I personally thought from the moment Liverpool were interested in Keane that he just wasn't the player they should be signing. I do not rate Keane at all and for anybody to be surprised that he is going to be a flop at Liverpool WAKE UP.

I was sent this link this morning and I think it sums up my thoughts of the Premierisation of football. I love the game and I love my club but I am not loving the changes that are occurring at grounds up and down the country.

It might be a long read but it is more than worth it - trust me.

When I read this earlier I thought it was a glimpse of the future. Fans should be able to vote on transfer dealings with their clubs. I think it would be fantastic and a real way forward for football.

I have a good friend who thinks that I'm a Manchester United hater but this just isn't true. I only have room for enough hate for two teams in my life, one of them unsurprisingly is Southampton but more importantly there is Liverpool...

The fans seem to have a bloated sense of importance. The team haven't won the league since before the Premiership started. I know they somehow won the Champions League three years ago but I still find myself shaking my head at that.

However last night summed up why I hate them so much. Liege were much the better side over the two games, of that there is little doubt, but Liverpool once again scraped through and did just enough. A goal deep, deep into extra time to grab the only goal of the tie to break the Belgian hearts.

Liverpool will now straight away be installed as the 6th or 7th favourites with the bookies depending on who you bet with and once more Liverpool fans will become insufferable with their crowing about how it is their year. Four games, one draw in Belgium, two domestic victories thanks to late goals and European qualification thanks to an even later winner.

Is this going to be Liverpool's year?

Quite simply put – No – but boy they'll think they are in the race for both European and Premiership glory until it is a mathematical impossibility.

Howdy Folks – I just received this e-mail from a girl called Kirsty. She has the old problem of boyfriend and football – a tragic tale that we've all seen many times before. Here's the e-mail and afterwards I'll put my response:

I am a girlfriend of an avid football fan. He isn't a fan of a specific team, just anybody that kicks a ball in any league. He plays for several teams and so therefore is either playing or training every night of the week.

I therefore, would like to understand everything there is to know about football and I understand my disadvantage is 20 years of not caring.

I wondered how any of you would feel if your girlfriends/sisters/mates/cousins etc. felt the same as me? So they too could talk about football with you?

Would you consider your girlfriend understanding football and being able to hold an in depth conversation about it with you good or bad?

Answers on a postcard please!

Well Kirsty – As a guy who works in an predominately female office, all of whom care about football about as much as I care for latest fashions (if you knew me then you'd understand) and also having the problem of living with three girls, none of whom really care about football but put up with me ranting and raving at the telly every so often. I know what it is like for a guy whose unable to discuss my love for the game for vast stretches of time.

However I think in general guys are quite comfortable with their partners not knowing too much about the game. You say he doesn't support any team so you are lucky in the fact that he won't reach the deep lows that I often experience, supporting a team and them losing and playing badly kills and there is very little that can bring a guy out of that funk.

Personally speaking as/when/if* I get a girlfriend – them being a football fan wouldn't make too much of a difference to me. All I'd want is an understanding that if my team had lost on a Saturday afternoon that I might not be in the greatest mood on a Saturday night and would definitely want a take-away.

If anyone else has an opinion with better advice than the single guy then please comment here or in the forum thread

* = delete as appropriate

Last night a good friend of mine text me at Half Time lambasting the performance of referee Chris Foy in the Portsmouth v Manchester United game. I thought Foy was having a decent outing but apparently a lot of Pompey fans were in agreement with my mate reading my inbox this morning

However after coming back from lunch I read an article entitled 'Portsmouth have the ref in their pocket'. A Manchester United website obviously but it says a lot that looking at a referees performance has a lot to do with what tinted specs you are looking through.

The Manchester United goal did come about from a free kick that shouldn't of been but there were twelve passes between that and the goal. Also there were a couple of free kicks that he could've given but decided not to. The United site author says about a penalty shout being denied, I presume he's on about the time Campbell slid in and blocked a ball with his chest, now in my book the chest isn't handball but maybe it is these days.

If that was the case then Portsmouth would've had a penalty in the first half when Sean Davis hit the ball against the chest/arm of Nemania Vidic. Neither penalty shout was a penalty and those that think they are either look through specs that are so tinted they think the sun is a different colour or they just don't know the rules of football.

As for the disallowed goal then yes it was an error by the assistant but these things happen. Players are incorrectly ruled on or offside all the time, it is just part of the game. To insinuate that the club have the referee in their pocket is libellous and quite simply dumb.

Oh well – what more would you expect from a Manchester United fan?

Following on from last week's edition – here is week two of 'These ten things I know are true'.

I know that Deco is even better than I thought he was. The Portuguese midfielder is going to have a bigger impact that even the most cockeyed optimist would've stated before the season. His free kick at Wigan was absolutely superb – despite Craig Burley blaming the goal on poor goalkeeping – really where do TV companies get these people from?

I know that Craig Burley is going to piss me off even more this campaign than he did the last. At least Setanta had the nous to give him the England game off and go with Chris Waddle. Burley has the most dour voice, says everything is bad defending and not in an amusing way like Alan Hansen (who was himself a great defender). Burley just criticises left, right and centre and fails to give any praise to anyone. He also makes a tonne of mistakes calling things in real time. This might be an ongoing theme of this column one feels...

I know that Manchester United will not repeat as English Champions if they do not sign a striker within the next seven days. Having watched them last night at Portsmouth where they totally dominated the ball but failed to score more than a scrappy goal, it was clear that they don't have that out and out striker that they'll need this season if they want to defend their title.

I know that Spurs are even worse than I said they were last week. I know it takes a while for a new squad to gel but going into the season with two strikers and one of those refusing to play isn't exactly ideal. They need shot of Berbatov and need to replace him with two front men otherwise it's going to be a long season at WHL.

I know that Martin Atkinson shouldn't get a game in the top flight next week. John Pantsil should've seen red for what was in all honesty a pretty horrible tackle in the 13th minute but Atkinson in his wisdom decided that it was a free kick the other way. Those are the types of red cards fan are willing to accept as it was a tackle that could've broken an ankle.

I know that Paul Scholes should've got sent off twenty more times in his career than he has done. I don't know why he gets away with so much. Last night he deliberately handled the ball twice and both times the referee gave a free kick. Neither time was he even booked. This is just an example but his tackling has always been pretty suspect but yet he gets away with it more often than not.

I know that the long throw is about to become sexy again. Rory Delap was loading up for Stoke at every opportunity on Saturday and he got an assist for the winning goal. Last night Portsmouth were using it as well, it looks like an old school weapon is about to get fully reloaded.

I know that those who think Michael Owen should not be in the England first team are crazy. He is the most natural goalscorer in the land and has been since Alan Shearer retired. He returned from injury on Saturday to score the winner and keep the Toon in Champions League contention (yeah I know – but it is funny). If England are to qualify for South Africa 2010 and do anything once there then Owen has to be fit and firing on all cylinders.

I know that I hate Liverpool even more than I did before the weekend (which I didn't even think was possible). They are so jammy it is ridiculous. I suppose the old adage applies that it is better to be lucky than good and Liverpool sum that up to a tee.

And finally...

I know that the FA's new Respect Charter has gotten off to a far better start than I ever thought possible. The teller will be once there is an incident in one of the big games, a big decision that riles up one side. However so far so good and I hope it continues.

Many people, myself included, have, since the World Cup of 2006 taken a wry and rather detached view of England’s football team. The reason for this is clear, in that you can only countenance disappointment and letdowns so many times before you finally become sick of it.

I, when England games roll around now, seem to be overtaken by an overpowering sense of ennui, of hopelessness, of knowing that it is never going to come right. The appointment of Fabio Capello was meant to signal a complete sea change in the life of the England football team. And yet, as the title suggests, plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose; that is, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

England’s line-up for Wednesday’s game against the Czech Republic had the stale air of the ghosts of England managers past. The back line picks itself, though it has to be noted that Ferdinand and Terry, two class centre halves, had a rare shaky night. However, my main concern is that I am seemingly the only person in the country that thinks that David James is a simply awful goalkeeper.

I cannot believe this bumbling, past-it keeper is seen by all and sundry as the natural and immutable number one for England. Bar his shot stopping, which is average at best, he is a liability, bad in the air and his decision making is about as steady as the thinking behind New Coke.

Maybe he was once good, but it is time for the Portsmouth stopper to take a side step and allow some of the more youthful, extremely talented men through, Ben Foster and Joe Hart being the two that spring most prominently to mind.

The typically English midfield imbroglio was once again in evidence too, with the area displaying all the lopsided balance of a see-saw being straddled by a wasp and a rhino. Inexplicably, the supposedly revolutionary and strict Capello makes, and continues to make, the same McClaren-esque mistake (or should it now be “mishtayke” after his comical interview complete with cod-Dutch accent last week?) of attempting to shoehorn Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard into the same team.

It doesn’t work and never has, and it is baffling to me that the manager seemingly values Lampard above Gerrard. The Chelsea man huffed and puffed around midfield doing little or nothing, whilst the banished Liverpool captain, wherever Capello insisted he was playing, still managed to be our best player, even though he was marginalised out wide. David Beckham, despite being the fine servant for his country he has undoubtedly been, seriously needs to step down. If football were like netball and played primarily standing still, Beckham would probably be the best player ever.

As it is now, his fading energy levels see him shown up on the international stage. I watched in horror for the first Czech goal as he galloped quixotically across the pitch after the ball, leaving Brown exposed and the cross converted, via Cole’s foot, into the net. His dead ball delivery is still unerringly accurate, but his overall game now is not of a level commensurate with international football and he should be moved on, as he is becoming a liability.

Up top, Jermaine Defoe seemingly wished to decapitate Peter Cech, such was his apparent inability to hit a ball low and hard into corners, as strikers should be able to do in their sleep. Wayne Rooney, once again displaying his self-restricting, altruistic football nature, bombed about and worked as assiduously as ever, without ever really threatening. The Czechs would have been extremely happy seeing Rooney far from their goal, and not running at or through them with the intent we all know he possesses.

However, as an optimist by nature (believe it or not), I always attempt to find the silver lining. In fits and starts, England did show some patience and competency on the ball. Some of the passing and movement was sweet and the work rate of the players was undeniable. However, the overall feeling is that the performance was one of torpid, imbalanced ineptitude, with a distinct lack of pace and new thinking.

Capello’s teams are supposed to play within disciplined, pragmatic limitations, and yet our midfield looked as if it had been introduced for the first time in the tunnel. The Czechs, with their adroit use of the ball, frolicked in the space as the chasm between the defence and midfield yawned. So, you might be asking, do I have any solutions? Well I don’t get paid £6m a year for it, but for what it’s worth, here is how I would fix England...

1) Replace David James; he has to go. Pick any from Kirkland, Foster, Hart or even Carson, as he deserves another chance after the Croatia debacle.

2) We are defensively sound really, but it should be on form. Wes Brown is rightly on the right now, but any slips and Micah Richards offers athleticism and can do a fine job down that side too.

3) Cut the dead wood. Lampard cannot, and therefore should not, function with Steven Gerrard in the side. Gerrard is more effective at this level, therefore Lampard should be gone. Ditto with Beckham, who is way past it and is not up to it at this level anymore.

4) Make the squad a meritocracy again. The squad has an unchanging air, with some “untouchables” clearly there. If they are playing badly, GET THEM OUT and PICK ON FORM.

5) With this point, don’t be afraid of youth and pace. The former usually provides the latter, and it is vital at international level. Ashley Young is a talent and Gabby Agbonlahor should have played, on merit, in the team on Wednesday night.

6) Play Joe Cole. He is the closest we have to a “number ten” that other countries treasure, yet we as country seem to try our best to marginalise him. He is one of very few England players who can create from nothing, and he is tricky and dangerous. If fit, and if in form, he should play.

7) Finally, eradicate the problem of the “left side” by getting rid of it. Play four at the back, one sitting behind three narrow, then two up front. Encourage the full backs to get on and you have a great system. This is the team that should have played, if I’d have had the reins, on Wednesday:

Foster
Brown
Cole
Terry
Ferdinand
Barry
Bentley
Gerrard
J Cole
Rooney
Agbonlahor

There is balance, pace, invention, and a workable system. When Fabio messes this up, as he inexorably seems to be doing at present, please take this as my speculative application for the job. I tell you what, I could fix this country up as well while I’m at it, just give me a week or so to come up with a decent manifesto.

In any case, here’s hoping that England do sort themselves out, if only so we long-suffering fans finally have something to cheer about.

Soccer Aid is back, as World Cup legends and top celebrities go head-to-head in an England Vs The Rest of The World football match in aid of UNICEF and its partners.

Date: 7th September 2008

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Wembley Stadium

Tickets: Prices start from ONLY £5.00 Child/Concessions & £15 Adults.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is stepping up to manage England with the help of Bryan Robson as his assistant. His squad includes football legends Jamie Redknapp, David Seaman and the mouth-watering prospect of re-uniting Euro 96’s strike pairing of Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham. Both will hope to show the New Wembley the same awareness and understanding that nearly resulted in European success 12 years ago.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legends Scot Kenny Dalglish and Wales’ very own Ian Rush will take charge of the Rest of the World and players hoping to make it into their starting line up include Jaap Stam, Peter Schmeichel and the exciting inclusion of Brazilian legend Romario and Italy’s Franco Baresi and Paulo Di-Canio.

Gordon Ramsay returns to captain Rest of the World, but Team England have a new skipper. Robbie Williams is passing on his captain’s armband, and the responsibility of deciding who will take his place is in the capable hands of manager Harry Redknapp.

As the originator of the Soccer Aid concept, Robbie is confident that again the match will be of huge benefit to UNICEF’s work around the world.

Robbie Williams says: "Being able to help so many people through Soccer Aid was one of the true highlights of my life. I’m gutted that this time round my knee isn’t up to it so unfortunately I’m out of the game. But I hope that everyone involved has the time of their life like I did, raises loads of money for UNICEF and that the best side wins.”

Each squad comprises of eleven celebrities and five World Cup greats. With less than a week for the players to train and bond before the big game, the pressure is on to get match fit and performance ready.

Soccer Aid is raising funds for UNICEF’s health, education and protection work with vulnerable children all over the world. UNICEF helps children to survive and thrive in more than 190 countries worldwide, working with partners to provide emergency support and long-term development solutions. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions.

Tickets start from as little as £5 child/concessions & £15 adults. To book your seat simply click here or alternatively, buy tickets over the phone by ringing 08712307148.

Calls are charged 10p a minute from a BT landline. Costs from other networks may vary.

For those of you that are new round here let me introduce myself and what we are doing here at TalkFootball.

We are part of a network of sports websites and this is our flagship site. Football is the national sport in the UK and we are very passionate about it. Personally I am a Portsmouth fan so I've had rather a good year. Seeing us lift the FA Cup wasn't something I expected to see in my lifetime so May 17 2008 will go down in history.

On this site you'll find a tonne of information. For those that want an introduction to the game then you can checkout our Guide by clicking on the Guide tab at the top of the screen. Here you'll find pages about skills, tactics, formations, competitions et al as well as histories of all the professional clubs in the UK.

Also we'll be following the Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup competitions closely throughout the campaign, with reports, results, opinions as well as other things.

Then we get to the blog where you currently are. Here you’ll be able to submit articles to us that you’ve found interesting and think that fellow enthusiasts will enjoy. Just click on the ‘Submit a blog post to us’ link in the top right hand corner and fill out the form and we’ll review it here at TalkOn.it Network. If you have something you want to say then either sign up and post it on the forum (instructions to come later) or e-mail us using the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of the page and if it's good enough for the blog then we'll slap it up here.

Also on the TalkFootball blog you’ll be able to read blog posts from fans around the world. Here you’ll be able to read and form opinions on what is going on in the world of Football and enjoy a bit of banter.

Finally we get to our forums which we've worked tremendously hard on over the past few months to make it an interesting and easy experience. You are able to sign-up to the forums using the link in the top right hand corner of your screen. The process is quick and simple and you can be posting on our forums within a couple of minutes.

If there are any questions then please use the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of the page and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible.

I hope you enjoy your TalkFootball experience and keep coming back to check out our blogs and forums.

It was a draw for England last night but the performance was a long way short of what is acceptable.

Steve McClaren got the sack because he didn't have a clue but his successor failed to show us why he is getting paid a whopping £6million a year.

Another pathetic performance by so called world-class players left the crowd deeply disappointed. With around 20,000 seats left empty for the game, it showed that the country aren't fully behind the team. There was a time when getting a ticked for an England international at Wembley was darn right impossible, last night tickets were available on the gate and I think that says a lot.

As for the players on the pitch, well I'm not sure how many times it has been commented on but Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard simply cannot play together. Sven insisted that they could, as did Macca and now Fabio is picking them both. They are all top flight football managers and yet they are all wrong. I don't know just how many times they'll play together in some form in the midfield and just how many times they'll disappoint.

Beckham was in the team to provide quality balls from the right flank but he was unable to do so consistently. I know he got the assist for the first goal but time and again he failed to beat the first man. He looked a shell of his former self and surely David Bentley is the way forward on the right?

I do love Jamo and consider him the clearly England #1 but even he looked shaky last night. Not sure who else Capello would turn to but throwing Paul Robinson back into the cauldron of Croatia is probably not an option.

Not sure if there were really any positives to take from the game. We even let Milan Baros score against us (albeit via a massive deflection) but he hasn't scored in the calendar year of 2008, yet up against the cream of England he managed to find the back of the net.

England are so far behind the rest of the world it's crazy. We can't do the simple things nor can we do the clever stuff. Qualification for 2010 isn't guaranteed, not by a long shot, but even if we get there – don't expect too much.

So would it be John Terry, Rio Ferdinand or Steven Gerrard that got the nod for the top job in English football?

The nerves were jangling, Tony Adams said that John Terry was the obvious choice and after a chat with Chelsea manager Scolari, the new England manager Fabio Capello agreed. There was talk that the FA were less than thrilled that Terry was re-appointed as captain but that has been denied by Lord Triesman.

"On behalf of everyone at The FA I'd like to offer congratulations to John Terry following Fabio Capello's decision to make him England's permanent captain,"

"John obviously has tremendous leadership qualities and it is clear how much the captaincy means to him. He has our full support.

"I know that Fabio Capello thought long and hard before making this decision and it is clear that we have a number of leaders within the team.

"In Fabio, John Terry and vice-captain Rio Ferdinand, I'm confident we have the right combination to take us in a winning direction."

I have to admit I'm a bit unsure by this decision. If everyone was fit then I wouldn't have Terry in my starting XI (I think Woodgate is better) but he is certainly a fine captain. I like a powerful centre back as my captain – he is in a good position to watch the whole game and can see how all his players are performing. I don't think Rio or Stevie G have the presence of Terry so if Capello sees him as a regular then he is the right choice.

The media circus surrounding this year’s summer transfer window has had a deleterious effect on a number of teams, managers and players alike, and countless transfers have fallen through or evaporated into thin air having never existed in the first place.

The rash of media attention associated with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo has become a staple of Premier League business but, after the current transfer window saw only a handful of high-profile signings completed, the implications of involving the media in negotiations has become all too apparent.

Written media is as integral to the operation of the Premier League as Bovril is to thousands of frozen fans on a Sunday afternoon, but while beef extract soothes the soul and keeps the cold at bay, professional football teams have long utilised the media as an underhanded tactic to unsettle players under contract.

Perhaps the most publicised move of the summer was Gareth Barry’s purported move to Liverpool which collapsed on Saturday despite the fact that The Reds had already been offered (and turned down) an £18million deal by Aston Villa. A frustrated Benítez made it abundantly clear that talks with Villa’s chief executive, Rick Parry, had ended amid a furore of media speculation: “some newspapers and journalists blame me for everything: global warming, rises in petrol prices, everything”. The Spaniard has since said that the ‘Barry saga’ had brought him close to leaving Liverpool stating that his lack of involvement in the transfer proceedings undermined his position at the club.

Garry Barry sensationally jeopardised his chances of moving to Liverpool after ruling himself out of the Champions League group stages by playing in Villa’s 4-1 UEFA Cup victory over FH Hafnarfjordur last Thursday. The decision undoubtedly won him a few brownie points with the Villa faithful but the publicity surrounding his involvement with one of his club’s main rivals will not be soon forgotten.

Many smaller clubs are forced to shy away from unwelcome media attention for fear of losing their key players or disrupting their team-building activities. The words ‘hands off!’ have graced the back pages of many a newspaper since the transfer window was implemented during the 2002-03 season and while refusing to sell players maintains the integrity of the club in question, young starlets may find future transfer avenues closed off to them as a consequence.

It is worth noting that the players the media dubbed the most likely to move clubs this summer – Christiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid and Emmanuel Adebayor’s brief fling with Milan to name but a few – have all failed to agree terms with their respective clubs. It begs the question why clubs choose to conduct their transfer business in the full media spotlight?

Written By Chris Illingworth

Every Monday TalkFootball Editor Neil Monnery rounds up ten things that he knows now that he didn't before after the weekends action.

1. I know that Chelsea are better today than they were last season. The performance against Portsmouth was helped by an inept display from the visitors but the pace and movement off the ball was just like the way Arsenal have played in the recent past.

2. I know that Arsenal fans still haven't forgiven Emmanuel Adebayor for his behaviour over the summer. The Togolese international angled for a move away from the Emirates unless he got a bumper new pay offer – this hasn't been forgotten by the supporters.

3. I know that Frank Lampard is a hypocrite. Slapping the Chelsea badge on his shirt after he scored the clubs third in their romp against Portsmouth was meant to show his love for the club. This is the same club that he wouldn't sign a new contract with unless they gave him a fifth year on his new contract. If he really loved the club and got £150k for four years then I think that'd of been fine. Demanding a fifth and proclaiming your love for the club when you get it is hilarious.

4. I know that Dean Ashton is better than even I thought. This kid broke his ankle last year and he still looked good towards the end of the season. Give him a good pre-season and he bags two in the opener and would've got in the England squad had it not been for an injury.

5. I know that Liverpool will only win the league if Fernando Torres start 35+ games for them this season. There is no team in the Premiership where one player is as important as it is with Torres and Liverpool.

6. I know that Fabio is not the great saviour that everyone hailed him to be. Bringing back Emile Heskey without Michael Owen in the squad seems pointless to the extreme. Heskey & Rooney doesn't look like it'll work on paper and I doubt will work in reality.

7. I know that my beloved Portsmouth won't be winning the Premiership for yet another year. This might not come as a surprise to most but you have to at least dream.

8. I know that the biggest surprise of the weekend didn't come on the pitch but instead came in the commentary box. Sky gave the opening game of the Premiership weekend to Bill Leslie, which was a stunner. It may well of also been a terrific decision as Leslie has impressed doing the Championship and fully deserved a shot at the big games. It was an assured performance and hopefully we'll hear more of Leslie this season.

9. I know that the FA's new Respect Campaign has made a good start. We saw one or two players booked for dissent but nothing too drastic. Let's wait until we see a big controversial incident and then let's look at how the players react.

10. I know that this season will be as competitive as the last. Chelsea are better than they were and I think everyone is writing Arsenal off a tad too quickly. As for Manchester United – well they got two points from a possible nine to open up their last campaign and it didn't go too bad did it?

So it is half-time in the opening game of the season for my beloved FA Cup Winning Portsmouth side and just how am I feeling…?

Not great.

I am watching one of the most gutless, pathetic, depressing, disgusting performances that I have witnessed from a Portsmouth side in many a year.

Yes I know we are playing away at a top class side who are playing very well but there is one thing that you need if you are playing a better team – and that is to be hungrier than them and boy are we anything but.

Portsmouth have been lazy, sloppy on the ball, well to be honest sloppy is being too kind, how about down right careless and showing all the care for finding a team mate with a pass that you’d expect from a group of one-manning kids in the park looking to make the other look bad.

No-one has come out with any credit so far expect maybe Lassana Diarra – who has been sussed by Chelsea so whenever he gets the ball he has three men on him.

The penalty was also a bad decision but we are getting right royally screwed by how rubbish we are it doesn’t really matter.

Oh well…45 minutes to go...this might be the start of a cracking 3-4 away victory and I might wake up with Cameron Diaz in the morning and not go into work in the morning because she’s eating strawberries with cream from my body – that is probably a more likely scenario.

The latest England squad was announced on Saturday night and there were one of two surprises

The biggest shock came up front, Emile Heskey came back in at the expense of Peter Crouch. The giant Portsmouth front man has been England’s most prolific striker over the past three years but has been thrown out of the squad to bring back Heskey.

The only reason for bringing back the Wigan striker would be if Michael Owen was in the squad. Heskey & Owen work well together but a squad with Heskey and no Owen is bizarre to say the least.

Paul Robinson returns despite his gaffe in his debut for Blackburn that led to Arteta’s goal. Theo Walcott has also been named and as a striker despite being a right winger for his club side.

This squad is rather uninspiring for me; it looks a lot like the squads we’ve seen over the past few years. Where is the pace and creativity? We saw some cracking teams in Euro 2008 playing attractive football but we won’t be getting any of that with the players that Fabio has named in this squad.

Most disappointing.

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic)

As I look out of my window I can see a few fluffy white clouds masking the brilliant blue sky. It is certainly warm as I came back from my lunch hour with a bit of a sweat on after a fast walk back to work. Put all that together and I think we'll find the football season is ready for it's big kick-off.

I know that the Championship kicked off last week but the big boys are now ready for their grand entrance. Manchester United start the defence of their crown with the visit of Newcastle United on Sunday, before them we'll see Chelsea, under Big Phil for the first time, they'll be facing FA Cup Winners Portsmouth.

On Saturday the other two of the 'Big Four' make their debuts, Arsenal entertain West Brom at lunchtime and Liverpool face Sunderland in the tea-time kick-off. The opening weekend sees every member of the big four play in front of the live television cameras.

The season seems to of snuck up on us with the Olympics going on. The biggest sporting event in the world has taken over our consciousness leaving football on the outside looking in. The last time this happened as the season geared up for its big kick-off was in 2005 when cricket as Ashes Fever took the country by storm.

Football is my passion but it is a long season and other sports tug at the emotions. For instance tomorrow afternoon the Men's 100m final is at 3:30 PM UK time. So will people switch over from Jeff and the boys on Sky to watch to find out who is the fastest man in the world? I am pretty confident they will.

Was it Sir Alex Ferguson who once said that the football season doesn't really get going until after Christmas? It might not take that long for our attention to focus on the national pastime but I wouldn't be too surprised to see the first few weeks pass one or two people by.

A warrant has been issued in Thailand for the arrest of Thaksin Shinawatra, owner of Manchester City FC and the ex-Prime Minister of Thailand. At the outset you may assume that this has very little to do with his role in the Premier League, however, there are measures in place to make sure Premier League football club owners stay on the straight and narrow.

At a time in football when corruption has been regularly hitting the headlines across Europe is the Premier League going to be forced into a swift response, or does an owner’s money talk louder than league stipulations?

In early 2006 the police began investigating illegal bungs between football agents and managers. Brought to their attention by Luton Town FC manager Mike Newell, it badly tarnished the image of the Premier League. After a BBC documentary investigating managers, such as Kevin Bond and Sam Allardyce, was aired, it led to libel cases and job changes, seemingly engraining the negative image that had arisen.

The well documented and severe treatment of shamed Italian giants Juventus in May 2006, due to match-fixing, produced an understanding of football that was more ingrained in money than the beautiful game. It added further weight to how far the professional, economic structures of football were interfering with the world’s most popular sport.

Thaksin, a telecommunications billionaire, was ousted as prime minister of Thailand in a military coup. He was accused of abusing his position, and of corruption, after being the first PM to head the Thai government though a whole first term in office. He came to England and bought Manchester City FC but has failed to re-appear in his home country for court proceedings. His wife has recently been incarcerated for tax fraud.

Premier league rules state that anyone in ownership of a club will be penalized for being successfully prosecuted in a fair and free court. Extradition proceedings might follow for Thaksin but it leaves the Leagues execs in a very difficult position. If he was to be found guilty do they have the power to confront the millions he has brought into the English game, or will the rules be flouted in an age where money, apparently, does the talking in football?

Manchester City manager, Mark Hughes, has dismissed claims that he will be leaving over the incident. It's an important move that distances himself from the business side of the club. He is, after all, there to look after the football team.

The dividing line between sport and business is increasingly blurred and it will be up to the Premier League either to save the game’s face for fans, or save the money, aiding those with a purely economic interest in football.

Written by Robert Dickins

Can we have a referee?

Who’d want to be a ref anyway? All that stomping around, shouting and getting angry – and that’s from the players and supporters.

So what happens when an amateur star-studded football team tries to play 11-a-side without a ref?

About the same as what happens to any football game played without a ref – chaos and farce.

The FA Respect video kicks off their campaign to stamp out dissent in football; highlighting the important job the referees do; encourage more people into the game but also bringing to light the level of abuse that takes place on and off the pitch.

Featuring England Manager Fabio Capello, top referee Howard Webb and ex-pros and footballing celebrities, including Mark Bright and Les Ferdinand.

Can you believe this man? He lost 2-0 at home and still thinks he won the managerial battle.

If there was ever a bigger moron in football management then I haven't seen him and I have seen John Gregory manage.

If moron is strong then deluded certainly isn't!

The FA Tesco Skills Programme is a revolutionary approach to youth coaching that is child-centred, focusing on both football skills and children's learning needs.

The Skills website also contains videos, tips and advice featuring England's Frank Lampard & Kelly Smith.

To look at more then please check out the The FA Skills website and try to improve your own skills and game.

Despite Manchester United’s breathtaking 2007/2008 campaign, there are still those who believe the team lacks an orthodox centre forward. Indeed, since the departure of Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 2006 one could argue United haven’t had anyone in a similar mould to the prolific Dutchman. For a brief moment Louis Saha threatened to be that man, but persistent injury has prevented the Frenchman from ever really making it at United.

As a result, many expected United to bring in a striker this summer, but up until now there have been no new faces at Old Trafford. However, following Sunday’s Community Shield triumph over Portsmouth, Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to wanting a new striker.

"The striker situation has been pressing since the end of last season. We like to operate with four strikers and we have not been able to do that. It is possible I will sign someone this week. We are trying and we are looking at one or two options. Hopefully we will get something done."

So, who could that someone be?

Dimitar Berbatov – It is no secret that Fergie is a keen admirer of the Bulgarian and even before his move to Spurs, United were tracking the 27-year old. Berbatov’s sleek touch, technical ability and general persona have led some to compare him to the legendary former United star, Eric Cantona. However, relations between United and Spurs have taken a recent turn for the worse, thus meaning a deal looks unlikely at the moment.

Thierry Henry – Surprisingly, the former Arsenal star’s name has been bounced about with increasing regularity in recent days with regards to a move to United. Though there is no doubting the Frenchman still possesses the ability to play at the top level, at 31 there are serious questions regarding the longevity of such a transfer, not to mention the fact he was once a sworn enemy of the reds. In all probability, the Henry rumour is being used as a smokescreen for another target.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar – This is the most likely option in my opinion. The lad has already expressed a desire to move to Old Trafford, whilst his age ensures scope for future development. Also, Huntelaar’s goal to game ratio of 70 in 81 for Ajax suggests he is ready for the step up to one of Europe’s elite. Huntelaar represents the only real return to the days of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and there is no doubting the 24-year old can follow in the footsteps of the legendary Dutchman.

Written by Aram Hekmat

Manchester United went for Silva but came up with nothing. Looks like they bid around £20million for the Valencia striker/winger but got told to sling their hook by the Spanish club.

Good for them is what I say. I'm annoyed with English teams thinking they can go and get the best talent in the world just because of who they are.

As I sat watching a youthful Arsenal side struggle to break down a resilient Juventus at this year’s Emirates Cup, I could sense a growing sense of frustration amongst the 60,000 strong crowd...a frustration that was lifted once Theo Walcott was introduced to the game.

Though Arsenal’s new number 14 failed to help his side turn around the 1-0 deficit, he certainly added a fresh spark to the game, with his every touch of the ball greeted by vociferous applause. Indeed, it was a show of support akin to that of Arsenal’s former number 14, Thierry Henry. Despite the fact that big things are expected of young Walcott, are we to believe that he will reach the heights of the legendary Frenchman?

Well, last season saw Walcott step out of the shadows and performances at the tail-end of the season showed signs of things to come. Also, it must be noted how unlucky Walcott was in regards to the timing of said performances. I still believe to this day that had Kolo Toure not felled Ryan Babel in the box just moments after Adebayor’s goal, we would still be talking about Walcott’s mesmeric run. The same can be said of the two goals he got at Birmingham City, both forgotten due to the horrific injury sustained by Eduardo Da Silva.

Thus far Walcott has been something of a bit-part player at Arsenal, restricted to the odd start here and there, but generally deployed as an impact player from the bench. But if Walcott wants to really impose himself on games and become the player all Arsenal fans wish for, he must stop being a willing substitute and instead make his place in the Arsenal first team secure. Aside from the injury-prone Robin Van Persie, Arsenal do not have a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi or Kaka. But in Theo Walcott, they have a player with enough potential and raw ability to perhaps fulfil these aspirations.

In reality, if we cast aside the shambles of the 2006 World Cup, the lad has been improving steadily, season after season. Theo himself points to Sven-Goran Eriksson’s decision to call him up to the squad for the 2006 World Cup as a mistake. He was thrust into the media spotlight prematurely, the consequences of which he is still reaping today. Should Walcott improve on his consistency, something that has blighted his career to date, then perhaps he is the player to boost the fortunes of Arsenal and help them achieve the kind of trophies a club of Arsenal’s size should have.

In similar need of a fillip are England, and should Walcott force his way into Arsene Wenger’s side on a regular basis, what’s to stop him doing the same in Fabio Capello’s England side? The world truly is his oyster.

As Henry Winter so poetically put it; “the torch of invention once carried so thrillingly by Henry has been passed to Walcott”.

Well Theo, its time to run with it!

Written by Aram Hekmat

We received the following Press Release from the people over at Soccer Aid 2008 and are glad to fully back and actively promote the event. It is a terrific cause and it would be great if any of you guys were to go and enjoy the event and help a very worthwhile cause.

Soccer Aid is back for another year as World Cup legends and top celebrities go head-to-head in an England Vs The Rest of The World football match in aid of UNICEF and its partners.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is stepping up to manage England with the help of Bryan Robson and his squad includes football legends Jamie Redknapp and David Seaman and the mouth-watering prospect of Alan Shearer back leading the line for England.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legends Scot Kenny Dalglish and Wales’ very own Ian Rush will take charge of the Rest of the World and players hoping to make it into his starting line up include Brian Lara, Peter Schmeichel and other World cup heroes who are yet to be announced.

Gordon Ramsay returns to captain Rest of the World, but Team England have a new skipper. Robbie Williams is passing on his captain’s armband, and the responsibility of deciding who will take his place is in the capable hands of manager Harry Redknapp.

As the originator of the Soccer Aid concept, Robbie is confident that again the match will be of huge benefit to UNICEF’s work around the world.

Robbie Williams says: "Being able to help so many people through Soccer Aid was one of the true highlights of my life. I’m gutted that this time round my knee isn’t up to it so unfortunately I’m out of the game. But I hope that everyone involved has the time of their life like I did, raises loads of money for UNICEF and that the best side wins.”

Each squad comprises of eleven celebrities and five World Cup greats. With less than a week for the players to train and bond before the big game, the pressure is on to get match fit and performance ready.

Soccer Aid is raising funds for UNICEF’s health, education and protection work with vulnerable children all over the world. UNICEF helps children to survive and thrive in more than 190 countries worldwide, working with partners to provide emergency support and long-term development solutions. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions.

Tickets start from as little as £5 kids & £15 adults. To book your seat simply click here or alternatively, buy tickets over the phone by ringing 0871 230 7148.

Calls are charged 10p a minute from a BT landline. Costs from other networks may vary.

Although the transfer market is far from closing Chelsea's transfer dealings for the Summer could already be over bar a last ditch attempt to lure Robinho to Stamford Bridge so what could the new season hold in store for the title-chasing Londoners?

New manager Luiz Felipe Scolari came to the Capital with just one goal, to win all four trophies available to him this season. A mighty task for a new manager but if 'Big Phil' is to claim anywhere near as many accolades as former boss Jose Mourinho this is precisely where his ambitions must aim.

The Brazilian himself was reportedly handed a staggering £100 million transfer kitty when he took over the helm at the Bridge in July but has only spent a mere £8 million so far, on former Barcelona midfielder Deco and after some stunning performances this Summer you'd be mad not to check the odds on Deco becoming Chelsea's top scoring midfielder this season.

Fellow Porto alumni Bosingwa was already signed at Chelsea when the World Cup winning coach took over but Scolari's sole Summer signing has looked impressive so far if pre-season is anything to go by. Deco has been pulling the strings for the Blues throughout their Asian and Russian tours, firing off ambitious shots which have led to his team-mates trying tricks of their own. And the Blues performances have really benefited from a new found attacking mentality under Scolari.

Although losing on penalties – yet again – to Lokomotiv Moscow in the Russian Railways Cup in their penultimate pre-season match, the West Londoners final match was one really to savour for any Chelsea fan. Against AC Milan Chelsea fielded a strong side and with only Kaka and Dida missing from Milan's side, the Blues dismissed the Italian's by five goals to nil with the Milanese side never causing a threat to the Chelsea goal. Honestly, with performances like this I'd be willing to bet on Chelsea claiming at least two trophies by the end of the season.

Nicholas Anelka was on fire in this match, bagging four goals and has been on fine form throughout the Summer, perhaps finding a new lease of life under his new coach and a striker partnership with the currently injured Didier Drogba really is now a mouth watering prospect for the coming season.

There are also still rumours that Brazilian hit-man Robinho is inching his way towards the Real Madrid exit and heading to London for contract talks with Chelsea big-wigs. If Chelsea thought that dealing with an overcrowded midfield roster was going to be difficult, I'd be interested to see how you fit Drogba, Anelka and Robinho into a starting XI.

Just as United's Ronaldo transfer saga looks to be coming to an end, so does the similar tale of Frank Lampard all be it on a much happier note. The former Hammer looked set to be leaving Stamford Bridge this Summer after Inter Milan made a reported £8 million offer for the player but Scolari – who was keen to hold onto the player – seems to have got his wish of keeping Lampard at the club.

Lampard has netted during pre-season and has settled seemingly instantly with his new midfield partner in Deco. Add to this the fact that the Blues only conceded once throughout their warm-up to the new season thanks to sterling performances from the likes of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho and the 2008-09 season looks to be shaping up rather well for the Blues contingent.

Written by John Ford - A Freelance Football Journalist

Upon my return from lunch today I returned to a letter on my desk. A reader had written in to suggest a new idea for Penalty Shoot-Outs. You can see the scanned letter below and I investigated it's pros and cons.

First of all let me say that I've not seen a penalty shoot-out live at a stadium. The closest I ever got was an FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round game between Newport IoW and Wealdstone when the home side got a last minute winner through Eurshell Fearon to win 3-2 AET. Portsmouth have only been involved in two penalty shoot-outs, one of course that FA Cup Semi-Final heart-breaker to Liverpool when I was just nine and the other in the final of the FA Asia Trophy in Hong Kong.

So our readers' letter suggested that penalty shoot-outs should take place in the centre spot. This would alleviate the problems of goalkeepers being abused by fans or opposition players getting put off by those behind the goal. It would also mean that everyone in the ground would get the same view.

These are valid reasons but I have to admit I'm not backing the idea.

I do think that the safety officer or whoever shouldn't make the decision. The referee should toss the coin first to decide which captain gets choice of ends, then the referee will toss again to decide who gets the choice of taking first or second. That is the fairest way and it is what we are used to.

I stand by the old adage of if it ain't broke then don't fix it. Penalties aren't the best way to end a competitive match. However moving the shoot-out to the centre of the pitch won't fix things. Do people who are in line with the posts have a worse view than those at one end of the ground? Do you get a better view if you are behind the goal or facing it?

It'll never be perfect but as it stands I think the status quo should be kept. I'd like to hear your views though. Either comment or get in touch with me via the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page.

I'd like to thank Brian for his letter and would welcome any other correspondence. We read everything we receive.

As a Portsmouth fan I find this report extremely hurtful (but possibly quite accurate). I say this but then it says Liverpool fans are the most attractive - now I have my suspicions as to the accuracy of this report...

Barcelona jogged through Central Park before they played the Red Bulls in New York, but the jog through the park wasn’t much different than the actual match. It was a game of keep away and a few darting runs here and there that resulted in goals. The conceded goals were more out of laziness and boredom.

Samuel E'too came off at half time and was sitting on the bench all showered and changed. He wore a gold watch that was probably worth more than most of the Red Bulls player’s salaries. And remember, this is a game where Barcelona was without Messi, as he’s in China scoring goals for Argentina. Etoo is still on the fence it sounds like, will he stay or will he go? I just can’t see how Barcelona will let him leave. He notched two goals in the last two pre-season friendlies. Sure, it’s not like scoring again top La Liga sides, but they’re goals nonetheless. He has to be one of my favorite players. He’s plays with such energy and enthusiasm yet is clinical in his finishes.

New Barca signing Alexander Hleb looks like he will fit in well to the Barcelona side. He was constantly turning Red Bull defenders inside and out. Is he as good as Deco? He’s a different type of player, perhaps a bit more dynamic although less of a laser precise type of passer. But with Iniesta continuing to play better and better, Barcelona can live with out Deco. Asked what the Red Bulls could take away from this game, John Harkes side a lot of good fitness work, he’s right. The ball doesn’t get tired remember, and Barcelona had it the whole time.

Steve Lovell turned down the chance to go and play for AFC Bournemouth in League 2 to stay in Scotland and sign for Falkirk.

Doesn't sound like anything important but the reason is that he is engaged to pop star Amy McDonald.

I can't believe this - he's rubbish and still managed to pull a pop star without any talent whatsoever. Is there a league where good footballers get the best and prettiest singers and the rubbish ones get the bad ones?

If so then this is the exception that proves the rule. She is stunning and he's Steve Lovell.

Nuff said.

It is no secret what I think of Sir Bobby Robson. The word 'Legend' is one that is overused by everyone but he is the epitome of that word.

I was thrilled that when my boys won the FA Cup a couple of months back that they did it in front of Robson and were indeed handed the Cup itself by him.

We need to appreciate just what a man he is and when he passes on the World will shed a tear. So let us realise what we've got as football fans in Sir Bob and I look forward to reading and listening to his views on football for as long as possible.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all under one banner?

It sounds unlikely but it will happen in 2012 for one time only for the London Olympics.

I see that the SPL referees want £1000 for every game they officiate in the top flight. That seems like a staggeringly high fee to me for what is a short amount of work. My monthly pay cheque after tax doesn't exactly clear £1000 by much and yet they want this for one afternoon's work - it takes the Michael!

What’s the difference? Of course there are the obvious ones, which we won’t go into here for the sake of brevity. However, the answer I would give is this; one is a dark horse, one is a possible dark horse.

You can possibly attribute this hunch to the unexpected baking my brain has received due to the surface-of-the-sun-with-intermittent-showers weather we have experienced this week. However, I can’t shake the sneaking feeling that Spurs have a serious chance of challenging the so-called “Big Four” this coming season. Bear with me for a while whilst I try to rationalise this.

For one, they actually have a good manager, and by good I mean one that buys the right players, not just any good players, and is used to working with this level team. By this I mean that Sevilla, his previous club, were very much of the same size and budget as Tottenham, and he took them close to breaking the La Liga hegemony shared by Barcelona, Valencia and Real Madrid. He is also an astute tactician and motivator and seems to have settled well into English football.

By extension, I feel you have to applaud his summer transfer dealings. Giovanni dos Santos is a fantastic prospect from Barcelona, and his signing is a real coup. The expected signing of David Bentley is also a great buy, as he has an extremely cultured right foot and as well as being of a good international standard now he will undoubtedly improve in the future.

I am also a big fan of the tricky Luka Modric, who has a sublime touch and whose vision is second-to-none. As a string-pulling modern midfield player he is among the very best. Though there may be certain concerns about his twig-like physique, he has never faded on the international stage and I can’t imagine players in the Croatian leagues have exactly handed him flowers and laid down when he’s played them. With the mooted chase of the mercurial, though excellent, Arshavin as well as the deadly Diego Milito, it shows that Ramos is seemingly taking the club in the right direction, with players of the correct calibre in his sights.

As important are the players he has got rid of. Paul Robinson has not been on form for a year or so, and the former England no.1 has found himself shipped out to be replaced by Gomes, a more than adequate replacement. Furthermore, getting over £20m for Robbie Keane is, in my eyes, a masterstroke, as he is not worth that amount and is quite close to his 30s. Ramos has also cut the dead wood from the squad, primarily with the bulk-selling to Sunderland. One thing on which to comment is that Wolves must be tutting once more for not putting sell-on clauses on his first move, as with Keane’s peripatetic nature they would have earned themselves a small fortune.

All in all, with a steady manager at the helm and if the new players gel, this Tottenham team could be one to get excited about. Keeping Ledley King fit will be crucial, and ensuring their strike force is adequately repaired if Berbatov leaves is also vitally important. It is usually this time of year that Liverpool fans begin their crowing about it being their year. This year, I believe Tottenham fans too can have a certain amount of confidence heading in to the new season.