The Big Three 

Time for another shot at the big 3 winning 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 again. Perm them in trebles.

Arsenal play Newcastle again, and though Newcastle held them in the first half on Saturday, ultimately the Gunners had too much class and movement. Adebayor is on fire at the moment and I expect him to score again here.

Chelsea host a spirited Reading side, who gave a good account of themselves against Manchester United two weeks ago, but like most sides when they play the top teams, they didn’t take their chances. I expect them to push Chelsea hard, like they did in the reverse fixture early on in the season (a 2-1 loss, after taking the leed); but Chelsea, as demonstrated at Wigan on Saturday only need a couple of chances to win a game, due to the quality of their finishing.

United welcome Portsmouth to Old Trafford on Wednesday and will be aiming to put one over Pompey after they drew at Fratton Park early in the season. Expect Ronaldo to be fired up for this one, as he was sent off last time and felt hard done by. Pompey have a great away record and the signing of Baros will give them more options on the break, but United are in too hot form at the moment to consider anything but a home win.

HT Draw - FT Home

All 3 of these sides are partial to this outcome, and it happened to all three at the weekend. Normally the away teams comes to these games looking not to concede early on and therefore a lot of the games end up 0-0 at half time. The Big Guns usually step up a gear after the break and the away team become tired due to their work-rate; and that’s when gaps and mistakes appear, that the superior home side exploit.

Doubles and Treble at Skybet or Lardrokes

Draw - Arsenal  = 7-2

Draw - Chelsea = 7-2

Draw - United = 7-2

Double pays 20-1, Treble 91-1.

Anytime and First Goalscorers

Adebayor (7-2), Anelka (7-2) and Ronaldo (10-3 all @ Stan James) are all in great form this season and even more so recently. They look a good shout to continue this rich vein.

Treble Anytime Goalscorer at Boylesport returns 6-1

First Goal Doubles and Treble = Minimum Double 19-1, Treble 87-1

Up From The Back

David Wheater (Boro’) to score first = 22-1 @ Boylesports, VC. Anytime = 8-1 @ PP

Joleon Lescott (Everton) to score first = 25-1 @ PP, SJ, BD. Anytime = 9-1 @ PP, Skybet

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Liverpool v Havant & Waterlooville

 V

The tie that encapsulates the romance of the FA Cup more than any other in recent history, is more than likely going to be a walkover for the Scousers. Luton last round pushed Liverpool all the way until tiredness and class showed, but this time these factors will be even more prevalent. I expect Torres and Gerrard to play no part even though they are in the squad, but other than that it will be a strong eleven, with Crouch coming in upfront. Anything less than 5-0 will be seen as a poor performance.

Liverpool -3 = 4-6 @ Stan James, Bet Direct, Totesport …Maximum Bet

Liverpool -4 = 11-10 @ Bet 365

Total Goal Minutes - More than 190 = 8-13 @ Blue square

Havant will no doubt tire in the second half and this is when the bulk of Liverpool’s goals will come. The Luton game had goal minutes of 290, as 4 goals were rattled in, in the second half. Havant have conceded 8 in the last 2 away league games.

Crouch Anytime Goalscorer = 1-2 @ Boylesports

Crouch Hat-trick = 12-1 @ Blue Square

The big lad could have a field day, especially if Pennant can provide the service.

Sheffield United v Man City

The Blades are struggling with Robson at the helm, and last weeks tepid performance in the Steel City Derby did nothing to help his cause. They are through due to Bolton playing a complete second string against them in the 3rd round. Sven, on the other hand, has declared his big guns will be playing as he fully respects the Cup. With no recognised goalscorer up top for the Blues it’s hard to see them scoring more than 2 and with a tight defence, i expect this to be a low scoring affair.

Under 2.5 goals = 4-6 @ Most Firms

City to win 1-0 = 6-1 @ Most Firms

Peterborough v West Brom

Both these sides are the top scorers in their respective divisions with 113 goals scored between them. The baggies last 3 games have gone over 2.5 goals while Posh’s 3 of their last 4 have resulted in the same. Posh will fancy this as well, i expect them to really go for it.

Over 2.5 goals = 8-11 Paddy Power, Stan James

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Saturday games all look there for the taking..too good to be true?

There are clear favourites in all the Saturday 3pm Premiership games (which are the reverse of the opening day fixtures), and though rare, i think they might just come in.

Chelsea to win away at Brum

People keep expecting Chelsea to slip up as they continue to miss the spine of their team, but as yet they haven’t. This is due to the fact that every replacement is nigh on a 10 million pound player! Two more were bought recently in Anelka (scored 2 v Brum in Dec for Bolton) and Ivanovich, and i expect the former to be key here. Birmingham however will fancy their chances as they come off the back of a coupon busting draw at The Emirates. James McFadden is an excellent signing and will add a new dynamic to their play with much more creativity. It will be tight, but i see the ‘Battle of the Blues’ going to the London Side.

Anelka to score anytime 13-8 @ Corals

Blackburn to beat ‘Boro

Rovers have won the last 5 meetings between the sides, and i fancy them to prevail again. David Bentley has been playing exceptionally well this season, and the majority of Blackburn’s goals come through him. The quality of Bentley and Santa Cruz has won them the majority of their games and despite Woodgate and Pogatetz returning for ‘Boro i can see these players winning the game for Rovers.

Bentley first or last goal 10-1 @ Bet365 - Has won in 5 of the 7 matches he has scored in.

Arsenal to beat Fulham

Wenger will not need to tell his players that last week was not good enough, and the mark of a title winning side is they bounce back from poor results, with a victory. The absence of Toure is a big miss and makes the Gunners more vulnerable at the back, and i think they might have to score 2 to win this match. Fulham nearly provided a shock result on the opening day, but there defence remains suspect with only two clean sheets all season.

Correct score Arsenal to win 2-1 (15-2 Blue Sq) and 3-1 (12-1 Blue Sq)

Pompey to beat Derby

OK so Pompey haven’t scored at home for 7 (seven) matches since they ironically put 7 (seven) past Reading, but surely this is the game they end that run? Right? Despite a terrible performance at Sunderland last week, I’m backing them to edge this one. They will suffer during the African Nations, but the Diarra signing will bolster their midfield which was non existent at times last week. Derby have tightened up under Jewell and they are only losing by the odd goal now; their last 5 defeats have either been 1-0 or 2-1.  The signings have come too late to save them, they should have invested pre-season, but i expect them to get results sooner rather than later, not here though.

Pompey 1-0 @ 13-2 Totesport

United to beat Reading

After last weeks second half mauling of the Geordie’s it’s hard to oppose an away win here. Reading have recently beat Liverpool on their own patch, and will be looking to take another scalp, but they have lost 4 on the spin in the league. Ronaldo is unplayable at present and is scoring for fun and Rooney is due a goal soon, Saturday may just be the day.

United (-1 handicap) 11-10 @ Blue Sq.

Rooney 6-5 (Coral), Ronaldo 11-10 (Boylesport) to score anytime.

Spurs to beat Sunderland

Tottenham have scored 5 and 6 in their last two home league games and i can’t see them not scoring against an inexperienced Sunderland defence. The suspended Malbranque will be missed, but Spurs should have too much going forward for the Mackems. Coupled with the dropping of Robinson and the return of Ledley King they should come out triumphant.

Spurs (-1) 13-10 @ Bet 365

An accumulator on the above wins returns 11-1 @ Bet 365 (add the Keegan Factor Geordies and you’ll get 19-1)

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Sometimes, it is only when you move away that you find out most about the place you left behind. After years of scrutinizing, it is this very wonderful paradox which has allowed me to become closer to understanding the nature of English football & the fundamental reasons behind its success. Whether it is a new found maturity, a clarity born from escaping the social constraints of home, safe from hazardous distractions, or simply because I now have something to compare it to; I’m not entirely sure. Nevertheless, moving away has certainly opened my eyes to a concept that many managers have seemingly failed to grasp; that it is the fans who make football what it is, & any club chasing success has to consider them when building a successful team.

This was something Bill Shankly was only too aware of, & probably why he seemed light years ahead of his contemporaries. My sincere apologies for bringing it up again but his ‘more important than life or death’ analogy of the game showed more insight than it is ever given credit for. Yes, it is the most famous, overused (often misused) football clichés of them all, but read between the lines – which a country the size of America failed to do when Lennon made an equally profound observation about human behaviour - & Shankly was beautifully emphasizing how much football meant to the English people. He realised the importance of the people, the major role they played, & by understanding the social fabric of a club he was unlocking the door to success. After what he installed at Liverpool, it’s no surprise his legacy shines perpetually through the corridors at Anfield & his veracious philosophy of ‘placing his faith in the fans’ becomes more poignant by the day.

Two contrasting situations at Liverpool & Newcastle in recent weeks, indicates further the power of the fans & the importance of having their backing. There is no doubt in my mind that if Liverpool fans had turned against their manager – in what has been a turbulent few months at Anfield – then ‘the Americans’ would have given Rafa the boot faster than it took Hilary Clinton to turn on the crocodile tears when she was told it would help her election campaign. And Allardyce, if fans hadn’t become so disenchanted with the ‘Big Sham’ style of football, then Mike Ashley would have certainly waited until the end of the season before making any sort of decision. You see, football has never been about the players, the chairman – even if he has his own agenda - or even the manager. It is the happiness of the paying public that dictates the destiny of a club. And if a club loses sight of this, then failure is inevitable; & someone, usually the manager, has to pay the price. Of course in light of what happened to Phil O’Donnell, the irrelevance of football pales in significance, but where football is concerned, then it is the supporters who have to take precedence.

I have the utmost respect for the two sets of supporters, both for their impeccable football knowledge & their judicious demand for entertaining football – which many sets of supporters often lose sight of. I was shocked by Chelsea fan’s lack of protests after the departure of a man who had brought more success to their club than anyone in it’s history. Yes, there are wider issues to be considered but the fundamental purpose of our game is to be entertained & it is this factor which has worked in favour of Benitez at Liverpool & against Allardyce at Newcastle. It is testament to the people of the Northwest & Northeast whose primary loyalties lie with seeing good football. Despite Liverpool’s title aspirations becoming ruefully unstuck in December, fans are not fickle enough to forget everything Benitez has achieved at the club & how the cultured football which his sides adopt, is a far cry from the wing-backs of Souness & the defensive counter attacking of Houllier. It would be interesting to find out how the hoi polloi of the Toon – who have been used to watching flair players inspire their team to victory over the years (Keegan, Waddle, Mirandinha, Gazza, Asprilla, Ginola to name just a few) - viewed Big Sam’s appointment in the first place. It appears new chairman Mike Ashley was against it from the start & should maybe bear this in mind when he’s appointing a new man at Newcastle; & that fans are consulted.

Great managers have always taken the thoughts & feelings of the fans into careful consideration when building their teams, & the traits of people they are representing have reflected in the team’s style of football. Busby, Stein, Kendall & Clough – all from mining backgrounds - managed their clubs like factory owners in keeping with the working class northern & midland cities they represented. There is Ferguson also, who is made from similar stock; although his more cosmopolitan warehouse has moved with the times & won numerous prizes for innovation over the years. It was Shankly though whose philosophy first created a club for the people. Placing his faith in the supporters, he created an image of Liverpool FC in the likeness of it’s people. This laid the foundations for continued success & turned a struggling club into a bastion of invincibility. Liverpool of the seventies & eighties reflected the image of the city itself; hardworking, canny, passionate, resilient & creative, & his faith in the people paid dividends. Benitez has similar respect for the fans & their traditions, & that is why they’ll back him indomitably. Often it is a case of pleasing the masses & more often than not the public gets what the public wants.

Watching my home-town team Stoke City against the Barcodes, was an enlightening experience & strengthens my argument further by two apposing expectations of, once similar clubs, sets of supporters. It has been quite some time though since Stanley danced on the wing in the Potteries. And the glory days of Banks, Conroy & Hudson, when Stoke were a mainstay in England’s top division (& even League Cup winners in ‘72’) , have long since diminished. For the moment at least, the good people of the Potteries are content with watching their players running their bollocks off & expect nothing less than ‘getting stuck in’ as a requisite for playing for Stoke City. But Potters, once famed for their highly skilled craftsmanship, like Geordies, albeit rather more surreptitiously, long to see players of similar stature playing at the Britannia & witness football akin to the quality of the pots they once skillfully produced not all that long ago. Get to the Premier League & they just might!

But, despite the increased television coverage of football - & living in Ireland where amazingly there is more English football on TV than in England – the older I become the fussier I have become about the type of football I like to be watching. It is possible my newly found liberty is down to leaving the territory of teams I support, or that the organically neutral Irish are rubbing off; who knows? But if Liverpool fail to win the league – which looks increasingly likely - & Stoke don’t win the cup & get promoted, then I would like Arsenal to be triumphant, after their easy-on-the-eye football added me to their growing list of admirers. Their vibrant multi-cultural style, refreshingly youthful approach to football has been a joy to watch this season & thus paints an inviting picture of modern London. In fact, you could say they have put London on map in some respects. Well maybe not, but you see what I am getting at.

The point I’ve been trying to make is that football should be a matter of basic economics & comply with simple laws of supply & demand. Football in England is more popular than Jesus Christ, so it is only wise – regardless of the money factor – that fans are consulted & considered. And before Americans get their frilly knickers in a twist, start to burn effigies of my name, or go persecuting any more civilizations that differ from their own; this, for once, is not about you. My statement reflects trends in the culture of heathen England & is merely an observation. And Catholics, (of which I stand accused) alas! Pope Benedict XVI has recently acknowledged the increasing powerful role of football within society, suggesting that - despite its obvious exploitation & corruption – football has an important moral message about life to teach us all. Sounds familiar doesn’t it?

And for what it’s worth, I would like to see Shearer, with Keegan as a director of football, to return to the healm & lead the renaissance up at their beloved Newcastle. Toon, Toon, Black & White Army!

Correct Score Treble

United, Arsenal and Liverpool All to Win to Nil 

So we tried this twice before Christmas and just missed out, and this weekend throws up favourable fixtures again (annoyingly United, Chelsea and Arsenal did it in the cup last week and i forgot about the bet)

The column has twice had correct score doubles come in this season at 42-1 and 77-1, and though it is a good bet, when selecting 3 outcomes per match ( a sensible spread) it makes the permutations 9 fold. With the odds usually between 40-1 and 80-1 for a double, the bet may only give true odds of 4-1 to 8-1 for your stake. Though getting two results right is always easier than three……..

However i like being bold and looking for a bigger payout and by adding a third team we get just that. The perms goes up to 27 trebles, but the odds increase to between 300-1 and 700-1 on average, therefore we have true odds of between 11-1 and 26-1 for your stake.

So.. the bet…

With United at home versus Newcastle i will select 2, 3 and 4 nil. Newcastle have lost Faye and Beye from their defence to the African Nations thus a shuffle at the back will be required. Despite United’s propensity to win 1-0 this season, including last time out against Birmingham, they are the perfect side to take advantage on The Toon’s situation.

Arsenal entertain Birmingham, who arrive on the back of a ‘cupset’ at Huddersfield, previously they had gone to Old Trafford and only lost 1-0. Arsenal will be missing Toure and Eboue but Senderos is fit to partner Gallas, while Eduardo should start upfront again with Adeybayor. The Gunners have only once scored more than three at home in the league this season (v Derby), therefore i have gone for 1,2 or 3-0.

Liverpool travel to The Riverside with mounting pressure to perform after a terrible run of results this past month and going to ‘Boro where they haven’t scored in their last 5 visits, won’t be easy. Agger returns to the side, as does Gerrard and Torres after a rest from the cup last week, the latter two will again be key and i believe there freshness will be enough for Liverpool to grab the win. 1, 2, or 3-0 is the choice.

27 trebles @ Skybet

Arsenal 1-0 (7-1) 2-0 (11-2) 3-0 (7-1)

Man United 2-0 (11-2) 3-0 (7-1) 4-0 (10-1)

Liverpool 1-0 (6-1) 2-0 (6-1) 3-0 (11-1)

Minimum odds 295-1 - Maximum odds 1056-1

N.B. I will be trying the same bet, all 1, 2 and 3-0, on Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter.  

McLean to Punish Poor Macc

Aaron McLean returned to goalscoring form last week for Peterborough after 3 games without a goal, the striker with 20 goals this season faces a struggling Macclesfield side. The match pair the highest scoring home team in the league with 28 goals against the side who have conceded the most away  goals with 22.

McLean first goal is 4-1 and 11-8 to score anytime @ Bet 365

Away Treble in The Nationwide

Watford away at bottom of the table Preston. Watford’s form on the road this season is 9-2-2 and while Preston’s form has improved of late, The Hornets should just have too much for them.

West Brom away at Hull. The Sky Cameras are at the KC Stadium on Saturday in what should be an entertaining game. Hull are no mugs at home and The Baggies away form is up and down, but i feel the away team will just edge out Hull in what could be a high scoring game.

Leeds away at Crewe (Monday Night). Leeds came out of their Christmas slump with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Northampton and i take them to follow it up with a win at struggling Crewe.

Treble pays 9-1 @ Bet 365

As a Liverpool fan there are two words that make my neck hairs stand straight up. The first one is “Istanbul” (no explanation is needed). The other word is “2001″.

In my last post I wrote about the manager situation at Anfield. And with current developments, it could be tempting to write another piece on that subject. (I can not believe the amount of Liverpool fans who are rooting for Mourinho to take over. Have they forgot what that man said about our football club only a few years a go? The contempt he treated Liverpool fans with at the 2005 Leauge cup final? Mourinho was massively booed at the 2005 CL semi final, and in the following matches we faced Chelsea. And now these people want him as our manager? What next? Salman Rushdie as president of Iran?)

But enough about current plights, and ramblings about who shall and shall not be manager at Anfield come August 2008.

Let us instead go down Memory Lane - a pleasant walk for any Liverpool fan.

No, I am not going to write about St. Etienne, the glory of Rome in 84, or the above mentioned Istanbul.

Let us talk about 2000/2001.

My favourite year!

As a football fan my year goes from August to July, not from January to December. At the start of the year (in august 2000 in other words), I enrolled at Liverpool John Moores University - where I was supposed to study journalism for three years. (Instead I ended up spending the vast majority of those three years in the pub - a lot of the time in company with this site’s editor!)

The reason John Moores University was my preferred top choice at Uni was not the incredible stature that particular University has as a journalism school, it had of course all to do with my love or Liverpool Football Club

As I am not born and bred on Merseyside (yes, I’m one of those pesky out of towners), this was my chance to follow the Red Men on a regular basis - not for one whole season, but for three.

Let us make a jump in space and time again. This time to the period preceding my enrolment at John Moores. Back to  the time I was still slaving at school here back home in Norway, passing time chasing after pretty blonde little things in skirts, watching footie on the telly, and reading everything I could get my hands on when it came to English football. Fanzines, match day programmes and books. A lot of books. (No wonder I was the teacher’s pet in my English class, as a teenager I had probably read more English than she has in her entire life)

My favourite footie book is called “My Favourite Year”. Published by the When Saturday Comes magazines, and edited by Nick Hornby. It is a collection of 13 tales by 13 famous football fans and writers, where they all describe their favourite season.

Inspired by that, I will now go trough the highlights of my favourite year. A year that saw me jump up and down with John Aldridge, share an elevator ride with Ron Atkinson, stamp on Frank Stapleton’s coat and last but certainly not least, saw me witness Liverpool win three cup finals.

The first memorable match of the 2000-2001 season was the Merseyside derby at Anfield. This early in the season, I still had not sorted out my press accreditation.

Yes, I freelanced my self trough my favourite year. I paid for my football by writing about the football I saw. Genious! On one occasion I covered a Walsall - Barnet FA Cup game at the Bescott stadium, when I suddenly noticed I had been standing the entire first half with muddy shoes on the coat hung over the seat in front of me. That coat belonged to Frank Stapleton! Finally, pay back time for that 1985 FA Cup semi final loss against the Mancs!

The only way I got hold of a ticket for that derby game was by buying of a tout. Something I hate doing, and something I have only done once ever since.

To my nightmare, someone was sitting in my seat when I finally entered Anfield five minutes after kick off.

A bluenose!

 I feared that I had bought a fake ticket. But after wandering aimlessly around the Annie Road End for the first few minutes, I simply hoped for the best and asked a steward for help. Thank God, that bluenose was sitting in the wrong seat. My ticket was the real deal after all.

The game can be summed up in two words: “Nick” and “Barmby”.

The winger had just joined from the dark side. And I will never ever forget that wall of sound when he, of all people, headed home for Liverpool’s first goal.

Kevin Campbell equalised, but Liverpool were easy winners against a piss poor Everton side in the end.

Another memory from that game is a fresh faced Steven Gerrard, at right back, tackling left winger Idan Tal so hard that the Israeli literally flew of the pitch and landed in the stands!

I can still remember standing among the Liverpool fans on the Sheil Road Circular bus going back in to town after the game, singing “He’s red, he’s white, We bought him from the shite. Nick Barmby, Nick Barmby…”

Outside it was pissing down (that autumn had the most rain recorded in history), inside it was all sunshine.

On a more curious note from that autumn, I remember swapping scarves with a drunk Czech, who looked and smelled like he had drunk all the Cains in Liverpool, in the Albert before the game against Slovan Liberec (A more bizarre experience was probably watching Bernard Diomede playing in that same game. My God, how did that impostor of a professional footballer ever win the World Cup!)

But it was in the spring that the 2000-2001 season really picked up the pace.

Liverpool were making great strides under Gerard Houllier, but even before Christmas - despite a Danny Murphy winner at Old Trafford - it was evident that we were never ever going to catch Man United and Arsenal in the league. In fact, keeping Leeds United and Ipswich at bay was going to be more than difficult (Leeds! Ipswich!!)

However, we where doing brilliantly in all three cup competitions. Chelsea (with a late goal from the returning Robbie Fowler), Stoke (8-0, Tim!), Fulham (then outside the Premier League) and a mauling of Crystal Palace at Anfield put us in the final of the League Cup. Rotherham, Leeds (who back then was rather good) and Joe Royle’s Man City were put to the sword in the FA Cup.

By February The Kop had a new ditty to sing. “Tell me ma, me ma, to put the champagne on ice. We’re going to Cardiff twice”

The first trip with Barnes’ coaches from Lime Street to the Welsh capital was made in February, as Sander Westerveld’s heroics gave us the trophy and a memorable and happy coach ride back home (I can remember a snow ball fight at a service station in the Midlands somewhere. The only time I have ever seen snow in England).

But The Millennium Stadium was not the only destination we had in sight. Looming on the horizon was also the Westfalen stadion in Dortmund. After being in the doldrums when it came to European football after the UEFA ban, Liverpool fans where finally getting a regular fix of our preferred drug: European glory.

Today the UEFA cup is viewed as nothing more than a distraction by most clubs. But in 2000-2001 it was the source of rebirth and new hopes for Liverpool FC. And also, have there ever been a UEFA cup with such quality as in 2000-2001?

We knocked Fabio Capello’s Roma out in February, thanks to a fantastic Michael Owen in the Stadio Olympico, and thanks to a fantastic Kop who scared the beejeesus out of a Spanish ref at Anfield.

Remember this was at a time when Serie A, quite rightly, was regarded as the by far best league in the world. And later that year Roma won the league title.

In the next round we beat a very good FC Porto side comfortably - two years before the same Porto side won the UEFA Cup, three years before the same FC Porto side won the Champions Leauge.

In the semi FC Barcelona awaited.

Roma, Porto, Barca… Arguably we defeated tougher opposition our way to the 2001 UEFA cup triumph, than when we won the Champions League in 2005.

The day after Liverpool had beaten Wycombe at Villa Park to qualify for the FA Cup final, I travelled up to Anfield and queued for seven - yes 7 - hours to get my hands on a ticket for the semi final against Barca at Anfield. Finally reaching that ticket office window was like sex! (And very much like the first time I had sex, I went straight home and slept for ten hours afterwards! I was knackered)

A funny story: I was in that line with my mates Declan and Dermott. When they phoned me up they day before, to arrange where and when we should meet up, my Spanish flat mate Eduardo answered. His grasp of the English language was pretty much at the same level as the current England manager has now. When Declan asked “Is that you Eric?”, Eduardo answered “I don’t know!”

Those seven hours queuing around Anfield on a cold Monday morning was well worth it tough.

Gary McAllister netted from the spot (that penalty would have hit me full on in the face had it not been for the Anfield Road End net).

Oh joy! Oh jubilation!

After 16 Liverpool had finally a European final to play.

But before that, there were matters to address in the league. Yes, Man United and Arsenal were light years ahead in the league.

But there was still a lucrative Champions League spot to play for. George Burley’s Ipswich had, as most people expected, ran out of steam. Leeds was the main challenger (only three English teams qualified back then).

It was a major blow when goals from Rio Ferdinand and Lee Bowyer gave the Yorkshire outfit a undeserved win at Anfield on Good Friday.

On Easter Monday Liverpool quite simply had to win. If not, that first ever Champions League entrance was at least another year away.

The oposition? Everton at Goodison.

In my 70-80 or so games watching Liverpool live, I have been lucky to experience many memorable moments, and I have seen many more from in front of a television set. But of all my Liverpool experiences, my favourite ever memory is the 3-2 win at Goodison in April 2001. Yes, it even beats Istanbul!

It was a thrilling game. Heskey scored. “In for a week, out for a month, Duncan is a tampon” Ferguson equalised. Babbel scored. Then Biscan was sent off by the truly awful Jeff Winter. Then Everton got the mother of all soft penalties (Yes mister Moyes, Everton got a soft penalty in a derby match). That hippo David Unsworth levelled.

Oh no!

We could forget it now.

Another year in the UEFA Cup awaited. Slovan Liberec and Dundee United rather than Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

But then. Three minutes into injury time Liverpool won a free kick 44 yards out. Gary McAllister floated the ball into the box. Sami Hyypia rose like some 14 year old school boy’s cock in a strip bar. The flying Fin met the ball perfectly. It was going in! Yes!

…but no. Everton’s otherwise ordinary goalkeeper Paul Gerrard delivered a stunning save. All the Liverpool fans could not believe it!

We were all still holding our heads in disbelief when late substitute Gregory Vignal (remember him?) won another free kick in almost the exact same position.

Everybody expected another long ball into the box from McAllister. But Gary Macca had other ideas. Instead he placed the ball perfectly in the diving Gerrard’s bottom corner.

To this day I will never ever forget the sounds around me, as I sat here in the Goodison Park press box.

First total and stunned silence. Then an almighty roar from the travelling Kop on the other side of the pitch. Then the fump-fump-fump sound as 30.000 Everton fans simultaneously rose from their seats and headed for the exits. Then the sound of my own voice going “Aaaaaaargh” and out drowning the fella in front of me who was also jumping up and down letting out primal screams. That fella was John Aldridge, commentating on the game for the local radio.

If football brings me nothing but disappointment and hurt in the next 50 years, I would gladly take it and suffer it just to experience just two second of that feeling I had as Gary McAllister curled that ball into the Everton net on Easter Monday 2001.

Of course there was more curling and more scoring from McAllister in the following weeks.

When we entered the last week of the 2000-2001 season, Liverpool had three cup finals in eight days.

Arsenal in the FA Cup on Saturday the 12th, Alaves in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday the 16th and Charlton in the league on Sunday the 20th. A win at The Valley, and qualification for the Champions League was dead certain.

I can still remember the fantastic vision of the Millennium stadium bathed in glorious sunshine, as I made my way up the gantry for the 2001 FA Cup final. Due to a shortage of tickets in the writer’s press box, my paper at the time had managed to get me a press pass alongside the TV and radio commentators. The view was spectacular!

As I watched Arsenal totally outplay Liverpool and take the lead 1-0, I was sat squeezed in between the commentators of Norwegian channel TV2 and David Ginola commentating for some French channel.

Before I went down to Cardiff, my Arsenal supporting friends (I have got a few) reminded me that this was the fourth time Liverpool and Arsenal met in a cup final. In 1950 Arsenal had won thanks to goals from Lewis. In 1971 they had won thanks to goals from Graham and George, and in 1987 they had won thanks to goals from Nicholas. “And now, we have Henry” they said.

“But yes, we have Owen” I answered.

I could also have pointed out that when Liverpool meet Arsenal in FA cup finals, the team that wears gold and blue win.

Well, you all know what happened. Michael Owen, dressed in gold and blue, turned the game on its head. (Try to write a play about that, Mr. Hornby!)

One down, two to go.

I was not able to get a ticket for the UEFA final in Dortmund (Maybe Luke can write about that one?)

So the final was watched in the student’s union in the Haigh building on Mount Pleasant in Liverpool. Everything went fine. Babbel scored, Gerrard scored. We were cruising.

But then the ale pressed on. I had to go to the toilet. Alonso (no, not Xabi) pulled one back while I was out taking a leak. Gary Macca, in the form of his life, restored the two goal advantage.

Just after the restart I went to the toilet again. When I came back Moerno had scored - not once, but twice! Fuck!

Fowler netted, and with another couple of bottles of Becks (£1,45 a piece, if I remember correctly) necked, I decided to sneak out for another quick leak (I know, I know).

When I came back, Yordi Cruyff, of all people, had made it 4-4!

Extra time came. I was drunk now, all I can remember is standing with my legs crossed, desperately trying not to think about my undersized blather. Oh, and some unfortunate chap called Geli slicing a Gary Macca free kick into his own net.

Two down, one to go.

Next up Charlton. Once again, I had not been able to get a ticket. I can remember watching the game in the pub. I can remember Liverpool having a highly uncomfortable first half, and then Fowler scored with an over head kick, and we cruised to 4-0 and Champions Leauge qualification.

Three down, mission completed.

A couple of days later 300.000 people (Everton, the people’s club my ass!) turned up in the streets of Liverpool to watch an open top bus parade that had, as one banner proclaimed, more cups than a bra factory.

In the end it was the right decision to let Gerard Houllier go. At the end Liverpool was going backwards under him. But we should not forget that after many barren years, he gave us belief, pride and trophies. Liverpool would never have won in Istanbul, had it not been for the big game experience Gerrard, Carragher et al built up under Houllier.

I always felt that Gerrard Houllier came in, and still does, for unwarranted criticism. Yes, he had his faults, and it was right to let him go in the end, but he certainly gave us some glorious moments - while almost ending up paying with his life, least we forget.

But for me, he first and foremost gave me my favourite year!

What about you? Do you have a favourite year, or any favourite football experiences?

Chelsea v Everton

Chelsea’s side continues to be weakened by the absence of their African players for this first leg semi with Drogba, Essien and Kalou all missing, add Lampard, Terry, Shevchenko and most probably Cech, and this means the spine and some limbs of the team are ripped out. Everton gained a deserved draw in the league fixture and despite the absence of two of their creative players in Arteta and Pienaar, i feel they are more than capable of pushing Chelsea close again in what should be a tight game. With Chelsea’s fire power absent and Everton’s usually tight defence then i expect it to be a low scoring affair and would advise backing under 2.5 goals.

Under 2.5 goals 8-11 @ Stan James, Bet Direct

No Goalscorer 9-1 Bet 365

Arsenal V Spurs

Arsene Wenger’s side go into this tie well rested after playing most of his second string in the FA Cup, this is in contrast to Tottenham, as Ramos elected to play his first choice eleven in the draw versus Reading; this factor may well prove key after a busy Christmas period. The league game finished 2-1 and i expect a similar scoreline this time round. Berbatov and Keane are causing defences to panic again and Tottenham’s defence is still weak despite some clean sheets last month. Therefore i expect this to be over 2.5 goals.

Over 2.5 goals 5-6 @ Stan James

Correct Score 2-1 to Arsenal @ 8-1 Blue Square and William Hills

Double on over/under selections = just over 2-1 @ Stan James

Arsenal to beat Burnley – Considering Arsenal’s kids trample everything before them, including top premiership teams, they should dispatch Owen Coyle’s Burnley, who are having a rough patch at present. Bendtner returns from suspension and at 15-8 @ Bet 365 for anytime Goalscorer, he looks value.

Liverpool to beat Luton – It’s not exactly rosy in the garden at Liverpool at the moment, but this cup game might be a welcome relief for Rafa. It won’t be plain sailing though, as Luton pushed Everton to Extra Time earlier in the season and they have won their last 4 home games 1-0. Anything less than a win then Rafa will be under even more pressure. Crouch to score anytime 13-8 @ Bet 365 

4 timer on above teams = 2-1 @ Bet 365

4 trebles and a Fourfold on -1 Handicap @ Bet 365, 4 fold pays 12-1

Accy on the 4 goalscorers gives 40-1

Happy New Year to you all. FA Cup third round day is nearly here, the day of dreams and all those other clichés… Ronnie Radford wheeling away, Dave Beasant’s penalty save, the strange looking Sutton United fan crying into her boyfriend’s arms – don’t we just love it!

But something happened to football once again last week that should make every fan, player and significant other, take stock of their life and priorities. FA Cup third round day doesn’t seem that important when a player dies on the pitch.

Despite my penchants for Morrissey and wearing black, this is not going to be a downbeat, morbid tale. It was tragic what happened to Phil O’Donnell – I think I saw him play once for Celtic in a testimonial – and before him, to Marc-Vivien Foe, the Seville player, and several others I vaguely recall. It does make you think, it must surely give team-mates, opponents and even casual five-a-siders the world over, food for thought too. I can only echo the sentiments you’ve read and seen elsewhere, and my little article means little I know, but if we’re to discuss football it’s an issue we need to at least consider.

However, as I said (rightly or not) the show must go on and football will carry on, not quite regardless but perhaps not with enough consideration. You could say the same about Hillsborough, Heysel, Bradford, Glasgow, events in Italy, or USA 94… I don’t know what the answer is, and will no doubt be berated in some quarters for what I have said but strangely enough I’ve been meaning to write about James McFadden for a while now and whilst not the best circumstances, feel the article has some substance given his touching display of emotions up at Boro on new Year’s Day.

Jimmy Mac as he is sometimes embarrassingly referred to, is something of an enigma - both on and off the pitch. The tone of my original essay was the homophobic rumours and comments he constantly has to put up with, and perhaps his goal celebration and tears at the end of yesterday’s match support my praise of how he conducts himself.

We all have to face certain struggles in life. I myself, without going into detail, have had issues in my personal life leading to secrets and lies, rumours and confrontations, and not just my second life as an efp writer. The main issue at school is being called a queer, gay, homo, poof etc on a regular basis by pupils (and colleagues but that’s a whole other can of worms) but have learned over time to deal with it in the correct manner. Homophobic bullying is a big issue in schools thankfully, charities such as Stonewall are making sure it is no longer ignored, but the problems inherent in society mean that it will be a long process. I accept I may not be quite what the students expect a male role model to be, in fact you could say I’m the Graeme le Saux (art loving, Guardian reading, sensitive, Smiths listening etc) and unfortunately there’s loads of Robbie Fowlers.

I’ve got to stop making these articles a counselling sessions. But you must see the link – many of you will have heard the James McFadden / Will Young rumours that did the rounds a few years ago (though I understand they featured several different footballers depending on which city you were told the titbit in). However, how many of you knew that McFadden is married with children and for the wedding last summer, asked guests not to bring presents, instead to donate to the special care unit that looked after his child?

Therefore, imagine my surprise at the horrible example of Evertonianism who sits infront of me at the match and constant refers to McFadden as McFaggen and shouts get off you queer after every missed shot or dribble down a dark alley. Many fans share these sentiments and here you open up the debate of free speech, different generations etc. But regardless of that fact, maybe Sol Campbell has a point, and more players should be ‘coming out’ and agreeing that fans need to change their attitudes. Surely we have come a long long way since Justin Fashanu’s demise?

This is not a debate on homosexuality in football. There’s enough column inches written about it, and silly quotes too. My argument is just that McFadden has behaved impeccably, long before last weekend’s tragedy, and I really hope we don’t sell him. I truly believe he has the potential to become a real star and although we’ve only seen glimpses of his talent, as a man he deserves more than what we’re giving him.

TOP FIVE JAMES McFADDEN MOMENTS

Early games against Stockport & Leeds when he looked a world beater
The Rat’s Tail he eventually got rid of
The winner against Charlton last year – skill unlike anything I’ve seen before
Shocking most of Goodison after the last game last year, bringing his offspring on with him for the end of match walkround
The goal against Middlesbrough, New Year’s Day 2008

As the title of this article suggests, whether or not he is gay straight whatever is not the issue. A diatribe against a minority of supporters, journalists or footballers will not be enough to change some people’s attitudes, whether on the terraces or in the classroom. I like McFadden, think he’s had a raw deal (I haven’t even mentioned his heroics for Scotland so far) and hope he stays. End of story.

Rather, what’s more important is how we respond to things, sadness, adversity…. Someone once said something about football being more important than life or death. Please let’s not argue that point any more, yesterday’s events said it all. And it made me admire McFadden even more. The very fact you’ve read to the finale and I’ve spent an hour writing it shows football is a myriad of emotions and maybe the beauty of it is that it can help us get over things.

So, play on by all means, but just don’t forget what’s important.