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.