Cultured Football #43
Cultured Football #43
Scouting for Newcastle. Braga SC. A League Preview. London Groundhopping. Brits in Belgium
At long, long last international football is done for the year and we can turn our attention to enjoying what really matters. I appreciate that I sound like a broken record, saying the same thing after every international break but, seriously, what is there to enjoy about it? If you feel the same way as I do, then here’s five articles that will get you back in a good mood.
Five under-21 players to transform Newcastle
#Scouting #Youth #Transfers
I am not a big fan of Newcastle’s new owners nor of the long-term impact on competitivity an owner with such resources could have. However, I obviously see why Newcastle fans are excited as they dream of players who could be making their way to the North East in the future. Given that this is going to be a long-term project, looking at under 21 players they might go in for is a sensible starting point (and an entertaining way to pass a few minutes).
Reading Time: 8 minutes
Carlos Carvalhal on how 15-year-old goalscorer Roger Fernandes earned his emotional moment with Braga
#Interview #Portugal #Youth
There is a tendency in football to overly hype up young players who show some potential, billing them as superstars the moment they do something interesting only to then shred them to pieces as soon as they start to struggle. Even so, it is hard not to get excited by Roger Fernandes, the fifteen year old recently given his debut and who has already scored for SC Braga. It is hard to see him stay long where he is but that doesn’t matter too much as the club’s biggest asset is manager Carlos Carvahal who is helping the club reach unexpected heights.
Reading Time: 7 minutes
Sturridge, City slickers and a race for the spoon: your A-League Men guide
#SeasonPreview #Australia
The Australian A-League isn’t among the most captivating of leagues but I always appreciate a well crafted pre-season guide of all the teams’ prospects in the coming season.
Reading Time: 13 minutes
From Sutton to Spurs: A three-day tour of London’s football grounds
#Stadia #Groundhopping
A few months back, going to watch any game seemed like a dream let alone being able to visit multiple grounds on the same day. And, judging by what is happening across Europe, it might soon get back to that stage. So better enjoy and appreciate live football whilst we can. Or just enjoy the stadia themselves.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
How British owners transformed Belgian minnows into improbable league leaders
#Owners #Belgium
His work at Brighton marks out Tony Bloom as one of the better owners in the English game, allaying a strong strategic vision with intelligent recruitment. And, it seems, that he is turning out to be one of the better owners in the Belgian game as well, seeing that his team Union Saint-Gilloise are currently top of the league having achieved promotion last season.
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Last Week’s Most Read
#InDepthAnalysis
Witnessing the sadness that in some instances bordered on despair among Liverpool fans at the announcement that their director of football Michael Edwards is going to leave the club at the end of the current season. Strange but understandable. Edwards has managed to bring together a team of stars – or, rather, players with the potential to become stars with Jurgen Klopp doing the rest – and done so within the financial constraints imposed by Liverpool’s owners. At least, Edwards has hand-picked his replacement and Julian Ward seems to have all that is needed to succeed. Going by this analysis, there’s plenty to be confident about this appointment.
Reading Time: 12 minutes