14/01/2012

2011

I have a bit of a different opinion to Vishal's Teams of the year 1.Crawley Town, what an FA Cup run they went on. Great giant killers to teams such as Derby and a great trip to Old Trafford which will live in the memory too. Man City Despite all the money they have, gelling is what they struggled to do in recent years but last year it all came together. Players such as Silva Aguero and Dzeko have been the exceptional three. Newcastle: Alan Pardew has done a great job on Tyneside and Demba Ba has done well, but how will they cope without him during the African Cup of Nations. Worst managers 1.Avram Grant. Sorry but what is he doing in the Premier League. Awful job at West Ham! His last game was the 3-2 defeat at the DW 2. Steve Bruce. He spent loads of money in the summer but the 2-1 defeat to Wigan proved to be the end for Mr. Bruce.

Tom Horn

African Cup of Nations

The Logo
The African Cup of Nations, which will be held in Gabon and Equitorial Guinea is exactly 1 week away! Because I was born in Nigeria, I would've supported them...if they had qualified. Will it be a success this time round with it being played in two countries not known for footballing ability and African giants Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa not even qualifying? I'm going to be supporting Senegal, with their Premier League players like: Demba Ba, Mohammed Diamé and Armand Traoré. They've named a very strong team with obviously those Prem ones but also players like Moussa Sow. The games will be broadcasted on ITV 4 and Eurosport 1 & 2.


The Groups:
Group A (easy group): Equitorial Guinea, Libya, Senegal, Zambia
Group B (it's tough): Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Angola
Group C (easy again): Gabon, Niger, Tunisia, Morocco
Group D (it's between Mali and Guinea): Ghana, Botswana, Mali, Guinea

I think that either Côte d'Ivoire or Senegal will win. Maybe Ghana? What about a shock from Mali or Guinea?

What do you think? Comment now!

Steve Kean and the Venkey's

Blackburn fans aren't happy
Well well well, whats gone on at Blackburn? One Sunday rovers lose 2-1 at Bolton and then the rich Indians Venkey's take over Blackburn and Sack Sam Allardyce and bring in Steve Kean who's never managed a team before and within 6 months there are protests against the pair of them.

Tom Horn

2011 - The Award's Ceremony

What an awesome year 2011 was. It's definitely been an eventful year. Quite a few big transfers, many records broken, huge scorelines...
So, I've done a little awards ceremony for the big talking points of the year gone by.


English Team of the Year:
1. Crawley Town: This may come to you as a shock, but I think Crawley deserve it. In 2010, no one had heard of little Crawley, but they managed to sneak into the FA Cup 5th round. However, these semi-pros couldn't defeat Manchester United and lost 1-0. Currently, they sit top of League 2. A huge rise for a small town.
2. Newcastle United: The Toons have claimed 2nd spot as this year they have brought in many exciting new players like: Demba Ba, Davide Santon and Yohan Cabaye. They have a good young squad that challenged the top teams at the start of the new season.
3. Manchester City: We all know why they got to here. Money. Last year they won the FA Cup and brought in some good players like Agüero. Personally, I don't really like City, but they just had to be here.

Premier League Player of the Year:
Robin van Persie
1. Robin van Persie: This was easy. He scored 35 goals in 2011 and captained Arsenal after the departure of Fabregas. He proved many critics wrong and just couldn't stop scoring.
2. Gareth Bale: The Welshman proved just how good he was in the Champions League when he scored a hattrick against champions Inter Milan. Currently, he is one the best left-backs in the world.
3. David Silva: After the arrival of Edin Džeko and Sergio Agüero, Silva became a key player for City as the trio formed a great partnership. This midfielder not only sets up many goals, he also scores lots.


Premier League Manager of the Year:
1. Alan Pardew: He brought in many talented players last year and Newcastle challenged the top teams last year. Demba Ba has also played well under Pardew.
2. Harry Redknapp: The Spurs manager guided his team in a tough Champions League group. He also rejected an offer from Chelsea for £40m for key player Luka Modrić. Currently, his team is in the title race with the two Manchester teams.
3. Roberto Mancini: What I love about him is the interviews because he can hardly speak English! But anyway he's a good manager. He has had a lot of pressure on him from the owners and the press, and he's done well.

Premier League Game of the season: 
The huge scoreline
1. Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City
2. Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal
3. Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal

Best Transfer of the Year:
1. Demba Ba: The Senegalese striker failed a medical at Stoke, then went to West Ham, then joined Newcastle on a free transfer! Since then he has scored many goals and also surprised many. However, because of a clause in his contract, he may leave this January...to his 4th English club.
2. Michel Vorm: Brendan Rodgers somehow managed to get the experienced Dutch goalie for just £1m. He has been the main reason Swansea have done so well this season.
3. Yakubu Aiyegbeni: As much I hate Yakubu (because of his miss in the World Cup), I have to admit he was a great signing for the struggling Blackburn. In my opinion (because I hate him so much) he is just plain lucky.

Worst Transfer of the Year:
Torres isn't happy
1. Fernando Torres: The Chelsea striker left for a fee of £50m - a fee that broke English records. This tranfer was just days after he claimed he loved Liverpool. Apparently he joined Chelsea because they are a "big club". He has been a flop and has only scored a few goals.
2. Samir Nasri: Every Arsenal fane hates him. I hate him. You probably hate him. And I support Liverpool. City and United both made him an offer. He joined City because he wanted to win trophies. No it's not. It's because City offered more money. He also joined City because their fans are the best in the world. No they're not. He also made his girlfriend do his interview.
3. Samuel Eto'o: Cameroun's veteran striker joined Anzhi Makachkala for £20m and will get paid £300,000 a week! That is another record broken.

So what do you think? Do you agree with me or do you think some other names should be up there? Comment now and give us your opinion!

Vishal Chahwala