Last updated at 21:15, Thursday, 15 July 2010

TONY Hopper most certainly did it his way on the football pitch.

His no-nonsense approach to the game inspired many around him.

He had the knack to drag the game by the scruff of the neck as well as break up play and be a constant menace to the opposition.

Hopper will be a big loss but I think his replacement is already in the Reds side.

Shaun Vipond’s all-action style could be the catalyst to push Reds on further this season.

Vipond cares not for reputation. Take the bone-crunching tackle on Carlisle skipper Paul Thirlwell this week as a prime example.

He is not a one-dimensional player. He can spot a pass, run with the ball and score goals.

This is exactly the type of player we need to boost our chances of success this year.

Alongside Vipond’s grit and determination you have the ever-running Phil McLuckie.

These two could make the perfect combination in the middle of the park.

They are both young lads but they are experienced at this level.

Both of them have grown since joining the club and they have shown how good they can be.

The lack of a veteran in the middle would hurt most teams but I believe McLuckie and Vipond have the potential to run the show this time out.

IT’S interesting to hear Reds chairman Humphrey Dobie’s comments on the Adam Collin/Tony Caig transfer saga.

Reds and Carlisle should be working in harmony, fighting for a common cause to help improve Cumbrian football.

However, this is football, and the nature of the beast is not to play fair.

This story will do the rounds over the next few days and I’d expect Carlisle to come out fighting their corner.

SPAIN’S World Cup triumph was a beautiful result for the beautiful game.

Andres Iniesta’s extra-time strike was the perfect way to end the World Cup.

Spain’s free-flowing football was thwarted by a Dutch side hell bent on turning the final into a riot.

The nation renowned for inventing ‘total’ football kicked their magical approach play into touch with that gruesome 120 minute display.

They were lucky to have 10 men left on the pitch when Howard Webb blew the final whistle. It was an appalling display for a much-admired side.

Mark van Bommel was only in the side to wreak havoc and to stop the Spanish by any means possible.

The Dutch only had themselves to blame with Arjen Robben’s two misses in normal time.

Holland almost turned the sport’s showpiece event into a total farce and I’m pleased the best side won.

HOWARD Webb did well in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

He’s been vilified in Holland since the final but the Dutch should be taking a long, hard look at themselves for the way they conducted themselves on the pitch.

Nigel de Jong’s karate kick on Xavi Alonso deserved a red card.

If me or you had done the same on a night out around town then we’d be charged with assault.

Webb’s only fault was trying to keep all 22 men on the pitch.

PAUL the Octopus has become a worldwide sensation for his accurate predictions.

He’s loved by all, except the Argies. They performed a public execution of another octopus this week to show their contempt for Paul.

Paul successfully predicted all of Germany’s results in the competition. If only Paul had been around in 1939.

HANDBALLING Thierry Henry has landed a lucrative move to the States.

The former Barca star would have walked into any Premier League side but I feel the American game would suit his style more.

The way he can use his hands should stand him in good stead of making the NFL team of the year.

IT was announced this week that England’s shambolic World Cup performance has been confirmed as our worst ever showing.

So how the heck did we climb one place to seventh in the FIFA world rankings?

I’d love to know what formula the governing body uses to work out this ridiculous system.

Egypt, who didn’t even qualify for the finals, are now ninth. How?

LAST week I saw a great photo in the national papers of 10 men playing five-a-side on the M60.

It was great to see that jumpers for goalposts is still alive and well.

The road was closed while police tried to coax a man off a bridge, so the impromptu game kicked off after someone got out of their car with a ball.

FINALLY, good luck to Darren Edmondson in the Northern Masters tomorrow. The old legs might make you look half decent alongside some of the former pros, who have gained a pound or 20 over the years.

First published at 19:23, Thursday, 15 July 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk