Keep an 'I' on the Game

World Cup 2014 Preview!

2014-06-09T20:39:00.002+01:00

After a long time on the sidelines, back I come, to keep an eye on the World Cup. Hopefully this blog will become the one it once was, full of ideas, creativity, views!

Where to start? Only one place. Who will win the 2014 World Cup?

(Credit: here)

Well everyone has their own team, their own theory on who will win, and how. The goal? Not just to win the above, but to impress the whole watching world.

Here's my three World Cup sides with a chance. So enjoy, this and the football!

How can any preview not feature Spain. Their time has passed you say? They've won the last two European Championships and the last World Cup. Climate a problem? South Africa 2010.

(Credit: here)

It seems success has transferred to domestic football too. How many all Spanish Champions League clashes do you remember? None, so just this years final? Superb game, wasn't it?

Sevilla winning the Europa League, Real Madrid the Champions League, David Silva the premier league. So what's stopping Spain?
Well, potentially the draw. You have to beat the best to be the best, very much so. But can you fancy Spain beating Germany, Argentina and then maybe Brazil? We all know they can but are you one of their doubters? Can the glory last forever? Well, here's who to keep an eye on.

The Spanish defense tends to be quite hit and miss, but to get in at right back you have to have something about you.Michel Salgado came out and said he was surprised at Dani Carvajal's emission but a superb season from Juanfran might see him nick a starting spot. To replicate Jordi Alba on the other side of the defense would be superb to watch but the reliability has to come from somewhere, perhaps the La Liga winner might be key in a way you won't even notice.

Xavi might be playing his last World Cup, with so many players eager to pounce in the wings. But, if Xavi can dictate as he has done for Spain in recent successes, who knows whether they can do it again. Some might say well why not Iniesta? Well I think Andres is more my type of player, but you know what you will get.

(Credit: here)

I think Xavi's had a poor season, perhaps that's why even Barcelona have been off the pace, but sometimes true class can be under estimated. You have been warned.

Hosting the tournament comes with added pressure, none more so than Brazil. With fans protesting at games, outside grounds and in the favellas, the players must feel like the nation isn't fully behind them. But that didn't stop them in the Confederations Cup, winning the tournament and beating Spain 3-0. Hitting form? 11 friendly wins out of 12 suggests so, but then again, form counts for nothing sometimes. Which Brazil is going to turn up? The one we love, have grown up with, admire, or the one who stutters to results over Serbia?
I think it could be something beautiful, to see the brilliant game at its brilliant best, played by brilliant Brazilians,
but it might take some doing. Where are the superstars of the past? RONALDO, PELE, RONALDINHO?

Well, does Neymar fit into that superstar status? Nowhere, yet.

Messi and Neymar will both be hoping to fire their nations to success. (Credit: here)

Individually perhaps a good season, his first at Barcelona. 13 goals. Despite being injured for part of the season. He could need the biggest stage of all but yet again does the former Santos player, only 22, have what it takes to lead Brazil to glory on their home turf? Well, you can't win anything with kids....

Oscar tends to be given a flexible, creative role in Jose Mourinho's Chelsea but that won't be the case here. Expect him to fill central midfield in a more holding role with Ramires. Possibly the best legs Brazil have to offer in a midfield packed with world class attacking midfielders. The good thing with Brazil is the back up they have, but does the first eleven stand out enough? Not enough to win it I say.

One team I think could stand up to the task is Argentina. How can you stop them? A front three of Higuain, Aguero, Messi?

Messi, Aguero and Higuain have scored 86 goals between them this season. (Credit: here)

Another suspect defense but sometimes you can afford it. The 'we'll score more than you' tactic is always suited to another entertaining World Cup. The forward play could be truly exceptional, The main problem? Meeting someone who starves them of the ball. The defeat to Germany in 2010 was incredible, but sometimes you realise it's your time. Messi needs a World Cup win, fresh from signing a new Barcelona contract. The forward, favorite to be top scorer, only has a one in two strike rate for his country but in a group featuring Nigeria, Iran and Edin Dzeko inspired Bosnia, the forwards might as well be shooting with a loaded rifle, too hot to handle? Probably.

So who's your other Argentinian player to watch? Ricky Alvares has had a great season for an under-performing Inter Milan. There isn't too much raw youth in this squad so to see someone so naturally talented hit the heights is great. Could be the one who goes under the radar to peak in Brazil.

Prediction: Argentina to beat Brazil in the final.

Top scorer: Messi

Top player: Messi

Disagree? Comment below and we'll see how interactive this page can go!

The New England?

2012-02-29T23:12:00.007+00:00

A new kit. A new temporary (or not) manager. A few new players.

It was a new look England tonight.

England played in their new white and red kit for the first time.

Credit: here

And for 45 minutes at the very least what we saw was good. England more than matched the Netherlands without producing any efforts on goal before half time, but there was enough to suggest a solid performance, despite the likes of Wayne Rooney missing out.

I don't think anyone can begrudge the quality of Arjen Robben's run and goal for the first; it would be harsh to do so, but, 57 minutes in, the signs of 'Same Old England' were visible for all to see.

Robben scored two goals, including the winner, at Wembley tonight.

Credit; here

It wasn't just that they went behind but the manner of it, from James Milner scuffing a chance on the edge of the Netherland's box, to a mix up between Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling. Mistakes. The same old mistakes.

And barely a minute later, when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, with six goals in his last four games, headed home, the student vicinity surrounding myself resembled that of a graveyard. Silence apart from the odd person's mutterings.

England has lost its passion, purely because the national team isn't good enough.

Regardless, it was refreshing to see Stuart Pearce giving some of the youngsters, in form youngsters too, a chance at Wembley.

From Chris Smalling to Danny Welbeck, Pearce did what no England manager has yet succeeded, breeding the youngsters through from Under 21 level to the first team, against a very good Holland side.

Welbeck and Smalling played under Pearce for England's U21s, and both started tonight.

Credit; here

Perhaps England has grown too accustomed to the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Rio Ferdinanc dominating the spine of the national side. It hasn't worked, and I'm can only hope that Pearce will continue to try and develop the players for two or three years time.

If they play together often enough, they will gel. It can work.

One thing which might not work is Scott Parker as captain. I know he's many people's choice for the side, given his performances for Spurs this season and the credit is understandable, but tonight, and before tonight, I'm not sure he is a leader.

If I was England manager I'd be looking towards bringing Michael Dawson into the international set up, perhaps alongside Ledley King. It's certainly done the job at Tottenham when called upon, so why would it not work for England?

Michael Dawson has yet to be given a true chance by England. Who knows if that will come.

Credit; here

I'm not here tonight to rant about who I'd have in the England side, but to see people's views on the England we saw tonight. For me, it was promising enough to suggest i'd like to see more of this side, maybe with a bit more belief in their play.

Newcastle v Sunderland

2012-02-28T11:10:00.012+00:00

Sunday 4 March, Sports Direct Arena, 12pm.

The Tyne-Wear derby hits our television screens this weekend and ahead of Sunday's mouth-watering clash, Edward Bretherton looks ahead to the game, and at how the sides have fared in recent spats in the North East.

It's barely 16 months since Kevin Nolan's hat-trick gave Toon an emphatic win at the formerly named St James' Park, something Sunderland fans will still be stricken from, despite their recent surge under Martin O'Neill.

Kevin Nolan became the first player to score a hat-trick in the fixture since Peter Beardsley in 1985.

Credit: here

It's safe to say that Sunderland are a different proposition now. They've lost only four of 16 games since O'Neill took to the helm against Blackburn, including all three games when they haven't scored, but recent victories over Arsenal and Stoke showed that the Black Cats are very much on the up. And don't forget, that's very much without a recognised striker, with Nicklas Bendtner warming the bench continually, and Fraizer Campbell having only just returned from injury. It's not O'Neill's team yet, but it has his values; hard working, hard to beat, energetic, passionate.

Passion is something the North East derby never lacks.

Phil Bardsley was sent off earlier in the season as tempers flared. It was Joey Barton's last game for the club.

Credit: here

Two red cards in the last three games, no fewer than sixteen yellow cards. Expect it to be spicy. Tasty. Nasty.

The Newcastle team itself is somewhat different to last years, who recorded their biggest victory against Sunderland since 1956.

Out have gone Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique, in have come Davide Santon, Yohann Cabaye, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.

All smiles at Newcastle. Ba and Cisse have the potential to form a frightful partnership.

Credit: here

Some turn-around and all credit goes to Alan Pardew for turning Newcastle into a European-pushing side again, despite losing some huge players.

And it's not just Alan Pardew who has a lot to shout about this season.

Demba Ba has been magnificent. 16 goals, half at home, and a free transfer too. Now that is shrewd business.

You do wonder how the Senegal striker will take to the action on Sunday, presumably alongside Cisse, in what will probably be their first action of the Tyne Wear derby, with Ba only making the bench in their victory at the Stadium of Light in August.

I don't think Ba knows what a bench is any more, and he doesn't have to.

I've seen Newcastle in person three times this season, and whilst Ba didn't score in the Carling Cup game at Ewood Park, he certainly showed Rovers a thing or two about finishing at St James' (as it was then called) at the start of the season, when he netted his first goals for the club, a hat trick.

It's not just his finishing that has to be admired. His movement is superb. He has that uncanny ability to make late runs, find space, and produce that clinical effort at the end of it. In that way, he reminds me of Michael Owen, in his prime, when he was scoring goals for fun at Liverpool in arguably a better team.

Not only that, his hold up play, ability to bring others into the game, and footballing brain has to be admired. It didn't happen for Senegal at the African Cup of Nations, but he did score on his return, against Aston Villa.

Alan Pardew seemed to suggest after the draw with Wolves that Demba Ba is vital in nurturing Cisse into the club, but you hope that the former Charlton boss has put his attentions into the right man.

Demba Ba is that good, and Newcastle found a steal, despite medical problems when they tried to sign him.

It's not just him that will cause Sunderland problems on Sunday, with Cisse having scored in both of his Newcastle home appearances so far. Some start to a career as a number nine in those illustrious parts.

Indeed, it's been 22 years, and 25 attempts since the Black Cats kept their neighbours out. Surely there will, again, be goals guaranteed on Sunday. You expect one of the Toon strikers might take their chance, if it comes.

Sunderland have only one win in this fixture in their last fourteen efforts, compared to Newcastle's eight but, take away last weekend's capitulation at West Brom, they haven't been conceding many goals neither.

I just feel that Martin O'Neill hasn't quite settled on their midfield yet, and arguably whether there is a place in the team for former captain Lee Cattermole. It seems a straight choice between him and former Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan at the moment, while Craig Garder's another one on the merry-go-round of playing or sitting on the bench.

One player who isn't is James McClean. I don't think anyone would have singled McClean as one to grace the Premier League at the start of the season, but his pace and direct approach has caused all sorts of problems since he made his full debut against Blackburn at the stadium of Light.

James McClean has made a real impact since being given a chance in the Sunderland first team.

Credit; here

He's certainly won over the fans with his four goals in only fifteen appearances, while Stephane Sessegnon continues to shine in what is a free role given to him by Martin O'Neill.

It seems the Africans are thriving in the Premier League. Who knows, maybe Asamoah Gyan might be welcome back now after a change in management at the side he left on loan. Perhaps he could teach Ba and Cisse a few dances...

Let's hope for an entertaining game, but I'm heading to the SDA thinking Newcastle will grind out a 2-1 win, a nerve wracking win, but one where they'll have the chance to prove themselves after throwing away a two goal lead last weekend. It won't be easy, and Sunderland might sneak a draw. But that's the drama of football.

What Has Happened to Jussi Jaaskelainen?

2012-02-27T17:51:00.006+00:00

Credit here

Bolton Wanderers.

Second bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

Conceded the second most goals in the division.

Some transformation from last season... a 14th placed league finish... an FA Cup semi final defeat. Times were cosy under Owen Coyle.

Four points from their last five games signals relegation form, yet the quality is there in Coyle's squad for him to turn it around. The fans cling to the Holden hope, when will their USA international midfielder return?

But one player has been taken out of the limelight of late, a key player for seasons on end... Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Jussi has netted twice with clean sheets this season, in eighteen games, and with his contract up at the end of this season, you wonder whether now is the end of the line for the 36 year old Finn.

The goalkeeper signed for Wanderers in November 1997 from VPS Vaasa for a nominal fee of £100,000 and has been a true servant to the club where he has made 529 appearances.

Jaaskelainen has drifted out of the media headlines, with Adam Bogdan taking his place between the sticks after a thigh strain ruled him out for the Christmas period.

Bogdan conceded the most extra-ordinary goal at Goodison Park despite Wanderers picking up all three points.

Credit: here

Wanderers fans might be pleased with their number two goalkeeper Bogdan being given a chance but at the end of the season, errors; including the goal conceded at Goodison Park against Tim Howard, might well be crucial in sending Wanderers down.

It really is that close. Small margins.

As we were reminded at the Emirates at the weekend, class is permanent, and surely it's for the good of Bolton Wanderers that Jussi Jaaskelainen is restored to the line-up as soon as possible.

Unless there's a problem.

One theory, purely my own, is that the big Finn might well have an automatic clause in his contract if he plays so many games. Sitting on 18 games for the season, surely it's not ironic that he's sitting on the bench when Bolton are losing, when one more appearance would have seen him played half of the league season.

The other possibility is that the clause is automatically hit at 20 games, and that Coyle is waiting until the last game of the season to give Jaaskelainen a send off in their final game, away at Stoke, ironically where Wigan stayed up on the final day of the 2010/11 season.

I couldn't see that happening with the situation at the bottom of the Premier League tighter than a pair of kids trousers on a competitor for World's strongest man.

Jaaskelainen's form could be singled out as one of the reasons why Bolton have avoided relegation battles in previous seasons.

Credit: here

It's a big call to give a younger goalkeeper the number one spot half way through the season, like Coyle appears to have done, and while Bolton fans might single his form out as a positive, it seems his presence in the penalty area isn't quite that of Jussi. It's quite simply a big loss. A 6'3'' loss.

And the goalkeeping problem hasn't just shown at Bolton this season, it's shown at Stoke too, where consistency has been thrown out of the window at the Britannia. It might not be directly down to Tony Pulis' inability to pick a number one keeper between Begovic and Sorensen, but chopping and changing the goalkeeper doesn't help even the most talented of defenses in front of him.

I'm sure I won't stand alone in hoping that the English Premier League gets to see Jussi Jaaskelainen at least one last time, he's certainly denied my team victory on numerous occasions, and I am one for giving youngsters a chance, but in desperate times, maybe experience and Premier League quality should shine through. It might just save Bolton Wanderers, and Owen Coyle.

Otherwise it's a bit climb back from the Championship.

Robin rocking the Premier League again

2012-01-10T18:33:00.017+00:00

Just how important is Robin Van Persie to Arsenal?

35 league goals in one calendar year, 17 coming at the start of this season. Every one had that air of predictability about it. It had to be the captain who scored.

Had van the man managed to break the long lasting premier league record for goals in a calendar year, set by Alan Shearer, 36, the dutchman would have been well and truly in the history books.

So how important is Van Persie to Arsene Wenger? to Arsenal?

The answer: unquestionably vital.

It must have taken a long hard thought from Wenger to let both Fabregas and Nasri leave last summer, but most Arsenal fans would agree that they have kept the vital element, the vital element that holds Arsenal together and keeps them ticking. The element symbolised RVP.

Nasri and Fabregas both left for different reasons, but RVP's future has never been questioned.

The truth is, as results have shown, the Gunners aren’t the same team without the Dutchman striking fear into the eyes of those opposing him.

27 October 2011 epitomised that. With the North London side at home to Stoke, Wenger left his super star striker on the bench and 67 minutes in, a point looks on the cards for a toothless Gunners.

Cue a substitution. Two goals in nine minutes from van Persie. Put a price on that, Barcelona.

In the first five minutes of coming on, the six foot striker had scored more off the bench than any Blackburn or Bolton sub has this season to date: one. Clinical.

Van Persie has got used to scoring goals for Arsenal.

And despite his Champions League red card last season against Barcelona, Arsenal’s main striker did something that neither Sergio Aguero or Wayne Rooney could; guide his side through to the Champions League knock out stages. Van Persie scored twice in the final group game at home to Borussia Dortmund to guarantee their safe passage through as group winners.

One thing which has to worry the striker and the rest of his team mates is the lack of recent trophies in Arsenal’s trophy room. A lot is made of Arsenal’s failure to hold out under pressure, something they proved in the Carling Cup final last season against Birmingham City, but Wenger’s bred the youngsters and surely another final can only be around the corner.

Van Persie looking dejected after their Carling Cup final defeat last season

It's been the excuse for some time, Arsene Wenger is breeding youngsters, and the youngsters haven't quite stepped up.

But picture this... an Arsenal side without Robin Van Persie.

They may be lingering in or around the top half, but the Champions League, Europe, both out of question.

Out of sight, out of mind.

So what has prompted Wenger to change his style, and buy players more experienced; Per Mertresacker, Mikel Arteta, Gervinho? Surely it's because he has realised nothing can replace experience. Finally.

Regardless of who signs this transfer window (rumours of signing Salomon Kalou have circulated), it is clearly imperative that any system or change in system is based around the Arsenal talisman, their number eleven.

Van Persie has been on fire for Holland too, scoring four times as they beat San Marino 11-0 in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

That includes Thierry Henry, who made a goalscoring return against Leeds United in his Arsenal debut the second time around.

If the system changes, Arsenal lose Van Persie as the player he has become.

And while title hopes have gone again for this season, you have to feel as though Arsene Wenger might finally have got his act together in making a squad able to challenge properly for domestic honours. It won't be this season, but it might be next.

Arsene Wenger has had to find a new backbone in his squad, but it's been frustrating so far for the Frenchman.

It would be refreshing to see Arsenal back at their best, they aren't there at the moment, because they are the best footballing team in the Premier League and they should be winning the trophies that their football often deserves.

Maybe when the next final comes, they can keep their composure.

Back with a bang. Happy new Year

2012-01-10T18:32:00.001+00:00

Let me first apologise for the lack of posts over the last six months. I was hoping to have my website ready to publish new stories on, however this has not happened. The blog will now be started again, hope you enjoy it!

Promotion From the Championship - May 2012

2011-06-14T13:51:00.009+01:00

This Championship season has been chaotic as ever, Craig Bellamy moving to Cardiff on loan, despite their money problems, QPR, under Neil Warnock, rising to the top of the pile despite irregularities over the Alejandro Faurlin transfer, and Sheffield Wednesday, only four years after their relegation from the top flight, being doomed to League One football next season.

Enough of the past, what can we expect from the Championship this season and can we answer the biggest question of all, who will gain promotion to the highest flight of English football with a successful season.

After browsing the internet yesterday, I found that Leicester City had been installed as favourites to win the league this year.

Back in December of last year, after an awful start to the season, and a change of manager, I identified the Foxes as being unlikely promotion candidates, with Yakubu and Darius Vassell forming a somewhat formidable partnership up front.

Yakubu scored 12 goals in a successful loan spell and Sven Goran Eriksson will no doubt be hoping he can persuade the Nigerian international to return to the club next season as first choice striker.

They didn't quite make it on that occasion, but Sven will be at the helm from the off this time and they seem sure to spend over the summer months. If they can avoid an awful start which saw them take only two points from their first five games, then they can be pushing for another promotion, following their relegation from the second tier of English football in 2007/08. The players might have been saying that promotion is a must this time around, but I can't see them having anywhere neaar enough to win it, but surely they seem destined for the play off's at least this time around.

Of course, elsewhere, lie Cardiff City, managerless at this moment in time after Dave Jones was sacked, ruthlessly in my opinion.

They won't have a Welsh derby next season after Swansea were promoted to the top flight, but they might have again considered themselves unfortunate to have missed out on a prized slot in the top flight this time around.

Heartache again at the play off stage, screams out one thing, the Bluebirds must be promoted automatically if they are to play in the Premier League. That was summed up perfectly by their capitulation in the second leg against Reading when well placed to progress to the final.

It was more hands on head's for Cardiff fans and players this season.

Credit; here

They had the players last season to get them to the promised land, but I couldn't help notice thye have just sold Michael Chopra to Ipswich this week. Jay Bothroyd might have been in form at times this season but I still considered Chopra to be their best, most consistant, striker, with no guarantee that Craig Bellamy will return again next season.

It will be interesting to see who comes in as the new manager, presumably it will be someone with high ambitions, but they aren't going to have lots of money to spend and they might have to make do with the current crop and loanees, somewhere where Dave Jones was particularly successful. There might be high hopes but I can see them flopping next year and ending up mid table.

Managerial Changes

Dave Jones hasn't been the only managerial casualty after poor, or unsuccessful, seasons.

Two out of three of the relegated teams from the Premier League, West Ham and Birmingham (although that is an on-goig issue) have opted for a fresh approach, with West Ham going for the tried and tested formula of Sam Allardyce.

Out of the game since December, Big Sam was sacked by Blackburn Rovers' new owners, but now he has been given a chance to re-shape a team and attempt to get them back into the top flight at the first attempt.

West Ham might not be favorites to win the Championship, but they are my tip because I can see Allardyce getting West Ham to be a disciplined side from the start and he will sure them up defensively, something which surely was the main reason behind last season's gloom.

Nobody is expecting Scott Parker to stay, but Big Sam's track record with signing players is good and they might still keep enough quality to be too good for many-a-team in the Championship.

Big Sam will be hoping to guide West Ham back up to the promised land.

Credit: here

They will be, by far, better placed come May than this season's other relegated teams.

Birmingham are set to lose several of their top players to Premier League clubs and they might need a season to stabilise, like Blackpool, before they try another push for the big time.

Away from them, another big question is: how will the promoted sides from League One get on?

You would presume that Peterborough might struggle more than Southampton and Brighton, although the latter two, given a good run, could both be pushing for the play off's close season.

Whatever happens, I'm sure that it will be another memorable season.

Predictions:

1) West Ham United
2) Southampton
3) Leicester City
4) Reading
5) Burnley
6) Leeds

Waiting for the hammer to fall

2011-05-16T19:32:00.022+01:00

We're heading into the final weekend of the season and it couldn't be tighter at the bottom.

West Ham United, managerless for the moment after parting company with Avram Grant, have already been relegated to the doom and gloom of the Championship after a six year stay in the top flight of English football but we couldn't have expected a last day where no less than FIVE teams could join them in the second tier of English football.

This time the last day relegation scenario doesn't involve Newcastle, a day which saw Alan Shearer's side relegated two seasons ago.

Credit: here

Instead, it's between Wigan, Blackpool, Birmingham, Wolves and Blackburn Rovers on the last day to determine who will be travelling to the likes of Hull, Southampton and Brighton next season in the Championship.

It could be argued that, with another point on the board, both Wolves and Blackburn (40pts) will both end Sunday's face off having avoided relegation, but a defeat for either side could see them looming close to the dreaded trap door. A victor in that game would be guaranteed another season in the top flight.

The real business, instead, comes between the other three teams, Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan, who are all on 39 points, with only a tally of two separating them on goal difference.

That means that ahead of games to Tottenham, Manchester United and Stoke respectively, a point could be enough to save one side's heads.

The reality is that, if one of those three teams wins, either Wolves or Blackburn will be overtaken no matter of the result at Molineux on Sunday.

However, three draws in games involving Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan would see no chance in the table as it stands, with Wigan dropping out in 19th and Blackpool in 18th, one goal behind Birmingham.

That, in itself, would be dependent on Wolves not being beaten by two clear goals at home to Blackburn. A 2-0 home defeat for Wolves, and draws at Old Trafford, White Hart Lane and the Britannia Stadium would see Blackpool escape the drop zone on goals scored, with the same goal difference as Mick McCarthy's side. A remarkable defeat would be the only way Blackburn would be relegated if the sides below them and Wolves can only draw. A 7 goal swing would be needed.

Then, we come down to the scenario that Wigan have to better both Birmingham and Blackpool's results to save themselves.

It's interesting that all three sides on 39 points are away on the last day and the goal difference scenario is one you can't take your eyes off.

Wigan currently sit bottom of the goal difference chart on -22 goals, while Blackpool are one better off and Birmingham are one more better off than the Seasiders'.

The strange fact is that Wigan, questionably, have the game where if they are to lose, it's going to be a respectable defeat, whereas Blackpool and Birmingham could face thrashings at the Champions, even if a second string is deployed by Sir Alex, and Spurs, who need a win to seal their league position of 5th after beating Liverpool 2-0.

So who will stay up and why?

TOTTENHAM v BIRMINGHAM CITY

Credit; here

Just looking at Birmingham's record against Spurs would give their fans resounding hope, in the first of three games live on Sky.

A 1-1 draw earlier in the season, after a Craig Gardner goal, came before their form dipped after their Carling Cup Final win over Arsenal.

I watched the game at home to Fulham on Sunday along with the West Ham game at Wigan and couldn't believe that the Blues' defense just fell apart, given their generally good defensive record. Ok, they were missing the suspended Liam Ridgewell but it could have easily been worse than 2-0 had it not been for Ben Foster (how many times have we said that this season?)

Despite accumulating draws over the years against Spurs, their only Premier League win at White Hart Lane came on 2nd December 2007, when Seb Larsson scored a last minute winner to secure a 3-2 win.

More of the same will be needed on Sunday and I'm sure that Alex McLeish will send his side out fighting from the off, something they haven't done of late, and their fate is in their hands, at the moment.

Birmingham will have to take advantage of any mistakes from Tottenham if they are to have any chance of getting the result they will need.

Credit; here

On the contrary, Spurs have to win to secure 5th place ahead of Liverpool and van der Vaart's goal at weekend tends to make you think that he's back on form behind Jermaine Defoe, who has been hit and miss all season.

But after 4 draws in their last 5 home league games, Harry will be looking for his side to finish all guns blazing and I would bank on there to be goals for Spurs, if they can take advantage of the width they have used all season. A 3-0 defeat will make it especially nervy for Birmingham, and they might need to score to stand a chance of survival. The pressure might well drift through, especially if results are going against them.

There certainly aren't many goals in the Midlands' side, but they'll do especially well to keep Tottenham out at home in front of their own fans for the last time this season.

It will depend on other results.

MANCHESTER UNITED v BLACKPOOL

Credit; here

That brings Blackpool into play with,arguably, the trickiest game of all, away at the Champions, who will be picking up the Premier League trophy on the day, in a game which is live on Sky.

This could go two ways; United could play a Reserve team with next weekend's Champions League Final against Barcelona in mind, or they could play some of the first eleven, given the trophy celebrations afterwards.

I expect that van der Sar will be returning in goal for his last game at Old Trafford and a defensive featuring Rafael, Smalling, Evans and Evra could be a tricky one to breach for a Blackpool side who are definitely capable of goals.

I could see the likes of Giggs, Park, Hernandez and Rooney all being rested, but every United team has goals in it and Sir Alex would never dis-respect other teams around the relegation zone on the last day by playing a team that wasn't built to win.

Blackpool gave United a real scare at Bloomfield Road and will looking to spoil the day the Reds' party day.

Credit; here

Blackpool, in themselves, deserve the right to have a chance of avoiding the drop on the last day.

Victories against the likes of Spurs and Wigan (4-0) and Liverpool (2-1) should not be forgotten and they have gone to the likes of the Stadium of Light and won by taking their chances.

It would be some story if they could go to Old Trafford, the games which supporters were eagerly anticipating when the fixture list came out, and win to secure their Premier League status, something which would be a credit to the players, the fans and Ian Holloway for their belief.

In a different way to Birmingham, I do believe that Blackpool have to go for it at Old Trafford and they have to take their chances, as they did against Bolton at the weekend.

It might be a case of 'can we score more than you?' but the Oranges' boss will take it hands down.

The message from Blackpool fans is clear, but they have their own challenge at Old Trafford.

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They've got nothing to lose Blackpool, who have come a long way from their 4-0 win at Wigan on the opening day, despite patchy form in the middle period of the season and it would be in the interest of the top flight that they stay in the top tier and keep the likes of Charlie Adam.

United might have one eye on the final and one single goal in a 2-1 defeat will see them leapfrog Birmingham. A 1 goal swing would also be enough, given Blackpool's superior scoring tally.

STOKE v WIGAN

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That boils down to Wigan, who, if Blackpool lose by only one goal, would have to pick up points at Stoke, live on Sky.

A 2 goal defeat for Blackpool at United and a 1 goal defeat for Wigan at Stoke would also see Wigan down on goals scored, with Blackpool having scored 14 more than the Lancashire outfit.

Stoke's home record is generally good and, after the disappointment of the final, the players will hope to end a good season on a high, with a top 8 finish not out of the question.

Manuel Figueroa scored a memorable goal at Stoke last season and a 2-1 lead heading into the last 15 minutes could be priceless this time.

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It would be a suitable position for the excellent football Stoke have played under Tony Pulis this season.

Despite this, Wigan have only lost once to Stoke in the last nine meetings, a 2-0 defeat at the Britannia in 08/09. Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie scored that day, but the last three have ended as score draws, something which may be enough for Wigan.

They needed a miraculous comeback at home to West Ham on Sunday to stay in the league although they can expect Stoke's defense and goalkeeper to be more solid this time around.

As Roberto Martinez said, it's certainly the second of two cup finals for the Pie eaters, who, judging by predictions, will need a result to stay in the league.

It's time to see what Wigan are made of, but they can't remain a one man team forever and you'd imagine someone will finally move for Charles N'Zogbia in the summer, no matter of Wigan's league situation.

Can N'Zogbia save Wigan and can their fans bare to watch?

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It was his two goals who kept Wigan in it on Sunday and the likes of Hugo Rodalega, who has only scored once in his last eleven games for Wigan, will have to perform.

If they can go to Stoke and get under their collar, they might be able to nick the decisive early goal that could see them stay up.

On the contrary, West Ham had so many wasted chances, at times cutting through the Wigan defense and, if this happens again on Sunday, then the likes of Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters will take their chances, as they have done all season.

No doubt Wigan will be working on set pieces ahead of the game after awful defending from set pieces against West Ham and playing even one aerially poor defender could cost them the point that they need at a stadium where the Stoke fans would really get behind their team.

Because of that, I could see Stoke scoring a few, and Wigan could be on the wrong end of a 3-2 loss, one that would send them down, but this is the game that could stop heartbeats of fans at both Birmingham and Blackpool throughout the day.

Interestingly, Wigan are offering supporters into the DW stadium for free to watch the game after they pre-ordered too few away tickets for the last game.

Three defeats would mean that Blackburn and Wolves would both be safe but most people will go into that game not knowing what to expect from either side.

It's been a long time since Wolves won three on the bounce and Blackburn themselves are three games unbeaten, so you'd predict that this would be a draw, ensuring that only a win from Wigan, Blackpool or Birmingham would send Wolves down. It could cue a mass pitch invasion in the Black Country but they've worked hard to be in this position and a 1-1 draw will see them safe.

Get set for a huge weekend in Premier League football, I sure am ready.

Premier League Predictions- Week Eleven

2011-02-26T13:33:00.012+00:00

Credit; here

Each week, I will now post my predictions for the weekend, and see if i can get more right than BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson.

This week, for the 26/27 February, the predictions below stand.

This week's predictions	Score	Lawro	Edward
Aston Villa v Blackburn	4-1	2-0	4-1
Everton v Sunderland	2-0	2-1	2-0
Man City v Fulham	1-1	2-0	3-0
Newcastle v Bolton	1-1	2-1	2-1
Stoke v West Brom	x-x	1-0	2-0
West Ham v Liverpool	3-1	1-1	1-2
Wigan v Man Utd	0-4	0-2	0-3
Wolves v Blackpool	4-0	3-1	1-1

I expect the big winners this weekend to be Manchester United. An away tie with Wigan after their goal-less draw with Marseille midweek could be good preparation for Tuesday's tie with Chelsea.

United's form against Wigan has been excellent, with United beating the Latics 2-0 earlier in the season and scoring 5 in both games against the side last season.

In fact, United have won their last twelve against Wigan, who have only hit four goals in those games.

It will be crucial that they take any chances that they might create on the re-laid DW pitch, something which was necessary after the game against Blackburn.

James McCarthy scored twice as Wigan beat Blackburn in their last home game, but the Champions could go four points clear with a win.

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The key men for Unites, as usual, will be the forwards, with Dimitar Berbatov looking to score his first goal for a month for the side.

Berbatov was influential in helping United secure a victory at Blackpool one month yesterday, but his lack of goals have paved the way for Nani and Wayne Rooney to start hitting the target; something they both did as United won the Manchester derby 2-1.

Rooney and Nani have clicked into gear at the right time as Sir Alex Ferguson looks to seal a record breaking 19th league title.

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The other big winners this weekend could be Aston Villa.

It's not often I select Aston Villa as the team to watch but games against Blackburn are usually entertaining affairs.

Villa have knocked Rovers out of both the FA Cup and the League Cup for two successive seasons, but the North West outfit have won the last three in the league, conceding only one goal.

Rovers away form has hit a sticky patch with the 4-3 loss to Wigan last weekend and they will be hoping to come away from the Midlands with something, but you wonder when Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young will ifnally click up front and put someone to the sword.

Agbonlahor scored the last time Villa beat Rovers in the league.

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Young scored twice in the Carling Cup against Blackburn and Villa's home record against Blackburn is generally good, having won four of their last six meetings ahead of today's tie, which could see Houllier's side rise above Blackburn in the table, and away from the relegation zone, something they are currently three points clear of.

Blackburn have ambitions of their own and Roque Santa Cruz (left) will be looking to score his first goal for the side since he re-joined them on loan from City.

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Quite possibly the biggest game of the weekend comes between Wolves, bottom of the league, and Blackpool, buoyed by their morale boosting win over Tottenham.

Wolves are in danger of being cast adrift at the bottom and a win today wouldn't guarantee them a place out of the relegation zone.

Since the turn of the year, they have only beaten Chelsea and Manchester United in the league and games against those around you count double come May.

Maybe Jamie O'Hara, who scored last weekend against West Brom, can change their fortunes as he nearly managed with Portsmouth last season, but the team will have to pull through together.

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Their hopes will be boosted by the fact Charlie Adam starts a two game ban for ten yellow cards, but the last time he missed a game through suspension, Blackpool beat Sunderland 2-0 away.

Despite this, the Tangerines have just beaten Spurs and that is no mean feat, and possibly two more top flight wins might be enough to secure what was an unlikely top flight survival.

The key man today could again be DJ Campbell, who netted midweek, and now has nine league goals for Blackpool this term, but any points would certainly help Blackpool's cause as we head into the business part of the season.

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It'll be a good battle between two of the games more entertaining managers.

Good luck to everyone's teams this weekend.

Can Crawley Do It?

2011-02-18T12:36:00.010+00:00

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The FA Cup 5th Round has again brought together two teams from opposite spectrums of English football.

Saturday evening sees Crawley Town, of the Blue Square Premier, take on Manchester United, currently sitting four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

It only happens in the FA Cup, yet, while Leyton Orient also face Arsenal in another potential giant-killing, the magic of the FA Cup could be about to strike again.

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It's the fairytale behind the non league side Crawley that takes priority for the TV fixtures, with the last non league side to reach the Fifth Round being Kidderminster Harriers.

For Manchester United, it is another one of those potentially tricky games which they are going to have to negotiate as they look to add to their 11 FA Cups to date.

United's recent record against the so called minnows has been good, with Sir Alex Ferguson's side beating Southampton 2-1 in the last round despite going behind.

The game against Crawley could have been a lot trickier for the current league leaders, had it been away, although the minnows' away record has been good of late, keeping a clean sheet in their last six games and winning three.

Crawley beat Torquay away in the last round, thanks to a first half goal from top scorer Matthew Tubbs.

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In fact, they've only lost two away games this season, against AFC Wimbledon and Dartford but Old Trafford is, on every scale, a whole different challenge.

Compare that to the fact that United haven't lost at home yet, and have only lost once in the league all season, and the nature of the task looks far beyond them.

However, the FA Cup is magic and they simply have to believe that they have a chance, especially if the big guns are rested heading into next weekend's double header against Wigan and Chelsea.

The conference side currently sit second in the league, three points behind AFC Wimbledon, but having played four games fewer, and are looking good for promotion, but can they do the unthinkable and beat United at their own home?

I highly doubt that they will although it would be good for football if a European giant could be knocked out of a cup competition by a lower league team, with less reputation than Coventry, Leeds and Portsmouth, the latter having knocked United out of the FA Cup over the last two seasons and all three defeats being inflicted at the Theatre of Dreams.

Leeds United beat the Red Devils in last season's FA Cup, the second consecutive year they've lost 1-0 at Old Trafford to exit the competition.

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The Crawley players have come in for some criticism for taking a tour of Old Trafford yesterday, but it's not than possibly a once in a lifetime trip for their players, so I don't blame them one bit.

It's sure to be a game where the neutrals are supporting the under-dog but there are some big guns left in the competition and I don't think that Manchester United are about to come undone this weekend as they search for another prestigious treble.

Can Crawley beat United? Who will win the FA Cup? Please discuss below.

Premier League Predictions- Week Ten

2011-02-11T14:50:00.013+00:00

Credit; here

Each week, I will now post my predictions for the weekend, and see if i can get more right than BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson.

This week, for the 12-14 February, the predictions below stand.

This week's predictions	Score	Lawro	Edward
Man Utd v Man City	2-1	1-1	2-0
Arsenal v Wolves	2-0	2-0	5-0
Birmingham v Stoke	1-0	1-1	2-1
Blackburn v Newcastle	0-0	1-2	2-1
Blackpool v Aston Villa	1-1	1-2	1-1
Liverpool v Wigan	1-1	2-0	2-0
West Brom v West Ham	3-3	2-1	1-3
Sunderland v Tottenham	1-2	0-2	1-2
Bolton v Everton	2-0	1-1	2-1
Fulham v Chelsea	0-0	1-1	1-4

I expect the big winners this weekend to be Arsenal. A home tie against Wolves has come at a great time for the Gunners. who closed the gap on leaders Man Utd by a point last weekend, despite a stunning 4-4 draw at Newcastle. Now only four points behind, Arsene Wenger's side could have one eye on the home Champions League tie with Arsenal on Wednesday but a morale boosting result wouldn't go amiss four days previous.

Marouane Chamakh scored both goals as Arsenal won 2-0 against Wolves in November, but has gone off the boil since.

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Robin van Persie is in particularly good form, having scored eight goals in his last six games, whilst Theo Walcott has been in impressive form alongside Cesc Fabregas.

The only concern for Arsenal is that they are missing the suspended Abou Diaby, so Denilson may come in, but Arsenal will have enough quality to win on Saturday and win comfortably.

Wolves are not to be underestimated having beaten Man Utd last weekend, but an away day at the Emirates could be another kettle of fish, given they lost against the three other teams who currently occupy the top four places.

With games against West Brom and Blackpool on the horizon, maybe Mick McCarthy might find it sensible to priorities his games in order to keep the Midlanders from going down.

Wolves were the first team this season to beat Manchester United, when they defeated the Red Devils 2-1 last weekend.

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The other big winners this weekend could be West Ham, who travel to West Brom, who won't be under the guidance of Roy Hodgson.

West Brom's home form has generally been OK, winning three of their last six, but their yo-yo Premier League form seems to be again playing on their minds after an incredible slip from their fourth placed position in early November.

When Odemwingie has scored this season, West Brom have never lost.

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I've said before that their main problem is that they concede too many goals and fail to score enough, something which showed in their 3-0 loss to Manchester City last weekend.

It's obvious that they need to pick up points from games like this but West Ham have something to play for too.

The Hammers will, no doubt, be spurred on by the fact they have been given the chance to play at the Olympic Stadium and that alone could be the necessary boost that the players and the club needs to ignite their season.

Add to that the fact that Avram Grant's side could jump out of the bottom three with three points at the Hawthorns and the script is written for an away win.

Each of the strikers, Obinna, Piquionne, Keane, Cole and Sears have all been on fire of late and Grant has good selection problems, something West Brom are struggling for up front, with only Peter Odemwingie having scored more than four goals this season.

Victor Obinna has scored five goals in his last three appearances.

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The big game of the weekend seems to obviously be the Manchester derby at Saturday lunchtime.

Manchester United v Manchester City always gives that added spark and with Carlos Tevez back in the goals last weekend, Manchester United, without Rio Ferdinand, might have a huge task on their hands.

That said, United lost against against Wolves last night and they can't afford another slip up, with Arsenal only four points behind.

United have, indeed, won three of their last four City derbies at Old Trafford and I expect them to do the same once more, if they can keep City out.

Michael Owen scored a controversial injury time winner as United beat City 4-3 in the league at Old Trafford last season.

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Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are in great form up front and Ryan Giggs seems to play well whenever he is picked, and their experience might see them through on Saturday.

City have got used to playing their 4-5-1 system away from home because they don't concede many goals but they might have to keep their neighbours out if they are to take anything from the weekend.

It will give us a good preview of how City might do this season and if they can manage to scrap three points, they will definitely be on for a Champions League trip next season, with Spurs slowly catching up, and Harry Redknapp's side having a game in hand, away at Blackpool, inbetween their Champions League ties against AC Milan.

Good luck to everyone's teams this weekend.

Want to play along? Please discuss your predictions below.

John Williams Leaves Blackburn

2011-02-04T16:24:00.012+00:00

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Today is a sad day for Blackburn Rovers.

Chairman John Williams has today resigned from his duties at Ewood Park after 14 years which has seen the club win promotion, the League Cup and secure top flight status.

Perhaps the most successful aspect was him being behind the side during ten consecutive Premier League seasons, despite seeing numerous managerial changes over that time.

John Williams will be remembered for working on a limited budget after the Jack Walker era at Ewood Park but was said to be disappointed to be forced to sack his friend, and the club's manager, Sam Allardyce, in December.

Williams was left shocked by Venky's decision to sack Sam Allardyce, who he had appointed for Premier League stability.

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The Lancashire Evening Telegraph reportedly understood that Williams knew as early as Wednesday, before the Tottenham game, that he had to leave.

The website reads: ''Talks took place as new owners Anurandha, Balaji and Venkatesh Desai travelled to the UK this week to attend the Spurs game.

The outgoing chairman could not be contacted for comment last night but this morning issued a statement through the club confirming his departure.

The Rao family, who are understood to be travelling back to India, were also unavailable for comment.

While the exact details of what led to his departure are not known, it is understood that Mr Williams had been uncomfortable with the sacking of Sam Allardyce, with whom he enjoyed a good working relationship.

There were also concerns over the role of sports agency SEM/Kentaro, which has been working with the owners on transfer policy.''

It is interesting to see that former players and the current manager have paid tribute to the outgoing chairman as times continue to change at Ewood Park.

There has been a lot of unrest between the fans today who are disappointed to see so many changes so quickly since Venky's took over the club in November.

Venky's have made several changes behind the scenes at Ewood.

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The situation at Blackburn is certainly interesting and much different to any takeover the Premier League has seen before, even George Gillette and Tom Hicks at Liverpool, but the news that Christopher Samba signed a new 5 year deal before the midweek game was a massive boost to the squad heading into a crucial period if they are to mount a European challenge.

How will Blackburn do this season? Do you agree with John Williams' decision to leave? Please discuss below.

Premier League Predictions- Week Nine

2011-02-04T10:51:00.013+00:00

Credit; here

Each week, I will now post my predictions for the weekend, and see if i can get more right than BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson.

This week, for the 5-6 February, the predictions below stand.

This week's predictions	Score	Lawro	Edward
Aston Villa v Fuham	2-2	2-1	1-0
Chelsea v Liverpool	0-1	2-0	3-0
Everton v Blackpool	5-3	2-0	1-1
Man City v West Brom	3-0	2-0	4-0
Newcastle v Arsenal	4-4	0-2	0-3
Stoke v Sunderland	3-2	2-0	1-2
Tottenham v Bolton	2-1	2-0	3-1
Wigan v Blackburn	4-3	1-1	1-2
Wolves v Man Utd	2-1	0-2	0-3
West Ham v Birmingham	0-1	2-1	1-1

I expect the big winners this weekend to be Manchester City. Roberto Mancini;s side have been threatening to fire for some time now and, after their draw at Birmingham midweek, I think we could see an adverse effect against a West Brom team which concede goals for fun and haven't scored on their last four away games.

Edin Dzeko has yet to hit the back of the net in the league for City, but I expect him to get off the mark against West Brom.

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City's home record is generally pretty good, winning their last 3 in the league but the goals continue to fly in, with Mancini's side having scored four goals in three of their last four home ties.

If City are to challenge for the title, they would need to improve their goal difference, with Arsenal being ten goals better off with 14 games left to play.

Dzeko would be my pick for any fantasy teams this weekend, providing he starts alongside Tevez, while David Silva is set to be included alongside the Toure brothers, who were both missing in their 2-2 draw at Birmingham.

It's important that City win and they could really add to West Brom's problems, the Baggies being only two points clear of the relegation zone and having recorded only eight points away from home all season, four of which being against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Peter Odemwingie has scored nine goals and The Baggies have never lost when he has scored.

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It's worrying times for the Midlanders but Peter Odemwingie's goals might be the difference between staying up and going down, although Carlos Vela;s introduction will be interesting and surely his quality will show on occasions. Big players perform on big occasions, it's a big game for the Baggies tomorrow ahead of ties with West Ham, Wolves, Stoke and Birmingham over the coming weeks.

The other big winners of the weekend could be Arsenal, who travel to St James' Park for the second time this season, having beaten the Toon army in the 5th round of the League Cup.

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Games like this will define Arsenal's league season but their away record has improved this season, having picked up 10 points from their last four away days.

If they can carry on where they left off, without the injured Samir Nasri, they can keep the pressure on Manchester United, who face Wolves before the Manchester derby next Saturday.

It seems the return to fitness of Robin van Persie has really made a difference to the Gunners and Arsenal have started playing the football we grow to expect, especially with Cesc Fabregas returning to form.

Robin van Persie has scored 5 goals in his last three league games and also scored against Leeds in the FA Cup replay.

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On the contrary, Newcastle are looking to life after Andy Carroll and it seems a strange decision not to have brought anyone in, even on loan, to replace the physical front-man on transfer deadline day.

The fans will have been looking forward to a decent season but whether Shola Ameobi (who is out injured for 6 weeks), Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands can score enough goals remains to be seen.

They couldn't hit the target against Fulham as the side fell to their first league defeat in 5, but a league double for the Magpies doesn't look likely, with the team having only won two of their 16 Premier League games with Arsenal.

The big game is obviously at Stamford Bridge, where Fernando Torres is set to make his bow against his last club, Liverpool.

It will be interesting to see how the Spaniard fits into the system, but I'd guess that he'd play on the right of the three, with Drogba down the middle and Anelka on the left.

Chelsea's front three will have to be switched after they signed Fernando Torres for £50m.

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Another interesting selection will be whether Florent Malouda will again be on the bench, with the French winger out of form and having now lost a previously cemented place up front.

Carlo Ancelotti might have problems selecting Malouda, with Lampard, Ramires and Michael Essien looking solid in midfield, but it's a selection problem that the boss will welcome, given Chelsea's recent lack of strength in depth.

Liverpool are also looking forward, having beaten the Blues at Anfield earlier in the season, so it will be good to see how Luis Suarez applies himself against a top team.

The Uruguayan score on his debut against Stoke and will be looking to get his name on the score sheet yet again.

It's sure to be a good game but I think Chelsea will be inspired by their new signings. Although Torres will be all the rage before the game, Liverpool's defence can't just worry about him or someone like Anelka will step up and hurt them, with the Frenchman failing to punish sloppy defending in the reverse fixture.

Good luck to everyone's teams this weekend.

Want to play along? Please discuss your predictions below.

Rangers v Celtic Month

2011-02-02T11:26:00.009+00:00

Rangers v Celtic is a special derby at any point, but with two Glasgow derbies coming up in the next fortnight, along with a Cup final meeting in March, where else would be better to spend a weekend that north of the border.

That's where I'm heading this weekend for my first taste of Scottish football.

I couldn't have picked a better game, the 5th round of the Scottish Cup, after the top sides were drawn together.

Celtic and Rangers have been the dominant force in Scottish football for some time and not even Hearts this season, have come close to touching them this season, Celtic beating them 4-0 after a 1-0 victory over Rangers at Tynecastle.

Hearts have been the best of the rest so far this season and sit in 3rd in the SPL, some distance adrift of leaders Celtic.

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67 Scottish Cups, 40 Scottish League Cups and 95 league championships between them and those figures are sure to change once again come May.

The derbies are as heated as ever and I've watched the last two on TV, Celtic emerging victorious 2-0 at Ibrox, Georgios Samaras scoring both goals in a 2-0 win, and Rangers coming from behind to win 3-1 at Parkhead thanks to two goals from Kenny Miller.

He might have left now but Rangers have plenty of fire-power with Nikica Jelavic coming to the front, and the Gers signing El-Hadji Diouf, David Healy and Arsenal youngster Kyle Bartley late in the transfer window.

Since the last Old Firm meeting, Rangers have won 4 of their 5 games, whilst Celtic have been on fire, winning 6 of 7 and scoring 18 goals, conceding only two.

It will be interesting to see how Rangers cope without striker Miller, who left for Bursaspor, in their first Glasgow derby without him, the hit-man having scored five times in his last four games against the Hoops.

Kenny Miller played for both sides before moving to Bursaspor, where he scored on his debut.

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He missed one game against Celtic last season, a 1-1 draw at Parkhead, but someone will have to step up to replace him.

That man could well be Jelavic, who looks to be a good player and scored against Hibs last week, his third goal for the club in only eight appearances since his move from Rapid Vienna.

The good thing about Rangers is that they have experience, with David Healy, El Hadji Diouf and Vladimir Weiss all with Premier League experience and pushing for starts.

The main problem might be trying to keep Celtic out and I could see plenty of goals with the Hoops having signed Chris Commons from Derby to add to their attacking nature.

Chris Commons scored on debut after signing from Derby County and is a real threat to Rangers.

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Gary Hooper scores a lot of goals and seems to be born for the SPL, having scored 11 since his summer move from Scunthorpe.

Add Anthony Stokes, Paddy McCourt and Joe Ledley to that line up and it is something to be wary of, but the current Celtic team doesn't have that much experience of Old Firm derbies and that might play a part when they again cross the river to play at Ibrox.

Manager Neil Lennon has praised his current strike partnership after their weekend win over Aberdeen but this weekend will be the real test to see whether they can cut it against the country's best.

It should be a good spectacle before heading out to watch Chelsea v Liverpool on TV.

Who will win the Glasgow derby? Please discuss below.

Chelsea Testing Liverpool's Resolve

2011-01-28T10:24:00.011+00:00

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Two weeks ago, I questioned Roman Abramovic's stance over transfers, with little world class talent coming in and the likes of Michael Ballack departing, but it seems the Chelsea owner has finally seen the light, that they need some younger players if they are to succeed in his much wanted Champions League.

Finally, after 18 months of speculation, Chelsea have bid for Fernando Torres.

The Liverpool striker, 26, had been a fraction of his old self under Roy Hodgson, but now King Kenny has returned, the striker has hit three goals in four league games and looks to be back on song.

El Nino, the kid, has grown up over the last two seasons at Liverpool, firing a better strike rate than Didier Drogba's last season, despite the Ivorian claiming the Premier League golden boot.

Drogba and Torres have an opportunity to better their acquaintance.

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A statement on the BBC's website from a Liverpool FC spokeman said "The player is not for sale."

The offer, which is believed to be in the region of £35-£40 million, follows their last bid, in May, for the hit-man who Carlo Ancelotti would seem a perfect partner for the flourishing Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge.

Torres would offer something different to both of them and I could see them complimenting each other well in the three-pronged attack which Chelsea have become accustomed to.

The big person in this situation is Torres himself, with the club failing to make the Champions League last season and looking unlikely to do so again given their opening period.

Could a player like Torres go two seasons, in the prime of his career, without playing in Europe's best knockout competition? I'd say not.

It could be down to the player whether any movement happens but, with the transfer window looming and closing on Monday night at 10pm, a decision must happen quickly for both parties to sort out their squads.

Torres, of course, would be ineligible for both the FA Cup and the Champions League, having also represented Liverpool in Europe, but his presence in the league alone could see Chelsea push Manchester United to the line, especially with the Champions still to face the current league leaders twice.

That would see Torres face up against Nemanja Vidic again, with the Liverpool striker having won the battle on several previous occasions.

Torres has often left Manchester United, and Nemanja Vidic, flat on their backs when he's played against them.

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The problem, should Torres leave, is what Liverpool could do next.

Obviously, they've been linked with Luis Suarez, who is currently at Ajax, but he, in no way, could replace a World class striker if Liverpool still have ambitions.

On the other side, you wonder whether Torres has fully recovered from his knee injury which he sustained before the World Cup, where he went the entire tournament without scoring.

If that is the case, Liverpool should take £40 million and run but it seems unlikely, given his age, that he is passed his best.

Carlo Ancelotti admitted after the Bolton game that he hoped to agree terms with Brazilian centre back David Luiz soon.

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It would certainly be a statement of intent were the Londoners to come back with an improved offer to accompany David Luiz, who is expected to sign from Benfica, as Abramovic decides whether he would like to make inroads into the transfer market and sent a message of intent to Europe.

Will Torres go to Chelsea? Who would Liverpool sign? Please discuss below.

Villa Pulling to Safety and Beyond

2011-01-26T11:09:00.011+00:00

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Aston Villa and Gerard Houllier might well have finally found some inspiration for their season.

Two wins in a week, against Manchester City and Wigan have given the Frenchman breathing space after Villa's backboard made their support public.

It's safe to say, the change in fortunes could well be down to the sense of excitement Darren Bent has brought back to Villa Park.

Since James Milner left in the summer, the Villa faithful have been waiting for someone; Ashley Young, Stuart Downing, Gabriel Agbonlahor, to inspire the team and it hasn't happened, despite the form of Marc Albrighton.

It seems that the lift from Darren Bent's potential £24 million transfer has had a positive effect on the squad, with him scoring the winner on debut and playing a part in their win at Wigan.

Darren Bent had only ever scored once at Villa Park, for Spurs, but netted on his home debut.

Credit; here

Aston Villa are one of those teams who thrive on confidence and it seemed the turning point over the last few months was when they threw away a 2 goal lead against current league leaders Manchester United at home, to leave Villa Park with only a point.

Since that, the side, captained by Stiliyan Petrov, have exited the Carling Cup at the hands of their near rivals Birmingham City and had only won once in 10 attempts in the league before the new striker pounced at weekend to hand them a 1-0 win, their first clean sheet in any competition since October.

Villa have now risen to 13th in the Barclays Premier League after a troublesome winter, but could they really kick on from here?

The answer, of course, is yes, given what we expect from the Midlands outfit.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them reach the top half come May, a target they are only 2 points off with 14 games to play.

No doubt, Gerard Houllier's side were in a false position but it will be interesting to see whether the manager now starts to win over the fans, something he has failed in achieving since he took over from Martin O'Neill.

Darren Bent might have gone some distance to helping him on that front and he will score goals, no matter who he plays with and it's about time the Villains had a top quality poaching striker, the last of whom questionably being Milan Baros, who left for the New York Red Bulls in April of 2007.

£24 million seems a lot in the current climate, but in a similar way to the Charlie Adam situation, every place in the Premier League, and survival, is worth so much that minimal transfer fee's don't make that much difference in the long run if the club remains in the top flight.

I am very much of the belief that Charlie Adam is worth more than £4 or even £10 million to Blackpool over the next 4 months if they can guarantee another year in the top flight and Bent is the same, on a different level.

He ups the bar and Villa will benefit from it.

Houllier can do the business, and he's had time to make necessary changes which he couldn't after he arrived at the end of the summer transfer window.

It looks as though Richard Dunne has found some form at the right time again, with the Republic of Ireland international seemingly out of sorts at the start of this season; a shadow of the player he was last season.

Villa's defence has been at sixes and sevens all season.

Credit; here

It's a huge problem that no-one has brought the best out of Steven Ireland this season as well, but the team have pulled together and, with spirit high in the camp, I can't see there being any problems on their side of Birmingham this season.

Where do you think Villa will finish? How many goals can Darren Bent score this season? Please discuss below.

Gray/Keys on Women in Football

2011-01-24T12:32:00.008+00:00

Credit; here

After hearing all about Andy Gray and Richard Key's off the mic comments on women in football, I felt the need to step forward and say something.

The comments, that the woman lines-person in the Liverpool v Wolves game, Sian Massey, would need the offside rule explained to her and that she would get a huge decision wrong, came as the experienced Sky campaigners thought they were off the mic before the broadcast was submitted.

However, their disrespect for women in football, the FA for their confidence, and Miss Massey is evident.

The official, who has worked her way up through both the women's and men's ranks, impressed with her performance, calling the opener onside, despite contrary calls from elsewhere, a decision which was proved correct when Raul Meireles was sent clear.

Credit; here

This was taken from a superb article by former referee Graham Poll on their actions, you can have a read here.

Let me make my opinion clear, there is room for women in football, despite what these former ''professionals'' think and these comments might have been with the view that they don't want the game, which saw them become famous, to change.

As well as Sky, other broadcasters have begun to shy away from appointing knowledgeable journalists in television positions in favour of the former pro's, even in formula one for the coming season, but you wonder whether this unprofessional lapse might prompt a re-think across the board.

Gray himself is well known for his controversial personality, one that has seen him become a success on Sky's weekend football team, but the real question might be whether Sky decide to stick with the duo, who have been at Sky for 13 years between them.

On research, Keys has also had a spat with Roy Keane before, with the former Ipswich manager being recorded as saying "I was asked last week by ITV to do the Celtic game," he said. "A couple of weeks before that I was asked to do the United game against Celtic at Old Trafford. I think I've done it once for Sky. Never again. I'd rather go to the dentist. You're sitting there with people like Richard Keys and they're trying to sell something that's not there." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Keys)

The worst thing is that the duo are not just criticising one person (which in turn is bad enough), having also verbally abused former West Ham United's vice chairman, Karen Brady, in the onslaught.

Karen Brady was left offended by comments made about her.

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If no-one else acts justifiably then the FA should, as it's them who have given women, and Miss Massey, a chance at the top level.

An FA statement on the Independent's website read: "The FA has made real strides in encouraging both male and female match officials to enter the game at every level, and will continue to offer every encouragement to all officials within the football family to progress to the highest levels possible.

"We are proud to have some of the world's best match officials, both male and female.

"Overall the number of female referees in England (Levels 1-8) stands at 853 and climbing, and all of our female match officials act as fantastic ambassadors for the game. They have our wholehearted and continuing support.

Sian Massey also ran the line when Blackpool travelled to Sunderland in December.

Credit; here

I believe that the duo, who will now face talks with their employers, have apologised to the assistant, but that's not really good enough when there is a clear belief against what they have apologised for.

True characters aren't always shown on air and if that is what Keys and Gray believe, then they should be ousted from Sports, and by broadcasters who have found a reputation for producing the best quality sports coverage.

They've let their employers, the public and women lines-persons down and action should be taken to see women's integration into professional men's football as smooth as possible.

Gray and Keys might be testing their 3D glasses from home after they revealed their true beliefs about women in football.

Credit; here

I can only hope this scenario has no effect on Miss Massey officiating in the Barclays Premier League again when, perhaps, she might find some appreciative pundits for her impressive displays.

El Hadj Set for Move

2011-01-23T22:13:00.008+00:00

Credit; here

It looks like West Ham might have set their stall out for a saviour.

El Hadji Diouf would probably not be anyone's choice on or off the pitch, but sources say that the Senegalese international could move to Upton Park as early as tomorrow.

Diouf is hardly a top quality name of the likes of Carlos Tevez, who of course near single-handedly saved West Ham from relegation in 2006.

Maybe Avram Grant is after some characters for his dressing room in an attempt to steer the Hammers clear of their bottom place current league position.

Diouf has scored four goals for Rovers and has yet to hit the target this season after falling slightly out of favour since Sam Allardyce left the club in December.

El Hadji Diouf still has his bad boy reputation.

Credit; here

The striker, come winger, has a good relationship with the former Newcastle boss having worked with him previously at Bolton Wanderers.

Should a move go through, Diouf would follow Wayne Bridge into the club after his move from Manchester City but the Hammers fans will be hoping some real quality might come in over the next seven days.

Striker Demba Ba is also set to join on loan, but West Ham must start improving or the bad news could extend further than the Olympic Stadium decision, results that will only come if Grant finds some quality, unity and inspiration within his squad.

Do you think West Ham will stay up? Who will score their goals? Please discuss below.

Premier League Predictions- Week Eight

2011-01-21T16:58:00.013+00:00

Credit; here

Each week, I will now post my predictions for the weekend, and see if i can get more right than BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson.

This week, for the 22-24 January, the predictions below stand.

This week's predictions	Score	Lawro	Edward
Arsenal v Wigan	3-0	3-0	2-0
Aston Villa v Man City	1-0	1-1	1-3
Blackburn v West Brom	2-0	2-1	2-0
Blackpool v Sunderland	1-2	2-1	1-0
Bolton v Chelsea	0-4	1-1	1-2
Everton v West Ham	2-2	2-0	2-1
Fulham v Stoke	2-0	2-1	1-1
Man Utd v Birmingham	5-0	2-0	3-0
Newcastle v Tottenham	1-1	2-1	1-3
Wolves v Liverpool	0-3	1-1	0-2

Last weekend had huge amounts of potential but failed to entertain so much,especially on Sunday, with Wolves almost the fightback of the year against Manchester City.

I expect the big winners this weekend to be Manchester United. The Champions couldn't score against Spurs last weekend and have gone off the boil in front of goal.

Wayne Rooney has only scored twice in the league this season and had 15 at this point 12 months ago.

Credit; here

Despite having Rafael suspended, I think it could be an opportunity for Wayne Rooney to finally make his mark on this season.

With their game in hand against Blackpool looming on Tuesday night, now would be the ideal time for the Champions to step up the pace and stamp their authority on the league.

The other big winners, not on the scoreline, but for the result, might well be Blackpool, who face a Sunderland team which might still be shocked by the departure of top scorer Darren Bent to Aston Villa.

There have been links with Steve Bruce wanting Ricardo Fuller to replace the England striker, but nothing will happen before he prepares his side to play at Bloomfield Road tomorrow.

Blackpool love to attack, particularly at home, and could move 9 points away from the drop zone with a win, not a bad position to be in with 15 games left.

Crazy things can happen in the Premier League and a Sunderland win might take them 5th, but Charlie Adam and company have been scoring plenty of goals to suggest they might get something from the game.

DJ Campbell scored both goals as Blackpool beat Sunderland 2-0 on New Years Day at the Stadium of Light.

Credit; here

Not only that, but two goals from DJ Campbell sealed a Blackpool win in the Reverse fixture three weeks ago and they will be looking for the striker to link well with Luke Varney and Gary Taylor Fletcher, who has scored in each his last two starts.

The most entertaining game of the weekend could well be the Monday night football, with Chelsea travelling to Bolton Wanderers, who will be using the game as a celebration for the life of Nat Lofthouse and all he did for the club.

Nat Lofthouse was a club legend at Bolton Wanderers and his legacy will be remembered at the club forever.

Credit; here

It will be interesting to see whether the emotion gets to any of the players, who might not have been directly involved with Nat, but will be well aware of the effect he had on the club.

Bolton's home record has been good, with their last defeat coming in October, courtesy of a the last minute goal by Liverpool's Maxi Rodriguez.

Despite this, Wanderers have an awful record against Chelsea, with their last home win coming in 1997, when Dean Holdsworth scored in a 1-0 win.

Wanderers haven's scored in their last four against Carlo Ancelotti's side, and were twice beaten 4-0 last season, Didier Drogba scoring on both occasions.

Drogba has scored 4 in his last 5 starts against Bolton and has never lost against the Whites.

Credit; here

In other games, you wonder exactly how long Avram Grant has, especially if his West Ham side are to lose at Goodison Park against an improving Everton, while Newcastle v Tottenham could go either way, a bit like their bid to move into the Olympic Stadium.

Good luck to everyone's teams this weekend.

Who Should Get the Olympic Stadium?

2011-01-21T14:44:00.009+00:00

Credit; here

It's all the rage at the moment, who should get the Olympic Stadium after it's been used for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Whatever the committee decide, we are sure to find out over the next few days.

Today signals the day when both West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur will both finalise plans to move into the 60,000 seater stadium.

The chief of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), Andrew Altman, will have the final say on which London club, if any, will be allowed to move in after the summer of 2012.

The bids are fairly contrasting, with West Ham vowing to keep the athletics track which is being purpose built into the stadium, and Tottenham saying they want to get rid of it.

The proposal, initiated by Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, intends to reduce the distance supporters would be away from the pitch from 45 metres to only 8, but the bids have been criticised, as the arena is being built with athletics in mind.

He has written an interesting open letter to supporters explaining the current situation and that can be read here.

Perhaps an athletics track in the capital of England would benefit UK athletics more so than moving a football stadium 15 miles, in West Ham's case, or 23 in Spurs'.

West Ham's captain, Scott Parker has said that the move would be perfect, even geographically for West Ham to lead the club onwards and upwards.

Credit; here

It would seem more logical that West Ham were to move, given the problems with moving Spurs out of Tottenham and having to change their name, but there are still concerns as to how they could even fill three quarters of the super stadium.

Spurs fans haven't all taken to the proposed move lightly.

Credit; here

Tottenham would certainly have no problem in that aspect, despite the club having only a 36,000 seater stadium, as they have a 15,000 strong waiting list for season tickets alone.

Their argument is that it would benefit the club, who are currently in the Champions League, and would put them in a bigger club bracket.

Lamine Diack, a member of the International Athletics committee, in an interview with the BBC, spoke of how huge disappointment would follow if the organisations failed to honour their commitment to leave an athletics track in central London, but other high profile figures, including Pele, have stepped forward in the last few days supporting the Spurs bid.

Harry Redknapp has also had his say, suggesting that a move from West Ham, who he used to manage, could see an economic downfall of a club who already sit bottom of the Premier League, but it looks like the most stable bid could be successful.

The real question might be whether a stadium that big could only be used as a training facility for the UK's top athletes, with it being empty for maybe half a year, or whether a football stadium would boost the economy in the West Ham area of London.

Flip a coin, roll a dice, who knows what the decision could be.

Credit; here

I'm glad I'm not deciding because it's one tough decision but maybe, given both football clubs already have sufficient facilities, Athletics, for once, should take priority.

What will happen to the Olympics Stadium? Will both football bids be declined? Please discuss below.

The Good and the Bad of Barcelona

2011-01-20T13:27:00.014+00:00

Credit: here

Last night saw something which football fans across the globe have become immune too, a Barcelona defeat.

It had been 30 games since Barcelona lost 2-0 at home to Hercules, when they travelled to the second division leaders, Real Betis, leading 5-0 after the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie.

Despite playing the likes of Messi and Xavi with some youngsters including Bojan, Barcelona were 2-0 down within ten minutes and went on to lose the game 3-1.

Messi missed a penalty and, ok, it was of no substance in a tie which was effectively already over, but it shows that Barca perhaps lack a strength in depth.

Messi missed a penalty as Real Betis caused an upset in the Spanish Cup.

Credit; here

I take time to analyse the good and bad things about Barcelona and what they can achieve this season.

We'll start with the good, and that obviously peaked with their 5-0 victory over Real Madrid in El Classico in November.

I remember watching the game and I was expecting Barca to win fairly easily, but they still impressed me with their incredible movement and their ability to convert the multiple chances they created. You can watch the goals below.

It was Xavi, Villa and Messi who tormented Real throughout and even Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 22 goals this season, could not do more than touch the ball in the Catalan side's half.

It hasn't only been Real on the wrong side of a mauling from Pep Guardiola's side this season, however, and Espanyol, Almeria and Seville have all been hit for five, contributing to the Champions huge goal difference total of +50, most of which coming from the 8-0 away demolition of Almeria, who face Barca in the next round of the Cope del Rey. Bet they can't wait.

The most frightening thing about Barcelona, as well as their standard of players, is how technically good their midfielder's are.

I class Andres Iniesta as the best midfielder in the world, despite some well regarded pundits saying Xavi is better, as he takes the games to teams, can pass, can score and has a footballing brain.

Iniesta and Xavi have played together for some time at both club and international level, and they supplement each other's play well.

Credit; here

It's a close match, but it's safe to say that the side have two of the top players in that position in the world, who have ketp the likes of Cesc Fabregas out of the Spanish team.

They play well off each other and have two of the best footballing brains I have ever seen. It's a shame that I doubt we'll ever see either of them in the Premier League.

Obviously, it's ok to have creativity, but you need the strikers to finish those chances.

The front three, Messi, Villa and Pedro, have scored a combined 42 goals, despite only Pedro playing all 19 league games so far, and only Hercules, in the league, and Atletico Bilbao, in the Cup, have managed to keep out the dominatory side so far this season.

Barca's trophy collection is already pretty impressive, but they are still in with a chance of winning the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and La Liga, where they sit four points clear at the top.

Credit; here

The real question is, how do you stop Barcelona? Maybe one day, someone might hire a few double decker buses to park in front of the goal, advice which might be well heralded by Arsenal when they travel to the Nou Camp in 6 weeks.

Arsene Wenger's side are full of confidence at the moment after beating Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates last month but you question whether Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and company can really afford to take the game to Barcelona.

Barcelona left their mark on the pitch against Arsenal last time out and it could become a permanent scar if Arsenal fail to turn up again.

Credit; here

That is one area where Barcelona are a little short, at the back.

It's a bit like picking at holes, considering they have kept 9 clean sheets this season, but they don't usually draw 0-0, you quite simply have to score against them.

This video might be a few years old but, regardless, the team still set out in the same manner.

The last time they were beaten to nil, prior to the Hercules defeat, was in a pre season friendly against Manchester City in 2008 and maybe Arsenal, and other teams, are going to have to accept that they won't have much of the ball, and that they must take any chance they get.

That is where pace comes in. Theo Walcott must be huge for Arsenal in both legs against the Spanish side, and pace is something which they have struggled against, especially given he'll likely be up against Eric Abidal.

Walcott's pace could be absolutely essential if Arsenal are to get any kind of result, but he must make the right decisions.

Arsenal scored against Barca in both of last season's ties, and maybe they can learn from their experiences but I expect Barca to lift the trophy again come May and it will be a privilege to see them conquer the domestic world at Wembley.

There have been questions raised of Guardiola as a manager, but how can a manager be under pressure when he has a team that could perform whether they have a manager, coaching team, fans, or not.

It's time for someone to step up and not be afraid of the Spaniards, and that could be their downfall, but we don't want a Spanish team to dominate the whole of Europe for years to come.

A treble would go some way to claiming that title and anyone who can stop them would again be worthy of winning whatever competition they're playing in.

How do you stop Barcelona? Do Arsenal have any chance in the Champions League tie? Could Barca win the treble?

Lion of Vienna - Nat Lofthouse

2011-01-19T14:12:00.010+00:00

Credit; here

The funeral time and place for Bolton Wanderers club legend, Nat Lofthouse, has just been announced on the Official Bolton Wanderers website.

The former England striker, who scored 30 goals in 33 appearances for his country, died on Saturday night, aged 85, after a glittering career at his one and only club, Bolton.

255 goals in over 450 appearances for the North West side will mean he is well remembered and there are set to be special tributes ahead of Bolton's home game with Chelsea on Monday.

It's a sad time for Wanderers fans, and a website has been set up here with information about the striker, who scored both goals against Manchester United in the 1958 FA Cup Final, after losing 4-3 to Blackpool three years earlier.

He made his debut for England against Yugoslavia, where he scored both goals in a 2-2 draw and had 15 successful years at a club he later went on to manage, and the East stand at the Reebok is still named after him.

Nat Lofthouse was a huge success throughout his career.

Credit; here

His legendary status was supported by him being voted the club's best ever player in a 2006 poll at the club.

The mascot at the club, Lofty the Lion, was introduced in 1995, being named after the cult hero and the player is sure to have left his mark on a club that has come some way since.

Details regarding the funeral at this sad time can be found on the Bolton Wanderers website.

Did you ever see Nat play? What did you think of him as a player or man? Please discuss below.

Bent Asking for Move

2011-01-17T14:13:00.008+00:00

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I'm hearing confirmed reports that Sunderland striker Darren Bent has handed in a transfer request.

That can only be bad news for the Black Cats in a season where they have played well and sit 6th in the league.

Bent has continued his good record at the North East club this season, and has scored 12 goals for Steve Bruce's side, despite taking a side role to club record signing Asamoah Gyan of late.

The Ghanaian has scored 8 goals since his move from Rennes and has been played in a lone striker role, especially away from home.

The reasons for the written request haven't yet been released and nothing has been posted on his official twitter page, on which Bent was accused of using to seal a move from Tottenham two seasons ago.

Bent has scored 37 goals for the North East outfit.

Credit; here

Perhaps he feels it's time to step back up a level and you wonder whether a team like Liverpool might test Bruce's resolve for the player who signed for £10 million in the summer of 2009.

If Kenny Dalglish believes he needs a strike partner to Fernando Torres, Bent, a consistent goalscorer in his Premier League history, might be the answer to solve the continuing problem of finding a partner for the Spaniard.

Torres has been a lone striker at Liverpool for some time and sometimes lacks support.

Credit; here

I doubt that Bent, 26, would move abroad unless someone huge came in, but that seems unlikely given his pedigree to get back into the England set up.

There must be something that we don't yet know and I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves as soon as possible as that would leave Bruce time to find an able replacement.

Where do you think Bent will go? How much could Sunderland get for him? Who could replace him? Please discuss below.

Derby Draw Day

2011-01-16T20:07:00.010+00:00

Credit; here

It's been some time when I recall all four of Sunday's Premier League games ending in draws.

No doubt Match of the Day 2 will reveal how long it's been tonight, but I don't have 60 hours to check the records and see when, or if, it has happened.

I have to admit, I've watched all three televised games today and I was disappointed with the football on show, aside from the Merseyside derby.

Usually with derby football, there are tackles flying in left, right and centre but, aside from Rafael, it wasn't anywhere near as heated as I expected.

The first televised game was at St Andrews where one of the more predictable draws was played out between two sides who can't keep clean sheets or score goals.

It was good to see David Bentley return to the first team to make his debut for the Blues, and I was impressed with his temperament and crossing ability, which he has showed throughout his career.

Perhaps Birmingham could have counted themselves unlucky to have come away with only a point, given the chances they missed, notably from Matt Derbyshire, who I like as a player.

The Birmingham derby never really got going between two teams struggling for form.

Credit; here

At the other end, it was James Collins who hit the target for Gerard Houllier's side, which sums up their problems, given that the front pairing of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor only have 3 goals between them this season.

If you don't score goals, you will struggle to stay up and something has to change for these teams, although I think Birmingham, as Blackburn did a few years ago, will benefit hugely from Bentley's deliveries, and that will be a huge boost for them heading into the second half of the season.

Admittedly, I haven't yet seen the Tyne Tees dervy but I've had a read online and read the BBC Live text and it sounded like another drab game, with the highlight being the Sunderland mascot chasing a Magpie, the nickname of Newcastle, around the Stadium of Light and failing to get rid of it.

Something to watch tonight again on Match of the Day, no doubt.

A beach ball went un-noticed last year at the Stadium at Light when Sunderland scored, but a magpie was not welcome today in the North East in the intense derby atmosphere.

Credit; here

Aside from that, another good result for Newcastle under Pardew. He might have taken some criticism with taking over after Hughton under the circumstances but it seems he's settled well and kept the dressing room and Kevin Nolan, who scored his fourth goal against Sunderland this season, happy.

It was good to see Asamoah Gyan get back on the score sheet from a neutral point of view and Steve Bruce will again be delighted that his side found confidence to rally and claim a draw.

Two derby defeats against your bitterest rivals in one season, no matter of league positions, would be demoralising and worrying, for any Premier League manager, given the current sacking rates.

Still, the point looks good for both teams who have no need for looking over their shoulder in what promises to be a good season in Tyneside.

The best game of the day, rather predictably, was the Merseyside derby, with Liverpool and Everton playing out the day's entertaining game at Anfield, with a 2-2 draw.

Interestingly, Steven Pienaar wasn't included prior to his ominous move, but Kenny Dalglish's first point as Liverpool manager round two couldn't have come in better circumstances, with his side 2-1 down just after half time, despite leading through a Raul Meireles effort early on.

Sylvain Distin scored his first league goal for Everton since March 2007 earlier today.

Credit; here

On the other side, Everton manager David Moyes must be delighted that his team are unbeaten against their rivals this season, and the Scotsman must hope that there are better things on the horizon for a team who have only won twice in their last 12 league games.

Jermaine Beckford might have finally found his feet in the Premier League and it shows some good signs that Moyes was prepared to let Yakubu out on loan to Leicester for the remainder of the season, another sure confidence boost after his goal made it 2-1 today.

It will be interesting to see how Liverpool respond from their first point in four league games, ahead of their games against Wolves and Fulham, with Dalglish still searching for a first win. Surely that will come but Liverpool played better football today, even without their captain, than they have been doing of late, despite conceding two goals.

Maybe times are changing at the club but it's already a season which should be written off by all involved with the club.

The last game, and perhaps the most anticipated, was Manchester United travelling to Spurs.

I would mention anything, but I really can't and, aside from Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale, there was precious little good about the game, which ended 0-0.

Willem Korsten scored twice when Spurs last beat Man United over ten years ago.

Credit; here

United remain unbeaten this season and return to the top of the table with games in hand, after City beat Wolves 4-3 in a cracker at Eastlands yesterday.

Spurs, on the other hand, move down to fifth after Chelsea's victory over Blackburn who can hopefully complete a better Super Sunday next week when they face West Brom at Ewood Park in the only game.

Ancelotti to Drop Chelsea Experience?

2011-01-15T00:15:00.008+00:00

Rumours have emerged after Carlo Ancelotti's press conference ahead of Chelsea's home game with Blackburn that the Italian might drop the out-of-form Michael Essien and Didier Drogba in favour of youth players Josh McEachran and Daniel Sturridge, who both impressed in last weekend's demolition of Ipswich Town in the FA Cup.

With the Londoners out of sorts in the league and Blackburn having won their last three, the game is sure to be high tempo, but Chelsea have a fantastic record against Blackburn, particularly at home, and I have them down to win the game in this week's predictions.

It would be a huge shock, in my eyes, if Drogba in particular was left out, given he was the Premier League's top scorer last season and hassles defences even when he doesn't play well.

There's been some speculation over who will start up front, but Ancelotti can't afford any slip ups.

Credit; here

It would be a huge boost for Blackburn if the Ivorian's name is missing from the team sheet and Chelsea can't afford to hand away any advantage with the way their playing.

A loss of form from the striker would seem a good reason to drop him, but surely if they are to muster any title challenge, Drogba has to be playing and he has to find his form.

That might only come with game time and surely there are enough goals in a Chelsea side for whom Nicolas Anelka hasn't scored in the league since they travelled to Blackburn in October.

Similar might be said of both Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard, although the England international has been injured, who have both scored only once in the same time period.

You would think that this form, which has seen Chelsea take seven points from the last 27 available, only 10 less than they lost in the whole of last season.

Maybe Ancelotti has something up his sleeve, or maybe he's been told to change things by Roman Abramovic, who has been strangely quiet since Russia won the 2018 bid, despite the manager saying they need to buy a centre back.

Perhaps that centre back could be someone of the stature of Christopher Samba, who will again skipper Rovers today despite criticising the club's new owners, Venky's, and their lack of communication with the players.

Florent Malouda had a fantastic start to the season but, like several other Chelsea players, has gone off the boil over the last month.

Credit; here

It will be interesting to see how the Stamford Bridge crowd react to the introduction of youth tomorrow, if the gaffer decides for it, which I don't think he can afford to with his job seemingly on the line amongst the managerial chop and changing in England's top flight.

It's been some time since the Blues really clicked in the league and tomorrow is a fantastic chance to re-start their season and really turn it on.

Will Drogba start later? What will the score be? Please discuss below.