Text Box: The Winners The Losers Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Monday 1st September 2008 They said that status doesn’t matter to Fabio Capello and the Italian has enhanced that view with the shock inclusion of gifted workhorse Jimmy Bullard and the exclusion of faded star Michael Owen in his squad to play the most important qualifying match of the campaign. After the usual disjointed England farce that was the Czech Republic, Capello has obviously decided enough is enough. It’s a great move the coach and something the likes of Wally with a 6-0 aggregate hiding Brolly McClaren could only dream of having the guts to do. True the Fulham deadball-specialist’s inclusion owes no small thank you to Sir Stevie of G’s ill-timed surgery but let’s not begrudge Jimmy’s achievement. He undoubtedly will be a bench warmer at the crucial time but he’s earned his astronomical ascendance. Glen Johnson, Theo Walcott, Jermain Defoe, Rob Green, Emile Heskey, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are fellow additions on this merit which is a shame when you consider the out-of-form and out-of-position Wayne Rooney will most probably lineup against the Croats. Rooney is not a man in form and his raw talent really shouldn’t earn him a cap– a player in poor form is still a poor player, however good he is. We’ll see whether England can get something against Andor... I mean Croatia in due course but Capello’s merit stance is none-the-less a refreshing quality in an England boss. Same old England though! Text Box: Links and affiliates Contact Me Text Box: Archive Text Box: SEASON 2008/09 Predictions Text Box: EPL Week 3 Predictions (1 point for each correct part of score, 1 point for correct result) Week 1– 8/30, Week 2– 12/30 or 19/60 This week I may as well give up– 3/30... Oh! EPL Week 3 Winners and Losers

Kevin Keegan throws Joey Barton into a needless cauldron of hate and then actually describes his original tackle on Nasri as “good”, whilst keeping a straight face. The laughs continued as KK hinted that Newcastle thought about signing him.

 Hull learnt what the Prem’s all about. Paul Ince had an unhappy return to Upton Park and deluded himself the referee, despite giving Blackburn a penalty, was “dodgy”.

 Liverpool, uninspiring again (without Steve G). Sunderland and Everton– humiliated at home.

 Tottenham were unlucky to not to wreck Chelsea’s 80+ game home record. Wigan showed that a repeat of last year is not on the agenda, thumping Hull 5-0. West Ham and in particular Sack race leader, Alan Curbishley take a forlorn Blackburn apart at home.

 Arsenal outclassed Newcastle, as usual. The Gunners ran riot and generally proved a joy to behold. Pompey finally get their season started by crushing lacklustre Everton away. Man. City prove their class and the magnitude of Roy Keane’s job at the Stadium of Light.

 Middlesbrough gain an edgy 3 points against newly-promoted Stoke.
Taking the Bull by the horns