Mancini looks to tighten up at the back to make Champions League progress

It still seems strange to suggest that Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City side need to tighten up defensively considering that one of the biggest accusations during Mancini’s first two seasons in charge was he would often set City out too conservatively.

Click to read more ...

Assessing the group of Champions

Despite many critics saying the Champions League group stages are a waste of time, there is always a group that draws together three of Europe’s finest; however this time around there is four in easily the toughest group! Here is a preview of the four league champions all placed together in Group D.

Click to read more ...

Big summer for: Bayern Munich

It’s hard to think that a club of Bayern Munich’s stature could end up empty handed come the end of the season. But after losing out to Borussia Dortmund in both the Bundesliga and the German Cup and Chelsea in the Champions League; that is exactly what happened to the Bavarian based giants.

Click to read more ...

Klopp’s Yellow Army are a talented but collective force (video)

As Serbian defensive general Neven Subotic conducted his best Martin Keown impression on a devasted Arjen Robben last week, the second consecutive Bundesliga title was all but sewn up by Borussia Dortmund.

Click to read more ...

Globalisation and the rise of the 'second team'

Globalisation has impacted upon football in a variety of ways from the fall of in importance, and perhaps decline in quality, in international football to the countless YouTube videos showing the best, and only the best, bits of footage of your new Brazilian signing.

Click to read more ...

The kings of youth development sign up another hot prospect

Borussia Dortmund seem to have a monopoly on young stars in the Bundesliga.

Click to read more ...

The seven players to watch out for in 2012

The world of football has taken a new dynamic in the last 12 months with clubs now heavily focused on the promotion of youth. While in the past, experience had been key, the emphasis has now shifted to youth with the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United on the forefront of promotion within the ranks.

Click to read more ...

Confusion and consternation in French football

The annual shameful state of affairs of French football in Europe is upon us and even though the Champions’ League does look promising on paper, the reality isn’t quite so. The Europa League results just speak for themselves.

Click to read more ...

Bilmey - A month away drove me crazy

It’s been almost a month since I wrote my last blog and without doubt it’s been a month full of surprises. Well, my exams did throw up a few surprise questions but I shouldn’t be complaining.

Click to read more ...

Wenger should sign these three superstars!

Tis' the season to be spending and with January just a few weeks away many a merry Gooner will be hoping Arsene Wenger puts his Christmas bonus to good use this year. But with names flying about here, there and everywhere exactly just who should Le Boss go out and grab?

Click to read more ...

Just What Has Happened To Patrice Evra?

That’s a pretty common question on the lips of myself and most other Manchester United fans at the moment. When fit, Evra is one of the first names on the team sheet but regardless of that, there are still question marks over his form that has been lingering over him now for a year now.

Click to read more ...

All go for Gotze

But if Arsenal have their way, Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze could be lining up for the Gunners come January.

Click to read more ...

The emergence of the pint-sized playmaker

There is absolutely nothing better than seeing a wee-man scuttle his way through the midfield with a fine bit of trickery before releasing the marauding front-man to tuck away with a superb finish. And while it may have been a rarity in the Premiership in seasons past, all of a sudden a crop of the technically brilliant play-makers has emerged to light up England’s top league.

Click to read more ...

Dortmund accuse Wenger in blinking scandal

Reports on The Monday Supplement suggest that Claus Freittell, Borussia Dortmund’s head of stadium security, has raised debate over the touchline ban that has caused so much controversy already for Arsenal, and in particular, Arsene Wenger.

Click to read more ...

Expect more than mere German efficiency at the Euros

On the night England limped past another marker on their way to a summer in Poland and Ukraine next year, making hugely troublesome the negotiation of a Wales side ranking 113 places below them in the FIFA hierarchy, two of the teams scheduled to provide England with a preparative test after a now seemingly inevitable assurance of qualification, strolled onto Eastern Europe with minimal fuss.

Click to read more ...