Soccer AM

Tubes & Stuart Barnes

Related Links:

Gray on Grand Slam Sunday Le Tissier on Man Utd v Liverpool Le Tissier on Chelsea v Arsenal Tyler's Grand Slam stats Eddie Hemmings and Rob Lee

Grand Slam Sunday could not only decide the destination of the Premier League title, but it will also divide a footballing nation on Sky Sports.

Here's what our Grand Slam fans had to say...

Chelsea v Arsenal - Tubes and Stuart Barnes

Tell us about your love affair with your club. Where did it all begin?

TUBES: It was never a case of who I would choose to support because I never had a choice. When I was three minutes old I was given a toy Stamford the Lion mascot, so that was that! My dad was brought up right next to Chelsea so he has always supported them too. In fact he was the first person to ever have his wedding reception on the Chelsea pitch, which is my claim to fame. My earliest Chelsea memory was leaving a game at half-time because it was too cold. I was three and it was 10-below freezing and raining, but my dad wanted to take me to the game and he thought by giving me a Wagon Wheel and a Bovril he'd shut me up! But by the age of seven I was a regular.

STUART BARNES: I've supported Arsenal since before I could speak. I was one of these fortunate children whose father taught him to say Arsenal before he could walk. From the age of two, two-and-a-half, I could say Arsenal before I could say red wine, father or mother. I have been an Arsenal fan for 40-odd years.

Bringing it forward somewhat, how do you think this season has gone at your club?

TUBES: I think it's just been very bizarre. After Jose Mourinho left everyone thought it would just be a transitional season. But the players have really stuck together and we're still up there fighting for the Premier League and we've got a very good chance in the Champions League as well.

STUART: With our dismantling of AC Milan, Arsenal have shown that for the big-match occasion we are the best team in Europe. Unfortunately because of that, some of the younger lads have taken their eye off the prize a bit, but while a lot of people think Manchester United and Chelsea have been handed a chance in the league, I would imagine that this weekend Chelsea shouldn't be too much of a problem because Arsenal will have their game heads on.

Who have been the stars for your side and by the same token, is there anyone who has disappointed you?

TUBES: That's a pretty tough one, but I think Ricardo Carvalho has been the nuts. He really has been consistently brilliant over the season, especially during the period when we had a lot of key players missing. I'd say John Terry as well because although he has been injured for a fair part of the season he has come back in there and really got the troops together. And Joe Cole has just been class as well. I wouldn't want to label anyone a disappointment but I guess Andriy Shevchenko hasn't performed as well as we know he can this season, but a lot of it is down to injuries I think.

STUART: I don't think anyone has really been a disappointment; it has been a very good season. Maybe Jens Lehmann and his attitude when he lost his place, but that's about it. Obviously Cesc Fabregas has shone in the big games but Arsenal's surprise player has been Mathieu Flamini. He has taken Gilberto, a World Cup-winning Brazilian, out of the team and has been fantastic. Look at that AC Milan game: Fabregas got all of the kudos but the hard-working job that Flamini did alongside him really made it easier for him. He would be my forgotten hero.

What would the best results be for you on Grand Slam Sunday?

TUBES: Simple. A Chelsea win having seen Liverpool beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.

STUART: Obviously I hate to say it, but Liverpool to beat Manchester United. I don't like Liverpool winning too much but we will let them beat United because clearly in the quarter-finals of the Champions League they are on their way out. The North West derby goes to the away team and I honestly think, joshing aside, that Arsenal will win at Stamford Bridge. And we need it too because Manchester United aren't a exactly bad team! So I think we had better stop messing around, dropping points and start winning. I think Stamford Bridge will bring the best out of Arsenal and Liverpool are on form, so who knows? United lose and it is all back in the melting pot.

If you can't win the title, then who would you rather took it?

TUBES: I'd prefer to Arsenal to win it and although plenty of Chelsea fans would disgaree, I'll stand by that. If Arsenal win it will just even things up a bit I think, rather than Chelsea and Man Utd winning it all the time.

STUART: Blimey! Chelsea, Liverpool or Man United? I was actually thinking Bristol City but we'll have to wait another year for them. Definitely not Chelsea! That is 100 per cent. Not Liverpool! Urgh... I hate to say this - is this the equivalent of swearing on air like Danny Cipriani? - but I will have to say Manchester United.

Will you be watching on Sunday? If so, where?

TUBES: Yes definitely. I'll be watching all the action unfold from my seat in the upper section of the Matthew Harding stand.

STUART: Yes I will. I am working on Friday night in Leeds, that former home of football, so I will back down in time. I won't be going to Stamford Bridge, but I will be in the west country watching at home with a quiet glass of red wine, toasting the re-emergence of England's finest football team.

OK, it's prediction time: what will the results be?

TUBES: I've got a horrible feeling that it will be a draw at Stamford Bridge but I'm going to stay positive and say a 1-0 win for Chelsea with Didier Drogba getting the goal. United and Liverpool will be 1-1, Fernando Torres and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring.

STUART: Quite straightforward, 2-1. It will be Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor getting our goals. As for the other one, Liverpool are on form, so you never know...

Tubes will be on Soccer AM, 9am, Saturday, as the countdown to Grand Slam Sunday begins on Sky Sports. You can also keep up-to-date with his weekly diary on the Soccer AM website.

Stuart Barnes will be co-commentating at Sky Sports' live Guinness Premiership game between Leeds Carnegie and Newecastle Falcons on Good Friday and is also a regular on the Rugby Club , every Thursday on Sky Sports.