Norwich City - Forward Thinking

For three seasons Norwich city have been sailing a nervy, unstable ship into a blind future in the premier league. No ambitions, no passion and certainly no chance of sealing any silverware, all seen come to an inevitable end last year. Now, the Canaries are returning back to the Football League and it goes without question that everything has changed. Managers and players alike are a flip from Carrow Roads crowd erupting memories we once saw only seasons ago; all we can pray is that The Saviour in Adams can bring back those hair raising highlight's once again. The real question behind every Yellow fans lips is not will we get back to the Premier League but who will be the hero in the nest. 

Last season we finally got to see the board pull out the brief case and start to splash some cash, signing a couple of, what they thought, were superstar strikers (how wrong were they). Yet again, McNally has had a hot flush and decided to make it rain on the attack department by signing a few more forwards in the form of Lewis Grabban and Kyle Lafferty, not to mention the offload of Robert Snodgrass and Elmander. Overall this is totalling to be a bulk build up in strikers in the City Camp, so will we see more dumped off? Or will the boys in Yellow play attacking football for once in the hope of scoring a unassailable goal tally?. 

Lewis Grabban already has an awesome record in the Football League after his stint last year at Bournemouth, scoring a net busting 22 goals. In the two years Grabban was at Bournemouth he nailed an astounding 35 goals meaning Norwich have picked him up in a career peaking moment. Hopefully next year the twenty six year old can be Grabban all the goals for us. 

Pre-season has showcased some promising soccer for Kyle Lafferty after he's bagged himself three goals in two games so far. The Nothern Irish striker can link up with fellow countryman Hoolahan on the field and the bonded relationship will create chaos for opposing defenders. How can I not mention this man's experience either,  as his CV is home's to a wide range of clubs, bulstering his diverse footballing ability.  From Sion in Switzerland, Palermo in Italy to Rangers in Scotland this starlet has a solid record and at only twenty six, he's still got some miles to go. I can see Lafferty being a big part of the Canaries, helping us back on the way to success. 

Let us not forget last seasons not so hopefuls, Ricky 'The Wolf' Van Wolfswinkle and Gary Hooper. Much to many's suprise the one goal a season, millions of pounds man hasn't been shipped out and has now poteinally earned himself a second chance saloon;  he's managed to score two in pre-season already. As part of the not so old guard, these two limp forwards have a job to do and have to prove to the fans and staff that they are what were once of thought of them, by being goal machines. Labelled as the better half of the droopy duo, Hooper can hold the torch and guide the way because he has possiblities to be something special; his few clinical finishes and Celtic track record should grip him to rip through Football League teams. All in all, if we see another drought from next months start, these fellows will be cashed out quicker than muck off a shovel.

At the current time and in this summer spell we can understand that we are moving up. Transfer talks are going on and transfers have been complete, the clubs managerial departments have changed and the fans are all upbeat. Next seasons start is just around the corner and with two comfortable wins in pre-season against Dereham and Braintree things are shaping up nicely. It seems Mr.Mcnally is the man with a master plan and it won't be long until we really see him work his magic. So let's hear it from the snake pit, the Barclay and the Jarrold stand... 'Kick it Off...'. Next month. Wolves. Be there. 

A Final da Copa do Mundo

Brazil 2014 World Cup Final Two fixtures and my predictions for both of the games. 

A final da copa do mundo. The World Cup final. And so it was; the summer of football, the hours of binge watching games, the multiple fights with the family over the tv remote, the skills, thrills and damned right abismal spills are all coming to an emotional end this Sunday with the World Cup reaching it's final climax. The Rollercoaster is almost over, we have watched on as history has been made and that's just the record number of times a man has bitten another man on a football field. We thank you Brazil, not only for the times we've cried but for the memories, our teams may not be in the final but the samba spirit has brought the world together. Gracias and until the next time farewell. 

Saturday 12th July, 21:00GMT...

3rd Place Playoff...

Brazil 1-1 Holland (Brazil W/Penalties)...

David Luis can officially say that he went from boy hood hero, to Brazillian worldwide zero. In a thrid place playoff against a decent Dutch side, Scolari's squad have to pull up their socks and start chirping that redemption song. Neymar and Silva are the obvious proven back bone for Brazil but with the young poster boy still out, they'll be stripped of a goalscorer; however Silva will return from suspension so the back four have a born leader again. Fred and Hulk have flopped harder than a raw pancake on shrove Tuesday this tournament, so if you are expecting goals from these two, I'd think again. I genuinely feel for the fans and travellers that have embraced the Brazillian fever, so I believe that it's only fair that the boys in yellow pay them back by finishing the tournament thrid.

Onto the Oranje and I must say they've been a sturdy threat throughout but my gosh, some of their fixtures have been dull. After Van Gaal already wormed his way through one penalty shoot out with mastermind tactics, it was only inevitable that they'd crumble in the second; it's unlucky they couldn't break down the Argie bus as this would have seen a better game. Good old, jack of all trades master of none Dirk Kuyt at right back had an promising game previous and against Brazil I presume we'll see the same. The three at the back, two wing backs layout will work a blinder playing against a poor attack but again a goal drought is due; Brazilia's back four will be extremely tight. Score draws and bore draws have been all over the Dutch, so again it's going to be the same. Brazil should bag it with big Caesar between the sticks though. 

Sunday 13th July, 20:00GMT...

The Final...

Germany 3-1 Argentina...

Well, Germans being Germans they had to make it to the final didn't they?. Every Englishman's worst nightmare, the two teams they didn't want in the finale went on to make it. After "Müllering" Brazil, Germany will have their stern sights set on smashing in another South American giant and it wouldn't be the first time. Last time these European ballers met up square with the Argies they gave them a game to forget by nailing them 4-0. Up until the semi's I wasn't convinced with the Germans but any team that pulverises the host nation by six goals deserves to win it. Hummels is built like brick and Neuer is purely unstoppable and that's only the defensive game. Thomas Müller can still snatch that golden boot off of Rodriguez and what better way to do it that in the final?, His marksman like shooting can secure the cup and Klose will be there in support after securing the scoring record. The thing that scares me most is that these guys are so young and have at least another two competitions ahead equalling eight years of footballing dominance?.

Rumour has it that Messi is not only the main man on the pitch but talks the tactics in the changing room too. Ever since previous to the tournaments start I've fancied the Argentinians to win it but they haven't done diddly squat to earn it. I'm very shocked they've made it to the final after the post group performance's but they're their but it's not going to be easy for them. Mascherano stated what it's like to play with passion when you pull on your countries shirt by crunching into every tackling going and bouncing up from concussion; for the first time the midfield looked more than a Messi surrounded mash. Rojo, Zabaleta and Lavezzi have been mentionably impressive but I don't think this team has enough to contain the German cannon. Legends will be made and stories passed on; History can only be written by the victor, so I hope you can understand Deutschland's home tongue.

World Cup - The Final 4

Brazil 2014 World Cup Semi Final Fixtures and my match by match predictions. 

And then there were four. Many came and most failed but a few of the world's best footballing nations have shown what it takes to make it to the World Cup semi finals.

Tuesday 8th July 21:00GMT...

Brazil 2-0 Germany... 

The host nation are within touching distance of creating a tear teasing, historic event by edging that ever bit closer to the World Cup final. A win would see them head into Sundays final as heavily backed favourites, not because they are Brazilliant at football but because they have a twelfth man in the form of a country behind them. Last Friday they studded me as an on looker by beating the best performing team in the competition and this stated that they won't back down to nobody. Even though they have lost young Neymar to a deadly injury, I still think they have enough passion and skill to defeat anyone; David Luis is a fine example after scoring his thumping thirty yard free kick then proceeding to errupt in emotion after.

Someting tells me that Germany just aren't going to have a pleasant ride in this fixture and are going home empty handed. In the game previous they put up a solid, stereotypically disciplined performance but when it came to attacking there was no finesse at all. Hummels and Neuer may be the Deutschland's only saviours here but it's in the goals department where they are really going to struggle. Muller vs. Luis will be extremely thrilling but overall I think the Brazillians will out samba the boys from Europe. 

Wednesday 9th July 21:00GMT... 

Argentina 1-1 Holland (Holl Win ET)...

Manchester United fans will expectedly be counting their chickens before they hatch after this World Cup. It seems to me that after off loading poor Mr.Moyes they've dug their way to find a genius gem. Luis Van Gaal has brought his overlooked Flying Dutchmen to the semi finals of a World Cup after some degree level footballing tactics have been showcased; Costa Rica are the most recent of victims after his brave move to bring on Newcastle keeper Tim Krul for the penalty shoot out. But was it Krul's unclassy craftiness that won the game or purely the touch of a tactical god?. Say what you like but there is no denying that Holland have been outstanding and put on a audacious deal of class consistently through the tournament. Yes, Robben is arguably a cheat but he shouldn't overshadow the brilliance of an aging Sneijder or punish the skill of a high flying Robin Van Persie. 

With the Argies, again as I said previous, they haven't been all what was expected of them. There is enough pressure on little Lionel Messi to make the poor guys legs collapse and with nothing going for him or towards him from the other ten players around him, they're struggling. The smallest glimmer of a chance can only come from Madrid's Di Maria but even his fitness is quietly low; they have come this far with what has been dubbed by many as "the easy route" but the hard hitting Holland boys won't be so light on them. A question that beckons on this spicy square up is whether or not Higuain will be able to follow up from his last game goal and whether the blue and white back men will cope with Hollands pacey attack. Looking back on past scores from these two leads me to a draw but in extra time the legs and talent from the Dutch bench can carry them to a classic final. 

World Cup - The Final 8

Brazil World Cup Quarter Final Fixtures with a match by match prediction. 

So now we are down to the super eight and this summers footballing festival is drawing to a tearful close. After what I would say was a rathe dull round of sixteen, we'll see some sizzling showcases of the beautiful game in the quarters. Hopefully this cluster of match ups can give us the spine tingling sports we all know from the opening set of the World Cup. 

Friday 4th July...

Brazil 1-2 Columbia...

Here we go again, another phenom in the form of an all America's duel; Brazil look to retake home of the trophy but country neighbours Columbia will have other thoughts. Even without their superstar Falcao, Columbia have been the most brutal and best team throughout the tournament; James Rodriguez and his crew have cut down every team in their path with the veteran Yepes bossing the back line. Brazil on the other palm have been lack luster and for star studded line up they possess, they haven't particularly caused chaos. Although they are the host nation, I just don't think they'll have enough to stop Columbia's ruthless attack let alone breakdown the marine like disipline in defence. We saw the Brazillians cut it fine against Chile and as Columbia are that much more stronger, I'm going with the away team snatching it. 

France 1-0 Germany...

These two are both thoroughly formidable in defence and are by a mile Europe's most elite squads. It's so unfortunate that the two had to meet in the quarter finals but as we all know too well there can only be one winner. Up until now the French really haven't been shaken up by another top quality squad but in this fixture I'm sure they'll expect otherwise. This being said the German's did draw blank against an Algerian side in the quarters and at many points they did look like conceding cheaply. Per Mertesaker had a nightmare previous and to be honest I've seen milk turn faster than him. No doubt about it France v Germany will be the hardest game to predict from the quarters as both teams have so much talent. All in all the power in young Pogba mixed with the style of Valbuena is going to give Les Bleus that much needed advantage and I'm going with a one goal win.

Saturday 5th July...

Holland 2-0 Costa Rica...

Myself and every other England fan will be hanging our heads in shame, not only could this be England in Costa Rica'a position but we could have had our own back on the Dutch. Sadly for Costa Rica I think they've have ridden their luck too long, surely they haven't got enough to get through to the semi final?. Fulham will be pig sick after off loading the Costa Rican captain as he's been the hero for the men in Red not to mention that South American spirit that lifts them every game. Louis Van Gaal will be looking to end his international rein as World Cup winner and what better way to do it than alongside the striker of your next club. His relationship with RVP is better than Ant and Dec's and that bond creates a love enough to score goals. The only thing I despise about the Dutch is Robben because of his swan diving antics; even admitting to it makes me hate him even more and to be honest even Tom Daley would be impressed after his Olympic styled efforts.

Argentina 0-0 Belgium...

These two squads should be genuinely ashamed of themselves after their quarter final conundrums. I'm going to put it out there as football fixtures than send you to the land of Zzz as the games they showcased didn't bag a goal until over the ninety. So much expectation but so little life, these teams should be doing a lot better. Argentina are far too reliant on Messi and at times I felt sorry for the guy, in the other eleven Belgium just can't seem to gel but luckily with Kompany at the helm they can manage to keep a clean sheet. Be disappointed and expect for the worst because I don't feel any samba is going to jazz up this one and I'm going for a 0-0 draw. To sum it up it's penalties with a capital P and the Argentines are going to progress.