Hi All,
Our latest podcast is online now.
We discuss:
Results & Fixtures for the FA Cup and Premier League
Pub Talk - the news of the week - Keegan, Owen, Ashley, Lita, Souness, Wenger, Bangura watch, Transfers, Campbell's human rights and Van Basten's astrological chart
Featured Section - We Hate Alan Shearer
And we finish with some comments.
Download it: http://media.libsyn.com/media/okeydokefootball/odf18Jan08.mp3
Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
Mark,
http://www.okeydokefootball.com
Friday, 18 January 2008
Thursday, 17 January 2008
Dodgy Tattoos and Weekend Preview
I once met a Geordie with the Newcastle crest tattooed on the top of his bald head and the Newcastle Brown Ale star on the back of his noggin to boot. To put his general state of mind in perspective, I only found out this information after he walked into the pub I was working in and took off his sombrero. His name was Kev. Anyway Kev liked to drink and I couldn’t understand a word he said. Leading me to ask his children to translate his conversational points; with the general response being ‘eh he’d like another beer please’. All in all though, a decent fella.
I don’t really wanna talk much about Newcastle today so instead I’ll just assume that this morning Kev woke up a happy man. Most likely a hungover man as well, but a happy bloke nonetheless due to the return of Kevin Keegan. Personally, I think it’ll be a disaster, and there is a bit of a suspicion that beyond the leery fans BBC caught on camera last night welcoming ‘King Kev’ home, there’s still plenty of people in that area who think this is a ridiculous appointment. Good luck to them and thank god that story is at an end.
Elsewhere in the news today, we have the excellent story of Rocky Baptiste and Havant & Waterlooville heading for Anfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup. They might get hammered but at the very least, this story, along with Luton’s initial draw with the lumbering Liverpool, have made for a decent start to the competition.
Okay, once your side goes out (and sometimes while they’re still in the competition), FA Cup weekends are unbearable (though the odd bet tends to liven things up). Instead of watching decent Premier League action you’re faced with watching Coventry and you hear the word ‘romance’ related to 22 men and a soggy pitch far too often. Actually, yeah… come to think of it, I hate the FA Cup… so down with Havant! And down with Waterlooville too! The poor man’s Trinidad and Tobago.
Looking towards the weekend, thankfully there is no FA Cup in sight but instead a rerun of the fixtures from the first week of this season. United playing Reading away in what could be a tricky assignment; Arsenal are away at Fulham without the threat of Jens Lehmann throwing a few goals in David Healy’s direction; and most intriguingly Spurs face Sunderland.
The latter two produced a horrendously poor opener to the season, only lit up by Michael Chopra’s goal in the last minute – the goal which proved to be the beginning of the ugly, mishandled end of Martin Jol’s reign at Spurs. What’s that coming over the hill Roy? It’s a fucking pasting. I’m predicting a huge win for Spurs here; at least three nil. And after that outrageous prediction, here’s a few quick ones to follow up.
Birmingham v Chelsea: Hmmm…. After last week anything is possible, sod it I’ll go for a draw 2-2.
Blackburn v Middlesbrough: Blackburn back on track and Boro’s form usually dips after any decent result so 2-0.
Fulham v Arsenal: Continuing on this week’s theme of teams managed by guys called Roy losing… 1-3
Portsmouth v Derby: If Portsmouth don’t win this game, they may never score a home goal again. They will though, 2-0
Reading v Man. United: Solid 1-2 win, though that Reading one will be a late consolation. I state this as fact.
Tottenham v Sunderland: See above.
Newcastle v Bolton: The return of… ah forget it. 0-1, just to piss off romantics everywhere.
Wigan v Everton: 1-1 (bad, bad game)
Man. City v West Ham: 1-1 (might be better than last night’s bad, bad game)
Liverpool v Aston Villa: 1-1 (bad, bad times for Pool)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Podcast this evening folks where we’ll be discussing results, this weeks’ fixtures, Pub Talk featuring Cookie Coleman; Lusty Lita; and eh… Simple Souness. Then, oh yes at last, we’ll be hating Alan Shearer. In fact I think we should do a three week series…
Week 1: Hate Alan Shearer
Week 2: Hate Alan Shearer Harder
Week 3: Hate Alan Shearer with a Vengeance
I can see us finding a wide audience with that. Anyway, it’ll be online tomorrow morning so until then folks.
Later - JJ
I don’t really wanna talk much about Newcastle today so instead I’ll just assume that this morning Kev woke up a happy man. Most likely a hungover man as well, but a happy bloke nonetheless due to the return of Kevin Keegan. Personally, I think it’ll be a disaster, and there is a bit of a suspicion that beyond the leery fans BBC caught on camera last night welcoming ‘King Kev’ home, there’s still plenty of people in that area who think this is a ridiculous appointment. Good luck to them and thank god that story is at an end.
Elsewhere in the news today, we have the excellent story of Rocky Baptiste and Havant & Waterlooville heading for Anfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup. They might get hammered but at the very least, this story, along with Luton’s initial draw with the lumbering Liverpool, have made for a decent start to the competition.
Okay, once your side goes out (and sometimes while they’re still in the competition), FA Cup weekends are unbearable (though the odd bet tends to liven things up). Instead of watching decent Premier League action you’re faced with watching Coventry and you hear the word ‘romance’ related to 22 men and a soggy pitch far too often. Actually, yeah… come to think of it, I hate the FA Cup… so down with Havant! And down with Waterlooville too! The poor man’s Trinidad and Tobago.
Looking towards the weekend, thankfully there is no FA Cup in sight but instead a rerun of the fixtures from the first week of this season. United playing Reading away in what could be a tricky assignment; Arsenal are away at Fulham without the threat of Jens Lehmann throwing a few goals in David Healy’s direction; and most intriguingly Spurs face Sunderland.
The latter two produced a horrendously poor opener to the season, only lit up by Michael Chopra’s goal in the last minute – the goal which proved to be the beginning of the ugly, mishandled end of Martin Jol’s reign at Spurs. What’s that coming over the hill Roy? It’s a fucking pasting. I’m predicting a huge win for Spurs here; at least three nil. And after that outrageous prediction, here’s a few quick ones to follow up.
Birmingham v Chelsea: Hmmm…. After last week anything is possible, sod it I’ll go for a draw 2-2.
Blackburn v Middlesbrough: Blackburn back on track and Boro’s form usually dips after any decent result so 2-0.
Fulham v Arsenal: Continuing on this week’s theme of teams managed by guys called Roy losing… 1-3
Portsmouth v Derby: If Portsmouth don’t win this game, they may never score a home goal again. They will though, 2-0
Reading v Man. United: Solid 1-2 win, though that Reading one will be a late consolation. I state this as fact.
Tottenham v Sunderland: See above.
Newcastle v Bolton: The return of… ah forget it. 0-1, just to piss off romantics everywhere.
Wigan v Everton: 1-1 (bad, bad game)
Man. City v West Ham: 1-1 (might be better than last night’s bad, bad game)
Liverpool v Aston Villa: 1-1 (bad, bad times for Pool)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Podcast this evening folks where we’ll be discussing results, this weeks’ fixtures, Pub Talk featuring Cookie Coleman; Lusty Lita; and eh… Simple Souness. Then, oh yes at last, we’ll be hating Alan Shearer. In fact I think we should do a three week series…
Week 1: Hate Alan Shearer
Week 2: Hate Alan Shearer Harder
Week 3: Hate Alan Shearer with a Vengeance
I can see us finding a wide audience with that. Anyway, it’ll be online tomorrow morning so until then folks.
Later - JJ
Okey Doke Football Podcast is available every Friday morning, subscribe here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
The Bookies' Favourite
I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!
Yes, just like the movie, I've had it up to here with Bookies' Favourites. I guess my fixation started early on in the season when Sammy Lee got the boot from Bolton. I kept an eye on the 8 managerial changes in the Premier League and the 3 changes on the international scene - England, Ireland & Scotland.
News broke today that Didier Deschamps is the fifth bookies' favourite in a week. A week! This ludicrous situation has alternated between Houllier, Keegan, Redknapp, Hughes and the Water Carrier - all with the ominous presence of Alan Shearer lurking in the shadows. Let's hope that farce ends soon.
Those from Ireland will be aware of the long, long search for an Ireland manager that seems destined to enter a fourth, maybe even a fifth month. The 3 man selection committee (Don Givens, Don Howe & Ray Houghton) seem to be mostly concerned with leaking stories to the press! The old reliables have been mentioned - Venables, Houllier, Deschamps, Jewell, Billy Davies, Big Sam, every former Irish international, TV pundits and the tea lady. And all have been favourites at some stage.
Now, during the week a conspiracy theory came to me. Consider the facts - tabloid paper X needs an "EXCLUSIVE" story to run with. The paper's journalists are no good at getting scoops, preferring to copy it from the wires. So they hit on a cunning plan, as cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University, let's make a favourite.
For the sum of a few hundred pounds or euro, which is a pretty big wager in the small betting market of 'Next manager will be...' they can at least create momentum for a candidate in the market. The bookmaker notices a large bet has been placed and cuts the odds. Punters notice that the price has changed and pile on. Result - a new favourite.
The first edition of the paper then creates critical mass and legitimacy at the bookies. Read the story closely and it will contain the phrases:
Sources close to...,
It is believed...,
was wagered on...,
million salary...
So, I propose an experiment in which you send me money, and I'll make a new favourite for the Irish job, which of course you can read about exclusively on this blog. I can guarantee no money will be syphoned off for personal gain* and look forward to your donations,
Thanks,
Mark
*not a guarantee
Yes, just like the movie, I've had it up to here with Bookies' Favourites. I guess my fixation started early on in the season when Sammy Lee got the boot from Bolton. I kept an eye on the 8 managerial changes in the Premier League and the 3 changes on the international scene - England, Ireland & Scotland.
News broke today that Didier Deschamps is the fifth bookies' favourite in a week. A week! This ludicrous situation has alternated between Houllier, Keegan, Redknapp, Hughes and the Water Carrier - all with the ominous presence of Alan Shearer lurking in the shadows. Let's hope that farce ends soon.
Those from Ireland will be aware of the long, long search for an Ireland manager that seems destined to enter a fourth, maybe even a fifth month. The 3 man selection committee (Don Givens, Don Howe & Ray Houghton) seem to be mostly concerned with leaking stories to the press! The old reliables have been mentioned - Venables, Houllier, Deschamps, Jewell, Billy Davies, Big Sam, every former Irish international, TV pundits and the tea lady. And all have been favourites at some stage.
Now, during the week a conspiracy theory came to me. Consider the facts - tabloid paper X needs an "EXCLUSIVE" story to run with. The paper's journalists are no good at getting scoops, preferring to copy it from the wires. So they hit on a cunning plan, as cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University, let's make a favourite.
For the sum of a few hundred pounds or euro, which is a pretty big wager in the small betting market of 'Next manager will be...' they can at least create momentum for a candidate in the market. The bookmaker notices a large bet has been placed and cuts the odds. Punters notice that the price has changed and pile on. Result - a new favourite.
The first edition of the paper then creates critical mass and legitimacy at the bookies. Read the story closely and it will contain the phrases:
Sources close to...,
It is believed...,
was wagered on...,
million salary...
So, I propose an experiment in which you send me money, and I'll make a new favourite for the Irish job, which of course you can read about exclusively on this blog. I can guarantee no money will be syphoned off for personal gain* and look forward to your donations,
Thanks,
Mark
*not a guarantee
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Shambles ahoy!
While we’re in a quiet midweek for actual football, the news headlines have kept things moving along nicely. If it’s not Rafa Benitez threatening legal action against Tom Hicks (of course he isn’t but don’t let that get in the way of a decent rumour), then we have Gerard Houllier lining up his second stint as a joint manager – together with Alan Shearer at Newcastle.
Considering that Geordies’ memories seem to centre on the period of the mid-to-late nineties, this move for Houllier and a joint manager isn’t actually too surprising. It was back in 1998 that Houllier and Roy Evans took their Liverpool side to St James’ Park and beat the home team 3-0 with a Michael Owen hat-trick.
Look at all the elements: St James’ Park; victory; Houllier; joint managers; and Michael Owen. Newcastle can surely bring happy times back to their grim home by re-creating this magical combination from a bygone age. Well, no they can’t. Anyone who could think that signing up Shearer or Houllier, never mind the two of them together, would be a good idea needs a lie down, shock therapy, another lie down, some stiff drinks and… what the hell, some more shock therapy.
A far better choice would be Mark Hughes, whose name is worth mentioning alone for this clip which Mark sent on to me earlier. The somewhat tedious search for Newcastle’s latest messiah is of course only a trial run for the real media hoopla when Rafa Benitez vacates the managerial office at Anfield this summer.
Despite Hicks’ remarkable admission to a Liverpool Echo reporter regarding talks with Jurgen Klinsmann, I don’t expect to see Benitez walk the plank until the end of the season. Over the horizon, if he can keep his grip for a few more weeks, is the Champions League and two enormous games with Inter Milan.
Yes the Italians are in the kind of form that would frighten the 1970 Brazil squad; yes they have a depth of talent that far outweighs Liverpool’s; and yes they have the points cushion at home to allow them to concentrate on Europe. But somehow you get the feeling Benitez may well pull off yet another great European result to keep him in charge a little longer.
But that won’t stretch beyond the summer, and barring a collapse of River Phoenix proportions by Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea to present them with the league title it appears even a second Champions League win won’t be enough to save Rafa. Although what with change of ownership rumoured as well as Jose Mourinho circling overhead there may be a few more twists before the season is out.
Good god, when it’s got to the stage that Liverpool fans take comfort in the fact that ‘at least Newcastle are more shambolic’ then things must be really bad.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irish manager watch – day 1,058
Meanwhile, in a secret location in the hills of Bulgaria, Agent J. Tiberius Delaney sorted out Ireland’s qualification programme for the 2010 World Cup. Mission failed? Well maybe. Two nice trips to the eastern block to start; a massacre in Italy on April Fool’s Day and an ominous looking away day in Cyprus at the business end of the campaign.
In fairness to Delaney he was in some difficulty due to Croke Park’s unavailability during September and the strength of the campaign depends on many factors – new manager, bringing players through, keeping players away from injury et cetera. Let’s hope for our sake though that Delaney was too far away to hear those rumours of the Shearer/Houllier combination lest he decided that at last he has found the solution to Ireland’s problems. The search continues to day 1,059…
Here’s the full details of the qualifying games…
Sep 6 v Georgia (a)
Sep 10 v Montenegro (a)
Oct 15 v Cyprus (h)
Feb 11 v Georgia (h)
Mar 28 v v Bulgaria (h)
Apr 1 v Italy (a)
Jun 6 v Bulgaria (a)
Sep 5 v Cyprus (a)
Oct 10 v Italy (h)
Oct 14 v Montenegro (h)
Later, JJ
Considering that Geordies’ memories seem to centre on the period of the mid-to-late nineties, this move for Houllier and a joint manager isn’t actually too surprising. It was back in 1998 that Houllier and Roy Evans took their Liverpool side to St James’ Park and beat the home team 3-0 with a Michael Owen hat-trick.
Look at all the elements: St James’ Park; victory; Houllier; joint managers; and Michael Owen. Newcastle can surely bring happy times back to their grim home by re-creating this magical combination from a bygone age. Well, no they can’t. Anyone who could think that signing up Shearer or Houllier, never mind the two of them together, would be a good idea needs a lie down, shock therapy, another lie down, some stiff drinks and… what the hell, some more shock therapy.
A far better choice would be Mark Hughes, whose name is worth mentioning alone for this clip which Mark sent on to me earlier. The somewhat tedious search for Newcastle’s latest messiah is of course only a trial run for the real media hoopla when Rafa Benitez vacates the managerial office at Anfield this summer.
Despite Hicks’ remarkable admission to a Liverpool Echo reporter regarding talks with Jurgen Klinsmann, I don’t expect to see Benitez walk the plank until the end of the season. Over the horizon, if he can keep his grip for a few more weeks, is the Champions League and two enormous games with Inter Milan.
Yes the Italians are in the kind of form that would frighten the 1970 Brazil squad; yes they have a depth of talent that far outweighs Liverpool’s; and yes they have the points cushion at home to allow them to concentrate on Europe. But somehow you get the feeling Benitez may well pull off yet another great European result to keep him in charge a little longer.
But that won’t stretch beyond the summer, and barring a collapse of River Phoenix proportions by Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea to present them with the league title it appears even a second Champions League win won’t be enough to save Rafa. Although what with change of ownership rumoured as well as Jose Mourinho circling overhead there may be a few more twists before the season is out.
Good god, when it’s got to the stage that Liverpool fans take comfort in the fact that ‘at least Newcastle are more shambolic’ then things must be really bad.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irish manager watch – day 1,058
Meanwhile, in a secret location in the hills of Bulgaria, Agent J. Tiberius Delaney sorted out Ireland’s qualification programme for the 2010 World Cup. Mission failed? Well maybe. Two nice trips to the eastern block to start; a massacre in Italy on April Fool’s Day and an ominous looking away day in Cyprus at the business end of the campaign.
In fairness to Delaney he was in some difficulty due to Croke Park’s unavailability during September and the strength of the campaign depends on many factors – new manager, bringing players through, keeping players away from injury et cetera. Let’s hope for our sake though that Delaney was too far away to hear those rumours of the Shearer/Houllier combination lest he decided that at last he has found the solution to Ireland’s problems. The search continues to day 1,059…
Here’s the full details of the qualifying games…
Sep 6 v Georgia (a)
Sep 10 v Montenegro (a)
Oct 15 v Cyprus (h)
Feb 11 v Georgia (h)
Mar 28 v v Bulgaria (h)
Apr 1 v Italy (a)
Jun 6 v Bulgaria (a)
Sep 5 v Cyprus (a)
Oct 10 v Italy (h)
Oct 14 v Montenegro (h)
Later, JJ
Okey Doke Football Podcast is available every Friday morning, subscribe here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
Monday, 14 January 2008
Weekend Reaction
Hi All,
So, after my fabulous predictions, a round up of the Premier League results:
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham - a surprisingly lack lustre (like an empty can of pear halves) performance from the Arse but it's clear McLeish has done a good job so far.
Aston Villa 3-1 Reading - The away side's defence is a shambles, and a last minute goal took the bad look away form the result. Do Reading have any ambition? The modest Madejski needs to spend money in the summer
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham - Once again Spurs capitulate to a bigger team. Belletti's opener may ahve been a bit of a fluke but he had all the time in the world to waltz through the acre of space Spurs afforded him.
Derby 0-1 Wigan - Steve Bruce, much maligned by ODF, is doing a surprisingly good job at Wigan and is keeping their survival hopes alive
Everton 1-0 Man City - the battle of the best of the rest make it clear that Everton have more strength than City. Are we allowed criticise Sven yet? He can't seem to buy a decent striker and his little and little combo up front didn't work. Exiling Elano to teh right wing was another crucial mistake
Man Utd 6-0 Newcastle - From bad to worse for Newcastle, United displayed the ridiculously good attacking football teh Magpies would kill for. Whatever Ronaldo's failings, 22 goals by January is a startling amount for a striker, never mind a winger. Fergie's option if injuries hit up front is clear, play him as a striker.
Middlebrough 1-1 Liverpool - the bounce back I expected did not happen. The 'Pool players seem to want to get their manager sacked. Only a takeover by DIC will save Rafa.
West Ham 2-1 Fulham - What will West Ham be like when they are all fit? Probably about the same, they have too many average players. Fulham are now 5 points from safety, Hodgson has had no effect so far and he needs to get his act in gear.
Sunderland 2-0 Portsmouth - how different Sunderland's season could have been with Richardson and Edwards fit. Pompey slip to 9th and are underachieving.
Bolton 1-2 Blackburn - McCarthy was terrible and was deservedly subbed for Roberts. Roberts has many failings (scoring, for example) but his electric pace won the game. A lively game that Bolton didn't deserve to lose but Hughes has arrested his team's slide.
Mark
Okey Doke Football Podcast is available every Friday morning, subscribe here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
So, after my fabulous predictions, a round up of the Premier League results:
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham - a surprisingly lack lustre (like an empty can of pear halves) performance from the Arse but it's clear McLeish has done a good job so far.
Aston Villa 3-1 Reading - The away side's defence is a shambles, and a last minute goal took the bad look away form the result. Do Reading have any ambition? The modest Madejski needs to spend money in the summer
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham - Once again Spurs capitulate to a bigger team. Belletti's opener may ahve been a bit of a fluke but he had all the time in the world to waltz through the acre of space Spurs afforded him.
Derby 0-1 Wigan - Steve Bruce, much maligned by ODF, is doing a surprisingly good job at Wigan and is keeping their survival hopes alive
Everton 1-0 Man City - the battle of the best of the rest make it clear that Everton have more strength than City. Are we allowed criticise Sven yet? He can't seem to buy a decent striker and his little and little combo up front didn't work. Exiling Elano to teh right wing was another crucial mistake
Man Utd 6-0 Newcastle - From bad to worse for Newcastle, United displayed the ridiculously good attacking football teh Magpies would kill for. Whatever Ronaldo's failings, 22 goals by January is a startling amount for a striker, never mind a winger. Fergie's option if injuries hit up front is clear, play him as a striker.
Middlebrough 1-1 Liverpool - the bounce back I expected did not happen. The 'Pool players seem to want to get their manager sacked. Only a takeover by DIC will save Rafa.
West Ham 2-1 Fulham - What will West Ham be like when they are all fit? Probably about the same, they have too many average players. Fulham are now 5 points from safety, Hodgson has had no effect so far and he needs to get his act in gear.
Sunderland 2-0 Portsmouth - how different Sunderland's season could have been with Richardson and Edwards fit. Pompey slip to 9th and are underachieving.
Bolton 1-2 Blackburn - McCarthy was terrible and was deservedly subbed for Roberts. Roberts has many failings (scoring, for example) but his electric pace won the game. A lively game that Bolton didn't deserve to lose but Hughes has arrested his team's slide.
Mark
Okey Doke Football Podcast is available every Friday morning, subscribe here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
Friday, 11 January 2008
Weekend Preview
Welcome folks to Lawrenson's... I mean Vance's predictions column for the Premier League
Arsenal v Birmingham
Lawro's gone for the Arse, and although they have a good few players missing, I'll have to agree with the genius himself. Birmingham are looking a bit better under McLeish but they are still short on quality. Long odds bet - Djourou, if fit, to score an own goal for Brum.
Aston Villa v Reading
Villa blow hot and cold, and have yet to add quality in the transfer window but they'll score here against a fragile Reading defence, especially as they are missing Bikey, but with Doyle, Kitson and Hunt they could get a few too. Lawro says a Villa win, I'll go a 2-2 draw
Chelsea v Tottenham
Spurs were close to beating Arsenal's reserve team, but I wouldn't hold out much hope for Spurs if Anelka plays. Common sense says it is a good time to play Chelsea, but Spurs are too brittle mentally as yet. Chelsea win, 2-1, Lawro says draw.
Derby v Wigan
Derby won't win this, Bruce has done well with Wigan so far, a 0-0 looks likely. Lawro plumps for Derby.
Everton v Man City
This has draw written all over it from two teams never afraid to be pragmatic. Everton will find it hard to break down City's mean defence, whilst Elano & Petrov have lost some sparkle. 0-0 - Lawro disagrees again and says Everton to win.
Man Utd v Newcastle
Dear Bookmaker,
I bet 1 mortgage on Man Utd to win,
Yours thankfully,
Mark & Lawro
Middlesbrough v Liverpool
It's all set up for Boro to cause another upset but, like Lawro, I fancy the 'Pool to come out of their torpor and scrape a win
West Ham v Fulham
Poor home record vs Poor away record = draw. Lawro goes for the Hammers but he can't have seen their miserable performance at home to Reading on St Stephen's Day
Bolton v Blackburn
Hardly a thriller in prospect but I think Blackburn will come out of their slump, especially as Anelka has hit the road, Blackburn to win, Lawro reckons a draw
Sunderland v Portsmouth
Sunderland are terrible, and I can't see it changing in this match. Their only hope is Pompey will be destabilised by the African Nations but it's a long shot. Away win, Lawro disagrees again and says a draw!
So, the battle is on, I feel fully confident that I will do better than any of JJ's predictions
Mark,
Okey Doke Football Podcast is available every Friday morning, subscribe here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
Arsenal v Birmingham
Lawro's gone for the Arse, and although they have a good few players missing, I'll have to agree with the genius himself. Birmingham are looking a bit better under McLeish but they are still short on quality. Long odds bet - Djourou, if fit, to score an own goal for Brum.
Aston Villa v Reading
Villa blow hot and cold, and have yet to add quality in the transfer window but they'll score here against a fragile Reading defence, especially as they are missing Bikey, but with Doyle, Kitson and Hunt they could get a few too. Lawro says a Villa win, I'll go a 2-2 draw
Chelsea v Tottenham
Spurs were close to beating Arsenal's reserve team, but I wouldn't hold out much hope for Spurs if Anelka plays. Common sense says it is a good time to play Chelsea, but Spurs are too brittle mentally as yet. Chelsea win, 2-1, Lawro says draw.
Derby v Wigan
Derby won't win this, Bruce has done well with Wigan so far, a 0-0 looks likely. Lawro plumps for Derby.
Everton v Man City
This has draw written all over it from two teams never afraid to be pragmatic. Everton will find it hard to break down City's mean defence, whilst Elano & Petrov have lost some sparkle. 0-0 - Lawro disagrees again and says Everton to win.
Man Utd v Newcastle
Dear Bookmaker,
I bet 1 mortgage on Man Utd to win,
Yours thankfully,
Mark & Lawro
Middlesbrough v Liverpool
It's all set up for Boro to cause another upset but, like Lawro, I fancy the 'Pool to come out of their torpor and scrape a win
West Ham v Fulham
Poor home record vs Poor away record = draw. Lawro goes for the Hammers but he can't have seen their miserable performance at home to Reading on St Stephen's Day
Bolton v Blackburn
Hardly a thriller in prospect but I think Blackburn will come out of their slump, especially as Anelka has hit the road, Blackburn to win, Lawro reckons a draw
Sunderland v Portsmouth
Sunderland are terrible, and I can't see it changing in this match. Their only hope is Pompey will be destabilised by the African Nations but it's a long shot. Away win, Lawro disagrees again and says a draw!
So, the battle is on, I feel fully confident that I will do better than any of JJ's predictions
Mark,
Okey Doke Football Podcast is available every Friday morning, subscribe here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
Thursday, 10 January 2008
ODF 10 Jan Online
Hi All,
Our latest podcast is online now.
We discuss:
Results & Fixtures: FA Cup & Premiership
Pub Talk: Big Sam, Alan Hansen, African Nations Cup, and lots more
Featured Section: Some of the worst footballers to win the highest honours in football - World Cups, Champions League, European Championships. Did we forget any? Email comments@okeydokefootball.com
We hope you enjoy the show.
Download it: http://media.libsyn.com/media/okeydokefootball/odf10Jan08.mp3
Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
Cheers,
Mark
Our latest podcast is online now.
We discuss:
Results & Fixtures: FA Cup & Premiership
Pub Talk: Big Sam, Alan Hansen, African Nations Cup, and lots more
Featured Section: Some of the worst footballers to win the highest honours in football - World Cups, Champions League, European Championships. Did we forget any? Email comments@okeydokefootball.com
We hope you enjoy the show.
Download it: http://media.libsyn.com/media/okeydokefootball/odf10Jan08.mp3
Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball
Cheers,
Mark
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