Well this season is just getting harder and harder to predict. Having just absorbed last week’s action Game Week 15 is here and no doubt will throw up plenty more surprises.

The Premier League weekend kicks off Saturday lunchtime at Villa Park. Two wounded team’s line up looking to bounce back from disappointing results. The majority of Villa’s midfield is currently residing in the treatment room. Step forward Barry Bannan and Stephen Ireland, Bannan (4.5) has performed well so far and Ireland (5.9) is eager to get his Aston Villa career up and running. Arsenal are still sitting pretty in third, despite apparently being in crisis, it’s a crisis that 17 other Premier League sides would be delighted to find themselves in. Robin Van Persie (9.5) will be looking to get his season up and running this weekend. Cesc Fabregas will be out for two weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against Braga. But Arsenal still have a wealth of talent to call upon in the absence of their inspirational skipper.

West Ham host Wigan in the basement battle of the weekend. It’s a must win game, both teams will be hoping their match winners will see them through a nervy encounter. Carlton Cole (5.8) has voiced his frustration at the lack of quality balls into the box. Now would be the ideal time to give the Hammers front man the service he craves. Wigan will miss star striker Hugo Rodellega (Suspension) but have the continually impressive Charles N’Zogbia (5.7).

Top of the table Chelsea are struggling too and face a long trip to St James Park this game week. The last time Chelsea lost two league games on the bounce everything was in black and white. They visit a Newcastle side who can’t quite decide whether to score five or concede five every week. My head say’s it all adds up to a dull no score draw But my heart is saying goals so get Andy Carroll (6.1) in your starting XI, John Terry is still absent from the Blues back line and the boy Carroll is guaranteed to give any defence a rough ride.

Sundays late game see’s Tottenham host Liverpool. Spurs cruised past Werder Bremen and into the last 16 of the Champions league Wednesday night. There can be no excuse of tiredness come Sunday, Harry Redknapp’s side had time to stop and feed the ducks on their midweek walk in the park. Jermain Defoe (8.6) is fit again and looks desperate to make up for lost time. If you have the funds available snap him up, he’ll be back in the goals sooner rather than later. Rafael Van Der Vaart (8.5) looks certain to feature after missing out in midweek. Liverpool are starting to turn the corner, but their form on the road is horrendous and they look likely to head home empty handed.

Final mention goes to Johan Elmander (6.3), Kevin Davies (6.5) and Chung-Yong Lee (5.3), I tipped them to be in the points last week and they didn’t disappoint. A home tie against Blackpool this weekend almost guarantees another return from them and hopefully, they will again keep my final shreds of credibility intact for a little while longer.

That’s your lot for this week. 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

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

• Recovery & Confession

I feel the need to recover from this incredible weekend for quite some time, only I won’t be able to. There’s simply never enough time in one’s life to live and breath and follow this game we love yet still attempt to lead some form of normal adult life. It’s the game that just keeps coming and keeps giving. I mean at some point one has to throw their hands up in a state of capitulation and think, “when will it ever end, when do we get a break from the insanity?”

Answer: it never does, but honestly, we never really want it to.

My exhausted state originates from not only the fine display of English football on offer this weekend, but also a healthy casserole of European fixtures from various leagues across the continent. Throw in a splash of Lexington’s late night pub and bar scene, and one can slowly loose all sense of reason and desire for anything not related to sleep or more football. Such is life, I meander, and we push on,…

To further my explanation of football’s continuation, after Saturday and Sunday, there’s a league fixture Monday featuring two great English clubs the likes of West Ham and Liverpool with relegation and L4 implications. The Premier League-less Champions League continues midweek with some tasty fixtures while the fantastic Europa League resumes Thursday as Liverpool and Fulham remain energetic and involved. After Thursday, well, the weekend approaches yet again.

Such it is though that this post is devoted to the past and not the future so we now look back to some great performances from the weekend. 

Honorable Mentions -

Charles N’Zogbia, Wigan- Oddly ironic that Arsenal bow out of yet another title race, this time by a young, fast, attacking Frenchman. Hhmm, anyone notice a direct correlation?

Wigan came from behind to beat Arsenal with three second half goals in the span of eleven insane minutes. N’Zogbia scored the winner in the 91st and was integral in Wigan’s attack all afternoon. N’Zogbia’s 89th minute corner that Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski mistakenly bobbled was headed home by Titus Bramble to level the score. Before the howler, N’Zogbia twice came close to scoring for Wigan when his curled effort barely missed, and later, when a low, well struck shot ended up in the waiting arms of Fabianski.

N’Zogbia set up on the right side of midfield in an attacking 4-3-3 formation implemented by Wigan boss Roberto Martinez. He’s most comfortable on the left side though and has even played left back before in his career. His winner in stoppage time was the result of a beautiful run across the face of goal just outside of the box and an even more beautiful left-footed strike that found the back of the net. The strike seemed to place Fabianski in a block of concrete as the Polish keeper was left rooted to the ground in a state of shock and disbelief.

Vincent Kompany, Manchester City- The big Belgian defender came out on the losing end of a heartbreaking Manchester derby, at least for the blue side of Manchester. But his efforts in dealing with Wayne Rooney warrant him a mention. Rooney was petulant at best for United and Kompany’s efforts, coupled with those of the solid Nigel De Jong, were enough to see Rooney pulled and keep United out of the City goal for some 93 minutes.

Gary Neville, Manchester United – Neat, clean and tidy. No, I wasn’t describing Gary Neville’s mustache. His performance at right back for United in the Manchester Derby was essential in keeping City’s Craig Bellamy quiet on the wing and helped to lead United to a clean sheet wherein a late goal could keep their title hopes alive. We all know the outcome.

The former England international could find himself in Fabio Capello’s England World Cup squad if he can continue his current form. If not as a starter, then possibly as cover for Liverpool’s Glenn Johnson. We all know Neville’s attributes as a footballer. He’s a smart defender who can contribute in attack with crosses into the box. What he lacks in pace these days, he makes up for in football smarts. All features of Neville’s game, including his pride playing for United, were on offer Saturday as United played snatch and grab at Eastlands. If only he could do something about that mustache.

Premier League Footballer of the Week -

Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur – SPURS…..WERE…..BRILLIANT, and so was Bale. What a week it’s been for the North London side. Two massive 2-1 homes wins, one against their hated rivals Arsenal, and then on Saturday against league leaders Chelsea. The young Welshman Bale scored the winner in both matches which proves on paper how valuable he’s been for Spurs, but his overall contributions going forward in attack on the left wing and his crossing & tackling abilities, pace and overall work rate for Spurs has been integral in their recent success and pursuit of L4.

There’s a song from the band Interpol called Pace is the Trick that I’d like to dedicate to Bale. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen him blow past defenders this season for Spurs. From Blackburn’s Michel Salgado to Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna to Chelsea’s Paulo Ferreira, Bale’s pace and determination with the ball at his feet has seen him emerge victorious over the Premier League’s best right backs.

Spurs face another top opponent this weekend as they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in what’s sure to be an exciting, important and possibly incredible match. The potential match up of Bale on the left for Spurs and the in form Gary Neville for United could by key in the result of the match. Will Neville have the pace and power to deal with the spry Bale? Time will tell, but until next weekend, both players will surely be enjoying their respective performances and results from this weekend.

It only takes a spark to ignite a fire, and that’s exactly what happened today when Newcastle winger Charles N’Zogbia became so infuriated with manager Joe Kinnear that the Frenchman vowed never to play for the Tyneside club again as long as Kinnear remains in charge.

The spark that upset N’Zogbia was his gaffer not knowing how to pronounce the left winger’s name. Watch the Joe Kinnear video interview with Alan Parry to hear how Kinnear cocked up N’Zogbia’s name (beginning at minute 2:18). Instead of pronouncing N’Zogbia’s name correctly, Kinnear called him “Imsomnia.” He then tried to correct himself and said “Somnia,” and then resorted to calling him just “Charlie.”

N’Zogbia unleashed his disapproval by releasing a statement that read:

“First of all I wish to apologise to the fans for wanting to leave the club. However, having been insulted by Joe Kinnear, I will never play for him again while he remains Newcastle manager.

The club are aware that there are offers on the table for me and they should accept one of them.”

Kinnear’s reaction to the incident inferred that a simple mistake was made.

“Sadly, this just smacks of a desperate attempt to engineer a move away from Newcastle United.

OK, I got a little tongue-tied, but if I had a pound for every time I’ve mis-pronounced a player’s name down the years, then I’d be a very wealthy man indeed.”

To me, this smacks of one little incident being the last straw for N’Zogbia. It’s obvious that the player wants to move away from Newcastle. It was only a few weeks ago when he expressed an interest in playing for Arsenal. And Lyon has recently been interested in signing the left footed winger.

Sure, Kinnear should be able to pronounce his player’s name especially after being at the club since September, 2008. But Kinnear isn’t paid to pronounce his player’s names correctly. He’s paid to win matches — something which Newcastle seem incapable of doing recently.

In addition to this issue with N’Zogbia, who has effectively gone on strike, Newcastle were hampered yesterday after two top players incurred injuries — Michael Owen and Joey Barton. Plus it looks likely that Shay Given will move away from St. James’ Park. The question is how much worse can it get for Kinnear, Mike Ashley and Newcastle United? They’ll find out soon enough when they play Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby this Sunday.

Before I write, I want to thank everyone for the turnout this weekend for the EPL Talk Chat. You honestly have no idea how happy it made me. Anyways enough of the gushing, back to the meat of this post.

Marlon King’s double was enough to see off Newcastle United 2-1.

I have to admit, I’m torn about what direction to take this particular article. Really this should be about how Hull City was able to take advantage of a club in crisis and get a win at St. James’ Park. Instead, I’m more focused on what happened in the stands to start the second half.

As the ‘Cockney Mafia Out’ banner circled the ground to start the second half, I actually got disgusted. Yes everyone in the world knows Newcastle United fans are not happy with Ashley at the helm and they sure as hell aren’t happy with how Kevin Keegan had to leave the club this time around. But to parade around with a sign is just disgraceful to those on the pitch trying their best to get a result for the club that you claim to support. To make this protest even more comical was the fact Ashley or Wise weren’t even there, and it was pretty obvious they weren’t going to be. Yes they didn’t take their venom out on the players, but if you’re focusing your time on taking it out on the board, can’t you argue fans are taking it out on the players by ignoring what they do on the field?

Look, if you want to protest to your club about what is going on there, it’s pretty simple. Don’t buy anymore merchandise. Protest outside the club, don’t show up. If you want to even sing songs of protest to the board, while I’m not thrilled with it, I can even understand that. But to draw attention to yourselves by circling the ground with a banner is about as low as it can go as far as I’m concerned.

What’s even sadder is this game was more or less a side show to the protests on offer at the ground. The game itself though wasn’t that great of a game. Newcastle United had the promising start, but couldn’t take advantage of their three best chances to score inside of half an hour. Then the penalty and I’ve gone back and forth on this one. The way I see it, Peter Halmosi came back into the tackle of Nicky Butt. From my vantage point, it shouldn’t have been a penalty, but I won’t fault Andre Marriner for awarding it. Marlon King did his job from the spot even though Given guessed correctly and Hull had their lead.

The start of the second half was pretty much more of the same for Newcastle. Create chances, but got caught out on one quality counter. Charles N’Zogbia should be taken to task for being caught so far out of position. Marlon King had plenty of space to run in and even with N’Zogbia tracking back, it was too late. King did well to keep composed on the ball and slot home far post.

Xisco I felt had a good game, and got his reward nine minutes from the ninety. It was simply clean up duty as Charles N’Zogbia found space through the traffic to go far post. Myhill dove for it and was simply not able to get up in time as Xisco did well to stay onside and finish.

The ending though has to leave a black eye on the fans who did come out. Danny Guthrie has to know better that you just can’t go in and attack the legs unprovoked. Hell he got away with one hack at Caleb Fagan’s legs, but to blatantly dive in with what appeared to me an intent to injure is a joke.

In the end, Hull City get three points and do the business in the strangest of environments. Newcastle United just have too many issues to deal with right now and while they have enough talent to stay away from true relegation hell, it’s going to be another long season of turmoil for them.

A Few Other Observations:
1) If Geremi is Newcastle United’s best crossing threat, that’s not a good thing.
2) Could Shola Ameobi have had a worse game? At the moment, he doesn’t even look league one standard, even if he is coming off an injury.
3) If Dean Windass doesn’t have a realistic chance weekly to come on, shouldn’t he be smart enough to just step aside and let those who are more able in? It their four matches this season, the only one he’s come on in was during a blowout.

I’ll be back tonight with a review of Stoke City taking on Everton.