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LEWIS HOLTBY ANTHONY HUDSON YOU ME AT 6 MOVEMBER XI CARL FROCH & THERE’S MORE AT HALFTIMEWHISTLE.CO.UK

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Editor Danny Stone editor@halftimewhistle.co.uk TEL:0207 3055844 Sub Editor Laurence Kilpatrick Marketing Manager Hassan Allan marketing@halftimewhistle.co.uk TEL: 0207 3055845 Art Editor Dave Partridge art@halftimewhistle.co.uk Cover illustration Kevin February Features Writer Josh Modaberi Wordsmith Danny Stone

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X-ILES: ANTHONY HUDSON Is APH the new AVB?

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ONE-ON-ONE: CARL FROCH HTW talks to the venomous Cobra!

Images ©ACTIONIMAGES unless indicated otherwise Printed by Bishops Printers Ltd, Walton Road, Farlington, Portsmouth PO6 1TR

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11 STICKERBOOK Movember Special XI!

13 KIDS FA RULES A guide to whippersnapper football

14 LEWIS HOLTBY We talk to the German son of a Scouser!

20 YOU ME AT 6 The band with a song on FIFA14!

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22 COCKNEY BOOKMAKER Fackin’ ell! Your guide to this month’s banana skins

28 PUB GUIDE Can’t get to the game?

Watch it in a pub instead with HTW and Greene King pubs

29 MIND GAMES The HTW pub quiz, in association with FootballTeasers and Greene King pubs

30 TV GUIDE © Halftime Whistle magazine 2013. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. The publishers recognise all copyrights contained in this issue. Where possible we acknowledge the copyright holder.

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Halftime Whistle talks to a young and successful British manager embodying a new breed of hungry and earnest European coach. Pics © APH nthony Patrick Hudson is a name that might not instantly resonate with the British football public but is one we may grow more accustomed to over the coming years.

At just 32, he is fast earning a reputation in the game after unprecedented success with the Bahrain youth team has seen him elevated to the full squad.

With a somewhat modest playing career on his CV, Hudson’s trajectory reflects a growing trend of young European managers, given roles that seemingly belie their football credentials, calling to mind his more famous contemporaries Andre VillasBoas and a certain José Mourinho.

Speaking to Hudson at length, Halftime Whistle uncovered not only an interesting personal journey but saw signs of what unites this modern crop of football manager.

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FINDING HIS FEET

Is APH the new AVB? Now steady on!

The son of former Chelsea, Arsenal and England midfielder Alan Hudson, Anthony was involved in football from a young age and was part of the same West Ham youth academy as Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick. However, he failed to make the grade at the Hammers and went on to have a stop-start playing career but, looking back, he claims that even then he knew coaching was something that appealed more to him: “I enjoyed putting on sessions, coaching players, coming up with strategies, planning for games etc. It happened at a very early age for me and I decided that is what I wanted to be and what I wanted to do.”

Seattle-born Hudson’s first professional coaching role came at just 25, returning to America as youth team coach at the Real Maryland Monarchs in the fourth-tier of the American soccer pyramid. As with AVB, who took over the reins manager of the British Virgin Islands at only 21, Hudson showed his willingness to get hands on with

05

ANTHONY HUDSON

a group of players at the earliest possible opportunity. After just two years, he was moved up to the role of head coach and he speak of his experience in the US with great fondness: “America was fantastic because despite being a young coach I was able to work with senior players. The head coach pretty much let me do everything I wanted. I got to experiment, try new things.”

The new franchise performed well under Hudson’s stewardship, finishing fifth and sixth in his two full seasons. But for the ambitious chairman, progress was not instantaneous enough, “The owners put us under a lot of pressure to win games but it was great and it made me grow. There were some difficult times but it was fantastic grounding for me.”

It was Hudson’s first introduction to the cutting nature of the ‘results-based’ business of football management but this has done little to dampen his personal philosophy towards the game and how it is played. He wants his sides to win but to do so while playing attractive football that will, he says “make the people happy”.

AN EDUCATION It’s a belief system he has openly attributed to his hero and mentor Marcelo Bielsa (above), a man who Hudson watched closely when Bielsa was manager of Chile and Newell’s Old Boys of Argentina, and who also managed the Argentine national side and more recently the Atletico Bilbao team that humbled Manchester United home and away in the 2012 Europa League.

“I’ve fallen in love with how he works.

He’s got a completely unique outlook – so detailed with everything he does on the training ground and with how his teams play the game.” Hudson has borrowed heavily Bielsa’s playing style as well, pursuing a high energy, high pressing, attacking mentality with an emphasis on retrieving the ball as

06

quickly as possible and playing deep in the opposition half.

It’s an approach made famous in recent times by Barcelona, and Pep Guardiola has himself thrown lavish praise the way of Bielsa, labelling him the “best manager in the world” in 2012.

With disciples of the world’s best managers adorning touchlines the world over, such as in Britain with Ferguson and Clough’s protégés Bruce, O’Neill, Keane and Hughes to name but a few, it is clear to see the influence a first-hand, first-class education has on a prospective manager.

For Hudson it’s no different. Despite not playing the game at the highest level, he bridges the gap through a constant and almost obsessively earnest pursuit of education that has taken him far and wide in the world of football. The youngest ever recipient of a FIFA Pro Licence, he has visited no fewer than 24 senior clubs to develop his skills, working with the likes of Fabio Capello, Brendan Rodgers and Steve McLaren, and his hunger for learning sees little sign of abating, “I’ve been everywhere, all over England, Spain and Holland. I’ve not had a holiday in God knows how long but I’m already

We’d won the Under-23s Gulf Cup, the country’s first trophy, and it was obvious how much it meant to everyone. I spoke to the King later and he knew all the stats for the tournament!

For more exclusive interviews with managers past and present, visit www.halftimewhistle.co.uk

ANTHONY HUDSON

planning my next trip!” It’s been a huge part of my education, for me it has been like reading an autobiography of a top manager.”

He has also worked with and remains in contact with Harry Redknapp, a man who has compared Hudson to a “young José Mourinho”. Although Hudson brushes off the compliment with a smile, it’s certainly not without its relevance.

As with AVB, Mourinho, whom Hudson has also studied during his time at Real Madrid, is famously an apprentice of the late Sir Bobby Robson, starting out as interpreters having never played the game professionally.

It shows the extent of application and tutelage. Hudson neatly summarises: “I’ve learned what the best people do.”

BRIDGING THE GULF After leaving America, Hudson returned to British soil in 2011 to take over at Conference side Newport County. He endured a torrid time in South Wales, being sacked just two months into the season following a ten-game unbeaten run. Looking back, he sees the experience as a turning point in his fledgling

career: “I made mistakes – but it certainly turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

I vowed to work harder, to change certain things and it has been the catalyst to where I am now in many ways.”

In March 2012 he was packing his bags for the Middle East, as national coach Peter Taylor brought him in as coach of the Bahrain under-23s. His side finished runners-up to Saudi Arabia at the Gulf Cup that year, before going one better this time around and winning the competition.

Hudson explained just how momentous an achievement this had been: “We’d won the Under-23s Gulf Cup, the country’s first trophy, and it was obvious how much it meant to everyone. I spoke to the King later and he knew all the stats for the tournament. That said it all!”

With Royal approval, Hudson now sits on the throne of the full squad. Despite currently lying 121st in the FIFA rankings, the immediate aim is to qualify for the 2015 Asian Games and the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He said in his own words: “There’s no point in not having a dream, I’ve got to go for it.”

Hudson’s recent success marks a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, centred on a willingness to learn as much as humanly possible. He has aspirations to lead out one of Europe’s top sides in the Champions League and, the way things are going, his dream may well prove a reality one day. Just ask AVB.

ACHIEVEMENTS 2008 Youngest coach to earn the UEFA Pro Licence Youngest ever head coach in USA

2009 Won USA Coach of the Year

2012 Runner up in U23 Gulf Cup of Nations

2013 Winner in U23 Golf Cup of Nations

Learning from the best: Steve McLaren, Harry Redknapp, Brendan Rodgers, Fabio Capello, José Mourinho

DID YOU KNOW? Andre Villas-Boas claims to have only told the British Virgin Islands of his true age (21) after leaving his position as national coach!

ONE-ON-ONE

ONE-ON-ONE:

CARL FROCH The 36-year-old boxer took time out of his gruelling training schedule to have a quick chat with Halftime Whistle’s Josh Modaberi about all things football. arl Froch is fast installing himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in British boxing history. His May rematch victory over Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler saw him win the IBF and WBA super-middleweight crowns in a unanimous points decision that saw his professional record reach 31-2.

Today could be a landmark day for Nottingham Forest fan Froch as his side host Burnley in a top-of-the-table clash in the Championship just hours before his eagerly anticipated fight against George Groves in Manchester. Enjoy!

C

Halftime Whistle: What are your first memories of supporting Forest?

Carl Froch: My first memory of going to watch Forest is standing in the Trent End before it was all proper seats. I remember

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standing there as a young lad with one of my uncles - I must have only been nine or so. It’s right behind one of the goals so when they were shooting the other way I could hardly see a thing. I was freezing to death but I think we won 3-2. I can’t remember who we played – all I remember is thinking it was fucking cold!

half the players who are in the squad today but I love watching the football.

HTW: So do you get down to the City Ground much these days?

CF: I try and get to as many games as I can but since the start of this season I’ve been in my training camp so I’ve not managed to get to any home games. When I’m training for a fight it’s quite difficult for me to get down there and even harder to go away. In fact the last away match I went to was against Leyton Orient so that shows how long it’s been!

HTW: Were you one of those fans with names of the back of your shirt?

CF: I’ve always supported Forest but I’m not one of those avid fans who knows everything about the club. To be honest I support HTW: Has your match day Nottingham more than the club CAREER routine changed since you’ve really and the club represent been more in the public HIGH the city that I love. We’ve had eye?

Revenging defeat on Mikel Kessler on May players like Peter Shilton and CF: Yes, definitely. I used 25th to win the lots of others who’ve played for to always go and meet my WBA Super England but I couldn’t tell you brother at Hooters but the Middleweight Title

ONE-ON-ONE

I used to go to Hooters before the games but now I get harassed! I’ve had to give my ticket away as well and watch from a box! problem is since being a World Champion HTW: What have you made of two it’s nearly impossible to have a quiet drink former footballers turned professional and a bite to eat and just spend time with my boxers, Curtis Woodhouse and Leon friends because I get harassed!

McKenzie?

Similarly I can’t really sit in the main stand CF: They both seem to be doing OK to be fair. anymore because me signing autographs When they made the transition from football and taking photographs annoys those people it came a bit out of the blue. I find it mad sat around me who aren’t bothered and just that any footballer would switch to go into want to watch the game. Don’t get me wrong professional boxing but if you love the sport I love it but I didn’t want to ruin the game and you love the fight game then why not? for anyone so I’ve given my ticket away Seeing as they haven’t come from and now I tend to go straight in and a boxing background they have watch the game from a box in adjusted pretty well but for me, MAN TO the Brian Clough Stand! like football, I think you have BEAT to start at a young age to go Andre Ward (USA) far in the game. They’re doing W26 L0 KO14 (Beat Froch: 17/12/2011) okay but I think they will do well to win domestic titles and will struggle to succeed at world level but you never know!

HTW: Are there any other footballers that you think would be good boxers?

CF: Not really! [Laughs] Like I said, I think you have to be boxing from a kid. If you’re not fighting when you’re 10-years-old you’re not going to make it to the top.

There are obviously players out that look like they have a bit of fight in them – Wayne Rooney is a prime example and I think he used to do a bit of boxing when he was younger. He’s solid, strong and aggressive on the pitch which are all good attributes to carry over into the ring.

BOXER PROFILE FULL NAME: Carl Froch NICKNAME: The Cobra DATE OF BIRTH: 02/07/1977 (age 36) PLACE OF BIRTH: Nottingham WEIGHT: 76kg (11st 13lbs) HEIGHT: 1.85 m (6ft 1in) REACH: 1.89 m (74½“) STANCE: Orthodox STYLE: Boxer Brawler TURNED PRO: 2002

FIGHT RECORD FIGHTS: 33 WINS: 31 (22 BY K.O.) LOSSES: 2 HTW: You’ve had a remarkable career, is having a fight at the City Ground on your bucket list?

CF: That would be the pinnacle for me to be honest. I would rather fight at Forest than Vegas and I’ve never boxed there either. If I had the choice of the two for me it would be the City Ground any day of the week.

There would be a lot of nostalgia fighting there for me – it would mean so much to me to fight with all the fans packed into the stands and on the pitch – it would be an unbelievable experience.

You can watch Carl Froch v George Groves on Sky Box Office on November 23. You can also follow ‘The Cobra’ on Twitter @Carl_Froch

Interviews with Ricky Hatton, Kevin Mitchell and other star names please visit www.halftimewhistle.co.uk

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STICKERBOOK

This issue HTW celebrates those bles sed of the hairy upper lip!

HALFTIME WHISTLE

Neville SOUTHALL

Viv ANDERSON

GK

Sam ALLARDYCE

RB

HTW TOP XI Did we miss someone out?

Or do you have an idea for a Top XI for a future issue or website?

Mark LAWRENSON CB

Ruud GULLIT

CB

Graeme SOUNESS

Chris KAMARA

CM

LB

Get in touch now and email: editor@halftimewhistle.co.uk

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DM

Carlos VALDERRAMA

RF

LF

MANAGER Vicente Del Bosque

In association with Rudi VOLLER

CHAIRMAN Shahid Khan

CF Ian RUSH

“The best mix of old school service and razor sharp cuts” www.pallmallbarbers.com

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COMMENTATOR Des Lynam

XI

The owner of the ball has the power of an FA chairman combined with the bravado of a hotshot, shags-who-he wants Premier League striker.

The (kids) Laws of the Game k as it is carried Editor Danny Stone re-writes the rule boo out by the young whippersnapper.

Law 1: The Field of Play

The goal – jumpers, cones, school bags, even other human beings can be used to show width of posts. Both crossbars and posts are invisible and will range in size relative to the height and reach of the goalkeeper. This ambiguity causes countless arguments over air-borne goal attempts and results in ludicrous reasoning such as ‘post and in!’

The ‘area’ – Especially important in shorter versions of the game, the area must be determined before the game starts and can be signified by any inanimate object or a patch of discoloured grass.

Kids’ football comes in two distinct formats. The ‘Wembley’ scenario is the most popular and involves a single, ideally ‘neutral’ goalkeeper. Variations on this theme include ‘Wembley doubles’ - where social politics play a significant role in partner selection – and headers and volleys / 60s /donkeys /ass – the latter for the purist and the sadist, since

it eradicates the cancerous goal-hanger issue but introduces physical punishment.

The straightforward ‘Match’ situation is a replica of a conventional adult game but with a much more loosely structured rule enforcement system.

Law 2: The Ball

Akin to Smeagol’s ring or the philosopher’s stone, in this environment the football itself is a vital cog that has both logistical and political ramifications.

To state the obvious you need a ball to play, really; that said, drinking receptacles will suffice on occasion when dicking around waiting for parents to stop gossiping.

As owner of the ball you command respect and possess unquestionable sovereignty – this guy rules the roost. He has the administrative power of an FA chairman combined with the respect and bravado of a hotshot, shags-who-hewants Premier League striker.

Proceedings can only commence once he has reclaimed his ball from the pre-

match dicking, tucked it neatly under his arm, and addressed his minions like Hitler at the Nuremburg rallies. This speech invariably consists of nothing more than a few squawks indicating whose team he intends to be on (‘not fair, it’s my ball’) in an attempt to gain an early advantage.

Law 3: The Number of Players

This is determined by complete chance but the amount will help determine game format. Odd numbers satisfy the ‘Wembleys’ criteria due to inclusion of the sole, neutral goalkeeper. Even numbers encourage a ‘match’ situation but you will need a minimum of eight players really, maybe six although this will be a shit game, especially since two of the six will need to be designated keepers or ‘rush keepers’. ‘Stick’ keepers used in the highly likely event of a participant being either disliked / overweight / shit, or, as is often the case, all three.

The question of ‘stranger danger’ is particularly prominent when playing in

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public or less controlled spaces i.e the park or the street, as opposed to the playground. While extra numbers might be appealing – especially in the above scenario – no one wants to usher some billy-no-mates into the game only for him to turn out to be utterly shit (or worse yet, absolutely class!) and for you to then (rightly so) get the blame. For this reason, any playing requests from strangers are routinely dodged with the same response: “Not my ball mate”.

Law 4: The Players’ Equipment

Wear what you want lads. A full kit is optimum; shin pads would be sensible but therefore excessive and discouraged.

Law 5: The Referee

In ‘match’ formats every player shares the role of referee with decisions made on the highly sophisticated basis of whose shout is the loudest and most convincing. In ‘Wembleys’ environments the goalkeeper will act as ruling official or at least be consulted for final judgement on contentious issues.

Of course, if it’s your ball, any decision can be overruled for any reason you see fit. This guy can do whatever he wants.

Law 6: The Assistant Referees

A limited responsibility, shared equally amongst all players as in ‘Law 5’.

Law 7: The Duration of the Match

This will be agreed prior to kick off and frequently on a ‘First to X goals’ basis. Match formats will often continue indefinitely and the score forgotten by all players, leading to a ‘next goal wins’ scenario that defeats the point of trying to keep score in the first place.

However, either format is normally stopped spontaneously by any number of external factors: Bad light, someone crying, dinner time, smashed window, injury, one team getting dicked on, ball owner has to depart, end of lunch time, everyone’s crying, ball lost, unplayable weather conditions, grumble mags found in the bushes.

Law 8: The start and restart of play

‘Match’ formats as in conventional game.

In ‘Wembleys’, goalkeeper can decide to kick it, chuck it up, roll it out or, the old favourite, ‘bounce it’ – a method replicating that of a Wimbledon ball boy that is best suited to tennis ball and concrete combination.

Law 11: Offside

Non-existent in all formats. Goal-hanging frowned upon but ultimately legal and often highly effective. Be warned, a reputation for goal-hanging is easily obtained but almost impossible to

Play can be stopped for many reasons: someone’s crying, end of lunchtime, ball is lost, grumble mags found in bushes...

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shake off, and will rear its head in other completely unrelated social scenarios: “Can I come to your party, Matty?”, response: “Piss off, goal hanger”. See.

Laws 12 & 13: Free kicks & The Penalty kick

All free-kicks are direct. This has come to mean: “You have to shoot.” In Wembley singles you actually ‘have to shoot’ because you have no team mates, whereas in Wembley doubles you might pretend to consider a pass but always end up shooting anyway – every child is a glory hunter. In both instances: you earn it, you take it. For penalties, goalkeeper may be changed to increase save probability, robbing the fat kid of his only chance to get any kind of praise from his peers.

Laws 14 & 15: The Throw-in & The Goal Kick

Throw-ins rarely required except in extreme circumstances e.g. stream or river in vicinity of pitch - see ‘Law 9’. Goal kicks non-existent in Wembley format, see Law 1. If, however, there is a fabled jumpers-for-goalposts scenario and the ball is behind the invisible line, the habitual laziness of the goalkeeper and universal preference for a laissez-faire approach normally leads to the shout of ‘PLAY ON!’

Law 16: Corner kicks

Also a rarity, especially in singlegoal environments since the taker is at a significant disadvantage as his teammate(s) will be outnumbered. Often dismissed in ‘match’ scenarios because kids can’t kick very high or head very well, plus there is no crossbar. Furthermore, the ball has normally gone miles off the pitch so the retrieval duties can neatly be designated to the defensive team.

For more original Halftime Whistle content visit www.halftimewhistle.co.uk

HOMECOMING KING

Son of a Scouser, playing for Spurs, we speak to German international Lewis Holtby! ith the wholesale changes that took place at White Hart Lane over the summer it’s easy to forget that Lewis Holtby himself only arrived at Spurs in the January transfer window.

It’s testament to how quickly the midfielder has settled into life in England as he slotted straight into the side and went on to make 17 appearances in all competitions in the second half of last season.

However it is perhaps unsurprising considering Holtby’s family background. The son of a Liverpudlian former-RAF soldier, Holtby’s ties with England go far beyond the details of his birth certificate.

“My Dad brought me up as English.”

Holtby told Halftime Whistle in his perfect, fluent father-tongue. “Until my 16th birthday I always wore an England shirt and I used to get a lot of stick from the German lads at school when we lost! It was a fantastic time, though – I loved every minute of it.”

Holtby’s father Chris was stationed at RAF Rheindahlen in Monchengladbach when he met his future-wife and went on to settle in

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the area but football always helped maintain began to make name for himself, and indeed a connection between his adopted country a nickname “Lucky Lewis” in reference to and that of his birth. Lewis explained: “We how his scintillating performances for his new were just down the road from an English base club defied those officials who questioned his and grew up watching the Premier League.” physicality at Monchengladbach.

By moving to England’s top flight, Holtby Whatever role luck may have played with has said he has fulfilled a life-long dream, Lewis’ physical development there is certainly although admits to having always aspired to skill in abundance as well. Technically sound, don the blue of Everton – the team his father comfortable on the ball, creative and with used to watch as a boy. a natural athleticism, Holtby has all the It was a dream that prerequisites of a modern-day must’ve seemed a distant footballer and he has fantasy in 2004 when, gone on to captain as a 14-year-old Holtby Germany under 21s and was released by Borussia also claim three caps for Monchengladbach on the full national side. the grounds that he was NAME: Lewis “too small and slow” but NEW SEASON, Ha DATE OF BIRT rr y Holtby H: his rise since then has NEW CHALLENGES PL ACE OF BIRT 18 /09/90 H: Erkelenz, been nothing short of With the new additions Germany HEIGHT: 1.76 remarkable. this summer it was slow m (5 ft 8 in) POSITION: Mid He began his start to the season for SQUAD NUMBEfield professional career at Holtby, but he has shown NICKNAME: Lu R: 14 Alemannia Aachen before a level of professionalism, TWIT TER FOLL cky Lewis OWING: he moved to Schalke in focus and discipline that @LewisHoltby 146,733 follo 2009 and it was here he befit the son of a military w TRIVIA: Holtb ers y has an Ever ton-suppor British father ting 17 and German mother.

man. “Before starting my first Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park I had been very patient,” he told Halftime Whistle.

“I was doing my job in the League Cup and Europa League games. I was able to get a couple of assists and a goal and I always just go out there and give my best to show the manager what I can do.”

He has gone on to make ten appearances for Andre Villas-Boas’ side this season and in recent weeks has been keeping prized recruit Christian Erikson out of the side as well.

He accepts that the quantity and quality of arrivals, especially in midfield, has kept him on his toes but he accepts the club’s transfer policy is one centres on ambition.

“I knew it was going to be difficult,” he explained. “When I came here I knew it was going to be a very intense squad, with lots of quality players and then more came in summer, such as Christian.

“I have belief in my strengths and just need to show what I can in training as well as in the games. I have to prove I’m worthy of my place in the starting XI. “It is important that Spurs have all of these players because if you want to achieve

big things you need depth in the squad, especially with the amount of games we have this season,” he added. “I’m very positive it’s going to be a great season because there is so much quality within this team.”

After the departure of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid in the summer, another winger has been catching the eye both for Tottenham and England so far this campaign. Andros Townsend has had a remarkable year since a successful loan to QPR and then getting into the Spurs starting XI and his man-of-thematch performances for England.

And his midfield partner is another big fan. “It is great what Andros has done. He is creating so many chances for us and I’m so happy for him that he is achieving so much praise but this could turn around very quickly - we shouldn’t put too much attention on one player because the whole squad is doing a fantastic job. We have to be very protective it’s about the team, about Spurs.”

Having only turned 23 in September, Holtby’s maturity belies his years and he is well aware that he is still in the development stage of his career. That said, he has big ambitions for himself and for Tottenham.

Having left Schalke, a mainstay in the Champions League in recent seasons, for a club who have failed to qualify since 2010, it shows he trusts the long-terms plan at Tottenham, and he believes his team can not only finish in the top four but even mount a title challenge this season.

“We’re not far behind the leaders,” he said. “There is a long way still to go but if we keep getting points and stay as close as possible to the end of the season then who knows?”

Either way, if Holtby continues his impressive form, the reported £1.5 million paid for his signature may prove to be Spurs’ best bit of business in a hectic 2013 and Spurs fans realise just how lucky they are to have him!

I always wore an England shirt and I used to get a lot of stick from the German lads at school when we lost!

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LEWIS HOLTBY HIghs AND LOWS

CAREER HIGH: His return to Schalke saw him claim national team honours in 2010.

CAREER LOW: As a youth player he was released from Borussia Monchengladbach for being too small and slow.

CAREER LANDMARKS PROFESSIONAL DEBUT: 07/12/12 Alemannia Aachen vs FC St. Pauli FIRST PROFESSIONAL GOAL: 05/12/08: Alemannia Aachen vs TSV 1860 München FULL INTERNATIONAL DEBUT: 17/11/10: vs Sweden TOTTENHAM DEBUT: 30/01/13 vs Norwich City FIRST TOTTENHAM GOAL: 29/08/13 vs Dinamo Tbilisi

GOALS AND GAMES ALEMANNIA AACHEN 2007 – 2009 (35 games, 8 goals) BOCHUM (LOAN) 2010 (14 games, 2 goals) MAINZ 05 (LOAN) 2010 – 2011 (32 games 6 goals) SCHALKE 2009 – 2013 (78 games, 13 goals) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2013 – present (28 games, 1 goal) TOTAL – (180 games, 30 goals)

HTW SCOUT STRENGTHS: Good with the ball at his feet, he is aware of his surroundings, has good vision and an eye for goal.

WEAKNESSES: Still young, he is not the most physically imposing and can drift out of games occasionally To read an interview with Tottenham legendsLedley King and other exclusive star names, visit www.halftimewhistle.co.uk

Tottenham legends Ledley King and other exclusive star name interviews, visit www.halftimewhistle.co.uk

YOU ME AT 6

osh Franchesci is the lead singer of British rock sensations You Me At Six. The group, from Weybridge in Surrey, rose to prominence with their debut album, Take Off Your Colours, in 2008 and are now looking forward to their fourth release, Cavalier Youth, in the New Year.

And for football fans the world over the band will be creeping more and more into the subconscious as their song, Lived a Lie, is featured on FIFA 14.

It’s another proud moment for the Arsenal season ticket holder who took time out of his busy schedule to chat to Halftime Whistle’s Josh Modaberi about his beloved Gooners, the FIFA inclusion and getting into fisty-cuffs with the cast of The Only Way Is Essex!

J

So Josh – first of all, why Arsenal?

I didn’t have much say in the matter! I went to my first ever game when I was only six months old – my Dad took me in his rucksack so I don’t remember a think but I was pretty much born an Arsenal fan.

And with you riding high both domestically and in Europe at the moment– what do you think you’ll achieve this season?

I’m trying not to get too carried away at the minute. I think the main reason Arsenal fans are getting excited is down to the last few seasons- we’ve had such bad starts

HTW’s top 5 FIFA tunes

BLUR Song 2 (FIFA RTWC 98) APOLLO 440 Stop the Rock (FIFA 2000) LYKKE LI I’m Good, I’m Gone (FIFA 09) CARIBOU Odessa (FIFA 11) BLACK KEYS Tighten Up (FIFA 11)

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and there’s been little room for excitement because we’ve always been playing catch up.

But being debt free now and bringing players of the calibre of Ozil means I think we can grow and hopefully become one of the great European clubs again.

I think our main threat is ourselves getting too complacent but I’m confident we will win something this season. I’m not sure what but I think some silverware will come our way.

Have you always kept faith with Wenger?

Very much so - he’s completely changed the philosophy of the club. I’m a season ticket holder with my Dad who is French and very much pro Wenger and we sit in front of these fucking morons for the last two or three years and some of the stuff that comes out of their mouths is ridiculous!

relationship between ourselves and EA. I got invited up to a tournament in Manchester, a celebrity tournament, God knows why they asked me but they did! I was sitting in this car for five hours up to Manchester with the head of EA and I was telling them how much I loved the game.

On the way back they were saying they would have me back the following year and I said they could go one better and put us in the game. It started off as a joke but things quickly escalated – we were recording in LA and the American division came to the studio.

We played them some songs and they really loved Lived a Lie. It’s good banter when we play FIFA with our mates because not only do we beat them but then they have to listen to our song afterwards as well!

Are there any other football fans in the You Me At Six? It’s only really me, Dan and Max who care for football – Matt and Chris sort of get amongst it if we’re going to a bar with a bit of an atmosphere - they love that side of things.

They’ve been to a few games with me and enjoyed themselves but they don’t follow a team.

Max is a fellow Gooner and Dan is a United fan. We have a bit of banter and right now I could be destroying him at the state of United but I don’t want to just in case I have to eat my words come the end of the season!

So you play a bit?

Yeah - I’m sort of an attacking midfielder. I like getting stuck in and doing the defensive work but I also like the glory of scoring screamers. I’m one of those people if I’m outside of the box I’ll have a go because I don’t see the point of looking left or right, I might as well have a dig, sometimes it works but most of the time it doesn’t!

The band has actually done a few of those Soccer Six tournaments and we got to the final of the last one we did and lost to Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan’s team. Tamer brought down all his big mates and his son who plays football and the only thing they wanted to do was win and didn’t care how!

It was cool though – we beat The Inbetweeners, The Only Way Is Essex and

How did the FIFA 14 situation come about?

It’s cool because there is a very organic

When we beat our mates on FIFA they have to listen to our song afterwards as well!

YOU ME AT 6

5 QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS Earliest memory 0-0 vs Middlesborough in 1996 - Patrick Vieria’s debut.

Favourite Kit? The ‘Dreamcast’ one.

Favourite song “What do you think of Tottenham?

What do you think of shit?”

Favourite all-time player King Thierry!

Favourite current player Flamini

we had a bit of a brawl with them - this guy on their team, Mario, kept on putting these dreadful tackles in and after a while my mate thought, “Fuck this!” and put in the most horrific challenge and it all kicked off!

Thankfully we beat them 3-0.

Going back to the music – what’s your most memorable moment for the band? Have you had a stand out gig?

I would have to say headlining Wembley

Arena - that was very surreal. Our last album Sinners came out as number one in the midweek charts and then number three overall in the top 40 album chart which was pretty crazy. Then with Lived A Live it was almost our first top 10 single coming in at number 11, but it’s on FIFA 14 which is awesome!

Hopefully we’ll enjoy lots more success in the coming months with the new album And you’re currently touring with 30 Seconds To Mars?

Yeah we are touring in Europe at the moment. In fact on the night of the Dortmund v Arsenal game we were performing in Munich and I got the whole crowd to shout ‘Fuck you Dortmund!’. I like to think it contributed to us winning the game!

As part of the tour we are coming to the UK and playing at big venues like the O2 in London and hopefully in 2014 wll be doing our own tour.

Would playing at the Emirates be a dream gig for you?

Absolutely. One of our friends actually played there recently supporting Green Day and I was so jealous and they didn’t understand why. I was trying to explain what it meant and they only got what I meant when I said it was like playing at the home ground of their favourite baseball team.

We’ve played football there before which was pretty special but to play a gig there would definitely be something to savour.

Is there anything you can tell us about yourself and the band that we don’t already know?

I did politics at A-level and so far today no member of the band is drunk!

What do you get up to other than music and football?

I play a bit of tennis, go for walks with my girlfriend and her dog – not very rock ‘n’ roll stuff, nothing really crazy! I have just moved to London though so now I can enjoy the nightlife without having to fork out for a £70 cab home so that’s quite nice.

Where do you see yourself and the band in 10 years time?

Headlining the Emirates with the whole of the Arsenal squad in the front row. The band’s mission statement has always been to have longevity so it would be great to tour the world and see new parts of the world. If not we will all be in rehab!

For more information on the bands new single Lived A Dream and new album Cavalier Youth visit www.youmeatsix.co.uk and follow @youmeatsix

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Fackin’ ‘ell!

THE COCKNEY BOOKMAKER

For exclusive betting offers, advice and all things cockney visit @cockneybookie on Twitter Bt

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AFTER JUST TEN GAMES – EVERYONE BEATING FACKIN’ EVERYONE!

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BANANA SKINS

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Cockney Bookmaker: This just proves how tight and unpredictable the Premier League is this season. Look at the following potential banana skins for the ‘6 big teams in the coming weeks’.

Tigers vs Suarez sounds like it could get a bit bitey and we know it’s Man Shitty when they’re away from the Etihad! Also backin’ Gus to stick it right where it hurts against his old Chelsea boys. Moyesy’s not quite cuttin’ and Villa are about as predictable as a fackin’ jack in the box! Spurs can’t score in a brothel Pochetino’s boys don’t let anyone down their knickers! Allardyce’s bullies won’t be afraid to boot the Arsenal schoolboys around a bit!

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30/11/2013 Hull City Tigers vs Liverpool 04/12/2013 West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City 04/12/2013 Sunderland vs Chelsea 15/12/2013 Aston Villa vs Manchester United 22/12/2013 Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur 26/12/2013 West Ham United vs Arsenal

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Keep an eye out for the odds on these games and have a butcher’s at my forthcoming tips at @cockneybookie

22

Fackin’ ‘ell!

THE COCKNEY BOOKMAKER

For exclusive betting offers, advice and all things cockney visit @cockneybookie on Twitter “Are you hungry? Cos I am, not for Frank Skinner, but for goals!!! Check out these slips for the forthcoming weeks and the strategies behind them and you’ll be able to spot where there’s going to be goals from a mile off!”

BETTING STRATEGY:

FOR GOALS GALORE

Pick a fixture. Look at how often both teams have scored in each of the teams previous 5 fixtures. If it’s occurred 8 or more times I’ve added it to the slip. (Stats in brackets correct as of 16th Nov) Check out these corkers!

e Goals G alorem 23rd Nov ber

Watford vs Bolton - 8 on - 8 Hartlepool vs Northampt -8 Bournemouth vs Derby Milwall vs Barnsley - 8 £10 AT 9/1 PAYS £100

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BETTING STRATEGY:

Goals G alore 30th Novem ber

Leicester vs Millwall 8 Notts Forest vs Reading -8 Swindon vs Leyton Orien t-8 Gillingham vs Oldham 9 £10 AT 9/1 PAYS £100

9 Liverpool vs Norwich (3 (33 AND 5) city n Ma West Brom vs r (33 AND 6) Birmingham vs Doncaste (31 - 6) Fulham vs Tottenham (34 - 6) est For Milwall vs Notts (35 - 8) ugh oro lesb Derby vs Midd

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Weekend Commencing

30th November

PSG vs Lyon Schalke vs Stuttgart Inter vs Sampdoria Sporting Lisbon vs Pacos De Ferreira

Weekend Commencing 10 .00

MORE THAN 2.5 GOALS

Add all the goals from both of the teams last 5 fixtures. Also count how often it has happened across the 10 fixtures. 30 + goals over the 10 fixtures is an average of MORE than 3 goals in each of their games! See the brackets for stats.

More than 2.5 gobealr s 3rd/4th DecemAND 8)

european acca

Try these quadruples. A home win from four different major European Leagues.

More than 2.5 goals 7th/8th December

West Brom vs Norwich (33 - 6) Stoke vs Chelsea (35 6) Birmingham vs Middlesb orough (38 - 7) Brighton vs Leicester (3 1 - 7) I (30 - 6) Leeds vs Watford (40 - 8)

7th December

Marseille vs Nantes Dortmund vs Leverkusen Napoli vs Udinese Porto vs Braga

Weekend Commencing

14th December

Monaco vs Ajaccio Bayern vs Hamburg Juventus vs Sassuolo Sporting Lisbon vs Belenenses

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Available in Greene King sports pubs across the UK

HTW have teamed up with pub experts MatchPint.co.uk to bring you three more top London boozers to watch sport in.

Scan the QR code to grab the FREE MatchPint app, to ensure you always know where a pub is that’s showing a specific sporting fixture.

THE ALEXANDRA

The Alexandra in Clapham has a reputation as one of the premier drinking holes to watch football - with two projectors and five large HD screens it’s the next best thing to being at the match itself. Their new pub grub menu includes all the old favourites, enjoyed while soaking in the character of the traditional wooden interior. A short walk from Clapham Common tube station and with an excellent bus service directly outside, it’s the ideal place to meet, eat and maybe even move your feet!

LOCATION: 14 Clapham Common South Side, SW4 7AA

THE TOLLINGTON

The Tollington is situated right next to the Emirates stadium - the home of the ‘mighty Arsenal FC’ and gets extremely busy for everything football related as there are also 8 giant screens in the pub. Food is served every lunchtime and evening 7 days a week, plus they are happy to accommodate parties in their newly refurbished bar. There is also a large covered beer garden for watching the world go by in any weather. All in all, a perfect pub!

LOCATION: 115 Hornsey Rd Islington, London N7 6DN

THE SOUTHERN CROSS

The Southern Cross is located on the New Kings Road Fulham opposite Eel Brook Common. An extensive quality and value food menu is served every day with 2 Meals for £10 on offer. The House shows Sky Sports, enjoys its Open Mike/ Music / Quiz nights and a superb facility for hire regularly used for parties, meetings, receptions and functions!

LOCATION: 65 New Kings Road , Fulham SW6 4SG

28

ONTHEBOX TV GUIDE

HTW’s guide to upcoming televised Premier League games.

GAME OF THE MONTH

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v MANCHESTER utd 12.00PM SUNDAY 1st DEC, BT SPORT 1/HD 1 December was often lauded as the month where Sir Alex won many of his titles. With the hectic Christmas and New Year schedule, so often his United sides would show their quality and strength in depth. It seems fitting that on the 1st, his successor David Moyes, criticised for a lack of spending, goes to White Hart Lane where they’ve done anything but! Will say a lot about Spurs and United’s seasons if there’s a winner in this early kick off.

SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER

SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER

TUESDAY 3rd DECEMBER

BT SPORT 1 / HD. Everton v Liverpool 12:45 SKY SPORTS 1 / HD. West Ham United v Chelsea 17:30

BT SPORT 1 / HD. Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United 12:00 SKY SPORTS 1 / HD. Hull City v Liverpool 14:05 SKY SPORTS 1 / HD / SKY 3D. Chelsea v Southampton 16:10

SKY SPORTS 1 / HD. Crystal Palace v West Ham United 20:00

SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER SKY SPORTS 1 / HD / SKY 3D. Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur 13:30 Cardiff City v Manchester United 16:00

WEDNESDAY 4th DECEMBER SKY SPORTS 1 / HD. Swansea City v Newcastle United 19:00

SATURDAY 7th DECEMBER

SKY SPORTS 1 / HD. West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa 20:00

BT SPORT 1 / HD. Manchester United v Newcastle United 12:45 SKY SPORTS 1 / HD. Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur 17:30

SATURDAY 30th NOVEMBER

SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER

SKY SPORTS 1 / HD. Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion 17:30

SKY SPORTS 1 / HD. Fulham v Aston Villa 13:30 SKY SPORTS 1 / HD / SKY 3D. Arsenal v Everton 16:00

MONDAY 25th NOVEMBER

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