Showing posts with label West Midlands Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Midlands Football. Show all posts

Friday, 11 January 2008

MON labels football 'crazy'

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says football has gone "crazy" after Sam Allardyce became the eighth managerial casualty of this Premier League season.

Allardyce was sacked as Newcastle boss just eight months into his reign at St. James' Park and O'Neill said: "I sympathise. It's absolutely crazy.

"If you were put into a job in the city, the first thing you would ask for is time. It takes a while to gel.

"But with football, it's absolutely out of hand. It's so crazy now."

Other top flight managers to have been given the axe this term include José Mourinho, Martin Jol and Billy Davis.

And O'Neill says the days of a manager being given time to stamp his authority on a side are gone.

He said: "When I was a player, managers were getting sacked but they were getting two years in a job. Now it's two minutes.

"In Sam's few months at Newcastle he might not have even found out the correct strength of the reserve side. He might have players injured that he doesn't know much about.

"I know from my experience at Leicester, Celtic and even here. The minute you come in, you're in charge.

"You don't get time in football. I'd love to say I have a five-year plan or ideas for the youth team. Have a bit of sense - it just doesn't happen."

Monday, 7 January 2008

Mixed Cup Feelings for West Midlands Clubs in 3rd Round

Saturday was not a good for Birmingham City and Aston Villa, as the Premier League pair were both dumped out of the FA Cup by Huddersfield Town and Manchester United respectively.

League One Huddersfield won 2-1 at their Galpharm Stadium, while Premier League holders United came to Villa Park to beat the home side 2-0, with late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

But Championship Coventry made the biggest giant-killing of the day with a 4-1 thrashing at Premier League Blackburn Rovers.

And West Brom drew 1-1 at Championship rivals Charlton Athletic.

Fellow Championship side Wolves beat Conference Cambridge 2-1 at Molineux, while Walsall drew nil-all with League One rivals Millwall at the Bescot for a replay at the New Den.

And finally, Chasetown, who are in the fourth tier of non-league football, lost 3-1 to Championship Cardiff, but it was a historical day in the club's history.