January

Happy New Year!

Not managed to write for a while, been a busy Christmas period in Football so I've been keeping up with my Manchester United correspondence for Quays News, feel free to search it!

United will be happy to be going into the New Year seven points clear at the top of the Prem, and rivals City, yet they will not have forgotten yet how easily they threw away an eight point lead at the end of last season to concede the title.

The defence looks to have tightened up a little, despite leaking three goals to Newcastle at home, but two clean sheets in a row against West Brom and Wigan will be more reassuring for Fergie.

At this time of year, football entusiasts don't celebreate 12:00 with 'Happy New Year', instead the resounding 'Happy Transfer Window opening' can be heard, with fans hoping for their clubs to sign players to plug any gaps, to help avoid relegation, or to kick on a push for the title or a place in Europe.

For other clubs, they will be hoping to hang on to some of their best players, like Everton or Stoke.. But here's a quick guide to what clubs need to do what..

Arsenal - Need a 'keeper, perhaps a CB.. Perhaps they could even sell both Chamakh and Gervinho, and bring in a more consistant forward.

Aston Villa - More experienced players. Lambert is building a very young squad, and the Villa fans can see what it is he is trying to do. In Andy Weimann, he has a potentially very good striker, and Benteke isn't bad either, but his commitment to Villa is questionable. However to survive, I feel that they need an experienced CM and/or CB or two to help develop the youngsters, and keep the Villains in the Prem.

Chelsea - With Daniel Sturridge on his way to Liverpool, Chelsea definitely need a striker or two. It would be a mistake to bring Romleu Lukaku back to the club in January because he is doing well at West Brom. Something else they need to do urgently is offer Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole new contracts because they are both fantastic players. I can only guess something has gone on behind the scenes..

Everton - They might need a CB or a full back, but their priorities are to keep hold of Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines.

Fulham - Martin Jol's side lack consistency, their home form keeps them up, but on the road they struggle. A good win a West Brom was down to spirit, but the Cottagers need just a bit more quality at the back, and flair in midfield because as Dimitar Berbatov said, feed him the ball and he will score.

Liverpool - Striker. End of.

Man City - I agree with people who say they need to sell Mario Balotelli, he's not done enough for how much they paid for him.. Until he grows up, they wont get anything out of him. I think they need to inspire Aguero, Dzeko and Tevez into firing more regularly instead of spending on new players.

Man United - A better goalkeeper really, De Gea hasn't performed, and rumours are that Real Madrid are interested in him.. I think Fergie will wait until the summer to do his defensive transfers, unless a particular deal comes up that he can't refuse or improve.

Newcastle - The Magpies have been unlucky this season. They did the right thing in not buying a load of new players, and putting faith in the squad that did so well last year. But it has backfired as that squad has let them down in quality, but also through injury, which is unfortunate.
They need to keep hold of Demba Ba, but that looks unlikely, as Chelsea have already pounced to sign him.

Norwich - Chris Hughton has turned the team round from the team who started the season, and they are playing really well at the moment. Russell Martin has played really well recently, so Hughton will need to keep hold of him, but in terms of signings, maybe a more creative CM is needed to hold up play and distribute the ball forward, but otherwise they will be ok.

QPR - Where to start? The squad has some players who should be Premier League quality, but unfortunately they can't play together, and I'm not sure even Harry Redknapp can keep them up. They need at least a striker, a winger, a CM, a new defence..

Reading - Like Villa, they could do with some more experienced Premier League players to keep them up. They haven't been too bad, and put in some good performances, but need some more consistent results and goals.

Southampton - They've finally found some consistency, and their home form is good. I think they could do with a tighter defence, and perhaps another striker to score the goals.

Stoke - My team, always perfect? Not quite.. I think Pulis could do with bringing in a full back; as much as I love Wilko, he's not consistent enough sometimes, and Shotton isn't Prem quality.. I'd like to see a more consistent striker too, Darren Bent would be ideal if Villa want him sold. My biggest hope though is that Shawcross, Huth or Begovic aren't sold!

Sunderland - Martin O'Neill has changed Sunderland's fortunes around, and they are doing alright. They need a striker to get some more goals in the net, and perhaps a CB because they need to tighten up their defence.

Swansea - Michel Laudrup has made The Swans his own team, despite many who thought he'd carry on Brendan Rodgers'.. Miguel Michu has been the signing of the season for me, at just £2.2million, so the Swans need to keep him among their ranks. I think a co-striker for him is what they need, especially since they struggled a bit without him!

Spurs - Not sure what they need.. The defence could do with a bit of consistency, and I think a striker to induce some competition in Defoe and Adebayor.

West Brom - They've got some great creative players in the middle, and like with many, they need more consistency.. James Morison has stopped performing, and the strikers are at times struggling to hit the target, so perhaps a more consistent striker, which is hard to find these days!

West Ham - They need a winger and a striker. Andy Carroll, surprise surprise, hasn't performed, Carlton Cole isn't doing too well, so they just need someone to pop in the goals, and create a bit more.

Wigan - I think they need a striker, but not much else because I expect them to kick on as they usually do.

So there's my thoughts, I think it's still too early to say who's going down, but QPR are in serious trouble..

The first major sports trophy, yes Darts is a sport, was won by none other than Phil 'The Power' Taylor, his SIXTEENTH world title, in an incredible final with Dutch star Michael van Gerwen.

He lost the first two sets, came back to 2-2, lost the next two (4-2), then won five in a row to win 7-4.

The incredible thing about darts, other than the atmosphere and the fans, is the way the momentum can change so quickly, and the mental strength needed is incredible - definitely worthy of being called a sport!

Finally, New Year's Resolution #1 - Blog more regularly!

Speak to you soon!