Hail to the 'real' King

Ledley King is the greatest English centre half of the modern era . A true world class defender in ever sense of the word.

Rio Ferdinand , John Terry who have both received more plaudits then Ledley King without showing half of his talent are not literally fit to lace his boots.

Although he has been plagued by injuries in recent years and has a special training regime including swimming and running even not appearing to train to the maximum level required of a modern footballer . When he plays it's as if he has trained to the maximum his body allowed him to.

My favourite memory of Ledley is when he played for England against France in Euro 2004 football championship . He was up against the then best in the world and in my opinion the greatest footballer of the modern era Zinedine Zidane . Zidane was the most feared playmaker in Europe . But Ledley kept him quiet .He positioning of limiting Zidane to time and space on the ball and reading the danger was remarkable . After such an outstanding performance he was then dropped for the proceeding group game against Switzerland in favour of John Terry.

Subsequent England managers did not pick him for the national time on a regular basis due to his injuries and perhaps their ignorance . But he is the best we have got in that position when fit and I believe at international level you pick the best players in their best positions for the good of your country.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have always been aware of Ledley King's ability and worth . England and the world have ever only seen glimpses . His knee injuries have been well documented . Having played over 250 games for Tottenham .When Ledley was honoured with this accolade, His response was as happy as he is to have reached such a landmark .He feels that it should have be more''.

In modern football where the art of defending and a good tackle appears to go unappreciated. When I see a defender who can read the game and tackle well that is as impressive to me as a striker who has his sights on goal.

Born in Stepney ,London in October 1980 .Ledley rose through the Tottenham ranks ( He made his debut in May 1999 in a 3-2 away defeat to Liverpool). his ability was clear for all to see from the beginning.He went on to become captain and symbol of the club. He won the League Cup with Tottenham in 2008 ( Captaining the club to victory against Chelsea )

King is in the last year of his contract at Tottenham ( Who knows what will happen as regards to an extension ) .I just hope he gets what he deserves for his talent and his efforts over the years . As an Arsenal fan at risk at angering Spurs fans I say to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger try to get him to sign up for red half of North London .( Pat Jennings did it in 1977 also giving 13 years service to Spurs .Exactly the same amount as Ledley at this current moment in time , Coincidence ) any chance of a repeat in 2012.

Tottenham Hotspur have been very luck to have Ledley King and they know it . He would have not looked out of place as an Englishman abroad by Real Madrid or AC Milan . All hail Ledley ''King of White Hart Lane''.

Give it to Roy, Alan or Steve Please !

I have often been called a mercenary for distancing myself from my national team and not supporting them due to my stance of being against the fact that we have a foreign manager . The last time I wore an England shirt was during the world cup in 1998 . I got the shirt as a present from my sister.

I have never wavered in my stance and what with Fabio Capello departing after Euro 2012 . I wish to submit my list of candidates for the England manger .They are all English . Their teams have played fantastic free flowing football and they have all left a legacy at their clubs . The mandate that I have just described in the previous paragraph is one the no FA board in the last 10 years has endorsed . They all have gone with the big name foreign manager and thrown cash at them ,thinking that a big name manager a club level who has been successful will surely win something with England . Well an estimated 50 million pounds down the drain in contract fees and payoffs with Sven Goren Eriksson and Fabio Capello and all has amounted to nothing. 3 quarter final appearances and a last 16 appearance in South Africa 2010( In the last 4 major international tournaments ) . Hardly a return on your money is it ? .

I propose 3 mangers who could bring some respect, structure and pride back to our national team as well as being their own men and not suffering fools . Roy Hodgson , Alan Curbishley & Steve Coppell . I will not get my wish as at Soho square they don't really think outside the ''we need success now box'' If Einstein theory of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results is true well in that case The FA should be brought to book . Rumours of a government invention into their dealings 11 years too late Mr Cameron I might add.

We are now building a national football centre in Burton .It's 2011 . Clairefontaine in France and Coverciano in Italy are national football centres that have been around for years in their respectful countries .We are just so far behind it's untrue .But we console ourselves by telling the world that we have the best league in the world . We do not in my opinion . In terms of commercial revenue yes .But not in terms of footballing skill and quality . You cannot have simultaneously have the best league and the best national team . You focus on one or the other and we focused on the wrong one.

Roy Hodgson has been successful at club and international level winning a total of 7 league titles in Sweden and Denmark . ( People dismiss this as nothing) .But it is a massive achievement to win outside your own country .He also lead Fulham to the Europa League Final in 2010 . A unique achievement just as impressive as Man Utd's treble in 1999 in the fact that nobody would have thought that it could be possible .He also guided Switzerland to the last 16 in the 1994 world cup and also at the time 3rd in the FIFA World rankings . This at a time when there were hardly any English coaches working abroad let alone the national coach of another country.Did you know that Roy was due to be offered the German national team job .Our Roy from Croydon being offered the most prestigious job in German football. I sincerely hope that Roy's misfortune at Blackburn & Liverpool will not hinder his chances .He is a credit to his profession and is now helping West Brom to retain their Premier League status and push on and become established.


Alan Curbishley . 15 years pulling Charlton Athletic up from the 3rd division into an established premier league outfit.Creating stability, Providing longevity . Always having a good squad .It's no surprise the when Curbishley left Charlton Athletic suffered 2 relegation in 3 years .He moved on to manage boyhood club West Ham . Where he got ''The Hammers'' playing the most scintillating football since the days of Geoff Hurst , Bobby Moore,Geoff Hurst & Martin Peters .He resigned due to disagreements with the chairman and players being sold without his consent .He felt that he was not in control of his club anymore . I think you have to admire his principles . He has stayed out of the spotlight leaving that to others .He also has not taken any old job for the sake of it.


Steve Copppell first became a first team manager at 28 at Crystal Palace . He got them to the FA Cup final in 1990 which they lost unfortunately . When in charge at Reading they broke the Championship points record of 106 points on their way to promotion to the Premier League coupled with a 33 match unbeaten run in the same season. The following season he kept them up in the Premier League . Although he can be erratic resigning at Man City & Bristol City after extremely short spells 33 days at Man City and 4 months at Bristol City. He has an degree in economics too . What annoys me is that it is claimed if he had more ''charisma'' .He would have been considered before for the England Job .Since when did charisma become a prerequisite for the most important job in English football ? .

This is a plea for change .Let's pick the right man for the job . Give him time and get behind him and the team .Rome was not built in a day . 1966 was the last tournament we won .If we put things in place and get our own house in order . We can win an international title again and above all be proud of our national team .

Greenwich made journeyman is Seven Sisters new hero

Journeyman is a terminologly much millined in football . But Scott Parker is a journeyman that has made it all the way to international football . The hard way

Like a fine wine this player had matured with age . He started his career with Charlton Athletic where he put his stamp on the team from the offset . He was a real marauder . Commanding his midfield with such passion and scoring sublime goals which helped to make Charlton an established Premier League outfit at the time .

Under Chelsea's new regime of Roman Abramovich in 2003 .Parker caught the eye and signed for Chelsea . He chances were limited as he struggled to get in the first team .He was 24 .There were indeed flashes of his brilliance .But the results driven Chelsea had no time to stand and admire or show their full faith in him . The needed results and opted for more internationally experienced players in their starting line up such as Arjen Robben and Thiago . Parker's hunger to succeed and become recognised again as he was at Charlton saw him leave Chelsea after just 1 season and he signed for Newcastle United .

In the North East Scott rediscovered his form and although he only scored 4 goals in 55 games .He toughened up and became a tough tackler and added another string to his ever growing bow

I don't know if he missed London . But he was lured to West Ham by his former manager at Charlton Alan Curbishley who always believed in Scott's ability to influence a game . Scott flourished heavily influencing West Ham's brand of scintillating football especially at Upton Park . In my opinion at that time .They were playing the best football in the league . Scott Parker scored a sublime goal against his old club at Stamford Bridge . A dipping volley right into the arc of the goal in front of the Chelsea Shed section . Although West Ham experienced manager turmoil after Curbishley's resignation ( 3 mangers in 20 months . Scott ploughed on with passion and guts to become a great captain and embodied the spirit of West Ham . In the year West Ham were relegated Parker was named the PFA( Professional Football Association's ) player of the season by his piers in testament to how well he has played . West Ham were bottom for almost the whole of the season .Parker's modesty summed in in this quote ''This award means nothing if we go down'' .He scored a real cracker of a goal against Liverpool shortly after the death of his father . He evaded 3 tackles,played a 1 ,2 and then curled the ball out of reach of the on diving Pepe Reina into the bottom left hand corner . He then dedicated the goal to his Dad ( Mick ) by gesticulating to the cameras and to where his family were sitting and mouthing ''That's for you Dad'' . A real touching moment .

Having already broken into the England fold the previous season on a reuglar basis Scott's desire to stay there came first hence after only playing 3 weeks of the 2011- 2012 championship season he transferred to Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the transfer window . He has already improved Tottenham . Their midfield looks awesome .His performances have led to manager Harry Redknapp making comparisons with Spurs legend Dave Mackay . What more higher praise can you get for a man who has only played 9 games so far for the club.

Scott Parker is now a regular in the English national team and is enhancing his ever growing reputation . Everyone is England is aware how good he is . He has so much heart and passion and gives absolutely everything when he pulls that 3 lions shirt on . He embodies the English spirit perfectly .He is now the engine of our national team motoring towards Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012. Next summer Europe's finest players line up for the battle in the European Championship . I think Scott Parker will stand his ground .He may be up against more renowned players .But weather they can match his fight and spirit remains to be seen . Note to Xavi , Sneijder and Nasri Lambeth's Scott Parker is coming for you.

Arsenal v Sporting Braga

I was interviewed before the Arsenal v Sporting Braga last September . Here is my thoughts on Arsenal Wenger

Joe Cole from London N5 to Lille 59000

Joe Cole one of the most naturally gifted footballers of recent years decided to try his luck across the channel in France and what an impact the man is making . All of England knew Joe had talent in abundance and now France does too . On deadline day 2011 he choose to swap Liverpool for Lille . Having signed for Liverpool in August 2010 he was due to be the fulcrum of Roy Hodgson's side . But he was plagued by injuries and only played a bit part . When he returned from injury the manager that signed him was sacked (unfairly in my opinion) . Kenny Dalglish did not seem to trust in Joe and seemed to overlook him .

On his induction in France his teammates were treated to a rendition of 'maybe it's because I'm a Londoner' by Joe who had such a smile on his face while performing. He has always been passionate about London and England in general . He debut goal against Lorient had everyone talking .A 25 yard shot placed perfectly in the top right hand corner he then followed that up with rave displays in Europe and another goal last weekend against Lyon . LOSC ( Lille) appear to be impressed with our man from Islington . London N5

Steve McManaman commanded a lot of respect when he learnt Spanish and achieved fluency in the 4 years he was at Real Madrid . Joe Cole has already proclaimed that he is willing to learn French and will do his utmost . He is learning well apparently and when asked his favourite French word . He replied Croissant . I laughed when I heard that . But you can see that he has desire to learn and make an impression on and off the pitch in France . That is commendable in my book . That is the measure of the class that Joe has.

Joe,his wife and daughter Ruby are now living in Lille and are adapting well . Joe has made an incredible start to his professional career abroad . Few English players try it and even few succeed . The media are now talking up Joe's chances of inclusion into the England squad for next summers European Championships . He must go .He must . I believe that with Joe Cole in that starting lineup it will give England a chance to do well in the tournament.

The boy who attended Haverstock school in Chalk farm in north London is now casting his spell over France and Europe . England made Joe and Joe has never forgot it . West Ham , Chelsea & Liverpool have all witnessed his talent at first hand .I am delighted that he is getting more recognition abroad . He has always played football because he loves it . He is also a great role model and deserves the current praise that is being lavished upon him .

I can't wait for him to get even better and hopefully win trophies with Lille . I wish him all the best . Well done Joe !. Who would have thought that you would be in this position when you were playing football in the playground of Haverstock school . England is proud of the number 26 that oozes class .But we also know ''you can take the boy out of London . But you can't take London out of the boy''

Arsenal v Birmingham City

I was interviewed before the Arsenal v Birmingham City game last October . Here are my thoughts on the English Premier League.

CLOCKWORK ORANGE ON THE WIND DOWN

Het Nederlands Elftal ( The Dutch National team ) are heading into the world cup this summer after a 100 percent qualifying campaign winning all 8 games at canter either results wise or possession wise . Granted they were in a group with Scotland , Iceland, Macedonia , & Norway . Also they played only 8 qualifying games in total as there were in the smallest group hence why they ensured qualifying for South Africa a year early in June 2009.

Former Feyenoord coach Bert Van Marwijk took over the reigns from Marco Van Basten and has seemingly yet to put he own stamp on the team . He has called up a lot of players or ex players from Feyenoord which has received criticism from Wesley Sneijder . He ( Van Marwijk) appears to be very relaxed . Maybe a bit too much .

Unlike England . The Netherlands always appoint a National coach from their country . After Marco Van Basten went to manage Ajax . The KNVB ( The Dutch FA ) opted for the best Dutch coach around at that time hence why Van Marwijk got the job . Selection wise things will have come full circle for him . He selected Robin Van Persie in a November friendly against Italy . Van Persie got injured during the game and was out for 5 months for his club Arsenal . Not that Foreign national coaches are obliged to do the top clubs favours by not picking their best players for friendly games . But when Van Marwijk called up Theo Janssen of FC Twente and Nigel de Jong of Manchester City and other fringe players . Why risk playing one off your best strikers in a meaningless friendly game . But Arsene Wenger’s loss has become Bert Van Marwijk’s gain and I think that will prove evident in South Africa.

The Netherlands are in a world cup group with Denmark , Cameroon & Japan . I see them coming from the group without any problems but after that its anyone’s guess . In house fighting amongst players will also rear its ugly head . The Dutch press do not really help . They often publish columns of different players on a regular basis . One that springs to mind is Wesley Sneijder’s comment after the Euro 2008 defeat to Russia about Robin van Persie which was ( If I’d have taken that free kick in the last minute instead of Robin .We would have gone on to play the final ) .

The immense pool of talent that Van Marwijk has at his disposal is impressive Robben , Sneijder , Van Bommel . Attacking left back Gregory Van de Wiel and many more . But for all the fruits of talent Van Marwijk remains irritated by Edwin Van de Sar’s decision not to come out of international retirement . There was an interesting article in the Dutch newspaper De Pers ( The Press ) from Van der Sar where he stated . Van Marwijk has rang me so many times . That’s it I am chucking my phone in the river . But I think that Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenberg will do a very good job ( He is deaf in one ear don’t you know ) .

The expectancy level in The Netherlands is always high and with the KNVB chief executive Henk Kessler demanding at least a semi final place . The national team can ill afford to be complacent . I predict a quarter final finish from The Netherlands and then soon after a change of manager especially if Louis Van Gaal wins the Champions League with Bayern Munich . As it is quite apparent that he (Van Gaal) would like to avenge his failure as national team coach to qualify for the 2002 world cup and coach a national team again Het Nederlands Elftal ( The Dutch National Team ) will no doubt light up the world with a glittering array of attacking football only to succumb to an eventual defeat at the hands of a top football nation .( Like against Brazil in France 1998) .But lets hope that in 2010 strength of character and togetherness will also ooze out of those men in the orange shirts.


James Rowe 22/04/2010