James, Kristian, Joe, and Sean review the midweek action, and contemplate Maradona's return to world football.

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This Sunday Danny Dichio joins Kristian, Joe and yours truly, as we get you set for Bolton vs Man City.  Bear in mind that Danny played under Bolton's Gary Megson at West Brom, and I dare say he'll be able to give us some pretty candid insight.  I also want to hear your thoughts on the 'Respect' campaign.  The Managers are a little perturbed over it.  Do you like it?  Does it need to be tinkered with?   Let us know your thoughts on this forum.  To this week's Sharman 5.

One Hull of a week!  (Man Utd vs Hull)

Without doubt, the Hull story has been brilliant for this league.  However, it is important to remember we are but ten games into the season.  Midweek the Tigers were declawed by Chelsea, and now have a wounded animal in Utd to deal with.  Hull are great away from home, but I fear this will end in similar fashion to Wednesday.  Regardless, after this week from hell is over, it gets easier with home matches against Bolton and Man City, followed by trips to Portsmouth and Stoke, and then it's back home to Middlesbrough.  Those five games will define this team.  They are not a top 5 outfit, but some good points vs the others, and this could be a top half team by season's end.

Redknapp eyeing the Reds (Tott vs Liverpool)

Robbie Keane back to Spurs, but with the events of the past week, that is merely a side note!  Under Harry, Spurs have looked re-invigorated, a win vs Bolton was of course followed by that absurd match at the Emirates.  However, as great a confidence builder as that might have been, the fact is they were lucky, very lucky.  Arsenal showed just how fragile the defence is, and even with Ledley King back this weekend, it is going to be tested.  Liverpool are hardly flying at that end of the field mind you, but at some point that final ball will make it through, and Dirk Kuyt will miss the top row, and they will bury a few.  Fernando Torres is likely out, but I suspect this could be the game where Keane gets going.

Let's start it all over (Chelsea vs Sunderland)

November 1st, mark it down, that's when Chelsea begin their latest winning streak at Stamford Bridge.  Following the loss to Liverpool, Iit is easy to forget how good Chelsea have looked this season, and leading up last week, they had looked shaky at home over recent times.  Sunderland will survive this year, but having only won once in 51 years at the Bridge, I don't think that will change.

Hear Arsene Roar! (Stoke vs Arsenal)

You don't get to where Arsene Wenger is without having a nasty side.  By all accounts he let his boys have it, after Wednesdays 4-4 with Spurs.  We're talking a Fergie 'esque tirade by all accounts!  Let's see how it motivates his troops.  William Gallas has conveniently picked up an injury, likely to his pride, so I'm sure we'll see Kolo Toure back in the heart of defence.   I have hankering this is going to be a blow-out!

AJ back to Goodison (Everton vs Fulham)

It might not be quite the same as Rooney's return last week, but Andrew Johnson will return to to Goodison park this Saturday.  He only scored seventeen goals for the Toffees, but the fans seemed to like him.  It won't be that emotional I'm sure.  What are your thoughts on this guy flashing the '100 goals' t-shirt after his brace midweek?  Seemed a bit rich to me, AJ has underperformed for quite a while don't you think?

Canada and Borussia Monchengladbach striker Rob Friend has contacted BC Soccer Web (well, national team manager Morgan Quarry contacted them on Friend's behalf) trying to set the record straight about that article in Bild we linked you to on Tuesday. Apparently he's been mistranslated and he's not happy about it. 

I mentioned in Tuesday's links that Friend is known for his fantastic attitude and work ethic, so those perceived negative comments on Dale Mitchell - which apparently aren't true - came as a bit of a surprise. So the fact that he was mistranslated or misquoted is more than plausible. BC Soccer Web has invited Friend to explain what his national team situation is in his own words on their site. Hopefully he takes them up on the offer.

The podcast should be up Friday morning, apologies for the delay, but technical issues have curtailed its promptness. Joe, Sean, Kristian, and I were freakin' great though, so it's worth the wait... ahem.

So, Maradona has finally got his dream, and will assume control of the Argentine World Cup team!  We get into this topic on the pod, but for the record, here are my thoughts. 

 I know some of you are probably expecting me to tear the big man apart, just as I did on my Footy Show promo, afterall, any chance an Englishman gets to rant on old number 10, is a chance he can't miss right?  Well, actually, wrong!

Obviously at first glance it is easy to laugh, to snigger, and to ask ourselves, just what the hell Julio Grondona is thinking.  Peel away the layers though, and there might be some sense to it.

I highly doubt that once Maradona is confirmed as coach, he will have the traditional powers of a national team coach.  The fact that Carlos Bilardo is aboard as General Manager or whatever his title is, tells me that the Argentine Federation are going to surround Diego with credible, experienced football men.  I would also suggest that Olympic boss, and current interim manager Sergio Batista will also have a role. 

I am sure Maradona will be under strict guidelines, and will operate within an umbrella of control, that will protect the Federation, not to mention the team, from embarrasment.

What he will bring, is obviously the manic support of Argentine fans, and a passion, and an energy, that just maybe this group of super-talents need!  We all know how revered he is in his homeland, and likely most of his new players worship him, they will listen!  Is there another man on this planet who would be able to better pump up  the Argentine National team ahead of a big game than Diego Maradona?

His hiring, must surely be as a motivator, and a superb PR move.  Think about it, Argentina has not won a World Cup since 1986, let's face it, with all the talent they have, that is an underperforming program!  Other, conventional, experienced coaches have failed.  I applaud the governing body for trying something different, assuming it is done the right way.

So there!  Bet you weren't expecting that.  Mind you, I can't deny that if it all goes pear shape, I might have a little grin on my face!

Here's the visuals from yesterday's thrilling North London derby. Check out the first goal from David Bentley...brilliant piece of skill but I think Manuel Almunia should have be done better.