Premier League Preview - Match Day 28

We only have eight games this week due to Sunday's Carling Cup final between Arsenal and Birmingham. So Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur get a break after their winning Champions League exploits. Those few days rest could be vital for Carlo Ancelotti's men, as Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

ASTON VILLA v BLACKBURN ROVERS
Both clubs have had a relaxing fortnight since their last games so here is hoping for an interesting attacking encounter. Gerard Houllier's team are still not comfortable in the table as they sit a lowly 16th. The best they can aim for is a mid-table finish with the hope that they get off to a better start next season. Darren Bent has been discussing how happy he is at the club and as always, he will be looking to get on the score sheet. And congratulations to former player Ian Taylor who has been appointed the newest club ambassador.

Time to Say Goodbye.

David Moyes is the third longest serving manager in the Premier League behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

In that time he has worked wonders at Everton on what can only be described as a Championship club budget.  Recently I have become more clued up on the clubs finances due to another great piece by Swiss Ramble.

The good thing is I finally understand why Moyes spends every transfer window saying: 'We re looking to bring in a couple of players on loan.'  Unlike some other managers he is not just blagging.

Other Articles I have Written

For those of you who have been asking for links for some of my other articles, here they are:

Is the attitude towards women in football changing?
I don’t know what is surprising me more. The surprise of the world regarding Andy Gray and Richard Keys comments or the media’s leap onto the bandwagon to condemn them. 
Read more...
 
Do foreign players get more grief than their English compatriots from the media?
Oh, naughty naughty Cesc Fabregas. Look at him being rude to the referee. And there he is waving an imaginary card at a player. Such a bad, bad boy. And what about Nigel De Jong, with his violence on the pitch and career threatening tackles.
Read more...

Finding a future through football. 
As an Arsenal fan I was looking forward to seeing Ian Wright involved with football again in the show ‘Football Behind Bars’.  But I came away thinking about more than Wrighty’s impressive vocabulary.   I changed the channel thinking this might actually be an innovative idea, as opposed to just another celebrity helping out the little people.
 Read more...

Premier League Review - Match Day 27

This weeks round of games weren't as exciting as the week before but we still had some important results in terms of how they affect the table. Only one team won away this week and we had the rare sighting of two goalless draws at Craven Cottage and Ewood Park.

ARSENAL 2 - 0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Wolves took the same team to the Emirates that beat leaders Man United the previous week but the were no where near to taking any points of the Londoners. Arsenal would have had more than their two goals if it wasn't for the impressive performances of Richard Stearman and Wayne Hennessey. Stearman made several blocks to stop the Gunners increasing their leads while Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas and RVP kept Hennessey on his toes throughout the ninety minutes.

Natasha Meets.... The Premier League trophy

Turns out it is true, you are not allowed to touch the illustrious trophy.  Hopefully I am the first f many Gooners to be pictured with it this season...

Premier League Preview - Match Day 27

Just 11 games to go until the end of the season and admittedly this has been the most exciting race in years.  Only seven points separate the bottom ten teams and one win can see sides shooting straight up the table.  Both those going for the title and those fighting relegation have the time to completely turn around their season.

ARSENAL v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
The North Londoners have won their last ten games against Wolves in all competitions, in those games Arsenal have scored 27 games while Wolves have scored a meagre five. The last time they lost against them was at Highbury in 1979 in the Old First Division, so Mr Wenger may be feeling slightly confident in the build up to this match. Although he would do well not to underestimate Mick Mac's men as they beat leaders United last time out.

Denmark 1 - 2 England: Match Report - International Friendly

For once an England friendly wasn't as meaningless as we anticipated.  In fact we actually learnt something for a change.  Mostly, that Jack Wilshere is not the answer to Fabio Capello's obsessive search for a defensive midfielder.  The Arsenal starlet had a good 45 minutes in his first senior International start, making some strong but honest tackles as well as looking confident alongside the England squad veterans.  But he needs the freedom to play his natural offensive game, something that was evident when he linked up well with Wayne Rooney and Darren Bent in the 30th minute.

Premier League Review - Match Day 26

Whoa, what a weekend? Leaders losing to relegation battlers, goal records being broken and possibly the best ever come back in Premier League history. Here's a round-up of all ten games and a star man for each.

ASTON VILLA 2 - 2 FULHAM
This was one of five games that had at least four goals this weekend. Although both teams will be happy scoring two goals, Villa in particular need to learn how not to concede. The Midlanders only sit three points above the relegation places and one bad result draw them back into the mire. John Pantsil scored his third own goal of the season to give Villa the lead before they lost the lead; for the first time, to an Andy Johnson goal.

Premier League Preview - Match Day 26

Lets be honest, there is only one match everyone is looking forward to this weekend. Chelsea v Liverpool but if you are a fan of neither he's a quick rundown of the rest.

ASTON VILLA v FULHAM
A game between two low scoring teams; combined they have scored only 54 goals this season, the same as leaders Manchester United. Both have also lost two of their last six leagues games although their injury lists are shrinking which will please both managers. USA star Michael Bradley is in the squad, while Stewart Downing has been declared fit and should start. Luke Young's return date is unknown after he was told to rest by a specialist.

Premier League Review - Match Day 25

The games come thick and fast as the fight to win and stay in the Premier League continues.  With debutant's scoring on their debuts and clubs being dragged into the relegation mire, it can only get more interesting.

ARSENAL 2 -1 EVERTON
I know you are all expecting me to go on about Everton's goal but to be honest it's all been said and I can't really be bothered to go over it all again.  I will merely say watch this and make your own decision on whether Louis Saha was offside or whether it was the second phase or whatever it is called.  Seriously though, is anyone actually 100% clear of the offside rule these days.

Natasha Meets.... Nigel Winterburn

I was privileged enough to meet the Arsenal defensive legend yesterday on behalf of Football Fancast.  To hear what he had to say to me and Sian Ranscombe about the youngsters, the trophy drought and whether he could hack it in todays' league, see here.

ODE TO GARY NEVILLE

DISCLAIMER: This is merely for amusement purposes and I don't condone the act of wishing football players dead.

So we say Goodbye to Gary Nev
To Man United fans he is a ledge
To the rest of us, a pain in the arse
Always opened his mouth much too fast.

Premier League Preview - Match Day 25: Top Six Games

What a weekend it's been in English football. FA Cup shocks and transfer deadline day drama prelude this midweek round of Premier League matches.

ARSENAL v EVERTON Tuesday
Everton earned a replay at Stamford Bridge in the Fa cup but first they have to travel to North London to face an Arsenal team who have picked up ten points from their last 12. Although the Toffees are haven't lost their last three. Neither team did much in the transfer window so it will be the same old faces on show. The Gunners will be without Samir Nasri after he suffered a hamstring strain while Sebastien Squillaci is suspended after his red card at the weekend.