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Don’t look back in anger: Oasis were fabulous

Historically, Oasis are underrated. I can hear the music snobs and try-hards laugh aloud at that. I accept many of the criticisms of the Oasis as a band: they were derivative, increasingly samey and over-hyped. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t brilliant. There was a period around 1995/6 when it seemed there was a consensus:Continue reading “Don’t look back in anger: Oasis were fabulous”

Confessions of an armchair football fan

When I was young, I was convinced that in later life, I’d live in Liverpool and have a season ticket for Anfield. As a boy, my Dad would take me to games, but money being tight, it was nowhere near as often as I wanted to go. When I’m grown up, I told myself againContinue reading “Confessions of an armchair football fan”

So you don’t like football? You never said…

In the midst of the World Cup, with a daily diet of football and football chat, it probably sucks to not like the game. I can understand, indeed empathise with, people in that position. I don’t watch Strictly or Game of Thrones and I never got into Line of Duty, though I may well wellContinue reading “So you don’t like football? You never said…”

Ranking World Cups while feeling queasy about this one

Is this the least anticipated World Cup ever? Every football fan I talk to thinks so. Qatar should never have been awarded it given its vile human rights record – staging it there feels like a new low in attempted sports washing. Cheering on football teams in stadia migrant workers died building, in a countryContinue reading “Ranking World Cups while feeling queasy about this one”

‘Captain Fantastics’ are often mediocre managers

Steven Gerrard’s dismissal from Aston Villa was no surprise in the end, after an abysmal start to the 2022//3 season. Once again, a manager who swept to Scottish titles with one of the two Glasgow clubs has come up short on the much harsher terrain of the Premier League. While it is way too earlyContinue reading “‘Captain Fantastics’ are often mediocre managers”

Do we remember old footballers as better than they were?

“I’ve always said Kevin Keegan is overrated,” my father once said, as my MUFC-supporting neighbour predicted his departure would see Liverpool decline. Both were wrong: Liverpool brought in Kenny Dalglish and rose to new heights; Keegan was twice European Footballer of the Year and is if anything historically underrated. I have written before about myContinue reading “Do we remember old footballers as better than they were?”

Heads fall off in football’s kneejerk season

So it looks like Liverpool and Manchester United will be fighting to stay in the Premier League this season. West Ham are gone already. And it’s three titles in a row for mighty Manchester City and their lovely paymasters. That’s what football social media half suggests, anyway. Regardless of the fact that each team hasContinue reading “Heads fall off in football’s kneejerk season”

Ranked: David Bowie’s studio albums

I’ve written before of my love of all things Bowie. Here’s my latest attempt to rank his 26 studio albums in reverse order. 26. David Bowie (1967). Easy to forget that the great man started his career as a purveyor of novelty pop, sounding like a cross between Anthony Newley and Tommy Steele. We’re meantContinue reading “Ranked: David Bowie’s studio albums”

Does Gary Neville want a state-backed Manchester United?

Gary Neville’s impotent fury at Manchester United’s latest humiliation may be a delight to some (go on, that includes me), but it highlights once again his inconsistency when it comes to the role of big money in modern football. In his rant at the affable Jamie Redknapp – who you felt was rather enjoying himselfContinue reading “Does Gary Neville want a state-backed Manchester United?”

Was 1977 the peak year for music?

I recently took part in a Twitter poll to vote for the best 5 albums of 1977. (Quick plug: these polls are run fortnightly for different years by Richard Shaw – @RichardS7370 – and are both fun and sometimes educational). Beyond the explosion of punk – which felt like a defining moment even at theContinue reading “Was 1977 the peak year for music?”