Comment Piece: A Tale of Second Cities

Seconds out, round two. Alex McLeish, in the time-honoured tradition of successful national team coaches with nothing to do for a year or so, has admitted missing club football and waited for the nation's chairmen to reconsider the 'full backing of the board' statement they issued the day before. And Birmingham City, in the wake of Steve Bruce's homecoming at Wigan, have pounced.

McLeish comes to St Andrews from Hampden, by way of Ibrox, leaving Scotland’s second city for England’s – and has brought himself back into the firing line of an old adversary: the Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill.

The 48-year-old succeeds Steve Bruce at St Andrews. “I absolutely loved my time as coach of the national team,” he said, “but it rekindled my passion of being able to work with players every day.”

“I have always harboured a desire to manage in the Premier League and I am really excited about the challenge.”

For the man himself, the move makes sense. There will be those that question McLeish’s decision to join a club away from the higher reaches of a league given his previous experience at Hibernian and Rangers, but as former Scotland great Pat Nevin said, “I think it's the league rather than the club that has attracted Alex.”

But in some senses, McLeish is entering a rather familiar situation. When he took the Rangers job in 2003, he inherited a team living in the shadow of their cross-city rivals, Martin O’Neill’s Celtic. O’Neill had completed a clean sweep of the domestic honours in 2001, and guided the Bhoys to the UEFA Cup final in 2003. But while Celtic went to Seville, Rangers concerned themselves with completing their own domestic treble.



In his 4-½-year tenure, McLeish won more trophies than O’Neill, a fact that is often overlooked. And this at a time when the purse-strings of the Scottish giants were at their very tightest.

Now, nobody in their right mind expects Birmingham to conquer England this season or next, but a climb up the Premier League pecking order – and parity with their second-city rivals – would help get the long-suffering Blues supporters onside. And with a successful history of managing top-flight club teams north of the border, and squeezing the very best from limited resources and talent available with the national side, for Birmingham chairman David Gold the decision made itself.

Ever the diplomat, O’Neill was full of praise for the incoming Scot. “I think he's an excellent manager,” he told Sky Sports News. “I can't pretend to know what he does in his training sessions or how he motivates his players, but he is able to do that.”

“He would be terrific for the Premiership, he really would be.”

With Bruce departing amid speculation about a potential takeover, McLeish sought advice from the Birmingham board on the speculation surrounding Carson Yeung’s yo-yoing bid for the club. As it stands, David Gold is reportedly ready to throw out the bid and buy back Yeung’s shares as a definitive move fails to materialise.

The uncertainty has hung over the club for too long now, but McLeish was ensured his job would be safe – something that bemused Gold.

“It was a bizarre situation in the sense that a takeover board won't allow you to enhance an existing contract - in this instance Steve's - but you can offer a brand new contract to a brand new person.”

“It surprised us and was the reason we had to ensure we got proper legal advice and clearance.”

But ultimately, McLeish has been installed to continue the good work Bruce was doing before him. And at a club who have had only four managers in the past 16 years, he can feel safe that time will be on his side.

There is one sure-fire way to cement his position in the hearts and minds of the Blues faithful. Win the game on April 20th.

Aston Villa, away.

ENDS
Word count: 656

FULL TIME England 44-22 Samoa

Progress was the order of the day and progress has been made. It was far from pretty at times, and 44 points really does flatter England, but a win and a bonus point means that their dreams of retaining the World Cup are still alive. Credit to Samoa, they matched England up until the last 15 minutes and were on the verge of a mighty upset at times, but indiscipline proved to be their undoing as it so often has been in the past.

For the English patient, the situation has gone from critical to stable. Wilkinson breathed new life into the team but even he looked more fallable than he ever has in an England shirt. From here, the platform has been set to reach the quarter-finals, but whether or not you'd back them to go further is another question.

00:80 ENGLAND 44-22 Samoa

Samoa look to finish on a high, but it is England who score to end the game. Paul Sackey crosses deep into injury time just seconds after being dumped on the floor. This is a man's game and Sackey shows why. From the penalty, the pack lumber forward before some fancy footwork from Wilkinson and a neat inside pass releases the winger. Four tries means the bonus point - it may flatter England but for Ashton's men it is job well done, at long last. That may prove a turning point for England in this World Cup. We can only hope so.

00:75 ENGLAND 39-22 Samoa

And...breathe. Martin Corry finishes the move he started, crashing over in the same manner of the game's opening try. The game must be safe now, surely? Statto's will be pointing out that four years ago England beat Samoa 35-22 and went on to win the World Cup. Does this performance better that one? On the scoresheet it does...but only on the scoresheet.

00:73 England 32-22 Samoa

Olly Barkley joins the fray, and you'd think it would be for his kicking rather than his less-than-expansive running game. In Barkley and Wilkinson England have two fine players with the boot, but two left-footers. Would Mike Catt have been a better option? For England's sake, we hope it doesn't matter.

00:71 ENGLAND 32-22 Samoa

The indiscipline returns to the Samoan play, as Crichton doesn't send his restart the full 10 yards. England take the scrum and Samoa hand them yet another penalty. Wilkinson from half-way...and its over. Normal service is resumed, from Jonny anyway. A 10-point lead with 10 minutes to go still isn't a sure thing, but given the previous 10 minutes, its a sigh of relief for now.

00:69 ENGLAND 29-22 Samoa

Now its Lewsey's turn to miss touch, and Samoa are revelling in the opportunities to charge back at a shaky England defence. Finally they slow the ball in midfield and the pack finds some of that first half form. Samoa concede a penalty on their own 22, but no need - Wilkinson finds his ranges and drops the goal.

00:64 England 26-22 Samoa

Its all Samoa right now, forwards and backs driving and passing and menacing England. A flash of brilliance on the floor from Gomersall steals the ball back, and he shepherds the ball back to Wilkinson...but when touch from inside the 22 looked the sensible option, Jonny hits midfield. Whether planned or not, it is Joe Worsley who careers forward and shuts down the next Samoan response. The next 16 minutes for England are massive. The unthinkable - the holders exiting at the group stages - is looking more and more possible.

00:62 England 26-22 Samoa

A footrace between Alesana Tuilagi and Martin Corry? All bets are off...but thankfully for the stand-in England captain the ball bobbles out. And it only gets worse for England - Tait makes a meal of possession in midfield and Crichton carries the ball wide before kicking ahead. Lewsey finds himself on his own line, facing the wrong way, with two Samoans at his back. Somehow he scrambles the ball clear, but a Samoan scrum five yards out tells its own story.

00:57 Enlgand 26-22 Samoa

Samoa put England on the back foot again, and Gomersall fumbles a bomb of a kick inside his 22. But, inexplicably, Alan Lewis marches towards the Samoan 22 and calls an England scrum. No idea why, but I'm sure anyone wearing a rose will take that just now.

00:55 England 26-22 Samoa

Finally England work the ball up to the Samoa line, and it is the forwards who deserve the credit. Samoa give away a penalty, but once again Wilkinson misses. The men in white could really have used that one dropping over to settle a few nerves, but no joy.

00:53 England 26-22 Samoa

Did this team really lose to Tonga? Because if what we are watching is anything to go by, that says more about the onerous task ahead of England than the poor form of their current opponents.

00:50 England 26-22 Samoa

Now is not the time to lose your head, and although Tait flies down the left in response, the move breaks down. We have told them all week that that ball needs to move faster, but right now, the slow game may just allow England time to regroup. Right now, the momentum is with les autres bleues.

00:46 England 26-22

One for the TMO. A superb run and chip on from Mahonri Scwalger down the right which Junior Polu chases down. No one will contest whether or not he had control of that ball, but a hand on it is all he needed...and all he had. Alan Lewis raises his hand for the try, and Crichton adds the extras. It is very much game on now.

00:44 ENGLAND 26-15 Samoa

Brian Lima has a go at decapitating Jonny Wilkinson, and is duly punished. The sin bin was an option there, but England will settle for another three points, and an unfazed Wilkinson...

00:42 England 23-15 SAMOA

Back underway, and England invite more pressure upon themselves. Wilkinson, of all people, doesn't roll away from the tackle and Loki Crichton steps up again to chip away at England's lead. Two scores still in it, but a big half for each side now. The French fans are singing 'allez les bleues'. Thats all England need.

HALF TIME England 23-12 SAMOA

Samoa finish the half with a penalty - so much for not having a kicker out there. There are signs of a rugby match breaking out here, but only signs. These are two wounded animals still in the process of regaining confidence. By Samoa's standards, the rugby has been cagey, but in periods they have contained England. Had some kept their heads in the tight, it may well be a different story. But credit to England - two tries on the scoreboard, and taking points as they present themselves. Wilkinson has made a difference, but not the difference. That would have to be the pack.

00:38 England 23-9 SAMOA

...but a quick drop goal is all Samoa come away with. Therein lies the difference - Fancy but ineffectual from Samoa, 9 points. Dull but eficient from England, 23. one for the IRB to address I feel, but that's an argument for another day.

00:34 England 23-6 Samoa

And, in turn, vintage Samoa. England kick the ball away aimlessly and invite the Samoans forward. Alesana Tuilagi takes up the challenge and races at the England line, before chipping into the 22. Gomersall is turned, and does well to clear to touch. You can see why the Pacific Islanders have their fans - it is an attractive brand of rugby they play.

00:32 ENGLAND 23-6 Samoa

Signs of an England of old as Shaw breaks the Samoan line to set England on their way. The backs spin it to the right flank, reset and come back towards the left. A sublime grubber kick from Wilkinson is latched onto by Sackey and it is try number two. Vintage stuff.

00:28 England 16-6 Samoa

Not the best game you'll ever see, but there are signs of rebuilding in the England ranks. Ball is quicker - though it couldn't have got slower - and the pack is dictating the play. But progress still looks sluggish, and if Samoa weren't their own worst enemies it might be a different story right now. That said, a win is a win and England are on their way to victory right now.

00:24 England 16-6 Samoa

Forget the time, note the date - Jonny Wilkinson misses a sitter of a penalty after Samoa dive over the top, just to prove he is human. As if the endless injuries hadn't already let us know.

00:21 England 16-6 Samoa

Another banker for Wilkinson. If this game is to be decided by discipline and penalties in the packs, Samoa will lose, and by a margin. Jonny punishes another daft piece of hot-blooded play, Samoa snatching the ball while on the floor inside their own half.

00:17 England 13-6 Samoa

Worsley is left for dead by scrum-half Junior Polu from a quick free kick - just the type of thing he is in the side to prevent happening. Were it not for a loose pass in contact, England may have been made to pay.

00:13 ENGLAND 13-6 Samoa

Sloppy breakdown play again, but this time from the Samoans. Gomersall exploits Samoa's reluctance to roll away from the tackle and the ref blows up in front of the posts. Doubt I need to tell you the rest...

00:10 England 10-6 SAMOA

Loki Crichton slots home from a central berth inside the 22. England were offside at the breakdown but thew real damage was done by the Tuilagi brothers who found space to stretch their legs and set some pulses racing. The running game for Samoa today - England have been warned.

00:08 England 10-3 SAMOA

A daft one to give away from the England scrum, but without a recognised test kicker in the Samoa side, perhaps risking the odd penalty 40 yards out won't go punished? Nope. Loki Crichton gave it everything, and it creeps over.

00:06 ENGLAND 10-0 Samoa

More attacking play from England, as the pack stamps its authority on the game. Pound for pound, the Samoans look more than a match for their opposite numbers, but at set pieces England look like a polished unit. And so it proves as Wilkinson slots a drop goal to keep to scoreboard ticking over.

00:03 ENGLAND 7-0 Samoa

But what a start for Ashton's men. From the kick-off England put themselves in the faces of the Samoans, and fly-half Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu started about as badly as a fly-half can, being charged down by Worsley who ought to have gone over himself. But Samoa cannot stand England up on their own line for long - Corry crashes over on the right to give England the dream start. Wilkinson converts for a tricky two points. Thats what having a kicker at no 10 will - and won't - do for a team's confidence.

England v Samoa

The Samoan Haka is a wonderous sight, and boy do they look up for this. England fans respond with 'swing low' - anbd you'd have to say they don't sound half as sure of themselves.

Minute-by-minute: RWC England v Samoa

Here we go then. Jonny's back in, but will it prove enough to revitalise an England side, embarrassed last week by a rampant South Africa?

For Samoa, just as much rides on the result today. With SA running away with the group, and Tonga having nicked a win last week, it really falls to whichever side takes maximum points here today to fight for that second qualifying berth from this pool.

Big breath now...

Feedback

The immediacy of writing, watching, missing things as you are writing makes the m-b-m process quite an intense experience. I ended up picking key players to focus on in order to keep some of the posts more specific, which was a shame but really the only way to manage the workload.

I was amazed when I realised I had produced 50 posts by full-time, but annoyed I lost a decent one because the browser timed out. Writing in an informal tone was both good fun and in a way easier, analysis comes out from being able to talk about a game as you would at the pub.

Good fun though.

FULL TIME Japan 2-2 England

What a rollercoaster. What a second half. England will go away feeling aggrieved about a those two free-kick decisions that proved costly, but they would do better to look at the chances that went begging in both halves.

Japan will be relieved that they have escaped with a point, but whether or not this is as much as they have to offer is open to debate. For England, second gear was nearly enough tonight, but certainly won't be against a rampant Germany in five days' time. But Kelly Smith looks ready to light this tournament up, and a point on the board means that England are still alive in this group. It's only just begun...but that's me done for now. See you next week for the Germany game.

00:90 GOAL Japan 2-2 England

Would you credit it. Aya Miyama makes it 2 from 2 with what proves to be the final kick in the match. They will not be happy with the award of the free kick, but Brown was certainly not at blame with the free kick. Miyama hits the top left corner this time to break England hearts. Its all over. 2-2.

00:90

Asha Philip this time gives away a free kick exactly where Chapman did earlier. Surely not...

00:90

Injury time to negotiate for Enlgand, but Brown hooks her clearance straight at a Japanese player. Not quite the steadiness we were looking for as we pick our hearts out of our mouths...

00:88

Rachel Brown goes in bravely at the feet of Arakawa and pays the price. Credit where its due - she held on to the ball. The ref blew up but she wasn't to know.

00:87

In their desperation Japan are leaving huge holes at the back. Alex Scott runs it into the corner, but goes down with what looks like a muscle strain or cramp with the effort. Lindsay Johnson replaces her at right-back.

00:85

How the tables have turned. Now England are sitting in and hitting on the break, Carney and Yankey finding joy on the flanks. Nagasato comes on Isozaki - a striker for a centre-back, so no prizes for guessing what Japan are thinking.

00:82 GOAL Japan 1-2 England

They're like London buses over here as Kelly Smith this time does it all herself. Breaking down the left, she finishes from a tight angle at the second attempt after Fukumoto scrambled to keep her initial shot out. For Smith it's no more than she deserved. She has been a cut above all game.

00:80 GOAL Japan 1-1 England

There it is! 1-1 in Shanghai, and who else but Kelly Smith. a neat turn loses two defenders on the edge of the box, and a calm finish - slotting home to the keeper's right - revives England's hopes in this group. Not sure about the celebration though...

00:79

But for England, time is running out. Smith earns a corner on the right, but japan clear their lines after a bit of pinball.

00:76

Japan know how vital points are from this game, with Germany expected to beat everyone and Argentina looking like they're heading straight home. It really is between these two for that second berth to reach the knock-outs, and is beginning to feel like a knock-out match itself.

00:75

Kelly Smith makes a run down the left from her own half. The injection of pace is just what England need, but they also need Smith further forward than that.

00:73

Jill Scott replaces Aluko. A midfielder for a striker? Hope Powell must know something we don't...

00:72

Japan take possession for a good couple of minutes and start taking the pace out of the game. another 20 minutes to hold on, and a 1-0 lead is about as precarious as it gets.

00:70

England look like they want it again, but Carney's shot from nearly 30 yards is not going to worry Fukumoto. She's not Argentinian and gathers the ball without any histrionics.

00:68

Yankey must score from Scott's cross whipped right to left in at the far post...but glances the header wide. how many more chances can England let go begging?

00:67

Ando unleashes to Rachel Brown's near post after tempered build up down the Japan right. Easily dealt with.

00:64

Scott drives a low cross to the back post which Aluko meets on the full but Fukumoto scoops the ball over her bar. The frustration is beginning to show, but it will come if they can keep creating chances like that.

00:63

A definate swing in momentum gets the crowd going as Smith again forges a chance for Aluko which is well blocked by some more last-ditch defending. That's what we need to see girls.

00:61

Kelly Smith is chasing everything down all of a sudden like a woman possessed. It proves to be just the example England need, as within seconds Japans passing breaks down and first Smith and then Stoney go close with angled drives.

00:59

Ono earns a corner for Japan as England continue to reel from their setback. Sawa reaches it at the near post but heads wide. The ref saw a deflection and awards a second corner, but it comes to nothing.

00:57

The game is starting to look like it did in the opening minutes. England are shell-shocked - understandably. But sitting back and allowing Japan time on the ball is not a recipe for geting back into it.

00:55 GOAL Japan 1-0 England

Had to say it, didn't I...Chapman probably wouldn't have been punished for her tight defending back here in Blighty but the ref saw fit to punish her 20-odd yards out. The central free-kick is hammered a Rachel Brown by Aya Miyama, and slip under her dive and in. 1-0 Japan.

00:54

It's all England, but they have to start making this dominance count. Forget looking like the away team any more, England look at home now.

00:52

Panic stations in the Japan box as England queue up to shoot, but wayward finishing and dogged defending eventually mean the ball is cleared.

00:50

Corner to England, where they really need to make their extra height count, but Sawa cuts out both the delivery and the follow-up from Carney. Got the bveat the first man. Woman.

00:47

Fukumoto get down sharply to push Fara Williams' shot away, and she needed to. A great reaction save, but a much brighter start for England in this second half. Yankey can only watch as the parry falls behind her.

00:46

Game on for the second half, and there is one change to report - Kinga for Ando, a straight swap at right-back for Japan

HALF-TIME England 0-0 Japan

Another look at the tug on Carney's shirt, and you have to feel aggrieved. But perhaps England will just be glad Rachel Brown had a quiet half against host nation who have looked proficient in patches. Whatever the outcome, Germany await England next, and they put 11 - eleven - past Argentina eariler yesterday. Be afraid...

HALF-TIME Japan 0-0 England

You can't fault the effort from both sides but it was a tight half with few chances. Aluko should have scored, but that's gone now. Japan will be happy with their midfield dominance, but look desperate at times in defence. For England, its Smith that looks to be leading the line. She needs support, but Faye White will be happy with the way the girls settled down at the back after a slow start.

00:44

Nothing to see here just now. Hope Powell better have a good team talk lined up...

00:39

Aluko is turing up more and more but needs to deliver that final ball. Good work down the left again fizzles out and the crowd goes quiet again.

00:38

This game has ebbed and flowed, but we are in the thick of an ebb here. Smith and Awakawa look like the lynchpins for each side, but one player won't win this alone.

00:34

Aluko breaks the offisde trap and skips past a desperate Fukumoto who races out of her area to cut her off. The gaping goal awaits...but the winger drags it across the face from just outside the area. If only that had been Smith...

00:33

Smith turns on the style down the left to win a corner and Fukumoto flaps at Carney's inswinger. But the next corner come to nothing. Better though.

00:30

Would love a clear-cut chance though...

00:29

We're in a game now. Both sets of forwards look dangerous going forward, with Japan attacking with numbers and England looking for fast ball from the wings. The crowd may be making it sound like a home match for the England girls, but they are playing this like a typical away team.

00:27

England go forward and whip a ball into the box which leads to desperate measures from the Japanese defenbce before Kelly Smith can connect. You get the feeling a ball in the air might have been the better option against a diminutive Japanese back line.

00:24

Aya Miyama drives at the heart of the England defence before unleashing a dangerous-looking shot from the edge. The warning signs are there for England, Japan's neat passing is starting to threaten them.

00:23

Japan weork it well down the right through Ono, and Stoney feels the need to lash the ball clear. Perhaps not all those nerves have gone quite yet.

00:21

Surely Carney was pulled back there?! She was clean through bfrom Yankey's through-ball but for a firm tug on her shirt.

00:20

It may have taken a good 20 minutes but England have turned up. Chapman emerges from defence and plays a ball to Rachel Yankey. Yankey tries the through ball but no-one else is quite on her wavelength. Japan have gone quiet - which is more than can be said of the England fans, who are in great voice.

00:16

Everything good about England is going through Smith just now as she releases Aluko down the left but Aluko tamely shoots from an ambitious angle on the edger of the area.

00:13

That's more like it. Yankey finds some spacve down the left and drives forward, and finds support in Carney and Smith on the edge of the box. Smith's lay-off is cleared but form the resulting throw it is Smith again who this time takes the chance at a shot which goes narrowly wide.

00:12

Japan have certainly stamped their authority in midfield as another passing move draws a foul in a dangerous area. The England girls seem happy to punt balls over the top and leave Smith to it.

00.10

The ball breaks to Kelly Smith in a dangerous position, but any threat disappears as she searches for a through ball to Carney. Perhaps she shoulds have been a little more selfish there...

00:08

Faye White concedes a free kick about 25 yards out, and two Japanese players kneel in front of the England wall. Not sure what the thiking behind that was, but it certainly didn't help as Awakawa hits the wall a lashes the rebound safely wide.

00:06

Hope Powell gets a ticking off from the fourth official for leaving her penalty area, but you can understrand her frustration as first Chapman then Scott play aimless balls over the top from defence.

00:04

The first shot in anger comes from Japan as Awakawa flashes one past Brown's left post from distance. Hopefully that will wake a few of the girls up - England look sluggish at the moment.

00:02

Japan have made the brighter start, trying to break a high line held by the England ladies. A few nervous faces out there, but not keeper Rachel Brown, who is sweeping calmly

Minute-by-minute: Women's World Cup 2007 - England v Japan

Welcome to videprinter coverage of England's women's football team at the 2007 World Cup, and an emotional feeling for our girls in Japan as they stand for the national anthems. Their game against the home nation awaits.

It doesn't get much better than this, the culmination of two years' hard work for Hope Powell's team and that nail-biting last-gasp playoff result against France. But with that rollercoaster behind them, the real work starts here.