Sam Tillen Blog (6): Liverpool, Manchester United and the Premier League – Icelandic Style

Sam Tillen of Fram Reykjavik will be writing regularly for Les Rosbifs, revealing the behind-the-scenes stories and events of his team’s Europa League and PepsiDeild campaigns. If you would like to ask Sam a question, or leave a comment, please do so clicking on the link below.

The Premier League is back in England and nowhere was it more welcomed than in Iceland. It is very strange to see the fanaticism with which Icelanders follow their English teams here. Some I know have never been to Anfield or Old Trafford but the intensity of their support is easily comparable to the Scousers and the Mancs. As the world over, Liverpool and Manchester United are the two most popular English teams here. Just like any bar in England, you have to be the early bird if you are to catch a seat in the sports bars especially so when these two sides are in action.

SWEDEN LATEST: Former Portsmouth players in good form; Ex-Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town man making his mark with Ostersunds

Some great news coming from Sweden concerning the Englishmen plying their trade in the Allsvenskan. Former Portsmouth and Kidderminster Harriers striker James Keene has propelled his Elfsborg side to the top of the league, while ex-Millwall man Kenny Pavey has played his part in cementing AIK in 2^nd spot.

MEDITERRANEAN LATEST: Former Blackburn Rovers man injured in Greece; ex-Aston Villa and Manchester City striker gets off the mark in Turkey

Bad luck for Matt Derbyshire, whose permanent deal at Olympiacos in Greece has got off to a bad start. The former Blackburn Rovers man picked up an abdominal injury during the pre-season and is out until sometime next month, as he has needed surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery.

MLS LATEST: Former Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland striker doing his best in a weak Toronto attack, while ex-Norwich City man’s side continue slump

Columbus Crew are the best team in the MLS at the moment, having won their last five matches in the MLS, being unbeaten in their last eight and conceding just four goals in their last eight matches. For Andy Iro it has been a successful time, despite only playing in six league matches. His stock is rising and he is highly thought of at the club, having slotted into a variety of defensive positions as and when called upon.

David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy had enjoyed a good run of form after his return from Milan and England.

EXCLUSIVE: Fulham man Brown to remain in Finland

Wayne Brown

Despite the post below being fact as of yesterday afternoon, it was confirmed by TPS Turku last night that Wayne Brown will be remaining at the Finnish club until 17th October. It was a surprise announcement, as Brown had returned to the UK and was about to take a fortnight off before returning to action. However, after discussions between Brown and Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, it was agreed to grant the wishes of TPS and allow Brown to return to them for the duration of the Finnish season.

Brown has been a major success with TPS, with his combative, ‘English’ style earning many plaudits. The widely-held belief amongst the coaching staff and fans of the club, as well as seasoned Finnish football observers is that Brown is the main reason why the club are sitting top of the Veikkausliiga. I wish Wayne the best of luck for the final few months of the season.

SCANDINAVIA LATEST: Fulham man Brown returns from Finland; ex-Manchester United defender out for AGF; Adam Eckersley rumoured to be moving – Motherwell? Swansea City? Plymouth Argyle?

TPS Turku bade ‘farewell’ to Wayne Brown this week after the Fulham midfielder finished his summer loan spell at the club. The attacking midfielder, who is hoping to break into the first team of the Premier League club this season, made a very positive impression on Finnish football, scoring an impressive six goals in 19 appearances for the club. His form coincided with some excellent performances from his club and Brown leaves TPS sitting pretty at the top of the Veikkausliiga, with a two point advantage over HJK Helsinki. With seven league matches to go, the title is still in the balance.

Sam Malsom Blog (12): Congratulations, a loss to Valur and POSITIVE thinkingat

Hello my name is Sam Malsom, I am 21 years old and welcome to my new blog. This blog will cover my life as a professional footballer in Iceland playing for FC Throttur Reykjavik in the PepsiDeild over here, as well as some of the memories that I have from my time in the Faroe Islands playing for B36 FC Torshavn.

Monday 17th August

Congratulations to my friends back in England

First of all I would just like to say congratulations to my friend Dean Liddle. He has recently got engaged to his girlfriend Fran. Secondly I would like to congratulate my friends, Nick Osborne and Jade Breed, who have recently found out they are going to have a baby.

Match Day against Valur

Match preparation today was a bit different.

Sam Malsom Blog (11): Physios, rollerblades, and rude jokes

Hello my name is Sam Malsom, I am 21 years old and welcome to my new blog. This blog will cover my life as a professional footballer in Iceland playing for FC Throttur Reykjavik in the PepsiDeild over here, as well as some of the memories that I have from my time in the Faroe Islands playing for B36 FC Torshavn.

Saturday 15th August

Thanks to the Physio.

A morning session today and although training has gone well this week, it‘s been a bit frustrating due to the fact I haven’t been able to take part in the whole of the training sessions this week due to my shoulder injury. All the non-contact play has been completed but as soon as we get into a game, I have to jog laps around the pitch which is boring. On a good note though, I’ve been working with the physio this week and he’s done a great job regarding the injury. I’ve managed to complete the whole session this morning and I’m confident the shoulder will be ready for the game against Valur on Monday.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE LATEST: Former Aston Villa and Millwall youth player in hot form in Switzerland; Sheffield United contingent in Hungary make steady start to the season, and ex-Fulham man shows up in Slovenia

It has been a cracking start for Scott Sutter at BSC Young Boys in the Swiss Super League. With six matches gone, his side sit top of the league unbeaten, and with a six point lead over their nearest rivals. Sutter, who was with Aston Villa, Charlton Athletic and Millwall as a youth, before joining Young Boys from Grasshoppers in the Zurich, has been an ever-present in the side this term, playing in a right wing-back position. He has also had a hand in a number of goals, including two assists.

LATVIA EXCLUSIVE: Skonto manager Ashworth for Norwich City?

Paul Ashworth

Paul Ashworth continues to enjoy good results with limited means at Skonto Riga. Despite a recent 1-0 loss to Dinaburg Daugavpils, the former Peterborough United assistant manager sees his side sitting in third spot in the Virsliga, just four points off of the top spot with plenty of games to go. Interestingly, with the Norwich City manager’s job now available following the sacking of Bryan Gunn today, it is fair to say that Ashworth is a name worth considering.