We've got some great guests and some very different programmes lined for you on The Footballers' Football Show before Christmas.
Starring on our panel this week is the leading English manager in the Premier League season so far, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce.
Sam has an extraordinary success rate in football management and it's fantastic to see his stock rise again after a short spell out of the game following his dismissal from Blackburn.
Allardyce: has guided West Ham into the Premier League's top 10
He's even winning over Hammers fans who complained about the type of football being played by the self-styled 'academy' of the English game.
Sam deals in results and is almost mechanical in his pursuit of them so it will be fascinating to tap into his wealthy bank of knowledge on Thursday night.
As you know, Sam worked with us for a short time between jobs and was as generous with his insight as he was his spirit with the Sky team.
Sam deals in results and is almost mechanical in his pursuit of them so it will be fascinating to tap into his wealthy bank of knowledge.
David Jones
Quotes of the week
Another of this week's panel I'm looking forward to seeing again is George Boateng, a destructive granite midfield player of Coventry, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Hull and more recently Nottingham Forest.
George lights up any room with his beaming smile but behind the charm is a man not afraid to speak his mind - perfect for our show.
Making up the team is the Forest chief executive Mark Arthur who joins us at an exciting time for his club. New Kuwaiti owners want to restore Forest to the top of the tree, and we'll quiz Arthur on exactly how they intend to do it.
Departure
Saturday's North London derby was a typically frenzied goal fest, irresistible viewing and a thrill to witness. Sadly this contest turned on a split second decision by a beanpole striker to make a tackle he couldn't win.
Yes, Spurs should have proved a harder nut to crack after Emmanuel Adebayor's departure, but there's no doubt they were on top when they scored the game's opening goal and their fans will always be wondering what if.
A trip to the North East beckons this weekend to see Sunderland take on Champions League contenders West Brom! Why not? The Baggies beat the European Champions Chelsea on Saturday and could actually climb above them with a win.
I fancy though their trip to the Stadium of Light will be a lot harder than it would have been had Brede Hangeland not made a crazy split-second decision himself this weekend.
Sunderland were able to see off Fulham's 10 men and in the process play key men back into form. In many ways their stuttering season starts now.
Watch The Footballers' Football Show at 10pm on Thursday on Sky Sports 1 HD and then see Sunderland tackle West Brom from 12.30pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 2 HD.
Post to your View!
Be the first to post a comment on this story