When Will Arsenal Win Anything???

Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal. I have supported you all my life, but this is getting serious. You haven't won anything in years and like me, all the fans are desperate. What's Arsenal's problem? It's simple, Arsenal don't have enough big stars.

If you look at the Arsenal team, who do you have who can change the outcome of a game: Fabregas, Van Persie, Nasri and Arshavin (only if he's on form). 4 players isn't that much if you want to be a top team, and they really need more stars in defence, particularly at centre back and at goalkeeper.

Fabianski is a great keeper, but he's out of the season, Almunia is rubbish, and with only Szczesny (who is still relatively inexperienced), they need a new keeper. Whether they buy a first team goalkeeper, like Lloris and drop Fabianski to the bench or buy a good sub and put Fabianski first team I don't mind but they have to do something.

Same thing at centre back in this case it's much more urgent. Vermaelen is fine, but then you have Djourou, Koscielny and Squillaci, none of which are world class defenders. I don't really have an exact idea as to who they should buy, but I'm talking spending at least 10 million. That's how badly they need quality.

The Carling Cup final disaster showed exactly why they need strengthening, especially seeing the massive cock up that gave Martins the tap in to score the winner. For some reason Wenger does not want to splash the cash, and I'm really am starting to lose patience with his youth approach and bringing players up from the youth teams. It's not sustainable and eventually he's going to have to spend big.

Mikhail Prokhorov and Deron Williams: The Future is Bright for the Nets

I am one happy Nets fan. Deron Williams has just been signed in what is a great deal for the Nets, as he is, in my opinion, the best point guard in the NBA. However I really doubt this would have been possible without the charismatic owner, Mikhail Prokhrov.

The future looks very promising for the Nets: a new All Star (with almost surely more to come), a new stadium to move into and an owner who says they will win the title within the next 5 years. People in the US I think underestimate what an owner like Prokhorov can do for a side.

This guy is LOADED and the Nets have absolutely no issues money wise. I really believe Prokhorov when he says the Nets will win the title within the next 5 years. For reference, anybody who doesn't believe that owners with money can make a difference, you may want to check out Chelsea and Man City as prime examples.

I don't teams buying their way to championships, but for some reason Prokhorov seems a lot more sensible than either Abramovich or the Man City owners. I know I'm comparing different sports, but it's still a valid argument.

Back to the present though. Williams is obviously a fantastic player, and a lot of people are saying that he was better value than Carmelo Anthony, and I agree. They are different players, but Deron Williams is a better point guard than Carmelo is a small forward. Carmelo has got Lebron to contend with whereas Williams? Derrick Rose, but I would still give the edge to Deron. Anybody else? Not really.

Besides, the Knicks traded practically all their starters for 2 players, one of which (Billups) is on the verge of retirement. The Nets however only lost two players and draft picks, and I don't think anybody can argue that the latter is the better deal. Well, maybe some hardcore Knick fan.

A Crazy Trade Deadline Day in the Making! (NBA)

I woke up this morning full of hope and expectation trade wise for the New Jersey Nets. N0w I find myself only with expectation and with a bit of disappointment seeing as the Nets couldn't close the deal for Carmelo Anthony and instead let him go their arch rivals, the New York Knicks.

After the blockbuster trade that's just gone down, (the Knicks have sent almost all their starters to the Nuggets for basically two players), the Nets need a plan B and there are also some other rumors flying around about who's gonna go where is these last few days of the trading season. For the record, I think that the Nuggets got the bad deal: they lose two superstars for a few decent players, and I always think that the former is the better option.

So I read this morning that the Nets were trying to get something done with the Portland TrailBlazers, involving Devin Harris, Andre Miller and others, which I think would be good for the Nets. Miller's a good player, and losing Harris would mean that a lot of cap space would be freed up for the summer to sign free agents, of which there will be many available. 

However last night, there was a crazy rumor going round that the Nets would be involved in a trade with the Nuggets involving ex-Knicks after the Carmelo deal. I'm not sure about this one. I think the Portland deal would be better for the Nets, as they would have to give up more get some of the ex-Knicks. I think it's almost guaranteed the Nets will make a trade before the deadline but the question is, which one?

BTW, THIS IS POST NUMBER 100. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S COME AND READ THIS BLOG AS WITHOUT YOU, IT WOULD NOT BE GROWING AS STEADILY AS IT IS AT THE MOMENT.

Doping in Cycling: Who's guilty?

In recent years, cycling has become a complete shambles, with doping so common it's not even funny. Marco Pantani was the last person we know definitely did not use drugs. I'm not saying this because he is my idol, I'm saying it because after his death, they analysed his bone marrow and found that there were no signs of regular EPO use. Many people assume he's guilty but the facts show he isn't. I think all those people who think that forgot the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover". Sure he used cocaine, but that in no way helps boost performance.

Coming to more recent years, for me Armstrong is a genius. Somehow, he found a way to never test positive or escape even though I'm convinced he found some drug when he had his cancer treatment which is undetectable to normal drug tests. However the thought did come to me the other day: is it possible without drugs to win 7 Tour de Frances if it's the only race you ride all season? (which is what Armstrong did). Who knows, but I still think Armstrong's on dope. As far that's concerned, I totally agree with Greg Lemond.

Now probably THE biggest doping fail ever has got to be Floyd Landis. He OBVIOUSLY took drugs (he wins one of the hardest Tour stages alone riding with a screwed up hip), he denied it with some rubbish excuse (he even wrote an autobiography to prove his innocence!) and then years later, he admits it, and afterwards tries to implicate other riders (Armstrong) in doping scandals. Still, big up to him for trying to get Armstrong implicated, as I think that's what he deserves.

In the last few months, the big doping scandal has been that of Alberto Contador, the three time Tour de France winner. The fact that such a small amount of clenbuterol was found does suggest that it wasn't done on purpose, but who knows? I mean he could've taken a lot before the test and it could have just worn off. I hope he hasn't doped, because Contador is, after Mark Cavendish, my favourite rider in the peloton and he has a majestic riding style. Contador has been cleared of any doping allegations in January (and has returned at the Tour of Algarve), even though it's not clear whether the World Anti Doping Agency will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Future of Apple: What does it hold?

As many know, Steve Jobs is suffering from pancreatic cancer and does not look set to live for a lot longer, which really is unspeakably sad for the entire technology industry. Steve Jobs is a revolutionary: iPod, iMac, MacBook, iPad, iPhone, the list of products he masterminded goes on, and he really is one of the few CEOs who gets involved with every minute detail of the product. However if the sad, terrible day comes when he's no longer there what happens? Who should take over? Personally, and this may surprise some, but I think that Jony Ive should.

He's young, he's an innovator, and is the one responsible for the designs of every single modern Apple product. He's a such a big say in all of the modern Apple products, and really he, in my opinion, is the best product designer you could have.

The other alternatives are of course Phil Schiller and Tim Cook, who I think would also do perfectly well, but the challenge for Apple, as Chris Pirillo said in one of his latest videos, is being different and reverting to the typical technology, computer organisation. It's what sets them a apart now, they have a product of such fantastic quality compared to what anybody else does, they really should stick to that.

But I really, as I am sure everybody does, wish Steve Jobs well, and if gets out of, really hats off to him because he's a fighter and somebody who really cares about his company. So thank you Steve, for what you have done so far and hopefully what you will do in the future.

Ronaldo: Thank You!

Ronaldo has recently announced his retirement from football, and this is just to say THANK YOU to one of the best strikers to ever walk the earth. He dominated football for the past 20 or so years, HE IS A LEGEND. There is only one Ronaldo, C.Ronaldo is good, but will never become the legend that is Ronaldo. Come to think of it, I'm even tempted to say that Ronaldo is better than Maradona. His goalscoring record is mental and really, if only his career had not been affected by knee problems, we could possibly be calling him THE greatest player ever. Thanks again Ronnie!

Is Shane Williams the Best Winger Ever?

Some of you might think I'm crazy, but just having watch him destroy the Scots, scoring two tries, I really think he could be the best ever. H requires only 11 more tries to become the leading try scorer in test matches. Only David Campese and some unknown Japanese person is in front of him (but the latter doesn't really count as he probably scored all his tries against weak opposition), and I really expect him to manage 11 tries before his retirement, even though it is quite a challenge.

Every time Shane Williams has the ball, you know something exciting's gonna happen, whether it be him skipping past three forwards and scoring or him handing the ball off cheekily to another teammate. In this modern world of rugby, which is becoming increasingly like american football, the game really needs exciting players like Williams to lighten up and to add some punch to an often boring game.

To be the best ever, you have to be better than people like Campese and Lomu but I really believe that Williams is. He has performed consistently throughout his whole career and really, he is quite unstoppable. What do you think? Is Shane Williams the best winger ever? Leave your comments below or tweet me (http://twitter.com/henry_tg). I want hear what you have to say!

My Top 5 Youtube Funny Videos

I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time, so here are my top five funniest Youtube videos (some are viral, come are not, and my number one you probably won't have seen):

1.Steven Gerrard Falls Over

I laugh every time I watch this, and it's just his reaction which is priceless. ROFL, LMAO, LOL all at once!!!

2.Nunchuk EPIC FAIL

The greatest fail of all time (it was a double fail!!!)

3.SPONGEEEBOBEEEEUUUUUU

Found about this through Ray William Johnson, it is THE BEST AD EVER. The Japanese pronunciation of SpongeBob is PRICELESS

4.James May Cracks Up At Obscene GPS!!

This is hysterical!! James May can't stop laughing at the Romanian GPS. I have featured this before on my blog, but there's no harm in putting it on again!

5. Indiana Pacers vs Detroit Pistons (fighting, of course)

I shouldn't really find this funny, but I just do. Fighting everywhere, everything's a shambles, and it's got to go down as THE BEST SPORTS BRAWL EVER.

UFC 126: Who can beat Anderson Silva?

I think the Silva vs Belfort fight that was promised didn't happen. People were saying that it was going to be a good, long fight, with Anderson Silva emerging victorious (well they got hat part right) however instead the fight was rather short lived and Silva's kick that ended the bout came out of nowhere.

I don't like Belfort, and I was for Anderson Silva right from when this was announced. Belfort is way too cocky: he claims he can beat James Toney in a boxing match and quite honestly, I think he needed somebody to put him into place.

Before Silva's deadly kick, they'd barely touched each other, which was quite shocking. Belfort was worried about the counter strikes of Anderson Silva and the latter didn't want to make the first move. Belfort only managed a few weak leg kicks to Silva before the KO. I was really expecting a better longer fight, with more energy and enthusiasm. Belfort is the type of guy you expect to go all out every fight, except this time he obviously disappointed everybody.

But what next for Silva? He's beaten almost everybody there is to beat and really, it seems as if the UFC isn't really a challenge for him anymore. I reckon he'll retire soon, but the question is will he retire champion or will he fall before the end of his career? I think as his last fight he should be pitted against Yushin Okami: the only person in the UFC to have beaten him and he is ranked 3rd best middleweight in the world by Sherdog, so he is tough opposition, no doubt.

UFC 126 also saw Ryan Bader lose for the first time in his career against Jon "Bones" Jones, who comfortably made him tap out with a guillotine choke. I wasn't really surprised by this, as I think that Bader is slightly overrated (but there is no question at all that he is a good fighter). The final big fight of the night involved Forest Griffin and Rich Franklin, the former defeating the latter by decision. I think it sort of was expected, given that Franklin's last fight was an under par Chuck Liddell and that Forest Griffin was better prepared having fought Tito Ortiz in his last bout.

Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle (the way it should have been)

Yesterday's Premier League action made all other sports look boring. God knows how many goals in total, however all this was overshadowed by the CRAP (I could have used a worse adjective) refereeing that went on.

Arsenal were 4-0 up by the half hour mark and some of the Barmy Army had already left St James' after the dismal performance of their team. However, somehow, Newcastle scored 4 in the last 25 minutes to equalise. Early in the half, Diaby got sent off (quite rightly) for pushing Barton the the ground and then shoving Kevin Nolan. What an idiot (Diaby that is).

Several minutes later, Newcastle get a deserved penalty which Barton converts. This is when stuff starts to bad for the refereeing side. In an attempt to time waste, Szczesny keeps hold of the ball and delays giving it back to Newcastle (this is what the latter would do every game if they were in that situation). Kevin Nolan then grabs him in a headlock and tosses him down to the ground. This is almost as bad as Diaby's sending off, and yet he only gets yellow. Szczesny also gets yellow for some inexplicable reason.

Last massively crap decision of the game: Newcastle's second penalty. Koscielny was just jumping for the ball with a Newcastle player who tumbled (purposefully of not) to the ground. Phil Dowd gave the penalty and it really is a disgrace. He's already given some very controversial decisions recently and I can't tell you HOW PISSED OFF I AM.

The real final score in the game should have been 4-1. Both teams should have ended at ten men, with Newcastle only scoring their first penalty and with Nolan getting sent off.

Everybody credits Pardew's team talk at half time for Newcastle coming back into it, THAT'S NOT THE BLOODY REASON!! It was the biased refs. In the other games, Stoke should have lost (two of their goals were offside). The standard of refereeing is going downhill big time, and nobody really knows how to get it going in the other direction

Six Nations!!!

It's that time of year again, and it's excitement for every rugby fan. The Six Nations is back and the stars of european rugby are ready to play.

Who am I supporting then? Well that's a good question. Scotland are my favourite rugby team, but it is Shane Williams' last Six Nations, so I think I will support Wales this time, even though if Scotland win it will be great as well. Let's just say I'm supporting both. And I always try to support Italy: they are the underdogs so it's good to give them a bit of support.

This promises quite a lot, and the teams are actually quite evenly matched when you look at the lineups. England are reasonably good all round, but they don't really have a wow factor. Well, maybe Ashton to an extent but not really.

Then the Scots are quite a young team, but they have several more experienced players to lead them, like Parks and Murray. They look like a promising side, especially after their successful Autumn tests.

Wales still really, and unfortunately for them, depend on Shane Williams. The moment he messed up his shoulder in the Autumn, Wales were no good, however they do look to have found a replacement for him in George North, but who knows if he'll be good in the long run.

France are overall the best team. They have some world class players in their ranks (Traille and Jauzion) but also some promising young players (Parra and Trinh-Duc), so I have to bet on honestly who will win, it would be France.

Ireland are slightly in transition. They come of a series of Autumn tests which were slightly dodgy for them, however they do have some good individual stars, so you should still keep an eye out for them.

Lastly, Italy. These are my underdogs. They possibly have the best pack in the world (even better than NZ in my opinion), and I think they could cause an upset. They do have problems when it comes to their back line though, so scoring could be tricky.

My predicted Six Nations table (It's quite surprising):

1.France

2.Scotland

3.England

4.Wales

5.Italy

6.Ireland

A Day of Madness!!

In the space of a few hours Torres, Carroll, Suarez and David Luiz moved clubs for a grand total of 129 million quid. This is ridiculous. It really is. I think that inflation is most obvious in football, Carroll is not worth 35mil, he's worth 10-20mil. Torres is not worth 50million (at his best yes, but now in his current form), he's worth 40million and David Luiz is good, but not really worth it.

Suarez is a great buy for Liverpool, at it was a reasonable deal, and the interesting thing will be how he teams up with Carroll. A totally new strike partnership for the Reds, which will have to take some getting used to, both for players and fans. Fans were burning Torres shirts last night, they are obviously not happy with his departure and it's understandable, but you now have too good players instead of one.

Here's the way I see it. Liverpool are getting rid of a world class striker, one of the best players of his generation and replacing him with two good, in form strikers, but for which the future is still reasonably unsure (Suarez will be regular, but with Carroll who knows...).

As for Torres slotting into the Chelsea 11, Anelka is essentially going to become a bench warmer, I doubt he'll ever start again for Chelsea (unless Torres or Drogba are injured or out of form) and Lampard in my opinion will have less of supporting role, more of a creator. In previous Chelsea lineups, he scored a lot of goals and was one of the main goalscoring assets. With Torres arriving, he will do less scoring and more passing. As for Kalou, who knows, but the future looks bleak for him as well.

Lastly, I think David Luiz will turn out a bit like Ramires, in other words, a bit of a dud. He's hyped up to the maximum, and then when he actually hits the field, he's not very good, or he's nothing special.

Tell me what you think of the footballing day of madness. Comment below.