Last week I started a one way debate, which will be looking into some of the history of football. As a self confessed “Footie Newbie” I think this is going to be the best way to get into the sport. Last week’s blog stated that Football was still in the dark ages… And so now every Wednesday, I will delve into years past and present, problems and solutions, and the advancements that have been made within the sport.

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This week, in preparation for the November Manager of the Month deadline, some players have been added to the YTM playerlist, so that you guys have the best crack at winning our £10,000 1st prize.

Whether I think they will do any good this season is irrelevant, for as Paul Weller so rightly said, ‘The public gets what the public wants’…

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Birmingham 3 - 2 Wigan

Goals number three and four of the season for Olivier Kapo who is up to fourth best midfielder and sixth top scorer overall on 46 points. Not bad for £3M. Captain Ridgewell is useful at set pieces and should add to his one goal and two KC’s so far this term.

26 of Marcus Bent’s 36 Premier League goals have been scored away from home. He was partnered up front by early season pace setter Antoine Sibierski - playing his second game back after injury.

Chelsea 6 - 0 Man City

Chelsea’s improvement has been driven by a return to form for Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. Lampard set-up the first three goals whilst Drogba has scored three in his last two games. Expect both players to be challenging for top points scorer in the weeks and months ahead.
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Tags (click to view more!): Olivier Kapo, Antoine Sibierski, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba

In a bitterly close contest, Cristiano Ronaldo has fended off Cesc Fabregas for your votes to be top YTM points scorer this season.

Over 240 votes were cast in our previous poll, of which 78 (32%) went to the reigning king and last season’s top dog Ronaldo. Fabregas was hot on his heels with 73 votes (30%) while Robin van Persie was next best with 26 YTM managers (11%) opting for the Dutchman. He just edged out Liverpool’s Fernando Torres who received 25 votes.

Our new poll - “Who will win the Premiership?” - is set to be the subject of hot debate in the coming weeks.

Arsenal’s hotshots are still flying high, having secured a valuable draw at Anfield on Sunday. Their next game is against Manchester United at the Emirates on Saturday. Has Arsene Wenger got another title-winning side on his hands?

Champions United have hit top gear recently, and they will surely be many people’s favourites to bag another championship. However, is it too early to dismiss unbeaten Liverpool? Throw Chelsea into the equation, who have been inspired of late, and we have a four-horse race. The decision, is yours… 

Going, going, going…. gone.

Martin Jol has finally parted company with Spurs, while Bolton have appointed Gary Megson to replace Sammy Lee.

Will the changes reap dividends? We’re only in October, and the circus that is the Premier League has already seen three job changes - with Jose Mourinho galloping into the distant memory. Here’s the weekend preview… (more…)

They were halcyon days, the early nineties. You could settle down to watch Football Focus with your banana and crisp sandwich, safe in the knowledge that there was no chance of Garth Crooks looking into the lens and offering one of his life-sapping ‘insights’ into the game. When it came to Match of the Day, the likes of Lee Dixon, Alan Shearer and Gavin Peacock were exactly where they belonged - on the pitch.
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A large number of dubious human decisions affect sports the world over. Did the ball go over the line? Should it have been a goal? Did Mark Cueto score a try in the final against South Africa? Although the answer to most of these questions is no, it is occasionally yes… (Check the video - it is a classic!)
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When David Beckham became the first Galactico to cross the Atlantic to play football… sorry… soccer in the US, opinion was divided…

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Tags (click to view more!): David Beckham, soccer

Mondays are a day for reflection.

We should be reminiscing about wonderful goals, incisive passes, blockbusting tackles, goal-line clearances and majestic saves.

But oh no - what are we left talking about? Mark Clattenburg and his chums. Referees really can be the scurge of a fantasy football manager, let alone David Moyes and Everton. His decisions weren’t the only talking point on an eventful weekend… (more…)

Tags (click to view more!): Mark Clattenburg, David Moyes

This weekend promises to be a nightmare for thousands of YTM managers due to the ever-growing Premiership injury list.

Those of you relying on van Persie, Van der Sar, Terry, Cole et al will be cursing your luck for the next few days as you watch friends and colleagues with Fabregas, Rooney and Ronaldo laugh their way past you. 

Time to decide - Knee-jerk transfer? Or stick with the crocked stars? The choice is yours…  (more…)