Recapping the last week from the Premier League (February 18-26)

It's been another fascinating ten days from the Premier League and European competitions as well as some movement on the English manager front. These are just a few of my thoughts from the last week and a bit as we have a slow week of internationals in front of us before the League gets back into gear next weekend.

Stuart Pearce managing England in the short term: Now this is going to come off as a rant, so I will apologise for that immediately... Some may agree, others may not, but this is my personal view on the whole matter.


First things first, I am absolutely shocked that England would even come close to considering Stuart Pearce to lead the nation to the Euro 2012 tournament in Poland/Ukraine as I just don't believe he has the necessary experience to deal with the players that he will have at his disposal for this event.


I actually can't believe he has managed to position himself so well considering his managerial success at club level has been modest at best and poor if you really delve into it... Yes he displayed 'passion' (there's that word again when it comes to potential England managers) as a player, but that is surely not going to be enough to actually get the best out of his players when they are tactically not set up in the correct manner.


Some will ask who is better placed to do a job at this moment- I don't know if bringing in someone like Alan Curbishly with Pearce as his number 2 wouldn't be an upgrade on what England could be going in with this Summer.


Rooney Rule should be brought in to English Football immediately: The Rooney Rule from the NFL was given a lukewarm reaction from many, but I think England could really set the tone by starting to open the door to black coaches and potential managers.


Now I don't think there is a non-white manager that can do a better job than Harry Redknapp or Roy Hodgson (if I was picking the manager, those two would be on my shortlist), but I think it's about time that non-white coaches are given an opportunity in the England set up.


For example, Paul Ince has as strong a managerial CV as Stuart Pearce, has an iconic moment from his time playing for England (bandaged up in Rome after the 0-0 draw with Italy to qualify for the World Cup 1998), and surely could benefit from being given such an opportunity as has been awarded to Pearce and David Platt in the past.


While Ince would not be considered for the managerial role at this moment, this will give him the experience of working within the camp that seems to have pushed Pearce's prospects forward and would at least get clubs thinking that non-white managers are capable of doing the big jobs in English football.


It is a sad state that we have ONE black manager in the English top flight in 2012, and Terry Connor is only in that position because almost every other candidate seemed to have turned the job down.


The NFL seems to have moved on from their archaic views on the potential of black Quarter Backs as well as Head Coaches, but it took the formation of the 'Rooney Rule' to open the doors on the latter of those and I think English Football would similarly benefit.


Pivotal moment of the season?: Ryan Giggs saved Manchester United from losing a potentially big two points as he scored in the 92nd minute, earning a big three points for the Red Devils and keeping them just a couple of points from the summit of the Premier League.


That could be the pivotal moment of the season as United once again displayed to the rest of the League that they are not going to give up their title without a fight and it eases some of the pressure that two lost points would have provided.


IF Giggs had not scored, United would have been 4 points behind City... City would then be playing Bolton at home on Saturday next week and would likely have had a 7 point lead over United ahead of the latter's trip to White Hart Lane to take on a wounded Tottenham Hotspur team.


The win at Carrow Road also means a point at Tottenham will not be a bad result and keeps United well and truly in the hunt for a 5th League title in the last 6 seasons.




On another matter, how fitting was it for Ryan Giggs to score on his 900th appearance for Manchester United- it is a remarkable achievement to play so long for one club, especially considering United have been on top for pretty much the entire period he has been at Old Trafford.


Congratulations Giggsy, and here's to many more times seeing you tear teams apart... again!


Regardless of the stature of the competition, the Carling Cup can be a big catalyst for success: I know the first thing to do when Liverpool win a competition is to downplay the significance, but the Carling Cup should not be ignored as meaningless as we have seen it can make, or break, the success of teams.


Arsenal provided a great example just a year ago as their entire season crumbled following their defeat in the Final of the Carling Cup to Birmingham City, with the Gunners quickly losing their chances to win anything that season as they fell out of the FA Cup, Champions League and the Premier League in quick succession.


Manchester United and Chelsea fans will also be aware of what this competition can do for teams- United's recent success came about following a Carling Cup win in 2006, the same season they were last knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage.


That success saw United reclaim the Premier League title the season after, the first time since 2003, and also led to Champions League success in 2008 as well as further titles in England.


Jose Mourinho's first trophy at Chelsea was also this competition before winning back to back League titles, so the Carling Cup is not one to be ignored lightly.


Only time will tell if this is going to be the case for Liverpool, although I still think they have a bit to find to challenge for the Premier League title, the one competition their fans will truly want to win.

English Midweek Picks (January 11)

It is a very quiet week in the football, but there are a couple of games that could be of interest on Wednesday night:

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12940-Tottenham-Hotspur-v-Everton.htm)

Manchester City v Liverpool Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12941-Manchester-City-v-Liverpool.htm)


MY PICKS: Tottenham Hotspur Win to Nil @ 2.50 Coral (1 Unit)
Manchester City @ 2.00 Bet365 (2 Units)




January Update: 6-5, + 3.02 Units

Carling Cup Picks and Preview October 25-26

Sometimes you look at the way a game has developed and think that there is no way you could have foreseen the result that comes out of it... I had that feeling twice on Sunday after the Manchester Derby, and later in the QPR-Chelsea game that had more than its fair share of controversy decisions and somehow the away side failed to score, let alone win a game where they created a hatful of chances with only 9 men on the field.

This is where I am going to put up my Carling Cup plays for the week, although I am keeping stakes to a minimum in a regularly strange competition where managers seem to play weakened teams regardless of where they are in the table:

Aldershot v Manchester United Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12185-Aldershot-v-Manchester-United.htm)

Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12186-Arsenal-v-Bolton-Wanderers.htm)

Crystal Palace v Southampton Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12187-Crystal-Palace-v-Southampton.htm)

Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12190-Blackburn-Rovers-v-Newcastle-United.htm)

Stoke City v Liverpool Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12191-Stoke-City-v-Liverpool.htm)


MY PICKS: Michael Owen score anytime @ 2.25 Victor Chandler (1 Unit)
Arsenal-Bolton Wanderers First Goal at 22 minutes or after @ 1.92 (1 Unit)
Crystal Palace-Southampton Last Goal at 73 minutes or after @ 1.92 (1 Unit)
Blackburn Rovers-Newcastle United Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.92 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Stoke City-Liverpool Both NOT to Score @ 2.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)




October Update: 14-20, - 4.08 Units

England Carling Cup Picks (Wednesday 21 September)

I cannot wait for September to roll through as I just don't seem to be able to catch a break so far.

Below are my last 2 Carling Cup Picks for the week before I start work on the weekend games in the Premier League, NCAA Football and the NFL.

Brighton v Liverpool (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11700-Brighton-v-Liverpool.htm)

Southampton v Preston (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11701-Southampton-v-Preston.htm)


MY PICKS: Draw-Liverpool HTFT @ 4.50 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Southampton - 1 Asian Handicap @ 1.92 Pinnacle (1 Unit)


SEPTEMBER UPDATE: 10-18, - 6.55 Units

England Carling Cup Picks (Tuesday 20 September)

Tough month so far, but am going to play some minimum stakes on the following games from the Tuesday coupon.

I am going to have a recap on the weekend's football, most likely at some point tomorrow, but I will be quite happy to get out of this month with a minimum loss at worst.

Carling Cup Picks from Tuesday:

Leeds United v Manchester United (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11692-Leeds-United-v-Manchester-United.htm)

Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11693-Aston-Villa-v-Bolton-Wanderers.htm)

Blackburn Rovers v Leyton Orient (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11694-Blackburn-Rovers-v-Leyton-Orient.htm)



MY PICKS: Michael Owen to score anytime @ 2.75 Coral (1 Unit)
Aston Villa @ 1.83 Victor Chandler (1 Unit)
Blackburn Rovers - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)


SEPTEMBER UPDATE: 9-16, - 6.3 Units

Thursday 25th August Football Picks (Europa League and Carling Cup)

It's been a good couple of days for the picks from the football, and I have picked out a couple of options from the Thursday coupon:

Birmingham City v Nacional (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11433-Birmingham-City-v-Nacional.htm)

Scunthorpe v Newcastle United (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11434-Scunthorpe-v-Newcastle-United.htm)


MY PICKS: Birmingham City-Nacional Both NOT to score @ 1.80 Victor Chandler (1 Unit)
Scunthorpe-Newcastle United Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.80 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)




FOOTBALL AUGUST PROFIT/LOSS: 21-23, + 0.17 Units

Wednesday 24th August Football Picks and Preview (Carling Cup and Champions League)

It was a better day for the picks yesterday, although it could have been so much better if Cardiff had decided to win their game in normal time rather than blow a 2-0 lead and eventually win 5-3 in extra time.

The following are my picks from the Wednesday coupon:

Udinese v Arsenal (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11418-Udinese-v-Arsenal.htm)

Benfica v Twente (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11420-Benfica-v-Twente.htm)

Everton v Sheffield United (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11421-Everton-v-Sheffield-United.htm)

Exeter v Liverpool (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11422-Exeter-v-Liverpool.htm)


MY PICKS: Udinese @ 2.38 Victor Chandler (1 Unit)
Benfica-Twente Over 3.5 Goals @ 3.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Everton - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit) This will be a full payout if Everton win by 2 or more goals, half stake returned if Everton win by 1 goal, and loser if Everton fail to win
Liverpool - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Victor Chandler (1 Unit)




AUGUST FOOTBALL PROFIT/LOSS: 18-22, - 2.83 Units

Carling Cup Picks August 9th

Only got 1 double tonight from the coupon in a notoriously difficult competition to pick, one which is considered a pain in the backside for many managers:

http://www.goonersguide.com/football-pick-11288-Leeds-United-v-Bradford.htm

http://www.goonersguide.com/football-pick-11289-Nottingham-Forest-v-Notts-County.htm


MY PICKS: Double; Leeds United and Nottingham Forest @ 2.36 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)


AUGUST UPDATE: 3-3, - 1.1 Units