Prediction Time

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With Euro 2012 starting this coming Friday with
Poland v Greece.
Russia v Czech Republic


Exciting times are definitely ahead check out this TOURNAMENT MAP and let me know what your predictions are.

Post:

• WINNERS?
• RUNNERS UP?
• TOP GOAL SCORER? 

to the comments and lets see what I hope are differing opinions.........

(Note times are all stated as US EST)

Further reading

• Remember these?
• 5 players to watch

Ready for Euro 2012? Remember these?

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With Euro 2012 only 11 days away and the final squad list needing to be in this week, things are hotting up and teams are making their final preparations for the tournament. With some interesting International results across Europe last night who knows who is going to come into Euro 2012 firing and ready to show they are the best.

One thing as football fans we can hope for is some fantastic football and hopefully some great goals, as there were in Euro 2008




Who will be the team/players to watch?

5 Players to watch at Euro 2012

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Here are just 5 exciting players to watch out for this summer:

1) ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN- 
After an impressive season with Arsenal, Chamberlain was in some eyes a shock inclusion in Roy Hodgson England squad but he offers a fresh input of youth, speed and is sure to stand out if given the opportunity in the tournament.


2) YOHAN CABAYE-  

the French playmaker behind much of Newcastle Utd impressive play this season has stood out and helped them back into European football next season. He will be hoping to carry his form into Euro 2012 and help guide France back to European glory.


3) LUKA MODRIC- 

the player that all the top clubs in Europe are now chasing as Spurs will again not be in the Champions League next season. But for the summer he will be focusing on guiding Croatia all the way and will have to impress to get past the likes of Spain and Italy in the group stage. No doubt the big boys will have all their scouts eyes on him this summer.


4) JUAN MATA-
has had an impressive season at Chelsea this year winning the F.A cup and the Champions League and will look to add to his collection this summer with Spain.

5) CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN-
the young Danish play maker has impressed again in the Eredivsie for Ajax. He will be looking to impress again as Europe's biggest clubs will be looking to persuade him away from Dutch Football.

Have the F.A done enough with Joey Barton?

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                                             Joey Barton could face a TEN MATCH BAN

But is this enough?

In my opinion NO. This afternoon he was charged with two acts of alleged violent conduct following his sending off yesterday. But what does that really mean? He will be banned for maybe 10 games and fined a few thousand pounds. But that is mere peanuts if you take into account how much he will be earning each week.

The F.A must do something more.

I think that to stop idiots like Barton (and he is not alone) the F.A must make a proper example of him. Suspend him for a full season, as the NFL did to the coaches involved in the 'Bounty' incidents last year involving the New Orleans Saints. See here how the NFL dealt with Saints coaching staff. 

The F.A must realise that that game yesterday and all premier league games are beamed to a worldwide audience. Millions of which are young kids who dream about being professional footballers earning millions and living the dream. However what the F.A fail to realise is that kids copy the Pro's, if they see Joey Barton elbow, then try headbutt and then viciously knee someone in the back of the leg they will copy it until things like this are punished correctly.

Will anything be done though? 

What do you think?

Great end to the BEST premier league.

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On a final day that had so much at stake for so many teams, the premier league didn't fail to deliver yet more twist and turns and a final few minutes that saw Manchester City fans go from deep disappointment thinking that they were to miss out yet again, to utter jubilation and celebration at the Etihad Stadium. Only to leave Manchester Utd (who beat Sunderland 1-0) fans and the rest of the footballing world asking "HOW THEY DID IT?" Drama all the way to the last kick of the season.

Elsewhere Bolton bowed out of the Premiership after an 11 year stay, after a very difficult season both on and off the field. Meaning that even with their loss at the Etihad QPR avoid the drop, but will have a lot to do over the closed season to stay up again next season.

Then there was the race for the Champions League.

Arsenal had a scare in the first half going behind at West Brom, (eventually winning 3-2) and Spurs taking the lead at Fulham, (winning 2-0) both securing their place. Meaning Chelsea miss out unless they can lift the Champions League trophy next week in Munich. This would be heart breaking for Spurs meaning they would miss out so will be a tough week for Spurs fans and players alike. 

Then there's Newcastle who lost 3-1 to an Everton side that has just got stronger in the latter stages of the season, that just missed out finishing in 5th. No doubt Newcastle will be up there next season after making doing some very shrewd business bringing in the likes of Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba. And with Alan Pardew in charge they will go from strength to strength, he has certainly deserved his Manger of the year award. Even though many including myself questioned his appointment early on. Great to be proved wrong though. 

So all we can hope for is the same amount of drama on the 19th MAY and the Champions League Final between Bayern Munich V Chelsea. Do you think Chelsea can turn over the German outfit in their own backyard? 

What are your predictions?

Exciting final weekend of the Premiership.

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Regardless of what team you follow the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League has been one of the greatest ever, players and teams alike setting more and more records. Ups and downs, controversy, big results, amazing goals and maybe a new name on that prestigious trophy.

Until now only 4 teams have been able to lift the Premier league trophy:

• Manchester Utd
• Chelsea
• Arsenal
• Blackburn Rovers 

But is this the year that the power in Manchester shifts? 

Have Manchester City bought themselves the title?

Although the spotlight this Sunday will undoubtedly be on Manchester City V QPR and Sunderland V Manchester Utd. There are plenty of other games that have significant meaning for the clubs involved. 

• The race for Champions League places, Everton V Newcastle Utd and Tottenham Hotspur V Fulham
• Europa spots 
• and the toughest situation for the likes of Bolton and QPR fighting for their lives to stay in this the greatest league in the world. 

All the other final day fixtures:

• Stoke City V Bolton Wanderers
• Wigan Athletic V Wolves
• Norwich City V Aston Villa
• Chelsea V Blackburn Rovers
• Swansea City V Liverpool
• West Brom V Arsenal

What are your thoughts?

What colour is Manchester going to be?

Who is going to get that champions league spot?

Who will drop out and join Blackburn and Wolves in the Championship?

Welcome to Football-APT.

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Hi everyone,

I just wanted to welcome you all to football-apt. Over the coming months I am going to be writing about my opinions about the beautiful game, everything from 

• coaching philosophies,
• training systems
• teams problems
• teams strengths 
• players of note
• coaches of note
• and much much more......

Hope you enjoy reading!