After-Dinner Sports Tales - Chris Coleman

This month is my third installment of humorous after-dinner sporting tales, as told by current or ex-professional sportsman.

In May I wrote about an after-dinner tale as told by ex-footballer Rodney Marsh, last month was the turn of the former England rugby international and British Lion Wade Dooley.

Today I am returning to football and a man who is currently plying his trade as a manager, following a successful stint as a player.

Welsh international footballer Chris Coleman was born in Swansea, started his playing career at Manchester City as a trainee before moving back to his hometown club in South Wales, where he went on to made 160 appearances. He left Swansea for Crystal Palace in 1991, where he spent 4 years with the South Londoner's, and during that time won the first of his 32 caps for Wales. He left Palace for Blackburn in 1995, before joining Fulham two years later.

However, Coleman's playing career was prematurely ended after he broke his leg in three places following a horrific car crash in Surrey in January 2001.

Following managerial stints at Fulham and Real Sociedad, Coleman has been charge of Championship side Coventry City since February 2008.

Here are two amusing excerpts from a speech made by Chris at a sporting dinner.

"While I was playing for Crystal Palace, we were 3-0 down at half-time and the manager Alan Smith flew into a rage during our team talk. Sitting next to me was my team-mate Richard Shaw, and next to him a table with tea and sandwiches on it.

During his moment of anger Alan Smith threw a cup of tea at the wall and up-turned the tray of sandwiches, one of which landed on Richard's head. He was so afraid, he sat there for ten minutes with the sandwich still on the top of his head until Alan Smith left the room!"

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"During the same team-talk our goalkeeper Woody (Andrew Woodman) was coming in for a bit of stick from Alan, who unstrapped his gold Rolex watch from his wrist and dangled it in front of Woody, saying, 'You'll never own one of these son, because after a performance like that, you'll never go any further in the game.'

With that he lobbed the watch at Woody to catch, who nervously dropped it on the floor!"

C.P.F.C Pre-Season 2009 - Fixtures, Results and Scorers.

Thurs 9th July: Boreham Wood 0-4 Palace, Meadow Park.

Palace goalscorers: Maric (Trialist), Ertl, Djilali, Thomas.

Monday, 13 July: Crystal Palace XI 5-2 Crystal Palace FC USA, Regency Furniture Stadium, Waldorf, Maryland, USA.
Palace goalscorers: Lee, Flores 2 (both o.g's), Sears, N'Diaye.

Thurs 16th July: Harrisburg City Islanders 1-3 Crystal Palace XI, Lancaster's Clipper Magazine Stadium, Pennsylvania, USA.
Palace goalscorers: Sears, Ambrose, Danns. Watch the goals here.

Tue 21st July: Brentford v. Palace, Griffin Park, Kick Off: 7.45pm

Fri 24th July: Bristol Rovers v. Palace, The Memorial Ground, Kick Off: 7.45pm

Sat 25th July: Sutton Utd v. Palace, Borough Sports Ground, Kick Off: 3pm

Tue 28th July: Palace v. Norwich City, Selhurst Park, Kick Off: 7.30pm

Thur 30th July: Bromley v. Palace, Hayes Lane, Kick Off: 7.45pm

Sun 2nd August: Palace v. Gillingham, Selhurst Park, Kick-Off: 2pm.

‘Best Bet Summer Special’ - English & Irish Lions Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello and welcome to my second 'Best Bet Summer Special' focusing on the British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa.

I hoped I would be writing this with the series still in the balance ahead of the third and final test this weekend.

However after the Lions' painful (in more ways than one) defeat last Saturday, culminating in the loss of the series to the hosts, Ian McGeechan's men will be desperate to wrestle back some pride and go out on a high following the controversy and heartbreak of the opening two tests.

Here is a quick review of the first two matches:

First Test: Durban, 20th June

South Africa (19) 26
Tries: Smit, Brussow Cons: Pienaar 2 Pens: Pienaar 3, Steyn
Lions (7) 21
Tries: Croft 2, Phillips Cons: Jones 3

A sluggish start from the Lions in Durban allowed Springbok John Smit to go over for an early score to help South Africa build a commanding 19-7 lead at half time. Shortly after the break the Boks' further extended their lead to 26-7.
However the Lions fought back when Tom Croft went over for a second time with twelve minutes remaining, before a late Mike Phillips try set up a tight and tense finish.
But in the end the Lions had simply left themselves too much to do, and the Springboks held on for a narrow victory.


Second Test: Pretoria, 27th June

South Africa (8) 28
Tries: Pietersen, Habana, Fourie Con: M Steyn 2 Pens: F Steyn, M Steyn 2
Lions (16) 25
Tries Kearney Con: S Jones Pens: S Jones 5 Drop-goal: S Jones

Heartbreaking, agonizing, brutal, ferocious, merciless - any or all of those words could describe the manner of the Lions' defeat in the second test. They led until the 74th minute before a contentious Jaque Fourie try was duly converted, nudging the hosts in front. Stephen Jones' well-taken penalty levelled the scores with only three minutes remaining, but Morne Styen's thumping 53 metre penalty with the last kick of the game sealed the win and the series for the Springboks.

There was plenty of fall-out from the defeat, with Schalk Burger (yellow carded in the first-minute of the match for eye-gouging) and subsequently cited, found guilty and banned for eight-weeks as television footage showed Burger's fingers 'making contact with the face in the eye area' of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald.
Bakkies Botha will also miss the last Test after being banned for two weeks for dangerous charging. Botha was suspended for a challenge on Adam Jones which left the British and Irish Lions prop with a dislocated shoulder and his tour over.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was widely condemned for initially defending Burger's actions before, somewhat unsurprisingly, changing his mind.


Third (and Final Test): Johannesburg, 4th July

Betfair has a variety of rugby bets on offer for the game on Saturday. Here are a few to get you started:

Match odds:

South Africa 1/3 Lions 4/1 Draw 39/1

First scoring play:

South Africa Try 9/2 South Africa penalty 7/4

Lions try 7/1 Lions penalty 85/40 Drop goal (either team) 10/1

Winning margin:

South Africa under 12 points 15/8 South Africa over 12 points 11/8

Lions Under 12 points 5/1 Lions over 12 points 11/1
The Draw 39/1

Race to ten points:

South Africa 1/20 England 5/4 Neither team 19/1

My 'best bet' prediction:

It has been a long and gruelling tour for the Lions and I have a feeling they will be determined to take something tangible from the experience.

I predict a narrow win under 12 points for the Lions at rugby odds of 5/1.

This would mean my earlier prediction for a 2-1 series win to South Africa at odds of 5/2 would also bear fruit.

Babe Of The Month - WAG Sylvie van der Vaart.............. Just Add Water For A Taste Of Honey!

Beer Goggles - Fact or Fallacy?

Last year researchers at the Manchester University published a study that said 'beer goggles' really do exist and the brain child behind the survey even published a formula to calculate their effect.

Many men have used 'beer goggles' to justify something they have regretted the morning after the night before.
This year some 'dickheads' from the University of Leicester are trying to rain on our parade as they try to chew up and spit out the only decent excuse us guys ever had for waking up the morning after a skinfull with the 'devil woman' lying next to you.........but if recent research is to be believed we can forget the 'beer goggles' excuse from now on!

A psychological study suggests that far from alcohol making men find women prettier, it might even have the opposite effect - making them less attracted to potential mates.
Apparently the demon drink also makes no difference to men's ability to judge a woman's age, and booze also makes no difference to a man's ability to guess a woman's age, the research found.

Scientists asked a group of 240 men and women in bars and cafes to look at photos of women and comment on their age and attractiveness.
Half the participants used in the experiment had consumed alcoholic drinks, with effects rated as 'relaxed and benign', 'blunted and disinherited,' 'boisterous and over-expressive', and 'unambiguously drunk.'

Some of the pictures of 10 young women aged 17 were digitally altered to make them appear younger or older. Make-up was also applied digitally to a number of images.
The findings showed that alcohol reduced the ability of women to guess the age of the photo models, but not men.
Both the effects of alcohol and prettifying a face with make-up had little effect on men's judgement.

Dr Vincent Egan, a Home Office advisor and his 'chuckle brother' colleagues, from the University of Leicester said: 'This study suggests that alcohol consumption and make-up use do not interfere with how old we perceive someone to be.'

Another interesting finding was that overall participants who drank alcohol actually rated all the women in the photos as less attractive, compared to the participants who hadn't drunk alcohol.

This seemingly flies in the face of the commonly held notion of 'beer goggles.' Participants consistently over-estimated the age of both mature and immature faces by an average of three and a half years.

Reporting their results in the British Journal of Psychology, the researchers wrote: 'Although alcohol limited the processing of maturity cues in female observers, it had no effect on the age perceptions of males viewing female faces, suggesting male mate preferences are not easily disrupted.'
'Beer goggles’ could really be the result of lowered inhibitions, or that people are more willing to take a risk.

They clearly didn't use subjects that were drunk enough. After only a few drinks when peoples' inhibitions loosen up it's much easier for them to be mean. You need to get people past that and to the pissed/drunk stage where people just don’t give a toss any more.

Eagan said: 'Men over-estimate women’s ages and this study backs that up' and added 'it also shows that drink has nothing to do with it.'

On a more serious note, they said the influence of alcohol should not be a mitigating factor in the case of a man accused of having sex with someone under-age.
'Our study suggests that even heavy alcohol consumption does not interfere with age-perception tasks in men, so is not of itself an excuse for apparent mistaken age in cases of unlawful sex with a minor,' they wrote.

However if the research from Manchester University needed confirmation then
the 'boffins' at Bristol University also claim ‘beer goggles’ really do exist, and it takes less than two pints to distort people's opinions.

According to one report, Vodka-drinkers were told to rate the appeal of 20 male and 20 female faces on a seven-point scale. The same faces were shown to volunteers who had consumed only soft drinks. The boozers scored the faces 10 per cent higher.
And the effect on men lasted up to 24 hours after alcohol consumption - giving blokes something more than just a hangover to worry about!

Scaremongering or not, in effect this report is saying one and a half pints is all it takes to make a bloke lose the ability to distinguish the difference between a beauty and a beast.

Once we've decided that 'beer goggles' are real, the next thing we need is a way to easily quantify the effect their having on our judgment in real time. That's where the easy to use Beer Google Calculator comes in handy, and is based on the formula originally developed by the geniuses at Manchester University.

Be sure to bookmark the Beer Goggle Calculator on your phone so that you can quickly find it in your time of need. And by 'time of need' I mean in a dimly lit soiled bar while you're waiting for drink number eleven.

FYI
As @ Monday 09 March 2009:

According to the World Health Organisation top of the table for per capita drinking in the World is Luxembourg (15.6 litres per capita) followed by Ireland, with the U.K not far behind at 13.7 litres.
Next is Hungary (13.6 litres), Moldova (13.2 litres), Czech Republic (13.0 litres), Croatia (12.3 litres) and Germany(12.0 litres).
We are ahead of Russia (10.3 litres) and also the United States (8.6 litres).

It remains to be seen if one of the upsides of this recession will be a fall in drinking as more people re-evaluate their lifestyles, values and finances!

‘Best Bet Summer Special’ - English & Irish Lions Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello and welcome to my latest guest betting blog with Betfair. With the football all done and dusted for another season we now have to get our sports betting fix from somewhere else, and where better than South Africa for the British and Irish Lions tour.

Ahead of the main event there were six warm up games to get themselves primed for the World Champions. But Ian McGeekan’s men found it tough going at times. Here is a quick review of the action so far:


Royal XV 25-37 Lions

Royal XV (18) 25
Tries: Koch, Barnes, Roux Cons: Olivier, Viljoen Pens: Olivier 2

Lions (10) 37
Tries: Bowe, Byrne, Wyn Jones, O'Gara Cons: O'Gara 4 Pens: O'Gara 3

A slow start from the Lions saw them slip to an 18-10 half-time deficit, but a battling second half performance saw Tommy Bowe go over and Ronan O'Gara convert to reduce the Royal XV's lead. Late tries from Lee Byrne, Alun Wyn Jones and O'Gara saw a relieved Lions home to record an opening tour victory, against the stubborn Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace team in Rustenburg.


Golden Lions 10-74 Lions

Golden Lions (10) 10
Try: Frolick Con: Pretorius Pen: Pretorius

British and Irish Lions (39) 74
Tries: Roberts 2, O'Driscoll, Monye 2, Croft, Bowe 2, Hook, Ferris
Cons: Jones 6, Hook 3 Pens: Jones 2

As sluggish as they were in the tour’s opener the Lions were as slick, energetic and powerful in their second game as they finally put a marker down with an impressive and convincing win over the Golden Lions.
Tries from Brian O'Driscoll, Ugo Monye, Tom Croft and two from Jamie Roberts helped them into a 39-10 half-time lead at Johannesburg's Ellis Park. A brace from Tommy Bowe and further scores from Monye, James Hook and Stephen Ferris will have made South Africa sit up and take notice.


Cheetahs 24-26 Lions

Cheetahs (14) 24
Tries: Dumas, Du Preez, Uys Cons: Potgieter 2, Strydom Pen: Potgieter

British and Irish Lions (23) 26
Tries: Ferris, Earls Cons: Hook 2 Pens: Hook 4

Bloemfontein was the next venue on the list and a third Lions win out of three was secured, though they were severely tested against a determined Cheetahs side. Converted tries from Stephen Ferris and Keith Earls gave them a flying start. But when Ferris was sin-binned late on the Cheetahs took full advantage and closed the gap to just two points with eight minutes of the match still remaining. This set up a tense, nervy finish for the tourists but they stood firm and held on for a narrow victory.


Sharks 3-39 Lions

Sharks (3) 3
Pen: Kockott

British and Irish Lions (7) 39
Tries: Mears, Phillips, Fitzgerald, Byrne, Heaslip Cons: O'Gara 3, Hook
Pens: O'Gara 2

Things were much more straight forward against the Sharks in Durban. They would have been frustrated to only have a Lee Mears try to show for their first half efforts, as they dominated their Super 14 opponents. But they were more clinical in the second half with Mike Phillips, Luke Fitzgerald and Lee Byrne all going over. Jamie Heaslip completed the scoring right at the final whistle to give the scoreline a comfortable look.


Western Province 23-26 Lions

Western Province (12) 23
Try: Pietersen Pens: De Waal 4 Drops: De Waal, Pietersen

British and Irish Lions (18) 26
Tries: Bowe, Monye, M Williams Con: Jones Pens: Jones 2, Hook

As the first test gets ever closer so does the quality of the opposition and the Lions endured their toughest game yet, needing a late James Hook penalty to overcome Western Province in a soggy Newlands.
The Lions fell behind 9-6 early on but Tommy Bowes fourth try of the tour and a second from Ugo Monye gave them a 18-12 advantage at the break. Martyn Williams increased the lead but Western Province fought back and leveled the scores just after the hour. Defeat was looking a real possibility, before Hook held his nerve to calmly convert a long range penalty between the sticks with just three minutes remaining.


Southern Kings 8-20 Lions

Kings (3) 8
Tries: Mbiyozo Pens: Van der Westhuyzen

Lions (3) 20
Tries: Monye, penalty Cons: O'Gara 2Pens: O'Gara 2

The final warm-up game proved just as tough though coach Ian McGeekan will be pleased at the resilience showed after a second half onslaught by the Southern Kings. Jaco van der Westhuyzen put the Kings ahead early on before two O'Gara penalties and a Monye try put the Lions ahead. They pulled clear with a penalty try in the second half before a tight finish was ensured when Mpho Mbiyozo reduced the arrears.

The British and Irish Lions V South Africa – 20th and 27th June, 4th July.

Lets face it, these are the games everyone is waiting for. Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg play host to the three tests and The Lions will hope they can re-create the events of 1997 when they last toured South Africa.
On that occasion Jerry Guscott and Co. came away with a 2-1 series win, but the current crop of Lions will have to be at their best if they are to overcome the World Champions.

Betfair has variety of bets available if your want to bet on the Lions this summer.

Here is a selection to get you started:

Series winner:

South Africa 4/9 Lions 12/5 Draw 37/1

Series correct score:

Lions to win:
1-0 119/1 2-0 69/1 2-1 4/1 3-0 16/1

South Africa to win:
1-0 139/1 2-0 35/1 2-1 5/2 3-0 5/4

Drawn series:
0-0 999/1 1-1 69/1


Selected 1st Test Odds:

Lions 13/5 South Africa 2/5 Draw 33/1

Winning margin:

South Africa under 12.5pts 11/5 South Africa over 12.5pts 5/4
Lions under 12.5pts 7/2 Lions over 12.5pts 7/1

First team to score a try:

Lions 2/5 South Africa 6/5 No try 9/2


My 'best bet' prediciton:

The Lions victory in 1997 was based on a solid defensive unit, and I expect that to be the bedrock of any victory charge this time round. The Springboks have an imperious backline themselves and it is a tall order to expect the Lions to score a hatful of tries. Therefore I would back all the matches to be low scoring affairs. But in all honestly I can't see beyond the World Champions in this one.
I predict a 2-1 series win for the South Africans at 5/2.

Today's Latest Tabloid Transfer Gossip

With the 2008/09 football season only just complete transfer speculation is already rife up and down the country, and also abroad in as far as which players 'may' be joining what clubs in time for the new season in August.

Real Madrid, Manchester United, Lyon, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Tottenham, Sporting Lisbon, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, AC Milan, West Ham, AZ Alkmaar, FC Twente, Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Espanyol, Newcastle, Barcelona, Arsenal, Rennes, Everton, Birmingham, Blackburn, Coventry, Benfica, Olympiakas, Sunderland, Wolves, West Brom, Reading, Middlesborough, Wigan, Fulham, Derby, Colchester, Stoke and Leeds are all caught up in transfer gossip today.

Is your Club involved?

Here is a round up:

Real Madrid could use strikers Alvaro Negredo, 23, and Alberto Bueno, 21 as part of a cash plus players deal to lure Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso to the Bernabeu - Spanish paper AS

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo - who seems certain to join Real Madrid after United accepted an £80m bid - had reportedly secured a deal with Real that guaranteed the Spanish club would pay him £20m in compensation if a deal to bring him to the Bernabeu did not go through by 30 June - Press Association

Valencia have turned down a reported offer from Chelsea for David Villa, with the Spain international seemingly set to join Real Madrid instead, according to the player's agent - Press Association

Barcelona are preparing a bid for Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun - Daily Mail

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo has revealed that if he is forced to leave the Bernabeu then Liverpool would be an attractive destination - Sky Sports

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo has received Italy coach Marcello Lippi's blessing to move to Chelsea this summer - Daily Star

French club Lyon have declared an interest in signing former Arsenal midfielder and captain Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan - Press Association

Sporting Lisbon have initiated talks with Manchester United about re-signing winger Nani on an extended loan spell or arranging a player-plus-cash exchange involving their captain, the attacking midfielder Joao Moutinho - The Guardian

Atletico Madrid say they are not willing to part with Argentine striker Sergio "Kun" Aguero, believed to be a Chelsea target - Spanish paper AS

Chelsea's summer transfer plans have been dealt a blow by Bayern Munich placing a £65m asking price on midfielder Franck Ribery - The Times

Blues striker Didier Drogba has ruled out an £18m transfer to Manchester City this summer after sources revealed he wishes to remain at Stamford Bridge - The Sun

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has turned his back on a summer move to Chelsea after insisting: "I have a contract with Milan." - Daily Star

In addition, the Stamford Bridge club have turned their attention to AZ Alkmaar striker Moussa Dembele after a £12m deal for FC Twente striker Marko Arnautovic broke down after his medical revealed a foot fracture - Daily Mail

West Ham have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Manchester City's 19-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge, who is out of contract this summer - Daily Mail

Tottenham Chairman, Daniel Levy, has placed a £12m asking price on 24-year-old Bentley, who is interesting Aston Villa - Daily Express

Spurs will battle it out with Sunderland and Stoke to sign centre-back Richard Dunne from Manchester City - Daily Mail

Also, Spurs' Brazilian striker Giovani dos Santos is set to join Spanish club Espanyol on a year-long loan with a view to a permanent £5m switch - Daily Star

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure could move to England this summer, but his agent claims he will not be joining Arsenal because he has received better offers from other clubs - The Independent

Newcastle are also preparing for a huge clear-out, with high-earning stars such as midfielders Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith, Jonas Gutierrez, Joey Barton and Geremi peddled to clubs at home and abroad - Daily Mirror

Manchester City target, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, is set to leave Barcelona for Inter Milan with Zlatan Ibrahimovic moving to the Nou Camp - Daily Mail

Everton are set to complete the signing of 23-year-old Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia for £8m from Rennes - The Sun

Birmingham are preparing a raid on rivals Aston Villa for £5m-rated centre-back Zat Knight - The Sun

Birmingham are also closing in on a £3.5m deal for Coventry defender Scott Dann - Daily Mirror

Blackburn striker Matt Derbyshire's proposed permanent move to Greek side Olympiakos is on hold until the future of fellow Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz is resolved - The Sun

Blackburn will revive their interest in Benfica's Ivory Coast defender Marco Zoro this summer - Daily Mirror

Wolves are set to snap up keeper Marcus Hahnemann on a free after the 36-year-old was released by Reading - Daily Mirror

Wigan are also on the lookout for a new keeper with Derby County shot-stopper Roy Carroll top of prospective new Latics manager Roberto Martinez's list - Daily Mail

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is ready to offer £350,000 for Colchester winger Mark Yeates - Daily Mirror

Fulham are looking to hijack Birmingham's bid for American defender Oguchi Onyewu - Sky Sports

Fulham are the new favourites to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil in a £5m deal - Daily Mirror

Stoke and Wigan are both chasing wantaway Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere - Daily Mirror

Another Middlesbrough player set to move this summer is Turkish international forward Tuncay, who has admitted his desire to quit the club - Daily Star

West Brom are pressing ahead with attempts to sign midfielders Youssouf Mulumbu and Juan Carlos Menseguez - who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Hawthorns - on a permanent basis even though doubt remains over the future of manager Tony Mowbray - Press Association

Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford has warned the League One club he could run down his contract and leave Elland Road for nothing next summer - Daily Mirror

After-Dinner Sports Tales - Wade Dooley

As promised here is the second installment in my quest to bring you some of the most humorous after-dinner tales, as told by some of Britain's most famous sporting legends.

Last month I wrote about an after-dinner tale as told by ex-footballer and pundit Rodney Marsh.

Today I am turning to the sport of international rugby union and an after-dinner sports tale told by the former England international and British Lion Wade Dooley, the 6'8" tall second row forward, who won 55 caps, was a World Cup finalist in 1991 and won the Grand Slam with England in 1991 and 1992.

Here is one amusing excerpt from a speech made by Wade at a sporting dinner.

"After England's Grand Slam victory against France at Twickenham in 1991, amid the post-match changing room disarray and celebrations, the mighty Mick 'The Munch' Skinner decides to take an early bath so that he can get on the beer undisturbed.

The changing room door opens and the then Prime Minister John Major (a keen rugby follower) is escorted in by the President of the RFU to congratulate the victorious England team.

The first person they meet is a very naked Mick Skinner emerging from the bath/shower area, busily drying himself off with towel in his left hand while attending to his vanity, jiggling his lunchbox/meat and two veg with his right hand.

John Major is confronted by Mick who holds out his right hand and greets the PM with the welcome: 'Yo John! Top man, large, bosh, put it there, how's it hanging?' (Mick always talks in Geordie code like that).

To the horror of the RFU President and the amusement of the England players - and all credit to the Prime Minister who must have momentarily considered a quick exit - John Major took the hand that had seconds earlier been in contact with Mickey Skinner's lunchbox and retorted, 'Obviously not as well as you, Mr. Skinner'."

Babe Of The Month - A Cup/ B Cup/ C Cup/ D Cup/ E Cup/ FA CUP - Chelski 2009 Winners

Congratulations to FC BARCELONA - The 2009 European Champions League Winners

Congratulations To All The Play-Off Winning Teams of 2009

Burnley (left) celebrate promotion to the Premier League yesterday, after their 1-0 victory over Sheffield United, thanks to a spectacular 13th minute long range strike from Wade Elliott.










Scunthorpe United (right) celebrate promotion to The Championship after their thrilling 3-2 victory over Millwall on Sunday.







Gillingham (left) celebrate promotion to League One after Simeon Jackson's last minute minute header defeated Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.









Torquay United (right) celebrate promotion back to the Football League, after beating Cambridge United 2-0 in the Blue Square Premier League play-off final at Wembley on the 17th May.

‘Best Bet Special’ Championship Play-Off Final Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello, I'm Tom Mallows and welcome to my final betting preview of the season as we look forward to the three play-off finals, with a particular focus on the Championship Play-Off Final 

I correctly predicted that it would be Burnley and Sheffield United who would meet at Wembley this Monday, to contest the £60 million prize that awaits the winners.
Here’s hoping I can help win you some cash with my 'best bet' tips.


Burnley v Sheffield Utd

Mon 25th May KO 15.00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

It's a war of the roses in this year’s instalment of the play-off final. The multi-million pound goldmine of the Premier League awaits the winners, and for the losers - all their hard work over the past season will amount to nothing!
Expect tears, drama, shredded nerves and no shortage of excitement. They are horrible matches to be involved in, but are exciting to watch – and great to have a flutter on!

Burnley:
Owen Coyle’s 'Clarets' have certainly served up a rich vintage this season. With a small squad and despite playing 60 games already this season, they are showing no sign of letting up - their convincing 3-0 aggregate win over Reading in the semi-final is proof to that.
Can he guide the Lancashire club to the top division for the first time in 33 years?

Sheffield United:
United go into this game fuelled with a sense of injustice. The fall-out from the Carlos Tevez affair still wrangles within the Yorkshire club. They still feel in part a sense of injustice in their relegation from the Premier League in 2007, revolving around the 'illegal' third-party ownership of Tevez, then a West Ham player.
I feel they will never be satisfied until they feel they are back where they belong.
Kevin Blackwell has some bad memories of his own to banish. The last time he was involved in a Championship play-off final it cost his job as boss of Leeds, as they were hammered 3-0 by Watford in the 2006 final.

Current Match odds (90 mins only):

Burnley 2/1 Sheff United 13/8 Draw 12/5

Scorecast:
Burnley 1-0 15/2 2-0 15/1 2-1 11/1 3-0 45/1

Sheff U 0-1 7/1 0-2 14/1 1-2 10/1 0-3 37/1

Draw 0-0 17/2 1-1 6/1 2-2 18/1

My 'best bet' football prediction:
It will be tight, tense, nervy affair and I wouldn’t rule out extra time and/or penalties. But I feel the Blades' may have just enough to blunt 'Coyle's Clarets.'
A narrow victory by the odd goal will secure a return to the top flight for United, after a two year absence.
Sheffield Utd 1-0 win @ 7/1


The Best Of The Rest:

League One Play-off Final
Millwall v Scunthorpe
Sunday 24th May KO 13.00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Kenny Jacket's Millwall were mightily impressive in their disposal of Leeds in the semi-final, whilst Scunthorpe booked their place at Wembley by beating Bury on penalties. Some might say luck is on the side of Nigel Adkins' Irons, but I still think the Lions will come out on top in this one.
Millwall 2-1 win @ 9/1


League Two Play-off Final
Gillingham v Shrewsbury
Saturday 23rd May KO 15.00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Both teams have decent strikers in Jackson (Gillingham) and Holt (Shrewsbury) with 39 goals between them this season.
Way back in September the Gills were on the end of a 7-0 league hiding at the hands of their hosts on Saturday.
However eight months is a long time in football, and I fancy the Gills to seal an immediate return back to League One.
Gillingham 2-0 win @ 10/1

After-Dinner Sports Tales - Rodney Marsh

I have decided over the next few weeks to assemble a compilation of some of the most humorous after-dinner tales as told by some of Britain's most famous sporting legends.

These are real stories from their lives, both inside and outside the world of sport.

Nowadays, most professional sportsmen receive advice on how to present themselves in front of an audience, but in the dim and distant past this was not always the case.

First up is Rodney Marsh, a former England international footballer, who played for QPR, Fulham, Manchester City and Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USA.

Latterly Marsh would become a highly respected television pundit, bringing the same instinctive flair into the studio that had served him so well on the pitch.

Not surprisingly, however, Marsh also retained the characteristic ability to self destruct. Marsh would lose his job with Sky Sports after making an unfortunate, but basically harmless, joke concerning David Beckham's inability to understand the difference between the Toon Army and the tsunami which had just struck Asia, a joke virtually every football fan must surely have already heard.

Here is one amusing excerpt from a speech made by Rodney at a sporting dinner.

"I was capped nine times for England and I'm often asked why I only got nine. Well, here's the reason why:

England were playing Northern Ireland in the Home Nations Championships and they were tough opposition in those days, with the likes of George Best and Pat Jennings in their line-up.
Alf Ramsey was England manager at the time, a cockney like me, but he had taken elocution lessons before the World Cup finals in 1966, so he now spoke very posh.
Before the game Alf gave his team talk and stressed that if we were to win the game we would have 'to work very hard.'

He went on:
'As a team we must work harder, you in particular Rodney. You must work harder when you play for England. I've told you before when you play for England you can't play the way you usually do. In fact, this is your last chance. If you don't work harder tonight I will pull you off at half-time.'
'That's brilliant,' I said. 'At Man City we only get a cup of tea and an orange!'

Funnily enough, that was the last time I ever played for England!"

Today's Latest Tabloid Transfer Gossip

With the current season still upon us.........and for at least half a dozen clubs or so it is certainly far from done & dusted, transfer rumours are already rife up and down the country, and also abroad in as far as which players 'may' be joining what clubs this Summer, in currently the most lucrative domestic league in the world.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Chelsea, AC Milan, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur, Wigan Athletic, West Brom, Crystal Palace, QPR, Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Barnsley, Norwich, Stockport & Tranmere are all caught up in transfer gossip this morning.

Is your Club involved?

Here is a round up:

Manchester United are favourites to beat Liverpool in the £20m race for Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also interested in the Ecuadorian - The Sun

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has his eye on former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan, who is now at Atletico Madrid - Daily Star

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has been linked with a host of top clubs, will not be leaving Anfield this summer, according to his agent - The Guardian

Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant believes the club would be making a mistake if they allow striker Didier Drogba to leave this summer - The Sun

But Drogba will depart and the club are lining up Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor as his replacement - Daily Mirror

Carlo Ancelotti will bid for Aston Villa's Ashley Young if the AC Milan coach takes the job as Blues boss this summer - The Sun

Chelsea will send Ricardo Quaresma back to Inter Milan but the Portugal winger is then likely to make a permanent switch to Benfica - The Sun

Current Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has recommended the club go for £15m-rated CSKA Moscow striker Yuri Zhyrkov - The Sun

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz will turn down Arsenal and Tottenham if he can secure a move to Manchester City or Liverpool - The Sun

But Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is determined to sign Cruz after putting the Paraguay forward top of his wanted list - Daily Mail

One player on his way to Blackburn is defender Gael Givet, who will complete a £4m permanent switch from Marseille. It will also pave the way for Stephen Warnock to leave Ewood Park - Daily Mirror

Striker Roman Pavlyuchenko says he expects to remain a Tottenham player next season, insisting he has received assurances over his future - The Independent

Newcastle manager Alan Shearer wants Wigan midfielder Paul Scharner - Daily Mirror

Crystal Palace are keeping an eye on Norwich's out-of-contract winger Lee Croft - Daily Star

Sheffield United and Blackburn are competing for the signature of Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan - The Sun

Bolton are ready to make a £4m bid for Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil - The Sun

Birmingham have cleared the way for goalkeeper Joe Hart's arrival on loan from Manchester City by loaning out Colin Doyle to Swansea - Daily Mirror

West Brom are set to beat Fulham to the signature of Stockport striker Oli Johnson - Daily Star

Coventry have turned their interest from Hearts winger Andrew Driver to former Sky Blues striker Gary McSheffrey, who is now at Birmingham - Daily Star

Cardiff are closing in on Norwich's 25-year-old midfielder Sammy Clingan - Daily Star

Kidderminster defender Mark Creighton is set to join Oxford - Daily Star

Tranmere's Charlie Barnet is wanted by Barnsley and Blackpool - Daily Mirror

QPR's Liam Miller has been linked with move to Cork City when his contract expires this summer - Daily Star

Striker Barry Hayles is in talks with Cheltenham and Walsall after being released by Leicester - Daily Star

Forward Lloyd Owusu is thinking over offers from Brighton and Adelaide after being released by Cheltenham - Daily Star

'Best Bet Special' - 2nd Leg Play-Off Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello and welcome to the second leg of my 'special' edition guest blog. I am going to be previewing this week's 2nd leg play-off fixtures, and in particular those games involving Championship sides.
Drama, nerves and excitement are guaranteed, but hopefully I can also try and win you some cash with my best bet tips.
 
I told you last Wednesday predicting the play-off was hard, and as if to prove the point a narrow victory for Burnley was the only game I got right! Here’s hoping for better luck this week:


Sheff United v Preston - 2nd leg

Mon 11th May KO 19.45 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

It is still all to play for at Bramall Lane after the two sides couldn’t be separated in the first game at Deepdale. Sean St Ledger gave Preston the lead only to be pegged by back Brian Howard minutes into the second half. With no away goals rule this one could go all the way to penalty kicks.

Current Match odds:

Sheff U 11/10 Preston 3/1 Draw 12/5

Scorecast:
Sheff U 1-0 7/1 2-0 17/2 2-1 8/1 3-0 17/1

Preston 0-1 17/2 0-2 20/1 1-2 13/1 0-3 69/1

Draw 0-0 17/2 1-1 6/1 2-2 15/1

My 'best bet' prediction:

It is almost too close to call but I am going to stick my neck out and tips United to go through - but only after extra time or penalties. I think it will be level after the 90 minutes.
1-1 draw @ 15/2


Reading v Burnley - 2nd leg

Tuesday 12th May KO 19.45 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Despite having an array of attacking talent on show, Saturday’s first leg failed to live up to expectations. The game looked to be heading for a bore draw until a moment of madness by Andre Bikey. The Reading defender inexplicably pulled back Stephen Thompson in the area with only six minutes of the match remaining. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot, and Graham Alexander duly converted the penalty to give the Clarets a vital first-leg lead.

Current Match odds:

Reading Evens Burnley 16/5 Draw 5/2

Scorecast:
Reading 1-0 7/1 2-0 9/1 2-1 8/1 3-0 20/1

Burnley 0-1 12/1 0-2 25/1 1-2 14/1 0-3 79/1

Draw 0-0 10/1 1-1 6/1 2-2 16/1

My 'best bet' prediction:

Steve Coppell's Reading team are in poor form of late, and they will have to produce a much improved performance on Tuesday night if they want to progress any further.
Meanwhile Owen Coyle's Burnley have been going great guns of late, and I fancy them to grind out a draw at the Madejski Stadium, and book themselves a place at Wembley on May 25th.
O-O draw @ 10/1


The Best Of The Rest:
Eight other teams face off this week in the race to earn promotion from Leagues One and Two.

Here are my predictions:

Home wins:
Sunday 10th May KO 18.30 Gillingham v Rochdale
Thursday 14th May KO 19.45 Leeds v Millwall

Draws:
Sunday 10th May KO Noon Bury v Shrewsbury
Friday 15th May KO 19.45 MK Dons v Scunthorpe

'Best Bet Special' - 1st Leg Play-Off Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello and welcome to a 'special' edition of my guest blog, previewing this weekend's 1st leg play-off fixtures, and in particular looking at The Championship as four teams fight it out for that lucrative final promotion place, that will ultimately take them to the 'promise land' - The Premier League.

Drama, nerves and excitement are guaranteed but hopefully I can also try and win you some cash with my 'best bet' tips.

Last time out I correctly predicted two home wins and two draws in my sections list so here’s hoping for more correct football predictions this week.

Preston North End v Sheff United

Friday 8th May KO 19.45 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Going into the final 45 minutes of the season Alan Irvine’s Preston were still outside the play-off places. But a Sean St-Ledger header against QPR coupled with Sheffield Wednesday’s defeat of Cardiff saw the Lilywhites sneak through in dramatic style, at the expense of The Bluebirds. Kevin Blackwell’s Blades still held hopes of automatic promotion on the last day, but with Birmingham ending the campaign with a win they had to be content with a play-off spot.

Current Match odds:

Preston 13/8   Sheff Utd 2/1 Draw 12/5

Scorecast:
Preston 1-0 15/2 2-0 13/1 2-1 11/1 3-0 37/1

Sheff U 0-1  8/1 0-2 16/1 1-2 12/1 0-3 47/1

Draw 0-0 9/1 1-1 6/1 2-2 18/1

My ‘best bet’ prediction:

Tight, passionate and tense – all the attributes we expect from the play-offs. Preston know they need to take some sort of result over the Pennines' for the 2nd leg, and they have been in good form at Deepdale recently. Because of that I am going for a narrow home win.
Preston 1-0 win @ 15/2 

Burnley v Reading

Saturday 9th May KO 17.20 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Burnley’s mammoth season continues – this will be their 59th game of a campaign, which has also included a journey to the FA Cup fifth round and the semi-final of the Carling Cup. Standing in their way is Steve Coppell’s Reading. Pre-season favourites for automatic promotion the Royals will be disappointed to have finished 4th, as they now face the lottery of the play-offs. However with last year’s final day relegation still fresh in the memory, they will be hungry and determined to make a return to the Premier League at the first attempt.     

Current Match odds:

Burnley 6/4 Reading 2/1 Draw 5/2      

Scorecast:
Burnley 1-0 15/2 2-0 13/1 2-1 10/1 3-0 33/1

Reading 0-1  17/2 0-2 17/1 1-2 12/1 0-3 45/1

Draw 0-0 9/1 1-1 6/1 2-2 17/1

My ‘best bet’ prediction:

Burnley are a tough proposition at Turf Moor, and despite their long season they are showing no apparent signs of fatigue. I think they will take a valuable lead to the Madejski Stadium for the 2nd leg.
Burnley 2-1 win @ 10/1


The Best Of The Rest:
Eight other teams face off this week in the race to earn promotion from Leagues One and Two. 

Here are my predictions:

Home win:
Thursday 7th May KO 19.45 Rochdale v Gillingham

Away win:
Friday 8th Mat KO 19.45 Scunthorpe v MK Dons

Draws:
Saturday 9th May KO 12.45 Millwall v Leeds
Thursday 7th May KO 19.45 Shrewsbury v Bury

Babe Of The Month - The Cat-alan That Got The Cream!

Pre-Season Predictions - Now The Reality............

On Friday 8th August 2008, I published on this site my pre-season football predictions for the forthcoming season (2008/09).

The teams I thought may win or gain automatic promotion from each of the four top flight football leagues in England, along with the odds supplied courtesy of Coral Bookmakers.

Premiership Winners: Chelsea 15/8
Championship Automatic Promotion: Birmingham 6/1 & Wolves 12/1
League One Automatic Promotion: Peterborough 11/1 & Carlisle 16/1
League Two Automatic Promotion: Darlington 9/1 & Wycombe 10/1




Now with the final weekend of fixtures approaching for those teams in the Championship, League 1 and League 2 here are how things stand:

The Championship:

Birmingham - Currently 2nd. A last day victory will see them join Wolves in the Premier League next season. Should results conspire to go against them, then a play-off place is at least guaranteed.
Wolves - Champions before the final game of the season.

League 1:

Peterborough - Currently 2nd (automatic promotion guaranteed).
Carlisle - Currently 21st & fighting to avoid relegation with one game to go.
Can escape at the expense of Northampton or Brighton if results go their way this weekend.

League 2:

Darlington - Currently lying 12th and but for a ten point deduction handed out mid-way through the season, they would be in a play-off place going into the final game this weekend.
Wycombe - Currently 2nd with one game to go. Their destiny is in their own hands. A point at the weekend will guarantee automatic promotion. Defeat this weekend combined with a victory for Bury will mean they will have to settle for a play-off place.

The Premier League season concludes on Sunday 24th May.

'Best Bet' - Championship Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello, I'm Tom Mallows and welcome to my latest fortnightly football betting preview on behalf of this site.

I shall be looking at this weekend's Coca-Cola Championship fixtures, along with some of the LIVE TV games in more detail.
Hopefully I can try and win you some cash with my 'best bet' football tips.

Last time out I correctly predicted a 1-0 Sheffield United win at Reading at 11/1, as well as correctly picking two home wins and a draw from my sections list. Here’s hoping for more success this week.

Here’s my pick of the action this weekend:

Birmingham v Preston

Saturday 25th April April KO 17:30 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

It’s a day of destiny for Alex McLeish’s Birmingham. With Sheffield United losing to play-off hopefuls Burnley in midweek, the Blues know a win can seal a return to the Premier League at the first attempt. Preston’s play-off hopes are fading fast and they know they have to win both their remaining games, and hope the likes of Burnley and Cardiff immediately above them lose theirs - if they are going to crash the party.

Current Match odds:

Birmingham 4/5 Preston 4/1 Draw 13/5

Scorecast:
Birmingham 1-0 6/1 2-0 8/1 2-1 17/2 3-0 18/1

Preston 0-1 13/1 0-2 31/1 1-2 18/1 0-3 109/1

Draw 0-0 10/1 1-1 13/2 2-2 21/1

My ‘best bet’ prediction:

There is no margin for error for either side, but with the carrot of the Premier League dangling tantalisingly in front of Birmingham I think they will do enough to win and secure automatic promotion.
Birmingham 2-0 win @ 8/1


Norwich v Reading
Monday 27th April KO 19.45 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Two sides at either end of the table who need the points for very different reasons. Reading would have fancied automatic promotion at the start of the year, so will be disappointed that the play-offs is the best they can do. Norwich are staring relegation in the face following a disappointing derby defeat against Ipswich last Sunday. They remain third bottom, two points adrift of safety with two to play.

Current Match odds:

Norwich 8/4 Reading 2/1 Draw 12/5

Scorecast:
Norwich 1-0 17/2 2-0 14/1 2-1 9/1 3-0 35/1

Reading 0-1 9/1 0-2 16/1 1-2 10/1 0-3 43/1

Draw 0-0 10/1 1-1 6/1 2-2 14/1

My ‘best bet’ prediction:

Reading may be riding high in the table, but they only have one win in their last six matches. Norwich are scrapping for their lives, but I don’t think they have enough quality to take all three points, so I predict a share of the spoils.
Draw 1-1 @ 6/1

The Best Of The Rest:

Fancy a sections list this weekend? A multiple bet can win you some 'serious' cash.

Here are my tips for this weekend's matches:

Home wins:

Bristol City v Sheff Wed
Doncaster v Crystal Palace
Sheff Utd v Swansea

Away wins:

Barnsley v Wolverhampton
Southampton v Burnley

Draws:

QPR v Plymouth
Coventry v Watford
Derby v Charlton
Blackpool v Nottm Forest

My Tip Of The Weekend:

Cardiff City v Ipswich Town

It's sure to be an emotional day in South Wales as Cardiff bid farewell to Ninian Park, their home for 99 years, and also look for the point they need to seal a play-off spot. It will be a significant day for Ipswich too, as Roy Keane takes charge of the Tractor Boys for his first game at the helm. The Bluebirds have more to play for though and I think they will be smiling come the final whistle. Sorry Roy!
Cardiff 2-1 win @ 15/2

Sky Sports FanZone - An Absolute Classic!

Here are two of the most memorable minutes in the history of the 'Sky Sports Fan Zone' recorded during the magnificent eight goal drama filled thriller between The Reds and The Gooners at Anfield last night.

You have to watch these guys go through the roller coaster of emotions, (that all fans of the game can appreciate) as they both experience moments during the game when they can almost taste victory and then that feeling of despair, as it is snatched away during this wonderful attacking goal fest!

Amusing Terrace Chants

Football chants come in all shapes and sizes, some can be cruel, some are simply witty, others are variations of songs that have been around for years - They can be historic, dating back to the formation of a club, adaptions of popular songs, or spontaneous reactions to events on the pitch.

Some songs are in support of their own players, others are aimed at rival fans, opposition managers and players, but on occasions fans do turn on their own players. Very often football chants are directed at a clubs former player, particularly if they left the club under acrimonious circumstances.
Not surprisingly the games officials also suffer the wrath of football fans.

There are thousands of chants out there, but I've just picked out a small selection, that should at least raise a smile!


West Ham fans take the mickey out of London rivals Fulham by asking: 'Does your butler know you're here?'

'We've all had you're missus, We've all had you're missus.'
At a Cambridge United game, while some bloke proposed to his girlfriend at half time.

From Oldham fans:
'Give us a T. Give us an I.
Give us a T. Give us an S.
What do you do with 'em?
'Old'em! 'Old'em!'

'All bling and Burberry, high teenage pregnancy, no father on the scene, all robbing cash machines!'
A chant that Sittingbourne fans sing to local rivals Chatham (to the tune of Verdi's La Donna e Mobile).

'When the ball hits your head and you sit in row Z, thats Zamora.'
Sung about aimless Bobby Zamora to the tune of 'That's Amore' by Dean Martin.

'How wide? Nationwide!'
Birmingham fans to any wide shot.

'Two Andy Gorams, there's only two Andy Gorams!'
Political correctness went out of the window when it was reported that larger-than-life keeper Andy Goram was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

'You've got Di Canio, we've got your stereo'
Liverpool fans being all post-modern and deconstructing their own stereotype. Sung at West Ham fans, who would often boast 'We've got Di Canio!'

'Who ate all the pies, who ate all the pies? You fat bastard, you fat bastard, you ate all the pies!'
Well, it had to be in here somewhere. A timeless classic:  More often abbreviated today to simply 'You fat bastard, you fat bastard!'

'In for a week, out for a month, in for a week, out for a month, in for a week, out for a month, Kewell is a tampon.'
Sung to Liverpool fans during Harry Kewell's injury plagued spell with the Club.

'You dirty northern bastards!'
A versatile chant, most often used by southern shandy-drinking types to wind up their northern cousins. Can also be used ironically - Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City fans sing it to anyone!

Chelsea were beating Leeds 5-0, so the Leeds fans attacked the electronic scoreboard until it short-circuited and went up in smoke. Then sang, 'Chelsea, Chelsea what's the score.'

'We hate Tuesday'
Millwall fans after Sheff Utd fans chant 'We hate Wednesday', at Bramall Lane.

'Come in a taxi,
You must have come in a taxi,
Cooome in a taxieeeee,
You must have come in a taxi.'
Birmingham fans to the few Sunderland fans that turned up at St.Andrew's.

In 1998 when Graham Rix was convicted of having sexual intercourse with an underage girl, football fans came with the chant: 'If you tolerate Rix, then your children will be next,' to the tune of the Manic Street Preachers song: 'If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next.'

Chelsea fans mocked Turkish side Galatasaray with this chant:
'You're shish. And you know you are. You're shish........'

Chelsea and Norwich fans at a game a couple of years ago:
'We have Abramovich, you have a drunken ****.'
Norwich fans reply:
'We have a super cook, you have a Russian crook.'

'Away in a manger, No crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus, Laid down his sweet head, The stars in the bright sky, Looked down where HE LAY, HEALY, HEALY!'
Leeds fans to David Healy.

Aside from pop songs, there are several other songs from which football chants have taken the tune and/or words:

The tune of Camptown Races is used for 'Two World Wars, One World Cup,' and 'Ten Green Bottles' became 'Ten German Bombers' (to the tune of 'She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain'), both songs used by England fans to slight their main rivals, Germany.

'If it wasn't for the English you'd be Krauts
If it wasn't for the English you'd be Krauts
If it wasn't for the English
Wasn't for the English
If it wasn't for the English you'd be Krauts'
Sung by English fans to the French during the World Cup Finals held in France in 1998.

'Best Bet' - Championship Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello and welcome to my latest guest blog previewing this weekend’s Coca-Cola Championship fixtures as well as looking at some of the LIVE TV games in more detail. Hopefully I can try and win you some cash with my best bet football tips.

Last time out I got my prediction for the Bristol City v Preston game spot on as well as correctly picking three draws in my sections list. Here's hoping for more success this week.

Here’s my pick of the action this Easter weekend:

Reading v Sheff Utd
Friday 10th April KO 17:30 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

It's third versus fourth in this Good Friday clash, live in front of the Sky cameras. Kevin Blackwell's Blades have won four in a row, a run of form which has seen them overtake Reading into third and are now just three points behind Birmingham in the race for automatic promotion. Reading meanwhile have had just one win in six so will look to stop that slide against the Blades.

Current Match odds:

Reading 5/4 The Draw 13/5 Sheff Utd 5/2

Scorecast:
Reading 1-0 8/1 2-0 12/1 2-1 9/1 3-0 26/1

Sheff Utd 0-1 11/1 0-2 20/1 1-2 13/1 0-3 54/1

Draw 0-0 10/1 1-1 13/2 2-2 17/1

My 'best bet' prediction:

Two talented sides who would not look out of place in the Premier League. The Blades are coming up on the rails of Reading at the moment, they have the momentum and I fancy them to come away from the Madejski Stadium with a narrow victory.
Sheff Utd 1-0 win @ 11/1


Wolves v Southampton
Friday 10th April KO 15.15 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

It’s not been a good few weeks for Southampton. Their parent company has gone into administration, with the prospect of a potential ten point penalty as a result, added to their precarious league position as they face the threat of relegation to the third tier of league football (even without a points deduction) - it would be safe to say that things down on the South Coast right now are looking bleak! They left Watford on Tuesday night with a point when three would have seen them jump out of the relegation zone. They now have only five more league games to save their Championship status, beginning with a tricky trip to the Black Country on Good Friday.
Wolves remain top of the tree, although their lead was cut following a disappointing derby defeat at Birmingham on Monday night. Mick McCarthy's side will look to secure automatic promotion as soon as possible, starting with a victory against the Saints.

Current Match odds:

Wolves 4/7 The Draw 3/1 Southampton 13/2

Scorecast:
Wolves 1-0 6/1 2-0 7/1 2-1 10/1 3-0 12/1

Southampton 0-1 20/1 0-2 49/1 1-2 23/1 0-3 189/1

Draw 0-0 13/1 1-1 8/1 2-2 17/1

My ‘best bet’ prediction:

Southampton look doomed in my opinion. Wolves may have lost their last game but I think they will have enough quality to get the win and hammer another nail in the Saints coffin.
Wolves 2-0 win @ 7/1

The Best of the rest:

Fancy a sections list this weekend? A multiple bet can win you some 'serious' cash.

Here are my tips for this weekend's matches:

Home wins:

Burnley v QPR
Preston v Blackpool
Sheff Wed v Derby
Swansea v Norwich

Away wins:

Charlton v Birmingham
Nottm Forest v Bristol City

Draws:

Ipswich v Doncaster
Plymouth v Coventry
Watford v Barnsley

My Tip Of The Weekend:

Crystal Palace v Cardiff City

Dave Jones' Cardiff are bang in form at the moment as they look to seal a play-off spot. Palace, rooted in mid-table, don’t have much to play for so I fancy the Bluebirds to come away from Selhurst Park with all three points.
Cardiff to win 2-1 @ 11/1

Sickening Carsley Tackle!

There can surely be NO place in our game for the quite nauseating stomach-churning X-rated tackle by Brum skipper Lee Carsley on Wolves and Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo, in their Championship game at St. Andrew's last night. 

Yes, it was a tense passionate affair as with any derby match, with the prize of a place in the Premier League ultimately at stake come the end of the season. Here are the match highlights AND that horrific tackle.

Judge for yourself!

How can anybody in their right mind condone such reckless behaviour and a seemingly total disregard for the welfare of a fellow professional?

Well it seems BOTH managers seem to have done so!
Mick McCarthy and Alex McLeish both jumped to the defence of Lee Carsley.

Wolves boss McCarthy said: "Lee wouldn’t go in to hurt anybody and that's for sure. He's a competitor and I think he's just mistimed it, he's caught him and it's not a very nice tackle. He’s one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever come across in football and not for one minute do I think he's attempted to 'do' Chris.".................so that makes it ok then!!!!!!!!

Whilst Blues manager McLeish said: "I thought he wasn't the favourite to win the ball. Lee's a wholehearted player, committed, he's not a dirty player by any means and all the professionals know that.
But he's high with his studs and when you do that and don't get the ball then 99% of the time it's a red card.
He was upset at half-time. He knows that the player is injured and he cares, he is a guy who cares not only about the cause for Birmingham but he respects his fellow pros."

I'm sure neither manager would be so supportive if the injured player was their son!

It seems that these 'types' of disgusting potential career ending tackles whether they be two-footed, studs up, feet off the ground, knee high, from behind etc.........are unfortunately becoming an all to familiar part of the modern game.

Horror tackles of late that immediately spring to mind include: Taylor on Eduardo, Nolan on Anichebe, Gutherie on Fagan, Neill on Cattermole and Cattermole on Parker.

Granted the game is quicker than ever, players are stronger and fitter, the stakes are higher than ever before and the price of success and familiar is all to apparent.

But what sort of message does this send out to the fans, fellow professionals, amateur players, and worst of all to OUR KIDS!

Bad tackling has become fashionable because players believe they can get away with it or at worst they will only have to serve a 'bog standard' FA punishment for their crime if sent-off - a three game ban, possibly a small fine, but all the time on 'full pay' for the duration of the ban.

How about banning players for six games, ten games, twenty games, fining them £100K for a first offence and another £200K for a second offence if commited in the same season. Make these players do community service, they have effectively 'assaulted' an opponent. Make them stand up in front of the nation and apologise on television. Make them train with their Club's youth/academy teams. Send them to schools to coach kids the dangers and effects of bad tackles, why it is wrong to abuse players, swear at officials or cheat, and instead how to behave and show respect for their fellow players/managers and officials.

Is it really that difficult to reduce thuggery and make players think before they act OR do players nowadays really and truly believe they are above the law!

'Best Bet' - Championship Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello and welcome to my latest guest blog, where I shall be previewing this weekend's Coca-Cola Championship fixtures, as well as looking at some of the LIVE TV games in more detail.

Hopefully I can try and win you some cash with my best football bet tips.

After a week of International action it’s time to get back to league business as we enter the final, crucial stages of the Championship Season.

Here's my pick of the action:

Bristol City v Preston North End
Saturday 4th April KO 17.20 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

With games running out both these sides know they have to pick up results quickly if they are to secure a play-off place. Alan Irvine’s Preston lie seventh, just two points outside the play-off positions. Meanwhile Gary Johnson’s City, play-off finalists last season of course, lurk just three points further behind.

Current Match odds:

Bristol City 5/4 The Draw 12/5 Preston 13/5

Scorecast:
Bristol C 1-0 13/2 2-0 12/1 2-1 17/2 3-0 27/1

Preston 0-1 10/1 0-2 20/1 1-2 12/1 0-3 59/1

Draw 0-0 9/1 1-1 6/1 2-2 15/1

My 'best bet' prediction:

This is a clash between two very evenly matched sides, who both are in need of maximum points in their quest for a play-off place. However I just cannot separate the two sides, so I will have to sit on the fence on this one and I predict the points are shared at Ashton Gate.
1-1 Draw @ 6/1


Birmingham v Wolves
Monday 6th April KO 19.45 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Mick McCarthy’s Wolves are so close to the Premiership they can almost taste it. One side which will be desperate to stop them will be near rivals Birmingham, who would love to put the brakes on Wanderers’ title charge, and give their own a real boost.

Current Match odds:

Birmingham 13/8 The Draw 9/4 Wolves 85/40

Scorecast:
Birmingham 1-0 7/1 2-0 13/1 2-1 10/1 3-0 35/1

Wolves 0-1 8/1 0-2 16/1 1-2 10/1 0-3 45/1

Draw 0-0 17/2 1-1 6/1 2-2 17/1

My 'best bet' prediction:

Another pair of closely matched sides and it is bound to be a fast-paced competitive encounter. But after a sticky start to the year Wolves are gaining momentum again and I think they will end the season in style.
Wolves 2-0 win @ 16/1

The best of the rest:

Fancy a sections list this weekend? A multiple bet can win you some 'serious' cash.

Here are my tips for this weekend’s matches:

Home Wins:

Norwich v Sheff Wed
Sheff Utd v Ipswich
Southampton v Charlton

Away Wins:

Coventry v Reading
Derby v Burnley

Draws:

Barnsley v Nottm Forest
Blackpool v Plymouth
QPR v Crystal Palace
Cardiff v Swansea

My Tip Of The Weekend:

Doncaster v Watford

Doncaster have surprised everyone recently with their recent run of form lifting themselves away from danger. Just two points separate these sides but with home advantage I fancy Rovers to take all three points.
Donny to win 2-1 @ 9/1

Babes Of The Month - Warning: Keep Your Eye On The Ball !