MartinBanks on Footbo

Premier League fixtures 09/10 - When are the big games and exciting fixtures?

Martin Banks — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:10:07 GMT

Last season's Premier League saw nearly 950 goals scored, which was down form just over a thousand for the 2 previous years. Will this new trend continue next season, or will we see the goals flying
... Read More..

Have you heard the news? Today's transfer news

Martin Banks — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:55:01 GMT

First off is a non-player transfer (are they called transfers when it's a manager?); Tony Mowbray has gone from West Bromwich Albion to Celtic. From his point of view it must've been a difficult dec
... Read More..

The chase for David Villa's signature

Martin Banks — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:08:18 GMT

Valencia striker David Villa is a man in much demand this summer and he is attracting the interest of the top clubs in the world of football. The Spaniard has a phenomenal scoring rate for Valencia
... Read More..

Ronaldo finally making the switch To Madrid

Martin Banks — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:59:32 GMT

It's finally going through! I must say, I'm delighted that Cristiano Ronaldo has finally moved to Real Madrid because now we won't have to keep hearing the non-stop 'Will he? Won't he?' rumours and
... Read More..

England 6-0 Andorra - That's the way to win these games

Martin Banks — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:30:49 GMT

Morning Footbo'ers, a review of the England game from last night for today's post. Don't worry non-England fans, I'm sure I'll be back to club football tomorrow. For years England have failed to l
... Read More..

Who will become a Manchester United player this season?

Martin Banks — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:16:24 GMT

Afternoon Footbo'ers, hope you're all well. Last week I covered the ins and outs of Old Trafford this summer and, quite rightly, Raj pointed out that there were a lot more 'out' rumours than 'in's
... Read More..

Owen-alysis

Martin Banks — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:03:18 GMT

Evening Footbo'ers, hope you're all good. I'm slipping a little in my timing, I'll try to get back to posting on mornings so that you have something to read at work. I know what a bunch of skivers y
... Read More..

Kaka takes medical in Brazil for Real Madrid

Martin Banks — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:17:56 GMT

It's been a will-he, won't-he for over a week now, after rumours first began to surface of Kaka's move from AC Milan to Real Madrid. The player and clubs tried to keep things under wraps while the d
... Read More..

England face Kazakhstan with an unbeaten run to protect

Martin Banks — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:02:36 GMT

England have begun their World Cup campaign with superb form, winning all 5 of their games so far, putting them in an elite of 3 nations on maximum points in the UEFA confederation, alongside Spain
... Read More..

Man Utd: The ins and outs of Old Trafford

Martin Banks — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:47:40 GMT

Chelsea, Real Madrid and even local rivals Manchester City look set to show Man Utd up in the transfer market this summer, splashing money around like crazy to sign the biggest stars on the planet a
... Read More..

Kaka: Real Madrid's prestige, Chelsea's promise of glory, Man City's untold riches... can he resist the temptations again?

Martin Banks — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:41:34 GMT

The race is on to secure his signature and it isn't going to be a cheap one. Maybe not as expensive as Man City's crazy offer in the winter window because that was just silly, but still a darn site
... Read More..

Gareth Barry joins Manchester City for £12million

Martin Banks — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:46:59 GMT

Last summer it was THE transfer saga of the summer, the whole Gareth Barry to Liverpool story. It began early, prior to the window even opening, with Rafa Benitez stating an intent to sign the Vill
... Read More..

Michael Ballack admitted Ancelotti close to being Chelsea manager

Martin Banks — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:45:57 GMT

In an interview with the BBC on Saturday evening, Michael Ballack put solidity to the rumours that Carlo Ancelotti will be the next Chelsea manager. He was quoted saying: It's not done yet but it
... Read More..

You predict: FA Cup Final preview and your predictions of the outcome

Martin Banks — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:45:00 GMT

FA Cup final day is upon us and with it it brings both joy and sorrow. Whether your team is involved is irrelevant today, the FA Cup final is still one of the greatest spectacles of the year, but...
... Read More..

A rare thing; A Villa fan talking diplomatically about Birmingham City

Martin Banks — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:06:13 GMT

As well as blogging here on Footbo, I also write for Aston Villa Blog.com and I was recently contacted by a Birmingham City blog (joysandsorrows.com) with a request to do a piece on the Blues's chan
... Read More..

Why oh why doesn't one of these millionaires buy Everton

Martin Banks — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:06:26 GMT

Sunderland are on the brink of being bought out by an American business tycoon, who is reportedly going to make 200m available for their new manager to spend (though my source of that figure is Trib
... Read More..

Alex Ferguson is favourite, but who deserves Manager of the Season?

Martin Banks — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:10:37 GMT

It was a fantastic Premier League season, so much so that I'm sad to see it end. But hopefully, come August, another one will be along that will be as exciting. Who knows it may even be better, cros
... Read More..

EPL final day review

Martin Banks — Mon, 25 May 2009 12:12:20 GMT

The other day I ran a preview of how the final games could affect the team's league position and now they have taken place, we see a rare sight; just one single, solitary change took place! I guess
... Read More..

Should Tevez stay or should he go?

Martin Banks — Sun, 24 May 2009 13:11:31 GMT

If he goes there will be trouble, and if he stays it will be double, so come on and let me know, should Tevez stay or should he go now? Thanks to The Clash for their summing up of the situation that
... Read More..

Transfer gossip - it may be Sunday but transfer rumours don't stop for anything

Martin Banks — Sun, 24 May 2009 13:07:45 GMT

The big story of the day is that David Beckham could be on his way back to the Premier League. It's kind of a loose link as it is a rumour based on a rumour. The first step being Carlo Ancelotti's
... Read More..

Final day is upon us this weekend, who's fighting for what?

Martin Banks — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:41:40 GMT

The top and the bottom places in the league have already been confirmed, both just last weekend, which shows you exactly how good a season it's been. So much has happened, and for a large part of it
... Read More..