04/02/2017 Football Focus

Good afternoon, time for Football Focus.

We might be suffering from a lettuce crisis,

The Huth, the whole Huth and nothing but the Huth.

Whenever we say we've been rubbish, we have.

All the goals, and robot dances, from a busy midweek.

Coleman on why Koeman cuts the mustard.

If we can't take criticism, there's something wrong and it shows a

weakness in a play-off. -- a player. Christian Eriksen talks

trophies at Tottenham. Mark Lawrenson and Kevin Kilbane

are big fans of the cos. Here are the weekend's

Premier League fixtures. The leaders Chelsea play third-place

Arsenal at 12.30pm - At 3pm, Sam Allardyce takes charge

of Crystal Palace against his former side Sunderland

in a big relegation battle. Hull host Liverpool,

who'll be glad to see the back of January with just

one win in nine. Saido Berahino returns

to West Brom with Stoke - At 5.30pm, second-place Spurs

take on Middlesbrough. Leicester at home after another

difficult week where defeat to Burnley has them just two points

above the drop zone. Pat Murphy went in search

of the truth, from Huth. What a screamer! Riyad Mahrez!

Leicester City are the Premier League champions. Leicester was a

fantastic story last season so is it a case of you guys saying we got all

the praise last season, it's only right we get criticism now. The

criticism we get isn't half as bad is you give yourself. Whenever we

say we've been rubbish, we have. Leicester's sorry defence of their

Premier League title continues to underwhelm. It's now just one win in

eight league games for the champions. One of the enduring

images in recent weeks is Claudio Ranieri scratching his head. Do you

think, how did we lose that? To be honest no. We deserved to lose. More

of a case of we were rubbish today, didn't deserve anything. The stats

last season were fantastic. It's the polar opposite this season. It's an

amazing contrast. It is. It's the thin lines of sport. If you're

confident and you win, you mull it over week after week and the more

you win, the more confident you get. At the moment it's the opposite. You

lose and you're unsure in the next game how you will perform. Your mind

is going, three at the back, five at the back, three up top. These things

that when you do win never matter. Champions still a Championship in

one season? Surely not. Is it fair to say you're in danger of

relegation or do players not like being told that? It's reality. In

sport and football, you need to be honest. We are two points above the

drop at the moment. No ifs or buts, it is what it is. If you win the

next four or five games, it will be a different interview better the

moment we are struggling. We can go through all sorts of reasons why

this season is difference. The absence of N'Golo Kante, how big a

mess is a? You see what he does at Chelsea, unbelievable player. He was

awesome for us when he was here. This week Ulloa made clear his

unhappiness. That didn't happen last season, when you were carrying all

before you. Is the dressing room as tight as it was? It needs to be. If

you go round and ask all the players what needs to happen, we need to be

tight. Ulloa has to step back in line and realise he's part of the

team ethic no matter what his personal frustrations. He's always

been part of the team whether he frustrated or not. We need him. Have

you been rubbish at times this season? Absolutely. To become better

you need to be honest. We don't say we've been brilliant when we

haven't. I haven't been performing. The only way to be better is to have

a chat with yourself, be honest with your team-mates. It's the only way

to improve. That will do it for Leicester City. This has to be the

greatest escape from rest -- relegation the Premier League has

ever known. We did it two years ago when we were bottom of the league.

You ignore what's going on outside the football. It's down to us. We've

been in a worse position. You have to be man enough to get on with what

is now rather than talking about last year being great. That doesn't

get us three points. It's now, not the past. Really honest assessment

from Robert Huth. They are just two points above the drop zone at the

moment. It seems from what he says, and we hear coming out of the club,

they don't know how to arrest the slide at the moment. You work hard.

Do you not think they're working hard enough? I don't. They have

players with real ability and you can't go down, you can't go from

there to there without something completely missing. At least if you

work hard with what they've got, they should be in a far better

position. What we don't know is the dressing room. As good as that

dressing room was last year, it was a major player in them winning the

league, it's not the same. If you believe the stories coming out of

the club, it's an issue. The distance between January, the

backroom staff, the players, the players don't seem to trust them as

much as last season. It's hard to bring that back. It is. You talk

about winning the league back to back. They reached such a pinnacle,

they got to such a level it was like the ultimate, it will never get

better. They've fallen off a cliff. They can't arrest the slide they are

on. But they have players who coped with relegation two years ago. They

have players in the squad that are able to deal with the pressures that

surround a relegation battle. That's in their favour. You get into

individuals like Ulloa. He said on social media, I feel betrayed, let

down, I will not for them again. Whether he's right or wrong, it

doesn't reflect well. That would never have come out of the club last

season. No because they were winning the league! It's something the

manager has to deal with. Supposedly there was an asking price and when

teams have bid the asking price the club have said no. That's a bit

naughty from the club. But they own the contract. It's as though they

don't know they can be relegated. I think we'll be all right, it will be

fine. Pull your finger out. Huth is probably one of the more mature

players who recognises the position. They need a rocket up the backside

to get out of trouble. 21 points from 23 games. Leicester play

Manchester United on Sunday and Mourinho's men also had a

frustrating night this week. Manchester United looking to

capitalise on others dropping points in the top four. Great save by

Lukovic. -- Jacquie Bell pitch. Smalling at the back post and Mata!

How did he keep that out? Ibrahimovic made the most of that.

Lazar Markovic. He's hit the post! That is that at Old Trafford.

Manchester United held at home again. Three draws in a row now for

Manchester United in the Premier League. We didn't score. You don't

score, it's not possible to win. Do you feel the referee should have

pulled them up? If you don't know football, you shouldn't be with a

microphone in your hand. Off he walks. Is that a classic Mourinho

diversion tactic? The team can't score against Hull at home in a game

they need to win and we are all talking about him rather than the

poor performance. A little bit. There are kids watching this

programme, it's just bad manners. Totally bad manners. He does it all

the time. It's more a case that he knows his team aren't quite there.

They've had a really ready good run and they got themselves close in

terms of getting into the top four. Ultimately he knows they are not

quite good enough still. The reliance on people like Ibrahimovic

is massive. Talking about players not performing, what about Paul

Pogba? He got is -- he gets a lot of attention because of the money

spent. What is he doing well and not well? This ball is world-class.

Rashford should have scored. He's not doing it consistently, but the

ability he has... They are the things you would expect from him.

It's the basics that he's not doing right. This is a big chance and he

should have scored. When he's missing the chances, he's not

getting himself beyond enough. It's the five and ten yard passes, that's

where he's letting himself down consistently this season. Not good

enough. Mkhitaryan seems to be dipping in and out of form again. He

looked some player when he burst into the team, but it's caught up

with him. You talk about Ibrahimovic. There's maybe over

reliance on him. These are the goals he's been involved in. All the other

players are playing the teams who are struggling. 52% of Manchester

United's goals come through him, is it a bad sign? You talk about Mata,

Rooney, Rashford, they've got to be contributing more. Martial as well.

United are too dependent on Ibrahimovic. When you come off the

pitch, and you'll have had it, the coach asks you what did you do to

influence the game? Have you done enough? At the moment to many are

saying not enough. I'm sure Kevin would have had a lot to say! United

were struggling to find the net. At West Ham there were no such problems

for pet's peeps. -- pecked. Manchester City really threatening.

De Bruyne! Manchester City ahead after a quarter of an hour. Sane.

Given the slip. Brilliant! Great chance for two and it is. 2-0 with

just 20 minutes played. Manchester City breaking clear. They can walk

it home. Gabriel Jesus has his first goal for Manchester City. Raheem

Sterling. Fouled inside the penalty area by Jose Fonte. Here we go.

Four! It's a thrashing that Manchester City have dished out to

West Ham United tonight. First start for the 19-year-old debris or Jesus.

He's quite some player keeping a Guerreiro on the bench. If you're

not a Manchester City fan you might not be that excited, but that

quality in the Premier League. His debut against Tottenham, he came on

and made an impact. Dropping Aguero, it's the energy he gives you with

and without the ball. They have the best five-a-side team in the league

at the moment. Defensively they are starting to get it sorted. They've

been with four for a while and the pressure is off and they are playing

differently. A real fluency against West Ham. Take nothing away from Man

City, but West Ham were so passive and poor throughout. The way they

were taken apart, De Bruyne was excellent. They took like a team

that will score at will. Now they are stopping sides scoring against

them. Swansea play City on Sunday. It could be a pivotal week in the

title race. The top four were all in action on Tuesday night and it

turned out to be a good night for the leaders. This is the week when

Arsenal must close the gap to Chelsea. Tottenham unbeaten and in

touch at the top. Can Liverpool reignite their title challenge?

Chelsea have an opportunity to go 13 points clear.

Arsene Wenger in the stands, of course, during his suspension.

Deflected. It is in from the former Tottenham man. Awful defensive setup

from a Arsenal. Troy Deeney! Arsenal are all over the place. Title hopes?

Not like this. That has got to be right up there with the most cynical

foul you will see all season. Danny Rose is down injured. He is not able

to continue. David Luiz to hit it and he has caught them out, first

blood to Chelsea. Here comes Arsenal again. They are back in the game.

Over the bar from Wanyama. In from Henderson, there is no flag. It is

the header. Wijnaldum! And Liverpool are back on terms. Matip made the

challenge and this is a penalty and Juergen clock can't believe it.

Mignolet has kept it out -- Jurgen Klopp can't believe it. Towards goal

and not far away. Eric Dier thumps the ground in frustration. And for

Spurs this is point stopped and an opportunity lost. -- this is points

dropped. Full-time whistle what a victory for Watford. Is this the

night Arsenal have conceded the title? The game that Liverpool

needed to win, they haven't. Despite that draw at Anfield, the results

worked well for Chelsea and they are nine points clear as they prepare to

face Arsenal. One change for Chelsea as Leila for an 11th home victory in

succession which would surely end Arsenal's title tilt -- as they look

for. Arsenal have lost six of their last seven games here.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott start for Giroud and Aaron Ramsey.

Bellerin will offer a more attacking threat at right back. Where is

Arsene Wenger going to sit? He could be surrounded by Chelsea fans in the

stands as he sits out his touchline ban. Spicy. Very spicy. This is the

Chelsea line-up. What is you to predict what they will do. Only 13

different players have started in the late for Chelsea since the

defeat against Arsenal in December. When you hurt the teen years, they

are not complaining about being tired. -- when you heard about the

team news. It makes perfect sense, the more you play with each other,

you know everyone's strengths and weaknesses, that simple. Many teams

have tried to get around the back. Like Spurs. They are a formidable

unit, though. The positions that Tottenham took up in that game, it

was Christian Eriksen and Eric Dier who caused the problems, allowing

the wingbacks to push on, but there are very few holes. Pedro and

William, that is the only change in that system. -- Willian. Walcott and

Oxlade-Chamberlain have come in for Arsenal. What are they trying to do?

Win, probably. LAUGHTER Will you stop it! You asked me a

question. Do you know what Arsenal are trying to do today? We just

don't know. You go to Southampton and they completely outplayed

Southampton and then you play Watford at home and you are fast

asleep for half an hour. How does that work? With Oxlade-Chamberlain

and Coquelin in midfield, Wilcock in isolated? There are issues that come

back to haunt Arsenal -- will Coquelin be isolated? Arsene Wenger

has questioned them and talented this week. How much of a pub is that

going to be for them? -- has questioned their mentality this

week. He has spoken about the mental toughness of them and how strong

they are going into this game, but then after the game he said they

weren't mentally prepared for this match. So on the one hand he is

saying it is very good and on the other hand it has not been very

good. You never question Chelsea's mentality, would you? Apart from the

centre forward occasionally, but you know what I'm saying. In the Premier

League Show Gary Lineker is going to be talking to Antonio Conte. And now

we can have a look at the relegation battle. The battle at the bottom is

getting tighter and tighter. Sigurdsson's corner. The defender

gets his second goal of the season! Ryan Bertrand. Dangerous cross,

turned on, by who else, Shane Long. Racing away, this is a real sprint.

Sigurdsson, into the middle. Sigurdsson! Magnificent breakaway

goal from Swansea. It is three victories out of four in the month

of January for Paul Clement. Jason Puncheon. Five or six in there, and

that is in from Scott Dann! He scored against Bournemouth at

Selhurst Park and he now does again at the vitality stadium. Benteke is

at the back post. That is Benteke and that is 2-0, Crystal Palace, and

it is all over now. Crystal Palace's precious points and they did deserve

it. Fletcher, turning. Morrison smashing it into the bottom of the

net. His shot arrowed past Victor Valdes. Negredo with the opportunity

to cancel out West Brom's early lead, which he has done. And the

roar is one of relief as it is of joy. 1-1 at the Riverside. We will

continue to sprinkle some goals throughout the programme, but we can

have a look at how that affected the bottom of the table. In that pretty

grim for some teams down there. Crystal Palace, Hull, Sunderland.

Swansea, on the back of those big victories, they have lifted

themselves out of the relegation zone. You have been looking at the

work of Sigurdsson and what he brings, especially in the last few

matches. What he has brought to them over the last few weeks, especially,

and we know, you wouldn't say they are overly reliant on him. He is a

key man, though. Their best player. We talk about how Swansea have been

much better with organisation this season but he is the player who

provides the out ball and the link between Llorente and the defence,

and that is what they need. He is a bit unlucky, but this is great play.

I will highlight this at the bottom. When he gets in these tight

situations he can give you something from nothing. For a midfield player,

he thinks like a goal-scorer and he gambles. That is the thing about

him. I was really really impressed with him here. I will highlight him,

the ball is breaking at the edge of the penalty area, back in shape, the

corner, but look how quickly they break. That is something Paul

Clement has brought to them. Unbelievable pace. That is the one,

prepared to get into decisions and into goal-scoring positions and

finishing the chances off and that is a superb finish. As soon as they

realise that they had defended the corner, they were all pushing

forward, and that is Paul Clement. You said he reminds you of Frank

Lampard. Yes, that is what Lampard has done for Chelsea, different

levels, but he is always scoring goals, Sigurdsson, and with good

players around him he is even better. Paul Clement came into

Swansea at the same time Marco Silva came into Hull. You have been having

a look at what Hull have done defensively. Personnel has made a

difference. They flit between three or four. When they had a back three

against Chelsea, bodies back into position. McGuire has been

excellent. Dawson and Davis. As the events, the back three, getting back

a back five times -- as the defence. It has not been lumped forward

either. It has been keep hold of the ball and make a few passes and tried

to work your way out. They know they will be isolated upfront. Sometimes

you can look at the back three as a negative, but if you have a ball

carrier it can be very positive. Yes, they are back in shape

defensively, perfectly organised. And McGuire, when he steps in. He

has done this so well. When he has stepped in, he has been prepared to

drive beyond midfield and beyond the strikers, even. As he anticipates

that ahead of Ibrahimovic, this is what he has been bringing them.

Recognising that they will be isolated upfront. Very good play

from the centre-half. He was very good at Sheffield United, head and

shoulders above, but he commits players and he turns himself into a

midfield player and then you have got to defend against him. These

other fixtures this weekend. Crystal Palace have a big game this weekend

when they take on Sunderland. We will get your views on that in a

moment, but we are going to go to Selhurst Park. Good afternoon. Sam

Allardyce taking charge of Crystal Palace against the side he kept in

the division last season. That is right, he will be on the home bench

this afternoon, but he was celebrating on the away bench with

Sunderland here last season. He believes inside knowledge could be a

big help for Crystal Palace this afternoon. The inside knowledge

prompted him to bring in Patrick Van Aanholt from Sunderland last month

and he called him a major saviour in their successful bid for survival.

Because of his general energy and his goals. He also pointed to his

general signings at Sunderland which were the major catalyst behind their

great escape and he is delighted with the signings he has made at

Crystal Palace in the most recent window. Jeffrey Schlupp also joining

on deadline day. Luka Milivojevic and Mamadou Sakho also joining.

Sunderland strengthened. David Moyes bringing in some Everton old boys,

the aid, Darron Gibson and Lescott. Their failure to add firepower could

be costly -- Oviedo. Victor Anichebe is expected to be out for a few more

months, though. One last piece of action for midweek. Fancy seeing the

robot again? Go on, I don't mind that. Thank you for your enthusiasm.

LAUGHTER That is a wonderful searching pass.

Arnautovic is in. Peter Crouch with his 100th Premier League goal. His

very first came in 2002 and almost 15 years later we get the robot in

celebration. 100 up the Peter Crouch will stop and much of been

practising the celebration this week? It is a bit stiff, and I think

I will retire it now, for weddings and parties only now. Plenty of

space. Still common. -- Coleman. It finishes 1-1 between Everton and

Stowe, very good entertainment for everyone. -- Stoke.

We are going to let you finish or sentence. I was going to say, I hope

that is not what people remember Peter Crouch four, the robotic

dance, because he has been a prolific goal-scorer. Too right, I'm

glad you got the chance to finish that. After that game we sent Kevin

to see his former international team-mate, the Everton and Ireland

full-back Seamus Coleman. Clarify one thing, was it your goal?

I've seen the camera angles a couple of times and they don't really give

a good angle. It looked like it was creeping into the corner. I cut in

and it's going in the corner. What's the target this season? Can you

breach the top six? Is that what you're thinking about? It has to be

because it keeps our season alive. We can catch a couple who are five

points clear or something like that. We have big games coming up that we

can win. We have to keep winning and hope they drop points. We need to

win games. I wanted to ask about the youngsters coming through. Tom

Davies has broken through this season. What is the mentality in

these youngsters? They seem to be very strong mentally. Since I've

come to the club, this is probably the strongest group of young players

that have come through the reserves or under 23 setup. They've stepped

up in training and don't look out of place. They've been brilliant. The

likes of Tom and the others, David Unsworth has done a brilliant job

with them. We signed Luckman as well so we are very blessed with young

players and we have a good manager to help them succeed. One Alt Koeman

has been frank and openly critical, how has that gone down in the

dressing room? -- Ronald. Layers these days are too precious. If you

have a bad game, and someone highlights it, so be it. We get paid

a lot to do what we do and if we can't take criticism it shows a

weakness. If I don't play well, I know myself, but if the manager

highlights it, it's just the way it is. I always feel like I have to

impress people and prove people wrong. That might be because I've

had to do it the hard way. You can't take all the good and then not the

bad so you have to get the balance right. Don't be a baby about it. We

have great footage of view against Diego Costa having a ding dong.

What's it like playing against the striker considered a master of the

dark arts? It's difficult. You try to wind him up sometimes. But he

likes to get wound up. I like getting involved and being chirpy on

the pitch. You leave it there. He is punished me twice! He's scored in

the last two games where I've tried to give him a bit so I might leave

him alone next time. Just leave a little bit on him. He's a top player

and Chelsea are very lucky to have him. It's part and parcel of

football, you just leave it there. Everton celebrating, surely, their

best day of the season by a distance. Everton 4-0 Manchester

City. Was that performance against Manchester City put it into your

mind that it can be a turning point. It does. We needed to get beaten by

Leicester to go on and have that performance, which shouldn't be the

case. It's a case of grinding out wins all the time, not getting

beaten by a team we shouldn't get beaten by and then beating a top

four team and everything is great again. We need to keep winning and

keep performing. Lovely. We don't have much fan Morrison on football

Focus. Not enough! You can listen to all the music from today's programme

on the BBC music website. Seamus Coleman is a big fan of Van

Morrison, but he really has improved. Lovely to hear him speak

so honestly about not minding when the manager says he's had a bad

game. It's his background. When he first came over to Everton, ?60,000,

incredible deal from David Moyes, played league of Ireland football.

Another one who's graduated into the senior squad. Now he's the captain

of the Republic of Ireland. His game has grown so much since he first

came into the squad when I was there. He is firmly established

himself as one of the Premier League's greatest full-backs. He

plays down the right on his own. He doesn't want anybody in front of

him. Baines on the other side tends to have somebody in front of him. On

the right, just let him run all day. You talked to him about breaking

into the top six, they are five points behind Manchester United is

it possible for Everton this season? I don't think so this season. This

season I think it's beyond them, particularly with the amount of

money the other sides have spent. I'm glad you asked him and not make!

You're a loose cannon today! Steve Wilson is that Goodison Park today.

In terms of Bournemouth, no new signings, they can't stop conceding.

They are in a spot of bother at the moment. Yes. They are, really. They

are not exactly in the relegation dogfight, but they are also not out

of it. They are struggling, they've conceded a lot of goals of late.

Three times in the last eight games they've conceded three goals. This

week news that poor old Callum Wilson is out until the end of the

season. He missed a lot of last season with a cruciate injury in his

knee. He's done it again in the other knee. He won't feature again

this season. Benik Afobe is the obvious goal-scorer, but he's only

scored three in his last 27 games for Bournemouth. They are looking at

Josh King and Junior Stanislas, who has a good record against Everton.

He'll be hoping to get on the scoresheet again today. They let

Lewis Grabban go on loan to Reading on transferred day and they sold

Glenn Murray to Brighton. He was on loan at Brighton anyway so maybe

fair enough. But with Wilson injured, you wonder whether perhaps

they might live to regret that. Thanks. You can follow Everton

against Bournemouth and all today's 3DM kick-offs on final score.

Still to come before 1pm... Christian Eriksen on Spurs's search

for silverware this season. Franks are the memories. We'll reflect on

Lampard's remarkable career. And Mark Lim it has been to see Fergie

and Strachan and Junior at Doncaster. If you ever look at the

back pages today, lots of stories about Saido Berahino. If you haven't

seen much this week, Mark Hughes confirmed he served an eight-week FA

suspension for the use of recreational drugs while at West

Brom. A few fans have asked why this has come out now. Is that a concern

that we know it now and not before? Very much. I can't understand why it

hasn't come out. Usually with the way the process works, when a player

has failed a test, it's released. I don't understand why it's come out

now, perhaps trying to derail him. You can see why, Tony Pulis has been

asked so many questions about Saido Berahino over the last few months

and years, he's come on record to say he's happy to see the back of

him. He's not been able to use him. He's a great talent, a really good

finisher. He not been able to use him. He is the player West Brom have

literally been missing for 18 months. In the end you say, if I

can't use you, see you. He's not scored since last February. He's

hardly played. We'll Mark Hughes see that as a challenge and somebody he

can turn into a useful tool? There's a bit of that. You've got to get his

workrate right. Stoke haven't had that with Wilfried Boni. They've

missed the work rate. If you aren't getting that, you have to get that

finishing from him. They bought him for his finishing. Got to get him

fit. A few reunions this week, Berahino, Big Sam at Sunderland,

Fonte going back to the -- Southampton. And Sean Dyche at

Watford. Thank you. Spurs start the day in second and they play

Middlesbrough in a few hours, at 5:30pm. They can't afford to lose

ground on Chelsea. It's in! Eriksen. Good to see you.

Looking around the dressing room and the names on the shirts, what is

this place like you as an individual being part of the dressing room?

Very special. Everybody's bond with each other is very, very good.

Everybody has a big smile. In the training ground and the stadium,

everybody is happy and trying to do their best. Everybody wants to play

so there's competition. Everyone has almost signed a new deal so they

want to be part of this and its positive for the club. What have you

learned as a group from last season? Hopefully we have learned to take

our chances in the league. Now we are in a good position and we need

to maintain it for the rest of the season. Everybody at the club, and

the fans, want us to finish stronger than we did last season. A lot of

lively characters in the dressing room on match day. Are you one of

the quieter ones? Can you dish it out? I am not the loudest one or the

quietest, I'm in between. Of course there are some funny characters. Who

stands out? It depends. Son is very, very loud! But in a good way, he's a

great character and a good guy. That's the sign of a group that has

bonded. Of course, everyone is happy. If some -- if Son is loud and

he's happy. It goes to the next player and keeps going. Everyone is

really witty happy. We hear about the likes of Dele Alli and Harry

Kane, but it's not about one or two players, it's about the group. I

agree. You need some players to win games, but most of all to win

anything else, you need a team and we have a lot of players. Do you

need a trophy to underline an achievement of sorts? Everybody

wants a trophy. We will do everything we can to get one. But in

football anything can happen. We'll do our best and we will see at the

end. Eriksen finds the net again. He was speaking to Ivan after an event

for the Tottenham Hotspur foundation, celebrating its tenth

anniversary. That little fella was called Andrew and he got to meet one

of the big stars. He's involved in the young futures programme at

Spurs. Spurs this season. You both said last season they had a big

chance of winning the title. Where do you see them this season? I don't

see them winning it again. What do they need to do? They probably need

an upgrade in terms of players alongside Kane and Allen. They draw

a lot of games. -- Kane and Dele Alli. Just a little bit short. Last

week in the FA Cup, yes, it was the FA Cup and against Wycombe

Wanderers, but there was something about the way they won the game that

showed good signs. Yeah, considering the amount of changes. There is

spirit in the squad. It's something that comes from the manager, who's

been outstanding since he came into the Premier League with Southampton.

He seems to be getting better and better. Very, very calm. You can see

the influence over the side. They probably do need something a bit

different. I fancied them last year, I thought they were playing the best

football. Eriksen has improved now from his early-season form, but they

need something different. Chelsea are a goal up against Arsenal

through Marcos Alonso. The leaders are leading. Elsewhere this weekend,

football fans and legends gathered to say goodbye to the former

Watford, England and Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor this week.

Luther Blissett and Arsene Wenger attended the funeral service at

Saint Mary 's Church in Watford. Hundreds of fans lined the streets

to pay their respects to Taylor, who died just over three weeks ago at

the age of 72. John Watson read a tribute from Elton John, who wasn't

able to attend the service. -- John Watson. He is that -- John is at St

Mary's Stadium. It looks like an emotional but fitting occasion. Yes,

very humbling and very moving. There were 400 in the church and there

must have been 3000 Watford fans outside watching the service on

screens and listening to the words over the loudspeaker. The Taylor

family conducted themselves magnificently. Both Graham's

daughters spoke and so did his three grandchildren. The whole event was

meticulously organised by Watford football club in conjunction with

the local police. They sometimes say that football has lost its heart and

soul. You wouldn't have thought that if you'd been in Watford on

Wednesday afternoon. A timely reminder of some of the more

important things in life. Graham Taylor touched so many people and

the reaction across the football family has been remarkable. I have

to talk to you about the football as well. Two mid-table teams who went

in different directions in the transfer window. They did.

Well, they did, Manolo Gabbiadini from Naples, around ?15 million, he

will be in the squad today and we will see if he starts. Mark

Lawrenson mentioned Jose Fonte coming back here five minutes after

leaving, his second game for West Ham against his old club. He played

around 300 games down here. Another interesting side for West Ham,

Robert Snodgrass looks like making his first start. You said they were

middling teams, but if you look at the league table, these clubs are in

a sort of comfort zone. One point separating them. Tenth place and

11th place, but depending which way this game goes, whoever wins might

be looking outwards and whoever loses might be just keeping a close

eye on what is going on down below. Thank you very much. Great to talk

to you. John spoke very well at that funeral, they were Elton John's

words, it was very good, it really was. He is always a man for that

occasion, John Manson. The right words at the right time. -- John mop

son. Looking at West Ham, David Sullivan

said that the players wanted Payet out, as well. They have done the

best they could? Yes, they have brought in Robert Snodgrass and they

have a good character who will integrate with the dressing room and

he will be a team player. That is the player they needed to get, and

they have handled the situation really well, yes. The dressing room

is different when someone like an upstart like Payet leaves, everyone

comes in the next day and it is like, come on, chaps, on we go. He

is quality. You can't question his quality. Especially last season,

brilliant. Free kicks, the variety of goals, he does have the ability,

we know that, but at the start of the season you felt something wasn't

right. He wasn't happy. Slaven Bilic couldn't do anything and he had to

get him out of the dressing room for the sake of the club. If he didn't

want to play, he might as well sit with me and him. It's true, what's

the point? Valuable punditry. LAUGHTER

John mentioned Manolo Gabbiadini, ?50 million from Napoli, hopefully

he can bring something significant. -- ?15 million. Yes, he's coming in

with a lot prove, did not work out with their previous signing, so I

think he will need to step it up coming into Southampton. Virgil van

Dijk is also out for a while for Southampton and that will be a big

blow. One more on West Ham, Slaven Bilic, under pressure? He shouldn't

be, but results haven't been great. Midweek against Manchester City,

they lacked anything, they were so poor without the ball. So passive,

that is one thing you expect better from them. It is a season they will

write off, and I don't see him losing his job, to be honest.

Doncaster Rovers are top of the tree in League 2 and they are led by two

rather well names, Ferguson and Strachan. We have been to see two

juniors who are looking at a quick return to League 1.

16 points clear of fourth place, you are loving this? I'm enjoying this,

this is a good club, the expectations were high this season,

after dropping in to League 2, but I said if we could get the job this

season. Then it might not be the worst thing that has happened to the

club. Doncaster have had five seasons in the last decade in the

Championship, but before that, mainly third and fourth tier, what

is their level? We have got to get out of this late, but in terms of

the club moving forward, the plans are to get into the Championship --

get out of this league. You must get tired of questions about your man.

You are going to ask me one, though. That winning characteristic that you

clearly have, is that genetic? We grew up with it and we inherited it,

that is something we all have. We want to do well whatever career path

we have taken. We have the winning mentality. My job is to drive that

into the players, make sure we keep winning games. At the moment we are

doing all right. You have got some really good players, out there. Yes,

we have. Conor Grant from an -- Ellington. James Coppinger. -- from

Everton. What about the dodgy brown shirt? That is a disgrace. He is a

locker, isn't it? What about that shirt. I love that shirt. When I

signed in the 70s they were all in. 12 years, what a legacy you have

left. Signed a new deal to take me to 14 years which is a long time. It

has been good, I've gone from strength to strength in football,

I've been with the club and got promoted, and had a great career.

Still going, still enjoying it, which is the main thing, I think.

Let me have a look at you. I want to see if you have aged. I remember you

when you were a boy, but management is getting to you. Alex Ferguson

goes to look for Gordon Strachan. Have you ever had a scenario when

both dads have come to watch at the same time? Yes, they are both a bit

worried they are agents, so they stay away. That is quite a stroke of

advice. -- bit worried they are a jinx. It would be a bit daft to not

use that advice and knowledge. Were you friends at Old Trafford? No,

because I kept dropping him. He knows his stuff. I had hoped to

bring you this lovely story of them being together at Old Trafford, but

no, a figment of my imagination. Good, thanks for that. I'm glad you

came all this way for that. The pair of them, very funny. They look

great, Doncaster, looking at the top of League 2, they are 16 points

clear of Exeter who are in fourth place. The fans won't want to get

carried away but they are in a great position. Of course, you would

expect them to get promoted, that is the target at the start of the

season. Fantastic. He has been in management, Darren Ferguson, a

decade. He was at your club Preston for while. Couple of spells at

Peterborough. He has had to carry the shackles as the son of Alex

Ferguson, as well, so it has taken him a while to find his feet in

management? Yes, obviously. When he was a manager at Preston, he

borrowed players from his dad, which is always a bit of a bonus. His

teams have always played open and attractive and attacking football,

and he probably thinks he has not quite done the biggest club that he

can do. He has aided the development of many players from Peterborough,

in his spells there, the youngsters he has got into the side and who

have gone on to play in the they're and the Championship. -- in the

Premier League. Sheffield Wednesday were also victorious yesterday,

cementing their place in the play-offs. The South Yorkshire lot

are quite keen to get a team back in the Premier League. Sheffield United

will be close to promotion as well, even though they have had a bit of a

dip. After 23 years and over 300 goals and over 100 England caps,

Frank Lampard announced his retirement from football this week.

The love for the game is important. I would like to think I've been a

good team-mate and a hard worker. My boyhood club, West Ham, I remember

the excitement. Moving to Chelsea was the best thing I ever did.

Lampard, super hit! Blue is the colour and the title is theirs.

Frank Lampard has done it. He has 203 girls now for Chelsea.

Winning the Champions League was the greatest night of my life for

Chelsea for stop those memories are my career. They are always with me.

Lampard! That surely crossed the line. The champions then wanted me

to play for them for a year. Oh my goodness, that is incredible. I love

it here, a great life, loving the city. If I love back on my career, I

would like to think I made a difference. No real surprise. 38, he

left New York City in November. You mentioned Sigurdsson, the fact he

reminded your Frank Lampard. Kevin, you played against him. Where do you

think he will rake in terms of midfielders? The all-time great at

Chelsea, one of them, his achievements at Chelsea, he was

chasing that goal-scoring record, beating all the strikers, so what he

has done at that club has been phenomenal. In relation to England

midfielders he would be right up there with what he has achieved.

They called him a fat frank when he was at West Ham, and at every

opportunity he was staying behind with his dad, you knew he was going

to be a top player. Chelsea pinched him. ?11 million. He guarantees

about 13 goals a season. Every season, double figures for goals.

When I did my coaching badges. This will be good. They showed clips of

certain players when they were trying to develop players, in their

development, and he was used continuously. About how his position

on the pitch and his continuous looking over his shoulder, his

awareness of his position and the goals that come with that. He was

used as a blueprint. It is amazing that him and Steven Gerrard never

quite worked, when you think about the ability. He scored the goal that

did not count against Germany in the World Cup, that might be a

disappointment, not that game, but that generation of players, that

England never went further. That's the thing with Beckham, Rooney,

Lampard, they will regret, because they were close to doing something

big, yes. If you were picking a Premier League 11, would he get in

there? Absolutely. He would be there or thereabouts, I could not lay my

hat on that one. You say these nice things about him. Great player, but

would I have in Indy all-time 11? I'm not sure. English all-time 11.

Thank you very much, gents. We'll be back at

midday next Saturday. Don't forget the Six Nations starts

today, with Scotland v Ireland And with the Super Bowl being live

on BBC One tomorrow night we thought we'd leave you with predictions

from a man who has one I'm a two-time Super Bowl champion

with the New York Giants. I'm the Ambassador of football in the United

Kingdom. Atlanta Falcons, they are the upstarts. Viewing them patriots,

seven times in the Super Bowl and they have only lost twice, and that

is when I played them with the New York Giants -- New England Patriot.

I'm rooting for Atlanta Falcons, I think they will win. Last year I was

a fan of PSG, but now I'm a fan of Manchester United because of

Ibrahimovic. Romelu Lukaku. Great player, I think he will score a

couple of goals, so I will go 3-1, Everton. Firmino just signed a new

deal and I will go with Liverpool, 2-1. Dele Alli to score a couple of

goals, and maybe my man Harry Kane can come through. I will go with

them 4-0. I'm not going to pick against Manchester United, of course

Manchester United. Ibrahimovic to have a hat-trick in this game, man.

Tom Jones, obviously. Winston Churchill.

Invented the bicycle. The internet. Telephone.