Football on tv

Time to bring in goal line technology

2009-08-22T15:17:00.004+01:00

Its two weeks into the new football season and already there has been wide spread support for the introduction of video technology to assist the officials in making crucial decisions. This has been brought on by another unbelievable decision to not allow the goal scored by Freddie Sears for Crystal Palace against Bristol City last weekend.

I’m sure you have all seen it by now and it is clearly a goal and managers up down the country have called for the introduction of goal line technology. The case is strong as there is always numerous incidents of “was it wasn’t it over the line debates during the course of the season and inevitable the officials will get the majority wrong. It is hard to sympathise with the officials at times when it seems clear cut such as the Palace goal or the phantom goal given last season by Stuart Atwell in the Watford Reading game, but some are a lot harder to see.

There is no doubt the game is quicker and players are quicker and more powerful and this has been aided by technology. Sports nutrition players a key part in the players being stronger and faster but a larger part is the ever changing technology that is introduced to the key part of the game the ball itself. The technological advances in materials and understanding of the movement of the ball is welcomed by FIFA, the FA and The Premier League to make the game more exciting, quicker and ultimately so we see more “wordlie” goals. In fact there is always debate over the official ball of the Premier League, World Cup or Champions League with regards how it moves through the air.

New technology is in every walk of life and it has changed the way we live our lives, other sports such as Tennis, Cricket and Rugby have embraced it and used it to ensure that a point or a wicket is genuine before awarding it. Now points or wickets are easier to come by than a goal in a game of football, the beauty of the game is that one goal is worth an awful lot and one the hardest parts of the game, so why don’t FIFA and football embrace it.

Well FIFA’s argument is football is a global game and the rules are the same across the world, the game should be played with the same laws and rules at all levels from Under 11’s to amateur to professional, therefore if goal line technology was introduced in one league it would need to be across all levels and unless FIFA or The FA want to pay to put little goal line cameras in all the posts in every registered pitch across the country or world in FIFAs case they say they cannot introduce new rules that cannot be implemented at all levels.

However noble or stubborn FIFA are being it makes no sense. Football is the global dominant sport with the game played in pretty much every country across the world, only the Olympics come close to the World up in terms of global reach and appeal and that is a fundamental part of FIFAs argument, athletics or rather the Olympics remains such a global event because what everything thing is standard across all ages and all levels. The big difference between the sports particularly in Europe is the money and footballers at the top level these days are so far removed from the amateur on the park on a Sunday morning and to a lesser extent the professional plying his trade in the lower leagues in England and Scotland.

I struggle to understand FIFA’s resistance to allow the introduction of goal line technology, scoring goals is what the game is all about and if the technology, which I believe has been tested and is available and easily affordable for The Premier League, for FIFA or UEFA to put in for World Cups and the Champions League then it should be introduced at the top level and for leagues or Football Associations that can afford to introduce this technology across their competitions should be allowed to do so.

The game is far too big and far too popular to be effected by such a move at the very top level of the game. It will make no difference to how players are trained or taught to play or the rules at the lower levels, the game won’t change because of this technology or stop it from being enjoyed in parks and open spaces as it is now across the world. It won’t alienate fans either as they will be more at ease with the decisions made by the often hapless officials but it will ease the pressure on the officials and make sure that it is certainly a goal or not. Some of the players hit the ball at 80mph from 30 yards away, if that bounces off the bar and down then unless it nestles in the net you would need to have super human sight or hawk eyes how often does that happen on a Sunday morning?

The TV cameras are everywhere at football matches these days and TV pundits and commentators are quick to pick up on referee or linesman’s mistakes and the introduction for the goal line technology is only going to account for maybe 10 or 20 contentious decisions a season but it is a start and I am sure it would have been welcomed by official Stuart Atwell and Rob Shoebridge who disallowed the goal scored by Crystal Palace.

I’m not sure what it is going to take for Sepp Blatter and his cronies to wake up to technology, maybe if the World Cup Final was settled by a dubious was it was it not over the line goal or a champions league Final, it’s already happened in the World Cup final in 1966 and in a Champions League 2005 Semi Final between Liverpool and Chelsea, although even if that wasn’t a goal it was a penalty and a red card but it was over the line for me.

And their lies the strongest argument, occasionally, even with TV video replay and computer generated it is not clear so come on Sepp take the leap of faith and lets introduce the hakweye technology at the top level.

Do you agree with the introduction of goal line technology?

Welcome back to my TV

2009-08-18T21:27:00.001+01:00

Well it is back and it feels like I have been reunited with my TV and my couch as I spent the weekend watching football.

For me the football season means reclaiming the TV and convincing the missus that I really do need to watch football all day. It started with Soccer am, followed by Soccer Saturday, flicking over to football focus occasionally, before watching the scores come in from 3pm then the Saturday evening game on Setanta, sorry ESPN, then football first on Sky Sports before finishing the evening with Match of the Day.

On Sunday I carry on where I left off, on the couch with the TV tuned to Sky Sports 1. Generally I don’t like watching Man United win but I made an exception as it was the opening game of the season followed by watching a woeful performance by Liverpool meaning I finished the weekend on a low, but hey I figure that is the one defeat of the season out of the way on the first week.

The Premier League is billed as the best league in the world and whether you agree or not it is certainly one of the most hyped. The Premier League no doubt offers great drama and entertainment that just can’t be scripted as well as some flowing football, and I for one am pleased it is back on the TV.

In all likelihood it will be the same top 4 with Man City pushing to break into the elusive Champions League spots but it will be a big ask of Mark Hughes' team to break the monopoly with his first real crack at it and experience counts for a lot in a title run in. The outcome maybe slightly predictable but it is the challenge for the title that is the big attraction worldwide and the battle for survival is always intriguing and there is no doubt that the season will keep me on the edge of my couch.

Anywho for a man that watches a lot of football I'm looking forward to another season of drama, dodgy decisions and pundits talking bollocks. At this stage of the season it's all about predictions so predictable here are mine

Top Four

Liverpool
Chelsea
Man United
Arsenal

Sorry boring I know but I can't see City doing it this time round, it’s a marathon not a sprint

Relegated

Portsmouth
Birmingham
Hull

FA Cup - Spurs
League Cup - Man City
Champions League - Real Madrid
Europa League - Everton

Do you agree? Post your comments below

A world cup year

2009-08-12T20:24:00.005+01:00

I'm watching England and I'm thinking that despite the moaning of league managers and club owners as a fan I think it's a nice taster to start the World Cup year. Get used to that phase as it will be banded about a lot as we prepare to breeze through the qualifiers and slowly build up the players and our chances and prey Gerrard and Rooney stay fit.

The World Cup maybe not the focus right now but you can guarantee any player with the chance to play there will have it at the back of their minds. Right now for England I think Capello knows his starting back four, with Johnson and Cole at full back and Terry and Ferdinand at centre halve. At the moment Barry, Lampard and Gerrard are first choice in midfield and Rooney up front.

There is still a dilemma over the keeper with James currently first choice and should be kept pretty busy at Portsmouth this season, he will be 40 though and it maybe harsh but would a younger more sprightly Seamen or Shilton saved the goals against Brazil and the Germans in 2002 and 1990? It would be good to see someone challenge Jamo. That leaves a midfield place, on the right and a partner for Rooney and Gerrard in the rotating system employed by Capello. But who will fill them?

Beckham started against Holland but this is a big year for Walcott who does offer pace and quality but I think Joe Cole could be the player for the job, if he can get fit and playing regularly for Chelsea, and thats the what players from around the world in this World Cup year need, regular club football and I think if Owen can get that with Rooney this season my money would be on Capello going with a Rooney and Owen partnership.

Bit right now it's the new Premiership season that I'm looking forward to with only 3 days to go, my fantasy football teams are done and I've looked into my crystal ball and will post my predictions tomorrow.

Bobby Robson RIP - A true legend

2009-07-31T12:58:00.004+01:00

Bobby Robson has passed away this morning after losing his battle with cancer. For me Sir Bobby Robson was a true legend of the game. These days the word legend is banded around a lot but very few actually deserve the accolade, Bobby Robson is one of those that truly deserve it.

I'm far too young to remember Robson as a player and I wasn't born when he famously guided Ipswich to European success but he was in charge of England the year I first fell in love with football. It was the 1986 world cup in Mexico and although England were knocked out by a Maradonna inspired Argentina (with a little help from the "hand of God") the performances of the England team instilled some pride back in our football. My lasting memory of Sir Booby will be the World Cup Italia 90. I was 10 at the time and by then an avid football fan. Often regarded as one of the best World Cups, Sir Bobby’s England team inspired a generation of football fans with the attacking flair of fellow Geordies Waddle and Gazza and the goals of Lineker. Few will forget the emotional semi final against the Germans and the passion and spirit the England team played with only to get knocked out on penalties.

Sir Bobby Robson is arguably our greatest ever football export, managing the great Barcelona, where he harnessed the young, original Ronaldo's amazing talent as well as being responsible for giving us Jose Murinho. He also managed Sporting Lisbon, Porto and PSV, how many English coaches or players have had that much influence on football across Europe?

His homecoming to Newcastle in 1999 was an emotional one and he did a fantastic job guiding them to Champions League spots in 2002 and 2003 and it is no surprise that since Freddy "fat idiot" Shepherd decided not to renew his contract Bobby’s beloved home town club have struggled and now find themselves in The Championship.

I am not usually moved by the passing away of famous people but Sir Bobby was a one off and a true legend. A gentleman and a scholar of the beautiful game he will be sadly missed.

Sir Bobby Robson's roll of honour

As a player:

1950-1956 Fulham
1956-1962 West Brom
1962-1967 Fulham
1958-1962 England (20 caps)
1967-1968 Vancouver Royals (player-manager)

As a manager:

1965-1966 Oxford University
1968 Fulham
1969-1982 Ipswich
1982-1990 England
1990-1992 PSV Eindhoven
1992-1993 Sporting Lisbon
1994-1996 FC Porto
1996-1998 Barcelona
1998-1999 PSV Eindhoven
1999-2004 Newcastle

Trophies won:
1973 Texaco Cup (Ipswich)
1978 FA Cup (Ipswich)
1981 Uefa Cup (Ipswich)
1991 & 1992 Dutch league (PSV)
1994 Portuguese Cup (Porto)
1995 & 1996 Portuguese league (Porto)
1997 European Cup Winners' Cup (Barcelona)
1997 Spanish Cup (Barcelona)

Classic post match analysis

2009-07-27T20:36:00.002+01:00

One contender I missed off the list for ESPN pundit is Ian Holloway, metaphorically speaking one of the best..... check out his after match analysis of his QPR teams ugly win

ESPN new sports channel due to launch

2009-07-26T15:05:00.013+01:00

As an avid arm chair football fan I have been waiting for news on how and where ESPN will be showing the 46 live Premiership games it won the rights to after Setanta's collapse.

ESPN have announced their new sports channel will go to air on 3rd August and is currently available to Sky Sports subscribers for £9 a month, 3 quid cheaper than it was for Setanta. I was a Setanta subscriber and although it is pretty expensive I would spend that and more down the pub watching football and on a cold Monday night I'd rather be at home.

There was more than just the live English Premiership games on Setanta, there was the Scottish Premiership, also available on the new ESPN sports channel, as well as a couple of football panel shows. As a dedicated arm chair pundit i enjoy these programmes and Football Matters on a Monday night was pretty entertaining especially with Graham Poll, seen on the left letting people know how much the decision was wrong by, as a panelist.

Live football on the TV is showbiz these days, and your choice of ex players to comment and commentate on the games is crucial to the success of these shows. Sky have got their regulars with the legendary Andy Gray upfront, with the young Rednkapp supporting and rotating line up of Gullit, Hoddle and Sourness, sorry Souness. The BBC have the steady line up of Hansan and Lawrenson who is turning more and more into a bitter old man as each season goes on, with granny's favourite Lineker as the anchor, but what to expect from ESPN?

Well so far ESPN have swooped to sign BBC stalwart Ray Stubbs with a lucrative new contract and promises of the captain of the commentary team, whether Ray will be allowed to bring in his own right hand man is yet to be seen. ESPN already have an established team who present to 100's of millions of people each week across football mad Asia. Steve McMahon is one of the ex player panelists for their Asia programme but will the name Steve and the scouse link make them wary of people confusing him with Steve McMannaman?

Who would you like to see on the ESPN sports team?

Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne

What a legend! Surely he will keep the people interested and the producers on their toes although an ill fated appearance on ITV during the World Cup in 2002 could put EPSN big wigs off

Stan Collymore

Moral citizen Stan is already in the game on BBC Radio 5 Live and has an on screen presence, allegations of woman beating and dogging have not put off the BBC making Collymore a front runner

Alan Shearer

With the Toon still in turmoil and no contract on the table for Big Al' he might well think he should have stayed on the telly. An undoubted great player, and Premier League legend with goals galore could there be an opening for an ESPN Andy Gray. Step up big Al?

Sven Goran Erikson

The charismatic Sven could be the ideal panelist the new Des Lynam maybe? He could say he is using the time to scout potential players for Notts County while get paid for being on the panel the ideal job and he can even pay his assistant Tord Grip to do all the work.

Big Ron Atkinson

Big Ron was a much loved commentator on ITV Champions League games bring words like lollipop and other pearls of wisdom until he was fired in disgrace from ITV after off air racist comments. He would definitely bring personality to the live football but can ESPN take a risk with Ron?

Leave a comment, who would you like to see on the ESPN team? Which so called pundit annoys you the most?

Surprise signing of Sven

2009-07-26T13:19:00.005+01:00

Yes, Sven is back in England, the suave Swede has returned to our shores after failing to guide the "golden generation" of England footballers past a quarter final and a mediocre spell at mega rich Man City.

The well travelled ladies man, seen on the left pondering whether to play two upfront, was given the boot from Mecxico and is now at Notts County. For me this ranks as the surprise signing of the season so far.

I wasn't really surprised at Owen joining Man United, disappointed but not surprised, Fergie is a shrewd operator and Owen will get goals but what can Sven bring to the oldest football club in the world?

Languishing in the bottom tier of English football, Notts County were recently bought by the strangely named Munto Finance, which sounds like the Spanish word for an ugly woman to me. Their plan; to get Notts County to the Championship in 5 years and then kick on into the promised land of the Premier League. It's an ambitious plan but quite a romantic one, guiding the oldest football club in the world back to the top flight would be a great achievement and quite a story. The question is can it be done and can it be done the right way?

Sven is more used to dealing with top class players, who like him, are on a lot of money, how he will deal with the players, some scraping around the lower leagues to earn a living and how the players and management react to him will be a key factor in the success of this project. Sven is Director of Football, so I expect him to use his name and contacts globally to bring in players who will be playing a league or two below their level but the lower leagues are tough places and team spirit and togetherness, something that seemed to be lacking for England under Sven is the only way any team can get promoted and I doubt Sven can influence that.

Can Sven get Notts County to the Premiership or is he just there for they money?

Football is back on the TV

2009-07-22T20:30:00.005+01:00

Well sort of. It's pre season and if like me you have been missing your weekly fix of football then the pre season games are just the thing to ease you back into next season. And as part of the start to my new season I've started this blog dedicated to all things football but particularly football on the TV.

So whats on?

Sky start their pre season football with the Wembley Cup this week, making the monthly subscription worth while. Friday see 'Arry's Spurs take on the European Champions Barcelona I wouldn't expect any new signings on show but it promises to be an attacking affair and although a friendly I would expect pretty strong lines up so it promises to be an entertaining game and one worth catching at home or at the pub, kick off is 7:45pm.

If you were a Setanta subscriber then you can still get Liverpool FC TV and Arsenal TV for free on the same channels they were on before Setanta went bust. Both these channels are showing pre-season friendlies as are Chelsea TV and MUTV but why you would want to pay extra for those channels I'm not sure??

For now though it's just a case of looking forward to the feast of live football on the TV next season, Sky have already announced their fixtures to be shown live up until November but it remains to be seen what games will be shown by ESPN. What we do know is the channel will be available on Sky and ESPN are talking to Virgin, BT and Freesat on how much they can sell and likely charge for the games. More on that this weekend.

Keep an eye on the live games to be shown on TV as and when they get announced at my main site http://www.footballonthetv.co.uk/ but be sure to check back here for thoughts, info and commentary on the commentary throughout the upcoming 2009/2010 season.

ITV Seal Deal For England Highlights

2008-09-25T22:19:00.000+01:00

ITV have reached an agreement with Setanta Sports to show highlights of Englands remaining away 2010 World Cup Qualifiers!

Highlights of England’s away games against Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine will be shown shortly after the games finish. This has been a long awaited decision as many fans have not been able to catch up on the game due to Setantas hold on the games.

2008-09-21T14:18:00.000+01:00

It certainly is a Super Sunday today for Premiership football with a lunch time Midlands derby between West Brom and Aston Villa quickly followed by Chelsea V Man U at 2pm and with another 3 Premiership games this Sunday I will be certainly watching MOTD 2 tonight at 10pm.

West Brom Villa was a good to game to start the day with, with Villa scoring twice in the first half through Carew and Abonglohor before James Morrison pulled one back for West Brom just as I was finishing off my full English.

Villa hit the post twice in the 2nd half and West Brom probed with some good football but there were no more goals.

Chelsea against Man United is one of the BIG games in the Premiership and could go someway to shaping the title race as a Chelsea victory would see them open up a 9 point gap on United, although it is early days yet. The big question from Chelsea is if Drogba would start and from United would Ronaldo start after coming on in mid week?

The answer is both players begin on the bench and Deco picks up an injury in the warm up and is replaced by Ballack. The game doesn't disappoint and after a lively opening Park gives United a 1-0 lead after 18 minutes and classic high octane Premiership battle continued with United going in 1-0 up at half time.

Chelsea haven't been beat at home since February 2004 and they were not going to relinquish that record to United. Drogba replaced Maloude at half time but it was another substitute, Kalou who headed in the equaliser ten minutes from time. There was a bizarre end to the game where both Andy Gray and Martyn Tyler were left bemused as to whether the ref had blown for full time or not but a decent Sunday spectacle and I'm looking forward to MOTD2 with Man City putting 6 past Portsmouth and 4 goals shared at the KC stadium in a 2-2 draw between Hull and Everton there will be some good games on there tonight.

Englands 4-1 Victory!

2008-09-11T09:55:00.000+01:00

Theo Walcott was England’s hat-trick hero last night as England beat Croatia 4-1 in their World Cup qualifying tie in Zagreb. The 19-year-old opened the scoring, and despite damaging one of his boots in the first half returned to find the net again in the second half of the match.

Wayne Rooney scored England’s other goal, with Mario Mandzukic scoring the consolation goal for Croatia. "Tonight was a bit of revenge. It was a great performance and a great result," Rooney said. "You always enjoy a 4-1 victory, especially after what Croatia did to us in the last qualifying campaign."

England had lost twice against Croatia in qualifying for June's European championship, including a 3-2 defeat at Wembley in November.

Englands next game will be Belarus v England on 15th October, 8.00pm Setanta Sports 1.

Englands 2-0 win over Andorra

2008-09-07T15:58:00.000+01:00

This was not a performance to strike fear into Croatian hearts, but as England know very well it could have been an awful lot worse. The first half saw them at their worst, many of the fans starting to boo when passes went astray, but at least they switched things around and brightened up in the second half. England finally overcame a very-well organised but highly defensive Andorra team, winning 2-0 thanks to goals by Joe Cole both in the second half. England will be in trouble if they perform as cluelessly in Croatia, though the two games will be nothing like each other. England travel to Croatia on Wednesday which promises to be a much tougher and probably far more exciting game of football.

England will play Croatia at 8.00pm on Setanta Sports 1, find more information at www.footballonthetv.co.uk

Keegan Quits! The whole of Newcastle is gutted, man!

2008-09-04T19:39:00.000+01:00

The soap opera that is Newcastle United continues as it has just been announced that King Kev has quit the Toon citing differences with Owner Mike Ashley and Dennis Wise over the way they have handle the transfers policy leaving him with "no choice but to resign" after only 8 months back in charge.

Next Newcastle Manager Odds

Gus Poyet - 5/2
Dennis Wise - 9/2
Alan Shearer - 11/2
Didier Deschamps - 8/1
David Moyes - 8/1
Glenn Hoddle - 25/1

More odds click here

It has been on the cards for a while, I actually had a bet with a Toon fan that he would be gone by the end of last season, it seems I wasn't far off.

Reaction has been flooding in and the initial reaction of Newcastle fans has been one of disgust, with threats of boycotting games and ripping up season tickets, not for the first time Newcastle United is a club in crisis. Even the Newcastle City Council felt moved to release a statement supporting Keegan

King Kev is an absolute hero in Newcastle and is worshiped by pretty much every Toon fan, the support shown by the fans for KK over the last few days has been phenomenal with around 1000 turning up to protest when most people are at work. The club is yet to issue an official statement and it is yet to be seen if Ashely and Wise can remain at a club when 50,000 fans want them out. I am pretty sure you won't be seeing Ashley mixing with the Toon Army away from home downing pints wearing his Keegan 7 shirt.

Keegans resignation concludes a crazy few days in football with the take over of Manchester City by a Sheik with more money than the British Government rocking the football world and turning Man City into a potential Super Club over night and Alan Curbishley quiting West Ham two days ago citing similar reasons to Keegan.

The events at Man City, West Ham and Newcastle though do show an increasing trend in Premiership football with club owners and Directors of Football dictating the squad the manager has at his disposal. Big European clubs such as Real Madrid and Barcelona have had this type of policy before is this the end of the traditional manager role at English Premiership clubs as the global Premier League brand goes continental.

It's clear the Toon Army don't like it Harry Redknapp and Alan Curbishley have hit out at the structure but it remains to be seen if the new breed of rich foreign owners feel the same.

7 WAYS TO WATCH LIVE FOOTBALL FOR FREE!

2008-09-01T22:01:00.000+01:00

It can be quiet a struggle to watch all the live football games on tv if you don't have a digital tv sports package and we are all aware of the credit crunch and the need to save that extra £10 a month, so here are 7 ways to get by without:

Go to the pub, most pubs nowadays know the added value of showing live games, you can get a pint for £2 and nurse it for the duration of the football.
Drop by your friends house just in time to catch the football, you'll probably get a free cup of tea and a biscuit too!
If you live in a street where you can see into your neighbours window then perfect! Pull up a seat open a can and just hope they don't shut the curtains.
It's not exactly watching it but you can listen to live games on the radio, just sit back close your eyes and visualise!
If you can be bothered to search for pages and pages of "free" online live games sites, then i'm sure you would find one that actually is free.
Blag a season ticket for a game from your dad/uncle john/best buddy, tell them its your birthday or something, you never know do you!
Start supporting a local amatuer team instead of a bigwig team, you can see them live whenever you like at a local football pitch near you.

ENGLAND WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS SQUAD

2008-09-01T11:08:00.000+01:00

Englands World Cup Qualifying Campaign kicks off against Minnous Andorra on Saturday 6th September on Setanta Sports 1. There should be a host of goals for England, my prediction will be a 6-0 victory for the three lions, hopefully seeing goals from Rooney, Defoe and a first cap for Jimmy Bullard.

Here's the team........

In Goal:
Robinson (Blackburn), James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham);

Defence:
Lescott (Everton), Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Johnson (Portsmouth), Upson (West Ham);

Midfield:
Barry (Aston Villa), J Cole (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Bullard (Fulham), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Downing (Middlesbrough), Bentley (Tottenham), Jenas (Tottenham);

Attack:
Walcott (Arsenal), Rooney (Manchester United), Defoe (Portsmouth), Heskey (Wigan).

The week ahead

2008-08-26T19:49:00.000+01:00

It's Carling Cup time and tonight sees Coventry take on Newcastle live on Sky Sports 2 with local rivals Sunderland against Nottingham Forest live on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD. It may not be the most glamourus competiton but it is usually exciting and the games usually provide alot of goals.

There are 14 live games on this week starting with the Carling Cup tonight and finishing with the return of La Liga and Champions Real Madrid V Deportivo.

The question is what to watch and when, to help here is the first part of my armchair guide to this weeks footie on TV

Tuesday 26th August

Coventry V Newcastle - Sky Sports 2 & HD2 - 7:30pm - Carling Cup

Worth a watch Coventry knocked out Manchester United last season so this could be a lively game

watch rating - ***

Wednesday 27th August

Liverpool V Standard Leige - ITV - 8pm - UEFA Champions League Qualifier

Arsenal V FC Twente - BBC 3 - 8pm - UEFA Champions League Qualifier

Nottingham Forest V Sunderland - Sky Sports 2 & HD2 - 7:45pm - Carling Cup

Three games to choose from tomorrow but for the arm chair pundit it has to be the Liverpool game, it's finally poised at 0-0 and after being outperformed in Leige Liverpool have to win to secure a lucrative £10m pay day by qualifying the the Champions League proper.

Watch rating ***

Thursday 28th August

Midtjylland v Manchester City - Channel 5 - 3:25pm - UEFA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Aston Villa v FH Hafnarfjordu - Channel 5 - 8pm - UEFA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Villa are pretty much through but City are trailing 1-0 to the Danish side so need a win, I doubt the boss will let me watch it at work though

Watch rating **

This weeks football on tv

2008-08-24T16:35:00.000+01:00

The second week of the Premiership Season is almost over. This weeks Premiership football on TV has seen Fulham beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Saturday evening game and another 1-0 from the Sunday lunch time offering on Setanta with a Deco free kick enough to give Chelsea victory over Wigan. That is all 3 games on Setanta so far ending 1-0, is there something about football on Setanta that makes it not quite as good as Sky?

If it is goals and action you want then the live game of the week was Charlton against Reading, the Saturday lunch time TV game on Sky Sports 1 finished 4-2 to Charlton and was a cracking game with 3 penalties, 6 goals and a red card late on for Readings Sonko, proving good football on TV is not is just about the Premiership.

The weekends live football on TV finished with Manchester City beating West Ham 3-0 on Sky Sports 1, with The Hammers Mark Noble seeing the first red card of the Premeirship Season 2008/2009. A goal from youngster Dean Sturridge and two goals from Elano gave City a comfortable 3-0 win.

But it's not just about the live games, on Sky Sports 1 Football First game of the day, Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough saw a dramatic Gerrard strike to seal the 3 points for Liverpool and a bodacious, Bergkamp esq turn by Boro's Tuncay, which would have been an early contender for goal of the season if his shot hadn't been straight at Pepe Reina.

Football fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to watching football on TV, with Sky Sports

It is very nice being able to watch your teams' 90 minutes but unless you are a top flight manager or scout you are not going to be interested in watching Newcastle beat Bolton 1-0 which makes MOTD on BBC1 the place to see all the days action and if you're out you can and have Sky Plus you can record MOTD and Football First at the same time.

With the weekend action at a close now below are my picks of this weeks action

showing a game of the day at 8:25pm on a Saturday night, followed by all the rest of the days Premiership games at 10:30pm allowing you to choose your game through the interactive button. If you have Sky plus this is great as you if your out on the town on a Saturday night you can record your team's game and watch it back on the Sunday morning.Goal of the Week - Ricardo Fuller - Stoke V's Aston Villa
A majestic flick by Fuller sees him leave Laursen standing and the Jamaican sprinted away and calm slot the ball past Friedal

Result of the Week - Tottenham 1 - 2 Sunderland
A great result for Sunderland, who struggled badly away from home last season, a debut goal from Djibril Cisse secured the points and a happy journey home for The Mackems

Skill of the Week - Tuncay - Liverpool V Middlesbrough
A stylish Bergkamp esque turn left Carragher standing but the Turks shot was straight at Reina

Mug of the Week - Mark Noble first red card of the Premiership
Sent off for two bookbale offences in the first half aginast Manchester City, a stupid handball and a wreckless challenge

There is still one Live game left from this weeks fixture list and that is Sky's Monday night evening and it could be a good one, with Portsmouth entertaining the Champions Manchester United. It will be a nice way to end the long August Bank Holiday weekend.

Football is back!!!

2008-08-22T14:32:00.000+01:00

Football is back!! The Premier League kick off is only 2 days away and the Champions League, Championship, Carling Cup and football league are already underway. There has already been a smattering of football on TV with pre season friendlies on Sky, Setanta and Channel 5, the Football League and Championship games have started on Sky Uefa Cup qualifiers and Champions League qualifiers on Channel 5 and ITV. Sky maybe the home of the Premeire League but football is on a whole range of channels this season, every day of the week.

The big story from the European Qualifiers is the ongoing Gareth Barry transfer Saga. Liverpool played Alonso in their game, where they were lucky to get a draw against Belgian champions Standard Leige and Barry played and scored again Aston Villas 4-1 victory over Icelands FH Hafnarfjordur. This pretty much puts an end to the saga with Barry now cup tied in European Competition until February.

The question is will Villa fans accept him back and will he skipper the side again?

I think once Barry starts scoring for Villa agian the fans will forgive him, he is a quality player who wanted to play champions league football and I'm sure he would have been an excellent acqusition for Liverpool. Now can Barry and Aston Villa break into the top four maybe ousting out the Merseysiders?

And it is the Premier League which kicks off on Saturday. Regarded as the best and most famous leauge in world football their is no doubt that Premier League football is exciting and fast paced, however some say it is also predicatble, but is it?

The start of a new season is the only time when all teams are level and football fans are full of optimisim but will it be the usual suspects Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal in the top four, or can Spurs, Villa, Portsmouth or Everton crash the party this season?

There are no answers at this stage of the season only questions, the two that matter the most though are who will win the league? and Who will go do down?I think the top 6 will be tight this year with, Liverpool, pushing Manchsetr United and Chelsea all the way to the final day, but not too far behind I think Arsenal, Spurs and Portsmouth will be challenging for 4th spot. In the relegation battle it is difficult to see Stoke or Hull staying up, however I think West Brom might just nick it with Bolton being relegated.

Premier League Winners odds CLICK HERE!

Premier League Relegation odds CLICK HERE!