Premier League

 by Leon Mann

Getting To Know The Real Andrew Cole

ANDY COLE AND LEON MANN

GOAL-KING COLE! On set with Andrew Cole after our ITV Sports Life Story interview

Andrew Cole has been called many things in his life. Andy, finisher, poacher, winner and goal king are up there. But so are moody, difficult, arrogant and problematic.

 

The Manchester United legend didn’t do much media as a player, so away from the pitch we have never got to know him. Like others, such as United teammate Paul Scholes, he decided he would do his talking on the pitch.

 

And if that was all he was judged on – playing football – he would be regarded as highly as Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Ian Wright and Dennis Bergkamp. But he isn’t – which doesn’t make much sense when you break down the facts.

 

Andrew Cole is the second highest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League, behind Shearer. But Cole’s goals-per-Premier League-games ratio is actually higher. Cole didn’t take penalties, Shearer did – slotting away 56.

 

So when I was offered the chance to interview Cole, as part of the ITV Sports Life Stories series, I had so much to put to him.

 

He did not disappoint.

 

WATCH THE ANDY COLE SPORTS LIFE STORIES TRAILER

 

Cole was open about all aspects of his career – taking on the most sensitive talking points of his playing days. A lack of recognition as one of the Premier League’s greatest strikers, his beef with Teddy Sheringham, why he never got more of a chance with England, Andrew or Andy, why he failed to get on with a number of his managers… No stone was left unturned.

 

I was just as keen to get beyond the footie chat and see if I could truly get to know Andrew and understand why he decided not to engage with the media like others did – and benefitted as a result.

 

I had the privilege of speaking with his mum, dad, brother, wife and two children. They broke down his enigmatic personality in a way only family can.

 

The Andrew Cole story triggered lots of questions in my mind about how highly players value and understand the media. Can footballers ignore the media and still gain proper recognition? Do players understand, or care, that the public’s perception of them can impact on their career? Why can’t sportspeople be themselves – as inconvenient as that may be for the media at times – and be left alone?

 

Take a butchers. Andrew is ready to talk.

 

– Andy Cole, Sports Life Stories, on ITV 4 at 10pm tonight (10th March 2015)

ANDY COLE AND HEY BUDDY

TEAM WORK: Cole with myself and the production team from Hey Buddy TV – Producer, Shurwin Beckford and Director, Laurence Koe

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 by Leon Mann

Premier League Prediction Time

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Me… with a trophy I didn’t get for coming second!

Football is back and the temptation to join a trillion fantasy leagues, for yet another whooping, is as strong as ever! Rather predictably – I’m very excited!

 

I go into this season with a renewed sense of confidence, when it comes to predicting who will do what this season, after I picked up a Silver medal at the Premier League’s annual pre-season gathering of football writers and broadcasters.

 

Yes – somehow I managed to finish second having predicted the final 2013/14 table more accurately than the vast majority of the industry’s finest. Duncan Wright, Sports editor of the Daily Star took the Gold and Paddy Barclay, the Bronze – so I was in decent company at the top, too.

 

This season, to prove it was probably a fluke (or maybe not), I thought I’d share my table prediction for 2014/15.

 

CHAMPIONS: Chelsea

 

I thought Mourinho may do it on his first season back and he failed. He won’t fail twice – will he?

 

RUNNERS UP: Arsenal

 

Arsenal will come at this season with some serious confidence after their FA Cup victory . They’ve also added quality to a team that spent the longest period at the top of the table last season. Wenger will fancy his chances.

 

THIRD: Manchester City

 

Last season’s champions have class in every department, but my gut says they won’t up their game enough to defend their title.

 

FOURTH: Manchester United

 

Football fans all over the country had a bit of a giggle at United’s expense last season. Louis Van Gaal will bring back that winning mentality and make Old Trafford a difficult place to get three points once again.

 

FIFTH: Tottenham Hotspur

 

Mauricio Pochettino told me the Spurs Chairman had not set him any targets outside of getting the team playing good football this season. I’m not sure I believe him, however – implementing his philosophy, getting the team playing attractive football and avoiding embarrassing defeats will set a solid foundation to build on.

 

SIXTH: Liverpool

 

It is too obvious to say Liverpool won’t be the same without Suarez… but they won’t and I can only see them taking a step backwards without him. This prediction is my riskiest – maybe it’s based on watching a lot of Bale-less Spurs last season.

 

7th: Everton

8th: Newcastle United

9th: Swansea City

10th: Stoke City

11th: Crystal Palace

12th: Hull City

13th: Southampton

14th: Leicester City

15th: Aston Villa

16th: Sunderland

17th: Queen’s Park Rangers

 

EIGHTEENTH: West Ham

 

Much will depend on how their new signings settle in, but I’m going with a gut feeling here. As I live in East London (well, North East) I hope I’m wrong.

 

NINETEENTH: Burnley

 

Sean Dyche got his team playing some lovely football last season in the Championship. But can they “out football” Premier League teams every week? I’ve got a pal in the Burnley team, so would love them to stay up but can’t see it.

 

BOTTOM: West Bromwich Albion

 

There was a time when West Brom would have never been anywhere near my bottom three, having established themselves as a mid table team for three seasons on the bounce. The 17th place finish last season may well have been a one off dip, but I’m not so sure.

 

*Disclaimer: Last season I tipped Hull, Crystal Palace and Stoke to go down!!

 

Reckon I’ve lost the plot with my table predictions? Tweet me a picture of your table and I’ll retweet, so you can take some stick too!! Get at me @Leon_Mann 

 

 

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 by Leon Mann

Season Predictions And What I’m Excited About…

It’s that time of the year. The beginning of a new Premier League season, means it’s predictions time. So here goes…

TOP OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Champions – Chelsea

The return of the special one is BIG. A game changer in my opinion. Add a striker into the mix – as I expect them to do before the end of August – and Mourinho’s men could be the truly formidable force they once were.

2nd – Manchester United 3rd – Manchester City 4th – Arsenal 5th – Tottenham Hotspur 6th – Liverpool

BOTTOM OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Crystal Palace – I’m just not sure about their defensive abilities at this level. They have some quality young players in the mix though, including Jonny Williams and Yannick Bolasie, so I would be happy for them to prove me wrong.

Stoke City – Just a gut feeling on this one. Tony Pulis had a plan, kept to it and his teams caused problems. Mark Hughes is going to change things up and go about business his own way. It will be interesting to see how that goes.

Hull City – Just don’t think they have enough to stay up. Simple.

I’M EXCITED ABOUT WATCHING…

Wilfried Bony, Swansea striker

I had a chat with one of my pals in the team recently and he said Bony is stronger than any striker to have graced the Premier League – including Didier Drogba! If the Ivory Coast man gets a good partnership going with Michu the Swans frontline will be a proper handful. Apparently in training it’s looking promising.

Tottenham’s midfield trio – Sandro, Paulinho and Dembele

Three big boys who could come together to make an awesome midfield cocktail. They offer creativity, goals, power, pace and big tackles. If AVB can keep these geezers fit and healthy Spurs fans could be in for a real treat this season.

How Manchester United do without Sir Alex…

I was at Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial for David Moyes first game in the dug out at Old Trafford. Although I wouldn’t read too much into the result against Sevilla, whenever there is such a significant change in a team, or any organization, it normally takes time for everyone to get used to the new set up. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling this will be the case at United.

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