OleOle - Football News and Opinion

Ticket Question- Help please!

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 14:31:47 -0600

Does anyone know what happens when you buy a Team Specific Ticket but one of the games has been sold out?

Would appreciate any help!

The Schedule Makers Hate Arsenal and I Love Futbol Argentino

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 13:54:19 -0600

Only able to catch a few games this wekeend but the highlight of what I did see was, in terms of importance, the Chelsea-Arsenal match.

Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal - The schedule makers dealt Arsenal a huge obstacle in placing them with back to back games against their two rivals for the title saddling them with a sizable disadvantage. I'm not saying it would have made a difference but having to get up for two consecutive season deteriming matches in a row is a significant burden that neither Chelsea or Manchester U had to face. Arsenal played some scintillating football but to no end as Chelsea took their chances when they arose. It's officially a two team race now, I think it will be determined by who avoids dropping points in the "easy" matchups that they will be facing.

Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa - If points were awarded for style Tottenham would have walked away with all three, the difference between these two in style of play were night and day. Alex Ferguson was proved right about what he said regarding Aston Villa, but I say this: they are having a successful season and are within a striking distance of a CL spot because Martin O'Neil is playing a style that suits his team best, forget critics who argue about what it looks like, results are the only thing that matters and they have been getting them. This was a match that was a 6 pointer in the race for the last CL spot, full points would have gone a long way for either of these sides. I see Liverpool getting their act together and taking that last spot, I would love to see some new blood from England in the CL, don't think it will be happening this season.

Palermo 2-1 Parma - The race in Italy is heating up with no less than 5 sides within three points of the final CL spot, Palermo being one of them. I'm not sure of the ownership behind Palermo, I do know that they were the only side actively buying in the last transfer window in what is an increasingly cash strapped Serie A. Reminds me of Parma in the early 90's, a non-traditional power with some $$ behind them building themselves into an Italian power. Palermo isn't quite there yet but they are in position to make a run this season. Roma is next week, can't wait.

Fiorentina 0-1 Roma - There was not much to seperate these two over the course of 90 minutes outside of a poorly marked corner that led to Roma's goal. Things like that happen when everything is going your way as it is with Roma these days. Question is are they too far back from Inter to catch them?

Estudiantes 2-0 San Lorenzo - Highlight of this match for me was a beautiful goal from Juan Veron, using a burst of speed, or was it momentum, to blow by his marker and blast past the far post. I have a lot of respect for him, returning to the team of his youth and leading them to a level of play that they haven't been at for years. I've heard of a number of approaches for him from foreign clubs but he has stayed put, even taking a pay cut to stay. Unheard of in these times.

River Plate 0-0 Rosario Central - The beginning of each season is marked by teams finding out who they are, especially in a league like Argentina which tends to have a high player turnover. This was such a game, though it held no answers. River didn't look good, neither did Central who is facing a relegation fight against a Racing side that loaded up on players in the off season. It will be interesting to see how much Buononotte is missed by this River side after being forced to miss the season due to a horrific car crash. Quite frankly, they weren't all that good with him.

Depressed, Angry, Need to shout at a Radio Station - oh do grow up!!!

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 12:55:47 -0600

There are things that we all do that we are not proud of, things we hide from our loved ones or fellow fans (in this case), some things we just find ourselves doing by instinct rather than desire. We can become addicted to all sorts of things really. I have to confess that my addiction is to something fairly innocuous really but it's the need to listen to podcasts, especially football related ones. I think it stems from being abroad and not listening to the radio as much or that it's just so much easier to grab a podcast of 30 mins whilst at the gym or on the train.

Some of these are worthy of a listen (even at times like these when Arsenal are being subjected to the "club in crisis" debate previously held by Liverpool or United at varying times this year). I can still listen to the Guardian Football Weekly analysis and a few others even though they dissect us yet again. However, the guilty secret is my listening to 606 even though I tend to get annoyed by the idiots that ring in every time I listen. This week we had a Chelsea fan complaining of too much money in the game despite the very reason every club is looking for a billionaire is down to his own club pushing wages and transfer fees up to the ridiculous levels they have reached. Then there were all the Arsenal fans moaning about this that and the other.

Now let's get one thing straight - I'm not happy with the results over the last few days or with the fact that one or two glaring deficiencies in our squad seem to have been over looked as well as the fact that we can't defend for toffee. The problem I have is with the lack of perspective out there (and not just from Arsenal fans but the media in general). We're not about to get a winding up order from HMRC like Portsmouth, we haven't had 10 points deducted for going into administration (Crystal Palace, Southampton, Darlington et al) and our players haven't gone on strike (Chester). We're third in the league and in the last 16 of the Champions League, the club is financially well run (well I think it is - it's a bit of a grey area as no one has the absolute facts but this helps) and has a lot of things going for it.

We all know that the majority of the frustration is down to the fact that we are (and have been over the past two years) in a very good position to take the next step. The frustration is that we seem to have faltered at the absolute moment that we need to be brave and sign a player or two to push us on. The question is this though; Do any of us really know that signings would work (see this article with thanks to LadyArse) or that we can really afford to make a massive plunge? Does anyone really think they could do a better job than the current management? Above all I understand that the frustration is down to the very fact we all want the club to be better, to succeed but we have to balance this with a perspective. Ignore the media hype for a story every day and try and recognise the good things we have as well as the faults too and make a reasoned debate, not a sign everyone, sack him, get rid of them in an angry and arbitrary manner.

Let's Stick Together..

Every Landon Donovan international goal

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 12:49:39 -0600

Here's a video to help you get through the day:

It's every goal Landon Donovan has ever scored for the USMNT. Enjoy.

H/T: Soccer Insider

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand Drops Appeal Over Extended Ban

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 12:07:53 -0600

Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn his appeal against the additional one-match suspension he incurred for a "frivolous" challenge to a violent conduct charge brought against him by the Football Association.

The appeal was before Ferdinand was appointed as England captain by Fabio Capello and rather than risk facing the FA so soon, it is understood that the 31-year-old has opted to accept his punishment.

Ferguson is unhappy at the inconsistencies within the FA system, having noted that Javier Mascherano was not even charged following what the United manager felt was an offence of similar gravity during Liverpool's Carling Cup win at Leeds in September.

However, the club may still view the action as being worthwhile as it allowed Ferdinand to play in the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester City last month that ended with United booking a cup final appearance at Wembley and generating added momentum to their season as a whole.

http://football-fever.webs.com/england.htm

Wenger accuses media of Stamford Bridge spin

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 12:03:48 -0600

Arsene Wenger has moved to put the record straight after Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack told the Arsenal manager to stop looking for excuses in the wake of defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger said in press conference: "I would just like to say that I was full of compliments and praise for Chelsea after the game and I find it completely unfair from the press that you take one word of my press conference to turn it in a kind of probe every time.

"If you want, we can have a press conference and I can say nothing, don't worry.

"It is my job to take a distance from that and analyse the game in a calm way with a cool head and to analyse what is right."

Despite all of the criticism as his young team continue their quest for a first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup, Wenger will remain steadfast to his beliefs.

http://football-fever.webs.com/england.htm

Last Chance Today For Official FIFA World Cup Tickets - The Tout Gold Rush Begins

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 11:05:12 -0600

FIFA opened its doors this morning to the baying crowds of ticket entrepreneurs waitng anxiously to snap up the last tickets in a first-come first-served ticket feeding frenzy!

Yes, the Final official phase of 2010 World Cup Tickets sales at http://www.fifa.com has begun!

Now is your chance to snap up on your credit card, tickets for all those games that the locals can't afford to see and nobody else much wants to, like........

chile v honduras for example

Hey Don't force me to name names!

Seriously, If you grab anything that is going now, you can be sure to sell it for three times it's face value - come the World Cup Finals in June.

The Frenzy has yet to commence!!!!

Here's a great World cup ticket blog we found with informatioon for those wanting to see Germany

Germany World Cup Tickets - Watch Germany Win In South Africa!

So before we start I'd like to confess that I'm an England Fan, so you don't expect me to say anything nice about the Germans now! Do you?

We'll you would be so so wrong!!

Germany has had such a massive impact on World Football since we beat them in 66, that I go out of my way at every World Cup Finals to see them in action.

Sometimes I want them to win.............

Like the time Razorgator got me the tickets to the World Cup Quarter Final against the Hand of God lot.....

Here's how an English website recalls the game....

Full Time A.E.T: Germany 1 Argentina 1

When a game goes to penalties and Germany are involved there is only one outcome. Teutonic efficiency always wins the day.
Neuville stepped up to take the German's first. Hard to the Franco's left. Keeper got a hand on it, but it still went in. Good penalty. 1-0.
Cruz for Argentina, high to Lehmann's right. Great penalty 1-1.
Ballack to Franco's right. Keeper sent thwe wrong way. Cool as a cucumber. 2-1.
Ayala, fine exponent of the defensive back pass, produces another at the wrong moment. Woeful side foot, easy save Lehmann. 2-1.
Podolski wrapped his left foot round another unsaveable penalty that rippled the side netting on the way in. Depressingly good. 3-1.
Rodriguez under immense pressure produced a great reply firm side footed to the keepers right. Superb penalty. 3-2.
Borowski stepped up next. Side foot to Franco's left with Franco diving right. 4-1.
Cambiasso now must score. Firmly stuck, but straight at Lehmann. 4-2. Game over.
Now you know how we feel Argentina. It's not nice is it?
Seems the Argentina players didn't think it was nice either as scuffles broke out between the two sets of players.
Metzelder was floored by a kick to the nuts, and Heinze was keen to fight anyone.
Tevez came tearing in from 30 yards to land a punch. All a bit unnecessary and very unprofessional.
Why not just shake hands like we do?

Well I don't think this Argentinian I met out side the game was either in the mood for fighting or shaking hands!

And sometimes we want them to LOSE!

Like the time Razorgator got me tickets to see Germany versus Ireland in the groupstages in Japan in 2002!

But thats for another day...............

Check out the lataest prices of tickets for all of the SOLD OUT Germany First round Group games in South Africa.

Group D Tickets

Australia
Germany
Ghana
Serbia

TICKETS FOR GROUP D FIXTURES

13-06-2010 Germany V Australia

18-06-2010 Germany V Serbia

23-06-2010 Ghana V Germany

GERMANY WORLD CUP TICKET LATEST PRICES

Germany vs Australia
Germany vs Serbia
Ghana vs Germany
Love them or hate them, you do not want to miss the controlled steel system that is Germany at this years World Cup Finals in South Africa.
Buying Germany World Cup Tickets through Razorgator will all but guarantee you seeing games withlots of great goals and team organisation, which might come July just go one step further this time around and lift the overall World Cup!
Labels: Germany, Germany World Cup Tickets, World Cup Final tickets, World Cup Tickets

When will we stop Drogba?

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 10:56:26 -0600

It seems every time Arsenal sign a new defender, Arsene Wenger misses one key attribute when seeing if he is the right player to sign; whether they can deal with Didier Drogba.

It's becoming a real issue. Philippe Senderos always struggled, and it seems Thomas Vermaelen has now taken on the baton. William Gallas hasn't offered much support and Kolo Toure, despite being international team mates, couldn't handle him either. It's a shame the one defender I'd have fancied against Drogba was sitting on the bench: Sol Campbell.

Chelsea are seemingly too far ahead for Arsenal to catch them, but stranger things have happened, so a win on Wednesday night against Liverpool is essential for us to start the most epic comeback in Premier League history.

Read the Chelsea report here.

There is also a new podcast and, as mentioned in the last blog post, you can subscribe to them in iTunes. Also, sign up to follow Sam's Match Reports on twitter at www.twitter.com/SamsMatchReport.

I'll be back on Thursday or Friday with (hopefully good) thoughts from the Liverpool game.

Altidore, Donovan eye mid-week Premier League tests

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 10:34:43 -0600

If Jozy Altidore's goal is the tipping point to a rich vein of form for Hull, then Wednesday is the chance to keep it going. His well-worked goal in Saturday's win against Manchester City was another positive step for the 20-year-old, and with a visit to Blackburn on the schedule, Altidore will be itching to score once again.

Meanwhile, the other high profile American field player in England, Landon Donovan, faces his steepest test yet as league-leaders Chelsea visit the Merseyside.

The West London club have established themselves as the team to beat in the title race, and are fresh off another triumphant defeat of inter-city rival Arsenal. Donovan will line up against a possible June opponent, as Chelsea left back Ashley Cole looks a firm favorite to start for the Three Lions come South Africa.

This will likely be the biggest test for Donovan who has enjoyed a solid stint for Everton. The 28-year-old even scored before Altidore, quite the accomplishment when you consider Jozy's been in and out of the Hull lineup since August.

Altidore's form has been on the rise of late -- after a couple of weeks off due to the tragedies in his parents' homeland -- his play has steadily improved for the relegation strugglers. He is more confident, running and challenging opponents on the dribble, and becoming more adept at throwing around his physical frame to draw free kick opportunities. Both Manchester City central defenders finished the match with a yellow card drawn through Altidore's play.

Getting carried away over one goal is easy for American fans, though Altidore's all-around improvement will prove most beneficial to the U.S. national team.

Still, the images of Haiti will continue to weigh on the mind of the young striker. He recently told the Daily Mail in a lengthy interview how the struggle of his people continues to affect him.

"There are days I just sit at home and can't get it out of my head. There have been times when I just can't watch it. But it will get better. And I have a job to do here."

As long as Altidore avoids injury and continues to rack up minutes, he'll be prepared to contribute to the U.S. in South Africa. A battle-tested attacker is badly needed by the U.S., and Altidore will look to keep his form up and stay on the pitch.

Abidal Out For 6-8 Weeks

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 10:25:32 -0600

If you were already worried about how we would form a defence for Sunday's game at Atletico Madrid, today the news got worse with a thigh injury to Eric Abidal which the firsts tests say will keep him out of action for between six and eight weeks. It's a great shame because Eric has been in such fantastic form recently and we will miss his speed at the back. It's been a bad week for injuries as we already have Dani Alves out for three weeks and Toure Yaya for ten days. Added to this we will be without Piqué and Marquez on Sunday due to the red cards in Saturday's victory over Getafe which means we only have four first team defenders available. The logical back four will see a Milito and Chygrynskiy partnership in the centre with Puyol at right back and Maxwell on the left. Marc Bartra and Andreu Fontas have been called up from Barça Atletic to train with the first team as cover.

We should remember that we have usually responded well to a rearranged defence, against Getafe we saw Maxwell, Toure, Milito and Abidal across the back, while nobody can forget that we won the Champions League Final against Manchester United with a back four of Puyol, Toure, Piqué and Sylvinho. However, this weekend we are going to be more stretched than ever, and this for a game with Atletico where we nearly always have crazy games, and Forlan and Agüero will be keen to repeat last year's 4-3 win over us at the Calderon.

A Change of Policy

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 10:25:04 -0600

Well Cesc has expressed his wishes to rejoin Barcelona and as we all know Wenger will sell just like he did with Henry. I think however, that it may just be a positive move. I personally like Fabregas for his passing and vision but we all know he lacks defensive work. His style of play is best suited for the Spanish La Liga.

As far as Arsenal is concerned if they replace him with a more robust player who can make a good pass (not necessarily extraordinary passing but still a good passer) I think they will do well. Also there is no doubt that Gallas is getting older with each game. A young talent must be brought in atleast to challenge Djouru when comes back. Some one like a Johnny Evans who a coach can feel secure with and the fans can depend.

I still can't believe a striker was not purchased during the transfer period. They need someone like a Drogba, a Rooney, an Agbonlahor a Karew. In other words a physical presence. Too many short skinny strikers who can't win a header. Other than Bendtner who still needs a little more experience, where is the fire power up top? I know he (Arsene) said he tried to sign a new striker but how hard did he try?

I know Song has just returned from the African Cup but that is no excuse for his poor form lately. Arsenal really need to consider a new holding midfielder. Also a change in tactics. They are way too predictable. I'm no expert, but I could beat them with a team filled with crippled, blind ex-cricket players. Maybe switching back and forth between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 would be a good idea. They also need width. A left winger is definitely needed at that club.

Well that's all for now until we loose again.

Quote of the Day- Franklin Salas

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 10:11:34 -0600

"We´re the favorites for what we´ve accomplished in the last couple of years but we, as players, the professionals that we are, know that anything can happen, the favoritism ends when the ref blows the first whistle. There´re 90 minutes to play against good sides, good players, and all of them with a hunger and thirst for glory. For LIGA it´s always uphill because every team wants to beat us (to prove something) and LIGA has to beat them all. It´s going to be a nice championship this year, luckily we have a great team with lots of subs.

Franklin Salas, www.ldu.com.ec

PLTO Mid-Season Awards: Best Defender

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:44:17 -0600

1) John Terry- Chelsea

He has his Chelsea club fighting for the title and it never hurts to have a figure like Terry in the middle of the defense. With an explosive offense, Terry makes the Blues chances of winning the Premiership that much better. The same goes for the Champions League too. After all Terry won UEFA Defender of the Year for his efforts in last year’s tournament and this year it looks like the squad might be even stronger. Terry deserves the top honor on any list of defenders despite the problems he has had with his personal life recently. Read more... (351 words, 4 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Next Goal Wins

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:27:30 -0600

Arsène, it seems, has got medieval on the collective asses of the press this morning. Responding to the way he feels his comments after the Chelsea game which were generally fair, were misrepresented, he has threatened to have a press conference and "say nothing". Which is almost as childish as saying that Chelsea didn't "offer a demonstration of football". Hmmm, I wonder who said that on Sunday evening?

Before you wonder what has happened to the man who brought you "I can't quit you, baby" yesterday evening, let me assure you that I am still here and still behind the boss (and no, I'm not lining him up for a knife between the shoulder blades). There still seems to be some kind of collective hysteria amonst a certain section of the Gooner nation, and whilst I concede there are certainly some long suffering Gooners out there, I am equally certain that a few of you are supporting this club based on the success brought to us by... Arsène Wenger, no less. If that applies to you and you are boo hooing about our position in the league table, third with a third of the season to play, then I have this to say to you. Man up and move on. We have a good squad and have suffered from the loss of key players at key times.

Allow me to illustrate. If Manchester United lost Wayne Rooney, who would they turn to? Dimitar Berbatov, most likely and then Michael Owen, right? But who do they turn to after that? Scratching your head, aren't you? Well, that is the situation the boss has been in. I'm as frustrated as anyone that the boss didn't sign anyone to cover that situation this month, but bearing in mind the imminence of Bendtner's return, the fact that- naively, I have to say, Eduardo was expected to only miss a small period of time, what could the boss logically be expected to do in January? Who was available and at what cost? The boss dismissed loan options saying, he had to find players better than what he had. I would (and did) argue that one centre forward is better than no centre forward, but you have to respect his decision. And if anyone here thinks that Arsène didn't sign a centre forward out of some peverse desire to bring the concept of midget football to a logical type of conclusion, then I say to you that you are wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The goalkeeping situation, of course, is another kettle of fish entirely.

Just on the centre forward thing, speculation is rife that Marouane Chamakh has signed for Arsenal. I suppose it's logical to assume that a player who wants to sign for Arsenal, whom Arsenal want to sign and is, most importantly for the bean counters in London, N5, free will sign for us. It's certainly the conclusion I have come to, but Mr Wenger denies that any deal is done for the would be latest addition to the French Legion. Though, by the time we travel to Portugal next week, Eduardo should be ready to supplement our striking options. That is, assuming Nick Bendtner has not broken down again. He's still not fully fit, apparently.

Which is a worry ahead of what could b a pivotal moment in the season for us. A couple of weeks ago, we had a massive cushion between us and Liverpool. The wrong result tomorrow night would see the gap closed to an inifinitesimal 2 points. Being the confident kind of chap I am; a) I think we will do the business tomorrow night and b) even if the Liverpool result somehow goes against us, in my view Liverpool are far more likely to drop points in the games to follow than we are. But, bearing in mind the fact that we are, as Martin Keown says, set up to try and go and win matches and Liverpool are the very antithesis of that, we will have to be on our guard tomorrow. Looking at our last six league fixtures, we have conceded the first goal four times and thereafter have only come back to win once, 4 points out of 12. Further, the two games where we haven't conceded first, we have gone to a clean sheet and taken 4 points out of the 6 available. So, the importance of the first goal becomes even clearer, we must not concede it! Especially against a semi resurgent Liverpool.

The boss is aware of the dangers of conceding the first goal and you would hope he is absolutely drumming it into the players tomorrow night, by all means play your attacking game, but be sensible about it. Martin Keown's comments about the full backs bring to mind the way they used to be set up "back in the day". If one went, the other one stayed to cover. I'd love to see George Graham and his famous "invisible rope" back and coaching the defence, if only he and Arsène could co-exist on the same training ground, or even let's get "The Rash" back. If nothing else, he could show the boys at the back a thing or two about tactical fouling!

The Kop End Debate: Big Money Take-Over

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:04:20 -0600

With the club currently in a financial free-fall, it comes with great relief to hear of interest by potential new suitors. Pictured above, is Mukesh Ambani, The 7th Richest man on the planet. Mukesh, is said to by one of two potential investors looking to buy a 51% stake in the club.

The Indian tycoon, is said to be worth £19.5B, that's more than the combined wealth of City's Sheiks, and Chelsea's sugar daddy, Roman Abramovic. While the clubs chief executive, Christian Purslow, has denied any knowledge of a take-over, The Times report that negotiations could have been on-going for a while now.

Read the full article here:

The current owners are far from popular figures at the club and with RBS putting the pressure on them to pay their debt, a take-over could well be a possibility. A big money take over could see the club challenge for silver-ware, but at what cost?

Will this monopolise the club? Is there a risk of losing our heritage should such funds become available, or will it simply help the club make that transition to the next level by financially competing with the worlds richest?

Honestly, the answer is a little bit of both. In one corner, we stand to become hypocrites by accepting such a take-over, especially after we are against what Citeh and Chelsea have done. But in the other corner, there is the blatant fact, that, to beat them, you have to join them.

Should such a move ever go ahead, we could actually purchase the David Villa's of this world.

But what do you think? Do we sell our soul to keep up with the best, or do we carry on slugging it out, hoping that one day we earn that number 19 the hard way?

English Premier League Match Prediction and Preview: Manchester City vs Bolton

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 06:45:48 -0600

League: English Premier League
Date: 9th Feb 2010
Team: Manchester City vs Bolton
Analysis Match Preview: The Europe Average odds are give 1.41 4.09 7.90, away odd is no way can open in this game.1x2 fixed supports Manchester City give 1 with low water fee level or give 1 1/4with high water fee level. Macau is opening 1.32 4.50 8.00 with home team give 1 1/4 with 0.96 water fee level. The Asian handicap is open high in water level which is hint that Manchester City may small win this game. Bet365 and WilliamHill are open 4.20 draw odd which is increase the probability to open home odd.
Soccer Tips 4U Prediction: Manchester City is lost to weak team last game, but they are well performance at home sides, even beat Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester Utd. In summary, Manchester city is much desire to big win this game since they are no space to lose point.

Midweek Preview 09/10 - Gameweek - 26

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 05:34:00 -0600

Hi and hello football fans, it's your old pal Roko The Football Guy, whats going down? I hope all is well wherever you are! It's been a tough weekend here at Football Guy Towers, I watched Arsenal get turned over again by a better team, I spent all my money on booze and that which I didn't spend on alcohol was lost on The Super Bowl......... I didn't get out of bed yesterday I think you can understand why.

The Football Guy Prediction League

The scoring system is simple -

Perfect Result = 30pts

Correct Result = 10pts

Wrong Result = -10pts

Here's a look at how everyone did this week -

PR CR WR PTS

Football Guy 1 5 4 40

SportBoys 1 4 5 20

FootyDoc 1 3 6 0

Lawro 1 3 6 0

Jamrock 0 2 8 -60

Here's the complete table -

PR CR WR PTS

FootyDoc 31 91 102 810

Jamrock 30 85 110 650

Lawro 28 88 109 630

Football Guy 18 99 108 450

SportBoys 20 89 115 330

So the FootyDoc extends his lead at the top without himself having a good week. Jamrock slips back to just 20pts above Lawro and The Football Guy and The Sportboys bringing up the rear, although slightly nearer than before.

Fulham v Burnley

I thought both these teams were lucky on Saturday to come away from their respective games with the results they did, but as Michael Ballack pointed out this weekend, Football's not about how well you played but getting the result and neither of these two failed in that respect.

This game on paper looks pretty easy to predict, Burnley have picked up just one point all season away from home so I think I'm gonna have to back Fulham, just by how much?

Football Guy's verdict 1-0

Manchester City v Bolton

From a fantasy football standpoint this is a very good week to have City players in your team as they play twice this game week. I so far have Carlos Tevez in there but for the life of me don't know who else from that team is worth it? Answers please!

Let's not forget that Bolton also play twice this gameweek but considering they are away from home in both I'd not go crazy on their players, although if you want a cheep player or two from the trotters look to further than Lee and Cohen in their midfield, both are under £5.5m (I think Cohen is under £5) and could be worth it.

Football Guy's verdict 2-0

Portsmouth v Sunderland

I seem to have put a lot of faith in Sunderland of late to snap out of their bad run, well no more! I don't care they are playing Pompey, until they actually win a game I won't be predicting a win either.

But boy is it tempting to go with a Sunderland win here, I mean it's Portsmouth for God's sake!!!!

Arrgh screw it, draw it is.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Wigan v Stoke

Stoke have played pretty well, and by that I mean they've got good results, Stoke never play pretty well. But the Potters still can't win away from home. Wigan on the other hand have actually played quite well for the most part of late but can't seem to win for love nor money.

Basically I feel I've done enough to talk myself in to a draw here and I don't think I'll regret it.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Arsenal v Liverpool

I know I've not got a lot to back this opinion up with but I'm pretty confident of an Arsenal victory Wednesday night. I know on paper it looks as though Liverpool are the better team right now (form-wise) but for me they have not played all that well in any of their recent victories and let's face it, Arsenal are due a goal or two and a performance or two from certain players. Plus Andrei Arshavin must be really excited as he gets to play against Liverpool and we all know that Arshavin is Liverpool Kryptonite, like a tiny white Drogba for Arsenal.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Aston Villa v Manchester United

Aston Villa are sooooo negative it's unbelievably. I don't think you can play as defensive as they do as often as they do and expect to finish in the top four and rightly so.

OK I know their negative play has lead to wins over United and Chelsea (something Arsenal would probably kill for right now) but it's the dropped points elsewhere due to their negativity that will cost them.

United I'm sure will be looking to keep their momentum chugging along and will no doubt be looking for some revenge after Villa beat them at Old Trafford a few months ago.

Football Guy's verdict 0-1

Blackburn v Hull

Tough beating to take for Rovers at the weekend at the hand of Stoke, how they bounce back will be important because despite being quite a healthy seven points above the drop zone most of the teams below them have a game or two in hand and it would not take all that bad of a run to get them dragged back in to the dog fight.

This from a betting standpoint is a clear STAY AWAY FROM HULL MATCH. On paper Hull look like a good bet as they have picked up four points from Chelsea and City whilst Blackburn got a beating from Stoke, but how many times this season have we seen unfancied teams pick up good results against the big boys only to come crashing back down to earth the following week?

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Everton v Cheslea

For some reason Lawro does not have the pic of both teams badges on his predictions page which means I can't steal it....... Boo him!

One thing I'll promise you, it's not going to be a repeat of the 3-3 at Stamford Bridge a couple of months back although I do quite fancy the draw. Don't know why but I just do!

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

West Ham v Birmingham

Weird thing this weekend, both these two were on the opposite ends of the same scoreline 2-1 and both of them deserved what the other one got.

The Football Gods will make sure everything is payed back in this one.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Wolves v Tottenham

Basically Spurs fans, if you don't beat Wolves on Wednesday it will mean you failed to beat them home and away (losing at home) and I think as a rule you should be banned form competing in Europe as that would be a disgrace.

Come on Spurs, don't be a disgrace, don't help Big Mick keep his job........ Actually fuck it, lose!

They won't lose though will they?

Football Guy's verdict 1-2

The Rest

Right, first off here are the Footy Doc's predictions -

Man City 2v0 Bolton

Portsmouth 2v1 Sunderland

Wigan 2v0 Stoke City

Fulham 2v0 Burnley

Arsenal 1v1 Liverpool

Aston Villa 1v0 Man Utd

West Ham 1v0 Birmingham

Wolves 1v2 Tottenham

Blackburn 0v1 Hull City

Everton 1v2 Chelsea

Next up we have JamrockRover -

Man City 3 - 0 Bolton
Portsmouth 1 - 1 Sunderland
Wigan 1 - 0 Stoke City
Fulham 2 - 0 Burnley
Arsenal 2 - 1 Liverpool
Aston Villa 1 - 1 Man Utd
West Ham 1 - 2 Birmingham

Wolves 0 - 1 Tottenham
Blackburn 3 - 1 Hull City
Everton 1 - 2 Chelsea

And finally, the SportBoys -

Man City 2 v 1 Bolton

Portsmouth 1 v 2 Sunderland

Wigan 2 v 1 Stoke

Fulham 1 v 0 Burnley

Arsenal 2 v 1 Liverpool

Villa 1 v 1 United

West Ham 2 v 1 Birmingham

Wolves 1 v 3 Spurs

Blackburn 2 v 2 Hull

Everton 1 v 2 Chelsea

Oh and let's not forget Lawro! -

The End

Take care,

Football Guy

A Trademark Rant

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 05:08:29 -0600

Good Morning,

Another disappointing result at the weekend.

Wenger said he was 'completely happy' with the performance and while I can definitely see what he means he was always going to be murdered for that comment. And yesterday on the 606 boards proved that (I'm determined to get 1 person to sign up ;-) ). I guess it’s a fair cross section of all football fans that theres about a 90% ratio of people that hate Wenger to people who love him and can see exactly what he's doing. I'm in the 10%, but that doesn’t mean I wont criticise his lack of spending or willingness to write a season off and start planning for the next.

I just think people need to start thinking about where we were when he took over. Sure we had a few good years with George Graham but we were never going to be able to provide the sort of entertainment and flair that we do now. Similarly it wasn’t a long term plan, once Wrighty's goals dried up we were up a certain creek without a paddle. We were well orgnised (something we lack now) but you always thought that a really good side would turn us over. It just shows how far we've come that a defeat to Chelsea and United in the same week hurts us so badly, and the fact that the though of us finishing 3rd makes us all so sick. Even in 89-94 we would have jumped up and down like mad men at the thought of finishing 3rd (yes I know we won the title in that time).

But does anyone actually believe that Wenger's taken us backwards? Because people were talking about him yesterday in the same breath as Graeme Souness and Gary Megson eho have taken a club backwards and are so intensely hated by fans of Blackburn/ Bolton. I just couldn’t believe that.

I guess I'm starting to ramble by this point but can these ungrateful, childish cunts not see the new stadium we've just moved into? Do you think any other team could have moved to a new stadium and remained in the top 4? not a chance. Southampton went down. Man City went down. Derby have never hit the heights they did before they moved into their new stadium.

OK now im definitely rambling so I'm just going to cut this short before I start to piss anyone in the 'Wenger Out' camp off to much. Although this may not help. If you are in that camp wake up and smell the coffee. Who would you have as manager? what would he do differently? Maybe someone willing to spend the money on a world class player like Robinho or Berbatov. Just a thought.

Hope

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 04:28:30 -0600

I listened to Alan Davies podcast "It's up for grabs now" this morning, and it's pretty funny - a couple of middle aged Arsenal supporters chatting about events up at Arsenal. What was so interesting about this one was the way they were joking on about the recent results against Man Utd & Chelski.

I have a tendency to take things too seriously - probably - and Arsenal certainly counts as the thing I'm likely to take more seriously than anything else. And though there are people who take it far more seriously (and angrily), I reckon I need to lighten up.

I'm worried though that lightening up will result in me not really caring about the results - and I do care - passionately. I WANT wins, and I WANT trophies. And at the end of a season when we haven't won anything (again) I'm disappointed, of course. But the overwhelming feeling is one of hope for the next season.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not quite writing this season off just yet! I'm just pointing out that in between the joy and the celebration, in between the sadness and despair - Arsenal give us hope. And some teams, believe me, have none.

Arsene Wenger in jovial mood is a joy to behold, and I'm rather hoping to see that tomorrow night as we thrash Liverpool at home.

See? Hope! I have hopes that Arsenal WILL thrash Liverpool, even though I know Liverpool will have their tails up, sensing weakness in us after our two defeats. Even though I know Liverpool are actually a talented bunch of cheats - I still have hope that we can beat them.

And when that hope is realised - when it comes to fruition and you experience the joy of a win..... well there's nothing better. It truly is better than sex, no shadow of doubt. The orgasmic feeling of a good win will always beat any other, ahem, orgasmic feeling!

I'm going to leave you today with a hope and a picture. The hope is that Cesc will not leave in the summer, that he will continue to be the lynchpin around which this team is built. Despite all that disgraceful tapping up via rumour that certain Spanish sides are doing.

Cesc is happy here - not with the losses of course - but happy at Arsenal, happy with the fans (and if you're not onside fans, bloody well get onside!). And he IS going to lead us to glory - maybe not this season, but soon - very soon.

Hope!

Rambling, man

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 02:07:06 -0600

Morning folks, it's difficult to know what to write about this morning. Subjects I'm pretty much choosing to ignore are:

Michael Ballack - Firstly because he's a big, woolly headed Chelsea prick, but secondly because what he's had to say about Arsene Wenger is hard to defend. Don't want to go there.

Cesc Fabregas - You know, we come through the fearsome foursome with a good number of points and the Barcelona stories are background noise. Now, because we've played poorly, they're in your face going "Nya Nya Nya Nya Nya Nyaaaaaah". The Spanish press are upping the ante with stories about him house-hunting in Barcelona. That old reliable. Cesc is captain of the club, is our top scorer this season, our best player and has comitted himself time and again to us. Until the summer nothing's going to change any of that so I'm not getting involved (not today at least).

Gael Clichy and Theo Walcott - yes, we have to dig in. Yes, we must concentrate and believe. It's just difficult to pay any attention to guys who are talking and saying the right things off the pitch but unable, at this moment in time, to back it up with performances on it.

So what does that leave us with? Not much really. We've got the Liverpool game tomorrow night and we simply have to see a reaction from the players. The possession has to be turned into goals, the defending has to be at least adequate and the tippy-tappy needs to create three points tomorrow night. Whatever vague hopes we have of catching United and Chelsea will be gone if they win their games tomorrow night and we fail to win ours. It will February 10th and our domestic season, bar the scrap for third and the automatic Champions League place, will be over.

From a position that promised so much that would be depressing. Nevertheless, that is the worst case scenario and after a string of disappointing results it's easy to look at things that way. This season has been strange, a win for us, United and/or Chelsea failing to win their games and everything looks a little bit better. And that's what we've got to hope for.

Of course it doesn't address our failings and the decisions the manager has made. I'm not going to keep beating that drum, but in the summer Arsene was quoted as saying something along the lines of 'If this season isn't a success, we'll have to rethink and rebuild'. I suppose it'll all come down to what he considers success. And the fans. Pre-season would we have taken third? Perhaps, but third after where we were will disappoint many.

My feeling is that he is caught between in a rock and a hard place in some respects. What's fairly obvious is that a team with the average age of ours cannot cope with teams more experienced. Leaving aside the quality issue, because in many ways that's tied to experience, we have an average age of 23. We have a group of players around 19-23/24 years of age with a smattering of experience. Some of those players are going to be hitting their prime around 25-26, when they have fully developed. Not all of them will but it's reasonable to assume they'll have the best years of their career from 26-30/32.

It means the manager still has to wait a long time for some of them, yet he's put so much groundwork into them. Buy someone and it hinders their development, sell them off and they take what they've learned with us and go and have their best years somewhere else. In the meantime he has to hope he can stay relatively competitive to stave off pressure from fans who want trophies. There is a bigger picture, of course, but I've always said it's difficult to ask football fans to see it. The joy and pain of football is in the here and now.

Football's finances are up the spout. The game is too reliant on TV money, clubs have overspent on transfers and wages, attendances are falling due to ticket prices that no longer represent anything approaching value for money, and you have to imagine that Portsmouth won't be last Premier League club to suffer winding-up orders and the like (and we'd better hope they muddle through the season because I read last week if they go under we lose the 6 points we've won against them). Arsenal have managed their finances prudently, have always preached self-sufficiency, and it is difficult approach to have taken, I'm sure.

However, there's got to be a balance between successful financial management and success on the pitch. Arsenal have a reliance on corportate income. How long can we continue to sell costly boxes to watch a team of nearly men? Will lack of trophies affect attendances? It sounds poor to say it but ultimately it will. Bottom line is successful team = full stadium. So while I think every fan understands the need to live within our means as we don't have the river of Russian cash that Chelsea have or the Middle-Eastern billions of Man City, I think there's a sense that we're unduly tight with what we do have. We've seen players sold for huge amounts of money yet seen little of that money invested in the squad bar giving long term contracts with pay rises to players who have done little to merit them. Arsene was unwilling to buy a striker in January because he knew he was bringing in Chamakh on a free in the summer, in my opinion.

Nobody, bar the most Championship Manager addicted fan, expects Arsene Wenger to go out and spend what we don't have, only what we can afford, and either we can't afford to spend anything (figures don't back this up however), or we're too reluctant to spend at all. None of us are football managers. None of us have won trophies. Yet many of us share the opinion that the squad has needed improvement in certain areas over the last couple of seasons. Many of us felt that we needed a striker in January, perhaps also a keeper. Do the results suggest that opinion was correct? If so, how can we see it and Arsene, who knows more about football than any of us, not address it? I realise it's not as simple as going to the shops and buying a player but it's not as if Arsene doesn't have the time, the resources, the scouts, the backroom staff, the Chief Executive to do the negotiating, the knowledge and, most importantly, the money.

Anyway, I'm rambling without really knowing where this is going. And perhaps going on about what he should have done when there's no chance of doing anything now is pointless. In fact, it is pointless. All we can do now is concentrate on the next game, then the next one. And the one after that. The game against the Mugsmashers tomorrow is so important, and not just because I'm going to watch it in the Mugsmasher's gaff.

Arsene meets the press today, we'll get team news for tomorrow and fingers crossed we might have Eduardo back in the squad. He's struggled but at least he is a striker and gives us another option, even if it's just from the bench. What he does about the other problem positions remains to be seen but I'll wait till I hear what he has to say today before I give my opinion on that.

In the meantime I'm going to pull the covers back over my head and wait for tomorrow.