La Main de Dieu

I don’t know if anyone has heard, but Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build up to France’s winning goal against Ireland. ‘La Main de Dieu’ as newspaper L’Equipe called it, and described by The Sun newspaper as the ‘hand of frog‘; it is what everyone is talking about.

I don’t know if anyone cares, but here is my take on that infamous goal on a November evening in Paris.

Monsieur Henry deliberately controlled the ball with his hand. The referee and his assistants missed it. The goal stood. That, to me, is pretty much issue closed.

Trapattoni is spot on in what he says, the game can not be replayed. The clamour of negativity towards Henry is over the top. He is not the first person to cheat, and he certainly won’t be the last. The only way this can be dealt with is, similar to the Eduardo dive scenario, punishment in hindsight. As sorry as I feel for the luckless Irish, this is the only thing that can now come from Henrygate.

If a player knows that deliberate handball, diving and any form of cheating will be punished with a large fine AND ban then perhaps that will deter them. That said, faced with the opportunity to win an important match by cheating, what would you do in the heat of the moment?

As Burnley legend Marlon Beresford said on Twitter: ‘footballers will always do anything, and I mean anything, to win a game. Rightly or wrongly.’

As for the use of video technology…I don’t want to go into that!

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Aside from the media circus of the France v Ireland match I was disappointed to see Arshavin’s Russia eliminated from the World Cup. The Arsenal player was brilliant in Euro 2008, and it is a shame he won’t get the chance to showcase his skills next summer in South Africa.

‘Our Graham’

1991. Arsenal are crowned champions of England; John Major was the Prime Minister; Federico Macheda was born; and Graham Alexander made his football league debut.

Since then, via Scunthorpe, Luton and Preston, Burnley’s Mr. Dependable has at last reached his destination. The Premier League.

At 38 years old Alexander, known to his team mates as ‘grandad’, is the oldest outfield player in the Premier League. Yet a new lease of life in his first ever season in England’s top flight has got him playing as if he were a 21 year old again.

Formerly a right back, Alexander now just sits in front of Burnley’s back four. It is a role made famous by Claude Makelele, and a role that Alexander has been a consistent performer in. His continued honesty, hard-work and passion make him an integral part of Owen Coyle’s side.

Noses were turned at Turf Moor when the club shelled out a six figure fee to near neighbours Preston North End for the services of the Coventry born Scottish international. Noses are now being turned at Deepdale, where they have been forced to endure watching as Alexander has been inspirational in Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League and their start to life in one of the world’s richest leagues.

(©PAphotos)

2009. Graham Alexander is showing no signs of slowing down.

‘Grandad’ marked his 100^th Burnley appearance and 900^th club appearance with a brace in Burnley’s 2-0 triumph over Hull City. A result of massive importance to the Clarets in their return to England’s top flight. The reaction to his second, a 20-yard screamer, proved that his passion is burning as bright as ever.

Goals aside, his performances this season have been as full of life as anyone else in the Burnley side. His desire to chase down men and his knowledge to bellow at his colleagues have been clear for all to witness.

His experience and leadership in battle is no doubt vital to Burnley and he is under no illusions of how much hard work is required to retain his and the Claret’s Premier League status.

Capped forty times by Scotland, he has recently spoke of how he and everyone at the club deserve their shot at the Premier League where ‘there is no better place to play football.’ However he was quick to add that it is now important for everyone to prove themselves at their new level. A surefire sign that no one is getting carried away by Burnley’s success. Their feet are well and truly grounded.

Over a hundred career goals to his name, Alexander notched his latest against Manchester City. A penalty in a thrilling 3-3 draw against the big spenders at Eastlands. The match referee, Stuart Attwell, was eleven years Alexander’s junior.

Some questioned his move to Burnley. Some questioned his ability to step in to the Premier League. But after 61 appearances last season, and his continued presence this, there is certainly no signs that the evergreen Alexander will be proving his doubters right anytime soon.

 

Originally written for BackPageFootball

Search for work remains fruitless

Since graduating I am yet to make my millions. Far from it infact. I have spent my time working a job on the basis that I needed, you guessed it, money. That is now five months working a job which is not the career I want to do. Obviously during this time I have been searching for alternative work but that is not easy. You can imagine my joy at having two weeks off.

Two weeks off, I thought, where I could really sell myself to potential employers, bombard broadcasters with C.V’s and letters. Surely someone would employ me?

Well, in a word- no. Not yet anyway. The two weeks haven’t been as successful as I had hoped. This is mainly due to the fact I have been helping my Dad relocate from Cornwall to Lancashire. That said, perhaps that may be key to me finding work. Having bases in Cornwall and Lancashire expands the areas where I can look for work; even though I would move anywhere for a job in media. Any job.

Five months ago it would have been for the right job.

Back to the day job tomorrow then.