Pies gives its mid-season verdict on each Prem team

Big Eck’s team up to sixth!

Liverpool skipper up to his old tricks?

Featuring a missed penalty by a German

Pick Big Sam’s two most essential players…

Get me a rum and coke NOW. I’m on a roll… Fergie seems willing to overlook Michael Owen’s appalling injury record, unlike Big Sam, who wasn’t prepared to take a risk on signing a player who might not be able to give Blackburn at least 30 games next season. I understand Allardyce’s argument - he has [...]

£18m! Really? What the what?! (Yes, I am a bit late to this.) I guess Mark Hughes has a major man-crush on Santa Cruz, then, otherwise he’d have wised up to the fact that the striker is worth … ooooh … let’s say more like £6m. Great deal for Blackburn, this. Don’t you think Peter [...]

Answer: no it couldn’t. I’m all for simple kits, and though this new Umbro shirt is simple, it looks horribly cheap and flimsy. And the shirt sponsor, which sticks out like Gareth Southgate’s nose, looks like it’s been ironed on. Not good. Agree, disagree? Leave a comment or vote after the jump (and see a [...]

This is how the Fair Play table looked at the end of the 08/09 season (click to enlarge). It’s judged on the following criteria: R/Y = Red/Yellow cards (three pts for a red, one for a yellow), max. of 10 pts per match P/P = Positive Play, max. 10 pts per match R/O = Respect [...]

Friday’s news and rumours Paul Ince struggling to make friends at Blackburn? [BBC] Martin O’Neill cup-ties Gareth Barry. Screw you, Rafa [The Sun] Wayne Rooney fit for Man Utd opener v Newcastle [Mail] Adrian Mutu ordered by Fifa to pay £13.8m in damages to Chelsea, for failed drug test. It’s the biggest fine ever given [...]

Who’s done the best business in the off-season? Here’s who… 10 Brad Friedel (Blackburn to Aston Villa) He’s not far off 40 years old, but Hellboy is still one of the best ‘keepers around. The rest of the list after the jump…

Tuesday’s soccer-shaped smorgasbord Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder’s knee injury will rule him out for three months, a relief to the player who had feared a longer absence. Tests showed Sneijder did not tear ligaments when he was challenged by Arsenal’s Abou Diaby in a friendly. [Canadian Press] Alex Ferguson is a secret film buff [...]

Given the cold shoulder by England and Spurs, Blackburn’s new £3.5 million signing Paul Robinson has been making lots of noises about rebuilding his career. But this video evidence of his Rovers debut make it look like Robbo is continuing as he finished at White Hart Lane. The mighty Northwich Victoria are the team making the former England number one look a mug.

More pics of new boys (check out part one) Click on the image below to launch the gallery…

Why sign another overpriced midfielder? David Bentley is a good Premier League player. He’s not worth £15m, but that’s another story. Put it this way: none of the big four wanted him, including Arsene Wenger, who ditched him in the first place (albeit with regret). Tottenham would have been better off spending the money earned [...]

Today’s news, rumours & morsels Top five hottest women in the USA national team [Save the intern] Ex-con Joey Barton loses lucrative Nike boot deal [The Sun] David Bentley set for White Hart Lane medical after Spurs increase bid to £15m. [Telegraph] Aston Villa’s attempts to compete with the salary Gareth Barry would receive if [...]

Friday’s news balls Spanked by Yanks West Ham lost 3-2 to David Beckham’s MLS All-Stars. [The Spoiler] Unsafe hands Spurs keeper Paul Robinson off to Blackburn in a £3.5m deal. Robbo will replace Brad Friedel, who is off to Aston Villa. [Mirror] The Joy of Cesc Fabregas visits Disneyland, wears Mickey Mouse-themed wizard’s hat. [Kickette] [...]

A few pics for you from Rovers’ first game under the Guvnor Click on the image below to launch the gallery…

Finding the Lonely Hearts of Euro 2008 the perfect home in the Premier League

Arsenal – Artur Boruc
Poland’s keeper was in top form during the competition and a move to a top four club could be enough to tempt him away from Celtic. The Gunners – with Jens Lehmann on his way out – could be interested.

Pies picks out three great Ince clips, in honour of Blackburn’s new boss 1. Getting on the wrong side of Big Dunc Ferguson was one player who even Ince wouldn’t pick a fight with.

Monday’s best football stories 1. Karim Benzema to Man Utd Fergie is preparing a £30m mega bid for the very highly rated Lyon striker. God help the rest of the league if the United boss gets his man. [Manchester Evening News] 2. Jose Mourinho to Inter Milan This is more than mere rumour now, it [...]