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Hartlepool to stage England tie

Winning is Everything has learnt that the England U18 clash with Austria next month will be held at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Ground.

The match will be played on Wednesday April 16th - Wiining is Everything will have a comprehensive build up to the match nearer the time.

England legend released from hospital

Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has been released from hospital after he was detained under the Mental Health Act.

“Gazza” as he is affectionately known was detained in February after being called to a hotel where residents and staff were said to be feeling “threatened” by his actions.

Gascoigne’s off the field problems have been well documented – almost on a daily basis since that memorable World Cup Semi Final with Germany eighteen years ago. The former Spurs and Lazio midfielder suffers with alcohol related problems as well as personality disorders which require psychiatric treatment on a consistent basis.

Football-mad Gascoigne has now been out of the game for several years following a brief stint managing Conference North Side Kettering Town. Personality clashes and claims of excessive Chairman interference put this to a speedy conclusion however.

Despite this news of Paul Gascoigne dominates the media to the same extent as it did when he was every school boys idol in the late 80s and early 90s. The whole country is interested in what he does, where he goes and the problems he faces. In essence he is the property of the media and it is this which has exemplified his illness to levels which far eclipse what they would have been with this harassment.

Former club Tottenham Hotspur have pledged to help Gazza and other former players by setting up a trust to support their former employees and their families. Gascoigne’s beloved Newcastle United have also stated their intention to help one of their most loved sons in a bid to give him his life back.

I wonder if those who must hold at least a large proportion of the blame, the media, will be equally as supportive?

Winning is Everything would like to which Paul and his family our very best wishes and hope that you not only overcome your current obstacles but you are given the privacy and respect to do this in a speedy manner.

Artificial pitches could be used in World Cup Finals

Fifa President Sepp Blatter has stated that there is a possibility that artificial pitches will be used at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Speaking following a FIFA International Football Association Board meeting in Scotland, Blatter stated that due to climate conditions associated with the South African summer, artificial pitches would definitely be an option.

Mr Blatter, who has come under intense criticism following his comments regarding Martin Taylor’s tackle on Eduardo this week, said that -
“if there are any problems then it is a possibility that some matches could be played on artificial turf”

Fifa’s President followed this up by stating -
“Football on artificial turf is the future…the only opponents are people who have never played on it.”
The Pieman disagrees yet again with Blatter, artificial pitches are a thing of the past and reintroducing these will have no benefit to the game. I remember teams like Luton Town having plastic pitches and not only were they shocking, they inhibited creativity which is surely to the detriment of the game.
Daft comments from a guy who recently has said nothing but!

Brady links up with Republic

 Arsenal legend Liam Brady has agreed to become Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistant as he takes charge with the Republic of Ireland.

Brady formerly played under the Italian during the 1980s at Juventus and is now director of Arsenal’s youth academy. The Gunners however have given one of their famous sons permission to work with Ireland and keep his role at the Emirates.

Brady has a good knowledge of the Republic players who missed out on qualification for Euro 2008, and as their focus shifts to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa the move to appoint him in an official capacity has been well received by the Irish.

Arguably Brady’s most important task, certainly in the short term, is to convince Andy O’Brien and Steve Finnan to repeal their decisions to quit international football and play an integral part in their qualification for South Africa.

The new management team have been drafted in following Steve Staunton’s departure back in October. The former Liverpool defender left his post by mutual consent following a lacklustre draw with Cyprus which ended their Euro 2008 hopes.

Beckham ready to claim 100th cap

England Head Coach Fabio Capello has strongly hinted that former Captain David Beckham very much figures in his short term plans.
Capello has suggested that Beckham can be confident of achieving his 100th England cap in the near future despite missing out on the recent friendly with Switzerland due to a lack of match fitness.
The former Real Madrid coach has been quoted as saying that Beckham “is in contention” to play against France later this month and followed this up by stating that “he will get his 100th cap if he is fit and in form”
Beckham is reported to have had a fiery relationship with the Italian during their time together at Real Madrid, yet it seems that Capello is giving the midfielder an olive branch and asking him to prove that he is worth a starting place.
The Pieman applauds this approach - too many times England Managers have played people on the back of who they are rather than what they can deliver. Capello looks to have the balance just right which is very encouraging for the future!

A twist in the road to Euro 2008

The overlord organisation Uefa has warned Spain they could be thrown out of this years European championships.

This could mean that Northern Ireland, who finished third in Spain’s group would be handed a place at the finals.

If the Spanish government tries to interfere in the election process of the Spanish FA then Uefa will put their foot down and all hell will break loose.

“Uefa and Fifa deal with these sort of issues very seriously. These are no empty threats - we will back them up,” said Uefa spokesman William Gaillard.

“It is similar to 1992 when Yugoslavia was suspended and Denmark, who finished second in the group, came in,” added Gaillard.

Everyone goes Italian

Giovanni Trapattoni will be named Republic of Ireland boss.

This will probably happen at 5pm today apparently. Eire or the Republic of Ireland to these shores felt left out when England has an Italian manager and of course Italy has one too so they thought that they would get their own.

Current reports suggest that it’s a two-year contract starting in May. This is when his current employment at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg finish their season.

Old boy ‘Trappy’ (as we like to call him) won six Serie A titles with Juventus and one with Inter Milan. He also helmed at Bayern Munich, Benfica and Salzburg taking them to league titles also.

He has European honours including the European Cup, three UEFA Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup triumph during his spells at Juventus and Inter.

Trappy will have to face his old haunt as Italy (whom he also used to manage, boy this guy is a management hoar) will be at home to the Republic on April Fool’s Day in 2009 with the return game taking place at Croke Park six months later on 10 October.

England 2 - 1 Switzerland

Fabio Capellos first game in charge as England manager ended in a 2-1 win over Switzerland. Fabio changed things about, leaving out Owen and Hargreaves from the starting line up.

He went with a 4-1-4-1 formation, David James in goal, a back four of A Cole, Upson, Ferdinand, Brown. Gareth Barry played in front of the back four. The 4 in the midfield were J Cole, Gerrard, Jenas, Bentley and Rooney upfront.

The opening moments of the match wasn’t great with both sides packing the midfield, it was hard for England to break, Joe Cole as ever looked lively on the left, feeding Rooney who had a one-on-one saved by Benaglio.

It took a while but after some neat build up play from Joe Cole on the wing Jermaine Jenas was able to tap in from 5 yards for his first international goal. It wasn’t a convincing first half with most of the players still trying to work out the new system.

The second half was better with a relaxed England creating plenty of chances, the best falling to Rooney and Jenas.

The first subs came on the 56 minute, with little and large coming on, Wright-Phillips and Peter Crouch, they replaced the goal scorer Jermaine Jenas and Joe Cole.

But the sub seemed to be the downfall as a minute later on his debut Derdiyok slotted past David James to make it 1-1.

It didn’t stay 1-1 for long, a long ball was flicked on by Crouch, Gerrard crossed for Wright-Phillips to tap in. A classic English long ball goal.

Wayne Bridge replaced Ashley Cole who was rubbish, and Gareth Barry who played well was replaced by Owen Hargreaves. As the game went on it opened up a little with England controlling the game with long periods of possessions.

Man of the match Wayne Rooney was replaced by Ashley Young.

Overall a pleasing first match for Mr Capello, we kept the ball well and created chances but didn’t manage to extend the lead. Some will question the decision not to play Michael Owen who is a proven goal scorer at international level. Rooney, Bentey and Joe Cole the pick of the players.

England U21s beat the Irish again

In quite similar circumstances the England Under-21s beat the Republic of Ireland Under-21s 3-0 for the second time this qualifying campaign.

In what turned out to be a fairly even contest, England proved the more clinical of the two sides, with goals from Newcastle winger James Milner (2) and Wenger disappointment Theo Walcott.

The first half was a pretty dull affair with neither team really making a clear cut chance.

After a Stuart Pearce team-talk though at half-time, England came out to play a bit more and got their reward through a deflected James Milner cross/shot which found the right-hand corner of the Irish net.

In a contrast to the first half the game became quite open as the Irish players pushed on, needing victory. These hopes were all but dashed however when Milner shot from 20-yards finding the same corner to make the score 2-0.

Give them credit, those boys in green didn’t give up hope, and pressed forward for any signs of consolation but this in the end was their downfall as England caught them on the break with a cool finish from Walcott on his former home turf, which should hopefully give the boy some confidence.

The Irish did have their chances mainly through Wolves striker Andy Keogh who had at least three chances at close-range.

The win leaves England on 19 points at the head of the group, needing just a single point to guarantee their progression, although it is a near certainty as-is.

Captain Gerrard

Liverpool mid-fielder Steven Gerrard has been named our glorious leader for the national side.

At least for the time-being. Capello has stated that he will not name a permanent captain until the Andorra game, which is England’s first World Cup qualifier in September.

Reports suggest that Capello has banned players from using their mobiles, uses last names only and discourages the presence of wives and girlfriends.

Capello confirmed in a press conference today that he has laid down some rules to his squad and expects them not to be broken.

It also seems that Capello is on-the-ball for his news conferences. Speaking through an interpreter at the news conference, Capello made sure that he didn’t say anything that could be mis-interpreted.

Then one reporter, asked his question in Italian, and asked for Capello to answer in English.

Savvy Capello remained un-fazed by the demanding press, saying:

“I will speak English with you when I can be sure that I know all the right words, because you are very good at twisting things and I am very careful.

“I can communicate with the players much more easily - I am happy with my English with them.”

Seems to this “winning is everything” writer that Capello is doing things his way and will not be forced by the media into anything he doesn’t want to do. And that’s a good thing. After a media-obsessed, car-salesman-smile-wearing, umbrella-collector in the England hot-seat, it’s about time someone strong took the helm.

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