Player Focus: Exit of One Remy Paves Way for Another at Newcastle
by Martin Laurence
at martedì, lug 15 2014 16:32
It's safe to say Newcastle weren't particularly excited by the return of Joe Kinnear in the role of Director of Football last summer. After an infamous radio interview the man that left the club in 2009 after just a four-month stint as manager was appointed to lead the club's transfer dealings.Kinne...
Player Focus: Thomas Müller - The Man for the World Cup Occasion
by Martin Laurence
at mercoledì, lug 9 2014 17:37
Brazil 1-7 Germany! Now that's out of the way, let's focus on a couple of matters that have been lost in the melee of David Luiz's Tasmanian Devil style of defending. The Selecao's ultimate humiliation has overshadowed just what Germany and, in particular, Miroslav Klose achieved on Tuesday.The vete...
Player Focus: Tadić Transfer a Strong Start as Saints Look to Rebuild
by Martin Laurence
at mercoledì, lug 9 2014 12:40
Transition is a word too often banded about by teams that are effectively performing below par. One side that perhaps will be in for such a period more than most is Southampton, though to suggest Saints have done anything but exceed expectations would be wide of the mark.It's the rapid acceleration ...
Player Focus: Value Available on Underrated World Cup Stars
by Martin Laurence
at venerdì, lug 4 2014 15:23
If we think of Brazil in line with the Oscars, there are a number of leading nominees for the top gong at this World Cup. After, ironically, Oscar stole the show on opening night, there have been some outstanding performances at the tournament thus far.There are, however, now four clear front runner...
Player Focus: Group Impact May Earn Origi a Start & a Summer Switch
by Martin Laurence
at martedì, lug 1 2014 11:38
So much was made of Belgium's young squad before the World Cup that their dark horse status became somewhat defunct. However, despite being one of only 4 sides that didn't drop a point in the group stages, it's fair to say that the Red Devils haven't quite lived up to the hype as of yet.Their succes...
Team Focus: Agüero Injury Could Prove a Positive for Argentina
by Martin Laurence
at lunedì, giu 30 2014 17:00
Argentina were pre-tournament favourites with many ahead of the World Cup in neighbouring Brazil reason for one reason. Their firepower.While the doubts over Lionel Messi's ability to step up on the biggest stage possible at international level have certainly been allayed, it's been somewhat of a on...
2014 World Cup Odds: Round of 16 Tipster
by Martin Laurence
at venerdì, giu 27 2014 16:03
This summer's Brazilian bonanza has certainly lived up to the hype. With 136 goals scored over 48 group stage games the punters have been piling on the goal markets and will hope for more of the same as we look at the 2014 World Cup odds ahead of the round of 16 match-ups.Colombia vs UruguayFirst up...
Team Focus: England Improve but Lack Defensive Dynamism
by Martin Laurence
at giovedì, giu 26 2014 11:54
The inquest as to why England suffered their first group stage exit from a World Cup since 1958 is already in full swing. Many thought that the team may well struggle after a tough draw but there is still understandable disappointment at falling at the first hurdle.There were some obvious downfalls ...
World Cup Focus: Conditions Making Brazil 2014 the Substitutes' World Cup
by Martin Laurence
at mercoledì, giu 25 2014 14:49
Team Focus: Costa Rica’s Surprise Package Status Down to Flawless Tactics
by Martin Laurence
at martedì, giu 24 2014 15:09
If holders Spain were the shock fallers at the first hurdle, the surprise package to emerge and progress from the group stages of the 2014 Wolrd Cup are undoubtedly Costa Rica. Jorge Luis Pinto's side know that, having beaten both Uruguay and Italy, they could yet top Group D without needing a point...