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.
Leeds have been advised to take inspiration from Manchester City and Erling Haaland when it comes to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Whites legend Gordon Strachan telling GOAL why he is concerned about the Elland Road No.9’s workload. No striking additions were made to Daniel Farke’s ranks during the summer transfer window, with another deadline having passed.
Could the new tactical system implemented by Chelsea impact Brazilian wonderkid Estevao? Blues legend Gus Poyet has answered that question for GOAL, with the Uruguayan admitting that another exciting winger at Stamford Bridge could end up heading down a similar path to former academy graduate Callum Hudson-Odoi - as he is asked to fill an unfamiliar role.
Bradley Barcola was heavily linked with Arsenal during the summer transfer window, but ultimately ended up at Liverpool after completing a £123 million ($167m) move from Paris Saint-Germain. That deal has raised a few eyebrows, and concerns, with ex-Gunners and France defender Bacary Sagna discussing the financial state of football during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Tottenham have taken a “big gamble” on Mykhailo Mudryk, Gus Poyet has told GOAL, with a man that is returning after almost two years out of action boasting just “one quality”. That searing pace has served the Ukraine international well over the course of his career, but can it be put to good use in north London after crossing the English capital on loan from Chelsea?
Virgil van Dijk is into the final year of his contract at Liverpool, meaning that free agency will be hit in the summer of 2027. Do the Reds have a succession plan in place for their defensive king? Stephen Warnock has admitted to GOAL that they might, with talented youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni ready to fill roles of crown princes at Anfield.
Kylian Mbappe is only a “top three” player in the world at present, Bacary Sagna has told GOAL, with the Real Madrid and France superstar expected to miss out on Ballon d’Or recognition again in 2026. Harry Kane is a leading contender to land that prize, but Sagna has snubbed the Bayern Munich striker when revealing his pick for Golden Ball glory.
Gus Poyet has reacted to Chelsea’s £125 million ($169m) sale of Enzo Fernandez during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Blues legend is concerned that a suitable replacement for the World Cup-winning Argentine was not acquired on transfer deadline day, with the Uruguayan asking - amid new roles for Reece James and Malo Gusto - whether “all right-backs” are now going to play “as centre midfielders”.
Liverpool will need a new No.1 in 2027, as long-serving goalkeeper Alisson heads towards free agency. Did they have a perfect successor to the Brazil international on their books, only to let him leave? Stephen Warnock has suggested to GOAL that may have been the case, with the former Reds defender assessing a change between the sticks that will be difficult to get right.
Rayan Cherki boasts the ability to become Manchester City’s new Kevin De Bruyne, but Bacary Sagna has explained to GOAL why his fellow countryman is more of a Santi Cazorla clone. Ex-France international defender Sagna worked alongside a Spanish schemer at Arsenal and with a Belgian magician during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Alexander Isak has become a “huge problem” for Liverpool, former Reds star Stephen Warnock has told GOAL, with the £125 million ($169m) striker “not at the races” and looking disinterested. The most expensive player in British football has failed to make the desired impact at Anfield, with it being suggested that he is struggling to handle the “weight” of an iconic shirt.
Mohamed Salah has been used as a warning for Manchester United, with Gordon Strachan explaining to GOAL why the Red Devils cannot bow to the contract demands of talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes and “give him everything he wants”. Fresh terms for the Portuguese are being lined up at Old Trafford, but he will soon turn 32 and should not be given a blank cheque.
Ryan Gravenberch flopped at Bayern Munich, before being billed as the Premier League’s best midfielder during Liverpool’s title triumph in 2024-25. Where does the Netherlands international stand now? Former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann has answered that question for GOAL, with the all-action 24-year-old considered to be an important cog in the Anfield machine.
Gordon Strachan has told GOAL there is “not enough money in the world” for him to consider emulating Martin O’Neill, with the former Celtic boss in awe of the man still calling shots at Parkhead. Enigmatic Northern Irishman O’Neill is, having landed a permanent contract on the back of a Scottish Premiership title triumph, working towards his 75th birthday.
Marcus Rashford cannot live on past achievements and needs to become a “now player” for Manchester United, Gordon Strachan has told GOAL. The Old Trafford academy graduate, who has been absorbed back into the Red Devils’ fold following a loan spell at Barcelona, has been challenged to provide much-needed assistance for talismanic club captain Bruno Fernandes.
Brighton have enjoyed a meteoric rise under the ownership of Tony Bloom, with ex-Seagulls boss Mark McGhee explaining to GOAL why a "mathematical genius” intends to be much more than a “generous benefactor”. Celebrations of a major trophy win have never been enjoyed on the south coast, but the intention is to make history in the not too distant future.
Harry Kane has come close to matching Robert Lewandowski’s single season Bundesliga goal record, but Dietmar Hamann has explained to GOAL why making history on that front may be a case of Mission Impossible for Bayern Munich’s prolific striker. The England international has reached 36 efforts on a couple of occasions, but is still some way short of a remarkable milestone.
Cole Palmer has his smile back alongside close friend Morgan Rogers at Chelsea, with Robert Huth responding to surprising transfer talk by telling GOAL: “Why would he go to Man U?” The England international was seeing a return to his roots in the North West speculated on at one stage, but he is now fully committed to a friendly battle for goals and assists at Stamford Bridge.
An emotional return to Birmingham for Jude Bellingham is not being ruled out, although former Blues boss Steve Bruce has told GOAL that it could be a “long, long time” before such a move is considered. The No.22 shirt at St Andrew’s, which has been retired, is waiting to be filled again by a home-grown hero that is currently starring as a ‘Galactico’ with Real Madrid.
Dietmar Hamann has admitted to GOAL there is “always a chance” that Erling Haaland will leave Manchester City “when Barcelona or Real Madrid come calling”. Those approaches have not been made as yet, with the Norwegian striker tied to a contract through to 2034, but there will come a point when a fresh start away from the Etihad Stadium is considered.
