Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.
My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.
Areas of Expertise:
Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why
Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.
Harry Kane is looking to become the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. If the Bayern Munich striker is successful, will it be another 25 years before a fellow countryman follows in his footsteps? Owen has spoken to GOAL about potentially welcoming a fifth member into an exclusive club - with a “fabulous achievement” on the cards.
Cristiano Ronaldo may be “slower” than he was, at 41 years of age, but Gus Poyet has told GOAL why the Portuguese GOAT can play for as long as he wants in the Saudi Pro League. The ex-Chelsea and Tottenham star has spent time coaching in the Middle East and sees no reason why a global superstar pursuing another notable milestone should consider hanging up his boots any time soon.
Bruno Fernandes has become a pantomime villain in Premier League circles, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why some of the Manchester United captain’s “histrionics” may be putting new and old supporters off. The Portuguese playmaker has generated more lively debate following a controversial derby date with ‘noisy neighbours’ City at Old Trafford.
Michael Owen was left stunned by the huge VAR error which determined the outcome of a controversial Manchester derby clash between arch-rivals United and City, with the visitors to Old Trafford benefitting from a bizarre decision. Erling Haaland turned the ball home, but Enzo Fernandez flung himself at it from an offside position, with Owen saying to GOAL: “What is more obvious than a diving header?!”
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer are threatening to stunt Estevao’s development at Chelsea, with there no obvious starting berth for him to fill at present, but former Blues star Robert Huth has told GOAL why the Brazilian wonderkid can still thrive at Stamford Bridge. The exciting teenager was acquired to fill a role on the flanks, but Xabi Alonso is now playing without wingers.
Liverpool will not be “quick to sell” Florian Wirtz despite the £116 million ($157m) midfielder’s Premier League struggles, former Reds star Jermaine Pennant has told GOAL. Those on Merseyside cannot wait forever for a lavish addition to come good, but patience will be shown as a painful financial hit would be taken if an expensive experiment were to be written off.
Brenden Aaronson has been told, by former Whites winger Jermaine Pennant, why he does not “have to be Lionel Messi” in order to become a key performer for Leeds. The USMNT star is considered to embody as an individual what his current employers are as a club. He may not be the most talented player on the planet, but he can always be relied upon to work hard.
Keith Andrews has done a fine job at Brentford, in his first head coaching post, and former Bees striker Clinton Morrison has told GOAL that “a lot of other clubs higher up” will soon be “sniffing around” the 45-year-old Irishman. His present lies in west London, with a big job to oversee there, but tempting offers from afar are expected to be tabled in the near future.
Manchester United need to start drawing up a succession plan for the day that Bruno Fernandes leaves Old Trafford, so could Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White form part of that process? Red Devils legend Andy Cole, who also spent time at the City Ground in his playing days, has explained to GOAL why the England hopeful boasts the right qualities.
If Elliot Anderson can move for £116 million ($157m) and Enzo Fernandez generates a £125m ($169m) transfer fee, how much is Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton worth? Eagles legend Clinton Morrison has told GOAL that the England international will be another in the nine-figure “ballpark”, with a bold prediction for 2027 being made when it comes to the classy 22-year-old.
Harry Kane is well on course to reach 100 goals for England. If he does did hit that milestone, will that be a record that stands forever? Former Three Lions striker Andy Cole has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The ex-Manchester United star believes that somebody else is capable of posting “frigenting” numbers in the future.
Bukayo Saka “gets away with murder” on the statistical front, ex-Arsenal star Jermaine Pennant has told GOAL, with the Gunners winger being told that his numbers do not justify “world-class” hype. The Hale End academy graduate is considered to form part of the global elite, as a Premier League title winner and England international, but is capable of delivering much more.
Striker-needy Premier League clubs missed a trick when it comes to “big player” Troy Parrott, former Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison has told GOAL. The Tottenham academy graduate spread his wings in 2024 when heading to the Netherlands and now finds himself in Spain - and the Champions League - with La Liga outfit Real Betis.
Bradley Barcola will “adapt quicker than Florian Wirtz” when it comes to Premier League life, former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has told GOAL, with the France international forward considered to be tailor-made for the English top-flight. The Reds have spent big on another attacking talent, with a £123 million ($166m) fee changing hands during the summer transfer window of 2026.
Arsenal were linked with Vinicius Junior and Bradley Barcola during the summer transfer window of 2026, but missed out on both. Jermaine Pennant has told GOAL that the Gunners will sign a superstar left winger at some point, as they have actually got “weaker” in that department. Mikel Arteta has pieced together a Premier League title-winning squad, but there is still room for improvement at Emirates Stadium.
Haji Wright has suffered an unfortunate injury, delaying the start of his Premier League dream at Coventry, with Clinton Morrison telling GOAL what the USMNT star must do once back to full fitness. The versatile frontman represented his country at the 2026 World Cup, gracing a major tournament on home soil, but is currently ruled out of action for several weeks.
Alexander Isak has benefited from the injury-enforced absence of Hugo Ekitike at Liverpool, with Jermaine Pennant explaining to GOAL what Andoni Iraola is likely to do when both big-money forwards are fit and firing. Questions have been asked of Isak’s contribution to the collective cause, with a £125 million ($169m) price tag hanging around his neck, but the Swedish striker is too good to be “sitting on your bench”.
Thomas Frank impressed many Premier League observers at Brentford, but then suffered a 38-game flop as head coach of Tottenham. He has been out of work since severing ties with Spurs, but Clinton Morrison has explained to GOAL why the Danish tactician’s reputation has not been tarnished. He is expected to return to the dugout at some point in the not too distant future.
Erling Haaland will continue to generate transfer talk at Manchester City for as long as remarkable goalscoring numbers are posted, but during an exclusive interview with GOAL former Blues striker Andy Cole has pondered why the Norwegian would want to go “anywhere else”. He is also not convinced that the three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner will be concerning himself with “records”.
The behaviour of Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta at Crystal Palace has Clinton Morrison puzzled, with the Eagles legend telling GOAL that the latter has been “badly advised” and the former must earn any transfer to Liverpool in the “right way”. Two proven Premier League performers have been pushing their way towards the exits at Selhurst Park.
