Another article from Arun. A special mention to the Luton section. A work colleague is a Luton fan, those fans are a credit to their side. Kev.

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The Damned United…and the Mercurial Magician
Being a youngster, my first hand knowledge of Brian Clough is non-existent, which is one of the reasons why I felt compelled to watch The Damned United. However, unlike many youngsters, I did my background reading beforehand. I have always been fascinated by the figure that was Brian Clough and the aura around the man which has lasted long after his passing.

I watched the documentaries, researched on the internet and read a book by Duncan Hamilton (Provided You Don’t Kiss Me – 20 Years With Brian Clough), a journalist who followed Brian Clough for nigh on 20 years in his job as a writer.

I was intrigued and excited to see how Michael Sheen would act in the role of Clough and I was interested to see how Clough’s inner psyche would be presented to the audience.

I must say, that I was not disappointed.

The film was nothing if not humorous and nostalgic. Clough is portrayed as cocky yet charming and his ability to pull one liners out of the hat is displayed expertly by Sheen.

There were gems such as the “chuck all your medals and all your caps and all your pots and all your pans into the biggest dustbin you can find, because you’ve never won any of them fairly” speech on his first day at work at Elland Road which stunned Leeds players, to say the very least.

The truth was well and truly stretched at times when we see Clough not even coming out to the dug-out during some games but this was all done for the right reasons; to heighten the tension and show the audience what effect life was having on the then Derby manager.

The one point that I would make is that I felt that the film was too much about Clough and Revie and not enough about Old Big ‘Ead himself.

Having said all of that, The Damned United is a truly fascinating insight into the complex mind that is Brian Clough…while they may have overdone the links between Brian Clough and Don Revie, this film is still one that you have to see.

Honesty…Don’t You Just Love It?!
Craig Bellamy delivered a damning verdict on the latest defeat for Wales, saying that the viewing public had just seen “two poor sides” who do not have even a “glimmer of hope of qualifying”. He said that he could not understand how the first scorer for Finland managed to score, because he doesn’t think that he is a “good enough player” to do so.
Bellamy is a much maligned figure but I could not help but to find his latest outburst refreshing and insightful. Here is a player who would do anything for his national side, and he is devastated by the fact that another chance to reach the World Cup Finals has been blown by a team who never looked anywhere near good enough to get there.
Who says that players don’t care?

Is That…Team Spirit?
It is a good time to be an England international. Not only are the team playing well, but there has been a flux of personal achievements to go with this new lease of life under Fabio Capello. While Emile Heskey brought up 50 caps in the last England World Cup qualifier, John Terry reached his half century in the 4-0 victory over Slovakia and if all goes to plan, Wayne Rooney will chalk up his 50th appearance against Ukraine on Wednesday night. Oh, and there is the little matter of David Beckham becoming the most capped outfield player to represent England…ever.

It seems as if Fabio Capello is finally collecting together a group of players who are starting to resemble a real team. The defence are starting to play as if they have actually met and played with each other before, whilst the midfield area is now the home to creativity, strength and (the right sort of) aggression. Up front, while they may lack strength in depth, the first choice frontline which includes the likes of Heskey, Rooney and Gerrard is now a menacing unit that goes after teams and attacks them right from the off.

Capello has laid down his marker on this side and he has brought in a discipline which for so long has been missing from the side. However, at the same time, Capello has once again made it fashionable to play for the national team.
Not only do players want to play for their national side, the fans also want to go and watch England play. There is an atmosphere which is returning to England matches because the crowd have seen this Capello revolution and they have responded.

Wembley has not been the fortress that one would like it to be since the 1950s when Hungary came and showed the English how to play their own game, but the atmosphere at England games now is becoming as good as it has ever been.

Now, I’m not saying that we are going to win the World Cup next year, but it is clear that Fabio Capello really is making his mark on the English game – and good luck to him.

Against All Odds
You have to reserve some special praise for Luton Town and their fans. Starting the season on -30, they didn’t have a hope in hell of getting anywhere near safety, but 4 victories in the last 5 has left fans dreaming of the greatest of great escapes. Granted, the side are still 11 points off survival, but with 7 games to go, you get the feeling that anything is possible. Without their points deduction, they would be sitting comfortable in 12th place. Luton have scored more goals this season than the leaders and as many goals as second place Bury.

I have the utmost respect for the poor fans of Luton who have stuck by the side all season, come what may.
Surely they can’t stay up…well…stranger things have happened.

Too Good To Go Down
Newcastle United, a club with a stadium capacity of over 50,000 and a following like no other. A club with internationally renowned players such as Michael Owen, Damien Duff, Obafemi Martins, Fabricio Coloccini and…Habib Beye.

Too good to go down? Don’t make me laugh.

By akvbcfc