How will England fare this week? Fancy a bet? How about a bonus as well?

It is time for international friendlies and I must admit I haven't watched a lot of these since the time of Sven Goran Erikson as England manager and the amount of substitutes he used. I understand that the England manager has conversations with club managers and tries to keep them onside, especially at this crucial time of the season, but these matches must mean something to the supporters, the players and the England team. This is particularly relevant in the run up to a major tournament, so let's take a look at what England and Roy Hodgson might find out from the upcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.

With an injury to Joe Hart, this is a chance for the other goalkeepers to stake their claim as the official number two in the squad. Hart's form has been indifferent this season and he has grown more susceptible to injuries so the position as back-up has a value in the England squad. Jack Butland appears to be at the front of this queue at the moment, but I see Fraser Forster as the best keeper in the squad at the moment. It will be an interesting watch.

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The other area of complete interest in these two friendlies is the attack. Competition exists elsewhere in the team but the fans most want to see is if we can survive (or even thrive) without Wayne Rooney. His powers are definitely weakened by the year and his place is under real threat for probably the first time.

I would like to see Roy Hodgson pair Harry Kane with Jamie Vardy for as long as possible in both games to find out if these two can cut it against some of the best teams in the world. Germany away is much tougher then the Netherlands at home but both games will be test of whether these guys can get us far into the Euro 2016 tournament or fall at the first stage again.

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The league title race hots up - will we have a new Premier League winner this season?

Has the league title fight now come down to two teams? With another disappointing two round of fixtures for Arsenal and Manchester City - one on the league and one in the Champions League - there is a growing feeling that only Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur can win the Barclays Premier League now this season.

Manchester City have progressed in Europe but the loss of Vincent Kompany to injury again raises fears that their title push is over. Without their captain they have struggled at the back and they are now relying on defenders that haven't cut the mustard in their time in the country. It looks like the clubs hierarchy are looking at next season and the arrival of Pep Guardiola for their next set of glory. A Champions League quarter final for the first time is nothing to be sniffed at but City don't look like potential winners of that tournament. Only a major collapse by both the top two will let them back into the Premier League title race.

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Arsenal have some big problems of their own. The calls for the head of the manager Arsene Wenger grow louder every day and their exit from the Champions League, the FA Cup and their recent failures in the league are not going to make any of this go away. The recent falling away of Manchester United after the long reign of Sir Alex Ferguson may persuade the board to keep hold of him for a little while longer but the results on the pitch are not what the fans want to see.

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Leicester City did on Monday night what all the big clubs have always managed to do - win even when not playing well. It is a sign of champions but the last few weeks of the season will see them becoming more and more nervous as they near the impossible dream. They still have away games to Manchester United and Chelsea so the season is far from over.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been also-rans for a long time. They play football which is tough on their players because of the amount of running they are required to do. This may come back to haunt them later in the season as the players tire. Is the squad big enough? DO they have strength in depth? What about cover for injuries?

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Choose any 3 from 4 in the relegation battle

After the weekend fixtures it now looks like relegation from the Premier League will be three team from the current bottom four. Swansea had a great win away to Arsenal in midweek. Bournemouth won comfortably away to Newcastle on Saturday so the bottom four are now sit in a group 8 points adrift of the rest of the table, smooth looks nigh on impossible to catch the rest up with only 9 games left for most of the table.

So who will go down?

Aston Villa

This has been the season that has finally caught up with the Randy Lerner administration of Villa. There has been chronic underinvestment in the club for years and the manager Remi Garde looks to have been brought in to work in the Championship rather than the Premier League.

They have been poor all season from front to back. They don't score enough goals and leak far too many. It also looks like many of the team have given up.

Finish = 20th

Norwich City

They started with a lot of character but in a similar manner to Burnley last year they just don't have enough quality. Goals have been a real problem and with Cameron Jerome leading the line they don't have the firepower to remedy this.

Their home form isn't good enough to suggest that they can find enough points to survive.

Finish = 19th

The North East teams

The derby between Newcastle and Sunderland on in two weeks time is huge. If Leicester beat Newcastle next Monday then a win for Sunderland in the derby would give them a 4 point lead over their rivals - this would be a massive gap at this stage of the season. But a win for Newcastle would restore some confidence and keep the battle going for a few weeks more.

Newcastle look leaderless both on and off the pitch. Steve McClaren has proven himself as a great coach but has failed more often than not as a manager. Mile Ashley disappears when the going gets tough and this time is no exception to that.

Any team that has to rely on Coloccini and Steven Taylor in defence will struggle.

Sunderland have shown more promise recently but don't seem to be able to convert good performances into points. They don't keep clean sheets and really seem to be incapable of putting chances in the back of the net.

Newcastle finish = 18th

Sunderland finish = 17th

The best place to find that perfect Arsenal gift? It's Sportingdesires.com of course!

There are some football clubs that stand the test of time. New clubs with billionaire owners come and go like the wind. The title “The Bank of England club” has been attached to various football teams over the years. There are very few clubs that can boast a continual period of success over their rivals. The natural ebb and flow of the game of football and relegation has meant that some of the most powerful clubs in the game have dropped off and others have taken their place-

•          The most successful club in the 1920’s were Huddersfield Town who won the league 3 years in a row
•          The 1950’s saw back to back league wins for Wolverhampton Wanderers
•          The late 1960’s saw a dominant Leeds United team
•          Brian Clough took league titles to Derby County and Nottingham Forest in the 1970’s before 2 European Cups for Forest
•          The late 1970’s and most of the 1980’s were completely dominated by the hugely successful Liverpool
•          Manchester United won the league again in 1992-3 and this started a run of 8 league title wins in the next 11 seasons
•          The rise of the billionaire owner has seen Chelsea win league titles, domestic cups and the Champions League, while Manchester City have got hold of two league titles but find the Champions League a little more of a challenge

But one team has been a constant presence in those seasons with a massive 13 league title wins in their history. They have the longest unbroken stay in the top flight if English football. They have been there since 1919.

Of course I am talking about Arsenal Football Club. They have a continued period of success that has stood the test of time-

•          They won 5 league titles in the 1930’s, including a hat-trick of titles
•          They followed this up after the war with titles in the 1940’s and 1950’s
•          1970/71 was the season that they won the double of the league and the FA Cup
•          The famous win with almost the last kick of the last game in 1988-89 will live forever in the memory
•          3 titles in 7 seasons followed the appointment of Arsene Wenger

They are just simply the team that has been least affected by the changes in the game. This is the longest sustained period of success of any team in the game of English football. The fact is that the Gunners will be able to keep up this success in the modern game as they compete with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City domestically, while battling in the Champions league year after year with opponents such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Their London base means that they can attract fans to their beautiful new stadium called the Emirates Stadium and delight fans worldwide through the various television deals the Premier League has been able to negotiate. Football is everywhere – from the streets to the stadia, from school to your place of work you find it all over the place.

The questions are – what can I get the Arsenal fan? Where is the best place to find my Arsenal memorabilia? What place has the very best I can buy to show my support for the club?

The company is called Sportingdesires.com and their Sporting Desires Arsenal shop is the perfect place to indulge in all things about this successful club. They have everything you need to indulge your passion or everything you can think of to buy for that Arsenal-mad person in your life. They have got together a massive range of memorabilia for the Arsenal supporter.

From the small to the large, for all ages there is a choice here of hundreds of products to keep every Arsenal fans happy for years to come. There is so much to choose from that you will be able to find something that even the most ardent Arsenal supporter won’t already have. I know that this can be a problem but this website has literally hundreds of gift ideas and you will be able to find something for everyone, no matter their current collection of memorabilia. The products you will choose will depend on the occasion you are buying for so let me take you though a few of the options and see if we can find something that you will love.

You have to start the Arsenal fan off early in their life and what better way than to have Arsenal body suits for ages 0 to 3 months?  These will make sure that everyone knows that even though the baby hasn’t developed speech yet, they are sure to be an Arsenal fan when they do. It’s a great way for parents to nail their colours to the mast and declare to the world that they have a future Gunner in their midst. This is perfect as a gift for the Arsenal fan in your life and their new baby. These also come in larger sixes for the growing baby and can be matched with bibs for that complete look!

When moving from a cot to their own bed, what better way to make that transition as smooth as possible then the Arsenal duvet set single? It is made from 50% cotton and 50% polyester which means it is hard wearing and machine washable. It really sets off the room perfectly for any Arsenal fan and the striking red of the team colours brightens up any decor. As the Arsenal players dream of another FA Cup success, progress in the Champions League or another crack at that elusive Premier League title, your young ones could be having their own Arsenal dreams. Whether it is their desire to watch Arsenal win trophies our they one day desire to play for the Gunners then the best place to have those dreams is under an Arsenal duvet!

When you get big enough to walk around and kick a football then the Arsenal FC 4 inch soft ball is an excellent way to learn the basics of the game. If you think that you have a budding Thierry Henry or Alexis Sanchez in the home then you will want them to practice as much as possible. To know that thus can be done is safety with a soft ball is reassuring for your child and for your ornaments! Practice passing like Mesut Ozil, heading like Olivier Giroud and control like Aaron Ramsey. They will be knocking on the door of the academy in no time! It is only by practising that you can get better and this ball will allow your young ones to be up on their feet and enjoying themselves as soon as possible.

To be able to cover as many bases as possible in one gift there is the fantastic option of the Arsenal FC accessories set which includes-

•          2 wristbands
•          1 captains armband
•          2 sock ties

This means that you are ready to play the game of your life for your local team while still showing off the colours of the club that has your heart. It is a superb way of being able to let the whole world know you are a Gunner – and proud! This set is the pieces you need to be able to run out into your back garden, school playing field or your local park and feel like you are the captain Mikel Arteta.

When you go to school, every part of how you dress becomes your personal image. You will really want your friends to know what team you support and this Arsenal FC backpack is just another way to show your true colours to the whole school. It is a great size, with adjustable shoulder straps and an extra zip front pocket to keep your football cards in for easy access. The simple fact is that football has become sometimes the only talking point on the school playground so to be able to stand out with the Arsenal colours and badge is a great way to make your mark. Let everyone know – pupils and teachers alike – that you are an Arsenal fan.

A more subtle way of showing your allegiance to this club that has been in the top flight for so long is the Arsenal Band Ring which comes in different sizes and is made from durable stainless steel. If you are looking to buy this as a gift then it comes with a gift box so the person you are buying it for will be able to treasure it forever. This really is a delightful gift for the Arsenal fan and one that they will be able to wear every single day. To be able to wear something quite unique as part of supporting your football team is something rather special and this ring allows the Arsenal fan to feel great about their team and their style.

No matter who the Arsenal fan is in your life (especially if it is you) then you will find whatever you need at the Sporting Desires Arsenal shop where there is such a choice. Whether you are buying for yourself or as a gift for someone else (birthdays and Christmas seem to come around so quickly now) then you will always be able to find something new and different to delight. As we have seen in this blog, the options are there for young fan and for those that are slightly older. Take a look today and find that perfect way to show that you support a team that has been successful for decades – the Arsenal.

Is this now Leicester's title? See the three matches that will decide it.

Could this have been the weekend that changed the title chance in favour of Leicester City. I blogged previously to say that I didn't think Leicester could even finish in the tip four. Those doubts have gone and they have been installed as favourites for the title with some bookmakers. This is a remarkable turnaround for a team that was fighting against relegation at the end of last season.


Much has been written about their star players such as Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. The manager Claudio Ranieri has also been in the spotlight.







In my blog today I am going to look at the three key games that they gave between now and the end of the season. There are thirteen games left as we stand. All will be "cup finals" for them, but three stand out-


Sunday 14th February - away to Arsenal
In the week after Leicester have notched wins against Liverpool and Manchester City, they face a third massive challenge in three games. If they beat Arsenal and Spurs draw with Man City in the other massive game this weekend then Leicester could finish the week 7 points clear at the top. If Leicester lose and Spurs win then the gap will be only 2 points. Without looking at the opposition you can see what a big game this is. I would say that Leicester have to make sure they don't lose. But they don't seem to play the game that way. I think that Mahrez and Vardy will be going all out to beat the Gunners.


Saturday 30th April - away to Manchester United
It's not that there won;'t be any crucial games in between Arsenal and Man United, it's just that this game could be when Leicester are looking to tie up the league title. If results go as expected then Leicester could be needing a win at Old Trafford to win the league with 2 games to spare. I suspect that by this time we will already know whether United are in the Champions League foe next season ans whether Louis Van Gaal will be be the manager.









After destroying Man U 5-3- last season I would expect that this is another game when Leicester attempt to set Vardy free to torture the opposition.


Sunday 15th May - away to Chelsea
Yes, I've picked 3 away games as those that will decide the fate of Leicester because this will be where they possibly drop some points. To be crowned as champions at the home of the outgoing champions would be a fantastic achievement. The home form of Chelsea this season has been really patchy, so if Leicester come here needing to win I wouldn't back against them. It could be the last game for Guus Hiddink and for John Terry though, so it may not be as easy as they would like.

The blog is starting to gain readers from all over the world - welcome to In Off The Post!

My blogs are starting to take off a little and I've found interest from different parts of the world. I has readers contact me from Spain, India, Canada and the USA in recent weeks.

It's good to know that people are reading!

As part of the promotion of my blog, I've written a couple of guest post recently. It's something that I enjoy and it helps with the publicity of my blog.

One is in a website called best football apps and I have written about my kids obsession with FIFA16-

http://bestfootballapps.com/fifa/

Another guest post has appeared on a website that I reviewed a little while ago called Footie Quiz.

My guest post is about the transfer window and it can be found here-

http://www.footiequiz.co.uk/blog/

I think that it is always good to spread your wings and every new reader I get is a bonus.

Next up will be a blog about the enigma that is Everton football club, more views on the transfer window and a response to the Deloitte football "rich list."

See you all soon.

If you want in-depth analysis of football but in an easy-to-read format - look no further than Sporticos

In Off The Post likes to look at the beautiful game of football from all angles. This edition introduced you to a fantastic website that gives you the lowdown on the facts and figures involved with football.

What is football if it's not facts and figures? We see stats and analysis attached to every game nowadays, from the World Cup to the FA Cup, from the Premier League to League 2. It's one of the reasons why the game translates so well to fantasy football - you can dissect it, analyse it, put it into graphs and charts and see what comes out of the other side.

If you're like me and you just love to look at the factual and statistical analysis of football then you can't go far wrong with https://sporticos.com

It's perfect if you want to look at the game from all angles (which after all is the In Off The Post motto) but don't really have the time to do all the analysis yourself. Sporticos looks at a match at a time by breaking down the opposing teams statistics. It then represents these stats in easy to understand infographics. It is then easy (and fun) to look at the facts and figures relating to any given match.

It is a positive aspect of the FIFA-isation of football that you can take a brief look at the match-up between two teams and immediately understand how their form and players can and will affect the game that is about to be played. My children love the easy access it gives them to-

•          Predicted score
•          Probability of win, lose or draw
•          Key players
•          Top scorers
•          League standings
•          Goals per game (both scored and conceded)
•          As well as information about the stadium and the likely weather conditions

As someone who likes the occasional bet, I’m sure that I will use Sporticos to check out the form of the teams involved, as well as some of the statistics, particularly relating to predicted score and probability of result. I like to take a look at patterns when I’m betting and try to make a bet that I’m 80% sure about rather than taking a punt on a long shot. This website gives you the ability to do that because you can just take a look at the matches you may be considering and check out the infographics. You can start to work out the form and probabilities at a glance. Who else makes it this easy? Certainly no other website that I’ve ever seen.

Sporticos prides itself in being “a source for all essential information about football every fan would ever need.” I totally agree with this statement. It covers every league under the sun that you would or could want to know about. From the A-League in Australia to the Ykkonen in Finland; from the Indian Super League to the Major Soccer League in the USA. If there are facts and figures to be gathered and turned into easily-digestible graphics then Sporticos have been there and done the leg work for you.

I just love the way that In Off The Post gives me the opportunity to look at so many different aspects of football , including things that I may have missed through my everyday life and hopefully things that interest you – my readers.

https://sporticos.com is a great website that gives you all the information you may need but it doesn’t feel like you are wading through pages and pages of data. It is information for the information age made easy. There is so much to like about this website. I urge you to take a good look at it.