The Sporting Hack

Sheffield United 0-3 Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town’s impressive unbeaten start to the season continued as they inflicted defeat on Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson for the first time. Lee Novak’s first half double effectively settled this hotly contested Yorkshire derby after only 37 minutes before Oscar Gobern’s header wrapped things up for the Terriers. Lee Clark’s men, in particular Danny Ward, were responsible for seeing that this pulsating match up, played at a frenetic pace, was effectively over as a contest before half time. Forward Novak bagged the first of his brace after just 20 minutes courtesy of Steve Simonsen’s misjudgement. Ward’s well struck shot from 20 yards seemed to move in the blustery Sheffield air, and as a result, Novak was on hand to take full advantage of the ‘keeper’s lax parry. The Blades – who are joint leaders of League 1 on goal difference – could have restored parity had Chris Porter shown more composure from six yards as he flashed M...

Sheffield United 4-0 Bury Sheffield United kept up the heat on League 1 pacesetters MK Dons by brushing aside a toothless Bury outfit 4-0 at Bramall Lane. The hosts, who are only second placed on goals scored, bagged four for the first time in 19 months at home courtesy of Chris Porter (right), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Matt Lowton and Erik Tonne despite the loss of key frontmen Daniel Bogdanovic and Jordan Slew on transfer deadline day. Two goals just moments either side of half time effectively put the game to bed when first Porter stabbed in from close range after a frustrating 42 minutes, before Mendez-Laing – on loan from Wolves – hit a speculative right wing cross which sneaked in at the near post after ‘keeper Cameron Belford’s misjudgement. The visitors, who were without prolific poacher Ryan Lowe for the first time after he moved to United’s rivals Wednesday in the aforementioned window, struggled for clear cut chances, with the pick of the bunch wasted by Giles Coke who ...

Review of Paul Merson's autobiography: ‘How not to be a Professional Footballer’ During the 1990’s, there were four outstanding English attacking midfielders; Paul Scholes, Matt Le Tissier, Paul Gascoigne and Paul Merson. The former two were loyal, one-club servants and consummate professionals. The latter two could also play a bit, sometimes more off the pitch than on it. While Gazza’s problems were well documented in full view of the media, the exact truth behind Merson’s demons have been bared publicly for the first time including how he lost in excess of £7 Million to the bookmakers. The affable joker had a seemingly darker side to his persona than the one which is played out to millions on a Saturday afternoon from the comfort of the Soccer Saturday studios for Sky Sports. In fact, the darker side wasn’t visible to the thousands on the terraces when he played or even those closest to him, who he eventually drove away. Born with what he describes as a ‘compulsive p...