Tag: football

A unique, soccer-based graphic novel

Of course, in real life, any chance any of us had of becoming footballers ended when a 14 year-old Mohaned’s parents said “no” to a trial at Newcastle, due to the lack of education he’d receive if he were join them. Fair. Understandable. Incredibly frustrating.

AC Milan: Is the sleeping giant waking up?

AC Milan have quietly spent a lot of money in this transfer window. The new owners have lived up to their promise to invest in the squad. A resurgent AC Milan is good for their fans but ultimately good for Italian football. How good are these signings really? Are Milan actually primed for a return to the big time? We ask the important questions and I’m sure you’ll find some surprising answers here. Enjoy and have your say in the comments section and on social media.

Gary & Phil Neville can save English football

To hear them talk about the education of young players, about the work ethic they instill in their own children, about the countless hours they voluntarily put into learning Spanish as quickly as possible, about the way they would like their teams to play and their players behave, makes one sit up and take notice. It is infectious. It makes one want to stand up and shout “preach” or “amen” as if in church. It makes one think “if this was my coach, manager or boss I would hang on every word”. Such is the passion, clarity and earnestness with which they speak about the game.

Under The Cosh in Europe: Part 4 – Berlin

It was a hectic, dizzying, wonderful trip on which we saw the quietest and loudest of fans, some football more boring than we could have expected and some moments more magical and golden than we could have dreamed of witnessing, but above all we took in four different cities, cultures and attitudes and we did so together. For 10 days, Europe was Under The Cosh.

Under the Cosh in Europe: Part 3 – Rome

We hopped on a tram, encouraged to see a few people decked out in Roma scarves that we could follow once we stepped off. On the walk up to the stadium we could tell it was going to be a good game. There was something in the air. Perhaps it was the raw energy of the crowd. The Romans had a raw passion that was unrivaled in the other cities we visited. Football is seen as trivial by some, and as life or death by others. It was in Rome that we really felt the latter, and we knew that it would be an entertaining evening.

Under The Cosh in Europe: Part 2 – Barcelona

The trophy room, which contained every trophy won since the 1900s and also had some interesting artifacts like Hristo Stoichkov’s boots and a signed Maradona shirt. It was interesting to watch the markings on the Copa del Ray change over the years in correlation with Spanish politics. During Franco’s reign for example, it was called the Copa del Generalisimo.

Under The Cosh in Europe: Part 1 – England

First thing the next morning we were on a train from Liverpool Street Station to Stanstead Airport, and from there on a Ryanair flight to Barcelona that was so ‘no-frills’ that there weren’t even seat-back pockets. When the cabin crew came around with duty-free magazines, Mohaned rightly asked “even if I wanted one, where would I put it?”, which kind of sums up Arsene Wenger’s thoughts on buying a new striker.

Coshcast Season 3 Ep 1: The Super Podcast

Welcome to Episode 1 of the new Season! Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-cosh-coshcast/id767743946 Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s the Coshcast, and this episode is more delicious than a meal cooked by Rafa Benitez’s wife. This week we review the Community Shield in which Mourinho accuses Wenger of parking l’autobus, Cech […]

Coshcast Season 2 Ep 48: Blatter better have my money

Welcome to Episode 48! Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-cosh-coshcast/id767743946 Too hot? Goddamn. Phillipe Mexes beat Inter Milan. Too hot? Goddamn. TFC come back from 3-0 down. When it’s Saturday and you want a game to watch, watch the Emirates Cup, come on. That’s quite enough of that. In addition we’ve […]

Coshcast Season 2 Ep 45: Red, White, and Blue – Chile/U.S.A

Welcome to Episode 45! Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-cosh-coshcast/id767743946 In Chile, red and white fireworks were sparked on the fourth of July. Argentine dreams of glory may be lost for ever due to Banega and Higuain’s attempt to reach the sky. England beat Germany thanks to a penalty. It’s not just the […]

Coshcast Season 2 Ep 44: Analising the Copa, WWC and TFC

Welcome to Episode 44! Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-cosh-coshcast/id767743946 This week on the Coshcast, we probe into the Copa America as Uruguay get a bum deal, Guerrero and his team mates Peruve themselves, and Ospina nearly saves the day as Colombia fall to Argentina. Elsewhere, the  USA makes up for […]

Coshcast Season 2 Ep 41: Barcelona Turn Up the Treble

Welcome to Episode 41! Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-cosh-coshcast/id767743946 Sepp Blatter, Jerome Valke, the FBI will sort you out, Jack Warner in a corner Prince Ali got murked, Platini’s wet dream, Putin bursting at the seams, Migrant workers in Qatar, they’re not getting very far. Meanwhile on the continent, Barcelona are content, winners of […]

Coshcast Season 2 Ep 39: EPL Team of the Year

Welcome to Episode 39! Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-cosh-coshcast/id767743946 The season may be over but this Coshcast is just beginning. Today, it’s a Premier League bonanza, and we’ve got prizes to award. Best manager, for example. Will it be Bruce, or will it be Sherwood? Keep listening to find out. […]

Matchday 37: The Penultimate Game

The penultimate game of the season is upon us and things have settled down. The Champions of almost every league in Europe have been decided. La Liga, as well, is all but decided. Rumours have been circulating of managerial and player movements. A worthy note must be made […]

Matchday 36: Is it over yet?

So, Chelsea ended up winning the league in unspectacular fashion last weekend, and now there is not much else to play for. Or is there? After dramatic finishes in the past couple of years, it is a bit underwhelming when a season finishes without any real surprises. Nonetheless, […]

What happened to A.S. Roma?

A.S. Roma started this season like a house on fire. Their new signings had bedded in well, Rudi Garcia was the name on everybody’s lips, and it looked as though the Giallorossi would genuinely push Juventus all the way in the race for lo Scudetto. Since around the […]

Exclusive Interview: Paul Stalteri

On Saturday, April 18 Under The Cosh travelled to the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan to meet Paul Stalteri. Stalteri, who retired in 2013, is Canada’s most-capped player, captained his country on 30 occasions, and was in the Canadian team that won the Gold Cup in 2000. In […]

Coshcast Season 2 Ep 36: The Week of Champions (Juve, Chelsea, Bayern)

Welcome to Episode 36! Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-cosh-coshcast/id767743946 Chelsea are the champions, United’s style is cramped again, Nigel Pearson’s list of sins, listen in, the Coshcast begins. In La Liga, Barcelona struggle to overcome Cordoba, but eventually win 8-0. In Italy, Juventus make it Facebook official with the league […]

Coshcast Season 2 Ep 35: POTY: Podcast of the Year

Welcome to Episode 35! Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-cosh-coshcast/id767743946 Welcome to the Coshcast. In the Premiership, Lamela manages a hand of God and Hull’s prayers are answered as they N’Doye a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. Against City Brad Guzan proves to be a shit Shay Given,and Mirallas dents United’s […]

Matchday 32: The Manchester Derby

The season is grinding its way to a dramatic conclusion, at least where the top four and relegation battles are concerned. It will take multiple Gerrard-esque slips for Chelsea concede the title now, but beneath them, Arsenal, City and United are battling it out to decide which of the top four spots each get.

Matchday 30: El Anfield Clasico

It’s coming thick and fast. The Champions League and Europa League knockout phases are now causing the fixture schedule to burst at the seams. Managers are under immense pressure to get the balancing and rotation of their squads right as we approach the final stretch of the season. […]

Bruce Grobbelaar goes Under the Cosh

Under The Cosh traveled to Ottawa to meet Liverpool legend, Bruce Grobbelaar. Bruce discussed his present situation as goalkeeping coach for Ottawa Fury F.C. as well as the good old days at Liverpool. We also coaxed him into discussing the current Liverpool side and Simon Mignolet especially. Enjoy! Below […]