Every Saturday afternoon, Chris Kamara heads to stadiums up and down the country to deliver his unique match reports for Soccer Saturday.
On Sundays you can see him back in the Sky Sports studios as he brings you all of the Premier League highlights on Goals on Sunday.
And then on Mondays you can find Kammy right here on skysports.com as he brings you his Premier League picks of the weekend. Join us every week as he runs through his highs and lows as well as answering YOUR questions...
Boaten: big win for Tigers
GAME - Hull City 2-1 Man City
We saw a massive game for Chelsea against Arsenal and they came through it comfortably. I was also impressed by Birmingham and their comeback against Wolves. I thought Spurs v Villa was one of the best goalless draws you'll ever see and the Merseyside derby was like going back in time to seventies football! But Hull's win over Man City was my pick of the weekend because nobody expected that to happen.
TEAM - Hull City
They used sheer hard work, graft and determination to beat Man City and showed all the qualities they had when they were flying high last season. Individually they are not the best team in the world, but a team ethic and a willingness to work for each other can take you a long way. People say City took them lightly, but your opposition can only play as well as you allow them to. I was impressed with Manchester United and Stoke City this weekend, but Hull City are my pick.
GOAL - George Boateng
Mohamed Diame scored an absolute belter for Wigan, Matthew Etherington scored a lovely goal and Dimitar Berbatov scored a wonderful one against Portsmouth. But my goal of the weekend came from Georgie Boateng. He's not renowned for his goalscoring and he'll never hit a sweeter left-foot finish than his strike against Man City.
GAFFER - Phil Brown
Rafa Benitez takes a lot of credit for playing with 10 men for such a long time against Everton and Brian Laws earned his first win as a Premier League manager. It must be a great feeling for him to win a crucial game against West Ham. It's a three-way battle between those two and Phil Brown, but I'd give it to Browny because it was a remarkable result at Man City.
PLAYER - Kevin Phillips
I remember West Brom dispensing of his services when they were promoted to the Premier League and I wrote on this website that it was a no-brainer to keep him. He may not be lightning-quick like he was when he played alongside Niall Quinn at Sunderland, but he's a goalscorer. He has cunning in the box, he knows where the goal posts are and he showed against Wolves he's a fantastic finisher. People must have been knocking Alex McLeish's door down to sign him in January, but he kept him and Sunday's two goals might be worth a fortune to Birmingham at the end of the season. Maybe West Brom would still be in the Premier League if they'd kept him...
GRIPE - Bolton's disallowed goal
Alan Shearer would never have scored a goal if Mark Clattenburg had been refereeing his games. Whenever Shearer used to jump for a header he would put his arms out and lean on the player in front of him and when Kevin Davies jumped to score against Fulham, I think Clattenburg was the only person to see a foul. Yes, he touched his opponent but it wasn't enough to chalk off the goal. A draw was a fair result, but that doesn't excuse the decision.
Kammy answers your questions...
Do you want Chris Kamara to answer YOUR question? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form at the bottom of the page.
ARMBAND ARGUMENT
I agree with Fabio Capello's decision to strip John Terry of the captain's armband, but do not agree with the appointment of Rio Ferdinand. What sort of message does this send out to the youngsters and the rest of the world who look up to these so called role models? To me, it implies that it's not acceptable for the England captain to be adulterous but its ok to have a captain who is currently suspended for violent conduct whilst playing a sport. Is this how a footballers attributes and worth are measured? Smacks of double standards if you ask me. Surely their ability should have some say in who is chosen and if this is the case then why Rio, his recent England form and club form has been below standard of late? Thanks, Brian Westbrook.
KAMMY SAYS: At the end of the day John Terry should have resigned, it's as simple as that. If he had taken some good advice last Monday after all this had come out, he would have done the honourable thing and offered to resign. England would have accepted that, but people would have seen a humble side to Terry's character and then there would have been a way back for him. Time is a great healer and slowly people would forget the scandal and remember the good things he does as a player. After a while you serve your sentence and you learn from your mistakes. People deserve opportunities to reform themselves and maybe he might have got the armband back in the future. However, failing to offer to resign was a big mistake. There's no way back for him now.
As for Rio, why shouldn't he get an opportunity? Yes, he has done things in his past that he's probably not proud of. Yes, he's got a back injury and that's causing him to miss some matches and lose some form. Yes, he has done something daft on the football pitch recently - but we've all done daft things. Does the England captain have to be whiter than white these days?
Maybe they should follow the Italian example. The captain of Italy is the man with the most caps. They don't pick the leader or the best player, they just pick the guy with the most caps. Maybe that's the way to go and we don't have to make such a big issue of it.
WENGER GUNNER GO?
I think now many will agree it's time for Wenger to GO, it's not just the not winning of trophies, but the way the players and manager have a weak mentality against big teams. They fall over like chickens. If Wenger was at Barca or Madrid to go even two years without a trophy he'd have been sacked by now. Bunch of clowns. Francis Akufi
KAMMY SAYS: I agree with you that Arsenal don't have the strength of Manchester United or Chelsea, but I wonder if there is a different agenda at Arsenal now. Arsene Wenger has been saying it wouldn't be a disaster if they finished third and that's not the Arsene Wenger that I know. That's not the Arsene Wenger that first came to England with a winning mentality. Maybe he has accepted there is no money to spend? Maybe he has accepted he can't buy a team and has to develop a team? Maybe he has mellowed as he has grown older? He seems to be developing footballers rather than developing winning teams and that seems strange.
I don't think it's time for him to go. Arsenal aren't far away and they have a fabulous run-in. If they beat Liverpool on Wednesday then the Chelsea game will be forgotten and the mood of the fans will swing again. You can't write them off, but Arsenal do appear to have a different remit now. Wenger no longer seems determined for Arsenal to dominate English football.
Comments (137)
Michael Osborn (West Ham United fan) says...
chris, what do you think the chances of west ham steering away from relegation, with our striking talent i think we can now do it because we strengthened in the place we were the weakest. also we have most of our games at home for the remainder of the season and have good number of fixtures with teams in and around us at home, im a bit worried about our defending ability but what do you think?
Posted 17:07 11th February 2010
Prince Ofoegbu (Arsenal fan) says...
as much as i like arsene,i still feel he is too cautious and indecisive.One minute he`s talking abt getting a striker after a loss,the nxt moment he is talking abt winning d PL with his present squad.If arsenal fail to win a trophy this season,which is likely,some of the players like van persie and fabregas may switch sides to more ambitious teams.Then we start looking for replacements,all bcos of one man`s indecisiveness.If Wenger remains stubborn abt bringing in great players,then i`ll b glad to see his back.The present arsenal squad as it`s composed can NEVER WIN the PL nor the champions league.Success is never by chance.Nobody remembers a team for the amount of money saved,but for the number of trophies won.
Posted 23:31 10th February 2010
Martin Billington (Arsenal fan) says...
After tonights results - Arsenal beating Liverpool , Chelsea losing at Everton and Villa drawing with Man.Utd I feel that a lot of the Arsenal doubters have been extremely premature in writing us off (again) for the league title. We've played all of the so called 'top four' now and Chelsea still have to go to Old Trafford so all to play for if you ask me
Posted 22:21 10th February 2010
Lewis Townsend (Manchester United fan) says...
i believe wenger will go to manchester city after this season
Posted 21:27 10th February 2010
Chris White (Aston Villa fan) says...
arsenal and much credit must go to the manager will survive as a club which is run by intelligent people have a superb ground sell players when nearly past it they will always attract the best players a couple of injuries affects lots of clubs but they will be in top four at the end of every season? when the MONEY BAGS leave chelsea, man city , liverpool, man united ? what will happen to them ? POMPEY ? youve got a great man dont be stupid shout your heads off for your team tonight arsenal good luck
Posted 18:54 10th February 2010
Martin Gower (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
i think dawson should of been in that captian race im not just saying that because im a spurs fan but over the past couple of months he has rissin to be a good captian and i think people over looked him on skysports :(
Posted 18:41 10th February 2010
Michael W (Arsenal fan) says...
Last year we performed well against the top 4 but dropped points against the weak sides. We've swung things around it would seem this year. Now we can't beat the big clubs. But Wenger to go? No way. That is foolish talk. We are two, perhaps three players away from dominating football. Another defensive midfielder, another proper striker, and the real thing we need - a keeper. If people are going to criticise Wenger, then criticise him in a fair way and on grounds that make sense. His only real mistake is his lack of emphasis on a proper keeper. No world class keeper = no titles and Euro domination. Start at the back, it will be expensive, but pay the £30m to get a great keeper in the squad. Then we'll start winning the "tough and close" games. Remember all great teams make mistakes, but what keeps them in the game and in a position to avoid losing is the keeper. The last time we had a great shot stopper was Jens, and even he was prone to the rather regular blunder. Keep Wenger's outfield strategy and play along with players, but let's put pressure on him supporters to get a great keeper.
Posted 16:23 10th February 2010
Alex Thomson (Arsenal fan) says...
The board of directors will soon be ousted by the current media, supporters and the person that will appear soon to clear out the troubles of this famous club that has recently been run as a development company. Mr Wenger will be asked to change to the new way of the future or go. His record is now 5 yearsold and football has changed for winning management this last few years. We can not accept this return for the massive salary he gets. Private boxes, season tickets and commercial support will rule the day and a new light will shine on this club the new messiah whoever he is will obtain a multi million support inside and outside this one man fallen club.
Posted 15:50 10th February 2010
Roy Simmons (Fulham fan) says...
Not an Arsenal fan, but having read the comments. The case 'against'' AW is not strong enough to call in the executioner. I would add that I wish Almunia rather than Mannone had kept goal in the match at Craven Cottage. He was the difference for the destination or those three points. And oh, Van Persie scored the only goal.
Posted 15:35 10th February 2010
Steve Grainger (Arsenal fan) says...
There is absolutely no point in Arsenal getting rid of Arsene Wenger, what on earth are these people talking about?? for one who would replace him?? ok so he,s not signed anyone recently but who,s out there anyway? Villa, as good as he is might not sign for Arsenal as my guess is he,s waiting for the money men of Chelsea, Man City, or the Bankrupt lot the Glazers are fond of!!! get a grip guys and show some faith, and reality we are not able to compete against these clubs as far as wages, and transfer fees are concerned..
Posted 14:45 10th February 2010
Paul Lunn (Arsenal fan) says...
In regards to Arsenal and Arsene, people need to step back and take a reality check. Getting tired of the constant sniping and restlessness of both pundits and our own 'supporters'. We have a new, state of the art world class stadium. This cost upwards of £300m. Highbury was decaying and it's capacity wasn't sustainable in todays game, for a club wanting to battle at the top of the league and in europe. We have no sugar daddy. We had no foreign investment at the time. What we did and still do have, are a nucleus of real Arsenal people at the helm, running the club. Who have delivered what many clubs around us, including liverpool/spurs/chelsea, have not achieved. A bigger stadium, without going to the wall and risking the clubs finances. Yes we do have a large loan on the Emirates to pay (£25-30m per yr i think), but it's a sustainable debt, in a club which turnover has rocketed since the move. It is and always has been a long term plan. Steady, sustainable progression, within our own financial limits. The fact we have remained top 4 and competed both domestically and in europe, whilst doing this and creating an ethos of beautiful football (which i admit, we do at times need a tinkering of the system against stronger opposition) is a testament to Arsene's hard work and genuine love for the club and its history. I would prefer yearly progression, however small, with a club run the proper way. As opposed to a revolution, unsustainable wages and transfers, possible outside takeovers with no care for the club, just for the sake of a few years of winning cups and ending this '5yrs' saga. We will never appreciate Arsene so much, as when he is no longer there.
Posted 14:01 10th February 2010
Alan Harris (Chelsea fan) says...
To all arsenal fans who are calling for Wenger to be sacked, let me say this. I think that every team in the world, except for Man Utd, would happily swap their current manager for Arsene Wenger. I would go so far to say that I would rather have Wenger at the bridge than Mourinho !
Posted 13:01 10th February 2010
David Briggs (Leeds United fan) says...
I cant believe just how much nonsense Francis Kayce is talking. Wenger not a good manager? Have you forgotten the trophies he's won with Arsenal? Have you forgotten that Arsenal used to, and still arguably do, play the most attractive attacking football in europe? Have you forgotten going unbeaten for over a season? The problem Wenger has is that he doesn't have the money to buy worldclass players. Its the same situation for Benitez, but i'd take Arsenal's young up-and-coming players over Liverpool's any day of the week. And in a few years, Arsenal will be in a lot better place than Liverpool. Leave Wenger alone, if there's no money, be grateful your still finishing in the top 3, thats a great achievement in itself.
Posted 11:13 10th February 2010
Badman Thug (Arsenal fan) says...
i think arsean wenger should go because hes not winning any trophies and he thinks he can win trophies with young players.he is not spending any money on any good players he just wants to develop young players.he needs experience players.
Posted 10:42 10th February 2010
Danny Rowland (Arsenal fan) says...
It buy buy Wenger or bye bye Wenger. I've had enough of being the bridesmaid. Yes, Wenger can produce great players from the youngsters. He says he's building a team for the future, but they never stop around to see the future. Fabregas will go at the end of the season. He, like the others, won't stay at a club that don't win things. Perhaps the supporters have got the patients, but the players won't have. It's all about winning, medals and money to them. We cannot give them any of these.
Posted 06:29 10th February 2010
Allen Soye (Arsenal fan) says...
Why should you dismiss a commited captain like Terry because of his private life. For those talking about role models you should wake up, they don't exist anymore, not on the football field. If you dig up, everyone has his dark secrets only that most are not known. The English press went about snooping for a story but the question is If this wasn't known, would Terry make a good captain? The rest is just his private life, don't go snoopin, what you don't know won't hurt.
Posted 18:39 9th February 2010
Henri Meka (Arsenal fan) says...
i like david smiths comments..but ...if, for instance, i was a player at arsenal and i earned, say 10,000 per week while giving my all..it is only fair that i should consider a payrise somewhere else when the opportunity comes knocking.. i think people forget that there are two sides to the game..money is certainly the other part..i dont know how much fabregas earns, but i think if he gets less than 80k per week then he should consider leaving...not because the money is little compared to that of other quality players but because he has do so much more...if u cant rest your best player in the a cup game then something must be wrong(i think that is called desperation).
Posted 18:28 9th February 2010
Tam Kinnear-swift (Arsenal fan) says...
Sorry, but anyone who thinks wenger needs to go is an idiot. you guys need to look at the bigger picture, the fact he has stabilised the club financially (despite building ashburton grove and all the debts incurred in that) and consistantly finished in the top four. he has built a side that is capable of winning the PL should everyone be fit, ok, we need more strength and depth, but there are clubs all over the premiership that no doubt WISH they had our problems, you know the small ones like playing champions league foot ball? finishing in the the top four? having money to spend and the ability to pull in great players? you lot need to look past the fact he hasnt won any trophies for near on 5 years and need to see what he HAS brought to the club, and in the current crisis where teams like newcastle, the once proud leed united, pompey and others are going bust, perhaps, JUST PERHAPS, he is trying to keep the club stable as a priority until such a time as he can spend the money and start winning again.... IN WENGER WE TRUST
Posted 18:17 9th February 2010
Luke Ham (Burton Albion fan) says...
arsenal play great football maybe the best football in the league but they will never win the league wiyh the small weak players that thy have dont get me wrong they are very technical skillfull players but the premiership is a tough physical game and arsenal cant hack it, every time some one stops them playing there game wenger moans on and on about tackles and long balls but alot of teams cant match arsenal playing them at ther own game so why shouldnt they stop them playing to try and get a result. you never heard wenger moaning when he had he likes of viera, adams and keown in his team.
Posted 17:43 9th February 2010
Rob Ert (Arsenal fan) says...
cheers for opening up a whole can of worms, Kammy...
Posted 16:35 9th February 2010
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