+++FOOTBALL+++
MOYES OR MOURINHO - WHO’D
YOU HAVE AS SPURS BOSS IF
WILY OLD 'ARRY DOES
GETS THE ENGLAND JOB?
HARRY REDKNAPP couldn’t have made it any clearer that he DOES want the England manager’s job. The Tottenham boss has given interview after interview saying how he just wouldn’t be able to turn away the job if he was offered it - but that, baffli
ngly, the FA haven’t yet been in touch.
Clever old ‘Arry is obviously trying to manipulate the FA into getting in touch and asking him to take over from the now departed Fabio Capello. His interviews have been aimed at the general public who have demanded he be installed - and quickly. The idea is that they will soon be up in arms that he has not been approached and DEMAND en bloc for his appointment!
As I have argued since Capello went, I do not think Redknapp is up to the job. He is another Kevin Keegan - all heart and no tactical nous and I fear he will be found out at international level. But what if clever old ‘Arry does get the job he so craves?
Or, more precisely, what happens to Spurs?
My view is that there are only two candidates for the job - and either can continue the sterling work ‘Arry has done at club level (for at club level, ‘Arry is a master). Put David Moyes or Jose Mourinho in at White Hart Lane and the good times would continue to roll. Moyes has worked miracles at Everton and I have no doubt he could do even better given the bigger resources and potential at Spurs.
Ditto Jose - who has proved yet again that he is a genius as he takes Real Madrid to a La Liga triumph few would have imagined given the brilliance of Barca.
So who would you choose? Well, I would go for Moyes. Because he would see it as a long-term project while Jose would always have an eye open for Fergie stepping down at Man United. And I think Moyes truly deserves a break - and a chance to prove he can cut it at the top of the league. I believe he would be a winner - possibly even surpassing ‘Arry. Yes, David Moyes is that good.
+++RUGBY UNION+++
And I don’t just mean for England - no, Wales showed once again that they are not that far short of having a team that can be considered contenders to take on the Al Blacks and the Aussies - and have a chance of winning!
But while Wales are not far from the finished product, England are still a work in motion. Which means the fact the gap between England and their Welsh conquerors is not that wide is truly encouraging for stand-in coach Stuart Lancaster and his men. I was particularly impressed by young centre/fly-half Owen Farrell, who belied his years to give a performance that dictated the promising nature of some of England’s play.
And wasn’t it pleasant to watch England - even in defeat - just get through a match without any controversy! After the fiasco and disgraceful incidents that smeared the World Cup team last year, Lancaster and Co did brilliantly in projecting a new, more youthful, cleaner and more honest England.
So even if you don’t get the job full-time, Stuart - and my money’s on former South Africa head coach Nick Mallet - you certainly do have the gratitude of a nation for reigniting our love of the game, and giving England a new, honey image after that World Cup nightmare. Here’s hoping Mallet puts you in charge of the Saxons (again) if he does get the top job.
FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS
THE big match of the weekend is Sunday’s Premier League showdown between the teams currently second and third in the Premier League. Yes, third-placed Tottenham play host to Manchester United at White Hart Lane with much at stake. Victory for Spurs would take them a step closer to their big dream of a first Premier League title - closer to United and top-of-the-pile Manchester City. This Tottenham team are the best I have seen for many a year, well balanced and superb in attack. But it is also a team with defensive frailties - and that could let in United, who are masters of handling the pressure at this stage of the campaign.
All considered, I’m going for honours even - a 2-2 draw.
FRANK WORRALL
(For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com)
Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7
MOYES OR MOURINHO - WHO’D
YOU HAVE AS SPURS BOSS IF
WILY OLD 'ARRY DOES
GETS THE ENGLAND JOB?
HARRY REDKNAPP couldn’t have made it any clearer that he DOES want the England manager’s job. The Tottenham boss has given interview after interview saying how he just wouldn’t be able to turn away the job if he was offered it - but that, baffli
ngly, the FA haven’t yet been in touch.
Clever old ‘Arry is obviously trying to manipulate the FA into getting in touch and asking him to take over from the now departed Fabio Capello. His interviews have been aimed at the general public who have demanded he be installed - and quickly. The idea is that they will soon be up in arms that he has not been approached and DEMAND en bloc for his appointment!
As I have argued since Capello went, I do not think Redknapp is up to the job. He is another Kevin Keegan - all heart and no tactical nous and I fear he will be found out at international level. But what if clever old ‘Arry does get the job he so craves?
Or, more precisely, what happens to Spurs?
My view is that there are only two candidates for the job - and either can continue the sterling work ‘Arry has done at club level (for at club level, ‘Arry is a master). Put David Moyes or Jose Mourinho in at White Hart Lane and the good times would continue to roll. Moyes has worked miracles at Everton and I have no doubt he could do even better given the bigger resources and potential at Spurs.
Ditto Jose - who has proved yet again that he is a genius as he takes Real Madrid to a La Liga triumph few would have imagined given the brilliance of Barca.
So who would you choose? Well, I would go for Moyes. Because he would see it as a long-term project while Jose would always have an eye open for Fergie stepping down at Man United. And I think Moyes truly deserves a break - and a chance to prove he can cut it at the top of the league. I believe he would be a winner - possibly even surpassing ‘Arry. Yes, David Moyes is that good.
+++RUGBY UNION+++
ST GEORGE BOWS TO THE DRAGON
AS a proud Englishman I was, of course, sad to see England lose at home to Wales last Saturday. But putting aside the controversy over ‘the try that never was’, the match left much optimism for the future in its wake.And I don’t just mean for England - no, Wales showed once again that they are not that far short of having a team that can be considered contenders to take on the Al Blacks and the Aussies - and have a chance of winning!
But while Wales are not far from the finished product, England are still a work in motion. Which means the fact the gap between England and their Welsh conquerors is not that wide is truly encouraging for stand-in coach Stuart Lancaster and his men. I was particularly impressed by young centre/fly-half Owen Farrell, who belied his years to give a performance that dictated the promising nature of some of England’s play.
And wasn’t it pleasant to watch England - even in defeat - just get through a match without any controversy! After the fiasco and disgraceful incidents that smeared the World Cup team last year, Lancaster and Co did brilliantly in projecting a new, more youthful, cleaner and more honest England.
So even if you don’t get the job full-time, Stuart - and my money’s on former South Africa head coach Nick Mallet - you certainly do have the gratitude of a nation for reigniting our love of the game, and giving England a new, honey image after that World Cup nightmare. Here’s hoping Mallet puts you in charge of the Saxons (again) if he does get the top job.
FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS
THE big match of the weekend is Sunday’s Premier League showdown between the teams currently second and third in the Premier League. Yes, third-placed Tottenham play host to Manchester United at White Hart Lane with much at stake. Victory for Spurs would take them a step closer to their big dream of a first Premier League title - closer to United and top-of-the-pile Manchester City. This Tottenham team are the best I have seen for many a year, well balanced and superb in attack. But it is also a team with defensive frailties - and that could let in United, who are masters of handling the pressure at this stage of the campaign.
All considered, I’m going for honours even - a 2-2 draw.
FRANK WORRALL
(For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com)
Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7
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