England v France Preview

There was a big, huge announcement today. In case you didn't hear it, here it is:

Fabio Capello is starting with at least three players under 30! I know, I was shocked as well. I mean, I didn't know he could count that low.

No, all jokes aside I'm a little bit impressed with Mr Capello's squad choices this time around. Hey, I only said a little. And not just with his squad choices but with the team we're hearing he will start with. It's a team that mixes expperience and youth and a team that points all the way to 2012.

KEVIN DAVIES of Bolton Wanderers has my sympathy on missing out on the squad, but on the basis that this friendly is all about planning for the future then his inclusion would've gone against that. I was a little shocked to see CARLTON COLE called up, I like him as a player but he is not even first choice for his club. Which goes against Capello's 'must be playing regularly' manifest.

As for JAY BOTHROYD, all I can say is congratulations. I remember his time at Arsenal and the cloud he left under clearly damaged his early career. But you have to respect the way he has learnt from his mistakes and rebuilt his career at Cardiff. The way he has matured is commendable. Having watched JORDAN HENDERSON a few times this season, his cap will not be a surprise to me. He is a talented young man and under the tutelage of Steve Bruce, I have the feeling he will go far.

JACK WILSHERE will be disappointed to be out of contention but as an Arsenal fan, I'm secretly glad he'll be resting and hopefully he'll be fit for the North London derby on Saturday morning. But, I think it can be agreed he has lots of time to become an England regular. I'm happy that KEIRAN GIBBS will be starting, after his injury problems it will be a good run out for him. It will also give him the opportunity to show why he is being called the natural successor to Ashley Cole.

French manager Laurent Blanc has played down his teams' abilities. Since the abysmal events at the World Cup the French have been in a transition period. Like Capello, the former World Cup Winner is rebuilding for the future as well as attempting to restore his nation's faith in the national team. Although he didn't make it to South Africa, SAMIR NASRI should start tomorrow. Hopefully he can take his club form to Wembley and inspire his team mates. They will still be without PATRICE EVRA who is still serving his ban, for going on strike during the WC. It will be down to the new boys to show they are good enough to keep their places when the qualifiers re-commence in March.

POSSIBLE STARTING LINE-UPS
ENGLAND: Foster; Richards, Ferdinand, Lescott, Gibbs; Walcott, Barry, Henderson, Gerrard, Milner; Carroll.
FRANCE: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Moxes, Abidal; Gourcuff, M'vila, Nasri; Valbuena, Benzema, Malouda.

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Premier League Review - Match Day 13

With dropped points, spectacular goals and impressive wins, the EPL leaves us excited before the injuries the International break will bring.

ASTON VILLA 2 - 2 MAN UNITED
Alex Ferguson will admit his side had to work hard to get their point as they scored two desperate goals in the last nine minutes. Villa attacked well and Gerard Houllier put his faith in youth, none of whom disappointed. Ashley Young scored from the spot and Mark Albrighton got the second after an impressive Villa counter attack. Before Ferderico Macheda and Nemanja Vidic grabbed the point for United.
STAR MAN: Mark Albrighton

CHELSEA 0 - 3 SUNDERLAND
If I hadn't have watched it myself, I might have thought you were lying to me. But I did and it did happen. I won't dwell on how bad Chelsea were but how fluid the Black Cats were. Starting with a 4-4-2, they took the game to the home team and were rewarded with three points. A great individual goal by Nedum Onuoha, a second by Asamoah Gyan and third by Danny Welbeck after an individual error by Ashley Cole.
STAR MAN: Danny Welbeck (Chosen by my Mum because 'he was a pain in the arse for Chelsea')

EVERTON 1 - 2 ARSENAL
Arsenal managed to capitualise on a weekend when the other members of the table's top four all dropped points. Arsenal were their normal attacking self when defender Bacary Sagna opened the scoring with a superb strike, before Cesc Fabregas increased the lead just after half-time. The Toffees gave the Gunners a nervy last 15 minutes before the always lively Tim Cahill gave the home team a consolation goal.
STAR MAN: Lukasz Fabianski

MAN CITY 0 - 0 BIRMINGHAM
The goalless draws continue at the home of the noisy neighbours as City continue to be rich and poor all at the same time. Much will be made of Roberto Mancini's decision to bring Gareth Barry on for lone frontman Carlos Tevez, though I prefer to commend Birmingham on a well drilled defensive performance.
STAR MAN: Roger Johnson

NEWCASTLE 0 - 0 FULHAM
Fulham continue to struggle on the road as they picked up a point at St. James Park. Chris Houghton will know his side's inabilty to take all three points were down to Mark Schwarzer and another impressive goalkeeping display.
STAR MAN: Mark Schwarzer

STOKE 2 - 0 LIVERPOOL
The nightmare of losing in the Premier League carries on for Liverpool, taking their total losses to five. Roy Hodgson looks increasingly bewildered and now has to deal with another injury to Fernando Torres who was missing for this game. Stoke have reminded people their league poosition has been a bit of a lie as Ricardo Fuller scored his 101 league goal and newbie Kenwyne Jones added a second just before the final whistle.
STAR MAN: Ricardo Fuller

SPURS 4 - 2 BLACKBURN
Unfortunately Blackburn didn't start playing until the 75th minute when the home team were already 4-0 up. Gareth Bale continues to gain all the plaudits with two goals. Although no one should ignore that 'Arry Redknapp has built a good team which has allowed the Welshmen to thrive. Roman Pavlyuchenko redeemed himself after sending a penalty wide and Peter Crouch scored his first of the season. Ryan Nelsen and Gael Givet scored two to set up a nervy ending.
STAR MAN: Who else but the Welsh Wonder that is Gareth Bale.

WEST HAM 0 - 0 BLACKPOOL
Avram Grant is surely living in one of those bubbles the fans sing about if he is not at all worried about the Hammers lack of points. Blackpool were their normal exuberant self and although they were unable to score, Ian Holloway may make 11 changes again next week.
STAR MAN: Scott Parker

WIGAN 1 - 0 WEST BROM
Martinez three, Di Matteo nil. Wigan needed these three points as they continue to float around the bottom of the table. West Brom were a tad tentative but they should continue to pick up points with their good home form. Forgotten youngster Victor Moses scored the goal that gave the home team the points.
STAR MAN: Victoe Moses

WOLVES 2 - 3 BOLTON
Mick McCarthy needs to get his team to stop conceding goals if they are to get out of the bottom three. They have the players yet the cannot seem to get the points. An own goal in the first minute, an surprising piece of individual flair by Johan Elmander and Stuart Holden sent Bolton on their way. Kevin Foley and Steven Fletcher scored in the space of eight minutes but it was a case of too little too late.
STAR MAN: Johan Elmander

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Premier League Preview - Match Day 13

Well we've got a great full fixture list to get our teeth into this week. I'm particularly looking forward to see my boys at Everton on Sunday. Here's a quick rundown on the matches and my key man in each one.

ASTON VILLA V MAN UTD
This could be more trouble for Alex Ferguson's men than you would expect. With Wayne Rooney still lacking match fitness they could struggle against a team who are looking far more confident under their new manager. Gerard Houllier has shown his squad who is boss and is admirably giving some youngsters the chance to begin their PL education. Man Utd will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
KEY MAN: Mark Albrighton

CHELSEA V SUNDERLAND
The leaders have turned Stamford Bridge into a fortress and although I may have doubted Steve Bruce's men in the past, I think they may have the commitment to pick up a point. Frank Lampard will be out for another three weeks, while Didier Drogba should start even though he is still recovering from illness. Lee Cattermole will have to keep his head if Sunderland are to return to the north east with anything. Although it will be interesting to see how John Terry copes with another pacy forward.
KEY MAN: Asamoah Gyan

EVERTON V ARSENAL
After a hard fought win in the Midlands, Mr Wenger's team travel to a Liverpool to meet a resurgent Everton. David Moyes men are never a walk over and Cesc Fabregas will need to recapture his early season form to lead his team to victory. With Jermaine Beckford scoring his first goal late in Wednesday's game, he has a chance to start and increase his tally. Djuorou will partner Squillaci as Koscielny is still banned, they will both have to be ready for the Toffees tricky midfield trio of Arteta, Cahill and Pienaar.
KEY MAN: Tim Cahill

MAN CITY V BIRMINGHAM
After their bore draw against the local rivals, the home fans will be hoping for a vast improvement from Roberto Mancini's men. They will likely be more attacking against an inconsistant Birmingham side. Alec McLeish may be happy with a draw against the big spenders. They will be dreaming of waking up to a teamsheet that doesn't contain the name of City's talisman, Carlos Tevez.
KEY MAN: Ben Foster

NEWCASTLE V FULHAM
Two teams with managers who aim to play the game the right way. The Geordies will be without Joey Barton, who was rightly banned for three matches following his punch on Perdesen on Wednesday. Fulham continue to improve under new boss, Mark Hughes and appear more like the team that reached the Europa Cup final. There remain doubts over Tim Krul's aerial ability and the Londoners may look to target that.
KEY MAN: Andy Carroll

STOKE V LIVERPOOL
Liverpoool continue to be as erratic as the weather and could do without a game against a physical Stoke team. As always Rory Delap will use his directional throw in's to trouble the Scousers defence. Roy hodgson will hope he won't have to rely on Stevie G to save his team as happens far to often. The home team will set their stall out early and hope to catch them on the counter.
KEY MAN: Fernando Torres

SPURS V BLACKBURN
Spurs need to win matches such as this if they aim to retain their spot in the elusive Top 4. After rumblings of unrest, Jason Roberts is letting his football do the talking and is looking more like a forward teams may actually want to buy. Harry Redknapp has injury worries but has built a squad that should be able to cope. This match may well go down to the final whistle.
KEY MAN: Gareth Bale

WEST HAM V BLACKPOOL
Both teams league positions are unexpected, though the Hammers can console themselves with good performances if not actual points. The Seasiders will be as attack minded as always and Robert Green will need to be at his pre-World Cup best. Look forward to a good midfield battle with rising star Charlie Adam continuing to impress with every PL game. Hopefully Ian Holloway won't have resigned due to any unwanted FA interference.
KEY MAN: Scott Parker

WIGAN V WEST BROM
Wigan continue to filter between good and awful while newly promoted, West Brom have gained a lot of fans for their free flowing, attacking play. Wigan desperately need the points to get them away from the dangerous foot of the table while West Brom will see this as another chance to silence the critics. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the tale of the two Roberto's.
KEY MAN: Charles N'Zogbia

WOLVES V BOLTON
Wanderers were disappointed to end up empty handed on Wednesday, although their attack warranted at least a point. Owen Coyle has given the Bolton team an attacking flair to go with their sturdy defence. Mick McCarthy will be looking for his strikers to finish all their good work while Coyle hopes his team go some way to securing a place in the Top 10.
KEY MAN: kevin Davies