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. Things are good here in the broom closet at Football Guy towers, due to me having no work this week I've found myself going to bed later and later at night and waking up..... You've guessed it, later and later, which can be a good thing..... But when it's a nice day like it is today and you are walking up at 2pm it kind of make you want to hang yourself, but not in the Justin Fashanu way.

Last night was good for me though as I finally beat the bookies!!! It seemed like an age had passed since I last one some money from those scumbags. I had a £10 treble on England, Spain and Bosnia all winning..... Funnily enough it was Bosnia who gave me the least trouble beating Belgium at home 2-1 (although Belgium's goal came right at the end), it was Spain and England who made me wait till the death, with both scoring their winners in the last five minutes and in fact Spain's winner came in the 93rd minute against Turkey (Hahaha, How does it feel now Turkey? Not nice when teams scum you late on is it?!?!?! HAHAHAHA). So anyway, I'm looking at about £60 profit which will do me quite nicely, I might even have a Pims later by the river...... Or not..... Pims is shit.

England

I said yesterday that I thought Ukraine were a poor team and that England should beat them comfortably...... Well I still think Ukraine are a poor team who tactically played England right and made England look like a team with no creativity, unless it was a set piece.

I also think England got a lot of help from the officials last night, I would love to hear the ref's explanation on why Gareth Barry was not sent off and Ukraine awarded a penalty?

I'd also like to hear why Rooney was not at least give a yellow card for that horrible follow through tackle in the second half? Please don't give me that bullshit about how he got the ball, I was a dangerous tackle that could have broke the guys leg, I believe in the rules it states that a dangerous tackle will result in the minimum on a booking and anyone who thinks it was not dangerous is a fool, basically that means if I was a player every time I went to clear the ball and a opposition player was within kicking distance I would  follow through and kick him as hard as I could every time and say "oh ref, I get the ball though, didn't mean to kick the guy in the kneecap".

Before I talk about the winning goal, I'd like to point out that I love David Beckham, I also love winning money (this goal won me my bet) but I HATE INJUSTICE!!!!!!

Beckham conned the ref into winning a free kick by basically running into a guy who didn't move to block him, nut was standing still and Beck's run in to him and to make matters worse JT scores from the resulting free kick from an offside position......... Now as I said, I love winning money, BUT I HATE INJUSTICE!!!! Great nod back by Stevie G though, might well win Football Guy's player of the Year.

Scotland

Well done to Scotland for getting the three points they needed last night, It was not pretty but they did enough.

The problem I think they will have in the end though will be that it looks as though whoever comes second in that group might well be the 9th best second placed team and therefore miss out on a playoff spot.

Harsh, but I think it might be so.

Rep of Ireland

Well done too to Ireland who picked up a BIG point in Italy.

I watched extended highlights of that match last night and it almost sent me to sleep, but hey, a point in Italy is a point well won and keeps the Irish in a good position to challenge the Italians for top spot in the group.

I would not count out Bulgaria just yet though, they have yet to lose and have a game in hand which if they win would put them just two points behind the Irish and Ireland needing to go to Sofia at some point too.

Northern Ireland

Another good result for the "Fighting" Northern Irish has them at the summit of Group Three.

Their problem in the end I fear will be their away form which is like a mirror opposite of their home form..... Shit.

They have a one point lead over Slovakia (who won in Prague last night) and the Slovakian's have two games in hand.

I wish them all the best, but I fear it will all end in tears.

Wales 

Wales are a poo team and I don't want to waste my time talking about them.

To talk about their chances of qualifying for the World Cup would be like talking about the chances of surviving AIDS.

Other Blogs

Read a interesting article about why Sepp Blatter and Michel Paltini hate English Football on the blog "Let's talk about Cesc baby".

I implore you all to check it out and weight in to the discussion.

So until tomorrow Football Fans,

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. Things are.... A little better than yesterday here in the broom closet at FG towers, although despite getting quite a good nights sleep am having one of those annoying mornings where you find it terribly difficult to wake up. I'd imagine Fergie feel just like that right now, only he's trying to wake up from this nightmare his glorious season seems to be turning in to (had to get that in... sorry).

So yesterday I read on the Guardians website an article about how Uefa President Michel Platini wants to merge some of the smaller leagues in Europe to help with audience and overall competitiveness (is that a word?)

Now this is something i've talked about with friends for a long while and I wont be able to do it justice with a couple of paragraph here, but it's something that I'm fully for and here are the reasons why -

Make leagues more competetive

I'm not going to use the Dutch league as an example here as was talked about in the article in the Guardian, but if you look at a lot of the smaller leagues in Europe (and I'm including Scotland in this) there are predominantly two teams that win the league each year because they are by far the biggest teams in that country. Just take a look at pretty much ever smaller country in Europe and you will see that they are dominated like that, joining smaller league would mean more competition and more interest, which brings me on to my second point.

Bigger viewing audience

I will use a country I know a bit about here, Croatia. Croatia has a population of about 4 to 4.5 million people and Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb are the two powerhouses. Neither fills their stadium unless the other is the visitor or they are playing in Europe.

If let's say they made a Balkans league you would have a audience of about 20 million and more gunuine rivals for the title, therefore making it more competative and hopefully filling out the stadiums more and generating more TV money.

That would mean teams like Dinamo Zagreb could hold on to players like Eduardo, Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka for a few seasons more and actually make it to the CL group stages and make more money meaning again... Keeping hold of some of their better players for longer giving them more chance to compeate against Europes big boys.

Make the Champions League more intresting

Of course teams like Manchester United and Real Madrid will always be able to attract the talent as they will always be bigger and richer clubs, but lets face it, more often or not the Champions League will be won by a team from either England, Spain or Italy, with the occasional champ coming from Germany, Portugal or Holland. You will never have the likes of Red Star Belgrade or Steaua Bucharest (both have won the European cup) winning it again as their leagues are to small and the gulf of money is too great.

Have leagues merge together would increase the chances of teams like that ever so often keeping a generations of players together for a few season and actually having a chance (with a bit of luck) to compete with the big boy and win the Champions League.

I know this is a very brief argument in favour of what Platini said, but it's something I will write about at some point in more detail and I think it would be good for the rest of European football.

Robin Van Persie

Apparently according to RvP the gunners are now "unbeatable", OK, that's the tabloid version of what he said, but again it bolster what I've always said about football - "Things chance very quickly".

Just watch if Arsenal lose their next game or two..... "Arsenal in crisis" "Wenger has lost the plot" "All the players are shit".

Just take a look at United right now!

Robinho the drug taker

Apparently Brazil legend Pele was recorded saying Robinho took drugs....

Well if Fat Ronaldo like's ladyboys, then I guess anything is possible?

The article states the Pele was unaware he was being recorded, which to me sounds like a crock of shit, why would you tell people you are not good friends with that Robinho took drugs? Why?

There is no good reason for doing that and basically Pele is a knob who will endorse anything as long as it pays well and it would not surprise me to find out (not that he is lieing) it was a paid interview and he told them that..... Why else would you say Robinho took drugs?

Reader Comments

In response to Martin Race, a reader who left a comment (as he often does, thank you) about how he think some of the red cards from this weekend will be recinded and Steven Taylor will get a suspension.

Brad Friedel - Yes, I agree he could very likely have his red overturned.

Wayne Rooney - I doubt it, as I think it would go against the FA's respect campaign as he showed very little of it.

Steven Taylor - The problem is the ref saw it and gave a free kick, by the rules of the FA, if a ref has given a decision then that's it, had the ref given nothing then the video panel could have gone in and banned him later but because the foul was given to the FA that means it was dealt with.... I think.....

Anyway peeps, until next time

Take care

Football Guy

Hi all, it's a miserable morning here in London, the rain is falling and my bed is calling me to stay. Unfortunately I have to to work. Mind you, I say "I have to", it's not because if I don't they will fire me, there actually very flexible about the hours you work as long as it's more than 14 per week, it's just that if I don't go in I wont get paid....... Shame isn't it..... Well at least I'm not in the situation Shay Given was before he left Newcastle -(read at the bottom of the page)

Shay Given -

"They made me do things I didn't want to do"

What kind off things? I really think he needs to elaborate on this! Maybe they asked him to clean the showers after Fabricio Collocini had used them? That would REALLY be something nobody would want to do!

Any idea's people? Please do let me know.

Football Guy v Mark Lawrenson

Check out Lawro's picks here - Time to unleash another butt kicking on the former tashed wonder!

Manchester City v Middlesbrough

Intresting stat for this game - Middlesbrough have won more Premier League matches against Manchester City than any other club; 11.

Now you all know how much I like stats and will read in to them when making my picks, it's just than Boro have not won a game in over two months and City have won their last three  home games.

Do I think Boro will get their 12th win over City in the Premiership this weekend? No way!

Football Guy's verdict 2-0

Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa

It seems like Villa always play their weekend games before Arsenal meaning they always get the chance to put the pressure on the Gunners with a win, now I know that Blackburn are unbeaten under Fat Sam but I feel that Arsenal have the trickier game this weekend as they travel to North London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

This will be another perfect chance for Villa to pile more pressure on Arsenal in that race for fourth place.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Chelsea v Hull

This is the first game this season Hull will be playing starting in the bottom half of the league. Their fairytale season is only a couple more defeats in a row away from turning in to a real nightmare.

This clash pits the Premier League's strongest attack (Chelsea, 44 goals scored) with the weakest defence (Hull, 46 conceded).

With that in mind, what do you think i will be predicting?

Football Guy's verdict 3-0

Everton v Bolton

Wow, imagine Fat Sam was still in charge of Bolton, this game would be a right eyesore..... Thankfully Bolton under Gary Megson don't play nearly as putrid football.

Everton remind me of a girl who, is not that bad looking but acts like a real tart because it get's her laid, when in actual fact she could be a lot classier and still get laid, I guess I'm asking a little too much of David Moyes and his boys to show a little more class than a club skank.

Football Guy's verdict 1-0

Sunderland v Stoke

Big game for both teams, with Sunderland having a BIG chance to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone.

The fact is Stoke are still yet to win an away game in the Premiership and until they do I can't back them to win, Rory Delap long throw or no Rory Delap long throw.

For the benefit of Premier league football I hope Suderland win this one.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

West Brom v Newcastle

West Brom got an important point at Hull last week and then were comfortably beaten by Burnley who, seem to have no problems dispatching Premier league teams in the cups this season (jury is out on West Brom being a premier league team).

Interesting to see two players who left Newcastle in the transfer window take pot shots at their former team (Shay Given and Charles N'Zogbia) Now insomnia I can understand, but Shay always struck me as a stand up guy who stuck with Newcastle much longer than most people thought he would. I don't seem to remember too many soundbites from Shay in the past 12 years so things must be rotten there if HE'S taking trash.

Football guy's verdict 2-1

Wigan v Fulham

I was out for a few drink with my buddy Neill, most of you will know him as "I'm not from Leeds" who post comments on here from time to time. Now he swore blindly to me that Man United were playing Fulham this weekend...... Really wish I had bet some cash on that statement.

For all of Fulham's good points this season they still have failed to win a single game away from the Cottage all season adn I don;t see that changing tomorrow.

Football guy's verdict 2-0

Portsmouth v Liverpool

I was surprised at the amount of stick I heard Rafa got from Liverpool fans over his decision to start Fernando Torres midweek against Everton. I know he's injury prone but so what? It's a Derby match! You've got to go out and try to win it and that means playing your best players right? I know if Arsenal were playing Spurs in the same situation I'd want Wenger to play his strongest team.

For some reason I feel Pompey can get something from this game, maybe Peter Crough has one of those "I'm going to prove to you what your missing now you bastards" games and scores the perfect hat-trick (left foot, right foot, header) like he did against Arsenal a few seasons ago...... Or maybe I'm talking out of my backside.... That's probably it.

Portsmouth 0-1 Liverpool

Tottenham v Arsenal

7 November 1999 - That was the last time Spurs beat Arsenal in a league match..... Wow..... That's almost 10 years and it's not like Spurs have been in and out of the Premiership in that time, they have played twice a season ever season since then. I think that might me Tottenham's only league victory over Arsene Wenger.

Don't forget that Arsenal had a similar record over Chelsea until Chelsea beat them in the Champions league quarter finals back in 2004 and then didn't lose to them for the next couple of seasons. Well Tottenham beat Arsenal last season in the League cup semi final and have not lost to them since, granted it's only been one match, but it was a match Arsenal should have won considering they were 4-2 up with two  minutes to go.

For those of you who like betting, back Adebayor to score in this one, he always seems to score against Spurs and has something like 24 in his last 3 matches against Arsenal's North London rivals.

Football Guy's verdict 2-2

West Ham v Manchester United

West Ham's last three games against Big Four opposition have been - 0-0 Anfield, 1-1 Stamford Bridge, 0-0 Emirates.

Their last defeat to a Big Four team was at Old Trafford losing 2-0, coincidentally, three days after losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal.

Will United make it 13 games without conceding? I think so, will they win? Shock Horror!

Football guy's verdict 0-0

Take care

Football Guy 

Hello all, today's post marks the first time I've posted every day in a week so I hope you've enjoyed the read. Don't have much more to say so I'll get on to this weeks picks.

Stoke v Manchester City

Stoke despite being 19th in the league boast quite a good home record and in contrast City have quite a poor away record.

City though finally seem to have gathered some momentum and are unbeaten in their last four league games. They also will have been boosted by Craig Bellamy's fine debut performance and I'm sure with his price tag at only 6.6m a lot of fantasy football owners will be looking at picking him up.

City are looking for the 5th consecutive victory over Stoke.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Arsenal v West Ham

Who would have thought Carlton Cole would end January being the Premier Leagues hottest striker..... Not I, thought the fact is he has six goals in his last six league games.... Not bad at all.

This is a must win game for Arsenal who midweek slipped to five points of a top four place and with at least one of Liverpool and Chelsea guaranteed to drop points this weekend these are three points Arsenal can ill afford to throw away.

Football Guy's verdict 2-0

Aston Villa v Wigan

Villa are showing no sings of stopping their good run of form which has seen them march right in to the thick of the title race. 

Heskey get's a to play against his former team and when you consider the amount of times ex-players score against their former employees (see Craig Bellamy midweek) the signs look good for Villa.

Having said that I don't think Wigan will be pushovers but I think by hook or by crook Villa will take this one.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Bolton v Tottenham

Bolton dropped two massive point midweek against Blackburn which would have seen them leap frog Spurs in the table.

Bolton's home form should al so be a concern for them as they are the only team in the league yet to score double figures at home this season.

Spurs seem set on buying back as many ex players as possible which has me asking - What's Sir Les up to these days?

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Fulham v Portsmouth

Pompey where just not meant to beat Villa on Tuesday night, they had 17 corners and 9 shots on target to Villa's 1 yet lost the game 0-1 and despite how hard Tony Adams try's things just don't seem to be going his way.

Fulham have only one defeat at home this season and are one of only five team's yet to conceded double figures at home, although Tottenham are also one of those team's so I'm not sure how important that stat really is.

Football Guy's verdict 2-0

Hull v West Brom

Hull are now without a win since early December and you feel that if they fail to beat West Brom at home they will be in real trouble.

West Brom on the other hand have only managed four goals on their travels this season and yet remarkably that's not the worst in the league (see Fulham).

I'm thinking of getting rid of Giovanni from my fantasy team this week and if I do watch out for a two goals one  assist performance from the little Brazilian.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Middlesbrough v Blackburn

Boro have go to win sooner or later right? That last league win in early November at Villa park seems a long, long, long, long time ago.

Blackburn managed to scrape a point from a game they looked dead and buried in midweek, but since a similar thing happened to them a few week ago against Manchester City I'm sure they wont care too much.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Manchester United v Everton

I believe this was originally meant to be the Monday night game, but with Everton needing a replay in the FA Cup it's been switched to Saturday evening.

Can United make it 12 games without conceding? They might be helped if Tim Cahill can't play after coming of midweek late on against Arsenal with what looked like a pulled muscle (or it could have been time wasting cramp, who knows?)

For the good of the league it would be better if Everton could snatch a point at Old Trafford as United seem poised to take the league by the scruff of the neck.

Football Guy's verdict 1-0

Newcastle v Sunderland

After getting rid of Kenwyn Jones from my fantasy team midweek I'm half tempted to bring him straight back for this one.

Nothing like a good old North-East Battle to watch whilst eating your Sunday roast.

Newcastle need the three points slightly more than Sunderland, will they get them is another question.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Liverpool v Chelsea

As an Arsenal fan, I will be rooting for a draw in this one and as it's a game between the "Big Four" I'm pretty sure Lawro's going to say draw (he usually does).

Both teams have been wildly inconsistent of late and both know a defeat here would seriously dent their title hopes.

Chelsea have only mustered one point from their four "Big Four" matches this season.... Very poor indeed.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Check out Lawro's predictions here.

Take care

Football Guy

Hi all, since we last spoke a few silly things have happened to me. First off, I decided to dig out this Arsenal scarf that I've had for 20 years. It was bought for me by my mother a couple of week after Arsenal clinched the 1988/89 league title at Anfield and so therefore commemorate it, it might well be the only item of clothing I've owned for 20 years..... Anyway, the reason why it was silly for me to dig it out is that over the past 20 years I've realized something...... THE SCARF IS JINXED!...... I already knew this so why the hell did I dig it out yesterday? Seriously people, over the years I've worn that scarf (obviously a lot more back when I was younger but stopped when I realized what was happening) whilst watching at least 30+ Arsenal games and I don't recall Arsenal ever winning one! Now maybe when I was young there might have been a game or two they won whilst me wearing it and me not remembering but I can say for sure that this millennium anyway we have not won when I have wore it..... Note to self.... Put scarf back in closet and leave well alone.

The other silly thing that happened to me last night was in the wee hours of the morning in the land of nod. I had a dream that me and Teddy Sheringham had ab argument that got quite heated and raged on for what seemed an eternity yet for the life of me I can't remember what it was about..... Before you ask, no I don't usually dream about Teddy. The big problem I have with the dream is that the argument was a draw it seems and that really annoys me..... How do I not beat Teddy Sheringham in an argument, even if it is in a dream?

Maybe I should try to avoid eating late at night.....

Football Guy v Mark Lawrenson

So as I found out yesterday, Lawro did do a preview, but after seeing the results it would have been better for him had he not.

This Week

Football Guy - PS 2 CR 7 WR 3

Lawro           - PS 1 CR 6 WR 4

Players you wish you had not made Captain

1. Steven Gerrard         - 2pts
2. Fernando Torres       - 2pts 
3. Nicolas Anelka           - 2pts
4. Emmanuel Adebayor - 2pts

Players you should have made Captain

1. Ryan Giggs           - 15pts
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - 14pts 
3. Nemanja "Player of the Season" Vidic      - 12pts
4. Jermain Defoe     - 10pts
5. Dimitar Berbatov - 9pts

Players you wish you had made Captain but never would

1. David Di Michele - 12pts
2. Carlton Cole       - 11pts
3. Matt Duke          - 9pts

The Cristiano Ronaldo award for fantasy excellence

1. Salomon Kalou - 16pts

After Tuesday nights games I was pretty sure old man Giggsy was going to win it, little did I know one of Chelsea underrated players popped up with two goals to help Chelsea keep pace with United.

Winners and Losers

Winners

Aston Villa

Villa seem to be in this winners section quite a bit of late and when you look at their results over the last couple of months it's easy to see why. Four wins in the spin and seven in their last eight games in title winning form and has seen them come to within three points on leader Manchester United. They also haven't lost in the league since early November, which funnily enough was to Middlesbrough which was also Boro's last win in the league.

Manchester United

After this midweek round of games United have opened up a two point lead in the title race and have a game in hand. They really do have the best and most balanced squad in the league, a fact that has been underlined of late with their 11 clean sheets in a row using about 10 different defenders.

I think it's United's title to lose.

Losers

Liverpool

That's now five  draws in their last seven league games. Their still only two points back from United but with their form the way it is that gap only looks like getting bigger.

It must be worrying times for the red half of Merseyside as thier hunt for their first title in 19 years looks to be falling apart and United look on course to equal Liverpool's record of 18 league titles.

Take care

Football Guy 

So as you may have noticed, despite me saying differently at the end of my Thursday post there was no weekend preview. It's funny that since I woke up earlier than normal on Friday to write  it and it was then I realized...... poo.... it's the FA Cup fourth round. I don't really start getting interested in the FA Cup until the last 16, which just so happens to be this next round so don't worry, I'll have a preview for that when it comes around in a few weeks.

Also due to the FA Cup there is no Monday Hangover (at least as you normally know it). As there was no preview it means the "Football Guy V Lawro" battle for supremacy was postponed for a week (kind of like the way in WW1 the British and the Germans stopped fighting on Christmas Day and played a game of football). Also missing from what would normally be the Monday hangover is fantasy football since fantasy premier league only counts in.... well... the Premier League, so that has been cut too for the week, but fear not, there will be a special "Thursday Hangover" this week to go over the midweek league action.

Beckham

So everyone's favorite ex-England captain was in the news this weekend. He scored his first goal for Milan and sparked a fresh debate over his future at LA Galaxy.

This lead to me last night finding a rather amusing article on ESPN.com's front page about the goal. ESPN for those of you that don't know is a major sports network in the US of A and is usually rather exclusive on it's North American sports. Anyway, I started to read through the comments ;eft by readers and stumbled upon one that cracked me up.

Only an American can sound this funny talking about soccer - (quoted as was with spelling mistakes)

SL1CKvic (1/25/2009 at 9:19 PM)

I dont understand the basis for anyone hating beckham. You can hate his image but really he is a standup repectful guy from what I gather. I have followed his career since he was number 10 on Man U and he brough the Tri-fecta to Man U - he also won a championship in spain where he was benched most of the season b/c the manager didnt like him.....then he throws him in in the second half of the season and he goes off on points. He really just wants to play world class ball; and here thats impossible. So someone please explain why you hate beckham. And dont say the money b/c you know if you were offered that cash or his promotions you would take it in half a heartbeat.

So it's great to hear that are American pal "SLICKvic" has followed Beckham's career ever since he was number 10 "on" Man U. Though the best has to be that fact that D-Becks10 brought the Tri-Fecta to United..... Tri-Fecta....... Tri "F-ING GENIUS" Fecta! Needless to say for the next 30 minutes after reading that I started thinking of other "Americanized" ways SLICKvic would say for Double, the best I could come up with was instead of winning the double you'd "play the deuce", I throw it out to you at home for some better ones. One last thing about Beck before we move on, Do you remember the second half of his last season in Spain when he help Real win the championship after going off on points?..... No neither do I.

Just in case you were wondering if that was real, have a look at the 2nd from top post on this page.

Some things are funny without being made up

Merseyside Derby

So that's Two Merseyside Derbies in six days and not one red card to be seen! I wonder what the odds were on that? I did think Everton should have had a penalty early on after Arbeloa accidentally clipped Pienaar's heels but Steve Bennett didn't agree with me. I guess I should have know better and not be surprised, after all an Everton player has only been fouled in the Liverpool box at Anfield once in thelast 71 years.

I'll be back tomorrow with a mid-week preview and some thoughts on the flurry of recent transfer activity in the Premiership, until then.

Take care

Football Guy

Well people, the good news is I'm feeling much better than I did a few days ago, the bad news is I still don't feel that great and I have to go back to work later today..... I really do hate having the flu and I'm not talking about man-flu where I might have a sore throat and milk it to no end, this was the real deal stuck in bed, throat feels like someone is scraping it with sandpaper, nose want stop running (like  Park Ji-Sung) and you feel like the end of the world is nigh. That's what I hate!

I must say, a very underrated negative about being really ill is losing the ability to taste. I could have eaten pretty much anything over the last couple of days and as long as it was not rough on my throat it would not have mattered, it's a really shame because last night I had one of my favourite lasagna's (Football Mum's special recipe) and it tasted like I was eating sloppy cardboard....

Speaking of food, I'd like to introduce a new friend of the site to you all - It's long time Football Guy friend and soon to be powerful journalist Tracey Fitzgerald and her blog about eating out in London - I ate London. I fully recommend her judgment on all things food in the London area, so if your eating out in London but not sure of where to go, make sure you see what Tracey has to say about the place and if what she say's is good I'm sure you can't go too far wrong.

I would also like to say Happy Birthday to longtime reader and one of the few people who regularly leave comments on the site - I'm not from Leeds a.K.a Neill Parker - Who despite BEING from Leeds is a Manchester United fan for some reason. "I"won't say how old he is, but just for reference, think Micky Rourke.

Speaking of strange looking famous people, Arry Redknapp's Spurs threw away a three goal aggregate lead last night yet still managed to squeeze through the the League Cup final where the will be defending their crown against United. Don't worry Burnley fan's, you probably won't have to wait long for revenge as there's a decent chance you might be playing Spurs next season if you can just go on a bit of a run and make the Championship play-offs and get promoted, but in all fairness it's more realistic to say wait for Spurs to go down and give them a nice welcome when they arrive.

Speaking of welcome guests, Arsene Wenger has been trying his hardest to get Zenit to let Andrei Arshavin come over to play. He seems to be Arsenal's only real target of this transfer window and could become very handy for an Arsenal team who despite playing better still look like they lack creativity in midfield without Cesc. My only real question about AA is - Whats up with his eyes? Can he see out of them? Is there a professional squinting circuit as I think I've found the champ for the next 10 years..... OK, that was more than one question, but I guess when you see a man with paper cuts for eyes one question is never enough.

Speaking of questions, a lot seemed to have been asked about Liverpool this week after blowing two points late on in the Merseyside derby. That is now their sixth draw in their last nine games and certain sections of the media are starting to really question if Liverpool are good enough to win the title? Now my personal opinion about Liverpool's current form is that it's balancing itself out, by that I mean if you look at Liverpool's early season form there were quite a few games the wound up winning that they could have easily drawn and in the last 10 games or so they have drawn a number of games they could have won. I think Liverpool will end up being who we thought they were - A team not quite good enough over 38 games to win the league - But will be a lot closer then in the past few seasons.

Speaking of being close, how many teams are in the race to stay up? Will if you look at the table, only three points separate 20th-12th and will Hull going down quicker than an erection after seeing Amy Winehouse topless on a beach, I'd say we have at least 10 genuine contenders for the drop and were almost in to February! I wrote about how this was a crazy season a few months ago in my November Power Rankings, but I did think it would have sorted itself out by now. Squeaky Bum time stars early this year.

Speaking of starting early, could we just do away with early kick-offs? More often than not they are pretty dull games and as most football fans I know quite like a drink on a Friday/Saturday night it makes them a chore to get up for. I think evening games are the way forward, I loved the fact Spurs v Wigan was on a Friday night a few weeks back in the FA Cup and I seem to remember the Premiership a few year ago having the odd game on a Friday night, why did they get rid of them? Saturday and Sunday nights should be used as well and I'm sure if you asked most fan they would agree. The only time I want to watch Football pre 3pm is if the World Cup in in Asia!

OK, enough of my rambling, I've got to get ready for work and need to eat some tasteless food as I'm hungry.

I'll be back tomorrow for my weekend preview, until then

Take care

Football Guy

Argh, do I feel terrible. I have a nose that wont stop running and a throat that's as sore as Manucho's eye. Needless to say I would love to stay in bed today but I have to go to work later (hopefully they send me home).

Anyway, enough about my problems, let's focus on the positive. I would like to extend a BIG thank you to all my readers as for the first time last week I had a 1000+ visitor day! Again thanks so much, obviously I like writing, but it would be pretty pointless if no one out there read it so I'm very pleased to see the rate the visitor are growing at.

I will keep you informed on other such landmark figures as and when they come up, but until then let's get on with the football.

Craig Bellamy

So it seem the Welshman who look's a little like an Orc has finally found another club to call home. Reports this morning are saying that West Ham have agrred a fee with Manchester City thought to be around £14m.

Now despite what people may think about his attitude and personality, I've always thought him to be a top player (when fit). I'm not entirely sure how wise it is to buy a player who's approaching 30 and has a history of injury problems.

I'm also not really sure why City think they need him, because as far as I can tell scoring goals is not their biggest problem. I suppose that when you have basically unlimited funds to spend Hughes is taking full advantage and bringing in players he wants to work with, I just think they have more pressing matters to sort out rather than their attack.

Ledley King

Whilst were on the subject of injury prone players I think it's only fitting that Ledley "man-o-glass" King should pop up with another spell in the treatment room.

Now I know he's their captain and I also know that when fit he is a top player, but sooner or later Spurs he to draw the line and get rid of him. What's the point having a player who struggles to play one game every two weeks?

It's a shame for all parties involved, I guess it's a bit like a relationship where despite the fact that the boy and girl still love each other, they have come to realize after years of being together that it's just not working and both have to move on.

Football Guy v Mark Lawrenson

So far this weekend Lawro's had the misfortune of having more correct scores than me but scoring less points due to having no perfect scores. There's still one game left, but both me and Lawro have 1-0 Liverpool win so it wont effect things very much.

This Week

Football Guy - PS 1 CR 5 WR 4

Lawro           - PS 0 CR 6 WR 3

Players you wish you had made captain but never would

1. Robert Koren    - 16pts
2. Pablo Zabaleta -15pts
3. Chris Brunt       - 13pts
4. Jason Roberts  - 12pts (have been banging on about him for a few weeks now,yet still have not got him myself in fantasy football)
5. Carlton Cole     - 12pts

The Cristiano Ronaldo award for fantasy excellence

1. Robert Koren - 16pts

There seem to be a trend developing here where these no-mark players pop up with super weeks and win this award. Just so you know, it took Koren the previous EIGHT weeks to score the same amount of points he did this weekend.

Gareth Bale watch 

So as it turns out I was wrong twice about Football's biggest Jinx. In last weeks Monday hangover I said it was 23 league games without victory for Bale and I predicted on Friday night that it would end this weekend.

Wrong on both accounts, as it turns out it is now 21 league game without ever tasting victory and it actually equals Gilles Barnes record set last season with Derby.

Not a goo omen for Spurs and their fight for survival that their players are equaling records set by players of the worst team in Premirship history.

Winners and Losers

Winners

Fans who stay till the end

There is a very annoying trend in football these days for fan's to leave up to 10 minutes early for some games to beat the traffic..... What complete front-bottoms!

For those of you who leave early you missed seven goals this weekend and all baring Jason Roberts second were very important goals. Shame on you.

Losers

Mike Dean

Yep, the man from the Wirral. Nothing to do with the red he gave to Ashley Young, that was the right decision.

It's to do with him missing James Milner's hand touching the ball for the first goal, giving a penalty that was outside the box for the second goal and then failing to give Sunderland what looked like a stone wall pen.... Shame on you.

Final Thoughts

As I'm ill and have to get ready to go to work I'm cutting this Monday hangover a little short. I hope work send me home and I hope I feel better soon.

Take care 

Football Guy

Hi all, it's time for another late night weekend preview due to work.... As I said last week, you will have to bear with me until I get used to this last work routine.

Anyway, I don;t really have much to talk about so I think we should get straight to it.

Blackburn v Newcastle

So apparently "mean" Joe Kinnear wants to snap up Nigel Quashie...... So... your in the midst of a relegation fight... I know what I'll do to solve the problem, I'll buy a man who's already been relegated FOUR time from the Premiership in his career..... Smart move Joe, why not just walk in to the away end this Saturday at Ewood Park and take a BIG GIANT PISS on all the Newcastle faithful.

There's no chance in hell I'm backing Newcastle to win this one now, couple that with that fact I'm sure Fat Sam will be out for a bit of revenge after being fired from St James last season. Needless to say I think home win

Football Guy's verdict 2-0

Bolton v Manchester United

United don't seem to want to conceded at the moment and there's no reason to think they will start at the Reebok. They also have the chance to go top of the league, although it might only be until Monday night.

Even so it could be an ominous sign for the rest of the title chasers as I don;t think United have played anywhere near their best football this season so far.

Bolton have a good run of games after this one and I don't think will be too upset by a defeat from one of their neighbors.

Football Guy's verdict 0-2

Chelsea v Stoke

I know Stoke have done pretty well against the "Big Four" this season, but Chelsea really need this one and I think they will get it.

They were as poor as I've seen them since Abramovich took over last Sunday at Old Trafford and they need a performance.

I don;t this Stoke's bully-boy tactics will work very well at the Bridge and since that's the only way they know how to play Chelsea should be fine

Football Guy's verdict 2-0

Manchester City v Wigan

Kaka... £100m.....£500k a week..... Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the era of "the death of football as we know it".

OK, that might be a slight over the top, but I do think that we could be starting down a path from which there will be no turning back. I shall discuss this in a column in a few weeks.

I don't think Wigan have too much to worry about this season and since their out of the FA Cup I would say there season is pretty much over. As long as they don;t go in to total meltdown they should easily avoid the drop.

Football Guy's verdict 3-1

Sunderland v Aston Villa

I'm waiting for Villa's one real weakness to show it's self yet there seems to be no sign of it. I'm talking about the fact they have a pretty small squad and surely so timely injuries should put a stop to their fight for a top four finish.

Sunderland, please let Kenwyn Jones score for my Fantasy Team... Please!!!

Football Guy's verdict 1-2

West Brom v Middlesbrough

The proverbial six-pointer. It seems like Boro's last win came in a by-gone era when football was played with a orange leather ball and you could not only smoke in bar, but at work in hospital and at church too.

West Brom could move out of the bottom three this weekend if results go their way, but I think they should not worry about that and concentrate on picking up what could be a vital three points against a team they might well end up going down with.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Hull v Arsenal

Call me a pessimist, but despite the fact Hull are in their worst run of form this season I still fear for Arsenal's chances tomorrow. Maybe it's just because I still have nightmares of Giovanni's thunder strike at the Emirates, or the fact I just don't trust my beloved Gooners to go and get a result they really need.

Fantasy Football note - With Silvestre and Gallas out for the next couple of weeks it might be a good time to snap out Johan Djourou who will be filling in for them for the time being.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

West Ham v Fulham

Probably the worst London derby this season. Although now I've said that there will surely be plenty of goals and loads to talk about.

Fulham are hunting only the second win from 12 meetings with the Hammers in this league and since you know how much I like trends it might give you a bit of an idea what my verdict will be.

Fantasy Football note - It might be a good idea to start signing some Fulham players in the next couple of weeks as they have no one nut two games to make up and that mean two chances to pick up extra point of what I like to call "double bubble".

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Tottenham v Portsmouth

So Jermain Defoe didn't have to wait long for a chance to stick it too the fan's who apparently threatened his life.... You stay classy Jermain.

Who's knows anymore what result Spurs might conjure, although I will say I think this could be the week Gareth Bale get's his virgin league win for Spurs.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

Liverpool v Everton

So Rafa has apparently turned down a new contract offer from Liverpool sighting lack of control as the reason. I don't blame him, as he say's in the link, he is judged by results on the pitch and ultimately responsible if things go wrong so he dosent want anyone else messing with his system.

Everton not only are missing a attack force, but are now missing half of the partnership that is filling in for them. Fellaini will most certainly be missed.

Football Guy's verdict 1-0

Take care 

Football Guy

Football Guy posting midweek?!?!? SHOCK, HORROR!

Don't worry, it's not the apocalypse or anything else untoward. It's just that I realized I failed to give a prediction for the Manchester United v Wigan match tonight and am not sure if Lawro will so I might as well just in case.

But before we get to that, I would like to send my commiserations to our resident Canaries fan and most frequent commentator on the site, Martin Race, who today I'm sure read the news Glenn Roeder has been sacked by his beloved Norwich City. I'm not sure how you feel about that Martin, but from my point of view it's good for the club.

Roeder was doing what he does with evey club he has managed.... Nothing. The team really hadn't gone anywhere and I think it was time for a change. Funnily enough this was (statistically speaking) Roeder's second best performance as a manager, which really put's in to perspective what a poor manager he is 

Team		From	To	Record
				P	W	L	D	Win %
Gillingham		1 August 1992	9 July 1993	51	13	22	16	25.49
Watford		1 August 1993	20 February 1996	139	44	55	40	31.65
West Ham United		9 May 2001	24 August 2003	86	27	36	23	31.39
Newcastle United		2 February 2006	6 May 2007	72	33	24	15	45.83
Norwich City		30 October 2007	14 January 2009	60	20	14	26	33.33

Cristiano Ronaldo

On Monday C-Ron was unsurprisingly named World Player of the Year. 42 goal, Premier League Champion and Champions League winner, can't really argue with that.

I will say that "I" personally think Messi is a better player, but due to what C-Ron has achieved in the last year I can;t complain with the award. I almost feel he should have won it due to the amount of Fantasy Football League's he single-handedly won last season.. If you had no C-Ron in your team last season and were not making him captain each week you were going to be at least 200+ points behind your league winner and that alone should have really won him World best player!

Manchester United v Wigan

As I already mentioned, I'm not sure if Lawro is giving a prediction for this one, but just in case I will anyway.

I'm pretty annoyed as I brought in Rio for John O'Shea thinking Rio would be back for these two games as would Evra. Turns out Evea is now out for four weeks due to the injury he sustained against Chelsea and Rio had another bout of back spasms (someone must have tipped him off that he would be drugs tested). Anyway, should have just stuck with O'Shea who I had to start with and brought in Wigan's Ryan Taylor like I wanted who picked up nine points on Sunday and anything he gets tonight would be a bonus.

United have not conceded a league goal in 720+ minutes of football (which is 8 games) two shy of Chelsea's Premier League record. It's a good thing their defense has been so tight because other than the three they scored against Chelsea, goals have be few and far between in their recent Premier league form.

Football Guy's verdict 2-0

Take care

Football Guy