Should footballers be punished like Ponting?

On day two of the fourth Ashes Test when in desperate need of wickets, Australian captain Ricky Ponting was adamant that Kevin Pietersen on 49 runs had been caught out after claiming the ball had just clipped Pietersen’s bat. Video replays showed no hot spots and that umpire Aleem Dar had made the correct call.      

This resulted in a desperate protest against the decision with Ponting spending more than a minute in front of umpire Dar`s face making an argumentative case for the decision to be overturned.

Like most decisions in football the decision was not overturned but unlike in football, Ponting was fined 40% of his match fee after Ponting pleaded guilty to a level 1 offence of `arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the umpire about his decision’.

This made me think of the possibility of seeing the likes of Wayne Rooney or Ashley Cole being fined 40% of their weekly wages for arguing with referees or match officials. It is obvious that the threat of a telling off, a three match ban or a measly fine from their clubs is not enough. Lets hit them where it hurts; in their pockets.

This would not only protect referees but also the integrity of our game. We are constantly talking about how our stars should act as role models to younger children, well at this current time, not enough of them are. Give credit where credit is due, some are involved with charities, so perhaps this is where the money from fines should go. Instead of the money entering the pockets of the Premier League bigwigs, let’s have 40% of a players wages (in the region of £30 -40,000 pounds) be donated to needy children.

Not only would we see less foul language directed at referees, less players surrounding the referee, we might also see footballers in a different light; a positive one. Stereotypical footballers might become a thing of the past. Could we even see the quality of referee standards improve? Referees might feel under less pressure which could result in more big decisions being made correctly.

It could be argued that it would put more pressure on referees with huge sums of money being involved but with less, angry, argumentative footballers in their faces; I don’t see it being such a problem.

There is of course the danger of the media taking the analysis of the game away and making the headlines about who’s lost the most money and even bring about more criticism for players who continue to be disrespectful.

Sepp Blatter and FIFA are so concerned with creating a legacy and are obviously intimidated by the best league in the world and an organisation they can’t control.  

This could be their first step towards creating a legacy that people actually understand and respect. I won’t hold my breath.

Romance Returns In The FA Cup

 It`s been hard over the past month or so to open the sports pages in the newspapers and to actually be able to read about sports itself.

Whether it`s Wayne Rooney`s contract saga with Manchester United, under pressure Premiership managers, Commonwealth depression, world cup bid scandals or David Haye spouting his mouth off.

The last few week`s press has been a constant drip feed of little niggles, followed by the predictable `exclusive’ on a Sunday.

So it was a breath of fresh air this morning to read how the romance of the FA cup 1^st round games were anything but predictable.

For once, it was not about how Manchester City`s Yaya Toure earns £200,000 pounds a week or how Rooney is now living 2.7 miles away from the nearest strip club, whilst staying in the Nike complex training centre in the USA.

No, reality returned and it was the postmen, bricklayers, painters, and policemen who stole the headlines in this morning’s papers. There were fairytale stories that working class football supporters could relate to. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe.

In 2008, Histon beat Leeds United. The following year Leeds provided a cup shock of their own as they secured a 1-0 win over fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. Before that, nobody will ever forget the heroics of Havant and Waterlooville who reached the 3^rd round and gave Liverpool a mighty scare, scoring twice in front of the kop before eventually being defeated.

The oldest and most famous domestic cup competition got off to a bang in the very first game, at Spotland on Friday night. FC United of Manchester, a club formed by Manchester United fans who reached the end of their tether with the Glazer family`s sodden ownership, the youngest club in the competition, at just 5 years old, overcome Rochdale 3-2 thanks to a 94^th minute winner.

Some of those fans had supported Manchester United for over 60 years, followed them to Barcelona for the 1999 Champions league final in the Nou Camp. They would have been in dreamland that night as United scored 2 goals late on to lift the trophy, and they’ll be in dreamland again if they can get through their second round tie, possibly leaving the door open  of a return to Old Trafford for a Third round game. Stranger things have happened.

Dover Athletic, the non leaguers from Kent, saw off another Kent club, Gillingham. There was history between the two clubs. Andy Hessenthaler led Dover to 2 successive promotions before jumping ship to his former Gillingham. Dover replaced Hessenthaler with Ian Hendon. 18 days later Hessenthaler stole Hendon from Dover and made him his number two at Gillingham. Then there was the small matter of compensation. Dover didn’t receive any for the pair, but the 2-0 win yesterday will have been more than enough compensation.

The 3pm kick off`s were proving to be more romantic than a proposal at the top of the Eiffel tower. Tamworth caretaker boss Des Lyttle will be hoping for a proposal of his own, in the form of a contract from his chairman for the full time job. Lyttle guided his Blue Square part-timers into the second round after a 2-1 victory over league two side Crewe Alexandra.

Perhaps not dominating the main headlines, but certainly worth a mention are Accrington Stanley and Bury who beat league one opposition Oldham Athletic and Exeter City respectively.

As we all know, a cup shock doesn’t necessarily mean victory. Blue Square South team Dartford earnt a reply against high flying league two Port Vale, as did Woking who held Brighton, who top league one and are on a 12 match unbeaten run.

Following the replays of yesterday`s drawn matches, November 27th is the date that could see as many as 14 non league teams do battle for an opportunity to be in the hat for the 3^rd round.

No need to look in the lonely hearts column to spice up your romance, note that date down in your diary. Swindon Supermarine anyone?  

  

Secret documents leaked to Panorama on purpose?

As the English public battled with record inches of snow falling, icy roads and sub-zero temperatures leaving some people stranded miles away from home, they were not the only ones feeling frustrated as England`s bid to bring the World Cup 2018 back to these shores was also frozen out.

Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president announced that Russia and Qatar had won the bidding war to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup events respectively. Except it wasn’t a respectful victory, and it certainly was a bidding war. FIFA`s voting strategy was found to have more holes in it than a piece of Swiss cheese as the results were revealed in Zurich and the England committee smelt a rat.     

It was no surprise to see the television cameras zoom in on Roman Abramovich, smiling like a Cheshire cat with Abramovich being the main benefactor behind the Russian bid. Sepp Blatter may not have been smiling but inside he would have been as happy as Larry as he continued his legacy of taking the World Cup to new avenues like South Korea, South Africa, Brazil and now Russia and Qatar.

England had been promised votes that would have ensured them at least getting past the first round. However when their backs were turned, the knives were out and so were England. England received one solitary vote, believed to be from Japan.

England had the best stadiums, transport links, hotels, as well as the best technical and commercial bid but yet still lost miserably. 15 million pounds were spent on a campaign lasting 30 months along with millions of air miles covered to promote our bid, to create the awareness of how the country who gave football to the world, wanted it back.

I`m sure that Russia at least will put on a good show and that FIFA will be justified in giving them the greatest sporting showcase on Earth. The bigger picture however is how England received only one vote. The BBC programme Panorama was broadcasted on Monday night and accused some FIFA delegates of taking bribes over a ten year period from 1989 to 1999. These FIFA delegates had England`s bid in their hands were to vote three days later.

Jack Warner, one of the accused delegates, promised that the programme highlighting corruption would not have an effect on their votes. In my opinion, he was telling the truth. In my opinion, the deal had already been sealed. The honour of hosting the World Cup had not been earned; it had been sold to the highest bidder.

The World Cup 2018 had been sold to Russia just like a bottle of Vodka. A country so bothered about hosting the event that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin didn’t even turn up. Perhaps because it’s a country run by the mafia, a domestic league that attracts average attendances of 13,000 and a country whose fans parade banners with racist messages about their own players. Maybe Abramovich and his roubles had something to do with it.

The World Cup 2022 was sold to Qatar, a country where drinking alcohol in public is banned, a country with day temperatures of 104 degrees which could lead to the event being hosted in January. I wonder what the Premier League bigwigs would make of that. A country where kissing in public can result in jail, a country which has one football stadium, with the rest needing to be built with air conditioning. Could it be that Blatter is taking the World Cup indoors?

In what I believe was the correct decision, journalism was put before politics and the programme was broadcasted. It didn’t cost us the chance to host the World Cup, we didn`t win but we can hold our heads up high knowing we could not have done anymore and that hopefully a full investigation will take place.

Panorama`s investigative journalist Andrew Jennings said these secret documents were delivered from a `trusted source’. I don’t disagree with him. In my opinion though, on one hand some would argue that they fell into the wrong hands, I would suggest they fell into the intended hands of the BBC all along. This was a planned stunt and one which would put the final nail in England`s coffin. Which country`s media would be the only to broadcast allegations of corruption against FIFA members 3 days before the voting?

These documents were delivered from Russia with love.  

Romance Returns In The FA Cup

It`s been hard over the past month or so to open the sports pages in the newspapers and to actually be able to read about sports itself.

Whether it`s Wayne Rooney`s contract saga with Manchester United, under pressure Premiership managers, Commonwealth depression, world cup bid scandals or David Haye spouting his mouth off.

The last few week`s press has been a constant drip feed of little niggles, followed by the predictable `exclusive’ on a Sunday.

So it was a breath of fresh air this morning to read how the romance of the FA cup 1^st round games were anything but predictable.

For once, it was not about how Manchester City`s Yaya Toure earns 200,000 pounds a week or how Rooney is now living 2.7 miles away from the nearest stripper club, whilst staying in the Nike complex training centre in the USA.

No, reality returned and it was the postmen, bricklayers, painters, and policemen who stole the headlines in this morning’s papers. There were fairytale stories that working class football supporters could relate to. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe.

In 2008, Histon beat Leeds United. The following year Leeds provided a cup shock of their own as they secured a 1-0 win over fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. Before that, nobody will ever forget the heroics of Havant and Waterlooville who reached the 3^rd round and gave Liverpool a mighty scare, scoring twice in front of the kop before eventually being defeated.

The oldest and most famous domestic cup competition got off to a bang in the very first game, at Spotland on Friday night. FC United of Manchester, a club formed by Manchester United fans who reached the end of their tether with the Glazer family`s sodden ownership, the youngest club in the competition, at just 5 years old, overcome Rochdale 3-2 thanks to a 94^th minute winner.

Some of those fans had supported Manchester United for over 60 years, followed them to Barcelona for the 1999 Champions league final in the Nou Camp. They would have been in dreamland that night as United scored 2 goals late on to lift the trophy, and they’ll be in dreamland again if they can get through their second round tie, possibly leaving the door open  of a return to Old Trafford for a Third round game. Stranger things have happened.

Dover Athletic, the non leaguers from Kent, saw off another Kent club, Gillingham. There was history between the two clubs. Andy Hessenthaler led Dover to 2 successive promotions before jumping ship to his fomer Gillingham. Dover replaced Hessenthaler with Ian Hendon. 18 days later Hessenthaler stole Hendon from Dover and made him his number two at Gillingham. Then there was the small matter of compensation. Dover didn’t receive any for the pair, but the 2-0 win yesterday will have been more than enough compensation.

The 3pm kick off`s were proving to be more romantic than a proposal at the top of the Eiffel tower. Tamworth caretaker boss Des Lyttle will be hoping for a proposal of his own, in the form of a contract from his chairman for the full time job. Lyttle guided his Blue Square part-timers into the second round after a 2-1 victory over league two side Crewe Alexandra.

Perhaps not dominating the main headlines, but certainly worth a mention are Accrington Stanley and Bury who beat league one opposition Oldham Athletic and Exeter City respectively.

As we all know, a cup shock doesn’t necessarily mean victory. Blue Square South team Dartford earnt a reply against high flying league two Port Vale, as did Woking who held Brighton, who top league one and are on a 12 match unbeaten run.

Following the replays of yesterday`s drawn matches, November 27th is the date that could see as many as 14 non league teams do battle for an opportunity to be in the hat for the 3^rd round.

No need to look in the lonely hearts column to spice up your romance, note that date down in your diary. Swindon Supermarine anyone?  

  

Romance Returns In The FA Cup

It`s been hard over the past month or so to open the sports pages in the newspapers and to actually be able to read about sports itself.

Whether it`s Wayne Rooney`s contract saga with Manchester United, under pressure Premiership managers, Commonwealth depression, world cup bid scandals or David Haye spouting his mouth off.

The last few week`s press has been a constant drip feed of little niggles, followed by the predictable `exclusive’ on a Sunday.

So it was a breath of fresh air this morning to read how the romance of the FA cup 1^st round games were anything but predictable.

For once, it was not about how Manchester City`s Yaya Toure earns 200,000 pounds a week or how Rooney is now living 2.7 miles away from the nearest stripper club, whilst staying in the Nike complex training centre in the USA.

No, reality returned and it was the postmen, bricklayers, painters, and policemen who stole the headlines in this morning’s papers. There were fairytale stories that working class football supporters could relate to. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe.

In 2008, Kettering beat Leeds United. The following year Leeds provided a cup shock of their own as they secured a 1-0 win over fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. Before that, nobody will ever forget the heroics of Havant and Waterlooville who reached the 3^rd round and gave Liverpool a mighty scare, scoring twice in front of the kop before eventually being defeated.

The oldest and most famous domestic cup competition got off to a bang in the very first game, at Spotland on Friday night. FC United of Manchester, a club formed by Manchester United fans who reached the end of their tether with the Glazer family`s sodden ownership, the youngest club in the competition, at just 5 years old, overcome Rochdale 3-2 thanks to a 94^th minute winner.

Some of those fans had supported Manchester United for over 60 years, followed them to Barcelona for the 1999 Champions league final in the Nou Camp. They would have been in dreamland that night as United scored 2 goals late on to lift the trophy, and they’ll be in dreamland again if they can get through their second round tie, possibly leaving the door open  of a return to Old Trafford for a Third round game. Stranger things have happened.

Dover Athletic, the non leaguers from Kent, saw off another Kent club, Gillingham. There was history between the two clubs. Andy Hessenthaler led Dover to 2 successive promotions before jumping ship to his fomer Gillingham. Dover replaced Hessenthaler with Ian Hendon. 18 days later Hessenthaler stole Hendon from Dover and made him his number two at Gillingham. Then there was the small matter of compensation. Dover didn’t receive any for the pair, but the 2-0 win yesterday will have been more than enough compensation.

The 3pm kick off`s were proving to be more romantic than a proposal at the top of the Eiffel tower. Tamworth caretaker boss Des Lyttle will be hoping for a proposal of his own, in the form of a contract from his chairman for the full time job. Lyttle guided his Blue Square part-timers into the second round after a 2-1 victory over league two side Crewe Alexandra.

Perhaps not dominating the main headlines, but certainly worth a mention are Accrington Stanley and Bury who beat league one opposition Oldham Athletic and Exeter City respectively.

As we all know, a cup shock doesn’t necessarily mean victory. Blue Square South team Dartford earnt a reply against high flying league two Port Vale, as did Woking who held Brighton, who top league one and are on a 12 match unbeaten run.

Following the replays of yesterday`s drawn matches, November 27th is the date that could see as many as 14 non league teams do battle for an opportunity to be in the hat for the 3^rd round.

No need to look in the lonely hearts column to spice up your romance, note that date down in your diary. Swindon Supermarine anyone?  

Ince Is Back As the Guv’nor

As much as a surprise it was to see Craig Short dismissed as manager of Notts County after 5 months of the new season, it was not such a surprise to see Paul Ince, 43, replace him at the oldest Football League club.

Short was appointed the successor of County, replacing Steve Cotterill who left for Portsmouth, after guiding the club to League One as champions. 

It wasn’t as if County were struggling under Short, as he left them comfortable in 16^th with 5 wins in 13 league matches and a League cup win at Watford.

The sacking of Short came week`s after the League Managers Association, slammed the sacking of Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell, 2 games into the new season.

Hereford manager Simon Davey was also sacked after just months in charge at Edgar street, as the average time for football league managers is just over 13 months.

Ince could have been forgiven to turning the job down at Meadow Lane, as it has proved to be a poison chalice in the past with Ince now the 5^th manager to take the County hot seat in 12 months.

12 months ago Hans Backe was the manager but he was sacked after just 2 months, but as we know from his Manchester United days, Ince isn’t one for shirking a challenge.

Nor, is he intimidated about speaking his mind.

The County board have certainly got the right man in charge for success on the pitch, but if they try manipulate him or interfere with football matters, Ince won`t be afraid to walk, as he did at Mk Dons in his second stint in charge.

Ince encountered relative success at Macclesfield by keeping the club in the Football League after looking doomed early on.

Ince then created history, at new club Milton Keynes Dons, by being crowned champions of League Two and a Johnstone`s Paint Trophy victory at Wembley in his first season.

He returned, after an unsuccessful short time in charge of Premiership club Blackburn Rovers, again, another example of a manager not being given enough time.

Mk Dons failed in the play offs, but Ince is certainly not a failure.

He is a role model for other black managers and coaches in the game, a topic he speaks softly but very passionately about.

Jim Magilton, Paul Hart, Kevin Blackwell, Phil Brown were all seen off by Ince, as he signs a three and a half year deal.

I would`nt back against Ince making a return to the top flight, let`s just hope that Ince is given a fair crack of the whip, rather than the owners getting itchy feet.

Ince Is Back As the Guv’nor

As much as a surprise it was to see Craig Short dismissed as manager of Notts County after 5 months of the new season, it was not such a surprise to see Paul Ince, 43, replace him at the oldest Football League club.

Short was appointed the successor of County, replacing Steve Cotterill who left for Portsmouth, after guiding the club to League One as champions.  

It wasn’t as if County were struggling under Short, as he left them comfortable in 16^th with 5 wins in 13 league matches and a League cup win at Watford.

The sacking of Short came week`s after the League Managers Association, slammed the sacking of Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell, 2 games into the new season.

Hereford manager Simon Davey was also sacked after just months in charge at Edgar street, as the average time for football league managers is just over 13 months.

Ince could have been forgiven to turning the job down at Meadow Lane, as it has proved to be a poison chalice in the past with Ince now the 5^th manager to take the County hot seat in 12 months.

12 months ago Hans Backe was the manager but he was sacked after just 2 months, but as we know from his Manchester United days, Ince isn’t one for shirking a challenge.

Nor, is he intimidated about speaking his mind.

The County board have certainly got the right man in charge for success on the pitch, but if they try manipulate him or interfere with football matters, Ince won`t be afraid to walk, as he did at Mk Dons in his second stint in charge.

Ince encountered relative success at Macclesfield by keeping the club in the Football League after looking doomed early on.

Ince then created history, at new club Milton Keynes Dons, by being crowned champions of League One and a Johnstone`s Paint Trophy victory at Wembley in his first season.

He returned, after an unsuccessful short time in charge of Premiership club Blackburn Rovers, again, another example of a manager not being given enough time.

Mk Dons failed in the play offs, but Ince is certainly not a failure.

He is a role model for other black managers and coaches in the game, a topic he speaks softly but very passionately about.

Jim Magilton, Paul Hart, Kevin Blackwell, Phil Brown were all seen off by Ince, as he signs a three and a half year deal.

I would`nt back against Ince making a return to the top flight, let`s just hope that Ince is given a fair crack of the whip, rather than the owners getting itchy feet.

Fool`s Gold Wayne

So here we are, the most successful British football manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has become the latest victim of player power.

With 11 Premiership trophies, 5 F.A cup`s, 4 League cup`s and 2 Champions league winners medals, the longest serving Manchester United manager, since Sir Matt Busby, has had one of the most difficult weeks in his 24 years in the Old Trafford dugout.  

Wayne Rooney, who Ferguson brought to the club as an 18 year old, from Everton for 20 million pounds, this week, decided he wanted to leave.

Rooney sighted that David Gill, the Chief Executive of United, could not promise him that they could compete for big name signings any more.

It wasn’t long ago that Rooney, declared his love for United and that he wanted to finish his career at the club.

So was Rooney really upset and angered about United`s board lack of ambition? or Was this Paul Stretford, Rooney`s agent, pulling the strings from behind closed doors?

In recent times, we have seen football supporters jeer Ashley Cole when playing for England and nickname him `Cashley Cole’, perhaps this was in the back of Rooney`s mind.

Rooney is a heart and soul footballer, but after all, it does seem that money motivates him more than we thought.  

Rooney and his agent have clearly played the green and gold card, the colours that illuminate Old Trafford, and the colours that signify the supporters want the American owners, the Glazer family, out.

By claiming that assurances could not be made to him in contract talks about possible world class signings, Rooney had a motive to speak out.

Whilst money bags Manchester City pay Yaya Toure 200,000 pounds a week and Chelsea give John Terry and Frank Lampard 150,000, maybe Rooney was casting an envious eye at the riches at neighbors Manchester City and title rivals Chelsea.

He certainly is one of the best players in the world, but whilst this saga ran on through the week, Rooney was disrespecting the man who put an arm round him and helped him mature into one of the greatest talents the English nation has seen.

It was clear for all to see, that Ferguson was hurting in his press conference before the Champions League tie with Bursaspor.  

Ferguson had previously offered the Manchester United striker financial advice, and oh boy was Rooney listening. But not how the gentlemen Ferguson wanted him too.

On Friday morning Rooney signed a new five year contract on 150,000 pounds a week, as he sold Ferguson and the fans down the river, who continually face ticket prices increase each season.

Rooney, it seems, never had any intentions of leaving and it will be the fans who are hit hard in the pockets next season to pay for his wage packet.

There was not a lot that Ferguson could have done, if Rooney was sold, Ferguson could have forgotten about overhauling Chelsea for the title race, at least for this season.

Rooney now needs to amend his relationship with Ferguson and the fans, but if one good thing has come of this dramatic week, it is probably the beginning of the end for the Glazers, the fans are green and gold until their club is sold.

The bank balance of Rooney however, is all gold.

Stubborn Capello, Threatens England`s Progress

Fabio Capello, the most expensive international football manager, failed to lead England to victory against Montenegro at Wembley last night.

The English football Association is paying the man who was employed in 2007, 6 million pounds a year, whilst his backroom staff also rake in an astonishing 4 million a year.

That’s 10 million pounds a year, for a management team that led us to draws against Algeria, USA, and a humiliating 4-1 defeat to arch rivals Germany in the Last 16 of the World cup.

Montenegro, a country with a population of 700,000, which is the equivalent to the size of Leeds, a team ranked 40^th in the world rankings, left Wembley top of group G after earning the best result in their short history, a 0-0 draw.

This draw now leaves Montenegro 3 points clear, with England still to visit Montenegro along with trips to Wales and Bulgaria.

Montenegro had won their previous 3 games by 1-0, and they came so close to repeating that score line once again.

Had the 25 yard lob from Milan Jovanovic gone inches lower, instead of smacking against the England cross bar, with Joe Hart beaten all ends up, then England`s qualification hopes would have been in serious doubt.

The Wembley crowd were having flashbacks of South Africa 3 months ago, as Capello showed no tactical awareness to change a formation that seems out of date for international football.

Questions must be asked of the England regime once again.

Can we continue to play 4-4-2? Did we really need a holding midfielder? Why was Wayne Rooney trailing out to the wings to receive the ball? Why was Steven Gerrard so deep? 

A Peter Crouch header over the bar and an Adam Johnson free kick was all England could manage in the first half that saw a well organised, well drilled Montenegro team put ten men behind the ball.  

Wayne Rooney tested Mladen Bosovic twice in the second half in another lack luster, desperate performance by the Manchester United striker. The anguish and frustration was there for all to see.

England failed to create chances, just as they did against Algeria; this was reflected by the jeers of the strong 70,000 Wembley crowd, of which thousands left early, and who could blame them.

Yet Capello said after the game `The goalkeeper was the best player for Montenegro. This is football, not boxing, where you win by punching the opponent more’. Tonight we did create chances."

I think it`s fair to say the majority of the Wembley crowd would have liked to put a couple of striking blows in Capello`s direction themselves.

Rio Ferdinand was back with the Captain`s armband on after missing the World Cup, but was never really tested.

Capello promised after the World Cup that youth would be given a chance, enter 33 year old Bolton striker Kevin Davies for his England debut, Davies played 20 minutes and got booked.

     

All Can Be Forgotten With Win For Hodgson

Nothing in football creates confidence, belief and cohesion amongst the coaching staff, players and supporters than 3 points against your local rivals.

Although a win for Liverpool, against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, is unikely to lead to harmony being restored at boardroom level, it will feel like a breath of fresh air for everybody associated with the most decorated English Football Club.

This is a match that in the past has been labelled `The Friendly Derby', where both sets of supporters would travel to the game together and sit next to each other with no segregation.

Come 13.30pm Sunday afternoon however, both sets of players have the chance to climb the Premiership table and leave the other half of the city in the relegation mire.

As Hicks prepares to do battle in High Court with Martin Broughton over the sale of the club, the possible threat of administration looming as well as a 9 point deduction if the club fail to meet the October 15 deadline, by which new owners must be sat in the Anfield offices.

Hodgson will lead his men out into a fierce atmosphere where a win would see them leap frog neighbours Everton and head back over Stanley Park a lot more satisfied than after recent home defeats to League Two minnows Northampton Town and newly promoted Blackpool.

With one win each in the new Premiership season, this is a Merseyside Derby that surely has more signifcance to the red half of the city. In past seasons, Liverpool have been more obsessed with stopping Sir Alex Ferguson`s Manchester United overhaul them in the race for top flight winners medals with the standings at eighteen a piece.

Although the Kopites were singing Kenny Dalglish`s name after the home defeat to Blackpool, Hodgson is an experienced manager who knows that a win against Everton will go some way to getting the fans back on his side.

The likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and misfiring Fernando Torres must stand up and be counted and try to help squeeze every ounce of energy, passion and quality from the rest of the underperforming Reds.

David Moyes may argue the case that his team need the points most to build momentum for an assault on the top half of the table, but most football fans would agree that Everton have the quality to put an unbeaten run together and are usaully slow starters.