Oh how I wish the title of this article could be different. Sadly when England come up against Germany in any competition (especially in a semi-final) there’s a good chance it will end in defeat. Sad but true. Before the game, I let myself get carried away thinking of different titles for this piece on English football, such as ‘England’s Bright Future’, or ‘Bring on Russia’. But unfortunately as soon as the referee blew his whistle for the end of extra time, the title wrote itself.
After the major success of England winning the U20 ‘s World Cup, the nation inevitably turned their attention to the U21’s European Championships. The U20’s 1-0 win over Venezuela meant it was England’s biggest international title since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup in 1966. That’s depressing. Not taking anything away from the U20’s impressive feat, but surely...
After the major success of England winning the U20 ‘s World Cup, the nation inevitably turned their attention to the U21’s European Championships. The U20’s 1-0 win over Venezuela meant it was England’s biggest international title since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup in 1966. That’s depressing. Not taking anything away from the U20’s impressive feat, but surely...
- 6/28/2017
- by kieranedwards
- The Cultural Post
EA Sports
There’s no greater feeling on any football game than nurturing a young player into a first team player and watching them stomp all over the league, whether they’re proving to be a monster at the back, a string-puller in midfield, or a goal-hunter up front.
A young starlet can emerge through your virtual academy, or be picked up for pennies through the scouting system, or they could’ve taken huge chunk out of your budget, but still with so much time and development ahead of them, it’s an exciting feeling to have a squad of ‘tomorrow’s’ world-beaters at your disposal.
However, the hype that surrounds young players, particularly in the Premier League, is overwhelming. One game can transform a career, and skyrocket a young player’s value and reputation, though that’s not always a good thing as the weight of expectation and pressure wears them down.
There’s no greater feeling on any football game than nurturing a young player into a first team player and watching them stomp all over the league, whether they’re proving to be a monster at the back, a string-puller in midfield, or a goal-hunter up front.
A young starlet can emerge through your virtual academy, or be picked up for pennies through the scouting system, or they could’ve taken huge chunk out of your budget, but still with so much time and development ahead of them, it’s an exciting feeling to have a squad of ‘tomorrow’s’ world-beaters at your disposal.
However, the hype that surrounds young players, particularly in the Premier League, is overwhelming. One game can transform a career, and skyrocket a young player’s value and reputation, though that’s not always a good thing as the weight of expectation and pressure wears them down.
- 8/11/2015
- by Michael Potts
- Obsessed with Film
Peter Byrne/Pa Archive
Manchester United are famed for their progression of youth through their ranks. Unlike the likes of other clubs who plunder endless financial resources into assembling their squad every season, the Mancunian side pride themselves on allowing youth the opportunity to flourish at Old Trafford – often to their detriment, however.
While the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea and of course, the class of 92, have repaid Sir Alex Ferguson’s faith and trust, with the latter ramming Alan Hansen’s famous last words straight back down his throat, there have been examples of those who Ferguson should have dispensed with earlier than he did.
In a bid to replicate the success he enjoyed with the starlets of the past, there have been youngsters who sparkle before the Old Trafford faithful at first, brimming with potential and promise, before everybody begins to grow impatient at their lack...
Manchester United are famed for their progression of youth through their ranks. Unlike the likes of other clubs who plunder endless financial resources into assembling their squad every season, the Mancunian side pride themselves on allowing youth the opportunity to flourish at Old Trafford – often to their detriment, however.
While the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea and of course, the class of 92, have repaid Sir Alex Ferguson’s faith and trust, with the latter ramming Alan Hansen’s famous last words straight back down his throat, there have been examples of those who Ferguson should have dispensed with earlier than he did.
In a bid to replicate the success he enjoyed with the starlets of the past, there have been youngsters who sparkle before the Old Trafford faithful at first, brimming with potential and promise, before everybody begins to grow impatient at their lack...
- 10/13/2014
- by Michael Ramsay
- Obsessed with Film
You couldn't get much more '90s than Tfi Friday. Even if you watched an episode of Friends while wearing a fisherman's hat with Shed Seven playing 'Chasing Rainbows' at the same time in your living room, it still wouldn't be as '90s as Chris Evans stood at a bar, shouting "Wiiiiiilll" in between bursts of 'The Riverboat Song'.
So when Chris Evans revealed over the Bank Holiday that Channel 4 had approached him to revive the show to mark its 20th anniversary next year (it isn't actually 20 until 2016, but let's not quibble over small details), there were understandably a few groans from people who thought the rowdy entertainment show should be left in the decade of Cool Britannia, Hooch and Kula Shaker.
But we disagree, for the five following reasons:
1. Tfi was live. Tfi was unpredictable.
Well, it was normally live. It was until Shaun Ryder...
So when Chris Evans revealed over the Bank Holiday that Channel 4 had approached him to revive the show to mark its 20th anniversary next year (it isn't actually 20 until 2016, but let's not quibble over small details), there were understandably a few groans from people who thought the rowdy entertainment show should be left in the decade of Cool Britannia, Hooch and Kula Shaker.
But we disagree, for the five following reasons:
1. Tfi was live. Tfi was unpredictable.
Well, it was normally live. It was until Shaun Ryder...
- 8/28/2014
- Digital Spy
Andrew finds out what the latest Doctor Who trailer feat. monsters, Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman tells us about series 8...
Feature
Sandwiched between the final bouts of Alan Hansen punditry (why couldn’t it be Mark Lawrenson retiring?) the new Doctor Who trailer not only kept Alan Shearer off our screens for a minute, but it also had loads of sounds and images. All the better to send our brains into modes of frenzied speculation and anticipation: Capalday is coming.
The trailer suggests two things: monsters and moodiness. There are Silence-handed flame-wielding staring synth-skins, a robot in a castle (most likely from Mark Gatiss’ episode), a ginger-haired thing that spooks Clara, a woman (possibly Clara) falling through the series eleven title sequence, a horse, some explosions, some other explosions throwing new character Danny Pink off his feet, and yet more explosions wracking the Tardis.
So far, we’ve seen a...
Feature
Sandwiched between the final bouts of Alan Hansen punditry (why couldn’t it be Mark Lawrenson retiring?) the new Doctor Who trailer not only kept Alan Shearer off our screens for a minute, but it also had loads of sounds and images. All the better to send our brains into modes of frenzied speculation and anticipation: Capalday is coming.
The trailer suggests two things: monsters and moodiness. There are Silence-handed flame-wielding staring synth-skins, a robot in a castle (most likely from Mark Gatiss’ episode), a ginger-haired thing that spooks Clara, a woman (possibly Clara) falling through the series eleven title sequence, a horse, some explosions, some other explosions throwing new character Danny Pink off his feet, and yet more explosions wracking the Tardis.
So far, we’ve seen a...
- 7/14/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
BBC One thrashed rivals ITV in the 2014 World Cup Final ratings, overnight data reveals.
Match of the Day's coverage - which included Alan Hansen's final appearance - was seen by an average of 12.09 million and an audience share of 50.3% from 7pm. It peaked at 16.11m at around 10pm.
Germany's victory over Argentina on ITV scored just 2.82m (12.0%) at 7pm on average, with a peak of 3.64m (13.0%) at 10pm.
Earlier on BBC One, Countryfile appealed to 4.50m (28.3%) at 6pm.
On BBC Two, Richard Gere film Shall We Dance? brought in 1.28m (5.3%) at 7.30pm. A repeat of The Night Watch was seen by 853,000 (3.1%) at 9pm.
On Channel 4, 1997 classic Titanic attracted 850k (3.4%) at 7pm (121k/0.5% on +1).
Channel 5's Big Brother continued with 800k (2.8%) at 9pm (128k/0.5%).
On ITV2, The Only Way Is Essex entertained 498k (1.9%) at 10pm (162k/1.3%).
Match of the Day's coverage - which included Alan Hansen's final appearance - was seen by an average of 12.09 million and an audience share of 50.3% from 7pm. It peaked at 16.11m at around 10pm.
Germany's victory over Argentina on ITV scored just 2.82m (12.0%) at 7pm on average, with a peak of 3.64m (13.0%) at 10pm.
Earlier on BBC One, Countryfile appealed to 4.50m (28.3%) at 6pm.
On BBC Two, Richard Gere film Shall We Dance? brought in 1.28m (5.3%) at 7.30pm. A repeat of The Night Watch was seen by 853,000 (3.1%) at 9pm.
On Channel 4, 1997 classic Titanic attracted 850k (3.4%) at 7pm (121k/0.5% on +1).
Channel 5's Big Brother continued with 800k (2.8%) at 9pm (128k/0.5%).
On ITV2, The Only Way Is Essex entertained 498k (1.9%) at 10pm (162k/1.3%).
- 7/14/2014
- Digital Spy
Celebrity Masterchef has topped the primetime ratings for a second night running.
Watched by an average audience of 3.96 million (20.6%) at 8.30pm, BBC One's celebrity cooking show was Friday's highest-rated show outside of soaps.
BBC One's evening kicked off with 2.58 million (16.6%) for The One Show at 7pm, followed by 2.36 million (16.9%) for The Great Property Race at 7.30pm.
Ahead of his final appearance as pundit at this year's World Cup final on Sunday, BBC One paid tribute to Alan Hansen with a look back at his career.
Presented by Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen: Player and Pundit was watched by an average audience of 2.22 million (18.3%) at 10.35pm.
ITV delivered consistent ratings for its entertainment offerings outside of soaps, entertaining 3.1 million (16.5%) with The Cruise Ship at 8pm and 2.26 million (11.8%) with Doc Martin at 9pm.
The return of The Million Pound Drop on Channel 4 was seen by 830k (4.5%) at 8pm. The ratings picked...
Watched by an average audience of 3.96 million (20.6%) at 8.30pm, BBC One's celebrity cooking show was Friday's highest-rated show outside of soaps.
BBC One's evening kicked off with 2.58 million (16.6%) for The One Show at 7pm, followed by 2.36 million (16.9%) for The Great Property Race at 7.30pm.
Ahead of his final appearance as pundit at this year's World Cup final on Sunday, BBC One paid tribute to Alan Hansen with a look back at his career.
Presented by Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen: Player and Pundit was watched by an average audience of 2.22 million (18.3%) at 10.35pm.
ITV delivered consistent ratings for its entertainment offerings outside of soaps, entertaining 3.1 million (16.5%) with The Cruise Ship at 8pm and 2.26 million (11.8%) with Doc Martin at 9pm.
The return of The Million Pound Drop on Channel 4 was seen by 830k (4.5%) at 8pm. The ratings picked...
- 7/12/2014
- Digital Spy
The BBC has announced details of its 2014 World Cup coverage.
Gary Lineker will lead the presenting team during the football tournament, which includes Rio Ferdinand and Thierry Henry.
The TV studio will feature the backdrop of Rio de Janiero's Copacabana Beach, with 31 live games to be broadcast.
Live matches will be shown on BBC One, BBC One HD and the BBC Sport website. There will also be simultaneous games on BBC Three and BBC Three HD and the red button.
BBC Two and BBC Two HD will also air a daily morning highlights programme and full match replays of the day's best game after midnight.
There will be a total of over 160 hours of TV, which is over 50% more than the previous World Cup in 2010.
Four World Cup-related documentaries will also be shown across the BBC channels, featuring David Beckham and Gary Lineker.
Gary Lineker will host the first programme on Wednesday,...
Gary Lineker will lead the presenting team during the football tournament, which includes Rio Ferdinand and Thierry Henry.
The TV studio will feature the backdrop of Rio de Janiero's Copacabana Beach, with 31 live games to be broadcast.
Live matches will be shown on BBC One, BBC One HD and the BBC Sport website. There will also be simultaneous games on BBC Three and BBC Three HD and the red button.
BBC Two and BBC Two HD will also air a daily morning highlights programme and full match replays of the day's best game after midnight.
There will be a total of over 160 hours of TV, which is over 50% more than the previous World Cup in 2010.
Four World Cup-related documentaries will also be shown across the BBC channels, featuring David Beckham and Gary Lineker.
Gary Lineker will host the first programme on Wednesday,...
- 5/7/2014
- Digital Spy
Director: Ben Turner, Gabe Turner; Starring: David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes; Running time: 99 minutes; Certificate: 12A
It feels like yesterday that Alan Hansen famously wrote off Manchester United's young side at the beginning of the 1995/96 Premier League season, insisting that "you'll never win anything with kids". Yet, here we are over 18 years later, still talking about that very team, enough to warrant a much-anticipated documentary.
The Class of 92 centres around six members of that season's winning side, who rose from the ranks of United's youth team to become some of the most celebrated players in the history of the game. On paper, one may feel this would be aimed purely at Manchester United fans, but soon after the initial introductions, this clearly isn't the case.
David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt take centre stage in the film,...
It feels like yesterday that Alan Hansen famously wrote off Manchester United's young side at the beginning of the 1995/96 Premier League season, insisting that "you'll never win anything with kids". Yet, here we are over 18 years later, still talking about that very team, enough to warrant a much-anticipated documentary.
The Class of 92 centres around six members of that season's winning side, who rose from the ranks of United's youth team to become some of the most celebrated players in the history of the game. On paper, one may feel this would be aimed purely at Manchester United fans, but soon after the initial introductions, this clearly isn't the case.
David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt take centre stage in the film,...
- 11/25/2013
- Digital Spy
Two moviegoers claim there was extra security at a weekend showing of Lee Daniels' The Butler just outside Washington, DC. The couple says the increased police presence led them to feel racially profiled. Tiffany Flowers, a labor organizer, tweeted about her experience at a Saturday evening showing at the Regal Majestic Theater in Silver Spring, Md, including seeing police officers in the theater and explaining that armed guards watched the mostly black audience while they watched the film. Flowers was accompanied by her spouse Alan Hanson. Read her tweets below. I'd like to take this time to express my utter
read more...
read more...
- 8/19/2013
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
David Beckham, one of England’s greatest ever players – and one of the best to grace the Premier League – retired yesterday at the age of 38.
“Becks”, or “Golden Balls”, as he had become known as by his legions of adoring fans, stepped down from the beutiful game much in the same way as he had started his storied career – as a winner.
His last club, Paris Saint-Germain, have just been crowned French champions meaning a career that has seen him play for the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan and Psg has now yielded 19 trophies, including 10 league titles.
It’s an astonishing record for a player who emerged as a shy and reserved youth academy player way back in 1993 and would later go on to take English football by storm by winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League throughout his decade-long stay at...
“Becks”, or “Golden Balls”, as he had become known as by his legions of adoring fans, stepped down from the beutiful game much in the same way as he had started his storied career – as a winner.
His last club, Paris Saint-Germain, have just been crowned French champions meaning a career that has seen him play for the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan and Psg has now yielded 19 trophies, including 10 league titles.
It’s an astonishing record for a player who emerged as a shy and reserved youth academy player way back in 1993 and would later go on to take English football by storm by winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League throughout his decade-long stay at...
- 5/17/2013
- by Joseph Dempsey
- Obsessed with Film
Experience is often underrated. The emphasis in English football on physical attributes such as pace, power, strength and aerial ability (plus the ability to ‘get stuck in’) all allude to the idea that it is a young man’s game. It is a long time since Alan Hansen said you don’t win anything with kids, and the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal refuse to offer their thirty-somethings anything better than one year extensions. In Frank Lampard’s case, there is no extension on the table and the latest word is the England international is free to move this month.
The media hype machine made Chelsea out to be the villains here, forcing a long time servant of the club out of the team, but the truth is more likely to be that whoever makes the decisions at Chelsea (your guess is as good as mine) had a...
The media hype machine made Chelsea out to be the villains here, forcing a long time servant of the club out of the team, but the truth is more likely to be that whoever makes the decisions at Chelsea (your guess is as good as mine) had a...
- 1/3/2013
- by Alan Frost
- Obsessed with Film
John Bishop and Heston Blumenthal are the latest stars to have joined the lineup for the upcoming Hillsborough charity single. Robbie Williams, Mel C and Paloma Faith are among the musicians who will record a cover of The Hollies classic 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' for a Christmas release. Guy Chambers will produce the track in support of families who lost loved ones at the Hillsborough stadium in April 1989. The recording of the track began at Metropolis Studio in Chiswick, London today (October 30), with Liverpool Fc's Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Everton Fc's Peter Reid in attendance. Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson will also (more)...
- 10/30/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Euro 2012 is proving to be a fabulous festival of football for sports fans. Even England haven't started off too badly (miracles will never cease!) in the Ukraine and Poland as the tournament heads into the second round of the group stage. But it isn't just on the field that the tackles are flying in and competition is high. The BBC and ITV are duking it out for the title of best Euro 2012 broadcaster and Digital Spy wants to know who is winning and who has scored an own goal with their efforts so far. Team BBC The reliable hands of Gary Lineker skipper the BBC ship, which is more understated than previous major tournaments, perhaps in preparation for the Olympics Monster on the horizon. Lineker and Match of the Day pals Alan Shearer, Alan Hanson and Lee Dixon have signed up Harry Redknapp, who joins Jurgen Klinsmann, Clarence Seedorf and...
- 6/13/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
England’s new manager, Roy Hodgson, was in attendance to see Chelsea defeat Bayern Munich and become European Champions last night in Munich.
Before the game Hodgson insisted that Chelsea would not be “underdogs” and said they had a “good chance” of winning at the Allianz Arena – which is incidentally the home of the beaten finalists.
Four Chelsea players will don the three lions this summer. Three of them – Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill – helped prove Hodgson’s confidence was not misplaced. The fourth, John Terry, sat in the stands after his semi-final red card against Barcelona.
Despite Terry’s absence, Hodgson believed Chelsea had a good shot at European glory without him. But by picking him for Euro 2012, he doesn’t seem to think England can do the same.
Critics of John Terry might say that “If Chelsea can without him, so can England”. They will point...
Before the game Hodgson insisted that Chelsea would not be “underdogs” and said they had a “good chance” of winning at the Allianz Arena – which is incidentally the home of the beaten finalists.
Four Chelsea players will don the three lions this summer. Three of them – Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill – helped prove Hodgson’s confidence was not misplaced. The fourth, John Terry, sat in the stands after his semi-final red card against Barcelona.
Despite Terry’s absence, Hodgson believed Chelsea had a good shot at European glory without him. But by picking him for Euro 2012, he doesn’t seem to think England can do the same.
Critics of John Terry might say that “If Chelsea can without him, so can England”. They will point...
- 5/20/2012
- by Sohail Malik
- Obsessed with Film
Does anybody remember Tottenham? That little London team I did a piece about yesterday? I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t, as Newcastle United quite justly stole their thunder this year.
Final League Position: 5th
Well, well, well, who’d have imagined this happening? Newcastle, 2 years after their promotion season, found themselves at the business end of the campaign battling for Champions League football. No you haven’t entered a time warp from the mid- 90s, this is the years great success story. They’ve managed to out hype promoted teams Norwich and ‘Plays just like Barcelona’ Swansea and be one of the most talked about performers of the season through, whisper it, a seemingly brilliant infrastructure put in place by the owners.
It’s a rather remarkable turn of events that can see fans who were outraged by Chris Hughton’s unjust sacking last season now disappointed...
Final League Position: 5th
Well, well, well, who’d have imagined this happening? Newcastle, 2 years after their promotion season, found themselves at the business end of the campaign battling for Champions League football. No you haven’t entered a time warp from the mid- 90s, this is the years great success story. They’ve managed to out hype promoted teams Norwich and ‘Plays just like Barcelona’ Swansea and be one of the most talked about performers of the season through, whisper it, a seemingly brilliant infrastructure put in place by the owners.
It’s a rather remarkable turn of events that can see fans who were outraged by Chris Hughton’s unjust sacking last season now disappointed...
- 5/19/2012
- by Luke Stevenson
- Obsessed with Film
EastEnders castmembers, Lord Alan Sugar, and Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer are among the stars set to appear in this year's Children In Need broadcast. Favourite faces from the BBC One soap will lead the appeal night with a musical tribute to Queen in Albert Square, while Sugar ditches the Apprentice boardroom to pitch in the Dragons' Den in a special segment. Reeves and Mortimer, meanwhile, have filmed several sketches for the telethon and Russell Howard will bring more laughs with a special edition of his Good News programme. Doctor Who fans can also expect a teaser of the upcoming Christmas special during the November 18 show. Celebrities including Harry Hill, Davina McCall, Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen will join The Muppets for a star-studded rendition of 'Manah, (more)...
- 11/2/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Video game movie tie-in’s have a difficult reputation to shake. Often produced cheaply and quickly to simply increase the profit and awareness of an upcoming movie, they are normally best avoided. Recent blockbusters like Iron Man 2 have followed this trend with lousy efforts, whilst consoles in the 80′s and 90′s were completely over-saturated with bad movie games. The awful Atari game based on Et was responsible for 1983′s video games crash, with the silly alien almost putting an abrupt end to the future of gaming.
In recent years, games based on movies are generally increasing in quality, with many developers putting care and attention into making something faithful to the film itself. In 2005 Rockstar brought us a brilliant beat-em-up based on The Warriors , while last years Toy Story 3 was a respectable and surprisingly deep game which even adults could enjoy.
Following our recent article on games which deserve...
In recent years, games based on movies are generally increasing in quality, with many developers putting care and attention into making something faithful to the film itself. In 2005 Rockstar brought us a brilliant beat-em-up based on The Warriors , while last years Toy Story 3 was a respectable and surprisingly deep game which even adults could enjoy.
Following our recent article on games which deserve...
- 8/10/2011
- by Stephen Leigh
- Obsessed with Film
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