Sunderland's manager Sam Allardyce. AP Photo/Scott Heppell
Sunderland's manager Sam Allardyce. AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Sir Trevor Brooking backs ‘experienced and organised’ Sam Allardyce to be next England manager



Sir Trevor Brooking has backed Sam Allardyce to get the best out of England’s players if he is appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor.

The Football Association are searching for a new manager after Hodgson resigned in the aftermath of England's dismal Euro 2016 campaign which ended in defeat to minnows Iceland.

Sunderland manager Allardyce has become the frontrunner for the role, holding talks with the FA earlier this week, and Brooking believes he would be a good choice.

"These players are very talented technically – we even saw that in France," the former FA director of football development told The Sun. "But they were found wanting in terms of mental toughness.

See also:

Hull City confirm Bruce yet to be approached about England job, as Allardyce returns to Sunderland duty

FA given permission to speak to Sam Allardyce but speculation is 'damaging to Sunderland'

“In the Iceland game, I saw players moving into positions where they could hide. It’s easy to blame the man in possession – often Wayne Rooney – but there weren’t passing options for him to knock the ball into.

“There’s an overhead camera and I think it would be pretty damning for that game. That was the most disappointing thing for me to see.

“That’s the thing about Sam – he’s always made the best use of the players available.

“He got West Ham back into the top flight and made Sunderland stronger mentally and defensively.

“Combine that with the technical ability of these England players and I think you have a decent mix. The next manager has to be English and Sam is very experienced and organised.”

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Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
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The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (­connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft ­tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and ­sustained posture are the main culprits in developing ­trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle ­sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in ­connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. ­Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.

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Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: BeIN Sports

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A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.

A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.

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Sale of Chelsea Football Club is now impossible.

The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience

by David Gilmour

Allen Lane

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

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UAE Premiership

Results

Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai


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