The League Paper

He didn’t tr y to be hard – he just was!

by
The LeaguePaper Team
26 November 2017

By Chris Dunlavy

BACK TO THE CHURN: Chris Coleman is tasked with saving Sunderland

ALAN Smith, the former Crystal Palace manager, was once asked to reflect on managing the young Chris Coleman.
“He was 21 when he came to us from Swansea,” said the 70- year-old. “And what struck me straight away was his bearing. A lot of footballers grow up trying to be hard. Chris was hard. He didn’t need to pretend.”
Coleman was no cynical hatchet man, no Vinnie Jones or Ben Thatcher. Though physically imposing, his toughness lay in confidence and charisma.
Nobody bullied hi...

Continue reading...

Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per day!

Already a subscriber to our website? Login

More in The League Paper

BATTH JUST IN TIME TO FRUSTRATE TOP DOGS

EFL NEW YEAR’S DAY ROUND-UP By John Lyons RESCUE JOB: Danny Batth slams home Blackburn’s leveller at Elland Road PICTURE: Alamy BLACKBURN boss John Eustace lauded his players’ efforts after Danny Batth notched a last-gasp equaliser in a dramatic finale against Championship leaders Leeds. It looked as though Leeds would...
MAT’S SUPER SADDLERS GO MARCHING ON

By John Lyons LEAGUE TWO HOME JOY: Morecambe’s Yann Songo’o, right, celebrates DELIGHTED Walsall boss Mat Sadler praised his troops for an ‘incredible victory’ after the runaway leaders came from behind to stun Notts County. The high-flying Magpies went ahead through Alassana Jatta (26 minutes), but Jamille Matt (65) levelled...
HIGH PRICE FOR STAR BEN GIVES BORO HOPE

By Chris Dunlavy CHAMPIONSHIP TALENT: Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak MIDDLESBROUGH’S hopes of keeping star winger Ben Doak have received a major boost after Liverpool slapped a £30m price tag on the Scotland international. Doak, 19, has bagged two goals and five assists since joining Boro on loan in the summer...
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per day! SUBSCRIBE Already a subscriber to our website? Login Login