http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/ Read our weekly Sport Columns from Jonathan Pearce for the most recent sporting news and comment at Mirror.co.uk. en-gb mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/29/if-spain-can-reign-it-will-be-so-good-for-the-old-game-115875-20625290/ Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/29/if-spain-can-reign-it-will-be-so-good-for-the-old-game-115875-20625290/ Football needs a Spanish triumph in the European Championship Final. Their style reminds me why I fell in love with the game 40 years ago. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/29/thanks-for-reading-it-s-been-an-honour-115875-20625291/ Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/29/thanks-for-reading-it-s-been-an-honour-115875-20625291/ In the five years of these scribblings, professional football has strived to sell its soul. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/22/jonathan-pearce-s-euro-2008-awards-115875-20617724/ Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:15:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/22/jonathan-pearce-s-euro-2008-awards-115875-20617724/ The best and worst of the tournament so far http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/22/luiz-felipe-scolari-s-poor-defensive-tactis-to-blame-for-portugal-s-euro-flop-115875-20617316/ Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/22/luiz-felipe-scolari-s-poor-defensive-tactis-to-blame-for-portugal-s-euro-flop-115875-20617316/ Portugal didn't crash out because Ronaldo failed to shine or Deco lost his gloss. They were beaten because they could not defend set-pieces - just as this column predicted last week. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/we-re-way-behind-in-talent-contest-115875-20608015/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/we-re-way-behind-in-talent-contest-115875-20608015/ A shrug of the shoulders betrayed his frustration as Fabio Capello told me England could never play with the crisp, sweet, passing beauty of Spain at their finest. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/what-will-big-phil-be-saying-to-ronaldo-now-that-he-s-chelsea-boss-115875-20608017/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/what-will-big-phil-be-saying-to-ronaldo-now-that-he-s-chelsea-boss-115875-20608017/ So what does Phil Scolari say to Cristiano Ronaldo over the next fortnight? " http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/going-for-a-burton-at-the-castle-115875-20608020/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/going-for-a-burton-at-the-castle-115875-20608020/ My highlight of the competition so far had nothing to with Podolski, Ronaldo or Torres. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/howard-webb-s-penalty-decision-115875-20608021/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/howard-webb-s-penalty-decision-115875-20608021/ Howard Webb's penalty decision in the dying seconds of the Austria-Poland draw was brave and correct. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/nicolas-anelka-is-he-bovvered-115875-20608023/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/15/nicolas-anelka-is-he-bovvered-115875-20608023/ Nicolas Anelka didn't seem bothered when his squandered penalty cost Chelsea the Champions League. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/peter-jackson-115875-20599710/ Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/peter-jackson-115875-20599710/ Message to Lincoln boss Peter Jackson: You're not out of the woods, Jacko, but the news that treatment for your throat cancer has been successful is marvellous. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-finals-without-our-boys-really-hurts-like-hell-115875-20600245/ Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-finals-without-our-boys-really-hurts-like-hell-115875-20600245/ Sniffy soccer snobs will preach to you that it's great being at a major finals without England. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-guilty-now-pay-115875-20600246/ Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-guilty-now-pay-115875-20600246/ When I was eight, my gang nicked sweets from the paper-shop. We knew if we got caught our dads would belt us. We reckoned we were tough enough to take the punishment. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-no-russ-for-guus-115875-20600247/ Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-no-russ-for-guus-115875-20600247/ Chelsea appeared to score an own-goal by missing out on Mark Hughes. But I would not question the business acumen at the Bridge. The fact that Lippi, Mancini or Rijkaard haven't been appointed tells me they are watching Euro 2008. I still say Guus Hiddink would be perfect. His contract extension with Russia is still unsigned. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-i-still-can-t-get-over-paul-ince-snub-115875-20600248/ Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-i-still-can-t-get-over-paul-ince-snub-115875-20600248/ I still can't get over the League Managers' Association snub for Paul Ince in their annual awards. Every division-winning boss was named manager of the year except one. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-thaksin-shinawatra-115875-20600249/ Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/08/jonathan-pearce-thaksin-shinawatra-115875-20600249/ Thaksin Shinawatra could easily have compounded the error of his ruthlessly unfair dismissal of Sven by picking another big-name foreign coach. But Mark Hughes is the ideal man. He and his coaches are drenched in knowledge of the game and passion for it. They are disciplined but encourage creativity. Given time, they will succeed. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/torres-ronaldo-will-do-battle-in-spain-v-portugal-euro-08-football-final-115875-20591011/ Sat, 31 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/torres-ronaldo-will-do-battle-in-spain-v-portugal-euro-08-football-final-115875-20591011/ The best of British can only gnash their teeth when the Euro 08 finals kick off, but the cream of the Premier League could meet in the Final. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/lawrence-dallaglio-a-shining-star-of-rugby-115875-20591012/ Sat, 31 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/lawrence-dallaglio-a-shining-star-of-rugby-115875-20591012/ There have never been any frills attached to Lawrence Dallaglio. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/fifa-s-endorsement-of-sepp-blatter-is-meaningless-115875-20591013/ Sat, 31 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/fifa-s-endorsement-of-sepp-blatter-is-meaningless-115875-20591013/ Fifa has endorsed Sepp Blatter's (below) six-plus-five idea to limit a team's quota of foreign players. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/karma-for-peter-taylor-at-wycombe-115875-20591014/ Sat, 31 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/karma-for-peter-taylor-at-wycombe-115875-20591014/ Good to see Peter Taylor back in the league, this time at Wycombe. He is a good man and a fine coach. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/chairman-steve-lansdown-115875-20591015/ Sat, 31 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonathan-pearce/2008/06/01/chairman-steve-lansdown-115875-20591015/ Play-OFF failure is not the end of the world for Bristol City. Chairman Steve Lansdown is a careful and astute administrator. The club is building a stadium and training ground. In a year's time Gary Johnson's (below) side may be better prepared for Premier League life. Good luck to Hull, though. Phil Brown's side may not be the pushovers that everyone is predicting.