He was given a stay of execution by his new chairman but I still fear Phil Brown's days are numbered.
Adam Pearson returned to the club two years after his departure, replacing Paul Duffen, who saw the club join the Premier League under his tenure but also accrue alarming levels of debt at the same time. Click to continue reading...

Yesterday's 2-2 draw against Fulham felt more like a capitulation than a draw. Walking away from Eastlands on a cold, wet Sunday evening, the first questions that came to mind were as follows. Was this an aberration? Or have we just taken a massive step back into last season?
I try not to be a pessimist, nor the fan who has a short memory. Click to continue reading...

The first quarter of the season has brought many positives for Manchester City, perhaps none more satisfying than the return of academy product Michael Johnson.
The young midfielder made a substitute appearance in the 3-1 win against West Ham and was then on the bench for the visits to Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic. Click to continue reading...

A few months ago I wrote a blog comparing the fortunes of England's two Magpies – Newcastle and Notts County.
Back then Newcastle were in despair, mourning the loss of their Premier League status. Meanwhile, County were sky high, revelling in their new found wealth.
Their takeover in July, by the mysterious Munto Finance group, promised a bright future and lofty ambitions included Premier League football once more for the oldest league club in the world. Click to continue reading...

The USA Men's National Team defeated Honduras last night in CONCACAF qualifying 3-2, to cap off a thrilling second half of end-to-end football that saw both five goals scored as the Americans "made the cut" for their 6th straight World Cup.
This was a crazy match, surrounded by upheaval before it even began, as Honduras is suffering through an internal political crisis that added extra angst to the proceedings along with the fact that (bizarrely) US soccer fans were left with no way to watch the game on TV. Click to continue reading...

He is the master of the mind games. He has used the power of the press to manipulate a plethora of situations back into his favour. But after his latest attempt to cover up his sides failings, has he gone too far.
For those who have not yet heard, here is what Ferguson said in the aftermath of United's last gasp 2-2 draw with Sunderland:
"He didn't add any time on for the goal we scored. Click to continue reading...

Any reasonably minded City fan cannot really complain. Eight competitive games played, seven won. Its been a strong start to the new season. Actually, no. Its been more than strong. The victory against West Ham makes it City's best league start since 1961.

The defeat of Arsenal
The real high so far has been the 4-2 defeat of Arsenal, a match that will go down in Eastlands history because of the intensity in which it was played and controversy that it produced. Click to continue reading...

Despite the Premier League's reputation for being the most exciting league in the world matches like Sunday's Manchester derby don't come around too often.
I am supporter of neither team but I couldn't help but be caught up in the breathless drama of it all. Local tussles such as this can often degenerate into passionate but scrappy affairs, with the fear of defeating leading to a drab draw. Click to continue reading...

Saturday Afternoon, Middle Eastlands Stadium in Manchester and Emmanuel Adebayor rises above a sparse Arsenal defence and nods in the clinching third goal of an enthralling back and forth encounter which adds substance to the blue half of Manchester's claim that they are Champions League bound....discuss! Click to continue reading...

International breaks mean nothing to me if I'm honest, of course I watch my own contries games but I never feel as involved as I do when United are playing or even just watching another league game. So from my own personal viewpoint an international break is about as much fun as a tournament free close season. Click to continue reading...

Usually the lower divisions offer calmer seas for managers to negotiate. Away from the cash rich goldfish bowl of the Premier League, fans and chairman are more sympathetic to the restrictions placed on lower league managers.
But given that Bryan Gunn was sacked less than a week into the new campaign those days appear to be numbered. Click to continue reading...

Hello again everyone, my apologies for not being able to analyze my picks from the opening weekend, been having a little computer trouble. For those of you keeping tabs I'm sure you'll agree I didn't do too badly!?
Anyway I thought I'd offer my thoughts on the season so far as well as giving a shortened version of my pics for this weekend. Click to continue reading...

Pause for breath – two weeks of the Premier League are down and already we have had our fair share of headlines. But what have we learnt so far? Here are a few things I have noticed.
Arsenal may do better than many predicted
A flying start if there ever was one; the Gunners charged out of the blocks with that massive 6-1 win at Goodison Park. Click to continue reading...

A new Premiership season is on our doorstep. For City fans, it is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated season in the club's history. Do we step forward into a new, exciting era? Or has nothing really changed? Will we forever be consigned with the ‘typical City' disease? The answers are coming.
In the league, I predict that we will finish in 6th place. Click to continue reading...

Thats right folks 11 long weeks are all but over, and after the highly entertaining entree of the Community Shield its time to get down to the serious nitty gritty. Stamford Bridge on a Saturday lunchtime is the venue for this years opening game and others will follow over the weekend where every single fan hopes for glory and entertainment for the coming season. Click to continue reading...