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I shall begin this month’s column with a sporting question. What have Newcastle United and Manchester City got in common? To anyone who takes an impartial view of the game, the answer should be blatantly apparent. Against all the odds, they have both performed even beyond many of their own supporters’ wildest dreams and as we enter the last quarter of the season, they remain in prime position to lift their respective championship trophies. Apart from the fact that both managers like to play a brand of positive attacking football, they have much more in common than may at first sight meet the eye. Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan are both ex-England cannon fodder, who were given a raw deal by the press when they took on the mantle of national team coach. Both have emerged from the tunnel of footballing doom and gloom to rise from the Dead Sea of cynical abuse that threatened to overwhelm them. And is it not just more than a coincidence that some of the most loyal and knowledgeable supporters on this planet are now being finally rewarded for their many years of suffering in the wake of under-achievement. These are indeed very special days for both sets of supporters too and long may it continue for the good of the game. In Scotland, Celtic continue to dominate on all fronts and St. Martin is caring for their every need with the vigilance of a man who is truly in control of his flock. They are now so far ahead in the race for the Scottish Premiership that only a mathematical miracle can stop them now. Rangers are also certain to finish second, so the only real question mark in a league where sadly there is simply not enough competition, is whether newcomers Livingston can hang on to third? It has been an amazing performance by the relative minnows in their first season in the top flight and although the status quo in Scotland will take some considerable shifting, their performances this season have been like a breath of fresh air. I must admit to getting a bit bored with European football these days. Is it over-exposure - or simply that the rules need changing to re-kindle the spirit of the sport? Maybe if it is a boring game, each team has to remove a player from the field every fifteen minutes. That would leave each side with five players each by the end and that does not account for sendings off. Now that should liven things up a bit! Seriously though, the majority of the matches in the group stages are NEGATIVELY boring and it is questionable how much even the most avid football fan can tolerate - once his favourite team is no longer competing. UEFA have realised that there is need for a change and this must apply to ALL European competitions in my view. Basically it is all about the money and the only way the footballing authorities will wake up to the reality of the situation is when the cash begins to dwindle. If they don’t get their act together soon and return quickly to the knock-out system - which means less matches and more action, then it won’t be long before viewing figures will take a down-turn and programmes like Horizon and Dads Army will be back in vogue. By the way, if you meet me in a bar and say something like… "Hey you mother... why don’t you ever mention my team" then why not do it in writing. You can contact me here at the Stun or at the following e-mail address: f.weston@wxs.nl. This way I can see if it is only me that has had too many beers!
Frank
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