“Brantastic!” – Guy Branston Interview Part 2

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Andrew Belt

In the second and final part of The False Nine’s exclusive interview with on-loan Bristol Rovers defender, Guy Branston, editor, Andrew Belt, gives space to Guy’s thoughts on a number of aspects of the modern game…

Around a fortnight ago, I spoke on the phone to Guy Branston for TFN’s first exclusive interview. Anticipating a limited time with the footballer and All About Ballerz businessman, I was instead afforded close to an hour and a half with Branston and found the chat entertaining and revealing from a football point of view.

Continue reading →

Leeds United v Chelsea Preview: Middle Eastern Promise Realised at Leeds

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Andrew Belt

Ahead of tonight’s eagerly-awaited cup clash between Leeds United and Chelsea, False Nine editor, Andrew Belt, assesses the mood of the Leeds camp and looks forward to a game full of historical meaning…

With all the furore concerning the mad house at Chelsea and the callous sacking of Roberto di Matteo coupled with Rafa Benitez’s dubious decision to take the reins of England’s most volatile football club, news of a more positive nature struggled to make itself heard. Continue reading →

Stevenage Remembers Mitchell Cole

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Andrew Belt

False Nine editor, Andrew Belt, visits Stevenage and finds a club mourning the premature death of one of their former stars…

The club flag was at half-mast.

Every Stevenage player wore a T-shirt with ‘Mitchell 21’ on it.

A minute’s silence was impeccably observed before the game.

A suitably subdued atmosphere greeted Stevenage’s home game versus Crawley Town last Saturday as the Boro bid farewell to their former player. Continue reading →

2012-13 Russian Premier League Halfway Point Review: Race for the Title

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Andrew Belt

False Nine editor, Andrew Belt, assesses the front-runners of the Russian Premier League in the first of three 2012-13 review pieces of the campaign so far as the teams ease into the winter break…

Two weekends ago, the Russian Premier League broke up for the safety of warmth during winter as harsh weather comes to the country. Continue reading →

“You’ll Never Be in a Pickle with Branston” – TFN Interviews… Guy Branston

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Andrew Belt

In the first offering of The False Nine‘s first exclusive interview, editor, Andrew Belt, speaks to experienced professional footballer, Guy Branston, about his career in the game and the formation of his exciting new footballer scouting website, All About Ballerz…

Guy Branston is not your usual interviewee. Bursting with enthusiasm for football, he can speak for hours on the sport but also listens to everything you have to say and answers everything honestly, giving you the utmost respect and attention throughout. Continue reading →

Time for Balotelli to Reclaim the Spotlight

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Andrew Belt

Ahead of tomorrow’s Manchester derby, False Nine editor, Andrew Belt, calls for one of the current Premier League champions’ stars to emerge from the shadows and take centre stage again…

Admit it.

You thought Mario Balotelli was the best striker at Euro 2012.

One Fernando was being touted for great things but Llorente was consigned to a watching brief as Spain slay all before them playing the much-lauded ‘false 9’ formation, in which the other Fernando, Torres, managed to bag three goals and restore some much-needed confidence. Continue reading →

MK Dons v AFC Wimbledon Preview: More Than a Grudge Match

Posted on December 1, 2012 by Andrew Belt

False Nine editor, Andrew Belt, attempts to sum up the significance of AFC Wimbledon’s first game against the MK Dons…

Imagine you’re a boxer and you’ve just won a world title belt.

Imagine that your promoter steals the belt and gives it to another fighter, and the boxing governing body is happy for that person to take over as champion of the weight division you were the best in.

It isn’t the new title-owner’s fault as the governing body allowed this to happen. Continue reading →

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