Well this years African Cup of Nations is certainly producing. The shock results of the last week will have kept neutrals enthralled as well as delighting bookmakers across the globe.

OPEN TOURNAMENT
The competition had already been heralded as the most open Cup of Nations in recent years as numerous African superpowers failed to even qualify for the finals. 2010 world cup hosts South Africa failed to show any progress for their showpiece event as they didn’t qualify amid controversy, however this is nothing compared to the fact that Cameroon, Nigeria …

Does Paddy McCourt still have a role to play at Celtic?
It is a question very much open to debate, and with the arrival of new bhoy Rabiu Ibrahim, McCourt’s days in a Celtic jersey could be numbered.
The enigmatic winger has often been eclipsed by James Forrest, who has had a terrific season so far, and with Lennon reluctant to play with two wingers; McCourt’s game time has been restricted to brief cameos.
It seems Lennon is reluctant to play with two out and out wide men in midfield, opting for Joe …

The January transfer window, a time when we see wild rumours fly around, a time when every fan thinks they’re a journalist and can make up a rumour and pass it on as a fact, a time when journalists and media outlets think that they hold all the cards on when a player will move and where too and for how much when in reality for however much gets said only a small percentage of that will be done.
I have no problem with the January transfer window, if anything I …

Looking out  the window this morning I noticed with some concern that a For Sale sign has gone up next door. It wasn’t a great surprise as sadly our elderly neighbours for the last five years could no longer fend for themselves and are currently spending their twilight years in a home that can provide for them.
My concern around the arrival of the For Sale sign stems from the natural fear we all have of what character our new neighbours will have, we had got used to the quiet, non …

  It was a weekend of good football, with both the Manchester teams winning it late. Although the winners were rightly predicted by most pundits, the way the teams played their football was a treat to all football fans in common.

    Coming to the second of the two super Sunday matches, a new football fan would seriously doubt the influence of home matches, such was United’s domination in the first half. It looked more like Old Trafford rather than Emirates. Although Arsenal created some decent chances, it was united who kept better …

THE FINAL WHISTLE
VETERAN’S CHOICE
Whilst we are focusing on the veterans and legends of the Premier League, such as Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry, we have been blinded by their comebacks. If you want to dig deep into the story of the more experienced players of our time, then read on.
Premier League stars who had had their day were seen signing for a more local team, such as Stoke City or Newcastle United. But now we see Premier League veterans moving to the USA or China. Why? What is the background …

In the game of football there are two teams for a total of 22 players both with one final goal, to win the game. Imagine 20 footballers running nonstop for a 90-minute regulation game on a field that can be 100 by 100 yards with minimal substitutions allowed. Each footballer is expected to exhibit a wide range of skills. From running, dribbling, kicking, stopping, passing, positioning, to various body maneuvers and for the goalie, blocking, jumping, and catching as well. All of these skills require the players to have speed, …

Hi, Paul Blake here again with another look at the past week in the crazy world of football.

In this week’s edition of ‘Blake’s 7’ I applaud Mark Hughes for finding a diamond in the rough at QPR, question whether Arsene Wenger has lost the plot and query why the SPL is utter garbage!
Hold on to your hats; it’s about to get controversial!

A Diamond in the Rough!

Akos Buzsaky is the diamond in the rough at Queens Park Rangers and Mark Hughes can take the credit for finding him.

In a side that, …

2011 and the arrival of Kenny Dalglish to the helm at Anfield was supposed to have led Liverpool out of the storm and towards the golden skies that the club had been so used to until just a couple of seasons ago. However, this has not been the case up to now. Dalglish has, of course, steadied the ship and cleared out some of the sub-standard players such as Christian Poulsen and Joe Cole but Liverpool’s results have not improved as the fans, the manager and the board would have hoped. I’m not …

Week 22 of the Barclay Premiership saw big clashes between North and South with Manchester City taking on surprise title hopefuls Spurs, and the other side of Manchester, Utd, taking on the opposing North London side, Arsenal. In the relegation scrap, poor home performers Bolton took on their bogey team Liverpool, a six-pointer saw QPR take on rock bottom Wigan, Villa made the short trip to struggling Wolves and Steve Keen hoped to continue his side’s impressive form as he took Blackburn to face Everton at Goodison Park.
Chelsea 0-0 Norwich
The …