Whether you love or loath FIFA you have to admit that they are always at the centre of talking points within the sport. Russia, Qatar, Sepp Blatter and his thoughts on gays – there’s always something interesting going on in Zurich.

The latest round of backpatting was the recent announcement of Lionel Messi as the recepient of the Ballon d’Or. In addition to that award, FIFA also announced their choice of the current world eleven.

Here is the team, playing a 4-3-3 formation and presumably coached by Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho who was named Coach of the Year:

Casillas (Spain)
Maicon (Brazil)
Lucio (Brazil)
Pique (Spain)
Puyol (Spain)
Sneijder (Holland)
Xavi (Spain)
Iniesta (Spain)
Messi (Argentina)
Ronaldo (Portugal)
Villa (Spain)

As a breakdown by country Spain has no less than six representatives, maybe no real surprise considering they won the World Cup, Brazil has two representatives while Holland, Argentina and Portugal round out the eleven. The biggest surprise for me is the fact that all eleven players are drawn from just three clubs, all European, namely Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan. Is it a reality that the best eleven players in the world play for just three clubs, all on the same continent? Two of those teams did not participate in Europe’s premier club final last season while Bayern Munich have no players named.

While we are talking about finalists being snubbed how can Holland only have the one player named after their exciting World Cup which culminated in a runners-up spot? This is hot on the heels of UEFA’s choices of Julio Cesar (GK), Maicon (DEF), Wesley Sneijder (MID) and Diego Milito (FOR) as respective players of the season (2009-10) for their positions. For those not fully in the know, all four players ply their trade at Inter Milan.

My question is this: Are these choices fair choices and well deserved or are FIFA and UEFA leaning heavily towards the glamour clubs and possibly snubbing the English teams?

I’m hoping that it’s the former, especially for the good of the game, and that our English representatives can start earning some hardware in the international arena again pretty soon.

In the sporting world a W usually indicates a win, a victory. In this article it is the basis of those teams hovering around the relegation trapdoor in the Premier League: West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion. Aside from a very lacklustre Aston Villa these are the teams staring the drop in the face.

West Ham had a decent Christmas break after their offer to Avram Grant to essentially “win a few or pack your bags”. The thing now is that ruse has been used, what else do they have up their sleeves to motivate the Happy Israeli and his troops? Scott Parker is a class player but he doesn’t have much help around him. Carlton Cole’s best position is as a benchwarmer although he keeps getting chances because the rest of the Hammers’ strike force is AWOL. I can’t see this team avoiding the drop and even think they are probably joint-favourites to finish bottom of the league.

Wigan Athletic would be my local team should I still be living in the town in which I grew up. Nevertheless, I feel that if I were still there I would be travelling to Bolton to watch Premier League football next season. Wigan are very possibly the worst team in the league yet, somehow, they eke out a result every now and again. Roberto Martinez’s knowledge of the game is either very low or he cannot translate it to the players. After seeing him comment on the World Cup I fear it’s the former. My other joint-favourites to finish bottom.

So, who’s my third choice to bite the bullet? I would like that distinction to go to West Bromwich Albion. Roberto DiMatteo seems to be learning the job as the season goes along … and that won’t work in this league. His team are very workmanlike and results seem to show that they are hard to beat at The Hawthorns but they need results on the road to back those up. I can’t see too many more of those in their future. They’ll be playing in the second tier next season in my opinion.

Aston Villa are too good to go down. Sure, you’ve heard that with other teams and better teams than this year’s Villa have bit the dust but I just have this feeling that it will all click for the Villans pretty soon. Over at the Wolves Mick McCarthy is simply a hard nosed manager who is used to being in this position, unfortunately for him. I think his team’s work rate and his experience of the situation will pull the Golden Ones through to live another season.

So, to recap, my bottom five will be:
16th – Aston Villa
17th – Wolves
18th – West Brom
19th/20th – Wigan Athletic/West Ham United

I feel comfortable in saying that anyone watching Manchester United this season will agree that they don’t quite seem to be themselves so far.

The season is now just over a month old and already they have dropped valuable points with draws against Fulham and Everton and been held at home by Rangers in the Champion’s League. Granted, the Red Devils sit in third place in the Barclay’s Premier League with one of those teams mentioned, Fulham, going strong in fifth but they are already four points adrift of front-runners Chelsea and now face a tougher task in Group C of the Champion’s League.

Sir Alex always seems to look jaded these days and doesn’t put up the same intensity that he became famous/notorious for at his peak. Is he just accepting decisions and bad results more gracefully or is he ready to hang up the proverbial boots?

Rooney can’t seem to get himself fit and anywhere near his potential while Ryan Giggs has seen the yellow card twice in as many games. Evra hasn’t looked anything like his old self since his meltdown in South Africa while Valencia won’t be participating any time soon and each time Ferguson puts out a team it’s a different eleven with no continuity or cohesion in the team’s units.

When you have a squad as large and as skillful as United has you have to feel that they can and will find a way to overcome most teams in most games but they looked clueless against Rangers’ brick wall of a defence on Tuesday. United out shot Rangers, seven of their attempts on goal and five of those as the game came down to the wire in the final 5-10 minutes. Yet none of those chances were clear cut and one where you would have backed the shooter to score, more like shots from distance or a scrambled toe poke.

We all know that with their quality Manchester United will be in the top four come the end of the season but will they be pushing for a title or will their bubble have burst and we will see them struggling to make the higher end of European action next season? Those who love to hate the Reds will be hoping for the latter … or even worse, but those of us who root for the English teams in Europe know that a United team firing on all cylinders is more than a match for anyone.

The next month or so should go a long way to determining how United’s season may pan out with games against Liverpool, Bolton, Sunderland and West Brom in the league, a trip to Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup and a now crucial game against Valencia, also on the road, in the Champion’s League.

Personally, I’m torn between the two possibilities. I like to see different clubs having success but I also know that Manchester United usually represent our country well in Europe and I am all for English success!

Round One of pool play is in the books along with the opening game of Round Two and one statistic that is standing out for me is the success rate of the South American teams.

In Group A Uruguay now look a lock to advance after a 0-0 draw with France and a comfortable 3-0 win over hosts South Africa thanks mainly to two goals by Diego Forlan. They should get a result against Mexico too which would see them through to the Round of 16.

Elsewhere, fellow South Americans Brazil may may have struggled against unknowns North Korea but the result was the expected victory to set them on their way. Highly fancied Argentina, led by national hero and cheat, Diego Maradona, also opened with a 1-0 victory albeit a less convincing one as they defeated Nigeria to open their tournament. Paraguay battled to a 1-1 draw with Italy in their Group F opener which will help their cause and Chile looked good as they knocked off a weak Honduras team by 1-0 to start their campaign.

After six days of play no South American team has yet met defeat. The European stakes are somewhat different though.

France struggled to a 0-0 draw to open against Uruguay while Greece failed to get off the bus against South Korea, going down 2-0 in Group B. Everyone knows England’s exploits as they could only draw against USA. Slovenia did gain a 1-0 victory over Algeria while Serbia went down 1-0 to a Ghana penalty.

Netherlands defeated fellow Europeans, Denmark 2-0 to open Group E while Italy struggled against Paraguay 1-1. Portugal could only muster a goalless draw against Ivory Coast while Switzerland stunned Spain 1-0 in another all-European game.

The host continent of Africa seems to be struggling on their own soil. South Africa’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Uruguay coupled with their opening day draw with Mexico all but knocks them out of the tournament making them the first ever host country not to make it out of pool play. Nigeria lost to Argentina, Algeria lost to Slovenia, Cameroon went down 1-0 to Japan while Ivory Coast earned their draw with Portugal and Ghana have claimed the continent’s only win to date.

Brazil to win it all? Or have the South Americans peaked too early? One thing is for sure …. South Africa didn’t!

Ever since the now defunct Chester City met their demise in the Football League their small group of loyal fans have been working hard to get their beloved club back into action and playing as a bona fide business concept again. They may have hit the big time if their latest offing is fully accepted by the Football Association.

It has been reported that a Russian conglomerate, headed by Mikhail Prokhorov (who also has a bid in to buy the NBA’s current worst team, the New Jersey Nets) has placed a plan on the table which calls for the clearing of any debts still attached to the Deva Stadium and the pumping of £135 million to relaunch the club so that it can not only hold its own but compete on and off the field.

The problem is that Chester City no longer exists as an entity. As this moment in time Chester FC does not exist as a business either. So how does Chester FC, once it sets itself up in business, rebuild its playing squad in such a short amount of time?

The answer lies in yet another American connection.

In 1961, 1992 and again in 1997 America’s Major League Baseball expanded, adding two teams each time. The way that they stocked those teams with viable players that could perform immediately was by having a “draft”. This is the proposal put forward by the FA to restock Chester FC’s squad and have them ready to compete by the start of the season in August 2010.

Here’s the proposal reduced to layman’s terms: Chester FC will be able to claim players from each and every team that will be in the Football League, Championship and even the Premier League. However, those teams will have named three players per team that will be available to be drawn on for the draft.

Before everyone thinks that Chester FC could conceivably be playing in League Two with Premier League standard players all over the field we should note that the FA have a clause placed in the plan that states that Chester FC MUST show that they can and will cover those players agreeable wages and thus will not place themselves as a business in a precarious position right out of the starting blocks. Realistically the draft would probably bring in three to four players from each of the top three divisions while the rest of the players to round out the squad of thirty six players would come from rival League Two teams. There would be no transfer fees involved and Chester FC would acquire the services, contracts and salaries of the drafted players immediately.

City Fans United spokesman Geoff Blanks said: “The fans want to go back to the name Chester Football Club as that’s the name that everyone used to associate us with. If we can now get this plan passed and implemented we can get the new club back on track and people in and around Chester will once again have a team to support and be proud of.”

Prospective owner, Prokhorov, stated, “Football is a game that we like and enjoy in Russia. We have seen what has happened with teams like Manchester City after an injection of money and would like to eventually reach the level that they play at”.

Controversial or not, this situation is certainly one to keep an eye on and watch develop.

Now that the domestic season is over I thought it would be a good time to take a look at the World Cup qualifying groups from the European theatre.  Here we look at all nine groups and try to determine who will be representing our continent in the biggest sporting event on the face of the earth next year.

Group One

Albania, Denmark, Hungary, Malta, Portugal, Sweden

The favourites for this group before a ball was kicked was undoubtedly the Portuguese, but they have failed to find consistent form and find themselves currently in third place, seven points behind leaders Denmark and four behind Hungary with just four games left to play.  Portugal do have both the countries above them to play but, even with two wins, they will need some help to qualify as winners.

My Prediction: Denmark go through as winners, Portugal finish as runners-up.

Group 2

Greece, Israel, Latvia, Luxembourg, Moldova, Switzerland

To this day I have no idea how a Middle Eastern country like Israel are included in the European qualifiers but here they are!  This group is still pretty tight with Greece and Switzerland leading the way with 13 points from their six games and Latvia tucked in third place with 10 points.  Switzerland have to play both countries mentioned and they did beat both of them the first time around so I would feel that they are the favourites at this point.  It all may come down to the goal difference in this group with Greece holding that trump card as we stand.

My Prediction: Switzerland (winners), Greece (runners-up)

Group 3

Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Poland, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia

Another fairly tight race here with Northern Ireland currently in the second spot but having played a game more than their nearest rivals.  Slovakia lead the pack with England’s perennial spanner, Poland, in third.  Unfortunately, Northern Ireland’s remaining games are a bit of a rough ride and that will probably see the end of their World Cup campaign.

My Prediction:  Slovakia (winners), Poland (runners-up)

Group 4

Azerbaijan, Finland, Germany, Leichtenstein, Russia, Wales

Wednesday’s game between Finland and Russia could go a long way towards deciding final positions in this group with Germany looking a lock for the top spot.  After that game, Finland have the bottom three countries to play and that is a big advantage for them.  If they avoid defeat at the hands of Russia they go through to the playoffs.

My Prediction: Germany (winners), Finland (runners-up)

Group 5

Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Estonia, Spain, Turkey

Spain, are proving their worth with an unblemished record after six games while Bosnia-Herzegovina are looking good in second.  As long as the Bosnians can avoid defeat at the hands of Turkey they should be good for the playoffs.

My Prediction:  Spain (winners), Bosnia-Herzegovina (runners-up)

Group 6

Andorra, Belarus, Croatia, England, Kazakhstan, Ukraine

Plenty of Eastern European representatives in this group with our beloved England.  As we all know, England are off to a great start with six victories to open their group account.  The real battle here is for second place with three countries still in with a shout.  Croatia should be the favourites over Belarus and Ukraine but these eastern countries can prove a bit of an enigma.  If there is going to be a surprise look for it coming in this group.

My Prediction: England (winners), Croatia (runners-up)

Group 7

Austria, Faroe Islands, France, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia

Lord, what would we give to see the French sat on their butts watching the World Cup from their couches next year?  Unfortunately, that probably won’t happen!  Currently sat in second place behind Serbia, they have a game in hand on them and two on third placed Lithuania.  With two games against the little Faroe Islands you have to feel that their goal difference will rise drastically as well as their points total.  That said, I feel that Serbia can hold on to take the group and France will have to play extra games to make South Africa next year.

My Prediction:  Serbia (winners), France (runners-up)

Group 8

Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Italy, Montenegro, Republic of Ireland

The Irish had a huge letdown last Saturday when a soft goal by Bulgaria turned three points into one but they still sit comfortably in the second spot behind Italy.  I feel that Italy will take this group despite having two draws from their six games played so far.  The playoff spot will probably come down to how Ireland and Bulgaria fare against the Italians.

My Prediction:  Italy (winners),  Republic of Ireland (runners-up)

Group 9

FYR Macedonia, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland

The Tartan Army saw results go their way over the weekend and help strengthen their spot in second place.  With there being only five countries in this group only eight games are played and Scotland have taken 7 points from their five so far.  The Netherlands have a perfect record after six games and will take the group honours but the Scots should be able to play out their games with the results needed to make the playoff spot.

The Playoffs

Portugal, Greece, Finland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Republic of Ireland, Scotland

Here’s where the fun starts!  Because there are nine groups and only eight playoff countries are needed one runner-up will lose out.  Also, because there are only five teams in Group Nine, the other group runners-up will have their records against the bottom placed team expunged for this exercise.  With that in mind I’ve selected the eight teams above to progress:

Portugal, France, Croatia, Republic of Ireland

At this point it becomes a blind draw with two-leg games to determine those countries that progress to South Africa.  Obviously I have no idea how the draw will break down but here are my four to advance from the eight I chose.

]]> http://www.dexysden.co.uk/2009/06/world-cup-qualifiers-how-are-the-european-groups-shaping-up/feed/ 13 http://www.dexysden.co.uk/2009/05/the-art-of-awarding-a-penalty/ http://www.dexysden.co.uk/2009/05/the-art-of-awarding-a-penalty/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 07:00:04 +0000 Dave Redden http://blog.ukfootballfinder.co.uk/?p=997

I have been involved with the beautiful game in so many different aspects – player, manager/coach, tournament director, fan and even as a referee. In all of those positions the same feeling of complete fairness has always been close, if not at the top, of my priorities.

Let’s take that word – fairness – and return to Wednesday evening and the Chelsea versus Barcelona game. Personally I counted six penalty claims by Chelsea, all of which were viable claims although no-one would have given a penalty for all of them. Most English newspapers the following day went with just the four serious shouts by Chelsea and The Guardian actually broke the claims down over a two page spread.

I have heard and even engaged in the arguments over whether or not Chelsea should have been given any or all of the penalties claimed and that’s not what this article is about, even though I’ll bet the house that’s what all the comments will focus on. No, my article is simply about the fairness of the game itself. Fairness to all the players and team officials involved, fairness to all the fans of the clubs involved, fairness to the worldwide television audience of such a big game as the one being discussed and, more importantly, fairness to the sport itself.

In England on Saturday I noticed a rash of penalties being given by referees. Granted, I did not watch all the games played in the Premier League and I do not know how many penalty claims there were in those six games but to have an average of almost a penalty a game given seems a little extreme to me. Maybe the officiating pendulum swung too far the other way and our domestic referees didn’t want to be seen in the same vein as the now notorious Tom Henning Ovrebo and gave penalties just to be seen as open to the thought. There was even a penalty given in the other big game of the day, Burnley versus Reading, which turned out to be the difference in a 1-0 game.

My point is that a foul is a foul. No matter where it occurs on the pitch, no matter when it occurs in the time frame of the game and most definitely no matter what the score of the game is. All of us have played football in some shape or form. Remember how hard done by we felt when that one penalty claim was turned down by that gangly referee who obviously has never played the game and doesn’t get the intricacies? Now take those feelings to a Champions League semi-final and times by at least four. Only one word comes to mind for me – injustice.

Of course, had the now infamous Didier “Outburst” Drogba but away that sitter of a chance by slightly lifting the shot over the outstretched leg of Valdes we wouldn’t need to have these conversations. Same can be said if Michael Essien would have planted the ball in Row Z instead of tickling it on its way to the opposition immediately prior to the equaliser and eventual tie-winning away goal.

It will be interesting to see how the English teams perform in Europe again next year. It will also be interesting to see if Reading can come back from the heartbreak of losing their Championship Playoff semi final first leg to a late penalty.

Newcastle make their point

Before you all start to laugh at this article let me preface this by saying that the Magpies will have to play much better over their last six matches than they did against Stoke if they would like to be 1/20th of the Premier League next season.

That said, they have one jewel in their squad that, if allowed to play the season out, could be the one to pull them from the mire. That jewel is 20 year old Andy Carroll. He has certain attributes that suit the #9 shirt at Newcastle, namely the willingness to work hard, an understanding of his position in the penalty area, a forward’s thinking process when a shot is there to be taken and, most importantly of all, the fact that being a local lad he genuinely knows what the fans are going through and what is needed to save the day. Can he provide it? Time will tell, but only if he’s given the chance.

His height and speed will make for a great strike force partnered with Michael Owen. Shola Ameobi is nowhere near the class of player needed upfront and with Obafemi Martins carrying a groin injury (yeah, right) the time has come to blood the youngster against the teams left to play, including Liverpool and Aston Villa.

So what if it doesn’t work? He gets six games of experience in the world’s best league and he is contracted until 2013 and will probably stay longer if treated right. That also needs to start happening with Carroll’s off the field antics, having been involved in three issues already. England’s international team needs players like Carroll to come to the fore and that means their management teams need to groom them accordingly.

The Return of SuperMac? He certainly reminds me of Malcolm MacDonald with his hustle and eye for goal but he has a long way to go to get to that level. Still, even MacDonald started out somewhere!

United still on track for quintuple trophies … thanks to an iPod!

Congratulations to Manchester United on lifting the Carling Cup after a penalty shootout against Spurs on Sunday.  Love them or loathe them, you have to admire their success.

However, this trophy landed in their overflowing cabinet with the aid of the iPod.  Yes folks, technology has entered the professional football arena.  Apparently United goalkeeper (for the day), Ben Foster used the iPod of goalkeeping coach, Eric Steele, to view video content of past penalties of the Spurs players immediately prior to the shootout taking place.  United won the shootout 4-1.

The BBC calls the move “innovative”.  I’m not so sure.  In a sport where video is not allowed to change refereeing decisions it seems that the iPod move is a legal aspect of the game.  I understand the need to scout teams and even individual players but, in my mind, to take actual video onto the pitch and use it while in a game is not on.  Even the American Football fraternity with all their gizmos and replays and 4 hour games don’t allow teams to use video as part of their in-game strategy, although still photographs are allowed.

As I have already pointed out, it seems the move is a legal move but is it within the spirit of the game?

Do you think United would have mentioned to Harry and the Spurs players that they were busy watching videos of the five chosen to take the penalties?  Knowing Sir Alex, probably not.  He aims to create and use as many beneficial scenarios for him and his team as possible.

I’d be interested to see what you, the reader, thinks of all this.  Try not to consider who the team involved is.  Think about it from both angles.  If it happened against your team, how would you feel?  Would your thoughts still be the same if it was your team benefiting from the move?  Comments are welcome!

Liverpool 1 Man City 1

Liverpool drop two more crucial points at home and in the process almost handing the title to Man United who are now odds on favourites to raise the championship trophy again this season.

How did they do it? The groundwork for this result was laid in the transfer market back in January and the money was spent by the City, not United.

City took the lead in the early part of the second half with a goal by Craig Bellamy, albeit aided by one hell of a deflection. Liverpool laid siege to City’s goal and did pull a goal back through Dirk Kuyt but could not find that all important winning goal. Major road blocks to the Liverpool cause and, in my opinion, the best defenders during this all important ten minutes of the season, were Wayne Bridges, Nigel de Jong and the impeccable Shay Given who pulled off two world class saves.

All of the Manchester City players mentioned so far were purchased during the January transfer window. The interesting note here is that many pundits wrote off the purchases of both Bellamy and Bridge while De Jong and Given always looked solid buys. I would like to bet that even those afore-mentioned pundits who reside on the red side of Manchester are happily eating their words.

It won’t be too often that either side of Manchester are thanking their hated counterparts but I’m betting there will be one or two beers bought and swapping hands this weekend, thanks to Man City’s dabbling in the transfer market.

It’s Madchester sans the twisting melons.

OK. So I realise that everyone and their Mother has an opinion on Manchester City and their search for new talent to wear the Sky Blue in the near future. Here’s my twopennorth!

Manchester City fans were delirious when the club was bought out by Sheikh Mansour and his group and their (almost) bottomless pockets. Now they are delirious with the faint prospect of relegation. Everyone knew that City would hit the January transfer window like an addicted shopper hits the post-Christmas sales but now it’s more of a necessity than the luxury it was supposed to be.

People need to realize that the new owners bought City for more than the obvious reason. Yes, they are interested in the sport of football and yes, the English Premier League is without doubt the best in the world. It is precisely that fact that brought the group to Manchester. One of their main aims is to promote the country of Abu Dhabi and they see owning Manchester City as a vehicle to doing just that.

With that in mind who would consider their recent attempt to lure the absurdly named Kaka from Italian giants, AC Milan, as a complete failure? Certainly not me! Consider the free publicity they have gained for themselves from the offer. If they get their guy, great, they wanted him anyway. If not, ah well, they tried and failed but hit the sports pages and television talk shows all over the world.

It’s not like they aren’t chasing other players in the meantime. I’m not talking about the much traveled Craig Bellamy who, at best, will be a short term substitute and who knows what else. They will land more players of high quality, having already signed Wayne Bridge and snatched Hamburg’s midfielder, Nigel de Jong from under the noses of Real Madrid.

Manchester City now knows where it stands in the world that is the transfer market. Money alone will not bring top class players to Eastlands. Success will do that. The Sky Blues need to work on finishing as high in the league as they can and then building on that to aim for a Top 5 finish for the next couple of seasons and pull in a cup or two along the way. Maybe then they can chase the Kakas of the world successfully.

A quick guide to what the Premier League clubs are hoping for in the New Year

Arsenal: A Lifeline

The Gunners are hanging onto slim hopes of a championship. Many believe that they have already lost any chance of taking the title this year but, with 20 games left, Arsenal are looking for that lifeline to help save them and pull them through by the end of the season.

Aston Villa: A Trophy

The season that Villa are putting together deserves a trophy of some kind in my mind. I don’t feel that they can sustain the results to take the championship but they are still in the FA Cup (isn’t everyone, I hear you say), and the UEFA Cup. Either one of those would be nice for them … if not both!

Blackburn Rovers: The Continuation of the Savior

Big Sam Allardyce! Newcastle’s loss is Blackburn’s gain … so far! Sam has taken over the reins at Ewood Park and, to date, they have gone unbeaten since he arrived, taking five points from nine and really should have beaten Manchester City. Still in the danger zone, I would rate Blackburn as my favourites of the current three to avoid the drop, mainly due to the appointment of Allardyce.

Bolton Wanderers: Just a New Year, thanks!

Despite their 11th place standing in the league, Bolton Wanderers had a horrific end to 2008, taking just three points from their last four games. The Trotters are just happy to move into the New Year and are hoping it bring some new found luck and positive results with it.

Chelsea: A Banana Skin

… to place under the heels of championship rivals, Liverpool. The Blues have been a tad rocky of late dropping a few points to drawn games, especially at home. I fell they will need help to take the whole enchilada!

Everton: The Next Four Months to be called December

The Toffees had a great December. Take away the thriller against Villa when they lost 3-2 deep in added time and they possibly had the best month in the league. Wins over Sunderland, Boro and Manchester City along with a draw against Chelsea took them to 6th in the table and gave them a springboard to drive on and finish higher for a European spot to relish. More December weather please shouts the blue side of Merseyside.

Fulham: Silver Foil

It’s a well known fact that, during the Second World War, attacking planes would fly in under a gazillion tons of silver foil. Why? Because the foil blocked the radars of the Jerries and we could fly in comparatively quietly and surprise the hell out of them. Fulham have done the same thus far this season and need more silver foil to drop on the grounds around the Premier League to continue their success.

Hull City: More of the same

Realistically Hull City would be more than happy to finish the season in 8th place. They would gladly take a second half similar to their first half regardless of one or two howlers toward the end of 2008.

Liverpool: A Championship

Liverpool is in the driver’s seat moving into the New Year and, in my eyes, are good value to stay there. They are playing great football as a team and are starting to eat into Chelsea’s goal difference advantage too, just for good measure.

Manchester City: Value For Money

We all know that the Sky Blues now have unlimited pocket depth but so do the teams that they will be trying to buy from. Will the new players that they will purchase during the transfer window be value for money? Only time will tell and City are hoping they will get it.

Manchester United: A Bigger Trophy Cabinet

The Red Devils ~ love ‘em or hate ‘em you have to admit that they know how to earn the silverware. They currently sit in 3rd place in the league, seven points behind with two games in hand. Already winners of the World Club Championship this season I have a feeling that they will be able to pick up at least one more trophy this season, which one I don’t know though.

Middlesbrough: An Identity

Middlesbrough are, in my mind at least, the league’s most nondescript club of the year. So much so that I couldn’t even remember their nickname (shame on me). They currently sit one spot above the drop zone in 17th. Be honest, put your hands up if you would miss the ‘Boro should they fall through the trapdoor!

Newcastle United: Consistency

Probably the most frustrating aspect of being a Newcastle fan (now that the backroom has been taken care of) is the inconsistency of their play. From game to game the fans never know which team is going to take the field. On their day, the Magpies can beat anyone but they can also be torn to shreds by anyone if they fail to show up for 90 minutes.

Portsmouth: A Large Parachute

Pompey is in freefall! They need a large parachute simply to stop the fall that is currently leading towards the relegation zone. Once they stop the rot can they regain the form that had them in the upper half of the table most of the year. We may not get the chance to find out if they don’t get to open their ‘chute!

Stoke City: That Fighting Spirit

The Potters have already had a taste of their New Year’s Wish as Ricardo Fuller and Andy Griffin became sparring partners in the game against West Ham over Christmas. They will need more of the regular type of fighting spirit if they are to avoid the drop now that teams have worked out Rory Delap’s throws.

Sunderland: Nothing Now!

The Black Cats already got their New Year’s Wish … their managerial woes taken care of! Despite a bad 3-0 loss to Everton over Christmas, Sunderland are “over the moon” with the official appointment of caretaker boss, Ricky Sbragia. Now he needs to lead them to the Promised Land … and I don’t mean League One.

Tottenham Hotspur: A Forward Line

Spurs are struggling to score goals, just three in the league in December. It’s a well known fact that you can’t win without scoring and 0-0 draws won’t save their Premier derrieres. Somehow though, they have survived to stay in contention in the Carling Cup, the UEFA Cup and they have the FA Cup to come. I wonder if those competitions will come back to haunt them in the league.

West Bromwich Albion: An extension to the Christmas Fixtures

… by about 20 more games. The Baggies entered the Xmas Extravaganza firmly locked at the bottom of the table and looking the drop in the eye. By the time the Xmas dust had settled they had taken 6 of 9 points, still at the bottom but now with a fighting chance in the relegation battle.

West Ham United: A Ladder

The Hammers are currently located in 10th place, usually a solid spot this time of year. This season has been so crazy outside of the top three or four though that a string of results could change a team’s position drastically. Precisely the reason why the Hammers would like a ladder, so they can continue to climb upwards and not slip into a battle for relegation. It could be interesting to follow this team through the back half of the season.

Wigan Athletic: A European Jaunt

Three wins from their last four games have helped vault Wigan to 7th in the league. They are surely hoping to continue this form and earn their way into Europe for next season. Another thing they really need is better looking supporters in the UKFF Sexy League, their representatives were the worst of the bunch for me!