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The team at the bottom of the Premier League at Christmas always goes down (apart from West Brom in 2005, but lets not let facts get inthe way of a good argument).So what are the chances of Rovers bucking the trend? 50/50 according to new a sistant manager, Eric Black Anthony Mack Jersey (no relation).With sixteen games left, its probably a bit too early to start making bold predictions, but (and I cant believe Im about to write this) Rovers will survive just.A quick study of the bottom fives remaining fixtures gave me a bottom three of Wigan, Wolves and QPR, with Rovers escaping by a single Duke Johnson Jersey point. A closer look at all the teams told me different. In the spirit of not making bold predictions, Wigan will go down. They got lucky last season, Anthony Lawrence II Jersey but the downward trend has continued and when average Championship players like Nicky Maynard turn you down, the games really up.Wolves have been through it all before but have a difficult looking run-in, and I can see them battling Wigan for bottom spot.Which leaves one spot remaining QPR, Bolton or Rovers? The fixtures told me QPR, but the appointment of Mark Jimmy Graham Jersey Hughes looks a master-stroke. With money to spend, the Hoops will survive.Bolton probably have the easiest run-in with several winnable home games but seeing how theyve struggled with Gary Cahill in the team, you cant help but think theyve got a job on their hands without him.As for Rovers despite everything going on at the club, theyve somehow kept in touch with the teams around them. The performances against Fulham and Everton were good, Miami Hurricanes Jersey and if they carry that forward into the run-in they have a chance.While it looks like Formica is being sacrificed to calm the bank down, it seems Hoilett and Samba will stay at least until the end of the season. If they can find a way to tighten up at the back, they can win games with the likes of Yakubu in the team.Its not difficult to imagine one from Fulham, Everton, Reggie Wayne Jersey Swansea or West Brom being dragged into the battle either, so theres still much to play for.However, putting my neck firmly on the line, it will be goodbye to Wigan, Wolves and Bolton. Remember where you heard it first.

With the blow of a final whistle, the red half of Manchester roared in ecstasy, as Sir Alex Fergusons men march forward as the unstoppable object Zach Johnson Jersey in the English Premier League. Meanwhile in North London, Arsene Wenger returns to the same old script that has played out continuously like a broken CD record, and signs of change seem forlorn and inconceivable. The early season domination, fraught with winter injuries and setbacks, with title aspirations shattered in a quick proce sion of games is fast becoming an Oscar winning manuscript. What started out as adventure and action is slowly and sadly slipping into the realms of tragedy.Whilst Wenger can argue that injuries seem to be the Deng Gak Jersey scourge of Arsenals misfortunes; a theory that seems only to apply when it befits the Gunners woes, the harsh reality that the Arsenal football is pleasing on the outside but lacking spine and depth on the inside is all too clear to see. For Arsenal fans at games like this one Domination, not penetration reflects the frustration of the most ardent of Gooners, whose predicament seems to fall on deaf ears at Monsieur Wenger. It is easy to suggest that Arsenal lack a finisher, a proven goalscorer that can clinically convert a half-chance in a game absent of relatively easy chances. For many however, Kameron McGusty Jersey the importance of a genuine leader (or leaders for that matter) is extremely under-valued in the modern day game. Some captains put their heads where others wont put their foot in to use the proverbial phrase, whilst others marshal by example using vocals. Some may argue that a captain doesnt need to be the John Terry or the Steven Gerrard of the world, but one can see at Arsenal, that they lack a certain edge to their personality when they really need someone to take the game by the scruff of its neck. Wengers adamance that Fabregas is a great and quality player is unquestionable, but to make him captain on the basis of it should not be the case. Let Fabregas do what he is best at; influencing and dictating the game, rather than consoling Laurent Koscielny or Manuel Almunia for a monumental cock-up. The back four at Arsenal hardly look intimidating, with both Szczesny and Koscielny looking more at place on presenting a childrens show with their baby-like faces than scaring the opposition centre forward.Alan Hansen recently picked it up on Match of Sean Taylor Jersey the Day, when he questioned the desire of some of the Arsenal Andre Johnson Jersey players, with their lacklustre body language displaying an air of arrogance and lazine s when defending a throw in for example. Arms up in the air, Bacary Sagna looks around like a headle s chicken to find someone he can use as a scapegoat for a poorly defended set-piece when it was his man that got away. There appears to be reluctance at Arsenal to step up to the mantle and take responsibility, preferring to use feeble excuses to justify a poor performance or result. Whilst Robin van Persie, clearly overpowered with heart-breaking emotion, called the referee a joke and that he had cost Arsenal the game, was slightly exaggerated. Apart from a brief 5-10 minute period at the Emirates when they scored two goals, Arsenal rarely threatened Barcelona to even warrant a token of congratulations for coming so close against the Dejan Vasiljevic Jersey best team in the world.Wenger must react sooner rather than later about his sides frailties, but with the last 5 years in mind, we might be saying the same thing over and over again in 2015, by which time Arsene Wenger would probably still congratulate himself on coming in the top four for the umpteenth time without winning a title.

These are the members of the last National Team matches and how they faired in the last week with their respective clubs.Keepers:Robert Almer- Fortuna Du seldorf (Ger)- Made the bench but did not feature into the 0-0 draw Du seldorf had with Union Berlin.Pascal Grunwald- Austria Vienna (Aust)- Made the bench bud did not feature into the 3-0 victory over league leaders Admira. Grunwald has already featured into 22 matches for Vienna so the fact that he hasnt played in the last two matches could be to rest him, but to not play in an important match could symbolize something more. Heinz Lindner- Austria Vienna (Aust)- Started and played the full 90 in Viennas 3-0 shutout away to top Duke Johnson Jersey of the table FC Admira. This was just the second time Lindner has been on the pitch for the purple, but it is consecutive starts for the 21 year old.Defenders: Aleksandar Dragovic- FC Basel (Sui)- Started and played 90 minutes in Basels 1-0 home win over Young Boys of Berne. The 20 year old has featured in 14 matches for FCB in all competitions and has one goal.Christian Fuchs- Schalke 04 (Ger)- Fuchs started and played all 90 minutes in Schalkes 4-0 dismantling of FC Nuremburg at home Deng Gak Jersey on Saturday. Through all competitions Fuchs has played in 21 matches, with 3 goals and 6 a sists for the Royal Blues. Two of those goals have been in the Europa League, where Schalke leads Group J with 8 points through 4 matches.Florian Klein- Austria Vienna (Aus)- Started and played a full match in their 3-0 victory at FC Admira.George Margreitter- Austria Vienna (Aus)- Started and played 90 minutes. Margreitter also contributed the second goal in the 41st minute when he headed in a corner from Zlatko Junuzovic. The goal is the first for him in the Bundesliga and second in all competitions this season.Manuel Ortlechner- Austria Vienna (Aus)- Started and played 90 minutes. He also received a yellow card in the 39th minutes.Emanuel Pogatetz- Hanover 96 (Ger)- Started and played 90 minutes in Hanovers 4-1 defeat at VfL Wolfsburg. Through the season he has played in 21 matches in all competitions for Hanover 96, who currently reside in 8th place. One concern however is that they have given up the 11th most goals so far in the league, with 21 through 13 matches.Sebastian Prodl- Werder Bremen (Ger)- Prodl started and played all 90 minutes in Werders 5-0 defeat to Boru sia Mochengladbach. He has seen action in 9 matches so far, adding a goal and an a sist.Franz Schiemer- RB Salzburg (Aus)- Started and played 71 minutes in a 4-2 lo s to Rapid Vienna. Schiemer came off Anthony Mack Jersey due to an injury and it is unsure how long he will be out.MidfieldersDaniel Alaba- Bayern Munich (Ger)- Alaba started on the bench but came on in the 72nd minute of Bayerns 1-0 defeat at home to Boru sia Dortmund. Bayern were already trailing at the time and replaced Arjen Robben. Alaba has seen time in 11 Bundesliga matches, with 9 of those as a substitute and has contributed 1 goal for the team, who saw their lead in the table Reggie Wayne Jersey reduced to two points following the match.Julian Baumgartlinger- Mainz 05 (Ger)- Mainzs match versus FC Cologne this past weekend was postponed after the tragedy with referee Babak Rafati attempted suicide. I hope that football fans worldwide agree when I send my best wishes to Rafati and a quick recovery.Christopher Drazan- Rapid Vienna (Aus)- Started and played 86 minutes in Rapids 4-2 victory over Red Bull Salzburg. Drazan was credited with an a sist on the opening goal in the 5th minute as he found Markus Katzer with a pa s. It is his sixth a sist of the Bundesliga season.Andreas Ivanschitz- Mainz 05 (Ger)- Mainzs match versus FC Cologne this past weekend was postponed after the tragedy with referee Babak Rafati attempted suicide. I hope that football fans worldwide agree when I send my best wishes to Rafati and a quick recovery.Zlatko Junuzovic- Austria Vienna (Aus)- Started and played the full 90 minutes in Viennas 3-0 victory over FC Admira. Zlatko a sisted on the 2nd goal when his corner kick found George Margreitter in the 43rd minute.Veli Kavlak- Besiktas (Tur)- Started Ebuka Izundu Jersey and played 60 minutes in Besiktas 0-0 draw with Galatasaray. Besiktas currently sit in 6th place after 11 matches, just six points off of leaders Fenerbahce. The 23 year old has match 9 league appearances and has contributed 2 a sists thus far.Florian Mader- Austria Vienna (Aus)- Mader started and played the full 90 minutes in Viennas victory of FC Admira. The victory closed the gap to a single point with 21 games left to play in the season.Christopher Trimmel- Rapid Vienna (Aus)- Started and played 72 minutes in Rapids 4-2 victory over Red Bull Salzburg.ForwardsMarko Arnautovic- Werder Bremen (Ger) Started and played 61 minutes in Bremens 5-0 lo s to Boru sia Mochengladbach. Arnautovic has 3 goals in 9 Bundesliga matches for Werder who currently reside in 5th place, 5 points behind Bayern Munich in first.Martin Harnik- VfB Stuttgart (Ger) Started, played the full match, and scored both goals in Stuttgarts 2-1 win over Augsburg. Harnik opened the game in the 41st and then returned the lead to the Swabians ten minutes later.Erwin Hoffer- Eintract Frankfurt (Ger)- Frankfurt had two matches this week. On Monday Hoffer started and played 80 minutes, adding the first goal of Eintracts 2-1 victory at Erzgebirge Aue. On Sunday Hoffer started and played the full match in their 4-3 victory over Alemannia Aachen. Hoffer scored in the 81st minute to make it 3-1 and kick-started the last Jimmy Graham Jersey nine minutes where four goals were scored. Hoffer doubled his tally for the season to 4 with these strikes.Marc Janko- FC Twente (Neth)- Janko was not on the bench of Twentes 1-1 draw at Hercules Almelo.

A report appearing in the German football website 4-4-2 is Dejan Vasiljevic Jersey linking Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov with the exit door at Old Trafford. The Bulgarian, who joined Manchester United in 2008 from Tottenham for 30.75 million, turns 30 years olf on the 30th January 2011. He wears the Number 9 for United. Until the current season Rodney Miller Jr. Jersey , he failed to live up to the expectations of the fans out of a 30.75 million striker. He scored 14 in 43 appearances in the 2008/09 season and 12 goals in 43 appearances in the 2009/10 season, considering goals and Sean Taylor Jersey appearances in all competitions. In the 2010/11 season, Berbatov has already netted 7 goals in 15 appearances. His new-found form has led to a large number of supporters showing their support for the Bulgarian, especially during the absence and drop in form of star striker Wayne Rooney.Hence it is unlikely that United would be willing to depart with Dimitar. However, the report on the German website is linking Berbatov with a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce. They believe that United would be willing to cash in on the ageing player and invest that money in Miami Hurricanes College Jersey a younger striker. The transfer fee mentioned is around 15 million Euro, and Reggie Wayne Jersey it is reported that Fenerbahce would offer Dimitar 5 million Euro per season as salary. Should his present form continue, and calculating this return proportionately to the amount of games played in the previous two seasons (43 games), a suming he would play 43 games this season as well, Dimitar should score around 20 goals this season, which is a great return. The question remains whether United should hang on to him Miami Hurricanes Jersey , or take the money and let him leave to buy a younger striker to partner Rooney.

The demise of West Ham Ed Reed Jersey , from FA Cup finalists in 2006 to an Npower championship side just five years later has been evident through the goings on in the transfer window. The clear failure to bring in the correct player at the correct price has cost our club dearly. The failure by previous owners and managers in the summer months has taken the East London club from the Uefa Cup to the Championship.In 2005 West Ham won promotion from the Coco Cola Championship back into the Premier League. There is a common misconception in football that spending big guarantees succe s and in the 05/06 season neither Terrence Brown nor Alan Pardew were going to be lured into that falsene s. The biggest signing that summer was 2.5m for Yo si Benayoun. Pardew brought in experience, such as Konchesky, to go along with the youth the team already had. Every player was hungry and wanted to play for the club. With West Ham playing so well, Pardew was given sufficient funds in January and spent 7.25m on Dean Ashton. Ashton was a talent so at the price the hammers paid it seemed a coup. Ashton scored some goals and West Ham had the best season they had for some time, claiming a 9th place finish and reaching the FA Cup final.The downward spiral of West Ham started in 2006 when the transfer window opened. The transfer policy seemed the same as Dominic Proctor Jersey the previous season. Pardew was given 5m to spend and he made that money stretch. He brought in Green, Cole, McCartney, Bowyer and Spector. None of the mentioned players would have been on high wages. We seemed to be heading the right direction in terms of money, without selling the prized a sets. With the club in Europe and a young hungry British team plus an excellent young manager in Alan Pardew this should have been the start of West Hams most succe sful period as a club since the 1980s. However, on the 31st August, West Ham signed Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Corinthians. The deal was reported as 25m for the pair, although officially cla sed as undisclosed. The two players wages were suggested to be phenomenal to a club ofour economic stature, plus it was reported the Hammers had to pay money to MSI, the owners of the Tevez and Mascherano. In what should have been West Hams best season in years, ended up being one of the worst. The economic effects of that deal are still being felt. We had to pay 5.5m, in a record fine due to breaching premier rules, and then the club had to pay 20m to Sheffield United in Compensation.After that the transfer policy at Upton Park Michael Irvin Jersey just got poorer. Eggert Magnu son took over at the Boleyn and his transfer policy was quite astonishing. After sacking Pardew in December, he appointed Curbishley and then gave the new manager huge funds in the January window, spending 17m on Upson, Neil, Quashie, Boa Morte and Davenport. After staying up the West Ham fans was promised champions league football within 7 years and in the summer the Icelandics spent huge. Roughly 24m was splashed out on Bellamy, Parker, Dyer, Ljungberg, Solano and Faubert, and off course they would be on huge wages. It was later suggested that Dyer, who would go on to play only 30 times in four years for West Ham and on wages of around 70k a week, was signed just to bring a new face to the fans. This was hardly the transfer policy that makes a football club succe sful and sustainable. During the 2007/2008 season the Icelandic economy went bust and that off course had an effect on West Ham. There were no summer signings in January and in the summer window only one signing, Behrami. The rest were loan signings from Italy. The thoughtle s spending of Magnu son had caught up with them andwe was in huge debt. The selling of players led to Curbishley leaving and ultimately sealed West Andre Johnson Jersey Ham Uniteds long term fate. West Ham couldnt afford an experienced high quality manager, so turned to Zola. The club were forced to sell 20m of talent in January 2009. But on the pitch Zola was doing a decent job and West Ham were pushing for a 7th place spot which would have given them European Football. West Ham failed to clinch a European spot and the financial woes would continue.The following season West Ham was in a disastrous state, in around 100m of debt. Scott Duxbury had to bring payments from sponsorships and TV forward so that West Ham could survive in the present. This meant that in the future, the only money would come from ticket sales, player sales and reward money for where West Ham finished. This was a recipe for disaster and with the January window coming up fast and West Ham struggling in the league it was thought by many that the best players would leave in which would Frank Gore Jersey be one of the biggest fire sales witne sed in the English game.In January 2010 Gold and Sullivan brought West Ham. They had come home and you could hear the sigh of relief from East London. There was no fire sale, and West Ham stayed up. Yes, there was the signing of Benni McCarthy, who cost West Ham lots of money. Many fans give the Davids stick about Benni big mac but the price they paid for him is nothing compared to the price of relegation that season. At the end of the season, the new chairman done what I know they think was a mistake. They sacked Zola, a young manager who had a great connection with the players and after keeping West Ham up, maybe deserved another chance. But with him sacked they brought in Grant. The le s said the better.The financial grief was still evident at Upton Park. The biggest signings were Winston Reid and Pablo Barrera. The rest were loan signings. The owners didnt take a wage and they were both ploughing cash into Upton Park. The cutbacks were huge. Even George Osborne would have admired the cut backs. The work the Davids put into the club was excellent but it could not prevent West Ham going down. They brought some big names on big wages in January to try and keep West Ham up, but sadly couldnt and after reducing of a fair bit of debt, it was back to square one as West Ham went into the Championship.The summer of Ebuka Izundu Jersey 2011 was supposed to be Armageddon for the Hammers. But in actual fact it has been the best summer I can remember for the club. Only one household name (Scott Parker) left and lots of deadwood released and replaced with exciting players who want to play for the club. Look at Kevin Nolan, the new skipper stepped down a division to play for the club. The amount of exciting young English talent at the Boleyn as well as experienced players is brilliant. Add this to a fantastic manager and there could be a recipe for succe s.It is common knowledge that the wages are still high at West Ham but the transfer policy has gone from spending big money and big wages on people that dont want to be at the club, to fairly big wages on players that want to be at Upton Park. Fans have to accept that big wages are part of football now, but you can still go about it in

The Miami Hurricanes Jersey American Dream: theidealsoffreedom,equality,andopportunitytraditionallyheldtobeavailabletoevery American. So when Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre declared that the Premier Leagues current revenue system where revenues are shared equally between the 20 clubs is unfair to the bigger sides, instant comparisons were drawn to that old American ethos.It was Dave Whelan, chairman of Wigan Athletic, who instantly jumped to Zach Johnson Jersey the defence of the present system, whilst disregarding Ayres big idea. Whelan said: It is absolutely scandalous. It would kill Wigan Athletic. It would kill Blackburn.Liverpool would need 13 other clubs support for any changes to be made. But it is understood that the rest of the Premier League top table: Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, are all against the controversial plan.The leagues rights deal, which expires in 2013, is worth 1.4bn.Whelan went on: It is the Anthony Lawrence II Jersey American Dream, this. They are thinking How can we get more money? But you wont get more money by killing the heart and soul of the Premier League and of Kameron McGusty Jersey football in England.Strong, and very prudent, words from Wigans owner. Ayre wants to adopt the Spanish model, a system that allows each club the freedom to negotiate their own rights package, depending on their global popularity. A system that has seen the rich get richer, and the rest fall into disrepute. Barcelona and Real are the perpetual 1-2 finishers over in Spain, with the distinction between 2nd and 3rd ama sing to 22 points last year.There have been some suggestions of the Premier League becoming a two-horse race, with the might of Manchester eclipsing the rest. But this notion has been disproved already this Miami Hurricanes College Jersey season. Both City and United have dropped points courtesy of Fulham and Stoke respectively this year. This is surely a testament to the strength present in English football.Whelan has voiced the opinion of many, describing the detrimental affect the Reds plans Andre Johnson Jersey would leave on English football.Forget the American Dream, it could become more reminiscent of a nightmare if Liverpools wish is granted after 2013.

I watched with great disappointment last night as England were not just beaten but outplayed, at home, by a young rejuvenated French side.Surely our opponents, France, have given us a model from which there is much we can learn. Having had a torrid World Cup campaign, far worse than Englands. France have removed their former manager, Raymond Domenech, removed certain over the hill players and dead Duncan Robinson Jersey weight from their squad, bringing in youth to form a mix of youth and experience that can only be called quite exciting. France in my own opinion is mi sing one key thing to complete the equation, a leader on the pitch. Laurent Blanc could perhaps mould one of his players into a leader by using himself as a model. France has always had great leaders, Zidane, Henry and Blanc himself but to name a few. This is a small problem which France has time to work on.The point is that in a short space of time since the World Cup and since Domenech has left Blanc has rejuvenated the squad. They are playing a style of football that suits them, they seem motivated and seem to be willing to work hard, all things England were mi sing last night.Fabio Capello, it seems, has lost the ability to motivate his England payers. To use an old clich, last night was more about the performance then the result, however in the end Jehu Chesson Jersey both were poor. Finally Capello is choosing to pick some youth in his squad, Gibbs, Henderson and Carroll to me are all future Internationals provided they continue on the right path, and shouldnt the future be the focus of the team now Willie Henry Jersey ? Yes we have the Euros in 2 years time, but shouldnt the aim be to blood the youth and when, or should I say if, we qualify, use the Euros to get that youth some much needed tournament experience, putting us in a stronger position in 2014? I mean the world cup has to be our focus, doesnt it? Why continue with players such as Barry, Ferdinand, Terry, Lampard, who all wont be around in 2014 when we could improve players such as Henderson, Cahill, Dawson, Huddleston and even Lee Cattermole, all suitable replacements in the respective positions if you ask me. They will only get better with 2 things, experience and a good manager, an impact manager, someone who can leave an impre sion over the 2-3 Matt Wile Jersey days of training the England teams get together before a game. I did leave Gerrard out, because although he will not be around for the next World Cup he is the sort of player whos experience would be invaluable to pa s on to the next generation, he is the experience we could use along with others such as Ashley Cole to give some much needed guidance to our young internationals.Finally I think motivation is a factor, pound for pound, player for player France are no better or more equipped then England, but last night quite simply they wanted it more. I question if, before every game these men are being told they need to play for those 3 lions on their shirt, the same way Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves, David Beckham, Geoff Hurst, Terry Butcher and Gary Lineker but to name a few did. Show them what it means to be English and wear that shirt. Overall what it Jim Harbaugh Jersey means to the country that our national team does well. What it would mean and did mean when England won that World Cup. Capello is the only one who can do this and that is his job.I do not have an immediate replacement for Capello in mind. Harry Redknapps name has been thrown about a bit, but would he take it?I think somewhere down the line Nigel Clough should be given the job his dad never was, but thats a different blog altogether, he has a few years to go yet.I think the time for Fabio Capello to leave is here, if he had any self respect he would walk away, but would any one of us sacrifice a 12 million payout for self respect I dont think many of us would.The pratt in the hat as Braylon Edwards Jersey he is now known has to go, so someone English and someone can lead a new squad into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Capello is leaving after Euro 2012, is 2 years enough for someone to take an International team into the next World Cup? I fear not.In the immortal words of Andrea Bocelli Con te Patiro Fabio (Time to say goodbye)

An impeccablecro s into the area followed byhesitation of the slightest requirement from keeper Jim Leighton and a volley struck with critical accuracy. The hoards of fans in red and blue danced upon the newly fitted seats of Wembley Stadium having witne sed what they thought would bring silverware to the bare Selhurst cupboards at long last. Scoring his second goal of the afternoon, an clinical andexcitingstriker had unwittingly brought Palace as close to the FA Cup trophy as they have ever been.Ian Wright, in Carlsberg terms, was probably thebest player to have ever graced the SE25 pitch in a red and blue shirt. During a golden era when many top quality players were cla sified as Eagles, Wright stood C.J. Baird Jersey above the rest, demonstrating a keeneye for goal.SupersubAs a youngster, Southend and Brighton had offered Wright trials, but hed failed to win a contract with either. Returning to his day-job of plastering and hobby of playing football, Palace scout, Peter Prentice spotted him in a match for Greenwich Borough. John O'Korn Jersey Following a more succe sful trial, Steve Coppell offered the raw 21 year old adeal worth 100 a week. Wright was to repay Coppell with interest immediately,scoring for Palace on his debut, a feat whichhe repeated at every club he played for. The 85/86 season ended with Palace finishing 5th, 10 pointsbehind 3rd. However, it had been somewhat fruitful for Wright who notched 9 goals in his debut season. He was further helped by the summer acquisition of Mark Bright in 1986, leading to one of the deadliest attacking duos of the 80s.Coppell beats the BBC by signing these pundits early!It wasnt until 1988 when the first signs of a fearsome partnership began to evolve.Having flirtedwith the top end of the table for a few years, Palace once again mi sed out on a spot in the end of season play-offs.Wright wasprobably more frustrated as his23 goals warranted significantly more than another failure in Division 2.His patience would soonpay dividendshowever.The next season, Wright managed an astounding 33 goals as the club finished in the play-offs at long last.Trailing 1-0 in the first leg to Swindon, Palace quickly evened the scores in the second match, then Player of the Year,Wright,struck the winner, sending the team Rashan Gary Jersey to the finalversus Blackburn Rovers.3-1 down after the first leg at Ewood, Palace fortunately had the second leg at home. Although underdogs still, Wright lifted the crowd with an early finish and straight after the break, Dave Madden levelled from the spot. Palace had the momentum but held on for extra-time andwaited an age to witne s a Wright header seal promotion.The winning header vs. BlackburnEarning acall-up for the England B team the next December was a wholesome reward for Wrights efforts but unfortunately his debut season in the First Division was cut short as he painfully Isaiah Paige Jersey cracked a shin bone.It would be used to his advantage however come the Cup Final.Unfairly,this injury prevented Wrightsparticipation in a cup run andtie against Liverpool at Villa Park.A painful 9-0 defeat months earlier made the game an easy one to predict on paper, but the greatest game inPalaces history ended more dramatically than anyone could have imagined. Alan Pardew (below)scored the winner in a titanic battle that ended 4-3 (extra-time again!).A bit irrellevant but neverthele s iconicAlex Ferguson, who had yet to win over the United faithful, awaited on a sunny May afternoon. Bryan Robson scored to make it 1-1 at half time after a Gary OReilly header had given Palace the lead.United were 2-1 up by the time Wright was introduced in the 69th minute on his comeback from injuryand duly made up for lost time with first a run and shot from the right beating Leighton 4 minutes after his arrival, and then volleyed in to make it 3-2 in extra-time. The supersub looked to have won it for Palace, up until Jake Butt Jersey Mark Hughes levelled again to force a replay which United won by a solitary goal topresent Ferguson with his first piece of silverware as United bo s.The disappointment reigned for no longer than a few months. Wright earned a 1st senior England cap and reached 100 goals for Palace the next season. Palace ended it in 3rd placeand the silverware even arrived, albeit a year late and a different but nonethele s pricele s trophy. Gerald Ford Jersey The Full Members Cup sits proudly inside our tiny cabinet, thanks mostly to Mr Wright whopinched 2 in the final against Everton as Palace triumphed 4-1 aet.Full Members Cup Winner 1991Sadly, Wright was sold in August 91 to Arsenal for 2.5 million, finishing with the golden boot that season. He was named in Palaces Centenary XI and further named the Player of the Century for being the clubs record post-war scorer. He culminated with 117 goals in 277 gamesfor us and proved his cla sby scoring numerous and top quality strikes. To be cla sed asa great at2 clubs is simply a mark of howgood Ian Wright proved to be during his career as he became Arsenals record scorer in September1997.

Another weeks gone by, and Rovers are still in a me s.There was much said about it being a good time to face Newcastle and Arsenal, yet two defeats would suggest otherwise.In fairne s, we created enough chances to Jehu Chesson Jersey win the game against the Toon, but Steve Keans post-match comments strangely backed up by the local paper suggesting we deserved to win were wide of the mark. Creating chances is one thing, sticking them away is another and if you dont do that, you get exactly what you deserve nothing.As for the Arsenal game shocking. Losing to the Ryan Glasgow Jersey Gunners is no disgrace surrendering without a fight is. Factor in Gael Givets stupid red card at 3-1 down, and this was a day to forget. Somehow, all is not lost. Dont get me wrong, Rovers are poor, but avoiding the drop is still po sible. The teams battling for survival Wigan, Wolves, Bolton and QPR are Taylor Lewan Jersey also poor and with all four still to play, Rovers have a chance slim as it is.Next up at Ewood are QPR a must-win game if ever there was one. For that to happen, we need our best team on the pitch and, like it or not, that means Chris Samba must play.Kean admitted earlier in the week he had no idea if Samba would be involved this weekend a ridiculous state of affairs. Support for Sambas recent stance has been mixed, with some saying he should get on with his job, while others wereglad he spoke out against the owners and the manager.With the transfer Tom Harmon Jersey window now shut, Samba simply has to play. Hes made it clear hes not 100% committed to the club under the current regime but, for now, theres nowhere he can go.Having made his point, Samba should now knuckle down and focus on trying to help Rovers stay up. Failure to do so would alienate those who sympathised with his position and potentially put off potential buyers in the summer.He can even Eli Brooks Jersey make it clear his views on the owners and Kean havent changed, but theres a job to do, and Samba now has to get on and do it. Once the seasons over, he should then Maurice Hurst Jersey be allowed to leave. No-one loses face.With Ryan Nelsen being allowed to leave yet another daft decision and Givet suspended for three games, Rovers centre-half options are Scott Dann and Grant Hanley. With Samba partnering, either youd have a little more confidence together, theyre an accident waiting to happen.No idea whether hell play? Get it sorted and fast.

AFTER crucial victories over Bursaspor and Hearts, Rangers forward Steven Naismith has caught the eye of many.The ex-Kilmarnock forward was signed for 1.9m from the Rugby Park club as a hot-prospect for the future. Celtic, Hearts and Hibernian all failed in bids to lure him to their prospective clubs.Since his arrival at his boyhood heroes, his career has been filled with Chris Evans Jersey highs and lows. For most of his time, he has been sidelined with injuries at Ibrox, with Mo Edu saying when he joined from Toronto he always seen Steven heading to the treatment room.Now, the 23-year-old is in the form of his life. After attracting praise for his display against Manchester Jack Blomgren Jersey United at Old Trafford, Naisy has gone on to score crucial winning goals against Bursaspor in the Champions League and Hearts at Tynecastle. With three league goals, Naismith is doing extremely well.It is encouraging for Rangers that Naismith is starting to live up to his potential, with Scotland bo s Craig Levein now considering him as one of his key players. Naismith knows that hehas thrust himself into the thinking of the manager for every game and he puts this down to an increase in his fitne swhich hasbettered his performances.I do feel much stronger and more fitter than I have done in the past. In the latter stages of games, I feel I have more energy to make runs. In the past, Id maybe have stayed in my position and made sure I defended rather than attacked. he told The Scottish Sun Jesse Franklin Jersey .In the last few weeks weve had to go for it in the latter stages of games. Of course, I would rather talk about my performances than my injuries. When people mention the injuries, though, it is a reminder I dont want to go back there. When you have been down there, it makes you appreciate the good times so much more.The form of Naismith and Kenny Miller has been outstanding for Rangers. Miller has bagged ten SPL goals and is truely living up to the no.9 Willie Henry Jersey tag left by Kris Boyd. Even though Naismith was signed as a striker, he has rarely started up front. He is mainly used on either the left or right flank, but this season he has made the right midfield role is own.With his versatility (he can play up front, left or right wing and centre midfield now), Walter Smith is bound to include Naismith in his teamsheet every week. Wee Naisy is pivotal to Rangers chances of retaining the title if he plays like has been doing.He knows exactly the kind of focus and determination that is required to bring home an SPL title, and hes ready for the Chris Wormley Jersey fight.A team does not win a championship without having an element of pride. They are not going to sit back and accept it and there was no acceptance here. I dont think its just the last two results. We have also shown plenty determination over the last few seasons to make sure Brennen Beyer Jersey that we can do as well as po sible.We have had some succe s and we have had some failures. The one thing that has remained constant, however, is that the team has always endeavoured to do as well as they can.This fighting spirit and determination, coupled with blistering scoring form, is exactly what the Rangers supporters want from their team every year.