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The dust is just beginning to settle from yet another controversial and action packed Old Firm encounter. The time has now come to take stock and consider whether Celtic can really use referee Willie Collum’s mistakes as a way of justifying defeat, or has the result proved that Neil Lennon has got some way to go before he can establish Celtic as Scotland’s premier team.

A 3-1 defeat always hurts, but to lose to your bitter rivals makes it all the worse. It is no wonder that many of those affiliated with the Glasgow club are clutching at straws and trying to find excuses. Evidence of clutching at straws was abundantly clear at Mcdiarmid Park, Perth last night when Celtic enjoyed a whirlwind start with some attractive and attacking football predominantly down the wings only to be brought back down to earth by the inadequacy of the defence, particularly Glenn Loovens. The unfortunate stopper also scored an own goal against Rangers at the weekend, ultimately proving to be Celtic’s downfall.

In light of defensive frailties Neil Lennon still has a fair amount of work to do to turn Celtic around. These defensive woes are not a new problem this season. They have been well documented and it would suggest that the problem is bigger than first thought. As said many times before, the root of Celtic’s problems are in the nervy centre back pairing of Loovens and Daniel Majstorovic.

Another reality check which demonstrates that Neil Lennon still has some work to do is the frightfully lacklustre and tame performance of the entire team in the second half of Sunday’s Old Firm encounter. It was surprising to see a Neil Lennon team so docile during a match of such importance: “Where Lennon had no leaders on the park, Walter Smith had 11 and they ended this game so comfortably on top that it must have made the Celtic manager’s skin itch.” It is worrying that this Celtic team was incapable of rising to the challenge knowing the importance of this particular derby game.

As for Willie Collum, although he did not have the best of games and his decisions were not the correct ones, it would be wrong for Celtic fans to use him as a scapegoat and in some way justify defeat. It does not take a genius to see that Celtic’s performance highlights greater problems within the team than Willie Collum’s poor refereeing. Yes decisions did not go Celtic’s way, but in a game of such magnitude and meaning Celtic, and their fans, should never rely on a referee’s decisions in order to win.

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The dictionary defines Underachieving as ‘do less well than expected’ and that isn’t a difficult thing to do in football. There are a ton of players who have fallen by the wayside and failed to make the strides expected of them during their career. They come in all shapes and sizes from expensive foreign talents to fresh faced youngsters preparing themselves for first team football only to suddenly become aware of the fact it’s 15-years into the future and they’ve failed to live up to their potential.

Since the birth of the Premier League in 1992 you could argue there has been more underachieving players than there has been successful ones. Obviously that is down to the fact only Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers have managed to lift the famous trophy but success isn’t always measured on the trophy scale. Even those clubs have had certain players who have failed to make the grade and underachieved to a frightening level. All too often you see players like this who are labelled as ‘dependable members of the squad’ or ‘great characters in the dressing room’ where in reality they are actually mediocre out on the pitch but too good to let go.

They are players who divide opinions in the stands with one half admiring his dedication and 100% effort out on the field whilst the other half see lack patience and see him as someone who will never improve or harness the talent that was once afforded to him. Unfortunately in the unforgiving realm of top flight football it is all too easy to be float effortlessly into obscurity and end up with a career showed in what might have beens.

Click on Fernando Morientes to see the top 10 great underachievers

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Putting together a list of 10 underachievers was a challenge in itself so if you think my choices are unsuitable and you have a better suggestion please drop by my twitter and we’ll enter into a discussion about it. Follow me @Kajynnep 

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks set to make Blackburn defender Christopher Samba his first signing of the Summer, according to the Daily Star.

The Congolese international has enjoyed a successful spell at Blackburn since his move from Hertha Berlin in January 2007 and played in 36 of Rovers’ League games this season.

Arsenal were also heavily linked with the player in January and Samba had been stripped of the club captaincy following his response to the rumours. With a January approached in the region of £6 million rebuffed, Wenger looks like making an increased offer of around £10 million.

Arsenal have struggled defensively this season with Belgium captain Thomas Vermaelen missing most of the campaign through injury and a commanding centre back is apparently high on Wenger’s shopping list.

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Chelsea and Spurs were also rumoured to be watching the player earlier in the year but, with neither to make a move yet, it seems Arsenal could be leading the race for his signature.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has urged concerned fans to be patient with under-pressure manager Roy Hodgson.

Following a disastrous start to the season, the former Fulham manager finds himself in the spotlight just three months into his Anfield reign.

The Reds are languishing down in 19th place in the Premier League table after winning just one of their first eight matches and losing to both rivals Manchester United and Everton.

They were also dumped out of the Carling Cup by League Two opposition last month in a further blow.

But despite Hodgson funding himself under pressure, long-serving defender Carragher has stressed the need for patience.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Napoli in Italy, he said:"It is very early days in the season and there is a lot of time to go.

"It hasn't always been rosy playing for Liverpool. Last season wasn't great and I remember going 12 games without a win under Gerard Houllier, so it has not always been plain sailing.

"It is a little rocky patch we are going through at the moment but as long as the players, manager and supporters all stick together it won't be a problem.

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"The spirit in the dressing room is fine but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out if you win games it is a lot better.

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Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has thanked Andre Villas-Boas for all his help after the Portuguese coach was dismissed as the club’s manager on Sunday.

With The Blues sitting in fifth place and risking missing out on Champions League football for next season, Roman Abramovich gave the 34-year-old the axe.

Mata was one of Villas-Boas’ signings at Stamford Bridge, and the Spaniard was quick to wish his former boss the best of luck in the future.

“It hasn’t been an easy day for those who, like me, are part of Chelsea,” he stated on Facebook.

“I would like to thank the manager and wish him luck. We have to keep working hard and better days will come. Thanks for your support,” he commented.

Roberto Di Matteo is set to assume control of the team to the end of the season before a new permanent boss is appointed, and former Blues assistant manager Ray Wilkins feels this is the right move.

“Di Matteo has managed in the Premier League, he’s been around quite a while and I would say it’s probably better Robbie takes over until the end of the season than somebody coming in until the end of the year,” he told Sky Sports.

“Robbie’s the right guy to do it, along with (first-team coach) Steve Holland, that would be the perfect match. We’ll see where they go at the end of the season.”

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Rafael Benitez has emerged as the favourite to succeed Villas-Boas, but there have also been links with Pep Guardiola, Harry Redknapp and former boss Jose Mourinho.

By Gareth McKnight

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My columns seem to be as sporadic as Arsenal’s form so far. So I’ll be polite and cognisant enough to request your forgiveness in advance for my impending hypocrisies.

However, it is extremely difficult to bask in the glory of Sunday’s unexpected and ill-timed victory without highlighting some extraordinary events that took place on the fastest growing area for unsolved mysteries, the Emirates football pitch.

Championship winners Newcastle gave the impression the chairman received inspiration for youth development from the early 90′s film California Man when they came to town. Featuring a thawed out caveman in a forward position, whose instructions were to idly slump around the penalty area hoping Joey Barton (whose party tricks include stubbing lit cigars in people’s eyes as the midfielder himself has admitted to) could land the ball on his hairy head. The Geordies returned from the capital with all three points. We have seen newly promoted West Brom turn up and make us look like Premier League newcomers, and given that a team, who remained undefeated throughout the course of a season and were then dubbed ‘The Invincibles’, the unthinkable happened on the 20th of November when Spurs stole a victory from the jaws of defeat, you could understand why this team may be alluded to as ‘The Unmentionables’.

The laws of science and theories of logic continued to be defied on the 105 x 68 metre long lawn with the players unable to defeat Leeds, yet shocking current La Liga champions Barcelona. More recently, three consecutive draws at our home ground against varied opposition would have Sherlock Holmes scratching his head and wishing to return to his bee farm.

Many journalists and pundits claim to have the answers to all of these mysterious events, but their ripostes are as inaccurate as they are somnolent.

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Sunday afternoon saw the world’s first live broadcast of a spirit possession as Arsene Wenger sent on Andrey Arshavin inhabited by the ghost of Andy Linighan. Where exactly did those half a dozen, precisely timed, sliding tackles come from?

This season I have half expected to wake up in the morning and sit down for breakfast only to be rudely interrupted by the Russian’s mug-shot on my milk carton. He’s been missing for such a long period. Between our qualified Fashion Designer, Gael Clichy, and any number of midfield players, a mini Bermuda Triangle had started to appear in Islington. Having gone missing for so long some conspiracy theorists claim that these players will turn up in countries such as Italy and Spain after the summer wearing the colours of other clubs, although they are eternally grateful for Arsenal’s role in their personal development, it is time they moved on to win trophies.

It’s an underwhelming, and ultimately, an exasperating feeling that is becoming all too familiar to Gooners worldwide. Despite this, any talk of overhauling the squad are at least premature and more probably further from the truth than Szczesny’s kicks are further from a red shirt. Until any activity occurs and we have some evidence disclosed, all this talk is that of Apocalyptic folk reading from ancient and unidentified Maya text ignoring previous attestation and instead living for crisis.

So while Mulder and Scully would have hours of fun studying a montage of Arsenal’s very own X-Files, and former professionals will continue to get paid for recycling the same tiring blurbs, would it surprise anyone if we were in the same position next year?

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I’m not sure what my point is in all of this. I know I had one to begin with but once I get going, what starts as a well planned piece, very quickly deteriorates into a one sided ramble. Something goes wrong between my brain producing thoughts and those ideas being processed in Notepad. I guess it’s another case for the crew of Fringe. Till next time…

Article courtesy of Gavin Connolly at Gunnersphere

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We’re still top of the league and having a laugh, as Chelsea dispatched West Ham on Saturday in yet another match without breaking sweat. A nice little run out before our first Champions League match this week. And, all this without Super Frank Lampard.

The boys discuss Michael Essien being on fire with 2 headed goals, Ramires getting his first start in a Chelsea shirt, and Kakuta coming on after 76 minutes. As well as Kalou’s comedy goal, JT’s rib injury and Mikel’s continued good performances in midfield. But is there a lingering doubt that it is all a bit easy at the moment and will Chelsea be able to go up through the gears when we play better teams?

As well as discussing all the key issues from the game and the upcoming trip to the delights of Slovakia this week, we’ll be awarding our Man of the Match; Chant of the Match; Celery and Guinness moments. And we reveal the winner of our Goal of the month and Player of the month for August.

Just when you thought we were about to give up singing a classic song, we’ve found a new source so don’t get rid of your earplugs just yet. One of Big Phil Norman’s favourites gets an airing in the show!

Even though we have no Dr in the surgery this week, we still answer your questions in a bumper-two-part-longest-ever Dear Mart including questions on the Special One, squad depth, player songs, how to make your girl friend rather appreciative when confronted with celery and other methods, ably answered by ChelTel’s most inappropriate time and place to sing a Chelsea song. All will be revealed and not for the feint hearted!

The Chelsea Football FanCast: More like Easy Street than Green Street!

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Benoit Assou-Ekotto scored a rare goal as Tottenham swept past Everton at White Hart Lane to move just three points behind league leaders Manchester City and put themselves firmly in the title race.

Harry Redknapp’s side also drew level on points with second place Manchester United after goals in each half from Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto saw them ease to victory over the Toffees. It was a third consecutive defeat for David Moyes’ men who haven’t picked up a point since Boxing Day and saw their European ambitions take a further hit. Despite providing a few early scares they were unable to fully trouble Spurs who took control once Lennon opened the scoring 10 minutes before time before Benoit-Assou Ekotto wrapped up the points just after the hour. The game was initially supposed to take place on the opening day of the season only to be postponed due to the London riots and the away side threatened to upset the established order by threatening early on.

A poor clearance from Younes Kaboul fell to Louis Saha but the Frenchman could only shoot off target before the home side started to dominate with Emmanuel Adebayor missing a number of chances. The on-loan Manchester City striker shot over from close range and could only toe poke wide after the ball fell to him following Assou-Ekotto’s cross. Luka Modric and Jake Livermore, in for the injured Scott Parker, ran the show in midfield with their passing a moving proving too much for Everton in the first half. Rafael Van Der Vaart also proved too hot to handle and went close to opening the scoring curling over before Lennon broke the deadlock on 35 minutes. Collecting a diagonal pass from Assou-Ekotto the winger beat Leighton Baines before shooting left footed past Tim Howard.

The hosts continued their dominance after the break and Gareth Bale came close to doubling their lead with a marauding run down the left only to see his shot saved by Howard. At the other end Saha found himself presented with another chance seeing his near post effort deflected wide from Baines’ cross before Marouane Fellaini headed over as the Toffees threatened to nick an equaliser. However just as they looked like getting back into the game Spurs struck a real hammer blow with Assou-Ekotto scoring the all important second goal to seal victory. With no options on either side of him the Cameroonian left back took aim from distance drilling the ball into the net from 30-yards to ensure the hosts moved to within three points of top spot. Adebayor and Bale then wasted chances to increase Tottenham’s lead before Royston Drenthe saw his appeals for a late penalty turned down by referee Martin Atkinson.

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Eredivisie strugglers Willem II won for the first time in eight matches as they stunned AZ Alkmaar 2-1 on Saturday.Having conceded 17 goals in their last three matches, John Feskens’ squad entered the game with little confidence against an AZ side who sit fourth and are battling it out for a place in Europe.

But an early goal was just what Willem II needed, with Andreas Lasnik’s fifth-minute effort giving the hosts an early lead.

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson equalised for AZ on the half-hour mark, but Lasnik was determined to be the difference, turning provider for Evgeniy Levchenko to score the winner after 62 minutes.

AZ defender Hector Alfredo Moreno was sent off in the dying stages as Willem II celebrated just their third win of the season.

Mads Junker made it five goals in two games after he snared a double in Roda JC’s 5-1 win over NAC Breda.

Junker joined Jimmy Hempte and Morten Skoubo as first-half scorers for the victors, although Joonas Kolkka pulled one back for NAC on the stroke of half-time.

But Junker’s second – from the spot – was then followed by Anouar Hadouir’s goal 11 minutes later which sealed the win, with Roda JC having now scored 19 goals in their last five matches as they have risen to fifth on the table.

In other matches, strikes from Everton and Willy Overtoom gave Heracles a 2-0 home win against De Graafschap while a late Ruud Boymans equaliser ensured VVV Venlo shared the points with Heerenveen in a 2-2 draw.

When it became clear that Wales manager John Toshack would be leaving his post, a host of names were linked with the position. Tony Pulis, Chris Coleman, Brian Flynn were the front-runners along with Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs. Even though Giggs has no managerial experience, he quickly became the fan’s choice for the role, as they hoped he would bring some spark back to an already troubled campaign and a Wales camp which has been less than dynamic in the past few years. His lack of experience did not seem to put off the Welsh FA, with The Sun quoting a FAW insider as stating,

“Ryan has always been seen as the long-term replacement. He would certainly galvanise the players. He could be offered a deal where he could carry on playing.”

Whilst his association are keen, should Giggs himself consider taking the post at this point in his career?

The main obstacle to Ryan Giggs taking the job is that he is still playing football. Giggs has shown sublime form for the past few seasons and continued to prove that for him age truly is just a number, with himself and Paul Scholes being two of United’s best performers so far this season. His club manager Sir Alex Ferguson shares this belief, The Sun quotes,

“I spoke to him and it will not happen. We have to be selfish here – I am not even prepared to negotiate on the matter. At his age, Ryan needs to use all his energy and concentration to be here.”

Ferguson’s words have seemingly put an end to Welsh hopes that Giggs would take over as manager. But at this moment, it may not be such a bad thing. If Giggs were to take the job now his mind would be in two places, on his playing career and his managerial career and it is not unlikely his form for both would suffer as a result. If he took the Wales job it would be his first one in management and he would need his full concentration on the task in hand to commit himself fully to the job and learn from his experiences. Ryan Giggs has stated that he would like to manage Wales one day, but this opportunity has come around that little bit too soon.

There is nothing to stop Giggs becoming manager of Wales in the future, and you get the sense that it will almost inevitably happen at some point. When Giggs retires from his playing career, whenever that may be, it could be a very wise move for the Welsh FA to give him a job as assistant, as long as circumstances permitted it. This would give him vital experience of what it takes to manage internationally and Giggs would be better placed to take over when the time came.

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Ryan Giggs is almost certainly not going to take the role of manager of Wales at this moment in his life. His playing career is still going strong and you would not put it past him to have another year of football after the end of this season. Wales fans should not be disheartened however that their number one choice is not going to take over now, because I think it is likely that at some point in the future Ryan Giggs will become manager of Wales. The wait will surely be worth it for the fans, and for Giggs himself.

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