For a Leeds United fan, the outcome of today's fixtures has scarcely been enjoyable to behold. Not only did Leeds slump to defeat at Derby, but most of the Premier League results went in favour of a certain outfit which bases itself at Old Trafford.
If I am being honest, I did not expect Leeds to pull up any trees at Pride Park, but the general trend of results, belief and morale appears to be emphatically in the wrong direction as we approach the turn of the year. We are now hearing the first genuinely widespread murmurings of discontent with Simon Grayson himself. It goes without saying that the matches against Barnsley and Burnley, before the FA Cup hiatus, could be crucial on several levels.
By all accounts this was a lacklustre display from Leeds, and it is open to question whether some reshuffling of playing personnel during January will have any discernible impact in reversing the position. Although the Championship table indicates that the team is still within striking distance of the play-offs, we are moving in the wrong direction, when we should be building a base-camp for an attempt on the summit!
As if the woes of Leeds were not enough, it seems that the clubs in the Premier League top echelon are determined to ensure that Manchester United have the psychological advantage of leading the pack as we enter 2012. Chelsea's stuttering form persists, and Liverpool and Newcastle have lost touch. Manchester City had the kind of result at West Brom which could prove to be very costly come May.
The state of play looks favourable for Tottenham, from a purely arithmetical point of view, but do they, or their supporters, truly believe? Games in hand are all very well, and nice to have, but they also create a new, different type of pressure.
I hope that my pessimism about the position in the top two divisions proves to be misplaced!
Showing posts with label premier league. Show all posts
Showing posts with label premier league. Show all posts
Monday, 26 December 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Gary Speed
Sunday dawned sunny but chilly and blustery. I was preparing to follow an afternoon of quality sporting action, and logged on to the BBC sport website, only to be confronted with the news of Gary Speed's death, which was then just breaking.
At first, the news was difficult to absorb, and I found it hard to believe it was actually true. But then further details began to emerge.
Gary Speed was admired and respected across the board in football, and this transcended club loyalties. He was one of those men who every coach or player would like to have in their team. For a time, he held the Premier League appearance record, and this is testimony to how he looked after himself physically, his good disciplinary record, and the fact that at his various clubs he was one of the first names on the team-sheet for every game.
He first emerged as a youngster at Leeds, coming to greater prominence during the 1992 championship-winning season, being an integral part of a famous midfield, alongside Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and David Batty. Gary provided that Leeds team with youthful energy, vitality and dynamism. His aerial prowess became much-feared, and his versatility was invaluable. Even as Leeds' fortunes declined in the years after 1992, Gary Speed still gave his all.
He served with distinction for his other clubs. From being the youngster at Leeds, he gradually turned into a kind of "elder statesman" figure, no doubt passing on his knowledge and experience to his younger colleagues.
Gary Speed's managerial career promised to be as successful and rewarding as his playing days, and hopes were high for his stewardship of a young and promising Welsh team. But it was not to be....
If young footballers can aspire to the professionalism, attitude and conduct epitomised by Gary Speed, then their careers will have a firm foundation.
Above all, though, our thoughts must be with Gary's family and friends at this time.
Rest In Peace, Gary.
At first, the news was difficult to absorb, and I found it hard to believe it was actually true. But then further details began to emerge.
Gary Speed was admired and respected across the board in football, and this transcended club loyalties. He was one of those men who every coach or player would like to have in their team. For a time, he held the Premier League appearance record, and this is testimony to how he looked after himself physically, his good disciplinary record, and the fact that at his various clubs he was one of the first names on the team-sheet for every game.
He first emerged as a youngster at Leeds, coming to greater prominence during the 1992 championship-winning season, being an integral part of a famous midfield, alongside Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and David Batty. Gary provided that Leeds team with youthful energy, vitality and dynamism. His aerial prowess became much-feared, and his versatility was invaluable. Even as Leeds' fortunes declined in the years after 1992, Gary Speed still gave his all.
He served with distinction for his other clubs. From being the youngster at Leeds, he gradually turned into a kind of "elder statesman" figure, no doubt passing on his knowledge and experience to his younger colleagues.
Gary Speed's managerial career promised to be as successful and rewarding as his playing days, and hopes were high for his stewardship of a young and promising Welsh team. But it was not to be....
If young footballers can aspire to the professionalism, attitude and conduct epitomised by Gary Speed, then their careers will have a firm foundation.
Above all, though, our thoughts must be with Gary's family and friends at this time.
Rest In Peace, Gary.
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Hermann Hesse / Today's Football
Yesterday, I finally got around to reading one of Hermann Hesse's novels, the wonderful "Siddhartha", and my enjoyment of the book is tempered with regret that it has taken this long.
Oddly enough, I first really heard about Hesse through an unlikely source. Brian May of the rock band Queen, of whom I am a major admirer, used to name-check the author in interviews, and I often saw his works in my local library, but never got around to reading them, perhaps fearing that the subject matter would outstrip the capacity of my youthful mind.
In recent months, I have become more interested in Eastern philosophies, and my research led me to discover that Hesse himself was strongly influenced by these teachings. I have therefore purchased three of his novels, the aforementioned "Siddhartha", and also "Steppenwolf" and "The Glass Bead Game".
I can heartily recommend "Siddhartha", examining as it does a man's spiritual journey of discovery. Although the novel is relatively brief, it says much more than most much weightier tomes could ever do.
Once I have completed them, I will post my thoughts on the other two Hesse novels.
Just a quick note about today's football. A plethora of goals in the Premier League, although many of these appear to have been the result of deficient defending rather than inspired attacking play.
The two most notable results occurred at St. James' Park, where Newcastle United recovered from a 0-4 half-time deficit to salvage a draw against ten-man Arsenal, and at Molineux, where Wolves overcame Manchester United 2-1.
On a slightly more personal note, well done to the mighty Leeds United, whose 1-0 home victory over Coventry City maintains their place in the Championship play-off places.
Oddly enough, I first really heard about Hesse through an unlikely source. Brian May of the rock band Queen, of whom I am a major admirer, used to name-check the author in interviews, and I often saw his works in my local library, but never got around to reading them, perhaps fearing that the subject matter would outstrip the capacity of my youthful mind.
In recent months, I have become more interested in Eastern philosophies, and my research led me to discover that Hesse himself was strongly influenced by these teachings. I have therefore purchased three of his novels, the aforementioned "Siddhartha", and also "Steppenwolf" and "The Glass Bead Game".
I can heartily recommend "Siddhartha", examining as it does a man's spiritual journey of discovery. Although the novel is relatively brief, it says much more than most much weightier tomes could ever do.
Once I have completed them, I will post my thoughts on the other two Hesse novels.
Just a quick note about today's football. A plethora of goals in the Premier League, although many of these appear to have been the result of deficient defending rather than inspired attacking play.
The two most notable results occurred at St. James' Park, where Newcastle United recovered from a 0-4 half-time deficit to salvage a draw against ten-man Arsenal, and at Molineux, where Wolves overcame Manchester United 2-1.
On a slightly more personal note, well done to the mighty Leeds United, whose 1-0 home victory over Coventry City maintains their place in the Championship play-off places.
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