Will he ever win one...?

Keegan insisted Michael Owen is "still a world-class player" as England coach Fabio Capello watched the Newcastle striker grab a vital equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham.

But they still didn't get THAT first win!

Keegan also had problems with his choice of substitutions... Keegan insisted there would be no fall-out with Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins over his reaction to being substituted during the Premier League clash at Birmingham.
Martins impressed in what his first start under Keegan after returning from the African Nations Cup with an ankle injury and set up the equaliser for Michael Owen in a 1-1 draw at St Andrews.
But he showed his displeasure when taken off with 10 minutes to go and appeared to ignore Keegan's offer of a handshake before sitting at the back of the dug-out.
Keegan felt the need to console Martins and admitted the player had every reason to be unhappy as he stressed the move was purely tactical and no reflection on Martins' performance.

Ooops...just looks to be getting worse over at St. James Park!!!

Gary

Champions League Review

Well it had to happen, at least one quarter final had to be all English, shame really. Liverpool v Arsenal! Gonna be a good one.

But what about the Man Utd v Roma tie? I very much doubt it will be a repeat of the 7-1 thrashing the Red Devils gave them at this stage in last years competition. Fabio Cappello, an ex Roma manager himself , agrees; "I believe that among the four English sides that Roma could have been drawn with, they have been paired with the team that will better suit them to express their own football," he told told Italian TV station Rai Sport. He goes on to say; "The unprecedented defeat suffered last season at Old Trafford has helped Roma face rivals with more concentration in the Champions League this season," he said.
"I am certain we will see a different Roma, being more organised on the pitch and one that will do much better."

I also believe that Chelski have the easiest of the quarter final draw gainst Stubborn, but not overly exciting Turkish outfit Fenerbahce with a semi-final spot against Arsenal or Liverpool the prize. At least an English team will be in the final. My prediction? Man Utd v Arsenal for the ultimate club prize!!

Gazza

Well it's been a while guys and gals but I AM Back! I hope you have all been well.

It's turning into a bloody interesting season isn't it? Man Utd and Arsenal playing tag, Chelsea with their 'will they or won't they?', Benitez with his head in the clouds and Spurs with their roller coaster season among many other things.

But what about the FA Cup?! Whoever said the magic has gone? I didn't! I wonder what the odds would've been on;

Barnsley v Cardiff

Portsmouth v WBA in the semi finals? Absolutely incredible! Magical really.

Personally I think Barnsley deserve to win it after dumping out both Liverpool and Chelsea but I can't see it, I've a sneaky feeling for WBA, but this year who knows. I'm certainly not risking any money on it!

Let me know what you all think and I'll catch you all tomorrow!

Gazza

ENGLAND TO BID FOR 2018

The rotation policy is out the window opening the way for England to bid for the 2018 World Cup.

Gordon Brown is for it, the Government is for it and the fans are for it. But, there's always a but, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg have already formally tabled a joint bid.

So in my humble opinion why waste the money bidding for something that we are not going to get? Fair enough, we won the Olympic bid but how much has it already cost us? And they won't even let us field an English football team!

Use the money that will be put aside for the bid to improve grass roots football in this country, so enabling us to maybe win the damn World Cup sometime in the future!!

Gazza

The Top Ten

The Top Ten

P W D L F A GD Pts

1 Manchester United 11 8 2 1 19 4 15 26

2 Arsenal 9 8 1 0 21 6 15 25

3 Manchester City 11 7 1 3 15 13 2 22

4 Chelsea 11 6 3 2 16 8 8 21

5 Liverpool 9 5 4 0 16 5 11 19

6 Portsmouth 11 5 4 2 19 12 7 19

7 Blackburn Rovers 9 5 3 1 13 8 5 18

8 Newcastle United 10 5 2 3 17 13 4 17

9 West Ham United 10 4 2 4 12 9 3 14

10 Aston Villa 9 4 2 3 13 12 1 14

So Man Utd gain their rightfull place at the top of the league(until at least 6 o'clock today!) with a great result against Middlesborough. But the result of the day, as much as I hate to say it, was Chelsea's 6-0 drubbing of Man City. Good day all round then!!

A little mention for Leeds United. 4-2 winners at home to Millwall. That takes them 6th in the league, still unbeaten and with 15 points harshly deducted!! Brilliant !