Summaries from the weekend action

1. The changed man of the week award goes to Arsene Wenger, who after defeat to Fulham proclaimed: “I don’t like excuses.”
More conclusions after the jump…

Czech stalemate

1. Fabio Capello needs to stop the rot quickly before he turns into Steve McClaren. Expectations are high, but he has made a few key promises about what he expects from the team which he has not yet delivered on.

Why John Terry is OK by F-Cap

1. Misses penalties
An essential attribute for a true England leader. How can you fully command respect if you are coolly slotting your spot-kick home when all those around you are missing theirs?

Arsenal boss drops the F bomb “If I go into a season and I say, ‘For fuck’s sake, if we don’t win anything, they will all leave,’ I have already lost. The problem of the media is always to imagine the worst. The problem of the manager is always to imagine the best.” Arsene Wenger [...]

Who messed up in their opening match?

1. Manchester United
We are sure Fraizer Campbell will become a very good player in his own right, but he is not ready to lead the line for the champions of Europe. Man Yoo did not look comfortable against Newcastle, and you don’t want to be relying on Darren Fletcher to score your goals all season.

Half a dozen heroes from the new season’s first weekend Click on the photo to check out the list…

Some random thoughts on the weekend’s action 1. How do you expect me to concentrate fully on the Prem when the Olympics are still on? If the opening round of games felt a bit flat, that’s because they had to compete with the Greatest Show on Earth, starring Usain Bolt et al. Speaking of Bolt, [...]

The most striking images from the Prem’s curtain-raiser Much more on Saturday and Sunday’s games throughout the day on Pies. For now, enjoy these pictures. Click on the image to launch the gallery…

1. Cristiano Ronaldo in the crowd at Old Trafford in a Real Madrid replica shirt.

Who’s in your engine room? Pies picks six midfielders who will strengthen your fantasy XI 1. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) Pros Last season, Cesc added goals to assists. Set to improve this season. If fit, will surely play every league game. Cons Expensive to buy. More after the jump…

C-Ron’s ex-squeeze, now dating Marcus Bent. That constitutes a relegation, surely? Click on the image below to launch the gallery…

Who’s got your back? Pies picks six defenders who will strengthen your fantasy XI 1. Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd) Pros The best central defender in Europe right now, and plays for the team that conceded fewer goals than any other in the Prem last season. In this era of squad rotation, Fergie doesn’t ever think [...]

Who’s the No.1 name on your fantasy team-sheet? If you are playing a Prem fantasy football competition this season, which goalies should you be scouting? Pies chooses six of the best: 1. Pepe Reina (Liverpool) Pros The Spanish slaphead is established as Rafa’s No.1 stopper, so you know he’ll play in every league game, if [...]

Don’t peak too soon, son 1. Jack Wilshere We told you he was making an impression at the end of last season, and he has continued that form into the new campaign earning a place in Arsenal’s first-team squad in the process. 2. Darren Bent It’s amazing what the sale of two of the biggest [...]

United toothless up front but still claim first silverware of season Man Yoo owned Pompey for most of the game, but their lack of finishing power meant the game went all the way to pens. At which time Pompey totally gift-wrapped the trophy and handed it to the Prem champions – ‘Arry’s team could only [...]

A decathlon of footballers who should be in Beijing

Once again, the four British home nations couldn’t agree on sending a GB football team to the Oympics… …But if they did agree to merge the nations, which non-English players would make the squad (bear in mind that all of the squad has to be 23 years old or younger, bar three players)? Here are [...]

Craig Bellamy is under investigation (again), this time for a row with a West Ham. Here are six of his best bust-ups

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…

Half a dozen players with a penchant for slobbering on their shirt

1. Emmanuel Adebayor
Got stuck in to his Arsenal badge after scoring against Real Madrid yesterday. That was despite rumours he has been seeking a move to AC Milan all summer and/or using such rumours to hold the club to ransom over a pay rise.

With Wayne Rooney being questioned by police for allegedly spitting at a photographer, Pies looks at six other footballers who thought it was better out than in

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

Shiny new players, in shiny new kits Click on the image below to launch the gallery…

This week’s most popular posts on Pies Valon Behrami’s new WAG has the hotness Player booked for cynical foul on pitch invader Top six horse-face footballers C-Ron’s amazing mahogany legs Chelsea too old to win the title? Top six ridiculous Djibril Cisse looks

Read our lips: these players are NOT for sale Click image below to launch gallery…