When Steve Bruce departed Newcastle United in 2021, after overseeing 97 games of torpid, unadventurous and tactically-inept football, he insisted he had been given an overly tough ride from the fan-base.

He insisted they had ‘crossed a line’ and there was a ‘lack of respect’.

Concerning the first point, the former Manchester United defender had a valid complaint, with Bruce subjected to all manner of disparagements throughout his fractious two years in the North-East.

These included being nicknamed the ‘Corbridge Cabbage’ and being on the receiving end of outright untruths. 

Broadening our scope, it is absolutely unacceptable the level of abuse a manager typically endures when his team loses more football matches than they win. 

But respect? Really?

Where was there any respect for Crystal Palace when he tendered his resignation halfway through a promotion-chasing campaign back in 2001/02?

Bruce gone. Expect plenty of glowing tributes from his journalist mates - or at least journalists he's been sound with over the years - who will be very sympathetic and paint him as a hard-done-by figure. None of this will be strictly accurate.

— Stephen Tudor (@SteTudor123) October 20, 2021

The reason for his leaving was to up sticks for Birmingham, a direct rival of the Eagles to go up that season, them being neck-and-neck in the football betting. 

Where was his respect for Sheffield Wednesday in 2019 when the Owls afforded him compassionate leave before he even took the reins due to the recent passing of his parents.

In return for his employer showing such empathy – that is rare in business and almost unheard of in football – Bruce dumped on them just 18 games into his tenure because Newcastle came calling.  

Indeed, flitting from one job to the next has been a trademark of Steve Bruce’s managerial career but of course, not always has it been of his own volition.

On five occasions he has been sacked and given his tactical limitations it is frankly staggering that figure is not higher. Then again, so often he has walked before being pushed, bafflingly right into another job.

Too harsh? Perhaps, but consider a comment made on Radio Five Live deep into his disastrous stint with the Magpies. 

Newcastle had recently appointed Graeme Jones to their backroom staff, to implement some structure to the team, and it was believed the beleaguered team short-priced in the online betting that year to go down was to set themselves up as a diamond in midfield.

The aggregate score of Manchester United vs Steve Bruce sides down the years is 54 - 15.

— Stephen Tudor (@SteTudor123) September 11, 2021

A panel was discussing this and one wondered aloud whether it was Bruce or Jones who was behind the switch.

The presenter – a journalist not known for airing derogatory opinions – openly scoffed in reply, saying, “As if Steve Bruce is capable of setting up a midfield diamond.”

Now consider the context of this.

Here was a man competing on the same playing field as Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and the like – and being very well remunerated for it – who is so tactically naïve that even the suggestion he could organise a fairly basic formation was considered hilarious. 

This depressing vignette will come as no surprise to fans of Huddersfield, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Newcastle or West Brom and what is equally as depressing is that a mediocre manager, living off his name and promotions gained 20 years ago, is repeatedly given another opportunity to prove he is mediocre.

It is an aspect of football that is counter-intuitive and broken. 

In a strange sort of way Bruce deserves our admiration for taking full advantage of this entrenched flaw, of playing the game. But respect Steve, that will forever be in scant supply.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

FIRST PUBLISHED: 15th February 2023

Across Mikel Arteta’s playing career there was a slight misconception of who he was, largely based, it has to be said, on his nationality and his attributes.

He was - and remains – Spanish, so naturally with English football’s in-built inferiority complex towards the continent, it all being tika-taka and technically adroit players, Arteta was viewed as a cultured footballer. Which he was, undoubtedly. 

Furthermore, with his propensity to spray the ball from left to right, and right to left, he was considered to be a baller. A creative.

Yet his decade in the top-flight brought a not inconsiderable 43 cautions, while for Everton and Arsenal he was sent off on four occasions. 

There was therefore plenty of grit in the oyster. There was an abundance of passion and fight amidst the civility of his football. 

Now established as a coach of genuine substance it is an intense will to win that has translated to a number of animated displays on the Emirates touchline, with the press naturally going a little overboard in referring to his antics as ‘rampages’ or ‘tantrums’.

Regardless, here is a Premier League manager who has swiftly gained a reputation for wildly throwing his arms around, hectoring fourth officials, and generally emoting in an extreme manner. 

From this comes a degree of surprise on our part, a surprise that feeds back to our original misconception of him as a model of Spanish sophistication.

But is there also some distaste at his actions? Is Mikel Arteta so excitable in-game that his behaviour appals?

The first point that comes to mind is that he is hardly alone among his peers in being, shall we say, high-spirited.

It feels somewhat unfair to single Arteta out when Jurgen Klopp too is widely known for his overly enthusiastic demeanour while Pep Guardiola is not exactly a picture of serenity when things are going against Manchester City.

Indeed, should an online betting market exist, focusing on which Premier League manager might be shown to the stands, it would be a wide open field every weekend. 

Moreover, Arsenal’s current circumstances are a pertinent factor, with the Gunners on the unlikeliest of title charges. 

Beginning the season priced in the football betting as top four contenders, Arsenal have instead staked a real and sustained claim to be league winners and given their disadvantages – on paper at least – to City, Liverpool and even Chelsea, it is a title bid that can be equated to a cause. 

How odd would it be then, if the leader of this cause, the man responsible for maintaining momentum and belief as his team strives to overcome expectations, was passive on the touchline.

There is however a however. 

Because if Arteta can be excused his animated ways, there is one aspect of his in-game management where he crosses the line, and that is when he literally crosses the line, straying from his technical area often, in doing so contravening a law that is in place for a reason.

For this he should be punished. For the rest, he is merely guilty of contradicting an age-old miscalculation of who he is.

THE most difficult moment I have ever had during my 35 year broadcasting career came amidst a state of utter football confusion!

It was when I had to commentate on a totally unique ‘Ghost Goal’ back on Saturday 20th September 2008. I had been sent to Watford versus Reading in the Championship at Vicarage Road reporting for talkSPORT Radio.

After 13 minutes, Reading won a corner on the right hand side. Stephen Hunt clipped over the flag kick only for Watford’s John Eustace to bundle the ball away.

As it bobbled over the by-line wide of the goal for what should have been another corner, Reading’s Noel Hunt unsuccessfully tried to hook the ball back into play.

At this point, linesman Nigel Bannister raised his flag and the referee Stuart Attwell awarded a goal…even though the ball had gone nowhere near the goal!

The match officials believed the ball had gone inside the right hand post rather than two yards outside it.

Throwback to the infamous ghost goal between Watford and Reading 👻

Easily the most bizarre refereeing decision in the history of Championship 😅
pic.twitter.com/DURn4FQiWv

— The Second Tier (@secondtierpod) November 16, 2021

Almost immediately, talkSPORT crossed to me for a live report. It was a surreal experience as I described in detail what I had seen. A goal that wasn’t a goal that had been given as a goal!

My commentary of that moment was repeated on talkSPORT hundreds of times in the days afterwards. It was one of the most controversial football incidents of all-time.

By the way, the match ended in a 2-2 draw before a crowd of 14,761 and the record books show that Reading’s opener was a John Eustace own goal. 

Eustace said afterwards: “Everyone could see what happened. It is a bit embarrassing. We thought the ref had given a goal kick and then it was a goal. It is ridiculous. We were all amazed by the decision.”

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd added: “I’ve never seen anything like it. A monumental howler. A mistake like that is like a UFO landing on earth. I was totally bemused.

“I went in to see to see the referee after the game. In fairness, refs have a difficult job and he was only going on what the linesman saw.

“They were working as a team. So if someone comes in the ref’s ear telling him it is a goal, then I suppose he has got to give it.

“I don’t blame the Reading team for celebrating the goal. I don’t want players to take things into their own hands. It is not up to them.

“I don’t expect anyone to give us any charity. If someone stops you in a car park and gives you a present you don’t say no do you?”

Meanwhile, the Reading manager Steve Coppell said: “When the whistle went I wondered what it was for as I could not see a foul.

“Everyone trooped back to the centre of the pitch and then it became obvious that the referee had given the goal. But having spoken Noel Hunt after the game it was clear that the ball went out of play and wide of the goal.

“If it is not a goal then we don’t want a goal. But all we can do is play to the whistle. Let’s get this clear. The responsibility is not with the players to right a wrong. It is up to the officials to get it as right as they can.

“If the referee had come in and told me at half-time that they had messed it up, I don’t know whether or not I would have let Watford score an uncontested goal to level matters.

“The game of football is really crying out for video evidence and it has been for a long time. It is obvious. Rugby League puts us to shame with how referees can call for replays.”

Goal-line technology was eventually introduced into English football. So this infamous Ghost Goal will never be repeated. 

Bringing the story up to date, John Eustace is now head coach of EFL Championship club Birmingham City.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

FIRST PUBLISHED: 14th February 2023

Roy Keane is by turns a perceptive analyst and an angry old man shouting at clouds and when the latter takes effect we sit back and enjoy the show.

In full-on rant mode there are few sights more engaging, but the former Manchester United midfielder is infinitely more than a comedic turn, all narrowed eyes and cutting tongue. There is often a lot of sense in his outrage. 

5) Make War, Not Peace

In Keane’s playing pomp, Manchester United versus Liverpool was open warfare, a fiery clash featuring players who hated one another and where no quarter was given. 

The tunnel meanwhile was where he perfected his steely glare, or offered Patrick Vieira out for a straightener if the mood took him.

Witnessing the Brazilian contingent from United and Liverpool fist-bump and exchange pleasantries prior to a game in 2019 therefore riled him up no end.

"You’re going to war. Hugging and kissing. Don’t even look at them," he intoned, his eyes full of menace. 

4) The Great Hendo 

When Jordan Henderson was included in England’s Euro 2020 squad despite being only half-fit it sent the snowy-bearded pundit apoplectic.

"I’ve heard lots of people say they want him around the place? For what? Does he do card tricks? Does he have a sing-song? Quizzes in the evenings?"

You simply don’t get gold-dust like that from Lee Dixon. Only dust. 

3) Mour Fixtures? No Problem

It’s fair to assume that Jose Mourinho is not on Roy Keane’s Christmas card list, or vice versa.

It’s also fair to assume that Roy Keane doesn’t have a Christmas card list or indeed celebrates Christmas. Santa after all, is just doing his job.

Regardless, back in 2017, when managing Manchester United, the once special one had dared to complain about a congested fixture schedule for the Reds only to be well and truly bodied by Keano.

Calling the comments ‘nonsense,’ ‘rubbish’ and ‘garbage’ no words were minced in the making of this classic rant.

2) Take A Hard Look At Yourselfie

Exceeding expectations on a weekly basis and doing so with the minimum of fuss, Arsenal are currently short-priced in the football betting to win this season’s Premier League title.

No doubt, Keane would approve of the commitment being shown in order to stay ahead of the pack.

It was a very different story in 2015, when the Gunners squad was accused of taking too many selfies post-match in the dressing room. 

"It’s all about how their bodies look and their hair is," growled the infamously camera-shy multi-millionaire who doesn’t need the money but chooses to appear on television so very often anyway. 

1) Shame On Them

Perhaps Keane’s most famous diatribe was reserved for Harry Maguire and David De Gea following another defeat for his former club a couple of years deep into Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s time in charge. 

The England captain was ‘shocking’ according to football’s very own Victor Meldew, while De Gea really got the brunt of his ire. 

"I am sick to death of this goalkeeper. I’d be fighting him at half-time. I would be swinging punches at that guy."

Our sports betting experts tell us that if you bet one thousand pounds on the 51-year-old emerging victorious from that scrap you would win twenty pence.

Barcelona are always active on the market, almost a "tradition" of the club which has already planned to strengthen the team also in the summer of 2023.

After the big changes in 2022 in all departments, Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany together with Xavi and obviously the president Joan Laporta are preparing the strategy for next summer.

A priority of Barcelona now concerns the contracts to be extended: next on the list after Gavi and Araujo are Sergi Roberto, Alejandro Balde and Ousmane Dembélé.

Sergi Roberto's new deal is almost agreed on a one-year extension valid until June 2024, while Alejandro Balde will sign a new five-year contract with a release clause which will be for €500m or €1B, final detail to be agreed and then it will be signed.

Full agreement reached and sealed for Sergi Roberto to extend his contract as documents are now being prepared by Barcelona 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB

New deal will be valid until June 2024 — Xavi asked the club to extend Sergi’s contract and it’s now 100% done. pic.twitter.com/O7b1UDDyF4

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 13, 2023

Negotiations will soon begin for Ousmane Dembélé, as current deal expires in June 2024 and Barcelona do not want to risk losing him as was already about to happen in June 2021.

In the summer it will then be possible to explore new signings for various positions: Sergio Busquets will have to decide whether he wants to continue at Barça or try an experience in other countries with the Inter Miami proposal already on the table, the club will let Busquets decide but they are following Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Marcelo Brozovic of Inter Milan as midfielders.

Ruben Neves was offered but Xavi prioritized other players; in the meantime, Barcelona will follow the free agents market as always also in that position, so surprises cannot be ruled out.

Barça will also still monitor the situation of Sofyan Amrabat, already on the list in January and appreciated internally at the club.

One of Barcelona's priorities is to resolve the right back issue in the summer because Sergino Dest will return from loan to Milan and a solution will have to be found; but above all a new right back is needed after Hector Bellerin joined Sporting Lisbon.

Inigo Martinez remains on the options list as new center back, Barcelona must decide whether to proceed or not.

Then there will be the moment of decisions in attack: a backup striker for Lewandowski will probably be needed, for example Brazilian star Vitor Roque is appreciated but it's not an easy deal and there are also other options.

And a new winger? Much will depend on Ansu Fati's future to be decided in the next months and... also on Financial Fair Play, a crucial factor that has been slowing down the Barcelona market for some time.

It will be important to understand its developments in order to plan Barça's real investments in the summer of 2023.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*