The legacy of Brian Clough lives on in 2 young Sunderland fans

I found myself in a strange situation last week. I have been to Nottingham to carry out some research for a new book and to write a blog or maybe two about football in the city. I always enter into situations like tis with a completely blank piece of paper. While walking through the city with my kids, we came across a statue of Brian Clough. They are 9 and 11, so don't have a great deal of knowledge about the man. They asked me who he was. I started to explain.

As a Sunderland supporter, Cloughie means something different to me as a pose to what he means in the city of Nottingham. He was a great player for my club and would no doubt in my mind, have gone on to have scored the most goals for England. His record was 251 goals from 274 appearances for Sunderland and Middlesbrough before injury brought his career to a close.

There are all manner of stories about the legend that is Brian Clough. He was know to speak his mind and had his own way of dealing with players. But the Brian Clough I wanted my kids to know about was the serial winner.

So, what did Brian Clough actually achieve?

There is a lot of focus in the media about his days (and they were only days) as Leeds United manager. But his success came as manager of two unfashionable teams. He took over Derby County when they were in what we now know as the Championship. He and his Assistant Manager Peter Taylor took the team up, won the league and got to the semi-finals of the European Cup. Taking a team like this as far as he did is an amazing achievement. But it wasn't over. After falling out with the Derby board, Clough  had stints at Brighton and the ill-fated time at Leeds before taking over at Notts Forest - and earning the statue in the middle of the city that me and the kids were looking at in wonder.

This was another unfancied team, another team in the Second Division. Just as he did with Derby, he took them up and then won the league. These are feats that are akin to the famous Leicester City Premier League win a season or two ago. Teams just don't break the monopoly any more. But Brian Clough was not finished. That's why the Leicester story resonates, even through the owners can't seem to get it out of their head and have been through too many managers since.

The European Cup, what we now call the Champions League was in his sights. Not only did they emulate the Derby County record of getting to the semi-finals, they won it - two years in a row! Now my older readers will already know this, but those that are as young as my kids will never have seen anything like this in their life. It is uncharted territory. Leicester couldn't manage what Clough did - and he triumphed with not one, but two unfashionable teams.

My youngest, particularly found it fascinating. The fact that a team in a similar position to ours went on a journey that ended up with 2 Champions League wins has him excited about Sunderland's future. I think he's probably the only one.

10 Players who Reacted BADLY to their Fifa 18 Ratings

It’s that time of the year again. FIFA 18 is out and the top soccer players can’t wait to find out what their ratings are on the popular FIFA game. This amazing video shows people the funny reactions that some of the top football players have when they discover their FIFA 18 rating – LOL !!!

FIFA 18 is the latest in the long line of successful FIFA football games and this edition has thrown up some surprises in terms of ratings. The funny responses that professional players have shows that the FIFA games strike a chord throughout the game of soccer and not just the fans.

It’s in the game – are you?

FIFA 18 is football at its realest. If you are not part of the gam then you should be. The LOL reactions of some of the biggest players in the FIFA universe is a great watch! Get to this video link and you will see how important the ratings are for the likes of –

·         Dele Alli

·         Michy Batshuayi

·         Eden Hazard

·         David Luiz

And all brought together by an engaging commentary. 10 Players who Reacted BADLY to their Fifa 18 Ratings is a great watch for anyone interested in FIFA, Ultimate Team or football at all. Check it out now.

Fusion Group Agency looks after footballers – and wants to connect with you

Young footballers need to be nurtured. If they are going to go on to become the best talent in the world, or even if they want to enjoy the beautiful game then they need someone who knows what they are doing to look after them. The Fusion Group Agency looks after promising footballers and coaches both on and off the pitch. It was founded by former footballers that have a true passion for the game. This passion shines through in everything they do. The future of football agencies is safe in the hands of people like the Fusion Group. They really do cover all angles of a career in football. They understand what is important.

As they are experienced in the pressures that a young football player faces then the Fusion Group Agency is in a unique position to help out players that want to make it further in the game. They have the best interests of the players at heart, whether they are young players or pros. A football player or coach is in a vulnerable position. Their career can be ended by a bad tackle, a run or poor form and they can be exploited by unscrupulous agents or managers. This is where Fusion Group Agency is different. They have an array of experts on hand to help a player with all aspects of their life – not just on the pitch.

The transfer window is a critical time in the life of a footballer and Fusion Group Agency listen to their players concerns. This allows them to understand what the player is thinking and advise a best course of action. Helping young players to understand their choices and make an informed decision is an important part of being an ethical agent. Player welfare is at the top of the priorities of the Fusion Group Agency and they exist to assist a player or coach in growing as a human being rather than being viewed as a money-making machine. They have contacts in the top European Leagues to get their players access to the best opportunities.

The services they provide include-

•          CAREER MANAGEMENT
•          TRANSFER NEGOTIATION
•          CONTRACT NEGOTIATION
•          FINANCIAL PLANNING
•          SPONSORSHIP AND MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
•          PUBLIC RELATIONS
•          WELFARE ADVICE

Fusion Group Agency wants to connect with you. If you are interested in the game of football either as a player, coach or fan then connect with them today. They have bases in Barcelona, Bucharest, Dubai and Brazil. You can find them on social media too-

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fusiongroupagency/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fusiongroupagency/

Has the age of the football mercenary reached its peak?

My club will suffer in January. I am a Sunderland fan so I am used ti the suffering but it feels now like it is getting out of hand. It feels to me like the age of the football mercenary is reaching its peak.I know that for a long time the players have seen the game as a way of making huge sums of money while they still can. Their career is short and the rewards for moving clubs always seem bigger then the rewards for staying put. Add agents into the mix that like to make a deal then you have a mix that puts players in total power over clubs and fans sit at the lowest level of the pecking order. You see in football, showing loyalty means you can be exploited. The club knows that you are not suddenly going to up sticks and support the next closest team. Loyalty means that you will show up week after week, but the merchandise and out up with whatever is thrown at you.

This January transfer window will show that the club have little power against players,and it is the fans that suffer. This is highlighted by two players. The dealings of Yann M'Vila and Lamine Kone show that football has reached a new level of player power. It shows that the mercenaries are in control.

Yann M'Vila
Yann is quite simply the best midfielder Sunderland have had on their books for a very long time. He was absolute quality at the end of last season and had signed a pre-contract agreement with us to begin on the 1st January 2017.

Something happened on deadline day at the end of the Summer 2016 transfer window as Yann M'Vila arrived in England only to post a cryptic social media message that Sunderland had broken his heart. This is a man with a track record for playing clubs off against each other for his own gain.

It has been announced this week that he is now going to join Sunderland in January, The club stated that they only want players that really wanted to play for the club. Our best midfielder in many years was staying in Russia, with a club that he had fallen out with completely only a matter of months ago.

This is the type of mercenary behaviour that gives footballers a bad name. I understand where the club is coming from and if he isn't committed to the cause then he won't be an asset. He looked highly motivated when playing for Sam Allardyce in the second half of last season and if he wasn't going to be that motivated again then maybe he wouldn't have been the same player. It is the player that concerns me.

Lamine Kone
Another player that really concerns me is Kone. He was a revelation towards the end of last season as he defended brilliantly and scored goals as we stayed up. Obviously his transfer stock rose and he was in demand. But the club is looking upwards and want to keep their best players. He had only signed in January 2016 and really owed us at least one full season.

Kone did not see it that way. He wanted a transfer to Everton and it looked as though he was going to force this earlier in the year. he missed training, suggested he might refuse to play and fell out with the club completely.

In the end the deal was not done. The performances of Kone this season have not lived up to the promise he showed last and there is a very strong possibility that he will get his move to Everton in the January window. Another mercenary and his agent work the system their way until he gets the deal he wants. he has shown no loyalty to the club at all. We signed him from the relative obscurity of Ligue 1 and he wants more.

Sunderland
What do the club do? I think that we need a strategy as a club ti determine the way we are going to deal with players. For all the flaws of Steve Brice, he went to the big clubs and brought in their up and coming players on loan. We helped the career of Danny Wellbeck, Danny Rose and others with this way of working.

Southampton look from the outside like they tell their players once they have given two years service then they will not stand in their way of an offer from a big club.They have made huge profits on the likes of Lallana, Clyne and Wanyama while getting at least two quality seasons out of them.

Sunderland don't seem to have a strategy for attracting the best players, or for retaining those players if another offer comes along. I understand from players point of view that they don't want to stay with a club fighting relegation to the last few games of the season year after year. We need to grow and the way to do this is to have a strategy. Ellis Short seems to be content with just avoiding relegation every year. His players are not and neither are the fans.

The smart way to build an epic team on FIFA

We all love to play FIFA Ultimate team, don’t we? But for me the most frustrating part of the game is coming up against an online player that has a team filled with superstars. They have Messi, Ronaldo, a host of in-from players and you end up getting smashed.

How do they do it?

•          They could be really lucky when opening packs
•          They could spend hundreds on opening packs and getting the right players
•          They could play 24/7 to gain enough match coins to buy all the players they want

But in reality all of these scenarios are unlikely.

The top players on FUT get their coins the easy way – with FUTMillionaire you can buy and sell players for profit and build the most amazing team without having to spend big or play games night and day. It allows you to find the best trades and turn these into a profit to buy all the players you want.

But isn’t trading something that takes up a lot of time? I’d rather be enjoying the game.

That is the beauty of FUTMillionaire is that it is automated. You just simple set the players and the prices and our system uses cutting edge technology to trade these for you whether you are in front of the screen or not. Just open up the game on Xbox or Playstation to find that FUTMillionaire has done all the hard work for you and deposited the coins in your account.

Build the best Ultimate Team so you are the envy of all your friends. Get over to FUTMillionaire now so that you can start building your dream team.

A great new product that makes soccer training more challenging – and more fun

Soccer is a great way to get people off the sofa and out in to the streets. With obesity becoming a huge problem for society, the power of soccer is huge to engage the young people of the world and get them away from their games consoles.

Soccer is more fun the more challenge there is and a superb new product is being launched on the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform to get kids and adults playing the beautiful game.

The product is called GoalMasterPro 2 and is being brought to life by the daughters of the inventor. It works because it can be used by players at any level-

•          Kids can use it to step up their skills
•          It can be used by a solo player to bring excitement to practice
•          Teams can use these to add a new level of challenge to a match
•          Adults can use it to hone their skills and be ready for match day

The crowdfunding campaign is designed to get this great idea off the ground and into production. There are not many innovative ideas when it comes to soccer but the GoalMasterPro 2 really ups the action. In addition to helping get a great idea off the ground you can choose from a range of different perks for being a backer, depending on the amount you pledge.

I love bringing new ideas and product to you via my blog and the GoalMasterPro 2 is something that can help kids get off the sofa and out on to the streets and parks of the world to enjoy the game of soccer that has delighted billions of people for over a hundred years.

Get over to the Indiegogo page to find out more and look for the pink button to make your contribution.

“Make You Wanna Holla, Throw Up Both My Hands" is the latest in fashion for the soccer fan

On my blog I love to bring you the latest trends and fashions that any soccer fan will want to be a part of. There are so many exciting things happening now that individuals and small companies are able to develop their own products. Today I bring to you a great product that will be perfect for the soccer fan – or anyone else for that matter!

Being a fan of soccer, a fan of sports or a fan of life is all about expressing yourself. You want to stand out from the crowd and let them know how you are feeling. Bering in a crowd of thousands to see your favorite sports team and cheering them to the rafters is one way of letting people know this.

An amazing design from the “Make You Wanna Holla, Throw Up Both My Hands" collection is another.

These are premium T-Shirts that look and feel great. They are available in all sizes from Small to 5XL. They are made from 100% cotton and are heavyweight tees so you know that you are wearing quality. And the quality continues in the manufacture-

•          Fairly produced – this has been certified and audited three times
•          The seams and the shoulder, collar, sleeve and waist have been double stitched to last
•          The printing has been optimized so it looks great and stays looking great
•          The tees have been imported to the USA and then processed and printed

There is a range of T-Shirts to choose from for men, women and children so you will be able to get just what you want at the store.  Check it out today and see the designs that you can be wearing soon. 

There is a range of colors to choose from so go take a look and decide which one will suit you best. Can’t decide? Well why not get a few?

With Christmas just around the corner I know that you will be looking for some unique and special gifts for the people in your life. Something from the “Make You Wanna Holla, Throw Up Both My Hands" collection is a great choice.

I love to share with you the trends and fashions that are on their way up on my blog. Here is another that will keep you at the forefront of fashion.

Soccer 360 magazine gives you the best of world soccer every month

In my blog I love to bring you the best of football. I look at the game from all angles but there is only so much I can write about. This week I bring you a magazine that gets all of world football into one place every month.

Calling all soccer fans!

Soccer 360 magazine has the best coverage of word football brought together in a printed magazine. It covers all angles of world soccer so you can keep up to date with the latest developments in the game of football.

It features-

•          Profiles of all the top players
•          The best pictorials to bring the game to life
•          All the interviews that matter with the biggest names in the game
•          Schedules of all the major leagues so you can keep track on your favourite teams
•          News from off the pitch for the football fanatic
•          Analysis of the tactics that win games, cups and leagues
•          Commentary on what is happening in the game
•          Previews of the big matches that matter
•          All the facts and figures of the beautiful game
•          Stats so you can really see what is going on

It features  all of the top competitions all in one title so you never need miss out on your fix of La Liga, EPL, Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS or other leagues. It also has all the coverage you will need of the biggest tournaments in global football from international to club competitions. You know where to look when you want the lowdown on world soccer – Soccer 360 magazine.

As a fan you want to know what is happening in the game and Soccer 360 magazine allows you to do just that. It is an established magazine with over 66 issues published and it gets better every month. The quality of the articles and photography takes the game to the next level.

It is printed in an extra large size of 13.5" x 9." with over 100 pages and photos of the best players, profiles, stats, interviews and more.  You know that Soccer 360 magazine will give you the news and articles that you crave when you follow the world’s most popular game.

It ships worldwide so get hold of it today. You can subscribe or get hold of past copies too so you can see what you have been missing!

Get your copy! Subscribe Today! Make sure that you don’t miss out!

When you want to predict the score use Betting Tips VIP

Making a bet on football just makes things even more interesting. If you want to look at the next set of BPL, La Liga or Bundesliga fixtures and decide what to place your money on then you sometimes need a little help in choosing the right scores.

There are many factors that determine the outcome of a game, including-

•         The history between the two teams
•          Any injury news that is likely to affect the selection
•          The current form that each team is displaying
•          The conditions that the match will be played in
•          How motivated the players are

Betting Tips VIP looks at all of these factors and more to give you the best chance of selecting the right outcomes of the top soccer games.

They provide top picks every day so you can see the best chances you have of making a winning. They cover all the major leagues and many of the minor ones too so never again will you have to fill out your betting slip without all the information you need.

The game of football is only made more exciting by waging some money on it. You can make watching the match even more exciting when you have a bet on it. And then it is more exciting again when you make that bet with the best information around.

Always remember to gamble responsibly.

FireFan is just about to make sports even more exciting

On my blog I love to feature ways to make the game of soccer and sports in general even more exciting. Regular readers will have seen my features on sports betting and fantasy football. But something new is arriving soon.

The thrill of watching your favorite team is just about to intensify. It is great to watch the game. Whether you are sat in a bar with your friends or at home with your family or even if you have to sneak a watch on your smartphone at work. It is a thrilling experience to watch the best in sports perform at the peak of their powers.

Fire Fan is an app that will allow you to play along with the game. You can predict game play in real time as you are watching the game for a chance to show that you are the best. I’m sure that you and your buddies argue all the time about who knows the most about sports. Now is the chance to put that to the test and prove who knows the most about your favorite sport. What’s more it is available for download absolutely free! Just enter the code “ball_game”

FireFan is arriving on November 21^st so now is the time to get involved.

It will create the world’s largest sporting network of fanatics that will pit their wits against you during the game. FireFan are looking for the biggest sports fans in the world to take on the challenge of their peers. Think you know about sports? Pit your skills against the rest of the world!

FireFan – Ignite Your Passion

This game will set the world alight! And this is your opportunity to get in on the ground level. Pre-register now and you will be the first to experience this great new app and be in with a chance of winning fantastic prizes. And all for a free download. Try it now. Enter the code “ball_game”

There is nothing more exciting than feeling like you are a part of the action. This is the next best thing to playing the game yourself. It is available for both professional and college sports and you can put your knowledge of sports to the test when it comes to-

•          Football
•          Baseball
•          Basketball
•          Soccer

It feels like you are playing along with the professionals in real time as you follow the game. You knowledge and gut feeling can take you to the top of the leader board.

Sign up now. Challenge your friends to compete with you. Make the most of FireFan. It is here on November 21^st.

Is international football still relevant?

I watched the England v Malta match yesterday, well it was on in the background while I was doing other things. I was amazed to see a crowd of over 80,000 announced during the coverage for a game that England should have won at a canter against a team ranked well outside of the top 100 in World football. To me it was a bit of a non-match that even the TV companies wight have thought twice about featuring. But the fact that Wembley was close to a sell-out has made me stop.

I thought before the match that international football was becoming irrelevant and that matches between the good teams and the bad were a waste of time. But 80,000+ at Wembley and millions of others on TV disagreed with me. Maybe there is something there after all.

I don't believe that the top players in the game see international football as the pinnacle of the game in the same way that they did when I was young. The big international tournaments see the best players turn up injured or fatigued beyond belief so that they don't perform at the peal of their game. I know we can point to what winning meant to Cristiano Ronaldo at the Euros in the summer with his country. But I can't see that being the same with many players. Would Ronaldo have through this way if he had never won anything at club level? It was the icing on the cake, rather than the cake itself.

The England players don't seem to play their normal game when it comes to international football. In the Premier League we are used to high tempo and a pressing game that leads to exciting football and great matches. But for whatever reason we don;t play that way in the international games. When we have pressing players such as Jordan Henderson, Jamie Vardy and Jesse Lingard then we should play that game. We need a high tempo against teams like Malta to make chances, pressurise the opposition and make the breakthroughs that change the game. It appears that players take a step back on the international stage and I don't know whether it is the players or the coach that breed that mentality. I would have loved to see what Sam Allardyce would have done with the players because I can't believe he would have let his players sit back and take it easy.

It is time for a change and I would look at wholesale change with these poor quality of opposition that we have in the group. There has never been a better time to discard the older players and look to the future. I can't see a place after the next World Cup for the likes of-

• Wayne Rooney
• Joe Hart
• Gary Cahill
• Theo Walcott

And I can't really see what any of them offer now, except for Rooney selling shirts for the FA and Cahill plugging a gap until something better comes along (Smalling and Phil Jones have never cut the mustard at the top level.) There just has to be a brighter future. The England fans that watched in their tens of thousands yesterday can be satisfied with a win but there was little else to excite. I like the way that Jesse Lingard plays the game but he needs more help. I would get Rashford and others on to the pitch and say to them "there you go, guys. You are the team for the next World Cup. Go out there and make it happen."

Watching the football coaches on FNF

I have been on an FA coaching course recently and it was a really good way to get into the coaching of my kids football team. The course was very comprehensive and will help me no end on my coaching journey. But what it wasn't was a complete journey. It is meant to set me off to go and learn about what we are doing as coaches and learn and adapt.

One of the tips at the end of the course was to go out and watch other coaches. I have watched some local games to see what other amateur coaches are doing and it all fits quite nicely with the way I want my players to play the game. And this is also the way that the FA want the game to be played in this country.

And I try to watch what the coaches are up to when I watch the big BPL matches like Chelsea v Liverpool tonight. Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp are coaches with impressive records behind them and will both be looking for a Champions League place this season.

Obviously you don't get to see as much as you would like of the coaches from a television screen but the glimpses that are shown are fascinating. Players don't hear the vast majority of what a coach says in the heat of the match against the noise from the crowd. But some coaches scream and shout as though their lives depended on it. Meaningful input to players close by would be more effective.

I hope to bring a style of play to my team. We will pass the ball around and stay true to this all the time. Let's hope that the way Chelsea and Liverpool play tonight shows the way!

What Sunderland need on deadline day

It's here again. With the mess over Big Sam and David Moyes taking some time to get going it has been a tough transfer window for Sunderland. They have bought a few for the future and plugged a couple of gaps so far but there is a lot of work to do this afternoon. Here is what Sunderland still need to do this deadline day-

Goalkeeper

Whichever way you look at it we need a goalie. Whether you want to keep Pickford as number one or as backup every Premier League team needs three keepers. Missing out on Joe Hart is a blessing as far as I'm concerned but to go in to the rest of the season with only 2 goalkeepers and both being young and untested is a real risk. This has to be a priority.

Centre Back 

Whether Lamine Koné stays or goes we need to get cover here. With an injury to O'Shea we are short here as well. Rodwell and McNair can do a job here but to stay in the league we need more cover. I like Koné and I think Djilobodji will turn into a good player but we ultimately need more.

Centre midfield

This is probably the least pressing of these needs with some quality and experience to come back from injury but this won't happen soon. The players we have been linked with seem to have turned is down in one way or another. Back to the drawing board on the last day of the window isn't a good place to be.

Striker

Although the formation we have will mean that we only play one striker we still need a quality backup in this position. Borini doesn't score enough goals to be relied on. There will be games where we want to throw on another striker or where Defoe is injured. Because of this we need a player who will step in and bag a few. This is another high priority today.

How to find genuine free bets that guarantee you can’t lose

I know from the correspondence I get that many regular readers of my blog like to place a bet. More than that they like to win a bet so today I bring you news of a way of making free bets that will change the way you look at betting on sports. These are 100% GENUINE FREE BETS.

The way that they work is extremely clever and this system is unique on the internet. There is no other system that works in this way and all the hard work that has been put in on your behalf leaves you in a position where you just have to place the bets and collect the winnings.

IF YOUR WAGERS LOSE YOU GET YOUR STAKES BACK

YOU WIN OR ALL OF YOUR STAKES ARE RETURNED

There really is nothing like winning a bet, especially if you know that you can’t lose. This is 100% GENUINE. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT ON THE NET.

How about if I told you there was a way to place bets RISK FREE? I’m sure that you would tell me that this IS NOT GAMBLING. But the way that a saverbet works is that you just cannot lose.

IT IS NOT A GET RICH QUICK SCHEME REQUIRING NO WORK

IT WILL NOT MAKE YOU A MILLIONAIRE

But what it will do is out you in a position where you can place your best safe in the knowledge that the worst that will happen is you get all your stake money back. That is the worst that will happen. In the best case scenario you win money on every event you place a bet on.

IF YOU CAN SPARE ONE OR TWO HOURS A DAY YOU COULD EASILY MAKE $ 3,000 to $5,000 A MONTH (DEPENDING ON YOUR STARTING BANK )

WHY NOT HAVE A LOOK. There is a 12 DAY FREE TRIAL so you have nothing to lose. Give it a go and see where the saverbet can take you. There are no obligations at all - NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED, YOURS TO TRY FREE WITH NO OBLIGATION.

Once you understand the logic of the saverbet then you know you are on to a winner. Please let me know in the comments how you get on with saverbets.

www.saverbets.com

Big Sam the England manager - what next for England and Sunderland?

The worst kept secret in football has been converted from secret to fact with the appointment of Big Sam as England manager. It was closely followed by the second worst kept secret in football when David Moyes was appointed the new boss of Sunderland. There are many facets to this story and I'll use this blog to take a look at some of the more interesting ones.

Are Sunderland unlucky?

The fact is that the club have finally found a manager who is a great fit for them - and lost him. Sam Allardyce has been fantastic for the club. His tactical awareness and transfer dealings have transformed the club. We were looking forward to a season without a relegation battle for the first time in a long time. I honestly think that the three promoted teams, Bournemouth, Watford, Swansea and maybe a few others will finish below us in the Premier Lessgue - LINK. If we were able to operate in the transfer market and add a quality right back, a back up centre half, midfield creativity and some help for Jermain Defoe then I saw really positive things for the club. To lose a manager just before the season starts (as a pose to our usual method of losing one half way through) is really unfortunate. The club needs decisive action, but that hasn't been our strong suit of late.

The future for England

There will be thousands upon thousands of words written about this. In my view England always appoint a manager as a reaction to what the previous manager was lacking of perceived to be lacking-

• Sven wasn't English enough so we went for Steve McLaren.
• McLaren hasn't enough discipline so we went for Fabio Capello.
• Capello wasn't English either (I don't know why it took us years and millions of pounds to realise this) so we went English again and plumped for Roy.
• Roy was tactically inept and defensively poor so we've gone for the man who isn't that. We've got Big Sam.

I think that the success of Wales, Iceland and to a degree the two Ireland's will have also turned the FA's heads. Success with limited players (we have to admit that this is us) can be achieved by being organised and picking the right team rather than shoehorning the best players onto a formation that doesn't work. France left out some big players for varying reasons and were rewarded with a place in the Euro 16 final. England need to work in the same way and Sam Allardyce is the best fit to achieve this.

Inside Coach is the smartest football on the planet – it takes your game to the next level

When it comes to playing football we all want to get better at it every day. Even the top players in the world train hard every day to take their skills to the next level. But what if you could get all the data you need to improve your game in the same way the analysts at the top clubs help players like Messi, Ronaldo, Hazard and Pogba.

Well now you can. Inside Coach is a revolutionary way to practice your skills, get better at football and become a better player. The way that it works is Inside Coach is actually a smart football. It uses the sensors in the ball to detect-

•          How hard you strike the ball
•          The spin you impart on it
•          The angle you send the ball in
•          How many touches you have
•          How many passes you make

And all of this data is transmitted to your smartphone so you can easily see the way you are playing, review it to get better, share it with others and show off your stats. It is a great way to train yourself to become one of the greats of the game! Inside Coach is the guide that you have always been looking for when it comes to seeing exactly what you do on the pitch and in training.

Check it out at http://www.insidecoach.com/ and you can see the great opportunity that this smart soccer ball offers you.

What’s more is that the ball can link wirelessly to a headset and from there you can real time cues on how to improve your game. It is like having a coach in your ear as you practice your skills. It is the only product of its kind on the market and is blazing a trail when it comes to personalized football or soccer training.

You can even share the results with your friends and compete with each other to deliver the best statistics in any training session. Be the one that shines when it comes to Inside Coach and you will be the envy of all your teammates. You will be able to analyze your performance and develop your game to take you to the next level and compete every time.

Inside Coach Footballs are available to pre-order now. Check them out and you can start your path to fame and fortune in the world of football or soccer today.

Playing slots is an exciting way to spend your time

It is the excitement of football that draws me towards it. The game is fast-paced and interesting from start to finish. It is why the beautiful game of football is played and loved all over the world. This is why I love football. It is known and loved the world over and you can start a conversation in almost anywhere you travel to about football and find fellow enthusiasts. There is very little that can match that level of excitement but one of the ways in which you can get a similar buzz is by playing slots.

It is a fun way to spend time and can really give you the opportunity to win money while having fun. What other things in life can offer you this combination? Playing slots is a real thrill because you don't know what is going to happen next. And this mirrors the thrill of football because you have an emotional connection with the game but your chances are a little bit in the lap of the gods. But the good slots player can while away several hours and end up making money through their sill and good fortune. How about you?

Playing slots can be all about making the most of the bonuses and offers that are available to the new starter. If you play the game correctly then you can join the right lots sites at the right time to make the most from all of the offers available. This is how you can turn a small win into a real pay out. It maximises your ability to win because you are playing with the money that you have been offered as a bonus by the slots websites. They want you to join and play so get on to the sites and find the best deals you can. Playing slots is an absolute blast for you and your friends so spread the word on how much fun it is and how you can make the most of your money with the bonus offers that can be found if you look in the right places.

Slots are a great idea when you have a little bit of time and a little bit of money on your hands. You can get a real thrill from watching those reels spin to see what you can win next. You could be the next Leicester City. They won big when it wasn’t expected at all and there's nothing to stop this from happening to you. Try your luck and see where it takes you. You never know where it could end and what you could be cashing out! Just think of the people who put a few quid on Leicester at the start of the season – they are now raking it in. You can do the same thing with playing slots if you play things the right way. Get over to the site now and find out what all the fuss is about. Once you have found the right sites that offer you a big incentive to join then you can be a winner all the way. Are you the next Jamie Vardy? A new Riyadh Mahrez? A budding Danny Drinkwater? They all went from nothing to make it really big this season. Is it your turn next?

The taboos over playing slots have been largely washed away over recent years. The fact is that gambling sensibly with your own money as a form of entertainment is an accepted way of spending your time and money in the internet age. Once you have gone out an earned that money then it is down to you to decide what to do with it. Online slots have come a long way and can be fun for anyone whenever they want to have a great time. Personal choice is the way that people want to live their lives rather than be regulated by lawmakers at every turn says the Competitive Enterprise Institute in a study.

Slots are the equivalent of football when it comes to excitement. It's just like watching your favourite team. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the action unfolds. Slots will take you on a roller coaster ride from start to finish. And at the end of it all you could walk away with some big money in your pocket. How about that for a real thrilling way to spend a few minutes or a few hours? I can’t think of a better way to get my kicks. Playing slots is something that you will get into and want to play over and over again. There are so many different slots websites to choose from and then there are many more different games to choose from when you get on the website. The potential for amusement is endless. So give it a go today and see where it takes you. There could be no end to the excitement in store for you.

Louis van Gaal will have some time on his hands now that he has been sacked by Manchester United. He could do a lot worse than spending some of his free time playing slots for fun. There is a lot to be said for playing slots because it is a stimulating way to pass away a few hours when you are at a loose end, just like the former Manchester United manager. There will always be the opportunity for Louis van Gaal to make a bit of money and have a lot of fun with online slots while he is waiting for the phone to ring with another job offer. Some of the best slots will keep you interested and occupied for some time if you want them to so Louis will not get bored this summer! On a serious note through, now that he is unemployed, it would be a good time for him to make the most of the offers and bonuses that are available to all new players when it comes to using the biggest and best online slots games website around. Some of the biggest names such as Heart Bingo, Sun Bingo and Virgin Bingo offer v-great incentives to sign up with them. This is a great time to be playing slots.

Playing slots is a great alternative to placing a bet at the bookmakers it visiting your local racetrack. It is a hugely convenient way to place a bet that is fun and thrilling. You will have a great time from your own living room. You can be playing slots from your smartphone, tablet laptop or desktop computer. This makes it an easy thing to just pick up and play. It is something that is easy to understand so you won't be lost in a sea of rules and regulations. You can just get on with having fun without the fear that you will not understand what is going on. Once you have played for a little while you will be hooked by the fast paced excitement and energy they playing slots has to offer you. The idea behind playing slots is that you can pick it up and only play for a few minutes at a time or if you have longer then you can play for longer. Playing slots is a great way to pass the time when waiting for friends, before going to work or in the evening when you are watching television or even when you are out and about with your mates. It is something that you can do at any time thanks to the advancements of technology and the fact that you can carry the internet around with you wherever you go on your smartphone.

On my blog 'In Off The Post' I like to look at football from all angles. Now that the domestic seasons are over for a while you will need another form of entertainment to tide you over until the Euros or the Copa America. Well slots are a superb way to give you something interesting and exciting to do in this downtime. Don't forget that the football starts again soon but once you've started playing slots I'm sure that you will be hooked and will be playing them for the rest of your life. They can be a great way to have fun, meet others online and can be a fantastic conversation starter with friends and strangers alike. The joy about playing slots is that so many people are doing it and they love to talk about it. This just adds to the excitement of the game and can only make playing slots a bigger and better experience for you and everyone you know. Spread the word!

Give it a go today. You can have great fun from the comfort of your own home. You also stand the chance to make money. There are a variety of different slots games to keep anyone intrigued for hours. You won't regret giving it a go. Playing slots is something that can be done by young and old. It is something that the football fan will enjoy day in and day out. Try playing slots today to make the most of your money. Incentives are out there to be found if you look in the right places. Make sure that you don’t miss out on maximising your money when it comes to your online slots games. Start today and you will wonder why you ever waited. Online slots are the new way that the world has chosen to have fun and win money. It is time you joined in.

How will England fare this week? Fancy a bet? How about a bonus as well?

It is time for international friendlies and I must admit I haven't watched a lot of these since the time of Sven Goran Erikson as England manager and the amount of substitutes he used. I understand that the England manager has conversations with club managers and tries to keep them onside, especially at this crucial time of the season, but these matches must mean something to the supporters, the players and the England team. This is particularly relevant in the run up to a major tournament, so let's take a look at what England and Roy Hodgson might find out from the upcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.

With an injury to Joe Hart, this is a chance for the other goalkeepers to stake their claim as the official number two in the squad. Hart's form has been indifferent this season and he has grown more susceptible to injuries so the position as back-up has a value in the England squad. Jack Butland appears to be at the front of this queue at the moment, but I see Fraser Forster as the best keeper in the squad at the moment. It will be an interesting watch.

Do you think England will be able to turn Germany over on their own patch? Well the best way to make the most of your predition is to maximise your bet with http://bigbonuscode.co.uk as they get you the best Bet 365 bonus codes.

The other area of complete interest in these two friendlies is the attack. Competition exists elsewhere in the team but the fans most want to see is if we can survive (or even thrive) without Wayne Rooney. His powers are definitely weakened by the year and his place is under real threat for probably the first time.

I would like to see Roy Hodgson pair Harry Kane with Jamie Vardy for as long as possible in both games to find out if these two can cut it against some of the best teams in the world. Germany away is much tougher then the Netherlands at home but both games will be test of whether these guys can get us far into the Euro 2016 tournament or fall at the first stage again.

If you think England have a great chance against the Netherlands in the week then put your money where your mouth is. A bet at www.bet365.com can give you the opportunity to make a winning.

The best place to find that perfect Arsenal gift? It's Sportingdesires.com of course!

There are some football clubs that stand the test of time. New clubs with billionaire owners come and go like the wind. The title “The Bank of England club” has been attached to various football teams over the years. There are very few clubs that can boast a continual period of success over their rivals. The natural ebb and flow of the game of football and relegation has meant that some of the most powerful clubs in the game have dropped off and others have taken their place-

•          The most successful club in the 1920’s were Huddersfield Town who won the league 3 years in a row
•          The 1950’s saw back to back league wins for Wolverhampton Wanderers
•          The late 1960’s saw a dominant Leeds United team
•          Brian Clough took league titles to Derby County and Nottingham Forest in the 1970’s before 2 European Cups for Forest
•          The late 1970’s and most of the 1980’s were completely dominated by the hugely successful Liverpool
•          Manchester United won the league again in 1992-3 and this started a run of 8 league title wins in the next 11 seasons
•          The rise of the billionaire owner has seen Chelsea win league titles, domestic cups and the Champions League, while Manchester City have got hold of two league titles but find the Champions League a little more of a challenge

But one team has been a constant presence in those seasons with a massive 13 league title wins in their history. They have the longest unbroken stay in the top flight if English football. They have been there since 1919.

Of course I am talking about Arsenal Football Club. They have a continued period of success that has stood the test of time-

•          They won 5 league titles in the 1930’s, including a hat-trick of titles
•          They followed this up after the war with titles in the 1940’s and 1950’s
•          1970/71 was the season that they won the double of the league and the FA Cup
•          The famous win with almost the last kick of the last game in 1988-89 will live forever in the memory
•          3 titles in 7 seasons followed the appointment of Arsene Wenger

They are just simply the team that has been least affected by the changes in the game. This is the longest sustained period of success of any team in the game of English football. The fact is that the Gunners will be able to keep up this success in the modern game as they compete with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City domestically, while battling in the Champions league year after year with opponents such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Their London base means that they can attract fans to their beautiful new stadium called the Emirates Stadium and delight fans worldwide through the various television deals the Premier League has been able to negotiate. Football is everywhere – from the streets to the stadia, from school to your place of work you find it all over the place.

The questions are – what can I get the Arsenal fan? Where is the best place to find my Arsenal memorabilia? What place has the very best I can buy to show my support for the club?

The company is called Sportingdesires.com and their Sporting Desires Arsenal shop is the perfect place to indulge in all things about this successful club. They have everything you need to indulge your passion or everything you can think of to buy for that Arsenal-mad person in your life. They have got together a massive range of memorabilia for the Arsenal supporter.

From the small to the large, for all ages there is a choice here of hundreds of products to keep every Arsenal fans happy for years to come. There is so much to choose from that you will be able to find something that even the most ardent Arsenal supporter won’t already have. I know that this can be a problem but this website has literally hundreds of gift ideas and you will be able to find something for everyone, no matter their current collection of memorabilia. The products you will choose will depend on the occasion you are buying for so let me take you though a few of the options and see if we can find something that you will love.

You have to start the Arsenal fan off early in their life and what better way than to have Arsenal body suits for ages 0 to 3 months?  These will make sure that everyone knows that even though the baby hasn’t developed speech yet, they are sure to be an Arsenal fan when they do. It’s a great way for parents to nail their colours to the mast and declare to the world that they have a future Gunner in their midst. This is perfect as a gift for the Arsenal fan in your life and their new baby. These also come in larger sixes for the growing baby and can be matched with bibs for that complete look!

When moving from a cot to their own bed, what better way to make that transition as smooth as possible then the Arsenal duvet set single? It is made from 50% cotton and 50% polyester which means it is hard wearing and machine washable. It really sets off the room perfectly for any Arsenal fan and the striking red of the team colours brightens up any decor. As the Arsenal players dream of another FA Cup success, progress in the Champions League or another crack at that elusive Premier League title, your young ones could be having their own Arsenal dreams. Whether it is their desire to watch Arsenal win trophies our they one day desire to play for the Gunners then the best place to have those dreams is under an Arsenal duvet!

When you get big enough to walk around and kick a football then the Arsenal FC 4 inch soft ball is an excellent way to learn the basics of the game. If you think that you have a budding Thierry Henry or Alexis Sanchez in the home then you will want them to practice as much as possible. To know that thus can be done is safety with a soft ball is reassuring for your child and for your ornaments! Practice passing like Mesut Ozil, heading like Olivier Giroud and control like Aaron Ramsey. They will be knocking on the door of the academy in no time! It is only by practising that you can get better and this ball will allow your young ones to be up on their feet and enjoying themselves as soon as possible.

To be able to cover as many bases as possible in one gift there is the fantastic option of the Arsenal FC accessories set which includes-

•          2 wristbands
•          1 captains armband
•          2 sock ties

This means that you are ready to play the game of your life for your local team while still showing off the colours of the club that has your heart. It is a superb way of being able to let the whole world know you are a Gunner – and proud! This set is the pieces you need to be able to run out into your back garden, school playing field or your local park and feel like you are the captain Mikel Arteta.

When you go to school, every part of how you dress becomes your personal image. You will really want your friends to know what team you support and this Arsenal FC backpack is just another way to show your true colours to the whole school. It is a great size, with adjustable shoulder straps and an extra zip front pocket to keep your football cards in for easy access. The simple fact is that football has become sometimes the only talking point on the school playground so to be able to stand out with the Arsenal colours and badge is a great way to make your mark. Let everyone know – pupils and teachers alike – that you are an Arsenal fan.

A more subtle way of showing your allegiance to this club that has been in the top flight for so long is the Arsenal Band Ring which comes in different sizes and is made from durable stainless steel. If you are looking to buy this as a gift then it comes with a gift box so the person you are buying it for will be able to treasure it forever. This really is a delightful gift for the Arsenal fan and one that they will be able to wear every single day. To be able to wear something quite unique as part of supporting your football team is something rather special and this ring allows the Arsenal fan to feel great about their team and their style.

No matter who the Arsenal fan is in your life (especially if it is you) then you will find whatever you need at the Sporting Desires Arsenal shop where there is such a choice. Whether you are buying for yourself or as a gift for someone else (birthdays and Christmas seem to come around so quickly now) then you will always be able to find something new and different to delight. As we have seen in this blog, the options are there for young fan and for those that are slightly older. Take a look today and find that perfect way to show that you support a team that has been successful for decades – the Arsenal.