Manchester City vs Aston Villa - two of the very best managers draw.
Sven and Martin - both terrific.

These are very interesting teams. We all know about the big three but how about these?

I forecast at the beginning of the season that Man City would be in the top four. So far so good.

Villa have been improving steadily since O'Neill took over last season, but Sven's Man City really are the team to watch.

Under their new owners he reportedly has a huge amount of money to spend on improving his squad. I think there is a real possibility he could rock the likes of Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea next season and win the Premiership. Sven never received the plaudits he deserved as England manager. I assume those who wanted him out would have appreciated his achievements retrospectively in the light of the McClaren debacle.

As I write this, Derby County are actually in the lead! Can we hold on? Well, for any gamblers out there, I might recommend betting In-Play on a Newcastle win.

I'm one of those who wanted Sven out of the England job, and still have no regrets over his exit. He is doing a fine job at Manchester City although I'm a Boro fan. McClaren was the wrong choice for England, but at least he's English. I'd rather we lost with an entire English effort than won foreign mercenaries.

The Cat wrote:
I'd rather we lost with an entire English effort than won foreign mercenaries.
I can see why many hold that opinion, but it is not one I share.

If England wins something under Capello, it will be with a team entirely made up of English players. There's nothing wrong with using the rules to secure the services of the best man for the job, irrespective of his nationality.

I'd rather we lost with an entire English effort than won foreign mercenaries.


If England keeps losing under Capello, at least everyone will know whom to blame.