What next for Man City’s peripherals?

Although the score line reflects otherwise, Manchester City’s latest 1-0 victory against Bolton proves that Roberto Mancini is finally allowing expansive football to seep through their ultra-defensive exterior, but it’s still very much work in progress. The affluent City owners will certainly sanct...

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Prem Relegation Battle: Could history repeat?

Not since the 2001/02 season have all three promoted sides from the Championship – or indeed the old First Division - survived the following year playing with the big-boys. So, nearly a decade-on could history repeat? Newcastle have adapted the better out of the trio and don’t look out of place in ...

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Has Berbatov made any progress?

Just over a year ago as the enigmatic Dimitar Berbatov was going through a lax spell, just as he is now, I wrote a piece entitled: ‘Berbatov: Is he on borrowed time?’ The article consequently underwent a bombardment from what were presumably Manchester United supporters, saying he needed more time ...

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Villa fans should beware of 'next big thing'...

An integral part of Arsenal’s 2003-04 invincible set-up has returned to England as Gerard Houllier attempts to stabilise his new squad, and if any Villa fans are uncertain of Houllier’s 37-year-old coup they should glance back ten years or so for comfort. Robert Pires may be in his twilight but he ...

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Tottenham reach end of ‘that’ ten year cycle…

Bournemouth F.C. escaped dropping out of the football league in 1993, the man responsible for this was Harry Redknapp. This same squad also shocked Manchester Utd in the FA cup that season by converting the holders into also-rans. Tottenham were considered more a cup team before Redknapp took charg...

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Hodgson requires patience...

At the time of writing Liverpool were still in the Coca-Cola Cup, but the sentiment remains.BBC Radio5 Live’s Jan Molby, (after defeat to Northampton, 22/09): “ I think we are seeing the legacy of the Rafael Benitez reign right here…”Internet forum’s were awash with scathing attacks on Roy Hodgson a...

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Is Wenger Looking in the Wrong Place?

While the summer transfer rumour-mill has relentlessly linked Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer with a move to the Emirates, the answer to Arsene Wenger’s biggest problem, surely lies within Eastland’s rather than at Craven Cottage. Joe Hart should be Wenger’s priority in the transfer market. It would require...

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Should ‘Woy’ lead the Anfield revolution?

If reports on Friday’s BBC Football website are accurate then Roy Hodgson, currently fulfilling punditry obligations in South Africa, is being lined up as Liverpool’s big summer signing. But is that a positive signal of intent? Hodgson enjoyed an enchanted last season but is the Fulham boss really t...

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Everton’s No10 - Best Premiership player never to be fully capped?

Mikel Arteta is the most creative player on Everton’s books. He was blessed with over-generous helpings of footballing ability but then that is a pre-requisite for F.C. Barcelona trainees. It still ceases to amaze that his International career never passed the infancy stage. The Spanish playmaker w...

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Bobby Zamora: Making His Case...

Fulham have a striker whose penny has finally dropped. This season Bobby Zamora has delivered slithers of evidence that he is finally comfortable being a Premiership striker. All this in the same season that Fabio Capello has a very important England squad to pick…As Zamora was leaving his teenage y...

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Is Berbatov On Borrowed Time?

Flashes of brilliance best defines Dimitar Berbatov’s Manchester United career to date, (the sublime goal line turn and flick to set up Ronaldo against West Ham comes to mind), but surely £30m warrants more than intermittent touches of class.At the time of writing, his career at Old Trafford represe...

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Ronaldo: Will United or The Premiership miss him?

It seems extraordinary that the two players, who were integral to a majority of last summers transfer talk, will both have new clubs as soon as the end of June. Gareth Barry is already a Manchester City player and the wheels are in motion for Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Spanish capital.Real Madr...

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Ruud van Nistelrooy: Surely A Snip?

If there is any validity in what the transfer rumour mill has been churning out, then Tottenham are close to signing Real Madrid and ex-Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.Madrid have just smashed the World transfer record, (reported £56m), by securing the services of Brazilian playmaker K...

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Biggest Flops Of 08/09 Season…

Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd)Berbatov’s absence from the starting line up in the Champions League Final against Barcelona says much about his debut season for Manchester United. His partnership at Tottenham with Robbie Keane was evidence enough that he can be an integral part of any team. No one doubts...

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Can Liverpool Finally Close The Gap?

Slightly contradictory it may be, but barring the ridiculous Rafa rant and the bare fact that Liverpool ended up trophy less, strangely, it can still be perceived as a good season for the Reds.Following nine months that has shown much promise without direct reward, the players now believe they can w...

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Five Worthy Premiership Signings 08/09 …

Even the most ardent of Manchester United supporters will agree that Dimitar Berbatov, with his lethargic approach, has failed to prove he is worth anywhere close to his £30 million tag.Amr Zaki stormed the premiership upon his arrival, riding the crest of a wave that had him touted as a potential t...

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Any Potential Buyers For Michael Owen?

As the business end of the season is in full swing the transfer rumour mill will also start to gather pace. The ‘no rules’ approach from Real Madrid in tempting Ronaldo to the Bernabéu will no doubt dominate the headlines, as will the re-birth of the Gareth Barry saga.There is another prospective tr...

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The North-East Relegation Battle…

Following an international break that was welcomed in certain quarters but maligned in others, the Premiership reaches a finale that will shred nerves at both ends of the table.The title race takes top billing, just, but the fight for survival reaches an exciting climax. Especially as the north-east...

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Does Capello Really Not Need Owen?

Michael Owen has an excellent goal scoring record at international level, averaging almost a goal every two games – 40 in 89 games to be precise.Fabio Capello was quizzed about calling Owen up to the squad for the game against the Ukraine, in limited English he ruled out such a move. I have to choos...

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Manchester Utd can be beaten with some ambition…

In the long term, Manchester United will probably be the biggest beneficiaries from the mauling they suffered at Old Trafford against Liverpool. It was a defeat that will only sharpen the focus for their title run-in. Their pride will have been damaged but the retention of their title that is predic...

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Gianfranco Zola and Tony Adams, Such Contrasting Fortunes…

West Ham are a club rising in football stature. Barring the two members of the customary top four based in the capital, they are the best club in London. Gianfranco Zola has got them playing some quite nice football too. On the 9th September 2008, The Hammers announced that 42 year old Zola would ...

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Are Newcastle Too Big to go Down?

First it was Nottingham Forest then it was Leeds Utd, both fell victim to the old cliché of being ‘too big to go down’. The latter have been in freefall ever since. Newcastle United’s recent defeat against Bolton leaves them in 15th place, just two points above the drop zone. Portsmouth and Blackbur...

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Villa & Everton – Serious Top Four Gatecrashers?

Not since 2004-05 has any club had the audacity to attempt to gatecrash the golden top four. Everton were the last to have any of the other elite on the periphery – that season it was their neighbours Liverpool.As we approach the three quarters mark of this season, Aston Villa and Everton are trying...

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Man United’s Quintuplet assault – Better squad than 1999?

Ten years ago in 1999 Sir Alex Ferguson masterminded a Manchester United treble winning team. Barring replays, United are potentially 23 games away from a outstanding quintuplet of trophies in 2009.As time goes by this season, with the possibility of Utd achieving this mammoth feat, comparisons will...

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The Top Four return to European Action…

Europe’s elite will hold off from their individual title challenges, with focus returning to the Champions League - as the biggest club competition is revived. The business end of the season is gathering pace across Europe. Arsenal, Manchester Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea all face either Spanish or I...

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