Outside the Box – Football on TV: A prosperous week for Liverpool in the cups but off the field is a different story

The days leading up to the weekend’s FA Cup Fourth Round ties were not particularly pleasant for many football fans, a week in which the unseemly and murky face of football was glaringly apparent. Many column inches were devoted to the tax-evasion trial of Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, as well as th...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: Confusion reigns at City as Coleman fluffs his lines

Have you played Football Manager 2012? You may wonder how a game brimming with data, facts and incalculable statistics comes to contain such a dearth of information. Well, in the early stages of the games development, some spotty oik is charged with the task of finding someone close to each of the 7...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: Manchester disunited but the magic of the FA Cup is alive and well

The much talked about magic of the FA Cup was present in abundance this Sunday during the huge third round Manchester showdown, in fact there was more magic contained in the 90 minutes than during a Paul Daniels swingers party. Chris Foy’s card tricks, a disappearing City captain and most mystifying...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: Stelling and his merry mates bring festive cheer and genuine fear in the absence of any football

If we boil it down, there are two distinct ways to spend the festive period. You either endure the holiday wallowing in a pit of desperate desolation, alone with no hope of joviality, good tidings or communal kinship. Sat crestfallen in front of Eastenders on Christmas night, nursing a bottle of gin...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: A battle of wits ends in defeat for Worthy’s warhorses, but football marches on

Let’s face it. Our footballing heroes don’t have the greatest reputation when it comes to brainpower and academia do they? A cautionary glance at the post-match interviews every week on Match Of The Day show us superstars struggling to grasp the complexity of questions such as, “How do you feel the ...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: A love-in for O’Neill as marvel Martin ruins Rovers’ day

It was clear at 1pm on Sunday what the overriding theme of the day was going to be on Sky Sports’ Live Super Sunday. Ed Chamberlain, growing more and more comfortably into the role of football anchorman, opened the afternoon’s football coverage by loudly proclaiming, “Sunderland’s new era begins tod...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: The rise and fall of the sprightly Savage is far from a waltz in the park

Do you remember the first time you ever saw Star Wars? That intoxicating and bedazzling rush of pure unadulterated excitement as you sat slack-jawed, unable to wrench your eyes away from all the bright lights, whizzing space ships and questionable acting? And perhaps you also remember the desolate f...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: ITV begin to repay their debt with a feast of Man City delights

It’s the 12th June 2010. Seven thirty-four on a warm summer’s evening. My friends and I are huddled around my television, just as a million more expectant eyes are doing at the same moment up and down the nation. Then pffft … nothing. A moment’s darkness was followed by some guff about Hyundai cars ...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: A bad week for JT just gets worse and worse as the news hacks attack!

It’s been a bad old week for Chelsea and England captain John Terry hasn’t it? The on-going racism row between Terry and his accuser Anton Ferdinand has been front and back page news since the incident occurred a week ago and the story shows no signs of halting. Like most I have seen the footage...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: Mancini’s Manchester magicians spoil the party… and this column

Why always me? This week I was going to talk to you about the light-hearted Sky Sports knockabout quiz Take It Like a Fan. I was armed with reams of faint praise for the show and was readying my keyboard for a glittering review and even a possible recommendation for you all to check it out. But al...

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Outside the Box – Football on TV: Football on Sky is becoming a fairytale thanks to Wilkins the Wizard

So we were repeatedly told that it was the ‘biggest club game in world football’ as Liverpool and Manchester United met at Anfield on Saturday for the ever-intense North-West derby. The fevered atmosphere was apparent at Sky for Live Ford Football Special and there was an almost fairytale mood in ...

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Squarefootball's Fantasy football invitation

There is less than two weeks to go until the start of the 2011/12 Premier League season and time is running out for you to enter the Squarefootball fantasy football competition. Last season more than 100 teams competed for the Squarefootball title, which was won by P Oxenby and his team FC Poxo. He...

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What five things would you do before the season starts?

Isn’t it normally New Years Eve when you get a top 100 favourite moments of the year or top 500 best movie credits or some other poor excuse for a programme? Well I thought I would also use it as a poor excuse for an article, but rather than boring you all with a list consisting of 100 or more items...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 38

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. It’s the last quiz of the season so it’s your final chance to impress your friends with your sporting knowledge. Your challenge starts here. 1. Aston Villa v Liverpool: The Reds haven’t lost at Villa Park since going down 2-1 13 year...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 38 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Aston Villa v Liverpool: The answer is A, Stan Collymore. 2. Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City: The answer is B, Carlos Tevez. 3. Everton v Chelsea: The answer is C, Louis Saha. 4. Fulham v Arsenal: The answer is C, Brede Hangeland. 5. Manchester United v Blackpool: T...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 37

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. There’s not much to say this week. With the curtain coming down on the season I’m getting a bit emotional so I’d better keep this short before I start greeting like that clown Gazza. Your challenge starts here. 1. Blackburn Rovers v ...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 37 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United: The answer is B, Lucas Neill. 2. Blackpool v Bolton Wanderers: The answer is C, Mark Davies. 3. Sunderland v Wolverhampton Wanderers: The answer is A, Culture Beat and Mr Vain. 4. West Bromwich Albion v Everton: The answer is A, Pau...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 35

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. No time for formalities today. I’m having a big do at the Palace. Crystal Palace that is! Have fun. Your challenge starts here. 1. Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers: This will be the 24th meeting between the two sides in the Premie...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 35 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers: The answer is A, Alan Shearer. 2. Blackpool v Stoke City: The answer is C, The Searchers. 3. Sunderland v Fulham: The answer is B, Stoke City, 2-0 on December 28. 4. West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa: The answer is A, Johnny Giles. ...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 34

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. There’s no time to waste. The wife has promised to dress up as Jessica Rabbit for Easter so I’m off to make the most of it! Hope you have as much fun as me!!! Your challenge starts here. 1. Manchester United v Everton: Everton scored...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 34 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Manchester United v Everton: The answer is C, Steven Pienaar. 2. Aston Villa v Stoke City: The answer is B, John Carew. 3. Blackpool v Newcastle United: The answer is A, Adam and Campbell. 4. Liverpool v Birmingham City: The answer is A, Steven Gerrard. 5. Sunderland v...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 33

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. If Fernando Torres thought scoring for Chelsea was hard, he should try this quiz! No-one, and I mean no-one, has managed to get 10 out of 10 right at the first time of asking so I’m going to make it a little bit easier this weekend. Fo...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 33 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Birmingham City v Sunderland: The answer is C, Michael Gray. 2. Blackpool v Wigan Athletic: The answer is A, Gary Taylor-Fletcher. 3. Everton v Blackburn Rovers: The answer is B, Paul Ince. 4. West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea: The answer is A, Kanu and Zoltan Gera . 5. W...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 32

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. Now you’re already late so sit down, compose yourself and take a deep breath. If you manage to get 10 out of 10 – without looking at the answers sheet – I’ll be extremely surprised. All the best! Your challenge starts here. 1. Wolver...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 32 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton: The answer is A, Tim Cahill. 2. Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City: The answer is B, Nikola Zigic. 3. Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United: The answer is A, Mark Noble. 4. Chelsea v Wigan Athletic: The answer is C, Olivia Kapo. 5. Manch...

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Premier League Predictions Table: Bolton still chipping away at United

Manchester United showed their title-winning credentials at the weekend by fighting back from two down to beat West Ham United 4-2 at Upton Park. That result, combined with disappointing draws for Arsenal and Chelsea, has allowed Sir Alex Ferguson’s men to put one hand on the title. But United fan P...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 31

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. No time for pleasantries this week. Let’s get straight down to action. All the best! Your challenge starts here. 1. West Ham United v Manchester United: The Hammers have failed to score against the Red Devils in their past five leagu...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 31 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. West Ham United v Manchester United: The answer is B, Dean Ashton. He scored in a 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford in May 2008. 2. Birmingham City v Bolton Wanderers: The answer is C, Kevin Davies. 3. Everton v Aston Villa: The answer is A, 0. Tim Cahill was the latest in a lo...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 30

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. Now you’re already late so sit down, compose yourself and take a deep breath. If you manage to get 10 out of 10 – without looking at the answers sheet – I’ll be extremely surprised. All the best! Your challenge starts here. 1. Totten...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 30 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United: The answer is A, Anton Ferdinand. 2. Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers: The answer is C, John Barnwell. 3. Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool: The answer is C, Matt Phillips. 4. Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers: The answer is A, Ke...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 28 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers: Both Sutton and Gallacher both scored hat-tricks against Villa in the same season (1997/98) but Gallacher’s was the last player to grab the match ball in their 5-0 win at Ewood Park. 2. Everton v Sunderland: The answer is B, Duncan Ferguson...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 27

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. No time for pleasantries again. Let’s just get down to business! Your challenge starts here. 1. Manchester United v Manchester City: Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez are both class players who give everything when they step over the whi...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 27 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Manchester United v Manchester City: Carlos Tevez has scored four goals in Manchester derbies – three for City one for United – but Rooney has netted five times in the big game. 2. Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers: The answer was B, Alex Rae. 3. Birmingham City v Stoke ...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 26

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. No time for pleasantries today. Let’s just get down to business! Your challenge starts here. 1. Stoke City v Sunderland: The Black Cats last win at the Britannia in November 2004 by a solitary goal. Can you tell me who scored? Was it...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 26 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Stoke City v Sunderland: The answer is C, Michael Bridges. 2. Aston Villa v Fulham: The answer is C, Four. 3. Everton v Blackpool: Both managers are 47 but David Moyes’s birthday is on April 25 while Holloway’s is on March 12, making the Everton boss the oldest. 4. Manc...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 25

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz on the planet. This week is for all you proper anoraks out there as we are going to be focusing on people’s middle names. So if you think you know everything about everyone in the Premier League then here’s your chance to prove it. Your challenge st...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 25 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Arsenal v Everton: The answer is B, James. 2. Sunderland v Chelsea: The answer is A, Roger. 3. Manchester United v Aston Villa: The answer is C, Chapman. 4. West Bromwich Albion v Wigan Athletic: The answer is A, God Chooses (for you). 5. Birmingham City v Manchester C...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 24

Welcome to the toughest weekly football quiz on the net. If you know your Arsenals from your Elmanders and your friends call you statto then this will be a breeze for you. However, if you are a Johnny-come-lately I doubt you’ll even get one answer on target. Even the most knowledgeable football fan ...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 24 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool: The last Liverpool player to score a winner at Molienux was Alan Hansen. 2. Arsenal v Wigan Athletic: The last Wigan player to score at the Emirates was Denny Landzaat. 3. Blackpool v Sunderland: The Bee Gees were top of the pops in B...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 23

After the FA Cup break it’s back to Premier League action and with that comes another instalment of Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz. This week we are focusing mainly on goal scorers so I’m expecting some maximum scores from my pupils. Do you think you have what it takes to ace this quiz? Well p...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 23 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers: The last Blackburn player to score at the Bridge was Craig Bellamy. 2. Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Emmanuel Adebayor was the City hero last season in this fixture. 3. Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers: Bolton owed Matt Taylor a hand...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 22

It may be a new year but unless you got a new brain for Christmas I can’t see too many of you getting top marks from the Squarefootball Premier League quiz. So, as a gesture of goodwill, I have made it super, super easy for you this week with all the multi-choice questions being based on players and...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 22 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Blackpool V Birmingham City: Richard Kingston plays for Ghana. 2. Fulham v West Bromwich Albion: Peter Odenwingie is Nigerian. 3. Manchester United v Stoke City: Javier Hernandez plays for Mexico. 4. Arsenal v Manchester City: Damarcus Beasley is American. 5. Aston V...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 21

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz in the world. A new year is around the corner but I’ve got a funny feeling that your luck in this quiz will not be improving any time soon. I’d love you to prove me wrong. Unfortunately I don’t think you will – well not unless you look at the answers...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 21 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United: The correct pair we were looking for Jason Koumas and Nathan Ellington. 2. Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers: The last Bolton player to score at Anfield was Henrik Pedersen. 3. Manchester City v Blackpool: The Beatles were top of the ...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 20

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz in the world. I’ve compiled 10 more questions for you to answer relating to the midweek festive fixtures. You need to know more than football to get full marks in this quiz with questions covering topics such as politics, history and music. Are you t...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 20 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Birmingham City v Manchester United: The manager we were looking for was Dave Sexton. 2.Manchester City v Aston Villa: The pairing we were after was Shaun Maloney and John Carew. 3. Stoke City v Fulham: Despite Fulham’s heroics in Europe they finished just 12th in the ta...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 19

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz in the world. Last weekend’s football action was decimated by the weather. Hopefully the weather will be kind to all football fans this Boxing Day in order to give us the chance to escape the dreaded in-laws. I mean if I have to hear my mother-in-law...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 19 – The Answers

So how did you get on? 1. Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur: The pairing we were looking for was Jamie Redknapp and Teddy Sheringham. 2. Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City: The Stoke manager we were looking for was the legendary Tony Waddington. 3. Blackpool v Liverpool: The Prime Minister of Britain in...

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Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 18

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz in the world. Now there’s more chance of pulling the lovely Reese Witherspoon or finding the gorgeous Kelly Brook in your stocking this Christmas than there is of getting these all correct. But don’t let me put you off. I’d love you to prove me wrong...

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