04
16
Andy Carroll
match previews
-
-
Gregg Bakowski
field
We take a look at why
This weekend sees
Andy Carroll shouldn’t
important games at both
feel under pressure to
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reinvent the role of the target man in an ever changing game
the top and bottom of the table, which may go some
Tyne-Wear
way to deciding several
-
clubs fates
James Coleman Often considered two of the league’s biggest 28
“sleeping giants” the
Primal Scream
amongst the biggest
-
games in Europe. But
-
Field
should a big fan base
One More Game
Tyne-Wear derby is
08 Iain Macintosh
necessarily equate to After last week’s 3-1
being a big club?
From Tracksuit Manager
victory over Stoke, Villa
on the 48k Spectrum
are looking good to
to Football Manager,
escape relegation. This isn’t
we can’t get enough
news to Duffy, though,
of management games.
who’s had faith in Lambert
But what is it that keeps
since the beginning
dragging us back?
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Contributors: Gregg Bakowski @GreggBakowski Neil Bedford @neilbedford Andrew Berry @a7berry James Coleman @The_GULag Will Daw @william_daw Iain Macintosh @iainmacintosh Well Made @Wellmadestudio
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04
Andy Carroll with the evolution of football, perhaps the biggest loser in recent years has been the physical striker; moved to the periphery of the game by inverted wingers and tiki-taka passing. But in Andy Carroll, there might be a striker who’s beginning to buck the trend as Gregg Bakowski explains.
But for Carroll, a No9 whose very British attributes – the no-nonsense bullying of defenders, aerial dominance, powerful shots and ability to cause chaos in the penalty area – caught Liverpool’s attention, the price tag meant that as far as fans
were concerned, to prove he was worth £35m, he had not only to excel at what he was already doing well, he had to adapt. And then do more. In an era in which the big man up front has been blunted by possession football, strikerless teams and inside-out wingers, it is remarkable that Carroll has remained so resolute about his ability to be a success in any formation. But he is: “I haven’t really had a fair chance at Liverpool,” Carroll said recently. “A new manager came in and I wasn’t part of his plans … I think I could fit into every system. I believe in what I can do. Obviously he [Rodgers] has his beliefs and he didn’t think that. I know what I am capable of. If other people don’t believe it, that is fine.” Having had an £18m fee placed on him by Liverpool, only a select few clubs could realistically afford him in the summer transfer window. Many of those would want Carroll to prove that he could be more of an all-rounder. Even Newcastle, where Carroll flourished under Chris Hughton and who have been linked with a deal for the striker, have taken to playing a 4-2-3-1 formation under Alan Pardew in which the centre-forward, Papiss Cissé, is expected to drop deep and join in with the short, sharp passing of the trio behind him or to beat defenders with a burst of acceleration or a dash of skill.
Field — Issue 02
Andy Carroll
Since his £35m move to Liverpool a little over two years ago, Andy Carroll has had it all to prove. Every touch, every run, every shot, every goal has been met with the unfair judgment of whether it was worth the astronomical fee or not. This would be hard enough for a striker with bundles of European and international experience to handle – just look at Fernando Torres’s decline – let alone one who had played more games in the Championship than the Premier League when he arrived at Liverpool looking as bewildered with his transfer fee as most sane football fans were.
In an era in which the big man up front has been blunted by possession football, strikerless teams and inside-out wingers, it is remarkable that Carroll has remained so resolute about his ability.
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That’s not to say Carroll is not capable of moments of magic. His second goal for West Ham against West Bromwich Albion a couple of weeks ago - a sublime first-time volley hit with his unfavoured
If Carroll can stay injury-free - and that has been his biggest drawback in the past two years - he has the ability to showcase the retro attributes of the big No9 like no other player in the Premier League.
right foot from a ball played over his shoulder - was a polished example of his improving technique. Towards the end of last season he excelled for Liverpool too, showing neat footwork and acrobatic ability that belies his size. But ultimately, to play Carroll in a system that does not make the most of his physicality would be a waste. A team can still play attractive football and play crosses into the box. Manchester United have done it for years. It’s just that with Carroll, it makes sense to make the most of his stature, so aim high rather than low. It’s fair to say that Premier League defences have hardly excelled this year either. The league’s current crop of central defenders are not a patch on those at the so-called Big Four six or seven years ago. And those who have impressed in aerial battles, such as Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, are not going to be around for too much longer. In other words, this could be a good time to have a big striker. So if Carroll is feeling any pressure to reinvent the big man up front, perhaps he shouldn’t. Football is as susceptible to trends as any other industry. Around 10 years ago someone somewhere made skinny jeans look good enough that the younger generation believed in them again and bought them in their droves. They’re still wearing them today. If Carroll can stay injury-free - and that has been his biggest drawback in the past two years - he has the ability to showcase the retro
Field — Issue 02
attributes of the big No9 like no other player in the Premier League. His headed goal for England against Sweden at Euro 2012 was an example of the rare and raw beauty he possesses that is so lacking in today’s game. He could even force the modernists, who believe the only way to embrace the future is by keeping the ball on the floor, to look up for a moment and realise that there may be another way. By scaring defenders and scoring goals between now and the end of the season, perhaps Carroll can make the unfashionable Big Man look good again.
Competition For your chance to win a pair of signed Andy Carroll boots, simply tweet @Field_Matchday with the answer to the below question: WhICH TEAM did Andy Carroll score his LAST goal for England against?
Andy Carroll wears the Umbro Speciali 4 Pro. Built for ultimate comfort and fit, the Speciali is Umbro’s most iconic boot. www.umbro.com Words by Gregg Bakowski Photography by Neil Bedford Front Cover in Association with Umbro
Andy Carroll
08
One More Game Then & Now: ‘It’s just a game, it’s not real’ they’ll say. But it’s so much more than a game, it’s you, managing your own club and buying your own players. Iain Macintosh delves into the murky and wonderful world of football management games.
I knew within five minutes of playing Championship Manager that it was going to change everything.
It wasn’t the picture of the angry man on the box, or the gaudy colour scheme within. It certainly wasn’t the ease of access as it took almost an hour for my Atari ST to set up a new season. It was the
way the game dragged you in and immersed you in its universe. Nothing else had ever done that before. There had been other football management games. Even on the rubber-keyed 48k Spectrum, Tracksuit Manager was still a wonderful feat of engineering. Football Masters was a huge step forwards for 16 bit computing, allowing training, transfers and the race for European glory. But they were both one dimensional. They threw up an opponent for you, you defeated them, you moved on. Championship Manager built you a world and invited you in. If you were good, you’d win games. If you were bad, the axe would swing and Championship Manager’s world would turn without you. It was so addictive that the doomed souls who were sucked in began to develop odd personality flaws. Grown men would gaze out of windows, silently holding press conferences in their heads. They would wander the supermarket aisles, eyes glazed over, planning their summer transfer strategy, sympathetically explaining to their computer generated players that they were to be made available for transfer. There are millions of us who share the affliction known as ‘One More Game’ syndrome.
Field — Issue 02
One more game
Alex Notman Despite high expectations, Notman never fulfilled his in-game potential. After failing to break into the Manchester United team he was transferred to Norwich City. Injury limited his chances at Carrow Road and eventually forced his early retirement. He has since made a return to the game and was most recently playing in the Highland Football League.
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Field — Issue 02
One more game
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Cherno Samba For a while it looked as if Samba’s career was destined to reach the same dazzling heights as it had in so many Championship Manager saved games. Whilst at Millwall, Manchester United showed interest and a £2 million bid from Liverpool was turned down. His career, though, never took off. Spells abroad at Cadiz, FC Haka and Malaga B did not bring him regular football and he returned to England with Plymouth Argyle.
don’t just put people up front, you make intricate adjustments, you time their runs, dictate the way the ball falls to them. Signing a player is no longer just a case of identifying a target and negotiating a fee. Now there are agents to placate. It’s an extraordinary creation, a labour of love from a dedicated team of coders, researchers and creative monsters. To enter and settle in this world is no longer a simple diversion, it’s a lifestyle choice. You can spend hours just plotting throw-in routines. You grow so close to your squad that five or six seasons in, when a player retires, it feels like someone you know has died. Freddy Adu
We are united by the terrible feeling of guilt that comes when your stiff neck cranes up to the clock and you realise that 8pm has become 3am. Now known as Football Manager, that world is more detailed and developed than ever before. From the one nation, 80 team league of 1993 to the 51 nation memory-munching behemoth of 2013, the franchise has become a monster. Now it’s possible not simply to train players, but to educate them. You can teach them special moves, focus their training to repair a shortfall and reposition them. You
Expectations were high for Adu from the beginning. Courted by Inter Milan at just 10 years old he seemed destined for greatness. In Professional football though the route to stardom is not as simple as some improved training schedules and despite his 17 USA caps and a spell at Benfica he hasn’t developed into the world-beater that the game predicted.
Willie Howie
And yet every now and then, I feel a pang of sorrow for the loss of the angry man on the box and the gaudy colour scheme. The season you could complete in a matter of hours. The multiplayer game that could rescue a wet summer holiday. The game has changed, but I have not. At some point, I really do need to grow up.
On Championship Manager 3 Howie was part of a virtual ‘golden generation’ of obscure Scottish players. Alongside Mark Kerr and Alan Archibald he was one of a trio who you could pluck from obscurity to transform your team’s fortunes. Howie’s actual career was less distinguished; he stayed at Partick Thistle for a few years before a spell at Glenafton Athletic. He is now playing non-league football.
Field — Issue 02
Iain Macintosh is the co-author of Football Manager Stole My Life, available now from all good bookshops. Words by Iain Macintosh Illustration by Will Daw
One more game
Field Mobile App
Now available in the google store and apple store Field app is the digital accompaniment to Field: The Match Day Paper, available for free at all Premier League games. Each week the app will bring you content from the magazine as well as exclusive offers, competitions and features.
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Tyne-Wear As derby matches go, the Tyne-Wear derby is a special one. Two one-club cities coming together in a fearsome clash of local pride. But should we consider them big clubs? James Coleman investigates.
The Tyne-Wear derby brings together the two “sleeping giants” of the North East, clubs that pundits often discuss as having the potential to compete towards the top end of the Premier League if only their respective management could impose order and stability. Newcastle and Sunderland, we are told, are both big clubs that have underachieved in recent history – both are just in wait of a knight in shining armour who can set them on the right course. Yet the derby is also a stark reminder of just how little success within football relates to the size of the club. Of course the definition of what makes a “big club” is hard to put a finger on and has generated countless boring discussions towards the end of the night in pubs and on message boards across the internet. There is no consensually endorsed method to qualitatively or quantitatively measure the success of a club. For instance, if it is suffice to add up the trophies that a club has accrued, then we would have to conclude that Blackburn Rovers are bigger than either Newcastle or Sunderland. And maybe they are, but this would surely provoke furrowed brows amongst many. Yet, whilst it is hard to nail down, there is a certain ephemeral quality that big clubs seem to exude. They just
feel heavier than other clubs – more significant, perhaps. Bayern Munich, for instance, are a big club. You can feel it in everything they do; they are soaked through with success. The same could go for clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Benfica. Given this discussion, it is worth exploring just why Newcastle and Sunderland could be seen as big clubs. Clearly neither have won anything of note in years: indeed in recent history both clubs have struggled, spending time in the Championship and going through a series of managers. Newcastle have been particularly volatile in terms of managerial appointments in recent years – their relegation ended an exciting run of cameos from Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear and Alan Shearer in the hot seat. For long periods the respective transfer policies of the clubs seemed similarly disjointed. Throughout their most recent spell in the Premier
Field — Issue 02
Tyne-Wear
Yet, whilst it is hard to nail down, there is a certain ephemeral quality that big clubs seem to exude. They just feel heavier than other clubs.
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Field — Issue 02
Tyne-Wear
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League Sunderland have signed (and sold) more players than they seem to know what to do with. Whilst both North East clubs had purple patches in the distant past (we should note that neither team’s trophy cabinet is bare) the designation of “big club” seems to derive not from actual achievements, but rather from potential. Both clubs have large supporter bases and catchment zones, and are from ostensibly one club cities in which they boast formidable stadiums. In days gone by this is what a big club would look like. Bums on seats on match day, a city centre populated with locals in replica kits, and
with it. The significance of this match is much simpler than all that: it is about pride. Local pride, perhaps, but still a pride worth having.
The significance of this match is much simpler than all that: it is about pride. Local pride, perhaps, but still a pride worth having.
a sense of tradition. But this somewhat parochial perspective is not necessarily the case in modern football, where TV money gazumps revenue from attendances and volatile transfer dynamics can lead to massive power shifts within the space of just one season (consider how swiftly PSG have become European and domestic contenders). Finance and success are not as intrinsically connected to support as they once were. The ascent of clubs like Chelsea to European aristocracy is just one example of this, but a better case in point might be the recent transfer of Loic Remy to Queens Park Rangers (a club with one of the smaller supporter bases in the Premier League) in favour of a move to Newcastle. So perhaps the Tyne-Wear derby is not a clash of two underachievers. Perhaps the idea of underachieving is no longer surd in this context. This is the harsh reality of football, which is, at heart, fiercely undemocratic. Some might suggest that for all of their support perhaps one of these clubs deserves a bit of success. In the Premier League, deserve does not have anything to do
Words by James Coleman Illustration by Andrew Berry
Field — Issue 02
Tyne-Wear
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Arsenal v Norwich 13.4.13 - Kick Off 15:00 - The Emirates
In the early nineties, this fixture was as famous for its garish shirt designs as for the football on show as the teams of George Graham and Mike Walker thrashed it out in the old First Division. Ahead of today’s game at The Emirates, Wenger will be hoping his side can overcome a mini-hoodoo against The Canaries, who they’ve failed to beat in their last two attempts; the last game ending in a demoralising 1-0 defeat for Arsenal thanks to a single goal from Norwich’s Grant Holt. Wenger moved to praise his team after last weekend’s hard fought victory away to West Brom and rightly so. Not only were they technically brilliant but they also showed a resilience which has often gone missing in the more difficult away fixtures. On top of that, he also finally saw Tomas Rosicky turn in the sort of performance that once made him one of Europe’s most sought after creative midfielders. Chris Hughton, after last week’s last minute draw against Swansea, will not have quite so many reasons to be happy. After a fifth draw in six games, Norwich need to start picking up more points or
risk being in the midst of a relegation battle they seemed safe from a few weeks ago. Last season’s match here saw Norwich achieve a heroic 3-3 draw, this time around a draw might not be quite enough, especially if the teams around them continue to win. For Arsenal, another victory would see them broach the top four for the first time in months and firmly put them back in the race for that most sought after seventeenth consecutive season in the Champions League.
Field — Issue 02
Arsenal v Norwich
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Aston Villa v Fulham 13.4.13 - Kick Off 15:00 - Villa Park
Last week’s late, rousing victory over Stoke City at The Britannia has given Aston Villa renewed hope that they can avoid relegation and will surely act as a catalyst for a late climb up the table as they welcome Fulham to Villa Park. Lambert was brimming after last week’s match and understandably so, he had just witnessed his team simultaneously lift themselves up the table and dent the fragile confidence of fellow strugglers Stoke. “I thought we were the better team throughout the game, I thought the football we played was outstanding,” he explained. For Fulham, it was last minute heartbreak rather than euphoria with a wonder-strike from Newcastle’s Papiss Cissé’s condemning them to a 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park. Jol was understandably deflated after the game, one which he felt Fulham should have at least come away from with a point if not all three. The last time these two side’s met Fulham narrowly beat Villa thanks to an 84th minute winner from the most unlikely of sources in Chris Baird. This time around Villa will surely not be quite as apathetic in front of goal, having put three
past both Queens Park Rangers and Fulham in recent weeks; and in Christian Benteke they have one of the Premier League’s in-form strikers. Perhaps most intriguing about this fixture will be how the teams strikers perform. Aston Villa’s defenders will have to be wary of Fulham’s languid pairing of Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov who often look to drop into midfield to collect the ball; whilst Fulham’s defenders will face a battle of attrition against the powerful Benteke and Agbonlahor who have been combining to devastating effect in recent weeks, with Weimann providing a more dynamic presence in between. Ahead of the game, both managers can count on almost fully fit squads. For Villa, it’s all still to play for and after key wins in recent weeks over QPR and Stoke, to lose today’s game would be a bitter pill to swallow for Lambert. For Jol, he will be hoping his team can avoid a second straight defeat in a row and end the season on a positive note with a late climb up the table.
Field — Issue 02
Aston Villa v Fulham
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Everton v QPR 13.4.13 - Kick Off 15:00 - Goodison Park
In this fixture last season a singular Tommy Smith goal was enough to give Neil Warnock’s side a precious three points on their way to avoiding relegation. 18 months and two managerial changes later, Everton welcome back a very different Queens Park Rangers side to Goodison Park. From that game, perhaps only Adel Taarabt will return to face Everton in what is a startling reflection of the revolving-door transfer policy at Loftus Road over the past two seasons. QPR’s fleeting hopes of surviving relegation were almost completely dashed last week by a last minute goal from the man who tormented Everton in the FA Cup quarter final, Shaun Maloney. His 94th minute free-kick condemning QPR to a draw after what had been an extremely brave performance in the wake of Bobby Zamora’s dismissal. David Moyes will have much more reason to be happy. Although doubts continue to linger about his long term future at the club, recent results have gone some way to quelling those fears. Another fine, solo goal from Kevin Mirallas saw Everton gain a well deserved 2-2 draw away to Spurs and
a win here today will see Everton move another three points closer to them in fourth place. Now seven points off safety QPR seem almost destined for the drop, Redknapp even admitting after the game that it was probably one of the cruellest last kicks of the game he had been involved in, such was the importance of picking up a win against fellow relegation candidates Wigan. As for Moyes, he will have to make sure Everton remain motivated for this game. Often this season their problem has been an almost lackadaisical approach against teams in the lower part of the table; something which may ultimately be telling come the end of the season. Saturday’s game against QPR has the potential to be just that but with Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar returning from their respective bans, he will have a full strength squad available to face Redknapp’s beleaguered team. What may prove more crucial is their match three days later, when they travel to The Emirates to face Wenger’s resurgent Arsenal side.
Field — Issue 02
Everton v QPR
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Reading v Liverpool 13.4.13 - Kick Off 15:00 - The Madejski
After last weekend’s defeat to Southampton, a BBC reporter in the post-match interview puts it to Adkins that he’s very much a cup half-full man. Adkins responds optimistically, praising the teams performance, but you couldn’t help feel he acknowledged Reading’s brief foray back into the Premier League has come to an end. And with Liverpool up next, things aren’t getting any easier. Coming off the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Southampton, it will take all of Adkins’ enthusiasm and positivity to motivate his team for the remaining six games of this season. He spoke recently of working on the process of winning matches, a process he hopes will start as soon as possible. Rodger’s, conversely, came away from last week’s fixture against West Ham feeling frustrated at not taking all three points, explaining that: “we were more than deserving of it [a win]. Our commitment and concentration was outstanding but we just couldn’t get the goal that could have led to two or three more.” He will be fully expecting his team to vent some of that frustration today against the league’s leakiest defence.
It will also be intriguing to see whether another week on the training ground will allow Adkins to make more of an impact on Reading’s style of play. Whereas the Reading of Brian McDermott tended to be relatively pragmatic, Adkins has always sought to deploy a fluid, attacking style of football; something that was evident at Southampton this season and at Scunthorpe before that. In contrast, Rodger’s has had nearly a full season to implement his philosophies at Liverpool and we are probably just starting to see them play the sort of football he believes they are capable of. In October, a single goal from Raheem Sterling was enough to defeat Reading at Anfield but with the Anfield club having improved considerably since then, Adkins will have it all to do in his second match in charge. If he’s taught us one thing during his brief tenure at Reading, though, it’s to look at things positively. And on their day, as they’ve proved on several occasions this season, they can be a match for anyone.
Field — Issue 02
Reading v Liverpool
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Southampton v West Ham United 13.4.13 - Kick Off 15:00 - St Mary’s Stadium
After last weekend’s victory, Southampton’s manager, Mauro Pochettino allowed himself a wry smile when asked whether this win left them, in the reporters words, pretty much safe. Allardyce was less enthused after West Ham United’s goalless draw with Liverpool, one he felt they should have won. At this late stage in the season and with both teams sitting comfortably on 37 points - six clear of the relegation zone - this match will most likely boil down to who has the greater motivation to finish higher up the table. For Pochettino, the focus is clearly now on winning more games and proving the doubters wrong who thought his appointment would lead to a slump in form and a gradual slide back towards The Championship. “We have to know how to deal with victories, we have to enjoy them but not get carried away. We can’t afford to let our guard down and we need to focus more on the games ahead,” he said after the game. Allardyce, on the other hand, was clearly aggrieved at failing to take all three points away
from Anfield last Sunday, bemoaning his team’s inability to take their chances and the referee, who he felt should have awarded them a penalty for a Jose Enrique foul on James Tomkins. Back in October, West Ham roundly beat Southampton who were still coming to terms with life in the Premiership and leaking goals on a regular basis. Since then, though, under both Adkins and now Pochettino they’ve tightened up at the back without that being of detriment to the scintillating forward play of Lambert and Jay Rodriguez. West Ham fans will be hoping their team can end the season as positively as it started. With Andy Carroll likely to come back into the team in place of Carlton Cole, Southampton’s defenders will have to be on guard. In his last game against West Brom, Carroll single handedly destroyed their back line with a powerful header followed by a sumptuous volley on the turn. At the same time, though, Collins and Tomkins may face another difficult day at the office.
Field — Issue 02
Southampton v West Ham United
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Newcastle v Sunderland 14.4.13 - Kick Off 12:00 - St James’ Park
In terms of winning-to-achieve-local-braggingrights, this years Tyne-Wear derby is perhaps one of the most fiercely anticipated in years. Victory for Newcastle would delve Sunderland even further into the relegation mire whilst simultaneously securing their own safety; defeat for Sunderland fans wouldn’t bear thinking about. In a season that has seen highs and lows for both teams, Sunderland seem to be in a downward spiral at precisely the moment Newcastle are starting to improve. The relief was palpable at Newcastle last weekend after Papiss Cissé’s beautifully taken last minute goal against Fulham; as Pardew ran to celebrate with the home fans you got a sense that they knew, he knew and the players knew safety was all but ensured. For Sunderland, it was a different emotion entirely. After a stirring first 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge, Paolo Di Canio’s men succummed to a superb offensive performance from Chelsea in the second half. After the match, Di Canio was quick to point to what he felt had let his team down: “It is not the fittest team in the world but we are going to work and give them more energy in the next few days and weeks,” he explained.
Over the years, this match has been somewhat of a death knell for managers. Lose the derby and you’ll soon be out, just ask Ruud Gullit. This time around, both managers are much more comfortable in their positions; Pardew is secure in a long-term contract at Newcastle and Paolo Di Canio is still enjoying a period of goodwill from Sunderland fans. Before Sunderland, though, Newcastle must face Benfica in the Europa League. 3-1 down from the first leg at the aptly named Stadium of Light and with a threadbare squad starting to look tired from competing on two fronts, turning around a two goal deficit seems unlikely. If we’ve learnt anything from Pardew’s men in recent games, though, its that they don’t give up easily and he’ll surely have them fired up. Sunderland on Sunday, however, is a different matter entirely. Judging by Craig Gardner’s reckless challenge of Demba Ba last week, Di Canio will have his players chomping at the bit to face Newcastle. What he’ll have to make ensure is that their enthusiasm doesn’t spill over, which for Di Canio may not be the easiest thing to enforce.
Field — Issue 02
Newcastle v Sunderland
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Stoke City v Manchester United 14.4.13 - Kick Off 14:05 - Britannia Stadium
“We need to show character,” urged Tony Pulis after last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa. “The character now is very important.” In a match such as last week’s, what was perhaps most shocking about Stoke’s performance was the lack of intensity and commitment, so often hallmarks of Pulis’ team. In losing to Villa, not only did they allow them to come within one point of them, they also delved themselves into an unwanted relegation battle. Things aren’t getting any easier, either, with Manchester United the visitors to the Britannia this week. Sir Alex Ferguson will have his own worries to contend with ahead of what is traditionally a tough away trip. After last week’s defeat to Manchester City, he’ll have to ensure complacency doesn’t set in to his Manchester United squad and they stay focused; despite a 12 point lead at the top, it’s still theirs to lose. Ferguson was keen to impress as much after last Monday’s match, saying: “It is a 12-point lead, but we go to Stoke at the weekend and we will have a go.” Those words in particular, “have a go.” will worry Pulis alone as typically when United do, it’s to devastating effect. In October, a 4-2 victory for
Manchester United against Stoke saw them begin to stamp their authority on the league. But what was most impressive that day was intricate link-up play between the triumvirate of Welbeck, Rooney and Van Persie who time after time got in behind Stoke’s defence. In recent years, this fixture has almost become somewhat a guaranteed win for United, with Ferguson’s men taking all three points in seven of the last eight league fixtures. Another victory today will leave them on 80 points and surely only a week away from clinching the title. For Pulis and Stoke, this is a match they can’t afford to come away from empty handed. With QPR up next away from home, before facing Norwich at the Britannia and then Sunderland away, they could find themselves in serious trouble by the start of May. As he’s so often proved, though, Stoke are at their best when they’re railing against those who write them off and of the teams struggling at the bottom, they’re perhaps the best equipped to stay up. But as Newcastle and West Ham have shown before, nobody’s too good to go down.
Field — Issue 02
Stoke City v Manchester United
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Arsenal v Everton 16.4.13 - Kick Off 19:45 - The Emirates
Tuesday night at The Emirates is likely to be key for both team’s aspirations of a top four finish. With a draw suiting neither side, both Moyes and Wenger will most likely send out full strength teams despite this being their second fixture in three days. Earlier in the season Everton failed to capitalise on a dominant display at Goodison Park which ultimately saw them drop two points at home. In a match that was almost a microcosm of Everton’s season, they conceded an early goal to Theo Walcott before storming back into the game through Marouane Fellaini. As so often this season, however, they then proceeded to waste chance after chance, as well as have a penalty claim turned down for an Arteta foul on Pienaar. That being said, Arsenal have suffered their own problems this season and only now seem to be finding the consistency to push for a Champions League place. Historically, Arsenal have often come out on top against Everton but in recent years the
Toffees have been much improved. Aside from a 6-1 mauling at Goodison park thanks to an inspired performance from Cesc Fabregas, each of the last six meetings have finished in either a draw or been decided by a single goal. Moyes as well seems to be finally getting to grips with playing against the bigger teams and Everton no longer appear to be fearful of facing them. Despite this, Everton will have to be wary of Arsenal who arrive at today’s fixture in a rich vein of form and with their offensive players starting to click at just the right time. Wenger will be keen to ensure his team don’t take this match lightly, though, as Everton have the sort of strength that Wenger’s men on occasion can struggle to combat. In Fellaini, Anichebe, Jelavic they have an attacking trio who, on their day, can bully the best of defences into submission and in Baines, Osman and Mirallas they have a three players who can cause Arsenal’s defence serious problem.
Field — Issue 02
Arsenal v Everton
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Manchester City v Wigan 17.4.13 - Kick Off 19:45 - Etihad Stadium
Mancini was understandably delighted after last Monday’s victory over Manchester United. It was a performance rich in everything that made City champions the previous year: quick passing, clever movement and a devastating cutting edge. Although he acknowledged quite some time ago the title was lost, last weeks performance will have given him great hope going into next season. For Wigan, it’s the same old story: perform in patches leading up to March before stringing together a series of impressive performances to steer themselves away from relegation. Yet again, it seems to be doing the trick but Roberto Martinez will have to be careful, especially as by tonight’s fixture Wigan will have two games in hand on their rivals and may find themselves in the relegation places. In November, Mancini’s men put in a solid if unimpressive performance against Wigan at the DW Stadium with goals from the now-departed Balotelli and Milner seeing them out 2-0 winners. Although the scoreline may suggest otherwise,
this was not an easy match for City and Wigan came close on several occasions to scoring. Ahead of this fixture both teams have an important FA Cup semi-final to contend with. Wigan travel to Wembley to face Millwall with City playing Chelsea the following day. The outcome of those matches may be all important, especially for Mancini who will see the FA Cup as an important piece of silverware so as not to finish the season empty handed. For Martinez, the FA Cup is perhaps secondary to retaining their place in the Premier League ahead of next season but at the same time a huge opportunity to reach a major final. With David Silva still a doubt owing to a hamstring injury, Mancini will most likely opt to rotate his squad after the FA Cup match and bring some fringe players into the squad. Roberto Martinez on the other bench will have no such luxury and with Premier League survival at stake, he’ll most likely opt for his first choice 11.
Field — Issue 02
Newcastle v Fulham
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West Ham United v Manchester United 17.4.13 - Kick Off 19:45 - Upton Park
With the season drawing to a close, the fixtures are starting to pile up. For both teams this will be their second game in less than a week and for Manchester United it may prove the most important as victory here will almost certainly see them clinch the title. Such is the fierce rivalry between these two teams, West Ham will not want to see that happen and will go all out to prevent it. Earlier in the season, these two teams played out a memorable 2-2 draw here in the FA Cup on a night that saw Joe Cole return to Upton Park and put in a scintillating performance against the manager who tried to sign him as a schoolboy. A late Robin van Persie goal that night ultimately took the tie to a reply that Manchester United won but it remains a game that will live long in the memory. For many West Ham fans, this fixture will bring back memories of Paolo Di Canio’s winner at Old Trafford in the FA Cup; with Barthez continuing to stand with his arm aloft for offside, Di Canio waltzed towards him before slipping a beautiful finish underneath the sprawling keeper. For United fans, they’ll more likely remember their
brilliant record at Upton Park in recent years that has seen them leave victorious on all three of their previous league visits. In November, a singular goal from Robin van Persie in the first minute was enough for United in a match they struggled to make an impression on. On each occasion these sides have met this season there’s been very little in it and although United have come out victorious twice, Allardyce will be impressing on his squad that this is a match they can win. Ahead of the match, neither side has any serious injury worries. Although what may ultimately be telling is strength in depth. Whereas United may look to rotate and freshen things up after Sunday’s visit to Stoke, Allardyce may not have the luxury.
Field — Issue 02
West Ham United v Manchester United
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Fulham v Chelsea 17.4.13 - Kick Off 20:00 - Craven Cottage
The Premier League is littered with fearsome derbies. From Newcastle v Sunderland to Everton v Liverpool, the battle for regional pride is decided by ninety minutes on the football pitch; the losers suffering the indignity of Monday morning at the office and a slew of jibes from workmates. Wednesday night’s clash between Fulham and Chelsea is no different. Despite the rivalry having somewhat mellowed in recent years, it’s a match neither side will want to lose. Interim Chelsea manager, Rafa Benitez, speaking after last weekend’s victory over Sunderland rightly praised the way his team came out in the second half, with Torres particularly impressing. It was his burst of speed to glide past John O’Shea that set up Oscar; in a display we’ve seen little of in the blue of Chelsea. That moment in particular was Torres at his finest: quick, direct and clinical. For Jol and Fulham, end of season earlyholiday syndrome seems to have clicked in already. Despite good wins in recent weeks, they have the air of a team who are happy with their lot but Jol will still be disappointed to have not come away from St James’ Park with at least a point. “We’ve
had a very good run and we said today we don’t want to break that - getting a result here was our intention. We’re disappointed.” Historically, this is perhaps one of London’s most famous derby’s; coming about due to a rent dispute when businessman Gus Mears offered the newly acquired Stamford Bridge Athletics Stadium to the then Fulham chairman Henry Norris. When Norris refused to budge, Mears decided to form his own team to occupy the ground, Chelsea and the West London was born. Ahead of tonight’s match, Benitez will most likely look to tinker with the starting line up that faced Manchester City in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final. Although the top four is a priority, Benitez has picked strong teams for both the recent Europa League tie and the FA Cup and will be no different here. For Fulham, Jol may be tempted to rotate his line-up, especially after Saturday’s tough game against Villa. But as with any local derby, fatigue or not, his players will surely be up for the challenge and the incentive of not only improving their own league position but denting Chelsea’s aspirations of a top four finish.
Field — Issue 02
Fulham v Chelsea
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Primal Scream Martin Duffy talks about Primal Scream’s latest release and a tough season for Aston Villa
Primal Scream are soon to release their 10th album, More Light, and have a string of festival dates over the summer but when we speak to keyboardist, Martin Duffy, it is football and Aston Villa’s precarious Premier League position that occupy his thoughts: “It’s hard times at the Holte End. Lambert keeps saying we’ll be okay but you can never tell. I am feeling optimistic, though there is a long way to go and there are a lot of teams down there who could go down. Its not just a couple of teams this season, there are a lot of [clubs] and that could help us out. If we can escape relegation I think we can turn the corner. Lambert is taking a big chance and maybe it will pay off.” Despite this cautious optimism he is open about how tough a season it has been: “I wish I could take it less seriously but when there is a chance of going down it really gets to you. My son has had to grow up a bit this season, even though we live in Brighton now as all of his friends support
Field — Issue 02
Liverpool or Manchester United. He might have taken it a bit more philosophically than me though; whenever we get a win he walks round with his head up high!” We talked before last weekend’s game at Stoke and even before this important late win Duffy was a believer in what Lambert is trying to achieve. I had pointed to Aston Villa’s results being similar under Lambert to those achieved with McLeish, but Duffy is certainly happier with the way the team looks now and despite some poor results is convinced they are heading in the right direction: “It’d be easy just to slag off Lambert but I can see what he’s trying to do and we look good when we turn up. I remember watching the Liverpool game earlier in the season [15/12/12 - 3-1 Villa win] and I thought that was the turning point but then we get beat by Chelsea, Spurs and Wigan. Wigan put three past us. We’ve got a young team and I don’t know if the result against Liverpool went to their heads. We are lucky we have Benteke, without him we’d be right down there at the bottom of the table. I’d like to
Primal Scream
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see Lambert have time to put through the changes he wants and to get them playing a certain way.”
Moving on from Villa we talk about preparations for the release of Primal Scream’s 10th album, More Light
That Villa have such a young side gives Duffy cause for optimism going forward but he is aware that it could be a weakness as the season progresses towards its conclusion:
“It’s three years since the last album and the next few months are going to be pretty manic. We played a gig for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall recently and it was a fantastic gig. One of the best we’ve ever done. You have to pinch yourself sometimes that after all these years we are still playing and having people want to come to see us. Its amazing; I think back to my twenties and you never imagine you’ll still be doing this when you are pushing 40. We’ve never split up and re-formed either; we’ve just been getting on with it and doing what we like doing”.
“We won the European Cup, we won the league. The best game I ever went to was in 1976 when we were 5 - nil up against Liverpool in the first half.” “We’ve got a really good youth system. Our Under 21’s are doing really well and we’ve had some great players coming through. Even the first team, it’s still a very young team and maybe they just need some time. They seem to have a tendency to hit the panic button sometimes, perhaps that is when a bit more experience is needed. An experienced player in the centre of the park might be all we need.” Losing key players and Randy Lerner’s impending divorce settlement have made transfers and team building tough at Villa but Duffy thinks the manager is doing well with limited resources: “We’ve had some great players in the last few season but we find these players and they have to move on. Lambert is trying to build us a team from scratch and he doesn’t seem to have much money to play with. He might not have a choice but for these young players to play. If we get through this season, then we’ll see what can happen. Hopefully in a couple of months or a couple of years it can come together.”
Field — Issue 02 01
Interview by Dan Byrne at Field and arranged by Shoot Music Promotions Words by Dan Byrne
Primal Scream