While Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan have had their futures in the Premier League discussed in great detail in recent days, another American international is trying to find a home in England.

L.A. Galaxy forward Edson Buddle is currently on trial with Birmingham, and should he do well, he may be offered a deal in next month’s transfer window.

He has only six international caps, which may make a work permit an issue, but I think this is a good move for Buddle.

Buddle, 29, has done enough in MLS. He had 17 goals in 25 matches for the Galaxy last season, and with the recent acquisition of Juan Pablo Angel, there’s a numbers (and salary) crunch at the Home Depot Center.

While he failed to find the net for the United States at the World Cup, Buddle has had a solid run of form in the past year. He’s grown up a bit, and has the strength and pace to play in Europe.

Now, can he make the team and then find playing time at Birmingham?

That, I’m not so sure of. But the fact that he has his foot in the door – and his price will probably be right – certainly bodes well for his chances.

It’s been a busy week in the Premier League and the fun just doesn’t stop. Game Week 13 is here already and we have another full fixture programme to look forward to.

It’s at the foot of the table where the excitement and the points are to be had this weekend. The bottom three are all at home and these fixtures would have been double underlined in red as winnable at the start of the season.

West Ham play host to the still free scoring Blackpool. Piquionne and Parker did the business Wednesday and will be looking for a repeat performance on Saturday. If recent form is anything to go by it will be a goal fest at Upton Park.
Wolves – who, if points were awarded for pride and guts would be top of the league – entertain an in form Bolton. Mick McCarthy’s men need to shut down not only Kevin Davies but also Johan Elmander. The big Swede has finally worked out the difference between a set of goal posts and the side of a barn, the reward for this realisation is 62 points for the Trotters front man. Wolves will be relying on the likes of Matthew Jarvis (5.3), Stephen Hunt (5.3), Kevin Doyle (5.1) and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (5.0) to breach Wanderers stubborn back line. Wolves will edge a narrow victory here.

Wigan are in desperate need of a win, so far their season’s star performers have been Hugo Rodallega (5.8) and Charles N’Zogbia (5.5). Another big performance from this pair is required against West Brom. All things good for the Latic’s seem to come from these two, take a gamble and give them a run out this game week.

Stoke are hovering above the drop zone and Welcome a rejuvenated Liverpool side. Stoke at home are always a difficult prospect. Big Robert Huth is a mountain at the back and a genuine goal threat going forward, a 4.9 million price tag has returned 37 points so far. Striker Ricardo Fuller weighed in with 9 points in the last game week and is available for a mere 4.8 million.

Manchester City will be looking for a positive reaction after a dishwater dull Manchester derby. Chelsea are beginning to pull away at the top and the Eastland’s outfit cannot afford to lose anymore ground. Birmingham could well find themselves on the wrong side of a City backlash. Blues keeper Ben Foster (4.9) could be in for a busy afternoon.

Last special mention this week to Blackburn stopper Paul Robinson – sitting 4^th overall in the goalkeeper table having so far amassed 49 points – is yours to buy for 4.6 million. An absolute bargain if you’re looking to generate some cash to strengthen other areas of your squad.

If you feel like joining in the fun then join the EPL League by visiting: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/  the code you need to join is 13413-5300

Can Diamanti emulate Di Canio?

Can West Ham United’s new Italian talent have the same impact on the Hammers as club legend Paolo Di Canio did between 1999 and 2003? Gianfranco Zola signed Alessandro Diamanti for a fee of around £6 million in the summer. Big money for an untested player especially in light of West Ham’s supposed financial handicap. But it could prove to be a smart acquisition by Zola in light of the past weekends game.

After scoring a controversial penalty against Liverpool on Saturday he has been thrown into the limelight for the wrong reasons. Chris Waddle who commentated on the match for ESPN UK was convinced that Diamanti touched the ball twice – as he took the penalty- but the Italian himself is adamant he scored a legitimate goal, “I don’t care what TV shows. It deserved a goal. I don’t believe I touched it twice. I was trying to hit it down the middle and that is what happened.” I will leave you to make up your own mind.

Signed from Livrono in Serie A, Diamanti was a star in Serie B last year, guiding the Amaranti to promotion with six goals in the final ten matches of the season as the Tuscan side went up via the playoffs. He is also accustomed to scoring magnificent long-range efforts, such as the edge of the box volley for Livorno against Triestina.

His current boss has likened the player to himself and former Hammer, Di Canio, as Zola told Italian sports daily, Gazzetta dello Sport: “He’s a cross between myself and Paolo Di Canio.” These are large boots to fill given the standing Di Canio has amongst the West Ham faithful and after the performance against Liverpool he showed that the potential is most definitely there.

Alessandro Diamanti is a very pacy player with fantastic ball control and explosive shot, with the added bonous of being a set-piece specialist, it appears West Ham have unearthed another Italian gem. He is somewhat of a late bloomer, spending most of his career so far in the lower divisions of Italian football with hometown club Prato, and it wasn’t until he befriended Fabio Galante who recommended him to the Livrono chairman.

More recently, for West Ham reserves he banged in two magnificent free kicks in a 6-0 rout over Birmingham, after almost six months out. It is his goals but also his personality that will win over the fans, Diamanti stated on joining, “I chose West Ham because the club have the tradition of playing great football. Also, because the West Ham fans are really passionate and that is the way I am.”

Once full match fitness is achieved he will be a real thorn in the side of Premier League defences. You have been warned.

When the transfer window was brought in to the Premier League (being the last of the major European leagues to take up this format) it was met with a very mixed reception. Although it makes for some interesting television in the final few days, particularly in the January version, I believe that the transfer window has had more negative connotations than good.

Clubs who have had a good start to the season and are somewhat over achieving according to many pundits often find themselves being robbed of their finest assets come January. Wigan are a prime example of being this year’s victims of their own success. They are a relatively small club in comparison to some of the other (often self proclaimed) big clubs in the division and a good first half of the season has led to them having to endure their top performers, in the guise of Palacios and Heskey, getting poached. Granted they received a nice transfer fee for the former and were resigned to losing the latter in the summer anyway, but those players could still prove to be the difference come May, especially if the Latics find themselves in a relegation scrap.

Then there are the clubs who have started badly but expected much more. They bustle in and throw their weight around, paying over the top transfer fees and signing some average players on big contracts and bigger wages in order to galvanise their season. Birmingham in 2005 thought it would be a good idea to pay Brentford half a million pounds for DJ Campbell, a striker who cost them fifty thousand the previous summer and scored a decent number of goals in League One.  But then having been handed the task of saving Birmingham from inevitable relegation, he subsequently flopped as The Bees laughed all the way to the bank.

And then there are some completely strange deals that occur. Take for instance the recent re-signing of Pascal Chimbonda by Tottenham. The moody Frenchman is one of four right backs on the club’s books, Hutton, Corluka and Gunter being the others. Who needs four right backs? I get that two of them are versatile but it’s not like Spurs are improving the quality of their squad by signing an irrational full back who throws his dummy out of the pram on a regular basis.

For me, the transfer window sparks nothing more than chaos, panic and pandemonium across the country, especially for Premiership teams. Clubs are trying to accumulate a squad large enough to cope with any eventuality, rather than just doing the business that is needed at the time. I don’t really see what was wrong with just putting a deadline on all dealings for the end of March. Why restrict clubs to buying and selling players to certain times? If anything, it poses a legal question due to the restriction of trade. Perhaps by getting rid of the window, players wouldn’t have as much power by holding their club to ransom and then heaven forbid, contracts might actually mean something once more. It may even restore honour and integrity to the game…no ,no, that’s too farfetched. Smaller clubs however, may at least be able to stand up for themselves and keep hold of prize assets as they won’t have so many clubs throwing crazy money at them for their top players.

Of course that would involve Fifa having to step in and make a decision so in the meantime I will continue to breathe normally rather than holding it in.

It’s squeaky bum time in the Premier League, with two matches left to play.  There is the ever exciting battle between underwhelming uberclubs for the title.  Yawn.  The second tier battle to see which club can send itself careening down next year’s table for the right to lose to a Spanish club in the UEFA Cup semifinals.  Bigger Yawn.

Like a Kim Kardashian sex tape, the most exciting action will be at the bottom, with six clubs grappling desperately to be one of the four that avoid relegation to the demented morass that is the Championship.  There is nothing that motivates footballers more than having to trade their prawn cocktails, exclusive parties and high-class prostitutes for a bacon sandwich, a bar wench and a rainy night in Sheffield.

Here is how the teams look with two games to play.

Wigan Athletic

The Latics currently sit 14th on 37 points.  They are on a strong run, earning seven points from their last four matches, and they need just one point from the remaining two matches to secure the status quo.  That will be a tough task, however, as they must travel to Aston Villa, who are fighting for a UEFA Cup place and then host Manchester United on the final day, with the title on the line.  But, even if they don’t get the magical point, it is hard to see fate relegating Wigan.  It would require Bolton, Birmingham, and Reading to win their remaining two matches, and for Middlesbrough to take at least one point from their remaining two and to pass Wigan on goal difference.  Not a likely scenario.

Middlesbrough

Southgate’s men will probably be safe though not from their own exertion, having won just one of their last ten, including crushing defeats to Bolton and Sunderland, when results would have all but secured their place.  They would need a win to clinch, or a point to pretty much assure.  Away at Portsmouth, with Pompey still in contention for Europe, might be a reach, but Man City look ripe for plucking a result with their recent form.  Even if they lose both, 36 pts would likely still keep them up.

Bolton

Bolton looked dead and down when they took just one point from seven matches through February and March, but seven points from their last three matches leaves them one point above the drop zone.  They look like a safe bet to get three, with safe Sunderland at home next week.  Though, they will surely drop points the last day of the season at Stamford Bridge.  If they get a win against Sunderland, they will likely be safe.  If not, they could be in grave danger.

Reading

Reading are holding their noses above water as well, one point from the drop.  Winning just three of their past eighteen matches has not helped their cause.  They have the lowest goal difference of any of the relegation candidates, so they will likely need to go through on points.  However, they have the easiest run in of any of the clubs.  They face a Tottenham team who are already planning for vacations at home, and then face bottom feeder Derby, winner of just one match all season, at Pride Park.  Coppell’s men would like six points, though four would probably keep them up.

Birmingham

Bongo FC blew a bountiful chance by letting Liverpool skulk away with a 2-2 draw.  They will likely need to win both their relegation six pointer with Fulham and their match against an aimless Blackburn at home to ensure their Premier League status.  They do have an advantage over the clubs on goal difference, however.

Fulham

Fulham have the hardest road, needing to win both their matches to bump them to 36 points and get some help.  They face Birmingham in the aforementioned six pointer, and also face Portsmouth at home.  Everton and Aston Villa next week could be key, as their performances may dictate whether the last match of the season will be a meaningful one for Portsmouth.  It will certainly take one of those mythical Brian McBride miracles for Premier League football to be played at Craven Cottage next year.

Prediction

Birmingham and Fulham will be relegated.  I can see Fulham winning the relegation six pointer with Birmingham, but I am not confident they can take the three points at Portsmouth, leaving them at 33/34.  I don’t think Birmingham gets more than one point from the next two matches, leaving them on 33.  I think Reading gets four points to 37 and escapes.  I think Bolton will draw Sunderland and lose to Chelsea leaving them on 34.  I see Bolton beating out Fulham and Birmingham either by one point or by goal difference.

Manchester United 3 – Liverpool 0: The scoreline was unfair, United should have won by more.  Rooney and Ronaldo combined for five fluffed chances.  Captain Stevie disappeared twice for the Reds.  First, when he decided to stop running and not defend on the Wes Brown goal.  Second, when he failed to get between the referee and Mascherano before the second yellow card.  Javier’s post-sendoff Latin shrug produced the lasting picture for the match.  He deserved the red, but Bennett would not have sent him if off at Anfield or if he was English.  Being the big man is easy with a crowd behind you.

Chelsea 2 – Arsenal 1: The Gunners have dropped eleven points to United in five matches – having not won in the league since Feb. 11.  Once five points clear, they reside six points behind, seven with goal difference.  Chelsea passed Arsenal into second, which is likely how it will stay.  Gallas’ decision-making at the back was shocking.  His captaincy requires more than rash rhetoric, alpha-male displays and a stegosaurus hairdo.  A decade in the team is pure Arsene, but maybe that’s not such a great thing.

Newcastle 2 – Fulham o: Newcastle finally get a win under Keegan.  The same lot who heaved Allardyce for not getting to Europe are now erupting like loonies when they beat the 19th place side at home.  Keegan’s last remaining gray hairs will hang on for another week.  Fulham have not won away since 2006, I blame their away kits.  Whatever marketing flunkie chose baby blue from head to toe should be fired.

Reading 2 – Birmingham 1: Reading came out on top in the other relegation six pointer, pushing themselves five points safe.  Memo to Andre Bikey: you must meaningfully manipulate the ball on a goal before celebrating with a flip.

Derby 0 – Manchester United 1 This match epitomizes the season for both clubs.  Derby worked but weren’t quite good enough.  United’s only enemy was their own cuteness.  Ronaldo should have scored at least three, or more according to his own verbal tally.

Birmingham 1 – Newcastle 1 The result risked being critical, but little Mickey was there to muscle it back to mediocrity.  He may have saved Keegan’s last silver hair.  Not a win, but certainly a start.

Sunderland o – Chelsea 1 Leave it to the Dark Lord to plunge the Stadium of Light into darkness.  So it goes for Sunderland.  Keane should save some Just for Men for his beard.

Liverpool 2 – Reading 1 Matejovski’s strike was nice.  Mascherano’s was spectacular, with a few tasteful “Fuck Offs” tacked onto it.  Apparently, Dirk Kuyt played in that match.

Fulham FC sprang back to life on Sunday, with a startling 1-0 victory over European-bound Everton.

The win, Fulham’s fourth of the season, places gives them 23 pts – an effective four points away from safety.

However, Odds and Sods will now make a bold prediction.  Fulham will not be relegated.
The club has momentum.

Fulham finally has started to mesh in this latter part of the season, spurred by the return of Jimmy Bullard and Brian McBride.  They have also had an impressive run, earning four points from two grueling fixtures against top half opposition in Everton and Blackburn.

The club was unlucky at the onset, bafflingly blowing a few first-half leads, followed by a morbid holiday respite – lasting through Februrary.  Fulham are a decent side with extraordinarily bad luck.  They are due for some good football.

Fulham also have an easier schedule.

They do face a problem.  They have only three home matches remaining and have not won away all season.  However, two winnable relegation six-pointers come in the next two away matches at Newcastle (Mar. 22) and at Derby (Mar 29.).  They also have additional six-pointers with Sunderland and Birmingham at home and Reading away.  Should Fulham climb the table it will come at the direct expense of their fellow bottom dwellers.

The only top four side that Fulham play is Liverpool at home (Apr. 19) – who may be conserving players for a Champions League run.
If Fulham finagles four points, from the next two matches.  That leaves them with 27 pts with six matches remaining.  If they again get four from Sunderland and Birmingham at home, that is 31 pts.  It’s not unreasonable they get four pts from the other four matches amassing the total 35 pts.  That may be enough to keep them up, particularly with some help.

That estimate also assumes merely a reasonable level of competence, not an impressive run.

Bolton have a much tougher road.  They still must travel to Man Utd., Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham.  They also host Arsenal and Man City.  They have only one relegation six-pointer at home to Sunderland (May 3.).  Relegation seems a certainty at this point.

Birmingham have a slightly less arduous schedule, but still must host Liverpool, Man City, Blackburn and Everton.

Sunderland still have to host Man City and Arsenal and travel to Aston Villa.

Any fixture poses a problem for the soccer circus at this point.  But Newcastle face away matches with Tottenham, West Ham, Portsmouth and Everton.  They also host Chelsea in the penultimate match.

It’s not impossible that one or two teams from this group take a tumble, opening a door for Fulham.

They do have the fewest points, but they have the edge in talent and the easiest schedule.  If Fulham can denounce their doldrums and play at close to their potential, there is no reason they can’t avoid the drop.

Birmingham 4 – Tottenham 1 Spurs tried on the big boy pants, only to end up wearing them around their ankles. They had a sick party last weekend. This weekend they were simply sick. The rear guard is rubbish. Robinson has evolved from awfully fat to just awful. They are closer to the relegation zone than to tenth place. Pop goes the bombastic balloon.

Arsenal 1 – Aston Villa 1 Arsenal added to a terrible two weeks with this stinker. Walcott was wonderful. Senderos was dreadful. None of the other players decided to show up. Only luck kept Villa from putting this one away with a second goal.  The absence of goal minded players (Van Persie, Eduardo, Rosicky) has left the Arsenal attack impotent, with no one capitalizing upon their superb set-up play.

Bendtner’s substitution seemed quite odd.  Personal issues aside, he and Adebayor cross paths on the pitch because they play the same role in the same position.  This change also neutralized Walcott who had been Arsenal’s most dangerous player in the first sixty minutes.  The crucial goal came from fortune, not inspired strategy.

Fulham 0 – Manchester United 3 United came up fruitful for the first time visiting London this season.  The scoreline does not flatter Fulham, who acquitted themselves admirably.  For a club out-manned, they needed all of the luck, but received none of it, left vacant after a cavalcade of close calls.   Eddie Johnson has not yet earned the right to wear orange boots in the Premier League.

Everton 3 – Portsmouth 1 The Toffees kept the pressure on their cross-town rivals with this victory, keeping their 3 pt lead for a Champions League place.  Yakubu was in the mood and Pompey got the business end of it.  He was a far more prudent investment than Dirk Kuyt.

Arsenal 2- Birmingham 2 Eduardo’s injury – a horrific broken leg – stole the headlines.   But, it did not decisively affect the outcome.  Luck controlled much of it.  Birmingham capitalized upon one free kick – a questionable call – and one penalty – a blatantly wrong call.  Fabregas had two goal-worthy efforts, one stopped by Taylor and the other by the post.

Adebayor’s performance was as shocking as  his short hair.  He fluffed an open breakaway.  He also failed to square a ball to testy teammate Nicklas Bendtner.  Both would likely have clinched victory for Arsenal.

Walcott’s effort encourages, however.  His talent is elite without question, but his confidence and decision-making ability has been sub-par.  However, he put in a fine effort for a brace, his first two goals in the Premier League.  He adeptly slotted in the first goal, and his second, a few minutes later, was magnificent.

The draw drops Arsenal to three points above Manchester United.  The Gunners will hope their bad weak was a blip, not a sign of weakness.

Newcastle 1 – Manchester United 5  In case anyone was unaware, Rooney and Ronaldo are pretty good.  It was an exhaustingly easy effort from the Red Devils.  Newcastle played in a cloud, with neither coherence nor discipline in tactics.  The back four could not fall apart, because it never came together initially.  Even the one Titus Bramble’s part-time competence would have been preferred.

Newcastle’s question is not how long before Keegan gets canned, but how long before he suffers a nervous breakdown and quits.  They reside only six points clear of relegation, with eleven matches remaining.

Liverpool 3 – Middlesbrough 2 Individual brilliance once again saved Liverpool, as Torres took control with a marvelous hat-trick.  Carragher’s cards cost the team at the back, but exonerates none for the poor performance.  Southgate’s side showed themselves excellently.  With some luck and a consistent striker, that club could be challenging for a European place.