WAYNE BRIDGE MAY REGRET AT LATER DATE

Opinions are split over Wayne Bridge's decision not to go to the World Cup.I think most people feel sorry for Bridge,myself included.But football is a short career and playing for your country in the World Cup finals is the summit.I wonder if Bridge will regret his decision in later life.This is his living and he should just get on with it.He doesn't have to communicate with Terry,just play his best for Fabio Capello and his country.The fact that Ashley Cole is injured in irrelevant.It is Bridge's right to make his decision.Others have retired from  England duty for various reasons although none for this type of grievance.But Bridge in not the only  decent English left back in the Premier League. There will be others who will come in,take their chance and Bridge would soon be forgotten.That's a fact of life.Few people are irreplaceable.In most walks of life people have to work with a few they do not like and Bridge certainly appears to have been wronged in most people's eyes.But I think it was time to move on;not give up.

3 FROM 4 FA CUP REPLAY PREDICTIONS RIGHT

Newbon predictions: I got three out of four right on Wednesday night! I had Aston Villa to beat Crystal Palace (3-1),Stoke to beat Manchester City (2-1) and Spurs to beat Bolton (4-0).Unbelievably West Bromwich Albion let me down losing 2-1 at home to Reading.Albion were 2-1 going  into stoppage time when Reading equalised and then scored the winner in extra time.How do you account for that?

CHELSEA STILL PLENTY TO DO

Chelsea look to be in a decent position after scoring an away goal in the Champions League 2-1 first leg defeat in Milan against Inter.But it will not be easy in the second leg.Despite Inter's physical defence and the Italian ruthlessness and know how I do expect Chelsea to score.But I also think Inter-Milan will do that as well! Jose Mourinho is cute and having worked out how to stop Didier Drogba in the San Siro he'll have other things up his sleeve.Drogba's marker Lucio was man of the match for me.Chelsea should have had a penalty...but luck went against them.Maybe that will change at Stamford Bridge but I stick by my pre-match prediction that Inter will knock-out Chelsea but it is now a tight call.The loss of goalie Petr Cech could be the difference.

BIG HITS FOR OUR GAME

Nearly 50,000 hits for the Pieman goalie game on my new website Gary Newbon.com in our first week.Win a tray of Pukka Pies for the best score of the month.Thanks for your early support.It seems to go down well.I am also writing and updating a regular football blog...and I have joined the Twitter brigade! Our shop will be open soon with some unusual offers.

PREDICTIONS

Only got them half right last week.Not good enough.Here we go this week.......United to beat West Ham tomorrow...FA Cup fifth round replays on Wednesday...Villa to beat Crystal Palace;Stoke to beat Manchester City;Spurs to beat Bolton;and West Brom to beat Reading...all home wins...Inter-Milan to take a first leg home win over Inter-Milan in the Champions League.....Saturday's Premier League ( home teams first):Birmingham to beat Wigan: Bolton to lose to Wolves;Burnley-Portsmouth to draw;Chelsea to beat Manchester City at lunchtime on Sky,Stoke to beat Arsenal at home on ESPN....Sunday,United to shade Vila in Carling Cup final;Liverpool to beat Blackburn;Sunderland to beat Fulham and Spurs-Everton draw.

CARLING CUP WINNERS-JUST MANCHESTER UNITED

Who wins this Sunday's Carling Cup final? It may depend on what sort of team Manchester United field.Strong they win.But Aston Villa who will be at their strongest will fancy their chances and their manager Martin O'Neill has a fine League Cup record providing Leicester City with their best moments.One thing is for sure both sides have plenty of potential goalscorers and will play good football.I am looking forward to the final which is live on both BBC and SKY SPORTS. I take United to shade it but it will be close.And that is on the proviso that Sir Alex Ferguson fields a really strong starting line-up

TITLE RACE RUNNING OUT OF GAMES

Chelsea have opened up a four point lead over champions Manchester United in the Premier League with just 11 games each left.Goal difference may even be a factor and there are only two in it--in Chelsea's favour.United's home game on Tuesday is a must win.Surely they will beat West Ham? At the same time Chelsea will take United's place in the San Siro,this time against Inter-Milan.Chelsea will be at home to Manchester City on Saturday.April 3 is crucial......United v Chelsea at Old Trafford.But Chelsea have to lose that and drop a point somewhere else while United have to win the lot.That's the theory but in football it does not work out like that.I have been with United all season...and I will not change yet but its going to be so very close.

ENGLAND GOALIE?

Who will be England's first choice goalie in South Africa.David James,if fit? Robert Green,who has kept a clean sheet in Hammers last four home games? Blackburn's Paul Robinson,almost the forgotten England keeper?Chris Kirkland who was forced to make the most saves this weekend,7 for Wigan? or Birmingham's Joe Hart  not considered until this brilliant season for him? Scott Carson and Ben Foster not  really on the radar.Whoever get it one is hardly filled with confidence in terms of England winning the World Cup.David James would be my choice

MORE EVERTON YOUNGSTERS

David Moyes and Everton keep knocking out new youngsters on the pitch.Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling are the latest to admire.They came on to help Everton beat Manchester United 3-1 at home while leaders Chelsea were winning at Wolves.Moyes has done a terrific job at Everton under extremely difficult situations.He lost Wayne Rooney to United.He need to hold on to these two bright stars if Everton are going to win a trophy again.

FA CUP WINNERS PLACE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Don Goodman suggested on YOURE ON SKY SPORTS on Saturday night that one of the European Champions League spots should go to the FA Cup winners.Don argued that top teams would then have to play their strongest sides and it would restore the FA Cup. I did not agree.I said that the Champions League  qualification was for the best domestic sides in that country over the season.Not a knock-out winner!Besides the big four usually provide the top three finishers anyway so Don's argument was not relevant in my opinion.
Actually I think another reason the FA Cup has been devalued is because there are so many clubs playing at Wembley in other cup competitions and play-off matches.Not to mention FA Cup SEMI-FINALS!

NO SYMPATHY FOR PORTSMOUTH

Portsmouth should never have been allowed to get into their current mess.True if they go out of business it will be mostly their own fault.But the rules have to be changed to protect those who cannot,it seems,protect themselves.The fit and proper persons checks are clearly not strong enough.Football,however,will blame every-one else except themselves.Its ironic but the more money that pours into the Premier League clubs the more they seem to get into debt,even if for different reasons.What the game needs is a USA style commissioner--Richard Scudamore would be ideal--not the clubs voting for their own future because that clearly is not working.Just a suggestion but there are not too many constructive ones on the horizon!

DON GOODMAN

Don Goodman joins Chloe Everton and myself on YOURE ON SKY SPORTS on Sky Sports 1 this Saturday at 7.30p.m. This is the phone in show on football.Don,a really good goalscorer with clubs like Sunderland,Wolves and West Bromwich Albion,has developed into a very good commentator and studio guest.He cut his broadcasting teeth with local radio( as well an a column in the Wolverhampton Express and Star) and via Radio 5 is now a contracted regular and articulate performer on the top sports channel

CHAIRMAN'S SEAT

Milan Mandaric knows that my club is Leicester City.My grandfather lived near the ground and used to take me in the fifties and sixites.Since I have been in TV successive chairmen have invited me into the Boardroom.Milan has continued that kind tradition.Last night he invited me to the away game at Leicester.Unfortunately Milan was stuck in London so I sat in the Chairman's seat.Nervous? Sure,Bristol City took the lead in stoppage time but thankfully the Foxes equalised 73 seconds later.Phew,the Chairman's job is not for me even if I kept Milan's seat warm last night!

UNITED NEARLY THERE

Wayne Rooney's two goals put Manchester United in prime position to win the return Champions League leg
against AC Milan at Old Trafford.3-2 away in Italy is a wonderful result.That means that Milan have to score at least two goals without reply.Those 3 away goals can be so important.I am sure United will score at home.

PREDICTIONS

My predictions involving the three English clubs left in the European Champions League last 32 are as follows over the two legs: Chelsea to lose against Inter-Milan.....Manchester United to knock-out AC Milan and Arsenal to overcome Porto.......AC Milan/United is tonight (Feb 16);the first leg away for Arsenal is tomorrow(Feb 17) and Chelsea's away leg in Milan is Wednesday week ( Feb 24)....Meanwhile in Saturday's Premier League I go Arsenal to beat Sunderland,Everton to draw with Manchester United;Portsmouth to beat Stoke;West Ham to beat Hull and Chelsea to win at Wolves.On Sunday Villa to beat Burnley at home;Fulham and Birmingham to draw;Manchester City to beat Liverpool at home; and Wigan and Spurs to draw.....and on Monday that classic between Blackburn and Bolton.Take your pick or like me settle for a boring draw!

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACE PLAY-OFF GREAT IDEA

The Premier  League should take seriously the suggestion from some of their clubs for  a play-off to decide the fourth English spot in the European Champions League qualification.At present the top four at the end of the Premier League season go to the Champions League.This new idea would see clubs who finish fourth down to seventh playing off for the winners to join the three other clubs.We do love a play-off over here.It would be great.The big four will not fancy it but a 14-6 majority would carry it.The European Cup used to be just for the League Champions of each country.But demands of TV companies ( ITV for instance had to show every round even if the English and Scottish team has been knocked out) and the potential money on offer changed all that.When Manchester United beat Bayern Munich in added time to complete the treble in 1999 they had not entered the competition as champions.And the same went for Liverpool when they won that thrilling comeback final over AC Milan in 2005.So what would be wrong for an exciting climax to the Premier League season and a possible break up of the big four's regular entry?

WAYNE BRIDGE NEEDS TO MOVE ON

My wife thinks I am too forgiving to people who have let me down...and there have been quite a few over the years!Well we are all different.But I do think its time for Wayne Bridge to move on as far as England are concerned over the John Terry affair.If as has been reported Bridge still doubts whether he will play for England again while Terry is in the team he will regret it eventually.World Cups are the pinnacle for everyone involved in football.I know.I covered seven finals during my days at ITV.Now that Ashley Cole has broken his ankle Bridge's role taken on even more importance at left back.Cole may be back in time for the June finals in South Africa but broken ankles are serious.Bridge should remember boxing manager Micky Duff's words when former World Champion Lloyd Honeyghan was suing him.In court Honeyghan complained his manager did not like him.Outside the courtroom Duff replied:" It does not say anywhere in the contract that we have to like eachother!"

WALES RUGBY BOSS SHOWS THE WAY

Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland showed even Fabio Capello the way to inject real discipline and example by dropping his British Lions flanker Andy Powell after he was arrested at 6.00a.m after the international home win over Scotland.He was reported as driving a golf buggy on a drink-drive charge.Could you see football managers/coaches ever taking that line on their wayward players?I don't think so!

CHELSEA LOOK CERTS TO RETAIN FA CUP

FA Cup holders Chelsea are 11-8 favourites to retain the trophy after being given yet another home draw-this time in the quarter-finals  against the winners of the Manchester City-Stoke fifth round replay at Stoke on Wednesday week(February 24).If Chelsea want it and will play their strongest side  it will be theirs.Manchester United,Arsenal and Liverpool are all out!Unbelievable but there are five replays before the draw really shapes up but as long as they beat Crystal Palace in their replay I see Aston Villa as the biggest threat.

ROONEY EDGES DROGBA

Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba have both scored 23 goals this season going into tonight's AC Milan-Manchester United European Champions League tie.Rooney tops the Premier League charts with 21 goals-3 more than Drogba.They are different players but both are vital to their teams.Drogba is a powerhouse with a terrific finish from anywhere.Rooney is a genuis with an allround game all over the pitch although his goals tend to come from close range.Not much in it but Rooney continues to be my number one.

ENGLAND: LUCKY IN DRAW AGAIN

England have got lucky again with the draw – this time for EURO 2012. England had an easy looking qualifying group for the current World Cup. They will arrive in South Africa in a comfortable looking group. It only looks hard in the knock-out stages. The old chestnut about there are no easy matches at international level are not true as long as you are not complacent. Ask Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland what they think of their EURO 2012 draw. England will have no excuses for not qualifying again. They are certs to do so.

CHELSEA OR UNITED - GOODBYE ARSENAL

Chelsea, most people's favourites, or the Champions Manchester United will win their season's Premier League. I have always felt all season that it will be United and I won't change now! I think Arsene Wenger is a great manager and funny results happen in football but he would be deluding himself if he thinks Arsenal can overtake both those two at the end of this season! Every game is crucial now and Chelsea, at Everton, and United at Villa, face tricky mid-week away League games. Only Chelsea remain in  the FA Cup (home to Cardiff) but United play Villa again in the Carling Cup final this month. Both have hard ties in the European Champions League. Injuries and luck will play big parts in the remainder of the season. One thing is for sure: Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba are on fire with their goalscoring. Surely Footballer of the Year will be also between those two. My vote last year was for Rooney. I can't see that changing this year!

CAPELLO MAKES RIGHT DECISION

In my last blog I wrote that John Terry should be in England's team for the World Cup but not be captain.It proved to be Fabio Capello's decision. He is right. But some people still do not get it. When other players are implicated in these allegations som ething has to be done...and pretty quickly. It is no use everyone playing the media.That game has changed and so do top players.They,rightly or wrongly,have to think about it all the while. Other England players, particularly those with any previous baggage, behave or else you will be plastered everywhere--especially in World Cup year!

FERGUSON A STAR BUT WHY GO TO WAR?

All in the heat of the moment is a common explanation for players looking their cool.Take  Birmingham's Barry Ferguson.What a good signing by his manager Alex McLeish and he was the man on the match on Sunday.He stayed super cool and drove his team back into the match.He was awarded a free-kick in the closing stages with his team winning at last--but immediately seemed to want to go to war with the offender...crackers.Still at least he was not booked!

KEVIN PHILLIPS SPECIAL POACHER

Went to the Birmingham City-Wolves match on Sunday as guest of executive officer Michael Dunford.I was impressed with the tributes to legendary Blues goallie Gil Merrick.The England player and former Birmingham manager passed away last week aged 88.The wreath placed in the goal at the newly named Gil Merrick stand end by Blues goalie Joe Hart was a nice touch as was the standing ovation to Merrick.But what impressed me most was the fantastic support for all this by the Wolves fans.Wonderful Wolves!On the pitch the team was unlucky not to get a point on manager Mick McCarthy's 51st birthday.But his opposite number Alex McLeish sent on subs Craig Gardner and 36 year old Kevin Phillips and it all changed....Phillips who has hardly played in recent months ,scored twice in the 80th and 85th match to win the game. I am really pleased for Kevin. He has been a top star and off the pitch he has a good future in TV. I have been trying to fix an appropriate date for Kevin to be the guest on my Sky Sports show "Youre on Sky Sports". Hopefully he will appear mid-week next month.

BALLS OF STEEL

Garth Crooks was pontificating about John Terry during BBC2’s Match of the Day when he said Terry had ‘balls of steel’. I am sure he didn’t realise what he was saying, if he did it was crass, if he didn’t it was clumsy. Garth looked panicky for the next couple of minutes while presenter Adrian Chiles didn’t appear to handle it too confidently. By the way if I was producer I would make Chiles shave off his weak looking beard.

JOHN TERRY SHOULD GO TO SOUTH AFRICA

John Terry should go to South Africa but not as captain.Fabio Capello quite rightly as England manager should decide both matters.Capello thinks we over egg the role of England captain and Terry is the sort to shout and encourage on the field whether skipper or not.But  involving team-mates in these types of allegations should make the captain's role very difficult.However there is no question Terry should be in the England team to play in the World Cup.This is a private matter that has become a masssive media story.Capello is paid a huge salary with winning the World Cup his main aim.He is hardly going to shoot himself in the foot by leaving Terry out.He is not the only current England player to have been involved in bad publicity.Other potential England captains have media form but this is the biggest story yet and it will roll on for a while.Modern spin doctors believe in things blowing over...this one will take longer.Max Clifford and Capello will provide the next platform for different reasons and motives.Capello is strong and impressive.He is his own man and I am confident he will make the right decision.The League Managers Association have inivted me to a dinner for the England boss and Wembley.I look forward  to hearing him speak.Meanwhile I will comment on Capello's decision on Terry as soon as we know it.

ROONEY THE BEST

 Each month I am on the Barclays Panel to decide the Premier League Manager and Player of the Month.It a great accolade supported by outstanding sponsors.I appreciate being on the panel.I cannot tell you the results until they are published but I can blog my vote! For January it was a no-brainer--Wayne Rooney.He is United and England's big hope for the big trophy.He is on fire at present.20 Premier League goals already this season.He is a great player,he was there before Ronaldo at United and he is there after R.Sure you miss the superb Portuguese star but its Rooney for me.I voted his as the Player of last Season.He would have my vote now for this season.He has skill,pace,vision and courage...and now he controls his temper.The latter was his flaw;now he has that under control.That vote for January;the manager a bit harder.It was really down to three...Sir Alex Ferguson,Carlo Ancelotti and David Moyes.My vote went to Everton's Moyes.

CHELSEA V ARSENAL....ANOTHER BIGGIE!

Sir Alex Ferguson said Arsenal v his Manchester United was United's biggest of the season.United won 3-1 so now this Sunday Chelsea v Arsenal becomes the Gunners most important.Arsenal have to win or the Premier League title will be decided between just two clubs,the bookies favourites and most people's choice,Chelsea or the Champions United.Chelsea are in pole position but you write Sir Alex,Wayne Rooney and United off at your peril.I have been with United all season,as I was last year,and I am still hanging in there!

RAFA FOR JUVE IN SUMMER?

I have just been relaxing in Venice and the media is full of Rafa Benitez for Juventus in the summer.They correctly predicted that the Juve head coach would be saced after the next match( he was!) ;that a replacement would be appointed just for the remainder of this season( he was!),and that Rafa would be appointed in the summer( we will see!).Rafa may have taken Liverpool as far as he can although he and his staff are said to be sitting on a collective £20 million pay off if he were to be sacked.It may suit all the parties if he goes at the end of the season but he does have a long contact at Anfield and he should do what is best for him.

KEANE GREAT FOR CELTIC

Robbie Keane to Celtic was the best loan signing of the transfer window.Celtic are well adrift to rival Rangers in the SPL.Keane will supply goals,class and spirit.One Robbie Keane may not be enough but it gives Tony Mowbray a chance to keep his manager's job.The Spurs striker has had lots of expensive moves but the 29 year old is a good man.He just wants to play first team football all the while.I will always be convinced Keane could have done a job for Liverpool and will always be convinced that politics played a part in his short stay at Anfield.He has moved on from there and they will love him at Celtic,his schoolboy love.