Monthly Archives: September 2012

England Links

England Links: Chelsea players dominate the news, Rio Ferdinand shouldn’t return for England

September 28, 2012 – 12:27 pm

England headlines have been dominated this week by John Terry’s retirement from international football and subsequent – or was it the other way round? – ban and fine from the Football Association for the use of racist language during an altercation with Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand almost a year ago. But there’s other stuff going on too, and here is some of the remainder.

Tags Ashley Cole, Chelsea, Daniel Sturridge, Football Association, John Terry, Manchester United, Michel Platini, Peter Shilton, Rio Ferdinand, UEFA, UEFA Euro 2020 | Permalink | Comment (1)

Player Focus

Jermain Defoe’s Tottenham Hotspur goals pose a question for England

September 26, 2012 – 10:38 am

Eight points from his first five games isn’t what new Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas had in mind. It’s the frustration of home draws against West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City that have really fuelled the doubts over the former Porto and Chelsea coach’s suitability for the White Hart Lane job so early on in his tenure.

Tags Jermain Defoe, Portsmouth, Roy Hodgson, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United | Permalink | Comments Off

England Squad Depth

England squad depth: September 2012

September 24, 2012 – 6:12 pm

England’s FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign got off to a reasonably good start against Moldova and Ukraine, but the squad selections offered little clue as to Roy Hodgson’s long-term plans for the team. Nevertheless, there are some movers in this month’s analysis of the depth of England’s squad.

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Player News

Chelsea’s John Terry retires from international football

September 23, 2012 – 10:04 pm

Chelsea captain John Terry has retired from international football on the eve of a Football Association disciplinary hearing into the infamous allegations surrounding his altercation with Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand last year.

Tags Anton Ferdinand, Chelsea, Football Association, John Terry, Queens Park Rangers, Racism | Permalink | Comment (1)

England Nil

England Nil: the stuttering run-up must die

September 20, 2012 – 12:34 pm

Each week (well, most weeks) I’ll be writing a column for TSC that isn’t focused on the England national team – I do sometimes pay attention to other football. We begin at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League with a penalty kick that reignited a longstanding frustration of mine and could easily have cost Manchester United a couple of points in their first group match in this year’s competition.