Our New Year predictions!
December 31, 2008
At this time of the year, everybody likes to make their New Year prediction about how the different leagues will take shape during the coming months.
Here at Winning is Everything, we are no different and we will share our tips with you here.
Lets start with the Premiership – personally I cant see anyone stopping Manchester United’s quest for a third consecutive championship. Chelsea and Liverpool will be in with a shout but United’s blistering second half of the season form will secure the trophy once more. We also fancy the Scousers so secure the runners up position just pipping Chelsea to the post.
In terms of relegation, sorry Baggies but West Brom are our tip to finish at the foot of the league closely followed by Stoke and Paul Ince’s Blackburn Rovers. The former England International has secured a Premiership job to early in his career for us and we feel that the Lancashire outfit will pay the price for not securing the services of a more experienced coach.
Here are our predictions in full –
Premier League
Champions – Manchester United
Runners Up – Chelsea
Relegated – West Brom, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers
Championship
Champions – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Runners Up – Birmingham City
Relegated – Doncaster, Nottingham Forest, Norwich
League One
Champions – Leicester City
Runners Up – Leeds United
Relegated – Hereford United, Crewe Alexandra, Cheletenham Town, Yeovil Town
League Two
Champions – Wycombe Wanderers
Runners Up – Darlington
Also promoted – Bradford City
Relegated – Luton Town, Grimsby Town.
So there you have it – if you bet on all these then we want a cut!
Do you agree with these predictions – let us know!
WIE looks forward to the Third Round of the FA Cup
December 30, 2008
It is one of the most eagerly anticipated weekends of the sporting calendar this week as the F A Cup reaches the Third Round stage. Historically this has been the stuff dreams are made of as teams are able to pick their wits against some of the country’s elite and on many occasions have forced a shock result in the true tradition of the competition.
This weekend could be no different with many of the bigger teams facing potentially tricky encounters. The Premier League Champions, Manchester United face an awkward looking trip away at Southampton and there will not even be a grey shirt in sight!
Liverpool make the short journey over to Deepdale to face Preston whilst Arsenal entertain Championship side Plymouth Argyle. Chelsea will be hoping to ease in to the fourth round when they face Southend United at the Bridge whilst Everton face a potential banana skin when they travel to League Two outfit Macclesfield Town.
Non League Barrow are sure to have a great day out when they travel up to the Riverside to face Middlesborough we are sure to have non league representation in the fourth round as Kettering Town face giant killers Eastwood at Rockingham Road.
I personally cannot wait for these ties to be played – there will be some shocks you can be sure of that but where they will spring up nobody knows.
Where do you think it will be?
Congratulations Chris Hoy!
December 22, 2008
Cyclist Chris Hoy celebrated being named as BBC Sports Personality of the Year recently and I for one would like to congratulate him on his wonderful achievements. However part of me wonders when we will have a British footballer claiming one of the most coveted awards in sport. I guess that this will not happen until one of the home nations is relatively successful in a major tournament, but it is difficult to see this happening for the next five years at least.
You would have to say that out of all the home nations England look the strongest on paper, but turning this in to meaningful performances is a different thing all together. Too many players under perform on the big stages – if they didn’t of course we could well be basking in the glory of a European Championship win rather than reflecting on a rather mundane summer.
The Olympic Games of 2012 are surely the time to really show the world what we are made of – I cant see anything more than a quarter final exit during the 2010 World Cup (assuming we get there that is!) and so this together with the 2012 European Championships must take a predominant role in our plans. It is time to place a renewed emphasis on youth schemes and invest as heavily as we can do in the England players of tomorrow and who knows in years to come the Sports Personality of the Year award may be dominated by successful domestic players!
Goal music just isn’t football!
December 21, 2008
I have to admit that when my team introduced goal music I was less than impressed. In fact I would go so far as to say that I was embarrassed by it. This may of course be due to the fact that my team very rarely scores but for me there is something wrong with having noise blaring out after every goal.
Of course it can depend on what sort of music it is played, but the amount of times I have travelled to away venues to have my disappointment compounded by Blur’s “Song Two” is just too many!
It is either this or the Fratellis – well today I propose that goal music is banned! It just seems so repetitive that it loses any symbolic meaning which it could have. Also for me it seems that this is another step in the Americanisation of our national game and this is something which needs to be avoided.
Sure I get excited when my team scores and am angry when we concede, but I do not need the same old tracks over and over again to tell me which emotion to feel. It all seems a bit too corny for my liking – maybe I am growing old and am not in touch with the youth of today, but some things don’t need to be changed and in my opinion this is one of them.
Do you agree with me? Leave me a comment and let me know!
To boo or not to boo – that is the question!
December 20, 2008
When I go and watch a football match I expect many things. I decent pint, a tasty pie and of course plenty of effort from those people who don my club colours. If I do not get this then I am not a happy man at all. But this does raise one question which have become increasingly pertinent recently and that surrounds whether it is right and proper for you to boo your team or players if things are not going to plan.
Last week of course Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue was singled out by the Gooners and he came in for quite a bit of stick on the back of an admittedly dire performance.
My own opinion is if the team are not collectively putting in the required amount of effort then you have every right to show your dissatisfaction with this. You have paid your money and as long as this does not deteriorate in to abuse then I do not see the problem with letting the team know exactly what you think of their performance.
Singling players out over a period of time however is wrong – if they are playing that badly they surely wont be picked in the first place. Remember that nothing good comes of singling players out – if you want to have a dig then do it after the game not while the match is still being played.
I am all for supporters expressing their opinions but there is a correct way to do so.
Do you agree with booing your own team or players? Leave us a comment!
We pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the game
December 17, 2008
With the winter now in full flow, watching your local team can be a chilling thought. This is especially the case if they are not doing too well, or you are confined to open terraces for two hours.
Today, we salute the fans who endure the elements every week in support of their team. Often they show blind faith in their travels and mockery from their friends and family, but you are the unsung heroes of the game who deserve every accolade.
On my travels, I have tried chicken balti pies, copius amounts of alcohol and umpteen levels of clothes to keep warm, but the truth of the matter is that you still come out not being able to feel your hands or feet and are most probably going to feel the affects of this for a few days to come.
I have the greatest respect for like minded people – especially those who reject the temptation to stay in and watch Soccer Saturday and travel the length and breadth of the country in the hope of seeing your team win.
If you have any stories which highlight the length some people will go to in order to follow their team then do let us know. No only will these provide wonderful anecdotes, they will also ensure that not everyone is as mad as I am!
The road to Wembley starts here
December 11, 2008
For many teams,this weekend will commence what they believe will be the road to Wembley. However none of the players who will be dreaming of a trip to the capital are on thousands of pounds a week, subject to multi million pound transfer fees or are inundated with offers to be part of lucrative sponsorship packages.
Most of these players play for the love of the game and combine their passion with a regular job which pays the bills. They play for clubs that use a wooden gate for security, as opposed to full-blown roller shutters as is seen at most professional football grounds. The competition to which I am referring of course is the FA Trophy.
Since 1970 the competition has provided non league teams with the chance to play at the national stadium in a once in a life time experience. The levels of passion and commitment which characterise the competition are of the same magnitude as those displayed within the FA Cup, and some memorable games have been played out as part of the battle to secure the famous trophy.
Last year Ebbsfleet United overcame Torquay to become the defending champions in this years competition and they start with a tricky looking tie at Bogner Regis Town.
The two sides relegated from the Football League last season, Wrexham and Mansfield will lock horns at the Racecourse Ground whilst upwardly mobile AFC Wimbledon make the journey to Uxbridge.
Make sure to keep an eye on the FA Trophy this season and revel in a competition characterised by pure unadulterated passion.
Maybe one of the small teams will defy the odds and earn themselves enough of a following to make some roller shutters worthwhile.
Chesterfield star suffers cancer heartache
December 1, 2008
Every once in a while, we come across rather upsetting stories which prove the fact that despite all the money and fame, footballers are actually really people. Despite been idolised by the fans on a Saturday afternoon, footballers are actually normal men who, surprisingly enough can suffer from the same illnesses and ailments as us mere mortals.
Nothing exemplifies this more powerfully than the fact that Chesterfield midfielder Derek Niven has recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer. The twenty four years old had a tumour removed last week which he had only recently discovered. Niven is currently resting at home eagerly awaiting test results to determine how advanced the cancer is and whether or not it can be treated.
The midfielder arrived at Saltergate form Scottish outfit Raith Rovers after formerly being on Bolton Wanderer’s books. He is one appearance short of making his two hundredth appearance for the Derbyshire side.
The news comes in the aftermath of former Birmingham, West Brom and Fulham striker Geoff Horsfield’s revelation that he too is suffering from testicular cancer.
On behalf of everyone here at Winning is Everything may we wish both Derek and Geoff all the best in their current challenges and hope that they face them with the courage and determination which has characterised their football careers.
It is going to be a very strange New Year!
November 30, 2008
When you think of the festive period, numerous images will probably run through your mind. Presents, alcohol and football will surely be paramount in your thoughts and as we approach the season to be merry, all of these things will have a part to play over the coming weeks.
However, for the first time since I can remember, I will not be blessed with the ultimate New Years Day hang over cure – and that is stood on freezing cold terraces with a chicken balti pie!
For some reason, those in power have rejected the idea to stage any football on New Years Day, let alone a full programme. Instead, fans will be treated to a full fixture list on December 28th which, I do agree is better than nothing, but does not have the same ring to it as a New Years Day party on the terraces.
No doubt the main reason for this is that New Years day falls on a Thursday and the Third Round of the FA Cup is scheduled in a few days later. However, this is no excuse – surely they would have been better scrapping the fixtures on December 28th and keeping with the traditional New Years fixtures. If they were that bothered about preserving the FA Cup ties then why not play them on 10th December instead?
Am I on my own with this one or do you agree that New Years Day should be a guaranteed football day?
Leave us your comments!
The magic of the FA Cup is back!
November 8, 2008
The FA Cup returns to the forefront of the footballing radar this weekend when the competition steps up a gear and the First Round matches are played.
This is renowned for non league teams looking to pit their wits against the lower Football League clubs in the hope that they can create a small piece of history for themselves and maybe a decent pay cheque for good measure.
None of the League clubs will be wanting to fall at the first hurdle of course, as they set their sights on progressing to the coveted Third Round and the potential for a glamour tie against one of the countries elite.
Amongst the potential shock ties this weekend are last years cup heroes Havant and Waterlooville who face League Two side Brentford. Havant secured their place within the hearts of the nation last season when they gallantly bowed out against Liverpool after taking the lead at Anfield. Without doubt this is one of the ties of the round, and the eyes of the country will be on Havant yet again as the match will be screened live on ITV.
Other League clubs who are facing a potential banana skin are League Two leaders Darlington who entertain Droylsden, Lincoln who travel to Kettering and Macclesfield who travel to Ryman League side Harlow.
