TST Pundits Debut

Date	GMT(+8)	Match	N.	Fisheye
31.01.2010	2130hrs	Manchester City vs Portsmouth	Manchester City	Manchester City
01.02.2010	0000hrs	Arsenal vs Manchester United	Manchester United	Draw
02.02.2010	0400hrs	Sunderland vs Stoke City	Draw	Sunderland

The editors of TST are proud to present "TST Pundits"

On a regular basis, TST's resident pundits will provide their prediction on match outcomes and these will be posted as blog entries on TST.

The nature of this is not to promote betting and neither are we involved in any form of betting. We are promoting clean and healthy fun between our pundits and to allow our readers enjoy this competition between our pundits.

Do check out the results of our pundits and see who has the more accurate predictions about the outcomes of matches. Remember to support your favourite pundit and check back regularly for the results!

TST would like to take this opportunity to thank its readers for their constant support and we look forward to provide you with better and more exciting updates.

The "Sol" walks again...Continued...

Less than 4 months ago, Sol Campbell joined Notts County only to have left the outfit 3 days after his debut for the club. (Please refer to my previous entry The "Sol" walks again)

Now, Sol Campbell has rejoined Arsenal and taken up the jersey number 31. He is the 5th player to have rejoined Arsenal in the club's history. Somehow, his performance has been rather disappointing. He looked like his weight is slowing him down quite a lot and at an age 35, I have serious doubts of whether he can keep up with the game, much less the pace and style of Arsenal.

I suppose at the current situation that Arsenal is facing, Sol provides Wenger a player whom he can trust, work with and probably bring some experience to his defence and the squad. I guess at least he hasn't left Arsenal the way he left Notts so that's good news for Wenger. Though his contribution is definitely doubtful in the long run, right now, at 20,000 pounds a week, I guess it must have been a cheap steal for Wenger to tide over the tough times.

Not another sex scandal...

Looks like the millionaires in professional sports today just cannot get themselves out of the news for the wrong reasons. First, it was David Beckham who was alleged to have an affair under Victoria Beckham's nose, then there was footballer Ashley Cole, the latest hoo ha was obviously golf phenom Tiger Woods "eighteen hole" escapades away from the golf course. Now, the next high profile sex scandal set to rock Chelsea and England football team, the soul of their team fabric, captain of Chelsea and England the man of all men, John Terry...

For all his macho displays and alpha male authority in the dressing room, it seems John is just a plain ol man afterall... he was secretly lusting after his own teammate's girlfriend. Last I heard, Wayne Bridge is his good friend. For heaven's sake, she is the mother of Wayne Bridge's son. I wonder whether Wayne Bridge will ever see John Terry the same way again... I mean its hard to respect a captain and chief while he was secretly having a rendevous with your girlfriend. Geez... its harder to think whether the rest of his English and Chelsea team mates will ever look at Terry the same way again. I mean, an improtant character aspect in a captain is his integrity and honesty with his team mates. This is one guy who used his money from his soccer paymasters to put a gag on the media who caught hold of the news... heaven knows whether his wife was aware of it, likelihood is not. The father of twins has much to answer to his children.

JT might just have crossed the limit of his "transgressions" with Fabio Capello, the strict father (ala Mafia style) of the England football team. The man is no saint off the pitch. It is not the first time he is involved in some sort of controversy. He was involved in some heavy gambling controversy while under Jose Mourinho. He apparenty took unauthorised fees while hosting rich businessman fans on private tours of the training ground in Surrey. The latest scandal won't just go away, and he will regarded in the same category as Tiger Woods, a cheating husband and a rich athlete who thought he could pay his way out. Too bad for all those financial concerns JT was seemingly more worried about in his court hearing regarding this latest sex scandal... I think he should start thinking about how he could salvage his marriage and his family, something I think is CLEARLY more important than his sponsorship deals and image with the footballing world.

And I thought England had a chance at the World Cup.... David Beckham for captain anyone?

the mrbrown show: Singapore no world cup?

the mrbrown show: Singapore no world cup?

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Man Utd welcomes Chris Smalling.

Sir Alex rarely makes mistakes in the transfer market, especially when he pays 8 million pounds for a 20 year old English player.

Not so long ago, he spent 20 million pounds on a certain Evertonian youngster Wayne Rooney. He signed a raw Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United for 18 million and groomed Ronaldo into a World Player of the Year when he was an unknown from Sporting Lisbon. Signed for 12 million, sold for 80 million last season.

Despite all these talk about mounting debts in the boardroom at Old Trafford, the 8 million pounds spent on Chris Smalling speaks volumes about how highly the coaching staff value the young prospect. Let's keep in mind that Man Utd has an abundance of young and talented centre backs emerging from the Academy, not least Jonny Evans, Craig Cathcart and James Chester.

Apparently, Smalling has convinced the gaffer enough that he will be the next big thing in defence for England, even beyond Chester and Cathcart. Some sources suggest he is the next Rio Ferdinand. Assured, a good reader of the game and athletic are just some of the observations made by keen observers. If this is true, he is bound for stardom, potentially forming a formidable partnership at the heart of defence with another class talent in Jonny Evans.

English and talented, a very nice acquisition indeed, even if the fans will only get to see Chris next season. Welcome to Man Utd, Chris Smalling... we know you will enjoy your stay here.

Football Comedy.

GG knows nothing.

Yes, all beloved Liverpool fans who are reading this. I am sure by now, you should have realised just how bad this season is going to be. The good news is Benitez isn't going... ...

And guess what, his owner has come out to back him. George Gillett or affectionately known here at thesoccertalk as GG (Gigi) has come out to defend his manager who has come under heavy fire from pundits, commentators, fans and every ex-player who bothers to say something. Benitez just cannot pay his ass off for a win these days. His players are not responding to a war cry synonomous with Liverpool football club, and his warrior in chiefs, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are obviously feeling the strain, they are crumbling with injuries too often now...

What in the world is Liverpool up to? That drive, that determination, that hunger is lost on the players... and only a fool will deny that Benitez is responsible at least to a certain degree of what is happening. Sure, he hasn't got much to spend, but he spent a helluva lot of money on one clumsy right back now, called Glen Johnson. Too much in my opinion even if Glen was great last season. Benitez is a whiny pig, I wish Liverpool fans realise how much they got to lose by keeping him. Frankly, I don't like his chances of lifting Liverpool up to the lofty heights it achieved last season. He is a "nearly" man, and so often than not, the "nearly" man has been depending on his Champs League glory years to back himself up.

And who the heck is GG to talk about football. He is a Yankee whose home sport is baseball, basketball and American style football, not the beautiful game we are talking about here. GG says Benitez is one of the top five mangers in the world.... pfft.... not by his predicament now... no way !! I could easily count five managers way ahead of Benitez in the craft of management. The five untouchables... Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Fabio Capello and Pep Guardiola... and I betcha Roy Hodgson, Carlo Ancelotti, Guus Hiddink, Steve Bruce and Frank Rijkaard can outdo Benitez any day with the resources and the fan base Liverpool has. How about local legends like Kenny Daglish and Kevin Keegan?

Eat your words GG, you shouldn't even talk about soccer. Just keep watching that debt you are running sky high for the club...