John Deary’s playing career spanned 20 years and four clubs, all of them based in the north west, allowing him to talk about football in the region with an authority that few can rival. His specialist subjects are Burnley and Blackpool, and he was in fine form when we caught up with him recently.
Man City boss to raid Bayern Munich for full-back, but not the best one
Pep Guardiola is a really nice man. Here’s why: As the former manager of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the 45-year-old has a wide array of world class players that he has worked with. Having been a very successful manager at both clubs, playing some wonderful football in the process, it … Read more
Unheralded ex-Bolton ace integral to Chelsea’s October revival
September defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal led to Chelsea being effectively written out of the Premier League title race in September, but a run of three wins to nil have forced the bookies to scribble the Blues back into the picture. Antonio Conte’s troops have been whittled into 13/2 fourth … Read more
Superb value to be had about Spurs star claiming top scorer honours
Few foresaw Diego Costa sitting at the top of the Premier League top scorer standings after nine games but, nevertheless, the Spaniard leads the way with seven strikes to his name. The combustible Chelsea star is one ahead of Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, while he’s two clear of five-goal trio Theo … Read more
Middlesbrough v Bournemouth: More goals in the second half the best bet at the Riverside
Last Result: Arsenal 0-0 MIDDLESBROUGH BOURNEMOUTH 0-0 Tottenham Kick-off: 15:00, 29/10/16 Stadium: The Riverside Stadium Head-to-head: (Most recent first) Bournemouth 3-0 Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough 0-0 Bournemouth, Bournemouth 0-0 Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough 3-3 Bournemouth, Bournemouth 1-2 Middlesbrough Injuries and Suspensions Middlesbrough: Out – Grant Leadbitter Doubt – None Bournemouth: Out – Lewis Cook, … Read more
If Southampton and Bournemouth stars don’t make the next England squad, they never will
A regularly regurgitated gripe among those willing to devote the necessary time and brain power to analyse England squads for tournament qualifiers and friendlies is how reputation often seems to carry more weight than form in the selection process. In such moments, it seems clear that appeasing egos is of … Read more
Meet the Chelsea star revitalised by club’s change in tactics
There are plenty of people associated with Chelsea that are enjoying Antonio Conte’s switch to 3-4-3, but Eden Hazard could arguably have the widest smile of the lot. The Belgian forward was named man-of-the-match as the Blues ran out 4-0 victors over Manchester United last time out, capping a fine … Read more
Why Man City is one of the worst possible destinations for Chelsea misfit
With the transfer window still over two months from opening and no competition anywhere near its conclusion, times are understandably tough for sports news generators to fill their allotted column inches. Site visits are down in this notoriously barren period, but the gossip peddlers are still playing with transfer yarns, … Read more
Favourites offer best value in Chelsea v Man Utd scoring stakes
In the early part of the current decade, Chelsea v Manchester United made a play to be the most entertaining and unpredictable battle between so-called ‘big six’ outfits. The 2011/12 and 2012/13 campaigns saw the pair churn out scorelines of 5-4, 3-3, 2-2, 2-3 and 3-1, with both protagonists taking … Read more
Boro draw reveals who is Arsenal’s most important player
Talk of Arsenal’s evolution into ‘the real deal’ as far as a Premier League title contenders was concerned was hushed by the Gunners’ goalless draw with Middlesbrough this weekend. A run of seven straight wins in all competitions was curtailed by the Emirates stalemate, which came just three days after … Read more
Chelsea v Man Utd: Mourinho to weave more monotonous magic
Last Result: CHELSEA 3-0 Leicester – Diego Costa (first), Eden Hazard, Victor Moses Liverpool 0-0 MAN UTD Kick-off: 16:00, 23/10/16 TV: Sky Sports 1 Stadium: Stamford Bridge Head-to-head (last five meetings – most recent first): Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd, Man Utd 0-0 Chelsea, Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd, Man Utd 1-1 … Read more
Back 5/2 Boro for the drop ahead of gruelling spate of games
When Champions League winners, international strikers and touted young talents were arriving at Middlesbrough in their droves during the summer, optimistic predictions were made and lofty aspirations revealed. In addition to the exciting signings, the flames of pre-season optimism were fanned by a favourable fixture list that pitted Boro against … Read more
Real Madrid outcast’s admission could mean more trouble for Man United star
What Wayne Rooney is currently on is commonly known around football as an international break, although there has been precious little respite from the constant questions about his form and best playing position. Having been dropped from the Manchester United side by Jose Mourinho before joining up with England, the … Read more
Arsenal v Swansea: Visitors all set to give new boss a winning start
Last Result: Burnley 0-1 ARSENAL – Laurent Koscielny (1st goalscorer) SWANSEA 1-2 Liverpool – Leroy Fer (1st goalscorer) Kick-off: 15:00, 15/10/16 Stadium: Emirates Stadium, London Head-to-head: (Most recent first) Arsenal 1-2 Swansea, Swansea 0-3 Arsenal, Arsenal 0-1 Swansea, Swansea 2-1 Arsenal, Arsenal 2-2 Swansea Key Stats: Both teams have scored … Read more