Some people would argue that England should have played Ghana in the quarter final of the World Cup, but they were pipped at the post by the U.S who went on to lose to a strong Ghana side.
Ghana really deserved to get to the semi final of the World Cup, but Luis Suarez’s hand stopped the ball crossing the goal-line in the 90th minute. Ghana were given a penalty but the pressure was too great and Gyan missed the penalty which would have taken Ghana through to the semi final.
While England are higher up in the world rankings there is no clear favourite.
Fabio Capello, the England manager, has released six players from the England squad including John Terry who was confirmed as full time captain of England.
Gareth Barry will be captain of England tonight and is the seventh England captain since Fabio Capello took over in 2008.
Even though Jack Wilshere is an Arsenal regular and looks to be breaking into England’s first team I believe he will start against Ghana.
My predicted line-up: (4-3-3) Ben Foster; Glen Johnson, Garry Cahill, Joleon Lescott, Leighton Baines; Jack Wilshere, Gareth Barry, Milner; Ashley Young, Andy Carroll and Matthew Jarvis.
I predict that the score will be 1-1. I think Ghana are a very good side and England are playing a second string team but I think both teams are too good to lose.
Written by Thomas Munson
News and reviews of the Sporting World
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Tuesday 22 March 2011
How The International Break Will Effect The Top Three
The top three are racing for the title, some relying on momentum, some relying on stability and some relying on pure passion. But how will the international break effect how the season turns out?
1. Manchester United sit on the top of the Premier League table, but have United eaten too much dinner and risk falling through it? I doubt that, although I would not want to carry their trophy cabinet around.
The Devils have been struggling with injuries and have seven players injured, so an international break would reduce the amount of matches their injured players miss.
United, I think, are probably the most stable and defensively sound of the top three despite O’Shea, Vidic and Ferdinand being injured as well as Evans’s suspension.
So I think United have more to gain from the international break than lose, but they run the risk of more key players being injured.
2. Arsenal are on a bad run and have only won one match in their last six, however the international break offers Arsenal’s players the opportunity to escape from club football, and maybe get a morale boost if they win their internationals.
The break from club football also offers Lehman the opportunity to get himself fit in the gym and mentally compose himself.
Despite these positives, Arsenal fans will remained concerned as the gunners seem to be cursed by injuries during the international break.
3. Chelsea had their worst run in over a decade during mid-season, but now look like returning to their double winning form of last year.
Maybe a break in club football could hinder their chances of making an historic come back and win the title. Momentum is what seems to be carrying Chelsea forward so a break could slow their momentum.
Recently Arsenal and Manchester United have been dropping points and Chelsea have been steaming forwards; so Chelsea will have to work very hard in order to keep their form going after the international break.
Once again injuries crop up as a problem, most of Chelsea’s players have returned to fitness but with an ageing squad Chelsea’s key-players may struggle to maintain fitness.
Most of my focus has been on how CLUB football will be effected but I would like to say, there is nothing more satisfying in football than seeing your country doing well.
Written by Thomas Munson
1. Manchester United sit on the top of the Premier League table, but have United eaten too much dinner and risk falling through it? I doubt that, although I would not want to carry their trophy cabinet around.
The Devils have been struggling with injuries and have seven players injured, so an international break would reduce the amount of matches their injured players miss.
United, I think, are probably the most stable and defensively sound of the top three despite O’Shea, Vidic and Ferdinand being injured as well as Evans’s suspension.
So I think United have more to gain from the international break than lose, but they run the risk of more key players being injured.
2. Arsenal are on a bad run and have only won one match in their last six, however the international break offers Arsenal’s players the opportunity to escape from club football, and maybe get a morale boost if they win their internationals.
The break from club football also offers Lehman the opportunity to get himself fit in the gym and mentally compose himself.
Despite these positives, Arsenal fans will remained concerned as the gunners seem to be cursed by injuries during the international break.
3. Chelsea had their worst run in over a decade during mid-season, but now look like returning to their double winning form of last year.
Maybe a break in club football could hinder their chances of making an historic come back and win the title. Momentum is what seems to be carrying Chelsea forward so a break could slow their momentum.
Recently Arsenal and Manchester United have been dropping points and Chelsea have been steaming forwards; so Chelsea will have to work very hard in order to keep their form going after the international break.
Once again injuries crop up as a problem, most of Chelsea’s players have returned to fitness but with an ageing squad Chelsea’s key-players may struggle to maintain fitness.
Most of my focus has been on how CLUB football will be effected but I would like to say, there is nothing more satisfying in football than seeing your country doing well.
Written by Thomas Munson
Thursday 17 March 2011
Roberto Mancini Selection Headache

Tonight Manchester City travel to Dynamo Kyiv in the second leg of their Europa League tie. They travel to Kyiv with a two goal deficit and will be looking to chip away at that, however the Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, has a tough decision to make. On Sunday City are travelling to Stamford Bridge and need to win if they want to ensure Champions League football next season. The Italian has often complained about the players being tired, so will he play the first-team line-up that is needed to overturn Kyiv’s 2-0 lead or rest his players for the match against Chelsea. Mancini does not want to be seen to be throwing away silverware by playing a reserve team tonight, but he can not risk losing to Chelsea. If City lose to Chelsea on Sunday Chelsea will leap-frog them leaving City in a battle with Spurs for fourth spot, a battle City lost last year. I think City will rest some of their starting eleven tonight.
Most likely Manchester City line-up: (4-3-3
Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; Vieira, Barry, Yaya Touré; Balotelli, Dzeko and Milner.
If I was a Manchester City fan I would not worry about losing. As Kompany said, “We are more than capable of doing to them [Dynamo Kyiv] what they did to us.”
Written by Thomas Munson
Tonight Manchester City travel to Dynamo Kyiv in the second leg of their Europa League tie. They travel to Kyiv with a two goal deficit and will be looking to chip away at that, however the Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, has a tough decision to make. On Sunday City are travelling to Stamford Bridge and need to win if they want to ensure Champions League football next season. The Italian has often complained about the players being tired, so will he play the first-team line-up that is needed to overturn Kyiv’s 2-0 lead or rest his players for the match against Chelsea. Mancini does not want to be seen to be throwing away silverware by playing a reserve team tonight, but he can not risk losing to Chelsea. If City lose to Chelsea on Sunday Chelsea will leap-frog them leaving City in a battle with Spurs for fourth spot, a battle City lost last year. I think City will rest some of their starting eleven tonight.
Most likely Manchester City line-up: (4-3-3
Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; Vieira, Barry, Yaya Touré; Balotelli, Dzeko and Milner.
If I was a Manchester City fan I would not worry about losing. As Kompany said, “We are more than capable of doing to them [Dynamo Kyiv] what they did to us.”
Written by Thomas Munson
Tuesday 15 March 2011
MLS: Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy Preview
Tonight the first match of the 16th MLS season kicks-off at Qwest Field. This is a battle of U.S Open Cup winners vs. last year’s western conference finalists and favourites to win this year’s MLS Cup. The Galaxy are a strong unit and have quality players, however the Sounders are no pushovers. Pablo Angel has a lot to live up to as the replacement for Edson Buddle and he will be looking to score from day one. David Beckham and Landon Donovan will still be the key players for the California side and will prove to be the difference in the set-plays. Omar Gonzales is 6.5ft and is the perfect player for Beckham to target in the box from set-plays, Gonzales scored a header in LA’s 4-0 last May. Even though the Sounders have been working hard in pre-season on defending set-plays I still think the Galaxy will get at least one goal from a set-play. The Sounders also struggled scoring set-plays last season but they have been working on their dead ball situations this winter, last Wednesday in the MLS Community Shield Seattle scored a world-class goal from a free kick from about 35 yards out; the delivery was from Freddie Montero and John Kennedy headed the ball into the back of the net.
I have spent most of this preview talking about set-plays but that is because I believe the key to winning this match will be making the most of the dead balls. David Beckham is probably the most famous footballer of all time, the reason for that is his ability. Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “His [David Beckham’s] right foot is like having all the football clubs in the world in a golf bag.” Beckham has always been good at taking free kicks, his most famous free kick is probably the one he scored against Greece for England in a World Cup qualifier, so the Sounders will have to be very careful not to concede silly free kicks. For me the only way the Sounders can get anything out of the game is if they do the opposite of Galaxy. The only way to beat LA’s defence is by playing the ball along the ground and just keep passing and moving, Dallas did this in the western conference final, and guess what, they won.
Written by Thomas Munson
I have spent most of this preview talking about set-plays but that is because I believe the key to winning this match will be making the most of the dead balls. David Beckham is probably the most famous footballer of all time, the reason for that is his ability. Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “His [David Beckham’s] right foot is like having all the football clubs in the world in a golf bag.” Beckham has always been good at taking free kicks, his most famous free kick is probably the one he scored against Greece for England in a World Cup qualifier, so the Sounders will have to be very careful not to concede silly free kicks. For me the only way the Sounders can get anything out of the game is if they do the opposite of Galaxy. The only way to beat LA’s defence is by playing the ball along the ground and just keep passing and moving, Dallas did this in the western conference final, and guess what, they won.
Written by Thomas Munson
Monday 14 March 2011
Norwich City vs. Bristol City Preview
Tonight’s match is incredibly important to how the Championship league table is going to turn out. If Norwich City avoid defeat they will overtake Swansea and will be in an automatic promotion spot, which is impressive enough (If you consider that the Npower Championship is the hardest league to get out of in the world.) But what you must remember is that Norwich City were in League 1 last year; so finishing second would be a challenge worth of the prize (The prize being Premier league football.)
However the match tonight is not just about Norwich, it is about Bristol City too. Bristol had a poor start to the season but are now in very good form and have won their last four matches, they are now all but certain to stay up. Even so every team wants to finish a season on a high so that they can pick up where the left of in the upcoming season.
Both sides have players who can change games, Bristol City have David James, the goalkeeping maestro can be the difference between a clean sheet and letting in four goals, Albert Adomah had a great game against Portsmouth last week and looks like scoring more goals in games to come. Norwich have game changing players to, Henri Lansbury who scored his first two goals for the club in consecutive home games against Millwall and Reading - the former being a stoppage time winner and as looked influential ever since. My match prediction is 2-2 because I think Bristol’s extra confidence will get them goals but I think Norwich are too good not to score.
Written by Thomas Munson
However the match tonight is not just about Norwich, it is about Bristol City too. Bristol had a poor start to the season but are now in very good form and have won their last four matches, they are now all but certain to stay up. Even so every team wants to finish a season on a high so that they can pick up where the left of in the upcoming season.
Both sides have players who can change games, Bristol City have David James, the goalkeeping maestro can be the difference between a clean sheet and letting in four goals, Albert Adomah had a great game against Portsmouth last week and looks like scoring more goals in games to come. Norwich have game changing players to, Henri Lansbury who scored his first two goals for the club in consecutive home games against Millwall and Reading - the former being a stoppage time winner and as looked influential ever since. My match prediction is 2-2 because I think Bristol’s extra confidence will get them goals but I think Norwich are too good not to score.
Written by Thomas Munson
Friday 11 March 2011
Arsenal Look To Old Trafford For Needed Morale Boost
The gunners will soon be taking part in what could be a season defining game when they travel to play Manchester United in the F.A cup this weekend. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has admitted that a win at Old Trafford would be a, “Much needed morale boost.” This game is vital for both clubs’ seasons, not because it is a chance to play in the F.A cup semi final but because who ever wins this tie will have the edge when they meet in the league; and the league match between the two clubs is sure to decide who will win the title.
Both sides are struggling with some injuries to big players which is bound to make the fixture a battle of wits between the two managers. Arsenal’s injury list includes Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Thomas Vermaelen, (Who has not played for Arsenal since August) Theo Walcott, Lukasz Fabianski, Wojciech Szczesny and Robin Van Persie is also not 100% fit. Manchester United’s injury list is considerably shorter but still has some big names; the following players either are out of the match or are not 100% fit: Rio Ferdinand, Nani, Nemanja Vidic and Antonio Valencia. I believe the most effective midfield for Arsenal on Saturday would involve playing Nasri in a more central position while Wilshere plays further wide. I hope that it will be a good match but it is a fixture that tends to lack goals so my prediction is 1-0 to United.
Written by Thomas Munson
Both sides are struggling with some injuries to big players which is bound to make the fixture a battle of wits between the two managers. Arsenal’s injury list includes Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Thomas Vermaelen, (Who has not played for Arsenal since August) Theo Walcott, Lukasz Fabianski, Wojciech Szczesny and Robin Van Persie is also not 100% fit. Manchester United’s injury list is considerably shorter but still has some big names; the following players either are out of the match or are not 100% fit: Rio Ferdinand, Nani, Nemanja Vidic and Antonio Valencia. I believe the most effective midfield for Arsenal on Saturday would involve playing Nasri in a more central position while Wilshere plays further wide. I hope that it will be a good match but it is a fixture that tends to lack goals so my prediction is 1-0 to United.
Written by Thomas Munson
Monday 7 March 2011
Cesc’s 90% Chance
According to Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, Cesc Fabregas is 90% certain to play for Arsenal against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, but the holding midfielder Alex Song has been ruled out with a knee injury; which will be a massive blow to Arsenal’s defensive prospects. However Arsenal are not short of replacements for the Cameroonian. Jack Wilshere had a successful debut for England in the holding midfield, Diaby could also cover for Song.
Fabregas, the Arsenal captain, is due to have a test on his hamstring today and will see if he can play against Barcelona. Wenger also confirmed that Jack Wilshere would be available despite picking up a knock to his ankle in Arsenal’s home match to Sunderland on Saturday. “Fabregas will have a final test today,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “It is 90% he will travel and be fit. It is vital for us because he is important in the transition between attacking and defending. He is also the leader of the team so we want him there” . Arsenal will travel to Spain defending a 2-1 lead from the home leg at the Emirates, which is a goal better than last seasons match at the Emirates. Despite losing 4-1 at Barcelona last season, Wenger believes that his side have improved at the back, with Arsenal's Premier League defensive record now only bettered by Chelsea and Manchester City. But can Van Persie’s replacements up front live up to the occasion? However no matter what happens in the build up, tomorrow nights match is going to be something special.
Written by Thomas Munson
Fabregas, the Arsenal captain, is due to have a test on his hamstring today and will see if he can play against Barcelona. Wenger also confirmed that Jack Wilshere would be available despite picking up a knock to his ankle in Arsenal’s home match to Sunderland on Saturday. “Fabregas will have a final test today,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “It is 90% he will travel and be fit. It is vital for us because he is important in the transition between attacking and defending. He is also the leader of the team so we want him there” . Arsenal will travel to Spain defending a 2-1 lead from the home leg at the Emirates, which is a goal better than last seasons match at the Emirates. Despite losing 4-1 at Barcelona last season, Wenger believes that his side have improved at the back, with Arsenal's Premier League defensive record now only bettered by Chelsea and Manchester City. But can Van Persie’s replacements up front live up to the occasion? However no matter what happens in the build up, tomorrow nights match is going to be something special.
Written by Thomas Munson
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