

Last Season

After spending a record £41 million on strengthening the squad, Steve Bruce's side still only managed to finish a disappointing 13th in the table. The season included a baron 15 games without a win which undid the promising early season form that saw the Black Cats climb as high as 4th position.

Despite all the negatives from last year, Sunderland secured the signature of Darren Bent for a club record x million, a decision which paid off after he finished the season with 24 league goals. Other big name signings included Lorik Cana, who became an instant hit with the Sunderland faithful due to his no-nonsense approach. After his £6.5 million move from Marseilles he was named club captain, but injuries and suspensions meant that his impact was limited.

One of the biggest disappointments of last year was Sunderland's disciplinary record, as they beat the likes of Bolton and Stoke to that prestigious title of dirtiest team in the league. They finished the season with an amazing 82 yellow cards and nine red cards.

New Signings

Steve Bruce has built up a reputation of signing unknown foreign players on the cheap and this season is no different. With a list of Christian Riveros, Simon Mignolet, El Mohammadi [Loan] and Marcos Angelri for a combined fee of just £4 million this reputation seems well earned.

The capture of Titus Bramble for £1 million has certainly raised a few eyebrows, but the former Newcastle centre half has come a long way since earning a reputation that can be compared with 'Calamity James.'

With money still in the bank, Bruce is rumoured to be chasing Man City misfit Stephen Ireland for £12 million and Wigan star Charles N'Zogbia for £8 million. Add to this the heavily linked free agent Sol Campbell and that should see Bruce's spending complete, until January at least!

What Can We Expect?

Under Bruce Sunderland play a very physical game, but after loosing their captain Lorik Cana and replacing him with the more creative Riveros, this could see the Black Cats adopting a more expansive game. Sunderland for me are a bit of an unknown quantity, as they have strengthened in defence, but still lack natural wingers who can beat a man and put a cross in, service that the likes of Bent and Jones would thrive off.

I fully expect Sunderland to continue with their slow and steady improvement and finally break into the top 10. A finish of 9th place with a good cup run will represent an excellent season for the Black Cats.

The changing face of football

2010-06-20T22:26:00.002+01:00

Almost all of the second set of group matches are complete in the World Cup, so what do we make of it so far.

In terms of England, well, it hasn't been good has it?

Two games in, only one goal scored and two points for our efforts. Those stats don't make for good reading but when you add into that the rumours of in-fighting and our star player hitting out at his own fans, the picture becomes especially bleak.

For those of you who can't make out what Rooney said, it was: "It's nice to hear your own fans booing you."

Well yes, Wayne, it isn't too nice to hear England fans booing their own team, despite travelling hundreds of miles and spending thousands of pounds for the right to do so. But don't you think that this type of commitment from the fans is exactly what is missing from our players?

The draw with Algeria tasted so bitter because it seemed as though nobody cared, there was no passion from Terry, no drive from Rooney and perhaps most importantly no leadership from Capello. For all Capello's shouting and raving, nothing seemed to happen, we still played 4-4-2 and still looked bereft of ideas going forward.

Looking at our neighbours, (it should have been Ireland) France are having a disastrous tournament. One point from their opening two games leaves their tournament hanging in the balance, and to top everything else off Nicolas Anelka has been sent home after a fall out with the manager.

If there is one thing England and France can take comfort in, it is the performance of the other European nations. Optajoe reliably informs me that between them England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain have won just one of their nine matches at the 2010 World Cup - in 2006 they were unbeaten in the group stages, winning 11 of 15 matches.

This is in comparison to South American teams who have seven out of nine games so far in the tournament.

What's the difference then? Are South American teams really that much better? Or can it be explained by the altitude or the ball? Whatever it is, England need to ensure that they change this pattern or face the wrath of the English public back home.

Rafa gone!

2010-06-03T14:30:00.008+01:00

The decision has been made, the paperwork has almost been done and the news of Rafa Benitez's departure from Anfield has been made official.

After months of speculation about his future, controversial American duo Tom Hicks and George Gillett have finally reached the decision to end Rafa's 6 year reign at Liverpool.

The Spaniard will leave having won the Champions League, FA Cup, European Super Cup and a Charity Shield, ensuring he will always be remembered fondly by the Anfield faithful.

Rafa will leave behind a legacy of unfilled potential, after missing out on the title the Liverpool fans crave the most, the Premier League, despite finishing as runners-up in the 2008/9 season.

His reign was marred with controversy, however, as he frequently clashed with the board, failed in the transfer market and fell apart during the title run in with Manchester United.

Rafa's departure will come as no surprise to most football fans, as it has been rumoured since the arrival of the American duo. Rafa, however, will not come out of the situation with his reputation completely in tact. His persistent links with Juventus and now Inter Milan suggested he had something in the pipelines and will not be out of work long.

So now the question for Liverpool fans is whose next in the hot seat? Who next to attempt to take this historic club back to its rightful place at the top?

The favourites include Roy Hodgson and Martin O'Neil, who have both had good season's with their clubs and may be reluctant to leave something they are still in the early stages of building. Despite O'Neil's short term contract, both these managers would require serious money to pry them away from their clubs, money that Liverpool just do not have.

Another option would be to turn to the old boys, the legends of the club. Kenny Dalglish is one name that just won't go away, and he may be turned to as an interim manager whilst the board search for a more permanent successor.

My choice would be Mark Hughes. Despite being a legend of the club down the road, he has done well wherever he has been and is certainly one of the up-and-comers of the game. After being wrongly sacked by Manchester City, Hughes has had a quiet few months, occasionally turning up as a pundit on Sky Sports. Could this be the time for him to step back into the limelight?

Who goes?

2010-06-01T00:15:00.005+01:00

It's the day of the announcement that England fans have been waiting for. Fabio Capello will today trim the 30 man squad down to the 23 men that he thinks are good enough to bring the World Cup back after its 44 year absence.

We all like to do it, play England manager that is. In fact, you can bet that it has been the topic of many conversations in the pub or schoolyard, age permitting! So here is my attempt at who should go, starting with the keeper.

Goalkeepers

Fabio has already made his choice of the three keepers to go, so it's hard to really argue with it. One of the trio is David James. The Portsmouth shot stopper is the most experienced keeper out of the three but is well known for the odd mistake here and there.

Joe Hart has had an excellent season between the sticks for Birmingham, but his lack of experience may cost him when it comes to deciding who should start against USA on 12th June.

My choice for the number one jersey goes to the man already in possession of the shirt. Rob Green. Despite having a difficult season in the domestic game, Green has been confident and consistent for England. His two saves in the friendly against Mexico showed that he also has the quality it takes to be a top international player.

Defenders

The first thing to do is get the obvious out of the way, the type of player that has been in the squad throughout Capello's reign will definitely get a place. This means step forward captain Ferdinand, Terry, Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson, the plane is that way and you're seat is waiting for you.

That's someone in every position at the back, so now let's deal with the back up. Ledley King has to go, he's one of the most talented centre backs in the world and I believe that if it wasn't for his injury problems then this statement would be fact, rather than just opinion.

The other centre back I would like to see is Dawson. He has been an outstanding all season for Harry Redknapp and has been one of the main reasons for Spurs reversal in fortunes. This may upset some Carragher fans, but don't worry, I can't see Carragher coming out of international retirement if he wasn't guaranteed a place on that plane.

So to the other two full backs. I would take Leighton Baines, who has had yet another solid season for Everton, as back up to Ashley Cole. At right back I would take Stephen Warnock, as I believe that at this level you need to be a specialist at your position rather than a utility man who is put somewhere 'to do a job.'

Midfielders

We'll get the obvious out of the way again. Definitely in are Lampard and Gerrard, the two people who have been involved with England for what seems an eternity. The other positions are up for grabs.

Despite his injury problems, Gareth Barry has to go. The performance in the two friendlies so far has shown what an important player to England he is. His ability to convert defence into attack gives England an attacking edge and the pace at which he does it makes the likes of Rooney and Defoe all the more deadly.

In terms of wingers I would take Theo Walcott, Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon and Adam Johnson. Cole has shown what a quality player he is over the years and in the friendly against Japan he showed what a threat he could be. He also offers something different from the raw pace offered by the other wingmen, allowing Capello a Plan B if the situation dictates.

Walcott, Lennon and Johnson have all had excellent seasons at club level, and all offer a lot in terms of pace and raw ability. Everybody knows about the potential of these players, but it's about time they stepped up to the mark and show that all that promise isn't going to go to waste.

Forwards

That leaves me with five spaces for the strikers rather than the usual four. This means that I can get away with taking all the strikers in the squad. Rooney, Defoe and Crouch are all certainties to go which would have meant Bent and Heskey battling for the fourth space.

Bent has had a fantastic season at Sunderland where he has scored goals for fun. His pace sees him cause all sorts of problems for defenders, especially seeing as though he plays on the shoulder of the last man and looks for long balls over the top. However, international football requires a little more build up play, so the question is can he adapt his game enough to fit England's needs.

Heskey has had a difficult season at Aston Villa. He has struggled to make the first team and when he has he has often struggled to make an impact. In the World Cup qualifyers, however, he has been thriving. His strength and awkwardness seems the perfect foil for Rooney to do what he does best.

So there's my squad, if you see anything you don't like then please feel free to let me know in the comment section underneath.

Wembley is no place for losers

2010-05-18T00:03:00.009+01:00

It’s hard being a football fan. It’s especially hard being a non-league football fan.

With any club there is the up’s, and then there are the downs. Unfortunately when you support a non-league club as I do, there are more downs than there are ups.

So when York City travelled to Wembley in the Blue Square Premier Play-Off final, there was real hope that our status would once again read ‘League Club.’

Now, anyone watching the game on Sky Sports will immediately have noticed the vast gulf in support, Oxford managed to bring around 30,000 to York’s rather poultry 10,000.

There are a few reasons for this. Firstly there is the kick off; Sunday at 5pm is a ridiculous time for a team in the North to get all the way down to Wembley and back, especially if they are taking any children to the game.

Secondly, there’s the fact that we went last year, OK so we only took an extra 5000 that day, but that meant that all the people that wanted to go and just see the home of football had already been, so no need for them to go again so soon.

But the single most important reason for this is the nature of the York public. The people of York seem to have no desire to do anything in this city. It’s well known that York caters more for the tourists rather than it’s residents, but why does that mean it’s resident’s have to have no pride in the clubs that are representing where they come from.

After just 20 minutes had gone, I could already hear the non-believers in my head. “I told you so.” “Why do you support that crap for.”

For them, there is no hope. They’ll just never understand quite what it is to be a non-league football fan.

As York City are awarded the title as longest serving team currently in the Blue Square Premier, I can only believe in that old saying: “There’s always next year.”

Since when were England good at the cricket?

2010-05-14T12:03:00.005+01:00

Well, England doesn’t tend to do too well with World Cups, regardless of the sport. So when you see that we are in the World Cup final of the cricket, you have got to ask yourself, just how the hell did that happen?

In fact, England’s cricket team has never won a World Cup in either the 50 or 20 over forms of the game, despite being runners up three times. Ok, that makes it sound a bit worse than it is, seeing as though this is only the third Twenty20 World Cup.

But the question still remains, what have England been doing RIGHT?

You just have to look at the squad to know what’s going on. Of the five batsmen involved in England’s impressive dispatching of Twenty20 specialists Sri Lanka, only one was actually born in England.

Of England’s top five batsmen, there are three South African’s, one Irishman and amazingly just one Englishman.

So just how have England managed to get away with this? Is it right that someone can represent a country they were not born in?

Paul Collingwood, captain of the over achieving team defends the decision, claiming they were just “the missing piece of the jigsaw.”

Collingwood thinks that: “We had some very good players in amongst our other players but this is just what we needed, a spark at the top of the order.”

But is it right that they are even playing for England? Even Chief selector Geoff Miller has had his doubts, but he came out fighting when questioned about it in January. He said: “Picking these players mirrors our nation, we’re a multi-cultural nation and Craig (Kieswetter) has passed all the criteria required to be an English cricketer.”

Regardless of the ethics, it certainly seems to be working. Hopefully Sunday will bring the World Cup success that this nation so desperately craves.

It's been a while

2010-05-14T03:26:00.000+01:00

Ok, I know you haven't heard from me in a while, but that's all about to change, I promise!

From now on you can expect a wider view, rather than just York City I will be looking at most major sports stories, but still keeping a close eye on the fortunes of my home towns team.

I promise the posts will be regular, or at least as regular as I can manage! To fit in with the changes I have made, I will be changing a few things such as design, links and colour scheme.

Enjoy!

Some News

2008-04-25T14:27:00.001+01:00

We have been added to a blog list, so thanks to Technorati.

Assessing The Squad: Defenders

2008-04-21T12:22:00.002+01:00

Defence is a position City have no really got right, and this season is no exception, a point which is proved by 70 goals conceeded in the league this season so far.

Everybody knows about the early season problems and the occasional switch in formation, but in this post I will explore each individuals contribution.

After spending about 18 months on loan at City, McGurk completed his move from Darlington on a free transfer in August 2006. Since moving he has become the heart of the defence, and possibly the heart of the whole team.

McGurk has been the most consistant out of all the City defence again this season, impressing with his determination aswell as his ability.

The story around him, however, has been less than impressive.

Sharing the remaining centre back position (when only one is available) has been Darren Kelly and Danny Parslow.

Kelly has been a disappointment since his move from Derry City and the Northern-Irishman has consistantly been found wanting both in the air and on the ground.

Parslow, however, has been an improvement. The former Wales Under-21 international has done what has been required of him with minimal fuss. However, he has at times showed his lack of experience but at only 22 he can only improve.

In the full/wing back positions are Mark Robinson and Darren Craddock.

23 year old Craddock signed for city after having a brief loan spell at the club. Since then he has amassed over 50 appearences for the club. His defence is solid but never outstanding and going forward he looks suspect. His delivery of crosses is often disappointing but he does have good stamina.

26-year-old left back Mark Robinson joined the club from Torquay United in 2007 and when fit has been virtually assured of his place in the side. At 26, Robinson is the most experienced member of the defence, but has abused this position with a poor disciplinary record.

The back up to the first team is Jimmy Beadle, Anthony Lloyd and Ben Purkiss. They have proven to be decent back up, but have never really gone on and challenged for a first team place. Other than the three listed above, there are some decent youth players that may well be tried over the next few weeks.

The defence this year has been an absolute disappointment. Mcgurk is the rock that the defence should be built around. We need an experienced centre back and a utility player to directly replace two of the present squad.

Assessing The Squad: Goalkeepers

2008-04-15T14:21:00.005+01:00

Another season of mediocrity. Another season of disappointment and hurt. But where did it all go wrong? Over the next few weeks I will assess each position and the players in those positions. This week, Goalkeepers.

The 'keeper has always been one of the most important parts of any squad. It is the last line of defence and any great team has a great 'keeper. At York, however, we don't.

The number 1 jersey has been in possession of Tom Evans for 2 seasons now, and he has been a complete disappointment.

Joining on a free transfer after being released from Scunthorpe, Evans has not proved to be the consistent rock that City have needed at the back of a young defence.

He has often made errors at crucial points and his general command of his area has been poor, leading to City being very weak when defending free kicks and corners.

The stand out memory of Tome Evans is in the play-off semi-final verses Morcambe, where his mistake lead to City being knocked out of the play-offs and denied their chance to climb out of non-league obscurity.

At the start of the season City secured a loan deal for Bristol City's young shot stopper Stephen Henderson. In his month at the club he made 7 first team appearances, but was deemed no better than what we already had.

In July City managed to poach the son of former City favourite Bobby Mimms from Liverpool Youth team. Josh Mimms signed as back up to the first team but in his two and a bit games thus far, has conceded 10 goals.

Mimms started in goal in the 6-1 defeat away at Crawley and manager Colin Walker openly admitted that he was at fault for at least two of the goals.

In the past City have had some excellent 'keepers, with Sir Alan Fettis, Dean Kiely and Bobby Mimms to name a few, but the current crop is just not good enough.

City need a new number one, desperately.

Deja-Vou?

2008-03-31T14:51:00.005+01:00

This week has seen the potential return of an old city chairman in eerily similar circumstances.

John Batchelor has declared an interest in buying Mansfield Town. Just like with City he is hoping to rename the club to increase it's marketability. Only this time, it's worse!

Batchelor plans to rename the Stags, calling it Harchester United, the ficticous team in Sky One's Dream Team, instead.

The decietful businessman has already single-handedly collapsed the other offer that was on the table, that of James Derry.

This time, however, he appears to be meeting more of an opposition as City fans begin to rally and make as much noise as possible about the dangers that are present.

Even Sky Sports News' Jeff Stelling has voiced his concerns, speaking out on Saturday 29th March 08, saying words to the effect of Batchelor must have nothing to do with football.

John Batchelor is a destroyer of companies, the fact that he quotes the guy charged with the attempted murder of York City FC shows more about his character than anything else.

John Batchelor: "People will make their own decisions, if (in the words of my illustrious predecessor at York, Douglas Craig) they don't like what we have on offer then they don't have to come do they? I will budget for no fans turning up at the ground, which really every club should do."

Home For Life?

2008-03-26T11:12:00.008Z

At the start of the season everyone realised that this season would be a defining one for the club. With the potential of promotion and plans of a new stadium on the horizen, city fans had every right to be optimistic for what the future held.

But, alas, the season draws to a close and hopes of promotion are all but a distant memory. Even more worrying, however, is the lack of plans for a new stadium.

After taking out a loan with the Football Foundation, City signed up to a contract which stated:
- The Foundation would loan City £2 million
- This money would be used to buy back Bootham Crescent
- York City would have to name a new site for a stadium by the end of 2007
- York City would pay £140,000 a year to pay back the loan

However, towards the end of 2007, a statement was released by Sophie McGill, stating that City were not going to be punished for not naming a site for the stadium and the Football Foundation were happy with the progress being made.

Months later, still no word.

There are two main proposed sites as far as can be seen. Many of the fans favourites is the site of the old British Sugar factory. This is a brownfield site so will please the council, however it will require complete redevelopment and is likely to cost a lot of money.

View Larger Map

The alternative is unpopular. It is Huntington Stadium. It is currently home to York's rugby league side, the York City Knights. They, however, rent the ground from the adjoining fitness centre, who are unlikely to want to sell. The stadium only has two very small stands, and also has a running track. It is also outside of the city centre so will be unlikely to help with attendences. It is, however, already built and would only need to be redeveloped and extended, so will turn out to be cheaper.

Although unpopular, Huntington Stadium seems to be the likely home for York City, that is of course if we still have a football team by then.....

Is It Over?

2008-03-18T13:20:00.003Z

After defeat in the semi final of the FA Trophy many city fans are now thinking that this season is as good as over. With only an outside shot at the playoffs to play for now, questions have to be asked as to what went so wrong?

Last season, the then manager Billy McEwan took a team full of confidence into the playoffs against Morecambe, only to be knocked out 2-1 on aggregate. In some ways it could be said that that result would have a bearing on this season.

Perhaps not knowing which division he would be in McEwan was unable to plan which players he were to sign. Perhaps the head start in the transfer market given to clubs with nothing else to play for meant that McEwan missed out on some of his targets.

If this is true, then maybe this season it might work for Colin Walker and York City. Maybe this year we are able to be the first to pick up players, even with the financial situation that haunts the club.

Next year IS our year.....

Right Man, Wrong Team?

2008-03-10T13:52:00.006Z

City are without a win in the league since February 9th, they have failed to score in their last three games (including the cup) and their visitors tonight are unbeaten in 10 games.

After going months on end unbeaten, steering City away from the unthinkable threat of relegation (and then surely the demise of our club), you would think that Colin Walker's job would be safe, for now at least.

Yet, after years of disappointment and failure, City fans are growing impatient. After actually playing football in a league that doesn't allow it, City fans are now growing to resent the route one approach.

The signing of Leo Fortune West, for many, was the turning point in City's improving season. This signing meant that instead of playing the football inspired by Arsenal (on a lesser level) we now find ourselves playing football inspired by Watford.

In the past, looking at the teams that have managed to climb out of this desolate league, they have not played the football that all fans admire. They have played it tough, and ground out the results.

Walker has seen this, he realises that this isn't an ideal world and in order to get out of this league we may have to mix it up a bit. Maybe it won't work straight away, maybe it won't work at all, but we have tried the beautiful football way, now its time for something new.

Sp£nding a Million?

2008-03-03T12:07:00.000Z

The recent news about City's financial plight can be summed up by long time City fan, Frank Ormston, who says: "This money has been delivered in three years, which makes me worry about the next two."

Our 'Chairman' has this week tried to blow his own trumpet, declaring that the money he promised to the club has been delivered quicker than expected.

The question yet to be answered is, if City make another financial loss next year, which given our poor start to the season and poor attendences seems likely, who will be responsible for the debt?

As Frank Ormston says: "JM Packing is a limited company, it has responsibility to its shareholders and it can't forever pump money into York City."

Does anybody know any Russian Billionnaires who fancy buying a football club......?

Aiming for the Big League

2008-02-29T12:53:00.000Z

Since York City left the 'Big League' for the first time in it's history in 2004, there hasn't been too much to shout about for the fans. After seasons of 'write-offs' or 'nearly's' the clubs fans finally have something to shout about.

I'm not talking about this blog, although I'm sure many fans will want to shout about it.....eventually! No, I'm in fact talking about the road to Wembley via the FA Trophy. Torquay face City in a 2 legged affair, with the prize being so close nerves are starting to show. Its been 15 years since York last had a trip to Wembley, and on that day we won promotion to the Second Division, Crewe being the team to lose out. Wembley beckons....