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.
Michael Owen has told GOAL that “stars need to align” in order for Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice to achieve what Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard could not. Two iconic midfielders from England’s not too distant past never savoured Ballon d’Or glory. Could a couple of Three Lions superstars in the present eventually go on to land the prestigious Golden Ball?
Mykhailo Mudryk’s summer transfer was “a Tottenham thing to do” and very much a “Roberto De Zerbi signing”, Danny Murphy has told GOAL, but the Chelsea-owned winger only represents a “calculated risk” for Spurs. The Ukraine international, who has returned to action following a lengthy ban, has already picked up an injury since moving from west to north London.
Alexander Isak is yet to truly convince following his record-breaking £125 million ($167m) transfer to Liverpool, but Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why the Swedish striker is not entirely to blame for those struggles. Just four goals were recorded across his debut campaign at Anfield, as fitness issues stunted his progress, but greater assistance is required from those around him.
Manchester United continue to leak goals, with three more being conceded against Brighton, but Danny Simpson has explained to GOAL why Carlos Baleba could be the answer to their problems. The Cameroon international, who joined the Red Devils in a £70 million ($94m) transfer, is closing in on a return to full fitness and a competitive debut for his new employers.
Bradley Barcola is waiting on his first goal as a Liverpool player, but Danny Murphy has told GOAL that the French winger would face the same pressure to get up and running if he moved for “£100 million, £10m or £100,000”. The Champions League winner arrived at Anfield in a £123m ($165m) deal with Paris Saint-Germain, with the 24-year-old considered to have been a long-standing transfer target.
Manchester United have too many defenders that are “eight one week and five the next”, Danny Simpson has told GOAL, with Leny Yoro falling under the microscope as questions are asked of why he has “not got any bigger”. The French centre-half forms part of an important unit at Old Trafford that has sprung too many leaks and is struggling to plug those appropriately.
Kai Rooney could be among the next to make a breakthrough at Manchester United, Danny Simpson has told GOAL, with the eldest son of Red Devils legend Wayne looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow academy graduates Shea Lacey and JJ Gabriel. A pathway to the first team has always been left open for teenage talent at Old Trafford, with Michael Carrick taking inspiration from Sir Alex Ferguson.
Victor Osimhen has been linked with several Premier League teams down the years, but no transfer has ever been completed. Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole - with the Red Devils being credited with interest on a regular basis - has explained to GOAL why a deal that appears to make plenty of sense for teams in England has never been wrapped up.
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.
