Somewhere Chelsea & Man City got their Wires Crossed!

I'm watching Man City vs Sporting Lisbon and at half time I have had to endure Edin Dzeko under-perform. Sloppy passing and slowing the play down, he is in danger of being replaced at half time. I think he needs to put himself about a bit, make that extra effort to get into the box.

He reminds me of Torres & I don't think that it is much coincidence that they were big money January transfers last year. I wonder with the style of Man City and Chelsea; should Torres have gone to Man City and Dzeko to Chelsea?

Man City like to play the ball into space in the attacking third with Silva and Toure making things happen whereas, Chelsea are a more pass into space side which would suit Dzeko's style.

I hope Dzeko does better in the second half! However, I'm not holding my breath!

Kenny Dalglish - wrong for Liverpool

Carling cup champions were brought back down to earth with a defeat to a resurgent Arsenal this weekend and it got me thinking about Liverpool, and the credentials of Kenny Dalglish.

The return of King Kenny was the event of the century, "the second coming" to most Liverpool fans however, I believe that fans are looking at their current situation through "Dalglish tinted spectacles".

Just outside the top six and wholly under-performing against smaller reputation teams, Liverpool fans live for those big wins against the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City. The Carling cup win over Cardiff was a hollow one as they did not deserve to win.

Unfortunately, the Carling cup win may mask, fans and owners, perspective on the success of their season. In fact, poor signings and a lack of consistency may mean a downward spiral for Liverpool.

What Liverpool may have to look forward to is Kenny walking when the pressure gets too much as it did at Newcastle and Blackburn, he walks. What Liverpool needs is a 21st Century manager that can cope with the archaic former players opinions. I believe Didier Deschamps would be a manager that would fit that bill. He has managed at the highest level, dealt with crisis situations and has taken a team into the Champions League finals. He is a world class manager that has lived in the shadows of top managers and I believe that he could make the grade.

KWTV Film Network starts this week so keep posted film fans. Follow me on twitter @kriswwalker



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How to beat Barcelona...

I have started this weeks blogpost with the boldest of all statements and one which puts my tactical knowledge to the test. How to beat Barcelona? Has become one of those questions that have become as philosophical as what is the meaning of life? A team that plays football the right way and can be absolutely devastating to watch. Johan Cruyff's 'Total Football' pilgrimage has enable Barcelona to instil a style of play from youth team to first team which has spawned a legacy of world class footballers. They are so comfortable on the ball and the fluidity between player positions make it almost impossible to workout a game plan that can shut them down. Not only are they awesome in attack, it is when they lose possession when we best see 'Total Football' at its best. The mentality of 'get possession back as fast as you can' makes Mourinho's apparent genius dispondent and allows lesser teams to be picked off at will. I could talk about the players for days however, we have all heard about that, so let's identify their weaknesses.

Do they have any? I believe that they always had two main weaknesses which were in the full back area; Alves because he plays like a right winger and the right players could exploit that given the chance, Abidal because he should be a central defender and is the most flat footed out of the Barca team. This season I have identified one more; Cesc Fabregas. Don't get me wrong Fabregas is an exceptional player but the decision to sign him had more of a romance to it than a need to sign a quality midfielder. Due to his similar traits with Xavi and Iniesta it has effected their she and the fluidity within the midfield has become top heavy hence why a lot of goals they have conceded have come from just outside the box. For example, Roque Santa Cruz's strike at the Nou Camp. That, added with the full backs being potentially an area of exploitation, a team with a decent set of attacking players could cause them problems.

I mean firstly, you have to deal with the attacking players and that starts with Lionel Messi. There is no point man marking him as it will be like playing with ten men. Instead playing two zonal defence minded midfield players may help, with one acting as a floater between behind the back four and in front. That brings me on to. Y ext point and that is the recurring pattern of counter attacking football they play. A great example of this was in the Champions League final as Pedro's goal came from this. Using the three midfield players allows for some width in the middle of the park which inadvertently draws the full back inside. Dani Alves, Pedro, Messi or Sanchez then fill this space and have a clear run to the byline or an opportunity to cut in and attack the inside. A floating defence minded midfielder could counter this by filing in the space left by the full back and break up play and could potentially start a counter attack. You only have to do this a few times at be beginning of a game and cause them slight problems for them to tighten it up at the back, restricting their attack g options and thus stifling their play.

Over the next few weeks I will be choosing different teams and lining them up in a fashion to potentially challenge Barcelona. This first example, I am going to make my life a bit easier by selecting a team very similar; Manchester City. I would line the up as follows; Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, De Jong, Yaya Toure, Milner, Silva, Auguero and Balotelli.

A strong powerful midfield against three smaller players (unless busquests is playing) and lets face it these are not midfielders who just slug it forward. De Jong would be the floater based on his tactical awareness and defensive positioning. Yaya Toure would be zonal based on his size, pace and power. Milner would be there to mop up any loose play and to counter defend the third midfielder whomever that may be. He could also start attacks. The forward players are just as fluid as Barcelona's, if not more depending on David Villa. The attacking full backs would not know which attacker was playing on the wing, dropping off or going through the centre. Kind of a bit like what Barca do to other teams. With Silva, he could be the player that could exploit the marauding Alves and could set Balotelli and Aguero away. The one player I think I have selected that may come under scrutiny from some people may be my decision to play Zabaleta at right back, well allow me to justify. A player that could cope against an attacking threat from Alves and one that due to being naturally right sided wont be sucked inside as often. His versatility could also act in a fluid motion between himself and De Jong if he is breaking play up. Playing Clichy and Kolarov would be great at home if City decided to have a go but away from home it would be suicide.

So there you have it, my thoughts on how to beat Barcelona. Of course its easy for me to just say it but I reckon it could work with some practice. Man United I believe nearly cracked it but I feel they came unstuck in the middle of the park and in the full back area, where I believe are areas that need exploiting! Feel free to follow me on twitter @kriswwalker and keep a look out for the next instalment of KWTV which will be a film channel. This coming week I will talking about Tevez, Kenny Dalglish and Torres, as well as selecting another team to beat Barcelona! Feel free to make suggestions of teams that could beat Barcelona on twitter and I'll have a go! Stay classy! @kriswwalker

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Transfer Watch - Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard looks set to leave Lille this summer and is widely expected to join an EPL team. Today Harry Redknapp has declared his interest however, he has gathered interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.


The right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle has dazzled fans and received critical acclaim from many pundits due to his pace, skills and match winning attitude. His explosive turn of pace makes Hazard a nightmare for defenders and somebody that could really set the Premier League on fire.


So where will he be playing his football for next season? He would be great for Tottenham however, due to the uncertainty of Harry Redknapp it may make Hazard think twice. That being said he may be the right winger that Spurs have been missing with Lennon lacking in confidence and technical skill when it comes to crossing a ball. Also, Spurs won't have many striking options next season as I can not see them buying Adebayor.


Liverpool would be the club with the "history", the fans, "King Kenny" and the stadium. It's just a shame they are not the club with "the team". I'm sure Hazard would love the big games where Liverpool decide to turn up and play like a team with quality however, it would be a shame when a player of Hazard's quality has to try and carry a team that is losing at home to a lesser placed team. It would be an obvious choice of switching Hazard for Henderson being that Hazard can play football and Henderson can't but I struggle to see how he would link up with Carroll and Suarez.


Chelsea would be a nightmare for Hazard even if Mourinho returned. If only Juan Mata had signed for Man City he wouldn't look so ordinary. Hazard would become the next "fringe Joe Cole" type player and be subject to substitute appearances; coming on for Ramires in the 83rd minute. Chelsea have a style of play in grained within them from when Mourinho took over. They pass to feet not into space and play through the middle rather than wide. They destroyed Wright-Phillip's potential career as well as nearly destroying Scott Parkers.


Arsenal would be perfect for Hazard. He would fit into a front three that wouldn't have to include Walcott or Arshavin. Hazard could be Arsenal's version of Messi and with a couple of defensive acquisitions alongside Hazard in the summer, it would turn Arsenal into a title challenging team. Arsenal should have never signed Walcott; yeah he's fast but my god, he makes poor decisions. The link up play with Wilshire, Song, Van Persie and hopefully Oxlaide Chamberlain, Hazard would feel right at home.


That leaves Manchester City. I'm not going to put forward Man United as an option as I do not believe with having Tom Cleverly they will go into the market for a player like Hazard, even if they should anyway, but hey that's Man U. With Man City, Mancini has stated that he wanted another right-winger and with only having three available strikers, Hazard could fit the bill as a right winger and as a second striker. Playing alongside, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero, as well as fellow countryman Vincent Kompany, Hazard would feel instantly at home. He has the ability to switch wings, to play that fluid style of play the attacking midfielders that City are playing these days. Plus his turn of pace could offer something different to Man City who are quickly realising that teams are putting ten men against the ball in every single game they play.


So with my analysis, Arsenal or Man City are the potential teams that Hazard should look at signing for in the summer. Personally, I do not mind which one, I would just be happy to see this wonderful talent in the EPL. Stay tuned for next weeks blog as I put my tactical skills to the test as I work out how to beat Barcelona! Follow me on twitter @kriswwalker and look out for the next channel of KWTV: KWTV - Film News. Stay classy!

John Guidetti - Proof of a top quality forward!

Following on from the John Guidetti story, here is further proof of the potential he is showing! This is his hat-trick against Vitesse, I especially love his first goal! A big thank you to @holy_dutch for the video!

Joey Barton must go to Euro 2012!

Today after watching the Chelsea vs Birmingham game and seeing Frank Lampard come on as a substitute and fire a mediocre free kick against a wall - it reminded me of that "goal" that should have stood against Germany in the world cup. You know that excuse we gave to why we bombed out of the competition! It left me thinking, I don't want a "what should have been" excuse again!


Joey Barton has had his critics but I have to say that never has the media shadowed such a quality player! Whether it be family issues or Xmas party antics, the press never talk about what Joey is good at; playing top quality football.


With Joey Barton's tenacity, we could really upset the apple cart at Euro 2012 and play with some fire. Not to mention that he is a quality passer of the ball, has a hell of a shot and breaks up play as good as anyone. Whomever gets the England job, take a punt on Joey, one things for sure he will not let you down!

John Guidetti - Does he have a future at Man City?

John Guidetti has been on the books for Manchester City since he was fifteen. Now at nineteen and currently at Feyernoord on loan he is beginning to show his potential.

With 17 goals in 15 appearances, as well as his intensity on the pitch, he is becoming a favourite at Feyernoord and rightly so! This begs the question, does he have a future at Manchester City. At Manchester City he was a driving force for both the under 18's and the reserves scoring regularly as well as building himself to be a powerful top quality striker. He also impressed me during Manchester City's pre-season tour of the US. After a short loan at Burnley, it is now with Feyernoord that he is starting to shine. 

With the wealth of striking talent that Manchester City have on offer and with the return of Carlos Tevez, it seems as though chances may be limited for the Sweden U-21 striker. However, with the inconsistency of Dzeko, the unpredictability of Balotelli and Tevez probably not being around for much longer, Guidetti could be a valid choice for Roberto Mancini and maybe a striker that could work nicely alongside Sergio Aguero.

Guidetti's loan move really reminds me of the Joe Hart loan to Birmingham. Regular football with room for development. At Birmingham, Joe Hart was able to improve his distribution as well as coming for crosses and now, he is currently one of the best goalkeepers in world football. With Manchester City being thrust into the spotlight with the wealth of talent and high expectancy coming through the door, it is difficult for a young player to be able to make mistakes and develop into a top footballer. With Hart and Guidetti playing in such positions where mistakes are highlighted, it could ruin them. Guidetti needed a run of games to see what type of striker he is. He also, needed to work on his movement and being able to link up play with the midfield and second strikers.

What I have seen so far is encouraging. His movement, link up play and proficiency in front of goal have provided evidence that to put him in a team with Silva, Yaya Toure, Nasri and Aguero, could be a mouth watering prospect. He has all the attributes of a top EPL striker; tall, powerful, a good finisher and has excellent intensity and drive within his overall movement and link up play. Have a watch of some of Guidetti's highlights from this season, lets hope that Roberto Mancini jumps on the John Guidetti bandwagon. 

Big Sam for England!

After every major tournament where England seem to fail to rise to the high expectations that the country and indeed the media set, we as a nation wonder, why? Why can we not compete with the likes of Spain? 'We need to go back to the grass roots of football, and have our youngsters playing "futsal"'. What the hell is "futsal"?! However, England need to quickly realise one major factor into why we do not succeed in major tournaments - We are not good enough!


Today Fabio Capello, resigned as England head coach. Something which should have happened a long time ago as he simply does not understand England's style of play (nor do we understand him - at all). Boasting a record of only two competitive defeats there are certain factions slamming the F.A. for causing this to happen so near to a major tournament and that Fabio Capello changed the way England played. I must say that I never fall asleep during a football match but I actually did during every single one of England's group matches in the world cup. The only one I didn't was the Germany game and that because they were so good! Capello slowed the team down, played Rooney up front on his own, made a scumbag captain again, kicking off when the scumbag captain was racist and stripped of his captaincy, played to narrow, played Theo Walcott and Andy Carroll in the same team, didn't select Joe Hart for the world cup and many more soul destroying factors that have made England the most boring nation to watch play international football.


The EPL is the greatest league in the world without a shadow of a doubt and a lot of 'so-called' world beaters can't seem to hack it. That is because of the pace and power that we play with, the motivation, the aggression, the sheer drive to win; and it's entertaining. A lot of people go on about Stoke City being too physical and slogging there way into EPL consolidation. I thoroughly enjoy it; there is no greater sight than seeing a defence panic because a Rory Delap throw, or Ryan Shawcross going through a player. Stoke introduced themselves on Europe this year and the teams they played had no idea what hit them. God help Valencia with their slick passing and movement, I can't wait to see Miguel trying to mark Jon Walters. It is of my opinion that the past England managers have got it well and truly totally wrong because they don't look at the way we play in the EPL, they look at Barcelona, Spain, Real Madrid, build up play, which is stunning to watch at times, but not a kind of game that England players have the technical capabilities for.


That brings me on to Sam Allardyce. A manager who has gained a reputation for using one strategy; long ball. Allardyce likes to set his team up with a powerful centre forward leading the line with advanced forward players dropping off them. A goalscoring midfielder, wingers, a player who can pass a ball long in the middle of the park, and two aggressive central defenders. His teams play with pace and they play with a hard defensive structure that is extremely hard to break down.


It is these credentials within Allardyce's management style which makes me believe he is the right man for the England job. It's a style that English players do best and no longer would he have to select from the average English National Pool or foreign players, he could pick from the best! No long ball Matty Taylor, Stephen Gerrard. No Slogger Kevin Davies, Andy Carroll, don't need aging Kevin Nolan, have Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney and someone like Oxlaide-Chamberlain picking up the knockdowns. Most importantly, bring back  two players who would excel more than anyone with this style of play - David Beckham and Paul Scholes. The quality of distance passing is still second to none and finally Andy Carroll might have quality to rely on rather than a one in ten good ball from Dirk Kuyt. 


I can see how an Allardyce squad would look like, I can see how the starting team would line up and I can see how it would go for England. It would not be pretty, nations would berate our "ugly" style of play, but we would win, sure only a 1-0 nil scrap having only 40% possession but if we play with drive, passion and a Sam Allardyce structure, we could just do it - Big Sam, you get my vote!


Sam Allardyce England Squad


Goalkeepers
Joe Hart
Robert Green
David Stockdale


Defenders
Micah Richards
Ryan Shawcross
Chris Smalling
Phil Jones
Joleon Lescott
Glen Johnson
Ashley Cole
Leighton Baines


Midfield
David Beckham
Paul Scholes
Jack Wilshire
Stephen Gerrard
Joey Barton
Adam Johnson
Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain
Ashley Young


Forward
Andy Carroll
Wayne Rooney
Daniel Sturridge
Peter Crouch

The Best Penalty Kick Ever!

Is this the best PK ever? Just look where the ball gets stuck in the goal! Excellent!

Andy Carroll: Great Player being ruined by Liverpool!

I go back to a goal Andy Carroll scored against Arsenal last season for Newcastle at the Emirates. An excellent delivery met with quite stunning header; Carroll looking as though he was in suspended animation rather than going up for a header. He is a player who isn't just your dangly Peter Crouch kind of player, he isn't just an inconsistent Heskey. He is an 'old fashioned' centre forward who has all the qualities that Alan Shearer had at his prime.


Strong, powerful and dynamic Carroll can lead a line as good as any forward in the EPL. I watched him play for Newcastle when they were in the championship and then the five months or so in the premiership before he moved to Liverpool. In that time, I saw a confident young striker who had the potential to become England's leading striker for the next ten years.


He has made one mistake. He signed for Liverpool. Within the whole 50 million pound circus that was the Fernando Torres saga Carroll replaced him for 35 million and was rushed back from injury to please the Kop faithful. During the start of his career at Liverpool he was visibly unfit due to rush back from injury. He also struggled to adapt to Liverpool's style of play which does not suit a centre forward of Carroll's qualities. In fact the only time Liverpool did this was when beat Man City 3-0 at Anfield, Carroll, unsurprisingly, scoring twice.


I watched the Liverpool - Man United game yesterday and I was impressed with Andy Carroll's performance it had to be said. A performance that he can really build on and move forward. However, I hear reports today that Liverpool have tried a swap deal with Man City with Carroll and Carlos Tevez and, if these reports are true, Liverpool are disgraceful. What must Andy Carroll be feeling this morning, knowing that he had played a good game only to be used in a swap deal. The simple truth is Liverpool need to look at the players that are apparently providing Andy Carroll with this "top quality" service as each one of those are not good enough to be playing in a team in charge of supplying Andy Carroll. Stuart Downing can not cross a ball - I think that is why Liverpool are playing him on the right! Jose Enrique could cross at Newcastle but has again been forced to come inside. I don't think I need to even talk about Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson as I think it's obvious to see that they do not possess the qualities provide decent service for Carroll.


If I were Alex Ferguson, i'd be getting onto Carroll's agent and making a deal happen. He would be perfect for Manchester United and Manchester United would be perfect for Carroll as their regime and mentality will make Carroll reach is potential. In other direction with United's ability to put the ball in the box, Carroll would bag a hatful of goals.


Check out this video of Andy Carroll to remind you of the footballer he is and not of the footballer restricted by a poor Liverpool midfield. Keep working Andy, and get out of that football club anyway you can!!

Tim Ream - the right move!

It looks as though Tim Ream will sign for Bolton Wanderers and I believe that for him this is the right move. With Gary Cahill making the switch to Chelsea this would be a perfect opportunity for somebody young to really cement themselves at the heart of a premier league defence. With the success  of Stuart Holden who I believe is a real quality player, Bolton have now looked to sign another US player with great prospects. Holden has really struggled with injury and if Bolton are relegated I am almost certain that he will be one of the first to make a big money move and I think that this could also be the same for Tim Ream if he signs and Bolton go down. These next few months could really catapult Ream into the premier league spotlight and if Bolton stay up, he remains a premier league player and if they go down, he makes the move (if he impresses of course). 


Overall, American soccer players have done well in the EPL and I am surprised that more haven't made the move across the pond. Landon Donovan is a fantastic player and he is a fantastic loan signing for Everton. Clint Dempsey is one of the most underrated players in the EPL and is unbelievable in the air. I remember Brian McBride for Everton who was absolutely fantastic and excellent at leading the line. The goalkeepers have performed the best with Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Marcus Hahnemann and Kasey Keller being excellent shot-stoppers over the premier league years. Hopefully, Ream won't be a Jozey Altidore or a Jon Spector, I don't think he will as he possesses the pace and technical ability to cope with the EPL. Heres a video showing just how good he actually is.

The Infamous Seal Dribble!! Kerlon!

Would this work in the premiership? An unbelievable piece of trickery from the Brazillian Kerlon who has perfected this unorthodox skill. As excellent as it is,  wonder how often he could do this against the likes of Ryan Shawcross and Joey Barton.

Nedum Onuoha should play against Spurs!

Manchester City have spent hundreds of millions of pounds on some of the best players in world football and now January is again upon us, the Citizens are linked with a wealth of top class players. That capped with losing the Toure brothers in the African Cup of Nations and having Vincent Kompany dismissed for four games leaves Man City pretty short of options, making it very tempting to go into the transfer market for a defender.


However, I say no! Especially when there is a ready made Premier League standard defender waiting in the wings in Nedum Onuoha. He made his first league appearance tonight for over two years for Manchester City which I have to say surprises me a lot. I know that there was a massive bust up with the City board which caused Gary Cook to resign and that he had said a few negative comments about Roberto Mancini's style when he was on loan at Sunderland, but Roberto, please play this guy on Sunday against Tottenham!


He made his debut at 16 years old and I remember him giving Thierry Henry a run for his money at Highbury in a 1-1 draw. He has played at right-back, at centre-back and has also played at left-back. He was England Under 21 Captain at the European Championships and also enjoyed a very successful loan at Sunderland of which I remember him scoring a superb solo effort. He is fast, strong and agile; this is not a "hoof it!" up the field kind of player, this is an extremely intelligent player who shows great tactical awareness and composure. I actually believe that, defensively, he is more adept than Micah Richards - however, he has excelled dramatically this season into a 'Carlos Alberto' type full-back. 


Stefan Savic is only 20 years old and inexperienced in the Premier League and has looked a little shaky in his past few outings. That being said I believe he does possess the attributes of a top-class defender. A Nedum Onuoha, Joleon Lescott central pairing just sounds right to me and one which could get Man City through a tough period as well as kick start Onuoha's City career. 


Selling him would be a waste, just like Daniel Sturridge was, Mancini has already made that clear. However, I plead with Mancini to give Nedum Onuoha a chance as he may just be the saving grace Man City need in this tricky January period. 

Is this the Best Goal Ever!

Is this the best goal ever? Matty Burrows scoring an absolute worldy in the 92nd minute for Glentoran against Portadown however, I wonder whether this is the best goal of all time. Is it better than Roberto Carlos against Tenerife or France? Better than Zidane's volley? Rooney's overhead kick? For me it's pretty special however, if I had to choose then I would say that it was probably Wayne Rooney's vs Man City (I hate to say).

Roberto Carlos Impossible Goal!

Forget Neymar! This has to be my all time favourite goal and one which, I believe will never be repeated! Check out this video that proves just how impossible this was!!

Harry Redknapp Rant

I'm a big admirer of Harry Redknapp's ability to manage and this video offers a great insight into his character and what it is like to play under him. I love the anger in his face and how he just can't let it drop! Redknapp for England!!

Psycho Soccer Player

I love this video! Elizabeth Lambert is the new Vinnie Jones! If I was guranteed this every week, I would be a season ticket holder for sure!!

Transfer WIndow Player Watch - Jordan Rhodes

Hot Property! 25 Goals in 21 Games - Jordan Rhodes is the name on everybody's lips!

I am not sure whether Lee Clark wants to jump for joy or to prepare for a potentially difficult January transfer window as Jordan Rhodes continues to set League 1 on fire with the Premier League scouts circling around the Galpharm Stadium like vultures.

At just 21, Jordan Rhodes is putting in the sorts of displays that have seen him score five goals against Wycombe and earning himself a call up to the Scottish National team. Currently, West Ham are the only team to make an enquiry however, there are a host of teams looking at the former Ipswich player.

So what are the strengths to Rhodes' game; well apart from possessing blistering pace he also has the drive and motivation to chase down defenders and lead the line well. He will be able to cope with the physical nature of the premier league as he has a strong build and the right kind of aggression that will allow him to take charge on the football pitch. However, some may argue that he has not faced any superior opposition as of yet and that he may vanish under the spotlight of bigger name players and the speed and quality of some premier league defenders. Although, I do believe that Rhodes possesses that incredible ability to get into the right position at the right time. You only have to watch Michael Owen play to see how important movement and reactions are for a striker and Rhodes can bring this into the Premier League.

So who should Jordan Rhodes sign for if the Premier League clubs come knocking? First of all, count West Ham out, they do not play the kind of football that would suit Rhodes' style, hence why they have John Carew. I would count Tottenham out because I believe Redknapp wants a marquee signing and may go for Ganso and I believe Rhodes just would not feature as much as he would want to. Mark Hughes will be spending his budget on bringing Roque Santa Cruz to QPR so count them out too. There are three clubs that come to mind that I believe would be the perfect club for Rhodes and they are; Swansea, Everton and Newcastle.

Swansea could go into the second half of the season and completely change their attacking focus; injecting a bit of pace into their front line of Dyer, Sinclair and the "John Macken clone" Danny Graham. With the imminent loan signing of Josh McEachran, Rhodes would have a player there who could play the ball in behind the defence and with Dyer, Sinclair and Routledge could link up with quick pass and move combinations. 

Everton would be another team that would suit Jordan Rhodes. A team that really needs forward players, they are adopting a style of play that suits an 'out an out' goalscorer, it's just that they don't have one! The pace of Drenthe, the intelligence of Cahill and the drive of Rodwell could prove to be the signing that Everton need. 

I see Jordan Rhodes being to Newcastle like Michael Bridges was to Leeds many years ago. A team doing fantastically this season with Demba Ba proving that you don't have to cost 35 million to be a premier league goalscorer. With Ba going to play in the African Cup of Nations this may in fact be the right move for Rhodes. Time to settle in before Ba returns and then a mouthwatering strike partnership to look forward to. With players like Ben Arfa, Gutierrez and Cabaye, there will be plenty of chances for someone of Rhodes' ability to score plenty of goals and be a real top signing of the transfer window.

Could this be Newcastle United's Strike Partnership for 2012?

Sacking Warnock is a good move by Fernandes

Good for the Game but not for QPR!

Neil Warnock's sacking as Queens Park Rangers caught some people by surprise however, I believe that it has been something that has been on the cards since QPR made it into the Premier League. Warnock was at the forefront of an excellent promotion season seeing QPR top one of the most difficult leagues to get out of. People said that he had performed above expectations however, it was a feat that I expected seeing as he had gained promotion with Sheffield United and had excelled under strenuous circumstances at Crystal Palace. 

QPR were tipped to survive in the EPL and maybe go on to greater things however, it was in pre-season that the cracks began to appear. Rumours of the owners allegedly holding talks with Carlo Ancelotti and withholding funds appeared to light the fire for parts of the media who believed he was for the sack. However, with hardly any funds he began to make his first signings most notably DJ Campbell from Blackpool and Jay Bothroyd from Cardiff. Two players that on paper seem to warrant the class of the premier league and signed for a pittance. However, it was in these two signings that my alarm bells began to ring.

There seemed to be a pattern from his first (and only) season in the premier league with Sheffield United and that was the strange tactic of overloading his squad with forward players. Jon Stead and Danny Webber were two names that come to mind; players that had not proved it in the premier league and still have yet to do so. With Bothroyd, he may have got an England call up but he was an unproven premier league goalscorer or even prolific in the Championship. DJ Campbell had enjoyed a great goal scoring season with Blackpool however, this was not the first time he had played in the premier league as he was signed for Birmingham when they were relegated in 2006 and did not score a single goal until he netted against Colchester the following season in the Championship. Campbell played well because of the way Blackpool played; fluid, attacking football where the ball was played, on the ground into space rather than pumped into the box to wait for a knock down. Warnock's teams don't play in the same manner as a team like Holloway's Blackpool they play direct, aggressive with the notion that they can throw three strikers on in the final ten minutes if need be.

However, if I were a chairman in the Championship looking for a way out and I had to choose between Warnock and Holloway, I'd choose Warnock every time as he is a Championship manager; and with that I mean no disrespect. To put a team together that has the motivation, the drive and the consistency to achieve promotion from the Championship deserves there success however, treat it as a step up, not a day out.

One thing that really aggravated me about Warnock's few months in the Premier league with QPR is that he had the chance to achieve stability and to achieve a reputation that managers like Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew are earning right now. When Tony Fernandes bought the club they brought in Wright-Phillips, Barton and Traore, to name but a few. However, he had to count on Helguson to "head" QPR out of a few losses. He post-match team talks were that of a non-league manager drawing a top team in the F.A. Cup rather than that of a premier league manager at an ambitious club. Rapidly declining in the league Tony Fernandes took the decision to do what good businessmen do in this sort of a crisis.

It happened last season when Newcastle and West Brom sacked Chris Hughton and Roberto Di Matteo respectively, where up and coming, talented, managers were being hung out to dry and replaced by the experience of Pardew and Hodgson. Both clubs retained their Premier League status and have excelled this season and I firmly believe that this will happen to QPR this season and the next under Mark Hughes. Hughes has the experience in the Premier League with Blackburn, Man City and Fulham and, even though it didn't quite work out at City, it was a tremendous learning curve.