Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.
My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.
Areas of Expertise:
Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why
Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.
Marcus Rashford has been absorbed back into the fold at Manchester United, but will he still be at Old Trafford in 12 months’ time? Fellow Red Devils academy graduate Danny Simpson has explained to GOAL two scenarios that could play out - with it yet to be determined whether the flying forward will embrace one fresh start or seek out another in different surroundings.
James Maddison could be the key to unlock true potential at Tottenham, Danny Murphy has told GOAL, with the “unique” playmaker having been missed “terribly” during unfortunate injury absences. The England international is still being nursed back to full fitness following ACL damage, with Spurs crying out for his creativity after making another slow start in 2026-27.
Yankuba Minteh missed out on a move to Liverpool during the summer window, but Bobby Zamora has admitted to GOAL that a big-money transfer could still happen if the “number” is “right”. The Seagulls, who are famed for buying low and selling high, have already snubbed two offers for the “direct” right winger - but he is considered to “suit” the needs at Anfield.
Emile Smith Rowe was highly regarded at Arsenal and expected to become a Premier League star after linking up with Fulham so why, at 26 years of age, has he not “kicked on”? Ex-Cottagers midfielder Danny Murphy has attempted to answer that question for GOAL, with a “super talent” finding himself restricted to a substitute role in west London.
Roberto De Zerbi is “very Marmite”, Bobby Zamora has told GOAL, but the enigmatic Italian is being backed to avoid any sack threat at Tottenham. The north London outfit have made another slow start to the season in 2026-27, but they are considered to have the right man at the helm - even if the former Brighton boss can rub a few people up the wrong way.
Florian Wirtz has been slightly unlucky at times during his spell at Liverpool, but Danny Murphy has told GOAL that there is “no excuse” for the German playmaker to endure a second season flop at Anfield. The talented 23-year-old remains short on end product, leading to a “question marks” warning being delivered when it comes to his future.
Michael Owen has told GOAL that “stars need to align” in order for Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice to achieve what Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard could not. Two iconic midfielders from England’s not too distant past never savoured Ballon d’Or glory. Could a couple of Three Lions superstars in the present eventually go on to land the prestigious Golden Ball?
Mykhailo Mudryk’s summer transfer was “a Tottenham thing to do” and very much a “Roberto De Zerbi signing”, Danny Murphy has told GOAL, but the Chelsea-owned winger only represents a “calculated risk” for Spurs. The Ukraine international, who has returned to action following a lengthy ban, has already picked up an injury since moving from west to north London.
Alexander Isak is yet to truly convince following his record-breaking £125 million ($167m) transfer to Liverpool, but Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why the Swedish striker is not entirely to blame for those struggles. Just four goals were recorded across his debut campaign at Anfield, as fitness issues stunted his progress, but greater assistance is required from those around him.
Manchester United continue to leak goals, with three more being conceded against Brighton, but Danny Simpson has explained to GOAL why Carlos Baleba could be the answer to their problems. The Cameroon international, who joined the Red Devils in a £70 million ($94m) transfer, is closing in on a return to full fitness and a competitive debut for his new employers.
Bradley Barcola is waiting on his first goal as a Liverpool player, but Danny Murphy has told GOAL that the French winger would face the same pressure to get up and running if he moved for “£100 million, £10m or £100,000”. The Champions League winner arrived at Anfield in a £123m ($165m) deal with Paris Saint-Germain, with the 24-year-old considered to have been a long-standing transfer target.
Manchester United have too many defenders that are “eight one week and five the next”, Danny Simpson has told GOAL, with Leny Yoro falling under the microscope as questions are asked of why he has “not got any bigger”. The French centre-half forms part of an important unit at Old Trafford that has sprung too many leaks and is struggling to plug those appropriately.
Kai Rooney could be among the next to make a breakthrough at Manchester United, Danny Simpson has told GOAL, with the eldest son of Red Devils legend Wayne looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow academy graduates Shea Lacey and JJ Gabriel. A pathway to the first team has always been left open for teenage talent at Old Trafford, with Michael Carrick taking inspiration from Sir Alex Ferguson.
Victor Osimhen has been linked with several Premier League teams down the years, but no transfer has ever been completed. Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole - with the Red Devils being credited with interest on a regular basis - has explained to GOAL why a deal that appears to make plenty of sense for teams in England has never been wrapped up.
Harry Kane is looking to become the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. If the Bayern Munich striker is successful, will it be another 25 years before a fellow countryman follows in his footsteps? Owen has spoken to GOAL about potentially welcoming a fifth member into an exclusive club - with a “fabulous achievement” on the cards.
Cristiano Ronaldo may be “slower” than he was, at 41 years of age, but Gus Poyet has told GOAL why the Portuguese GOAT can play for as long as he wants in the Saudi Pro League. The ex-Chelsea and Tottenham star has spent time coaching in the Middle East and sees no reason why a global superstar pursuing another notable milestone should consider hanging up his boots any time soon.
Bruno Fernandes has become a pantomime villain in Premier League circles, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why some of the Manchester United captain’s “histrionics” may be putting new and old supporters off. The Portuguese playmaker has generated more lively debate following a controversial derby date with ‘noisy neighbours’ City at Old Trafford.
Michael Owen was left stunned by the huge VAR error which determined the outcome of a controversial Manchester derby clash between arch-rivals United and City, with the visitors to Old Trafford benefitting from a bizarre decision. Erling Haaland turned the ball home, but Enzo Fernandez flung himself at it from an offside position, with Owen saying to GOAL: “What is more obvious than a diving header?!”
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer are threatening to stunt Estevao’s development at Chelsea, with there no obvious starting berth for him to fill at present, but former Blues star Robert Huth has told GOAL why the Brazilian wonderkid can still thrive at Stamford Bridge. The exciting teenager was acquired to fill a role on the flanks, but Xabi Alonso is now playing without wingers.
