Graham's Blog

In part two of my absorbing conversation with Vinny Samways, we speak about the midfielder’s earlier days at his beloved Tottenham, not least his time spent under manager and club legend Ossie Ardiles, who Vinny considered to be ahead of his time. Vinny was the kind of player Ossie wanted the play to flow through, his ‘pivote’. There was even a call-up for Ossie’s testimonial match, when a teenage Vinny starred alongside a certain Diego Armando Maradona. An unforgettable experience.

We also cover two memorable giant-killing thrashings which Vinny was on the right side of, one against Real Madrid when at Las Palmas, and one against Barcelona when he was at Sevilla.

You’ll love this Big Interview

Vinny Samways is a man I admire. At the age of 28, the classy midfielder gave up the English top flight and stepped into the unknown. He signed for Canary Islands club Las Palmas, then in Spain’s second tier. It was a struggle to adapt at first, not least because of the number of yellow and red cards Vinny received, but in his fourth season there his perseverance paid off when he was part of a promotion-winning side. It felt like he had repaid the islanders for all the warmth and support they had given him.

Welcome to our Big Interview Icons series where we shine a light on a legend whose name has lit up some of the conversations I’ve had with my guests over the years. This episode focuses on Roy Keane.

Darren Fletcher believes that Roy was underrated in terms of his passing and ball control simply because he played alongside the magnificent Paul Scholes.

Quinton Fortune tells us about receiving a kick from Roy in training for trying something he wouldn’t do during a match. The intensely competitive sessions meant that when Saturday came, United felt they could take on anyone.

Kevin Kilbane reflects on the notorious Saipan incident during the 2002 World Cup. Had Roy stayed on board, Kev reckons Ireland could have gone all the way to the final.

Jason McAteer states that Roy’s ability to read the game was second to none, and speaks about how he came round to liking and admiring the man.

As kids, Jonny Evans and Alex Bruce both idolised Roy and ended up playing under him at Sunderland and Ipswich respectively. They say you should never meet your heroes, but Roy made a positive impression on both players.

Enjoy possibly the best Big Interview Icon so far.

Graham

Rafael da Silva’s most memorable Sir Alex Ferguson moment was just after Manchester United had lost the Premier League title on goal difference to their city rivals in 2012. Fergie told the players to remember how the loss felt, and indeed United came back to win the league the next season. Sir Alex understood Rafa and got inside his head.

Also in part two, there’s chat about scoring at Anfield – Rafa’s favourite goal, playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and against Lionel Messi, and how Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s United can win the title this season. And you will hear what it’s like to come up against Kylian Mbappé, who accelerates like a Ferrari and has more trickery than a magician.

Enjoy

Graham

Brazil has an uncanny habit of producing truly special right-backs, and Rafael da Silva fits that classification. In 2007, he signed for Manchester United on the same day as his twin Fábio, and the brothers have now released a joint-memoir, The Sunshine Kids.

In part one of this engaging Big Interview, Rafa suggests that Ronaldinho represents the spirit of Brazilian football more than Neymar. Ronaldinho had everything: strength and unbelievable ability, but most of all he made people happy.

Rafa also reflects on the London 2012 Olympics, a difficult experience, but one which taught him not be afraid of taking risks.

Enjoy

Graham