LESLIE MARK HUGHES FOR FULHAM

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Hi folks and welcome to today’s Football Talk About post.

How many of you knew about the Leslie bit by the way.

Well it appears that it was between Sven Goran Eriksson and Sparky Hughes for the Fulham job, apparently after Martin Jol turned the job down in favour of staying at Ajax. Whatever made Mohamed Al Fayed decide to go for Hughes I don’t know, but I’d be interested to hear what Fulham fans think about the decision, personally I think he’s a good choice for the London club, the fans must have been anxious about who their new manager would be, not to mention the player’s, the start of the season being only 2 weeks away.

Obviously there are some big decisions for Hughes to make as regard players, outgoing and incoming, before the season gets underway, with it being suggested Craig Bellamy will be his first target, if he can convince him to move to Fulham rather than Tottenham Hotspurs, a task which might prove difficult.

The characteristics that made Hughes such a wonderful player, i.e skill, determination, guts, passion, and the sheer desire to win, are all things that will have stood him in good stead throughout his managerial career so far, especially under some of the turbulent times he had at Manchester City.

His Managerial career so far is as follows:



Wales (1999-2004)

Blackburn Rovers (2004-2008)

Manchester City (2008-2009)

Fulham (2010- Who Knows



For those of you who like your stats, here are Sparkys as a Manager:



GAMES - WON -  DRAWN -  LOST -  WIN PER CENT
 307           130          78                99              42.35   


The question is, after the fantastic job Roy Hodgson did at Fulham, can Hughes consolidate their position, and take them onto even greater things, or have the South London club been over performing for the last two years, and raised the expectations of the fans to unrealistic levels. I feel Its’ a difficult situation for the Welshman, and he may need all the attributes mentioned earlier in the post, to make a success of his new appointment.

My opinion of his time at Manchester City, was that he was badly treated at the end, and had they stuck with him till the end of the season, would certainly have matched if not improved on Mancini’s finishing position in the Premiership. I’m sure there are City fans who agree and disagree with me, but hey that’s football.

Hopefully Mark Hughes will find his time at Fulham a rewarding one, and that Mohamed Al Fayed and the fans will not be expecting miracles of a team who in all honesty, probably reached their peak with last seasons magnificent performance in Europe.

MY ENGLAND NIGHTMARE

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How Long Can This Go On


If like me you are a massive football fan, I am sure the expectations of yet another world cup, were just as high as mine, oh you tell yourself don’t get too optimistic, it always leads to disappointment, why should this time be any different, etc, etc, but lets be honest most of us just cant help it.

By the time the competition actually starts, we are hooked and the trophy is already ours for the taking. Now I hear some of you saying, never, that wasn’t me, but can you look in the mirror, hand on heart and say it, I doubt it.

Being born in 1960 I can just about remember the 66 final, I think I was supporting West Germany, well I was only six. But by the time the 1970 world cup came around, having sorted out my loyalty another avid England fan had been born, sometimes though I do think if only I’d stuck with Germany.

Now that 1970 quarter final against West Germany was where it all started for me, the utter and complete sense of England footy disappointment, I mean 2 – 0 up and 21

minutes to go, as a ten year old you think YEAH who will we be playing in the semis.

What it shows you is how naïve 10 year olds can be, final score 2 – 3 to West Germany after extra time, as I ‘m sure most of you reading this will know.

That was the first time the tears came courtesy of the England football team, and I’ve

never looked back since, except for the odd moment of ecstasy, the most famous being, I’m sure you know what’s coming, September 1st 2001 world cup qualifier at the Olympiastadion in Germany, now I want you all to savour this moment again, here we go, England 5 - Germany 1, but it has to be said these moments have truly been few and far between.

So why do we put ourselves through it, why not follow a sport England are successful at, yes I know, easier said than done, but for myself I cant, I’m waiting for that moment when it all goes right, when the England football team come to the bar, and our proud captain ( whoever that might be) raises that magical gold trophy aloft.

Now I have to admit recently having reached the magical age of 50, (yeah right )

and having watched our most recent debacle, as sad as it sounds, I am actually starting to think, how many more chances will there be to see that magical moment,

but then again I might live to be a hundred, OH PLEASE GOD NO.

Anyway thanks for reading and as the lines from the 1970 world cup song go.

Back home, though they think we’re the greatest

That’s what we’ve got to prove (AMEN TO THAT)

NEW SEASON AHEAD

Football Talk about, is my new blog, and over the forth coming season, there’s going to be plenty to talk about, Premiership, Champions League, Fa Cup and of course the Carling Cup.

Obviously not wanting to alienate any lower league supporters, please feel free to send in your comments and opinions.

I also hope to do some pieces on the history of some of our most famous clubs, as well as looking at things like ticket prices, and keeping up with all the football rumours going on throughout the season.

Like most avid football supporters the thought of what I call getting back to normality, and the season getting underway, is just fantastic, there’s lots of questions to be asked and answered in the months ahead, like how close will the Premiership race be, just looking at the William Hills web site, Favourites are Chelsea at 13/8, Man Utd 5/2 and then Man City 9/2, I wonder when the last time City were third favourites to take the title, a long time ago, and will there be a surprise with someone coming out of the pack to challenge for a Champions League spot.

As for who might finish top scorer there’s Drogba and Rooney at 5/1, then Torres at 9/2, now who do the bookies think he'll be playing for next season? Looking at the other end of the table, Blackpool are odds on at 1/4 to go down, along with West Brom 10/11and then there’s Wigan and Wolves at 2/1, slogging it out for that unwanted third spot, according to the bookies of course, who have been known to get these things right from time to time.

Then there’s the prospect of some great Champions League matches, and how will Marino fair at Real Madrid , and if needed, will they be patient with him, after all there not known for it.

On top of that we’ve got the magic of the FA Cup, maybe not quite what it was, but still a great competition, and for me FA Cup final day is still very special.

So lets all brace ourselves for the agonies and ecstasy that most of us go through during a normal season, and may the best team win.

(As long as its mine)

WEMBLEY (The very expensive home of football)