Hi, I'm Dave Pundit. The transfer window is really hotting up now, with rumours flying and players swapping clubs like they're Top Trump cards. It really is an exciting time of the year unless of course, like me, you remember a time when there was no transfer window and see this time as some kind of foreign abomination. Hopefully we can see some foreigners shipped out during January.
Norwich v Chelsea
Gary Cahill has signed for Chelsea and I think that's a great move for him. He can learn from the master himself, John Terry. There's no doubt Cahill is a raw talent, he has pace, mobility and technical prowess and hopefully under the tutelage of the Englishman's Englishman he'll be able to lose all those and rely on grit and reputation alone. Carrow Road is a difficult place to go, the crowd often become the 12th man for Norwich and when you combine that with the 12 fingers and toes that they all have it gives them quite an advantage, but if anyone can cope Terry-Cahill can.
Verdict: 1-2
Everton v Blackburn
Both teams could really do with a win here, Everton are in a run of indifferent form and are looking distinctly average, Blackburn have looked a little better than average recently but that still only makes them poor. So they'll both have to go for it here. Let's hope it lives up to everyone's expectations.
Verdict: 0-0
Fulham v Newcastle
Newcastle proved they are ready to make the step up to the big time last week, if a 1-0 win over QPR where they barely had a shot on target other than the goal doesn't show that I don't know what does. Alan Pardew is a British manager with pedigree he's managed sleeping giants Southampton, Charlton and West Ham whereas Martin Jol has never managed a big club. Pardew's class will show through here.
Verdict: 0-2
QPR v Wigan
Mark Hughes will want to bring some fresh ideas to QPR and after getting his first win under his belt in the FA Cup this week he'll want his players to literally kick on against Wigan, Wigan are one of those teams that have to be playing well to win and I don't think there's any place for that in the Premier League. If I wanted to see teams play well I'd move to Spain.
Verdict: 1-0
Stoke v West Brom
There's no issues about Stoke playing well. They wouldn't know how if they tried, which they don't. They play a game based on brute strength, attrition and rugby style punts up the park. If that's not what football's about then my name's not Dave Pundit. Which it is. It's on my birth certificate right next to father unknown.
Verdict: 1-0
Sunderland v Swansea
The sooner Scotland breaks away from Britain the better, then we can get rid of Wales too. England should be England as far as I'm concerned and all the other countries in Britain are just moochers that are good for nothing. Let's hope that fine upstanding Brit Martin O'Neill can see off these Welshies for good.
Verdict: 2-1
Wolves v Aston Villa
I love a good derby game and I can't see this being anything other than a good derby game. Two mid-to-low table teams kicking lumps out of each other in the middle of the park while both goalies stand idle, thinking of their half time fag. Just like the good old days. It's always tough going up against your bitterest rivals and unless you count West Brom and Birmingham then there are no bitterer when it comes to the Midlands. And let's face it, who counts West Brom and Birmingham?
Verdict: 0-0
Bolton v Liverpool
Gone are the glory days for Bolton. It's all been downhill since Gary Megson left. Liverpool will have one eye on the Carling Cup but even with one eye on that they could beat Bolton with one eye closed and both hands tied behind their back. And knowing the FA that's probably exactly how they'd like to see Liverpool play, it's a conspiracy I tell you. What possible other reason could there be for Liverpool's lack of trophies recently?
Verdict: 0-3
Man City v Tottenham
When Mancini started waving that imaginary card at the ref I lost all respect for him, that's just not the way we do things in England, if you want a player sent off then you ask your most English player to have a word with the ref, and if that doesn't work then the whole team should surround him and shout abuse in his face until he relents. Waving a card around is just unsportsmanlike. Luckily everything Harry Redknapp does is above board and without reproach so I'm going to plump for Tottenham here.
Verdict: 1-2
Arsenal v Man Utd
Arsenal will be seeking revenge for their 8-2 drubbing at Old Trafford earlier in the season but they'll be lucky if they escape this game with a point. If they can't even cope with Swansea how will they fare when they come up against Man Utd? It speaks volumes that Arsenal are relying on a has-been like Henry to keep them going. Man Utd have the quality of players like Ferdinand and Scholes to call on here and they'll walk this one. That said I can't see this being another 10 goal thriller!
Verdict: 4-6
Friday 20 January 2012
Friday 13 January 2012
Dave Pundit's Predictions 14/01/12
Hi, I'm Dave Pundit. Many people asked why I didn't make any predictions for the FA Cup, well the truth is I've fallen out of love with the cup, the romance has gone. Nowadays there doesn't seem to be any of the old magic. Where are the ding dong battles between rivals? The dubious sendings off? The memorable goals? The cameos from players long since thought past it? Or lower league teams knocking out Premier League clubs? None of that happens anymore.
Aston Villa v Everton
I think the signing of Keane was a canny one for Villa. Yes he's been playing abroad but that won't have knocked the British grit out of him. He'll be up for this, an old-fashioned mid-table clashes where neither team is in any real danger of relegation but are unlikely to be getting a European place either. In my day these were ten-a-penny, turgid, dull affairs with little passion aside from the odd nasty tackle or personal grudge. Thank God those glorious days aren't gone completely eh?
Verdict: 0-0
Blackburn v Fulham
Fulham destroyed Arsenal in their last Premier League match but this won't be such an easy ride for them, Blackburn aren't some pansy bunch of foreigners you know. Blackburn are British through and through. Except for their owners I suppose. But their manager is Scottish and I can't see Scotland becoming a separate country any time soon so that's something. Fulham on the other hand have a foreign manager but a good old British owner. What's more British than Harrods? This one'll have to be a draw.
Verdict: 1-1
Chelsea v Sunderland
It's no surprise to me that Martin O'Neill has got Sunderland playing well, what sets him apart from his predecessor is that O'Neill learnt his trade under Brian Clough, a true legend of the game. If only Steve Bruce had a role model of that ilk he might have made a better fist of management. Sunderland will still lose here though. They may be good but being good will only get you so far. John Terry didn't get where he is today by being good.
Verdict: 2-0
Liverpool v Stoke
This really is a clash of the Titans. But with Stevie G back and at his brilliant best for Liverpool there can only be one winner here. He's the sort of player that really gets the team running hard, chasing his passes, having to control his Hollywood balls, you can't relax when Gerrard's on your team, oh no. He's the sort of guy who can pump the ball 50 yards upfield and make things happen, Stoke don't have anything to match that I'm afraid.
Verdict: 3-0
Man Utd v Bolton
It's the sign of a good team that they can play badly and win and Man Utd are masters at it. Whereas Bolton this year are only half way there. I think United's win against City in the cup will be a real shot in the arm, especially as they now have a derby game in the next round to look forward to, which should finally bring some excitement to the cup. I can't see Bolton getting anything here.
Verdict: 3-1
Tottenham v Wolves
I've just been watching an interview with the Wolves owner Steve Morgan which was really encouraging. They asked Morgan why he never comes out and talks about his manager Mick McCarthy and he said: "Why would I want to do that and destabilise the club?" I think he was right to come out and talk about not coming out. It's difficult for a manager when your Chairman comes out, you just have to bend over and take it, so kudos to Mr Morgan for not coming out. Still he can not come out all he likes; it won't stop Wolves getting a good, hard rogering from Tottenham here.
Verdict: 3-0
West Brom v Norwich
This is a hard one to predict. Mainly because I couldn't care less about it.
Verdict: 1-2
Newcastle v QPR
I think it's a real shame that Neil Warnock got sacked, he was a proper English manage in this league full of foreigners. It's a crying shame that one of them didn't get the sack instead. Warnock didn't waste time with all that tactical nous and training he just shouted at his players and told them they were crap. That's what man-management is all about. Hopefully Mark Hughes will carry on his sterling work. It's always a lift for the players when a new boss comes in so I can see QPR getting something here.
Verdict: 2-1
Swansea v Arsenal
You have to ask yourself where the goals are going to come from for Arsenal. They just have no pedigree up front. Swansea aren't a good team, they're Welsh, but even they are more British than Arsenal. I just can't see this being a game worth watching at all I'm afraid.
Verdict: 3-3
Wigan v Man City
Do you know what I hate about Martinez? He's always whinging and moaning about things. He should take a leaf from Mancini's book, things are tough for the Man City manager right now, a loss of form, a threadbare squad and the realisation that they're no match for the mighty Liverpool have all knocked him for six but do you hear him moan about his lot? No. Let's hope the best man wins this one.
Verdict: 0-2
Aston Villa v Everton
I think the signing of Keane was a canny one for Villa. Yes he's been playing abroad but that won't have knocked the British grit out of him. He'll be up for this, an old-fashioned mid-table clashes where neither team is in any real danger of relegation but are unlikely to be getting a European place either. In my day these were ten-a-penny, turgid, dull affairs with little passion aside from the odd nasty tackle or personal grudge. Thank God those glorious days aren't gone completely eh?
Verdict: 0-0
Blackburn v Fulham
Fulham destroyed Arsenal in their last Premier League match but this won't be such an easy ride for them, Blackburn aren't some pansy bunch of foreigners you know. Blackburn are British through and through. Except for their owners I suppose. But their manager is Scottish and I can't see Scotland becoming a separate country any time soon so that's something. Fulham on the other hand have a foreign manager but a good old British owner. What's more British than Harrods? This one'll have to be a draw.
Verdict: 1-1
Chelsea v Sunderland
It's no surprise to me that Martin O'Neill has got Sunderland playing well, what sets him apart from his predecessor is that O'Neill learnt his trade under Brian Clough, a true legend of the game. If only Steve Bruce had a role model of that ilk he might have made a better fist of management. Sunderland will still lose here though. They may be good but being good will only get you so far. John Terry didn't get where he is today by being good.
Verdict: 2-0
Liverpool v Stoke
This really is a clash of the Titans. But with Stevie G back and at his brilliant best for Liverpool there can only be one winner here. He's the sort of player that really gets the team running hard, chasing his passes, having to control his Hollywood balls, you can't relax when Gerrard's on your team, oh no. He's the sort of guy who can pump the ball 50 yards upfield and make things happen, Stoke don't have anything to match that I'm afraid.
Verdict: 3-0
Man Utd v Bolton
It's the sign of a good team that they can play badly and win and Man Utd are masters at it. Whereas Bolton this year are only half way there. I think United's win against City in the cup will be a real shot in the arm, especially as they now have a derby game in the next round to look forward to, which should finally bring some excitement to the cup. I can't see Bolton getting anything here.
Verdict: 3-1
Tottenham v Wolves
I've just been watching an interview with the Wolves owner Steve Morgan which was really encouraging. They asked Morgan why he never comes out and talks about his manager Mick McCarthy and he said: "Why would I want to do that and destabilise the club?" I think he was right to come out and talk about not coming out. It's difficult for a manager when your Chairman comes out, you just have to bend over and take it, so kudos to Mr Morgan for not coming out. Still he can not come out all he likes; it won't stop Wolves getting a good, hard rogering from Tottenham here.
Verdict: 3-0
West Brom v Norwich
This is a hard one to predict. Mainly because I couldn't care less about it.
Verdict: 1-2
Newcastle v QPR
I think it's a real shame that Neil Warnock got sacked, he was a proper English manage in this league full of foreigners. It's a crying shame that one of them didn't get the sack instead. Warnock didn't waste time with all that tactical nous and training he just shouted at his players and told them they were crap. That's what man-management is all about. Hopefully Mark Hughes will carry on his sterling work. It's always a lift for the players when a new boss comes in so I can see QPR getting something here.
Verdict: 2-1
Swansea v Arsenal
You have to ask yourself where the goals are going to come from for Arsenal. They just have no pedigree up front. Swansea aren't a good team, they're Welsh, but even they are more British than Arsenal. I just can't see this being a game worth watching at all I'm afraid.
Verdict: 3-3
Wigan v Man City
Do you know what I hate about Martinez? He's always whinging and moaning about things. He should take a leaf from Mancini's book, things are tough for the Man City manager right now, a loss of form, a threadbare squad and the realisation that they're no match for the mighty Liverpool have all knocked him for six but do you hear him moan about his lot? No. Let's hope the best man wins this one.
Verdict: 0-2
Monday 2 January 2012
Dave Pundit's Predictions 02/01/12
Hi, I'm Dave Pundit. Like an over-excited virgin the games come thick and fast at this time of year. For a pundit it's hard to keep your predictions fresh and avoid cliche, it can leave you sick as a parrot. But as Winston Churchill said: as long as you give 110% you'll be over the moon.
Aston Villa v Swansea
Any team that can beat Chelsea must be in great form. It's no surprise to me that McLeish has based his success at Villa on a good, solid backbone. It's exactly how a spine should be, rigged and inflexible. The likes of Bent, Ireland and Dunne are proud Brits and that's why they'll beat the thoroughly un-British Welshies here.
Verdict: 2-0
Blackburn v Stoke
Any team that can beat Man Utd must be in great form. It's no surprise to me that Kean has based his success at Blackburn on a good, solid backbone. It's exactly how a spine should be, full of grit. But when it comes to grit Stoke have more than a bad oyster. Could this be the year's grittiest fixture? Yes it could. It's all downhill for 2012 after this I reckon.
Verdict: 1-1
QPR v Norwich
After a solid start QPR have struggled whereas Norwich gone from strength to strength and few would have predicted that at the beginning of the season. Of course it's been all hands on deck at times for both teams but in that situation Norwich have a clear numerical advantage.
Verdict: 0-1
Wolves v Chelsea
There has been a lot of talk that Villas-Boas has lost the dressing room, something I used to do frequently when I was a player, but Villas-Boas doesn't look drunk. If I were him I'd stop trying to manage the team and just let the likes of John Terry take over. AVB has got his tactics all wrong but John Terry wouldn't bother with luxuries like tactics he'd just win games through the sheer strength of his will. If John Terry's will was a person it would be Geoff Capes. Or John Terry.
Verdict: 0-2
Fulham v Arsenal
Robin Van Persie scored 35 goals in a calendar year. So what? It's seasons that count not years. What can't be ignored, though, is that Arsenal are a one man team and they might rest that man today. Even Fulham should be able to beat a team that has no men in it, just foreigners.
Verdict: 1-0
Tottenham v West Brom
Tottenham took their foot of the gas against Swansea and paid the price. You won't make up any points against the teams above you with a draw. Still Tottenham are bona fide title challengers if you ask me and that's down to one man: Harry Redknapp. He's not a man to get bogged down by calendar years. It's seasons that count with him. Calendar years, academic years, tax years, none of these matter a jot to Harry. He's football through and through.
Verdict: 2-1
Wigan v Sunderland
Any team that can beat Man City must be in great form. It's no surprise to me that O'Neill has based his success at Sunderland on a good, solid backbone. It's exactly how a spine should be, determined and pumped full of testosterone. Wigan have had a few good results themselves recently but that's just down to pure luck. Their manager is too foreign to understand the true nature of backbones like us Englishers.
Verdict: 0-1
Man City v Liverpool
The game of the weekend without a shadow of a doubt. If there's one thing you can guarantee in this game it's goals. You just can't see Man City drawing a blank at the moment, they have so much fire power up front. But talking of fire power Liverpool have got Gerrard back. Add him to the likes of Carroll, Henderson and Downing and you've got goals aplenty. This game could go either way, but as it's a top four clash I'll have to say it'll be a draw.
Verdict: 2-2
Everton v Bolton
Everton are playing good football at the moment, not for them the big scoring flashy stuff the score one goal per game at the most and that's good enough for them. Bolton on the other hand are shipping goals like they're going out of fashion. Let's hope they are.
Verdict: 0-0
Newcastle v Man Utd
The rumours are that Wayne Rooney and Alex Ferguson have had a bit of a falling out but I expect him to come back here with all guns blazing. Say what you like about Rooney he has never been anything but 100% committed to Man Utd. In fact when I think of Wayne Rooney I think of commitment. He even spent Boxing Day with his wife for God's sake. How much more committed can you get? I'd've been straight down the pub. She's a lucky woman that Coleen Nolan-Rooney.
Verdict: 0-2
Aston Villa v Swansea
Any team that can beat Chelsea must be in great form. It's no surprise to me that McLeish has based his success at Villa on a good, solid backbone. It's exactly how a spine should be, rigged and inflexible. The likes of Bent, Ireland and Dunne are proud Brits and that's why they'll beat the thoroughly un-British Welshies here.
Verdict: 2-0
Blackburn v Stoke
Any team that can beat Man Utd must be in great form. It's no surprise to me that Kean has based his success at Blackburn on a good, solid backbone. It's exactly how a spine should be, full of grit. But when it comes to grit Stoke have more than a bad oyster. Could this be the year's grittiest fixture? Yes it could. It's all downhill for 2012 after this I reckon.
Verdict: 1-1
QPR v Norwich
After a solid start QPR have struggled whereas Norwich gone from strength to strength and few would have predicted that at the beginning of the season. Of course it's been all hands on deck at times for both teams but in that situation Norwich have a clear numerical advantage.
Verdict: 0-1
Wolves v Chelsea
There has been a lot of talk that Villas-Boas has lost the dressing room, something I used to do frequently when I was a player, but Villas-Boas doesn't look drunk. If I were him I'd stop trying to manage the team and just let the likes of John Terry take over. AVB has got his tactics all wrong but John Terry wouldn't bother with luxuries like tactics he'd just win games through the sheer strength of his will. If John Terry's will was a person it would be Geoff Capes. Or John Terry.
Verdict: 0-2
Fulham v Arsenal
Robin Van Persie scored 35 goals in a calendar year. So what? It's seasons that count not years. What can't be ignored, though, is that Arsenal are a one man team and they might rest that man today. Even Fulham should be able to beat a team that has no men in it, just foreigners.
Verdict: 1-0
Tottenham v West Brom
Tottenham took their foot of the gas against Swansea and paid the price. You won't make up any points against the teams above you with a draw. Still Tottenham are bona fide title challengers if you ask me and that's down to one man: Harry Redknapp. He's not a man to get bogged down by calendar years. It's seasons that count with him. Calendar years, academic years, tax years, none of these matter a jot to Harry. He's football through and through.
Verdict: 2-1
Wigan v Sunderland
Any team that can beat Man City must be in great form. It's no surprise to me that O'Neill has based his success at Sunderland on a good, solid backbone. It's exactly how a spine should be, determined and pumped full of testosterone. Wigan have had a few good results themselves recently but that's just down to pure luck. Their manager is too foreign to understand the true nature of backbones like us Englishers.
Verdict: 0-1
Man City v Liverpool
The game of the weekend without a shadow of a doubt. If there's one thing you can guarantee in this game it's goals. You just can't see Man City drawing a blank at the moment, they have so much fire power up front. But talking of fire power Liverpool have got Gerrard back. Add him to the likes of Carroll, Henderson and Downing and you've got goals aplenty. This game could go either way, but as it's a top four clash I'll have to say it'll be a draw.
Verdict: 2-2
Everton v Bolton
Everton are playing good football at the moment, not for them the big scoring flashy stuff the score one goal per game at the most and that's good enough for them. Bolton on the other hand are shipping goals like they're going out of fashion. Let's hope they are.
Verdict: 0-0
Newcastle v Man Utd
The rumours are that Wayne Rooney and Alex Ferguson have had a bit of a falling out but I expect him to come back here with all guns blazing. Say what you like about Rooney he has never been anything but 100% committed to Man Utd. In fact when I think of Wayne Rooney I think of commitment. He even spent Boxing Day with his wife for God's sake. How much more committed can you get? I'd've been straight down the pub. She's a lucky woman that Coleen Nolan-Rooney.
Verdict: 0-2
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