Referring to Campbell’s return as a sound acquisition for the Gunners, Wenger said: “It was unexpected that Sol would play so many games, but it is also good because I think it was the right decision to bring him back. Sol is a guy who gives everything when he is on the pitch.” While the Frenchman went on to suggest that he is realistic about Campbell’s limitations, he remained adamant that the former England international has enough left in him to effectively stand in for the injured William Gallas.

“Can his body still take two or three games in a week? Who knows. But we have a good mixture with him and [Mikael] Silvestre because he is also a player who gives everything on the pitch, so we can rotate them. The only problem is that when you play with two left-footed players sometimes Vermaelen is not always in his best position.”

”Sol wants to win and he can spread that through the team and give advice. We want to win this game [against Porto] but we also need to be patient maybe and it is important to keep your head. He gives us a good mixture, it is not only him, but there is a good blend of youth and experience.”

As soon as he finished praising Sol, the media started asking Wenger about his plans to keep the experienced center-half at the club. Arsene delivered his response in a vintage manner as he cleverly changed the topic.

“As you [the media] say many times, we haven’t won anything yet,” he said. “So let’s focus on that. Let’s focus on winning something first and then we see what we do with the players.”

Their second-half capitulation against David Moyes’ men carried all the hallmarks of a side in terminal freefall, with rock bottom confidence and grim resignation to their fate.

Without an away win all year and a defense which is shipping goals left, right, and center, their explosive start to Premier League life two years ago, when European football was briefly mentioned, now seems eons away. Granted they were up against a revitalized Mikel Arteta, who after a year out with a cruciate knee injury is keen to make up for lost time.

The Spaniard’s artistry was at the center of all Everton’s attacking play – he scored two and set up another. But in truth, any of Everton’s creative players could have filled Arteta’s boots at Goodison on Sunday, such was the inadequacy of Hull’s defending.

For a spell in the second half it looked like a training game of attack against defense, with the amber shirts of the Tigers cowering on the edge of their own penalty area, grimly awaiting the next blue wave.

Contrast that with the old gold shirts of their relegation rivals Wolves, and it’s no wonder many are tipping the Midlands side to stay up at the Tigers’ expense this season. Against champions Manchester United on Saturday they displayed all the battling qualities required to stay in the league.

They created a number of chances in the first half in particular, more than matching their illustrious opponents. They only succumbed to a late goal from Paul Scholes and left the field to a rich round of applause from their appreciative fans.

Neither Hull nor Wolves will have seen these fixtures as crucial in the final reckoning – anything gained against the likes of United is seen as a bonus. But the performance can give you indication as to how the sides will fare in their remaining fixtures.

If the massacre at Goodison Park is anything to go by, there is nothing but gloom ahead for Phil Brown’s men.

Meanwhile, England manager Fabio Capello will be hoping Wayne Rooney returns to full fitness as soon as possible in order to boost England’s 2010 World Cup chances.

The striker missed United’s game against Wolves, although he is expected to be fit for their Champions League game this week.

According to the Champions League betting, the Red Devils are favorites to win this year’s tournament.

In Newcastle’s case, I can say that the entire team carried itself with a lot of dignity following an embarrassing season that ended in relegation last May. As the media humiliated everyone from infamous owner Mike Ashley to the underperforming players, it was great to see the Magpies stay put as they focused on returning to winning ways in the Championship. After battling early season distractions resulting from the rumors surrounding Ashley’s desire to sell the club, the entire squad came together to make a statement to the rest of English football.

Slowly, but steadily, Newcastle United had began a journey that was finally poised to bring some success to the club. Although success in the second tier of English football would not exactly equate to glory, it would still go a long way in reminding the detractors that the dynasty at St. James’ Park is still very much alive. Hence, there was no shortage of motivation as the Magpies started outplaying their opponents not only using their superior skill, but also using their burning desire to propel them to the summit of the table.

With the highly underrated midfielder Kevin Nolan setting the bar high for the rest of his teammates, talented young lads such as striker Andrew Carroll made the most of the chances that were created for them up front. Peter Lovenkrands, who was first signed merely on a short-term deal last season, has also been brilliant in both finishing and orchestrating dangerous plays. Such has been the incredible unity of the Newcastle squad that unlike previous seasons where they have remained inconsistent throughout, they keep getting stronger with each game in the current campaign.

This past weekend’s emphatic 6-1 thumping of Barnsley at home created an eight point distance between the Magpies and second-place Nottingham Forest, and on top of that, Newcastle also has a game in hand. The automatic promotion to the Premier League is obviously theirs to lose now and barring a huge meltdown that even exceeds the slip-ups we’ve seen from them in the last few seasons, the men from Tyneside are going right back into the Premier League.

The question is, what kind of reception will they receive upon being promoted? Will Premier League teams welcome Newcastle back as a worthy opponent once again, or will they treat Hughton’s side as just another promoted team that will be battling for its survival all over again? In my opinion, this Newcastle team should be respected by its rivals for the sheer determination that the Magpies have to hit back at established Premier League outfits. However, the Toon Army should make sure to keep reminding their team that the road ahead is certainly long and tough.

There will certainly be a huge euphoria surrounding St. James’ Park before the opening home game of the season but one can only hope that complacency never finds its way back into the affairs of this great club. Some will question, however, that even if Newcastle players remain focused and continue to put their best foot forward, do they have enough quality to compete against opponents in the Premier League? It certainly isn’t easy to dominate the Championship the way they did, but it’s clearly more difficult to even hang in the midtable of the top flight.

In response to these concerns, I am sure Newcastle will boost their squad with renowned reinforcements over the summer but they should only do so without offloading any of the players that have become a cornerstone to their success this season. The likes of Jose Enrique, Danny Guthrie, Fabricio Coloccini, and goalkeeper Steve Harper should be retained in addition to Nolan, Lovenkrands, and Carroll. Furthermore, the players that are brought in to the team should not only possess a high skill level, but they should also be able to relate to Newcastle’s struggle to regain their prestigious position in English football.

To reiterate, it is only a matter of time (twelve rounds of football, at most) before Newcastle officially begin planning for life in the Premier League next season. From the perspective of those outside the club, it has been a smooth comeback from the Magpies, but for those at the club, it has taken a lot of character to make a quick return to the league where they truly belong. Granted, last season Newcastle did not play like they belonged in the top flight, but that only proves my point that spending this season in the Championship has truly served them well.

Now, more than ever before, the Tyneside outfit realizes what it takes to become a respected member of the Barclays Premier League.

In Newcastle’s case, I can say that the entire team carried itself with a lot of dignity following an embarrassing season that ended in relegation last May. As the media humiliated everyone from infamous owner Mike Ashley to the underperforming players, it was great to see the Magpies stay put as they focused on returning to winning ways in the Championship. After battling early season distractions resulting from the rumors surrounding Ashley’s desire to sell the club, the entire squad came together to make a statement to the rest of English football.

Slowly, but steadily, Newcastle United had began a journey that was finally poised to bring some success to the club. Although success in the second tier of English football would not exactly equate to glory, it would still go a long way in reminding the detractors that the dynasty at St. James’ Park is still very much alive. Hence, there was no shortage of motivation as the Magpies started outplaying their opponents not only using their superior skill, but also using their burning desire to propel them to the summit of the table.

With the highly underrated midfielder Kevin Nolan setting the bar high for the rest of his teammates, talented young lads such as striker Andrew Carroll made the most of the chances that were created for them up front. Peter Lovenkrands, who was first signed merely on a short-term deal last season, has also been brilliant in both finishing and orchestrating dangerous plays. Such has been the incredible unity of the Newcastle squad that unlike previous seasons where they have remained inconsistent throughout, they keep getting stronger with each game in the current campaign.

This past weekend’s emphatic 6-1 thumping of Barnsley at home created an eight point distance between the Magpies and second-place Nottingham Forest, and on top of that, Newcastle also has a game in hand. The automatic promotion to the Premier League is obviously theirs to lose now and barring a huge meltdown that even exceeds the slip-ups we’ve seen from them in the last few seasons, the men from Tyneside are going right back into the Premier League.

The question is, what kind of reception will they receive upon being promoted? Will Premier League teams welcome Newcastle back as a worthy opponent once again, or will they treat Hughton’s side as just another promoted team that will be battling for its survival all over again? In my opinion, this Newcastle team should be respected by its rivals for the sheer determination that the Magpies have to hit back at established Premier League outfits. However, the Toon Army should make sure to keep reminding their team that the road ahead is certainly long and tough.

There will certainly be a huge euphoria surrounding St. James’ Park before the opening home game of the season but one can only hope that complacency never finds its way back into the affairs of this great club. Some will question, however, that even if Newcastle players remain focused and continue to put their best foot forward, do they have enough quality to compete against opponents in the Premier League? It certainly isn’t easy to dominate the Championship the way they did, but it’s clearly more difficult to even hang in the midtable of the top flight.

In response to these concerns, I am sure Newcastle will boost their squad with renowned reinforcements over the summer but they should only do so without offloading any of the players that have become a cornerstone to their success this season. The likes of Jose Enrique, Danny Guthrie, Fabricio Coloccini, and goalkeeper Steve Harper should be retained in addition to Nolan, Lovenkrands, and Carroll. Furthermore, the players that are brought in to the team should not only possess a high skill level, but they should also be able to relate to Newcastle’s struggle to regain their prestigious position in English football.

To reiterate, it is only a matter of time (twelve rounds of football, at most) before Newcastle officially begin planning for life in the Premier League next season. From the perspective of those outside the club, it has been a smooth comeback from the Magpies, but for those at the club, it has taken a lot of character to make a quick return to the league where they truly belong. Granted, last season Newcastle did not play like they belonged in the top flight, but that only proves my point that spending this season in the Championship has truly served them well.

Now, more than ever before, the Tyneside outfit realizes what it takes to become a respected member of the Barclays Premier League.

For fans of the current generation, it is a truly unique experience to get the opportunity to glance back at the football world that existed over three decades ago. Not only does The Damned United offer an exciting journey back into the past, but it also enlightens modern day fans of the sport about how far the sport has truly come. For instance, during Clough’s era, it was commonplace for retiring players to be honored with the manager’s position at their clubs. Today, the likes of Gareth Southgate and Alan Shearer stand out as recently retired players who had to convince the authorities of their ability to manage at the highest level.

Another more astonishing difference is that back in the day, smoking was also considered a normal activity for the players. Many of them smoked on their team buses, at press conferences, and shockingly, also during training sessions as well as the final few moments in the locker room before the kick-off. Rather than being stopped by their managers from doing so, the managers would also occasionally join the players during these sessions. In the current era, the fast pace of the game requires so much stamina that it is impossible for footballers to even think about indulging in the activity. Remember how William Gallas was scrutinized for putting an unlit cigarette in his mouth during last season?

Last, but not least, football of that era gave players too much freedom to interfere with the spirit of the sport. They violently argued with officials, openly disagreed with their managers, and caused an endless amount of stoppages by getting involved in altercations with each other throughout the duration of the game. A lot of the times, the players were punished so mildly that it makes it tough to imagine most of them surviving the disciplinary policies that are implemented in football today.

On the whole, I feel that regardless of the fictional presentation of certain events during Brian Clough’s time as manager, The Damned United is a must watch for the aforementioned way in which it allows the viewer to travel back in time. Another reason contributing to the entertainment value of the experience is the film’s crisp length of only 90 minutes. So, all you need is an hour and a half of your time to catch this informative and enjoyable movie as soon as possible!

For this key fixture, Liverpool are set to welcome back full-back Glen Johnson to the side for the first time since December. In addition to Johnson’s 2010 debut, the game will also feature the return of center-half Sotirios Kyrgiakos from a three game suspension. With the injury prone Daniel Agger being sidelined again and the future of veteran Jamie Carragher being uncertain, the Greek defender needs to capitalize on this opportunity and finally make a lasting impression on the Anfield faithful.

Wigan may not be the most daunting opposition in the league but their visitors are wary of them not only because of their determination to pull away from the relegation zone, but also because the Latics are set to have almost a full-strength squad available. However, will their determination and fitness be enough to overcome a Liverpool side that is a lot superior in quality and form? Make your feelings heard by being an active participant in Premiership Talk’s live coverage of the game.

Remember, the coverage is meant to be an interactive event that provides Premier League fans with a great opportunity to discuss football matters with each other. With that being said, you know where you should be when the action kicks off at the DW Stadium!

“It’s not easy for their guys to see it in a split second. I know you can’t stop every part of the game but certainly for key decisions in a major competition like the FA Cup, your chances of getting to semi-finals and finals are few and far between for a little club like us.”

The Italian Serie A has also argued the approval and use of goal line technology as an aid to referees.  However, FIFA has turned it down in Italy without even trying it in a friendly.

A very irate Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini stated to the media that: “As long as certain directors are in charge of world football, there will be no room for new technology.

“This is a real shame for the sport. Technology would make the job of the referee less arduous, but the truth is certain institutions are not in step with the times.”

Arsene Wenger also came out and iterated his disappointment with FIFA for refusing to even give this technology a chance.  “For me, it is difficult to understand, for one reason because you want as much justice as possible,” said Wenger.

“I do not even think it is linked with the money factor. If you love football you want the right decisions to be made.”

Wenger showed how much he pays attention to the league when he used Birmingham’s only recently ruled out goal as an evidence of the need for this technology. “Today there was an incident again at the Portsmouth game and I just do not understand why we rule that out,” Wenger said. “It is beyond comprehension for me that you can do that.”

There are both silly and valid arguments against goal line technology.  The sillier ones all seem to be based on some sort of belief that technology has no place in football.  What FIFA fails to notice is that technology permeates football both implicitly and explicitly.  From the ball to the players’ boots we have seen rapid advances in technology adapted to football, and every time it has made the sport better and more entertaining.  Technology now gives us the chance to make the sport fairer.

Among the valid arguments is the difficulty of the actual use of the technology.  For instance, would play have to be stopped while footage is reviewed or will there be some sort of system that will clearly indicate whether the ball has crossed the line immediately?

Speed is the main technical issue with the system.  The system and the referee would have to come to a quick decision because play cannot be stopped for very long without it affecting the flow of the game.

However, if done right there is no reason why goal line technology should not be used.  The least FIFA can do is to give it a chance.

However, as far as Borriello is concerned, young boss Leonardo can benefit from the services of Inter Milan youngster Mario Balotelli. Nerazzuri boss Jose Mourinho has been critical of the lack of consistency demonstrated this season by the prodigal striker, but like Amantino Mancini, he can also benefit from leaving Inter for city rivals AC Milan. According to Borriello, the strong character of Balotelli will help him make the switch very smoothly if he decides to go through with it.

“I want the Inter player (Balotelli) in a Rossoneri shirt. He’s very nice, a boy of heart,” Borriello said. While Balotelli can be an important acquisition for a rebuilding Milan side,  he’s not the answer to their lack of goals in big games. In fact, as bizarre as it may sound, the attack as a whole is not the main culprit in Milan’s failure to score enough goals in key fixtures either. It is the lack of quality on the play-making front.

A few days ago, I published an article about AC Milan having a technically superior midfield than the Red Devils going into the first leg of the aforementioned Champions League tie at home. I always knew that United’s midfield was quicker and more effective, but after watching that fixture carefully, I realized that even technically they came across as stronger than their Italian counterparts.

Andrea Pirlo has become significantly slower in the last few months while David Beckham and Clarence Seedorf will be leaving the club in the near future. That only means the need for new midfielders at the club, because at this rate, tough-tackling Gennaro Gattuso might become the face of the Rossoneri midfield very soon.

Not only would that threaten a complete loss of Milan’s technically sound playing style, but goals will become even harder to get, no matter how dangerous the strike-force is.

Should his loan extension not be completed, Donovan, 28, could have capped his final Goodison Park appearance coming on as a substitute and scoring in his side’s 5-1 thrashing against Hull.

Having initially agreed to join the Toffees on loan in January and return on March 15th, the forward has since expressed his desire to remain in Merseyside for the rest of the season. After his possible final appearance in an Everton shirt, he said: “First of all, winning was important and it’s nice to get a goal, there is a chance (of staying). We will know more this week. If that was it then I’m happy. Maybe we can stay a little longer, we’ll see.

The USA international added: “The fans, the people here are fantastic, the players are fantastic. I’ve enjoyed it here tremendously.” His manager David Moyes is also keen to retain the services of Donovan. “I said to him ‘go on and finish with a goal.’ I thought he finished it great. The effort he has put in for us over the past two months has been terrific,” Moyes said.

I hope it’s not his last game (at home). He’s certainly good for the game next week against Birmingham.

“I might try and see if I can extend it a little bit longer but, at the moment, the word from America is that it won’t be possible and we respect that decision.”

England went in at half time 1-0 down with several players underperforming but after several subs in the second half things picked up and Peter Crouch ended up netting twice with Shaun Wright Phillips also scoring to secure the victory. The bare result of the match is certainly a positive and if England play how they are capable of playing at the World Cup then you would expect them to justify expectations.

The first game most fans will be looking out for at the World Cup is England v USA which is England’s first game of the campaign. A win in that match should ensure England qualify as Group winners, most probably with the maximum nine points. Funnily enough it was England’s second opponents Algeria who knocked Egypt out of the World Cup Qualifying in a playoff so they shouldn’t be underestimated.

The final England group game is England v Slovenia and England have recent winning form against Slovenia so that should be the most straight forward three points of England’s campaign.

Many are writing England off at the World Cup but one of the things massively in England’s favour is the draw, England could get away without playing any of the so called bigger teams until the World Cup Semi Final. Considering in recent years England have met Argentina and Portugal early on in proceedings this has to be England’s best chance in decades.

England went in at half time 1-0 down with several players underperforming but after several subs in the second half things picked up and Peter Crouch ended up netting twice with Shaun Wright Phillips also scoring to secure the victory. The bare result of the match is certainly a positive and if England play how they are capable of playing at the World Cup then you would expect them to justify expectations.

The first game most fans will be looking out for at the World Cup is England v USA which is England’s first game of the campaign. A win in that match should ensure England qualify as Group winners, most probably with the maximum nine points. Funnily enough it was England’s second opponents Algeria who knocked Egypt out of the World Cup Qualifying in a playoff so they shouldn’t be underestimated.

The final England group game is England v Slovenia and England have recent winning form against Slovenia so that should be the most straight forward three points of England’s campaign.

Many are writing England off at the World Cup but one of the things massively in England’s favour is the draw, England could get away without playing any of the so called bigger teams until the World Cup Semi Final. Considering in recent years England have met Argentina and Portugal early on in proceedings this has to be England’s best chance in decades.

However, when I was looking over the probable rosters for the traditional World Cup powerhouses (minus the United States, of course), I felt like the success of each team depends on the performances of four key players. Below I have compiled a list of 10 teams who I feel will challenge for the World Cup title this summer, along with the four key players on each team whose successes or failures will likely determine the team’s World Cup fate.

I chose one player from each of the main positions on the pitch, choosing one midfielder, one defender, one goalkeeper, and one striker.

At the end please let us know which group of four do you feel is the best, which groups would you change (there were plenty of great players excluded), and who you feel the most important player is for each team.

Brazil

Kaka, Maicon, Julio Cesar, Pato

The Brazil squad will likely be without Ronaldinho, and certainly will not include players such as Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos. This leaves the role of the veteran leader surprisingly on the shoulders of the 27 year old Kaka, one of the few players still remaining from the 2006 World Cup squad.

Kaka has come into his own recently at Madrid, and his play in the midfield will be crucial alongside relative newcomers to the national squad Diego and Felipe Melo. Maicon and Julio Ceasar have formed a great partnership at Inter Milan, and many people feel that both players are currently the best at their position.

It was a hard choice, however, to put Maicon over Dani Alves, as Alves’ ability to come forward is invaluable to the Brazilian attack. Finally, I believe that this World Cup could be the coming out party for Alexandre Pato. The AC Milan ace has been given relatively few callups to the Brazilian squad, but a pairing with an in form Robinho could be too much for defenses to handle.

Spain

Xavi, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres

In my opinion the Spanish national team is the most talented across the board, but like at Barcelona, the entire team runs through Xavi. Many believed that it was Xavi and not Lionel Messi that deserved the Ballon d’Or this past season, but in any case, Xavi is one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment.

Carlos Puyol will anchor the Spanish defense for likely the last time in a World Cup and hopefully for Spanish fans his leadership will inspire World Cup newcomers Gerard Pique and Raul Albiol. Luckily for the Spanish defense, if they should falter they have Iker Casillas behind them to help out. Casillas has been the first choice goalkeeper for Spain for some time now, and it doesn’t seem that he will give that title up any time soon.

Finally, the hero of the 2008 Euro tournament Fernando Torres might just be called on once again to provide heroics in this year’s World Cup, and I’m sure no one would be shocked if Torres led the tournament in scoring.

England

Steven Gerrard, John Terry, David James, Wayne Rooney

The English team is probably the side with the most to prove, with the John Terry scandal likely to not go away until after the games in South Africa. Although both have slipped a bit in form, Steven Gerrard and John Terry will anchor the midfield and the defense for England in what could be their final World Cups.

The player who will really excite English supporters, however, is Wayne Rooney. Rooney is arguably in the best form of any player in the world at the moment, and more importantly was just named the best player in the Premier League by Premiership Talk. If the England team can truly put the Terry situation behind them as they say they have, England could make a run at the title.

France

Franck Ribery, Patrice Evra, Hugo Lloris, Thierry Henry

While the controversy surrounding the English national team is due to an off the field incident, no one can forget the handball incident that saw France qualify for this year’s tournament. All eyes will be on Thierry Henry as he takes the field for likely his last time for the French. Only a good showing in the tournament could make people forget the handball.

Franck Ribery has been on and off form with Bayern Munich this season, and his performance at the World Cup could serve as a visual resume for potential clubs looking to lure him away from Germany. Patrice Evra is the jewel of an aging French defense that could potentially field multiple players over the age of 30.

Italy

Andrea Pirlo, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Totti

Speaking of an aging squad, yes you read those four names correctly. The Italian national team has arguably the most World Cup experience of any team in the tournament, with most of the likely starting eleven having over 50 caps for their country. Andrea Pirlo was perhaps one of the most valuable players to the Italian squad in the last World Cup and Euro tournaments, but he has recently lost his best form at Milan. If he can regain form, he could challenge Xavi for the title of best central midfielder in the tournament.

Fabio Cannavaro will likely captain the Azzuri, and as the most capped player in the history of the Italian squad, his leadership will prove to be invaluable. Only time will tell, however, if his loss of quickness will hurt the Italians, or even force his exit from the starting eleven. Gianluigi Buffon has in my mind been the best goalkeeper in the world for the past few years, and with an aging Italian side he will certainly be called upon to make a few keys saves.

Finally, Francesco Totti wanted to retire from the national team but couldn’t stay away after viewing a dismal Euro 2008 performance by the Italian squad. Although his national team strike rate isn’t as impressive as his stats at Roma, Totti will certainly make an impact in the attack.

Portugal

Nani, Pepe, Eduardo, Cristiano Ronaldo

Nani can prove to be a fantastic complement to Cristiano Ronaldo if he can get his act together. His performances at Manchester United have been spotty this season, with fantastic performances one day, and dismal ones the next. Consistency is the key in tournaments, and if Nani can find some he can be a dangerous player on the wing.

Cristiano Ronaldo needs no introduction, and the attention he will draw from opposing defenses will be valuable for his teammates’ scoring chances. The fate of the Portuguese defense in my opinion depends on whether or not Pepe is able to play. The Real Madrid defender suffered a terrible injury in December and currently it is a race against time to see if he will be fit enough to play.

Argentina

Lionel Messi, Walter Samuel, Sergio Romero, Gonzalo Higuain

Argentina boasts one of the greatest group of attackers in recent memory, with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, and Sergio Augero all likely making the trip to South Africa. And while the reigning player of the year Lionel Messi and Real Madrid ace Gonzalo Higuain will likely lead the Argentine attack, it is up to Walter Samuel and the defense to bring home the World Cup title.

Other than Samuel and Javier Zanetti, the majority of the Argentina defense is young and inexperienced, and their ability to get possession of the ball away from opponents and to the fantastic attack force will be key.

Netherlands

Wesley Sneijder, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Maarten Stekelenburg, Arjen Robben

Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder will be the engine that makes the Netherlands squad go, as the move to Italy has seemed to invigorate his career. Giovanni van Bronckhorst is one of the most experienced players in the tournament, and like Fabio Cannavaro of Italy, only time will tell if his age will catch up to him.

Arjen Robben, like Wesley Sneijder, has hit his stride after a move away from Real Madrid, and if Robin van Persie does not recover from injury, Robben could be forced to carry the scoring load for the Dutch.

Germany

Michael Ballack, Phillip Lahm, Rene Adler, Lukas Podolski

Philipp Lahm is arguably the most talented player on the German squad this year, and he will lead the German squad that is traditionally difficult to score on. Michael Ballack has underperformed in the past couple of seasons in the eyes of many Chelsea fans, but the German captain boasts an incredible 42 goals for his country and is one of the more dangerous free kick takers in the game right now. Don’t believe me? Ask the Austrian squad from the Euro 08 tournament.

Lukas Podolski is to me like the Peter Crouch of Germany. Before you Google his height, he is 5′ 11″, but I feel like he is Peter Crouch in that he scores relatively few goals at the club level, but boasts an incredible goal to game ratio for the national team. Despite only being 24 years old, Podolski has scored 37 goals for Germany, and along with Miroslav Klose will likely provide much of the attacking threat.

United States

Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu, Tim Howard, Jozy Altidore

Landon Donovan’s successful loan to Everton has proved to many that he is truly a quality player, and he is most certainly the best chance the United States has at making a run at the title. Donovan has always been talented, but perhaps the Premier League experience before the World Cup can push him over the top as a truly great player.

Like the Portuguese national team monitoring Pepe’s injury status, the United States squad is hoping that Oguchi Onyewu is at full fitness by the start of the tournament. Onyewu, at an imposing 6′ 4″, provides a physical dominance in the defense that is unmatched by virtually any other player. Since Onyewu has missed so much time due to injury, it might take some time for the AC Milan defender to regain form, time that the United States do not have to gamble with.

Tim Howard was a big reason why the United States was successful in the Confederations Cup last summer, and his performances will certainly be important in this World Cup.

Finally, Jozy Altidore has seemingly cemented his place in the starting striker role for the United States, and I believe the 20 year old has a chance to be the young player of the tournament. Regular playing time at Hull City also hasn’t hampered his progress as a young player.

Whew, well I hope you all enjoyed the read. I’m interested in hearing what you all have to say. Leave your comments below.

Today we take a look at some other half-time team talks which must have made all the difference, as teams who were heading nowhere ended up the much happier side at the end of the day.

Tottenham 3-4 Manchester City

Ten-man Manchester City pulled off an amazing FA Cup comeback to earn a fifth round tie at Manchester United back in 2004. Tottenham led 3-0 at half-time after Ledley King , Robbie Keane, and Christian Ziege all scored in the first 45 minutes. City’s Joey Barton was sent off for a second booking when the score was 3-0 but Sylvain Distin, Paul Bosvelt, and Shaun Wright-Phillips leveled the tie before Jonathan Macken headed a late winner.Kevin Keegan said: “They’ll talk about this game long after we’ve all gone”. We are still talking about it now, Kev.

Tottenham 3-5 Manchester United

United staged a magnificent comeback to overwhelm Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Spurs had been 3-0 up at half time after outplaying their opponents. Debutant Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand, and Christian Ziege scored in the first half but goals from Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron, and David Beckham in the last 45 minutes sealed what looked like an unlikely victory at half time.

AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool (Liverpool 3-2 on penalties)

This is perhaps the most famous of second half comebacks as Liverpool came from three goals down in the 2005 Champions League final to win their fifth European Cup. Paolo Maldini and a double from Hernan Crespo had given the team from Italy the advantage at half time but a Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool scored three goals in seven minutes to bring the tie level. The Reds went on to win the penalty shootout with Andriy Shevchenko missing the crucial kick. Steven Gerrard called the game “the best feeling ever,” but at half time that feeling looked lost to say the least.

The 3-1 at home to Burnley yesterday wasn’t great, however that win now leaves Arsenal just two points behind Manchester United and level on points with Chelsea, who, admittedly, have a game in hand.

This time last month, many, including myself thought Arsenal’s title bid was over for another season following back-to-back defeats against their two main title rivals. What a difference a few wins makes, eh?

Much has been said in recent days and weeks about Arsenal having the easier run-in of the top 3. I suppose all Premier League games these days are potential slip-ups, however you would have to say that the trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham and the visit of Manchester City are the only really tricky fixtures they have between now and the end of the season.

I reckon the only thing stopping Arsenal from winning their first title in six years is the fitness of Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish midfielder limped off with a hamstring strain just after the half-hour mark in yesterday’s victory and I personally believe the longer he is sidelined for, the less chance Arsenal have of lifting the trophy in May.

I’m keen to hear what you have to say on this one. Comments below please.

Bohemians 1 – 0 Sporting Fingal

The curtain raiser for the new season turned into a very evenly matched game with the winning goal coming courtesy of Killian Brennan. The midfielder coolly converted from the penalty spot after a controversial decision from Derek Tomney left the newly promoted, Sporting Fingal in a foul mood. However, Sporting can take a lot of positives from the game and will be hoping their work rate and all round ability will see them win more games than they lose this season. Bohs will be looking for an improved performance next time out in the Setanta Cup against Glentoran.

Bray Wanderers 0 – 1 Dundalk

Another closely contested game took place at The Carlisle Grounds. Many expect Bray to struggle this season but on the evidence of this performance they may prove a difficult team to beat. Dundalk had to wait till the 90th minute to secure victory with, new signing, Garry Breen scoring with a header from a JJ Meligan corner. Dundalk will be hoping to push on from this victory and begin a run of good form which could see them challenge for a European place come the end of the season.

Drogheda 0 – 3 UCD

UCD are the unlikely leaders of the League of Ireland after this display which raised a few eyebrows. A double from Ciaran Kilduff  and a goal from Greg Bolger was more than enough to see off a Drogheda side who must now be wondering how they will cope with sterner opposition throughout the remainder of the season.

St.Pats 2 – 0 Galway United

A comprehensive victory for Pete Mahon’s side thanks to goals from Ryan Guy and Alex Williams, sees the Inchicore club towards the top of the division. Ryan Guy opened the scoring before Stephen O’Donnell got his marching orders for two yellow cards after 17 minutes. Alex Williams completed the scoring on 68 with a powerful strike from 10 yards out. St.Pats will be delighted with this win and could ave scored more than two, whereas, Galway and Sean Connor will be hoping to improve their fortunes next time out against Bray Wanderers.

Sligo Rovers 1 – 1 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers travelled to The Showgrounds hoping to pick up all 3 points to send a message to current champions Bohemians, however, the Tallaght based club only left with a single point after coming from behind in a close encounter between the League runner ups and the beaten FAI cup finalists. Eoin Doyle opened the scoring, against his former club after 22 minutes for Paul Cook’s side. Rovers responded in the 64 minute, when new signing James Chambers converted from the penalty spot. Both sides will be content with coming away from this game with a point, however each team will be looking to improve on this performance in the next series of fixtures.

On the betting front. Well, not great really. From all the tips I gave you on Thursday, sadly none of them won, however I did correctly predict three out of five results. Til next week!

What did you think of the opening weekend of the new League of Ireland season? Comments below please.

Arsenal have finally succeeded in clawing their way back into title contention with a win against Burnley and a win at the Molineux saw Manchester United leapfrog Chelsea into the top spot in the Premier League.  With games against local rivals West Ham United and Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan coming up, this game will probably be Chelsea’s best chance for a morale boosting win.

Ancelotti must view this game as a must win in order to stop the current downhill slide of the team.  Some may say I’m being overly dramatic by insinuating that Chelsea have big problems because of two losses in a row, but looking at their results they have lost three out of their last five games, and the wins have come against Wolves and Cardiff.  Add to that injuries and personal problems and the team looks to be taking a heading downhill quickly.

Chelsea did win against Arsenal recently and have proven that they can win the big games this season, but they have demonstrated that they are seriously lacking in consistency.  All the more reason Chelsea need a victory at Stoke; they have to prove that they can win consistently and in pressure games.  A loss wouldn’t just mean three losses in a row, it would also mean that Chelsea have systematically lost in every competition that they are currently involved in, and it would also knock them out of the FA Cup; which they are currently favored to win.

Stoke aren’t the best team in the league, but if you make mistakes and give them opportunities to score they will take them.  Unfortunately the issue for Chelsea is precisely that.  Their form of late has been characterized by errors and indiscipline.  The Manchester City game exposed Chelsea’s defensive frailties and questionable discipline through breakaway goals and obvious penalties.

Now that it’s confirmed that Chelsea will be missing their best fullbacks for the rest of the season this will be an excellent opportunity for Ancelotti to field what he considers to be his new first choice back four so that they can form a cohesive unit before having to play more difficult opposition. John Terry has to make sure that the back four play as one unit and stick to their assignments.

Chelsea will also be without Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack, who were both sent off in the defeat against Manchester City, and Petr Cech who was injured against Inter Milan.  It will be key for Chelsea to win and keep a clean sheet at home in order to demonstrate to themselves and their title rivals that the Blues can still win games when they have to.

Now more than ever Terry must perform his duties as captain to the upmost in order to lead his side to success and to a trophy filled season.

By now, almost everyone in the Premier League has become wary of Davies’ aerial threat, and West Ham paid the price for poor marking when Bolton’s target man thumped home a powerful header to silence Upton Park in the 10th minute. Believe it or not, that was the Trotters’ first goal away from home in over seven hours of football. Hence, they were in no mood to let the momentum leave them.

Six minutes later, Davies showed more hunger than anyone in a West Ham shirt when he dispossessed James Tomkins to set Wilshere up for a second goal that led to an embarrassing silence for the home fans. Finally, Owen Coyle’s men were looking at the prospect of the club’s first away win in six months, and what better way to do it than against a team that they had overcome in their previous five outings as well.

To the Hammers’ credit, they fought till the end and Diamanti’s curling strike late in the game provided a glimmer of hope. In fact, both teams went on to hit the cross-bar twice in the final moments of the game before Bolton held on for an extremely important win that sends them two points clear of West Ham.

As both managers will realize, though, a lot needs to be done in the extremely competitive remainder of the season to verify top flight status for their teams despite currently occupying the 13th and 14th places in the table.

Not only has the injury put question marks over Arsenal’s ability to overcome FC Porto in this Tuesday’s Champions League round of sixteen second leg, but it has also jeopardized the remainder of the Gunners’ Premier League campaign. Without the services of Cesc, the supposedly easier schedule that Arsenal enjoyed over their title rivals is now poised to become a lot tougher.

Arsene Wenger is already coping without the services of star striker Robin van Persie and this is the second time in a span of a week that one of his midfielders has gone down with an injury.

Although Aaron Ramsey’s season-ending injury last weekend was a much bigger talking point, Cesc’s hamstring problems (even if short-term) will certainly hurt the team’s play-making abilities a lot more due to his instrumental role at the heart of the Gunners midfield. Who will now step in to become the anchor of Arsenal’s midfield in the Spaniard’s absence? Perhaps Diaby’s job became a lot tougher than merely focusing on becoming a consistent performer.

Once again, Arsene Wenger’s refusal to sign back-ups will be scrutinized by the media, but as a Gooner myself, I stand by my previous viewpoint that so close to the business end of the season, no one at the club should worry about reacting to past decisions that cannot be overturned.

At this point, with only a few games of immense value left to decide the outcome of the season, it is all about making the best use of the resources that are available.

The highly rated central midfielder is set to feature in Manchester United’s reserve fixture against bitter local rivals Manchester City on Thursday evening as he looks to step up his rehabilitation and significantly feature in his side’s title run in.

Hargreaves, 29, has not featured since way back in September 2008 due to persistent  knee problems. Over the last 18 months, he has had a series of operations in America, and has become a regular at Dr Richard Steadman’s clinic, who has healed global stars from all sports over the years. Hargreaves returned from America in September, and he was widely reported to be only a few months away from fitness, but his recovery has took even longer than expected.

Questions were beginning to be raised about the player’s long term future, after his comeback date was repeatedly pushed back, with some fans wondering if they’d ever see the midfielder in action again. It was reported that he would not feature at all this season, and would have no chance in featuring in the England World Cup squad.

However, Hargreaves will be looking to prove his fitness and push his way into first team contention as Alex Ferguson’s side face a grueling and mouth watering run in to the season, in both the Premiership and the Champions League.

His manager said: “Owen Hargreaves has shown for the first time that he is almost ready to play, he has been training with the first-team, which has been good to see and is penciled in for a game with the reserves on Thursday.”

After news of Michael Owen’s season-ending injury broke earlier this week, Ferguson was encouraged by his £17 million signing showing signs of a comeback, along with highly rated Italian forward Federico Macheda also expected to begin training soon.

In an extremely competitive quarter-final between the two sides, Portsmouth prevailed after a quick second half double from in-form striker Frederic Piquionne. The home side then went on to defend very well as they held on to a famous 2-0 win that confirms a lucrative trip to Wembley. Unsurprisingly, Pompey fans sang loud and proud behind every single touch of their team  throughout the nerve-wrecking fixture.

Unfortunately, Portsmouth will need a lot more than screaming fans and a profitable semi-final at Wembley in order to pull themselves out of the massive financial trouble that they have been experiencing of late. The impact of the detrimental issues - such as a series of take-over rumors as well as the prospect of going into administration – has also been witnessed on the field as Pompey have struggled unsuccessfully to get out of the relegation zone all season long.

Nevertheless, manager Avram Grant has been the personification of a rock, who refuses to jump to conclusions about this season until the final whistle is heard in the very last game of the season. That philosophy has clearly served him well as he has managed to get his men focused to deliver in crucial games such as the one against Birmingham earlier today.

As long as the squad maintains this focus and treats every individual game as a cup final, their difficult journey this season will at least end in a very respectable way.