Here’s my selection of the best buys this summer

After posting up our Unpopular XI, here’s the flip side of the coin, namely the Prem’s good guys

My player of the weekend: Aaron Lennon (Spurs) Lennon was very lively at Upton Park – it’s clear that he’s getting better all the time. He kept Jonathan Spector on his toes all game and scored a brilliant solo winner, for once topping off a fine run with an equally fine finish. Who was your [...]

With C-Ron gone, it’s time for someone to step up and take his place as the Prem’s least popular player. Here’s Pies selection for a team of the most unpopular players in the league: Paul Robinson (Blackburn) Out-of-form goalkeepers may be booed but generally they’re a likeable bunch. Robbo is about the least popular Prem [...]

EXPENSIVE Didier Drogba (Chelsea) Yes, he’s a bit of a c**t, but I still rate The Drog as the best striker in the world; only when he wants to be though. Luckily for Chelsea fans, it looks like their favourite manchild is motivated again and even fancies taking over from C-Ron as the Prem’s golden [...]

Cracking weekend to kick off the Prem. No draws, plenty of wonder goals and a couple of surprise results (Everton ship six at home!? Madness gone mad).

It’s no secret that the great majority of fantasy teams will feature either Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard (or both, if you base your team around them) in midfield. And quite right too – they score goals, they make goals, they’re never dropped. In short, they are blue-riband picks. So select them if you want. [...]

1. Not a link as such, but you might like to know that the Guardian’s guide to the new football season is out on Monday 10 August, free inside the paper. Pies has had a sneak preview of the guide (see illustration, above) and it looks terrific. [@ Guardian]

The second part of Pies round-up of Prem hardmen. (Part one here) Click the image below to see the top ten…

People often bemoan the lack of genuine hardmen in football today, but to be fair to modern players, every time they play there are 25 cameras following their every move. Plus football has become, if not a non-contact sport, then very much weighted towards the attackers. Small wonder that villains like Ron “Chopper” Harris, Tommy [...]

In order of preference: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd) Man Utd may struggle to replace C-Ron’s goals but they should still be very mean at the back, thanks to the tried and trusted Vidic/Ferdinand axis. Vidic is the most expensive defender in most fantasy leagues, but with good reason: he’s a rock at the back and [...]

1. Why the Hillsborough disaster still matters. [@ Dan Loney Says It All] 2. Carlo Ancelotti is inspired by cheese. [@ At the Far Post] 3. C-Ron ignores crazy stalker ex-WAG. [@ Kickette]

In order of preference: Tim Howard (Everton) On current form, you could make a case to argue that T-Ho is the best keeper in the world. He’s definitely in the top five and although he’s not cheap, he does cost a bit less than Cech and Reina (see below), and he will get you a [...]

Sir Bobby had a magical way with words, even if sometimes he struggled to get them in the right order… 1. “We can’t replace Gary Speed. Where do you get an experienced player like him with a left foot and a head?” 2. “What can I say about Peter Shilton? Peter Shilton is Peter Shilton, [...]

1. A very, very bad penalty miss [@ BigSoccer] 2. Alvaro Arbeloa is set to complete a move to Real Madrid from Liverpool after passing a medical [@ BBC Sport] 3. Top 10 Reasons why Football is better than Cricket [@ SoccerLens]

Looking up at the stars makes me think of all the hot guys in the world… Click the photo below to launch the gallery:

It’s OK, let it all out. Mummy’s here… 1. Pele A 17-year-old Pele cries on the shoulder of Didi as teammates Gilmar and Orlando congratulate him on his fantastic performance in the 1958 World Cup final.

Simple, classy? Er, no… Click on the image to launch the gallery:

1. Oasis and Kasabian back England 2018 World Cup bid. [@ England 2018 bid] 2. Very sad news. John Hartson diagnosed with brain cancer. [@ BBC] 3. Man Utd to sign the ‘new Ronaldinho’? [@ Guardian] 4. Watch Alex Ferguson’s first press conference ahead of the new season. [@ 101GreatGoals] 5. Kiko Macheda robbed at [...]

Where did all the moustaches go? These days it’s all bare upper lips and waxed chests. Shame. Get a load of this… Caesar Jenkyns Hail Caesar. The rugged Welshman was one of the hardest defenders of his era - he played for Woolwich Arsenal from 1895-96, and became the Gooners’ first ‘international’ captain. Bob Holmes Elementary. [...]

The ponytail is a particularly nasty hairstyle, rarely seen in real life these days, but it has a shamefully rich heritage amongst footballers… Brian Kilcline You’re looking at a man’s man’s man’s man. Even with his girly hair, you’d never, ever mess with Kilcline. Roberto Baggio The one and only Divine Ponytail. Gaze on it [...]

There’s never a bad time to celebrate the most terrifying/amusing hairstyle in football history. Sit back, relax and enjoy our gallery of long-at-the-back horror hair… Frank Worthington Hello ladies. Charlie Nicholas Words fail me. Paul Mariner Sweet Jesus. Gerry Francis Twat sandwich. Mark Hateley That tracksuit top is awesomeness squared. Rudi Voller 1990s, time for [...]

Some clubs have no No.13 squad shirt (Liverpool and Arsenal, for example), but not all players believe it’s bad luck. Here’s our list of ten players who aren’t triskaidekaphobics: Michael Ballack Wears the No.13 for Chelsea and sometimes Germany. Indeed, Ballack has worn the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for, with [...]

Wally Hardinge Wally played cricket for Kent and won one England cap, against the touring Australians in 1921. He also played football for Newcastle United, Sheffield United and Woolwich Arsenal (just before they dropped the Woolwich from their name). While at Bramall Lane he won one England cap, against Scotland in 1910. Gary Lineker Mr [...]