Sorry I haven't been around lately, it's been a bit hectic over here recently. Luckily it was an international break and nothing much happened in my absence, but I now dutifully bring you what did.

As you may have read in TheSpoiler (highly recommended by the way), Darius Vassell, ex-Man City striker, has been experience a few bumps over in Turkey.

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Yes, that is a serious question. Two players who 'offer more than just goals' as strikers. But how much more? Who would you rather have? Fortunately a member of the Football365 Forum (lol tb x) has done the analysis for us. Read on to see who comes out on top...

A comparison of their goals and assists since Tevez came here:

This is obviously an area where Tevez should win by a margin having played with some of the best players in the world.

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So this is probably the earliest I've ever done a match report (3 whole days in advance) and so I can't link you to the BBC statistics report. You'll just have to go find it yourself, it'll be on this page probably by Saturday. Like I said a little earlier, I'm going over to England and won't have internet until I get back (I'm staying at my grandmother's house and she doesn't allow any technology made after 1972 in), so don't expect any new posts from me until Tuesday at the earliest (there there love, don't pine, you can always go through my archives or go read some of my posts on England World Cup Blog if you miss me too much).

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The U10 lads are in a bit of a slump as it turns out. Last weeks loss and yesterday a 5-3 loss. Now the lads are 4w's and 3l's with no D's. It was one of those games that didn't auger well - the other team only had 6 so I agreed (not my best decision in hindsight) to match them 6 on 6.
Of course, it was disruptive because we've been playing well with a 2-1-2-1 outfield - so I have to take part of it on the chin. Click to continue reading...

A Much Improved Bolton Suffer Heavy Defeat

• Tuesday, Ocotber 31, 2009
• Venue: The Reebok Stadium
• Attendance: 22,680
• Referee: Peter Walton

• Jlloyd Samuel [45+1]
• Frank Lampard [45+2]
• Paul Robinson [57]
• Deco [61]
• Paulo Ferreira [80]
• Zat Knight (og) [82]
• Didier Drogba [90+1]

It was going so well until the stroke of half–time, a clipped heel took Drogba down, Chelsea ahead and The Wanderers down to 10 men.

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Chelsea looked to keep their lead atop the English Premier League table as they traveled to face Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, October 31, 2009. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Chelsea beats Bolton Wanderers 4-0 Video Highlights

1st Half

Chelsea were the better team early but Bolton played solid to keep it scoreless through the first 20 minutes.

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Yes Kevin dear, you are number 1.

Hello again, it seems as though I've been posting a lot lately, to match the Trotter's busy schedule. Chelsea will be paying us a visit this Saturday, a mere 72 hours after we saw them last. And trust me, I haven't missed them. Here's a link to the BBC's preview of the match.

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I haven't been able to find highlights but I did find a video of all four goals. The emotionally unstable amongst us may not want to watch it as it's pretty depressing. As my father said the only positive thing to take away from that match is the fact that we can't do any worse on Saturday. Now I must say I didn't really expect a win, I don't think any Wanderer did, but 4-0?

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I was unable to watch the game today because I had to write a history essay (though the game probably would have been just as painful). I've just been reading some reports (as of now no video is out) and things don't look good do they? Even Gary Megson called us crap and he barely ever does that (even though we quite often are crap).

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First Prem Home Win of the Season

• Sunday, October 25, 2009
• Venue: The Reebok Stadium
• Attendance: 21,547
• Referee: Phil Dowd

• Chung-Yong Lee [16]
• Gary Cahill [27]
• Kevin Davies [30]
• Louis Saha [32]
• Marouane Fellaini [55]
• Gary Cahill [57]
• Jlloyd Samuel [61]
• Marouane Fellaini [63]
• Ivan Klasnic [86]

The Wanderers' great start was evened out by the visitors but persistence earned Bolton a late goal and their first three points to be won at The Reebok since April.

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Courtesy of F365:

Arsenal
* The Gunners are scoring an incredible average of 3.37 goals per Premier League game this season.

* If games ended after 45 minutes, Arsenal would be top of the table with 19 points.

* All Arsenal's points have been won against bottom-half opposition.

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Zat Knight Not a Beach Ball

• Saturday, October 17, 2009
• Venue: Old Trafford
• Attendance: 75,103
• Referee: Mark Clattenburg

• Zat Knight (og) [5]
• Antonio Valencia [33]
• Kevin Davies [48]
• Matthew Taylor [75]

An unfortunate start for Bolton's trip to Old Trafford saw The Wanderers chasing for the rest of the afternoon.

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Darren Bent's matchwinning goal for Sunderland this weekend was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that it hit a beach ball on the way in. But the fact is that beach ball deflection or not Darren Bent scored again. Against good opposition. Bent isn't just the highest scoring English player in the Premier League right now with eight goals, he's also the joint highest scoring player in the Premier League alongside Fernando Torres.

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Manchester United had overtaken Chelsea as the Premier League leaders after their hard fought 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford. Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia were United's goalscorers. Taylor scored a textbook header from a Kevin Davies cross. Click to continue reading...

From Old Trafford, Attendance 75,103 , Referee Mark Clattenburg Manchester United 2 1 Bolton

Zat Knight (o/g 5)
Antonio Valencia (33)

Matthew Taylor (75)

Manchester United Team Statistics Bolton 2 Goals 1 7 Shots On Target 6 8 Shots Off Target 9 0 Shots Blocked 4 13 Corners 1 4 Offsides 1 16 Fouls 10 0 Yellow Cards 1 0 Red Cards 0 60. Click to continue reading...

Today Man United took on Bolton at Old Trafford, minutes after Chelsea lost 2-1 to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
United were without Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney who were both out injured. Edwin Van Der Sar returned but Ben Foster wasn't even on the bench.
Man United got off to an early start after scoring with their first chance of the game. Click to continue reading...

The visitors at Old Trafford this Saturday are local rivals Bolton Wanderers. United got the better of the Wanderers last season with a 2-0 win, though there was a bit of controversy over the penalty decision that led to United's first goal, and they'll be looking for three points today after drawing with Sunderland last week.

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As the nights draw in and leaves fall and while hedgehogs prepare to be burnt alive in bonfires there is one thing that begins to blossom — transfer rumours. Having said that, transfer rumour seem to be more evergreen than biannual.

The latest rumour involves midfielder Camel Meriem, currently at AS Monaco, who is thought to have gained the interest of Megson.

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Following on from Dave Spikey's backing of Kevin Davies BWFC24 is providing these free wallpapers for your Mac, PC, PSP, iPhone or iPod Touch so you can show your support for Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies.

BWFC24 also thinks that Kevin Davies is worthy of a place in the England squad for next year's World Cup in South Africa as well as Gary Cahill.

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Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United players make this list of professionals who could have easily stepped out of a time warp in the style of Life on Mars

Watch Ukraine Vs England Live Online!

The players who have belied the Premier League glitz and glamour ethos in favour of good old fashioned blood, sweat and tears.

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Dave Spikey, star of the fantastic show Phoenix Nights (which is just about impossible to get in the States, I've only seen it in Britain, but if you American readers get the chance be sure to watch it!), has decided to give Fabio a little squad selection advice.
Thanks to Lee from Channelbee for the tip!

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Farnworth born comedian and Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey gives his support for Kevin Davies to join England.

Gary Cahill Heading to Ukraine with England

Gary Cahill has been called up to the England squad for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Cahill may get to be part of the historic match against Ukraine which has created quite a stir due to the fact that it will not be shown on television.

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Faced with the prospect of another International interlude- while the powers-that-be go all Buck Rogers and show England's penultimate, and, indeed, ultimate qualifying games online- it's perhaps a good time to check in at Fox HQ, open a bag of cashews, and reflect on the state of a thoroughly intriguing League campaign thus far.

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So Saturday was a bit of a surprise wasn't it? Bolton played the best they have in a long while, and arguably outplayed Spurs, who have been a quality side so far this season. If you read my match preview, I wasn't very optimistic for this match, I said we might sneak away with a draw. However it was Tottenham who were lucky to get a point.

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Once again the England manager, Fabio Capello, was watching Bolton Wanderers and boosted hopes of Cahill's involvement in two upcoming international fixtures when England take on Belarus and Ukraine. Alas it wasn't to be and Cahill will not be taking part in England's next stages of World Cup qualification.

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By TRAVIS CLARK

The highly anticipated clash of Chelsea and Liverpool turned out to be somewhat of a letdown Saturday, as Chelsea's defense reigned supreme. Even without Petr Cech, the Blues kept Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in check all afternoon. John Terry made sure his English counterpart had no sight of goal all afternoon, all the while ensuring Torres couldn't get a shot off.

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By TRAVIS CLARK

The highly anticipated clash of Chelsea and Liverpool turned out to be somewhat of a letdown Saturday, as Chelsea's defense reigned supreme in their 2-0 win. Even without Petr Cech, the Blues kept Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in check all afternoon.

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Now this is quite a difficult one. Is it: battling Spurs come from behind twice to salvage a point at Bolton​​? Or is it: Spurs fortunate to rescue a point after a poor display which reminds me of too many occasions when we have failed to step up, away from home, especially at Bolton? They scored before some of our defence had tied their laces, Ricardo Gardner running past three hesitant Click to continue reading...

Optimism Returns to The Reebok

• Saturday, October 3, 2009
• Venue: The Reebok Stadium
• Attendance: 21,305
• Referee: Mike Jones

• Ricardo Gardner [4]
• Tamir Cohen [32]
• Niko Kranjcar [34]
• Jermaine Jenas [35]
• Fabrice Muamba [59]
• Kevin Davies [69]
• Vedran Corluka [73]

Bolton Wanderers went ahead twice but a determined Tottenham Hotspurs fought back to earn a point in what was a highly entertaining match.

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Spurs will have to wait another year to break their winless streak at the Reebok Stadium. Their 2-2 draw against Bolton was the first draw in their EPL campaign.Harry Redknapp's side climbs up to third place with this point, but there are still 4 games yet to be played this weekend. Do Tottenham have what it takes to be a Premier League top four side? Click to continue reading...

Hello and welcome to episode 22 of the world famous Soccerlens Podcast. Join ex-footballer Adrian Clarke and celebrated sports journalist Iain Spragg as they chew over all things football.

This week's top draw show sees co-hosts Clarke and Spragg analysing the Wenger Years, yet another Rafa rant, asking where the Premier League's best defenders have disappeared to, as well as making a frank assessment of Pompey's already remote looking survival chances.

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Toughie. I wouldn't fancy Kevin Davies big frame in my face for ninety minutes and I doubt Michael Dawson will either. This is the sort of game we'd get turned over in pre Harry. Even with him last season they bashed us up at the Reebok but he's had time to make the side a bit more resilient since then.

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So first off many apologies vis-a-vis the lack of match preview. I was in Dallas for a rugby tournament all weekend (my team is going to nationals!) and I had so much homework Thursday I couldn't do it (I got an hour and a half of sleep on Thursday). Also I'm aware this is a wee bit late, but I only got home about an hour ago.

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Early and Late Goals Secure 3 Points

• Saturday, September 26, 2009
• Venue: St Andrews Stadium
• Attendance: 28,671
• Referee: Steve Bennett

• Tamir Cohen [10]
• Roger Johnson [64]
• Stephen Carr [75]
• Jlloyd Samuel [78]
• Kevin Phillips [84]
• Chung-Yong Lee [86]

Yesterday's trip to Saint Andrew's Stadium was to be a veritable walk in the park compared with the fixures The Wanderers have lined up next month.

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Throughout the history of football, there has always been players that seem impervious to harm, hurling themselves at all sorts of challenges with no regard for personal safety (or the safety of the opposition for that matter). This years batch of players are no different. The premiership being the most physical league in the world (citation?

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