England MUST take Ledley King to the world cup

Spurs captain Ledley has always been regarded as one of the best centre-halves in England. The problem for King has been the long list of injuries that have plagued his career. King's career has been very similar to that of the Irish legend Paul McGrath. Both players were unable to train for long stretches in the days leading up to matches. King has battled chronic knee problems that have often left the big defender not training before matches. However, like McGrath before him, when King does play he tends to be man of the match or at least a contender. This season has been no different for King. There was lingering talk of him retiring at the start of the season but he has played in an impressive 18 games this season.

When you look at the England squad leading up to the world cup, the three centre halves that are definitely going are Ferdinand & Terry, the starting combination, and Matthew Upson as the alternative. Having Upson as the first back-up should frighten England fans because his form has been off this year. The contenders for the fourth spot seem to be King, Michael Dawson, Gary Cahill, Ryan Shawcross, Phil Jagielka and maybe even Sol Campbell. When you look at that list, the form of all the players is good but none can come close to Campbell and King in terms of pedigree. Personally, I think a few players listed above are potentially regulars for England. However, this summer I think Capello can't look further than King for a back-up.

When these big tournaments come around you need a player of real quality to step in and cover your first-choice players. The potential that Terry and/or Ferdinand could pick up and injury is quite high because both are carrying knocks for most of the season. For those reasons and because of his undoubted quality, King should be brought to step in if required.

10 favourite goals - off the top of my head

The following is a list of ten of my favourite goals. Obviously some of the choices are here because of pure favouritism. Also, I've avoided making the list definitive because other goals could, and let's face it will, pop into my head after, anyway enjoy:




Steven Gerrard (Liverpool vs West Ham, 2006)

A superb strike from a superb player (this year not included). Just when one of the biggest upsets in the final of the FA Cup, up steps Gerrard in the 92nd minute with a wonder strike from all of 30 yards.



Esteben Cambiasso (Argentina vs Serbia, 2006)

Simply put, one of the greatest team goal I have ever seen. A free-flowing move that lasts nearly 30 passes, highlighting the fantastic movement off the ball by the Argentine team and the comfort in possession of the ball. Cambiasso and Javier Mascherano are key men in the move; the holding midfield players touch the ball several times in the move and Cambiasso gets on the end of a marvellous move.



Lionel Messi (Barcelona vs Getafe, 2007)

One of the finest moments of the little magician's career so far. Messi picks the ball up in his own half and begins to rip the Getafe defence apart. Messi rounds four hapless defenders, goes past the keeper with consummate ease and then slots the ball home on his supposed weak foot. The link accompanying is with Spanish commentary because it just seems that bit more exciting. A fantastic solo goal from the best player on the planet.



Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City, 2006)

One of my favourite players in the world Tom Huddlestone can actually be seen sprinting here!! The goal comes from a counter-attack by Spurs which sees Dimitar Berbatov (when he was good) spreading the ball to Hossam Ghaly who picks out the on-rushing Huddlestone who shows unbelievable technique to strike a fantastic half-volley from the edge of the box.



Jason Mcateer (Republic of Ireland vs Holland, 2001)

This game will always be remembered as one of the greatest performances from an Irish side. Of course the developing story between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy would go down in history. Keane was immense on the day and began the move, breaking from midfield and giving a pass to Damien Duff. Duff then in turn opened the play to the on-rushing Finnan who put in a great cross on his bad foot and Mcateer arrived onto the ball to strike a half-volley into the far corner.



Carlos Alberto (Brazil vs Italy, 1970)

The tournament crowned one of the greatest teams to ever play the game as world champions. The final saw this goal seal the victory for the side that contained Pele and Jairzinho and the football they played is still seen as the benchmark for all teams to reach. The inspirational right-back Carlos Alberto gets on the end of an awesome team move and unleashes a fierce drive across the keeper.



Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen, 2002)

The genius known as "Zizou" showed why he was the best player in the world at his peak. In a surprisingly cagey affair, Zidane got the only goal of the game with a marvellous left-footed volley. Roberto Carlos got in behind the Leverkusen back 4 and hooked back a hopeful cross. Waiting on the edge of the box was Zidane, he waited what seemed like an eternity for the ball to drop. When it did, he rifled it past Hans-Jorg Butt.



Diego Maradonna (Argentina vs England, 1986)

Maradonna has tried his best to tarnish his reputation in recent years as arguably the best player of all time. People talk about drugs and baffling managerial decisions now bore than the genius Diego produced on the field. This goal is somewhat over-shadowed by his "hand of God" but this solo run and finish, similar to Messi's, is as Jimmy Magee puts it, different class.



Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal vs Newcastle United, 2002)

Truth be told the Dutchman could have had several here himself. The genius of Bergkamp is shown here as he takes a pass from Robert Pires and audaciously caresses the ball around Nikos Dabizas and composes himself before finishing with aplomb.



Paolo Di Canio (West Ham United vs Wimbledon, 2000)

The final goal on my list is probably the most outrageous, scored by probably the most outrageous player in Premier League history. Trevor Sinclair hits a cross-field ball towards Di Canio at the corner of the box, the Italian watches it come down and hits an absolutely sensational scissor kick volley across Neil Sullivan and into the history books as one of the best goals ever scored in the Premier League.

Hughton Guides Newcastle Back To The Promised Land

Newcastle united returned to the Premier League triumphantly hoping to emulate the success of recent promoted teams like Reading, Birmingham City and Wolves. They hope they can avoid becoming the dreaded yo-yo club that promotion rivals West Brom have become.

United's charge to promotion was led by the much-maligned Chris Hughton. For much of his reign Hughton was criticised for his sides tactics and his team selections. Of course on Tyneside thing are never done easily. With his side on the verge of sealing promotion, the story that young striker Andy Carroll and club captain Steven Taylor were involved in a fight that left Carroll's hand broken had been splashed all over the papers. However, Hughton handled the entire situation admirably and never allowed off the field issues to distract his players from bouncing straight back from last year's relegation.

Hughton knew that he had a squad more than capable of dominating the Coca-Cola Championship but also knew that some fresh blood was required to get the best from his team. Key signings Danny Simpson and Mike Williamson helped shore up a defence that shipped little goals this season. The other major impact from Hughton's dealings was re-signing Danish international Peter Lovenkrands after the forward initially turned down the chance to extend his stay with the Magpies. Winger Wayne Routledge helped provide some additional creativity in the latter part of the season.

Hughton's greatest achievement this season was definitely the performances he got from players tat were so woefully out of form when the side were relegated. Stand-out performers Jose Enrique and Fabricio Coloccini looked nothing like the same defenders that defended like an under-eights team chasing after the ball. Enrique in particular had a magnificent season and should be a contender for player of the year. Kevin Nolan has already won a player of the year accolade and the Liverpudlian rediscovered the goal scoring form from midfield that had him talked about in terms of an England call-up a few years ago. Similarly, Jonas Gutierrez showed the kind of form that has led to Argentina coach Diego Maradonna claim the winger to be one of his 4 definites for his world cup squad. Gutierrez finally opened his account on Tyneside and the fans were then soon treated to his infamous Spiderman mask celebration when he scored against Barnsley.

Hughton proved this season that he can clearly work well with talented players who are motivated to play for the cause. With a few new signings next year could see Newcastle re-establish themselves in the top flight.

"Typical Germans" not really to blame Mr. Ferguson

Alex Ferguson's post-match interview after his side crashed out of the Champion's League would lead one to believe that Manchester United were cheated out of progression by Bayern. If you look at the incident that saw Rafael got his second booking it's quite clear that the young Brazilian's stupidity has got him sent off more than anything else. Already on a yellow card, the full-back pulls Ribery back, preventing any forward progress for the Frenchman. In anyone's book, as soft as it may appear, that offence is a yellow card. Yes the Bayern players do make it clear to the referee that the full-back is on a yellow card already but even still, the naivety of Rafael is clear for all to see. Why he so blatantly pulls on Ribery is beyond me, and he was already playing a high-risk game. In the first half after he was booked he was throwing himself into tackles all over the pitch, all of them fair where he won the ball it must be said but if any were mistimed he would have been gone quicker.

The red card was a turning point in the game but it also must be said that Bayern were growing into the game and looking like they could have scored regardless of the sending off. The secodn half was a lot more open than the first and Bayern's dangerous wide men Robben and Ribery, who had both been handled well by the United back four, were coming into the game more and more. The second half also saw Bayern begin to control the midfield. Van Bommel and Schweinsteiger started to pull the strings in the middle of the park. Of course with all the talk surrounding Ferguson's post-match comments, the wonder goal scored by Robben has been somewhat overlooked. The technical ability shown by the Dutch winger to control his volley was nothing short of sensational and was a goal certainly worthy of sending his side through.