As always - lots of good stuff from the weekend to discuss....Or for me to discuss I guess.  The blog is apparently deserted these days - not a shock considering the economic climate and people's financial concerns.

First a kudos to all the American readers out there.  In electing Barack Obama you have restored the faith of the world that the United States' days as a tyrant are at an end.  It's going to be a tough four years ahead as you try to recover from the Bush years - but we (the rest of the world whom I now speak for) are hopeful you can make a speedy recovery.  And we will try to help in any way we can.  An historic moment in your history to be sure.

On to the footie....

An alarming trend is developing in Italy with footballers dying from a Motor Neuron Disease (ALS) - the same disease Stephen Hawking suffers from.  Since 1973, 41 former players have died and doctors are baffled as to what is causing it - since no trends appear in other leagues.  Some think the disease might be linked to pesticides used at Italian stadiums.  Others say it could be doping or physical injuries from tackles or heading the ball - but again, no trends have appeared in other leagues from the physicality of the sport leading me to favor the pesticide theory.  But what the hell do I know....Hopefully they get a handle on it.  Italian players have suggested donating 1% of their salaries to finance research which is a GREAT idea.

Joey Barton is getting sued for scarring the teenager he attacked outside a McDo's a year ago.  Jailbird Barton served 74-days for the attack and now 17-year old Jordan Spencer wants more than the 5k a court has awarded him.  Spencer says he's been left with a scar on his face.  Hopefully Spence can get to the bucks before Barton goes back into the clink - and you know he will.  Oh he's being a good boy these days but we're slowly seeing the re-emergence of the Joey we all know and hate.  He says he wants to be a 'role model'....I agree with Bobby who last week added a pa- in front of the word 'role' when we chatted about it.

This week's TOPIC question has to do with the relieving of the pressure on one Arsene Wenger.  Was Wenger REALLY feeling any heat though?  There isn't a manager around that believes in himself or his system more than Wenger.  I'm a Manchester United fan but not for one second did I think United would handle the Gunners last weekend - Wenger is way too sharp.  And when Nasri ripped in that second - I was chapped but what a great goal.  Arsenal unlocked United to perfection and I don't know if any other manager has more faith in his team (and vice versa) than Wenger.  What do you think?  Hit up TOTW.

Foreshadowing to next week's Topic - How much longer will Roy Keane last at Sunderland?  Am I the only one that gets the feeling Keane is ready to pull a KK and walk?  Three wins in 12-games, lots of money spent, stalled contract talks and now another fight with slippery Jack Warner over Kenwyne Jones coming up makes me think Keane has just about had it.  He's also going at the pundits now too and that's never a good sign.

Foul-mouth Joe was at it again after Newcastle lost to Fulham Sunday.  Kinnear calling Martin Atkinson a 'Mickey Mouse' referee.  The FA are reviewing his comments.  I was hoping for more 'F-bombs' myself after listening to his rant at the media when he first came in.  If you haven't heard it by the way - look it up - it was GOLD.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is boycotting Sky TV after former Liverpool manager Phil Thompson and Arsenal's Paul Merson criticized Wayne Rooney for kissing his badge at the Everton match.  Thompson said Rooney should have been red carded for the gesture and Merson said he could have been sent off against Hull as well.  Ferguson is already boycotting the BBC for their 'Father & Son' documentary in 2004 that alleged he put pressure on youngsters to sign with his agent son Jason.  No word on how long Fergie's boycott will last.  It sure makes the Prem less interesting when Fergie won't speak.

That's it for now - see ya next week!

As some of you may have seen on Wednesday night - we unveiled a 'new look' FSR.  It's something that has been in the works for a while now and after a stressful few months getting things together, we were able to launch (for the most part) glitch free at our usual time.

As a viewer you're going to see a much improved look, crisper colors and (hopefully) more quality content.  We have moved into a new facility and also into the digital age.  We now do EVERYTHING on computer.  All our games, stories, hilite packs - everything - is going onto a server and we are cutting them right on our desktops.  That's versus going into an edit suite, cutting them, writing them, etc.  For those familiar with broadcast protocol - you'll understand what a HUGE leap this is in terms of time-saving.....Which will allow us to focus on adding more things and spending more time 'bone-ing up' on things.

However - as we move forward and get comfy with the new set-up, there will be some 'YouTube' moments to be sure.  Hopfeully less rather than more.  We're using a whole new production team two provinces away so we need to get used to one another.  During this time, we appreciate your patience and understanding.  Have a chuckle because we certainly will be....It's just the way TV goes sometimes and we all understand that.

Please feel free to leave feedback on the new look right here.  We're ALWAYS anxious to hear what our viewers think when we make a change like this!  But most of all - pat yourselves on the back.  YOU are the ones we're doing this all for.  It's an effort born out of YOUR feedback in regards to what we can do better and how we can improve.  And our look is one thing we get constant comments about.  It'll never be perfect - there will always be something we can do better - and that's the way it should be.

It is our hope that this 'new' look is just another reason to watch. 

You already know the quality inside the book - we've just jazzed up the cover a bit!!

Enjoy - and thanks for watching (as always!).

(p.s. On top of the new look, we've also added a new reporter (and eventual anchor) to the staff.  SHE will make her debut shortly so keep an eye out for that as well.)

I'm buried in footie from day to day but over the course of the past ten days, even Canadians have become invested in the phenom that is Michael Phelps.  I've been flipping between San Jose/New England and Phelps in the final relay from the Water Cube.

A great final relay race for the Americans - and congrats to all of you.  Phelps is someone to be very proud of - a natural athlete who has changed his sport and will transcend it for generations.  8-medals is a phenomenal accomplishment - forget 8 GOLDS.

SI should just put out the 'Man of the Year' issue now.

Again, congratulations.  A tremendous accomplishment in any sport.

Last Season: Finished 2nd in the Premier League - 85pts
Manager - Luiz Felipe Scolari
Odds of Winning Title - 15-to-8

INS:
AMF Deco - 16m US
RB Jose Bosingwa - 33m US

OUTS:
CDF Tal Ben Haim
DF Khalid Boulahrouz
CMF Steve Sidwell
CB Harry Worley
ST Hernan Crespo
DMF Claude Makalele
CDF Slobodan Rajkovic
ST Ben Sahar (loan)
AMF Jimmy Smith (loan)

Possibles:
MF Robinho - Real Madrid
ST Obafemi Martins - Newcastle
MF Bastian Schweinsteiger - Bayern Munich
MF Diego - Werder Bremen
MF Kaka - AC Milan
ST Mario Balotelli - Inter Milan

What's Left in the Kitty - 151m US

What Lies Ahead:
Aug 16 Portsmouth (H)
Aug 23 Wigan (A)
Aug 30 Tottenham (H)
Sep 13 Manchester City (A)
Sep 20 Manchester United (H)
Sep 27 Stoke City (A)
Oct 4 Aston Villa (H)

Possible Starting XI:
GK Petr Cech
RB Jose Bosingwa
CB Ricardo Carvalho
CB John Terry
LB Ashley Cole
RMF Joe Cole/John-Obi Mikel
CMF Michael Essien
CMF Deco/Michael Ballack
LMF Frank Lampard/Michael Ballack
FW Didier Drogba/Andriy Schevchenko
FW Nicolas Anelka/Florent Malouda

How They'll Stack Up:
Chelsea missed out on the title last season by two points - in large part because of that home draw versus Wigan on April 14th.  Now, many Blues fans hope Scolari is the difference maker this term.  Our own Bobby McMahon says Scolari should be worth another 5-points to the team which would put them in front - and I tend to agree.  Chelsea have the most talented squad in the Premiership and if Scolari can get them to come together while keeping the egos in check, they should win the title.  Last season the team beat both Arsenal and United at Stamford Bridge - but then drew seven times versus lesser teams - Wigan, Fulham and Bolton among those.  That won't happen this time.  I would expect Chelsea to stay unbeaten at home - but with very few draws.  The back four are among the best in the world - and while everyone pumps up John Terry, anyone who watches Chelsea on a regular basis and keeps track, knows that Ricardo Carvalho is the MVP of that defence.  Through the middle of the park, Scolari has an embarrassment of riches - and with Lampard signing a new 5-year deal this week, it'll be interesting to see what kind of time he gets.  Coming into the final weeks here, looking at Chelsea's alignment, I had Lampard on the outside looking in more often than not.  And he may still wish he'd been more receptive to a move to Italy come November.  Scolari has been experimenting with a 4-4-2 in the pre-season but he could be more prone to using a 4-2-3-1 to get everything out of his MF.  That's what he used in Portugal - and his Chelsea MF is just as talented.  Up front, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka should both have better seasons thanks to Scolari's influence - and even Schevchenko and Malouda could add a little more.  Scolari has propped them both up as players he would like to see improve.  The margin for error is so slim at the top, it's tough to pick who will win the title between Chelsea and Manchester United.  But with Cristiano Ronaldo out for two months, I think that gives the Blues the edge.  They should fly out of the gate and they look the team that is likely to be more consistent overall.  And after coming so close to the league and European titles last term, this is a team that is hungry.  Chelsea to win the title.

Coming up Friday - Manchester United

Last Season - Finished 4th in the Premier League - 76pts
Manager - Rafael Benitez
Odds of Winning Title: 6-to-1

INS:
ST Robbie Keane - 40m US
ST David Ngog - 3m US
RB Emmanuel Mendy - FREE
GK Diego Cavalieri - 6m US
FW Vincent Lucas Weijl
LB Andrea Dossena - 14m US
RB Philip Degen - FREE

OUTS:
GK Scott Carson
MF Danny Guthrie
ST Peter Crouch
FW Anthony LaTellec
LB John Arne Riise
LW Harry Kewell

Possibles:
ST David Villa - Valencia
LMF Gareth Barry - Aston Villa
MF Joao Moutinho - Sporting Lisbon
GK Antti Niemi - Fulham
ST Mario Balotelli - Inter Milan
LW Stewart Downing - Middlesbrough
MF Michael Johnson - Manchester City
WG James Milner - Newcastle
LMF Albert Riera - Espanyol
MF David Silva - Valencia

What's Left in the Kitty - About 13.5m US

What Lies Ahead:
Aug 16 Sunderland (A)
Aug 23 Middlesbrough (H)
Aug 30 Aston Villa (A)
Sep 13 Manchester United (H)
Sep 20 Stoke City (H)
Sep 27 Everton (A)
Oct 4 Manchester City (A)

Possible Starting XI:
GK Jose Reina
RB Steve Finnan/Alvaro Arbeloa
CB Jamie Carragher
CB Daniel Agger/Martin Skrtel
LB Andrea Dossena/Fabio Aurelio
MF Javier Mascherano
MF Xabi Alonso
RMF Robbie Keane/Dirk Kuyt
AMF Steven Gerrard
LMF Ryan babel
FW Fernando Torres

How They'll Stack Up:
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has done a good job improving his squad from last season and certainly the prospects are very promising for this season.  No silverware last year but the young players showed signs of improvement and Fernando Torres emerged as one of Europe's finest frontmen.  Now they've added Robbie Keane to the mix and if they can find the cash - perhaps Gareth Barry.  I'm going to take an aside here on the Barry thing - Liverpool now look like complete idiots because they cannot finance a deal for him.  Benitez wants him but the American ownership won't pony up - and again their manager is left with egg on his face after saying he would sign Barry.  And the Liverpool farce continues....and if it carries over onto the park (which I hope it doesn't), it could be another trophy-less season at Anfield.  Reds need to start quickly - something they've struggled to do under Benitez - while coping with some absences.  They also need to secure their spot in the group stages of the Champions League - they need to be focused on the tasks at hand and not distracted by off-field matters.  In terms of the alignment Benitez will use - it looks like a 4-2-3-1 without Barry - and if he DOES arrive, it might go more like a 3-5-2.  As it stands - Keane will help provide width alongside Gerrard with Babel on the left and Torres alone up front.  It's a formidable attack that should score a ton of goals.  Liverpool's biggest problem over the past few seasons is they give points away versus lesser teams.  Turning some of those draws into wins is what's needed here if they are to challenge for the title.  And make no mistake - without a title challenge, this WILL be Benitez's last season in charge.  I don't see them breaking the top two but they could move up one spot - and a deep run into Europe could save Benitez.  But I don't think so - Liverpool stay 4th and Benitez is gone....Perhaps before the end of the season.

Coming up Wednesday - Arsenal