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! I was unfortunately rather ill at the back end of last week with some good old man flu and rather shockingly my cpu went down with a virus which meant I had to format my hard drive, good thing my man flu was a lot less serious.

Anyway, since last we spoke there has been quite a fair bit to talk about in the world of football and I'm raring to throw in my 10p worth!

Rooney earns controversial penalty..... Again

For those of you who missed it you can check it out here - LINK.

Last week Rooney claims he's an "honest player"....... Hmmm. Now on Sunday morning me and my buddy Spurs Pete were playing XBox live (Gears of War 2) and had a conversation about this, Pete say's to me he did not think Rooney dived....... I agree with him, I felt Rooney lunged for the ball and missed. But I would love to know why he was sitting there appealing for a pen if he is an "honest player"?

Firstly it's Rooney who's doing the shirt pulling and then to make matters worse he lunges for a ball he could never reach and ends up badly hurting the Slovenian defenders ankle in the process....... Again, what was Rooney appealing for? As far as I'm aware UEFA punished Eduardo for deceiving the Ref, well to me it seems Rooney did a pretty good job at in on Saturday and managed to get a player off injured with it.

There were two quote that summed it all up for me, both were from Slovenian players -

Aleksander Radosavljevic said:

"Everybody knows it wasn't a penalty - that's the price you pay for being a small nation.

Robert Koren, Slovenia's captain said:

"This week there has been a lot of talking about diving, about Eduardo. I think Rooney went down a bit too easy and let's see if someone will say something against him."

I don't think I need to add anything else to the discussion.

Chelsea transfer embargo

So Chelsea have been banned from signing any new players until January 2011. The punishment was meted out by world governing body Fifa after the club was found guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens in 2007.

I bet anyone right now £100 that Chelsea will be buying players next summer. I'm sure they will appeal and get this ban reduced to just this winters transfer window, which is still good news for the other "Big Four" as it means Chelsea will not be able to strengthen anymore this season and at the moment they look like the team to beat.

The thing is is that this has now brought about calls for under 18 year olds to be banned from transfers which to me at least seems like quite a drastic move. I'm not even sure if it's legal under EU law?

One things for sure, if that sort of ban came in what would that do to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger's transfer policy? Might actually have to spend some cash!

The thing that I find stupid is that the law is already in place and there is punishment there for it already. If a player has a contract and a team "induces" that player to break it than they get banned from making transfers like what has happened here to Chelsea, but unfortunately in this age of over reaction and media hyperbowl we see calls for something much more drastic. How about just enforcing the ban you have given Chelsea UEFA? That would make a lot more sense right?

Argentina 1 Brazil 3

This seemed to me to be the match everyone was looking forward to this weekend and I have to say I was a little disappointed having stayed up to watch it. Poor defending by Argentina cost them dearly, how can Brazil's main striker be totally unmarked from a free kick? I'm sure if a bunch of us from Oleole got together to defend that free kick we would have done a better job!

The only real memorable thing for me from the match was when the home fans started to chant Dunga's name........ Not a good sign!

El Deigo is now under real pressure to make sure Argentina don't fail to reach the World Cup Finals for the first time since 1970.

I'm still pretty sure the Argies will make it to South Africa next summer, but how strange would the World Cup feel if there was no Lionel Messi and no C-Ron (Portugal I think will not make it) The two best players on the planet? Has there ever been a World Cup without the two clear best players?

Igor Shitov

Whilst watching a very unimpressive Croatia beat Belarus on Saturday evening I noticed that the away team had a player who's name must rank up there with some of the best names ever in Football....... Igor Shitov!

If this guy played for your team you would have to buy his shirt right? I know I would. Just think of having Shitov on your back..... Awesome!!! Put's Paul Dickov to shame!

In my all-time best footballing names I'd have to rank Shitov 3rd -

3RD - Igor Shitov

2ND - Creedence Clearwater Couto

1ST - Christ Bongo

Face it, the same way you'd never beat Des Walker for pace (apart from when Marc Overmars did at Wembley in 93) You'll never beat Christ Bongo in the best footballer names ever..... FACT!

The End

Take care

Football Guy

Hi and hello football fans, it's your old pal Roko The Football Guy, what's going down? I hope all is well wherever you are! There is a bout of sore throats going about Football Guy towers this morning and it seems that even the penthouse suite here is not immune to contamination as I am finding it quite hard to swallow (insert joke here). Hopefully it's just one of those morning things and it will go away come the afternoon!

I was originally going to post something yesterday but since it was the last day of the transfer window that has been put off until Thursday and instead today you get to read my opinions on who went where yesterday and since there were no deals done by the "BIG FOUR" hopefully this will quash some of those rumors that I only write stuff concerning them...... EAT!!!

Aston Villa

IN

John Collins

My old pal Stew The Footy Doc once told me that every top team needs a Ginger player, well Villa now have two in Steve Sidwell and John Collins............

Collins is an unassuming centerback who will act I'm guessing as cover for Richard Dunne (still not official at time of writing) and........ actually he might well be first choice as Villa hardly have many Booby Moore wannabes in their squad.

Not a particularly glamorous singing but at least it addresses some of the concerns people have about Villa's lack of squad depth.

OUT

With a squad this small selling anybody would be like an Ethiopian child saying I don't like Broccoli.

Birmingham

IN

Teemu Tainio

On loan from Sunderland, are resident Norwich Fan Martin might remember seeing Teemu score against his beloved Canaries the other day in the Carling Cup.

I've always thought Teemu was a decent player for a mid to lower Premier League club as he has a bit of skill and works quite hard, both things a crap team needs. Plus he has one of the best first names in football, say it with me - Teemu......... once more..... TEEEEEEEEEEEMU. I swear there was a character in The Lion King called Teemu and I think he hung around with some wild pig called Pumba, maybe Birmingham could ask Lee Bowyer if he could go all Brazilian on us and call himself Pumba and have it on the back of his shirt as that would mean City instantly have the Football Guy's backing for the best Midfield names in the league!!!

OUT

Do they have anyone worth selling?

Bolton

IN

Ivan Klasnic

I've always thought of Klasnic as the Croatian Kevin Davis, so I was quite amused yesterday to see that Kevin Davis will now be playing with the Croat version of himself. I would love to believe that Gary Megson called Klasnic by video phone and asked to see his Kevin Davis impression, kind of like Will Ferrell did in the Startsky and Hutch movie when asking Owen Wilson to do a Dragon impression. Well now they have two dragons!

One slightly interesting fact about Dragon number two is that he almost had to retire a couple of years ago due to Kidney failure and I believe it was his father who donated him one of his kidney's to save his life........ Just the kind of player I want taking a medical for my club.....

OUT

Need all of their dragons.

Burnley

IN

Dave Nugent

If you have ever wondered why people think Harry Redknapp might be involved in dodgy transfer deals then look no further than Exhibit A - Dave Nugent.

Harry bought him for £5m a couple of years back for Pompey and then less than a month later he was trying to flog him back from whence he came....... Hmmm...... I used to do that with video games a couple of year ago, I'd buy them, copy them then use the receipt to get a full refund....... Me and Harry, partners in crime.....

I guess Nugent can't be worse than the bunch of no marks Burnley have at their disposal right now and who knows, he might actually be have decent when given a run of games?

OUT

Running out of joke's to put in the out section........

Everton

IN

Johnny Heitinga

Everton needed some extra cover at the back and I guess Heitinga is a decent signing, hell he's Dutch and they never have overrated players (looking at RvP....... but mainly Huntelaar).

They also bought Distan but since that deal went through a few days ago I'm not going to talk about it as this is just about yesterday......... Heitinga is quite versital according to Football Manager and his stats are good enough to play for a "BIG FOUR" team, can't understand why Wenger didn't buy him as he could easily covered CB and DCM and even at LB and RB, MAN if I can do this on Football Manager why can't Wenger do this in real life?!?!?! I'd make such a better manager, did you know I once won the Champions League with Newcastle........ That's right, Newcastle!!! If I did that in real life every bird in Geordie town would suck me off until the end off time and Big Al might even shake my hand, they should really add that feature into the next Football Manager!

OUT

...........................

Fulham

IN

ELM

Anytime you have the chance to buy a player who sounds like he is a disease that kills trees I think you have to make that deal!

I'll be honest, I don't know much about Elm other than the fact he's a striker from Sweden and for Fulham's sake I hope he is more Euro 92 Tomas Brolin than late in his career fat Crystal Palace Brolin. I wonder if Brolin was related to Goonies star Josh Brolin because if he is that might clear up where chunks "Truffle-Shuffle" came from........

OUT

LINK

Hull

IN

Ibrahima Sonko

Poor mans Christopher Samba? Well since Hull are above Blackburn in the league table maybe that's not the case. Will he be able to replace the man who left though?

OUT

Michael Turner

Hull's answer to a certain Mr Lescott, the goal scoring defender, don't think he's hit the back of the net this term but I know quite a few people who loved him in their Fantasy teams last year and in all fairness he was the only Hull defender worth having. I personally don't rate him very highly but now that he does not have a complete prick for a manager maybe my opinion will change.

Portsmouth

IN

Ben-Haim, Williamson and Yebda

What does it matter, they are still going down.

OUT

Dave Nugent

See Burnley

Nico Kranjcar

Their best player....... Good luck in the Championship.

Stoke

IN

Danny Collins

Collins is the latest Ex-Sunderland player to join Stoke, or Sunderland South as they might be called soon. Quite surprised about this move as Collins was Sunderland's Captain for their first two league matches this season!

I'm sure he will fit in to the system there quite well and even though I don't think Stoke will be particularly better because of him, they sure as hell won't be any worse.

OUT

Ibrahima Sonko

See Hull.

Tottenham

IN

Nick Kranjcar

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was ready to disown Croatia as my footballing country due to too many of their players playing for teams that I hate, well now with Klasnic at Bolton and Nico at Spurs I have officially renounced my love of Croatia in football........ They are dead to me. They only thing I could think off that would be worse is that if I had a son and he supported Spurs, but lets face it that won't happen as I would love my son too much and would rather chain him up in the basement of Football Guy towers than let him be a Spurs fan..... Maybe that's what Josef Fritzl was doing to his kids all these years?

OUT

LINK

The End

See you all tomorrow with more fun and games

Take care

Football Guy

Hi and hello football fans, it's your old pal Roko The Football Guy, what's going down? I hope all is well wherever you are! There is a somber mood here in Football Guy towers today, not only do I have to go to work today despite it being a bank holiday but my football team lost a game they really should not have lost this weekend (DAMN YOU DIABY!!!!) I'm not sure what should be banned first - Working on a Bank Holiday or Abou Diaby playing football? - Either way both unfortunately will be here for the foreseeable future and like all things that can't be changed they must be endured.

On a brighter note I have a date tonight so hopefully I'll have something to wash away the bad taste in my mouth from the weekend!

United mug Arsenal

Losing to your rivals is one thing, but losing to them when the least you deserved from the match is a draw is a whole new world of hurt.

It's not often you see United play a whole 90 minutes at home and not create a single noteworthy chance (slight lie as they had one late on when Arsenal were pushing forward but that don't really count) and when you do you certainly don't expect them to walk away with three points, but that's football for you I guess.

Arsenal took the lead late in the first half from an Andrey Arshavin thunderbolt, good strike but Ben Foster really should have saved it....... It's funny how people think this makes up for the fact that Arsenal should have had a clear penalty about a minute before when Arshavin was taken out by Darren Fletcher (who did quite a bit of taking out over the course of the match). The only contact Fletcher made with the ball was with his arm so in all fairness if the ref thought that the tackle was not bad enough surly he has to give a pen for handball? Mike Dean....... Gollum in disguise.

Early in the second half RvP should have doubled Arsenal's lead but was foiled from close range by Ben Foster's leg....... A lot of people have tried to make out that this was a great save but for me it was more a case of Van Persie missing than Foster saving, but anyway it probably made up for his rubber hands in the first goal.

United didn't look like they had much to offer and Arsenal were sitting pretty.......... That was until the clown prince of goalkeepers Manuel Almunia decided he was not happy with Wayne Rooney running on to a through ball that was taking him away from goal........ Maybe Alumunia was bored since he had had very little to do? May he's just an idiot? Who knows? Anyway, I'm not going to argue against the decision but for me Rooney was already on his way down before The Clown Prince made contact......... Dive anyone? Surly not, Englishmen don't dive! That's something scabby foreigners do and an Englishmen would never lower himself to such standereds.......

OK, so even at 1-1 Arsenal were hardly up against the wall...... But never fear, Diaby is here!!! Fresh from his two goals last week against Pompey Diaby probably thought he needed to keep his goal scoring form up and gifted United the lead with what has to go down as one of the worst own goals in Premier League history....... I wonder how tempted Billy G and the Belgium Vidic were to beat the crap out of Abou there and then? I know had I been in their boots I would have promptly taken one of the boots off and proceeded to crack open his skull....... No jury in the land would convict me of murder, not when I shown them that own goal as evidence and if that was not enough to keep me out of jail I'd show them the footage of Diaby breaking Nasri's leg in pre season training........ Hell I might even get a medal for purging the world of this Alice the Goon lookalike!

Anyway, all you Arsenal fans out there should take heart, you played well and if you play like that every week you will be there of there abouts come May!

United fans, well done, good result but the performances need to improve.

Liverpool fight back

Did you know that Liverpool only suffered two defeats last season yet already this season have lost twice........  Annoying huh?

Liverpool did well to keep it at just two defeats on Saturday having to come back from behind twice against Bolton.

Glen Johnson keeps on trying to provoke me into hiring a hitman to break his legs so that my mate Amer won't pick him as Captain of his fantasy football team. If Johnson keeps this up I might have to start referring to him as G-John and proclaim him the new C-Ron of Fantasy.

Liverpool, for anyone who has watched them so far this season obviously need to up their game and maybe this international break will do them good....... Unless Torres and Gerrard both get injured, or worse G-John!!!!!

Blue machine keeps on rolling

Chelsea might not have yet played anyone whose that good, but like all good teams they have dispatched all before them with relative ease......... You could almost call them a...... Machine????

Despite their Terminator like qualities they could have been one down and probably would have been had someone better than Paterson had the chance, what a waste of space that guy is......

Speaking of space, I've not seen a goalkeeper who takes up more of it for a long while than Burnley's own pie-eater Brain Jensen...... He's like the second coming of Kevin Pressman, or possibly John Candy, I can't say for sure until I've heard him tell a joke or two. But even if he's not blessed with a comical side he sure can get in the way of the ball. If only the Empire in Star Wars had known about him they could have used him to block up that hole which the Rebels used to destroy the first Death Star or maybe if a meteor is ever on a collision course with earth we can fire him at it to save humanity, but until such time comes he will have to contend himself with keeping goal for Burnley..... an all together worse fate.

Spurs 4 for 4

I feel like the world is destined for a major disaster....... Spurs winning their first four games of the season can only spell trouble for planet Earth and I don't know about you guys but I'm already starting to stockpile supplies for the upcoming global tragedy that is about to befall us all!!!

Spurs really had enough chances to have this game over by halftime yet they needed a stoppage time winner from Little Lennon to seal the deal....... Lennon also happens to be part of fantasy super player Amer's team, for those of you that don't know he is currently leading our fantasy league and if you still don't believe that Spurs being 4 for 4 is a bad omen, Amer turning into the Jesus Christ of fantasy football must be!!

I have to say I'm really looking forward to Tottenhams next match which is against United. Should Spurs win and make it five out of five Football Guy Towers will be investing in a bomb shelter........

The Football Guy Prediction League

I had a good Saturday...... Not quite as good a Sunday which meant I did not fulfill my promise to move up to 2nd in the league, although I did more to 3rd!

The scoring system is simple -

Perfect Result = 30pts

Correct Result = 10pts

Wrong Result = -10pts

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

                          PR       CR      WR      PTS

Jamrock             2          5         3         80

Football Guy      2          4         4         60

SportBoys          1          4         5         20

Lawro                0          6         4         20

Footy Doc          1          3         6          0

Heres the complete table -

                        PR       CR      WR      PTS

SportsBoys       7        13       16       180    

Jamrock            5        15       16       140

Football Guy     3        17       16       100

Lawro               3        16        17       80 

Footy Doc         3        11        22     -20

Footy Doc....... Sort it out, you can't have Lawro beating you!!!!

The Cristiano Ronaldo award for fantasy excellence

1. Ashley Cole - 14pts

Last week it was Abou Diaby, this week we have the poor mans Glen Johnson Mr Cheryl Cole. Well done to Ashley, I was quite happy as I have him in my fantasy team!! Just wish I had made him captain, oh well Fat Frank was not to bad I guess.

Winners and Losers

Winners

Sir Alex Ferguson

You got to be a winner when you should have been a loser but yet still won....... Does that make sense?

Martin O'Neil

Won back to back games for the first time in the league since January..... That's a winner in my book!

Emanuel Adebayor

Goal machine, infact he seems like he's the only guy who can score for City. £25m well spent.

Losers

Manuel Almunia

For making contact with Rooney, had you not we could have been moaning about him diving as he probably would have got the penalty anyway even had Manuel been in the City on Manchester stadium.

Arsene Wenger

For only managing to kick that water bottle 40 yards...... Whats wrong with you???

Abou Diaby

I don't think I need to explain this one anymore.

The End

I've got a lot planned this week so stay tuned,

take care

Football Guy

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! Here at Football Guy Towers we are preparing for a fun weekend filled with booze and football........ What more can a man what?........ Well maybe some "action" if you know what I mean (wink wink nudge nudge). I have a stag doo to attend to later tonight which is actually already in progress as I'm writing this. I'm missing out on Go-Carting and Paint balling but to be fair I couldn't give a toss as I shall be there for the important part...... Namely getting pissed and hitting on ladies who due to my intoxicated state will probably look worse in the morning.........

There are a few things I need to clear up first before we get on to this weeks preview, first off the updated prediction table, since it's not been revised since the Liverpool v Aston Villa match -

                          PR       CR      WR      PTS

SportsBoys        6          9        11       160    

Jamrock             3         10       13        60

Lawro                3         10        13       60

Football Guy      1         13        12       40 

Footy Doc          2          8         16      -20

Since we all went for a Liverpool win all it meant was that we all lose 10 points. I personally expect to move in to 2nd place after this weekend so Jamrock and Lawro better get ready for a demotion!

Annoying things that people say in Football - Part One

I called it part one since I thought I could revisit it when I had nothing else to write about, but after a rather favorable response I feel part two will be on it's way to you sooner than expected and that will probably be next week. Feel free to send me some of your pet peeves and I will look to include them.

Right, on to the business at hand -

Chelsea v Burnley

So, Burnley have proved so far this season that they can win at home. Good stuff, that will go a long way to keeping them in the Premier League. Winning at Stamford Bridge on the other hand is a completely different kettle of fish.

I think you've got more chance of seeing a Jackson Five reunion than you have of seeing Burnley win this weekend and I also feel after his rather mundane performance last week, Frank Lampard could well be starting something for your fantasy team if you pick him as captain. Don't blame me if he's Bad though as it is an early kick off and they usually are not Thrillers............ 

Football Guy's verdict 3-0

Blackburn v West Ham

Blackburn have a Big Fat Sam Zero in the point column so far this season, although having watched the highlights of both of their opening games they could easily have Six.

West Ham have three points and could easily have zero or six (blame Carlton Cole for the latter)

Blackburn's luck has to change sooner or later and I think it will be this weekend.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Bolton v Liverpool

The Redmen need to pick their season up after a flat start. I was not impressed with them at all Monday night (I was less impressed with Villa, but there you go....) Talking of annoying things that people say, how often this week have you heard about Liverpool - "They only lost two games last season and already this year they have lost two"........ OK...... We get it, bad start........

Liverpool should be encouraged though as Bolton are a team they have beaten the last five times they have faced them and for what it's worth (not a lot judging by his record against last Monday's opponents) Steven Gerrard has only scored more times in the Premiership against Aston Villa than he has against Bolton.

This is as big of a "must win match" as it can get for Liverpool considering they have only played three games and I'm fairly confident they will produce.

Football Guy's verdict 0-2

Stoke v Sunderland

Sunderland can count themselves quite lucky to have the amount of points they have so far, they were gash last week against Blackburn and only thanks to a well placed reverse jinx by your truly on Kenwyn Jones did they manage to win......... I feel sick.

The same way I feel Blackburn's luck has to change Sunderland's has to as well and I think it start here at the Britannia Stadium.

Personally since I have D-Bent and reformed convict Ricardo Fuller upfront in my fantasy team I would like it to be a goal fest, unfortunately I figure I lower scoring encounter.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Tottenham v Birmingham

Have you jumped on the Spurs bandwagon yet........ No?........ Good!

I guess there is not logical reason to think they won't make it 4 from 4 since the visitors to WHL are lowly Birmingham.

I expect them to win, although I don't think it will be as easy as some people might think due to Birmingham's sneaky good defense. They have conceded just the one goal this season so far at it came at Old Trafford.

Football Guy's verdict 1-0

Wolves v Hull

Orange v Orange........ Phil must feel like he's in heaven! But let's face it, this is as close as he will ever get to the pearly gates as we all know he's going straight to Hell, along with John Gregory and Brian Little the other two most Satanic managers in Premier League history.......

I really don't know what to make of this match as my desire for Hull to lose is being counter-acted by the complete incompetence of Big Mick....... Have you ever thought that a relative of Mick's might have been responsible for the sinking of the Titanic? Or possibly the script from Showgirls? He must have had something to do with the global economic crisis right?

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Manchester United v Arsenal

Whilst reading the next paragraph I recommend listening to this LINK.

The Rebel Alliance has stared their campaign to relinquish the Empires three year grip on the rule of the Premiership crown in good style with victories in the Goodison sector and on their home world of North London.

The Empire on the other hand have been rocked by an uprising of Ewoks during a trip to the Planet Moon of Turf Moor and retaliated by crushing a colony of space beetles from Wigan.

The Rebels should be in good spirits though as during the Summer months the Empires special weapon the C-Ron Death Star was hijacked and taken to a location yet unknown, some sources report that there may be yet another Empire in a galaxy where throwing Goats out of church steeples is encouraged and ladyboys are a hot commodity.

The rebels are not without problems of their own, leader of the rebellion you Cesc Skywalker was injured in a battle about a week ago and might not be able to lead his troops in to battle which might well mean that Jar Jar Eboue takes his place on the field of play........ Could this spell the end of the rebellion? Find out Saturday evening!

Football Guy's verdict 2-2

Portmouth v Manchester City

Pompey are poo........ What more can I say?

City now have Mikhail Gorbachev's illegitimate son playing for them at the back, will he score as often as he did at Everton? I don't think so!

I expect Adesaurus to have another good game and as much as it pains me to say it I might well be bringing him in to my team for City's next match which is against Arsenal as I'm convinced he will score.

There is no reason for me to expect Pompey to do anything other than lose.

Football Guy's verdict 0-2

Everton v Wigan

Are Everton really that piece of crap team we have seen from their first two matches? Are we to believe it was all down to MIkahil Gorbachev Jnr disruptive influence?

We could ask similar questions of Wigan, who I believe were just lucky to play a poor Villa team in the first game of the season and are actually a poor team themselves.

Everton could use some goals and I'm sure fantasy owners of everyone least favorite Aussie footballer Tim Cahill are wondering where he's been so far this season?

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Aston Villa v Fulham

I've watched Villa's last two games, they somehow managed to beat Liverpool despite playing like crap and then were knocked out last night by Rapid Vienna who to be fair deserved it!

Villa are POO!!!!!!

I would go for a Fulham win but since I don't trust Fulham on the road I've got to go for a draw......... But boy do I want to pick a away win!!!!

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

The Rest

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

Chelsea 3 v 1 Burnley

Blackburn 2 v 0 West Ham

Bolton 1 v 3 Liverpool

Stoke City 0 v 1 Sunderland

Tottenham 1 v 1 Birmingham

Wolves 1 v 0 Hull City

Man Utd 0 v 2 Arsenal

Portsmouth 1 v 1 Man City

Everton 2 v 1 Wigan

Aston Villa 2 v 1 Fulham

Next up we have JamrockRover - 

Chelsea 3 - 0 Burnley

Blackburn 1 - 1 West Ham

Bolton 1 - 2 Liverpool

Stoke City 1 - 0 Sunderland

Tottenham 3 - 0 Birmingham

Wolves 2 - 1 Hull City

Man Utd 1 - 2 Arsenal

Portsmouth 1 - 2 Man City

Everton 2 - 0 Wigan

Aston Villa 1 - 1 Fulham

And finally, the kings of football predictions, the SportBoys  -

Chelsea 2 v 0 Burnley

Blackburn 2 v 1 West Ham

Bolton 0 v 2 Liverpool

Stoke City 1 v 1 Sunderland

Tottenham 1 v 1 Birmingham

Wolves 2 v 1 Hull

Man Utd 1 v 1 Arsenal

Portsmouth 1 v 3 Man City

Everton 2 v 1 Wigan

Aston Villa 1 v 0 Fulham

Oh, and here are Lawro's as well - LINK

Have a good weekend and take care

Football Guy

 

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! I gather that quite a lot of you had problems finding this weeks Monday Hangover column, it was written but for some reason I think it needs to be searched for by name to find it, so instead of asking you to do that why don't I just post a link..........LINK

Right, now down to the business at hand. We are less than two weeks in to the new Premier League season and already commentators are staring to do my head in, not only commentators but fans in general. It's not really how they behave (unless they are West Ham or Millwall fans) but what they say and it happens every year, the phrases that get repeated over and over again, the misconceptions, the fallacies. I want them to stop NOW!

I don't believe they say them deliberately to wind me up, and I'm not even sure they know they are doing it, so once and for all let me clear them up for you with the Football Guy most annoying things people say in Football part one.

Peter Crouch has good feet for a big man

This is used by both fan and pundit alike and it must stop! Basically what you are saying is that a professional footballer who plays for England can control the ball well........ HE FUCKING WELL SHOULD DO AS HE IS PAID A SHIT LOAD OF MONEY TO DO SO!!!!!

It's like saying "Insert action movie star name" can act! Of course he can, he's an actor!!!

It seems like Peter Crouch is the only tall player who get this credit and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 6,5ft yet nobody goes on about him having good feet for a big man, all they say about him is that he is overrated........ Well I'd rather have an overrated Zlatan in my side than a lanky Peter Crouch who's first touch is good enough to play professional football.

Eduardo is from Brazil

Not a game goes by that I don't hear a commentator say "The Brazilian born striker"....... Yes, we know he is born in Brazil and I don't think anyone who knows anything about football thinks he is Croatian through and through so please can you stop saying it!

I don't remember people saying "John Barnes, the Jamaican born winger"  or "Edgar David, the Suriname born midfielder".

Call Dudu a diver, but can we stop mentioning he's born in Brazil six times a game, we know that and we won't forget it even if you don't mention it.

Fergie's hairdryer treatment

Anytime United are losing a game at halftime or have played badly in the first half someone has to say "I bet Fergie will give them the hairdryer treatment". Fuck you before I give you the fist to face treatment!

Wayne Rooney just loves to play

I'm glad he loves his job.

Paul Scholes can't tackle (said with slight chuckle)

So....... That makes it alright does it? Maybe he should learn? Here are so more -

George Bush can't run a country

Bernie Madoff can't invest

Keanu Reeves can't act

Lily Allen can't sing

Tony Hibbert can't play football

Let's not make excuses for people.

Mercenary Players

Piss off, whilst I do agree some players just follow the cash, 99% of players move to big teams because they can win things and because they pay better.

Chelsea and Manchester City have as many mercenary players as most other big teams!

I don't remember people call Scott Parker a mercenary when he left Charlton........ Speaking of which.....

Underrated players

I remember Scott Parker being called underrated by so many people for years, well if everyone thinks he was underrated I think that ultimately means he was ratted.... Right?

It's not just Scott Parker, just think of any player you think is underrated, think how long you have thought them to be underrated and how many other people think they are underrated........ If it's been longer than a year and a lot of other people think so then they probably are overrated or rated just how they should be!

England don't win because their players are overpaid and don't care

This is complete BS!!!!!

They don't get paid to play for England so if all they care about is money then way are they playing?

Last time I checked Spain were European Champs and all their players are highly paid and whats more quite a few of their first team players are from regions of Spain that don't even count themselves as Spanish and what an Independent country...... Why would they care?

Don't make excuses for failure!!!   

Most of Frank Lampard goals are deflected

6%......... That's right, it's 6%..........

Lower League fans who claim they watch "Real Football"

Correction, you watch on the whole shit football and a jealous of the fact your team is poo and can't get/stay in the Premiership. (Not directed at you Martin)

Liverpool are a two man team

I don't have the stat in front of me but I remember an article in the Guardian that said Liverpool without Torres and Gerrard won a higher percentage of matches than United did without Rooney or C-Ron.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

And finally........

Arsenal have a poor atmosphere at their home matches

Bullsh......... Wait, that is true.........

Take care

Football Guy 

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! I've had a fun 24 hours or so on Facebook reading status updates from Oleole.com's fantasy league leader half praise himself, half defend himself and all that without me leaving one comment...... I forgot how easy it is to wind up some people ;-).

Anyway, since it's Friday that can only mean one thing...... WEEKEND PREVIEW. I need to up my game and to do that I've decided to cut out the cheap tobacco I've been smoking and upgrade to Hamlet cigars, so for the duration of me writing this piece I shall me smoking in style!

Arsenal v Portsmouth

Pompey all powerful attack that consists of 65 year old Kanu and Dave "I might as well be 65" Nugent have amassed a staggering Zero goals from their opening two games...... Good stuff. I'd like to take this opportunity to officially throw my hat in the ring and announce that I'm available to play up front should Portsmouth need a 6'7ft guy who can run and might have a heart attack at any moment....... Oh wait, they have Kanu.....

Arsenal this season might have what my favorite American sports writer Bill Simmons calls "Nobody believes in us syndrome" which basically applies to a team who has the talent but for whatever reason has been totally written off from doing well. "N-Bus" can be a powerful thing as it hopefully will motivate the players to prove the critics wrong and kick some ass.

Maybe Arsenal won't win the league, but they sure as hell will beat Pompey tomorrow.

Football Guy's verdict 3-0

Birmingham v Stoke

There have been 16 league games so far this season and zero of which have been draws........ There's got to be one sooner or later right?

David James was in a charitable mood on Wednesday night, not only was he helping out Breast Cancer by wearing that garish GK top but he also decided to help out Birmingham by gifting them a penalty late on...... What a swell guy!

I don't think the Liverpool defeat will affect Stoke too much, they must have known sooner or later Liverpool would pound them, like a good streak at the blackjack table, it's coming to a end!

It depresses me to think how much fantasy interest I have in this match, no wonder I've stuck so far this season.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Hull v Bolton

I think we all enjoyed Spurs thrashing Hull the other night (even if it did mean Spurs are now top of the league).

Phil Orange and his boys have not won in 12 games at home which could be something of a blessing in disguise for the Hull tourist board as away fans might start to flock in droves to the KC knowing their team has a great shout at a result.

Bolton could well be this season forgotten team as I don't think they will go down (there are worse teams out there) but they are to poor to do anything else but be near the bottom.

Football Guys verdict 2-2

Manchester City v Wolves

Well done Mick, your Wolves team has three more points now then I thought they would........

Whilst most other teams were playing midweek, City decided to take a little time off and go on holiday to Barcelona (can't blame them) and whilst there they thought it would be a good idea to throw their weight about and challenge European Champs Barca to a match and promptly dispatched them 1-0....... Watch out guy, here come City.

I'm not pleased I don't have any City players in my fantasy team, I might need to adress that.

Football Guy's verdict 4-0

Sunderland v Blackburn

My fantasy change this week could well be bringing in Darren Bent....... What are the odds on Kenwyn Jones scoring a brace whilst Bent basks in self appreciation?

Had Blackburn not been up against Rubberman Shay Given last week they might have got something out of the match, but to be fair, that's like saying if Mick McCarthy was a good manager he might keep Wolves up or if Glenn Johnson is such a good captain choice why don't you pick him every week......

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Wigan v Manchester United

So whats the deal with Wigan?  They beat a good team away then they lose to a crap team at home. Now they have a good team at home, does that mean draw? Wigan's start to the season has kinda been like Nic Cage's acting career, the win over Villa was Faceoff, the loss to Wolves was Snake Eyes (should have been good but was crap).

This match I think will be "Captain Corelli's mandolin" no one will blame you for it, but it will be bad none the less.

They have Blackpool midweek in the Carling Cup, a lose in that one would make it "Ghost Rider".......How did you mess that up you prick!

Football Guy's verdict 0-2

West Ham v Tottenham

I fancied West Ham in this match until I read this stat -

Spurs are unbeaten in six games against West Ham, winning five.

I felt like the guy who's pulled right at the end of the night and thought it would be a good idea to go on a date with the girl the following weekend on to realize what he's sober that she's a dog.

West Ham might not be dogs, but Spurs are definitely that drunk guy, there top of the league for godsake!

Football Guy's verdict 1-3

Burnley v Everton

Last Saturday evening David Moyes probably thought never mind the 6-1 beating from Arsenal, we'll bounce back next week at Burnley........ Not sure he's thinking that anymore.

Burnley are not the wimpy kind in school anymore, they just beat up the school bully and are full of confidence. But what the don't realize is that Eveton too are bullies, not a powerful as United but they fight dirty and Burnley after all are still wimps.

Football Guy's verdict 0-2

Fulham v Chelsea

Are Chelsea ever going to keep a clean sheet? Will Arsenal sign Hageland? Will there ever be peace in the Middle-East? These are question I need to know the answer to!

One thing that might help you answer your question as to who you should pick for captain this week in fantasy it that Frank Lampard has seven goals in his last eight Premier League games against Fulham. Now that has given me a selection headache as I quite fancy Steven Gerrard and Arshavin to have good games.......... Oh well, maybe I should ask fantasy God Amer who he thinks I should go with?

Football Guy's verdict 1-2

Liverpool v Aston Villa

I believe last season this match ended 5-0 for Liverpool so that good form for The Reds, also Steven Gerrard has scored nine Premier League goals against Aston Villa more than against any other opponent........ See now why I have a headache?

Villa clearly have not recovered from their loss last week at home to Wiagn as they lost last night 1-0 to Rapid Vienna which is probably worse.

I expect Liverpool to dish out another beating and silence a lot of those critics.

Football Guy's verdict 3-0

The Rest

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

Arsenal 3 v 0 Portsmouth

Birmingham 2 v 1 Stoke City

Hull City 1 v 1 Bolton

Man City 4 v 1Wolves

Sunderland 1 v 2 Blackburn

Wigan 0 v 1 Man Utd

West Ham 2 v 2 Tottenham

Burnley 1 v 2 Everton

Fulham 0 v 1 Chelsea

Liverpool 2 v 0 Aston Villa

Next up we have JamrockRover - 

Arsenal 3 - 0 Portsmouth

Birmingham 1 - 1 Stoke City

Hull City 1 - 2 Bolton

Man City 3 - 0 Wolves

Sunderland 1 - 0 Blackburn

Wigan 1 - 3 Man Utd

West Ham 2 - 2 Tottenham

Burnley 2 - 2 Everton

Fulham 1 - 1 Chelsea

Liverpool 2 - 0 Aston Villa

And finally, the kings of football predictions, the SportBoys  -

Arsenal 3v0 Portsmouth

Birmingham 1v0 Stoke City

Hull City 1v1 Bolton

Man City 3v1 Wolves

Sunderland 2v1 Blackburn

Wigan 0v2 Man Utd

West Ham 1v2 Tottenham

Burnley 1v2 Everton

Fulham 1v1 Chelsea

Liverpool 3v1 Aston Villa

Oh, and here are Lawro's as well - LINK

Have a good weekend and take care

Football Guy

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. The broom closet here at Football Guy towers has been under a constant barrage of abuse and heckles due to my average start to the fantasy football season........ I know I should be taking as a sign of respect because these "people" know who to fear, but calling my mother a whore is slightly over the top (Lady of the night would have been better).

Anyway, we'll talk about fantasy and other stuff in a bit. First it's time for football.

 

United turned over by Burnley

Now picture this -

Burnley are playing United, only it's six months earlier........ United 1-0 down, 20 minutes to go. An equalizer does not look like it's coming........... BANG!!!! Ronaldo just thumps one in from 30 yards... 1-1 and United go on to win with 5 minutes to go.

Sound familiar?

Well over the last couple of season that scenario has been played out quite a few times (just replace Burnley).

It's strange but usually I'd have been 100% confident that United would have found a way back with 20 minutes left, but for whatever reason I couldn't see it happening last night.

I'm also wondering whats happened to the media today? After Liverpool lost at WHL on Sunday the reaction from certain part of the press was that of sheer contempt for Liverpool, some going as far as to same The Reds would only achieve a mid table finish........ Fools....... So after Uniteds lackluster win at Home to Birmingham and loss at Turf Moor you'd think they should be inline for some serious bashing from the media?........ NO....... Surely losing at Turf Moor is worse than losing at WHL?.......... Well unless you are an Arsenal fan.

People have talked a lot about Rooney stepping it up now that C-Ron has left, now whilst I'm sure he will up his goal tally, I don't think he's good enough to carry the team when they need him like C-Ron could or how Gerrard can for Liverpool.

Anyway, I'm not writing United off after two games, I'm just saying that the media should maybe question Sir Alex once in a while.....

Liverpool finally score against Stoke

After failing to score in a 180 minutes of football last season against Stoke it took them just four to do so last night.

Good way to bounce back from Sundays loss to Spurs and hopefully silence so of those critics.

Glenn Johnson seems so far to be repaying the £17m Liverpool payed for him this summer. He already has a goal and two assist in two matches and was a awesome choice for captain last night if you had him in your fantasy team.......... A friend of mine called Amer has and made him CPT, this after choosing Cesc as CPT on Saturday sees him 23rd overall out of 1.5m people in fantasy football......... It won't last......

Liverpool have Villa at home on Monday night and last season beat them 5-0 at Anfield......... Are Villa fans crapping themselves? They should be!

Spurs top of the league 

Hmmmm, Spurs top of the league....... Sounds strange...... I think they have been bottom after two games the last few season.

I guess I should say well done so far but it hurts to do so.

Jermaine Defoe bagged three and after his performance for England the other week in Holland must be putting himself in the picture for a start against Croatia at Wembley next month.

They have a tough game away to West Ham on the weekend, lets see how they do there.

Chelsea comeback again

I think for fans of the other three big four it's not good to see Chelsea coming back like this, resilience is what League Titles are made of.

On the other hand I would quite like to see Chelsea go behind in every game this season because they won't be able to come back in all of them!

The more win Chelsea get whilst adjusting to their new formation the worse it is for everyone competing with them  for the title, but then again....... Maybe they never fully adjust and stop coming back from behind..... That would be great!

Arsenal deal with Celtic

Now I know both of Arsenal's goal were quite lucky, but to be fair they deserved the win and had they not scored it would have been unfortunate.

Critics can bang on all they want about how Celtic battled well and deserved more but really, if they deserved more they probably should have created a chance or two.

I feel bad for all you Gunners out there who bought a ticket for the 2nd leg, it's as they call in Davis cup Tennis...... A dead rubber.

The Football Guy Prediction League

If my start in fantasy football has been average, then my start in the prediction league has been done right awful!!!!

The scoring system is simple -

Perfect Result = 30pts

Correct Result = 10pts

Wrong Result = -10pts

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

                          PR       CR      WR      PTS

SportsBoys        1          2         3         20  

Jamrock             1          2         3         20

Footy Doc          0          2         4         -20

Lawro                0          2         4         -20

Football Guy      0          2         4         -20

So not only do I stay bottom, but I now have a minus score overall!!!

Heres the complete table -

                          PR       CR      WR      PTS

SportsBoys        4          6         6        120    

Jamrock             3          5         8         60

Footy Doc          2          4         10        0

Lawro                1          5         10       -20 

Football Guy      0          7         9        -20

In the whole of last season I never went two week without a "Perfect Score" yet I've started this one with two blank weeks....... Oh well, long way to go yet!

Players you wish you had not made Captain

1. Wayne Rooney         - 1pts
2. Dimitar Berbatov       - 1pts
3. Any United defender - 2pts

Players you should have made captian

1. Jermanie Defoe - 17pts
2. Robbie Keane   - 13pts
3. Steven Gerrard - 11pts
4. Dirk Kuyt           - 11pts
5. Frank Lampard - 10pts

Players you wish you had made captain but never would

1. Brian Jensen          - 14pts
2. Michael Mancienne - 8pts
3. Andy Keogh           - 8pts
4. Robbie Blake         - 7pts

The Cristiano Ronaldo award for fantasy excellence

1. Glenn Johnson - 18pts

Well done to Glenn, 18pts is mega for a defender! Also a bitter well done to my good friend Amer who is top of the OleOle.com fantasy league for picking him as captain.

I would just like to point out that Amer each year losses quite a lot of money to me in fantasy bets and has never ever beaten me at anything fantasy related (we also play a fantasy basketball league with one of the sportboys) So before you start thinking this guy is some sort of fantasy genius let me tell you he is not!!!!

As for me, I was quite happy actually with my haul of points for this gameweek considering I only had EIGHT players playing. The Football Guy will be back up the table in no time!

OK peeps, till tomorrow

Take care

Football Guy

Hi and hello football fans, no time to dispense with the regular pleasantries as I have a lot to cover and very little time to do it all in.

There was supposed to be a Monday Hangover column yesterday but unfortunately I was otherwise engaged stuck in South London (those of you who know me know how much I hate South London). On the Sunday I had gone to a 70's vs 80's BBQ (original I know).

As you can see in the picture to your Left I had decided to go as 70's Italian football player and had a very good time talking with 80's punk rock guy who you can see there and Magnum PI/Ray Liotta guy who I don't have a picture of.

Anyway, as the day turned in to night I got more and more drunk and decided I kinda could not be bothered to leave so I used a little charm (as much as a drunk Croatian masquerading as an 70's Italian could have) and managed to share a bed with a girl who lived near by and basically woke up there the next morning with a big hangover........... So that's my excuse why everything I wanted to to over two days will no be crammed in to one big portion.

So anyway, let's get started -

As you know I am hosting a predictions league here on the site between me, JamrockRover, The SportBoys and the Footy Doc.

Oh and Lawro of course

The scoring system is simple -

Perfect Result = 30pts

Correct Result = 10pts

Wrong Result = -10pts

So the table after the first round of games looks as follows-

                          PR       CR      WR      PTS

SportsBoys        3          4         3        100    

Jamrock             2          3         5         40

Footy Doc          2          2         6          20

Lawro                1          3         6          0 

Football Guy      0          5         5          0

So not the best start for your old pal the Football Guy but never fear people, there's a long long way to go.

Fantasy Premier League

Due to time constraints at my end I will not be going over the fantasy stuff from this weekend, but don't worry, all what happens midweek will be covered in the Thursday Hangover.

Midweek Preview

There are six Premier League games this week with the first two being played tonight and the other four on Wednesday.

Sunderland v Chelsea

Both Sunderland and Chelsea got the results they wanted on Saturday, although I'm not sure the manner of either teams win was particularly impressive.

The early talk is about how narrow Chelsea are looking and whilst that is true I think there has to be a bit of slack allowed for the team to get used to the formation. Some might argue that's what pre season is for but I say they are practice matches and you won't know how good you really are until you've played at least  4/5 league games.

Football Guy's verdict 1-2

Wigan v Wolves

Rodallega...... How many of you guys out there had him in your fantasy team to start the season? Well since the weekend almost 40,000 people extra have him in their teams now!

I really didn't see the Wigan/Villa result coming and Roberto Martinez could not have hoped for a better start. He now has the perfect opportunity keep that form up with what should be a home win against Wolves.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Birmingham v Portsmouth

I don't want to go too over the top here as it's only the second game of the season, but I feel this is a massive game for Pompey.

If they were to get turned over easily at St Andrews I could see a nose dive developing, although since that would mean their season is yet to get off the ground I might have to re-think my metaphores.

Either way, they need a performance a that's not going to be easy.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Burnley v Manchester United

Burnley got rolled over at Stoke on the weekend and will most likely get rolled over on Wednesday by a United side who, if not inspiring, have been effective.

Burnley really do have a horrible start to the season, after this they host Everton then they go to Stamford Bridge and Anfield............. Footballing God's are defo not on their side!

United should be fine in this one, but with Arsenal coming up at the end of the month they are going to need their first team defenders back pronto!

Football Guy's verdict 0-2

Hull v Tottenham

I'm not sure if Hull were good at Stamford Bridge on Saturday or were Chelsea just poor? I could say the same for Spurs on Sunday too.........

Anyway both teams should be happy with the way they played on the weekend (even if Hull might like to change the score) and will be looking to keep that momentum going on Wednesday.

Last season Spurs beat Liverpool at home, but lost the Hull away and to be fair...... That's like milking a cow and then kicking over the bucket when your done!

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Liverpool v Stoke

Liverpool look poor on Sunday that's a fact. Are Liverpool out of the title race, that's not a fact! But if you read certain websites and newspapers you'd think the Reds were now going finish mid table and Rafa should be sacked......... So no over reaction?!?!?

I expect a rousing Anfield crowd pn Wednesday and an inspired performance from Boxing champ Stevie G!! Fantasy captain anyone?

Football Guy's verdict 3-1

The Rest

JamrockRover -

Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea

Wigan 2-0 Wolves

Birmingham 1-0 Portsmouth

Burnley 0-2 Man Utd

Hull City 1-1 Tottenham

Liverpool 3-0 Stoke City

The Footy Doc -

Sunderland 0 v 1 Chelsea

Wigan2 v 1 Wolves

Birmingham1 v1 Portsmouth

Burnley1 v 2 Man Utd

Hull City 2 v 0 Tottenham

Liverpool 3 v0 Stoke City

The SportBoys -

Sunderland 1-1 Chelsea

Wigan 3-1 Wolves

Birmingham 1-0 Portsmouth

Burnley 1v3 Man Utd

Hull City 1v2 Tottenham

Liverpool 3v0 Stoke City

Lawro Results

LINK

Back on Thursday

See you Thursday guy's with a hangover column covering all the midweek action and some fantasy talk.

Take care

Football Guy

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! There is a party atmosphere here in the broom closet at Football Guy towers for it's the Friday before the season start, or "Season Starts Eve"!

I have to say I'm super excited - Happy happy, Joy Joy!!!

So as readers of the blog last season know, every week before the games are played me and Lawro from the BBC go head to head in a battle of wits to see who is better at predicting the scores of the Premiership and therefore the guy who deserves to have a contract with the BBC.......... Well last season I didn't just beat Lawro, but I kicked his ass so bad that for a while I was worried he was going to send round the two Alan's, Hansen and Shearer for some pay-back........ But then I realized they probably don't care for him very much and therefore I had very little to worry about.

Well anyway, since I proved last term that Lawro is no match for my predicting powers I had to search hi and low for some competition and have found it in the form of Mr JamrockRover who was kind enough to send me his predictions as was The Footy Doc,  although those cads the Sportboys are yet to send me theirs which makes me think they want to get a good look at everyone predictions first....... Cheats!!!

As always, I have not looked at Lawro's or anyone else's predictions (I'm an honest guy!)

Fot Lawro's prediction LINK

And here we go!

Chelsea v Hull

The Football Guy's preseason favorites should get off to a good start with quite an easy fixture here in GW 1.

For those of you with Frank Lampard in your fantasy team I would recommend picking him as captain as he should do well!

Chelsea fixture wise have got a pretty good run up until October and will need to take full advantage of it starting with a win tomorrow against Phil Orange and his boys

Football Guy's verdict 3-0

Aston Villa v Wigan

Tough opening game for new Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, although saying that most away games should be tough for Wigan.

I don't really think Villa have bought well this summer and it seems to me that they are weaker than last season.

If they are to get back in to Europe next term they might find it easier to win the Europa League than do it though a high league place.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Blackburn v Manchester City

According to Rover's player David Dunn, Blackburn are going to "Kick lumps out of the City stars"

Although to be fair he does say -

"It's important we do our best and kick lumps out of them - fairly of course,"

How do you kick lumps out of someone fairly? Really???

I guess I should not expect any better from a team managed by Fat Sam.

Football Guy's verdict 1-2

Bolton v Sunderland

OK, this is the first fixture of the season I could not give two hoots about......... Well alright, I do kind of what to see how Steve Bruce does in his first game in charge....

Just so you know, I think Darren Bent could go on to have a good season at Sunderland and wouldn't it be funny if he should score more goals in the league than any other Spurs striker? I say YES!!

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Everton v Arsenal

Everton Summer signings = 0

Arsenal Summer signings = 1

So basically both teams are the same and since as last season this game finished 1-1, that's what I should go for?

Well Arsenal do have Dudu back and the last time he went to Goodison he help Arsenal overturn a Halftime 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 win thanks to two splendid goals...... Here's hoping for more of the same....... Not hopeing enough though.....

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Portsmouth v Fulham

Fulham had a lot of plus points last season......... Away form was not one of them.

Pompey didn't have a lot of plus points last season and any they had have been promptly sold.

I'm stuck between Pompey being crap and Fulham being crap away....... I was going to say 1-1 but I have to many of those already!

Football Guy's verdict 0-2

Stoke v Burnley

Stoke v Anti-Stoke? That's how I see this one, the Boxer v the Puncher and for those of you who have seen the Rocky films as many times as I have...... The puncher seems to win.

This could easily be the opening fixture for next season Championship, I'm hoping it won't be.

To be fair I would quite like to watch this game, although finding a good steam for it could be too much hassle.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Wolves v West Ham

Mick McCarthy, the end starts here......... Unless Ebanks-Blake become the new Andy Cole (the Newcastle version).

Carlton Cole impressed me midweek when he came on against the Dutch, he's been impressing me quite a bit over the last 12 months or so........ If he keeps it up he might even break in to my fantasy football team!

Football Guy's verdict 2-2

Manchester United v Birmingham

How nice would this fixture have looked last season fantasy wise with C-Ron in your team?

No all it looks like to me is 3pts for United.

The only case I can make for Birmingham is that United have started quite poorly over the last few seasons.......... Hope that fills you with confidence City fans!!

Football Guy's verdict 3-0

Tottenham v Liverpool

I feel that Liverpool owe Spurs some sort of payback for last season.

Not only did Spurs knock Liverpool out of the League Cup, but they also beat them at the Lane in the league inflicting the first of Liverpool's only two defeats that season.

To be fair Liverpool should have crushed them in the league encounter, but alas for them, whatever evil gods Spurs fans pray to were on their side that day.

Football Guy's verdict 1-2

The rest

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

Chelsea 2 V 1 Hull City

Aston Villa 2 V 0 Wigan 

Blackburn 1 V 0 Man City 

Bolton 0 V 0 Sunderland

Portsmouth 1 V 1 Fulham 

Stoke City 3 V 0 Burnley

Wolves 1 V 1 West Ham

Everton 1 V 2 Arsenal

Man Utd 1 V 0 Birmingham 

Tottenham 1 V 3 Liverpool

Next up we have JamrockRover - 

Chelsea 4-0 Hull City

Aston Villa 2-1 Wigan

Blackburn 1-1 Man City

Bolton 1-1 Sunderland

Portsmouth 0-1 Fulham

Stoke City 2-0 Burnley

Wolves 2-2 West Ham

Everton 1-2 Arsenal

Man Utd 3-0 Birmingham

Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool

And finally, like the mooks they are I have received the SportBoys predictions -

Chelsea 4-0 Hull

Aston Villa 2-1 Wigan

Blackburn 2-1 Manchester City

Bolton 0-1 Sunderland

Everton 1-2 Arsenal

Portsmouth 0-1 Fulham

Stoke 2-0 Burnley

Wolverhampton 1-1 West Ham

Man Utd 2-0 Birmingham

Tottenham 3-2 Liverpool




So there you have it, let the best man win, good luck and all that other bull crap!

Take care 

Football Guy