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Glenn Moore
Glenn Moore is Football Editor of The Independent having previously been chief football correspondent 1994-2004. He is the last English newspaper journalist to have been granted an exclusive interview by Sir Alex Ferguson, and this season became the first in nearly a decade to exclusively interview Arsene Wenger. He is one of the very few journalists to possess the FA Level 2 Coaching Certificate (part one of the two-part Uefa B licence) and is the author of Soccer Skills and Tactics
When I was given my first job, more years distant than I care to mention, I was instructed to follow the famous dictum of the former editor of the Manchester Guardian, CP Scott’s, ‘comment is free, but facts are sacred’.
Following on from that this is the first of a regular football quiz with 11 questions, one a matter for comment, ten about facts.
While pleased to see this morning's publication of The Independent's fourth survey into the best players outside the Premier League has prompted plenty of comment perhaps it is time, as the compiler, to intervene before the response becomes purely a cross-border skirmish.
As tk noted, the survey excluded SPL players not because none are good enough, but primarily because it was felt that, unlike last season, there were enough players of quality in the Championship. It also reflected a realisation that including Scottish players last year was an error. It is more logical to limit the survey to the Football League. If the SPL, why not France, or Italy, and so on? Indeed, including SPL players is arguably more insulting than omitting them as it might be interpreted as suggesting it is just a feeder league to the EPL, as the Championship undeniably is. It was done last year partly as a consequence of the euphoric mood provoked by the exploits of the national team in Euro2008 qualifying and the Old Firm in Europe.
I will suggest to our Scottish correspondent that he compiles an SPL survey, probably to be carried exclusively on the web. This will take a few weeks as I ought to remind everyone the survey was not my opinion but that of many managers, players and other pundits I and colleagues spoke to. Several of these were Scots working in England. Nick will have to do the same before producing an SPL verdict.
Incidentally, to North End Girl, Sean St Leger did receive votes, just not enough. And did you see the two-page interview with Alan Irvine last week? PNE are not ignored by the Indie, a former manager is quoted, the current manager was among those consulted.
Thanks for reading
Glenn Moore
As tk noted, the survey excluded SPL players not because none are good enough, but primarily because it was felt that, unlike last season, there were enough players of quality in the Championship. It also reflected a realisation that including Scottish players last year was an error. It is more logical to limit the survey to the Football League. If the SPL, why not France, or Italy, and so on? Indeed, including SPL players is arguably more insulting than omitting them as it might be interpreted as suggesting it is just a feeder league to the EPL, as the Championship undeniably is. It was done last year partly as a consequence of the euphoric mood provoked by the exploits of the national team in Euro2008 qualifying and the Old Firm in Europe.
I will suggest to our Scottish correspondent that he compiles an SPL survey, probably to be carried exclusively on the web. This will take a few weeks as I ought to remind everyone the survey was not my opinion but that of many managers, players and other pundits I and colleagues spoke to. Several of these were Scots working in England. Nick will have to do the same before producing an SPL verdict.
Incidentally, to North End Girl, Sean St Leger did receive votes, just not enough. And did you see the two-page interview with Alan Irvine last week? PNE are not ignored by the Indie, a former manager is quoted, the current manager was among those consulted.
Thanks for reading
Glenn Moore
Is anyone out there? Well, let's hope so because the first ambition of this blog is to enlist the expertise of The Independent's knowledgeable readership.
Every year this newspaper conducts a survey of the best players outside the Premier League, which for reasons of sanity and convenience will this year mean those playing in the Football League (of any nationality). This blog is an appeal to the many thousand readers who watch the Championship. Which players have impressed you this season? Which ones have that star potential to make it in the top flight? Try to put club bias aside, but also consider players, where possible, on the basis of more than one performance.
We will also be consulting managers, the players themselves, pundits and agents, but would very much appreciate your input; after all, you pay the players' wages.
The winner has to be under 30, but feel free vote for players of any age, reference to 30-somethings will be made in the accompanying text as with the case of Kevin Phillips last year. The initial winners were Phil Jagielka, who is now impressing in the top flight with Everton, then David Nugent, who went on to play for England but has otherwise not yet trained on. Last year we widened the field to include the SPL and the winner was Rangers' Alan Hutton, who soon joined Spurs but has largely been injured since. Wolves' Michael Kightly was second and, on reflection, would have been a worthy winner himself. That is why this year we are again only selecting from the Football League.
So, please, give yourself an excuse to escape the seasonal festivities and send in your nominations.
Every year this newspaper conducts a survey of the best players outside the Premier League, which for reasons of sanity and convenience will this year mean those playing in the Football League (of any nationality). This blog is an appeal to the many thousand readers who watch the Championship. Which players have impressed you this season? Which ones have that star potential to make it in the top flight? Try to put club bias aside, but also consider players, where possible, on the basis of more than one performance.
We will also be consulting managers, the players themselves, pundits and agents, but would very much appreciate your input; after all, you pay the players' wages.
The winner has to be under 30, but feel free vote for players of any age, reference to 30-somethings will be made in the accompanying text as with the case of Kevin Phillips last year. The initial winners were Phil Jagielka, who is now impressing in the top flight with Everton, then David Nugent, who went on to play for England but has otherwise not yet trained on. Last year we widened the field to include the SPL and the winner was Rangers' Alan Hutton, who soon joined Spurs but has largely been injured since. Wolves' Michael Kightly was second and, on reflection, would have been a worthy winner himself. That is why this year we are again only selecting from the Football League.
So, please, give yourself an excuse to escape the seasonal festivities and send in your nominations.
