Championship favourites Fulham ‘cautiously optimistic’ of bouncing back to Premier League July 28, 2019 A year ago Fulham were about to embark on a keenly anticipated return to the Premier League with the full weight of billionaire owner Shahid Khan behind them. They had been promoted via the play-offs, but a 23-match unbeaten run, football that Pep Guardiola would have been proud of and an injection of cash for [...]
The Bowyer effect: Charlton boss has restored belief and can steer his side clear of the drop July 25, 2019 With the dawn of another season brings a renewed sense of optimism for many football fans, despite the tribulations they may have endured over the course of the preceding months and years. Down at The Valley things are no different. Charlton may have endured a turbulent time in the last half decade under unpopular owner [...]
Untapped potential: Why Premier League clubs are flocking to China for pre-season tours July 24, 2019 The Premier League may not kick off its new season for another fortnight but the fight for supremacy has already been raging elsewhere. On the pitch pre-season tours may be primarily about players building fitness and whetting the appetite of fans for the coming campaign but it is away from the pitch further benefits lie. [...]
Football needs spending caps, open auctions for players and fairer distribution of revenues or an increasingly narrow group of clubs will prosper July 21, 2019 As memories of a tumultuous 2018-19 season fade, it is tempting to believe all is well with the beautiful game. Scratch the surface, though, and it is apparent that football faces formidable challenges as market forces tighten their grip on its evolution. From the growing influence of a small number of global super clubs to [...]
Women’s World Cup 2019: Was it a success? And how does football build on it? Sport industry insiders give their views July 8, 2019 After 31 days, 52 games and 146 goals, the most high-profile Women’s World Cup yet is over. But what impact has it made on the game and the wider landscape? We asked a selection of industry experts. Contributors Lisa Parfitt, managing director, Engine Sport and Brand Experience; Steve Martin, global CEO, M&C Saatchi Sport and [...]
Frank Lampard’s honeymoon period won’t last for long in the Chelsea hotseat July 4, 2019 People stepping out of Fulham Broadway station this afternoon were greeted by the sight of an opportunistic salesman attempting to flog Frank Lampard adorned Chelsea scarves. If you still needed reminding, here was a visual representation of why this was no run-of-the-mill managerial appointment. As the club statement phrased it: “He’s home!” After the generally [...]
England 1-2 United States: Lionesses’ frenetic play trumped by controlled game plan in Women’s World Cup semi-final July 2, 2019 In the end, a familiar feeling. Sinking to the turf, overcome with emotion. Not for the first time England were knocked out of the World Cup in the semi-finals. Phil Neville said in the build-up anything other than progression to the final would amount to failure and judged in the harshest terms he was right: [...]
England v United States: Phil Neville seeks World Cup final as crowning moment of his personal turnaround July 1, 2019 As soon as Phil Neville was announced as manager of the England women’s football team in January 2018 he was on the back foot. Questions over his suitability for the job and experience were swiftly followed by a media storm as historic tweets surfaced in which he made comments disparaging to women. Given his predecessor, [...]
Norway 0-3 England: Lucy Bronze stars as Lionesses reach World Cup semi-finals in style June 27, 2019 News of England’s injury problems may have been greatly exaggerated. If the build-up to the Lionesses’ World Cup quarter-final against Norway was dominated by discussion over the potential absentees, then the event itself could hardly have been more different. All those said to be struggling played – and played their part in what felt like [...]
England v Norway: Lionesses have injury problems for World Cup quarter-final June 26, 2019 Phil Neville might not have acknowledged it but England go into their World Cup quarter-final against Norway tomorrow evening with a problem. Centre-backs Steph Houghton and Millie Bright are both “major doubts” to play in Le Havre, while right-back Lucy Bronze is also a worry. Houghton is battling against an ankle injury picked up in [...]
