Soccer Buzz

After some technical difficulties the SoccerBuzz is back! So without further ado, let’s get cracking.

A statue erected at St Mary’s Stadium to commemorate Southamton’s legend Ted Bates is to be pulled down after fans complained of it’s poor quality. The £102,000 statue, which was half-funded by the Southampton fans, is bizarrely out of proportion!

Fans were left fuming when the statue of ‘Mr Southampton’ was unveiled. Some claimed the body, legs and arms are out of proportion and the facial likeness is a poor one.

Chairman Leon Crouch said: “Ted was Southampton Football Club and we owe it to him to build a fitting statue.”

Crouch added: “With hindsight some things could have been done differently, but this is not a time for recriminations. Let’s just sit down and put things right.

“I’m a perfectionist and I want it to be just right. ‘Mr Southampton’ deserves that.”

Brennan had apologised to supporters and insisted that he would have liked more time to work on the project.

He said: “This was more than a commission, it was a passion. I’m sorry some supporters don’t like the result.”

I’ll keep you updated!

[tags]Southampton Football Club, Statue, Ted Bates, Bates[/img]

Yes, that’s right the wait for the completion of England’s national football stadium is nearly over. Thw keys have been handed over from the builder’s to the FA and it is now up to the authorities to host two ‘ramp up’ events to prove the stadium is worthy of its security certificate. The first of these two events will be an England U21’s match against Italy U21’s. The tickets went on sale and all 60,000 were sold within hours, causing the official FA website to reportedly crash. If the events are a success the FA will be allowed to open the staidum to it’s full capacity of 90,000.

Below is a timeline of the Wembley saga.

The last ever football game to be played at the old Wembley Stadium ends England 0-1 Germany on 7 October 2000

Not until 30 September 2002 does the long-awaited demolition work begin as bulldozers move in on the twin towers

The arch stands serenely above the chaos of ongoing construction work, a full 133m above where the pitch will be.

On 12 June 2006 the first strip of turf is laid, exactly one month after Wembley was meant to host the FA Cup Final.

The new stadium must now host test events on 17 and 24 March to gain necessary licences before it can be used.

But the FA is confident that a new dawn at Wembley will be brought in by the return of the FA Cup final on 19 May, 2007!

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Another exciting round of games from this side of the pond this weekend. This weekend saw a 6 goal thriller at Stamford Bridge whilst elsewhere City fans were calling for Stuart Pearce’s head after his side were dumped out of the cup away at Blackburn.

Middlesbrough V Manchester United
The first of the quarter finals. The visitors took the lead through Wayne Rooney, the scouser jinked past a couple of Boro’ defenders on the edge of the box before driving a low shot past Mark Schwarzer. Lee Cattermole volleyed Middlesbrough level on the stroke of half-time.
The home side took a shock lead after the break with George Boateng heading in Boro’s second a minute after the interval, but then handled Rio Ferdinand’s header after 66 minutes at the other end and Ronaldo equalised freom the spot to send the tie into a replay.
My prediction: United to progress
Actual Result: 2 - 2 (the jury is still out)

Chelsea V Tottenham Hotspur
The tie of the round saw an all-London affair at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea started badly and Dimitar Berbatov smashed the ball past Petr Cech to put Tottenham ahead. Chelsea hit back almost instantly and midfielder Frank Lampard levelled after turing in Michael Ballack’s shot. Michael Essien turned the ball into his own net to give Tottenham a deserved lead. Ghaly then netted a third after a powerful run. Then the game turned on it’s head, with the home side trailing, the blue’s slipped into gear and it was one-way traffic towards the spurs goal. Lampard claimed his second after the interval, slotting home from close range after a ping-pong session in the Spurs six yard box. Soloman Kalou then grabbed an equaliser for Chelsea after sweetly volleying home Didier Drogba’s headed knock down. Defoe was unlucky not to win the tie for Spurs after his mazy run and shot resulted in a smash off the crossbar.
My Prediction: Chelsea to progress
Actual Result: 3 - 3 (the jury is still out)

Blackburn Rovers V Manchester City
The visitors were dumped out of the FA Cup thanks to a Moenka opener and Derbyshire’s finish on the stroke of full time. The visiting supporters vented their frustrations at their constantly under-achieving club and cries of ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ rang out from the 7,000 away fans.
My Prediction: 2 - 0
Actual Result: 2 - 0 (SPOT ON)

Plymouth Argyle V Watford
The Championship V The Premiership. Watford ran out eventual winners thanks to Hamuer Bouazza powerful left footed strike in the 21st minute. That goal galvinised the home side and Plymouth threw everything they had at Watford, who can thank on loan keeper Ben Foster for cementing them a place in the Semi-Finals. A future England number 1 me thinks!

Let’s take a look ahead to the FA Cup Quarter-Finals shall we?

First up we’ve got Middlesbrough V Manchester United. I’m not going to predict a score, as we all know anything can happen in a cup competition! So I’ll just predict an overall winner, in this instance I think it will be Manchester United. Middlesbrough usually perform amazing against the bigger clubs, especially at the Riverside Stadium but I think United are on course for the treble and I can’t see Boro stopping them this weekend.
My Prediction: Manchester United to progress

Blackburn Rovers V Manchester United. This match features my team Manchester City, am I going to be biased? I’d love to be! The fact of the matter is we’re simply not good enough to progress. Blackburn should have this one in the bag. City are sloppy at times and are languishing in the league. That said, if there is a team capable of a shock it is us!
My Prediction: Blackburn Rovers to progress

Chelsea V Tottenham. A massive clash, the tie of the round. A London derby that pits two quality sides hoping to progress to the semi-finals. Both teams have done well in cup competitions this season but I think Chelsea will have enough in the tank to edge past Spurs on this occasion.
My Prediction: Chelsea to progress

Plymouth Argyle V Watford. Championship side Plymouth play host to Premiership side Watford in a typical David and Golliath style battle. I’d love to see Plymouth progress to the semi-finals. What a great acheivement for Ian Holloway that would be! Sadly my head has to rule my heart and the Premiership side should cruise past Plymouth.
My Prediction: Watford to progress

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Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United? Nope…..Stockport County! Yes that’s right, you have to look down as far as England’s 4th division (League Two) to find the best team, statistically anyway!

The Hatters have just broken an English record, going on a whopping NINE game winning streak without conceeding a single goal along the way! The Stockport based club have been transformed this season thanks to new boss Jim Gannon after struggling for the past three or four years. The previous record was set by Preston North End who managed to go EIGHT games without conceeding a goal during their wining streak. County ensured the record was their’s after beating Swindon Town 3 - 0 at home. Here’s a run through of Stockport’s magnificent 9:-
1: Boston United 2-0
2: Peterborough Utd 3-0
3: Wycombe Wanderers 2-0
4: Wrexham 1-0
5: Hereford United 2-0
6: Mansfield Town 1-0
7: Accrington Stanley 1-0
8: Walsall Town 1-0
9: Swindon Town 3-0

What an achievement!

Stockport County, World Record, County, Stockport, Hatters, Jim Gannon, Preston North End, Wrexham, Hereford United, Mansfield Town, Swindon Town, Walsall, Accrington Stanley, Wycombe, Peterborugh United, Boston United

What an exciting couple of days it has been for the ’soccer’ fans this weekend. We’ve seen a total of 25 goals, 35 bookings and 1 sending off! There have been some truly amazing games along the way too, here’s my run through of this weekends events and we’ll have a luck how my predictions went shall we?

Arsenal V Reading
As predicted a win for the Gunners. A penalty from stand-in skipper Gilberto Silva and a Julio Baptista drive in the 62nd minute were enough to make sure Arsenal sealed the win despite a late comeback attempt from Reading after Cesc Fabregas turned the ball into his own net three mintues from time.
My Prediction: 2 - 0
Actual Result: 2 - 1

Fulham V Aston Villa
Woo, I’m good! I didn’t expect anything else from the league’s draw specialists here. The visitors took the lead through new signing John Carew, however their lead was short lived when Fulham’s Bocanegra was on hand to poke the ball home two minutes later.
My Prediction: 1 - 1
Actual Result: 1 - 1 (WooHoo!)

Liverpool V Manchester United
A classic smash ‘n’ grab job from the Mancunians on Saturday saw United take all three points, when in fairness, they didn’t deserve it. In true championship-winning form United scored in the 90th minute for the second week running after the opposing team had outplayed them for most of the match. Liverpool missed a shed loads of chances and saw a goal chalked off for offside. United should have had a penalty in the second half when Louis Saha was felled in the Liverpool box while at the other end a fine save from dutchman Edwin Van der Sar thwarted Peter Crouch’s chance of breaking the deadlock. With one minute left United were awarded a free kick, Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina palmed Ronaldo’s shot cum cross into the path of John O’Shea where the Irishman was on hand to smash the ball home from 4 yards. Did that goal win United the title? Maybe..
My Prediction: 1 - 2
Actual Result: 0 - 1

Manchester City V Wigan Athletic
Another poor home performance by my team Manchester City saw Wigan Athletic take maximum points from this game. Sloppy defending allowed Wigan’s new signing Folan to nod the ball passed the flailing Nicky Weaver. City looked the better side in the second half as they introduced new signing Emile Mpenza but he couldn’t do anything on his debut to help the home team slump to yet another defeat at Eastlands!
My Prediction: 1 - 0
Actual Result: 0 - 1 (How wrong I was!)

Newcastle United V Middlesbrough
Nothing much to report here guys. A nil-nil stalement. Both sides were too scared to lose the bragging rights in their local towns, I guess!
My Prediction: 2 - 2
Actual Result: 0 - 0

Portsmouth V Chelsea
Another Chelsea win away at Portsmouth. The Londoners won by the same scoreline last season at Fratton Park and they were just as comfortable this time around. Two Andy Cole header’s were as near as Pompey got to the Chelsea goal, while up the other end Didier Drogba grabbed his 29th goal of the season with an expert volley passed the outstretched David James. Kalou’s 82nd minute strike ensured the Champions maintained the pressure on the current leaders, Manchester United.
My prediction: 0 - 2
Actual Result: 0 - 2 (WooHoo!)

Sheffield United V Everton
Both sides shared the points in this game as they drew 1 - 1. Both goals came in the second half with Rob Hulse scoring from close range to put the Blades in front. Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny brought Everton striker Andy Johnson down in the penalty area to conceed his 3rd penalty in 2 weeks. Mikel Arteta made no mistake from the spot, 18 mintues from time.
My Prediction: 0 - 1
Actual Result: 1 - 1

Watford V Charlton
Niether side could afford to lose this game and as it turns out, neither did! Watford stormed in to a two goal lead thanks to goals from Bouazza and Francis in the 15th and 21st minute, respectively. Watford manager Aidy Bothroyd must have thought his side had done enough at half time as it seemed the game was out of Charlton’s reach. A rousing second half performance by Alan Pardew’s Addicks (and in particular loanee Song) made sure the visitors were’t going home empty handed. They left it late but goals from Young and Ambrose ensured that Watford let another result slip away!
My Prediction: 1 - 1
Actual Result: 2 - 2

Bolton Wanderers V Blackburn Rovers
The first of Sunday’s fixtures. The game only came into life in the second half when Bolton conceeded TWO penalties within 10 minutes of each other! In-form striker Benni McCarthy duly obliged, converting both spot kicks. A late Nicolas Anelka strike was not enough to spare the home side’s blushes. The blagging rights lie in Blackburn, for now anyway.
My Prediction: 2 - 2
Actual Result: 1 - 2

West Ham United V Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday’s second game and tie of the weekend! Fans at Upton Park were treated to a 7 goal thriller. Here is a run through of the game’s happenings:-
16th Min: Noble scores for West Ham (1 - 0)
41st Min: Tevez makes it two nil to the home side (2 - 0)
51st Min: Defoe pulls one back for Spurs via the penalty spot (2 - 1)
63rd Min: Tainio equalises for Tottenham (2 - 2)
85th Min: Zamora comes off the bench and scores to restore West Ham’s lead (3 - 2)
89th Min: Tottenham equalise again! This time through Berbatov (3 - 3)
90th Min: Heartbreak at Upton Park as Stalteri scores the winner for Spurs (3-4)
Exciting, hey? Poor old West Ham, it’s going from bad to worse for them and in my humble opinion I can’t see them being a Premiership outfit next season

Check out my predictions! I got 7 CORRECT RESULTS and 3 PERFECT SCORES!

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This weekend’s English Premiership ties (3rd/4th March) see two very interesting match-ups as the two Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool go head to head in the early kick-off whilst relegation strugglers Watford play host to Charlton Athletic! I aim to provide my readers with a Premiership preview every Friday with my own personal prediction of the outcome. Here goes…..

First up we have Arsenal V Reading. Both teams have competed in the FA Cup during mid-week so I can see both sides looking a tad lethargic to say the least! Arsenal are an amazingly talented team on their day and I can’t see Reading stopping the Gunners from playing.
My prediction: 2 - 0

Fulham V Aston Villa, this is an interesting match that sees both teams sitting 13th and 14th in the league table with both teams on the same amount of points (32pts)! Fulham could leap-frog Villa with a win here but I am going to have to go for a draw, with both teams sharing the spoils.
My prediction: 1 - 1

The big one! Liverpool V Manchester United, easily one of the most awaited fixtures of the English soccer season. The big guns of the Premier League, two North-West English clubs go head to head in this almost top-of-the-table clash. Liverpool have been outstanding at home this season, winning 11 of their 14 hosted at Anfield. Manchester United will travel to Liverpool hoping to be the first side to win there this campaign. It is a must win game for the Red Devils and even though they are my teams arch-rivals I still have to predict a Manchester United win.
My prediction: 1 - 2

My team! Manchester City V Wigan. I’ll try to be unbiased here lol, We (Manchester City) have had a pretty poor season so far in some respects and are languishing 15th in the Premiership table. Wigan are two places below us and a win for them would see them leap-frog us and take our position. They have been poor on the road and will be up for this game with it being a local derby. I think our decent-ish home record will see us come out on top.
My Prediction: 1 - 0

Newcastle United V Middlesbrough. The north-east derby! Another big game frrm this weekend’s set of matches that sees the home side only one point and one place above their local rivals. This tie could go either way but I’m going to play it safe and go for a draw!
My prediction: 2 - 2

Portsmouth V Chelsea. Portsmouth had a really good start to the season but have slumped of late. Chelsea really need to win to keep up the pressure on Manchester United. Another Chelsea win is an easy prediction for me this weekend!
My prediction: 0 - 2

Sheffield United V Everton. Sheffield United have had a great start to the season as far as expectance goes but they still find themselves hovering above the relegation zone. Everton have gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, climbing up to 7th in the league table. A close game but Everton may just edge it.
My prediction: 0 - 1

The relegation six pointer! Watford V Charlton. One of the games I have highlighted as a key fixture this weekend. Both teams need to win and if Watford take all three points they will cut the difference between themselves and their opponents from 4 points to 1 point. If Charlton win they will make clear daylight between themselves and the other bottom two clubs (providing results go thier way elsewhere of course!).
My prediction: 1 - 1

Another derby! This time it is Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers who are Sundays early kick-off. Bolton have been impressive at home this season, only losing three at the Reebok Stadium. Blackburn have a good record against their Lancashire rivals but with both teams being attack minded, I fear they could cancel each other out.
My prediction: 2 - 2

West Ham United V Tottenham Hotspur. These two London clubs meet at Upton Park where West Ham will be desperate for a win to ease the pressure on manager Alan Curbishley. I just feel Tottenham have too much upfront and will continue to heap the misery on the struggling Hammers.
My prediction: 1 - 2

Tune in on Monday to see how right/wrong I was!

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