There are some games that warrant players be at their best; derbies, fierce rivalries usually topping the bill. But while players, and managers, have a duty to turn out the performance of their lives, so do the officials. When a player fails to live up to the required standard, they run the likely risk of being substituted. Should that be the same for referees?

(more…)

Arsenal, the team for the neutral viewer, are one of the most unique football team’s in Europe. Bursting with elegance, their fast-paced attacking style is a pleasure to watch. But as results suffer and their place in the title race slips into oblivion, I can’t help but wonder - Can beautiful, attack-minded football ever go hand-in-hand with championships and trophies?

(more…)

So on Monday Kolo Toure claimed Liverpool fear Arsenal. Today Steven Gerrard comes out and says “We (Liverpool) are feared”. Sounds like a case of all mouth and no trousers to me but still The New Football Pools is asking….

(more…)

News of 19-year old Micah Richards undergoing surgery to sort out an reoccurring knee problem sparks the latest debate from The New Football Pools - Are we once again guilty of too much too young on our future England superstars?

(more…)

Newcastle or Sunderland - who out of these North East giants has the bragging rights of best team in the region?

(more…)

Hang on a minute, has everyone read the Rivalries Report - the latest report into the psyche of football fans?

(more…)

Last week’s incident involving team-mate Eduardo naturally left the young Guns badly shaken; McFadden’s 94th injury time spot kick just adding salt to a very bad wound. The result topped off a bad week for the Gunners one that saw a 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Man Utd in the FA Cup and a frustrating stalemate in their Champion’s League match against AC Milan.

(more…)

Life’s good for the Evertonian fans at the minute. Not only do they get to smugly look down at their neighbouring rivals following an excellent performance away to Manchester City but also they are rapidly becoming the Uefa Cup favourites.

(more…)

The Keegan revolution is a little slow in starting, in fact it simply hasn’t got off the ground and I can’t help thinking if it was any other manager the Toon army would already be baying for blood. But, as Shearer insists, King Kev has the full backing the Newcastle board.

(more…)

After for so long denying his aim for a Champion’s League spot, Sven has this week come out and claimed that coveted fourth place is still within their grasp. The campaign was dealt a blow earlier in the week though as City went down 2-0 to Everton at home, seeing them flag behind the leading cluster of Liverpool, Villa and Everton.

(more…)