Field #5 by Field Matchday

Jack Wilshere

Andros Townsend The latest overhyped player?

Interview with the Arsenal and England midfielder

The 1975

John Hollins

Interview with lead singer and Newcastle fan Matt Healy

Interview with the ex-Chelsea player and manager

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Jack Wilshere

Magic of the Derby

John Hollins

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Adam Bate

ANDY GREEVES

20 Customary Slow Start

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OUTSIDE RIGHT

Pete Hall

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27 The 1975 Paul Gleeson

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Welcome After an international week more exciting than most it’s time for the Premier League to return to action. With England having qualified for Brazil 2014 the nation as a whole can relax, safe in the knowledge that football will continue well into the summer.

Was it ever in doubt? Well, yes it was. After England’s dour draw against Ukraine during the last international break many feared a slip up against Montenegro or Poland was inevitable. But for the first time in many years England played with a freedom and attacking verve not witnessed on these shores since the late nineties. With Townsend impressing on the right, Rooney and Sturridge linking well upfront and Gerrard continuing to marshall the midfield hope has returned that England may finally be able to mount a challenge. They probably won’t but let’s just enjoy the optimism whilst it lasts, eh.

Amongst the slew of books being released this month, the most notable has been Alex Ferguson’s autobiography. Much of the ire that was expected to be directed at Wayne Rooney has failed to materialise, but there was still plenty of contentious issues to keep the press interested and, perhaps more importantly, allow SAF to pip Harry Redknapp to the Christmas bestsellers title. Much has been said of the potential for Moyes to be unsettled by Ferguson’s return to the public eye. This is perhaps overstating the case; the waves of fan nostalgia for the former boss have far less chance of rocking the boat than the stormy seas Moyes is currently leading his team through. Though he may also be grateful the book saved his current crew from scandal and reserved the more scintillating details for those who have moved on.

“What is it about football that people love? The answer, of course, lies in the goal. The goal is football. Its rarity is its magic.” As with a goal, the magic of the derby is in it’s rarity; this weekend sees one of the oldest take place at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland take on Newcastle. With Sunderland rooted to the bottom of the table, this fixture takes on even great significance for the Black Cats. Last years 3-0 victory over Newcastle at St James Park effectively secured their place in the Premier League: three points against them this time round would go someway to doing so again.

Until Tuesday’s defeat to Dortmund in the Champions League it looked as if Arsenal were the second coming of the Invincibles. With Ozil pulling the strings, Flamini settling back into the center of midfield and Ramsey nothing short of a revelation it looked as if Wenger had struck the perfect balance between attack and defence, steel and guile. Crystal Palace may not provide the sternest of opposition to Wenger’s men but it will be interesting to see how the team react to losing. Whereas the Arsenal of old may have felt as if the burden of expectation was weighing down too heavily, the current incarnation seem more than capable of getting back on track.

At the top of the table, perhaps the most intriguing clash is Chelsea vs Manchester City. With both teams harbouring realistic hopes of winning the title neither will want to lose this game and Mourinho in particular will be eager to stamp his authority on the title race. At the other end of the table a managerless Palace will face Arsenal looking to improve on the solitary three points they have accrued so far; Norwich face Cardiff at Carrow Road, with Chris Hughton’s side desperately needing three points to start moving away from the relegation zone; and Sunderland welcome Newcastle for the Tyne-Wear derby.

Jack Wilshere From the start a lot has been expected from Wilshere. A midfielder blessed with touch, vision and technique he is now starting to fulfill his potential after an injury hit season last year which is great news for Arsenal fans but not for their opponents.

As Antonio Luna broke away to score Aston Villa’s third in a crushing opening day defeat for Arsenal Jack Wilshere turned in exasperation to his teammates. His frustration at the Gunners’ dreadful start to the season was understandable. However, Arsenal’s response has been emphatic, winning six of their seven league fixtures since. They sit atop the Premier League and talk has now turned to whether Wilshere and co. can end the club’s eight-year trophy drought. “A lot of people seem to be surprised by how well we’ve done,” says Wilshere. “But I actually expected us to start this well. It was a tough start. Losing 3-1 at home was a shock to everyone but we haven’t looked back since then.” Many attribute the club’s resurgence to the record £42.4 million signing of German playmaker Mesut Ozil, whose artistry and vision has illuminated Arsenal’s play, returning the swagger to the Gunners’ stride. “It was huge,” explains Wilshere. “He’s given everyone a lift at the club and we’ve taken momentum from that. The timing of the signing was perfect too. We’d just come off a win against Tottenham and it showed the ambition we have at the club. We don’t want to stand still.” Indeed, there’s something different about Arsenal this season; an innate belief and staunch confidence in the footballing philosophy taught by Arsene Wenger. As Wilshere says, the Gunners

“have a winning mentality right now.” However, is it entirely fair to suggest this is a newly developed trait? Wilshere thinks not. “If you look back at the end of last year and consider the results we put together, that mentality started then. At that point we had it in our heads that we had to get fourth place and we’ve continued that attitude into this season.” Despite being shifted to the left side of midfield Wilshere has certainly played his part. His goal in the 4-1 win over Norwich, an astonishing display of one-touch passing in a congested penalty area, demonstrated the self-belief now flowing through Wenger’s players. It was the goal Arsenal have been trying to score for the best part of a decade. “Sometimes people forget that I’m still 21 years old and learning the game,” Wilshere continues. “So playing on the left has been a different experience for me. But it doesn’t matter where I’m asked to play; I just want to be in the team. I’m not a left-winger but playing there has taught me a different side to the game. That can only be a positive thing.” So what about the question on the minds of every Arsenal fan? Can the Gunners turn their good start into the club’s first league title since 2004? “We know we can’t win every game and when we can’t it’s important we don’t lose games,”

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Wilshere reveals about the club’s mindset. “That’s something that’s been drilled into us a bit more over the past 10 months. “We know there are some really tough games coming up and every team goes through a blip at some point in the season. We’re ready to deal with that. It’s about proving a point. Everyone, the players, the staff, the fans, everyone, wants to win something this year.” No player embodies the Arsenal revival better than Aaron Ramsey, who has now netted nine times in 12 games. Olivier Giroud also appears to have embraced the burden of leading the frontline. “We all knew once he got going he wouldn’t stop scoring,” Wilshere says of the Frenchman. But looking beyond the expensive foreign imports Arsenal’s recent success has a distinctly native essence. Along with Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere forms part of the club’s young, English contingent. “Me and Kieran have grown up together, playing for Arsenal from the age of nine,” Wilshere adds. “So we know what the club’s all about and how they are expected to play. ” Wenger says his side is now helping the English game and Wilshere insists that despite the club’s new blockbuster transfer policy Arsenal isn’t about to change its approach. “The club is all about giving youth a chance and it’s important that we keep that identity. The manager has always said that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough and that attitude goes right through the club,” Wilshere maintains. “We’re not about to become the Galácticos.”

Interview by Graham Ruthven Photography by Nike Jack Wilshere wears Nike Tech Fleece throughout - available from Nike.com

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jack wilshere

Magic of the Derby The Premier League is littered with high profile clashes and Super Saturday’s and Sunday’s but there remains a special place in footballing folklore for the derby. Adam Bate explores just what it is that makes the derby game so special.

“Football is special, that much is clear. It is not just the beautiful game, but the world’s game, a language spoken from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to the steppes of Asia. We would not have it any other way. But its universal appeal demands investigation and, if possible, explanation. Why is football so enduringly, so ubiquitously, popular? What is it about football that people love? The answer, of course, lies in the goal. The goal is football. Its rarity is its magic.” This passage from The Numbers Game by Chris Anderson and David Sally goes some way to explaining the beauty of football over, say, the incessant scoring of basketball. A similar argument could also be put forward to elucidate the joy of the football derby. The game of games. A fixture ascribed more value than all others regardless of what the points system says. This weekend the Tyne-Wear derby finds itself in the spotlight once more and the fixture will doubtless receive the Sky Sports treatment, hyped beyond reason. Why can’t all fixtures be so intense? And yet, as with the goal itself, part of the

allure of the derby is being made to wait for it. Consider the fervour that greeted Birmingham’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Second City derby in 2002. A game their fans - and the hapless Peter Enckelman in the Villa goal - will remember forever after a 15 year wait for a league meeting between the sides. Contrast this with the talk of El Clasico fatigue following Real Madrid’s 16th meeting with Barcelona since 2011. Silverware was at stake in many of those contests between the Primera Liga rivals. But does the game matter more when there’s more on it? Not necessarily. After all, Newcastle vs Sunderland remains one of the English games most anticipated

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magic of the derby

“Despite Sunderland’s torrid form last season, it will remain one to saviour. Not because of their final league position but because of the famous 3-0 victory over Newcastle at St James Park.”

fixtures, yet there is rarely anything other than local pride riding on the outcome. Just as a glass of dirty water in a desert oasis can be more cherished than a king prawn at a Vegas buffet, the paucity of exciting options elsewhere adds to its importance. Despite Sunderland’s torrid form last season, it will remain one to saviour. Not because of their final league position but because of the famous 3-0 victory over Newcastle at St James Park: a result that simultaneously helped Sunderland stave off relegation whilst also dragging Newcastle into a relegation battle. This season, with Sunderland having set an unwanted record for the worst start to a Premier League campaign in history, the Tyne-Wear derby will take on added significance. Last season, victory over Newcastle acted as a catalyst that helped Sunderland stay up but defeat this time round would mire them even deeper in the relegation zone. “What is it about football that people love? The answer, of course, lies in the goal. The goal is football. Its rarity is its magic.”

For Newcastle, this weekend’s game will both be about restoring local pride following last years result and improving on their recent form. No matter where the respective teams end up finishing this season, a lot still hinges on this game in the short-term, particularly for Gus Poyet who, if he can repeat Di Canio’s heroics of last season, will be confident of steering the club to safety once again.

Words by Adam Bate

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magic of the derby

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Chelsea

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John Hollins As the bookmakers favourites for the Premier League title face their first head-to-head encounter of the season, Stamford Bridge legend John Hollins is anticipating a fascinating match between Chelsea and Manchester City.

“Chelsea versus Manchester City always seems to bring about a fantastic fixture,” says John Hollins, with a knowing grin. Hollins has certainly been involved in a few classics over the years between the two teams. As a Chelsea player, he played in a two-legged semi-final win over City en-route to European Cup Winners Cup glory in 1971, while as boss of the West London club he guided them to a win over the same opposition in an incredible Full Members Cup Final victory in 1986. In that match at the old Wembley Stadium, Chelsea led 5-1, thanks to a David Speedie hat-trick and a brace by Colin Lee. However, three City goals in the last five minutes would give Hollins and Chelsea an uncomfortable finish. “We were 5-1 up and then just kept shipping goals…. I went from being calm and comfortable in my seat to screaming ‘get the ball up the field’ and ‘clear it’ at the top of my voice,” laughs Hollins. “My heart rate was through the roof and I didn’t have a voice left after the game. It was a great victory though. Whatever trophy you are competing for,

be it the Premier League, the FA Cup or that Full Members Cup, you just want to win it.” Having played 592 matches for Chelsea in all competitions, only Ron Harris, Peter Bonetti and Frank Lampard have made more appearances for the Blues, while he also managed the club from 1985 to 1988. The former player and manager remains a regular attendee at Stamford Bridge and lives within walking appearance of the ground, just off the fashionable Kings Road. Sunday’s 4pm showdown is certainly one he’ll be looking to get along to. “We’ll be seeing two clubs that have had a change of manager and made a number of changes

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“I think that in all areas of the field, both teams are blessed with great players. The main difference is in the forward options. Manchester City have people like Sergio Aguero, who is just awesome for me.”

to their playing squad also,” he says. “They are blending their sides together and they are starting to get that blend right. “I think that in all areas of the field, both teams are blessed with great players. The main difference is in the forward options. Manchester City have people like Sergio Aguero, who is just awesome for me. He can take the ball, run at defences and make chances for himself as well as finish those provided by others. That’s maybe the slight difference between Manchester City and Chelsea and maybe the edge for them in respect to this match and the title race.”

in his favour. He isn’t afraid to admit to making mistakes, but nine times out of ten he’ll rectify any mistakes he might have made in a game.”

“Hollins has certainly been involved in a few classics over the years between the two teams. As a Chelsea player, he played in a two-legged semi-final win over City en-route to European Cup Winners Cup glory in 1971.”

Going into the match, second place Chelsea are just a point and two places above Manchester City in the Premier League table. With both clubs seen by many to be the likely first and second placed teams in the division come the end of the campaign, the significance of the match cannot be understated. “Every game in the Premier League is important and there is no such thing as a game when you lose and you say, ‘oh well, it doesn’t matter’,” comments Hollins. “But of course there is extra spice attached to this game, given that these two teams are many people’s favourites for the Premier League this season. “I just can’t see this being a goalless draw, because these are two teams that will go at each other. I obviously hope Chelsea can win the match and (Jose) Mourinho is certainly the man to lead them into such a big match. He still has this brilliant ability to make changes, be they tactical alterations or substitutions, that swing the balance of the match

Illustration by Will Daw

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john hollins

Words by Andy Greeves

Customary Slow Start Slow starts at Everton were nothing unusual for Moyes. In fact, they were almost expected. So why are we so surprised that Manchester United have started their title defence in such stuttering form? Pete Hall explores.

Faltering in the shadow of the Sir Alex Ferguson stand, under scrutiny from those arriving via Sir Alex Ferguson way has hardly been the fairytale start to life as Manchester United manager that David Moyes must of imagined from Goodison Park. Three wins out of eight, keeping just two clean sheets in the process has seen the champions title defence stutter and led the footballing stratosphere to further doubt Moyes’ ability to manage a club of United’s lore, with Ferguson’s legacy looming large. Yet Moyes, a man that built a reputation even the illustrious Ferguson approved of, made his name overcoming slow starts to Premier League campaigns and although turning around the fortunes of a club under the gaze of fans the world over is a different matter altogether, the scenario is nothing new to the Scot. With patience, he has the knowhow to mastermind a revival of the faltering Premier League champions. Last season at Everton was a rare occurrence for Moyes: a positive start to a top flight campaign. One defeat in their first 11 games ignited hope within the Goodison Park faithful that they would get to see their side have another shot at competing in Europe’s elite competition. Alas, it wasn’t meant

to be but false hope is something that Toffees fans rarely had to suffer during Moyes’ tenure. The Premier League’s perennial slow starters initial sluggishness in recent years has never hindered the teams progress, with the 2011-12 campaign a microcosm of the Moyes era at the club: seven defeats in their first ten matches meant a relegation battle rather than a top four challenge was on the horizon. However, an unbeaten last eight games resulted in a seventh place finish, importantly above arch-rivals Liverpool. After undertaking the United job, it would be churlish to ignore the far from impressive conduct of the incoming chieftain and new Chief Executive Ed Woodward in the summer transfer window, with lack of investment adding further difficulty to the imposing role. That coupled with the disruptive Wayne Rooney saga meant pre-season preparation

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customary slow start

“Certainly, I don’t think it is what every team would choose. But in football now if you’re one of the big clubs it happens,” Moyes said in the aftermath, playing down it’s significance.

certainly didn’t go to plan and the changing of the guard became a difficult transition for all concerned. Much of the criticism for their disorderly preparation, when not directed at Moyes or Woodward, has been towards the club’s decision to partake in a vigorous pre-season tour which took in South Africa, China, Norway, Germany and Sweden. All before a competitive ball was kicked,

to work out what his best side is but when he does, and the dust settles after a tumultuous few months, don’t be surprised if United turn things around and embark on an emphatic second-half of the season. After all, it won’t be the first time either for Moyes or for United.

Three wins out of eight, keeping just two clean sheets in the process has seen the champions title defence stutter and led the footballing stratosphere to further doubt Moyes’ ability.

they had travelled in excess of 23,000 miles to play in six friendlies. Hardly ideal. “Certainly, I don’t think it is what every team would choose. But in football now if you’re one of the big clubs it happens,” Moyes said in the aftermath, playing down it’s significance. Such a gruelling schedule would faze a large majority of his counterparts, but Moyes has seen it all before. Prior to the 2010/11 campaign, Moyes and his Everton side were questioned for embarking on a pre-season tour of Australia – in an attempt to cash in on Tim Cahill’s popularity. The warm climate, substandard opposition and long-travelling times were blamed for a tired-looking Everton starting their league season very much below par. But once again, the team rallied after Christmas losing only two of their last 12 games; saving Moyes’ blushes and ensuring his reputation remained intact, perhaps even enhancing his credentials for when a bigger club came calling. Eventually, that job did become available and although Sir Alex’s successor has struggled in his initiation to life at M16, we must be aware that there is a long way to go . After starting more players than any of his counterparts, Moyes is yet

Illustration by Will Daw

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customary slow start

Words by Pete Hall

Hyperbole at Outside Right It’s often the case with England that one good performance leads to unrealistic expectations. It has been no different with Andros Townsend this week: a promising player he may be but England’s saviour? Perhaps not, as Matt Stanger explains.

Only 19 starts into his Premier League career, Andros Townsend has already been anointed as England’s new saviour. The winger’s daring performances against Montenegro and Poland were enough to leave fans on the edge of their seats and journalists in a rush to hail the nation’s latest hero. But does the 22-year-old really deserve his burgeoning reputation? Although Townsend has certainly progressed following a successful loan spell at QPR last season - in a personal sense, at least - he faces a long battle to hold on to his place in the Tottenham first team and book his ticket to Brazil next summer. There is an argument that Townsend has benefited from the myth that international football is more demanding than the rigours of the domestic game. In the wake of his sparkling debut for England, it was claimed that the youngster had performed on the ‘biggest stage’, when the reality is that far more difficult challenges await. It is to his credit that Townsend transformed a wasteful first-half display against Montenegro into a match-winning performance after the interval capped by a stunning strike - but it is equally true that the occasion revealed many legitimate concerns over his qualities.

As well as carelessly conceding possession throughout the first 45 minutes, Townsend struggled to find a breakthrough before the game opened up in the second half. It was only when he had space to exploit that the winger truly excelled and a better side would surely have muted his predictable advances. That was the case in Tottenham’s defeat to Arsenal at the start of September, as the winger repeatedly cut inside only to be blocked off by Aaron Ramsey or shoot tamely at Wojciech Szczesny. It took 27 attempts for Townsend to score his first Premier League goal of the season against Aston Villa, and even then he profited from a large slice of fortune. “It was a cross and I’m not going to take credit for it,” said Townsend. “But I’ve been unlucky in the past, so I’ll take that and it set us on the way

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hyperbole

“The main thing for me now is to not get carried away, to keep my feet on the ground and keep putting in the performances when I get the chance for Spurs,” he said.

to a great three points.” It would be churlish - and futile - to try and quieten the excitement over Townsend entirely, but it is hard not to think that England have once again allowed desperation to get the better of them. No good can come of over-hyping another youngster who still has much to learn, but at least Townsend is staying grounded. “The main thing for me now is to not get

There is an argument that Townsend has benefited from the myth that international football is more demanding than the rigours of the domestic game.

carried away, to keep my feet on the ground and keep putting in the performances when I get the chance for Spurs,” he said. With Aaron Lennon returning from injury , and Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli continuing to adjust to life in England, Townsend would do well to remember his own words of advice as the rest of the country loses its cool over the winger’s meteoric rise.

Words by Matt Stanger Illustration by Will Daw

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hyperbole

The 1975

Speak to anyone from Newcastle about who they support and the answer is unequivocal: Newcastle United. For Matt Healy of The 1975 it’s no different.

For anyone born in Newcastle it’s a certainty that you’ll go on to support the club; add into that a dad who’s an avid fan of the club who starred in Auf Wiedersehen Pet and you’re left with very few options. Although the team has had their fare share of ups and downs in recent years, it’s almost not the point for Newcastle fans. Whether they’re hitting the highs of the nineties and Keegan’s free-flowing football or the lows of 2009 and relegation is immaterial: once you’re a Geordie you remain a Geordie. “I’ve been a massive supporter since I was a kid. I used to get to meet the players all the time; Micky Quinn, Bobby Robson etc. Proper legends of the club and I’ve just been an avid fan ever since.”

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Amongst the legends that have graced the St James Park pitch, a couple stand out in particular for Matt. Not surprisingly, they hail from Keegan’s team of the mid-nineties which came as close as any Newcastle team has in recent years to breaking the clubs lengthy trophy duct. “Shearer was just a legend, one of my all time heros, right up there with Ginola. I think Ginola was just one of the best players we ever had to watch.” These days, though, Newcastle fans aren’t quite so happy. Whereas once they were the envy of most teams in the Premier League they now find themselves mired in an unenviable position; stuck with a Chairman they distrust, a Director of Football who can’t pronounce the players names and a club sponsor that many find repulsive and distasteful.

the 1975

Although Matt has lost touch slightly due to touring commitments with the day-to-day problems that Ashley and Co create, he’s all too aware of the negative effect that his ownership is having on the club. “I’m from Newcastle so I understand what it means, I know what the club means; it’s part of your identity. I understand that really, really stoic adherence to the club. I think that mentality as well comes from politics in the 80’s and that kind of working class unity that people had because of stuff like the miners strikers. I think people saw a lot of unity in Newcastle United and that unity has bleed into other generations. Now, we’ve got someone in charge of the club who doesn’t understand that identity.” Following Keegan’s infamous on-air meltdown during the 1996 title race, I ask Matt whether the band are feeling any additional pressure after achieving a number album at their first attempt. “It’s a very, very weird feeling having a number one album after making music for ten years and having accepted that it might never happen. “We don’t really feel that [added expectation], though. You would think that we would but we can’t really worry about that. I mean, people have embraced our band for what we our so that inspires a lot of confidence that we should keep doing what we want, because that’s what people want.”

Following on from their #1 debut album The 1975 will release their new single “Girls” on November 11th 2013 Words by Paul Gleeson

Following on from their #1 debut album The 1975 will release their new single “Girls” on November 11th 2013.

Interview by Paul Gleeson arranged by Shoot Music Promotion

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the 1975

LIMITED EDITION SPURS POSTER This poster is part of a collaboration between Field and Well Made Studio. Each poster is available in a limited edition of 100 copies and is printed on high quality fine art paper.

Tottenham Hotspur

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