I have been amiss not welcoming the numerous new readers and bloggers that have joined the blog in the last month or so.

Although I do my best to keep up with questions that come along the reality is that there has been so much action with Gold Cup, Copa America, the FIFA under-20 World Cup and player moves that it has been next to impossible to stay current with questions.

For those of you who have not had your questions answered lately I apologize but I hope you understand that next to sitting around and blogging all day it's not possible to keep up with your questions.

The Speakers' Corner blog that normally appears every Monday was designed for questions with replies posted on Wednesday. Any questions that appear on other blogs I post during a normal week become problematic in terms of replies - particularly questions about transfer rumours and hypothetical player moves - because of time constraints and the fact that so few of these moves actually ever take place.

I hope this helps to clarify why some of the questions that have been asked over the last two weeks may not have been answered.

PS - Take the reference to "expert" that sits above my smiling face with a grain of salt. Everyone who takes time to post on this blog deserves as much respect as anyone else. As others have said this blog has maintained a level of civility and respect for all readers and posters over the last year - here's hoping that it does not change.

Cheers

Bobby

Henry14 - Q1. l think an arsenal take over is really on the cards, it might not happen as early as some reports suggest but rumours that some Russian guy and a whole lot of Dubai guys will not go unchallenged. With the money the share holders want and all the stadium liabilities, l really can not see the American guy as a possible bidder, because anyone to take over Arsenal should be prepared to lose and then gain in the long run. What is your take on that?
Q2 l think Ade is made to look like a villain, but l think the guys who run African soccer embezzle quite a large sum of money and to have players not paid for two years is a shame. l think the problem would occur even with England but because they take care of that it’s under control. If any civil servant can go on strike why can't footballers. l really think African football really has to change in administrations.

Bobby – Q1. All clubs are sold eventually but I don’t see Arsenal being sold in the near term.
Q2 A total lack of organization has been major drawback for a lot of African countries and until it is fixed an African country will never win the World Cup.

Bigdave disaster - I’m late in writing this but your comment about Portuguese reporters "falling down" was amazing and I'm curious if you got a letter from the Portuguese associated press? or were you simply fined by FSCFA for disparaging remarks?

With the television contract now signed by the EPL and the mess in Italy do you see the EPL becoming the highest paying league in Europe? and is that why we began to here all the rumors about a weekly player salary cap?

Bobby – Carlos did threaten to send me to the stands. As far as I know the Ppremiership is the highest paid league in the soccer world. You will find some players in other leagues getting higher salaries but I doubt that the average salary would be higher.

Mistafantastic – What's your opinion of one, Landon Donovan? It frustrates me to the core that he can play as brilliantly as he did Sunday, but when he's needed most he folds up. His lack of heart & commitment to stick it out in Europe is another sore subject & NOW comes the news that he doesn't want to play in either the Gold Cup or Copa America this summer so he can stay & help the Galaxy! With all the great young talent the US has now, why must they continue to force him down our throats as the "Golden Boy" of US footy? Any opinions? Thanks!

Bobby – Donovan on his day can be a match-winner at any level. However, because he has done it in the past then many expect him to do it everytime and he is never going to be a player of that caliber. He has fantastic pace, he is a good finisher and tactically he appears to be sound. Inconsistency will be the hallmark of his career but because he is a potential game breaker he will always be a first choice for the USA. “Mercurial” might be a good description of him which is a lot better than being an “enigma.” A Scottish commentator once described former internationalist Jim Bett as an enigma and went on to say that it was just a nice way of saying that Bett had played a good game about five years before and everyone was waiting for him to have another.

Realmadridccfan - 1. What is your favourite and least favorite play by play soccer commentator right now? 2. With the Copa America this summer, what do you think are the best hopes for Mexico and the United States at this tournament? 3. Do you think that Jose Mourinho is actually done like dinner at Chelsea and move in years end to Real Madrid CF?

Bobby – 1. Favourite is Martin Tyler by a country mile. Another I enjoy listening to because he has a very understated delivery is John Helm. As for the least favourite it would have to be Ian Darke – the man must wake up each morning in mid-sentence, he never shuts-up.

2. I am assuming Mexico will send a full team and will qualify for the knock out stage. It looks as if the USA will be hampered by sending a squad without any MLS players but with up to three teams qualifying then one win can almost put you through. in passing I did hear that Argentina will be taken a squad made up completely of home based players to Copa America.

3. My money is on a Mourinho move during the summer but on the other hand I would not be surprised if he stayed either. When he moved to Chelsea he made mention of coaching in Italy one day and I think that is a more likely destination for him than Spain.  

The British Sport Book Awards were announced yesterday. In the Best Autobiography category Paul McGrath, Back from the Brink was the winner. Leo McKinstry's Sir Alf won the  
Best Football Book.

Under 20 update from Tuesday evening - Hyundai Under 20 men's national team presented by Yahoo! Canada 1-2 Scotland. And we wonder why the European media make fun of North American soccer!!

realmadridcffan - 1. Do you know how the aggregate away rule to decide two legged ties started and what do you think of it? I kind of like it because it rewards good road play and punishes sloppy home play.

2. What did you think of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup draw? Do you see any surprises coming up for this edition of the 2007 Gold Cup?

3. What do you think has been the key to Manchester United's excellent form this year? Manchester United has actually been quite a surprise this year in the EPL, considering not that many people where picking them to be leading the premiership at this time.

Bobby – 1. In 1967/68 the away goals rule was used to  decide first round ties only in the European Cup. The away goals rule was brought into full use for the 1968/69 European Cup and from there it was extended to other tournaments. Real Madrid were the first team that season to go out of the competition because of the rule – they lost to Rapid Vienna. Before that replays had been used and then a coin toss was brought in. The coin toss remained an option for a number of seasons when the away goals rule was not a factor. In one famous game Celtic and Benfica exchanged 3-0 results and Celtic won the coin toss twice – the first to decide who got to call and the second the actual deciding toss. Celtic went on the European Cup Final that season but lost to Feyenoord in extra time.

2. I like the fact that guest teams are no longer involved. If you are going to have a regional tournament then that is what it should be. Having said that I still dream that the day will come when we will be able to enjoy a full blown Copa America with CONCACAF and COMNEBOL teams involved – however, I am not holding my breath on that one. With three teams qualifying from two of the groups it reduces the chances of a surprise. A couple of countries I will be watching for. ####mp;T – can they build on their WC showing or will they go into decline ala Jamaica post 98 given that the team is quite old. The other is Panama. They’ve turned out a couple of good age group sides in the last few years and they did push the USA all the way two years ago.

3. A number of factors have combined to make it a great season for United. The four I would pick out would be the reemergence of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes – absolutely outstanding performances - and Ronaldo becoming a world class player. The other the drive and single mindedness of Alex Ferguson.

Henry14 - 1. What happens if Watford lose in the FA final or win it and then relegated, will they play in Europe

2. ESPN pundits seem to feel Eto'o will move where do you see him going and why?

3. What are Wenger's chances of getting N'Zogbia from Newcastle

4. What do you think were Arsenal's problems and what do you think can be the solution so that they are (up with?) United and Chelsea next season.

Bobby – 1. Either way they will compete in the UEFA Cup as long as the team they lose to – if they lose – have already qualified for either the Champions League or UEFA Cup.

2. I don’t think Eto’o will move. Take into consideration that the manager will likely leave and the new boss isn't going to want to dump Eto'o - in my opinion.

3. Arsenal have been linked with N’Zogbia for a while but I thought I read that he signed a new contract with Newcastle. Of course, that doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t move but it would certainly cast some doubt over a possibile transfer.

4. Arsenal are not experiencing anything that a bit more experience will not fix. I said at the start of the season that this was a transition year. Third or fourth place in the Premiership will make a relatively successful season.

Buffytvs - Re the last but one comment on Woodgate: when we did our picks before the EPL season started, I called Middlesbrough for the drop. That was before the tfr window closed, and they brought in Woodgate, who has made am enormous difference. Without him, I think they would be in deep trouble. So... this coming year, can we make the deadline for the picks AFTER the tfr window?

Bobby – I will consider a change in timing for next season’s picks. I looked up everyone’s picks and only two of 70 picked Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool as a 1-2-3 finish – no one is sitting with 1-4 right let alone 1-5. As far as relegation is concerned 6 from 70 have picked two of the three teams presently occupying the bottom three slots. No one picked all three. Interestingly only two people picked WHU to finish in the bottom three and nobody picked them as the season’s potentially biggest disappointment.

Venti Vidi Vici - Whatever happened to all the Man Utd fans/shareholders who so fiercely opposed the Glazier takeover, and I think even established a new non-league MU team?? Has the club's recent performances on and off the field temporarily shut them up, or have they given up and apologized?

Bobby – The team is growing and prospering. Here is their website. Time will tell whether they are right or wrong but from my vantage point I still cannot see how the Glazer family is going to be able to have the club service the debt level without affecting the on field product. And before someone jumps in with the Arsenal example it is something very different. United is the equivalent of consumption debt – non productive debt – while Arsenal is investment debt where an asset has been purchased that increases revenue.

Verbal 97 - Anyway, do you think that the replays for Man United and Chelsea hurt their chances in the quarterfinal matches against Roma and Valencia? It certainly isn't ideal. Also, can Man United cope without Larsson with Saha and Solksjaer injured?

Bobby – I think the replays are more likely to hurt England (game against Israel on March 24 in Euro qualifiers) than Chelsea and Manchester United. It will however be interesting to see the teams that United and Chelsea put out against Bolton and Sheffield United this weekend. United have got goals from 15 different players in the Premiership this year so I think they can overcome the problem until Saha returns at the end of this month – supposedly.

Gunner 44 - Do you think it will be smart of Barcelona to sell Eto'o, I mean the guy has been amazing for them and he has one bad season and now they want to sell him? For me this is the problem with football nowadays too many rushed decisions are been made, even Ferguson mentioned this in an article I read a couple of weeks ago that managers and players need to be given time to build themselves before they are sacked.

Bobby – I would be very surprised if Barcelona decides to sell Eto’o. I would agree that fans patience seems to be getting less and less. It seems to me that years ago supporters understood that it took time for a player to adapt to a new team. Now a player has to be an instant success even though they may be experiencing a new culture and having to learn a new language. It took Drogba two seasons to show his real stuff . How many Chelsea fans are willing to admit that they wrote him off as a bad investment during the first 18 months or so.

Gongatore - Last week you thought that if it was down to Barca selling Ronaldinho or Eto'o, you thought they would not get rid of Eto'o. That is kind of interesting. Do you think R is burned out from last season or do you really think he is losing steps and defenders read him better? Also what do you think of Roma's chances against Manu in the CL? Wouldn't it be nice to see a different side win? Let's face it Roma plays a terrific style of ball.

Bobby – If it was down to Ronaldinho or Eto’o I would sell Ronaldinho. That doesn’t mean that he is burnt out or finished just that I think Eto’o would be more difficult to replace. Ronaldinho is just about to turn 27 and he will be a great player for some years to come. Roma worry me in that they have terrific players who have largely underperformed in Europe for years - I wonder if they might be the CL surprise team this year.

Henry14 - My list of the best strikers in the world when fit are 1 Eto’o 2 Klose 3 Henry 4 Drogba 5 lmbrahimovich My top 5 defenders are 1 Cannavaro 2 Nesta 3 Chivhu 4 Calvhahlio 5 Gallas What is your list of five best strikers and defenders?

Bobby – Strikers when fit 1. Eto’o, 2. Drogba 3. Henry 4. Villa 5. Klose.

Defenders 1. Cannavaro, 2. Gallas, 3. Nesta 4. Terry, 5. Lucio.

HatrickVieira - Considering the injuries at Arsenal, do you think a tactical O'Neil and an inspired Carew can silence the Gunners? Additionally, how 'bout posting your predictions for weekly EPL fixtures, I am sure we would all enjoy a comparison and don't mind your "overanalyzation".. regardless of what Jeremy thinks!

Bobby – I would be picking a draw for Aston Villa and Arsenal. With Villa’s record this season it is hardly a outrageous pick. As for ongoing predictions I explained before that I don’t want it to become a prediction blog. However, the weekend preview blog last Friday seemed to fairly well received so I will try to post something every Friday – and maybe make a prediction now again for big games and/or possible surprises – so everyone has a chance to post pre and post game thoughts.

Bigdave disaster - You didn’t talk about the Celtic Milan game on the show and I was wondering what your thoughts were? (and not just if you think it was a penalty on Naka because your sane and you would have to think so, still bitter I thought we stole it from a better side with grit hard work and a bit of luck and a goal post or two)

Bobby – A brave show from Celtic but in the end just not up to the standard needed to get the better of Milan. It looked like a penalty to me and here was also the Maldini handball. But by all accounts Milan were clearly the better side.

GunnersFan1   - Re: Jack Warner. I feel this is an absolute disgrace that a top FIFA official would do this. I think this hurts FIFA and CONCACAF so many ways. Jack Warner needs to go and I don't care if he's fired or resigns but FIFA needs to deal with him immediately. What do you think should happen? And your thoughts about this travesty? Will this hurt Blatter/CONCACAF?

Bobby – What should happen and what will happen are probably two different things. The Botswana official was taken care off during the World Cup within a matter of hours but look for Warner to escape again. He’s a Blatter ally – and is supported by the Canadian Soccer Association as well as the USSF I believe – so he probably knows where other bodies are buried so Sepp will find a way to get him off the hook.

Tremelo3 - I think Peter Crouch fits perfectly into England's system of play. Pretty much all of the goals he has scored for England have been created by someone else from the midfield or the wings. Crouch puts himself in the right position to get the goals. The whole name of the game is scoring goals, no matter how it is done and I think Crouch will continue to score goals for England as long as their midfield stays strong.My question is do you think that his performance for England lately is actually raising expectations of him? Some people just seem to think it is a fluke.

kirbym - First time I saw Crouch, I said something like "This guy's no Jan Koller." Then, "Don't dwell on his awkwardness, look at the results." So far my main complaint is the number of "soft" goals he has scored, against poor competition or poor marking. Yet lately he's had a couple in traffic that showed deft footwork, and that bicycle kick...a new record for "radius"? Too early to render judgment, but for now, the man is living a charmed life. Mothers, get your tall gangly sons off the basketball court and onto a football pitch!

Bobby – I am not convinced that Peter Crouch is a world class striker and don’t believe the rubbish that he will go on to beat Bobby Charlton’s English record. His English statistics just don’t fit with his club statistics. I have seen plenty of players who have done well at club level only to dry up when they move into the national team. But I cannot recall of someone achieving the opposite like Crouch. His Premiership record of less than a goal every three matches does not come close to that of players commonly regarded as top level strikers.  I think he compares with the likes of Duncan Ferguson and John Hartson – big, awkward and a handful  for defenders but never likely to come close to an average o####oal every second game or so.  He is riding the crest at the moment for England but he will never come close to that kind of form in the Premiership. For those who are ready to point out that he disrupts defenses and creates chances for his teammates – well the statistics don’t show that either. His assist rate in the Premiership is around 1 every 4 games and none of the Premiership sides he has played for seem to have had a blip in scoring when he has been playing.

USAenglandfan - I have a question for you guys about Man U's game against Tottenham. I thought Man U stunk up the field for the most part, largely due to Louis Saha. What is with this guy?? I was convinced he was going to light the Prem on fire this season after the first 3 games, then against Spurs he reminds everyone why he should never be considered Ruud's replacement. He is twice the athlete that Ruud is and a trickier dribbler, but wow what a hot and cold player. 1 on 1 with Robinson, and he fluffs it like a down pillow. Beautiful chance to cross to Ronaldo, and he shoots it into planetary orbit... Does this team need a new striker to win anything this year? Also, is there any chance Jermaine Defoe will ever be able to couple his tremendous athletic ability and killer ball control with consistent finishing? I love this guy, but it absolutely kills me to see him proving Martin Jol right to leave him on the bench.

Bobby – Many strikers are hot and cold and Saha is a prime example. I guess SAF believes his movement makes up for his inconsistency. A player like Saha might struggle from time to time to score but he has excellent movement so others are still liable to get chances on account of his work off the ball. As for Jermaine Defoe it looks like he may have topped out at Spurs and he might need to find a new home.

LosAngelesChelseaFan - As I understand it, tomorrow, the FA/FPL will decide whether Chelsea have a case to answer against Bates claim that Chelsea illegally got their hands on some young Leeds players. Sounds like it’s pretty muddied, by Bates press meeting slurs, and the result will no doubt depend on internal FA politics etc. As many will know, Chelsea are sitting on a 3 point suspended penalty. If Chelsea are eventually found guilty (probably with additional point deductions), is there a precedent for when the penalty would be applied (i.e. this season or next)? Do you think that the FA will bury the whole thing?

Bobby – I think you are getting a bit ahead of yourself on this one.  First is there a case, then is Chelsea guilty and to what degree are they guilty? As for applying a 3 point penalty – that would be up to the FA to decide either way.

djmima - I was watching the Villa vs. West Ham match and I must say I was pleased with the performance put in by Stilian Petrov. He was totally robbed off what would have been a cheeky finish. How much success do you think Villa will have this season? In particular, how well do you think Petrov will do?

Bobby – The biggest problem for Martin O’Neill is trying to manage everyone's expectations given the start that Villa has made. They are simply unrecognizable from last season. I think Petrov will do very well in the Premiership – he is coming into his peak years and is very experienced. He will cause problems for Premiership defenses and the midfielders who are supposed to pick up his runs.

LosAngelesChelseaFan - I just heard you commenting on Lampard's poor play on FSWR. Here's what I've noticed and I'd be interested on your thoughts.Watching Frank Lampard this year something jumps out for me about his ball striking. Last season he hit through the ball fluently, with great confidence. This year he seems to be steering the ball most of the time. This works well for one-touch play and long ball delivery which looks as good as ever. It doesn't work for shooting, where the power of his shots seems reduced and telegraphed. I saw this twice on Saturday. Does this make any sense to you? Is this something deliberate in his coaching?

Bobby – Could it simply be that he is tired and that is having an impact on his play and technique? I am absolutely amazed at the number of games he has played over the last three or four seasons.

davard - I figured I'd throw you a slight curve here, expand the consciousness and scope of the discussion. A bit more philosophical, perhaps metaphysical, definitely mathematical aspect of futbol analysis. My question to you is this: What is the average score of a soccer game?If you went and totaled EVERY game EVER played, in home and away sides, and divided by the # of games, what would the overall average score be? Sure, International championships and Cup finals are neutral siters, so factor your own formula to include or exclude those games, as they do not constitute the majority of competition.
My guess is Home Team 1.9, Visiting Team 1.8. The sheer magnitude of games must eventually balance out both sides. Surely they are almost equal, but I would give advantage to All Time Home Team by .1 .I obviously don't expect exact figures, but an educated guess would intrigue me.

Bobby  - My initial reaction is that you have underestimated the net difference in goals between the home and away sides. My second thought was that I hope you enjoy adding all the goals up and I look forward to hearing the answer sometime next decade.

henry14 - As the week nearly comes up to the most important game in any Barclays English season, Man U vs. Arsenal , do you think who ever wins will take pride from this reguard s to arsenal's position and will it live to the hype given that the two teams are at different ends of the spectrum. One last thing bobby comment on Arsene Wenger's French policy in the midst of Ashley Cole accusing him of giving to much power to the French guys. Bobby the sun says Cesc is going to earn $85000 a week, and as much as l hate Ashley l think Wenger has a certain favoritism, they paid him $110000 a week when he was the best left back in the world, and can you imagine what Cesc will be earning in two let alone five years time, l think Wenger treats other players better than others. I think if you read the sun you will see that Cashely was saying some sensible things, also about team spirit. What your thoughts

Bobby – Is it still the most important game of the English season? It was when it was down to just these two but I am not so sure you can say the same thing now.
I think Ashley Cole's main interest is selling his book so I would not put too much credence on his remarks.  

buffytvs - my understanding is that the rules on penalty kicks require the kicker to take an uninterrupted run at the ball, yet we see stutter steps, stops and starts, etc. routinely (Figo used to be one of the worst). If I'm right, why don't you ever see a ref call it? They're making the goalies stay on the line now, why not make the kicker do it properly too?

Bobby – The rule about an uninterrupted run was changed a few years ago.

realmadridcffan Two quick questions. - 1. Out of the 32 teams in the UEFA Champions League, which of the teams will be the most disappointing and not make it to the knockout stage? 2. What do you think of the rumour about the 2007 Copa America expanding to 16 teams. The rumor that I have read was that if it does come to pass, it could be the usual ten South American teams; Plus the top 4 teams from the CONCACAF world cup qualifying (U.S.A, Mexico, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago) and possibly Portugal and Spain, thus making it 16 teams.

Bobby – Question number 1, I can’t see any of the big dogs missing out. Mourinho says any one of ten teams could win the competition and he’s spot-on. Question 2 – I wrote a piece in 2002 for “When Saturday Comes” advocating a true Copa America with full qualification rounds involving CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. However the “rumour” just seems to be a rehash of the present system of invited guest teams but with four more countries involved.

AlexMorph - About a week ago I was looking at some old stuff and Denilson's name came up. After a short search I couldn't find anywhere that he was playing--until today when the FS gossip column claims 'Arry could be in for him. I also remember back in 1998 all these magazines were including him in their 'world best 11' seemingly out of nowhere. Do you know what his shortcomings were, why his time in the spotlight was so brief, and in your opinion does he still have something to offer?

Bobby - I must admit I have not seen too much of him but what I have seen he plays with his head down and his first instinct is to dribble. However, he was once the most expensive player in the world so he might be worth a gamble by Portsmouth. I think he was on-loan at Bordeaux last season from Real Betis but I am not certain of that.