Toploader are back! The band that brought us ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ and ‘Achilles Heel’ have returned with a brand new single, ‘A Balance To All Things’ and album, ‘Only Human’.
We spoke to the band’s guitarist Dan Hipgrave about music and footy. Dan’s from Brighton, so is of course a Manchester United fan! What did you expect?
Here’s Dan on going to see the Albion and getting feedback on the new album from none other than ex-Liverpool star Jason McAteer…
Ideal song for teams to walk out to?
Stone Roses – ‘This is the One’, every game at OT is important so this is perfect.
Who’s your football hero?
Zinedine Zidane – he made his football look so effortless with the touch of a magician.
First match you went to see?
Some Brighton And Hove Albion game when I was very little in the days of the terrace. Frightening when you’re a kid.
Do you have any celebrity football friends?
We met David Beckham once in a club in 2001, he said he loved our music. Recently I met up with Jason McAteer on a holiday, I played him a few tunes from the new album and he loved them. Top bloke!
Why it’s better being a rockstar than a footballer
I’m not sure it is, is it? They play in front of bigger crowds each week and get paid better than we do. In fact I think they get all the ladies these days too, don’t they? Saying that we can get away with more bad behaviour.
Which current player would you most like to have a pint with?
Probably Rooney, it’s got to get interesting at some point hasn’t it.
Which current player would you least like to have a pint with?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Jamie Carragher – I don’t think I’d understand a word he said all night.
[divider]
The forthcoming new album ‘Only Human’ is released 30th May 2011.
Preorder it here: www.toploaderofficial.com
[divider]
Dan Hipgrave from Toploader joins Razor Ruddock and Gary O’Reilly as a special guest! Listen to the first episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast.
Relegation-threatened Sunderland will have to make do without Craig Gordon after the goalkeeper underwent knee surgery on Monday.Gordon, 28, flew to Sweden to have his injured knee operated on by world-renowned tendon specialist Professor Hakan Alfredson on Monday, his club have confirmed.
The injury is set to keep Gordon – who broke the British transfer record signing for a goalkeeper with his nine million-pound move from Hearts in 2007 – out for up to six months.
The Scotland international has been sidelined for Sunderland’s last six English Premier League games, from which the Black Cats have managed to scrape just one point.
The ill-timed slide has seen Sunderland plummet to 15th on the table, five points clear of the drop zone with five games left in the season.
Gordon had hoped to make his way back into the side without going under the knife, with Saturday’s clash with fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic touted as a possible return date.
But further scans on his knee indicated surgery would be needed – a piece of bad news that Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said is indicative of the club’s luck at the present time.
“Craig had the operation yesterday and it went well,” Bruce said.
“He’ll be out for about four to six months now.”
“Craig’s been following a programme but when the specialist had a look at the knee again, we were left with no choice but to go ahead with the surgery.”
Marseille manager Didier Deschamps is still hopeful of overturning the four point deficit at the top of the Ligue 1 table and earning a second consecutive title.An out-of-form Marseille side slumped to a 3-2 loss at third-placed Lyon on Sunday as league leaders Lille increased their buffer at the top with a 1-0 victory at Nancy.
With four games remaining and teams high up on the table still jostling for positions in European football next season, Deschamps believes there is still plenty of time to catch Lille.
“We’ve just taken one point from two matches, and that doesn’t make things any easier for us,” he said.
“There are still 12 points to play for, so it is still possible. I still believe in our chances and, as long as it is possible, we will give it a real go.”
Lille will be in action on Tuesday as they travel to eighth-placed Saint Etienne and still have hopes of sneaking into a European position.
Marseille then host lowly-placed Brest on Wednesday and Deschamps is hopeful his team can bounce back by taking three points against Alex Dupont’s side.
“We’ve just taken one point from two matches, and that doesn’t make things any easier for us,” he said.
“We play Brest on Wednesday and they will have enjoyed an additional day’s rest compared to us.”
Lierse remain two points clear in Group A of the Belgian First Division Play-off II following a 3-0 win over Cercle Brugge on Saturday.Hosts Lierse led through a goal from right midfielder Kris De Wree 18 minutes into the match at the Herman Vanderpoorten Stadium.
They had to wait until the 78th minute to double their lead when veteran Canada international Tomasz Radzinski struck to make it 2-0, before Egyptian forward Mohamed El-Gabbas completed the scoring five minutes later.
The win sees Lierse stay top of the group, two points ahead of Sint-Truiden, who kept pace with a 2-1 win at home to Mechelen.
Defender Denis Odoi and midfielder Gregory Dufer scored either side of half-time for Sint-Truiden.
Both sides finished a man down after Mechelen’s David de Storme and Sint Truiden’s Peter Delorge both received second yellow cards.
Christian Benteke pulled one back for the visitors with seven minutes remaining, but they were unable to find an equaliser.
Defeat leaves Mechelen bottom of the group with five points.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Zulte-Waregem moved top of Group B following a 1-0 win at home to Germinal Beerschot.
Midfielder Thomas Matton netted the winner for Zulte-Waregem in the 23rd minute.
Westerlo slipped to second place after they could only draw 1-1 away to Kortrijk.
The visitors went in front through Paulo Henrique’s goal in the 56th minute, but the lead lasted just four minutes before Brecht Capon levelled from the penalty spot for Kortrijk.
Westerlo were forced to play out the final 30 minutes a man down after Geoffrey Cabeke received a second yellow card for conceding the penalty.
Kortrijk remain bottom of Group B with just two points, while Westerlo are now second, one point behind the leaders.
Jubilant head coach Rudi Garcia has dedicated his side’s Coupe de France victory to the people of Lille.Lille claimed the trophy on Saturday with substitute Ludovic Obraniak clinching the 1-0 victory over Paris Saint Germain with a goal in the dying stages.
It is the first time Lille has won the Coupe de France trophy since 1955.
“The club and the people of Lille have been waiting for this for 50 years, so we are proud to lift the Coupe de France for them,” Garcia said.
“For me, it’s the most beautiful trophy. I have competed in this cup with amateurs and with pros, with Le Mans or here. It’s the same magic, the same desire, the same team spirit and we are proud to bring the cup back to Lille.”
Garcia paid tribute to PSG and said the match could have easily gone either way.
“Of course, it was a tight game and PSG could have won too,” he said.
“Especially after the first hour. I think they were on top. In the first period, the match was kind of deadlocked. Both the teams were holding their own. On the other hand, the game was really open in the second half.”
“With Antoine Kombouare’s coaching, when Mevlut Erding came into play, when Tulio De Melo and Ludovic Obraniak on our side came off the bench, it changed the match. We saw a more attacking Lille team. There was much more space on both sides.”
“That meant it could have been PSG’s night but, as I told my players at half-time, it was clear that the winner would be the team who focussed on the small details, such as a free kick … And Ludo had the good sense to deliver the sort of magic that only he knows how to do.”
PSG coach Antoine Komboure labeled the loss ‘cruel’, but could not find any fault with the way his players performed.
“We played a great football match. It’s true, it could have been Lille or us that won. As we often say, the final comes down to the detail. Tonight, Lille got the little bit of luck you need to win,” he said.
PSG now turn their attention to their Ligue 1 campaign, with a Champions League berth for next season still in their sights.
“The objective for us is to remobilise right away, to forge ahead, because in four days we have a very important match against Bordeaux and, as I told my players, the consolation for us will be to play the Champions League next year,” Komboure said.
Since Adam Johnson was left out of England’s 23-man squad for the World Cup finals last summer, the Manchester City man has responded by proving himself last season as one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League. Despite 18 of his 42 League and Cup appearances for his club coming from the bench due to the intense competition for a places at City, Johnson has played a key role in helping his side to automatic qualification for the Champions League and an FA Cup triumph at Wembley.
Yet since starting England’s first game following the World Cup against Hungary last August and following this up by scoring from the bench in England’s next 2 games against Switzerland and Bulgaria, Johnson has been unable to cement a regular place in the England side. Indeed, Johnson’s failure to even make the bench for England’s qualifier against Switzerland and add to his modest tally of 6 caps has demonstrated that he is anything but an England regular.
Based on Capello’s selection against the Swiss, Johnson currently lags behind Theo Walcott , Stewart Downing and James Milner in the battle for a starting spot in the wide positions, There are few players at Fabio Capello ’s disposal however who possess the same qualities as Johnson and after England’s poor showing against the Swiss resulting in a disappointing draw, there is a case for Johnson to be given his chance to shine again.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
It is Johnson’s incisiveness and directness, which separates him from the England talents currently ahead of him in the pecking order. Whilst Walcott possesses incredible pace, too often he is hesitant to attack the full-back and when he does, his control is too often lacking. Downing has improved throughout the season with Aston Villa and has grown into one of their most important attacking assets but has never looked capable of making the step up to International level. Milner’s form in contrast dipped during the second-half of City’s campaign resulting in Johnson himself being preferred to his teammate on numerous occasions.
Playing predominantly from the right wing this season, Johnson’s pace, trickery and close control have caught the eye, often more so than the talents of big-money signings of David Silva and wonder kid Mario Balotelli . His ability to cut inside or go down the line from his position on the right wing has caused uncertainty and anxiety for defenders all season and with 9 goals for club and country, Johnson has weighed in with his share. With his left-foot, the former Middlesbrough winger also provides England with greater balance and options with his ability to switch wings effectively.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Johnson’s task of becoming an England regular however has the potential to get even tougher next season with Manchester City looking to spend big as part of their assault on the Champions League and Premier League title. Time will tell but approaching the age of 24, Johnson is at the stage of his career where he needs to be playing regularly in the starting XI and warming the bench is certain not to help him to reignite his England career.
Promoted club Coritiba made it back-to-back wins with a 3-0 drubbing of visiting Figueirense in Brazil’s Serie A on Friday.The reigning Serie B champions started poorly at the Couto Pereira but improved as the second half wore on, running out convincing winners as Emerson, Leo Gago and Anderson Aquino all netted late goals.
Emerson was the first to strike, rising highest to nod Eltinho’s cross beyond Figueirense goalkeeper Wilson in the 75th minute.
Former Vasco da Gama midfielder Leo Gaga then found the net in the first minute of added time for his second goal in as many games.
One minute later, Aquino improved his tally to four for the season with another goal past Wilson.
The win lifts Coritiba from 15th to 11th on the Serie A table with 10 points from eight matches. Figueirense are three points ahead in seventh.
Elsewhere, Palmeiras came from a goal down to share the points in a 1-1 draw at America Mineiro.
Mineiro attacker Alessandro netted his fifth goal of the campaign in the 65th minute, raising hopes of a win to take the club out of the relegation zone.
But Palmeiras defender Mauricio Ramos struck back 10 minutes later to snatch a point for the visitors, who remain fifth on the table with 15 points.
Mineiro improve to eight points but are still stranded in 18th as their winless run stretches to seven games.
Sixth-placed Botafogo could do no more than draw 1-1 with visiting Atletico Goianiense, who rise to 15th.
Argentine forward German Herrera put the hosts up in the fifth minute with his third goal of the campaign, but Goianiense counterpart Anselmo equalised 10 minutes later.
Southampton star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has pleaded with the clubs chairman to let him leave and fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League, according to the Mirror.
The Saints wonder kid has attracted interest from the top flight ever since making his debut in March 2010 with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City on his tail.
Ten goals, two assists and a place in the League One Team of the Year did nothing to dampen that interest as he played a big part in Southampton’s promotion to the Championship.
But it’s being reported that chairman Nicola Cortese is not prepared to lose his £12 million rated winger.
He is refusing to acknowledge any interest in the 17-year-old despite Oxlade-Chamberlain being keen to leave and follow the same path as former St Mary’s favourite Theo Walcott.
He told the Mirror: “Southampton, and especially the fans, have been brilliant to me ever since I broke into the first team.
“It has been fantastic helping them to get promoted. But now I feel I’m ready to play in the Premier League.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
But it seems his dreams may be put on hold as Cortese refuses to do business with any interested parties.
It’s a far cry from January when then Saints supremo held talks with Manchester United and Arsenal only to scupper any deal with his crazy demands, which reportedly included a 50% sell-on clause and the player back on loan for the second half of last season.
Brazil manager Mano Menezes has acted on his side’s Copa America failure by ringing the changes for the August 10 friendly against Germany.Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson, defenders Luisao (Benfica) and Adriano Correia (Barcelona) and Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Jadson have been dropped for the match in Stuttgart.
Elano – who skied his penalty horribly in Brazil’s quarter-final shootout loss to Paraguay – has also been axed, while Sandro is absent through injury.
Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has missed selection once more, with Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen), Dede (Vasco Da Gama), Jonas (Valencia), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich) and Ralf (Corinthians) brought into the squad. Only Jonas has appeared for his country before.
“We are at a stage where we are looking for reliable players in this phase of transition and those who can help with this. It depends on Kaka’s performances as a player and the form he is in,” Menezes said.
“I was always clear from the beginning regarding the future. There is no need for me to call him up and test him again. I think we have a good mix for a strong team, with ample support in reserve when we need it.”
Full squad: Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Victor (Gremio). Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dede (Vasco de Gama), Lucio (Inter Milan), Maicon (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (AC Milan). Midfielders: Elias (Atletico Madrid), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Ganso (Santos), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Luis Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Ralf (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea), Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen). Strikers: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Jonas (Valencia), Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Santos), Robinho (AC Milan).
As the dust settles on yet another tumultuous day on Tyneside there is only one topic that can be discussed.
The bubble has finally burst on Joey Barton’s supposed love affair with Newcastle United. much like his mate Kevin Nolan’s did just last month.
Yet again the club has become shrouded in controversy and discontent by the words of an unsettled player via Twitter. First Jose Enrique decided to have a pop at Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias for their reluctance to spend and now Barton has thrown his two cents into the mix for about the ten thousandth time and again criticised the two blokes above.
Since signing up to Twitter in May Barton simply turned into the anti-hero for Geordie fans and had them hanging off every tweet, every sentence and every word he typed. His comments sparked mass panic.
“If only we as players could tell the fans exactly how it is, without them above fining us lots of money,” Barton said.
“If it wouldn’t effect team morale and cause unrest within the dressing room, am certain Jose’s comments would be the tip of the iceberg….. “And again it would be left to those magnificent fans to pick up the remnants of their once great football club.”The midfielder added: “If I wanted to leave, I’d just come out and say “I want to leave.” Things need addressing as am not prepared to go through a relegation again.”The comments prompted Ashley and Llambias to do the unthinkable and place Barton on the transfer list with immediate effect. Rumours were that he had been sacked meaning Ashley would have to dig deep into his wallet for a massive payout. But what i’ve learned over the past four years is that Ashley doesn’t make bad business decisions he just makes really bad footballing ones.
Now to set the record straight I’ve never really taken sides when it comes to debates like this. I’ll never be Ashley’s biggest fan but people seem to forget we were in the monetary mire when he came in and, despite relegation and the whole Keegan fiasco, he has got us back on a sound financial footing.
Barton on the other hand has enjoyed one good season out of the four he’s spent as a Newcastle player. True, last season he was magnificent and was the man that made us tick but that doesn’t give him the right to disrespect his boss or the club. After all they pay him a handsome wage every week just to kick a ball around a grassy field. Like every human being he has opinions but in the media spotlight, have some sense and keep them to yourself.
While I’m at it lets not forget that the club stuck by him whilst he was grappling on the streets of Liverpool, which subsequently ended with him doing a stint at the behest of Her Majesties finest.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
I will admit that the way Ashley and co. have operated in the transfer window has been lacklustre and unambitious. Cabaye, Marveaux and Ba are sound additions but the squad is still threadbare and in need of quality. It’s my opinion that they’re scared to spend over £5 million incase they end up with another Xisco on the books.
Enriques comments which, saw him fined two weeks wages, and now Barton’s have set the cat amongst the pigeons in the St James’ Park boardroom. I will say that the Spaniard got off VERY lightly with his punishment with Barton bearing the brunt of Ashley’s fat filled knuckles (rules for one and not for the other?).
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
For me his agenda has always been to get a move away from Newcastle after Nolan left. His words play right into the hands and hearts of the fans. It’s what they want to hear from a player who is opposing the regime they detest so vehemently.
But, I’ll reiterate, it doesn’t give him the right to lambast his boss. Aside from being a footballer Barton is an employee. If he or any footballer hasn’t wised up to that now then it’s about time they did.
In the real world any normal employee would have been sacked on the spot and black marked for the rest of their life. Employers don’t look too kindly on people who display signs of insolence. You might say you can’t compare the two or rationalise football but the positions of employee and employer are exactly the same.
To cut a long story short Barton dug his own grave on Tyneside. Too outspoken for a club like this. Yes he’s available on a free, with added baggage,but who would take the chance on him now?