Hypothetical XI #6: Multinational football
When creating a line-up of the best players world football currently has to offer, international squads and club sides just can’t cut it. Greg Johnson takes a look at the possibility of a...
View ArticleThe Manchester derby: United’s last chance to land a knock-out blow
Greg Johnson looks at why Manchester United must go for the uppercut against Manchester City in tonight’s Premier League derby or risk damaging their own victory like the faded glory of modern...
View ArticleLuis Suarez bit Branislav Ivanovic, and what?
Greg Johnson looks at why the furore surrounding Suarez’s latest chomp shows football’s opinionators up to be chumps… The outrage over Luis Suarez’s latest act of infamy is utterly bemusing. Judging by...
View ArticleGötze to Bayern: 10 other deals with dodgy contract clauses and transfer fees
With the European scene reeling from the news that Bayern have secured Dortmund’s hottest property, Greg Johnson looks at past transfers and contract wrangles that have left fans scratching their hands...
View ArticleLewandowski to Bayern, United and 8 other examples of clubs buying teams not...
With the world’s richest teams looking to buy-in whole chunks of Borussia Dortmund rather than their individual stars, Greg Johnson looks at 10 examples of clubs who purchased more than just the...
View ArticleAll Hail Gazprom: The Birth of a Football Overlord
Freedom is futile. Greg Johnson implores that you submit yourself to Gazprom to limit the suffering of your friends and family. For Gazprom! Preamble Gazprom are on Facebook. I know this because one of...
View ArticleDavid Moyes, Sir Alex Ferguson and 5 other successions from football’s past
With the dawn of a new era breaking over Old Trafford, Greg Johnson looks back to some of football’s most famous (and infamous) hand overs of power between dynasties, empires and icons… On July 1,...
View ArticleIn defence of Stoke City: an asset to the Premier League
The problem with Stoke City is complacency not brutality argues Greg Johnson… Next season Tony Pulis will be the second longest serving manager in the Premier League after Arsene Wenger, but in that...
View ArticleWigan win the FA Cup: a United fan’s report hidden within the City support
Manchester United supporter Greg Johnson accompanied his City-supporting father to the FA Cup Final to watch Wigan Athletic triumph, tradition fade and football win the day… Emerging from underground,...
View ArticleDavid Beckham Retires: Over-hyped, Underrated and a Role Model to English...
With David Beckham calling an end to his 20 year career, Greg Johnson looks at the player behind the hype, and asks whether more footballers should follow his example… Over the past few years, David...
View ArticleManchester City to be Refreshed by the Sparkling Taste of San Pellegrini
TFN’s resident Manuel Pellegrini enthusiast Greg Johnson believes that the Chilean would be a major upgrade on Roberto Mancini. Here’s why Manchester City fans should drink in and savour the prospect...
View ArticleThe TFN Writers Awards: 2012-13
The False Nine team respond to the results of the 2013 PFA Awards with their own picks for Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Manager of the Year… Continuing on in his quest to become...
View ArticleITV Preview Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund
Greg Johnson and James Dutton imagine the scenes in the ITV studios as they discover Borussia Dortmund during tomorrow night’s Champions League semi final second leg against Real Madrid… Adrian Chiles:...
View ArticleWhat’s next for Marcelo Bielsa? Five jobs for football’s tactical fundamentalist
Greg Johnson rustles up five potential new dug-outs for the man behind “vertical football” to takeover this summer… Marcelo Bielsa needs a new job. Although cited by Jonathan Wilson as the progenitor...
View ArticleJose Mourinho, Chelsea and the Cult of Brian Clough
As the press go wild for Jose Mourinho’s reinstatement as Chelsea manager, Greg Johnson ponders the source of England’s love affair with the Special One and the interrupted quest for domestic...
View ArticleThis Summer’s Transfer Window is a Theme Park to be Enjoyed
With players and managers switching up clubs across Europe, Greg Johnson argues that in the absence of a fixture list this summer is an attraction in its own right… Forget your suitcase, sun cream and...
View Article5 Reasons Why ‘Holistic’ Managers are the new Star Signings
It’s no longer enough to be a great trainer, tactician or transfer dealer. Clubs are seeking more from their managers than ever and the modern game demands polymaths who can do it all. Greg Johnson...
View ArticleEngland’s U-21 Debacle: How to Improve the Country’s Youth?
Having crashed out of the European U-21 Championships bottom of their group, the inquest is already out on the causes of England’s failures at youth level. With the number of U-21 players playing in...
View ArticleMurdoch’s Sky Dream League Ushers in the Age of the Super Club
With the news that Rupert Murdoch wants to create a super league of 16 elite teams, Greg Johnson looks at what the establishment of a new top-tier could mean for football’s long-term health… The age of...
View ArticleIniesta the Great: Crowded Out of History by Zidane and Laudrup?
The False Nine’s Greg Johnson, Rob Brown and John Guillem take a look at the brilliance of Andrés Iniesta, Michael Laudrup and Zinedine Zidane, and ask who is the greatest… Football today is a package...
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