AUTHOR PROFILE: Matthew Balmforth

I'm a Leeds born Newcastle United fan currently living in London. All over the shop, I know. Apart from all things Toon, I specialise in European football.

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Blogs by Matthew Balmforth

Yakubu – Something of an enigma at Everton

Date: 19th March 2010 at 3:41 pm | Filed under: Carling Cup,Everton,Football Blogs,Premier League | Author: | Tags: , , , ,
Everton striker Yakubu is becoming something of a conundrum for the Merserysiders. After injuries and lack of form is it time Everton showed the Nigerian the door? The 27 yr old striker has had his fair shares of ups and downs at Everton. Having joined from Middlesbrough in 2007 for…

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The Kranjcar steal that must still haunt Pompey

Tottenham Hotspur made an absolute steal when they basically mugged Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth last summer. It is surely haunting the south coast club now. The Croatian international schemer has been a nothing short of an inspired signing by Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp last summer. The 25 yr old was a…

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Chelsea future is bright, if they act NOW

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is facing some difficult questions this week after his side went crashing out of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. Beaten by a superior side in Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan, this has been hailed in the media as a watershed moment for the aging legs of…

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Green and Gold is admirable but is it effective?

Manchester United are in exceptional form on the field, but off it the Green and Gold campaign is gathering momentum, yet how effective can it possibly be? Manchester United are doing what they seem to do every season, become increasingly awe inspiringly good as we enter a new year. Wayne Rooney…

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The missing ingredient at Aston Villa?

Aston Villa gained a valuable three points last night at Wigan Athletic to keep them in the hunt for a Champions League spot. Yet Villa is missing some vital ingredients. Martin O’ Neill has really showed his pedigree and class at turning around a football team that in all honesty…

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Scouting Report – How is Jack Wilshere progressing at the Reebok?

Bolton Wanderers on loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is beginning to enjoy life at the Reebok Stadium. The young Arsenal sensation has begun to impress for Bolton Wanderers under manager Owen Coyle. Despite Bolton’s indifferent form, a 4-0 victory over Wigan after a 4-0 smashing by Sunderland for example. Wilshire…

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Ireland could be just the tonic Liverpool need

[caption id="attachment_21835" align="alignnone" width="246" caption="Liverpool option?"][/caption] With Liverpool clearly needing an extra lift this summer, could a foray into the transfer market for City’s Stephen Ireland be just the answer? Liverpool’s season has just not clicked. Nothing has fallen into place for Rafa Benitez’s side and whilst fans have stuck by the beleaguered…

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Koumas could prove just the tonic for Newcastle

Newcastle United could and should be looking to sign Wigan Athletic midfielder Jason Koumas in the summer. The playmaker midfielder has had a rough old time of it recently at Wigan Athletic with only ten appearances all season. Clearly Roberto Martinez does not see a place for the 30 yr…

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West Brom, Nottingham Forest…who’s up for the PL party?

As the final weeks of football are upon us, Nottingham Forest and West Brom look like they are going to battle to the end for the coveted 2nd promotion spot. Newcastle has all but tied up one automatic place already, so who has the staying power to gain the…

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Who is up for the Newcastle chop this summer?

[caption id="attachment_44442" align="alignnone" width="200" caption="Time to leave?"][/caption] Newcastle United are plain sailing in the Championship. Too big and too strong for opponents, they are battering teams into submission. Yet a upon seemingly likely return to the Premier League, questions remain over who would cut it back in the big time and…

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