Garth Crooks's team of the week By Garth Crooks, BBC Sport pundit The Premier League returned with a bang this week and once again provided some great performances. The game of the weekend and the most controversial was at the DW Stadium between Wigan and Blackburn. So you can expect a couple of selections from that encounter plus league leaders Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool. PAUL ROBINSON Goalkeeper Blackburn Rovers It's not very often you'll see a goalkeeper in my Team of the Week who has let in three goals, with the third conceded against Wigan his fault. However, I'm prepared to make an exception. Robinson's last-minute attempt to rescue his side a point and manager Steve Kean his job was heroic. To get six stitches after he was kicked in the head was clearly a price worth paying as it led to Yakubu's stoppage-time equaliser. Did you know? Robinson is the first goalkeeper to win a penalty in the Premier League since 1998-1999. GLEN JOHNSON Left-back Liverpool A great first touch with his right foot and a striker's finish with his left to earn the win at Chelsea. A full-back who can operate as well on the left as he can on the right is always a useful asset. Johnson is back on top of his game again. He always dreamed of being a success at Stamford Bridge but I don't think he ever banked on it being in a red shirt. Did you know? Johnson misplaced only one of his 26 passes in his own half this weekend. NEMANJA VIDIC Centre-back Manchester United If there is ever to be a defensive crisis in the Manchester United team you can depend on Vidic sorting it out. His headed clearance denied Garry Monk's goal-bound effort and Swansea a well-earned point, as well as keeping the pressure on their city rivals. Did you know? United have not conceded a goal in the three Premier League matches in which Vidic has played the full 90 minutes this season. PHIL JAGIELKA Centre-back Everton Another solid performance from the England defender. He out-jumped Wolves defenders Richard Stearman and Roger Johnson, two of the biggest defenders in manager Mick McCarthy's line-up, to score a superb headed goal. He's growing into a top-class defender. The late former Everton defender Brian Labone would have approved. Did you know? Jagielka made the most clearances in the Premier League this weekend. MICAH RICHARDS Right-back Manchester City What does it take for Micah Richards to get into the England team? His team are top of the league, he is playing the best football of his career and yet Fabio Capello continues to overlook him. If the England manager can't see what is patently obvious to the rest of us, I suggest he gives us our £6m a year back and we find someone who can. Did you know? Richards' goal was only his second shot on target since his last league goal against Stoke in November last year. YAYA TOURE Midfield Manchester City I doubted his sanity when I heard he was leaving Barcelona for City. Who knows he might still face his old mates in the Champions League final yet? He never misses a game, and is the most competitive, no nonsense midfielder in the Premier League. The buy of the century, although he wasn't cheap. Did you know? Toure has made the most successful passes in the Premier League this season (744). CHARLIE ADAM Midfield Liverpool This player is growing into a real Liverpool gem, with shades of Graeme Souness about his game. Adam won the ball for Liverpool's first goal against Chelsea, saw off Ramires, then provided a sensational pass for Glen Johnson to weave his way past a bewildered Chelsea defence for the winner. An outstanding performance. Did you know? Adam has set up more shots than any other player at Liverpool in the Premier League this season (25). JOEY BARTON Midfield Queens Park Rangers Whenever the QPR captain is not tweeting you can depend on him trying to lead his team to victory. Against Stoke he was as good if not better than most on the park. If he keeps this up we might have to start considering Barton for England again. Did you know? Only six players have attempted more passes than Barton in the final third this season (239). ROBIN VAN PERSIE Forward Arsenal Well, I can't have a team of the week these days without it including Van the Man. He is in such imperious form at the moment he seems unplayable at times. I wonder how much Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's remarks on Saturday were a veiled threat to the Arsenal board that if they fail to keep the Dutchman, as his contract comes to an end, he might be off too. That would take the wheels of the Gunners' carriage. Did you know? Van Persie has scored or assisted 38 of Arsenal's 58 league goals in 2011 (66%). HEIDAR HELGUSON Forward QPR I know Stoke are having a bad time at the moment but I can't remember the last time I saw a centre forward cause so much damage at the Britannia Stadium. Apart from taking his goals exceptionally well, Helguson practically terrorised Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross for the best part of 90 minutes. Impressive. Did you know? - Helguson has scored in all six games he has ever played against Stoke (seven goals in total). YAKUBU Forward Blackburn Rovers He made Wigan pay as early as the first minute for their sheer lack of defensive professionalism. As if that wasn't lesson enough, Wigan provided Blackburn with a last-minute penalty and the stage for the Nigerian to finish the job and nick a point. Can someone explain to me why Everton boss David Moyes let this Super Eagle leave Goodison? Did you know? Yakubu has been on the pitch for only 49% of Blackburn's Premier League campaign, but has scored 42% of their goals. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version SEE ALSO Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool 20 Nov 11 | Premier League Man City 3-1 Newcastle 19 Nov 11 | Premier League Swansea 0-1 Man Utd 19 Nov 11 | Premier League Norwich 1-2 Arsenal 19 Nov 11 | Premier League West Brom 2-1 Bolton 19 Nov 11 | Premier League Wigan 3-3 Blackburn 19 Nov 11 | Premier League Stoke 2-3 QPR 19 Nov 11 | Premier League Everton 2-1 Wolves 19 Nov 11 | Premier League Sunderland 0-0 Fulham 19 Nov 11 | Premier League How to watch Match of the Day 09 Aug 11 | Match of the Day RELATED BBC LINKS: Football on the BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries Radio 5 Live Football Player BBC Sport club pages RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Premier League Opta Joe on Twitter Garth Crooks Sport Court blog The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Aerials, in the sky, when you lose small mind, you free your life. Aerials, so up high, when you free your eyes, eternal prize.
This one's for Hornette, by way of apology for calling the entire Watford board bastards a few weeks ago. [video=youtube;ElzPZNSdd5w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElzPZNSdd5w&feature=related[/video]
Respect for the gratuitous use of S.O.A.D. Also, i think Charlton's Chris Powell would be pissed about people saying their shouldn't be black managers.
Plural - even though his colour has no bearing on his ability to be a manager, so why mention it? <racistcunt>
you know I aint white right? anyhow to break it down for your white arse (thats racist) There is, as recently mentioned by the deputy prime minister of this country an unfair balance in this country based on colour This includes football. Evidence of this being the lack of black football managers in the EPL There are many reasons and explanations given for this and to a degree they should not be reason enough to prevent black people becoming managers However If there was a valid reason it would be because it was Garth Crooks. The guy is more boring and stupid than you Again you will see I used the word 'managers' as in plural, and garth crooks as 'only' as in singular Whilst I have been typing this I must confess that I would also be anti John Barnes and possibly Fashanu
