The Nottingham Forest academy prospect on life as an academy footballer, his journey and sacrifices, and his next steps. Every club needs their youth prospects: the players who point the way forward, who portend better times ahead. From a young age, they are nurtured to perfection, inhabiting a world that runs on rhythms and routines,Continue reading “Nottingham Forest’s Josh Barnes: “I’ve dedicated my whole life for that one moment.””
Author Archives: Alex Jones
DEMENTIA IN FOOTBALL: The game’s biggest scandal
My final project at university, a 4,000 word print portfolio on Dementia in Football: The game’s biggest scandal. Below are screenshots of my Adobe PDF. If you would like me to email a copy, please email alexjones8799@gmail.com Thanks! In the early 2000’s, Nobby Stiles started developing the early signs of dementia: the gradual draining ofContinue reading “DEMENTIA IN FOOTBALL: The game’s biggest scandal”
England win the 2019 Cricket World Cup
For a moment all is silence. Jofra Archer stands poised. Martin Guptill awaits delivery. Lord’s pauses with them. New Zealand need two runs from the final ball to win the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Archer approaches the crease and bowls well. Guptill hits it to mid-wicket. Jason Roy gathers the ball and launches it toContinue reading “England win the 2019 Cricket World Cup”
Thomas Tuchel must overcome the tests that have ultimately sank his recent predecessors
The managerial career of Thomas Tuchel is a funny old thing. His five years at Mainz saw him tasked with continuing the legacy Jurgen Klopp: the high press, the hard running, the flexibility needed in his tactics to change style when the opposition demanded it. His stint at Borussia Dortmund, where he again incorporated aContinue reading “Thomas Tuchel must overcome the tests that have ultimately sank his recent predecessors”
Bayern Munich continue domestic dominance as Hansi Flick restores old fire
Champions aren’t flawless. It’s just you get glimpses of their flaws, but never all of them at once. They are exposed, instead, in fickle flashes and brief bolts – like shadows you think you saw in the mirror – before they are gone. This, in many ways, is what keeps happening to Bayern Munich’s opponents:Continue reading “Bayern Munich continue domestic dominance as Hansi Flick restores old fire”
If this annihilated summer of sport teaches us anything, it’s that sport without the fans is nothing
Perhaps like many football fans who have read the suggestions that this season may be completed behind closed doors amidst the coronavirus pandemic, I have found myself becoming increasingly irked at the authorities. This period of sporting absence must be treated as a learning curve, not a time of sorrow. The thought of a fullContinue reading “If this annihilated summer of sport teaches us anything, it’s that sport without the fans is nothing”
Bruno Fernandes takes the spotlight in United’s victory over Watford
For a moment all is silence. Bruno Fernandes stands poised. Old Trafford pauses with him. Fernandes waits. There’s two sidesteps to the left, and a leap as he feigns to shoot. Then the rippling of the net. It takes a certain confidence in a player to take a crucial penalty in only your third ManchesterContinue reading “Bruno Fernandes takes the spotlight in United’s victory over Watford”
The recent Sheffield Wednesday slump is the embodiment of Garry Monk’s managerial career
Six years in management. Five jobs. No wonder this Sheffield Wednesday season is quickly petering out, with their recent turmoil the embodiment of Garry Monk’s managerial career condensed into seven weeks. Promising signs, flux, a congealment of spirited mediocrity: this has been the story of Monk as a manager for years. The Owls manager hasContinue reading “The recent Sheffield Wednesday slump is the embodiment of Garry Monk’s managerial career”
Lewis Grabban’s goalscoring habits continue to push Forest on
On a chilly, dank East Midlands day, where the sky drew to a close just above the lip of the Main Stand, Nottingham Forest produced a typically clinical performance as they secured a 12th win of the season to put them fourth in the Championship. From the start there was a predictable rhythm, BlackburnContinue reading “Lewis Grabban’s goalscoring habits continue to push Forest on”
At least the Arsenal board are trying to save this sinking ship, by trying something new, by employing a Spanish tactician
Pep Guardiola seemingly smiled through a barrier of pain as he answered questions on Mikel Arteta’s future on Tuesday, vowing, “I will still beat him.” In the midst of this joke was a clearly dejected Guardiola, someone losing their right-hand man, a beautiful footballing friendship finally parting ways. But not only has the time comeContinue reading “At least the Arsenal board are trying to save this sinking ship, by trying something new, by employing a Spanish tactician”
Alex's Sports Column 