Back of the Net!

Steve McClaren’s assertion that he “needs shooting” has been greeted with volunteers across England and the North East of England, with legal firearms stockists in Teesside reporting a 10000% increase in sales.

In all seriousness though, McClaren was speaking about this evening’s FC Twente tie with Manchester City, with his Dutch club likely to be concerned about the possibility of a demolishing at the hands of a City team that don’t seem to be pulling their weight since the signing of Robinho.

When asked if he had improved or grown as a manager following his time failing to qualify for Euro 2008, McClaren answered: Continue Reading »

You couldn’t have made up the last few weeks in English football.

From the transfer deadline day drama featuring a pre-determined cast and plot that was cruelly and entertainingly disrupted by the shock takeover of Manchester City to the shock win by England over Croatia, from Keegan and Curbishley leaving Newcastle and West Ham respectively amid accusations of director-level interference to the shocking form of Juande Ramos’ Tottenham, it’s been the sort of fortnight usually afforded only to devotees of the Football Manager series of videogames.

Remember though - for each big EPL headline there’s 10 big stories in the lower leagues getting ignored.

As a football fan, I’m challenging readers of Back of the Net (hi to you all!) to have a good browse through the sports news this week and find some item that relates directly to that clubs future…

The Domestic calendar will be in full swing when the UEFA Cup kicks off on September 18^th, as Europe’s not-quite-so-elite meet in the two-legged cup knockout competition.

Aiming for a place in the final at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium - home ground of Turkish club Fenerbahce - on 20 May are such illustrious European club football names as Italian side Sampdoria, Portuguese Benfica, Dutch club Ajax, and England’s Everton as well as a raft of newcomers including Harry Redknapp’s FA Cup winning Portsmouth FC.

National and club pride is at stake in the UEFA Cup, with the 40 winners of this stage entering one of 8 group tables in the next stage of the competition from which 3 top teams of each group enter a final dramatic knockout phase.

Given the success of British clubs over the last few years, there’s no reason not to bet against the wily Harry Redknapp and his Pompey Boys - however Juande Ramos of Tottenham Hotspur has proved himself handy in the competition in the past managing Sevilla to consecutive UEFA Cup titles in 2006 and 2007.

UEFA Cup first-round draw in full:

Continue Reading »