What exactly is going on with Nicky Barmby and Hull?

By Tony Alvarez
Yesterday rumours in the press and online were rife that Hull had suspended manager due to comments he had made in an interview with the press the day before.
According to Sky Sports they have contacted the club and Hull are refusing to comment which to me indicated he has indeed been suspended otherwise the club would be quick to deny it.
In a statement Chairman Assem Allam told the media “We are aware of the press speculation and we are not in any position to make a comment.”

It’s that time of the season again for Barnet?

Joyous scenes, Barnet's survival on the last day of last season

By Tony Alvarez

11 months ago I stood at Barnet’s Underhill ground cheering the players on a they fought for their Football League status for the second year in succession, thanks to an Izale McLeod penalty the Bees were successful in their survival bid and there were scenes of joy including fans invading the pitch in celebration.

The Barnet fans who were in attendance that day at Underhill truly believed they had learnt from past mistakes and this year would see the club improve and look at a mid table finish. This was something that throughout various points of the season looked realistic.

However as we enter the business end of the season with just five fixtures remaining Barnet lie just a single place above the drop zone in 22^nd, they are just three points ahead of both Hereford and Macclesfield who lie below them but have a much worse goal difference meaning at the present the gap more resembles two points than three.

Can Westley reunite Preston North end?

 

By Tony Alvarez

On Saturday Preston North end took on Sheffield Wednesday and lost 2-0.  Looking at both clubs positions in the League table the result is not all that shocking however a bigger story came from the game, in his comments after the match North End manager Graham Westley has alleged that details of how his side would line up were leaked to the opposition by someone within thePrestoncamp.

Apparently four of the clubs players leaked the information, this is not only the view of manager Westley but also Chairman Peter Ridsdale has been quick to back the manager.

Have West Ham blown their chance at automatic promotion?

By Tony Alvarez
Yesterday Sam Allardyce‘s West Ham United suffered a home defeat to promotion rivals Reading to put them 4 points off Reading and 6 points off current leaders Southampton.

Luckily for the Hammers leaders Southamptonalso lost otherwise the gap would have been even greater.
Despite having a big lead at the summit of the table just a few weeks ago some poor form and good results for their rivals have seen them slip to 3rd and also seen the fans get on the managers back for the sides style of Football.

Can Coventry claw their way out of the relegation zone?

 

By Tony Alvarez
Last night Coventry City grabbed an injury time equaliser to get a draw away against play off chasing and recent Carling Cup finalists Cardiff City.
The point leaves the Sky Blues 22nd in the table occupying the final relegation place but now only 3 points off a struggling Bristol City side.

Football…….who cares?

By Tony Alvarez
As I write this it has just been reported that Bolton Midfielder Fabrice Muamba is in a stable condition following his collapse on the pitch in his clubs FA Cup quarter final away at Tottenham’s White Heart Lane home.
The midfielder went down off the ball without a player around him and was being resuscitated on the pitch for 10 minutes before leaving on a stretcher to hospital where thankfully he was saved.

The goal line technology debate rears its head again

By Tony Alvarez

It has been said millions of times before and I’m in no doubt it will be said over and over again but the simple fact is we need goal line technology and the sooner we get it the better.

Of course I am writing this in relation to the “goal” QPR were not awarded in their fixture againstBoltonon Saturday when Clint Hill’s header was clearly over the line on TV replays. It wasn’t a marginal call the ball was over the line by a distance.

Many people will say its easy to spot it with replays from various angles and vantage points but I knew straight away the ball had crossed the line, the ball was pushed back out and up by keeper Adam Bogdan and still hit the bar for me that made it clear, anyway this is not an attack on the referee or the assistants because if they don’t see it they simply cannot give it and I know that they do not have an easy job.

Can Dagenham and Redbridge win their battle for Football League survival?

By Tony Alvarez

Following Saturdays somewhat embarrassing loss at the hands of Cheltenham Town, Dagenham and Redbridge sit bottom of League Two and look in real danger of dropping out of the Football League.

The Daggers are three points off safety albeit with a game in hand however with their inferior goal difference largely due to Saturdays defeat the gap more resembles four points than three.

Can Doncaster survive without Sharp?

By Lawrie Benfield

As Transfer deadline day approached,Doncasterfound themselves in a very precarious position. The club were in the bottom three and were four points adrift of safety. As January 31st approached it was clear to all in football that Dean Saunders had a very tough job on his hands. That job has turned from very difficult to almost impossible with the sale of Donny’s prized asset, top goal scorer, Billy Sharp.

Is it wrong for players to speak out against former managers?

By Tony Alvarez
This week the papers have been filled with Mark Hughes appointment at QPR following last weeks sacking of Neil Warnock and more in the media has been Joey Barton‘s comments via social media site Twitter about the outgoing manager.
The whole situation started when the departing Warnock blamed Twitter for his dismissal as he had claimed that people inside and outside the club had poisoned chairman Tony Fernandes opinion of him via Twitter.
Joey Barton took exception to Warnock’s comments although there was no suggestion from Warnock that Barton was a culprit.