Welcome

I’m Jack Duignan and this is The Football Fans Voice. Here I will give my views and opinions on the game I love. I’m a West Ham United fan and a lover of football. I am more than happy for people to post their blogs on this site and am open to fresh ideas. Feedback will be much appreciated from you all. Feel free to scroll down and view my entries or click the categories page at the top of the site to view the various topics I talk about. You can also click THE FFV logo on the right to take you straight to the categories page.

My England Squad. Player by Player.

Goalkeepers.

Joe Hart: First choice. Confident, vocal and trustworthy. Up there with the best in the world already. Best goalkeeper England have had since Seaman.

Robert Green: Backup. Has a mistake in him but he is experienced and has learnt a lot over the years. Must go.

Ben Foster: Says he has retired from international duty but after a season with Hodgson at West Brom, he may be convinced to board the plane and fight for his place.

Defenders.

Kyle Walker: Best right back in the Premiership this season and deserved his Young player of the year award. Strong, quick and technically very good. Question marks over his defending at times but still learning.

Micah Richards: So much potential at a young age but didn’t seem to develop into what was expected. He has been a colossus this season whether at right back or centre back for City. Some don’t trust him but he has learnt a lot more about his game and he will become a better player by being a part of the squad.

Phil Jones: Although he is still only 20 years old, he has become a key player in Manchester United’s season. Not only seen as a defender, Jones may be employed as a holding midfielder for certain games.

Gary Cahill: His Chelsea career started off slowly but has had a strong end to the season. Injury could prevent him from playing in the Champions League final but he will be fit for the Euros.

Phil Jagielka: Mr.Consistant. He won’t be a starter for England but if called upon, he will make sure he leaves an impression.

Joleon Lescott: Seen as an average over priced centre back last season but has been key to Manchester City’s success alongside Vincent Kompany.

Ashley Cole: Most capped England left back of all time. He still has the quality and pace to come up against anybody in the world. 

Leighton Baines: Technically very gifted. Still lacking experience at international level but being a part of a squad for a major tournament could give him vital experience for Brazil 2014.

Midfielders.

Scott Parker: Must start. Ball winning midfielder and dictates the tempo. Well respected both on and off the pitch. Struggling with an injury but should pull through.

Michael Carrick: He could be a shock call up and maybe starting alongside Parker in midfield. You either rate Carrick or you don’t. Doesn’t give the ball away and his style of football is vital at international level.

Steven Gerrard: Once Rooney is available, Gerrard can be pushed on, playing just behind him. They link up brilliantly and could win games in devastating effect.    

Ashley Young: 26 now and coming into a big part of his career. With 19 caps for England and 5 goals. Young could be a key player on the left with his pace and trickery.

Theo Walcott: May not be technically the greatest but his pace is enough to frighten the best in Europe and the world. About time he was given a chance to shine for England in a tournament.

Alex Charmberlain: Young, raw, talented player. Offers options on the wings and through the middle. A wild card pick if you will. Teams will fear him.

Adam Johnson: Quick feet and another option for the wide role. May not start for England but a great option to have on the bench.

James Milner: Hard worker and a winner. Milner can play anywhere across the midfield and will happily play as a wing back if needed. Every squad needs a player like him.

Strikers.

Wayne Rooney: He may be banned for the opening two games but he must still go. Renowned as one of the best players in the world and he is a key player to any success England have this summer. Rooney will be used up top on his own or behind a big centre forward like Andy Carroll.    

Danny Welbeck: The more games Welbeck plays, the more confident he becomes and the better the goals. Sides will not like him as he’ll be looking to get in behind the defence and look to finish any chance he gets.

Andy Carroll: He might not be everyone’s favourite but Carroll gives you more of an option than Peter Crouch. Technically better and an aerial threat. Good end to the season for him and deserves a chance. A defenders worst nightmare.

Daniel Sturridge: Another young player that divides opinion. Seen as being selfish and greedy but his quick feet in and around the box could be vital in the later stages of a game to open up a defence.

Players I wouldn’t pick.

With the ongoing problems with Ferdinand and Terry, I see no reason to take either. Terry will be a distraction and Ferdinand won’t be fit enough for every game. Cahill and Lescott are more than capable to start for England.

Glen Johnson has never been impressive enough to hold down his place at right back in my opinion and he now has competition from Richards and Walker. Third choice at best.

Barry and Lampard would be on standby for me if there was any injuries. Barry’s lack of pace always comes into question and the Gerrard/Lampard debate still rumbles in my head. If Lampard was to go to the Euros, I’d have him on the bench.

Fabio Capello Resigns. WOO FUCKING HOO.

This is a rant, it might not make sense, it might not be pretty but I
need to unload.

When Capello took over, the nation was ecstatic and excited. “We can
win the World Cup” we said, “We can become the number one nation” we
said. Of course we never and become a laughing stock, as usual.
Capello’s attempts to learn our language was lame and disappointing,
his man management skills seemed out of touch and it seemed players
just couldn’t speak to him. His choices at the 2010 World Cup
were disastrous and nobody will ever let him or those players forget
how awful and embarrassing it was BUT and this is a massive but, why
are we just blaming Capello? Look at the members of FA’s board and the
players who step to the pitch. When are we going to notice we quite
frankly aren’t that good? So many questions and yet nobody can answer
them.

Fabio Capello has the CV of a football managing God. Maybe if our
press didn’t constantly butt their noses in and allowed him, the
players and whoever else to do their job, the team would feel less
pressured and actually play well. Capello liked everything done his
way, it may have been strict but it was well disciplined and worked at
group stage level.  Why should he change his approaches for the team
when it was working?

While in charge, Fabio Capello had to deal with not just players being
drunk and disorderly off the pitch but captains punching the shit out
of the public in bars and shagging their best mate’s bird too. As a
manager, why should you have to put up with these incompetent
arseholes? Giving them the old school Fabio approach was the best
idea, hoping to buck their ideas up but these players couldn’t react
to them because they are so fucking stupid. Our nations players at
Wembley get jeered because of their actions off the pitch and because
they play for a rival club. Nobody cares about England anymore. There
is no passion at all.

John Terry on the pitch has the heart of a lion, off the pitch he
lives in the 80’s hoping to star in a porno and refuses to share a
seat with a black man. Once removed as England captain for not keeping
his cock in his pants, he decided to be a maverick at the last World Cup
by sitting alone at a press conference and speaking about the business
behind the scenes, which made everything awkward as Steven Gerrard was
meant to be the captain. In the next game he attempted one of the
bravest and stupidest blocks the country had ever seen and we all
forgave him. Following the World Cup Fabio decided to hand him back
the armband as Ferdinand and Gerrard’s fitness came into question.
With a new, fresh approach from the manager we all started to forget
the World Cup as we started sailing into the 2012 European
Championships, until Wayne Rooney decided to kick some bloke and get
himself a three match ban. Maybe Wayne just couldn’t  be fucked with
England anymore either.

As everything seems to start running a bit more quietly and smoothly,
BAM! John Terry back in trouble as he “allegedly” racially abuses
Anton Ferdinand. The issue has become so serious that it’s out of the
FA’s hands and will go to the high courts. John Terry has pleaded not
guilty but the case won’t reopen until after the European
Championships.  Well fantastic news, we can go to the Euros with a
captain who none of our black players will want to be in the same
squad with! Sarcasm, obviously. The FA decided to make a brave and
bold step by removing John Terry as captain, taking it completely out
of Fabio Capello’s hands. How would you feel if you were the manager of
a team and that happen to you? Capello went onto Italian TV and
revealed his disappointment in the decision, which then obviously
annoyed the FA.

At this point I actually sided with Fabio Capello. Felt the decision
should of been his and the FA as usual handled the situation in the
wrong way. What ever happen to innocent until proven guilty? We have a
football federation full of dinosaurs and people who don’t understand
football and some probably have never played. That David Bernstein is
an ugly bastard too. We now head into a major European tournament with
no manager, no captain and a split between the players. Well done FA,
I hope you’re very proud of your work.

So, what do we do now? Get old ‘Arry in now he’s guiding Tottenham
back into the top four,  battling to win the league and has been found
not guilty for tax evasion? Brilliant! Problem solved! We’re going to
win the European Championships! No we’re fucking not and don’t ever
think it. Harry will almost definitely stay at Spurs until the Premier
League season has officially ended and to throw him straight into the
tournament without getting to know the players will be harsh on
everyone involved.

England should use this tournament as a stepping stone for the future.
Leave the golden oldies like John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard
and co out of the squad and take young players who deserve their
chance with either Stuart Pearce or Gareth Southgate in while someone
like Trevor Brooking assists and gives advice. Brooking has seen a lot
of England’s young players grow up and knows their game. Let the young
players carry on their development together and then bring Harry
Redknapp in to help nurture them after the tournament. So what if we
go out in the knockout stage, we’re not going to win it.

After the tournament we start with a fresh approach from the top of
the FA down to grass roots. We set new guidelines for young players
and start sending them to the soon to be open St. George’s Park. We as
a country now need to relax and realise we are a quarter final team at
best and will be for a long time. Anything beyond that is an
achievement. It’s great to believe but it’s also shit being deluded.

In conclusion, it’s not just Fabio Capello’s or John Terry’s fault.
These problems have been running for years from the FA, managers,
players, journalists, pundits and us as fans. Don’t expect anything
from Euro 2012, support the players for even turning up and focus on
the future.

Make Or Break For Young Morrison.

Transfer deadline day was unusually quiet this year but not for West
Ham United as they picked up three new players to bolster their
attacking options. One surprising deal was the young Ravel Morrison
from Manchester United who had been linked with clubs in the Premier
League and clubs around Europe for a fee believed to be worth up to
£1M.

Ravel, born 2nd February 1993, scored at the tender age of 15 against
Chelsea in the F.A Youth Cup and went on to sign his first
professional contract on his 17th birthday. His time at Manchester
United also saw him recognised at International level for England’s
U16, U17, U18 and U19 sides. Despite only making three appearances in
cup competition, Ravel also won the F.A Youth Cup with the Red Devils.
On West Ham United’s official website he has described himself as an
‘attacking player who looks to get the fans on their feet’.
Manchester United touted him as having ‘the potential to be one of the
real stars of his generation’ on their official club website.

This all sounds exciting doesn’t it? He even rejected a contract offer
from Manchester United! Now, where is the catch?

Ravel Morrison has a history of problems off the pitch which could of
landed him in prison if it wasn’t for the strong support of his
previous club. Manchester United and mainly Sir Alex Ferguson never
gave up on him and believed in his ability. It’s said some senior
Manchester United players offered to take him in and look after him
but he refused.

The Guardian newspaper reported in February last year;

Morrison had admitted two charges of intimidating a witness. He had
subjected the victim of a knifepoint robbery to a two-day ordeal in an
attempt to stop him giving evidence at the trial of his muggers. He
had been warned he could face a spell in detention and, with that,
United would almost certainly have given up on him. Instead, Morrison
was given another chance: the judge decided on a 12-month referral
order, warning him that if he did not comply he would be sentenced to
a year behind bars. He was told his behaviour had been “appalling” and
this was his last chance. What happens next? It is difficult to
predict.

( To read the rest of the story, click on the link http://gu.com/p/2n8j5 )

Some will say, “If Sir Alex couldn’t control him, what makes you think
Big Sam can?” And I’m one of those people but Sir Alex Ferguson has
done all he can for Ravel and now it’s time for a new approach. Ravel
leaving Manchester and his “friends” behind could be a wakeup call for
him. Time for him to grow up and look after himself. Not only does he
have to do this but he has a brilliant mentor in Sam Allardyce and
club captain Kevin Nolan who will make sure he keeps an eye on him.
‘Big Sam’ in his time has worked with some characters and it’s safe to
say El Hadji Diouf is one of the most high profile.

Only 18 years of age and so much excitement about an attacking
midfielder. If he can live up to this excitement, he may get treated
just as well as a certain Joe Cole once was…

Depression making football less beautiful.

This is a difficult subject to talk about so I will just throw it out there. This weekend has shown me that there is a whole lot more to life than football. This is a short blog about Stan Collymore, Gary Speed and depression.

Depression is a sad, lonely illness which I would not wish upon
anyone. The stories I have read shows it can hit anyone. We all have
our good days and our bad days, some have bad days more than others but take it on the chin and get on with it knowing something good is just round the corner.

Reading about Stan Collymore has really made me open my eyes. I wish
him all the best in his recovery. The man in his career has certainly
hit rock bottom a few times but he has always bounced back. Stan
Collymore is now one of the best football pundits in our country with
always well respected opinions. With him openly talking about depression, it can only be a good thing. He will help others come out of the darkness and share their story.

The tributes to Gary Speed are very emotional and this story can not
be ignored. I don’t know the details about his death and I won’t
pretend that I will. Was it depression? Maybe. Maybe it was something
else. All we do know, taking his own life means something very, very
dark was taking place in his head. Whatever the problem was, he
clearly felt he had nobody to talk to, or maybe he was embarrassed. He is now gone, leaving behind friends he made in the game, his Welsh players he managed and more importantly his wife and children.

Someone who seemed so normal of late and joking with friends,
colleagues and family is now gone and nobody can explain why. Rest in peace Gary Speed, you were a Premier League icon and a very well respected man in the world of football.

If anyone is reading this and feels they have some sort of illness, don’t be embarrassed, talk to the close friends and loved ones you have, maybe even a doctor. They will respect you for coming out and talking about your problems. In the long run, you will feel better.

The curious case of Carlos Tevez

“Carlos can you warm up please…………..Carlos can you get warmed
up, we’re bringing you on”
I wonder how many times Roberto Mancini and his coaching staff uttered
these words last night in Munich. How can someone sit there and go
against his manager’s orders AND also be so disrespectful to the club,
team mates, fans and himself?

Picture yourself at work and your boss asks you to do something and
you say – “No, I don‘t fancy it”. How long do you think you will last
there? Carlos Tevez earns more in a week than any of us do in a year
or even a lifetime. How can someone be so arrogant and bad-mannered?

As a West Ham United fan, he has legendary status for me. He helped us
achieve that great escape along with Robert Green, Mark Noble and
Bobby Zamora. Even then he caused trouble off the pitch with his
sickening agent Kia Joorabchian. Hammers fans will never forget the
work rate and the goals he scored and he quite simply has never
forgotten us. He refuses to celebrate when he scores against us and
always shows his appreciation to us fans – who will never forget him
leaving the pitch two seasons ago wearing the West Ham shirt and
clapping every end of the pitch. Fantastic.

However, United fans may view him differently – again, they will not
fault his work rate and goals like us West Ham fans and of course the
City fans will be in agreement, but the point is, he was a pest there,
too.  Always making noises about being on the bench, not getting his
deal and Sir Alex Ferguson could see the disruption he was causing. No
way was Sir Alex allowing such a player and his petulant agent to
cause trouble at his club.

When Tevez left, he could of gone anywhere in the world on highly paid
wages but he chose “The Noisy Neighbours” on absolutely ridiculous
wages. Both City and him did this deal to stick their fingers up to
United and Sir Alex but Sir Alex, as always, remained calm, safe in
the knowledge that one day it will all blow up in City’s faces.

Throughout his time at City, Carlos Tevez has never truly been happy.
Arguing with Roberto Mancini constantly about being brought off;
wanting to leave to be closer to his family and maybe the fact he’s an
ugly, ignorant modern day footballer who feels he is always in the
right.

Mancini’s strict approach this season so far has been brilliant -
especially with the Mario Balotelli situation in pre season. Hopefully
the board release a statement backing Mancini and will not allow a
player to cause even more trouble and embarrassment to the club.

Carlos Tevez has let down every Manchester City fan, constantly making
noises about leaving and never letting them know the true story. I
find it odd a man decides to sign a new contract on bigger money and
bonuses to then turn around and say, “Nope, I have had enough, I’m out
of here”.

It just makes me think about comments he has also made saying he
doesn’t like being a footballer. Does he actually mean it? Because it
certainly looks like he doesn’t and IF that is the case, Manchester
City have every right to terminate his contract as he is breaching
club rules. There is no way he deserves any compensation as he has
taken enough money in his time as a professional footballer.

If you don’t like being in the spotlight Carlos, please move on and
go home because there is certainly enough young players in Britain and
around the world with your work rate and ability who would love to be
picking up your wages and sitting on the bench.

Thrown in at the Deep End

This weekend Arsenal lost 8-2 with a team full of young men and reserve players. They might of been better off telling the FA Premier League they could not fulfil the fixture, this would of meant taking a 3-0 loss and a small fine. Obviously I’m joking.

From the off there was so many problems. United finding it easy to take control of the game. Slipping in and out of the back four was Ashley Young, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney. Carl Jenkinson was having an absolute nightmare and the question I ask here is, where was the maturity of a player encouraging him and talking him through the match? I’ve watched the game twice and seen countless highlights so if someone could correct me if I’m wrong, that would be great.
This young man has been thrown in at the deep end. Last year he was on loan at non league clubs playing in front of a couple of hundred people and now he’s expected to mark Ashley Young in front of seventy odd thousand people and millions watching on TV around the world.

Theo Walcott, instead of talking and encouraging young Jenkinson decided to shout at him and give him a piece of his mind which to tell you the truth, would of made me react in the same way as Jenkinson with a nice “Oh, f**k off!”. Once he was sent off, I didn’t see one player stick their arm around him and tell him that these things happen in football and it will make him a stronger minded player in the future. I bloody hope a player like Robin Van Perise, now club captain sat with him after the game and spoke to him. That’s a major part of being the captain now.

Arsene Wenger got it completely wrong sticking Theo Walcott on the wing in front of Jenkinson. Obviously there was suspensions and injuries which showed the cracks in the squad which Manchester United took full advantage of. If Sir Alex Ferguson had to play a young man at right back or left back he would of made sure he had a hard working experienced player like Park Ji Sung or Ryan Giggs in front of him.

After also discussing the match with friends, we asked ourselves a question. Would the score line have been more respectable if Denilson was playing the holding midfield role instead of the young, inexperienced Coquelin? I will let you answer that one yourself….

West Ham lost to Aldershot in the Carling Cup 1st round, how embarrassing!

Don’t read too much into that title because quite frankly, we should be happy we lost that game. We have no need to be in the competition, we’re never going to win it and we have enough on our plate to deal with. I would of been more than happy to give every single youth player a game and give them a chance to express themselves. Which in a way turns out being a little bit embarrassing because we had quite a few first team players playing! With 46 games to play in a Championship league season, we do not need any more games on top of that, so hopefully when the FA Cup comes round, we’ll lose at the first hurdle there too.