Credit where it's Pardew, 'Toon' Boss could be the next England manager.

So if you believe the old hacks of Fleet Street then you would believe that current Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is a certainty to take over the reins from Fabio Capello after the Italian has led England through the Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and the Ukraine, but is there one name that everyone is missing that could yet take on the role of Three Lions manager?

At the age of 50 it feels as if the name of Alan Pardew has been in the footballing world for an age but could the current Newcastle boss force his way into the minds of the FA ahead of their big decision in July? Pardew has transformed the ‘Toon’ since being appointed manager on the 9^th December 2010. An alleged Sky Sports vote reported that just 5.5% of their poll taken by 40,000 Geordies offered Pardew their backing. Since then the ‘Toon’ boss has flourished and after their latest 1-0 win over QPR which moved Newcastle above Liverpool and into 6^th, Pardew challenged his side to push for a European place.

Of course there is one thing that could deter the FA from choosing Pardew, his former controversies. On pitch scuffs with Arsene Wenger, Resigning from Reading FC as manager after being refused permission to speak to West Ham and his comments of Michael Essien “absolutely raping Ched Evans” will be fresh in the minds of the FA. Of course those comments made about Essien refer to his physical presence, although the BBC was criticised for never offering an on screen apology. Weighed against Harry Redknapp’s court case this month for tax evasion maybe Pardew would be the safer choice.

So what makes Pardew a candidate for the England job? Firstly his managerial record can never be disregarded. From his 576 game managerial career, Pardew has won 250 of them with a win ratio of 46%. The 50 year old also led West Ham to the FA Cup final in 2006 which they would have won bar Steven Gerrard’s 30 yard drive in stoppage time.  Promotions with Reading and West Ham are also on the C.V yet this year’s achievements at Newcastle surely top the list. Should Newcastle qualify for Europe then I see no reason why Pardew should not be interviewed for the job.

For those that thought the only candidate was Redknapp then I suggest you open your eyes and minds to the possibility that the next England manager could be the current Newcastle manager rather than the current spurs one.

What do you think? Could Pardew become England manager? Who should be the next Three Lions boss? As always let me know. 

Is the King of Anfield about to be dethroned?

It’s just over a year since ‘King Kenny’ returned to Anfield with the belief that he would be the man to lead the Merseyside club to the League title or European football at the very least, forward to today and Liverpool’s 0-0 draw at home to Stoke left the ‘Reds’ five points behind fourth placed Chelsea and a massive 13 points behind league leaders Man City who have played a game less.

The one thing that will worry many Liverpool fans is that a win for Newcastle against QPR on Sunday would see the ‘Toon’ move above Liverpool into sixth placed and leave Dalglish’s men languishing in seventh, outside of any European spaces available.  There is no doubt that Liverpool do have a better squad than when Roy Hodgson departed, however, that can only increase the calls for Dalglish to fix Liverpool’s stuttering season or face the consequences.

With Luis Suarez banned for a further six games after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra and Andy Carroll struggling to score goals Liverpool are struggling for both goals and points with the club having only scored 24 league goals so far this term which could prove costly for Dalglish soon. The January transfer window could prove vital as to whether Dalglish will be in charge next time the window opens on 1^st June. Should Liverpool spend and rise to the heights of fourth and above then Dalglish will remain, should the club not make European football for the second year in succession the kings reign may come to a sour end.

Draws against Blackburn, Stoke, Norwich, Swansea, Wigan and Sunderland while defeats at Fulham and Tottenham have left the pressure on Dalglish but will the Scotsman get the boot? Like Sir Alex at Manchester United the Liverpool fans love their boss, however, with results continually disappointing for Liverpool I seriously think his honeymoon period has come to an end and patience is beginning to wear thin throughout Merseyside.

However hard it is to imagine I don’t think we should be too surprised if in the coming months we see ‘King Kenny’ removed from his position.

What do you think? Would Liverpool sack Kenny Dalglish? How can he turn Liverpool’s season around or do you think he is doing a good job? As always let me know.

Non-league hotshot could steal the January headlines

With the transfer window in full swing, this week saw the return of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to the Emirates Stadium from the U.S while Robbie Keane also joined Villa on a similar deal from LA Galaxy; however, there is one Non-League striker on the South coast that could yet steal the headlines of this transfer window.

Margate FC striker Kwesi Appiah has found the net 33 times already this season and a move away from the Kent club is highly expected before the window slams shut on the 31^st January but where will the hotshot go to and how much can Margate expect for such a player? In truth Appiah could be a Premier League player by the 1^st of February 2012, however, many people think his likely destination could be the Championship.

The latest clubs to be linked to the striker include Premier League sides Aston Villa, QPR and Swansea while a whole host of Championship clubs ranging from Watford, Bristol City and Leeds are all expected to keep a close eye on Appiah. With no game this week for the 33 goal hero to showcase his talents even more so, Margate will hope to earn some breathing space this week meaning that Appiah could feature against Lewes on the 21^st of January and three days later when Margate entertain League One side Charlton Athletic in the Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final clash at Hartsdown Park.

Fans of Margate will be hoping that their main man will stay beyond this transfer window and help fire the ‘Gate’ into the Play-off places and beyond into the Blue Square Bet Conference South. Despite them hopes there would be no fan at MFC that would begrudge Appiah the chance to resurrect his League career after his last chance at Championship side Peterborough was ended when he was released before returning to the Non-league stage.

So finally what can Margate earn from the possible sale of the star man? Realistically the answer is a lot. Margate would be well within their rights to demand an upwards fee of £50,000 (perhaps higher) as well as a sell on clause of up to 10% while also earning a lucrative friendly against the side that Appiah could join.

All at Margate FC hope Appiah will lead the club to promotion ahead of what looks like to be an exciting new era for the club, however, I would like to offer my thanks to Kwesi for his contribution to the ‘Gate’ should he decide that his future lies elsewhere.

What do you think? Would Appiah suit your club? How much is a 33 goal machine worth in January? As always let me know.