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Articles by Rex Mitchell

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About Rex Mitchell

Rex Mitchell is a Brentford supporter from childhood. This has not prevented him having a distinguished Fleet Street career as a sports reporter and later deputy football editor. A widower, Rex is a bit of a bandit golfer off his official handicap of 20 and is currently chairman of his local bowls club. More Posts

Calling the shots/David Dein

David Dein is one of the most successful figures in football in the last 50 years and here he tells his story and his recipe for achievement. He acquired and subsequently lost a fortune in the sugar trade, went onto the Arsenal board where he formed – with Arsene Wenger – one of the [...]

September 27, 2022 // 0 Comments

Thoughts on quarter finals/Champions League

To the ongoing debate of TV versus actual attendance I would add two factors: inertia and flexibility. Both kicked in yesterday. There is a theory post-pandemic – though the Covid numbers seem as high as ever –  of “HTGO” (hassle to go out). I admit being prey. It’s a [...]

April 13, 2022 // 0 Comments

Klopptrap

I have always liked Jurgen Klopp. He gives the impression of being a first class manager without taking himself seriously. He has revived Liverpool and is a pathfinder of German managers and coaches at the highest Premier level such as Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, Ralf Rangnick at Manchester United. [...]

December 29, 2021 // 0 Comments

Poor Solskjaer

Whisper it softly but I feel sorry for the under-pressure Manchester United boss. I’m no particular fan of the Reds – and indeed rather enjoy seeing a club big on triumphalism in the past – now in crisis. So why this sudden shift of sympathy? Firstly, it’s one of the least edifying [...]

October 26, 2021 // 0 Comments

More “Sport and Health” …

Referencing once again the Rust’s ongoing review of post-career health for those who play – or participate in – elite sport, overnight I came across a number of media stories reporting that Liverpool football legend Terry McDermott has dementia. He joins an ever-lengthening list [...]

August 22, 2021 // 0 Comments

Championship review

It’s no coincidence that the two relegated clubs from the Premier – WBA and Fulham – were promoted the previous season and that Norwich and Watford, who were promoted from the Championship, were themselves relegated. It’s more to do more with money than prowess. So all the more [...]

August 7, 2021 // 0 Comments

Final thoughts: the hard facts

At The Rust we are not shy of dealing  in hard facts. Therefore my assessment of the Euros final was that Italy were the better team and the three missed penalties were badly taken and not saved by great feats by Italian keeper Donnarumma. Jack Grealish is a cocky player with a good strike, as [...]

July 12, 2021 // 0 Comments

Thoughts on England 4 Ukraine 0

Let’s not get totally carried away. England played well against a poor side. Three of the four goals came from headers when the scorer was unmarked. Denmark – let alone Spain and especially Italy – are unlikely to concede such  goals. Once again at a crucial stage in the first half [...]

July 4, 2021 // 0 Comments

Thoughts on England’s victory

I will leave the triumphalism to the Chief Football Writers – most of when had written off England and Gareth Southgate as dull. For me England’s best player so far is Jordan Pickford and the crucial moment was when he came out to narrow the angle for the normally lethal Thomas Muller. I [...]

June 30, 2021 // 0 Comments

Euros: the Rust ratings & awards

We are now at the business end of the Euros and its time to assess and award. England have made few friends but qualified without conceding a goal. We have the tie of the next round against Germany though I’m looking forward to Belgium v Portugal too. Here are our awards:- Best team so far: Italy [...]

June 25, 2021 // 0 Comments

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