Get a map of Africa and study the west coast of the continent. You’ll notice that between Angola and South Africa is the country of Namibia. Squint a bit closer and look further up the map and you’ll notice, between The Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo is a small area of land labelled as ‘Angola enclave’.

This is the now infamous Cabinda region, where yesterday’s attack on the Togo team bus that left at least three dead took place.

The point of this slightly sarcastic and quick geography lesson is to show that Cabinda is a long way away from South Africa. The distance is somewhat similar as London to Moscow. Geographically, what happens in an unstable enclave near the Congo should have absolutely no effect on the forthcoming World Cup in the Rainbow Nation.

South Africa does have problems with crime and safety. There are many questions and issues about the hosting of a tournament on the size and scale of the World Cup that need to be answered. But to conclude that this attack in Cabinda can be linked to South Africa, where England cricket fans are currently enjoying seeing the Three Lions maintain a 1-0 lead in the test series, is disingenuous to say the least.

Many football writers, pundits and managers, such as Phil Brown, have suggested the Togo shooting raises questions for the World Cup. It doesn’t. It’s like suggesting Serie A, or even the Premier League, should have been suspended while the Balkans conflict was ongoing. Comparing South Africa to Angola falls into the lazy old cliche of suggesting all Africa is the same. To be clear: it is a continent, not a country.

The Cabinda Conflict

To understand yesterday’s horrific attack on the Togo team bus requires a small amount of understand and context of the ongoing politics of the region. As with many conflicts around Africa, much of it comes down to natural resources, but there are also ethnic considerations as well.

For Angola, the 2010 African Cup of Nations was meant to be a matter of pride, showing off a country that, at the turn of the decade, was still in the grips of a long and bloody civil war, which only ended in 2002. The fighting in Cabinda went on much longer.

In 2006 the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) signed a peace accord with Angola but, as Just Football reports, FLEC is still active in the region and has recently discussed a merger with other rebel groups. FLEC also has a history of targeting high-profile foreigners.

Most of the small Cabinda region is jungle, but the area itself is very oil rich and contains a significant proportion of Angola’s total oil reserves. The Cabinda opposition groups regularly complain that the region does not see as much of this money as it deserves, while the Angolan government has constantly aimed to assert its authority on the region.

Indeed, just over a month ago Angolan government minister Antonio Bento Bembe announced that FLEC, as a group, no longer existed and that Cabinda, as a region, was safe. Such words were always likely to antagonise rebels, especially with such a high profile event taking place.

Tom Dunmore at Pitch Invasion has noted that Angola itself is no more dangerous than you’d expect it to be and the British Foreign Office notes ‘most visits to Angola are trouble free’. Even Cabinda’s capital city, also called Cabinda, is also safer than the majority of the region due to the oil money, but the American State Department’s travel advice warns against traveling to Cabinda’s northern region, which is incredibly dangerous.

With this background, it’s easy to understand why the attack took place. But question is how could it have happened?

An avoidable disaster?

With the conflict in and around Cabinda, the spotlight has to fall upon the Angolan authorities’ decision to stage group games in the Cabinda region. Along with Togo, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Ghana were all due to play there. These are teams that contain several globally recognisable stars.

Given FLEC’s history attacking high-profile targets, it seems strange that a region with an active, armed rebel movement was seen as an appropriate place to host African Cup of Nations games. Perhaps Angola wanted to show to the world that they were in control in Cabinda. If the venue was selected solely to prove a political point, then this is a shocking decision that, as we have seen, jeopardised the safety of those involved.

But there’s a further rather large question here: just why were Togo driving to Cabinda City via one of the more dangerous areas of the region, when the official advice was to fly to the Angolan capital, Luanda, and travel from there.

Geographically, Togo’s decision to travel by road made sense. Their training camp was in the Republic of Congo and a road journey is the most direct and logical way to reach Cabinda. But this does not bring security concerns into the equation. Surely it’s inconceivable that the squad was not, at the very least, briefed on the security situation.

Then there is the confusing statements from the Togolese FA and the Angolan authorities that they were unaware of the squad’s plans to travel by road. We know that the Sparrow Hawks’ bus was met by a security detail upon entering the region, so clearly somebody was aware of how the players were arriving.

It also wouldn’t be a surprise if the Togo squad and their football authority had engaged in one of their regular fallings-out. Togo’s appearance at the 2006 World Cup was overshadowed by a row over the payment of bonuses. The players and the Tologese FA are not on the best of terms. Was this a reason for their unusual travel arrangements?

This horrible, sickening attack has overshadowed what should have been a joyous occasion for Angola. Yet it’s also clear that this is a tragedy that was avoidable.

The future of the tournament

At the time of writing, it seems certain that Togo have pulled out of the tournament, a decision that you can’t blame them for. They’ve witnessed friends and colleagues gunned down. It puts football into perspective and nobody would expect them to want to play after the attack.

Questions have also been raised about whether the tournament should continue. Kartik Krishnaiyer at Set Piece Analysis has called for this year’s African Cup of Nations to be cancelled. But, back at Pitch Invasion, Tom Dunmore notes that both England and the United States have experienced terror attacks before major sporting events and have carried on, in defiance.

It’s easy to write this sitting in the relative safety of London, and I haven’t just seen colleagues killed in front of me, but I believe the tournament should continue, although the games in Cabinda should be moved.

The tournament can still showcase the best of African football, and Luanda is more secure than Cabinda. And to capitulate now shows those who committed the attack that their actions were successful.

If there are overriding security concerns, then by all means call it off. But if it is simply a case of moving games from Cabinda and stepping up already-high security then it should go ahead. The spirit of football should not be defeated.

But, to finish, football should be a matter of joy. It is a game that has the potential to unite countries that desperately need hope. There will always be rivalries and, yes, violence. But no game is worth the life of a player, coach, bus driver, or fan. It should be a sport that brings people together not, as some have done, used it to settle a score, be it African politics, or tribal club loyalties.

Our thoughts remain with those were were injured or killed, their friends and their families.

“Togo, Angola, and the World Cup” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Togo, Angola, and the World Cup is a post from: Football Reloaded

With the January football sales fast approaching, it’s time for every manager to start compiling their transfer window wish list. With plenty of young talent coming through, don’t be surprised if these names feature heavily in transfer tittle-tattle, as their respective managers hang huge price tags around their necks to deter any would-be suitors. Yes, it’s time for Soccerlens’ guide to the cream of the crop of Football League youngsters.

1. Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield Town)
The footballing gods may see this as karma. Ten years ago, Ipswich snatched fans favourite Marcus Stewart to Portman Road. This season it’s payback for the Yorkshire team, who snapped up 19-year-old Rhodes after his release from Ipswich in the summer. Already the Terriers leading scorer with 14 goals this season, Rhodes is one of those fearless teenagers who can score from nearly anywhere on the pitch and could help fire Huddersfield to promotion. Roy Keane would be forgiven for casting laser-like glances in the direction of the Galpharm.

2. Danny Seaborne (Exeter City)
Six months ago Seaborne’s career appeared to be going the way of many a young footballer. After coming through the ranks at St James Park and captaining the side to their Conference playoff victory at Wembley at the tender age of 21, Seaborne found himself out of favour and was tipped to be released in the summer. But the centre-half has refocused and is arguably Exeter’s most improved player this season. Norwich have already made a bid for him and with his current deal expiring in June, plenty of clubs could be in for the Barnstaple born defender.

3. Charlie Austin (Swindon Town)
If Swindon fans were crying into their foaming Wiltshire ale at the departure of top-scorer Simon Cox to West Brom in the summer, then they’re currently raising a glass to his replacement, Charlie Austin. Manager Danny Wilson picked up the 20-year-old from Poole Town, where he’d scored 64 goals in 59 appearances. The former Reading trainee has carried that form into League One, where his poachers instinct has seen him net four in the last three games. Like Cox, he could find a move to the Championship in the offing.

4. Jonjo Shelvey (Charlton Athletic)
Not many 17-year-olds would turn down the chance to join a Champions League club, but teenager Shelvey decided he would be better off playing League One football for Charlton this season. The Addicks youngest ever player, the Romford-born player operates as an attacking midfielder or second striker and has already clocked up 32 appearances and five goals. Manager Phil Parkinson has been using him sparingly, but Shelvey is a big part of Charlton’s future and it’s surely a matter of when not if he moves into the Premier League.

5. John Bostock (Brentford, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
Perhaps Jonjo Shelvey had John Bostock in mind when he turned down a move to the Premier League. Bostock made his debut for Crystal Palace aged just 15 before being snapped up by Spurs for a paltry initial £700,000, something that had Palace chairman Simon Jordan frothing at the mouth. Bar a couple of substitute appearances in the UEFA cup, the 17-year-old was loaned out to Brentford to get more first team action, and immediately bagged a brace on his debut. Far too good for League One, the question is does Harry Redknapp fancy him enough at White Hart Lane.

6. Alex Smithies (Huddersfield Town)
Two Huddersfield players in this list? Some may say its a clear case of Soccerlens’ Yorkshire bias, but the rest would point to the fact that Smithies is part of the reason the Terriers are flying high in League One at the moment. Lee Clark’s men may be free-scoring but their defence is less than sound and the 19-year-old goalkeeper has often come to the rescue, catching the eye with a string of impressive performances between the sticks. Stoke and Spurs are rumoured to be interested and Smithies is surely destined for a higher level.

7. Adam Le Fondre (Rotherham)
At 23 Le Fondre may be pushing the definition of young but such have been his performances this season that he deserves a mention, and may just be at that age of last chance for a big move. He’s certainly going about it the right way – always highly-rated at Rochdale, the Millers broke the bank to take the striker to Rotherham this August. He’s repaid their faith with 14 goals in 19 starts and is one of the main reasons why Ronnie Moore’s men are pushing for a return to League One.

8. Craig Dawson (Rochdale)
If Rochdale are to end 35 years in league basement, then keeping hold of the likes of Dawson will be vital to the Dale. Still only 19, the defender started his career at Ratcliffe Borough before Rochdale fought off competition from a host of other clubs to sign the classy youngster. Ever-present for Keith Hill’s men this season, he’s helped Dale to a goal difference of 23 already this season. Rochdale are traditionally a selling club but if they can hold onto Dawson this January they stand a great chance of going up.

9. Ashley Westwood (Crewe)
Crewe may have made an indifferent start to life in League Two but their ability to produce great young talent is undiminished and 19-year-old Westwood is the latest star in the making to roll out of the Alex’s academy. A tenacious midfielder, Westwood has been ever-present since Dario Gradi re-took the reigns at Gresty Road and was recently rewarded with a new contract, tying him to the club until 2012. It will be a surprise if somebody doesn’t try to prise him away before then.

10. Brett Pitman (Bournemouth)
One of the few pieces of joy to emerge from the financial chaos at Bournemouth over the past few season has been the ongoing improvement of Jersey-born Pitman. Having signed for the Cherries at 16, he was thrust into the fray during one of Bournemouth’s periodical financial meltdowns and has slowly thrived. Now 21, the tricky striker has matured nicely, netting 11 times this season and playing a huge part in the Cherries unlikely push for promotion this season.

Of course, there’s some fine youngsters turning out for other clubs up and down the league, so tell us if you agree with the list and who you think is heading for a bright future in 2010.

“10 Football League youngsters to watch in 2010” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

10 Football League youngsters to watch in 2010 is a post from: Football Reloaded

Sara Mathew and Amber Allen spent over £9,000 to watch one Oldham Athletic game, despite know nothing about football or Oldham. And now they’re planning on doing it all again this winter. Gary Andrews speaks to the American students who take the definition of football fanatics to a new level.

Standing on an unfamiliar backstreet in one of the less pleasant areas in South East London trying desperately to get hold of their taxi driver, Sara Mathew, a 24-year-old medical student from California, and her friend Amber Allen stood wondering if they’d get back home without getting attacked or worse.

The pair had, on a whim, flown to England to stand in the away end at Millwall’s New Den to watch a sport they new nothing about in a City they knew even less. One thing they knew, though, was almost everybody they’d met had warned them the streets around Millwall’s ground were not the safest areas to be, especially for two foreign girls late at midnight.

Yet these newly-converted Oldham supporters had flown 11,000 miles to watch their new favourite team play, and they weren’t going to let the small matter of being stranded in Bermondsey dampen their enthusiasm for the Latics.

Happily the girls made it back alive after finding a bus stop to take them back to central London, much to the amazement of the people in their hotel. “They were, like, I can’t believe you didn’t get attacked,” giggles Amber as she recalls the August night from earlier this year. “We were at this bus stop, it was midnight, we couldn’t reach our driver, and we were just saying ‘Oh my God.’”

This slightly strange tale starts in May in the Cayman Islands, where the two medical students were (and still are) on placement and get chatting into a group of footballers on holiday. We’ve all been star struck by chance encounters with the architects of the beautiful game, but few of us would fly half way around the world to watch a League One team play away at Millwall. And then come back for more as a result.

A short while after meeting a group of Huddersfield Town footballers on the islands, the girls got involved in a construction deal that fell through, costing them somewhere in the region of $36m if the video of their exploits is to be believed.

“It was a bad time,” says 23-year-old Amber, who met Sara after moving from Florida to California to attend med school. “There was a lot of money lost.” But while most would drown their sorrows of a lost fortune at the bar, the girls decided the best way to deal with this setback was to fly to England and watch their first ever football game, involving one of the players they’d met on holiday.

“We didn’t tell them we were coming,” says Sara. “We just found out who they were and decided to go out there.”

“Our families were dead against the idea, they didn’t know what we were doing” says Amber. “We didn’t know anybody out there, we just decided to go for it.”

Such was their lack of planning that, 11,000 miles and £9,000 later, the girls arrived in London with nowhere to stay and no idea where they were going. “We were literally dragging our suitcases around London for two days, we had nowhere to stay” says Sara. “We got lost for four hours in a ten mile radius.

Undeterred, the girls pressed on and got their ticket for their first ever soccer game – Millwall versus Oldham Athletic. The New Den wouldn’t necessarily be first on the list for any football fan to visit, let alone as a first game as an away fan, not knowing anybody else in the ground. But that was the game the girls chose.

“People were like ‘You’re going to die’,” says Sara. “We were traveling around and telling people why we were here and what we were going to do, and everybody kept telling us we were crazy. We were staying in a hostel and people kept telling us not to go.”

If this seems like a strange choice of game, there was a rationale behind it. One of the players Sara had gotten to know in the Cayman Islands, Jon Worthington, had been transferred from Huddersfield to Oldham during the summer, so the Latics were adopted as the girls’ team. The Millwall game came from a fascination with English hooligan culture after watching Green Street and other similar films.

“That intrigued us,” said Amber. “We’d never seen anything quite like it before and didn’t know what to make of it. We’ve got NFL and that over here, but you never get anything like that. Do you guys have people attacking each other every game?” I assure the girls that, with the exception of Millwall against West Ham, that’s not the case.

But before the pair took their trip to South Bermondsey, they decided they had to stock up on Oldham merchandise. So, after flying into London for a game at Millwall they did what any self-respecting fanatic would do and took a trip to Oldham, to an empty Boundary Park to pick up the Oldham essentials.

Unfortunately, the girls arrived close to closing time and the staff refused to print Jon Worthington’s name on the back of a Latics shirt, although this part of the story has a happy ending. Once Oldham’s managing director, Simon Corney, heard of the girls’ exploits, he arranged for a named jersey, and other kit, to be sent out to the pair.

If the Oldham staff were a little surprised at the two girls turning up on a non-match day to load up with merchandise, Millwall fans and stewards were even more confused. “Nobody quite knew what to make of us,” says Sara. “Even the policeman thought we were insane.”

The match itself wasn’t the most memorable to Latics fans, who made the journey back to Manchester on the back of a 2-0 defeat, while Sara and Amber were left to ponder the finer nature of the game in the backstreets of Bermondsey while waiting for a non-existent taxi to turn up.

On returning to the states, the girlsposted a video of their exploits in Britain (below), which quickly become a minor internet sensation leading to an interview on Talksport and a piece in the Sun, much to Sara’s bemusement. “I went away for a few days and when I came back it had got all these views – I don’t know how, somebody must have posted it on their blog or something.”

But while Oldham fan took the girls to their hearts, the Millwall faithful were less impressed. “Millwall hate us,” giggles Amber. “There was their thread on their message board going on about how awful we are.” But the girls and Millwall may at least have one small thing in common. “We’re fine, they don’t like us, we don’t care. We’re just having fun.”

Having caught the footballing bug well and truly at the New Den – they now listen to commentary from every game online – the girls resolved to watch an Oldham home game at Boundary Park and will be flying over for the Latics game against Exeter City later this year.

“We’re really excited,” says Sara. “We’ve never been insider Boundary Park before. I don’t know what to expect. I think we might do the half-time draw or something, and go down the White Lion after the game.” She pauses. “I’m not really sure what that means.

“Everything’s been really bizarre, you know, from getting on the plane to getting lost and going to all these different places. People are now asking us to do all these interviews, we’re getting messages from the club’s owners. It’s really cool.”

Impressively, they’ve posted another video (below) detailing their research into the Exeter team, displaying a level of depth to their research skills that would put many journalists to shame. “We’ve done the same kind of research for some of Oldham opponents. We did it for Leicester, Leeds, and Millwall. We couldn’t find much information on Exeter though,” says Amber

Their Exeter City research video shows why the girls struggled with finding out information about the club. Other than Michael Jackson’s short-lived directorship, and the official club website, the most detail information they found was a YouTube video song comparing much-maligned former City striker Steve Flack to a giraffe.

Exeter fans were just as confused as the two girls were over the Grecians history when the pair signed up to the fan message board Exeweb, with many assuming it was a wind-up. But once the girls had proved their credentials, Exeter fans started warming to them and the feeling, it appears is mutual.

“Exeter fans are a lot friendlier than other fans, and we’re getting quite fond of them,” says Sara. “We’d definitely quite like to go to Exeter for a game as well.”

But Oldham is definitely where the girls’ hearts are and, after their flying visit in December, when they’ve already been approached to appear on Sky’s Soccer AM, the girls are planning to return for another game in January. Not that they’re any more prepared than their first visit.

“We still don’t really have anywhere to stay,” say Sara. “And we’ve been told Boundary Park’s the coldest ground in England. That might be a problem, as we don’t really have any winter clothes, living in the Cayman Islands.”

“I only have flip-flops,” says Amber. Somehow you suspect flip-flops or no flip-flops, Amber and Sara will be on the terraces whatever the weather. Boundary Park won’t know what’s hit it.

Editor: Sara Mathews is an avid video blogger as well – here’s her profile on Vimeo.

“A transat-latic love affair” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

A transat-latic love affair is a post from: Football Reloaded

Rio Ferdinand is perhaps one of the more unlikely of digital ambassadors. Before yesterday’s online-only broadcast of Ukraine v England, the defender offered his opinion on the unique way the game would be broadcast to the nation.

“I’m sure it’ll be the way forward and in the future it’ll probably be the reality. I think it’s a good way to gauge how many people are interested,” Ferdinand told BBC Sport. The Manchester United man’s view was one shared by many online who breathlessly predicted it would change the face of sports broadcasting. Perhaps the digital question was still playing in his head, judging by his performance in the game.

On the naysaying side came those who claimed that the online stream would fall prey to all matter of technical gremlins and would be watched by no-one. The reality, as is usually the case in these matters, was somewhere in between.

The impasse

It’s worth taking a moment, though, to recap how we reached the case that an England World Cup Qualifier wasn’t available to watch on a TV screen across the country.

When England fans chanted “We hate Setanta” at the Andorra qualifier in Barcelona last year, they should have been careful what they wished for.

The rights for the game, held by the Ukranian FA, were originally held by Setanta Sports. When the broadcaster went bust, the rights went to Swiss agency Kentaro, who looked to sell them on. The problem was no terrestrial broadcaster was biting.

Had England’s qualification not been assured, then it’s certain that one of the broadcasters, either on pay-per-view or free-to-air, would have snapped up the game, no matter how inflated the price.

But, with the game a dead rubber from England’s perspective, the appetite wasn’t there to pay the reported £3m Kentaro were looking for, with each broadcaster having their specific reasons for not meeting the asking price.

The English FA had nothing to do with the rights for this away qualifier so couldn’t come to the aid of frustrated fans, so Kentaro, looking for the best financial deal, employed internet broadcaster Perform to show the game across the internet via a pay-per-view website.

Several national newspapers also took up the option to show the game on their websites, while the Odeon cinema chain also opened its doors to football fans. Most crucially, the game was not available in pubs, although many hooked up projectors and streams.

Not quite ground-breaking

The broadcast itself went reasonably smoothly, with Perform calling it “an extremely successful and ground-breaking project.” Both these claims, while true in some regards, can be questioned.

The website itself was set to be capped at one million subscribers to preserve the quality of the broadcast, but it’s unlikely this limit was reached. Perform haven’t released any figures but have suggested the number of viewers was close to half a million.

However, this number takes into account the viewers in the 12 Odeon cinemas, as well the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which screen the game for free to troops around the globe. Bet 365 customers also got to see the game for free. The actual number who paid to watch was estimated to be between 250,000 and 300,000.

The project itself can hardly be described as ground-breaking either. Perform had already screened internet-only Europa League games for Manchester City, while streams of games, both legal and illegal, are watched by fans all around the globe. The only difference this time around was the high-profile nature of the game.

And while Perform may be pleased with the number of fans who chose to subscribe, not everybody was singing the website’s praises. Ian Ridley in the Mail was one critic and concluded:

“Sport is supposed to be a shared experience, a celebration of the human spirit, which is why so many still buy tickets when a match is live on television, why so many congregate in pubs and clubs – the modern terraces – if they cannot get in.”

Not everybody would have had the capacity to watch the game either. I was one of them. On Saturday, I was in a part of the country where slow broadband speeds and a slow computer would have rendered the game nigh-on unwatchable.

Conclusions, if any can be made

In many respects, it’s difficult to know what the conclude from this internet ‘experiment’. The set of circumstances that led to the broadcast were unique and unlikely to be repeated in the near future. Illegal streams will always attracted a sizable number of fans, but, at the current time, these are unlikely to come anywhere near the figures for people watching at home or in the pub.

What is does create is an interesting option for the future. There will undoubtedly be more opportunities for the likes of Perform, albeit not for such high-profile games in the near-future, and the company have shown they can pull off a high-level broadcast. They can now genuinely call themselves a player in the world of football rights, although at what level remains to be seen.

The internet is also changing the way TV is viewed, but event television, such as football matches and big reality shows, is still about watching it live rather than viewing on a catch-up service at a later date. Will so many matches over the course of the season, sporting events have a limited lifespan in this regard, unlike dramas.

Yet the appetite for to watch England lose 1-0 in the Ukraine was evident by the fact 4.3m tuned into the BBC highlights later that evening, despite the broadcaster being unable to announce they’d struck a deal until after the game, so Perform and Kentaro could maximise their revenue.

Live football on the internet, if the Ukraine game is anything to go by, will become part of our future, but is unlikely to be the complete future just yet. Those who dislike the idea of watching matches on a platform that isn’t TV will probably have to get used to the idea, but those who envisaged this changing the way we view football may want to reign in the hyperbole.

Currently, the broadcasting on this one game can be seen as an oddity and little more. It’s genuinely too early to tell if Perform’s service is significant at this point in time. The FA are unlikely to want this situation to happen again in a hurry.

And to any England fan who missed out on the game, they should take comfort in the fact they don’t support the United States. Bob Bradley’s team secured qualification for the World Cup in a vital away qualifier in Honduras. But the Honduran federation sold the rights to a Spanish media company, meaning the game was only available on closed-circuit television. Now that is definitely not the future.

“Welcome to the future of football” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Welcome to the future of football is a post from: Football Reloaded

England qualifications are not used to happen this way. Where was the last-gasp heroic goal, the nervous, stuttering qualification that went down to the wire, the sharpening of knives for the manager? Where was the unconvincing qualification, overlooked as assorted players and journalists chest-thumped that, having qualified, England could go onto win it, fooling nobody in the process?

Slaven Bilic wasn’t wrong in some respects when he said England have lost their ‘Englishness’. On the field, the Three Lions came out the blocks flying and never let up. If this were a race, England would be Usain Bolt such was their dominance against Croatia.

Yet manager Fabio Capello hasn’t exactly been talking up his team’s chances just yet, and is probably right not to do so. England go into the World Cup in great form, but there’s still plenty of obstacles in their path to potential glory.

The hand of Fab

Not that you’d know it from qualification. Even if there have been a few unconvincing performances, such as Andorra and the first 45 minutes against Kazakhstan, England have done what was required of them with ease, with Wednesday night the peak, so far, of the transformation of a battered and bruised team who couldn’t each Euro 2008.

Croatia, for all their ineptitude against England, are still not a bad side, even if they’re not quite at the same level as the generation of Suker, Prosinecki et al. But England were unrecognisable from their last meeting at Wembley.

Every ball mattered, every attack seemed capable of producing a goal. There was an enviable mixture of steel and flair and, quite simply, many England players turned in some of their best ever performances in a national shirt.

At the heart of all this stands the influence of Capello, a man who still raged on the touchline when Croatia pulled back to 4-1. Don Fabio is not a man who tolerates lapses, no matter how far in front his team is.

A lesser manager may have bowed to public opinion by giving Jermaine Defoe a start, but Capello persists with the unfashionable Emile Heskey, who is a vital cog to the way England play. Few will bet against the Italian leading England to South Africa after a flawless qualification (there are still games against Ukraine and Belarus to come).

But even while the country celebrates, and tabloids find themselves in the unusual position of showering praise upon the current incumbent, Capello will know the job has only just begun. England can tentatively describe themselves as world class now, even if they are far from being the best in the world.

The contenders

The team that lined up for the 2-0 loss against Spain in February may be somewhat different from the one that took to the field at Wembley, but the European Champions still laid down a marker that night, reaffirming that they are the team to beat in Europe.

Like England, Spain have coasted through their qualification group, their heart composed of Barcelona’s finest who conquered all this season in Europe. Add the likes of Torres, David Silva, David Villa, and Xabi Alonso to Iniesta and Xavi and you have a mouthwatering selection of talents that work well as a team.

Currently Spain should be considered joint favourites, along with Brazil, who look ominously good. It is not inconceivable that England may have to defeat one, or even both teams, if they are to win the World Cup.

For a team that has built itself on the myth of samba football, Brazil are set up to win games, something they do very efficiently. Dunga may not be a popular coach with the Brazilian public, but he gets results.

While Spain are all about passing, movement and generally beguiling opponents, Brazil are built on a ruthlessly efficient counter attacking model. Quite simply, the South Americans can comfortably soak up pressure before breaking with speed and efficiency and giving lesser sides little chance. It is a team built in the model of the playing style of their coach.

Behind Brazil and Spain come familiar faces as the rest of the world jostles for the ‘best of the rest’ title. Holland have walked through their group, although will always be fighting themselves as much as the opposition.

The others

Then you have Italy and Germany, neither of whom are yet through to South Africa and neither of whom have impressed. But qualification form counts for little in the tournaments and somehow you always see these names towards the latter end of the tournament. It would seem strange to even mention Italy given their current state, but they can never be discounted.

From CONACAF, the USA have shown in the Confederations Cup that they will be no pushovers, while Mexico are resurgent following their discarding of Sven, while any of the teams in the South American group will fancy their chances of an upset.

And England would be right to be cautious of a selection of African teams, should they qualify. Cameroon have started to look like a very decent side under Paul Le Guen, while the Ivory Coast contains world class players like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure. Both teams may quietly fancy their chances of a good run in the competition.

But South Africa is still a whole season away and much can happen in this time period. England wouldn’t be England without an injury scare and it would only take one of Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard or John Terry to drop out and the squad takes on a very different look.

There is also the danger of complacency, although this is something Capello is unlikely to stand for. Nonetheless, forthcoming fixtures against Ukraine and Belarus will come as something of an anti-climax and anything less than convincing wins could attract criticism.

But there’s something different about this England team – the players look like they believe they can win every game. Capello will need to draw every ounce of this mental strength if England are to succeed in a competition where there will be no easy games.

The Three Lions may not yet be the best in the world, and still have work to do if they want to be considered as such, but they are also in the best shape since 1966 to make a stint at taking the famous trophy back to these shores.

“England qualify in style but let’s not assume the trophy’s coming home just yet” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

England qualify in style but let’s not assume the trophy’s coming home just yet is a post from: Football Reloaded

The only surprising thing about the violence at Upton Park in the Carling Cup tie between West Ham and Millwall was that anybody was surprised by it.

From the moment the draw was made, all the signs of trouble were there. Two clubs with supporters from the lower-end who genuinely hate each other. Check. Four years since last game between the two, with future meetings unlikely in the near future. Check. Low key game unlikely to usually attract a big crowd. Check. Evening kick-off. Check.

What happened last night was a reminder that the ugly side of the beautiful game has never really gone away, but (hopefully) it would also be presuming a lot to say we’re about to see a return to the bad old days of British football in the 80s.

Last night was a night when, for what of a better turn of phrase, the idiots were out in full force. There is nothing more than you can say about those who got involved in a night where nobody, bar, as twohundredpercent note, Jack Collison, the young West Ham midfielder playing on after the death of his father, emerged with any credit.

The police could and should have done better. The stewards could and should have done better to prevent the West Ham fans invade the pitch not just once but three times. And those who invaded the pitch should have definitely known better.

All eyes will now be on the authorities to see how they’ll react, and there’s a fine line to tread here as well. Fines and banning orders will no doubt be the order of the day, although you suspect many of those involved outside the ground probably already have one, or aren’t exactly regulars at Upton Park these days.

If the punishment is too lenient, though, it sends the wrong message to the mindless idiots who ran riot last night. But there’s always the danger the police – and government – could use it as an excuse to turn the screw even further on ordinary, law-abiding football fans.

David Conn has a report today of Sunderland fans complaining about police treatment, while in recent years officers have been somewhat wide-ranging in applying Section 27 of the 2006 Violent Crime Reduction Act.

Stoke and Plymouth fans have both had this applied to them – forcing them to be contained and prevented from watching ties against Manchester United and Doncaster Rovers respectively. The Football Supporters’ Federation has been campaigning around this issue.

These, then, are realistic potential by-products of last night. Nobody is saying the police don’t have a difficult job when it comes to hooliganism (for anybody interested, figures on football violence are here), and football is now safer to watch, largely, than it has ever been. Long may that continue.

But it only takes one incident for the situation to change and the fall-out from last night could be wide reaching. Fines and life bans are not enough.

Hard as it seems on West Ham, who have endured a week you wouldn’t wish on any club, they should be thrown out of this year’s competition and forced to play at least one game behind closed doors.

Millwall, who all too frequently seem to find themselves at the centre of these events, should also face punishment (although it seems as if Hammers fans were slightly worse of the two last night. Not that this is any excuse), again in the form of a closed doors match.

Hitting both the club and fans (not that you can call those who got involved last night fans) where it hurts may make both buck up their ideas. Hooliganism is, sadly, unlikely to be eradicated from the English game. But individual clubs can go a long way to ensure we don’t return to the bad old days.

“West Ham and Millwall remind us that hooliganism is still alive and well” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

West Ham and Millwall remind us that hooliganism is still alive and well is a post from: Football Reloaded

Soccerlens’ Football League preview reaches its climax ahead of the big kick-off this weekend, with The Championship playing a starring role.

There’s plenty of big names battling it out for a money-spinning place in the Premiership, so read for our views on who’ll be mixing it with Manchester United next season, who’ll be lowering themselves into League One, and our prediction for Newcastle’s season.

Bluffer’s guide to the league

Even in the days when it was the old Second Division, the league that isn’t the top flight has been well regarded. Known as The Championship since 2004, it’s the richest second-tier league anywhere in the world. The playoff final is often referred to as the most valuable game in the world due to the riches on offer from the Premier League for one season before the inevitable relegation.

If The Championship were a football it would be…

Craig Bellamy. Not quite as good as it thinks it is, but there’s enough class to be able to mix it with the best from time to time. Never quite convinces at the highest level but exciting to watch and genuinely unpredictable.

Last season in a Tweet

Wolves take the title despite a mid-season dip. Nearest challengers also fall over themselves not to win the league. Ex-Premier League teams make up the bottom three.

Tables toppers

In a league where none of the relegated three from the Premier League look quite capable of lighting up the Championship, Sheffield United look a good bet for the title. Although the Blades stumbled in the playoffs, they have the momentum behind them and, at times, looked the best team in the league. There’s plenty of firepower and creativity in the side (Ched Evans is a good signing) and Kevin Blackwell’s side will the the ones to beat.

Promotion pushers

Never underestimate the power of Roy Keane. You can ask questions about his ability to manage in the Premier League but he took Sunderland up from the Championship and should do the same with Ipswich Town. Owner Marcus Evans has deep pockets and Keane has already set about building a squad for promotion. The Tractor Boys know what’s expected of them and Keane is the man to lead them to it.

Playoff prospects

Had Tony Mowbray stayed at West Brom and kept the vultures at bay for the Baggies best players, we’d have made them title favourites. As it is, they should comfortably make the playoffs. Roberto Di Matteo is new to this level but did well with the MK Dons and, in Simon Cox and Rueben Reid has signed players with potential but no proven experience at this level. A lot rests on whether the Baggies can hold onto the likes of Jonathan Greening until the transfer window shuts.

Gareth Southgate has quietly been going about his business at Middlesborough this close season and despite the departure of Stewart Downing, likely to be followed by that of Tuncay, but Boro still have a very strong squad. If Southgate can refocus his troops then expect the Teesiders to be challenging for an immediate return.

Reading should have been good enough to head straight back to the Premier League. As it was they occasionally lost their way last season, and new boss Brendan Rodgers may find it hard to turn them into title contenders. Kevin Doyle may be gone but the Hunt brothers will always be dangerous and the Royals should play some of the most eye-catching football in the division again.

Preston are getting to be a fixture in the playoffs without ever being quite good enough to make the step up to the Premier League. Alan Irvine has slowly put together a very good team that may not be high on star quality but North End will again be tough to break down and may fly under the radar again. Other teams should not underestimate them.

Outside bet

There’s plenty of other teams – Swansea, Cardiff and QPR – who’ll be challenging for the playoffs but keep an eye on Derby County. This will be Nigel Clough’s first full season in charge and all the signs are he could replicate his success with Burton. He’s signed players he knows like Jake Buxton and Dean Moxey and has revitalised a club badly in need of a pick-me-up. Clough will be in for the long haul but the Rams may yet surprise many.

Relegation fodder

Barnsley may have just managed to keep themselves in the Championship in recent seasons but this could be a fight too far. Simon Davey’s team will give it their all but with two strong teams promoted from League 1 and their rivals have strengthened. The Yorkshire club have what it takes to compete at this level, but may need a season in the division below to realise it.

Scunthorpe won a lot of friends by beating MK Dons then Millwall in the League One playoffs last season but it won’t be an easy season in the Championship for the Iron. Nigel Adkins is a good young manager but with the resources at his disposal and the quality of oter teams in the division, Scunthorpe may have to settle for being a yo-yo club.

Blackpool have Ian Holloway as manager and if anybody can save the Tangerines from the drop it’s the outspoken manager from Bristol. Holloway had fellow relegation rivals Plymouth punching well above their weight but his record is somewhat tainted by relegation at Leicester. Much will rest on new signing Jason Euell but even his goals won’t be enough for ‘Pool.

Joker in the pack

Newcastle United, in every sense of the word. After a pre-season of complete inertia with no takeover, no manager and no new players, the Toon are an utter mystery ahead of the season. On paper, the ‘biggest club in the Championship’ looked strong enough to bounce back but many of the squad are looking for an exit and there’s no telling how a bunch of players who looked uninspired last season will fare outside of the Premier League. Death or glory, or, quite probably, mediocrity, awaits.

Solid gold gaffer

Gary Johnson has a knack of getting the best out of teams that are more than the sum of their parts. Defied expectation that Bristol City would head straight back down to League One by turning them into playoff contenders and will continue to do so this time around.

Three players to watch

Simon Cox was hot property in League One last season, topping the scoring table for the division in an average Swindon side. West Brom have paid £2m for his services, and the youngster has much to prove as the Baggies look to fire their way back to the Premier League.

Craig Noone has come a long way since coming up through the ranks at non-league Skelmersdale United. The midfielder leapt from the Blue Square North to the Championship when Plymouth Argyle signed him last season and he was a rare bright spot as the Pilgrims struggled. Wigan and Sunderland were rumoured to be interested and Noone will be a key player again for the Devon club.

George Boyd has already more than justified his record-breaking £260,000 move to Peterborough three years ago. Now the 23-year-old has his chance to make his mark on the Championship. Tipped by many to reach the Premier League, expect the former Stevenage man to terrorise defenders again this season.

Also See:

09/10 League One – Season Preview
09/10 League Two – Season Preview
09/10 Blue Square Premier – Season Preview

“The Championship 2009/10 Season Preview” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

The Championship 2009/10 Season Preview is a post from: Football Reloaded

We’re now over halfway through Soccerlens’ full season preview ahead of the big League kickoff this weekend. Today we’re up to League 1, which contains fallen ex-Premier League teams Leeds, Charlton, Norwich and Southampton as well as smaller teams like Yeovil, Exeter and Wycombe.

Can the Saints overcome their points deduction, can Brentford keep on their buzz after winning League Two? Read on…

Bluffer’s guide to the League

The third tier of English football is often overlooked. There’s none of the relegation from the League drama, nor the potential of promotion to the Premier League, but there’s still a mix of the big clubs, the ambitious and thestrugglers. Four clubs have been in the Premier League while five have done their time in non-league. All are in the mix.

If League One were a footballer it would be…

Phil Neville. Not exactly pretty to look at but often seriously underrated. Has a lot of past glories but is capable of producing a surprise and challenging for a higher spot despite competing in an area with less cash than bigger teams.

Last season in a Tweet

Leeds pay for a slow start, Leicester dominate, Peterborough and MK Dons keep up their promotion momentum, Scunthorpe win over neutrals, heartache for Northampton.

Table toppers

Last season we confidently predicted Leeds would be champions. Wiping the egg off our face, we’ll confidently predict THIS will be Leeds’ year. Simon Grayson already has one promotion to his name with Blackpool. Even with Fabian Delph departing, the whole squad has quality and United will be keen to avoid the playoffs, where they have a habit of choking.

Promotion pushers

Much as it hurts to write this, MK Dons are probably best placed to take the second promotion spot. The club others love to hate have got plenty of cash behind them and have spent it wisely. PaulInce will be looking to prove a point on his return after his short-lived time at Blackburn. Losing Sean O’Hanlon to injury is a blow but the Dons should be strong enough to survive this. Sadly.

Playoff prospects

The focus will be on the ‘big three’ relegated from the Championship last season, and of those Norwich City looked best placed to be challenging at the top of the table. Manager Bryan Gunn has built a squad from scratch and they’ve gelled well in pre -season. The team has experience and quality and if Grant Holt can make the step up a division then the Canaries could be singing again.

Huddersfield United had a disappointing season by their standards last season but the board have got out their cheque book for rookie manager Lee Clark. Although the ex-Newcastle man is untested, there’s much to suggest the Terriers have what it takes to push into the top six. Peter Clarke will be a solid signing at the back.

Last season Millwall fell short at the final hurdle but despite a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front, look at have a squad that can again challenge for a play-off place. Neil Harris will again be the focal point for the attack but keep an eye on new signing Steve Morison.

Southend United’s squad may not be littered with eye-catching names but Steve Tilson’s side will still be very difficult to beat. Run out of steam last season as they looked to bounce back to the Championship but the Shrimpers have a strong, settled squad and could be this season’s surprise package.

Outside bet

Charlton Athletic’s fans will be demanding an immediate return to the Championship, but the debt-ridden club may find League One tough going. On paper, then Addicks squad isn’t bad but much depends on how they can pick themselves up after a disastrous last season. May have to settle for consolidation rather than promotion.

Relegation fodder

Since reaching the playoff final in 2007, Yeovil Town have found it tough going in League One and have struggled for form and consistency. Terry Skiverton is a popular figure at Huish Park but lacks experience and his appointment felt like a cheap option. With strong teams coming into the division, the Glovers could get squeezed in a long season.

Carlisle United are another team who’ve found the going tough since a storming first season in League One and only just escaped relegation on the final day of last season. There is experience and talent in the squad but Greg Abbot is working under budget constraints and theCumbrians are still looking short in key areas.

Traditionally one of the promoted sides will struggle in League One and Wycombe are likely to be that team. They’ve suffered off-the-pitch instability and limped over the promotion line rather than sprinting. Already hit hard by injuries, Peter Taylor will need every ounce of his experience to keep theChairboys up.

Stockport County are another side that have had their problems behind-the-scenes and a new, untested manager in Gary Ablett. The former Liverpool player can expect a tough season and still needs to add to a very small squad short on talent. Goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams is a decent shot stopper and could be called into action more than he’d like this coming season.

Joker In The Pack

Southampton are starting life in the third tier for the first time in 50 years but have spent much of the summer fighting off liquidation. The Saints start on minus ten, and new boss AlanPardew will have to rouse his squad into life quickly. It’s impossible to tell if the south coast club will struggle or storm up the table.

Solid gold gaffer

Russell Slade saved Brighton from certain relegation last season and the Seagulls will be hoping the ex-Yeovil, Grimsby and Scarborough boss can work some of his magic on the south coast. It says much for the 48-year-old’s abilities that, as he moves slowly up the Leagues, his old clubs struggle once he leaves them.

Three to watch

Grant Holt scored goals for fun at Shrewsbury last season and it was always a case of when not if he’d move up the leagues. The powerful forward will now be expected to lead Norwich’s assault on the title and his performances will be under the spotlight like never before.

Simeon Jackson was another striker who lit up League Two last season, scoring 22 times and attracting attention for other clubs. Has never played at this level before and much of Gillingham’s survival chances depend on the nippy frontman finding the net on a regular basis.

Had Sven been watching Notts County last season, he would have been frustrated that the Magpies couldn’t tie Myles Weston to a new deal. Now the young winger is atBrentford and will have a point to prove against Charlton, where he started his career. Could be a star for the Bees this season.

Make sure you return tomorrow when we preview The Championship ahead of the big kick-off this weekend. Full of big name clubs, this season looks to be tighter than ever. And we haven’t even mentioned the ongoing saga of Newcastle. Come back tomorrow to get the lowdown on who’ll be heading for the Premier League.

“League One 2009/2010 Season Preview” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

League One 2009/2010 Season Preview is a post from: Football Reloaded

Soccerlens continues its full season preview of the English Football League, as we move up from the Conference to League Two, which promises to be tighter than than Cheryl Cole’s pert bottom in a pair of skimpy hotpants.

Can Bury better themselves and go one goal better for promotion? Can Cheltenham and Crewe climb back at the first time of asking? And we search for answers to the question ‘Accrington Stanley? Who are they?’ Read on…

Bluffer’s guide to the league

If you’re a nostalgist you’ll still insist on calling it the ‘old fourth division’, which it was known as before the advent of the Premiership, after which it became known as Division 3. After the advent of the Championship, it changed to League Two, despite most definitely not being the second highest division in the country. In the olden days, clubs that finished bottom of the league had to apply for re-election, which they usually got. Now they just get relegated.

Traditionally the league’s basement division is filled with a couple of cash-rich ambitious teams, plenty of average sides who play the long ball game and some truly abysmal teams. Rochdale are the longest residents, having been in the division for the past 35 years.

If League Two were a footballer it would be…

Neil Ruddock. Somewhat limited in talent, but knows how to play to its strengths (namely kick lumps out of the opponents and hoof it long). Occasional flashes of class to compete with better teams but can often stretch the description of football as the beautiful game.

Last season in a Tweet

Fan-owned teams Brentford and Exeter go up. Rotherham & Bournemouth do the great escape, Luton can’t beat 30 point deduction. Chester officially worst team in league.

Table toppers

With some many teams primed for a push at the title, it’s nearly impossible to call a winner with any one of a number of clubs capable of taking the top spot. We’re plumping for Northampton Town, who looked the best equipped of all the relegated teams to bounce back.

The strike partnership of Steve Guinan and Adebayo Akinfenwa has plenty of goals in it and boss Stuart Gray is a smart operator. However, the Cobblers squad is a little thin and too many injuries could leave them vulnerable.

Promotion Pushers

Bury have been quietly getting on with the business of constructing a decent squad and were unlucky to miss out on automatic promotion by just one goal last season. This season they’ve kept the majority of that squad intact and Alan Knill has made sensible signings. Will be a hard team to beat and should go one better than last year.

Had it not been for a 17 point penalty for financial reasons, Rotherham would probably be starting this season in League One. The Millers kept up promotion-winning form until the last few games of the season and there’s no reason to suggest they can’t repeat the same feat this time around. Star striker Reuben Reid may be off but Mark Robins’ squad is still strong enough to mount a challenge.

Play-off prospects

There’s an assumption that money can buy your way out of the lower divisions but that isn’t always the case, and thus it will probably prove with Notts County this season. Yes, the Magpies have Sven and a bundle of cash, but that doesn’t mean promotion. There’s genuine quality in Ian McParland’s squad but this was a team that finished 19th last season and an automatic spot may just be beyond them.

Crewe find themselves in the basement for the first time since 1994. During that time they’ve become renowned for developing young talent and Gudjon Thordarson has been slowly adding proven players for this level. Joel Grant, Anthony Elding and Clayton Donaldson should provide a fearsome attacking threat as the Alex look to make their stay in League Two a short one.

As the best-supported club in League Two last season, Bradford fell way short of expectations, finishing 9th. This time around Stuart McCall knows promotion is a must, but the league has got stronger over the close season. On paper, the Bantams have one of the strongest squads in the league; in reality they may have to settle for a playoff spot.

Last season Exeter City stormed from the Conference playoffs to gain back-to-back promotions. Now its the turn of near-neighbours Torquay United. Like Exeter, they have anmbitious young manager in Paul Buckle and plenty of momentum following their promotion. The Gulls have a good blend of old and new and striker Tim Sills will be desperate to prove he can cut it in the league.

Outside bet

Rochdale have stumbled in the playoffs in recent years and a first promotion in what will now be 36 years still looks just out of reach. But Dale are one of the league’s more consistent clubs and go about their business with a minimum of fuss. If they get off to a good start, they may well find themselves in the mix.

Relegation fodder

There’s no points deductions this year (yet), so the bottom of League Two is an even playing field, but this could be bad news for Bournemouth. The Cherries pulled off the great escape last season but could really struggle this time around. Much depends on young manager Eddie Howe being able to get the best out of a limited group of players. The new owners aren’t flush with cash and it could be a long season on the south coast.

Accrington Stanley may have been promoted into the league in 2006 but have hardly made waves since then, never finishing higher than 16th. It’s been a difficult pre-season for Stanley, with playing caught up in both betting scandals and the Steven Gerrard trial and with some of the lowest crowds in the League, there’s a sense of stagnation at the Crown Ground. May find non-league is more their level.

Joker in the pack

Burton Albion embark on their first ever season in the League as an unknown quantity. New boss Paul Peschisoldio is untested at this level, as are many of the players. The Brewers limped to the Conference title and could either carry that lethargy with them or be inspired to great things. It’s hard to tell until they find their feet after a few games.

Solid gold gaffer

John Still has been at Dagenham & Redbridge since 2004 and has worked a few small miracles in his time at Victoria Road. Led them to the Conference title in 2007, and only missed out on the playoffs on the last day of last season. One of the lower league’s most underrated managers.

Three to watch

Scott Rendell’s 13 goals played a large part in Cambridge’s 2nd placed Conference finish last season. Now Torquay United have swooped to take the Peterborough striker on loan to Plainmoor. If the 22-year-old displays similar form, he’ll be near the top of the scoring charts.

Mat Mitchel-King has acted as Rio Ferdinand’s body double in the past and Crewe’s new defender plays a bit like the Manchester United man as well. Excelled in a mean Histon defence last season and will now have to prove he can handle the step up to the League.

Nicky Law may be the son of the Rotherham legend of the same name, but he’s still got to prove he can play like his dad. Was a promising youngster at Sheffield United and could have probably signed for a League One club. Has experience at this level after a loan spell with Bradford and will be looking to prove he’s not just trading on the family name.

Be sure to check back tomorrow when we start getting among the fallen big boys in League One as Charlton, Norwich and Southampton all find themselves in the third tier. Can any of them bounce back? Read our preview and find out our thoughts as we continue our Football League predictions.

“League Two 2009/2010 Season Preview” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

League Two 2009/2010 Season Preview is a post from: Football Reloaded

All this week Soccerlens will be preparing for the big kick-off on August 8th with a full preview of the English leagues from Championship downwards. We start off with the Blue Square Premier, better known as the Conference. Can Luton Town bounce back? Will AFC Wimbledon take a third successive promotion? And who the hell are Hayes & Yeading? Read on…

Bluffer’s guide to the league

The Blue Square Premier is the top flight for non-league football and is the last step in the English football pyramid before it breaks down into regional levels. Originally formed in 1979 as the Alliance Premier, it changes its name periodically to reflect the sponsors, which is why nostalgists refer to it as the Vauxhall Conference (sponsors between 1986 – 98).

Promotion to the Football League was introduced in 1987 when the now-defunct Scarborough went up as Lincoln City fell out of the league. Two up, two down to the League was introduced in 2003 when Exeter City became the first team to get relegated without finishing bottom. Doncaster Rovers took their place, via the playoffs, and have done rather well since then.

If the Conference were a footballer it would be…

Emile Heskey. Sure, it may not be much to look at and is often unfairly maligned, but there’s no doubting that on it’s day, it’s far preferable to more expensive options. Sufferers frequent bouts of bizarre injuries (financial for the league, bodily for Mr Em).

Last season in a Tweet

Burton take title despite throwing away huge lead. Torquay win playoffs, Weymouth crash and a load of clubs get docked points when the Conference lose some paperwork.

Table toppers

Most bookies have Luton Town down as favourites and who are we to argue. The Hatters had a year to prepare for relegation after being hit with a punitive 30 point penalty last season for assorted financial misdemeanours and have kept together the bulk of what was essentially a mid-table League 2 side. They have an excellent manager in Mick Harford and some of his players are too good for non-league. They remain the team to beat.

Play-off prospects

If any team will push Luton all the way, then it’s likely to be Oxford United. The U’s have had a couple of miserable seasons in the Conference since failing to bounce back at the first time of asking. But Chris Wilder is an experienced manager and but for a points deduction for fielding an ineligible player, Oxford would have been in the playoffs last season. The Yellows have put together a strong squad and have one of the most deadly strikers in the league in James Constable.

Stevenage Borough have made choking an art form in recent years but still remain one of the strongest teams in the Conference. Graham Westley, back for a second spell in thehotseat, has won over doubters and has added sensibly to his squad in the close season. Top striker Steve Morison will be missed but Boro have the firepower to replace him.

After two consecutive defeats in the playoff final, Cambridge United will be hoping to make it third time lucky this season. Despite the now annual manager change, United are still a force to be reckoned with and have made a very shrewd appointment in Martin Ling. The ex-Leyton Orient manager won’t have had much time to get to know his troops, but can work on a budget and should guide the U’s to another playoff spot.

There’s always one team that flies under the radar in the Conference, and Mansfield could be that team. After an anonymous first season in non-league, the Stags have a bit of momentum behind them and a bright young boss in David Holdsworth. Add strikers Daryl Clare and Rob Duffy to the mix and you have a side that could be the surprise package of the season.

Outside bet

York City have completely overhauled a side that came close to relegation last season. Time will tell if the new look Minstermen will crash and burn or push for the playoffs, but they’ve made some eye-catching and expensive signings, albeit ones with a lot to prove at this level.

Relegation fodder

Ian Bogie has achieved miracles in leading Gateshead to back-to-back promotions but the Conference National may be a step too far for the Heed. Many of the players are untested at this level, and theTynesiders don’t have the budget to compete with bigger sides. Bogie will ensure his players give it their all but this may not be enough.

Forest Green were, until a few days ago, proof that a well-run small team could prosper in the Conference. But it now looks like manager Jim Harvey is departing the club with laywers in tow, after an alledged breach of contract in a dispute that’s likely to get messy. In the meantime, the village team have barely strengthened and have lost top scorer Andy Mangan for five months after he was involved in a betting scandal. Hardly ideal preparations for the season.

Internet-owned club Ebbsfleet United have seen their fan ownership experiment slowly unravel over the past 12 months. While a loyal MyFC hardcore remain, Fleet have had to cut their cloth and now have the smallest budget in the division. Star players have departed, the squad is desperately threadbare and the Kent club will rely on a lot of untested youngsters. Liam Daish is a good manager but no miracle worker and it could be a long, hard season for the supporters, both on and offline.

Chester City are currently leading the way in the basket case stakes and may not even make it to the start of the season after the FA refused them a licence to play, meaning the Seals had to cancel their pre -season friendlies. Will start the season with a ten point penalty for entering administration and have been frantically signing players after a transfer embargo was lifted. If the club manages to start, let alone survive the season, it will be an achievement.

Although there are only four relegation places, other candidates for the drop include Grays, who have struggled badly in recent season, Salisbury, who are in serious financial problems, and newcomers Hayes and Yeading who will have to make a big step up in terms of quality. But as long as they pick up the important points, these three should just about be safe. Just.

Joker in the pack

All eyes will be on AFC Wimbledon as the fan-run resurrection of the old Dons takes its place in the Conference for the first team. Terry Brown’s team are likely to be stronger than other promoted teams but the playoffs may be a step too far for them. The new Crazy Gang will undoubtedly take a few high-profile scalps though.

Solid gold gaffer

Eastbourne Borough’s Garry Wilson recently completed a decade in charge of the Sports. Tipped for the drop last season, he led the south coast club to an impressive 13th place and will be looking to build on that position. All while juggling with a day job as an electrical manager.

Three to watch

Michael Gash was Ebbsfleet United’s star player last season with 13 goals, but Fleet fans voted to sell the striker after York City offered a mouthwatering £55k. Gash is still untested in a team pushing for promotion and will have a lot riding on his shoulders.

Last season veteran forward Gareth Taylor was start the season at Championship new boys Doncaster. This year, he’ll be spearheading Wrexham’s attack and they look to return to the league. He may be 36-years-old but the former Welsh international still has a lot to offer at this level.

The wonderfully named Nathan Bowden-Haase arrives at Histon from Hemel Hempstead FC and has been tasked of filling the shoes of Pat Ada and Mat Mitchell-King, who’ve both left for Crewe. Histon have a habit of unearthing gems and the 25-year-old will be at the heart of the Stutes defence this season.

That’s it for this preview. Check back tomorrow for your League Two preview, where new boys Burton will get to mix it with the likes of Bradford, Northampton and Sven’s new projectNotts County.

“Blue Square Premier – 2009/10 Season Preview” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Blue Square Premier – 2009/10 Season Preview is a post from: Football Reloaded