Luis Boa Morte will be remembered for plenty of positives in his lengthy football career, but penalty kicks might be recognised as his strongest suit.
The Portuguese star who has had stints with Arsenal, Southampton, Fulham, West Ham United and more recently with Larissa, Orlando Pirates and Chesterfield, made news this week with his outrageous penalty kick in a charity game for Luis Figo XI against Venezuelan Champions Deportivo Anzoategui…
Boa Morte dummied a shot, which forced the goalkeeper to move to his right before striking the ball inside the opposite post. But the entertaining pk raised questions among many if it should have stood or not.
Since it was a charity match, the goal was allowed to stand without any investigation. But had it been a more serious match there is no question the referee would have taken a closer look at it.
FA Laws of football say nothing about that specific kind of kick other than the need to kick the ball forward. However, FIFA rules note that feinting to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of football. Also, if in the opinion of the referee the feinting is considered an act of unsporting behaviour the player shall be cautioned.
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Either way I think that creativity should be an added aspect of penalty kicks as long as you do not touch the ball and advance it forward. Even in the Fifa video game by Electronic Arts, Inc, in the penalty kicks feature you are allowed to dummy the goalkeeper as long as you advance the ball towards the net.
This added dimension demonstrated by Boa Morte keeps the goalkeeper guessing and the game more interesting.
This summer, Manchester City added to their already illustrious cast of strikers with the acquisitions of Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic, for a combined total of £39million. The two join Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko in attack to create a strike-force of immense quality at the Etihad.
And indeed, it seems that having four forwards capable of finding the net on a regular basis is a pre-requisite in the Premier League title race nowadays. City claimed the English title on goal difference alone two years ago when they had Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli along with Aguero and Dzeko in attack, whilst last season, Manchester United’s acquisition of Robin Van Persie from Arsenal appeared to tip the balance back in their favour as they reasserted themselves as champions.
But so far this year, having four senior strikers on the books has been a double-edged sword for the Citizens.
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Aguero, despite being City’s only world-class centre-forward, has found the net just once domestically in his four Premier League appearances, in a continuation of last season’s form that saw him net just twelve goals in 30 games. Dzeko too, has found the net just once, despite Manuel Pellegrini granting the striker a rare starting role to shake off his reputation as the Skyblues’ super-sub. Similarly, Stevan Jovetic, although he was City’s second-largest summer expenditure and comes to Manchester with a preceding reputation from Serie A, has made just a single appearance in his less favoured attacking midfield role.
Of course, it’s only the beginning of the season, and many strikers start slow before gaining momentum towards the turn of the year. But so far it seems the greatest issue for any of the strikers in Pellegrini’s new system, which varies somewhere between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2, has been to forge a successful partnership and strong understanding in the final third with their team-mates.
Excluding their dominant display against a very average Newcastle side on the opening day of the season, most of City’s goals, be they provided by a front man or otherwise, have come from moments of individual brilliance rather than the aesthetic brand of football the new Etihad boss has been trying to implement, and the simple but often effective ‘little and large’ approach with Dzeko and Aguero is yet to have the desired effect.
In my opinion, the source of the problem lies in the fact there’s no natural hierarchy to City’s attacking line-up. At Manchester United, the pecking order is relatively obvious, with Robin Van Persie as the main man closely supported by Wayne Rooney, and then it’s a toss up between Javier Hernandez for poaching prowess or Danny Welbeck if a more defensive and hard-working approach is required.
At Eastlands however, we have four strikers who could all claim a right to be in the first team on a regular basis, who all cost the club similar transfer fees. Aguero’s unrivalled quality surely puts him at the top of the pile, but after that it’s incredibly difficult to choose between Dzeko, Negredo and Jovetic.
Dzeko’s promotion to a regular starter in particular has only complicated matters; being an almost permanent fixture on the substitutes bench under Roberto Mancini often came across harsh considering the Bosnian international contributed a steady supply of goals for the amount of playing time he actually received, but is he any more likely to significantly improve upon his average of 14 goals per season now that he’s playing week-in-week-out?
In my opinion, No. The 27 year-old is perhaps the most talented substitute the Premier League has to offer, but that is his special role in the team, his unique selling point of diversification if you will, and if a player can get you that amount of end product off the bench, then he may as well be utilised to that effect.
But it’s certainly not all doom and gloom for City’s strikers. Negredo has shown great promise to find the net twice in four appearances since arriving for £17million from Sevilla in the summer, coming off the bench against Cardiff and Hull to get on the score-sheet. The Spaniard’s direct approach and aerial prowess is a good fit for the English top flight, and he adds a new and exciting dimension to the Skyblues’ attack.
But overall, four goals from four strikers in four games is hardly what you’d describe as title-winning material, and it doesn’t justify a collective transfer value of over £100million.
I’m by no means suggesting that City’s strikeforce can’t significantly improve, in fact, it’s an incredibly safe bet to speculate that they will, but it’s quite clear that Pellegrini is undecided over who should be starting, who shouldn’t and for what occasion, and it’s very much a symptom of the wholesale changes at the Etihad arena over the summer.
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And it’s these kind of teething pains that could eventually cost the Skyblues the title. Whilst Manchester United benefit from the fact they’re still almost entirely the same outfit as last season, barring a like-for-like change in management and the arrival of former Evertonian Marouane Fellaini, the Citizens face a mild personality crisis in terms of determining firstly the way they play, and secondly, who should be the focal point of the attack.
Pellegrini needs to find answers sooner rather than later, and he’ll be hoping that the individual performances begin to illustrate a natural hierarchy. Tomorrow’s heavyweight derby with Manchester United is a huge test for the Chilean, but it’s also a chance for one of his strikers to claim their worth for a regular slot in the first team.
Is there too much confusion up front for the Citizens?
Loic Remy has been lighting up the Premier League so far this season. Five goals in his last three appearances have seen Newcastle rise from their previously precarious position into the relatively sheltered mid-table.
Currently on loan from QPR, Remy is likely to be a man in high demand come the summer and Newcastle will be keen to ward off other interested suitors. The Mirror reports that the Magpies will move quickly to tie up a permanent deal for the Frenchman in January:
“Loic Remy will be handed the chance to seal a permanent move to Newcastle in January.”
“The Geordies have a £6million fee agreed with QPR for the on-loan striker, on top of the £2m they are already paying for his loan spell.”
It is widely believed that Tottenham will again revive their interest in the mercurial Frenchman, and Newcastle may well struggle to capture Remy should the North Londoners enter the battle.
Is this a fight Spurs should be drawn into?
Remy is undoubtedly a huge talent, his brief spell in England has been evidence enough for his ability and clearly someone of that class would fit in easily at most clubs.
Spurs though are already a club with a huge array of attacking talents. The frontline may be misfiring but few would argue that there are many striking departments with greater depth than Spurs’. Defoe, Soldado and Adebayor are all on their day quality options and I would argue the latter two are potentially world-class.
AVB continues to look towards a 4-2-3-1 variation meaning that at any one time only one of those frontmen can play. Add to these options the emerging potential of Harry Kane and you would struggle to see how Remy would really fit in at Spurs.
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My only thought is that Spurs may potentially look to move on an ageing Jermain Defoe whilst they still have the chance. Selling Defoe for anything around £5m and buying Remy for what is reportedly £8m and I think Spurs would have improved their options without spending too much.
The reason though that I think Spurs will avoid any deal for the Frenchman is of less of a footballing nature.
Remy is a renowned troublemaker with a rape case hanging over his head. Only last week he was embroiled in an incident involving his car and a taxi in the middle of Newcastle town centre, just one issue in a long line of misdemeanours. This isn’t the kind of player that Levy generally likes to take a punt on. Spurs are as much a marketing tool as they are a football club, someone like Loic Remy hardly adds to the kind of image that Spurs are trying to create. Moreover, AVB is building a team with a sense of cohesion, the addition of someone like Remy regardless of how good he is just creates the potential for unnecessary unrest. Why upset the balance that Spurs have achieved of late?
Another question is whether Remy really adds anything that Spurs don’t have already. He isn’t the same as either Defoe or Soldado, but he is in a way quite similar. All three are regarded as excellent finishers who are also somewhat limited in their general all round contributions. Having seen a bit of Soldado last season as well, I would argue of the three he offers the most complete option, whilst hardly a giant he does have the ability to hold up play and involve others in the attack.
So when Spurs consider a move for Remy they are effectively looking at £8-10m for a potential Soldado backup. If it was anyone else I would argue that this would be prudent business, relatively cheap in fact by current market standards. However, his previous off-field record speaks for itself and it is no surprise that there isn’t more interest in the Frenchman’s signature.
The lack of other big name clubs in the picture should be a warning to Spurs. Remy is clearly highly talented, but the lack of interest really speaks volumes of the man.
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So no Spurs shouldn’t be hijacking Newcastle’s deal. Spurs find themselves in the enviable position where they don’t need to go out on a whim in the transfer market and instead I expect their January activity to be much more calculated than a gamble like this.
For me the January money should be spent elsewhere.
Howard Webb has escaped demotion, despite making high profile blunders during the FA Cup clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on Sunday, reports the Daily Mirror.
England’s World Cup referee is set to take charge of Hull City’s clash with Cardiff at the weekend.
The news comes after Webb refused to give Liverpool what looked a clear penalty during their 2-1 defeat at the Emirates, when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain tripped Luis Suarez just minutes after he had awarded a spot kick following Lukas Podolski’s trip on the Uruguayan.
Webb also decided not to give Reds captain Steven Gerrard a second yellow card for a mistimed tackle in the second half.
However, the Premier League remain reluctant to demote officials, unless they have a bad run of mistakes rather than what they consider one-off mistakes.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed his disappointment at Webb’s performance, saying: “It’s a blatant penalty and we’re very disappointed not to get it.
“It was absolutely another penalty. With the first one Luis gets clipped and it’s a clear penalty, but the second one was even clearer.
“Howard was in a great position. I’m not sure if it was because it was so quick after the first one.
“With the type of player he is and the aggression in our offensive play we provoke a lot of challenges, especially Luis, who is always in and around the box asking questions of defenders. Quite a lot of the time he doesn’t get what he deserves.
“He got one today, but should have had two. If it’s a penalty he should get it, irrespective of what his reputation is. For me that was quite an easy decision.
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“We came here and virtually dominated. To end up with nothing disappoints.”
Former Liverpool star Luis Garcia believes that his old side can make a serious push for this season’s Premier League title.
Despite few having given them any chance of competing for the title before a ball was kicked, the Reds are currently just four points off of leaders Chelsea with ten games to go.
Pundits and former players have been talking up Brendan Rodgers’ sides chances of glory in recent weeks, particularly now that the Merseyside club are the division’s top scorers thanks to the prolific Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
Liverpool also have home advantage for upcoming clashes with big sides such as Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City and have already thrashed fellow contenders Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield.
Garcia – who was a big player for the club during their Champions League-winning 2005 campaign under Rafael Benitez – feels that his former side have a good chance of lifting the trophy, but only if they really push between now and the end of the season:
“Why not?” He responded when asked by talkSPORT if Liverpool can win the Premier League.
“I watch every game that I can, they’re playing very well and even when they’re not they’re still getting result – that’s the most important thing when you want to get a trophy.
“I think a lot of Liverpool people think finishing fourth is good enough, but they’re only four points away from the top, so all they’ve got to do is make sure they don’t get too far away and take it all the way until the end with Chelsea.
“If they do that they have a great chance at winning the title.
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“It’s not going to be easy, we know that, there are still a lot of games to play, but I certainly think it’s possible.”
Daniel Levy may be weighing up his next move in appointing Tottenham’s managerial successor to Tim Sherwood, but the Spurs chairman should first look to re-evaluate his own expectations.
An ambitious Tottenham is good for the continued growth of the Premier League. The team were applauded for their attacking adventure under Harry Redknapp and the chairman is praised, most of the time, as one of the game’s toughest negotiators.
But Levy hires and fires with such regularity that not only can Spurs never develop any consistency, you also start to get the feeling that Levy holds a sense of entitlement for the top four. If a manager fails to reach the Champions League, it’s deemed his failing rather than the club as a whole accepting that it was simply out of reach.
Tottenham have the sixth biggest wage budget in the Premier League, so it’s natural to think that their standing is a Europa League place. Over the past few seasons, Tottenham have finished fourth twice, with Harry Redknapp punching above his weight to get the club in a final league position that bettered Manchester City and then Chelsea.
The problem is Levy expects the top of the mountain to be reached at first time of asking. There was an unrealistic expectancy that Andre Villas-Boas would hit the ground running with the wave of new players bought with the Gareth Bale money last summer. The Portuguese manager didn’t always make life easy for himself, but ultimately he was failing to meet Levy’s expectation for a place at least in the top four.
What will Levy’s expectation be for either Frank de Boer or Mauricio Pochettino? The former has never been a head coach away from Ajax and has no experience of English football from his playing days. The latter has done well with Southampton in a much more relaxed environment, but has no history of finishing in a Champions League position, either in England or Spain.
Money won’t guarantee instant success. In addition, Tottenham don’t have another £100 million to squander this summer or in the coming years. Levy wants top European football, which is understandable. But does he ever take into account what’s going on around his club in the Premier League? Tottenham aren’t serial top four finishers, and yet he sets the same target each year no matter the manager, or the club’s transfer activity, or the strength of other teams in the league. When the inevitable happens, a good manager is let go.
Tottenham have a good structure and good players. What they lack is a strong leader, a leader who can resist the temptation to hand out dismissals when the team hits a rough patch.
Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool will strengthen this summer. One of them won’t be in the top four next season, yet each of them are better placed to finish in those positions than Tottenham.
Levy understands the importance of a modern stadium and the revenue it provides. Tottenham have neither that nor the sponsorships that can match those other five teams. It’s far from a failure if Spurs can’t overcome those odds and simply remain in regular contention for Europa League football. A failure, a catastrophe even, would be a six-position fall similar to that of Manchester United.
In the absence of financial strength, the club should be focusing on consolidating their current position, so as when the opportunity does arise to push on, it won’t feel as though they’re starting from scratch. Bring in a manager who will be allowed to stay in the job for three or four years and build a team. That of course necessitates the hiring of the right manager and not just someone who has done well elsewhere.
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Tottenham can finish in a Europa League place with ease. They’re the strongest team in the league outside of those five previously mentioned. So wouldn’t a strong cup run do the club a lot of good? Juande Ramos was brought to Tottenham in 2007 because of his success with Sevilla. That club came close once but ultimately couldn’t challenge Barcelona or Real Madrid, yet they still saw plenty of success in cup competitions.
Would the White Hart Lane faithful really say no to back-to-back Europa League titles, a European Super Cup and a couple of domestic trophies? Levy needs to know where the battle can be won.
Ochoa became something of an overnight internet sensation after his Man of the Match performance in the recent 0-0 draw with Brazil. At times, the 28 year old’s heroics single-handedly kept Neymar and company at bay. A free agent this summer, the goalkeeper has been linked with a number of La Liga sides as well as Arsenal and Liverpool. The Mexican will likely have to be on top form again this afternoon if his country are to progress this afternoon against the Netherlands.
Somewhat bizarrely for a goalkeeper, Ochoa enjoys something of a celebrity following in his homeland. With this superstar status and talent from an early age, the 28 year old has been linked frequently with Europe’s elite sides before and even after his move to the French minnows.
The Mexico has impressed in his time in Ligue 1, establishing himself as one of the leading shot-stoppers in the division. Boasting remarkable reflexes and great flexibility, Ochoa has often proven the difference in grinding out draws or victories for Ajaccio. The 28 year old has also proven himself to have the useful knack of saving penalties. Ochoa’s stop from Neymar’s header at the World Cup went viral on social media and was dubbed by many as a wonder save.
Despite all of this current overwhelming praise from the worldwide media, it should be noted that the Mexican is human after all and has been guilty of costly errors in his time in France. Those stumbling over themselves to label him as a “superman” should perhaps watch the mistakes committed against Lille and Nantes recently before lavishing such praise.
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Nevertheless, Ochoa’s form for Ajaccio and now for Mexico on the biggest stage has quite rightly attracted attention. With Simon Mignolet and Pepe Reina currently on Liverpool’s books, a move to Arsenal would seem a more logical fit for both parties. After Lukasz Fabianski’s departure, the Gunners’ are in need of another goalkeeper and the Mexican would provide a strong challenge to Wojciech Szczesny to the number one spot at the Emirates Stadium.
You’d think the first thing I have to do when I wake up is brush my teeth then indulge in my Honey Nut Cornflakes, but not as an Arsenal fan.
The first thing I do is stay in bed for an extra ten minutes on Twitter checking out the latest injury news. As I do that I play a game… Who will it be this time? I almost never get it right but it’s still entertaining.
Every week it’s someone new. Currently Arsenal has seven first team players sidelined to injuries according to Arsenal Report. Many have claim that this is due to the strenuous training regimes Arsene Wenger has in place. It has been reported that Wenger’s intense training methods are specifically for improving stamina in the last the minutes of games. We’ve seen it somewhat beneficial this season already with the last minute point earned in the 2-2 draw with Everton.
Yet it is also detrimental to the players, leaving them fatigued in the long run. This fatigue is what inevitably lands so many of Arsenal players in the physic room and out for long periods of time.
One player who is no longer on the treatment table is Abou Diaby after recently managing to get through 45 minutes in a reserves game against West Brom.
With the assistance of Shad Forsythe, Diaby should be able to bounce back better than ever. Hopefully he can restore the fans’ faith by making up for Arsenal’s failure to sign a holding midfielder and slot neatly into the role. He’s even stated himself that every season he’s like a new signing, so maybe he is finally prepared to take on the challenge of a full Premier League campaign.
To be honest, I was hoping that we wouldn’t have so many players sidelined so early. As much as I have faith in Mr Forsythe I am still a tiny bit concerned that there are seven players out. For me the real barometer of improvement in fitness this season will be Abou Diaby. If he can sustain a full season with less time on the bench through injury then we can safely say the ‘Forsythe Era’ is underway.
Some tell me I am too quick to judge. As the famous saying goes: ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day,’ so perhaps my expectations are a tad premature. But football is so fast these days and waits for no one. To wait one season feels like almost an eternity these days.
I’m willing to give it time but not without the Gunners winning some silverware to prove the doubters wrong. Arsenal need to be amongst the top of the table again this season and pushing harder towards the end. Whilst at the summit they will need the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all to stay 100% fit. If that happens then Arsenal are sure to capitalise on where they failed last season.
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And if you put Shad Forsythe’s wealth of experience alongside stalwart Tony Colbert then that is sure to be a formula for success for many a season to come, especially considering Forsythe spent a decade with the German’s up until their World Cup triumph, which gives me a slight feeling of optimism.
“The times, they are a-changing,” once quipped Bob Dylan, in a song that would be equally as fitting around Upton Park as club anthem ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles’ when West Ham take on Manchester City in two-weekends’ time.
Indeed, there’s something remarkably different about West Ham this season; only one clean sheet in seven Premier League fixtures, a current average of 1.7 goals scored per match and the Boleyn boo-boys that targeted Sam Allardyce so militantly towards the end of last term silenced by their club’s impressive standing of seventh place.
Statistically speaking however, West Ham’s style hasn’t changed all that much from last year.
Last season for example, the Irons played a higher percentage of long-passes, 17%, than any Premier League side. This term, their long-ball bias remains has dropped slightly to 15%.
In 2013/14, they recorded the joint-longest average pass length in the English top flight at 21 metres; this season, they’re in joint-second with 20 meters. Last year their average possession was 46%, now it’s up to 47%. And in classic Allardyce style, five of his side’s twelve goals this season have come from set pieces – the highest return in the division.
The real change has been in personnel; Aaron Cresswell, sourced from Ipswich during the summer, found twelve assists in the Championship last season from left-back – a far cry from the more conservative styles of Joey O’Brien and Guy Demel. Likewise, Alex Song brings Champions League-standard quality to West Ham’s midfield, whilst Mauro Zarate adds more variety to the attack through his ability to find space between the lines. New-look strike-force Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho have already bagged five league goals, one shy of Carlton Cole’s entire output from last term.
In terms of transfers, it’s been a revolutionary summer in East London, impressively enough at a budget of just £30million. The evolution of Allardyce’s philosophy however, is much subtler.
But another change in personnel could lead to a more seismic shift in Allardyce’s ethos, namely Andy Carroll. According to the tabloids, and certainly linked to David Sullivan describing West Ham’s £15million investment in the striker as a ‘mistake’ back in July, he’s emerged as a transfer target for former club Newcastle United – a potential saviour amid another relegation-threatened campaign at St.James’s.
Nobody can doubt the significance of his nine goals over the last two campaigns in keeping the Hammers in the top flight, or his contribution of work-rate as a lone, isolated front-man in an incredibly direct system. But Carroll’s effectiveness in that role, when fit, and West Ham’s dependency on it, encapsulates much of what the fans have grown to hate about their club under Allardyce’s leadership.
A player like Carroll can only thrive under one kind of service, and in turn, a team can only be successful if they’re supplying their spearhead in a manner that suits his natural qualities. Indeed, as Jamie Carragher remarked in his Daily Mail column last April; “It quickly became apparent he wasn’t the right fit for the club. In training, he’d complain if the ball wasn’t flung into the box – and I don’t mean from out wide. He wanted the ball to come into him from close to the half-way line, but at Liverpool that was never going to happen.”
It remains to be seen if the former Newcastle star can adapt to West Ham’s more varied style of play upon his return from injury – currently planned for the end of November. They say a tiger can’t change it’s stripes; perhaps a Carroll can’t change it’s tune.
Equally, and with that thought in mind, one can only ponder whether a fully fit Andy Carroll will convince Allardyce to revert back to his more attritional roots, likely bringing Kevin Nolan, a more debated figure than his captaincy might suggest, with it.
But that option would only further damage Allardyce’s already frosty reputation with the supporters; they’re now witnessing what West Ham are truly capable of under the former Bolton boss, a successful compromise between his requisites and their own demands, and will only expect the positive, more progressive performances to continue.
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Carroll’s departure, on the other hand, would demonstrate Allardyce’s commitment to leaving the ’19th century football’ of the last two years behind him. Carroll is not only the pinnacle, but furthermore the most effective vehicle, of the Hammers’ attritional style – one of the manager’s last remaining motivations to play in that kind of way. Selling him, at least in the short-term, would safeguard the club against a philosophy that caused such divisions between the fans, the management and the board.
Perhaps that was a little drastic – after all, transfer gossip nowadays should be taken as seriously as a Harry Enfield sketch show. But the sheer fact the papers claim West Ham could be selling Carroll speaks volumes about how committed already Allardyce appears to change this season. The times at West Ham, truly are a-changing.
The away day experience is one of the very best parts of following your own football team. Although your alarm may be set for times of the day that, frankly, should never be seen, before you cram onto coaches or overpriced trains, the whole experience, regardless of result, is still one you’ll always remember.
Luckily with the Britain being of modest size, no trip (except for Carlisle to Plymouth, maybe) is too great, allowing fans to get a real feel for the beautiful game in all areas. Scotts Menswear have published results of a survey on the very best ‘away days’ around, assessing all of the characteristics and important factors in the whole experience…
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CLICK THE EMIRATES STADIUM TO REVEAL THE RESULTS
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BEST PIE
With the results of the BBC’s recent Price of Football study, the importance of the often-overlooked pie has really been brought to the fore. On a cold winter afternoon, the crumbling pastry and piping hot filling make for the ideal snack in the stands, with a burger or, dare I say it, hot dog, not even close to matching the age old football fans’ friend.
1. Wigan
2. Kilmarnock
3. Kidderminster
4. Brighton
Wigan top the pile when it comes to pies, although Kidderminster, pricey as they are, are also known for their gourmet efforts.
BEST PINT
So long as trains and busses are on time, the pre-match pint around the ground is a vital part of the whole match day experience. It may be tough to find a pub without hostile home fans, but it’s always possible to duck into a nice little ‘boozer’ for a bevvy before kick-off.
1. Derby
2. Newcastle
3. Brighton
4. Barnsley
The northern half of the country tends to dominate the list, with the cost lower and selection of lagers and ales available greater. Perfect. Brighton get a mention, with the seaside setting good for a cheeky tipple.
BEST STAND
While much of the ‘away day’ experience takes place out of the stadium, the ground itself always plays a big part. The days of old in which away fans were in roof-less terraces being battered by the elements are becoming a distant memory – albeit they are still a problem at some settings – with modern stadia now spacious and comfortable.
1. Arsenal
2. Man U
3. Newcastle
4. Bolton
It’s little surprise that the county’s most expensive stadium come out on top, with Arsenal’s Emirates effort possessing padded seats, leg room and spectacular views. Manchester United’s Old Trafford also gets a mention, while the North East caters well for travellers at St James’ Park.
BEST ATMOSPHERE
While legendary ground such as Anfield and Old Trafford are often famed for atmosphere, it’s actually some of the smaller and intimate stadia that dominate this category.
1. Crystal Palace
2. Rangers
3. Stoke City
4. Newcastle
Crystal Palace come out on top with the Holmsdale Fanatics having brought an almost continental feel to South London with drums, flags and flares building a great atmosphere at Selhurst Park. Stoke’s Britannia Stadium with it’s open corners also gets a mention, while north or the border Rangers are known for building a good feel on match day.
WORST DRESSED FANS
It may be a bit cliché to suggest that all scousers are shell suit-wearing, permed, 80s throwbacks, but they have topped this list for the worst dressed footy followers.
1. Liverpool
2. Celtic
3. Newcastle
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4. Wigan
Scotts Menswear also asked which brands and styles were the best around, and Fred Perry came out on top as the kit to be seen in with a nice pair of Adidas Originals.
BEST OVERALL ‘AWAY DAY’
And finally, all things considered, Wembley comes out as the overall best ‘away day’. The national stadium has the added advantage of the romance of cup and play-offs games, which can be the very building blocks for some of the best football trips around. The towers may be no more, but the new ground’s iconic arch and top-notch atmosphere make it the king.
1. Wembley
2. Man U
3. Tottenham
4. Rangers
5. Liverpool
6. Leeds
7. Man City
Manchester United come in a respectable second, while Tottenham’s White Hart Lane sneaks in at third.