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Email kairs@fourfourtwo.com.au You can follow me
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Lucas Radbourne-Pugh, Joe Nicholson from Liverpool and Arsenal giving football-starved fans a chance to see their heroes
Australian Magazine Writers in the esh and compare the worlds elite with our own local stars.
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fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 5

UPFRONT
8 Upfront - One on One
Perth Glorys William Gallas. Oh,
and he played a bit in Europe...
08 26
14 Global Stories
16 My Greatest Goal Todd Howarth
18 At The End Of The Day
Socceroos coach Ante Milicic

FEATURES
20 Look at Mooy!
Former Socceroos greats give
their tips on how the Aussie
Zidane can impress in the EPL.

30
22 Home Sweet Hove For Ryan
The Socceroos keeper has moved
to Brighton and the EPL this
season now its time to shine.

24 12 EuroRoos To Follow
Here are our 12 young Aussies
to get excited about in 2017/18

26 Tommy Terric!
Like a Roy of the Rovers story,
Tom Rogic bounced back from
last seasons penalty miss to be
Celtics Cup Final hero.

30 EPL Season Preview

Every club analysed, rated and
slated, the lessons learned from
last season and what they need
to do this season - plus we ask
the fans what they want to see.
Its your ultimate EPL guide!

74 Championship Season Preview

Its often called the toughest
league in the world and these
are the teams battling it out...
with several Aussies starring!
92 98
PERFORMANCE
92 Masterclass: Troy Deeney
94 Like A Pro
95 Tried and Tested
97 Harry Kane Goes Masterchef
98 My Perfect XI: Brendon Santalab
 E
GAM
FUL
UTI
BEa
THE

FOOTBALLS CROWDED HOUSE

Chinas third-most populous mainland city after Beijing
and Shanghai, Guangzhous 14 million people are used
tosqueezing into tight places. For the residents of Tianhe
Village, in the shadow of city centre tower blocks, nding
space for a kickabout amid the tightly packed streets can
prove a tad tricky. There is, however, hope for any local
looking to emulate Paulinho, Alan Carvalho and former
Charlton midelder Zheng Zhi at Guangzhou Evergrande,
thanks to this marvel of engineering. Mind the windows!
Picture Zhu Zhuo Hao
 UPFROnT
UPFROnT
> <
OnE-On-OnE
WILLIAM GALLAS
Interview Arthur Renard Photography Richard Cannon
DOES HE REGRET LOSInG HIS COOL AT ST AnDREWS?
HOW DOES HE FEEL ABOUT HEnRYS HAnDBALL?
DID HE REALLY FALL OUT WITH AVB AT SPURS?
Not many foreign imports have shown
such clear a affection for the English
capital as French defender William
Gallas. The versatile stopper played
in 319 Premier League matches over
a dozen years in London with Chelsea,
Arsenal and Tottenham.
Its therefore tting that our meeting
with the 39-year-old begins in a black
cab as he heads to the location of his
photo shoot: Stamford Bridge, no less.
But even for this adopted Londoner,
Upfront editor Chris Flanagan
the jellied eels on offer were too much.
What is this?! a squirming Gallas
asks as FFT presents him with the eels.
Ive never seen this before in my life!
What he has seen is Premier League
glory, World Cup nal failure, dressing
room bust-ups and lots of controversy.
8 February
September
2016
2017
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fourfourtwo.com.au
com
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE BACK OF THE SOFA? The semi-nal of Cape
Verdes national championship was postponed after ofcials realised
theyd lost the keys to the stadium, as players and fans waited outside
What did you make of the Eurostar
terminal moving from Waterloo to St
Pancras? I thought it was a disgrace!
Michael Preen, via Facebook
For me, it was perfect timing, as I had
just moved to Hampstead following my
move to Arsenal. From there, St Pancras
is better. When I was at Chelsea I used
to live near Wimbledon, and from there
Waterloo is much easier. But I have to
say that St Pancras is much better and
bigger Waterloo is an older station.
What is it about London that you like
so much? And whats the one thing
about the city that annoys you most?
Natasha Hart, via Facebook
Its a cosmopolitan city. You can meet
different people, experience different
cultures and you feel you can speak to
anyone in the street. For example, if you
want to go somewhere and youre lost,
people will stop and take time to show
you the correct route. But at the same
time, London has changed a lot. When
I arrived in 2001 there was not much
trafc and people were very patient
on the road. But right now, people are
not that patient in their cars any more.
Your cousin is the French rugby union
player Mathieu Bastareaud. Did you
ever play rugby? Did he play football?
And if he and you had swapped sports,
who do you think would fare better?
Alan Reeves, via Facebook
[Laughs] Me, playing rugby?! Look at my
body, how could I play rugby? I would
break my leg. I would be nished if I did
that! You know, my cousin is the same
height as me, 1.83m, but my weight is
82 kilos and his is almost 120! Hes big,
but hes still really fast. He is passionate
about football, but Im not too sure how
good a player he is these days. I would
say hewould be better playing football
than I would be playing rugby. If I ever
played rugby, Id just run away. I know
the opposition would be able to catch
me and put me on the oor very easily.
Your rst goal for Marseille involved
a run from the halfway line against
Manchester United in the Champions
League in 1999-2000. Did you used to
fancy yourself as a forward back then?
Greg Harris, via Twitter
I started out as a striker when I was at
Clairefontaine [Frances national football
academy]. But while the other players
got scouted and signed by clubs after
two years, I stayed for one more year
in the academy as I wasnt performing
well in attacking positions. My coach
said: William, youre not that good as
a striker, not that good as a winger and
not that good as a midelder. This year
is your last season, so you have to play
at the back. I remember this happened
before a game with Paris Saint-Germain.
I started playing right-back and I was
good. And the next game was against
Auxerre and I was pretty good again.
My coach said, That is your position.
At the end of that season I received
an invitation from Caen, then I went
to play in their rst team after a year.
Two seasons later I went to Marseille.
How did Marcel Desailly and John
Terry compare as central defensive
partners when you were at Chelsea,
and which one was your favourite?
Robert Barnes, via Twitter
I cant choose both were world-class
defenders. In around 1998 Marcel was
the best defender in the world, while
John had his best time maybe around
2006. I think Marcel was a teacher to
John. When I joined Chelsea, Marcel
said to me: William, we have a young
boy here and he is really talented, he
will be the future captain of England.
I remember my rst training session
with them. Because everything was
so new to me I was a bit intimidated,
and when I saw John, I thought, Oh my
God. He can play and give long passes
with both of his feet I cant do that.
 CLUBS
1995-97 Caen
1997-2001 Marseille
2001-06 Chelsea
2006-10 Arsenal
2010-13 Tottenham
2013-14 Perth Glory

COUNTRY
2002-10 France

I NEVER SAID I WOULD SCORE AN

OWN GOAL FOR CHELSEA. HOW
CAN YOU SAY THAT?! I THINK
ITS THE MOST RIDICULOUS
THING IVE EVER HEARD
 UPFROnT
I ONCE FORGOT A CHELSEA MATCH WAS
S A LUNCHTIME KICK-OFF SO WENT TO BED
LATE. WHEN THEY PHONED ME UP THE
NEXT MORNING I SAID, IM F**CKED
And he was so strong as well. I thought
it would be really difcult for me to get
into the Chelsea rst team. But I gave it
my all every day and in the end I got to
play in various positions across the back
four, just like I had done with Marseille.
How much did Chelsea transform as
a football club after the arrival of
Roman Abramovich back in 2003?
Alberto Vega, via Twitter
It became more professional. The level
of organisation increased a great deal.
Abramovich started to invest a lot of
money in players, but also other staff
like coaches, doctors, physios and even
a chef to make the food. He also moved
the training ground from Harlington to
a new one at Cobham. I once heard this
story that before Abramovich came to
Chelsea, he was not sure which club
he wanted to invest in. I heard it was
between Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool.
He decided to buy Chelsea when we
beat Liverpool in our last match of the
2002-03 season, which meant that we
nished in fourth spot and qualied for
the Champions League at Liverpools
expense. Maybe otherwise he would
have bought Liverpool. As a chairman
he is very passionate. When we won
games, he would often come to the
changing room and speak to some of
the players. He was like, How are you?
How do you feel? Are you OK? Ive seen
you receiving some kicks, do you think
you will be all right to play in the next
match? He was really close to us all.
10 February
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2017
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The ghost goal at Aneld in 2005 Have you ever hit a ball as sweet
do you think the ball crossed the line?
Mark Smith, via Facebook
No, no the ball did not pass the line.
Im sure, as I cleared it! I remember it
vividly. It was disappointing, because
our team was probably the strongest
in Europe back in 2005 and if we had
the opportunity to go to the nal, we
would have been champions. To win
the Champions League was my dream.
Chelsea only conceded 15 goals on
the way to the Premier League title
in 2004-05. Thats just crazy how
on earth did you all manage that?
Tony Valentine, via Facebook
It was unbelievable, but we were very
strong defensively. Jose Mourinho was
always focused on that side of things.
Whenever we had a meetin with the
players, he would s
my team to conced
What people have a
to understand is th
never had any ght
each other on the p
That was thanks to
Jose. If something
went wrong,
hewould say
straight away.
If one player didnt
play well, he would
I asked you to do t
didnt you do it? Th
it easy for everyone,
focused on your ow
contract and I said that we would talk
as your last-minute stunner for
Chelsea against Spurs in 2006?
Steve Lambert, by email
No, that is denitely the best goal of
my career. How could I score better
than that? [Laughs] Even my son still
shows me that goal. Do you realise
what you did? he asks me. Yes son
I know, Ill reply. He is still proud to
watch that video. Something people
wont know is that the night before
that game, I got maybe two or three
hours sleep. I forgot the game was
a lunchtime kick-off so I went to bed
late. When they phoned me the next
morning I said, Im f**ked, I cannot
play! My mind was tired. When I was
on the pitch I didnt think too much.
Maybe thats why I scored that goal!
you so adamant
ving Chelsea, and
the club respond?
ia Twitter
t Chelsea for a few
reasons. With the
board, I was not
able to reach an
agreement about
the extension of
y contract. I felt
at what Id asked
or was quite fair
t wasnt like I was
ing to be the best
e club. I still had
remaining on my
after I came back from the 2006 World
Cup in Germany. After the tournament,
where I reached the nal with France,
I went to Guadeloupe to see my family.
When I arrived at the airport there, it
was full of people. I was quite shocked.
Every day people came to my house to
ask for me photographs and autographs.
I didnt expect that and at the end of
my holiday I was really tired, so I asked
Jose Mourinho if I could get a few more
days off. But I think the club wanted me
to go on their tour to the United States,
so they could say that they had a player
from the World Cup nal in their team.
In retrospect, I think that we did not
understand each other. Its a great pity,
as we had the same common goal: to
win trophies. But things got even worse
for me when my No.13 shirt was given
to [Michael] Ballack. I didnt expect that
to happen and that was the moment
I felt I couldnt stay at Chelsea any more.
That number had meant a great deal to
me. Id chosen it because I didnt know
in which defensive position Id play, and
Iliked it because Id been told it wasnt
really a number that had been worn by
an outeld player at Chelsea before me.
I didnt know anything about it being
an unlucky number, but it suited me
and it became an important number
for me while I was with the club. Its
a shame how we parted ways, because
Jose Mourinho was the manager who
gave me the opportunity to become
one of the best defenders in the world.

Clockwise from far left Did you really threaten to score an
Gallas nods home against own goal when you were leaving
Manchester United in 06 Chelsea? What did you think about
to seal back-to-back titles that rumour and why do you think
for Chelsea; but within six it surfaced? And did you ever speak
months he was netting for to anyone at the club to complain
Arsenal against Shefeld about the story being published?
United; sticking a reducer Tobi Wordsmith Osho, via Facebook
on Robin van Persie while I never said I would score an own goal.
with Spurs; the last-gasp How can you say that?! I think its the
stunner to sink Tottenham most ridiculous thing Ive ever heard.
in 06 was the best goal Maybe at this time the people at the
of my career; although club tried to nd a way to blame me
the run from the halfway forwhat was happening, because all
line for Marseille against of the supporters wanted me to stay.
Man United in 1999 must If I play football, I play with my heart.
surely be a close second I have always played at 100 per cent.
Did you have to move house when
you joined Arsenal from Chelsea?
I cant imagine you being keen on
spending hours stuck on the M25!
rden, via Facebook
st season at Arsenal I stayed
use near Wimbledon. But that
ed a long drive to the training
between 45 minutes and an
ring that year my rst son was
, so sometimes I didnt sleep
y well. My body was tired and,
ound October, I got this groin
roblem which put me out for
almost three months maybe
that was partly down to all the
driving? Later, I moved nearer
Hampstead, from where it only
took me something like 25 to
30 minutes to get to training.
UPFROnT
did you feel about taking the
shirt that DennisBergkamp
to wear? Why that number?
Berger, via Twitter
senal I wanted to wear the No.13,
was already taken by Aleksandr
The No.3 was available because
y Cole had just left but I chose
. I saw it as a great opportunity
already worn the same number
r in my career, and my daughter
een born on November 10. At the
time it was good for Arsenal that
e that number. If a young player
en the No.10 shirt, itll be far too
pressure on his shoulders. But to
didnt make any difference at all.
d you pick to win a ght between
ger and Mourinho (below left)?
ete Davies, via Facebook
dont know. I dont know exactly
hat happened between those
wo, but sometimes I think it is
portant to move on and forget
t whatever happened in the past.
t was your favourite memory
g your time with Arsenal?
Danny Smith, by email
[Thinks long and hard] I would say that
my best memory at Arsenal is actually
my rst game against Middlesbrough.
Because Id arrived from Chelsea, the
supporters will normally boo you. But
when I was out on the pitch during the
warm-up, they all applauded me. That
was really nice I did not expect that.
What exactly was going through your
mind that afternoon at Birmingham
in 2008? Had Eduardos terrible leg
injury affected your state of mind?
And do you regret losing your cool?
Ben Moss, via Facebook
I was too emotional. You always learn
from your mistakes. Eduardos injury
wasnt part of that, it was just because
we had dropped two points at the end
of the match as we had not kept our
focus. Sometimes you need to show
that passion. You cant just keep saying,
Oh well, dont worry. But it didnt work
and that is why we ended up in fourth
place, as we were not strong. But yeah,
maybe I lost my head with what I did.
How did you feel when Wenger chose
to take the captaincy away from you?
Aaron Lucas, via Facebook
I felt it wasnt very fair at the time, but
in hindsight it was the best thing to do.
Some people did not want me to wear
the armband anymore, so maybe the
manager thought there was a bit too
much pressure on my shoulders and
I was being too passionate about my
role as the captain. It happened after
fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 11
UPFROnT

Id given an interview in which my words which claimed that an Arsenal player

about dressing room unrest got twisted,
and I was portrayed as a bad captain.
Did Chelsea have something mentally
that Arsenal didnt, in terms of being
able to last the pace in the title race?
Greg Skinner, via Facebook
You need experienced players who have
got the right personality. The average
age of the Chelsea
team I played in
was higher than
would refuse to shake my hand. Later
on, Harry Redknapp came over to see
me when we were getting ready in the
dressing room and asked me about it.
I said that it was no problem for me,
to which he replied, You know what,
I think well do something to make
the game even more electric. I said,
What do you mean, Harry? And he
said, Youll be my
captain today.
Everyone was

HIgHS & LOWS

itwas at Arsenal very surprised
when I moved when they saw
there. It makes I was the rst to
a difference, and come out of the
thats maybe still tunnel. But that
LOW: 1999
the case with the game went very
Suspended for the UEFA Cup nal
two clubs even well [Spurs won
after getting booked in the semis
now. The game 3-2] and I had
HIGH: 2005
isnt just about a good display.
Wins rst of two Premier League
being able to play
titles with Chelsea the Blues
nice football, its I got the feeling
concede only 15 goals en route
also about being you werent as
LOW: 2006
prepared to ght. happy during
Loses World Cup nal in Berlin
Andre Villas-
after captain Zinedine Zidane is
Having moved Boas time as
sent off for headbutt against Italy
from Chelsea to Spurs boss than
HIGH: 2007
Arsenal and got you were under
Surprisingly replaces the departing
a lot of stick, did Redknapp was Top Anyone want a half
Thierry Henry as Arsenal captain,
you think twice that the case? and half scarf? Anyone?
ayear after arriving from Chelsea
before moving Patrick Daniels, Right Gallas saw out his
LOW: 2008
from Arsenal to via Twitter playing career in Oz with
Stripped of Arsenal captaincy after
Spurs in 2010? Yes. At the start Perth Glory Below Andre
questioning his team-mates in an
Lee Matthews, everything was Villas-Boas wasnt always
interview with the French media
by email ne. I knew Andre honest with the defender
HIGH: 2010
No, not really. from his rst spell Far right Scare tactics fail
Skippers Tottenham on his rst
I could have at Chelsea when to put off former Chelsea
return to the Emirates they win
gone to Paris he worked under team-mate Didier Drogba
3-2 having trailed 2-0 at half-time
Saint-Germain Jose Mourinho as
LOW: 2010
as well, but a scout. I picked
France exit World Cup at group
because of my up an injury near
stage after players go on strike
family I didnt Christmas during
want to go to that rst season
another country. when Andre was at
After one year at Spurs I had a chance Tottenham. I went back to France to get
to go to Juventus but I chose to stay for some treatment, but when I came back
my family once again. Another reason to London something seemed to have
was that Spurs offered me a two-year changed. When I recovered he initially
contract extension after I had initially said it would be good for me to play in
signed there for just the one season. the FA Cup against Leeds, but later on
he changed his mind. I had a meeting
William, your performance for Spurs with him where he told me his decision.
at Arsenal in 2010-11 was incredible! I still assumed that I would travel with
That was your rst match as Spurs the squad to Leeds, but just when I was
captain, too. Did it feel weird wearing ready to go, I thought, Hold on William,
the armband against a former club just check the squad list, as you never
and your new north London rivals? know. And my name wasnt even there!
Ben King, by email I realised I was lucky I didnt get on the
I knew it would be a difcult situation, team bus, as that would have been so
both for the fans of Arsenal and for me embarrassing. Andre hadnt told me. In
as well, because Id been the captain at one of our meetings he said he needed
Arsenal for 18 months. Before we went me in the second half of the season, but
over to the Emirates, I remember that from then onwards I more or less only
we all gathered for breakfast at White played in Europa League games. Maybe
Hart Lane. When I arrived at the club, he thought I was too old and I would
people showed me some newspapers, have understood it but I didnt get an

12 February
September
2016
2017
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 UPFROnT

explanation. So that made me pretty
unhappy. In football, I like a manager
who is honest with his players. All of
this doesnt mean Villas-Boas is not an
honest manager, of course, but in that
moment he was not honest with me.
Be honest, William. Which club did
you prefer: Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs?
Georges Lefurgey, by email
I liked all three, but maybe Chelsea was
the most special time for me. It was my
rst club abroad and I had a great time
there, winning a few trophies as well.
And it was there that I rst started my
international career as well. When you
are playing for a big club you expect to
lift trophies. When I won the Premier
League with Chelsea I felt like the King
of England [Laughs]. You want to keep
experiencing that joy again and again.
AndI have to laugh about it. But yeah,
it can happen. It happened only once
in my career. Other than that moment,
though, my time there was a fantastic
experience. The culture was amazing,
Ireally liked the relaxed atmosphere.
Would you compare NGolo Kante to
Claude Makelele? Can he get to the
same level? Or is he already there?
EddieazzarCFC, via Twitter
They are a bit similar. In this new 3-4-3
system that Chelsea are playing, Kante
can get further forward than Makelele
ever did, but he will still run everywhere!
Hes not too far off the level of Claude.
He will eventually get there with age,
if he has more experience. How can he
improve? Perhaps with his positioning.
Did you know that Thierry Henry had
handled the ball to set up your goal
against Ireland and send France to
the 2010 World Cup? Did you care?
And did Thierry say anything after?
Shane Beirne, via Facebook
I didnt see it, because there were a lot
of players in front of me. I just saw the
ball, which came in my direction, and
I tried to get my head onto it, although
I scored with my shoulder. When I got
back inside the dressing room, I heard
that Thierry Henry had handled the ball.
He did not comment on it further, and
personally I didnt feel ashamed about
it. I dont think Ireland wouldve been life, or do you think you might want
had it happened the other way round.
A few months before the game, Ireland
had been awarded a very soft penalty,
which helped them get a goal [during
a match against Georgia in February
2009]. And another example would be
Luis Suarez do you think that he felt
ashamed when he did that handball
against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup
quarter-nals? That was on purpose.
What went wrong for France at the
2010 World Cup? What did you think
of Raymond Domenech (above left)?
Yannick Borde, via Facebook
That tournament still hurts us. The
relationship between the coach and
that team was not very good. It was
a building up of tensions, and then it
exploded when Nicolas Anelka was
sent home and the squad went on
strike. It was a really tough time for
everyone involved in French football.
How are you nding being a pundit
for French television? Is that what
youll do for the rest of your working
to become a manager in the future?
Luc Gagnon, via Twitter
I dont really want to be a manager, but
maybe at some stage I would like to be
a defensive coach. When young players
are brought into the rst team, they will
often still have to improve elements of
their game. But some managers do not
have the time to tell them about specic
things they need to do to defend better.
When I watch a match I sometimes see
defenders who just dont know how to
defend properly. Im not sure that they
get taught the right way when they are
young. It would be nice to do that. Im
getting more used to the punditry now
I like it. Im always trying to come up
with constructive criticism. Ill indicate
how a player can do something a little
differently, but naturally Im a bit shy.

Did you ever consider joining West

Ham so that you could have played
for all of the major London clubs?
Arthur Grifths, via Twitter
I think my agent actually did talk with
them, but I am not 100 per cent sure.
What I clearly recall, though, is that
I had a meeting with Crystal Palace in
the summer of 2013. Ian Holloway was
the manager at the time and we met
at the training ground to discuss a deal,
but it didnt come off in the end. During
the same summer, I tried to go back to
Marseille, to offer them my experience,
but they didnt offer me a deal despite
me saying that I would halve my salary.
I also spoke to Claudio Ranieri, who was
the manager of Monaco. He seemed to
be happy to sign me but later explained I THINK MY AGENT SPOKE TO WEST HAM
that the board had ruled it out. In the
end I signed for Perth Glory in Australia. AND I HAD A MEETING WITH CRYSTAL
How would you describe your rst
PALACE. IAN HOLLOWAY WAS THEIR
seasonin Australia with Perth Glory? MANAGER AT THE TIME, BUT IN THE
Iseem to remember one particularly
bad moment that you had in a match
END WE COULDNT AGREE A DEAL
with the Western Sydney Wanderers
Roger Sadler, via Facebook
That was one of the biggest mistakes
in my whole career! I tried to kick the
ball, I missed it with my right foot, but
then accidentally kicked it with my left.
It was embarrassing [Laughs]. My son
will always ask me, Dad, what is this?!
UPFROnT
UPFROnT
> <
AROUnD
THE WORLD
In 12 STORIES 6
Suarez statue takes a dive, Maradona cheats at
ice hockey and Zlatan forms tentacles: the new
season is here and, frankly, its weirder than ever
1 3
BRAVEHEART MEETS BRAVEHEART
Scotland Edinburgh
Defender Colin Hendry was nicknamed
Braveheart during his playing career, so
he decided to head over to Edinburgh
and meet the real thing.
Unfortunately, the Blackburn Rovers
title-winner had to make do with an
impersonator instead, as Mel Gibson
wasnt available and William Wallace
couldnt make it as hed died 700 years
previously. Pretty poor excuse, really...
2
EDWIN VAN DER SARS
GOING TO BE A BIT BUSY
Georgia Tbilisi
Netherlands superfan Aram Arutinyan
had a plan ahead of the European U17
Championship in Georgia: getting his
best ever XI inked in formation order.
Van der Sar got the nod in goal with
a defence of Krol, De Boer, Stam and
Koeman, a mideld of Gullit, Rijkaard,
Robben and Bergkamp, and a strike
force of Cruyff and Van Basten, with
Rinus Michels chosen as the manager.
It looks better going forward than
defensively so probably about right
for the Netherlands, then.
SIX OF THE BEST
i
Japan vs Australia
The big one at the very least, the Socceroos
need a draw but a WCQ win would be perfect.
14 February
September
2016
2017
FourFourTwo
fourfourtwo.com.au
com
BACK IN A FEW MINUTES A Mexican fan told
hiswife he was popping out to buy cigarettes,
then ew to Russia for the Confederations Cup
BOLTON VS BARNSLEY?
IS TOM HANKS IN THIS ONE?
England Bolton
Bolton Wanderers have announced
a bizarre scheme for the new season,
installing cinema seats by the pitch to
allow fans to recline and watch games.
Trotters supporters will win the seats
via social media competitions and will
even be given complimentary popcorn.
Plus, when a David Wheater clearance
ies towards them and smacks them
in the face, they wont even need to
wear 3D glasses to make it seem real.
4
WAYNE ROONEY: A TRUE
AMERICAN HERO
USA New York
Tim Cahill certainly knew the perfect
way to celebrate spending 4th of July
in the USA: by getting his wife to dress
up as Wayne Rooney, obviously.
Rooney hadnt even rejoined Cahills
former club by then, but it didnt stop
the Aussie giving his missus a Wazza
mask and asking her to pose for pics.
Celebrating 4th of July with the
main man, he said. After all, theres
no one more American than Rooney.
i
UEFA Champions League draw
If Celtic beat Alex Gersbachs Rosenborg, Tom
Rogics Euro rivals will be revealed on 25 August.
5 9
TYPICAL SUAREZ
Uruguay Salto
Its only 12 months since a statue of
Luis Suarez was unveiled in his home
city predictably, its now hit the deck
when it should have stayed on its feet.
The toppling was blamed on vandals
who left an amusing note saying I was
at Messis wedding Ill be back soon.
However, there were also rumours that
the statue leapt in the air in an attempt
to save a shot from a Ghanaian striker,
or sneakily stuck a leg out in the hope
of making contact with locals walking
past. Either way, the statue genuinely
had its arm out appealing for a penalty.
OPTICAL ILLUSION
England London
FFT was momentarily impressed when
we spotted a photograph on Mousa
Dembeles Twitter account, showing
Tottenhams Belgian midelder lifting
a man up into the air during a training
session ahead of the new season.
Except, hang on a minute. On closer
inspection, the bloke Mousa is lifting
is... Mousa Dembele. Weve been had.
7 11
THE FOOT OF GOD
Russia Saint Petersburg
Its been another quiet month for Diego
Maradona, who headed to Russia for
the Confederations Cup nal and had
a game of ice hockey, where he decided
he didnt need the silly stick and started
kicking the puck for some reason. Either
he hadnt quite grasped the rules, or he
was already trying to cheat with the ice
hockey version of the Hand of God.
Once that was all out of the way, he
then headed to Naples, where a night
out ended with him sat on top of a car
ashing a nipple. Never change, Diego.
8
CRISTIANO, STOP SHOWING OFF!
Spain Ibiza
You know how Cristiano Ronaldo likes
to always stands on his tiptoes in team
photographs to look taller and upstage
all of his team-mates?
This time he has been busy upstaging
his own family, who had assembled for
your average group photo, only for CR7
to climb up behind and tower over the
party, doing some sort of bizarre salute.
OK, youre the best, Cristiano, now will
you get down please.
i
Crystal Palace vs Hudderseld
Socceroo Aaron Mooy can shine on his likely EPL
debut against a tough but beatable Palace...
RUN, ITS ZLATAN!
Sweden Stockholm
Never one to draw attention to the fact
that hes become so legendary that he
is now being immortalised in bronze,
Zlatan Ibrahimovic posted yet another
progress report on his statue on Twitter
and its truly terrifying.
A video showed a disembodied head
with tentacles emerging from his face.
That knee injury has stressed him out...
10
I WONDER IF THIS FALCON
CAN PLAY UPFRONT?
Italy Villasimius
Since becoming a Premier League title
winner, Antonio Conte has been happy
to pose with anybody and everybody:
last month he randomly turned up in
12 Stories alongside a grime artist, now
hes next to a man dressed as a falcon.
Conte was in Sardinia during a family
holiday when he met Falky the falcon,
presumably named by the same bloke
who came up with Rammie the ram at
Derby. The Italians smiling, though the
eyes suggest the falcons just told him
that Romelu Lukakus joined Man United.
THATS BULL, REF!
Bulgaria Soa
There was nothing particularly notable
about a low-key clash between Botev
Plovdev and Cypriots AEL Limassol
well, not until a bull ran on the pitch.
The horned creature wandered up
and down for a bit while the players
pointed at it, presumably in case the
referee hadnt noticed that a massive
bovine had joined them. Then when it
nally ran off, the game still couldnt
restart because a dog decided to join
the fun. What on earth was going on?
12
STREET APPEAL
Tanzania Dar es Salaam
So what do you do when a footballer
randomly turns up in the local area?
You illegally rename a street after him,
thats what. A local council in Tanzania
did just that, unveiling Victor Wanyama
Street during a visit from the Spurs ace,
who was born in neighbouring Kenya.
Unfortunately they did not actually
have permission to do it and the sign
was removed, though not until hed
gone. Hes been known to kick people
up in the air, so its not worth the risk...
 UPFROnT
26
CONFIDENCE BOOSTER Eredivisie side Roda JC
Kerkrade warmed up for 2017-18 with a taxing
friendly against FC Gulpen they only won 26-0

01 02 03

04 05 06

07 08

09 10 11 12

i i i
Arsenal vs Leicester Real Madrid vs Barcelona Tottenham vs Chelsea
Saturday morning football as the EPL The second leg of the Supercopa de Espana Last seasons top two clash as Spurs play their
campaign gets underway at the Emirates a Clasico affair for the rst time since 2012 rst home Premier League match at Wembley

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 15

UPFROnT

MY GREATEST

3 PERTH GLORY
2 WELLINGTON PHOENIX
7 April 2012 (NIB Stadium)

THE LEAD UP
I was playing for Perth Glory and we
long. I challenged for it in the air and
it managed to drop to Scott Neville. I
GOAL TODD HOWARTH
pretty intense last ve minutes and
we were pretty much just defending
penalties which put us through to the
Grand Final.
were playing Wellington Phoenix. It made a run and he put me through. He until the end. I felt pretty good after the
was a preliminary nal in 2012. We managed to nutmeg Manny Muscat to whistle went. I was happy I managed THE CONTENDERS
had a pretty strong run towards the put me in and then I just slipped it past to play a part in the game and put us I didnt really score that many,
end of the year and wed managed to the keeper. I was lucky enough to snag through to the semis. We were pretty especially in the A-League. I got a few
string a few results together. We were the winner. I just managed to pop up condent going into the next game. We in the state league but I couldnt put
on a bit of a roll. I wouldnt say we in the right area towards the end of the had been on a bit of a roll and we were my nger on one. I was much more the
were winning games convincingly but game, probably because I had some away to the Central Coast. We actually guy who would crop up in the right spot
we were managing to get the results. fresher legs. I took my shirt off during drew that game but we won it on and slot it home.
It got us into a good position and got the celebration and went a bit crazy.
us into the nals. We got a home nal
against Wellington. THE AFTERMATH
There was probably about ve minutes
THE MATCH left after that and they had a chance to
It was a pretty tight game. Wellington equalise right at the end of the game
had scored some good goals and it but they put it over the bar. It was a
was pretty much even the whole way
through. I remember big Billy Mehmet
had a pretty good game. When I came
on in that game, I was pretty condent.
I did a few nice things leading up to it
but obviously the lads who started the
game put in a lot of hard effort. I came
off the bench in that game and just
played the last 10 minutes of normal
time. When I came on in that game,
we were in a good position.
Interview William McInnes

THE GOAL
It was 2-2 at the time and then in the
second half of extra time, I managed to
score the goal. It came from a goal kick
from Danny Vukovic and it went quite

16 February
September
2016
2017
FourFourTwo
fourfourtwo.com.au
com
 Thank you Sydney!
Thank you to families who made our rst ever
Liverpool International Academy clinics in
Sydney a fantastic success.
Using sessions direct from our Academy in the
U.K., we had a wonderful experience teaching
players The Liverpool Way at The Hills Sports
High School Seven Hills, Barker College Hornsby
and Ultimate Soccer Faireld holiday clinics.
Keep an eye out for our next holiday clinics -
details coming soon. We cant wait to be back!

FOLLOW US

Head Coach James Gow with

Cael Harrower at the Faireld
clinic.

wantCaelto had a ball and didnt

stop training. Thank
you to all involved #YNWA
Andrew Harrower

The Liverpool FC Academy has set a benchmark for the
development of young players both on and off the pitch.
Coaching programs at Liverpool International Academies look
to bring those proven methods to young players around the
world.
Liverpool International Academy NSW now offers
authentic Liverpool Football Club Academy principles and
practices at all our clinics consistently delivered by a team
of coaches selected, trained and supported by Liverpool
International Academy staff.
Our aim will be to deliver the worlds most authentic club
coaching program to all participants.

www.liverpoolacademynsw.com.au
UPFROnT
UPFROnT
> <

AT THE END OF THE DAY ANTE MILICIC

Heres 20 tickets for the big match so

two of you can just watch it on Foxtel...
Socceroos assistant coach ANTE MILICIC had his heart broken by i f r l f f r rope

I knew Id made it as a player when I The funniest thing a coach ever

was 23 and moved overseas to Holland
from Sydney United. That was always a
big ambition for mine but I never had
the attitude that Id made it. I was
more thinking that I was on the right
track and that was a reward for all the
work Id put in. I dont think you ever
know that youve made it as a player
because you always want to achieve a
higher level in your career. If you look
at the top players around the world, I
dont think they have that mindset and
they continue to play at a high level
and do well at a high level.
I was happiest when I was playing
and doing well, regardless of where
that is. Youre always happy because
youre waking up every morning and
going to training. Its probably one of
the best professions in the world. Your
career is very short and you meet a lot
of good people along the way. Normally
when you win things, those are the
times that stand out. My Sydney United
team made me very happy because I
grew up with those players, playing in
the youth team so to play for them was
a dream of mine. I was happy there. It
was a community club for me. Going
overseas there are also some happy
times. Playing your rst game in Europe,
scoring your rst goal or playing at a
nice stadium are all happy memories.
told me was from my time with Miron
Bleiburg at Brisbane Roar. There were
22 players at training that night and
Brisbane Broncos were playing in the
rugby league. He said Well go to the
rugby league tonight boys. Heres 20
tickets so two of you can just watch
it on Foxtel. Those were the kind of
lines he had. He was quite a comical
character and he had an interesting
sense of humour. There were times on
and off the eld where he would have
some interesting ways of reecting
on certain scenarios. Ive had a lot
of coaches during my career but he
denitely stands out.
The day football broke my heart was
the NSL Grand Final in 1997. It was
Sydney United against Brisbane Strikers.
We lost that nal and I was actually in
tears on the eld. It was very emotional
because Id been with that club for so
long and it had never won an NSL
Grand Final. To lose on the day when
we were poor after having such a great
season. It was tough for me personally
too because the next day I knew I was
leaving for Holland so it was my last
chance to win a nal with my beloved
Sydney United. I was still very upset on
the ight the next day. Football has
broken my heart more than its given
me! It continuously breaks my heart.

My hero growing up was Diego
Maradona. As a kid, we didnt get the
football on television thats available
nowadays. I think it was the 1990
World Cup, that I just lived on the couch
and watched a lot of games. Ill never
forget how Maradona, in 1986 and even
in 1990 when he wasnt at his best, was
such a dominant player. Domestically
Interview William McInnes
My proudest moment was playing
for the Socceroos. I only played six
times for them. Growing up in my
position, you were competing with
Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka so you
never took them for granted. To even
get called up was always a massive
honour. Playing in Europe was also
a proud moment for me. Playing in
If I could change one thing about
the game, it would be more teams
and game time for youngsters, and
the chance to have more players on
the bench as well. Young guys just need
more games. I just want to see more
opportunities for young Australian
players but ultimately its for people
in different departments to decide.
because you get good holiday time
to spend with your family. Its well
balanced and the program suits
you well. P.E. was also a subject that
interested me more than others.
Three words that sum me up would be
pretty decent bloke.

as well, I looked up to the players at
Sydney Croatia like Manis Lamond and
arko Odakov. I was fortunate enough
that because I was playing my youth
football there, I could go watch them
on the weekend.
some fantastic stadiums like Ajaxs
Amsterdam Arena, playing for my club
HNK Rijeka in Croatia when we played
Europa League games against Celta
Vigo and derbies against Hajduk Split.
They were all fantastic moments.
If it wasnt for football Id be a P.E.
teacher. I liked different sports growing
up, it keeps you t and I dont mind
the interaction, relating with the kids.
I think being a school teacher, its good
If I could have one wish it would be to
live in the moment and enjoy what I do.
I dont really wish I could be living here
or having that job. I just work hard and
see where it takes me. I dont look that
far ahead.

18 February
September
2016
2017
FourFourTwo
fourfourtwo.com.au
com
 AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL EXPO
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 ROOS IN
THE EPL

Can the Pasty Pirlo st

in the Championship to shine in the Premier
League? We asked three former Socceroos
who have been there and done that
Words John Davidson

20 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au


ll his
f playing
mier
on but
know the
an Harry
ff at
here he
h Cup and
made his name, Kewell
continued on at Liverpool. Now a
manager with Crawley Town, the
former Socceroo has been keeping a
close eye on Mooy.
I watched him all last year, I
thought he was fantastic,
Kewell says. He was brilliant.
We all knew what a great player
he was, especially in the
A-League. He had this laidback
approach to the game.
Last season he was one of the
unknown players. But by the end
everyone knew who he was. Thats the
easiest season hell have in his life.
Everyone knows him now, so
everyone expects him and theyll do
their homework on him.
Theyll put pressure on him because
hes got a standard. And theres no
bigger league to show, so this
is going to be his tough year.
Theres a rule in football
your rst years for free.
The second is where you
make your name.
If you can stand your
second year and your third
year, youve got a chance.
Like Kewell, fellow Golden
Generation member Josip Skoko also
saw plenty of top level action in the
Premier League during his three years
with Wigan Athletic. And Skoko believes
Mooy has what it takes to be a success
in the Premier League.
We all knew he had the quality, it
was just a matter of him adjusting, the
41-year old says. He more than
adjusted last year so theres no reason
why he cant carry that form into
the Premier League.
I played at Stoke in the
Championship as well as with
Wigan in the Premier League,
and while there is a difference
in quality, the intensity is similar.
Its a high pace in the Championship
as well. Hes come to terms with that
and I dont think thats going to be a
major issue for him. Its another level
up, but if you can do it in the
Championship then you can certainly
do it in the Premiership.
Youre playing with better players
who should understand you better, so
he should be successful.
Its always hard playing at a club
thats just come up and thats a thing
fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 21
ROOS IN
THE EPL
you cant do anything about. But Im
sure with his quality, hell succeed
depending on the way his team plays
and if they continue to play how they
did last year but that will be difcult
against some of the teams. It might be
frustrating for him as some lesser
teams dont out go to play as much in
the EPL and look for points early.
You know how it is over there, its do
or die. If you get relegated, its a big
deal so a lot of the coaches tend to
underplay a little bit and play more
direct and skip the mideld.
That might be something that he
might have to contend with for this
season, rather than the different style
they played last year when they were
on top and were one of the better
teams. But thats certainly something
hell have to adjust to.
But hes more than capable, hes a
proper footballer in terms of that. If it
does get out of control, he might not
nd himself in a lot of games. On the
other hand theres great football in
the Premiership and better footballers
around, so it might work in his favour.
Thats something that will be
interesting to see.
Richard Garcia is another
Aussie with experience of life
in the Championship and in
the Premier League, after
helping Hull City go up in
2008. Garcia also had a
taste of life at the top with
West Ham United. The 35-year
old, who played against Mooy in the
A-League, believes the midelders
Socceroo experience will help.
One of the best things Aaron has in
his favour is that he has played a lot of
international football, which always
helps, Garcia says. He had a fantastic
season last season, he really stood out
in the Championship and got all the
plaudits he deserved.
Now he has to make sure hes
consistent and I think hes one of those
guys who wont get carried away with
himself and will be consistent.
Hes got the attributes to stay in
the Premier League for a while.
Sometimes its a little bit of luck,
sometimes its a little bit of dealing
with the division youre in.
Its going to be a hard season
possibly for Hudderseld.
Its never easy being one of the
teams thats promoted because that
team isnt as experienced at that level
as the rest of the group. So it will be a
tough challenge, and hard for the team
in general, let alone him.
It all depends on how that goes for
him and how he adapts to that, but
hes denitely got the attributes to be
and play at that level for a while.
 ROOS IN
THE EPL
HOME SWEET
HOVE FOR RYAN
M
at Ryan has landed in the
UK after a difcult spell
in Spain and is ready to
help keep Brighton &
Hove Albion in the
English Premier League.
Following four years
with Club Brugge,
Valencia and a loan stint
with Genk, Socceroo star
Mat Ryan has made it to England. His
new home is Falmer Stadium, home to
the 116-year old Seagulls.
The goalkeeper is excited about the
challenge ahead and the transition for
him to his new club has been smooth.
For the rst time since leaving the
A-League, he has the added bonus of
not needing to learn a new language.
Everyone at the club has been great
in assisting me players, staff, he says.
You really get the feeling its an
exciting place to be around. Everyone is
looking forward to the Premier League
this year.
It seems like a great little town.
Theres a bit of a buzz about. Everything
seems to be in place to a be a long-stay
Premier League and thats going to be
the goal this year.
Ryan admits he didnt know what
to expect at rst when he landed in
East Sussex.
Its my rst time playing in a club
in England it made settling in a
lot easier with the language being
English, he says. Its the rst time in
my career for that.
Fingers crossed we can keep
progressing and get ourselves in the
best physical and mental shape to
start the season strong.
Brighton were promoted into the top
ight after nishing second in the
Championship. Now they are in the
Premier League, Ryan says the target is
to stay there long-term: The goal is to
be a mainstay Premier League club.
Away from the pitch, everythings in
22 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
place for that and now its just up to us
to embark on that journey football-
wise. Im condent with everything in
place at the club, the staff and the
facilities, and the guidance of Ben
[Roberts, club goalkeeping coach] and
the gaffer and the other goalkeepers so
that I can take my game to another
level here at Brighton.
The Socceroo has been impressed by
the facilities and the way the club is run
by owner Tony Bloom. A sports bettor
and property investor, Bloom is a
lifelong Brighton supporter who took
75% ownership of the club in 2009.
The facilities at the club are probably
the best Ive been in until now, Ryan
says. The recent developments under
the owner which took over a couple
of years ago, hes a big fan of the club
and has helped the club to get where
they are.
Without his backing they wouldnt
be here either. Its really nice as a
footballer to come to a team with
the professionalism at what it is.
Everythings great.
Ryan has been brought in to replace
number one David Stockdale, who has
joined Birmingham City. The Australian
has big shoes to ll with Stockdale
playing a key role in Brighton getting
promotion under manager Chris
Hughton. To the 25-year old, success
can come in many forms this season.
I think being here, contributing to
the team, staying up and showing the
Premier League what the team is
capable of, he says. What better
preparation for a World Cup then
playing a season at the highest level.
Thats the foundation of my goals
and the teams goals. As a footballer
you want to challenge yourself at the
highest level and here at Brighton were
going to be getting that this season.
Myself and the boys and ourselves as
a club, as one, were really looking
forward to the challenge.
 ROOS IN
THE EPL

I THINK BEING HERE, CONTRIBUTING

TO THE TEAM, STAYING UP AND
SHOWING THE PREMIER LEAGUE
WHAT THE TEAM IS CAPABLE OF

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 23

 EUROROOS

AWER MABIL
AUSSIES ABROAD
CLUB: PACOS DE FERREIRA
COUNTRY: PORTUGAL
POSITION: WINGER
Another a difcult two years in Denmark, Mabil has

12 TO WATCH
been loaned to Pacos de Ferreira. Joining ex-Adelaide
teammate Dylan McGowan in Portugal, Mabil is
seeking regular game-time.

JAMES MEREDITH
CLUB: MILLWALL
BRANDON BORRELLO
CLUB: FC KAISERSLAUTERN
COUNTRY: ENGLAND COUNTRY: GERMANY
POSITION: LEFT BACK POSITION: FORWARD
James Meredith has moved up a division, swapping Like his former Roar teammate, Borello has landed at
League Ones Bradford City for newly promoted a German club. The 21-year could break into the
Championship side Millwall. Meredith had a brilliant Socceroos if he thrives with Kaiserslautern.
2016/2017 season and will hoping the step up can
help push him back into the national team frame.

KWAME YEBOAH
CAMERON BURGESS
CLUB: SCUNTHORPE UNITED
CLUB: BORUSSIA
MONCHENGLADBACH
COUNTRY: GERMANY
JESSE CURRAN
CLUB: DUNDEE
COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: FORWARD COUNTRY: SCOTLAND
POSITION: CENTRAL DEFENCE Yeboah has been under the radar since leaving POSITION: MIDFIELD
After loan spells at Ross County, Cheltenham Town, Brisbane three years ago. But the forward is being For the past two years Curran has been with Dundee
Oldham Athletic and Bury, Burgess has nally left tipped to break into Borussia Monchengladbachs since leaving the Mariners. At 21, his future looks
Fulham to sign for Scunthorpe. The 21-year old rst-team in the weeks ahead. bright after signing a new deal with the Dees in May.
Olyroo is looking to make a consistent impact at
rst-team level.

DYLAN MCGOWAN RYAN WILLIAMS

JAMIE MACLAREN
CLUB: SV DARMSTADT
CLUB: PACOS DE FERREIRA
COUNTRY: PORTUGAL
POSITION: CENTRAL DEFENCE
CLUB: ROTHERHAM UNITED
COUNTRY: ENGLAND
POSITION: MIDFIELD
COUNTRY: GERMANY McGowan has returned to Europe after three years After a nightmare 18 months with injury, Williams left
POSITION: STRIKER with Adelaide United. Few Aussies have succeeded Championship side Barnsley for League One
Maclaren is nally back in Europe after hot goalscoring in Portugal and the 25-year old will be looking to neighbours Rotherham. The younger brother of Rhys
form at Brisbane Roar. A strong season in Germany buck that trend. Williams is keen to put his injury problems behind him.
will have him primed for the World Cup next year.

CALLUM ELDER AIDEN ONEILL

CLUB: BURNLEY
CURTIS GOOD
CLUB: NEWCASTLE UNITED
CLUB: LEICESTER CITY COUNTRY: ENGLAND COUNTRY: ENGLAND
COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: MIDFIELD POSITION: CENTRAL DEFENCE
POSITION: LEFT BACK Only 19, last season ONeill made his debut in the Speculation clouds Goods future, with a reported
Elder had a difcult last season, with injuries Premier League. He also had an impressive loan move to Notts County failing to materialise. The
disrupting a loan spell at Barnsley. Only 22, the spell with Oldham and could be sent out again to 24-year old has had a terrible past three years,
fullback could be on the move for another loan gain more experience and could yet be a late bolter for only playing a handful of games, but now he is
from Leicester this season. the Socceroos if he can impress this season. nally back to full tness.

RILEY MCGREE
CLUB: CLUB BRUGGE
JORDAN LYDEN
CLUB: ASTON VILLA
GOLGOL MEBRAHTU
CLUB: MLADA BOLESLAV
COUNTRY: BELGIUM COUNTRY: ENGLAND COUNTRY: CZECH REPUBLIC
POSITION: MIDFIELD POSITION: MIDFIELD POSITION: FORWARD
Another one with just a single season in the A-League A club teammate of Socceroo skipper Mile Jedinak, Mebrahtu had a solid rst season with Mlada
at Adelaide United, McGree has moved to Club Brugge. injuries derailed Lyndens 2016/2017 campaign. But Boleslav after leaving Western Sydney. In July he
The 18-year old joins a Belgian powerhouse with a hopes are high the 21-year old can make an impact in bagged two goals in a 3-2 win over Shamrock Rovers
strong history of successful Australian players. the Championship. in the Europa League.

24 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

 THE FFA CUP
ROUND OF 16
Kicks off August | LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Visit foxsports.com.au/ffacup

Foxtel Now requires internet, data & a compatible device. Foxtel and some services not available to all homes. Foxtel marks are used under licence by Foxtel Management Pty Ltd
 THE TOM
ROGIC STORY
See? some good
things DO come from
Canberra!

EMERGENCE In 2011: a lanky kid from the ACT you have never heard
of wins Nikes The Chance competition, beating 75,000 entrants
from across the globe. A star is born.

o oT
FROM CANBERRA TO CELTIC STAR. Tom Rogics journey has
sh
gone from the Australian capital to Glasgow, and
back again, plus plenty of bumps along the way. But
Words by John Davdison

six years after he first came to prominence Rogic has

already won two premierships, two cups and one league FIRST CAP: The Canberran gets a taste of senior
international football, coming off the bench in a
cup, becoming one of Celtics main men. 2-1 Socceroo win over South Korea in Hwaseong.

26 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

 THE TOM
ROGIC STORY

Go get em, Tom!

IN DEMAND After just a

year in the A-League,
word spreads of
Rogics unique talent.
Fulham, Reading, Celta
ON TRACK January 2012 and Rogic earns his first professional contract with A-League side Vigo, Rayo Vallecano
Central Coast Mariners. The youngster will be moulded by former Socceroo Graham and Club Brugge all
Arnold and gets the chance to strut his stuff. join the race for him.

NEW BHOY: January

2013 and Rogic is on
his way as he signs
with Scottish giants
Celtic. The attacking
midfielder has his
first European deal.

DISASTER STRIKES: The number 10 is seNt back to the A-League, on loan to Melbourne
Victory, to gain game-time ahead of the 2014 World Cup. But a niggling groin injury
hampers him, forcing several operations, and he misses both the tournament in Brazil
and then the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 27

 THE TOM
ROGIC STORY

TOMMY GUN! Rogic catches

fire, earning rave reviews
in Scotland and abroad.
Against Kilmarnock in
March 2016, he scores a
spectacular goal that
later wins him the Celtic
goal of the season award.

COMEBACK KID! Eighteen months after leaving to go on loan with

Victory, Rogic is finally fit again and makes it back into Celtics
first-team, scoring in a 2-0 victory over Partick Thistle.

Gooo a l! ! !

HAMPDEN HERO! Rogics reputation grows as he bags the first goal in

Celtics 3-0 Scottish League Cup final victory against Aberdeen.

28 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

 THE TOM
ROGIC STORY

IM GOING TO NEED
TO SCORE THE WINNER
OLD FIRM DRAMA: DISASTER! In a thrilling Scottish Cup semi-final with Rangers IN A CUP FINAL TO MAKE
Rogic misses the vital penalty in the shootout, sending Celtic out and their UP FOR THIS!
bitter rivals on to the final. The blue half of Glasgow celebrates.

STAYING PUT: After a stellar season

the Socceroo is in demand from rival
European clubs in England, Spain and
Italy. But he stays in Glasgow,
signing a new three-year contract
with the Bhoys.

LATE WINNER! The awesome attacker fires in the winner

in injury time to down Motherwell 4-3, secure all three
points for the Hoops and go on to win the LEAGUE...again!

HAIL HAIL THE BHOY IS HERE! Rogic is the man Celtic turn to for
inspiration in their time of need. He scores another late winner,
this time against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final, to secure the
domestic treble for the 2016/2017 season. Now for 2017/18...!

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 29

 PREMIER LEAGUE
Will Chelseas title defence go the way of their last
one? Can any of the promoted sides beat the drop?
And wholl be suffering buyers remorse come May?
There could then be a large gap after all, 15 points
separated seventh from eighth last term. But Leicester
will believe they can smash the glass ceiling, having
Chelsea fans wont need reminding how badly Tottenham, runners-up last season, will be able to done so before, and sharing their lofty ambitions are
their previous title defence went. Having won the compete at the top end but only if they can settle at Southampton and the ever-improving Bournemouth.
Premier League in 2014-15, the Blues entered the Wembley. Near-neighbours Arsenal, ough some West Bromwich Albion
following campaign full of hope but ended up 10th, hope Alexandre Lacazette can make s might welcome the excitement,
with the players unhappy and the manager sacked. league season than their turbulent 2 est Ham and Crystal Palace wont
The same thing wont happen again this time out, Liverpools Jurgen Klopp will have n want a relegation ght. Neither will
surely, but given that this years title race looks as if it problem motivating his players, but th afa Benitez be content with mere
will be more ercely contested than ever, with six or addition of Champions League footba survival for Newcastle, even if his
maybe even seven genuine contenders for the throne, means he must be careful toavoid ellow promotees, Brightons Chris
they certainly shouldnt expect things to come quite burnout. Merseyside rivals Everton ghton and Hudderselds David
as easily as they did last season. have totally overhauled their squad, ner (left), will be happy just to stay
The key to success for Chelsea will be balancing with Wayne Rooney returning with long seasons ahead for Watford,
domestic duties with their Champions League return. a winning mentality in tow. Stoke and Swansea, itll be tight.
Theres little doubt that not having European football
on their plate worked in their favour in 2016-17; now
Antonio Conte must calculate the best way to rotate.
Jose Mourinho sacriced the league for Europe last
season, but he wont get away with doing similar this
time around. Another summer of lavish spending for
Manchester United, including the $125 million signing
of Romelu Lukaku, means a proper push for top spot is
an absolute must. Fortunately, Mourinho has a knack
of winning the league in his second season at a club.
Across Manchester, the Special Ones mortal enemy,
Pep Guardiola, will be desperate to witness a sustained
title push from his City side. The early acquisition of
Monacos midelder Bernardo Silva (below) appears
a shrewd one, but the pressure on his new goalkeeper
Ederson will be signicant from the get-go, following
Claudio Bravos struggles between the sticks.

30 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

 SEASOn PREVIEW

WHO WILL FInISH AS TOP SCORER?

11/4 11/2 10/1 16/1 25/1 40/1

2017-18
PREDICTIOn
HARRY SERGIO ALEXIS MARCUS SADIO EDEN
KANE AGUERO SANCHEZ RASHFORD MAN HAZARD

1. Man City

WHO WILL WIn MAnAGER OF THE YEAR?

2. Chelsea
3. Man United
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Liverpool
7. Everton
8. Southampton
9. Leicester
10. Bournemouth
11. Newcastle
12. West Brom
GET INVOLVED
TWEET US
3/1 5/1 9/1 12/1
PEP GUARDIOLA ANTONIO CONTE MAURICIO JURGEN KLOPP
13. West Ham USING THE
HASHTAG Manchester Citys Last years champion POCHETTINO His Liverpool troops
14. Crystal Palace manager is starting adapted to England After improving Spurs were blowing come
15. Stoke
16. Brighton
#FFTPREVIEW to mould his own with ease, but how no end, can he now Christmas; can they
side so will they will he fare without take that nal step keep up the frenetic
17. Swansea storm the division? the surprise factor? and clinch the title? pace this time out?
18. Watford
19. Burnley
20. Hudderseld

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 31

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
ARSEnAL LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E 5th
F A C UP Winners
LEAG UE CU P Fifth Round
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Last 16
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Alexis Sanchez (30)
DOES ARSEnE WEnGER STILL
HAVE THE DRESSInG ROOM?
When a microphone was thrust under the noses
of Arsenals players last term, they were quick to
defend Arsene Wenger. Dont blame the manager
blame us, theyd cry. It was a heartwarming
gesture. But some of their performances suggested
that the players wouldnt run through a light drizzle
for the Gunners manager, let alone a brick wall.
Wenger and the board didnt help the situation.
They dawdled over his contract extension, causing
unrest in the stands and uncertainty on the pitch.
Arsenal ended up nishing fth in the Premier League
and missing out on Champions League qualication
for the rst time in 20 years. Meanwhile, their assault
on Europes top club competition characteristically
32 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
ended in March, when they suffered a humiliating
10-2 aggregate defeat against Bayern Munich in the
Last 16. AsWenger stood crestfallen on the touchline,
vitriol teeming from all around the Emirates, his
players showedlittle appetite for the ght. The one
man who did dip his head and charge straight into
anything standing between him and victory was
Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean was the only player to
publicly express frustration at the teams fragility.
When that ght does not come from within, fear
canbe an effective tool for coaxing the best out of
underperforming talent. The nest exponent of
that managerial approach was undoubtedly Alex
Ferguson. But that just isnt Wengers style. And so,
unable to jolt his troops out of their annual collapse,
the Frenchman watched on helplessly as the second
half of Arsenals season descended into chaos.
Supporters fought among themselves; Wenger Out
banners were appearing everywhere from Bangkok
to Baghdad; Sanchez stormed out of training. Then,
just when it seemed that the board would nally wilt
under increasing pressure and announce Wengers
departure, the team embarked on a salvage mission.
The manager switched to three at the back and
Arsenal won their nal ve Premier League games,
before defeating league champions Chelsea to lift
the FA Cup for a record-breaking 13th time.
The board rewarded Wenger with a new two-year
deal, angering many fans who felt that the trophy
was little more than a consolation prize.
But you will have heard few grumbles emanating
from the dressing room. The players know Wenger
acts as a buffer from the fans criticism and rarely
punishes their lacklustre performances. His faith has
been unequivocal. Now the players must repay him.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
WIN BACK THE FANS ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE FIXTURES
This must be top of the to-do list. Wenger acted swiftly to tie up a club-record
While he shouldnt pander to the $85 million fee for the striker as the Gunners AU G UST
banner-ying berks, Wenger cant look to challenge at the top level this season. 12 Leicester (H)
allow what he called the horrendous The France international has scored 91 goals 20 Stoke (A)
environment of last term to take hold in Ligue 1 over the previous four campaigns. 28 Liverpool (A)
again. Ambitious recruitment helps to S EPT EM B ER
get fans onside, and Arsenal ticked that 10 Bournemouth (H)
box in breaking the club transfer record 17 Chelsea (A)
to sign Alexandre Lacazette. Next, they 26 West Brom (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17
must get the campaign off to a yer. O C T OB ER

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

2
1 Brighton (H)
DELEGATE POWER 15 Watford (A)
Wenger has resisted the boards 22 Everton (A)
efforts to appoint a new director W14 29 Swansea (H)
of football and has shunned many N OV EM B ER
of his former Gunners players coaching 5 Man City (A)
applications. He insists on total control. 19 Tottenham (H)
But at 67, he must modernise the clubs D3
12 GOALS
27 Burnley (A)
L2

structure and delegate responsibility so 30 Hudderseld (H)

that he can focus on perfecting Arsenals
new system. And speaking of which... HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D EC EM B ER
3 Man United (H)
RECORD PIECES
6
11 Southampton (A)

3
KEEP FAITH WITH 3-4-3 14 West Ham (A)
With their season spiralling out of 17 Newcastle (H)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
control and their defensive ranks 24 Liverpool (H)
in tatters, Wenger had to change 27 Crystal Palace (A)
something. In April he deployed a3-4-3
AWAY 31 West Brom (A)

RECORD
formation for the rst time in almost JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
20 years, and Arsenal won 2-1 away at 2 Chelsea (H)
Middlesbrough. Sticking with it sparked 14 Bournemouth (A)
D3

anupturn in form and got the best out 22 Crystal Palace (H)
L7

68
of Aaron Ramsey and Rob Holding, but 31 Swansea (A)
it was momentum, not mastery, which FE B R UA RY
W9
carried the team. Wenger must rene 4 Everton (H)
Arsenals formation and then sign the 3 11 Tottenham (A)
right personnel to execute it efciently. 25 Man City (H)

WHEn 12 12
MA RC H

4
7 8 23
HALF-TIME
GOALS

BUILD THE DEFENCE 4 Brighton (A)

AROUND ROB HOLDING
THEY 15 11 Watford (H)

SCORED
Had the 21-year-old been loaned 18 Leicester (A)
out in January as planned, 3-4-3 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Stoke (H)
may not have worked, Arsenal may not AP R I L
have won the FA Cup and FFT might not 8 Southampton (H)
be hailing his potential. Instead Holding 15 Newcastle (A)
stayed, cemented his spot in a new-look 22 West Ham (H)
defence and starred at Wembley. Calm, 29 Man United (A)
intelligent, technically gifted: Holding is MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

a future Arsenal captain in the making. 6 Burnley (H)
14 Hudderseld (A)

5
BAN ALL SELFIES FROM
THE DRESSING ROOM
Its just wrong. It annoys the fans,
draws ridicule from the media and
motivates the opposition: Robert Huth
revealed that Leicesters players were
red up to win the Premier League title
in 2016 after seeing Arsenals seles in
the changing room. Save post-match
snaps for when you lift the trophy, lads.
FFT VERDICT
TIM STILLMAN, WWW.ARSEBLOG.COM
This season will be different to
last because well nish fourth...
Save the date for Liverpool away
in the last weekend in August.
Theres always a late goal in this
xture, and last season the games
between Arsenal and Liverpool
had a big impact on the nal table.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Gabriel Jesus. I watched
Our most underrated player is
Nacho Monreal, called upon in
a few different roles last season.
He rarely has a bad game for us.
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Kieran Gibbs.
Hes not that terrible and I have
nothing against him per se, but he
really shouldve been looking for
a challenge a few years ago now.
The best away ground is
Tottenhams, as Wembley has
been as kind to us as it has been
unforgiving for our neighbours.
One change I would make to our
club is the owner.
This season we will nish fourth.
FFT asks: Whats your reaction
to Arsene Wenger signing

5
Lacazette may not be him a fair bit at Palmeiras and Our pantomime villain is Ander a new deal? I think the time was
TH enough, especially with
Europa League demands.
I was desperate for Arsenal to
make a move to bring him in.
Herrera. I think that most people
have become wise to him by now.
right for him to go, to be honest,
but Im not raging about it.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 33

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
BOURn LAST SEASO
PREM IE R LE A GU E
F A C UP Third Round
LEAG UE CU P Third R
TO P SCORE R (A LL
Josh King (far right, 16
IS IT TIME TO SACRIFICE
EnTERTAInMEnT FOR SOLIDITY?
It almost seems churlish to question anything to
do with Bournemouths management right now.
Eddie Howes men just nished ninth for the clubs
highest league placing in their 118-year history
and even more impressive was theway they did it.
Plenty of smaller sides have clawed their way to
mid-table with adisciplined style that frustrates the
Premier Leagues big sh and scrapes them past the
rest. But Howes buccaneers made the top half via that
dream of many a cautious clubs fan: by having a go.
Their positive brand of football was exhilarating at
times. Consider the Cherries 6-1 vivisection of Hull, or
34 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
the ding-dong madness that was their 4-3 win over
Liverpool defender Steve Cook couldnt be accused
of exaggerating when he called it the best day in the
clubs history by a country mile. In all, Bournemouth
scored more goals than Manchester United and some
12 other teams. For the fans it was comic-book stuff.
So FourFourTwo feel like droning killjoys when we
suggest that Bournemouths tactical barometer may
need to swing slightly just asmidge, Eddie! back in
the direction of a safety-rst approach. It is too easily
forgotten that in February, ahideous run of defeats
saw them slump into a relegation dogght, having
conceded two or more goals in seven consecutive
outings. Even Howes cherubic face began to visibly
sag. When I look in the mirror, I see someone who
is ageing, he said. Its not good for your health, this.
That especially leaky run coincided with Chelsea
recalling the talented and versatile Nathan Ake from
his loan, so the 22-year-olds return to Dean Court on
a permanent deal is welcome. That Howe was willing
to pay a club record fee of $33 million shows how
much he feels his side missed the young Dutchman.
Howes team conceded 67 league goals in 2016-17,
only two fewer than Sunderlands highly lamentable
rearguard. Even with defensive reinforcements, they
need greater collective discipline. Bournemouth were
wildly inconsistent, and while that does give them an
entertaining rock n roll edge, it also leaves them with
little to fall back on if injuries should blunt their attack.
It may be like asking Keith Richards if he can briey
give the drugs a rest, but Bournemouth may have to
learn to be boring occasionally. Do that, and they can
write an even ner chapter of their wonderful story.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
SHORE UP THE DEFENCE STEVE COOK FIXTURES
Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Charlie This units strength is its togetherness, and Cook
Daniels, Adam Smith: four names epitomises that. The 26-year-old keeps improving AUG UST
that read like a team sheet from season-on-season, and having made it here via 13 West Brom (A)
a bygone era. Bournemouths backline the Conference, League One and Championship, 20 Watford (H)
give 100 per cent and contribute going what odds an England call-up in the near future? 26 Man City (H)
forward full-backs Smith and Daniels S E PT EM B ER
laid on 13 goals and assists between 10 Arsenal (A)
them last term but defending is the 16 Brighton (H)
teams Achilles heel. Its possible that 24 Everton (A)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17
Howe has improved his defenders to 30 Leicester (H)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

their full potential, in which case Ake O C T OB ER
shouldnt be the last upgrade to arrive. 15 Tottenham (A)

2
22 Stoke (A)
DONT DISRUPT TEAM SPIRIT 29 Chelsea (H)
The fact that we have been able N OV EM B ER
W9
to stay in the Premier League for 5 Newcastle (A)
two years gives us a stronger base 19 Hudderseld (H)
to appeal to new players, explained
12 26 Swansea (A)
L6

GOALS
D4
Howe. However, the boss is also aware 30 Burnley (H)
that Bournemouths success has been
built upon a family atmosphere within HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D E C EM B ER
3 Southampton (H)
RECORD PIECES
11
his squad. History is littered with clubs 10 Crystal Palace (A)
who signed the wrong Billy Big-Bollocks 13 Man United (A)
and soiled their dressing-room unity 17 Liverpool (H)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
so this must be avoided at all costs. 24 Man City (A)

3
27 West Ham (H)
KEEP THE KING FIRING
AWAY 31 Everton (H)

RECORD
AFCB leaked as many goals (67) in JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
2016-17 as they did in 2015-16, 2 Brighton (A)
when they nished 16th, only ve 14 Arsenal (H)
points clear of the drop. The difference? 21 West Ham (A)
D6

Norwegian goal monster Josh King, who W3 31 Chelsea (A)

L1

52
0

hit 16 of his 33 career goals last term. FEB R UA RY

Keeping the on-re forward at the club 4 Stoke (H)
and t is key. Failing that, Jermain 3 11 Hudderseld (A)
Defoe is bringing his Indian summer to 25 Newcastle (H)

WHEn
the south coast, even if he cant repeat MA RC H
9 8 10 8
HALF-TIME
GOALS

that record-breaking 2000-01 campaign 4 Leicester (A)

with goals in each of his rst 10 games.
THEY 5 15 11 Tottenham (H)

SCORED
4
18 West Brom (H)
TRUST IN YOUR NEW MAN 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Watford (A)
At the other end, Asmir Begovic is APR I L
a very shrewd signing: having just 8 Crystal Palace (H)
turned 30, hes hitting prime years 15 Liverpool (A)
for a goalkeeper. He may be a bit rusty 22 Man United (H)
at rst after warming Chelseas bench, 29 Southampton (A)
but condence breeds consistency, and MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

in time he will win the team vital points. 6 Swansea (H)

5
USE HOME ADVANTAGE
As ever, the fans will play a part.
Dean Courts 11,400 capacity may
be a nancial disadvantage, but
the compact arenadoes imbue home
matches withacup-tie feeling that can
work to the teams benet. Supporters
keeping the noise levels high, especially
when their players are labouring, can
make a world of difference this season.
FFT VERDICT
CHRIS LINES, MATCH-GOING SUPPORTER SINCE 1988
This season will be different to
last because a mid-table nish
might be seen as the standard
now, whereas last season it was
seen as an over-achievement.
Our pantomime villain is Robert
Huth. He always winds us up. But
given that he once deliberately
booted the ball into the face of an
already injured Callum Wilson and
still didnt get sent off, weve given
Keep an eye out for Lewis Cook.
He has just captained Englands
Under-20s to World Cup glory,
and this could be the season he
emerges as a sublime talent.
The best away ground is at
Brighton. I never thought there
would be a clash of the seaside
towns in the Premier League.
The best away fans are the away
14 Burnley (A)
Save the date for Southampton
away, in late April. Our fans would
love a proper rivalry to develop,
and an end-of-season crunch
clash could help with that.
This season we will nish 13th.
Well be dreaming of that being
higher, but this cant last forever.
FFT asks: Does Jermain Defoes
return make you excited? More

10
Intelligent signings make up hope of ever waving him off to following of Manchester United, sentimental than excited. His loan
TH top-half solidication
a very achievable target.
an early bath. Referees must owe
him a few favours or something.
despite the stereotypes. They have
both knowledge and passion.
spell while in his teens was one of
my favourite spells in our history.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 35

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
BRIGHTOn & HOVE LAST SEASON
C HAM PIONSH IP 2nd
F A C UP Fourth Round
LEAG UE CU P Third Round
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Glenn Murray (23)
WILL AnTHOnY KnOCKAERT MAKE
A SUCCESSFUL STEP UP AT LAST?
The pilgrimage from bottom to top has become
a path well-trodden in recent seasons, and like
Swansea, Burnley and Bournemouth before them,
Brighton have battled back from the brink.
In 1997s do-or-die decider at Hereford, Kerry Mayo
had come within half an hour of being known as the
guy whose own goal sent Albion out of the Football
League, until a swing of Robbie Reinelts left boot let
him off the hook and kept the Seagulls in ight.
Twenty years on from that day, the south-coast
side are unrecognisable from the one which became
homeless following the sale of the Goldstone Ground
and were forced to play at Gillingham for two seasons.
36 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
Poker-playing boyhood Brighton supporter Tony
Bloom has pumped $400 million into the club since
taking over from Dick Knight in May 2009, with the
construction of the 30,000-capacity Amex Stadium
and ultra-modern training facilities transforming the
1983 FA Cup nalists into an elite-level organisation.
Twelve months ago, another nal-day shootout
away at Middlesbrough on this occasion meant
Albion were agonisingly denied automatic promotion
on goal difference (and by two goals at that). But Chris
Hughtons side rarely looked like taking their eyes off
the prize last term, and never once strayed from the
top two after Octobers 1-0 win at Wigan.
Ignoring Newcastles interest in swashbuckling
wideman Anthony Knockaert was imperative to the
Seagulls success. Talismanic attacking displays that
produced 15 goals and eight assists earned the
Frenchman a deserved Player of the Season prize and
a second chance to shine on the biggest stage.
A Championship winner with Leicester in 2013-14,
Knockaert played only 330 minutes of Premier League
football under Nigel Pearson and rejected a contract
ahead of their title-winning season, instead spending
six months at Standard Liege before joining Brighton.
So does the winger feel he has a point to prove?
Not really, he told FFT in April. I loved my time at
Leicester, and though I didnt play as much as Id like,
Im not trying to prove anyone wrong. I know I can
show my qualities. The 25-year-old will certainly get
his chance, as Bloom looks to keep faith with existing
talent and strengthen gradually, eschewing big buys.
Bloom will know that few promoted clubs stay up
without a gamble along the way. But with Knockaert
on board, Brighton already have an ace in their pack.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
MAKE THE AMEX A FORTRESS LEWIS DUNK FIXTURES
One look at Burnley shows what Keeping vice-captain Dunk away from Crystal
rock-solid home form can do for Palace last summer was a wise move, as the AU G UST
survival hopes the Clarets stayed ball-playing centre-back is one of the most 13 Man City (H)
up with only one away win. That bodes complete defenders at Championship level. 20 Leicester (A)
well for Brighton, who won the most He will be vital to Brighton avoiding a return. 27 Watford (A)
matches and conceded the fewest S EPT EM B ER
goals at home in the Championship 10 West Brom (H)
last time out. Theyve also responded 16 Bournemouth (A)
well to the departure of reliable keeper 25 Newcastle (H)
CHAMPIONSHIP 2016-17
David Stockdale, signing Mat Ryan from

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

O C T OB ER
Valencia for a record fee of around $8m. 1 Arsenal (A)

2
15 Everton (H)
MARRY OLD WITH NEW 22 West Ham (A)
With Glenn Murray, Steve Sidwell W17 29 Southampton (H)
and captain Bruno in the twilight N OV EM B ER
of their careers while several more 5 Swansea (A)
are aged around 30, Brighton dont lack 19 Stoke (H)
experience. Supporters are eager to see
talent rising through their ranks in the
D3
12 GOALS
26 Man United (A)
29 Crystal Palace (H)
L3

manner of winger Solly March. Defender

Josh Kerr joining the under-23s from HOME
SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D EC EM B ER
3 Liverpool (H)
PIECES
RECORD 11
Celtic is one step in the right direction. 10 Hudderseld (A)

3
14 Tottenham (A)
LIGHTEN MURRAYS LOAD 17 Burnley (H)
The 33-year-old talisman netted TOTAL GAMES: 46 24 Watford (H)
another 23 Championship goals 27 Chelsea (A)
last season but he has previously 31 Newcastle (A)
found top-ight defences a tougher nut AWAY JA N UA RY
to crack, and will hope to rekindle form
that produced seven goals in 11 games
RECORD DISCIPLInE
2 Bournemouth (H)
14 West Brom (A)
for Crystal Palace in 2015. Having been 21 Chelsea (H)

75
priced out of a loan deal for Chelseas 31 Southampton (A)
D6
L6

Tammy Abraham, who joined relegation FE B R UA RY

rivals Swansea instead, Brighton may 4 West Ham (H)
have to take a punt on an unproven
W11 5 11 Stoke (A)
forward to beef up their strikeforce. 25 Swansea (H)

WHEn
4
MA RC H
10 8 7
HALF-TIME
GOALS

KEEP YOUR DISCIPLINE 4 Arsenal (H)

Brighton got stuck in last season,
THEY 15 17 17 11 Everton (A)

SCORED
averaging more tackles per game 18 Man City (A)
(17.2) than the vast majority of 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Leicester (H)
Championship teams, but they racked AP R I L
up the fouls, too. Only Wolves and QPR 8 Hudderseld (H)
attracted more toots of the referees 15 Crystal Palace (A)
whistle, and a repeat could be costly in 22 Tottenham (H)
a land where dead-balls are delivered 29 Burnley (A)
into the box with more regular quality. MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

5
DONT LEAVE IT TOO LATE
Norwich were two points above
the drop zone with four games to
go in 2013-14 but, having sacked
Hughton a few weeks earlier, took on
Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea
and Arsenal and went down. Hughton
will hope that a) hes still in situ, and b)
his side are well clear of danger by the
time they take on Spurs, Manchester
United and Liverpool to end 2017-18.
FFT VERDICT
SCOTT McCARTHY, WWW.WEAREBRIGHTON.COM
This season will be different to
last because we were a jewel in
the sewer, but now we are a mere
stone in the mountain stream.
Save the date for Crystal Palace
away. Its on April 14, so it could
be a key date. Id love to see us
relegate them, but a lifetime of
experience tells me that it will
probably be the other way around.
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Oliver Norwood,
partly as he hasnt done much,
but mainly because bleaching his
hair last season made him look
like Shirley Carter from EastEnders.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that despite our chairman
being a professional gambler, The
Amex has got no betting facilities
inside due to the sponsorship deal
6 Man United (H)
14 Liverpool (A)
Our pantomime villain is Mike
Dean: he loves making himself the
centre of attention, which is easily
the worst trait a referee can have.
Focus on the game, shiny-bonce.
This year well nish just outside
the relegation zone... I hope.
FFT asks: What do you make of
your rst game: Manchester City
at home? Its a real welcome

16
A tough run-in wont help, Our most underrated player is with American Express. Thankfully to the Premier League start!
TH but Albions squad should
offer enough to stay up.
Dale Stephens. He isnt ashy, but
you notice when hes not playing.
theres free WiFi, so you can still
lose money betting on corners.
Knowing Brighton, well probably
beat City, then lose four in a row.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 37

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
BURnLEY LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E 16th
F A C UP Fifth Round
LEAG UE CU P Second Round
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Sam Vokes (12)
CAn THEY COnTInUE TO RELY
SOLELY On THEIr HOME FORM?
It was an inevitability of any TV interview that
involved Burnley last season: at some point,
someone was going to say the A word.
No, not aardvark: theres really not much insight
that Sean Dyche can offer into the doings of the
long-snouted ant-gobbler, particularly straight after
a tense xture at West Bromwich Albion, so reporters
usually didnt bother. What they were far more
interested in was the Clarets away form.
Even when Burnley had won at Turf Moor again,
talk always returned to the same question: But why
havent you won away? At which point Dyche would
38 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
usually let out an inward sigh and trot out the
same gruff answer: It doesnt matter where the
points comefrom, as long as they come.
The contradiction between Burnleys home and
away form was a peculiar one, though. Dyches men
won 10 games at home last season, twomorethan
Manchester United managed, and picked up 33of
their 40 points in front of their own fans.
In contrast, they didnt secure their rst (and
only)away victory until a 2-0 triumph at Crystal
Palace on April29 a game that also provided us
with AshleyBarnes and George Boyds gloriously
comical row, row, row your boat goal celebration,
even though the strike was disallowed.
The Clarets home form was always going to be
essential to their survival. They won only four home
games in their previous top-ight season, slipping up
against teams around them en route to relegation.
In 2016-17 they got it emphatically right, taking nine
victories from a possible 13 against teams outside the
top six. Crucially, they had more repower: Burnley
scored 26 goals on familiar soil, compared to just 14
in 2014-15. That form wasnt replicated away from
home, where they ceded more of the ball and scored
only 13times, although Dyche believed that his team
deserved more points on the road than they picked up.
The gravel-voiced gaffer knows they cannot expect
to survive again by claiming just seven points on their
travels 10 wins at Turf Moor was extraordinary and
will be very difcult to repeat. A continuation of their
condent performances at home, allied with a more
attacking approach on the road, will be key to Burnley
building on last terms 16th-placed nish.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
HANG ON TO SEAN DYCHE SAM VOKES FIXTURES
The manager took over a team Vokes had never scored a top-ight goal until
with a limited budget in the lower he netted against Liverpool last term in his fth AUG US T
half of the Championship and has season as a Premier League player. He ended up 13 Chelsea (A)
now earned them asecond successive Burnleys top scorer, and only Christian Benteke 20 West Brom (H)
season in the Premier League for the won more aerial duels than the Wales forward. 27 Tottenham (A)
rst time in their history, so its a tad S E PT EM B ER
surprising that he isnt continually in 10 Crystal Palace (H)
demand from other clubs. Surely there 17 Liverpool (A)
will come a day when someone does 24 Hudderseld (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17
come knocking and Burnley will have

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

O CT OB ER
to stand rm. Dyche is irreplaceable. 2 Everton (A)

2
15 West Ham (H)
SCORE MORE GOALS 22 Man City (A)
No side who avoided the drop last 29 Newcastle (H)
season scored fewer goals than W10 N OV EM B ER
Burnley. Their 39 strikes marked an 5 Southampton (A)
improvement on the 28 they netted on 19 Swansea (H)
the way to relegation two years earlier,
12 27 Arsenal (H)
L6

GOALS
D3
but they will still need to improve their 30 Bournemouth (A)
tally if they are to kick on in 2017-18.
HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D E C EM B ER

3
3 Leicester (A)
RECORD PIECES
12
PROTECT TOM HEATON 10 Watford (H)
Burnleys No.1 strengthened his 13 Stoke (H)
England credentials by pulling off 17 Brighton (A)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
more saves than any other keeper 24 Tottenham (H)
in the Premier League last term. Dyche 27 Man United (A)
has managed to organise his troops
AWAY 31 Hudderseld (A)

RECORD
very well nine clubs conceded more JAN UA RY

DISCIPLInE
goals than Burnley did but he would 2 Liverpool (H)
prefer his keeper to be a little less busy. 14 Crystal Palace (A)

4
21 Man United (H)
D4

W1

65
COPE WITHOUT JOEY 31 Newcastle (A)
L1

BARTON (AGAIN) FE B R UA RY
4

Losing Barton to Rangers a year 4 Man City (H)

ago was a blow, but as it turned 2 11 Swansea (A)
out, he was back at the club by January 25 Southampton (H)

WHEn
anyway. The veteran midelder was MA RC H

7 11
HALF-TIME

6 6
GOALS

inuential in his second spell, before an 4 Everton (H)

18-month betting-related ban forced
THEY 5 4 11 West Ham (A)

SCORED
the club into releasing him. With Steven 18 Chelsea (H)
Defour also likely to move on and Dean 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 West Brom (A)
Marney recovering from an injury, Jeff APR I L
Hendrick and Ashley Westwood will be 8 Watford (A)
vital in Dyches 4-4-2 formation, as will 15 Leicester (H)
Jack Cork after his arrival from Swansea. 22 Stoke (A)

5
29 Brighton (H)
NO MORE ODD SUSPENSIONS MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

As well as Barton, striker Andre
Gray served a four-match ban last
year because of historical social
media comments. Abhorrent though
his tweets were, the club felt aggrieved
by the ban as they came several years
before he joined them as did the large
majority of Bartons bets. Burnley hope
that there will be no repeats during this
campaign, though the FA may yet look
into claims that a 10-year-old Ben Mee
once brutally murdered a housey...
FFT VERDICT
NATALIE BROMLEY, WWW.NONAYNEVER.NET PODCAST
This season will be different to
last because we wont win as
many matches at home.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Anthony Knockaert,
a very savvy signing by Brighton,
who then managed to keep him
under the radar. I expect him to
be the new Riyad Mahrez.
The best away fans are the ones
The best away ground is Spurs at
Wembley. Who else could it be?
Save the date for November 27
and May 6, when Arsenal and
Burnley go head-to-head in what
has become a grudge match.
Expect many goals from offside
positions, probably with the use of
a hand, and denitely about 14
minutes after added time was up.
6 Arsenal (A)
14 Bournemouth (H)
Keep an eye out for Daniel Agyei,
a ruthless centre-forward who has
undoubtedly got huge potential.
Our pantomime villain is
Wilfried Zaha, who laid his diva
foundations last season and is
nailed on to be the Premier
Leagues rst recipient of
a retrospective ban for diving.
This year well nish 17th, I hope.

1 9 TH
Dismal away form and at Hudderseld: down-to-earth Our most underrated player is
Michael Keanes exit will northern fans who understand Ben Mee. Our defence wasnt all FFT asks: Is Tom Heaton good
make life very difcult. the importance of a good chippy. about Michael Keane last year. enough to be England No.1? Yes.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 39

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
CHELSEA LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E Winners
F A C UP Runners-up
LEAG UE CU P Fourth Round
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Diego Costa (22)
CAn THE BLUES AVOID AnOTHER
DISASTROUS TITLE DEFEnCE?
The worst thing a Premier League manager can
do if they want job security is win the bloody thing.
Neither Claudio Ranieri nor Jose Mourinho reached
the following spring after their recent triumphs,
and Alex Ferguson retired on the spot in 2013.
Roberto Mancini did make it through a complete
Manchester City season as reigning champion, but
then he was sacked two days after losing the FA Cup
nal to Wigan. His successor, Manuel Pellegrini, is the
one recent title-winning boss to survive longer, only
to eventually be dumped for Pep Guardiola.
Mourinho actually sowed the seeds for his own
destruction in the press conference immediately
after the 2014-15 title win, by calling out nemesis
40 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
Guardiola for having things far too easy in winning
championships at Bayern Munich. The Special One
lost many friends atthe club, and his principal transfer
plans were restricted to Pedro and reserve left-back
Baba Rahman, both once the season had begun.
Antonio Conte has no such issue and spent the
summer making amendments to his squad, primarily
by trimming it. Gone are John Terry, Juan Cuadrado,
Asmir Begovic, Nathan Ake, Bertrand Traore and
Christian Atsu for a total of $100 million, plus a small
fortune in saved wages, with more expected to follow.
Even the dumped-by-text Diego Costa, once Contes
rst-choice striker, is almost certain to be either sold
or ignored until Atletico Madrids transfer ban ends.
You could see that squad being decimated, the
former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino tells FFT. This
will be the biggest break-up of a title-winning team
that we haveseen for a long time.
Fergusons longevity at Old Trafford was based on
evolving his successful teams with a couple of new
signings tokeep his men straining at the leash. The
Scot would surely be equally impressed with Contes
constant quest to squeeze the best from his squad.
Antonio Rudiger has been signed from Roma to slot
into the defence, with midelder Tiemoue Bakayoko
joining from Monaco, as Conte seeks to ensure that
last seasons title-winners dont rest on their laurels.
Therein lies the difference between this team and
Mourinhos in 2015-16. Contes created a harmonious
dressing-room atmosphere players will play for him.
The only problem has been slow progress in the
transfer market allegedly infuriating Conte, who was
expecting Romelu Lukaku to rejoin Chelsea. Still, its
always the second album that is most difcult. Conte
will hope that his 2017-18 can be The Bends.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
FIND SOME NEW LEADERS NGOLO KANTE FIXTURES
Say what you like about John Terry, If theres a better player in their position in world
and plenty of people have any football, we want to see them play. A one-man AUG UST
side that losesits club captain has central mideld, Kante became the rarest of 13 Burnley (H)
a leadership void to ll. Gary Cahill will creatures in securing successive Premier League 21 Tottenham (A)
likely take the armband on a full-time titles with different clubs. Hes just irreplaceable. 27 Everton (H)
basis, butmay not be guaranteed his S E PT EM B ER
place ifthe anticipated reinforcements 10 Leicester (A)
all arrive. Eden Hazard is now a senior 17 Arsenal (H)
player andmust lead from the front. 24 Stoke (A)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17

2
30 Man City (H)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

BE TACTICALLY FLEXIBLE O CT OB ER
The three-man backline became 15 Crystal Palace (A)
last seasons must-have tactical 22 Watford (H)
accessory, but all fashions fade W17 29 Bournemouth (A)
(double denim, anyone?). Liverpool and N OV EM B ER
Spurs showed Contes stock formation 5 Man United (H)
can be susceptible to a high press, but 19 West Brom (A)
if the Blues can adapt with the same
ease with which they took to the back 22 GOALS
26 Liverpool (A)
30 Swansea (H)
L2

FROM SET
D0

three last October, another successful SCORED D E C EM B ER

HOME
CONCEDED
season awaits. The Italian is a shrewd 3 Newcastle (H)
PIECES
RECORD 7
tactician who always attempts to seek 10 West Ham (A)
out the very best option for his team. 13 Hudderseld (A)

3
17 Southampton (H)
KEEP EDEN KEEN TOTAL GAMES: 38 24 Everton (A)
For much of the season before 27 Brighton (H)
last, Eden Hazard barely looked 31 Stoke (H)
like a professional footballer, let AWAY JAN UA RY
alone the reigning PFA Player of the
Year. Under Conte the Belgian has been
RECORD DISCIPLInE 2 Arsenal (A)
14 Leicester (H)
rejuvenated, posting 16 goals and ve 21 Brighton (A)

72
D3
L3

assists in 2016-17. No other Chelsea 31 Bournemouth (H)

attacker is capable of such creative FE B R UA RY
brilliance and lock-picking of a defence. 4 Watford (A)
0

4
W13 11 West Brom (H)
STAY RUTHLESS 25 Man United (A)
Last season, no team conceded
WHEn 12 12 13 12 14 MA RC H
22
HALF-TIME
GOALS

fewer goals inthe last 15 minutes 4 Man City (A)

of league matchesthan Chelsea
THEY 11 Crystal Palace (H)

SCORED
(four). Given they scored 22 in the same 18 Burnley (A)
period, a gure toppedonly by nearby 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Tottenham (H)
rivals Arsenal (23), the west Londoners AP RI L
winning mentality is unmatched. And 8 West Ham (H)
thats how you win the Premier League. 15 Southampton (A)

5
22 Hudderseld (H)
EMBRACE BEING 29 Swansea (A)
THE FAVOURITES MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

An eccentric Italian who had no
Premier League experience; an
older squad; adjusting to a back three
when even the manager thought his
players would struggle to adapt to it;
buying back David Luiz there were
few signs that the previous campaign
would be a success for Chelsea, but
they embraced their tag as underdogs.
Now the Blues have the target on their
back. After all, its easier to win when
no ones expecting anything from you.
FFT VERDICT
MAT BENFIELD, @CHELSEASTATS
This season will be different to
last because the team will have
the Champions League to contend
with, so were likely to see more
rotation. The team should be more
attuned to Contes way of thinking,
too. I expect us to be even better.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that while Chelsea won
the league last term, the clubs
youth team did the treble, our
The best away ground is
Hudderseld and the John Smiths
Stadium this season, because the
home fans should really enjoy this
year and its always nice to go
away to a different ground.
The best away fans are the
Manchester United supporters.
Theyve been the best fans to
travel to Chelsea in recent years,
and I expect that to continue.
6 Liverpool (H)
14 Newcastle (A)
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Toby Alderweireld.
I think he is one of the best
defenders in the league.
This season we will nish top.
FFT asks: How excited are you
about the new stadium plans?
Im over the moon. Stamford
Bridge feels like home to me, so
the chance to stay there was key.

2
European ties and doubts
nD at centre-forward may
hinder their title defence.
ladies team won the Spring Series, Ive seen the ground redeveloped
and the ladies reserves and youth
team won their league as well.
Save the date for May 6 for
Liverpool and a guard of honour.
in the past, so I have no issues
with seeing it grow once again.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 41

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
CRYSTAL LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E 14th
F A C UP Fourth Round
LEAG UE CU P Third Round
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Christian Benteke (17)
CAn FRAnK DE BOER STAMP THE
AJAX STYLE On CRYSTAL PALACE?
Frank de Boer arrives at Crystal Palace with the
club suffering from an identity crisis. The Eagles
were functional under Tony Pulis and Neil Warnock,
before Alan Pardew reinvented them into a side of
attacking intent. However, a return to practicality
was required last term as Sam Allardyce ensured
they did just enough to stay up.
Big Sams shock decision to walk away in May
presented chairman Steve Parish with a dilemma:
pursue the path of pragmatism that sealed survival,
or gamble on an easy-on-the-eye style? In the end,
De Boers vision ofapurist Palace swayed Parish, who
rolled the dice and handed him a three-year deal.
42 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
De Boer is not the second coming of Johan Cruyff,
as many seem to think, but he will still be expected to
produce a possession-based philosophy which yielded
four Eredivisie titles in ve seasons with Ajax, and that
may be easier said than done given the personnel at
his disposal in south-east London. His current defence
is ill-equipped to bring Total Football at Selhurst Park.
The 47-year-old does at least have a set of players
capable of adapting to his favoured 4-3-3 formation.
Jason Puncheon and Yohan Cabaye both have the
necessary guile to unlock defences from themiddle
of the pitch,while the trickery of Wilfried Zaha and
the pace and directness of Andros Townsend, either
side of battering-ram striker Christian Benteke, means
that goals theoretically shouldnt be in short supply.
Investment is needed to address a Palace squad
that lacks balance. De Boer has admitted that he is
relishing the chance to spend the sort of money he
was starved of at Ajax. The Dutchmans acumen in
the transfer market, which remains largely untested,
could decide whether his reign proves to be a success.
Patience will be required as new arrivals bed in and
the existing squad gets used to a change in system.
The former Barcelona defender will be all too aware,
however, that time is something he is unlikely to be
afforded. His only senior managerial role away from
Ajax an 85-day stint in charge of Inter, which was
terminated last November is painfully fresh in the
memory. Parish, meanwhile, isnt afraid to pull the
trigger should results head south: Warnocks second
stint was cut short in December 2014, and Pardew
was handed his P45 before Christmas last season.
The message is clear: style will be lauded, but only
if it is closely accompanied by substance.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
PLUG THAT LEAKY DEFENCE WILFRIED ZAHA FIXTURES
A new centre-back or two should The 24-year-old has matured on and off the
be top of the new gaffers wish list. pitch since returning to Palace and becoming AU G UST
The Eaglesconceded 63 goals in a father last year. Seven goals and nine assists 13 Hudderseld (H)
the Premier League last season and it in 2016-17 was the best return of his career to 20 Liverpool (A)
could have been even more had they date. When he plays well, Palace play well too. 27 Swansea (H)
not recruited Mamadou Sakho on loan S EPT EM B ER
from Liverpool in January. Hes unlikely 10 Burnley (A)
toreturn this term, leaving Palace short 16 Southampton (H)
of quality among the defensive ranks. 24 Man City (A)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17

2
30 Man United (A)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

DONT WAIT UNTIL O C T OB ER
JANUARY TO SPEND 15 Chelsea (H)
De Boer needs to get his business 22 Newcastle (A)
done early and ensure he doesnt 29 West Ham (H)
leave himself short in certain areas of N OV EM B ER
the pitch. Last September, Papa Souare 5 Tottenham (A)
W6
1

was ruled out for the season following 19 Everton (H)

12
L1

aserious car crash it meant that the 26 Stoke (H)

GOALS
D2

right-footed Martin Kelly had to ll in at 29 Brighton (A)

left-back until Pardew exited and new
boss Sam Allardyce signed Patrick van HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D EC EM B ER
3 West Brom (A)
RECORD PIECES
20
Aanholt and Jeffrey Schlupp to help out. 10 Bournemouth (H)

3
13 Watford (H)
SPREAD THE GOALS 17 Leicester (A)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
AROUND THE TEAM 24 Swansea (A)
Excluding own goals, half of the 27 Arsenal (H)
Londoners Premier League strikes
AWAY 31 Man City (H)

RECORD
in 2016-17 came from Christian Benteke JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
(15) and Wilfried Zaha (seven). A major 2 Southampton (A)
injury to either of those two could leave 14 Burnley (H)
D3

De Boers charges pretty blunt in attack. 21 Arsenal (A)

77
Several Palace players, and particularly 31 West Ham (A)
L1
0

Andros Townsend, must help to carry W6

FE B R UA RY
the goalscoring burden, or risk being 4 Newcastle (H)
replaced by someone else who will. 0 11 Everton (A)

4
25 Tottenham (H)

WHEn 7 7
PRACTISE SET-PIECES MA RC H
HALF-TIME
GOALS

14
4 Man United (H)
5 5
Free-kicks and corners were a big
strength under Messrs Pulis and
THEY 12 11 Chelsea (A)

SCORED
Warnock, but Palace struggled to 18 Hudderseld (A)
keep them out last term and stopped 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Liverpool (H)
scoring from them, too. Scott Danns AP R I L
bonce has proved a potent attacking 8 Bournemouth (A)
weapon in previous seasons and could 15 Brighton (H)
provide another much-needed source 22 Watford (A)
of goals if Cabaye is able to locate him 29 Leicester (H)
and James Tomkins on a regular basis. MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

5
BACK THE MANAGER
Steve Parish has hired and red
six bosses in ve seasons, but he
must allow De Boer enough time
tomould his own squad, even if they
go through a rough patch early doors.
Stabilitywill give the Dutch gaffer the
condence to experiment with anew
playing style, and provide his players
with both the solidity and direction
they havebeen desperately lacking.
FFT VERDICT
JACK PIERCE, WWW.FYPFANZINE.UK
This season will be different to
last because appointing Frank de
Boer comes with the intent of
breaking into the top half.
Save the date for games against
Brighton in November and April. It
is an odd rivalry, but its very much
on the minds of both sets of fans.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Idrissa Gana Gueye an
Our most underrated player is
Luka Milivojevic, although after
just half a season at the club,
hes perhaps more unknown
than underrated. The Serbian
midelder has looked great
since arriving and is already
a pivotal part of the team.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that since promotion
in 2013, Palace havent won
6 Stoke (A)
14 West Brom (H)
The best away fans are Swansea
supporters: theres always noise, if
not numbers, from their corner.
This season well nish between
eighth and 10th if De Boer gets his
message across in pre-season and
lls the Mamadou Sakho-shaped
hole in the centre of our defence.
FFT asks: Were you surprised to
see Sam Allardyce leave? Almost

14
Theyll need time to adjust own-brand NGolo Kante, perhaps, a Premier League game in which as much as Steve Parish was. His
TH to De Boers methods, but
should be clear of danger.
but still a central midelder who
most clubs would love to have.
Jason Puncheon hasnt featured
[three draws and 11 defeats].
reasons seemed genuine, though,
so supporters have taken it well.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 43

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
EVERTOn LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E 7th
F A C UP Third Round
LEAG UE CU P Third Round
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Romelu Lukaku (26)
CAn WaYnE ROOnEY
RECREATE THE OLD MAGIC?
Even after months of speculation, it was still
something of a surprise when Everton announced
that Wayne Rooney was returning to Merseyside
after 13 trophy-laden years at Manchester United.
Firstly, their transfers up to then had implied a policy
of recruiting players with potential: Jordan Pickford,
Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez
a whole new spine, in effect are all yet to turn 25.
Secondly, Rooney has hardly been Mr Popular at
Goodison Park since his departure. The relationship
between Rooney and Evertons fans soured after his
$50 million move to Old Trafford in 2004, not helped
by the forward kissing the Manchester United badge
44 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
in front of Goodisons away section. However, the
tensions did ease in recent years, and Rooney was
warmly received when he appeared in an Everton
shirt for Duncan Fergusons testimonial in 2015.
In the build-up to his own testimonial last summer,
Englands all-time top goalscorer hinted that a return
to his boyhood club might be a possibility, claiming
that if he left the Red Devils, the only other Premier
League club hed play for would be Everton.
Then, when Romelu Lukaku headed in the opposite
direction, suddenly there was an opportunity to go.
But while there can be little doubt that his love for
the club is strong, the question remains: does Rooney
still have something to offer in 2017, 2018, 2019?
Toffees manager Ronald Koeman seems to think so.
Wayne has shown me the ambition that we need
and that winning mentality, the Dutchman said at
his new No.10s unveiling. He knows how to win
titles, and Im really happy that he has decided to
come home. Hes still only 31 and I dont have any
doubts about his qualities. We have a lot of young
players, and sometimes in life you need somebody
who you look up to; who you learn from.
Still, even if Rooneys experience and grit cant be
questioned, his ability to terrorise defences in the way
of old certainly can. He was used sparingly by Jose
Mourinho last term, with six of his 15 Premier League
starts coming after mid-April, when the manager had
decided that he wasnt bothered where his side ended
up in the league. And Rooneys impact on games was
far less apparent than it had been in days gone by.
But a new start, and the responsibility of being the
clubs senior statesman, could be just what Wazza
needs to reignite his career. Hell certainly be up for it.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
TAKE HOME FORM ON TOUR IDRISSA GUEYE FIXTURES
While Koemans boys won 43 points Everton will still be relying on their imperious
at Goodison last term, their highest midelder, whose fantastic form last season AUG US T
home tally since 1989-90, Evertons didnt get the praise it warranted. No player in 13 Stoke (H)
away form wasnt impressive. They won the 2016-17 Premier League attempted more 22 Man City (A)
just four times on the road at West tackles than the 27-year-old Senegal enforcer. 27 Chelsea (A)
Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Leicester S E PT EM B ER
and Crystal Palace for a record that 10 Tottenham (H)
placed them 10th in the away league. 18 Man United (A)

2
24 Bournemouth (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17
KEEP ON COVERING

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

O C T OB ER
No manager plans for his team to 2 Burnley (H)
resort to hacking shots off the line, 15 Brighton (A)
but Everton may have conceded 22 Arsenal (H)
a few more goals last season had they 29 Leicester (A)
W13
not taken extra precautions: no team N OV EM B ER
in the Premier League cleared more 5 Watford (H)
opposition shots off the goal-line than 19 Crystal Palace (A)
the Toffees, with nine. A testament to
12 GOALS
26 Southampton (A)
D4
L2

their organisation? Well, not really, no, 30 West Ham (H)

but its certainly a useful knack to have.
HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D E C EM B ER

3
3 Hudderseld (H)
RECORD PIECES
12
DONT GET CAUGHT SHORT 10 Liverpool (A)
Everton may have been good at 14 Newcastle (A)
digging themselves out of trouble 17 Swansea (H)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
by hooking shots away at the very 24 Chelsea (H)
last moment, but they werent quite so 27 West Brom (A)
hot when it came to hitting the ground
AWAY 31 Bournemouth (A)

RECORD
running. Koemans charges conceded JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
eight goals in the opening 10 minutes 2 Man United (H)
of Premier League matches last season, 14 Tottenham (A)
more than any other club in the league. 21 West Brom (H)
D6

72
4
31 Leicester (H)
L9

W4
GIVE THE NEW TEAM FEB R UA RY
TIME TO GEL 4 Arsenal (A)
Theres nothing wrong with a little 2 11 Crystal Palace (H)
patience. Everton have seemingly 25 Watford (A)

WHEn 12
recruited pretty this summer, despite MA RC H

7 11 22
HALF-TIME

6
GOALS

losing Romelu Lukaku. As weve seen 4 Burnley (A)

countless times before, however, when
THEY 4 11 Brighton (H)

SCORED
a club undergoes a big overhaul over 18 Stoke (A)
the close-season, even the best group 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Man City (H)
of players will need some time to get APR I L
accustomed to one another. In recent 8 Liverpool (H)
times, both Liverpool and Spurs have 15 Swansea (A)
splurged upon selling their key man, 22 Newcastle (H)
and both newly-assembled sides only 29 Hudderseld (A)
came anywhere near reaching their MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

potential a year or two down the line. 6 Southampton (H)

5
DONT BE PUT OFF BY
A SLOW START
Flying out of the traps will be a big
ask for the Toffees, who will face
Manchester City, Chelsea, Spurs and
Manchester United in their opening ve
league matches. Naturally, things look
a little easier in the months that follow,
so Koeman & Co. should not panic if
things dont go their way from the off.
FFT VERDICT
GARY NAYLOR, MATCHGOING SUPPORTER SINCE 1970
This season will be different to
last because Ronald Koeman
has the time and money to shape
the club to his plans, if he can.
Keep an eye out for Ademola
Lookman, who may be the second
coming of Gerard Deulofeu or
the rst coming of the player that
Deulofeu threatened to become.
Fans of other clubs might not
The best away fans are
Newcastles. For all the clichd
tears on camera when May rolls
around, they know their football
and they care about their club.
The best away ground is the
London Stadium, purely to show
Everton how not to build a football
stadium or manage a move.
Our pantomime villain is that
14 West Ham (A)
Save the date for both derbies.
This season we will nish
exhausted if we go anywhere in
the Europa League... OK, seventh.
FFT asks: While Jordan Pickford
is a prospect, would you rather
have seen the initial $40m spent
elsewhere? No. We have acquired
the Premier Leagues best young
player in his best position the

7 TH
Recruitments impressive know that our badge depicts an clapped-out vaudevillian turn Jose most important position on the
and the future is bright, overnight lock-up for drunks that Mourinho, and his tired everyone pitch and I would happily have
but cohesion takes time. predates the French Revolution. hates us; I pretend not to care act. seen us spend $65m on him.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 45

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
HUDDERSFIELD TOWn
LAST SEASON
C HAM PIONSH IP 5th
F A C UP Fifth Round
LEAG UE CU P First Round
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Elias Kachunga (13)
WILL ORGAnISATIOn AnD EFFORT
BE EnOUGH TO KEEP THEM UP?
David Wagner was the best man at Jurgen Klopps
wedding, but the Liverpool manager once moved
his compatriot with an inuential speech of his
own. After Wagners playing career ended, the USA
international and future Hudderseld Town boss
studied biology and sports science at university,
with no aim ofgoing into football management. It
was Klopp who told his close friend that he had to
return to football; that his knowledge and skills
would be wasted if he didnt have a go at coaching.
Thats how Wagner became coach of Borussia
Dortmunds reserve side in 2011, before being
hired by Hudderseld chairman Dean Hoyle at the
end of 2015. The comparison may be predictable,
46 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
but there is something undeniably Kloppian about
Wagner: the glasses, the beard, the grin, the laugh
andthe passionate belief in high-octane football.
But Wagner, four years Klopps junior, does not have
two Bundesliga titles anda Champions League nal
on his managerial CV. So,after he took Hudderseld
on a dizzying journey from 19th in the Championship
tonish 2015-16 19th in the Championship, it is
easy to see why many tipped them for the drop last
term. Yet those who were watching how the team
played could see something had changed.
Wagner and Hoyle were united in their belief that
Hudderseld Town had no modern-day identity. That
changed under Wagner. Hes used the clubs Terriers
nickname as an emblem of what he wanted: they
werent the biggest dog in the yard, but Hudderseld
would play with tenacity, energy and fearlessness.
The resultant turnaround saw Town make a genuine
charge for top spot, before settling for a play-off place
and then stumbling to fth. Two penalty shootout
triumphs later, though, theyre in the Premier League.
It was a remarkable achievement but can that
pressing, energetic style cut it in the Premier League
when Hudderseld can expect tobe under the cosh?
After all, they were promoted despite their only
goal in 330 minutes of play-off action coming from
a Shefeld Wednesday boot, having already ended
their regular season with a negative goal difference
of -2 after some big defeats when things did not click.
But Wagners no fool. Gameplans will be adapted.
More than $65m has been spent on new players such
as Tom Ince and Steve Mounie. And key loanees have
been bought, in Aaron Mooy and Elias Kachunga. Now
we learn whether Wagners methods work when the
Terriers are the small dog in a far, far bigger yard.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
MAKE THE MOST OF ATTACKS AARON MOOY FIXTURES
For all of the Terriers attractive play The Australian playmaker was the clubs main
and 55.6 per cent possession, they man last term. The teams play owed through AU G UST
scored just 56 goals in 46 league the Manchester City loanee, and so making the 13 Crystal Palace (A)
games. Strikers Laurent Depoitre and 26-year-old mideld conductor a permanent 20 Newcastle (H)
Steve Mounie have been signed (Mounie signing for $16m was their deal of the summer. 27 Southampton (H)
for a club-record $18m fee) to x that, S EPT EM B ER
joining Elias Kachunga and Nahki Wells. 12 West Ham (A)
At least one of them has to deliver if 17 Leicester (H)
the underdogs are to achieve survival. 24 Burnley (A)
CHAMPIONSHIP 2016-17

2
30 Tottenham (H)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

MAINTAIN THAT IDENTITY O C T OB ER
Last summer, German defender 15 Swansea (A)
Christopher Schindler warned his 22 Man United (H)
coach that taking on too many 29 Liverpool (A)
imports might damage the sense of W15
N OV EM B ER
togetherness that he was trying to 5 West Brom (H)
build. Wagner listened to him and it 19Bournemouth (A)
is something to bear in mind again. An
14 GOALS
26 Man City (H)
L6

inux of players is both understandable 30 Arsenal (A)

D2

and necessary, but Hudderseld went up

not on talent alone, but because every
HOME
SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D EC EM B ER
3 Everton (A)
PIECES
RECORD 18
man was pulling in the same direction. 10 Brighton (H)

3
13 Chelsea (H)
ADD PACE TO THE DEFENCE 17 Watford (A)
A lack of pace at centre-back has TOTAL GAMES: 46
24 Southampton (A)
been exposed at times, even with 27 Stoke (H)
protection in the Terriers 4-2-3-1 31 Burnley (H)
setup; now theyll face attackers with AWAY JA N UA RY
superior acceleration and technique.
If its vital that they sign defenders with
RECORD DISCIPLInE
2 Leicester (A)
14 West Ham (H)

91
pace, Copenhagens Mathias Jorgensen 21 Stoke (A)
D4

may not be quite enough on his own. 31 Liverpool (H)

L9

4
FE B R UA RY
START STRONG 4 Man United (A)
Any newly promoted side aims to
W10 4 11 Bournemouth (H)
maintain their momentum in the 25 West Brom (A)
early weeks of the campaign, but
WHEn 9 9 10 13 MA RC H

7 8
HALF-TIME
GOALS

the xture list has made that even more 4 Tottenham (A)
important for Hudderseld. Their rst
THEY 11 Swansea (H)

SCORED
six games will see them tackle Crystal 18 Crystal Palace (H)
Palace, Newcastle, Southampton, West 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Newcastle (A)
Ham, Leicester and Burnley. Their nal AP R I L
four xtures are then against Chelsea, 8 Brighton (A)
Everton, Manchester City and Arsenal. 15 Watford (H)
Dont leave it to the last minute, lads. 22 Chelsea (A)

5
29 Everton (H)
KEEP DAVID WAGNER MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

Its too easy to build a personality
cult around a manager with an
infectious character. Lets face it:
if Hudderseld lose their opening 10
matches of the season, Wagner wont
be looking too special. But that does
not change the fact the 45-year-old
is a wanted man who had offers from
other clubs in2017. It is imperative
Hudderseld hang on to the manager
who guided themto the promised land
for the full campaign, at the very least.
FFT VERDICT
IAN TAYLOR, @IANSTER1976
This season will be different
to last because we are in the
Premier League for the rst time
in our history. Every game will be
massive, but with David Wagner
in charge anything can happen.
Our most underrated player is
Tommy Smith, our right-back
a superb young player who
seems to get better every year.
Keep an eye out for Jordan
Williams, a young defender with
loads of potential who also plays
for Englands Under-18s.
The best away fans are Newcastle
supporters. They were great at the
John Smiths Stadium last season.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that Hudderseld were the
rst team to secure the English
6 Man City (A)
14 Arsenal (H)
One change I would make at our
club is to give David Wagner
a new 10-year contract!
This season we will nish 15th,
I reckon. Yes, itll be tough, but
I honestly think we can step up.
FFT asks: Now Aaron Mooy has
made his loan move permanent,
is he worth the $16m price tag?
He was worth every penny. I have

20
Wagners worked wonders
TH and bought well since, but
staying up is a huge ask.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Eden Hazard at Chelsea.
What a player he is!
league championship three years
in a row, in the 1920s. Only three
other clubs have done it since.
supported this club for 30 years
and he is the best player Ive ever
seen in a Hudderseld shirt.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 47

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
LEICEST LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E 12th
F A C UP Fifth Round
LEAG UE CU P Third Round
C HAM PIONS LE A GU E QF
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Jamie Vardy (15)
IS CRAIG SHAKESPEARE REALLY
CUT OUT FOR THE TOP JOB?
Rewind a couple of seasons, and imagine Craig
Shakespeare being only the third Englishman
ever to have managed in a Champions League
quarter-nal. With hindsight, we know not to be
surprised by anything as regards to Leicester, but
even this was a particularly surreal turn of events.
In the end, the Foxes didnt advance to the last four
of Europes top club competition, despite a valiant
effort against the previous years nalists, Atletico
Madrid. But Shakespeares status had been enhanced
regardless, after hed taken control as caretaker in late
February when Claudio Ranieris fairytale reign ended.
At that point, Leicester were reeling from a run of
ve consecutive league defeats without scoring and
48 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
sleepwalking their way to relegation. Shakespeares
rst task, therefore, was simple in its nature: pulling
everyone together. And if anyone could do that, it
was the immensely popular No.2, whod rst assisted
Nigel Pearson from 2008 to 2010, returned with him
in 2011, and then stuck around under Ranieri.
Four days after the Italians abrupt exit, Leicester
faced Liverpool in a televised match on home soil and
immediately kickstarted their resurgence. It was back
tobasics, with all except one (NGolo Kante) of the
previous seasons title-winning team lining up in
a 4-4-2 formation again, and the Foxes were 3-0 up
after an hour. In the next game theybeat Hull by the
same scoreline, 3-1, then they stunned Sevilla in the
second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash
by winning 2-0 to overturn their 2-1 loss in Spain.
Back in the Premier League, Leicester triumphed at
West Ham and then twice more at home, taking them
from 17th to 11th and making Shakespeare the rst
British manager to win each of his rst ve games in
the Premier League. The 53-year-old had done it by
keeping things simple, using his interpersonal skills to
x the broken equilibrium in Leicesters dressing room.
It wasnt all rosy from there, though: as a long run
of home matches came to an end, the team won just
two of their nal eight league games. But Shakespeare
ended the campaign with a points-per-game average
of 1.77 enough to nish seventh over a full season.
So is he up to it? The short answer is yes. The new
season presents fresh challenges most notably
the possibility of life without Riyad Mahrez and
Shakespeare will initially have to contend with people
who are eager to typecast him as a No.2 with ideas
above his station. Yet, on the evidence so far, its hard
tosuggest a more suitable man for the task ahead.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
FIX THE LEAKS WILFRED NDIDI FIXTURES
Last season, Leicester were great Leicester paid Genk $28 million for Ndidi in
in the matches when they struck January, but knew they had nally got a ne AUG US T
rst, winning 11 of those 12, but replacement for NGolo Kante. The Nigeria 12 Arsenal (A)
only Sunderland and Hull opened the international fulls the same key functions: 20 Brighton (H)
scoring less often. In the 23 matches halting attacks and retaining possession. 27 Man United (A)
when the Foxes leaked the rst goal, S E PT EM B ER
they mustered a paltry seven points 10 Chelsea (H)
in total. Shoddy defending cost them 17 Hudderseld (A)
on multiple occasions, having failed 24 Liverpool (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17
to properly replace NGolo Kante until 30 Bournemouth (A)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

Wilfred Ndidis arrival in January. The O C T OB ER
capture of Harry Maguire from Hull is 15 West Brom (H)
smart, though, with the 24-year-old 22 Swansea (A)
centre-half offering an upgrade on 29 Everton (H)
departing Pole, Marcin Wasilewski. W10 N OV EM B ER

2
5 Stoke (A)
UNSHACKLE DEMARAI GRAY 19 Man City (H)
This is Grays season to stand out,
10 GOALS
26 West Ham (A)
L5

D4
on the back of a star showing at 29 Tottenham (H)
this summers Under-21 European
Championship. Hes shown glimpses of HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D EC EM B ER
3 Burnley (H)
RECORD PIECES
15
quality since his arrival in January 2016, 10 Newcastle (A)
albeit often from the bench, but needs 14 Southampton (A)
to reward increasing opportunities with 17 Crystal Palace (H)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
consistency especially if Mahrez goes. 24 Man United (H)

3
27 Watford (A)
TIGHTEN UP AWAY
AWAY 31 Liverpool (A)

RECORD
Leicester conceded an average of JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
two goals per game on the road 2 Hudderseld (H)
throughout 2016-17 no wonder 14 Chelsea (A)
they managed to bag only 10 points 21 Watford (H)
D4

72
W2
from 19 attempts. Shakespeares big 31 Everton (A)
L1

task is making his side harder to beat FE B R UA RY

3

away from the King Power Stadium, 4 Swansea (H)

where they boasted the best record 1 11 Man City (A)
outside of the top seven last season. 25 Stoke (H)

WHEn 13 MA RC H

4
8 10 9
HALF-TIME
GOALS

4 Bournemouth (H)
5
SET SOME TARGETS
The players looked like their old
THEY 3 11 West Brom (A)

SCORED
title-winning selves afterRanieris 18 Arsenal (H)
departure at the end of February, 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Brighton (A)
and now with no Champions League AP R I L
football todistract them theyll need 8 Newcastle (H)
to relight that re if theyre to rule out 15 Burnley (A)
any possibility of repeating 2016-17s 22 Southampton (H)
catastrophic start. Finishing in the top 29 Crystal Palace (A)
half should be a realistic aim this term. MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

6 West Ham (H)

5
LOOK LONG-TERM
The average age of the starting XI
last season was 28 years and 128
days the fth-oldest in the top
ight. But theres plenty of promise in
the City ranks, namely Gray (21), Ndidi
(20) and left-back Ben Chilwell (also 20),
who performed well at the U21 Euros.
Then theres Harvey Barnes, 19, who
was joint-top scorer at this summers
Toulon Tournament. The future is now.
FFT VERDICT
JAMES SHARPE, @THESHARPEEND
This season will be different to
last because were not in the
Champions League any more.
Our most underrated player is
Shinji Okazaki, linking play and
doing all the hard, dirty work.
When hes not playing, you realise
his importance to the team.
Keep an eye out for Harvey
Barnes, a local lad and star of the
Our pantomime villain is Riyad
Mahrez, if he does end up going.
Leicester fans will never forget the
exceptional part he played in our
title win, but releasing a statement
saying you want to leave rarely
goes down well after a season
of half-arsed performances.
Fans of other teams might not
know that Leicester hold the
record for reaching the most
14 Tottenham (A)
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Ben Hamer, not
because hes rubbish but because
hes a good goalkeeper and a top
lad, and he deserves to be playing.
This season well nish seventh.
FFT asks: Are you pleased to see
Shakespeare get the job instead
of a bigger name? Very much so.
A big name could have upset the

9
The dream is over time future who impressed on loan FA Cup nals without winning one. balance. Hes a great coach who
TH to start a new one. First:
returning to the top half.
at MK Dons and for Englands
Toulon-winning youth team.
After 1949, 1961, 1963 and 1969,
can it be fth time lucky in 2018?
brought unity back to the dressing
room, and he deserves his chance.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 49

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
F A C UP Fourth Round
LEAG UE CU P Semi-nal
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Philippe Coutinho (14)
CHAMPIOnS LEAGUE AnD PREMIER LEAGUE
IS EVERYOnE GOInG TO BE KnACKERED?
It didnt take long for Jurgen Klopp to have his
rst bad experience with a congested Premier
League xture list after taking the Liverpool job
in October 2015. I cancelled two skiing holidays,
he said of his planned breaks. I love skiing.
Now beginning his second full season in charge at
Aneld, Klopp has come to terms with not being on
the piste mid-campaign, yet the background chatter
regarding the Reds tness levels continues. It is the
favourite pastime of performance coach Raymond
Verheijen to bemoan Klopps hard-running training
drills, but the Germans injury record, and Liverpools
propensity for struggling at the turn of the year,
does indicate an element of truth to the talk.
50 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
The Merseysiders were right in the title shake-up
at the turn of the year, having taken 39 points from
48 available in the last four months of 2016. January
and February brought one win in seven games,
however, and fourth place became the best-case
scenario. True, their troubles began when Sadio Man
left for the Africa Cup of Nations, but the team looked
leggy and struggled to maintain early-season form.
Throw in Champions League football (providing they
successfully negotiate the August play-off round)
and 2017-18 looks like being another long campaign.
Liverpools visceral gegenpress can brutalise all in its
path, but too often last term, rock n roll football too
closely resembled middle-of-the-road dad rock.
Liverpools most recent Champions League foray
also serves up a warning. Brendan Rodgers Reds
took just seven points from the six matches that
came immediately before a midweek Champions
League tie. Once freed of that commitment, they
didnt lose in the league for three months.
How, then, to improve? First, squad depth is a must.
Roberto Firmino was visibly shattered during the last
month of the season and must be rotated more. The
club-record signing of Romas former Chelsea outcast,
Mohamed Salah, should bring more pace to the side
and ease the running-in-a-straight-line strain on
Man, but captain Jordan Hendersons recurring heel
injury makes central mideld reinforcements vital.
A slightly lighter pre-season schedule may help.
Last summer, Liverpool played twice in 24 hours,
losing 4-0 in Mainz a day after beating Barcelona by
the same scoreline at Aneld. Some had to play in
both games and looked more tired than others, said
Klopp. Having afew yards in the bank this time will be
a blessed relief when 2018 starts to come into view.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
BUY A REAL LEFT-BACK... SADIO MAN FIXTURES
One thing that very few Liverpool When the Senegal forward was on international
supporters not to mention the duty or injured, a one-paced Liverpool laboured AUG UST
man himself would like to see is not even Coutinho could lift Klopps men from 12 Watford (A)
another year of James Milner having their slumber. Man offers directness and cool 20 Crystal Palace (H)
to play at left-back. Having a natural nishing that few other Reds players possess. 28 Arsenal (H)
left-footer in that position would give S E PT EM B ER
the Reds more width and allow Milner 9 Man City (A)
and his sharp footbal brain to return 17 Burnley (H)
where they belong: central mideld. 24 Leicester (A)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17

2 THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

O C T OB ER
...AND A CENTRE-BACK 2 Newcastle (A)
Joel Matip enjoyed a good debut 15 Man United (H)
campaign at Aneld following his 22 Tottenham (A)
move from Schalke, but the Reds 29 Hudderseld (H)
lack a commanding centre-half partner W12
N OV EM B ER
for him, with Dejan Lovren new deal 5 West Ham (A)
or not and Ragnar Klavan perpetually 19 Southampton (H)
error-prone. Last term, only West Ham
D5
13 GOALS
26 Chelsea (H)
L2

conceded more goals from individual 30 Stoke (A)

mistakes than Liverpools nine. More
defensive woes will undoubtedly follow HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D E C EM B ER
3 Brighton (A)
RECORD PIECES
12
unless some reinforcements are added. 10 Everton (H)

3
14 West Brom (H)
KEEP RISING OFF THE DECK 17 Bournemouth (A)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
No team in 2016-17 could match 24 Arsenal (A)
Klopps men for picking up points 27 Swansea (H)
(17) or winning games (ve) after
AWAY 31 Leicester (H)

RECORD
conceding rst. While going behind in JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
11 of 38 league encounters shouldnt 2 Burnley (A)
exactly be encouraged, it does show 14 Man City (H)
some impressive resolve to nonetheless 21 Swansea (A)
L4

D5

average 1.55 points from those games. 31 Hudderseld (A)

54
4
FEB R UA RY
PLAY ADAM LALLANA IN W10 4 Tottenham (H)
MIDFIELD MORE OFTEN 0 11 Southampton (A)
The former Southampton skipper 25 West Ham (H)

WHEn
was excellent last term, scoring MA RC H
HALF-TIME

7
GOALS

eight times and contributing seven 4 Newcastle (H)

assists, but only when he was part of
THEY 5 16 18 18 14 11 Man United (A)

SCORED
a mideld three or at the tip of the 18 Watford (H)
diamond that Klopp deployed against 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Crystal Palace (A)
West Ham and Middlesbrough to close APR I L
the campaign. With Philippe Coutinho 8 Everton (A)
also much improved having switched 15 Bournemouth (H)
inside from the left wing, Klopp would 22 West Brom (A)
do well to combine his most creative 29 Stoke (H)
players from the middle of the pitch. MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

5
MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY
The Merseysiders were unbeaten
in their 10 matches against the
Premier Leagues established top
six last term, winning ve and drawing
ve. Against lesser lights and packed
deep-lying rearguards, Klopps men
struggled. Defeats such as the ones to
Swansea, Crystal Palace and relegated
Hull cannot be repeated if the Reds are
tochallenge for top spot in 2017-18.
FFT VERDICT
CHRIS McLOUGHLIN, @THEKOPMAGAZINE
This season will be different to
last because theres a stronger
squad but more xtures to play.
Keep an eye out for England
Under-17s striker Rhian Brewster,
who has been scoring goals for
Liverpools U23s since he was 16.
The best away fans are West
Broms, for travelling everywhere
despite their team being managed
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Bournemouths Josh
King, who plays well every time
I see him. Liverpool couldve done
with him in the squad last season.
Our most underrated player is
James Milner. Hes committed,
consistent, and plays at left-back
even though he hates doing it.
Our pantomime villain is Jose
6 Chelsea (A)
14 Brighton (H)
This season we will nish third.
Handling a European campaign
will be a test for a squad that has
struggled with xture congestion,
so Im not convinced that elusive
rst Premier League title will
arrive just yet, unless further
signings make a big difference.
FFT asks: Are you a fan of the
new, darker home kit? Absolutely
I think its the best LFC home

6 TH
A long adventure in Europe by Tony Pulis, or even Manchester Mourinho. The only thing he didnt strip of the Premier League era.
would test tired legs, with Uniteds, for singing more songs blame for the Mancs not winning But itll only be a true classic if the
squad depth still an issue. about Liverpool than the Kop. games last season was Brexit. team wearing it wins something.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 51

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18

MAnCHES LAST SEASON

PREM IE R LE A GU E 3rd
F A C UP Semi-nal
LEAG UE CU P Fourth Round
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Last 16
TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)
Sergio Aguero (right, 33)

CAn PEP KEEP ALL OF HIS ATTACKInG Last season Kevin De Bruyne suffered from being
shunted around the pitch, playing anywhere from

TALEnT HAPPY AnD InvOLVED?

Its a question with no few answers... but if the
nal two games of last season are anything to go
by, one would have to lean towards saying yes.
Clearly frustrated by Manchester Citys inability to
take their chances, Pep Guardiola sent his side out for
their nal games at home (against West Bromwich
Albion) and away (to Watford) with an attacking
trident of Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy
San sandwiched between lone striker Sergio Aguero
and a mideld two of Yaya Toure and David Silva.
It was the sort of madly attacking setup that
normally pays off only in a) Championship Manager;
b) a game when a side needs a late goal; or c) in the
head of Ossie Ardiles. Yet it worked, with City knocking
three past the Baggies and ve past Watford. So, in
theory, Guardiola should be able to keep all of his
attacking options content just by redeploying this
system. But obviously its not going to be that simple.
For a start, the new season will pose much bigger
challenges than a West Brom outt on the beach
andaWatford team trying to get their manager
sacked. Guardiola will want to re-integrate mideld
metronome Ilkay Gundogan, for one, who should be
available again following his knee injury. That leaves
vepositionsfor the aforementioned six players, plus
$70million signingBernardo Silva and one Raheem
Sterling. And thentheres the added challenge of
playing everyone in their preferred positions.
attacking mideld to deep-lying quarterback, via the
positions of touchline-hugging winger and auxiliary
wing-back. It is very much to the Belgians credit that
he still managed to top the Premier League assists
chart with 18, but his tendency to blow hot and cold
can partly be explained by all of this movement.
And this might be the more pertinent question
for Guardiola to tackle next season: what is the point
of crowbarring all of your best attacking players into
the rst team if its going to hinder their ability to play
to their best? So, for instance, would the 46-year-old
be better off choosing between Aguero and Jesus
upfront? And what about having only one of the two
Silvas as the sides attacking fulcrum? This would be
the traditional way to do things, but then it wouldnt
be a very Guardiola way of doing things.
Expect more funky formations and tactical tinkering
at the Etihad this season, then. Who knows? It might
even win Manchester City the league.

52 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER
GABRIEL JESUS

1
FIXTURES
SORT OUT THE DEFENCE The 20-year-old is a superstar in the making.
Its now an annual problem: how His goals seven in 10 Premier League games AUG UST
can City cope in the absence of already as well as his versatility and work rate 13 Brighton (A)
captain Vincent Kompany? Theres make City a very different proposition. In todays 22 Everton (H)
perhaps a lesson to be taken from the market, its absurd that he only cost 27 million. 26 Bournemouth (A)
way Antonio Conte bolstered Chelseas S E PT EM B ER
rearguard last season when it became 9 Liverpool (H)
clear that John Terry could not be an 17 Watford (A)
automatic starter. And it wasnt rocket 24 Crystal Palace (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17
science: three centre-backs instead of 30 Chelsea (A)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

two, adefensive shield with Nemanja O C T OB ER
Matic and NGolo Kante, plus a pair of 15 Stoke (H)
wing-backs who can get up and down 22 Burnley (H)
the pitch. But they will also need to 29 West Brom (A)
W12

2
N OV EM B ER
FIND A RELIABLE NO.1 6 Arsenal (H)
At one stage last season, Claudio 19 Leicester (A)
Bravo had let in 16 goals from just
24 shots. The low point was in the
D7 11 GOALS
26 Hudderseld (A)
30 Southampton (H)
L1

4-0 defeat away at Everton, when the

Toffees four goals came from their only HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D E C EM B ER
3 West Ham (H)
RECORD PIECES
9
four shots on target several of them 10 Man United (A)
eminently saveable. Guardiola will hope 13 Swansea (A)
that Ederson, the $57m keeper bought 17 Tottenham (H)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
from Benca, will fare a little bit better. 24 Bournemouth (H)

3
27 Newcastle (A)
SCORE MORE AT HOME
AWAY 31 Crystal Palace (A)

RECORD
City netted only 37 goals at the JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
Etihad Stadium last season, two 2 Watford (H)
more than Bournemouth scored 14 Liverpool (A)
D2

at the Vitality Stadium and 18 fewer 21 Newcastle (H)

71
than champions Chelsea notched at 31 West Brom (H)
L9

Stamford Bridge. Guardiola pinpointed FEB R UA RY

this proigacy as Citys biggest failing. W12
4 Burnley (A)
Remedying it should be easier now 4 11 Leicester (H)
they have Jesus for the whole season 25 Arsenal (A)
as a genuine alternative to Aguero.
WHEn 13 14 14 11
MA RC H
9
HALF-TIME
GOALS

4
19
4 Chelsea (H)
HOOF IT!
THEY 11 Stoke (A)

SCORED
OK, so its not Guardiolas thing, 18 Brighton (H)
but a more direct approach paid 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Everton (A)
off during Citys 3-1 Champions APR I L
League win over Barcelona last season, 8 Man United (H)
with Luis Enrique claiming bitterly after 15 Tottenham (A)
the showdown: They went longer as 22 Swansea (H)
they are not ready to keep the ball like 29 West Ham (A)
Bara. It could also be argued that MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

they should have been as pragmatic 6 Hudderseld (H)
after a 2-0 away defeat to Tottenham 14 Southampton (A)
highlighted this sides susceptibility to
calamity when faced with a high press. STEPHEN TUDOR, @THEDAISYCUTTER1

5
UNEARTH SOME LUCK
For all of Citys failings last term,
they didnt half encounter some
bad luck: Kevin De Bruyne alone
managed to hit the post nine times,
and they were also on the wrong end
of many rough decisions from referees.
FFT VERDICT
This season will be different to
last because Guardiola has
learned his lessons the hard way.
Save the date for when we face
Everton, Manchester United and
Spurs in the latter half. That
cluster will dene our season.
The best away fans are any who
dont trot out the tired line: Where
were you when you were s**t?
The best away ground is the
Amex Stadium, Brighton. I can
taste the weird combination of
candy oss and beer already.
Our pantomime villain is the
huge display of pique from Jose
Mourinho that we can all expect
to see if Manchester United toil
outside of the top four again.
for a goalkeeper on Ederson
Our most underrated player is
The opposition player I secretly
admire is the straight-backed
metronome that is Michael Carrick.
This season well nish second,
after a thoroughly entertaining
season-long tussle with Chelsea.
FFT asks: Was it the right call to
spend $57 million a record fee
Moraes, rather than sticking

1 ST
A lot depends on Ederson, Raheem Sterling, who never gets with Claudio Bravo or Joe Hart?
but Pep has the ability to Keep an eye out for Aleix Garcia, the full credit that hes due from The stats and your own eyes will
make the City attack sing. unless hes out on loan in La Liga. certain elements of the media. tell you that it was a no-brainer.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 53

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
MAnCHESTER LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E 6th
F A C UP Quarter-nal
LEAG UE CU P Winners
EURO PA LE A GU E Winners
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27)
WILL MOURInHO MAKE THE MOST
OF UnITEDS nEW STRIKE FORCE?
It seems absurd now to think that anyone ever
questioned whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic could cut
it in England. Jose Mourinhos Manchester United
became hugely reliant on the 35-year-old, who
played virtually every minute and scored 27 goals.
An anterior cruciate ligament injury cut short his
time spearheading Uniteds attack, and although that
has naturally been met with disappointment, some
may see it as a blessing in disguise. Given his age,
the Swede was always a short-term x, and the Red
Devils already had a couple of highly-regarded young
forwards on their books. It is perhaps telling that for
arguably the teams best performance of the season,
54 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
Ibrahimovic was on the bench, with Marcus Rashford
taking centre stage in the 2-0 home win over Chelsea.
Now, with Romelu Lukaku still only 24 but already
well-versed in Premier League goalscoring joining
Anthony Martial (21) and Rashford (19) in the forward
ranks, Manchester United could have a strike force to
be reckoned with for years to come. But thats only if
their manager is willing to ease off the handbrake.
Mourinho doesnt exactly have a reputation for
elding teams chock-full of forwards, but it wouldve
been remiss of the Portuguese manager to completely
ignore the raw talent of Rashford last term, even with
Zlatan at his disposal. Often forced out wide, the
D
England starlet notched 11 goals in 30 appearances,
including decisive strikes against Anderlecht and
Celta Vigo in Uniteds run to the Europa League nal.
Martial fared a little worse. The young Frenchman
struggled to match the impact of his debut campaign
at Old Trafford, and he was called out several times by
his manager for having a faltering attitude. However,
Martial again, usually on the wing under Mourinho
has the quality to lead the line if he gets his head in
the game that his boss demands he play.
Lukakus rst touch may not quite match that of
Ibrahimovic, but his arrival will bring a touch more
mobility in attack. His shot accuracy in 2016-17 was
also better than the Swedes: he hit the target with
50 per cent of his shots, to trigger-happy Zlatans 40.
With Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba
on the books, the service should be good, too.
Only runners-up Tottenham conceded fewer league
goals than Manchester United last season, yet even
Bournemouth were able to net more goals than their
tally of 54. Time to let go of the leash, Jose.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
BE MORE CLINICAL ANDER HERRERA FIXTURES
Despite signicant investment A player who possesses the determination,
in attacking talent, Manchester tenacity and passion that supporters and his AUG UST
Uniteds main problem last term manager value so highly. If he can add a higher 14 West Ham (H)
was their proigacy in front of goal. In level of consistency to his creative play, the 19 Swansea (A)
all, Mourinhos men scored fewer goals Spaniard could be set for his best season yet. 27 Leicester (H)
than David Moyes United team did in S E PT EM B ER
2013-14. Improving on last years 36 10 Stoke (A)
per cent shootingaccuracy is a must. 18 Everton (H)

2
24 Southampton (A)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17
LEARN TO KILL OFF TEAMS 30 Crystal Palace (H)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

Conceding late equalisers and O CT OB ER
failing to score at all against the 15 Liverpool (A)
defensive teams became a pair of 22 Hudderseld (A)
nasty habits. An upgrade at centre-half 29 Tottenham (H)
in new man Victor Lindelof should help N OV EM B ER
with the rst problem, but they must W8 5 Chelsea (A)
also rediscover that relentless instinct 19 Newcastle (H)

D1 7
0
for killing off opponents, even ones who 26 Brighton (H)
have eight men stuck behind the ball. GOALS 29 Watford (A)
L1

HOME FROM SET

3
SCORED D E C EM B ER
CONCEDED
MAKE OLD TRAFFORD A 3 Arsenal (A)
RECORD PIECES
7
TOUGH AWAY TRIP AGAIN 10 Man City (H)
All too often now, teams arrive 13 Bournemouth (H)
at Old Trafford feeling condent 17 West Brom (A)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
that they can play a certain way and 24 Leicester (A)
get a result. Ten league draws there 27 Burnley (H)
in 2016-17 prove they have a point
AWAY 31 Southampton (H)

RECORD
literally. Displays such as the ones JAN UA RY

DISCIPLInE
against Leicester and Chelsea were 2 Everton (A)
all too scarce for the hosts. Fast starts, 14 Stoke (H)
early goals and attacking play with 21 Burnley (A)
L4

D5

78
pace and purpose might give visiting 31 Tottenham (A)
teams more to think about in 2017-18. FE B R UA RY
W10

4
4 Hudderseld (H)
DONT HANG THE 2 11 Newcastle (A)
PLAYERS OUT TO DRY 25 Chelsea (H)

WHEn 12
Mourinho is anotoriously hard MA RC H
9 7 7
HALF-TIME
GOALS

taskmaster and has a reputation 4 Crystal Palace (A)

for dragging his players over the coals.
THEY 4 15 11 Liverpool (H)

SCORED
But, as the former Chelsea boss found 18 West Ham (A)
to his cost recently, that isnt always 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Swansea (H)
effective, especially withthe younger AP RI L
players. Last season, his attacks were 8 Man City (A)
unnecessary, unprovoked and often 15 West Brom (H)
counter-productive: Martialand more 22 Bournemouth (A)
specically Luke Shaw are the sort of 29 Arsenal (H)
characters who would probably benet MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

more from an arm around the shoulder. 6 Brighton (A)

5
DONT FORGET THE LEAGUE
Mourinho took a calculated risk by
prioritising the Europa League
a trophy hed previously stated he
had no interest in winning. The aim was
to get back into the Champions League
and, ultimately, he succeeded. But this
season, however much he downplays
expectations, a top-four nish will be
the bare minimum that is asked of him.
FFT VERDICT
SCOTT PATTERSON, WWW.THEREPUBLIKOFMANCUNIA.COM
This season will be different
to last because the players
have had a taste of success with
last seasons silverware and
Champions League qualication,
and because Jose Mourinho
tends to work his magic in his
second season at a club.
Save the date for when we play
Manchester City away with just
ve more games left in the season.
Our most underrated player is
Ander Herrera but not by United
fans, who love him. Outside the
club, though, he isnt rated as
highly as he probably should be.
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Marouane
Fellaini. Enough is enough.
The best away ground is the
ground of any club we face in
14 Watford (H)
One change I would make at our
club is to have the Glazers out.
The best away fans are Evertons,
although in comparison to the
incredible Saint-Etienne fans last
season, I dont remember too
many supporters of Premier
League clubs standing out.
This season we will nish second.

3
Mourinho sides peak in his Europe, after weve been starved FFT asks: With Wayne Rooney
RD second year, but rarely are
they starting so far back.
Keep an eye out for Axel
Tuanzebe this season.
of playing against top-quality
sides in the Champions League.
gone, who would be your choice
for a new captain? Ander Herrera.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 55

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
nEWCASTLE UnITED LAST SEASON
C HAM PIONSH IP Winners
F A C UP Fourth Round
LEAG UE CU P Fifth Round
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Dwight Gayle (23)
CAn RAFA BEnITEZ BUILD
A DYnASTY On TYnESIDE?
Mission One accomplished: Newcastle United are
back in the Premier League, and the achievement
shouldnt be dismissed. In the previous six seasons,
only Burnley had been promoted as champions in
the season following relegation from the top ight.
Its an impressive feat for Rafael Benitez, although
itdoes look a little out of place on a CV that also
includestwo Spanish titles, anFA Cup, Italian Cup,
UEFA Cup, Europa League and Champions League.
And the Toon Army love him for it. They love him
forsticking with the club after relegation, barely six
months after he was managing Real Madrid, and
love him for masterminding their teams charge
back into thebig time at the rst time of asking.
56 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
Benitez is pretty fond of them as well. The Spaniard
signed a three-year contract just days after the clubs
relegation was conrmed in May 2016, and said, The
love I feel from the fans was a big inuence. It would
have been very difcult to walk away. This is a huge
club and I wanted to be part of the great future
I can see for Newcastle United.
Club owner Mike Ashley also seems a tad smitten.
At the end-of-season debrief, Benitez let it be known
that he was not happy with the continued inuence
of chief scout Graham Carr. Ashley backed his gaffer
and Carr left the club by mutual consent in June.
Its a signicant moment in Newcastles future. Carr But, barring a takeover, how the Magpies fare on their
had been a key gure during Ashleys timeat the club, return largely depends on the scale of Ashleys vision.
instructed to spot cheap talent who could be sold on
for a prot a policy that has limited the power and
ambition of a host of previous Newcastle managers.
So what is Newcastles mission now? When I start
something, I will put all my passion into it, Benitez
stated. Things will be done in the right way and we
can build what we want to build: a strong team and
a strong club that can then compete in the Premier
League for everything. When I say everything, I dont
say the title, but why not?
This type of ambition will be music to fans ears
but is it realistic? Benitez bought players last summer
specically to win promotion and the squad will need
major investment if it is to challenge for the European
places, with the only senior arrivals before mid-June
being Eibar defender Florian Lejeune and the formerly
on-loan Christian Atsu. Will Ashley stump up the cash
to attract enough high-quality additions? Can Rafa
and Mike remain on speaking terms? Who knows?
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
MAKE ST JAMES PARK ROAR JONJO SHELVEY FIXTURES
Gallowgate Flags fan group helped Great vision, superb technique and a ferocious
to rev up the atmosphere for home shot help to make Shelvey almost the complete AUG US T
matches last season, even though midelder. The problem? His temperament 13 Tottenham (H)
Newcastle struggled at times to break but if he can keep his head and hold his tongue, 20 Hudderseld (A)
down some packed defensive units at then a return to the England setup beckons. 27 West Ham (H)
St James. Benitezs counter-attacking S E PT EM B ER
style will suit the side when facing more 11 Swansea (A)
ambitious Premier League visitors, but 17 Stoke (H)
the team still needs all the assistance 25 Brighton (A)
CHAMPIONSHIP 2016-17
it can get. Let those ags wave high. O C T OB ER

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

2 Liverpool (H)

2
PICK A NO.1 15 Southampton (A)
The manager is keen to add to his 22 Crystal Palace (H)
gaggle of goalkeepers and a move W15 29 Burnley (A)
for his former Liverpool stopper, N OV EM B ER
Pepe Reina, has been talked about. But 5 Bournemouth (H)
Newcastle are already overloaded in 19 Man United (A)
that position, with Karl Darlow, Tim Krul,
24 GOALS
26 Watford (H)
L5

D3

Rob Elliot and Freddie Woodman on the 29 West Brom (A)

books (not to mention Matz Sels out on
loan). Five into one doesnt go Benitez HOME
SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D E C EM B ER
3 Chelsea (A)
RECORD PIECES
10
will need to ofoad some of his talent. 10 Leicester (H)
14 Everton (H)

3
TRUST IN YOUTH 17 Arsenal (A)
Rafa put a lot of faith in Jamaal TOTAL GAMES: 46 24 West Ham (A)
Lascelles, then just 22, when he 27 Man City (H)
selected the defender to be his
captain last season. Now, though, he AWAY 31 Brighton (H)
JA N UA RY
RECORD
DISCIPLInE
has hinted there may be a new skipper 2 Stoke (A)
in the top ight. Would being relieved 14 Swansea (H)
of the additional responsibility help 21 Man City (A)

80
D4
L5

or hinder Lascelles development? It 31 Burnley (H)

is a tricky decision for the Toon boss. FEB R UA RY
4 Crystal Palace (A)

4
UNEARTH ANOTHER NO.9 W14 3 11 Man United (H)
Dwight Gayle netted 23 goals for 25 Bournemouth (A)

WHEn
Newcastle in the Championship, MA RC H
11 10
HALF-TIME
GOALS

4 Liverpool (A)
19
but can he do it in the top ight?
Hescored 15 Premier League goals in
THEY 14 17 14 11 Southampton (H)

SCORED
three seasons and 64 appearances at 18 Tottenham (A)
Crystal Palace, but a host of hamstring 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Hudderseld (H)
problems hampered his career with the APR I L
Londoners and it has been a similar 8 Leicester (A)
story at Newcastle as well. If they are 15 Arsenal (H)
to progress, they will need a proven 22 Everton (A)
goalscorer on their books to lessen 29 West Brom (H)
the load on Gayle and his hammies. MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

6 Watford (A)

5
GET NEW OWNERS!
Talk of a takeover has loomed over
the club for some time now. Mike
Ashley would naturally demand
ahuge price, but potential buyers are
drawn in by the Magpies international
reach, 52,000 crowds, rare city-centre
location and the fact that a world-class
manager is already in place at the club.
Rafa Benitez, the Toon Army and cash
to splash is surely a recipe for success.
FFT VERDICT
ANDY GURR, @ANDY_GURR
This season will be different to
last because were back in the
Premier League and wont be
huge favourites to win every week.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that we have the longest
combined distance to travel to
away games of all teams in the
division. Our two nearest games,
Hudderseld and Burnley, are
both over two hours away by car.
Our most underrated player is
Isaac Hayden. He was very solid
in mideld last season but didnt
always get the praise he deserved.
Our pantomime villain is Arsene
Wenger and the in/out saga.
Save the date for Spurs away on
March 17 its the only chance
I might get to see us at Wembley.
14 Chelsea (H)
Keep an eye out for Stuart
Findlay, who played a couple of
cup games for us last season and
looked very composed at the back.
This season we will nish 10th.
I hope that isnt too optimistic.
FFT asks: After 18 months in the
job, just how popular is Rafael
Benitez in Newcastle? He has
almost god-like status up here.

11
Supported from all sides, One change I would make at our If he stays for any length of time,
TH Benitez can galvanise a
basic but balanced squad.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
club is to have safe standing,
if the FA would ever allow it.
I think hell be regarded in the
same esteem as Kevin Keegan.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 57

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
SOUTHAMP LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E 8th
F A C UP Fourth Round
LEAG UE CU P Runners-up
EURO PA LE A GU E Group Stage
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Charlie Austin (9)
HOW WILL SAInTS REACT TO
A RARE BACKWARDS STEP?
When Claude Puels Southampton limped across
the line for an eighth-place nish in 2016-17, they
ended a six-year spell of constant improvement.
After bottoming out by coming seventh in the
third tier in 2010, Southampton, rejuvenated by the
passion and investment of the late Markus Liebherr,
steadily climbed to the upper rungs of the league
ladder. They won back-to-back promotions from
League One and the Championship, having nished
second in both, then sealed their status as Premier
League mainstays by nishing 14th, 8th, 7th and
6thin their rst four seasons back in the big time.
Adam Lallana and Mauricio Pochettino, among many
58 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
others, saw their careers develop elsewhere, but even
their departures could nothalt Saints march. This is
a football club with direction and purpose, regardless
of whos in the dugout or starting XI.
And so there was more than a tinge of frustration
and disappointment around the place in May, even
though the Hampshire club have nished higher only
three times in the past 30 years. That season also
happened to feature an outing in a major cup nal
that was just their thirdin the same period. But it now
feels as if the clubcould be at a bit of a crossroads.
Yet again, key players this time, Virgil van Dijk and
Ryan Bertrand are being eyed by richer clubs, and
yet again theres a new man prowling the touchline:
Mauricio Pellegrino, whose one season at Alaves took
a freshly promoted team to ninth and a Copa del Rey
nal. Saints record suggests the time to panic hasnt
arrived yet, but can any club regenerate with such
regularity while maintaining such high standards?
The all-action approach that impressed in the days
of Pochettino and Ronald Koeman was mostly absent
last time out, Puel preferring patient pragmatism. The
January arrival of Manolo Gabbiadini for $18m briey
brought some swagger to the south coast club (not to
mention six goals in his rst four matches), but a groin
injury in March knocked the Italian striker off his stride.
Pellegrinos success with Alaves was built largely on
sturdy defence only Villarreal and Spains big three
conceded fewer rather than a devastating frontline,
but getting consistency out of Gabbiadini, Dusan Tadic
and Nathan Redmond is Southamptons best hope of
breaking back into Europe. The sad news is that Jay
Rodriguez, having never truly recovered from serious
injury, has departed to join West Bromwich Albion.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn Y PLAYER

1
DONT EASE UP ON THE IOL ROMEU FIXTURES
SHOOTING PRACTICE Saints may have lost Morgan Schneiderlin
Southampton had the lowest shot Victor Wanyama in the past two summers, AU G US T
conversion rate of any team in the omeu has very much lled the void. Only 13 Swansea (H)
Premier League last time out (7.45 per sa Gueye and NGolo Kante succeeded with 20 West Ham (H)
cent), which helps to explain why only tackles in the Premier League last season. 27 Hudderseld (A)
the bottom ve scored fewer than the S EPT EM B ER
41 goals. To make matters worse, Puel 10 Watford (H)
team failed to convert three of the six 16 Crystal Palace (A)
penalties that they were awarded no 24 Man United (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17 30 Stoke (A)
top-ight sidemissed more last term.

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

2
O C T OB ER
TAKE THE CUPS SERIOUSLY 15 Newcastle (H)
Last season proved that, while 22 West Brom (H)
matching the Premier Leagues 29 Brighton (A)
elite over a gruelling campaign is N OV EM B ER
currently unrealistic, Southampton are 5 Burnley (H)
W6
capable of beating the very best teams 19 Liverpool (A)

7
L7

on a one-off basis. They knocked both

D6 26 Everton (H)
Arsenal and Liverpool out of the League GOALS 30 Man City (A)
Cup on the road to Wembley, where
they were ultimately unlucky to lose HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D EC EM B ER
3 Bournemouth (A)
RECORD PIECES
17
to Manchester United. Having taken 11 Arsenal (H)
Alaves to their rst ever domestic cup 14 Leicester (H)
nal last May, Pellegrino should also 17 Chelsea (A)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
have developed a taste for the format. 24 Hudderseld (H)
27 Tottenham (A)

3
MAKE THE MOST OF
AWAY 31 Man United (A)

RECORD
MIDFIELD TALENT JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
Over the previous two summers, 2 Crystal Palace (H)
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Jordy 14 Watford (A)
Clasie arrived at St Marys from Bayern 21 Tottenham (H)
D4

Munich and Feyenoord respectively, 31 Brighton (H)

59
L9

W6
with some big reputations and bigger FE B R UA RY
potential. The pair of them have had 4 West Brom (A)
moments but are yet to live up to the 2 11 Liverpool (H)
early hype that made them both seem 25 Burnley (A)

WHEn
very shrewd acquisitions by Saints at MA RC H

7 7 7 11
HALF-TIME
GOALS

4 Stoke (H)
5
the time. Over to you, Mr Pellegrino.
THEY 4 11 Newcastle (A)

4 SCORED
KEEP CHARLIE AUSTIN FIT 18 Swansea (A)
This may be easier said than done 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 West Ham (A)
but getting the 28-year-old t and AP R I L
ring could bring a much-needed 8 Arsenal (A)
new dimension to Saints attacking play. 15 Chelsea (H)
After all, six league goals in 12 games 22 Leicester (A)
during an injury-plagued 2016-17 was 29 Bournemouth (H)
a very decent return for the frontman. MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

6 Everton (A)

5
IMPROVE AT DEFENDING
DEAD-BALL SITUATIONS
Their defensive record may have
been reasonable, but 17 ofthe 48
goals Southampton let in last season
were from set-pieces, and only Crystal
Palace and Hull conceded more from
dead-ball situations in 2016-17. Given
the defensive nous of the Saints new
coach, however, it shouldnt be long
before that record starts to improve.
FFT VERDICT
NICK ILLINGSWORTH, WWW.THEUGLYINSIDE.NET
This season will be different to
last because in Mauricio Pellegrino
we have I hope a manager
who will play entertaining football
and have the exibility to change
things when they dont work.
The best away ground is Aneld:
its become a lucky ground for us
in recent years, and its good to
see a few of our ex-players nding
out that the grass is not always
Our pantomime villain is Jose
Mourinho. Hes good for a laugh.
Keep an eye out for Josh Sims
from our academy, although
Jan Bednarek could turn out to
be one of those unknown gems
we pick up from time to time.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that the founding father
of Brazilian football, Charles Miller,
14 Man City (H)
Our most underrated player is
Nathan Redmond. With different
tactics, I think hell thrive.
This season we will nish
between seventh and ninth.
FFT asks: Was Claude Puels
sacking harsh? We did have
arguably our fourth-best season
ever in terms of league position
and making a cup nal, but it was,

8
Setting up Pellegrino to greener. And Liverpool supporters played for the club as a student in the main, horrendous to watch.
TH stay for more than a year
should be the main aim.
are, it pains me to say, very vocal
and have some original songs.
in Southampton, and therefore
we pretty much invented Pele.
We achieved what we did in spite
of Claude Puel, not because of him.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 59

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
CAn MARK HUGHES EnD
HIS AnD STOKES MALAISE?
Mark Hughes has never exuded Jurgen Klopp-style
bonhomie pitchside crossed arms, tight lips and
asimmering rage are his style but he appeared
thoroughly fed up as 2016-17 drew to a close.
At the start of the campaign, many people had
fancied the Potters to be on the verge of something
special: with Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic
ring, the team added some tantalising air, and
a big leap forward from three consecutive seasons
in ninth place towards potentially menacing the
European positions seemed to be on the cards.
60 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
Instead, it was all deeply underwhelming. Stoke
just couldnt get out of the blocks and experienced
issues at both ends of the pitch. Wilfried Bony and
Saido Berahino looked like a frontline with promise
but misred horribly, and erstwhile outcast Peter
Crouch, 36, ended up as the teams leading scorer.
At the back, meanwhile, Stoke shipped 56 goals
their worst tally since rejoining the top ight in 2008.
Hughes side could still move the ball around nicely,
with Joe Allen and Arnautovic the most consistent
individuals among an inconsistent group, but it simply
didnt translate into results often enough and they
froze against the big sides: a paltry three points out
of 36 were picked up against the teams in the top six.
All of this puts Hughes at a crossroads. The Welsh
gaffer has always formed sides that score enough
goals, but his defensive acumen remains in doubt.
Remember Marc Wilsons excellent It would help if
we ever did any defensive training Twitter rant?
At his managerial best, such as with the 2005-06
Blackburn outt that qualied for Europe, Hughes can
mould teams with the right combination of air and
physicality. And 13th place can hardly be branded
a disaster many clubs would kill for such aperceived
malaise. But Hughes knows that his team needs to
show much more in 2017-18. Maybe the excitement
that we have had in previous years has been lacking,
he admitted. We will try to address that and use the
disappointment as a motivating factor.
The 53-year-old maintains the fans are behind him.
But another shrug of a season, or a start as dismal as
last years, could mean that they may begin to turn.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
START FASTER JACK BUTLAND FIXTURES
Stoke were hamstrung by While back-up keeper Lee Grant was Stokes
a terrible opening to their last best player last season, Butlands return was AU G UST
campaign, winning three points greeted with relief by Stokies. Hughes says the 13 Everton (A)
from their rst seven games. Agnarly 6ft 5in shot-stopper can become a $80 million 20 Arsenal (H)
early xture list doesnt bode too well goalkeeper but hell hope that isnt right now. 27 West Brom (A)
for this year, either: they go to Everton S EPT EM B ER
on the opening day and host Arsenal, 10 Man United (H)
Manchester United and Chelsea in their 17 Newcastle (A)
rst six outings. Apositive pre-season, 24 Chelsea (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17 30 Southampton (H)
a damage limitation plan, patience and

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

some luck will all be required early on. O C T OB ER
15 Man City (A)

2
TAKE ON THE BIG BOYS 22 Bournemouth (H)
Struggling to pick up points against 29 Watford (A)
good teams is understandable but N OV EM B ER
Stoke seem to have a real mental W7 5 Leicester (H)
block, failing last season to beat 11 of 19 Brighton (A)
the 12sides thatnished above them,
D6
9 26 Crystal Palace (A)
L6

home or away odd considering their GOALS 30 Liverpool (H)

own class of player. Hughes must foster
a new mentality against the top six. HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D EC EM B ER
3 Swansea (H)
RECORD PIECES
14
10 Tottenham (A)

3
FIND A FORWARD 13 Burnley (A)
Bony, Berahino and Mame Biram 17 West Ham (H)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
Dioufhad poor seasons and Stoke 24 West Brom (H)
simply didnt shoot enough:only 27 Hudderseld (A)
West Bromwich Albion andthe three
AWAY 31 Chelsea (A)

RECORD
relegated teams had fewer attempts on JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
goal. Finding the net just three times in 2 Newcastle (H)
the last 15 minutes and added time of 14 Man United (A)
games is also pitiful. While Stoke have 21 Hudderseld (H)
D5

70
a talented supply line of passers, they 31 Watford (H)
L1

W4
0

desperately need ayoung and pacy FE B R UA RY

frontman to makethe most of them. 4 Bournemouth (A)
2 11 Brighton (H)

4
INJECT SOME YOUTH 25 Leicester (A)

WHEn
In 2016-17 the Potters had the top MA RC H

7 10 9
HALF-TIME

6 6
GOALS

ights second-oldest squad after 4 Southampton (A)

Watford and gave the third-least
THEY 3 11 Man City (H)

SCORED
amount of pitch time to players aged 18 Everton (H)
under 23. Although there is no startling 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Arsenal (A)
correlation between average age and AP R I L
success, the side sometimes laboured 8 Tottenham (H)
in a way that suggested a bit of young 15 West Ham (A)
blood might just be whats required. 22 Burnley (H)
Their rst signing: Darren Fletcher. Ah. 29 Liverpool (A)

5
MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Rightly renowned for its decibel
levels when on top form, Stokes
home ground has far too often
turned from a cauldron of hate into
a crock of complaining. Yes, there were
grounds for grumbling, but the Potters
were never in a relegation battle and
require a modest evolution, rather than
a massive revolution, to be a decent
side again. Positivity from all quarters
can only help them achieve that goal.
FFT VERDICT
ROB DOOLAN, @CHIEFDELILAH
This season will be different to
last because Mark Hughes has
been read the riot act by the
owners and knows hell be out if
things dont improve sharpish.
Keep an eye out for 20-year-old
Ramadan Sobhi, an enormous
talent and the reason we suddenly
have an Egyptian fanbase here.
Our most underrated player is
Fans of other clubs might not
know that we were involved
in the incidents that ultimately
led to the invention of both the
penalty kick and the crossbar.
Our pantomime villain is the
thuggish Harry Arter. In general,
Stokies become less and less
endeared to the Bournemouth
fairytale with every meeting.
6 Crystal Palace (H)
14 Swansea (A)
The best away fans are Spurs
fans, who have been noisy in
recent years. But then we have
given them plenty to shout about.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Christian Eriksen.
This season we will nish 15th.
FFT asks: Does Bojan still have
a future at the club, or is it time

15
An under-pressure Sparky
TH sorely needs a striker, yet
business has been slow.
Ibrahim Afellay: the Dutchmans
composed, technically excellent
and a wise old head to boot.
The best away ground is Brighton
Im relishing the prospect of
a rst trip down to the Falmer.
for him to move on? Id like us to
have one last crack at getting him
to recapture his pre-injury form.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 61

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
SWA LAST SE
PREM IE R LE A
F A C UP Third
LEAG UE CU P
TO P SCORE R
Fernando Lloren
HAVE THE SWAnS nOW
LOST THEIR IDEnTITY?
Club identities are a curious thing. Rival supporters
will scoff, but fans know what theyre getting at
when they mention the Liverpool, Tottenham or
West Ham way, even if decades have passed since
the club actually did play that way. Manchester
Uniteds identity crisis will end only with a manager
who can produce trophies and exciting football.
Swansea havent always been known as sexy
football stylists years of lower-league strife at
The Vetch saw to that but for an unbroken decade
after the appointment of Roberto Martinez in 2007,
theyve been easy on the eye and pinged the ball
62 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
about in a way that pleases plenty of purists. Paulo
Sousa instructed them to dazzle the Championship,
and when the Swans did glide into the Premier League
under Brendan Rodgers, they quickly won admirers.
Michael Laudrup then took them up another notch.
But that Swansea City and the equally lauded
Swansea Way of running a football club in close
connection with the fans is seemingly becoming
a distant memory. Three managers and two caretaker
spells from Alan Curtis since the start of 2016 have
made for a jarring lack of consistency:they ended last
season in 15th place, having never nished lower than
12th in the previous ve years since promotion. Even
more upsettingly, the continuity of style that seemed
to connect Martinez through to Garry Monk has also
evaporated. Players heads were left in a tailspin as
Francesco Guidolin, Bob Bradley and nally Paul
Clement all tried to impose fresh ideas and tactics.
That said, Clement does at least appear to have
halted a decline. A unit that conceded 44 times in the
opening half of the season let in 26 in the second half.
Organisation improved, and relegation was avoided.
Clement may restore the satisfyingly slick on-pitch
brand, or he may not. Whether that really matters,
though, is up for debate. In the high-stakes world of
Premier League football, such matters dont concern
the moneymen, and while fans were angered by the
clubs new American owners unexpectedly replacing
Guidolin with their countryman, Bob Bradley, their ire
was drawn from a lack of consultation, rather than
questions over aesthetics. But if the Swans do reverse
engineer into Ugly Ducklings,it would be a shame for
everyone in South Wales who saw them in their pomp.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
STOP SACKING EVERYBODY! ALFIE MAWSON FIXTURES
Its pretty obvious, assuming at Young defender Mawson looks like the clubs
least that Clement doesnt lead the future. Hard-working, strong and a relentlessly AUG US T
club to 20 straight defeats. At some ambitious leader, the 23-year-old has grown 13 Southampton (A)
stage the axe-wielding must end: new hugely in stature over the past season and has 19 Man United (H)
owners binning off Guidolin on his targeted becoming Englands captain one day. 27 Crystal Palace (A)
birthday, no less for Bradley left the S E PT EM B ER
Swansea City Supporters Trust feeling 11 Newcastle (H)
frustrated and angry about being 17 Tottenham (A)
kept out of the loop. Another year with 24 Watford (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17
no trust or continuity would be fatal. 30 West Ham (A)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

2
O CT OB ER
CONTINUE THE 15 Hudderseld (H)
DEFENSIVE DRILLING 22 Leicester (H)
Last years total of 45 goals scored 29 Arsenal (A)
wasnt a long way off the Swans N OV EM B ER
usual standard: over the previous ve W8 5 Brighton (H)
Premier League campaigns, they had 19 Burnley (A)

17
L8

notched 42, 46, 54, 47 and 44. It was 26 Bournemouth (H)

GOALS
D3
at the other end of the pitch that things 30 Chelsea (A)
changed: 70 goals conceded was worse
than relegated Sunderland. Clements HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D E C EM B ER
3 Stoke (A)
RECORD PIECES
10
defensive beastings have to continue. 10 West Brom (H)
13 Man City (H)

3
SHOOT MORE 17 Everton (A)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
Swanseas condence seemed to 24 Crystal Palace (H)
vanish midway through 2016-17: 27 Liverpool (A)
suddenly, players looked for the
AWAY 31 Watford (A)
safe pass and opted against taking on
RECORD JAN UA RY

DISCIPLInE
a man. Clement coaxed them out of 2 Tottenham (H)
their shells, but the shots were still at 14 Newcastle (A)
D2

a premium. An inspired season-long 21 Liverpool (H)

loan deal for Chelsea striker Tammy W4 31 Arsenal (H)

56
L1

Abraham should certainly help that. FE B R UA RY

3

4 Leicester (A)

4
RECRUIT MORE WISELY 0 11 Burnley (H)
The Welshmen were frugal in last 25 Brighton (A)
summers window, netting a very
WHEn 9 10 13 MA RC H

7
HALF-TIME
GOALS

4 West Ham (H)

5
healthy $15m net prot that was
pleasing for the accountants, but, alas,
THEY 1 11 Hudderseld (A)

SCORED
uninspiring for the Liberty faithful. This 18 Southampton (H)
summers rst big business saw Roque 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Man United (A)
Mesa replace Burnley-bound Jack Cork APR I L
at the base of mideld for a meagre 8 West Brom (A)
$5m net spend, but Swansea must still 15 Everton (H)
nd a winger, a striker, a pacy full-back 22 Man City (A)
and a solid centre-half or the scouting 29 Chelsea (H)
network might require examination. MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

6 Bournemouth (A)

5
KEEP THE ADAPTABILITY
Clement has clearly learneda lot
from working withtacticalmaster
Carlo Ancelotti, and his strategic
adaptabilityhas been impressive since
joining Swansea at the beginning of the
year. The former Chelsea coach has
a Plan B and a Plan C when things get
frustrating, and hes more than happy
to shake things up and get the ball to
the forward players faster if necessary.
FFT VERDICT
STEVEN CARROLL, WWW.SOSFANZINE.COM
This season will be different
to last because we have got
more stability in the boardroom
and in the dugout as well.
Keep an eye out for Ale Mawson
hes future captain material.
Our most underrated player is
Leon Britton. People outside
Swansea dont realise just
how good the midelder is.
One change I would make
at our club is to overhaul the
commercial side of things.
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Jefferson
Montero, at the top of a long list.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that our net spend since
entering the Premier League
in 2011 is pretty close to even.
14 Stoke (H)
Our pantomime villain is Marcus
Rashford after his dive last season.
This season we will nish 12th.
FFT asks: Looking at the xture
list, are you condent that the
Swans can start 2017-18 in the
same manner as they ended the
last campaign, with 13 points
from the nal ve games?
Not especially. I cant see a huge

17
Certain holes need lling, points haul from two away games
TH but in Clement the Swans
have the right man at last.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Sergio Aguero.
The best away fans are Crystal
Palaces supporters.
in the rst three, with Manchester
United at home in between them.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 63

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
TOTTEn LAST SEASON
PREM IE R LE A GU E 2nd
F A C UP Semi-nal
LEAG UE CU P Fourth Round
C HAM PIONS LE A GU E Group
EURO PA LE A GU E Last 32
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Harry Kane (right, 35)
CAn SPURS LEARn TO WIn
COnSISTEnTLY AT WEMBLEY?
When Ossie Ardiles, Ricky Villa and the rest all
sang of trembly knees ahead of a big Spurs game
at Wembley, they didnt know quite how prescient
their off-key warbling would one day prove to be.
Tottenhams record at the original home of football
was far better in the early 90s than it has been in the
expensively revamped version over the past decade.
A triumph over Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup Final
their rst visit has been the north London clubs
only notable success there since the Arch replaced
the Twin Towers. The 10 matches that have followed
have brought just one victory, in a Champions League
dead rubber against CSKA Moscow last December.
64 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
Now they have to play there every other week, and
the timing feels more than a little unfortunate.
In the past few years, White Hart Lane had become
a fortress, culminating in an unbeaten season
specically, 21 wins and two draws in all domestic
xtures to see off their home of 118 years. With
their fans right on top of one of the Premier Leagues
smaller pitches, Spurs former abode was everything
their temporary residence is not. And suddenly, a club certainly help them to exploit a larger playing surface.
thats been moving forward at a sterling pace over the
previous three years now looks at risk of stumbling.
Spurs poor record at the national stadium is partly
down to the standard of opposition theyve generally
faced there, with the exception of Avram Grants
2009-10 Portsmouth vintage. Obviously, a loss from
seven years ago wont worry Mauricio Pochettinos
team, but the draw and resulting aggregate defeat to
Gent earlier this year, following Wembley defeats to
Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen, is a different matter.
Last seasons European nightmare, combined with
beatings from Chelsea in Aprils FA Cup semi-nal and
the 2015 League Cup Final, will almost certainly be
playing on their minds as August approaches.
Adapting to their new(ish) surroundings is integralto
Spurs chances of being involved in the title shake-up
again. Winning their rst home match of 2017-18
would banish the demons. Just one problem: that rst
home match sees them come up against Chelsea.
Adding some extra pace to the starting line-up would
Son Heung-min and Dele Alli arent slowcoaches, but
bringing in an attacker blessed with blistering speed
could ensure that Tottenhams transitional campaign
under the Arch is not uncomfortable.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
IMPROVE ON THE ROAD VICTOR WANYAMA FIXTURES
The aforementioned problems at The Kenyans role in Spurs success last season
home accentuate the necessity was huge. His presence allowed Pochettino to AU G US T
of improving on last seasons away move the versatile Eric Dier into a back three, 13 Newcastle (A)
form. The Lilywhites won four fewer and gave Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Christian 21 Chelsea (H)
away games than Chelsea last term, Eriksen licence to help Harry Kane in attack. 27 Burnley (H)
with dropped points at West Bromwich S EPT EM B ER
Albion, Bournemouth, Sunderland and 10 Everton (A)
West Ham especially costly come May. 17 Swansea (H)
23 West Ham (A)

2
STAY FLEXIBLE
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17 30 Hudderseld (A)

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

Spurs really kicked into gear last O C T OB ER
season when they switched from 15 Bournemouth (H)
4-2-3-1 to 3-4-3. After accusations 22 Liverpool (H)
of being tactically inexible, Pochettino 29 Man United (A)
W17
now had a rock-solid Plan A and Plan B. N OV EM B ER
Injuries denied him the chance to it 5 Crystal Palace (H)
between the two all that often, but 19 Arsenal (A)
changing the shape to outsmart the
opposition could be vital if they are to 13 GOALS
26 West Brom (H)
29 Leicester (A)

FROM SET
D2

nish the campaign one place higher. SCORED D EC EM B ER

L0

CONCEDED 3 Watford (A)

3
HOME PIECES
7
ROTATE WITH CARE 10 Stoke (H)
With Champions League football RECORD 14 Brighton (H)
17 Man City (A)
back again, managing fatigue will
be crucial. But Pochettinos policy 24 Burnley (A)
of full-backs playing only once in a week TOTAL GAMES: 38 27 Southampton (H)
meant Kyle Walker missed a decisive 31 West Ham (H)
Champions League match in Monaco
and didnt start the FA Cup semi-nal. AWAY JAN UA RY
2 Swansea (A)
Did those omissions play a signicant RECORD DISCIPLInE 14 Everton (H)
part in the England speedster choosing 21 Southampton (A)
to leave for Man City over the summer? 3 Man United (H)

62
L4

D6

4
FE B R UA RY
KEEP PLAYING THE KIDS 4 Liverpool (A)
Pochettinos reputation for giving W9 0 11 Arsenal (H)
talent a chance is richly deserved, 25 Crystal Palace (A)

WHEn
with Harry Winks the latest star MA RC H
10 9 11 21
HALF-TIME

to see some regular Premier League 4 Hudderseld H)

GOALS

action under the Argentines tutelage.

THEY 17 18 11 Bournemouth (A)
Both full-back Kyle Walker-Peters and 18 Newcastle (H)
midelder Josh Onomah excelled as
England triumphed at Junes Under-20
SCORED 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Chelsea (A)
AP R I L
World Cup they could be next in line. 8 Stoke (A)
15 Man City (H)

5
SPLASH THE CASH 22 Brighton (A)
Spurs are still a year away from 29 Watford (H)
a new stadium and the increased MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

revenue that brings, but it may be
time for chairman Daniel Levy to break
the habit of a lifetime and speculate to
accumulate, both in the transfer market
where Spurs have spent less in three
years under Pochettino than theyve
received in that time and in wages.
Tottenham are now in a position where
their leading performers are among the
most coveted in Europe, and the players
know they could earn more elsewhere.
Nows the time to push the boat out.
FFT VERDICT
SEAN WALSH, @THETOTTENHAMWAY
This season will be different to
last because were at Wembley.
Replicating the near-awless
home form of last season will be
Tottenhams toughest challenge.
Our most underrated player is
Christian Eriksen, by the PFA.
Keep an eye out for Marcus
Edwards. Mauricio Pochettino
usually keeps his cards close to his
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Leroy San. His pace,
strength and direct style remind
me of a younger Gareth Bale.
Our pantomime villain is Ander
Herrera, who epitomises the Red
Devils under Jose Mourinho.
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Moussa Sissoko
we paid $50 million for a player
6 West Brom (A)
14 Leicester (H)
This season well nish second.
As much as I want to believe that
this is the year we nally win the
Premier League, a squad the size
of Tottenhams will nd it too much
to cope with cup runs and Europe.
FFT asks: Chelsea are up rst for
Spurs at Wembley are you
happy to start with such a big
xture? Very. Our opening games
will give us the chance to exorcise

4
The Wembley hoodoo and chest when discussing particular whose entire season highlight was some demons: the 5-1 defeat
TH an overworked unit is all
thats holding them back.
academy talents, but he has even
likened Edwards to Lionel Messi.
chesting the ball out of play, under
no pressure, in the opposition half.
at Newcastle in 2016 still hurts,
and Chelsea... well, you know.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 65

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18

WATFORD LAST SEASON

PREM IE R LE A GU E 17th
F A C UP Fourth Round
LEAG UE CU P Second Round
TO P SCORE R (A LL COMPS)
Troy Deeney (10)

WILL A LACK OF STABILITY EVEnTUALLY Mazzarri has now left, having signed off by picking
a team with no centre-backs to face Manchester City

CATCH UP WITH THE HORnETS?

She had red hair and a look of dismay on her face.
This middle-aged Watford fan had spent the week
preparing her banner and she was determined to
display it. Goodbye, Mazzarri, the banner began.
Goodbye, we dont want you. Out out out now.
The withering nal words were underlined for
effect. They read simply: He was rubbish.
Mazzarri was Watfords seventh gaffer during the
ve-year tenure of owner Gino Pozzo, a tenure that
has seen the club average more than 20 signings per
season. Some of the clubs managerial changes have
paid off: the Hornets got through four different bosses
in their 2014-15 promotion season and the fourth,
Slavisa Jokanovic, did a marvellous job.
Jokanovics subsequent exit seemed surprising,
but Quique Sanchez Flores guided the club to 13th
in their rst season in the top ight. Cue an equally
unexpected move: Sanchez Flores out, Mazzarri in.
This time, it didnt work.
True, Watford avoided relegation. True, they were
still in the top half by late April, and nished only six
points short of eighth place. But by the seasons end,
there was discontent around the club as they nished
just one place above the drop zone. Fans were miffed
with the cautious playing style; players were allegedly
unhappy with their coach, some of them because he
didnt learn to speak English his Match of the Day
interviews were dubbed for almost the entire season.
(Watford lost 5-0, as our banner-brandishing redhead
looked on). In his place is Marco Silva, who so nearly
guided Hull to improbable Premier League survival.
Silva appears to be a more suitable choice, with
some experience of top-ight English football and
a much better grasp of the language. He moved
quickly to sign Derbys highly-rated midelder, Will
Hughes seemingly an eminently sensible purchase.
But as with any new manager, there remains an
element of uncertainty about what exactly is going
to happen.How will the squad react to new tactics,
new players and a new management style? We cant
be sure. At least most of them are used to it by now.
Watford seem content to roll the dice every year
and see how it turns out. For now, it has delivered
three seasons in the Premier League. But the year
with Mazzarri more than wobbled the foundations.
This appointment needs to prove more successful,
or there is a risk of the whole house falling down.

66 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
GET THE PLAYERS ONSIDE TROY DEENEY FIXTURES
Team spirit needs to be revived, Despite their lack of goals, Deeney was left out
particularly at a club where knitting of the team ve times by Mazzarri towards the AU G UST
a dressing room together is already end of last term. Watford lost four of those. The 12 Liverpool (H)
a challenge due to the squads wide striker remains the clubs talisman and will look 20 Bournemouth (A)
range of nationalities (22 at the last to hit double gures for a third season in a row. 27 Brighton (H)
count). Marco Silva must forge a close S EPT EM B ER
relationship with captain Troy Deeney, 10 Southampton (A)
who can then inuence other players. 17 Man City (H)
24 Swansea (A)

2
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17 30 West Brom (A)
GO ON THE OFFENSIVE

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

Mazzarris conservative approach O C T OB ER
didnt work on any front: the fans 15 Arsenal (H)
didnt like it, the players didnt like 22 Chelsea (A)
it, and it wasnt even effective Watford 29 Stoke (H)
actually conceded 18 more goals than N OV EM B ER
they had done a season earlier. Theyd W8 5 Everton (A)
be better served adopting some more 19 West Ham (H)

11
L7

adventurous tactics this time around. 26 Newcastle (A)

GOALS
D4
29 Man United (H)

3 HOME FROM SET

USE WILL HUGHES SCORED D EC EM B ER
CONCEDED 3 Tottenham (H)
Although his top-ight arrival is
RECORD PIECES
17
long overdue Hughes has been 10 Burnley (A)
discussed as a prospect for years, 13 Crystal Palace (A)
even if a cruciate ligament injury halted 17 Hudderseld (H)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
his progress in 2015 the midelder is 24 Brighton (A)
not guaranteed a place in Silvas team. 27 Leicester (H)
But he has the ability to become key
AWAY 31 Swansea (H)

RECORD
for Watford, and impressed recently JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
as England reached the semi-nals of 2 Man City (A)
the European Under-21 Championship. 14 Southampton (H)
D3

21 Leicester (A)

4 84
STOP PICKING UP SO W3 31 Stoke (A)
L1

MANY SILLY CARDS FE B R UA RY

3

Watford had the Premier Leagues 4 Chelsea (H)

worst disciplinary record last term. 5 11 West Ham (A)
No team picked up more yellow or red 25 Everton (H)

WHEn
cards, and no player had their name MA RC H
9 10
HALF-TIME

6 7 6
GOALS

taken by the referee more times than 4 West Brom (H)

wing-back Jose Holebas. Added to that,
THEY 2 11 Arsenal (A)

SCORED
defender Miguel Britos was sent off not 18 Liverpool (A)
once but twice yet another unwanted 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Bournemouth (H)
high throughout 2016-17. Despite all AP R I L
of that, though, only three clubs made 8 Burnley (H)
fewer tackles last season, so Watfords 15 Hudderseld (A)
terrible disciplinary record points more 22 Crystal Palace (H)
to carelessness than aggressive tactics. 29 Tottenham (A)

5
MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

DONT TAIL OFF
Watford were in 10th place when
they reached 40 points with six
gamesof the season remaining.
Then they lost all of those matches and
slid to 17th. The Hornets didnt nish
much better the year earlier, either,
when they won only two of their nal
12 games to drop from eighth to 13th.
It shows that Watford are capable of
so much more, if only they could stop
ending campaigns with a whimper.
FFT VERDICT
MIKE PARKIN, @WATFORDPODCAST
This season will be different to
last because it has got to be. The
Pozzo regime is all about continual
improvement, and 2016-17 was
a backwards step. Walter Mazzarri
deserves credit for Watford staying
up, especially with so many key
players injured, but the football
was attritional and uninspiring.
The best away ground is the
Amex: an aesthetically pleasing
One change Id make at our club
is to stop changing head coach!
Our most underrated player is
Jose Holebas. Yes, he matched the
Premier League record for yellow
cards in a season (15), but he was
a threat in the opposition half.
The player Id happily drive to
another club is Etienne Capoue,
because hes supremely talented
6 Newcastle (H)
14 Man United (A)
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Willian, for his work rate,
goalscoring ability and the fact
that he seems to enjoy playing.
This season we will nish 12th.
Safety is the primary objective
again, but this squad should be
doing much better than 17th.
FFT asks: Are you happy with
Marco Silvas appointment? He

18
While Silva is an upgrade
TH on Mazzarri, the league
looks stronger this year.
stadium with excellent transport
links and Harveys ale. Its also
where Watford sealed promotion.
but doesnt show it enough. If he
put his mind to it, he could play in
any team in the Premier League.
showed at Hull that hes capable
of getting the best out of a side, so
yes. Fans are more positive now.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 67

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
WEST BROMWICH ALBIOn
LAST SEA
PREM IE R LE A
F A C UP Third R
LEAG UE CU P
TO P SCORE R
Salomon Rondo
WHAT CAn THE BAGGIES
DO TO BE LESS BORInG?
May you live in interesting times is an ancient
curse, and given the current state of the planet,
some general tedium wouldnt go amiss. Theres
a lot to be said for mid-table mediocrity in the
Premier League, too: the telly zillions are still
rolling in and steering clear of coronary-inducing
relegation battles is to be welcomed. But for West
Bromwich Albion, who spent much of the rst
decade of this century yo-yo-ing thrillingly between
divisions, a bit of fun now and then would be nice.
There is no shame in playing defensive football.
However, it is hard for fans to be enthused about an
68 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
upcoming campaign when you combine that style, or
lack of it, with Tony Pulis appalling record once his
team has reached 40 points. In 2016-17, having hit
that target earlier than expected, West Brom put on
their snorkels and took ve points from their nal 12
matches a good third of the season. They wrapped
up with seven defeats and a draw with Burnley.
In two and a half years under Pulis, Albions record
once theyve passed 39 points reads P24 W2 D7 L15.
A cynic might suggest hes downplaying expectations
even ambition. To progress, club and gaffer alike have
to banish the mentality that mere survival is enough.
After all, the rst two-thirds of last season brought
some performances brimming with goals and ashes
of offensive brio; between November and the end of
February, West Brom won more points than Liverpool,
Arsenal or Manchester City. There were even muted
whispers about the possibility of qualifying for Europe.
But continuing such form across a whole campaign
is hard for any team, and while players such as Jonny
Evans and Gareth McAuley are consistent, theyre the
kind of 7/10 performers who help sides to regularly
beat teams below them, but rarely the ones above.
That,in many ways, is credit to Pulis, who is a master
of nding ways for his charges to rise above their
natural level. His rst ever top 10 Premier League
nish undoubtedly satised a personal target (and
one set by club owner Guochuan Lai),especially as
the tag of survival specialist irks the arch-pragmatist.
However, the tag will remain unless he can adopt
a new mindset and unearth more match-winners, as
he did with Matt Phillips for the rst half of 2017-17. If
not, fans can expect to again feel comfortably numb.
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn KEY PLAYER

1
MAXIMISE SET-PIECES MATT PHILLIPS FIXTURES
Pulls is bafingly superior to his The winger looked an inspired $9m purchase
rivals at engineering goals from when, by mid-January, only Kevin De Bruyne AU G UST
dead-ball situations and wed love had notched more assists. Injury complications 13 Bournemouth (H)
arummage inside his tactical binder. prevented him from contributing to another goal 20 Burnley (A)
His set-pieces are notorious and we all season, but when hes good, hes very good. 27 Stoke (H)
make sure we nail them down, for and S EPT EM B ER
against, said Matt Phillips. We have 10 Brighton (A)
our own routines theyre almost like 17 West Ham (H)
American Football plays. Dont expect 26 Arsenal (A)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17 30 Watford (H)
that to change anytime soon, and do

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

expect it to result in plenty of points. O C T OB ER
15 Leicester (A)

2
STICK TO THE PLAN 22 Southampton (A)
OptaPro analysis has shown Pulis 29 Man City (H)
team perform a couple of things N OV EM B ER
W9
consistently. They deliver the ball 5 Hudderseld (A)
towards the opposition penalty area off 19 Chelsea (H)

20
L8

the shoulder of the box on the diagonal 26 Tottenham (A)

GOALS
D2
almost 100 per cent of the time, which 29 Newcastle (H)
makes counter-attacking very difcult,
and they take most of their shots very HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D EC EM B ER
3 Crystal Palace (H)
RECORD PIECES
8
centrally, just outside the six-yard box. 10 Swansea (A)
Long shots are out of the question. Its 14 Liverpool (A)
not pretty, but its remarkably effective. 17 Man United (H)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
24 Stoke (A)

3
SUPPORT OR REPLACE 27 Everton (H)
SALOMON RONDON
AWAY 31 Arsenal (H)

RECORD
The Venezuelan strikers season JA N UA RY

DISCIPLInE
reected the teams, starting well 2 West Ham (A)
before dipping alarmingly, admittedly 14 Brighton (H)
amid some difcult personal issues. His 21 Everton (A)

80
D7

aerial prowess is an undoubted asset to W3 31 Man City (A)

L9

any Tony Pulis side he became just the FE B R UA RY

second player ever to record aPremier 4 Southampton (H)
League hat-trick of headers inthe win 0 11 Chelsea (A)
over Swansea last December but he 25 Hudderseld (H)

WHEn
needs the right service to utilise it fully. MA RC H

8 9 9 7
HALF-TIME

6
GOALS

4 Watford (A)

4
LIMIT SPACE IN BEHIND
THEY 4 11 Leicester (H)

SCORED
One facet of exciting teams that 18 Bournemouth (A)
you rarely see from Pulis sides is 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Burnley (H)
marauding full-backs but dont AP R I L
expect that to change. The 59-year-old 8 Swansea (H)
recognises that too much space behind 15 Man United (A)
the position creates more problems than 22 Liverpool (H)
it solves, so his defences will rarely get 29 Newcastle (A)
caught outin these areas of the pitch. MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

6 Tottenham (H)

5
GIVE YOUTH A CHANCE
The Baggies have a decent crop of
potential stars on the books, with
Rekeem Harper, Kane Wilson and
Jonathan Leko all named in matchday
squads last term. Sam Field made the
most dramatic impact, performing well
against Middlesbrough in August and
champions Chelsea in May, and some
ofhis academy colleagues could well
make their breakthroughs in 2017-18.
FFT VERDICT
PAUL CHAPPELL, MATCH-GOING SUPPORTER SINCE 1988
This season will be different to
last because well either battle
relegation or get to 40 points and
push on. With Albion, who knows?
The player I would happily
drive to another club is James
Morrison, who atters to deceive
most weeks. That said, at the
moment we have got so few
players that we need them all!
The opposition player I secretly
admire is David Silva beautiful
to watch. Its as if hes a magician.
The best away ground is
Brightons: a day by the seaside!
One change I would make at our
club is to buy an actual left-back.
Keep an eye out for Sam Field, 19.
He has been threatening to break
14 Crystal Palace (A)
Fans of other clubs might not
know that we have put ourselves
forward to be the rst Premier
League club to offer safe standing.
This season well nish anywhere
between eighth and 20th, as it
depends on who we buy. We are
desperate for reinforcements.
FFT asks: Are you disappointed
to see Darren Fletcher leave for

12
Theyll easily survive; the The best away fans are from through for around a year now, Stoke? Im on the fence. He is
TH question is if Lai wants
more in his second year.
Manchester United they always
sell out and never stop singing.
and with Darren Fletcher now
departed, this is his opportunity.
a good inuence, but last year
he struggled a bit on the pitch.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 69

 PREMIER LEAGUE
2017-18
WES LAST S
PREM IE R L
F A C UP Thi
LEAG UE C
EURO PA L
TOP SCORE
Michail Anto
IS SLAVEn BILIC ALREADY
A DEAD MAn WALKInG?
Slaven Bilics poor pet cat had quite the year. A few
months into the season, Tiddles learned to scarper
whenever he heard the sound of the West Ham
managers key sliding into the door: he could either
hide or spend abrief period airborne once more.
For the affable Croatian, the 2016-17 campaign was
the very denition of pushing custard uphill. There
was a new stadium that was fraught with teething
problems, which were amplied by angry fans and
a gleeful mainstream media grabbing their popcorn
and pulling up a chair, as well as the clubs best player
70 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
being a wantaway star, consecutive transfer windows
to forget about and injuries ahoy all off the back of
a stellar nal season at Upton Park. Thats a sandwich
of the Spinal Tap variety, and Bilic ate it. All of it.
Much of the above was beyond his control, but Bilic
did have to face up to several poor tactical decisions.
The defence was a ramshackle affair, with his mistrust
of Sam Byram and failure to sign another right-back
making the position a weekly lottery. While bringing
in Pablo Zabaleta doesnt say too much for the clubs
long-term strategy dont forget they spent $18m
just on loan fees last season, and all three loanees
were a disaster it does at least mean that Hammers
fans wont be subjected to Cheikhou Kouyate (central
defence or mideld), Michail Antonio (right wing) or
Alvaro Arbeloa (clinically dead) trying to play there.
Big home defeats to Watford, Southampton, Arsenal,
Manchester City and Liverpool all came when West
Ham lost the plot defensively, as Bilic began games
with either three or four at the back, his chopping and
changing causing havoc. Also, his persistence with
Darren Randolph in goal bordered on pigheadedness.
So, can Bilic survive 2017-18? If he does, he owes
a great debt to Spurs. That chest-thumping home win
in May bought him some time and would have helped
to convert many season ticket holders considering
whether or not to renew. Barring another hopeless
transfer window, Bilic must build on the 11th-place
nish of last term and get rid of that new stadium
smell. Do that, and he will survive. Let a 2-0 lead over
Watford turn into a 4-2 defeat again, and he will be
clearing his desk pretty sharpish. Watch out, Tiddles!
 SEASOn PREVIEW
FIVE-POInT PLAn PLAYER

1
SIGN A STRIKER UEL LANZINI FIXTURES
This was also a part of last years ayet gone, the tricky Argentine has the
plan, but $33m man Andre Ayew to take the lead. He will need to impose AUG UST
not a natural striker anyway f further this season, and with the carrot 14 Man United (A)
played only 35 minutes before limping orld Cup spot alongside Lionel Messi & Co. 20 Southampton (A)
off and missing most of the season, ng, motivation wont be hard to come by. 27 Newcastle (A)
then laboured when he came back. S E PT EM B ER
Diafra Sakho spent virtually the whole 12 Hudderseld (H)
campaign injured, and Andy Carroll did 17 West Brom (A)
his usual thing: played a few matches, 23 Tottenham (H)
PREMIER LEAGUE 2016-17 30 Swansea (H)
scored a worldie against Crystal Palace

THE nUMBER CRUnCHER

to remind everybody he was still alive, O CT OB ER
and then hit the treatment table again. 15 Burnley (A)
22 Brighton (H)

2
GET OVER THE NEW 29 Crystal Palace (A)
HOME HOODOO N OV EM B ER
West Ham won almost as many W7 5 Liverpool (H)
points on the road as at home last 19 Watford (A)

16
L8

term, where they scored only 19 goals 26 Leicester (H)

GOALS
D4
and shipped 31. A new stadium cannot 30 Everton (A)
be an excuse this time for players or
for fans. With more than 90 per cent HOME SCORED
FROM SET CONCEDED
D E C EM B ER
3 Man City (A)
RECORD PIECES
10
of 52,000 season ticket holders having 10 Chelsea (H)
renewed (according to the club), the 14 Arsenal (H)
volume of stadium-related complaining 17 Stoke (A)
TOTAL GAMES: 38
should at least be signicantly lower. 24 Newcastle (H)
27 Bournemouth (A)

3
STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA
AWAY 31 Tottenham (A)

RECORD
As club owners, being on Twitter JAN UA RY

DISCIPLInE
could be seen as forward-thinking. 2 West Brom (H)
However, there are occasions when 14 Hudderseld (A)
all Hammers supporters must wish their 21 Bournemouth (H)
D5

78
leadership would just zip it. David Golds 31 Crystal Palace (H)
L9

W5
assertion that their young players have FE B R UA RY
a snowakes chance in hell of making 4 Brighton (A)
the rst team was deeply depressing 5 11 Watford (H)
for a fanbase which still prides itself 25 Liverpool (A)

WHEn 13
on being supporters of the Academy MA RC H

7 10
HALF-TIME

6 6
4 Swansea (A)
GOALS

of Football. Sometimes 140 characters

are not enough to make your point...
THEY 5 11 Burnley (H)
18 Man United (H)
SCORED
4
SORT THE INJURIES OUT 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 31 Southampton (H)
Hiring former Arsenal and England AP RI L
physio Gary Lewin as their head 8 Chelsea (A)
of medical services is a positive 15 Stoke (H)
move by the Irons, who struggle with 22 Arsenal (A)
injuries every season. The hope is that 29 Man City (H)
a new approach behind the scenes will MAY

VIEW FROM THE STAnDS

provide the selection consistency that 6 Leicester (A)
Slaven Bilic so desperately craves, so he 14 Everton (H)
can stop elding players out of position.

5
LEARN HOW TO
CLOSE OUT GAMES
With the last season at the Boleyn
being one for comeback wins, the
rst inside the London Stadium will be
remembered for throwing away leads.
A total of 22 points were wasted from
winning positions in 2016-17. Abysmal.
FFT VERDICT
GORDON THROWER, WWW.KUMB.COM
This season will be different to
last because we will have spent
some money on proven rst-team
players, rather than players good
enough to do a job if required.
At least, I hope we will have...
Save the date for our rst home
match, which thanks to the
athletics is now due to take
place some time around 2027.
Our most underrated player is
Winston Reid though not by us.
You rarely hear anyone outside
the club sing his praises, though.
The player I would happily
drive to another club is Robert
Snodgrass. Its nothing personal;
I just dont think hes really up to
the Premier Leagues standard.
One change I would make at
Our pantomime villain is the
referee Mike Dean. Yet again.
Keep an eye out for Josh Cullen,
who has spent the past year and
a half on loan with Bradford. The
word is that we could well see a bit
more of the midelder this season.
This season we will nish 10th.
FFT asks: A year on, is the

1 3 TH
Inconsistency, instability The opposition player I secretly our club is to re-design the London Stadium starting to
and injuries all stand in admire is Kevin De Bruyne. I have stadium in order to make it feel a bit more like home? It
their path of progress. got a lot of time for the Belgian. a bit more football-friendly. will take more than a year.

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 71

 I NEVER FELT A NEED
TO LEAVE WHEN MY
CAREER CAME TO
AN END AND THERE
WAS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO GO TO ANOTHER
A-LEAGUE TEAM...

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72 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

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fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 73

 CHAMPIO
While the three demoted sides are all in transition,
Aston Villa look ready to bounce back, while there could
IP
be another surprise package from Borussia Dortmund... Cellinos departure bring stability to Leeds? Will sanity
return to Nottingham Forest under their new owners?
Will Harry Redknapp stick around at Birmingham?
And is this Mick McCarthys last chance at Ipswich?
A dominant theme ahead of the new Championship is more of a vanity exercise than a shrewd addition. Just as there are few dead certs for promotion, there
campaign is the uncertainty over the three teams Norwich are looking to almost copy Hudderselds arent many teams nailed on for the drop. Burton will
descending from the Premier League. Sunderland, formula by appointing a former Borussia Dortmund nd it tough, a decent Barnsley side has been ripped
Middlesbrough and Hull are all in some degree of coach, and the good news for them is that some in apart and, well, who knows what will happen at QPR?
ux, all three with new managers and squads that Germany rate Daniel Farke higher than David Wagner. Of the three promoted teams, Shefeld United look
might not bear too much resemblance to the ones Wolves will certainly be eye-catching, if nothing the best equipped, although an ageing Bolton outt
they had last year. The 2012-13 season was the else. Jorge Mendes delivered $25m man Ruben Neves did spring back into the second tier at the rst time
last time that none of the three relegated teams for so long a rumoured Liverpool target wrapped of asking, but it would be a ne story if Millwall stuck
went straight back up, but theres a decent chance in a bow. Things could backre, though, if manager around under Lions legend Neil Harris. Meanwhile,
we could see a similar situation this term. Nuno Espirito Santo doesnt start the season well. Cardiff nabbing Lee Tomlin from Bristol City should
Middlesbrough should be the most optimistic of the As ever, the middle of the table looks like a medley add a bit of extra spice to the Severnside Derby.
trio, with a manager of some pedigree in Garry Monk of outts who could either struggle or, if the wind As ever, it promises to be 10 months of occasional
(below) and some of the players who won promotion is blowing right, threaten the top six. Will Massimo brilliance, constant surprise, calamity and chaos. Enjoy.
in 2016. Sunderland have picked a safe pair of hands
in Simon Grayson leaving a hitherto settled Preston
having to scramble for Alex Neil and should at least
avoid adouble relegation. Hulls ever-changing squad
makes them something of a wildcard, especially as
Leonid Slutskys appointment could go either way.
Logically, the teams most likely to go up are those
who have been building towards it for several years.
Shefeld Wednesday have fallen in the play-offs twice
in a row; Gary Rowett should form a more solid unit at
Derby; Reading were within a penalty of promotion in
May; and Fulham will be dangerous, having kept hold
of talents such as Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon.
And then there are two of the biggest clubs in the
division, both regrouping after disappointing seasons.
Aston Villa began their impressive squad rebuild last
year, although theres a worry that signing John Terry

74 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

 SEASOn PREVIEW

WHO WILL BE PROMOTED?

2017-18 9/4 9/4 3/1

PREDICTIOn ASTON VILLA MIDDLESBROUGH FULHAM
1. Norwich Steve Bruce has an impressive squad With Garry Monk now at the helm, Boro The Cottagers could be a real threat,
2. Shefeld Wed and knows how to secure promotion, lookin decent shape to bounce back to having kept hold of their key players
3. Aston Villa with John Terry ready to lead them. the Premier League at the rst attempt. following last seasons play-off woe.
4. Fulham
5. Middlesbrough
6. Wolves
7. Derby
8. Hull WHO WILL BE RELEGATED?
9. Reading
10. Brentford
11. Leeds
12. Nottm Forest
13. Preston

13/8 7/4 2/1

14. Sunderland
15. Birmingham
16. Ipswich GET INVOLVED
TWEET US BURTON BOLTON BARNSLEY
17. Cardiff
USING THE
18. Shefeld Utd HASHTAG Even allowing for last It was a short stay in The Yorkshire side have
seasons survival act, League One for Bolton, sadly lost anumber of
#FFTPREVIEW
19. Barnsley
20. QPR 2017-18 is likely to be but nancial constraints key players and have
21. Bolton another tough term for wont help in a typically a ght on their hands
22. Bristol City Nigel Cloughs Brewers. challenging second tier. tostave off relegation.
23. Burton Albion
24. Millwall

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 75

 SKY BET CHAMPIOnSHIP
2017-18
ASTOn VILLA
L A S T S E ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 13th FA CUP Third Round LEAGUE CUP
First Round TOP SCORER Jonathan Kodjia (above, 19)
Hope returned to Villa when Steve
Bruce took them from 19th to 10th
following Roberto Di Matteos doomed
tenure. However, a horric start to 2017
brought two points from 27, leaving
agap that couldnt be bridged even by
a rally of seven wins in eight matches.
That pair of hot streaks, though, will
give supporters condence that this
season will see the Villans restored to
the top tier. Promotion is the sole aim;
it has to be, after they splashed $120m
on transfer fees during 2016-17 with
a similarly eye-watering wage bill in tow
only increased by John Terrys arrival.
Two things need xing. Poor away
displays generated only 14 goals in 23
games, a league low. And goals were an
issue at home and away, despite three
strikers joining, each for an eight-gure
sum. Jonathan Kodjia is recovering from
knee surgery, while the highlight of Ross
McCormacks disastrous spell came
when a faulty front gate meant that he
couldnt leave his house for training, so
Scott Hogan must start this season well.
3 RD
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
MILE JEDINAK
Amid more expensive
signings, $6m Jedinak
has been a bargain, even as
he turns 33. Last seasons
slump came when a groin
injury left Villas mideld
without his aggression
and off-the-ball nous.
76 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
THE BOSS
STEVE BRUCE
The manager put his teams drop in
form down to individual errors, and
the subsequent resurgence in form
suggests it was something xable.
He knows this division well enough
to be aware that the new campaign
may be less madly competitive than
usual, and so consistency is the key.
FAn FILE
CHARLOTTE LANGDOWN
This season will be different to
last because Steve Bruce has
now got a full season to turn us
into promotion contenders.
Our most underrated player is
Mile Jedinak. Were a much better
side when he is in the team.
The player Id happily drive to
another club is Micah Richards.
The best away ground is Grifn
Park, especially as Brentford are
moving soon. And a Boxing Day
xture is always very special.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Ryan Sessegnon. He
ripped our defence to shreds
Fulham did well in keeping him.
This season we will nish fth.
Im not sure were quite at
a title-winning level just yet.
FFT asks: Do you still have faith
that Jack Grealish can reach his
potential? I want to, but as time
goes by, it seems less likely. Lets
hope that this is his season.
@Charli_LL
BARnSLEY
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 14th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Sam Winnall (11)
The Tykes adapted well on their return,
before being relieved of the stars Ale
Mawson was long gone when Conor
Hourihane and Sam Winnall were stolen
away in January. One win in the nal 14
games took them into the bottom half.
Then Paul Heckingbottom was hit with
another double blow: Josh Scowen and
Marley Watkins turning down new deals
and joining divisional rivals. Watkins,
Winnall, Hourihane and loanee Adam
Armstrong scored more than half of
Barnsleys goals in 2016-17 and all have
left, so Tom Bradshaw (above) must step
up. Most painfully of all, captain Marc
Roberts has departed for Birmingham.
Heckingbottom is putting his faith in
youth. The summers rst ve signings
were all aged 18-22 and creative duties
will fall to Cameron McGeehan, brilliant
for Luton before injury struck in January.
The Tykes do have set-pieces and
counter-attacks to call on, after scoring
from more of the two combined than
any other team last time out. They also
conceded the most shots, however.
1 9 TH
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYER
ANGUS M ACDONALD
The 24-year-old centre-half
had the benet of playing his
rst Championship campaign
alongside Marc Roberts. Now
he must help his new partner
Liam Lindsay, 21, from
Partick Thistle through
that daunting process.
THE BOSS
PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM
The Barnsley-born gaffers future is
bright, as he has taken to full-time
management like a duck to water.
Regularly revamping a team whose
best players are often poached can
be exhausting work, though, and the
clubs hopes rest on this underrated
coach staying at Oakwell long-term.
FSIMON
A n FGASKELL
ILE
This season will be different to
last because there will be no
Conor Hourihane, among others,
and no riding on the crest of
a League One promotion wave.
Our most underrated player is
Andy Yiadom. He has a genuine
claim to be the best full-back in
the league and he has been
playing on his unfavoured side.
The best away fans are Fulham
fans, who make a din and have
a sense of humour unlike Leeds,
Villa or Shefeld Wednesday fans
who may be reading this...
Our pantomime villain is Sam
Winnall itll be interesting to
come up against him once
again after Peppa Pig-gate.
This season well nish 12th.
FFT asks: Will Southamptons
Jason McCarthy be the signing
to make the biggest impact?
I hear good things from Luton
fans about Cameron McGeehan.
@simongaskell

BIRMInGHAM CITY
L A S T S E A S ON
CHAMPIONSHIP 19th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Lukas Jutkiewicz (12)
Life comes at you fast. In October 2016,
Trillion Trophy Asia completed their
takeover with Birmingham sixth and
Gary Rowett celebrating an end to ve
years of turmoil. Two months on, with
City seventh, TTA sacked Rowett and six
hours later hired Gianfranco Zola red
by Qatars Al-Arabi for his pedigree. He has appointed Kevin Bond as his
A few months after that, Birmingham
went into the nal day led by Harry
Redknapp (above) and needing a win
to guarantee safety. It was an object
lesson in making a right mess of things.
Anything would have represented an
improvement on Zolas 13 points in 22
games, but theres some optimism that
Redknapp can revive the Blues. He lifts
players and attracts quality, with David
Stockdale and Marc Roberts signing up.
Ultimately its up to Arry. Hed have
retired in 2014 but for QPRs last-gasp
play-off promotion, as managing in the
Championship didnt appeal to me any
more. Does he have the motivation for
a last hurrah, or will that troublesome
knee are up when things get tough?
1 5 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
DAVID STOCKDA
The goalkeepers decisio
to switch to St Andrews
is testament to the draw
of Harry Redknapp, espe
as Brighton wanted Stoc
to stay on for their Prem
League debut. He should
prove a canny signing.
THE BOSS
HARRY REDKNAPP
The only septuagenarian gaffer in
English football could yet end his
career on a high after quitting QPR
and coaching Jordan for two games.
full-time contracts for loanees Andrew
No.2 for a fth time and rewarded
38-year-old captain Paul Robinson
with a new player-coach contract.
FKEVIN
A n FBALL
ILE
This season will be different to
last because Harry Redknapp is
a very experienced manager and
well respected by all his players.
Our most underrated player is
Jacques Maghoma a real talent.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that we were the rst
British club [excluding London XI]
in a European cup nal the Fairs
Cup in 1960. A year later we beat
Inter home and away, and after
no English club won at the
Siro for more than 40 years.
season well nish in the
six. Thats a realistic target.
asks: Can Harry Redknapp
ed where Gianfranco Zola
? Under Zola we looked like
uld concede from anywhere
ot score with an open goal
he ball on the line. Under
napp we took six points from
games and conceded once.
ou ask if he can succeed?
joysandsorrows.co.uk
BOLTOn WAnDERERS
LAST SE ASON
LEAGUE ONE 2nd FA CUP Third Round LEAGUE CUP
First Round TOP SCORERS Josh Vela & Gary Madine (10)
Promotion notwithstanding, cutting
costs is the order of the day. A lingering
transfer embargo forced the Trotters to
sign free agents and release 11 players,
among them midelder Mark Davies,
a club stalwart of eight years standing
or, more commonly, limping. Still,
Bradford manager has let a lot of
Taylor and Adam le Fondre may not set
pulses racing but thrills arent a priority
as Phil Parkinson tries to avoid the drop.
Bolton conceded the fewest goals in
the Football League as Parkinson built
his team around a solid defence of Mark
Beevers and David Wheater, who also
scored a remarkable 16 goals between
them. Set-pieces will again be an asset,
as will Filipe Morais, who assisted 13
goals from wing-back, and Gary Madine,
whose team-mates played 10 League
One games without him and won zero.
This isnt Wheaters rst rodeo, and
its the same for Madine, captain Darren
Pratley and more besides, including new
signing Will Buckley. Experience isnt
lacking, but stamina may well be.
21 S T
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYER
DAVID WHEATER
As one half of the defens
duo and rejected breakfa
cereal Wheater-Beevers,
30-year-old won Player o
Year having convinced Bo
to offer him anew contra
in pre-season, not long a
they had released him.
fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 77
SEASOn PREVIEW
THE BOSS
PHIL PARKINSON
Parkinsons biggest challenge may
be to invigorate a tired Bolton squad,
especially with the clubs limitations
on incoming transfers. The former
players go, and says hes looking for
new ones who have got the hunger
to show they can play at this level.
FCHRIS
A n FMANNING
ILE
This season will be different to
last because we were a big sh
in a small pond last year, but this
season we are swimming with
sharks very wealthy sharks.
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Gary Madine.
He tries, but hes not up to
playing in the Championship.
Our pantomime villain is Henri
Lansbury, purely because of his
tupid haircut and love of a dive.
e best away fans are not any
the Yorkshire lot or Sunderland
hey always bang on about
eing such fantastic fans who
travel in their millions, but they
are quiet as mice on the day.
is season well nish 21st, and
at will be a huge success for us.
FT asks: Did you enjoy your one
ason in the third tier? It was
reat. After ve years of constant
struggle, it was nice to feel
condent going into a game.
www.lionofviennasuite.com
 SKY BET CHAMPIOnSHIP
2017 18
BREnTFORD
L A S T S E ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 10th FA CUP Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Lasse Vibe (16)
The Bees are nothing if not frustrating.
Their 2016-17 campaign saw intelligent
attacking play, impressive discipline and
excellent performances from new boys
Rico Henry, Daniel Bentley and John
Egan as well as unheralded players such
as Harlee Dean and Lasse Vibe yet, for
all that, Dean Smiths men never truly
threatened the top six. There were big
wins over Reading and Derby, but four
defeats to the three teams who wound
up relegated. Brentford averaged a high
shot count, but at both ends. One step
forward, two steps back reected in
year-on-year nishes of 5th, 9th, 10th.
Nonetheless, they punch above their
weight with astute transfers: Danish
international Henrik Dalsgaard has been
imported from Belgium, teens Ali Coote
and Theo Archibald from Scotland, and
keeper Luke Daniels from Scunthorpe.
While life brings innovation, stability
and a double over QPR after their rivals
manager predicted relegation for the
regressing Bees, there is not too much
to worry about for Brentford supporters.
1 0 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
JOTA
His early return from an
18-month loan to Eibar
was heaven-sent. The
Spaniard contributed
12 goals and ve
assists in half
a season on
the right ank.
78 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
THE BOSS
DEAN SMITH
The ex-Hereford and Leyton Orient
defender is a steadying inuence
amidhigh turnover (last season, 18
players joined on permanent deals).
When the Bees trailed 3-1 to Burton
at half-time, hewarned his players
theyd lose the weekend off for the
international break. They won 5-3.
FNICK
A n BRUZON
FILE
This season will be different to
last because we will start the
campaign with both Jota and
Sergi Canos. Sexy football is back.
One change I would make at
our club is to have some decent
pies available, please.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that whoever is inside
our female mascot, Buzzette,
deserves an Oscar. The energy in
each performance is staggering.
The best away fans are Wolves
fans. Theyre always in great form.
Our most underrated player is
Ryan Woods, our Ginger Pirlo.
Our pantomime villain is referee
Keith Stroud when issuing
his cards, hes hammier
than Christopher Biggins.
This season we will nish sixth.
FFT asks: How happy are you
that Jota looks likely to stay?
On a scale of 1 to 10, Id have to
say 11. King Jota is magnicent.
@nickbruzon
BRISTOL CITY
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 17th FA CUP Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP Fourth Round TOP SCORER Tammy Abraham (26)
While 17th looks comfortable on paper,
Bristol City needed a late surge to secure
safety. The Robins had gone south over
the winter, when a record run of defeats
saw them plummet from sixth to 20th.
Hence some concern regarding Lee
Johnsons grip on matters. His team
created chances only Fulham had
more shots inside the box but relied
too heavily on loanee Tammy Abraham
to convert them. He wont be around
to net 40 per cent of Citys goals again,
and no one else bagged more than six.
The Robins have searched their wallet
for the solution, spending a club record
fee on Angers striker Famara Diedhiou,
two years after spending a club record
fee on Angers striker Jonathan Kodjia
(its possible they have a loyalty card).
City CEO Mark Ashton declared the
$8.7m investment a sign of intent,
before thanking the clubs owners and
most of its employees, right down to
the PR bods, for having put such a shift
in to make the transfer happen. After
all that, Diedhiourather has to deliver.
22 n D
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYER
ADEN FLINT
The consistent defender
also chips in with goals,
averaging one every six
league games in his time
at City. Hes one of only
two Championship outeld
players to feature in every
minute of the last campaign.
THE BOSS
LEE JOHNSON
The 36-year-old (above) lauded
the summer signings of Diedhiou
and Eros Pisano, who will replace
Bolton-bound Mark Little on the
right side of defence, as he seeks
to consolidate his role at Ashton
Gate. Oversee another long slew
of defeats and hell be out of a job.
FPATRICK
A n F I CONNOLLY
LE
This season will be different to
last because good young players
such as Callum ODowda and
Bobby Reid can improve this year
and make a real impression.
Save the date for Cardiff away on
February 24. With Rovers trailing
in our wake for so long, this is the
nearest we get to a local derby
and Neil Warnocks presence
adds an extra dimension, too.
The best away ground is up
at Middlesbrough, because no
matter how badly were doing,
we always seem to win there.
This season well nish rst, as
I believe well nish every season.
FFT asks: Were you pleased to
see skipper Aaron Wilbraham
offered a new contract at the
age of 37? I have got a lot of
respect for him and I would be
pleased if he is involved in the
background but we shouldnt
be relying on him on the pitch.
@bristolpat

BURTOn ALBIOn
LAST SEASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 20th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORER Jackson Irvine (10)
When 6,746 fans attend an August
xture against Derby and set a club
record, its a sign that avoiding the drop
to the third tier is the main aim. Luckily
the Brewers nished 20th, one place
above Nottingham Forest, three months
after manager Nigel Clough had turned
down an offer to follow in his fathers
famous footsteps at the City Ground.
In preparing for another relegation
battle, Clough has made two decent
signings in Matty Lund and Liam Boyce,
both Northern Ireland internationals.
The latter is the second Ross County
player in two seasons to break Burtons
transfer record, after Jackson Irvine, yet
cost only $800,000 having top-scored in
the Scottish Premiership some feat for
a Staggies striker. He isnt blessed with
pace, gushed Clough, and some say
that he isnt easy on the eye, but hes
a good all-round player. Thanks, boss.
Boyce will lead the line, but another
team effort is required for survival. After
a pre-season that featured 10 friendlies
in 16 days, they will at least be very t.
23 R D
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
JACKSON IRVINE
Burton have had to bat
off several bids for the
Australian, who arrived
last year as a defensive
midelder only to end
the campaign with 10
league goals, trebling
his career tally to date.
THE BOSS
NIGEL CLOUGH
At 51, our Nigel may never win the
European Cup, but his achievements
with Burton Albion are impressive in
their own right. Establishing them in
the second tier having led their rise
from non-league would be a worthy
legacy when, in his own words, the
whole Championship is against us.
FANTON
A n FWILLIAMS
ILE
This season will be different to
last because clubs are aware
that we arent just there to make
up the numbers. We are a force
to be reckoned with this season.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Jonathan Kodjia at
Villa. When hes t, he seems
to have the world at his feet.
Our pantomime villain is Derbys
Richard Keogh. Hes always good
for a cock-up that raises a smile.
Keep an eye out for Joe Sbarras
quick feet and even quicker brain.
The best away fans are Leeds
fans. Their passion is clear to see.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that it was only in 2009
that we made it into the Football
League for the rst time ever.
This season well nish 18th.
FFT asks: Just how good is
Jackson Irvine? He has come in
and proved himself, and now he
is key to the way that we play.
Watched every match last season
CARDIFF CITY
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 12th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Kenneth Zohore (12)
The idea was foolproof. Poaching Paul
Trollope from Wales would give Cardiff
a long-term plan and national identity,
with Declan John and Jazz Richards
anking midelder Emyr Huws. Then
Trollope lost seven of his rst 11 games
and was jettisoned with the club 23rd.
Neil Warnock was hired for temporary
stability, the equivalent of putting some
folded paper under a wobbly table leg,
but he exceeded expectations. Lifting
spirits and revitalising Kenneth Zohore
made up for his shortcuts in recruiting
former charges. It wasnt always pretty
only Zohore had more shots on target
than centre-back Sean Morrison (above)
and even at home Cardiff averaged just
44 per cent possession but it worked.
Peter Whittingham has left, following
10 years of service, but Danny Ward and
Lee Camp have arrived from Rotherham
alongside Lee Tomlin from rivals Bristol
City and Hearts promising full-back
Callum Paterson, while Neil Etheridge
is probably Cardiff Citys rst Filipino
goalkeeper and underwear model.
1 7 TH
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYER
KENNETH ZOHORE
Last autumn, team-mates
seemed afraid to give him
the ball, but with condence
came 10 goals in 11 games
at the start of 2017. The Dane
also produced two goals and
two assists in his only start
at this summers U21 Euros.
fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 79
SEASOn PREVIEW
THE BOSS
NEIL WARNOCK
Managers dont come blunter. Two
weeks after extending his Bluebirds
contract, Warnock told the BBC: Im
not bothered if I get the sack they
can sack me tomorrow if they want
because if I want another job I can
get another job, adding: Thats not
being conceited. No, of course not.
FDANIEL
A n F BEVAN
ILE
This season will be different to
last because Neil Warnocks been
able to assemble his own squad
after inheriting an average one.
One change I would make at
our club is an overhaul of the
youth academy setup.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Jota of Brentford.
Save the date for November 4:
Bristol City away, for the rst
Severnside Derby of the season.
Our most underrated player is
Kenneth Zohore. Hes probably
the most underrated player
in the entire Championship.
This season well nish sixth.
FFT asks: Were you at all
disappointed that Peter
Whittingham didnt get a bigger
send-off after a solid decade of
service? Personally, no the John
Terry send-off was appalling. The
club are working on getting him
a testimonial. That should do.
@danbevjourno
 SKY BET CHAMPIOnSHIP
DERBY COUnTY
L A S T S E A SO N
CHAMPIONSHIP 9th FA CUP Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP Third Round TOP SCORER Tom Ince (15)
Theyll surely go up this time. Surely.
That was FFTs conclusion last year, but
Nigel Pearsons inglorious exit and Steve
McClarens disastrous return took Derby
to ninth, well adrift of even the play-offs.
While a bill of more than $65m spent
on transfer fees alone over the past two
years has led to some belt-tightening
(though selling Jeff Hendrick in 2016
and Will Hughes this summer did raise
nearly half that sum), Derby still target
Premier League quality, swooping for
Curtis Davies and Andre Wisdom. The
question is whether this is a team or
a collection of talented individuals.
It is up to Gary Rowett to create an
on-pitch identity. Theres plenty of
expectation on him, from the Derby
hierarchy but also from a garrison of
pundits who use the ex-Birmingham
manager, and sometimes nobody
else, as evidence that English coaches
deserve more chancesin the Premier
League. Hes had since March to settle
in at Pride Park and is now expected to
deliver promotion. No pressure, then.
7 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
DARREN BENT
With the sale of Tom Ince,
much of the scoring burden
will fall on the shoulders of
two veteran strikers: David
Nugent (above) and Bent.
At the age of 33 the latter is
no longer rapid, but he is stil
capable of scoring vital goal
80 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
8
THE BOSS
GARY ROWETT
After underachieving with a decent
squad, Derby are relying on Rowett
to make the difference. The former
Rams defender says hell demand
a lot more from the team physically
and he prioritises tactics over egos,
resulting in eight different players
scoring in his nine games in charge.
FOLLIE
A n WRIGHT
FILE
This season will be different
to last because Mel Morris, our
chairman and owner, wont sack
Gary Rowett by October.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Leeds totem, Chris
Wood. Nigel Clough tried to sign
him for us a few years ago.
Keep an eye out for Max Lowe,
a good prospect at left-back.
However, Derbys bloated squad
limits youngsters opportunities.
The player Id happily drive to
another club is half of this squad,
to be honest. Id cheerfully pilot
a shuttle bus around the grounds.
Our pantomime villain is Aston
Villas John Terry. Look no further.
This season well nish outside
of the top six unless Rowett
pulls a rabbit out of the hat.
FFT asks: Is Curtis Davies a good
buy? He brings fresh leadership to
a club that has found too many
ways to lose in recent seasons.
@derbycountyblog
FULHAM
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 6th FA CUP Fifth Round
LEAGUE CUP Third Round TOP SCORER Tom Cairney (13)
It takes condence to turn down $32m
for a player when youre in the second
tier, but condence is a preference for
Slavisa Jokanovic. Last summer he
declared an intention to take Fulham
who nished 20th after a half-season
under his stewardship into the top six,
then surprised everyone by immediately
doing it with some style. Refusing to sell
Tom Cairney to promoted Newcastle is
an indication of Fulhams ambition as
well as the value of the one-cap Scot
toJokanovics plans. This season, top
six is the minimum requirement.
Oddly, they have been freed by Ross
McCormacks departure. In 2015-16,
he scored or assisted 30 of Fulhams 66
goals. In 2016-17, with McCormack sold,
Fulham scored 85 goals despite their
top scorer hitting a paltry 13. Everyone
chipped in, including Neeskens Kebano
(above) and left-back Scott Malone
(now at Hudderseld) with six apiece.
That sharing of attacking responsibility
will help Fulham once again, even if
theres more pressure on them now.
4 TH
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYER
TOM CAIRNEY
Listing last seasons stats
of 13 goals, 10 assists and
93 per cent pass completion
cannot fully convey Cairneys
importance. When the team
has problems, the ball goes to
him and he keeps it, Jokanovic
said in rejecting Newcastles bid.
THE BOSS
SLAVISA JOKANOVIC
Its virtually a miracle that Jokanovic
is still at Fulham. He has managed
seven clubs and averages a tenure
of 10 months; if hes not left London
by October, thisll be his longest ever
stint. Given his success in England
so far, now is surely the time for the
former Watford boss to settle down.
FTHOMAS
A n F I ML EILROY
C
This season will be different to
last because well pick up where
we left off and a have good
campaign all the way through.
Were good enough to go up.
Our most underrated player is
Tim Ream. He started off fairly
questionably but has blossomed
under Slavisa Jokanovic into
a really solid central defender.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Jota. Id love him at
Fulham. Hed be brilliant for us.
Keep an eye out for Steven
Sessegnon if he can be half
as good as his twin brother,
Ryan, well be very happy.
This season well nish in the
top six, at least. Top two, I hope
I cant take the play-offs again.
FFT asks: Which of last seasons
ve loanees would you like to
have back? Tomas Kalas or
Lucas Piazon. They both
made a real impact.
@thomasmcilroy

HULL CITY
LAST SEASON
PREMIER LEAGUE 18th FA CUP Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP Semi-nal TOP SCORER Robert Snodgrass (8)
While relegation nearly always leads to
a whirlwind of changes, its anybodys
guess how Hull will line up on August 5
against Aston Villa and a familiar face.
Barely a dozen of Hulls current squad
were present when Aston Villa manager
Steve Bruce was in charge of the Tigers
just 13 months ago. Three more gaffers
have been appointed since then Mike
Phelan, Marco Silva and Leonid Slutsky
(above) with each one a novice to
English management. Slutskys rst
task is to replace the six loanees who
impressed under Silva and recruit new
centre-backs following the departures
of Curtis Davies and Harry Maguire.
An outsider managing an overhauled
squad wont ease fears that uncertainty
is the bedrock of Hulls identity now,
but Slutsky, a shrewd coach, moved to
England in January to prepare for any
possible opportunity. Meanwhile, Hulls
underperforming academy setup may
yet bear fruit. Jarrod Bowen could build
on a handful of Premier League outings
and Josh Tymon was picked up by Stoke.
8 TH
FF T V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
SAM CLUCAS
The midelder completed
his journey from non-leagu
to Premier League last seas
and didnt look out of place
Hes versatile, quick and us
to upheaval: in eight years
has never spent consecutiv
seasons in the same divisio
THE BOSS
LEONID SLUTSKY
The former Russia coach, who retired
as a player after falling out of a tree
while rescuing aneighbours cat, has
been learning English and studying
its culture. He has already nailed the
English sense of humour, admitting:
Iknow Slutsky could be funny but
there are worse. Yuri Zhirkov is one...
FRICK
A n SKELTON
FILE
This season will be different to
last because we wont start with
only 12 t outeld players, I hope!
Our most underrated player is
Sam Clucas, though that seems
to be always changing as people
discover his quality and versatility.
One change Id make at our
club is the owners. The effects of
their stupidity and stubbornness
can be seen clearly in our Premier
League attendances last season.
eep an eye out for dynamic
ft-sided forward Jarrod Bowen,
ho has impressed in all of his
eeting rst-team appearances.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that we are not in bloody
Humberside! Were Yorkshires
o.1 (until the season starts).
his season we will nish sixth.
FT asks: How much will Harry
aguire be missed? Hes not
replaceable. Relatively speaking,
didnt play that much.
ww.hullcitysupporterstrust.com
IPSWICH TOWn
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 16th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Tom Lawrence (11)
Where next? Ipswich have been in the
second tier since it was called the First
Division, and last season brought the
lowest nish in their 16-year stretch
here. After eight top-10 placings and
three play-off appearances, they are
now looking down instead of up.
The question is if Mick McCarthy can
arrest that slide. Nobody expects him
to repeat 2014-15s top-six nish to encourage more entertaining
not when a third of the leagues other
teams receive parachute payments
but Portman Road attendances are
the lowest theyve been this century.
Ambition is lacking on the pitch, too:
Town created the fewest chances and
took the fewest shots of any team last
season. The Tractor Boys will certainly
miss loanee Tom Lawrence, who scored
nine goals and created nine more.
Cardiff refugees Emyr Huws and Tom
Adeyemi will bolster the mideld, and
Rangers Joe Garner the attack, but
Christophe Berras Hearts exit leaves
a big hole in defence between Jonas
Knudsen (above) and Luke Chambers.
1 6 TH
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYE
GRANT WARD
The young and exible
midelder developed
well during his rst sea
at Portman Road. Start
on the right before mov
central, Ward has got e
pace and a range of pa
all making him one to w
fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 81
SEASOn PREVIEW
THE BOSS
MICK M C CARTHY
After years of alchemy in Suffolk,
the Championships longest-serving
gaffer has been brought back down
to earth with a bump. McCarthy
says the squad denitely needed
freshening up and he has vowed
football after last seasons slog.
FBLAIR
A n FFERGUSON
ILE
This season will be different to
last because weve made some
signings who are not on loan!
Keep an eye out for Andre
Dozzell he was on the fringes of
the rst-team squad last season,
and those of us who saw him
play for the under-23s know hes
ready.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Tom Cairney at Fulham.
Our most underrated player is
Freddie Sears. He had a difcult
e of it last season because he
played out of position, but
work rate is never in question.
s season well nish between
th and 15th, as much as I
ant to say in the play-offs. But
Im ready to be proved wrong!
FFT asks: As Mick McCarthy
ses in on ve years in charge,
time for a change? Things
e stagnated due to lack of
vestment, but with money he
ould take us forward again.
 SKY BET CHAMPIOnSHIP
2017 18
LEEDS UnITED
L A S T S E ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 7th FA CUP Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP Fifth Round TOP SCORER Chris Wood (30)
With the Massimo Cellino years now
ofcially all over, Leeds fans looked
forward to something approaching
stability this summer. But two days
after new owner Andrea Radrizzani
took full control of the club, manager
Garry Monk departed, despite having
previously implied that a new contract
was close to being signed. Monk had
guided Leeds to what looked a certain
play-off spot in March, but a late
collapse in form meant they ultimately
nished ve points shy of the top six.
So its a little tricky to assess Leeds
chances in 2017-18. The good news is
that loanee cult hero Pontus Jansson is
now at Elland Road for good, and Chris
Wood is a regular supply of goals. Losing
left-back Charlie Taylor is a blow, but
decent signings include Samuel Saiz,
Mateusz Klich, Vurnon Anita and Werder
Bremen goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald,
a Bundesliga regular who cost Leeds
just $800,000. The real frustration is
that they showed progress with Monk
but now must start all over again.
1 1 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
CHRIS WOOD
A bull of a centre-forward
who had previously attere
to deceive, Wood blossom
last season, nishing as th
divisions top marksman w
27 goals. As no other Leed
player scored more than si
he is vital to their hopes.
82 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
THE BOSS
THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN
A surprise appointment, the Dane is
an unknown quantity in England.His
managerial experience to date has
been limited to Cyprus where he
lifteda league titlewith APOEL but
Christiansen is talking a bold game
at Elland Road, stating: I will die
with my ideas and my philosophy.
FRICHARD
A n F I LGELL
E Garry Monk (above) was tempted away
This season will be different to
last because weve a new owner,
a new manager and new players,
but no more monthly rent bills
now we own Elland Road again.
Our pantomime villain is Garry
Monk. He started something great,
then left for Boros half-full stands.
Keep an eye out for 20-year-old
Madger Gomes. He was bought
from Liverpool to link up with our
under-23 squad, but I think he
will break into the rst team.
Our most underrated player is
Eunan OKane the most creative
and gifted passer in our squad.
This season we will nish eighth,
at a guess, but its dependent on
just how good Mr Christiansen is.
FFT asks: Thomas Christiansen
a good appointment? Ill always
give any manager the benet of
the doubt, but I was completely
unaware of him. His achievements
at APOEL give me some hope.
@gelly_lufc
MIDDLESBROUGH
LAST SE ASON
PREMIER LEAGUE 19th FA CUP Quarter-nal
LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORER Alvaro Negredo (10)
The Middlesbrough post is quite often
described as the best in the country,
because of the backing and patience
provided to whoever is in the dugout
by chairman Steve Gibson. But its that
patience which sees them start this
season in the Championship partly,
at least. Gibson kept faith with Aitor
Karanka, and when he eventually
swung the axe, he replaced the
Spaniard with assistant Steve Agnew.
A grim relegation became inevitable.
Fortunately, the Teessiders are in
good shape to make a swift return.
from Leeds in the sort of managerial
move that might have saved Boro six
months ago. Their squad may require
a little trimming, but Monk has inherited
a collection of players who should excel
in the second tier: Adam Clayton, Rudy
Gestede and Adlene Guedioura, among
others, have all performed at this level.
However, problems inside the dressing
room alluded to by defender George
Friend last season must be addressed.
5 TH
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAY
ADAM CLAYTO
The ballast on which
the side were built
last season, Clayton
has competition in
the Middlesbrough m
and yet he has made
holding role his own.
28-year-old is a key c
THE BOSS
GARRY MONK
The late season drop-off at Leeds
is a bit of a concern, although for
the most part, Monk made sense of
a nonsensical club, guiding a limited
squad to play-off contention. With
the extra backing hell receive at the
Riverside, this seems as if it could
be a decent match for promotion.
FALA RAWLING
n FILE
This season will be different to
last because we have dropped
a division. Im looking forward to
seeing some more goals and
victories at the Riverside; last
season was tough going at times.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Shefeld Wednesdays
Jordan Rhodes. I thought he was
treated pretty badly under Aitor
Karanka, yet he was a professional
and did not vent his frustrations.
Keep an eye out for Under-20
World Cup winner Harry Chapman
e was out on loan last season.
is season well nish second,
ough I dont want to tempt fate
by suggesting well smash the
league as Steve Gibson says.
FFT asks: Are you pleased by
the appointment of Garry
Monk? Yes, Im very happy.
my opinion, it was a mistake
the new Leeds chairman,
drea Radrizzani, to let him go.
ww.oneboro.co.uk

MILLWALL
L A S T S E A S ON
LEAGUE ONE 6th FA CUP Quarter-nal
LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORER Steve Morison (19)
Last season could have been a calamity
for Millwall. Plans which involved some
property developers as well as the local
council threatened to leave the Lions
homeless, and while that still rumbles
on in the background, it didnt prevent
a successful League One campaign.
After being blown away by Barnsley
in the play-off nal last year, Millwall
made it back to Wembley to take on
Bradford, and edged a tricky encounter
to return to the Championship following
atwo-year absence. Theres something
comfortingly old-fashioned about the
Londoners, from the community work
the club does, to being managed by
aclub hero in Neil Harris, right down
toastaunch commitment to 4-4-2.
Their success last season was built
ona rock-solid defence and a strike
partnership between Lee Gregory and
the warhorse that is Steve Morison.
This is a side without many frills, so
the chances of seeing the men from
the Den troubling the top half are slim.
Staying up would be an achievement.
24 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
BEN THOMPS
A Millwall fan as a b
21-year-old Thomps
is now one of their
top players. Morison
won their Player of
the Year award, but
midelder has the p
toreally shine this s
THE BOSS
NEIL HARRIS
Hes Millwall through and through,
playing nearly 400 games for the
club before guiding them to a pair of
play-off nals and the quarter-nals
of the FA Cup as manager. If he was
a prince before, Harris is denitely
the king ofMillwall now imagine if
he got them to the Premier League...
FJOSHUA
A n F INELSON
LE
This season will be different
to last because we are now
back in the Championship!
The best away ground is the
Stadium of Light, Sunderland.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Paul McShane, the
ginger Paolo Maldini. Legend.
Save the date for our reunion
with Leeds on September 16.
I think they have missed us.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that we are the Football
League Family Club of the Year!
The player Id happily drive to
another club is Fred Onyedinma.
Rumour has it Fred couldnt vote
in this years general election as
he couldnt put a cross in the box.
This year well nish a safe 16th.
FFT asks: Which of this seasons
three London derbies are you
looking forward to most? QPR.
I cannot wait to have the nal
laugh at Ian Holloways expense.
@joshnelson97
nORWICH CITY
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 8th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP Fourth Round TOP SCORER Cameron Jerome (16)
The Canaries were among the primary
favourites to win promotionlast season
yet slumped rather limply to mid-table,
with a succession of horrendous results
before Christmas taking them out of
contention before the club dispensed
with Alex Neil in early March. It was
a shame, because in Alex Pritchard,
ever-tricky Wes Hoolahan and young
winger Jacob Murphy, they could boast
potentially one of the divisions most
entertaining midelds.
Plenty has changed since then, as
sporting director Stuart Webber arrived
from Hudderseld with the apparent
aim of implementing the exact same
plan that worked in Yorkshire which
is to say, appoint a manager from the
Borussia Dortmund coaching system.
For David Wagner, read Daniel Farke
(above), who headed up the Dortmund
reserve team with some success before
landing in Norfolk. With a brand new
coaching team and a minor squad
overhaul, will the Canaries be able to
equal the Terriers heroics of last term?
1 ST
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYE
ALEX PRITCHAR
After a slightly slow sta
following his $13 millio
move from Tottenham,
Pritchard nished the la
league campaign with
goals and seven assists
The 24-year-old appea
to have a bright future.
fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 83
SEASOn PREVIEW
THE BOSS
DANIEL FARKE
While rated by some in Germany as
better than fellow BVB alumnus
Wagner, Farke still represents a bit
of a gamble. He has a less intense
style than Wagner, but he has also
greater resources at his disposal,
and is perhaps the second tiers
most interesting appointment yet.
FJACK
A n REEVE
FILE
This season will be different to
last because the fans have hope
and the club has a new identity,
a new manager and a whole
host of new players on board.
The best away ground is the
Pirelli Stadium, Burtons home.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Britt Assombalonga.
The player Id happily drive to
another club is Steven Naismith.
One change I would make at our
club is to expand the stadium.
We could quite easily sell another
000 tickets per game if possible.
he best away fans are Leeds
pporters. They never fail to bring
crowd and have a good time.
his season well nish second.
FFT asks: Which new signing
can have the biggest impact?
Weve lacked a solid keeper for
wo seasons now Angus Gunn
ould be that man. And, of course,
s the son of a Norwich great.
ww.youtube.com/talknorwichcity
 SKY BET CHAMPIOnSHIP
2017-18
nOTTInGHAM FOREST
L A S T S E ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 21st FA CUP Third Round LEAGUE
CUP Third Round TOP SCORER Britt Assombalonga (14)
Its a new era for Forest: after ve years
of the club slowly rotting and nishing
in a worse league position each season,
Fawaz al-Hasawi is no longer in charge.
Whether his replacement, Olympiacos
owner Angelos Marinakis, will be any
better remains to be seen, but right
now the general feeling on Trentside is
that almost anyone would be. The new
regime are making all of the right early
noises, too, with fan-friendly schemes
such as discounted season tickets, as
well as quick appointments to roles
that stayed unlled under Al-Hasawi.
Much will depend on the tness of
key men such as Chris Cohen, David
Vaughan and Britt Assombalonga, and
keeping hold of their hugely talented
youngsters, Joe Worrall who skippered
Englands youngsters to their Toulon
win and Ben Brereton. The latter, at
least, has just inked a new contract.
Given Forest avoided relegation on
goal difference last term, a promotion
push would be very optimistic in the
extreme, so stability would do for now.
1 2 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
BEN OSBORN
An attacking midelder by
trade, Osborn was used last
term as a holding midelder,
a No.10, a wing-back and
a winger on either ank
and he excelled in all of
them. His importance
cannot be overstated.
84 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
THE BOSS
MARK WARBURTON
Its hard to know what to make of
Warburtons time at Forest to date.
Relegation was avoided, just, but he
arrived with the Reds in 19th place
and they nished 21st. Scottish fans
will give rather different accounts of
his success or otherwise at Rangers,
but hell need some time either way.
FLEEA nCLARKE
FILE
This season will be different
to last because Mark Warburton
is a better manager than previous
incumbent Philippe Montanier.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Jonny Howson. Id love
to see him strutting his stuff in
the middle of the park for Forest.
Our most underrated player is
steady 7/10 Michael Mancienne.
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Apostolos
Vellios. He offers us very little.
This season well nish in the
play-offs if we can hold on to
Britt Assombalonga and sign
a central defender. If not: 10th.
FFT asks: Are you excited to
see what Jason Cummings can
bring to the Championship? His
goal ratio at Hibs speaks for itself
and at 22 he looks set for a bright
future with Forest. Jasons arrival
kick-starts a new transfer strategy
of signing young, hungry players.
Season ticket holder for 18 years
PRESTOn nORTH EnD
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 11th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP Fourth Round TOP SCORER Jordan Hugill (13)
Its very easy to fall back on the old line
about unfashionable northern clubs
not receiving the credit theyre due, but
even with a top-half nish, Preston ew
under the radar for most of 2016-17.
It was acurious campaign. North End
lost six of their rst eight matches and
ve of their nal six, but garnered 54
points from the 32 xtures in between.
That ratio spread over a full campaign
would have put them on 78 points, only
a couple shy ofthe play-off positions.
Alas, despite hovering on the edge of
the top six for so long, they dropped to
11th the same spot as in 2015-16.
Ultimately, it could be classed as
a frustrating campaign. Given Prestons
relative lack of resources, however, just
competing is an achievement. Alex Neil
is a capable replacement for departing
manager Simon Grayson, so with a few
smart additions to a fairly workmanlike
squad Manchester United youngster
Josh Harrop and League of Ireland goal
machine Sean Maguire being the rst
they could maybe kick on in 2017-18.
1 3 TH
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYER
TOM CLARKE
Preston do have more
eye-catching players,
but their skipper is
the rock upon which
their team is based. Its
probably no coincidence
that their late-season drop
set in after his Achilles woe.
THE BOSS
ALEX NEIL
The former Norwich City manager
(above) has inherited a stable outt
from Simon Grayson, established in
the Championships top half. Neils
aim now must be to take Preston
into the Premier League, having
already tasted promotion in 2015
during his reign with the Canaries.
FKERRIE
A n F HOUGHTON
ILE
This season will be different
to last because we will have
a new manager at the helm.
Our pantomime villain is
Fernando Forestieri for Shefeld
Wednesday. He always tends to
bring drama to our meetings.
Our most underrated player is
22-year-old Callum Robinson.
The best away ground is Boltons.
The best away fans are Aston
Villas. They brought a fantastic
crowd last season and were very
lively, which is always good to see.
The player I would happily drive
to another club is Ben Pringle. He
isnt what we as fans all expected.
This season we will nish 13th.
FFT asks: Was it right to release
Jermaine Beckford and Anders
Lindegaard? Yes! Beckford was
fantastic in League One but not
so much in the Championship and
Lindegaard didnt appear to have
much commitment to the club.
@kerriehoughton

QUEEnS PARK RAnGERS
L A S T S E A S ON
CHAMPIONSHIP 18th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP Third Round TOP SCORER Idrissa Sylla (10)
Is it worth even trying to make sense of
Queens Park Rangers? Only they would
respond to a run of form that saw them
irt with the Championships drop zone
by appointing one Ian Holloway, the
ultimate sentimental choice, to replace
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The nal few
months of the season brought a series
of emphatic mood swings: they lost six
in a row following Holloways arrival,
then arespectable run hinted at some
form of stability, before they lost six of
their nal seven league matches.
In short, its virtually impossible to
predict what the season ahead may
hold, especially with the squads
youthful renewal continuing apace
after the decadent Premier League
years. Logically, the idea of promotion
seems a long shot, but equally there
looks to be too much talent for the Rs
to struggle. And yet, so wildly did they
uctuate last season, you cant rule
either option out. Josh Scowens arrival
from Barnsley should at least provide
some grit in the mideld this term.
20 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYER
ALEX
SMITHI
The Rs wou
in even bigg
trouble last
it not for Sm
outeld pla
as before, h
his shot-sto
THE BOSS
IAN HOLLOWAY
Emotion can be a bit of a hindrance
in football, and if one person sums
up why, it is Holloway. It explains
his rather erratic team selections,
with line-ups and systems altered
seemingly at random. A helping
of clear-headed thinking would
be preferable if QPR are to thrive.
FCLIVE
A n WHITTINGHAM
FILE
This season will be different to
last because we might go one
further and actually get relegated.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that QPR havent won an
FA Cup match without needing
a replay since Trevor Sinclairs
bicycle kick against Barnsley
in 1997. Since then, weve lost to
Vauxhall Motors among others.
Our pantomime villain is Harry
Redknapp. Im so pleased that
his crippling knee problems
xed themselves so quickly.
The best away ground is Forests
City Ground. Weve played there
times in our history and never
n. Well still take an abnormally
e support, though, just in case.
s season we will nish 19th.
T asks: Is Ian Holloway the
n to keep QPR up? Hes an
pointment no other club in the
mpionship would have made.
haps we are nding out why.
w.loftforwords.co.uk
READInG
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 3rd FA CUP Third Round LEAGUE CUP
Fourth Round TOP SCORER Yann Kermorgant (19)
When a team strings together such
asurprising campaign, as Reading did
in 2016-17, one must ponder whether
its repeatable. Logic would state that it
isnt: this is a side with few star players,
which ended last season with a goal
difference of just +4, allowed their
opponents more shots than all but
two other teams and took fewer shots
than all but three. A team cant uke
nishing third, and the stats can lead
conclusions astray, but it doesnt sound
like an especially sustainable formula.
Then again, this team came within
a couple of penalties of going up. They
have a manager who can build on the
surprise success of last term. And they
do have plenty oftalent, even if the
players arent all household names.
Indeed, the Royals in 2016-17 were
a living, breathing example of why
building a team is more important than
bringing together the best collection of
players the question is whether they
can do it again. Wolves forward Jon
Dadi Bodvarsson has arrived to help.
9 TH
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYE
JOHN SWIFT
Many who start their car
at Chelsea are happy to
constantly loaned out, b
John Swift wasnt. After
third such spell he want
more stability and got it
Reading, where the youn
midelder has blossome
fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 85
SEASOn PREVIEW
THE BOSS
JAAP STAM
Last year it looked as if Reading had
taken a signicant gamble in picking
a manager with a big name but little
experience in the dugout. This year,
the questions switched to whether
they can keep him. If Stam (above)
keeps this up, expect a few Premier
League clubs to come knocking.
FDANIEL
A n F WIMBUSH
ILE
This season will be different to
last because we will want to turn
Wembley pain into joy this time.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that Reading now hold
the joint-record for play-off nal
defeats, with four, unfortunately.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Chris Wood, at least if
he continues last seasons form.
Our pantomime villain is Lee
Cattermole at Sunderland he
ways good for a laugh.
most underrated player is
m Moore, a superb defender
o quietly gets on with the job.
best away ground is
hams Craven Cottage, even
ugh we will probably lose.
s season well nish eighth.
asks: Do you think that the
b is in safe hands with the
w owners? Only time will tell.
ial signs are promising, but
have been bitten before.
hetilehurstend
 SKY BET CHAMPIOnSHIP
2017-18
SHEFFIELD UnITED
L A S T S E A SO N
LEAGUE ONE Winners FA CUP Second Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Billy Sharp (30)
Like someone strolling into a room and
immediately solving the Rubiks Cube
youve been grappling with for several
days, Chris Wilder joined anoutt last
summer who had spent six years in
League One, and casually got them
promoted with four matches to spare.
The way that they did it was perhaps
most impressive, notching 100 points
and scoring 92 goals 12 more than
anyone else. With Billy Sharp back
home and scoring freely, plus astring
of shrewd signings, the Bramall Lane
outt were, dollar-for-dollar, arguably
the best football team in the country.
Perhaps their most important bit of
business this summer has been signing
centre-back Richard Stearman. The
29-year-old has vast Championship
know-how, having made more than
250 appearances in the division across
spells with Leicester, Ipswich, Wolves
and Fulham. He will add much-needed
steel to a defence that conceded 47
goals in League One last time out
a high number for a title-winning side.
1 8 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PL
JOHN FLEC
Wilder identie
Fleck, snapped
from Coventry
last year, as the
Blades best pla
2016-17 and
he still has plen
time to improv
86 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au
THE BOSS
CHRIS WILDER
Wilder almost went to Charlton last
summer but, after sealing promotion
from League Two with Northampton,
he joined his boyhood club instead.
That Wilder secured promotion at
the rst time of asking is impressive,
but even better is reinvigorating the
fanbase that was starting to despair.
FPAUL
A n MF IDONALD
LE
C
This season will be different
to last because the xture list
makes for better reading than
it has over the past six years.
Keep an eye out for David Brooks,
who was named the Player of the
Tournament in Toulon and scored
Englands goal during the nal.
One change I would make at
our club is to bring back the clear
signs for beer voucher queues,
i t d f the utter free-for-all
y getting rid of them.
on we will nish in the
ou dont walk a division
id and then struggle.
ks: How much are you
oking forward to the
rst Steel City derby in
ve and a half years, at
ugh on September 23?
ts the managers 50th
m not looking forward
$75 for the privilege of
he rustbucket, mind.
1907
SHEFFIELD WEDnESDAY
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 4th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Fernando Forestieri (12)
When they reached the play-off nal in
2015-16, Shefeld Wednesday could
justiably regard themselves as being
surprise contenders upstarts led by
a charismatic and inventive manager.
Having improved their league position
but fallen at the semi-nal stage last
season, they well and truly dispensed
with their underdog status and are now
among the Championships elite sides.
Plenty is expected of them, particularly
after large amounts were splashed in
January on Sam Winnall and Jordan
Rhodes (initially on loan), adding to an
already expensive Owls squad.
The question now is whether they can
take a big step forward, and after two
nishes in the top six, that step can only
be promotion. In an open division, there
is no reason they cant do it. Wednesday
have the core of abrilliant team, from
Keiren Westwood in goal to Tom Lees
at the back, with Sam Hutchinson and
Barry Bannan (above) in mideld and
Fernando Forestieri pulling the strings.
George Boyd has joined them now, too.
2nD
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYE
SAM HUTCHINS
The days of the mideld
terrier are almost over,
in Hutchinson there is st
one around. Fighting ba
after retiring due to a kn
injury aged 21, hes now
the granite at the heart
of the Wednesday side.
THE BOSS
CARLOS CARVALHAL
There was some mildly terrifying
talk in May that Alan Pardew was
going to replace Carvalhal in the
Wednesday dugout. However, the
Portuguese boss signed a new deal
and will continue the ne progress
he hasmade with the Hillsborough
side over thepast couple of years.
FLAURA
A n FJONES
ILE
This season will be different
to last because we will win
promotion this time... hopefully.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Fulhams Tom Cairney.
Fans of other clubs might not
know that this year the club is
celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Keep an eye out for George Hirst,
son of David Hirst, provided at
least that we dont sell him.
One change I would make at
the shop, as its only
u want to buy an XXXL
or a door plaque that
ated to Kevin.
ur most underrated
ayer is Sam Winnall.
year well nish third.
Were you disappointed
an Rhodes didnt take
during the play-off
l shootout? No, its
he was honest about
n the right mindset.

SUnDERLAnD
L A S T S E A SON
PREMIER LEAGUE 20th FA CUP Third Round
LEAGUE CUP Fourth Round TOP SCORER Jermain Defoe (15)
It probably would have been better for
Sunderland to have gone down earlier,
rather than continue their increasingly
miraculous escapes over three or four
seasons. As it is, the Black Cats have
been allowed to slowly decay, to the
point that when the inevitable nally
did happen, the challenge for them
now is not to bounce straight back, but
to prevent asecond successive drop.
Its not out of the question, either.
Wolves did it a few years ago, Wigan
lasted two seasons before dropping to
the third tier, and the real worry must
be in replicating Shefeld United, who
have only just returned after six years
in League One. This is a club in a mess,
with an imbalanced squad of players,
unsuited to the Championship, and
fans whose low spirits wont be lifted
by the arrivals of James Vaughan from
Bury and 31-year-old Aiden McGeady.
The Sunderland board have at least
made asensible appointment in Simon
Grayson (above). The new manager will
need to add some stability fast.
1 4 TH
FFT V E RD IC T
KEY PLAYE
DUNCAN WATM
Lee Cattermole will likel
be the Black Cats most
inuential player this
term, but a local talent
such as the willing Watm
might be the sort of gu
the downtrodden fans c
muster enthusiasm abo
THE BOSS
SIMON GRAYSON
After spending four years at Preston
where he established the Lilywhites
as second-tier mid-tablers, Grayson
has taken on the task of restoring
the Black Cats to the top table. He
made Evertons Brendan Galloway
and Tyias Browning his rst signings,
both arriving on season-long loans.
FMICHAEL
A n F I LLOUGH
E with 58 points, it was almost impressive
This season will be different to
last because we have a manager
who actually wants to be here.
Save the date for our rst game,
as dramatic as that sounds, as
we havent won in the rst two
months of a season since 2012.
Keep an eye out for Lynden
Gooch. He was a regular under
David Moyes at the start of last
season, but injuries hampered his
development. He will have more
game time this season, I hope.
Fans of other clubs might not
ow that we have won as many
p-ight league championships
Chelsea. Only ve teams have
on the league more than us.
This season we will nish
in the play-off places. I would
be pretty delighted with that.
T asks: Was David Moyes
signation in May bad timing?
had the backing of the board
far longer than he deserved.
ww.wisemensay.co.uk
WOLVERHAMPTOn WAnDERERS
LAST SE ASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 15th FA CUP Fifth Round
LEAGUE CUP Third Round TOP SCORER Helder Costa (12)
When it was initially revealed that
Jorge Mendes would be a part of the
Wolves ownership last year, their fans
must have been giddy at the prospect
of some glamorous signings and lavish
spending. The latter certainly took
place, but it didnt do the team a huge
amount of good, as the dismissal of
lefteld appointment Walter Zenga in
November only did so much to x the
clubs problems. Paul Lambert came in
and ultimately guided them to safety
but little more, and was sacked in May.
After nishing the 2015-16 season
that Wolves spent nearly $50 million
and changed manager twice, only to
nish on 58 points again. New coach
Nuno Espirito Santo is a coup for the
clubs Chinese owners, Fosun, and it
suggests they want at least a push for
promotion. Splashing a club record
$25m on Portos Ruben Neves (above)
should help the Molineux outt on their
way, while former England goalkeeper
John Ruddy has joined from Norwich.
6 TH
FFT VE RDI CT
KEY PLAYER
HELDER COSTA
Perhaps the most importa
business Wolves could do
this summer is keep hold
of Costa. After a slightly
slow start, the clubs
record signing was
superb in the latter
stages of last season.
fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 87
SEASOn PREVIEW
THE BOSS
NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO
Wolves hiring policy is eclectic, from
a relatively untried maverick boss in
Walter Zenga, to strong and stable
Paul Lambert, and now a high-prole
name in Nuno. The Wanderers will
be hoping for something similar to
the season at Valencia when Nuno
took a basket-case club up to fourth.
FJAMES
A n FFIELDEN
ILE
This season will be different to
last because the arrival of Nuno
Espirito Santo has given everyone
fresh optimism once again.
The best away fans are Leeds
fans. Villa also ll out away ends.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Jonathan Kodjia big,
pacy and able to score all kinds
of goals. He has scored 38 in two
seasons for two average sides.
Keep an eye out for 19-year-old
Connor Ronan and his killer pass.
Our pantomime villain is
eil Warnock at Cardiff.
his season we will nish fourth.
FT asks: Club legend Andy
hompson says that bolstering
the attack must be the priority
would you agree? Absolutely.
Benik Afobe was never replaced
and last season some very poor
recruitment left us horribly short
upfront. The two senior strikers
scored six goals between them.
@james_elden
FITNESS / NUTRITION / SKILLS
 PERFORMANCE

MASTERCLASS

TROY DEENEY
THE
DETAILS

The Watford captain explains how training sessions The bricklayer

with Anthony Joshuas coach help him stay in shape
Do you reckon you can become
a Premier League player without
being an elite-level athlete?
No. I think you have to be technically
very good, but now youre starting to
see the emergence of a lot of players
in the lower leagues who are willing
to put the hard yards in. You look at
people like Jamie Vardy, Andre Gray
and myself: weve adapted to Premier
League football because weve always
been willing to put the extra physical
work in. Lower down the leagues you
have to just run for every ball, so that
is why weve gone on to do very well.
Youve done some work with Anthony
Joshuas trainer, Jamie Reynolds, so
how did that partnership come about?
I was one of the rst players he worked
with. About six years ago I saw a friend
of mine training with him and thought,
Thats a bit different. Im always open
to trying new things to develop myself
physically, and the training that we do
is high-intensity and tailored specically
to my game. Jamie was the rst trainer
who explained what physical attributes
I needed as a striker, my strengths and
weaknesses, and then he said, I want
to keep working at your strengths. Id
never worked with anybody specically
on my game before previously I had
only done training programmes which
had been developed for a whole squad
of players, rather than personal ones.
How often do you work with him?
Ill do a two- or three-week camp with
Jamie before I go back to Watford for
the start of pre-season. I will do lots of
footwork and agility sessions so I have
that sharpness. Rather than catching up
during pre-season, Ill already be ahead.
We also do some work together during
the season but we tailor it to how many
matches I have. Its not like a boxer who
has a 12-week camp and knows exactly
when they can train every week. If you
have three games per week, its almost
Youre good friends with Joshua do
you think there are many similarities
between boxing and football tness?
No, theyre completely different. I watch
a lot of boxing and will do some boxing
training myself. I nd that boxing is a lot
more emotional if you get punched in
the face, your natural reaction is to get
angry and react, but you cant do that.
You just have to keep everything under
control. Under the lights, its incredibly
hot as well even when youre ringside
you are sweating loads. As well as the
environment being different, the boxers
also use a completely different energy
system. We will play on a Saturday and
The strength
work has given
me a mental
edge I think
Im bigger and
stronger than
everyone else
Tuesday for about 11 months, whereas
they train for 12 weeks to get ready for
a ght on a Saturday night. They have
a three-month training camp for one
ght and they do that maybe three
times a year. Our bodies are put
through more pain, I would say.
Do you need a lean physique
to perform so many sprints
during a single match?
Funnily enough, Ive
always been called
bulky by away fans.
They will phrase it
slightly different
to that, but they
from Brums
come a long
way since his
the team captain and set an example if
you are not t. The lads wouldnt stand Walsall days
for it and the manager most denitely
wouldnt. Its probably twice as hard for
me to avoid putting on weight, because
as soon as I put on a couple of pounds
everybody can see it, so I have got to
keep on top of it for the whole season.
Have you felt the impact of your gym
work when you are out on the pitch?
The strength work Ive done has helped
to give me a mental edge, as I think Im
bigger and stronger than everyone else.
The specic stuff I have done with Jamie
has paid off with a few of the goals Ive Age
scored. The one against Southampton 29
in March was a perfect example: the ball
just bobbled up and I reacted to it really Height
quickly and lifted it into the top corner. 6ft
The reactive work Ive done with Jamie
has really helped me with goals like that. Childhood club
What does your daily diet look like?
Im a Brummie, so
Birmingham City.
It is pretty colourful and varied I have
a friend who has set up a food company First job
who are supplying Joshua and several I was a bricklayer
Premier League footballers, and Ill use after leaving school
his products too. I eat a good variety of I got $200 a week.
quality protein one day its steak, the
next is chicken, then itll be mincemeat. First professional
It all gets packed up for me, ready to go. football contract
Ill have around 50-100g of protein with $710 a week at
lots of different fruit and vegetables and Walsall. I still keep
then about 25g of sweet potato as well. a picture of the pay
slip on my phone.
Career highlight
Getting promoted
at Watford I was
meant to leave the
club that season...
Lowest moment
Serving three months
in prison in 2012.
Premier League
appearances
75
Interview Alec Fenn

impossible for you to do strength and always suggest

conditioning work. Any big heavy lifting that Im a big Premier League
just fatigues the body when you need lad. However, goals
to be recovering for your next match. you cant be 23

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 93

 PERFORMANCE

LIKE A
1 2

PRO 3 4

Performance specialist
Nick Grantham provides
his expert feedback on
players Instagram pics

1
Theo Walcott @theowalcott
I dont include specic core work in
the training programmes I create for
athletes, says Grantham, but they are
popular with players for image reasons!

2
Rolando Aarons @rizz_16
Ab roll-outs are also a core-specic
exercise. The further you roll out, the
harder it is. You can use a barbell, too.

3
Marcus Rashford @marcusrashford
The single-leg Romanian deadlift
isgreat to build single-leg strength.
Lots of movements in football require it.

4
Troy Deeney @t_deeney
The best way to boost strength fast
is through compound exercises that
use both of your legs. You rotate between
double- and single-limb routines here.

5
Harrison Reed @matcht_conditioning
The barbell step-up will allow you
to target the glutes, quadriceps and
core. I advise 4-5 sets of 3-5 repetitions.

6
Cristiano Ronaldo @cristiano
Im not a big fan of using machines
5 6
with footballers. Player movements
require multiple muscle groups to work 7 8
at once. Machines only train one group.

7
Vincent Kompany @vincentkompany
In order to perform a Bulgarian split
squat effectively, descend as deeply
as you can while ensuring that your front
foot is planted on the oor at all times.

8
Claudio Yacob @wba
Perfoming a back squat will really
target your quadriceps, which help
you to run further and faster, and at the
same time it improves jumping ability.

94 September 2017 fourfourtwo.com.au

 PERFORMANCE

ICE BATHS FFT takes the plunge, is there science

Long before footballers began jumping
into ice baths, the Egyptians were using
cold therapies to treat their injuries as
early as 2500 BC. Immersing the body
in freezing water following exercise will
reduce body temperature, blood ow
and inammation, which accelerates
recovery. That sounds great, but before
to back it up? Er, not really. A study by
the University of Auckland in February
says it does next to nothing to ease
your aching limbs. Professor David
Cameron-Smith stated: Ice baths
are no more benecial than doing
a low-intensity warm-down after
any intense exercise. Well stick
to a cold post-match pint, then.

1 If you have a quick

turnaround between
training or matches, an
ice bath could give you
short-term pain relief,
added Cameron-Smith.
2 Ice baths can also
reduce the benets
of training hard, leading
to small gains in strength
and muscle mass after
doing weight sessions.
3 Apart from times
when you require
a very quick wind-down,
my advice would be to
rule out ice baths from
your recovery options.

VS
Which sub-zero remedy will help you
to recover quicker during pre-season?
FFT feels the chill in order to nd out

CRYOTHERAPY a Japanese scientist in the 1970s, the

Imagine standing inside a giant zzy
drinks can engulfed with freezing cold
air hitting temperatures below -100C,
while wearing nothing but your pants.
Got it? You have just imagined whole
body cryotherapy, which relieves DOMS
delayed onset of muscle soreness
after training and games. Created by
treatment has been used by Cristiano
Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but
the jury is out on its credentials. The
International Journal of Kinesiology
and Sports Science said the alleged
benets of whole body cryotherapy
were based on anecdotal evidence
due to a lack of large-scale studies.
We like a bag of frozen peas anyway.

1 There isnt enough

science to back up
the treatment yet, but
many athletes believe it
helps to relieve stiffness,
said Dr Michael Gleiber.
2 Cryotherapy cools
the skin but wont
reduce the temperature
3 The cold will
enhance your
metabolism, so you
of your core much in 3-4 burn more calories,
minutes, so it is unlikely but it isnt a solution
to reduce inammation. to you losing weight.

AND OUR WINNER IS... ICE BATHS

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 95

THE NEW HOME OF FOOTBALL CULTURE IN AUSTRALIA.

LIVE NOW
FTBL.COM.AU
 PERFORMANCE

YOU ASK
Is there a signicant HARRY KANE GOES
ALL MASTERCHEF
difference between
academy tness and
rst-team tness?
Harry Wiles
via Twitter
The Spurs striker tells FFT how changing his diet and learning to cook have aided his game
If you want to start banging in the For breakfast I will have an omelette between meals either. If Im hungry

HE goals like England and Spurs skipper withbrown toast and a side of spinach. Ill have nuts, seeds, fruit and fresh

ANSWERS Harry Kane, you might want to put

down your pint and bin that bag of
frozen chips. Tottenhams talisman
has told FFT the secret recipes that
have turned him into become a lean,
mean goalscoring machine.
A change of diet since Christmas has
helped Kane lose weight and gain an
extra yard of pace to roast defenders.
In January I started working with
anew chef to make sure my nutrition
was perfect I wanted to get leaner
Ruben and it seems to be working, he says.
Loftus-Cheek
Chelsea midelder
For lunch, I will eat some grilled chicken
andgreen vegetables, such as broccoli
yoghurt and I stick to water as well,
rather than the zzy drinks, he says.
and asparagus. Come on Harry, you must let your
And then for dinner, I will hairdown during the summer,
have a bit of chicken, sh though? I dont drink alcohol
or steak withvegetables atall, but asa treat I will allow
and either some sweet myself the odd chocolate bar.
potatoes or brown rice. The striker has even started
Normally, I only have taking cookery lessons so he
carbs with lunch or can make his favourite meals
dinner not both. at home, with chicken paella
Kane doesnt snack the No.1 dish. Sounds great
onchocolate digestives he can cookfor FFT any time.

Yes. Playing with

the under-21s was
physically easy for
me because Iwas
always bigger than
everyone else. When
I made my Premier
League debut I felt
a massive difference
with the intensity
Interview Ben Welch; Kane words Alec Fenn

I could not just use

strength to dominate
a player so I had to
improve technically,
which is something
Ive worked hard on.
Now Ive got a good
balance of technical
and physical ability.

YOU
NEED
TO
FOLLOW RAYAN WILSON PAUL MCGUINNESS JOHN SITTON
FFT picks out some of Head of performance at Back2Action Football coaching consultant Former Leyton Orient manager
A specialist in injury rehab and player After 28 years as a player and coach He has enjoyed cult status since his
the best football and performance his client list includes at Manchester United, he assists the foul-mouthed antics in a mid-90s
tness accounts to Yannick Bolasie and Rolando Aarons. countrys next generation of gaffers. documentary. Well worth a read.
liven up your feed Instagram: @back2action Twitter: @Paulmcg8 Twitter: @TheReal Sitts

fourfourtwo.com.au September 2017 97

 BRENDON SANTALAB
Western Sydney Wanderers super sub has faced some of the best
in Asia and in Europe during his spell in Belgium before the A-League

SIMON
MIGNOLET VINCENT KOMPANY
Hes strong, quick and technically
superb. 231 appearances for
Manchester City is enough said!

ANTHONY OGUCHI VINCENT SCOTT

VANDEN BORRE ONYEWU KOMPANY JAMIESON

DAVID BECKHAM

CM His pinpoint passing, delightful

freekicks and vision were a joy to
watch. He delivered an incredible
freekick in front of 80,000 fans at
ORLANDO ANZ Stadium while I was playing
ENGELAAR for Sydney FC. Standing in the wall,
I watched it sail over my head and

AM perfectly curl in - I could only smile!

He was denitely a big game player!

SHINJI
ONO

SHINJI ONO
Interview Thomas Stelzer

Shinji is a true professional and a

gentleman on and off the park. His
touch matches the person he is all
class! His work ethic at training and
will to win was evident every day.
It was an absolute honour to play
alongside the Japanese maestro.

THE GAFFER THE SUBS

MARCELO LIPPI
Hes a World Cup winner and UEFA Champions
League winner. A master of the game.
01 MURIQUI
02 JUNINHO
03 ALESSANDRO
DIAMANTI

YOUR NEXT FOURFOURTWO IS ON SALE SEPTEMBER 14

 FCB ACADEMY
Sydney & Brisbane
Open Trials this September
Do you have what it takes?

Register Online
fcbescola.fcbarcelona.com/sydney/
fcbescola.fcbarcelona.com/brisbane/