Great article. Not patronising like most of the southern press seem to be when writing about the North East.
When the Times went to internet subscription I stopped reading it..but this is a good article thanks for posting it.
Great written piece, and a delight to see for a change. Well done Mr Caulkin, it's balanced, with a bit of depth, and I can't argue with a word. I can't wait to be 6 weeks in and see where we are headed.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/136329 Football comment: Paolo di Canio's appointment at Sunderland provided one of the biggest talking points of last season. His political views aside, the Italian was dismissed by many pundits as not having the nous to manage a Premier League club. However few saw fit to mention the fact that when his playing career ended he did not retire to the TV studio but to Italy’s famed Coverciano to gain his Uefa Pro Licence. Few mentioned the fact that he took over Swindon following relegation and led them straight to the League Two title and a Wembley Cup final. It’s interesting that when salt-of-the-earth Englishman Alan Shearer was given eight games to save Newcastle, few questioned his lack of experience and coaching qualifications. The result — Shearer five points from eight games and relegation; di Canio eight points from seven games and survival. Italy 1-0 England. Or should that be Technocracy 1-0 Anti-intellectualism? Of course some pundits will tell you it’s all down to di Canio’s passion. It’s all down to the way he can inspire his players by getting those trousers dirty when he celebrates. However, that doesn’t tell even half the story. Once you overlook his touchline antics, his politics and the tightness of his trousers and focus instead on what di Canio has to say about football, what you find is a deep thinker with considerable insight. Had Sunderland gone down last season it would not have been his fault any more than it was Shearer’s when Newcastle were relegated. Both were taking on squads they had not assembled in situations not of their making and both had only limited time to rectify the situation. In di Canio’s case that short-term objective was met and he now has the chance to impose a new ethos on Sunderland’s players in keeping with his own beliefs. No one aware of the differences between the mentality of English and Italian football will be surprised by di Canio’s regular comments about a need to eradicate a lack of professionalism from the squad, nor the response from certain players. There have been high-profile changes off the pitch with the capture from Inter Milan of Roberto di Fanti and Valentino Angeloni as the director of football and chief scout respectively. The pair have already made their mark. The signing of 28-year-old Emanuele Giaccherini who won Lo Scudetto with Juventus and played every minute for Italy in the Confederations Cup is eye-catching indeed. Jozy Altidore has been brought in from AZ Alkmaar. While he was perceived as a flop during his brief spell at Hull, 38 goals in 67 games for AZ suggests he might make those critics eat their words. The departure of Simon Mignolet was a blow, but Sunderland extracted maximum value from Liverpool for the keeper and in Keiren Westwood and Vito Mannone, the latter signed from Arsenal, they have a pair of able replacements. Making so many changes to the playing staff is a risk, but if they all accept that it is di Canio who wears the trousers, there is a huge amount to be positive about at Sunderland. Key man: Paolo di Canio Prediction: Top 10 and a cup run.
Another fair and balanced piece on the new SAFC. And interesting that the comrades of the CPGB can see beyond the parody of PDC's political views that was presented in the media at the time, I wonder if the Durham Miners Welfare will have the balls to do the same
I wonder if the "refusenik" known as Newtownlee2(I'm now assuming that is Killingworth New Town) has read this truly unbiased article
Comes across a bit defensive to me. Comparisons to shearer are unnecessary and no need for any Politics references. Just didn't give me the buzz that the Times article gave.
Here are Owen’s Premier League predictions for the coming season. Arsenal: “Arsenal’s prospects depend largely on their transfer activity, but if they don’t manage to secure a world-class striker, a top four position should still be achievable. In their first season Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski scored a combined 22 league goals, bettering Van Persie’s initial tally in England of four – but the addition to the squad of a more prolific striker could make a huge difference. Aston Villa: “Now Christian Benteke has signed a new long-term deal Villa should be looking to break into the top half of the table. Paul Lambert has assembled a young team and staying up last season will fill them with confidence, as will new signings Antonio Luna and Nicklas Helenius, the latter averaged a goal every two games for Danish team AaB last term.” Cardiff City: “Malky Mackay has shown some serious intent by splashing £7.5million on 20-year-old Andreas Cornelius, breaking Cardiff’s transfer record by some margin. He and Craig Bellamy, now 34, are central to Cardiff’s prospects. Despite winning the Championship they need to bolster the squad with Premier League experience. Staying up would be a wonderful achievement but it’s going to be a struggle.” Chelsea: “Chelsea are my favourites to win the league, irrespective of transfer activity. The return of Jose Mourinho has transformed the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho has never lost at home in the Premier League and the ‘Special One’ thoroughly deserves his self-appointed title.” Crystal Palace: “It’s great to see Ian Holloway back in the Premier League and if Palace are to have a chance of staying up, Holloway’s experience will be crucial. Having been relegated with Blackpool he’ll be relying heavily on Glenn Murray, scorer of 31 goals last term. A trying season followed by relegation looks likely.” Everton: “An already small squad is in danger of becoming further depleted if key men Fellaini and Baines leave the club. Roberto Martinez was the popular choice to replace Moyes but injury problems might end up costing his new squad dearly and make his job all the harder. Underrated Kevin Mirallas and new man Arouna Kone will be heavily relied upon in the final third but Baines and Fellaini may prove irreplaceable.” Fulham: “This time around I can’t foresee the Cottagers getting out of the bottom half. The end of the 2012/2013 season saw them struggle for form and an over-reliance on Dimitar Berbatov looks set to continue. New ownership provides the promise of investment in the squad and it looks necessary in a number of positions.” Hull City: “City suffer from a potentially fatal lack of experience. They limped to the finish line in the Championship, losing their last four games and that run looks likely to continue this time around. A core of talented young players like Joe Dudgeon and James Chester offer an array of hope but their prospects don’t look good.” Liverpool: “Much depends on star man Luis Suarez. If he goes it could be an uphill battle for Brendan Rogers who has urged the Liverpool fans to be patient over the summer months. Replacing him would be near-impossible and more than one forward replacement will have to be brought in to replicate his goals tally. If Suarez stays and a couple more signings join the ranks then the top four could even be within their sights.” Manchester City: “Again this year’s big spenders with the addition of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo for a combined £90million. A lot will depend upon the new manager bedding in the new stars, while winning over the existing players. As Pellegrini has no experience managing in England, it will be interesting to watch how quickly he adapts. For me this won’t be Man City’s season unless they really hit the ground running.” Manchester United: “While United have the most stable squad, the club as a whole is going through a period of transition both in terms of the manager and the backroom staff. Much will depend on the form of Robin Van Persie and, if he hits the heights of last season, United can definitely expect to be in the running.” Newcastle United: “Newcastle fans are perturbed about the return of Joe Kinnear. Much depends on the start they have. If a few results go against them I can envisage Kinnear and his staff taking the blame. Pappis Cisse’s eight goals and Newcastle’s measly two away wins last season are worrying statistics for the Magpies.” Norwich City: “Last season’s 11th place finish for Norwich must be respected, but finishing any higher this year is highly unlikely. The relegation scrap remains a possibility, but the club’s new record signing, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, from Sporting Lisbon should be able to propel the Canaries out of the danger zone and towards the top half of the table.” Southampton: “A reward for being the top English goal scorer in the Premier League last season has come in the form of an England call-up for Rickie Lambert and he’ll be a key figure once more for Southampton. However, an over-reliance on Lambert could be dangerous. The problem defence has been shored up with the arrival of Dejan Lovren (£8.5m) and manager Pochettino should now be more familiar with the ins and outs of the English game.” Stoke City: “Another club in real transition. The Tony Pulis style of play is deeply entrenched at Stoke City and with it came great stability for a lengthy period. A good squad of players will have to adapt to Mark Hughes and it will be interesting to observe how much he alters the existing footballing style.” Sunderland: “Sunderland are in trouble this season. Away from home they concede too many goals and they are overly dependent on Steven Fletcher’s goals. His previous season was cut short and Sunderland escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth. Sunderland fans would be first to admit they would take anything other than relegation this season and I’m sure their charismatic manager would agree survival is the primary aim.” Swansea: “Swansea’s rise to prominence has been incredible. They have secured their top-flight status but their ascent must come to end at some point. It’s possible the likes of Michu over-performed last season so it’ll be interesting to see if they can replicate that form. I fear it could be unrealistic to expect the same from them this time around. A mid-table finish feels about right.” Tottenham Hotspur: “Spurs need to find the balance between adding to the squad and retaining the existing core. They are not shy of spending on new recruits but potentially more important is holding onto Gareth Bale and pushing on to the next level, which is securing a Champions League spot.” West Bromwich Albion: “They will be reliant upon Nicolas Anelka, tasked with replacing top-scorer Romelu Lukaku who has returned to Chelsea after 17 goals last season – more than any Chelsea player managed during last season. West Brom over-performed last season so it’s going to be difficult for them to get into the top half this time around.” West Ham United: “West Ham need not fear the relegation zone this season. Andy Carroll has signed a permanent contract which might just propel the Hammers into the top half. They just might be one of the surprise packages.” Does the little tosser not realise we've signed 10 players. His comments are going off last seasons team!
what a prick. i wouldnt be happy with just staying up. i feel we have moved on a lot since last term and giving pdc a full pre season will have helped massively. i cant belive anyone is paying owen for pundetry
Basically he cant comment on anything other than last season's team because he's too busy with his hand up Horses backsides to know about any of the signings we've made!
just because people dont know a lot about our signings doesnt mean thier not quality. he should do his ****ing homework if hes going to spout **** about us
Villa relying on Benteke is risky, but Arsenal without a big signing will be 4th again. Chelsea with Mourinho could go close to wining the title, they will finish above Man c now he is back. Spurs without bale are ordinary, Liverpool without Suarez the same. We will do ok once the right combination is found, and want to see Watmore a few times, maybe in the M K dons game.
