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James Appell

James Appell is a respected member of ITV.com's football writing team and has a penchant for all things Eastern European.

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Bilyaletdinov’s stock continues to fall

11 May 2012 | James Appell

From the Premier League and regular international football to being left at home for the European Championships, what's gone wrong for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov?

Zenit are champions - but at what price?

05 May 2012 | James Appell

Zenit St Petersburg are Russian champions for the second successive season, but it could be at the cost of their reputation.

Russia’s old dogs won’t perform new tricks

27 April 2012 | James Appell

There are many good reasons to make a managerial appointment. CSKA and Spartak should realise that nostalgia isn't one of them.

Coaches come and go but Rostov’s slide continues

20 April 2012 | James Appell

With five games to go, most of the key positions in the Russian Premier League look to have already been decided. Still, there is one end-of-season gong still being competed for...

Misimovic fires at just the right time

13 April 2012 | James Appell

After a frustrating time since winning the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg in 2009, Zvjezdan Misimovic is finally finding success at Dinamo Moscow.

McGeady’s honeymoon period over

30 March 2012 | James Appell

When Aiden McGeady joined Spartak Moscow 18 months ago he was hailed as exactly the type of intelligent footballer Spartak were crying out for. Now, though, the tide has turned...

Samba race row rumbles on

23 March 2012 | James Appell

Christopher Samba is the latest player to be the victim of racism in Russia and the fallout has been complicated...

Champagne moment for drink-driver Ionov

16 March 2012 | James Appell

A player scoring against his old club is not quite the poignant occurrence it once was. Sometimes, though, you can't avoid rolling out the cliches about 'old stomping grounds'.

Anzhi’s Guus chase is over

20 February 2012 | James Appell

The groans were almost audible as Guus Hiddink broke Chelsea fans' hearts, opting to take over at Anzhi Makhachkala, rather than riding into Stamford Bridge on his white horse...