Tag: Birmingham

Legend Andrew Cole…

Andy Cole. Andrew Cole. Call him either or, because either way, this boy could score goals.

Cole began his career with Arsenal and it was very short lived. After playing just one game for the Gunners and spending most of his time there on loan to Fulham, he moved to Bristol City where he found his goal scoring touch. 20 goals in 41 games for the Robins grabbed the attention of then Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan.

In 1993, Cole signed for the Magpies and it would be the start of an illustrious career and the making of a legend in the Premier League.

However, before his Premier League story began, Cole’s partnership with fellow Newcastle United idol Peter Beardsley led the team to the First Division championship in 1992/93. He scored an incredible 55 goals in 70 games and after only two seasons on Tyneside, he was dramatically sold to Manchester United for a then British record transfer fee, plus Keith Gillespie!

It would prove to be one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most fruitful investments ever. He formed a lethal partnership up front with Dwight Yorke and was instrumental in Manchester United’s treble winning 1998/99 season. Cole and York drummed up 53 goals between them and Cole ended up being the top scorer in Europe that year. They will go down as the best attacking duo to ever team up for Manchester United.

His glory with Manchester United made up for his mishaps with England. Although his club form did not translate to international level, some will say Cole should have been given more of a chance to prove himself within the England camp. He garnered only 15 caps for his country and missed out on being selected for the World Cup and European Championships in 1998 and 2002.

In 6 storybook seasons with the Red Devils, Andrew Cole scored 93 goals in 195 appearances, has 5 Premier League winners medals, 1 Champions League winners medal and 2 F.A. Cup winners medals. He was named PFA Young Player of the Year in 1994 and won the Premier League Golden Boot for the 1993/94 season. He scored an incredible 187 Premier League goals and is second only to Alan Shearer on the all time list. Cole went on to play for Blackburn, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Sunderland, Burnley and Nottingham Forest, but he never experienced or replicated the stunning success he cultivated at Manchester United.

Andrew Cole scored 229 goals in 509 games. Nobody will remember what he did post Manchester United career. And it really doesn’t matter. Cole left fans with everlasting memories from his career in the Premier League and he will definitely go down as a legend. Welcome to the list…

Deals, deals and more deals…

The January transfer market can be as exciting as it is annoying for some clubs. In the middle of the season, transfers can cause unrest and can lead to disastrous results.

Teams can lose their best players, and before you know it, the season is over. However, teams can also buy great players and see their season end in a winning fashion. Either way, people either love or hate this time of year.

The January transfer window hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, but the last few days can always prove to be a shocker. And there is a story brewing that is making all the headlines. Fernando Torres is being hunted by Chelsea. Surely Liverpool don’t want to sell him, do they?

With Argentine strike Luis Suarez on his way to Anfield from Ajax, this could well be the time where the scouse house finally part ways with the Spanish superstar. Suarez impressed at the World Cup for Argentina and could be a perfect replacement for Torres.

Torres could use a fresh start. He has been ravaged by injuries the last couple of seasons and we haven’t seen the best of him. He is however finding some form of late and could join Chelsea at the perfect time. But should Torres leave?

In other transfer happenings…Edin Dzeko’s move from German club Wolfsburg to Manchester City is at present the most expensive transfer in this January window. I always thought he was a quality player who could do some serious damage in the Premier League. But did he join the right club?

Other transfers that made headlines include Emmanuel Adebayor to Real Madrid from Manchester City on loan, but do we care?

Darren Bent seems to get more expensive as he moves from club to club. Aston Villa paid Sunderland 18 million pounds with the transfer fee rising to 24 million. Is he worth it?

Ryan Babel finally ended his Liverpool nightmare and darted off to Hoffenheim for 6 million. That’s a good move for him and he needed to get out. Should another Premier League team have picked him up?

England has beens David Bentley and Wayne Bridge went on loan deals. Bentley left Tottenham for Birmingham and Bridge left Manchester City for West Ham. Can these players resurrect their careers with these latest moves?

We are heading towards the most exciting part of the season fellow footie fans and it’s all leading to a massive crescendo. Take a deep breath. Oh and by the way, the Diva is back…

Look out for the party crashers…

Dunne_and_Collins_2_911003aThe wannabe top four teams of the Premier League are really making a case for themselves this season. Aston Villa beat the power house that is Chelsea 2-1, Tottenham piled on the misery for Portsmouth with a victory at Fratton Park and Manchester City continue to prove they are serious about challenging for the title even though they walked away with a draw against Wigan.

Seeing these types of teams rise up and worm their way into the elite group of teams in the Premier League is a great thing for English football. It certainly makes the game more exciting for us fans and it’s great to see the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City making a run for it. Don’t you find this refreshing?

Aston Villa is my team of the week. They have often lost games like they won against Chelsea. It’s happened to them many times against the current big four. But they showed a superb team spirit and togetherness which eventually won them the game. Brad Friedel was a monster in goal and he certainly saved his team on a few occasions. Collins and Dunne were immense on set pieces and their goals were much needed after Drogba put Chelsea ahead. Whether Aston Villa have the squad and fitness to fight on in February, March and April we shall see. This has always been the question mark against Aston Villa. Can you see them breaking into the top four this season? Can they stay consistent?

Tottenham’s path to victory this weekend was a little easier. Beating Portsmouth isn’t exactly a difficult task this season, but with ex-Pompey boss Harry Redknapp returning to the team he helped build, it was going to be a heated affair. In fact, there were a few ex-Portsmouth and ex-Tottenham players on display in this battle. Sharp shooter Defoe scored against his old club but saw himself go from hero to zero after being sent off for a stamp on Portsmouth’s Mokoena. Despite the setback, Spurs went onto win and they maintained their place within the top four. Can they keep it going?

Liverpool have some serious problems. If Torres and Gerrard are not in the squad, they struggle to win. I cannot see them winning the league this season. It seems they may have to make some major transfer moves in January if they want to push for the title. What’s lacking for me when I watch Liverpool is their team spirit. They might put in the effort, but where’s the fight? You can’t blame a balloon for your loss. You need to make your own luck on the pitch sometimes and Liverpool just couldn’t find the inspiration to do that. Can you see Liverpool turning it around this season? Benitez is under pressure, can you see him losing his job if things don’t improve?

West Ham lose to Stoke. Are the East Londoners in trouble? Surely the buyout of the club couldn’t come fast enough for Hammers fans? Is Zola’s job safe for now?

My goal of the week was Robbie Blake’s for Burnley against Blackburn. How great was it to see two old rivals like Blackburn and Burnley back in the Premier League battling it out in one of football’s best local derby’s? The fans created an incredible atmosphere and the old rivalry was well and truly alive. Long may they reside in the Premier League so we can see more great games like the one witnessed on Sunday.

Oh and will someone send the lifeboat out to Phil Brown and his Hull City tigers…

Fight backs. Light slaps. London Rules. Week 2…

50020379Week 2 in the Premier League saw Manchester United fight back to their winning ways, Rodallega get a light slap from Vidic…and Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal prove that London really does rule.

Before we talk about some of the action, did anyone notice the lack of crowds at some of the games? When Manchester United travel, they usually put bums on seats for the home team but there were a lot of empty seats at Wigan. I was surprised. Same at Birmingham and Sunderland. Is this still an issue of the economy? Are clubs charging too much money for tickets? Are fans picking and choosing their games more carefully? Does the availability of games on TV affect attendances?

Manchester United sent a message to the football universe that they are back and ready to defend their title. Wigan gave it a good go and for a while it looked as though they could score. But once Rooney nailed the first goal, it was curtains for Wigan. Rooney is a top quality player that United and England need fit. This could be a gigantic year for him. Could it also be a big year for Michael Owen? He finally netted his first Premier League goal for the Red Devils! Perhaps now the media can stop talking and writing about it. Let’s hope he scores a ton. Would you like to see Owen do well? By the way, should Vidic have been red carded for the slap on Rodders?

Tottenham didn’t look as sharp against West ham, but they still won. It was a better game from Lennon and another good performance in midfield from Palacios and Huddlestone. The Spurs defense looked shaky at times against West Ham. If it wasn’t for Carlton Cole’s awful back pass to Defoe, the Hammers could have stolen a point from this game. Shame for Cole as he scored a beauty in front of Capello to put West Ham 1-0 up. If Cole has a good season, he could be a surprise pick for the World Cup. Do you think he stands a chance of making Capello’s squad?

Chelsea looked solid. Full of quality. Boundless confidence. Very scary. They are in it to win it. Lampard is their talisman. He deserves more respect. He is a very special player. I think most fans would want a Frank Lampard in their team. Wouldn’t you?

Arsenal look really good. Portsmouth game them a few scares here and there but nothing too threatening. Almunia was at fault for Portsmouth’s goal. Diaby looked like Viera on Saturday. If only he could play like that every week. Fabregas masterminded the midfield until he had to go off with an injury. Let’s hope he doesn’t miss the big match against Manchester United. Does anyone else just love Eduardo? His first touch is exquisite. His attitude is amazing. Arshavin needs to start warming up and Gallas and Vermaelen are forging quite the team.

Manchester City win again. Adebayor scores for the second week in a row. Do you think City can get a 3rd victory on the trot? Will Lescott make a difference when he signs from Everton?

We all complimented Burnley on their great victory against United. This week they beat Everton at home. This team is out to prove they belong with the big boys in the Premier League. Keep it up Hull. Er sorry. I mean Burnley.

How are you enjoying the season so far? Have you been to any games? What did you make of week 2?

What does your crystal ball say..?

crystal_ballI’ve resisted. I’ve tried everything to curb my urge to talk predictions. Who are we kidding though? How can we avoid it? We all know it’s out there. Everyone’s already talking about who they think will win the league. It’s inevitable. Wouldn’t it be nice to know if we are fan prophets? Come on. You know you want to.

Here’s how I think the Premier League will finish this season. What does your crystal ball say? What do you see in the footballing future? Come May, we will compare our tables and a fan will rise as the British Soccer Diva Premier League Champion.

1. Arsenal

2. Chelsea

3. Manchester United

4. Tottenham

5. Liverpool

** Shocked yet??

6. Manchester City

7. Aston Villa

8. Everton

9. Sunderland

10. Wigan

11. West Ham

12. Fulham

13. Stoke

14. Blackburn

15. Birmingham

16. Portsmouth

17. Hull

18. Bolton

19. Burnley

20. Wolves

He comes from Senegal, he plays for Arsenal…

Patrick_Vieira_280x_856165aThe Sun and other media outlets are reporting today that Patrick Viera is about to make a shock return to Arsenal. I couldn’t believe it when I read the headline. I think this could be more shocking than Michael Owen going to Manchester United. Don’t you think so? Nobody was expecting this were they?

The truth is Arsenal have never filled the void left by Viera when he joined Juventus in 2005. He was a great captain. He was a phenomenal leader. He was Arsenal’s rock and he became a legend. Now he could be making one of the most dramatic returns in Premier League history. The questions is, does Viera still have the legs to play and compete at the top level?

Let’s face it, he has not had a huge impact since leaving Arsenal and he can’t hold down a regular starting spot under Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan. So what makes Arsene Wenger think he can still play? Is this a desperate move having lost Adebayor, Toure and possibly Eboue too this summer?

Generally people say when a relationship ends you should never go back. They say it’s never the same second time around. Even Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor couldn’t make it work after a second chance. But could Arsenal and Viera fall in love all over again? Could they re-ignite their love affair and live together happily ever after? If Viera can still play with the best of them, anything is possible.

There’s no question the French star is unhappy playing in Italy and he wants a move to another club. Tottenham, Birmingham and Fulham are also after his signature, but who do you think he will sign for? Can you see Viera going back to the Gunners? Will Arsenal fans be happy? Do you think Arsenal would rather buy him back than watch him play for their arch rivals Spurs?!!

He does look good in red and white. I need another drink…

Transfer news in a nutshell…

nutshell400There are some crazy transfer stories out there right now. It’s been an interesting summer so far and there’s still time for a few more headlines to be written…

John Terry moving to Manchester City from Chelsea? I’ll believe that when I see it. And Cesc Fabregas is being hunted like a wolf again by Barcelona. Don’t think that will happen this season, but it could definitely happen next! Here is some solid transfer news…

Robin van Persie signs a new Arsenal deal. Joe Cole is set to sign a new 4 year deal with Chelsea. Daniel Sturridge signs for Chelsea from Manchester City. Yuri Zhirkov finally moves to Chelsea from CSKA Moscow (could be a fantastic signing for them). Jermaine Pennant has finally left Liverpool for Real Zaragoza. Sean Davis leaves Portsmouth for Bolton. Goalkeeper Joe Hart signs for Birmingham on loan from Manchester City. Antonio Valencia signs for Manchester United from Wigan (watch out for this guy). Didier Zokora leaves Tottenham for Sevilla. Patrick Viera says no to Birmingham. Jo extends his loan move from Manchester City to Everton.

Transfer talk and moves on the bubble…

Peter Crouch to Sunderland from Portsmouth. Frazier Campbell to Sunderland from Manchester United. Eto’o to Manchester City from Barcelona or he could well stay in Barcelona. Former Liverpool player Boudewijn Zenden could possibly make a return to English football at Fulham. 

We’ll keep you posted about what will happen with Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano of Liverpool. Will keep tabs on Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich. Plus I’m sure Manchester United have a joker hidden up their sleeve…

What about your team? How are they doing in the summer transfer market?