The Beautiful Game

Ever been tempted to change you fantasy football team on the eve of a big weekend? Certain that Stevie G is due a big match and feeling like Lampard is struggling in the new diamond formation under Ancelotti?

More often then not I look back gutted as the player I put in failed to deliver and the guy subbed out, well he ends up having the game of his life.

Usually this is based on my gut instinct - and I am sure that others who dabble in fantasy football, or even betting do the same - make a call based on instinct or what the chap on BBC Sport is saying.  Even when going down the pub I always want to look out for, and be armed with that killer shout and prediction for the match. I love being right, and especially when it comes to football.

Through Twitter I picked up a notification about the Castrol Rankings, and think I may have found my answer to my friday dilemma. Is Gerrard in form? Should I pick Gareth Barry? Or who is going to make the difference in the UEFA Champions League next week? You can compare players, look up form over the season and also read up on some interesting predictions based on stats and facts (interestingly they even support one of my previous blogs about Manchester City).

Apart from the site being grey - its a pretty interesting resource and if like me you like to tinker with your fantasy team, or look out for that prediction before the game then well worth checking out.. www.castrolfootball.com

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Last night at about 8:07PM I was able to begin to wipe from my mind the memory of the last time I saw Croatia play at Wembley on that dark, wet and miserable night back in 2007 when England were eliminated from qualification for UEFA Euro 2008. As Frank Lampard stepped up to convert the penalty it felt like it was going to be a great night. The team playing well, keeping the ball, creating chances and scoring goals - but there was one element which I was getting a bit stuck on. Good old Emile Heskey.

Before the game I was fully bought in to starting Heskey over Defoe. Sure Defoe has been on fire for Spurs so far this season, but the England team look so much more balanced and get the best from Rooney and Gerrard when there is a big guy who can hold the ball up. However, the two chances that Heskey missed in the first half are ones that I am confident Harry Redknapp's wife could of scored - and if we have designs on winning the FIFA World Cup then we need two strikers who can offer a goal threat.

He is great at doing his job, has pretty good movement and makes Rooney play well - but I think that now we have the luxury of secured qualification Fabio Capello should turn to Carlton Cole. We know Heskey can do the job well. However, could Cole offer the complete package that as well as the hard graft and link play delivers an eye for goal?

It stunned me to find this from the Daily Mail;

Cole is easily the best option to replace Heskey.

I believe that he should start, and finish, both of the remaining competitive FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. There are 9 months for the team to be developed and refined and you could argue that with a fully fit crop of players only the right midfield and partner for Rooney are the ones that do not pick themselves (assuming David James is fit and playing well). Lennon deserves a run in the team - and he should get that after his MoM last night - but if we do not give Carlton Cole the minutes on the pitch we will never know and then what happens if Heskey gets injured in the first match?

Come on Carlton, don't let me down

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For the last few weeks there has been endless speculation about the coming season. Will Manchester United suffer without Tevez and Ronaldo? Can Burnley continue to beat Barclays Premier League opponents as they did in last seasons Carling Cup? Will Carlo Ancelotti unite the Chelsea millionaires?!

Almost daily there have been predictions on what the final outcome will be come May, and following the flurry of interest that surrounds Fantasy Football League selections it felt that I should also host my own prediction. So here goes..

Champions: Chelsea. Without losing any key squad members and the momentum from the back end of last season when all seemed lost I can see Chelsea winning back the title. In Terry, Lampard and Anelka they have a strong core and additions of Zhirkov and Sturridge will add an extra dimension to their attack. Solid, consistent and a winner at the helm. Think United will push them close but it's Chelsea for me.

Champions League: Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City. The City prediction is a bold one, and fully dependant on their start. They have lots of goals in them, Barry and Toure are great signings and if Hughes can sign one transfer window central defender they have a strong squad. A lot depends on the first few games. If they get a good start and get confident and the pressure eases then its game on and think they can break the top four.

Surprise Package: Sunderland. I think Steve Bruce has bought well and Kenwyne Jones, Fraizer Campbell and Darren Bent will score goals - Lee Catermole is also one step and learning to control his agression away from a senior England place. Bruce has a great knowledge of South American football and da Silva could prove the difference to his defence. I see them causing a few upsets and going close in both the domestic cups.

Relegation: Hull City, Portsmouth and Birmingham. Poor old Pompy, too many good players have left and unless they get loads of cash in January they are going to be in trouble. Think even by then it could be too much for them. Hull showed great spirit last season but by the turn teams had found them out, and sadly for Phil Brown that will continue and the new boys in town will push on and survive. Well, that said apart from Birmingham. I just dont see them having the firepower to stay up. It will be close but think they will always be there or thereabouts and get sucked in towards the end of the season.

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