The Welsh FA still don’t want their players playing for Great Britain at the Olympics.
There’s been more speculation about the return of the Home International Championship. I think they should include the Republic of Ireland and then divide England into two teams, North England and South England, based on place of birth. That should even things up a bit.
Gary Speed likes the idea of reviving the Home International Championship but he says it couldn’t be a regular thing.
FA Wales have announced that Vauxhall will be their sponsors for the next three and a half years.
Tony Pulis would like to see Ryan Giggs playing for Wales again.
Gary Speed would like Danny Gabbidon and Simon Davies to come out of international retirement. He might even consider bringing Robbie Savage back. This is South Wales feels Wales should be grateful for what they can get.
Gary might also call up Wolverhampton Wanderers’ David Jones.
Ryan Shawcross is another possibility. The newspapers will have a field day if this happens… not that I’m hoping it won’t happen.
Wales Online suggest that Aaron Ramsey should be Wales’ new captain.
Neville Southall believes James Collins would be a better choice.
Andy King would like a bigger role with Wales.
Showing posts with label neville southall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neville southall. Show all posts
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Friday, 10 September 2010
John Toshack resigns by mutual consent... who will replace him?
As expected, John Toshack has resigned. What was a slight surprise was that he didn't want to leave straight away, that he would have been happy to stay with Wales until after the next two qualifiers have been played. FA Wales, however, had other ideas. The FA are now looking for a replacement... but he won't necessarily be Welsh.
Neville Southall says just one new manager might not be enough but if there is just one, it should be Brian Flynn.
Many of those linked with the post have ruled themselves out.
Kenny Jackett says he is flattered to be linked with such a big job but at the moment he's committed to keeping Millwall in the Championship. At the moment, that job doesn't look particularly difficult but it's a long season. It's disappointing but it's a positive sign that Kenny is prepared to honour his commitments to Millwall - and presumably he would do the same for Wales if he is the manager some time in the future.
Gary Speed says he can't take the job as the timing is all wrong. He has only recently become manager of Sheffield United - his first managerial position, although he says this won't necessary put him at a disadvantage - and he's completely focused on that job and it wouldn't feel right to leave them in the lurch now.
Tony Pulis says he would like to manage Wales one day but he thinks it's too early in his career for him to take the job now.
However, there is one manager who has openly expressed interest in managing Wales. John Hartson has no experience but he has done his coaching badges and, as Gary Speed pointed out, having no experience didn't do Mark Hughes any harm. John Hartson would be the romantic choice. Just imagine it, John Hartson, cancer survivor, leading Wales into Euro 2012. It would be amazing and moving but perhaps not very realistic. Mark Hughes managed without experience but that doesn't mean anyone could. I am not a realist though and I would love to see John managing Wales.
Another reason to appoint John is that he's willing to ask Ryan Giggs, Simon Davies and Robbie Savage to come out of retirement. I'm not sure he'd be successful - Ryan and Robbie are both coming to the end of their careers, and Robbie is also working in the media. Simon retired due to a persistent foot injury. All three might well need their international breaks but it would be great to have a manager who is prepared to look at all the options.
Robbie Savage has however said he might be interested in playing for Wales again now John Toshack has gone (he also doesn't rule out driving the team bus). It would be great if he meant it but his claim that he wasn't going to bitch about Tosh was maybe not completely true... Robbie has also been mentioned in connection with the manager's job.
Ryan Giggs said he'd love to manage Wales one day. But not right now. Even if he was interested in taking the job on now, Sir Alex Ferguson probably wouldn't let him. In some ways I kind of feel Ryan is old enough to make up his own mind but at the same time, he already has one full-time job. To take on another job, one of which he has no experience, particularly when he's already working past the average retirement age, could well be too much for him and Ferguson is naturally eager for Ryan to continue to work to a very high standsrd with Manchester United. John Toshack feels Ryan isn't the best person as Wales need someone with managerial experience.
Brian Flynn is many people's first-choice to take on the role and he's my first-choice too. He knows a lot of the senior squad already from working with them in the under-21s. Some might point out that the under-12s failed to progress to the Uefa Under-21 Championship play-offs but they came very close and if the goal diffrence rule had applied, they would have got through - ahead of Italy. Brian has done well with the under-21s, they are currently between competitions so it seems a good time for him to move to the senior squad if he wishes to.
Chris Coleman has also been linked with the job. He's currently out of work - and he's yet to rule himself out.
Sky Sports looks at the playing and managerial career of John Toshack.
I'm sad to see Tosh go. He did do really well at times and has a higher precentage of wins than any other Wales manager. I hope he finds another job soon. But most of all, I hope Wales find a new manager.
Neville Southall says just one new manager might not be enough but if there is just one, it should be Brian Flynn.
Many of those linked with the post have ruled themselves out.
Kenny Jackett says he is flattered to be linked with such a big job but at the moment he's committed to keeping Millwall in the Championship. At the moment, that job doesn't look particularly difficult but it's a long season. It's disappointing but it's a positive sign that Kenny is prepared to honour his commitments to Millwall - and presumably he would do the same for Wales if he is the manager some time in the future.
Gary Speed says he can't take the job as the timing is all wrong. He has only recently become manager of Sheffield United - his first managerial position, although he says this won't necessary put him at a disadvantage - and he's completely focused on that job and it wouldn't feel right to leave them in the lurch now.
Tony Pulis says he would like to manage Wales one day but he thinks it's too early in his career for him to take the job now.
However, there is one manager who has openly expressed interest in managing Wales. John Hartson has no experience but he has done his coaching badges and, as Gary Speed pointed out, having no experience didn't do Mark Hughes any harm. John Hartson would be the romantic choice. Just imagine it, John Hartson, cancer survivor, leading Wales into Euro 2012. It would be amazing and moving but perhaps not very realistic. Mark Hughes managed without experience but that doesn't mean anyone could. I am not a realist though and I would love to see John managing Wales.
Another reason to appoint John is that he's willing to ask Ryan Giggs, Simon Davies and Robbie Savage to come out of retirement. I'm not sure he'd be successful - Ryan and Robbie are both coming to the end of their careers, and Robbie is also working in the media. Simon retired due to a persistent foot injury. All three might well need their international breaks but it would be great to have a manager who is prepared to look at all the options.
Robbie Savage has however said he might be interested in playing for Wales again now John Toshack has gone (he also doesn't rule out driving the team bus). It would be great if he meant it but his claim that he wasn't going to bitch about Tosh was maybe not completely true... Robbie has also been mentioned in connection with the manager's job.
Ryan Giggs said he'd love to manage Wales one day. But not right now. Even if he was interested in taking the job on now, Sir Alex Ferguson probably wouldn't let him. In some ways I kind of feel Ryan is old enough to make up his own mind but at the same time, he already has one full-time job. To take on another job, one of which he has no experience, particularly when he's already working past the average retirement age, could well be too much for him and Ferguson is naturally eager for Ryan to continue to work to a very high standsrd with Manchester United. John Toshack feels Ryan isn't the best person as Wales need someone with managerial experience.
Brian Flynn is many people's first-choice to take on the role and he's my first-choice too. He knows a lot of the senior squad already from working with them in the under-21s. Some might point out that the under-12s failed to progress to the Uefa Under-21 Championship play-offs but they came very close and if the goal diffrence rule had applied, they would have got through - ahead of Italy. Brian has done well with the under-21s, they are currently between competitions so it seems a good time for him to move to the senior squad if he wishes to.
Chris Coleman has also been linked with the job. He's currently out of work - and he's yet to rule himself out.
Sky Sports looks at the playing and managerial career of John Toshack.
I'm sad to see Tosh go. He did do really well at times and has a higher precentage of wins than any other Wales manager. I hope he finds another job soon. But most of all, I hope Wales find a new manager.
Friday, 3 September 2010
Welsh Summer Transfers 2010 (Premier League,S-T)
Stoke City
Manchester United were rumoured to want Ryan Shawcross back but they didn’t get him. Tottenham were also interested.
Danny Collins was also linked with the exit door after not being a regular last season but he didn’t go either.
Stoke were one of many clubs who wanted to sign Joe Ledley. At one point they were the favourites and Neville Southall told them to make a bid but Joe went to Celtic instead.
Stoke, like a lot of clubs, wanted Swansea City’s Ashley Williams but they didn’t get him either.
Tony Pulis was suggested as a possible contender to manage Wales but he says he hasn’t finished his job at Stoke yet.
Welsh Players: One and a half - Danny Collins and Ryan Shawcross (who wants to play for England)
Sunderland
Sunderland were yet another club who wanted Joe Ledley but he chose to go to Celtic.
Welsh Players: None
Tottenham Hotspur
Gareth Bale signed a new four-year contract at the end of last season but that didn’t stop the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Ajax getting their hopes up. But Gareth wasn’t going anywhere.
Tottenham were linked with Craig Bellamy but I don’t think anyone paid too much attention as he’s always linked with them. Craig is now at Cardiff City on loan from Manchester City.
Tottenham were also interested in Boaz Myhill but he went to West Bromwich Albion instead.
Ryan Shawcross was also thought to be on Tottenham’s radar when they were a bit short of centre backs.
Welsh Players: One - Gareth Bale
Manchester United were rumoured to want Ryan Shawcross back but they didn’t get him. Tottenham were also interested.
Danny Collins was also linked with the exit door after not being a regular last season but he didn’t go either.
Stoke were one of many clubs who wanted to sign Joe Ledley. At one point they were the favourites and Neville Southall told them to make a bid but Joe went to Celtic instead.
Stoke, like a lot of clubs, wanted Swansea City’s Ashley Williams but they didn’t get him either.
Tony Pulis was suggested as a possible contender to manage Wales but he says he hasn’t finished his job at Stoke yet.
Welsh Players: One and a half - Danny Collins and Ryan Shawcross (who wants to play for England)
Sunderland
Sunderland were yet another club who wanted Joe Ledley but he chose to go to Celtic.
Welsh Players: None
Tottenham Hotspur
Gareth Bale signed a new four-year contract at the end of last season but that didn’t stop the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Ajax getting their hopes up. But Gareth wasn’t going anywhere.
Tottenham were linked with Craig Bellamy but I don’t think anyone paid too much attention as he’s always linked with them. Craig is now at Cardiff City on loan from Manchester City.
Tottenham were also interested in Boaz Myhill but he went to West Bromwich Albion instead.
Ryan Shawcross was also thought to be on Tottenham’s radar when they were a bit short of centre backs.
Welsh Players: One - Gareth Bale
Monday, 14 June 2010
Welsh Player News (and rumours) 14th June (Premer League & Championship)
Almost-Welshman Michael Owen has been linked with a move back to Liverpool. Well they are desperate.
Christian Ribeiro is looking forward to playing for Wales again. You see, it does happen.
Gavin Williams is rumoured to be one of several players who could be leaving Bristol City. Yeovil Town, I hope you’re reading this.
Stoke City have emerged as the new favourites to sign Cardiff City’s Joe Ledley. Or maybe he’ll go to Everton instead, Neville Southall has told them to make a bid.
Brentford have apparently made a bid for Leicester City’s Nicky Adams but no word on whether Leicester have accepted it.
Leicester City’s new signing Tom Kennedy could be disappointed if Nicky goes as Nicky was the one who persuaded him to join the club. Does that make him a player-scout?
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson will fight to keep star players including Andy King. Steve Claridge too has words of praise for the young Welsh midfielder.
Reading’s director of football thinks a few clubs could be after players including Simon Church.
Swansea City midfielder David Cotterill says Leon Britton is making a big mistake in moving from Swansea to David’s old club Sheffield United. Note: this rumour comes from the News of the World.
Accrington Stanley are interested in signing young goalkeeper Rhys Wilson, who will come from Swansea City on a free transfer.
Christian Ribeiro is looking forward to playing for Wales again. You see, it does happen.
Gavin Williams is rumoured to be one of several players who could be leaving Bristol City. Yeovil Town, I hope you’re reading this.
Stoke City have emerged as the new favourites to sign Cardiff City’s Joe Ledley. Or maybe he’ll go to Everton instead, Neville Southall has told them to make a bid.
Brentford have apparently made a bid for Leicester City’s Nicky Adams but no word on whether Leicester have accepted it.
Leicester City’s new signing Tom Kennedy could be disappointed if Nicky goes as Nicky was the one who persuaded him to join the club. Does that make him a player-scout?
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson will fight to keep star players including Andy King. Steve Claridge too has words of praise for the young Welsh midfielder.
Reading’s director of football thinks a few clubs could be after players including Simon Church.
Swansea City midfielder David Cotterill says Leon Britton is making a big mistake in moving from Swansea to David’s old club Sheffield United. Note: this rumour comes from the News of the World.
Accrington Stanley are interested in signing young goalkeeper Rhys Wilson, who will come from Swansea City on a free transfer.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Premier League Results 17th April Part 2
Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United
This game looked set to end exactly as I wanted to (I hadn’t then quite given up on Arsenal winning the League) but then Paul Scholes sneaked in with a goal.
Robbie Savage said this week that Scholes, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were getting on a bit. I would have loved to agree (except about Ryan Giggs) but I didn’t then and I can’t now. It was Scholes who scored the goal but it could easily have been Ryan, while Gary Neville was a big part of the reason why Craig Bellamy didn’t score for City. It was an ineffective attack from Craig that indirectly led to United’s goal. Roberto Mancini isn’t very happy with him. Maybe he’ll sell him to Arsenal, that would be great
The rumour is that John Toshack has no plans to call up Ryan to play for Wales again. Everyone thinks he’s mad except Neville Southall who says Ryan has nothing to gain by returning to play for Wales. What about the honour if representing your country?
Stoke City 1-2 Bolton Wanderers
It hasn’t been a good weekend for home sides. Blackburn thought they’d got a point, Arsenal thought they’d won… and Stoke probably thought they’d got all three points too. Then Matthew Taylor scored twice in the last five minutes – including one from a rather dubious free kick - and Bolton ended up with the points instead.
Ryan Shawcross wasn’t fit enough to return from an ankle injury but Danny Collins had another great performance in Bolton’s defence and could have scored. Sam Ricketts started for Bolton but was taken off at half-time. Sam wasn’t at his best but he was playing in midfield. Not every defender can play there.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea
Tottenham re-opened the title race with a win over leaders Chelsea. It should have been a lot more than 2-1 to Tottenham.
I said after Gareth Bale’s midweek goal against Arsenal that he should make it up to me by scoring the winner against Chelsea too. Gareth must be reading my blogs because that’s exactly what he did. It was his first-ever goal with his right foot. It was a great solo run, followed by some clever trickery, before a firmly-struck shot ended up exactly where Gareth and I wanted it. If only Arsenal hadn’t fucked it up 24 hours later.
Cliff Jones thinks Gareth will be the first Welsh player to get 100 caps.
This game looked set to end exactly as I wanted to (I hadn’t then quite given up on Arsenal winning the League) but then Paul Scholes sneaked in with a goal.
Robbie Savage said this week that Scholes, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were getting on a bit. I would have loved to agree (except about Ryan Giggs) but I didn’t then and I can’t now. It was Scholes who scored the goal but it could easily have been Ryan, while Gary Neville was a big part of the reason why Craig Bellamy didn’t score for City. It was an ineffective attack from Craig that indirectly led to United’s goal. Roberto Mancini isn’t very happy with him. Maybe he’ll sell him to Arsenal, that would be great
The rumour is that John Toshack has no plans to call up Ryan to play for Wales again. Everyone thinks he’s mad except Neville Southall who says Ryan has nothing to gain by returning to play for Wales. What about the honour if representing your country?
Stoke City 1-2 Bolton Wanderers
It hasn’t been a good weekend for home sides. Blackburn thought they’d got a point, Arsenal thought they’d won… and Stoke probably thought they’d got all three points too. Then Matthew Taylor scored twice in the last five minutes – including one from a rather dubious free kick - and Bolton ended up with the points instead.
Ryan Shawcross wasn’t fit enough to return from an ankle injury but Danny Collins had another great performance in Bolton’s defence and could have scored. Sam Ricketts started for Bolton but was taken off at half-time. Sam wasn’t at his best but he was playing in midfield. Not every defender can play there.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea
Tottenham re-opened the title race with a win over leaders Chelsea. It should have been a lot more than 2-1 to Tottenham.
I said after Gareth Bale’s midweek goal against Arsenal that he should make it up to me by scoring the winner against Chelsea too. Gareth must be reading my blogs because that’s exactly what he did. It was his first-ever goal with his right foot. It was a great solo run, followed by some clever trickery, before a firmly-struck shot ended up exactly where Gareth and I wanted it. If only Arsenal hadn’t fucked it up 24 hours later.
Cliff Jones thinks Gareth will be the first Welsh player to get 100 caps.
Sunday, 24 January 2010
FA Cup Results 23rd January Part 2
Derby County 1-0 Doncaster Rovers
Robbie Savage set up the only goal as Derby knocked the technically high-flying Doncaster out of the Cup. High-flying Doncaster? Mad. Brian Stock completed his first full match since returning from injury – and came close to scoring. Gareth Roberts could have got an assist if his team-mates had responded to his cross quicker and John Oster could have scored if he hadn’t generously decided to pass and let someone else score. Gareth and John were also on the pitch the whole time although John perhaps wished he was somewhere else when Robbie dispossessed him and Derby went on to score.
Notts County 2-2 Wigan Athletic
Jason Koumas was again left out of the squad and Wigan suffered, going 2-0 down before they finally managed to get two goals and force a replay. I like to think it’s not a coincidence that they struggled without Jason but unfortunately it probably is. If you don’t want him Wigan, just sell him to Cardiff. They need someone who can replace Joe Ledley and Jason needs a club who appreciates him.
Well done Notts County!
Preston North End 0-2 Chelsea
Not a surprise really. Preston’s Paul Parry is injured after all and Chelsea are, well they’re not the worst team in the world. But at least Darren Ferguson got further in the Cup than his dad did. But while Paul might not have played, every Hereford United fan bar one voted him into the Team of the Decade.
Reading 1-0 Burnley
Reading have done it again. Knocking Burnley out isn’t as impressive as knocking Liverpool out but two giant-killings in a row is not something every team can achieve. Simon Church played the first 64 minutes and caused a lot of trouble for Burnley, coming close to opening the scoring as Reading again proved to be the stuff of Premier League teams’ nightmares.
Southampton 2-1 Ipswich Town
As Ipswich are still near the bottom of the Championship and Southampton would be near the top of League One if they weren’t so naughty, this certainly wasn’t as big a surprise as some of the other giant-killings. But it’s a giant-killing nevertheless and although Lloyd James did concede a free kick in a dangerous area, it didn’t prove costly and League One will be represented in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Leeds United
Why do people announce the Man of the Match when the game is still going on? What’s the point of that? It’s Man of the Match, not Man of the First Seventy Minutes of the Match or whenever it was they announced it.
Not that I’m saying Gareth Bale didn’t deserve to be Man of the Match. He was brilliant both in defence and attack, he had a big role to play in both the moves that led to Tottenham’s goals and I’m sure at least one of his free kicks would have gone in if the goalkeeper hadn’t happened to be in the right place at the right time. He nearly scored too. I don’t know why Robbie Keane had such a go at him though, Robbie knows all about nearly scoring so he should have had more sympathy.
But as soon as you say someone’s doing really well, you jinx it don’t you? And Gareth’s had quite enough to do with jinxes already. Announce Man of the Match at the end instead, it won’t take a minute.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Crystal Palace
This isn’t the worst result in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. Oh no. But it was a bit of a shame. Palace have been going really well lately but it’s just typical that when Wayne Hennessey finally gets a game in goal and Sam Vokes is getting his first start of the season, they go and let in two goals from a Championship side. But Neville Southall thinks Wayne will get back into Wolves’ side and becomes one of the best goalkeepers in the world - and he should know – and even Mick McCarthy said Sam was excellent. Wayne and Sam – just pretend Crystal Palace are Scotland and you should do fine. And maybe you’ll have Dave Edwards to help you by then.
Robbie Savage set up the only goal as Derby knocked the technically high-flying Doncaster out of the Cup. High-flying Doncaster? Mad. Brian Stock completed his first full match since returning from injury – and came close to scoring. Gareth Roberts could have got an assist if his team-mates had responded to his cross quicker and John Oster could have scored if he hadn’t generously decided to pass and let someone else score. Gareth and John were also on the pitch the whole time although John perhaps wished he was somewhere else when Robbie dispossessed him and Derby went on to score.
Notts County 2-2 Wigan Athletic
Jason Koumas was again left out of the squad and Wigan suffered, going 2-0 down before they finally managed to get two goals and force a replay. I like to think it’s not a coincidence that they struggled without Jason but unfortunately it probably is. If you don’t want him Wigan, just sell him to Cardiff. They need someone who can replace Joe Ledley and Jason needs a club who appreciates him.
Well done Notts County!
Preston North End 0-2 Chelsea
Not a surprise really. Preston’s Paul Parry is injured after all and Chelsea are, well they’re not the worst team in the world. But at least Darren Ferguson got further in the Cup than his dad did. But while Paul might not have played, every Hereford United fan bar one voted him into the Team of the Decade.
Reading 1-0 Burnley
Reading have done it again. Knocking Burnley out isn’t as impressive as knocking Liverpool out but two giant-killings in a row is not something every team can achieve. Simon Church played the first 64 minutes and caused a lot of trouble for Burnley, coming close to opening the scoring as Reading again proved to be the stuff of Premier League teams’ nightmares.
Southampton 2-1 Ipswich Town
As Ipswich are still near the bottom of the Championship and Southampton would be near the top of League One if they weren’t so naughty, this certainly wasn’t as big a surprise as some of the other giant-killings. But it’s a giant-killing nevertheless and although Lloyd James did concede a free kick in a dangerous area, it didn’t prove costly and League One will be represented in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Leeds United
Why do people announce the Man of the Match when the game is still going on? What’s the point of that? It’s Man of the Match, not Man of the First Seventy Minutes of the Match or whenever it was they announced it.
Not that I’m saying Gareth Bale didn’t deserve to be Man of the Match. He was brilliant both in defence and attack, he had a big role to play in both the moves that led to Tottenham’s goals and I’m sure at least one of his free kicks would have gone in if the goalkeeper hadn’t happened to be in the right place at the right time. He nearly scored too. I don’t know why Robbie Keane had such a go at him though, Robbie knows all about nearly scoring so he should have had more sympathy.
But as soon as you say someone’s doing really well, you jinx it don’t you? And Gareth’s had quite enough to do with jinxes already. Announce Man of the Match at the end instead, it won’t take a minute.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Crystal Palace
This isn’t the worst result in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. Oh no. But it was a bit of a shame. Palace have been going really well lately but it’s just typical that when Wayne Hennessey finally gets a game in goal and Sam Vokes is getting his first start of the season, they go and let in two goals from a Championship side. But Neville Southall thinks Wayne will get back into Wolves’ side and becomes one of the best goalkeepers in the world - and he should know – and even Mick McCarthy said Sam was excellent. Wayne and Sam – just pretend Crystal Palace are Scotland and you should do fine. And maybe you’ll have Dave Edwards to help you by then.
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