by Adam Bate
"In my time as manager, it is the best team we have faced," said Sir Alex Ferguson after
Manchester United were comprehensively dismantled by Barcelona in last year's Champions League
final. Three-time European Cup winner Graeme Souness went further, saying: "I think they are the
best team ever and, in Lionel Messi, they have the best player ever.
by Adam Bate
There are lots of reasons why an interview is important when deciding which candidate should get
the job.
A smart appearance is indicative of a fastidious approach. A personable style can suggest a warm
and engaging individual capable of motivating others.
It is also a chance to find out more about a person's career beyond the bland statistics of a
written CV.
by Adam Bate
To put Mick McCarthy's Wolverhampton Wanderers reign into perspective you need to go much
further back than its beginning in 2006. You need to go back to 1989 – the year that Wolves won
the old Division Three title.
Until McCarthy's arrival at the club that was not only the last team to win a league title but
it was also the last team that had a meaningful connection with the club's supporters.
by Adam Bate
What a return it has been for Kenny Dalglish. Only Cardiff City now stand in the way of
Liverpool lifting the Carling Cup at Wembley later this month and thus securing the club's first
trophy in six years. King Kenny has brought the buzz back to the city. And thankfully, whatever the
dramas off the field, everyone at Anfield appears to be pulling in the same direction once
again.
by Andrew Crawford
Having even the remotest interest in Shanghai Shenhua should probably come with a health
warning. When I die a decade prematurely, blame it on the side from the Hongkou stadium for
weakening my heart and badly damaging my sanity. Shenhua is a dangerous interest to have. Believe
me, its lots of fun but if you can, enjoy it in moderation.
by Adam Bate
The impending arrival of Carlos Tevez could well end any hopes Filippo Inzaghi had of
winning back his place in the AC Milan Champions League squad let alone the first team. Unless
Super Pippo can prove people wrong one more time, the 38-year-old poacher will have to seek a new
home before the transfer window closes.
by Adam Bate
Jordan Rhodes has certainly got the Premier League's attention. As many as eight top flight
clubs were represented at Huddersfield Town's game against Wycombe Wanderers last week. And they
are likely to have been impressed – the striker bagged five goals in a remarkable display.
2011 – A Thank You
It's been a drunken busy Christmas and New Year period and I haven't got round to summarising
2011 on the site. I wanted to take the chance to belatedly amend that now.
2011 was the first full year GhostGoal has been in operation and it's been great that it's
developed as it has.
by Adam Bate
Progress. It's the bane of the football manager. No matter what you deliver there'll always be
people wanting more. It's a problem surely consuming Wolves manager Mick McCarthy right now. After
lifting the club from the Championship in 2009, fans are now left wondering if progress is
something McCarthy is still capable of delivering.
By Oli Baker
At the time of writing, no side in Europe's top five leagues has made as few tackles per game
as Wolves (15.4) or as few interceptions (11.9).
For a team that gained a reputation as being tough and uncompromising last season, these are
startling statistics.
Although Wolves do fare quite well in the possession stakes, averaging 50.
By Oli Baker
At the time of writing, no side in Europe's top five leagues has made as few tackles per game
as Wolves (15.4) or as few interceptions (11.9).
For a team that gained a reputation as being tough and uncompromising last season, these are
startling statistics.
Although Wolves do fare quite well in the possession stakes, averaging 50.
by Adam Bate
*A version of this article appeared as an obituary in the February 2011 issue of Calcio
Italia magazine
Some people choose to remember the 1982 World Cup for the famous Brazil team of Zico, Socrates
and Falcao. Their silky skills and attacking football certainly captured the imagination.
by Adam Bate
Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't look like an underdog. He doesn't feel like one and he most certainly
doesn't act like one. But this weekend he is the player more than any other who will be tasked with
the role of challenging Barcelona's footballing oligarchy.
And yet, don't expect people to thank him for it.
by Adam Bate
In 1999 the No.6 shirt of AC Milan's Franco Baresi was retired. That same
year, he was named Milan's best player of the twentieth century. More recently,
he was officially named as Italy's player of the century too. These are
extraordinary accolades to be given to a defender.
by Adam Bate
I have contributed a piece to the December 2011 issue of When Saturday Comes.
Back to front.
By moving their central defenders forward into midfield, English managers are taking a tactical
step backwards.
There are also excellent pieces by Mark Segal, Dermot Corrigan and Matthew Barker.
