Boothroyd has proved his critics wrong and crafted an effective England Under-21 team preparing for a European Championship semi-final with GermanyThere is a good Aidy Boothroyd story in Living On The Volcano, Michael Calvin’s book about the febrile world of Football League management. With half-time approaching Boothroyd takes his Colchester United assistant Joe Dunne to one side. Dunne, Boothroyd explains, should make sure he is not standing near the tactics board during the break. Boothroyd has been thinking about it; he is planning to kick the tactics board across the room as he walks through the door in an explosion of spontaneous rage. He has already put the board in a specific position just for that purpose. “Sure enough, he did,” Dunne...
The podders return for a post-season meet-up to discuss England’s youngsters showing up their senior counterparts. Plus, all the latest transfer news, managerial moves and a look ahead to the Confederations Cup in RussiaIn the first of six post-season podcasts, AC Jimbo is joined by James Horncastle, Sasha Goryunov and Paul MacInnes to catch up on what’s been going on in the wide world of football.We begin with England winning the U20 World Cup – and then the senior team being significantly less impressive against Scotland and France. Continue reading...
The prolific Lyon striker is wanted by a host of Europe’s top clubs yet has had to be patient on the international stage and is desperate to show he is the real dealIt is early March and time is running out for Lyon in their Europa League last‑16 first leg with Roma at Stade des Lumières. The hosts lead 3-2 but are desperate to extend their advantage before the return in Italy. They drive forward and, two minutes into stoppage time, Mathieu Valbuena plays a sideways pass to Alexandre Lacazette who, lurking in a central position just outside the visitors’ area, takes a touch before hitting a swerving drive into the top corner of the net.Nothing unusual there – the...
Members of Paul Simpson’s victorious side will still have to work hard to earn regular places in their Premier League teamsIt rains on a ticker-tape parade to remind England’s Under-20s that it will be easier to conquer the world than the obstacles that litter their path to regular Premier League football but they can take comfort from the roots of their triumph in South Korea. Sunday’s World Cup success, England’s best return on the international stage since 1966, repaid a willingness of the Football Association and Premier League to act on concerns over youth development in this country. A change in attitude at Premier League clubs could bring further reward.Lewis Cook, the England captain, had only just hoisted aloft the...
Gareth Southgate found natural width replacing Marcus Rashford with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but substitute Chris Martin nearly won Scotland the gameAfter a Premier League season in which three-man defences have experienced a sudden resurgence, Gordon Strachan surprised England by using that system in an attempt to provide extra defensive security – and succeeded in frustrating Gareth Southgate’s side for long periods. Related: Scotland 2-2 England: five talking points from Hampden Park | Andy Hunter Related: Harry Kane denies Scotland win over England after Griffiths sparks frantic finish Continue reading...