Naughty Boys: Sexism in the Commentary Box
Well the main story after the weekend and into the week was of course Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray and their comments about the female lineswoman at the Wolves/Liverpool game. If you've purposely not looked at the newspaper or watched the TV, then basically the two were talking about how woman do not know the offside rule and Keys was convinced that there would be a mistake from her. Since then, Gray has been sacked after being caught on camera in a separate incident, and Keys has left since then. My observation? Silly boys, they may have only been joking around as mates, but that isn't really acceptable and they got what was coming to them.
Keys was a decent presenter, but Gray has forged his career as one of the most recognisable voices ever to come from the commentary box. Catchphrases like 'You just don't save those', 'Take a bow' and 'What a hit, son, what a hit' have been spawned from him, and he has become synonymous with Sky Sports in the 19 years he was there. Unlike many commentators, he had character and part of the fun was being sat in front of the tele thinking 'what the hell is Gray going on about?'. His commentaries were interesting.
Having said that, I was never a massive Gray fan. He bugged me to the point of muting the television a couple of times and he was never that insightful or intelligent when it came to interpreting the game. And the lad's club at Sky Sports seems to have been split up, meaning new blood at the station. Just please don't give us bland old Jamie Redknapp in the commentary box. And can someone spare a thought for lonely old Martin Tyler?
Carling Cup Final: Coming-Of-Age Gooners vs Underdogs
I don't actually mind who wins the Carling Cup this season. Firstly, I'm thankful neither Manchester United or Chelsea got to Wembley, because finals with one of those teams are dull and finals with both teams are eye-gougingly dire. Many would have had Manchester City down to get here, but I'm thankful Arsenal have. For a few years now, Arsene Wenger's side have been vying for silverware but have always fallen at one of the last hurdles, with people citing the same old 'young' and 'soft' labels always thrown at the Gunners. But this year, Wenger has treated the Carling Cup with a bit more respect this year and he has been awarded with a trip to Wembley with their best chance of winning a trophy since 2005. And I would love them to win it just for the fact it would mean the first one's out of the way, and hopefully then they could join City in battling boring United and dull Chelsea for the league title. But only if they can convince Cesc Fabregas to stay on.
Birmingham have done especially well to reach this stage. Beating Rochdale, Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford (on penalties) before defeating arch rivals Aston Villa and West Ham United to get to the final is a fine achievement for Alex McLeish. He has a very good side at St. Andrews, they should stay up if they keep their focus and I wouldn't rule them out at Wembley. You only had to see the reaction of the Brummies to see their joy at reaching the first Cup final of the year, and if they can repeat their performances over the last couple of years against the top teams, they have a chance to cause a big upset.
Transfer Window: The Movers and Shakers
The biggest stories so far of the transfer window seem to surround Liverpool and their pursuits of Luis Suarez and Charlie Adam, discounting Bent's controversial move that is. King Kenny has done very well at the Reds already; they seem a more confident and solid outfit, but he will need to improve the squad if they are to be challenging for a European spot come May. If you discount Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, add in midfielder Raul Meireles and promising youngster Martin Kelly, they have a superbly average team and too many deadweights in there. Paul Konchesky, Lucas, Christian Poulsen, Martin Skrtel, the list goes on. Both Suarez and Adam would be fine additions, especially in-form Adam who has shown for Blackpool how influential he can be. But I really hope Adams stays at Bloomfield Road until the end of the season, making sure the Tangerines stay in the Premier League. They're my team of the season so far.
Elsewhere are some decent moves; Sunderland will be immensely improved by the rumoured arrivals of Inter Milan and former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari, and the even-more reported move for Roman Pavlyuchenko. I'm not sure how much Ricardo Fuller would add to the team but he is a decent player on his day, the Black Cats just need numbers in the ranks. Chelsea need new blood aswell, David Luiz isn't the kind of player to come in and spark a charge for the title but would be a welcome addition to the aging and lagging Stamford outfit and they could do with a couple more.
I'm surprised with West Ham. I know funds are tight at the moment and the Hammers should be doing better with the players they have already, but they are staring down the barrel. Bottom of the Premier League and severely lacking in confidence, they really need reinforcements. He may have scored a great goal but Carlton Cole just seems devoid of any faith in himself right now, and he is supposed to lead their fightback? Scott Parker aside, they have far too many poor players and need more. The laughable Wayne Bridge and hard-working but limited Gary O'Neil aren't going to keep them up. David Gold and David Sullivan, you've supported Avram Grant by letting him keep his job. Now it's time to support him in the transfer market.
Finally, will someone take Robbie Keane and Jamie O'Hara on loan from Spurs? When Harry's mind is made up, it's made up, and neither are going to get much playing time unless there's a dramatic injury crisis at White Hart Lane. But we're talking about a proven goalscorer who has hit double figures wherever he has played and a young, energetic and keen English midfielder who galvanised Pompey last season. Both would walk into twelve out of twenty Premier League clubs and we need to see them back in action. Are you listening, Bolton, Sunderland, Everton et al?
And to remind you all, here's some highlights from Robbie Keane's illustrious career (ignore the tune though).
NWR
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