Gribz

Im a Katic fan but it was last season I had a slight gripe when loanee Worrall was picked ahead of him. I think we have 4 fine centre halfs at the moment. Gerrard has so much options in rotating the squad but defensive formation doesnt seem to be an option. Id like to see us try a 3 at the back sometime, perhaps a home league match against Killie or the likes. My preference at the moment is the back four due to the amount of good options in the midfield / wings but a plan B with a 3 would be interesting.

The next 48 hours crucial for Bury and Neighbours Bolton. Bolton seem to be in the worse state, the Administrators have said they will be liquidated unless a buyer is found in the 11th hour. Thats a big shock. Not so long ago they had Campo, Djorkaeff, Jay Jay Okocha, Anelka and were going well in the top flight and Arsenal's boggy team. Its some stadium they have there aswell. I went to it when it was called the Reebok once for an FA Cup match v Sunderland (very random day out). and its a great layout, great parking and great access to the ground. The buyers for Bury who agreed a deal are saying they cant conclude until Wed / Thurs because of a bank holiday and their lead advisors are on off today - I have to say thats lame, surely with such bid they can pay their advisors a bit of overtime!

Yeah, and he didnt need to come out and say that his team are unsettled. Its only really Erikson that has been linked away to Real Madrid. To go from Champions League Runners Up to being unsettled is bad organisation, they should be kicking on challenging for the title. They were in the title race last season until Feb.

Lucky dip predictions next week. What odds would it have been on a Palace, Newcastle, Southampton treble. Quite pleased for Steve Bruce though, a likeable guy. Something not clicking right at Spurs though and I can see a bit of a blow up there. They should have been wiped at Man City last week. I think it stems from Mo Po possibly wanting to move on. Fair play to Burnley they have started well and it must hurt to lose a 97th minute pen at Wolves.

I put Defoe. He worked tirelessly but was hounded with 3 or 4 around him every time he got the ball, yet he was still creating chances, on another day he would have scored 3. That from a 36 / 37 year old.

Defoe....if there was a striker around you'd want that to fall to.....

No issues at all here, great quality so far.

Five aways uncommon. Luckily I went against one of my predictions and took a West Ham / leicester double on the coupon. Hammers played well but Leicester were holding on in the end. Palace - where did that come from. Rashford missing a pen late on! Arsenal getting there usual defeat at Anfield but were better than usual. They played on the counter and Pepe should have scored to put them ahead then they lost concentration and conceded two quick goals either side of Half time.

I feel for the innocent fans who could possibly miss out if they dont get relocated. They could still occur travel costs if coming from a distance. Im wondering how does the club relocate fans if its already a sell out? Or am I mistaken that this wasnt already a Sell out? I think the thing UEFA normal do is issue closures for the following European Match which hasnt been arranged - that still hits the club with no income of the 3000 seats but in this case some fans are paying for others actions. Perhaps UEFA think there is a chance that the next European Match at Ibrox could be up to a year away. A week before a home OF derby as well means all domestic authority eyes will be switched on ten fold.

Good start by Dortmund, hopefully they go one step better than last season and dont blow a big lead. 3-1 away win at Colonge.

The Villa ruin the first prediction of the weekend. I think Friday night under the lights can give certain teams an extra lift with atmosphere especially at classic grounds like Villa Park. Everton though, still look mediocre although they did have a chance to level late on. If they dont start winning games it wont be long before their fans turn on Silva like the did with Martinez, Koeman and Allardyce.

Alexis Sanchez looking like going to Inter Milan if Man Utd contribute to wages someway. His game will be more suited to Serie A now as he seems to be slowing down a bit. But what a disaster his time at Man Utd has been after being outstanding at Arsenal. His figures are something like 160 games for Arsenal but 120 goals/assists (80/40).

Weekend almost upon again and there is a potential good Friday night game at Villa park. The Biggie is Liverpool v Arsenal on Saturday, will it be the same old Arsenal getting a turfing at Anfield? Friday: Aston Villa 1-1 Everton Saturday: Norwich 1-1 Chelsea Brighton 2-0 Southampton Man Utd 3-1 Crystal Palace Sheff Utd 1-2 Leicester Watford 2-2 West Ham Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal Sunday: Bournemouth 0-2 Man City Tottenham 3-1 Newcastle Wolves 2-0 Burnley

Not sure its any other clubs duty to bail out other clubs. With Bolton 6 miles up the road and the trouble they are in you wonder if a potential merger would benefit.

Sheff Wed back on top, good start for the owls. Couple of good games tonight. Charlton v Forest, Cardiff v Huddersfield is big. Must say I dont might seeing Stoke lurching at the bottom of the table.

Watched bits of the game on RFC TV, Defoe showing his class like said above. Aribo is a potential star. As mentioned - job done and onto Warsaw.

Excellent. But will never beat Colin Wanker (Neil Warnock), thats still hilarious.

Interesting results. Villa - return has gone slowly, did they do a Fulham and buy too many players? Newcastle - Steve Bruce will be under immense pressure. Chelsea - They will struggle for top 6, Leicester should have won that game with the chances in the second half.

I got mashed yesterday. Had West ham, Villa wins and draw Norwich v Newcastle. 0/3. I'll do a Palace Chelsea double today.

Cant see the link in the original OP.

The Pars are 35/1 just to win. A Southampton Dunfermline double is 251/1.

I think Aribo is the most exciting signing and part of that is a permanent one and brings something different. Ojo is going to be great on the eye but in 10 months he could be back at Anfield with a 7 million pound price tag meaning we wouldnt see him again like Kent.

Has to be a wad of changes to give players match time and perhaps even a change of system as a Plan B - Try 3 at the back? I quite like League Cup on weekends, it was something I said years ago during a discussion with Calscot that they could make the top flight 16 or 18 teams which is 30 or 34 games and the other weekends play the League Cup. Half is done, would be good to get 18 team top flight. Its the 4th trophy on the agenda this cup however winning it is obviously easier than the Europa would be but getting into the Europa League for financial reasons is a higher priority again this season but come the latter rounds after Europa League Qualification thats when the strongest team can be fielded but with all due respect any team we put out should still win easily at East Fife. Not sure on Andy King fitness but Id throw him in if he is ready.

Some good value around today. Southampton to draw with Liverpool isnt a bad shout at 4/1. Any bet (Home, Draw, Away) at the Villa v Bournemouth, Brighton v West Ham and Norwich v Newcastle games all more than Evs. (was going to say Odds Against being the opposite of Odds On but Ive never actually heard that being used).

Saturday: Arsenal 2-0 Burnley Aston Villa 2-1 Bournemouth Brighton 0-1 West Ham Everton 2-1 Watford Norwich 1-1 Newcastle Southampton 1-3 Liverpool Man City 2-0 Tottenham Sunday: Sheff Utd 1-1 Crystal Palace Chelsea 2-2 Leicester Monday: Wolves 1-0 Man Utd