Tag: Pep Guardiola

  • Help! I agree with Gary Neville

    Help! I agree with Gary Neville

    Do not adjust your sets. This is not a drill. But nor does it change the fact that he was one of the biggest imposters to ever milk a living out of Old Trafford. Just as he is currently doing with Sky Sports. In a playing sense, such were his underwhelming contributions, that my late…

  • The oddities of football management in England

    The oddities of football management in England

    A New Year’s Day family gathering – at which there are three televisions on duty – spanning World Championship Darts, a Premier League match and one in the English Championship – is not where you’d expect one of the greatest legends ever to grace the GAA to enter your mind. Now read on… But here…

  • Shadow boxing standoff at The Emirates

    Shadow boxing standoff at The Emirates

    Holders Manchester City will begin the defence of their FA Cup crown at home to Huddersfield Town while the red half of the city will tangle with Wigan Athletic. There can be absolutely no doubt about the tie of the round however, with table toppers Arsenal taking on those in closest pursuance of their lead…

  • Magpies draw short straw on return to Champions League

    Magpies draw short straw on return to Champions League

    Eddie Howe and Newcastle United were left to rue the Champions League draw living up to the club’s nickname (The Magpies) after the black and white stripes were dealt the short end of the stick on their return to European football’s top competition. The Geordies have been pitched into Group F, wherein they are domiciled…

  • Decent, but no more than that

    Decent, but no more than that

    Manchester United… 1 Wolves… 0 It’ll do. On the first night of any competition, all anybody wants to do is get a result. To that end, Erik ten Hag et al will be happy enough. But if this performance was a sandwich, Manchester United fans would be going home hungry. The off season and build…

  • Statements in Manchester and Munster, now it’s over to Meath

    Statements in Manchester and Munster, now it’s over to Meath

    Before the cat jumps all the way out of the bag of its own accord, let’s provide the last nudge. I have returned to meaningful involvement with my local GAA club after a 15-year-hiatus. Part of which was enforced, another element thereof is old ground which doesn’t need to be ploughed up again. There may…

  • Gunners pull the short straw

    Gunners pull the short straw

    Arsenal and their supporters will be well and truly sick of the sight of Manchester City sooner rather than later after Mikel Arteta’s men got the short straw of having to face off against Pep Guardiola’s side three times in a fairly rapid space of time. One of the forthcoming fixtures was originally slated to…

  • Running Ralf unlikely to change the reality

    Running Ralf unlikely to change the reality

    Manchester United 3, Southampton 6 in what I think was 1996. The game which will be forever remembered as the one in which Sir Alex Ferguson famously binned the ghastly grey strip during half time at The Dell. It had some bit of an impact as the three scores they did register came after the…

  • Circus over as stability and form return

    Circus over as stability and form return

    Liverpool against Newcastle United has long been one of the standout fixtures in the Premier League. In terms of drama and excitement. Who will ever forgot the Anfield night when The Magpies saw their title challenge against Manchester United blow up in smoke thanks to a very late wonder-strike from Stan Collymore. Last night’s incarnation…

  • Sobering reality check with betrayal on the way?

    Sobering reality check with betrayal on the way?

    To ponder the manner in which the transfer market has evolved since the inception of the Premier League is to trace the rising disconnect between top level sport and reality. Consider that Manchester United nabbed Eric Cantona from Leeds for £1.2m, Roy Keane for £3.75m and Andy Cole for £7m. The latter being considered outlandish…