There has been one recurring theme over the last two days since the FA made it clear that they were approaching Roy Hodgson to become the new England manager- surprise. This has been conveyed by practically all of the newspapers and online media, and in truth it is part of an underhand PR campaign.
On reflection, a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1980 horror film The Shining on Friday evening was an entirely fitting end to a week in which Scottish football, like the character played by Jack Nicholson in the movie, descended into madness.
The whole of football loves the story of a rising star. A young player working his way through the ranks to become the next global football phenomenon. At the PFA Awards last weekend, Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker was the latest to be labelled the ‘next big thing’.
Fans who have been following the trials and tribulations of the beautiful game for more years than they care to recall may be familiar with a song called ‘That’s Entertainment’, a particularly memorable number courtesy of Paul Weller’s days with The Jam.
The issue of diving, simulation, sportsmanship, or perhaps just plain old cheating has reared its head again in the past week. It is a part of football that becomes topical periodically. It has been within the game for decades now, but from time to time the actions of a player (or players) will stimulate further debate.