0:00:40 > 0:00:44Welcome to the last Football Focus for 2017.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46The tree is still here, the gifts are gone,
0:00:46 > 0:00:50but we still have plenty to keep you busy.
0:00:50 > 0:00:57Chelsea's record signing, Morata, on the special Spanish connection.
0:00:57 > 0:01:04We are friends, we have a very good connection.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Back in a big way, Significant Samuel on what tempted
0:01:06 > 0:01:08him out of retirement.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Only because it is Everton, I turned a number of jobs done before that,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16and this one was realistically too good to turn down.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19It's been another big week of action in the Premier League,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21plenty to bring you up to date with.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22A record-setting Dutchman departs Southampton.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27And a Portugese manager swaps Sheffield for Swansea.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29And preparing for a new year with a difference?
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas
0:01:31 > 0:01:36gets ready for the Dakar Rally.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40It has been in the family for quite some time, and I have been to Dakar
0:01:40 > 0:01:43two times.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45And who better to see off the year?
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Martin Keown and Mark Lawrenson are in the studio
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and ready to say farewell to 2017.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53It's all a bit hard to follow at this time of year,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55but we are into a new round of Premier League fixtures.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Nine games over the next two days.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58We'll be live at Chelsea
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and struggling Bournemouth during the show.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Also in that scrap at the bottom are Newcastle,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05at home to Brighton today.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Carlos Carvalhal in charge of Swansea for the first time today
0:02:08 > 0:02:10after being sacked by Sheffield Wednesday.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11They are away at Watford.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Manchester United need a win after two draws
0:02:13 > 0:02:15so far over Christmas.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18They're home to Southampton in the late kick-off.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Tomorrow, runaway leaders Manchester City
0:02:20 > 0:02:22are at Crystal Palace, with West Brom home to Arsenal.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Let's start at Stamford Bridge, though,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and Chelsea's record signing, Alvaro Morata.
0:02:27 > 0:02:35He's been speaking to Caroline De Moraes.
0:02:35 > 0:02:41Who needs Diego Costa?! At Stamford Bridge, Alvaro Morata...
0:02:47 > 0:02:53Morata should score, does score!I read that you suggested he is the
0:02:53 > 0:03:04sort of Man U wouldn't mind your daughter marrying.Yeah!There was a
0:03:04 > 0:03:08lot of speculation about where you would go in the summer, why did you
0:03:08 > 0:03:12choose England and Chelsea?I think the league is the best league in the
0:03:12 > 0:03:18world, and I want to try and experience here, and I think Chelsea
0:03:18 > 0:03:27is the best club for me, and when I was little, I would see Fernando and
0:03:27 > 0:03:32Drogba, Lampard, Terry, and I want to come here, and now I am here, and
0:03:32 > 0:03:37I really enjoy it.A lot of Spanish players in the squad, who spends
0:03:37 > 0:03:42time with them off the pitch?Yeah, we are many Spanish players here,
0:03:42 > 0:03:48and I go to dinner with them, and I enjoy playing with all of these
0:03:48 > 0:03:54players, because they are very good persons, and every one help me here
0:03:54 > 0:04:01with everything.Azpilicueta coming forward, lovely drifting cross,
0:04:01 > 0:04:07Morata!It is an amazing combination, incredible how many
0:04:07 > 0:04:12times it has happened.There is a good link between them.Your
0:04:12 > 0:04:16relationship with Cesar Azpilicueta, in particular, on the pitch is
0:04:16 > 0:04:21fantastic, did that come naturally, or did you have to work at it?No,
0:04:21 > 0:04:25this thing come naturally, we are friends, we have a very good
0:04:25 > 0:04:31connection, and I have this connection too with many team-mates,
0:04:31 > 0:04:39but this year I think we have worked very hard with Azpi, I really enjoy
0:04:39 > 0:04:44this thing, and I hope to continue like this until the end of the
0:04:44 > 0:04:49season.You seem to adapt to English football very quickly, what are the
0:04:49 > 0:04:52main differences between La Liga and the Premier League?The most
0:04:52 > 0:05:03difference is the rhythm, here it is box to box, you can have time to
0:05:03 > 0:05:10relax, it is always hard, and you need to be 100% of your feet,
0:05:10 > 0:05:15because it is a very physical league.Chelsea are 16 points behind
0:05:15 > 0:05:19the leaders, Manchester City, you think you are still in the race for
0:05:19 > 0:05:23the title?We need to try, we are Chelsea, and we need to fight every
0:05:23 > 0:05:27game. It is very difficult that Manchester City lose or draw, but I
0:05:27 > 0:05:32think it is impossible to win all the games, and we need to win all
0:05:32 > 0:05:36our games to catchment Chester city.
0:05:36 > 0:05:44Good to hear from him. £70 million it costs them.Nothing!He has
0:05:44 > 0:05:49settled in well?He has done great, and he has got to score, because he
0:05:49 > 0:05:56is a striker, excuse me, and he has got to follow Costa, which is not
0:05:56 > 0:05:59easy, because it gives you a little bit more. He has done exceptional so
0:05:59 > 0:06:00far.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Kevin Kilbane picked this out on Match Of The Day over
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Christmas, but the link-up between Alvaro Morata
0:06:04 > 0:06:05and Azpilicueta is remarkable.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Already level with Lampard and Drogba, and Fabregas
0:06:07 > 0:06:10and Costa for a season.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14It won't be now that you have mentioned! Six times he has put in a
0:06:14 > 0:06:24perfect goal, very similar.They seem to have this telepathic thing,
0:06:24 > 0:06:30Keegan and Toshack, there are players like that, maybe there is
0:06:30 > 0:06:34something about it that he looks for his fellow countryman, but they are
0:06:34 > 0:06:39great balls, great assists, and he knows they are coming. A big act to
0:06:39 > 0:06:45follow, coming in for Costa, I think he has quality about him, he purrs
0:06:45 > 0:06:48across the pitch. Chelsea are not in with a chance of winning the league,
0:06:48 > 0:06:55because of City, and he has been a good addition, but a big ask,
0:06:55 > 0:07:00following Costa.The crosses from Azpilicueta are outstanding.All
0:07:00 > 0:07:04perfect. Going forward, what will Chelsea do with their place? There
0:07:04 > 0:07:08are questions about the manager at the end of the season, trying to
0:07:08 > 0:07:14sign Courtois, Eden Hazard's dad has been speaking about his contract, is
0:07:14 > 0:07:18it important for them to sort that out?I think has and will go. I
0:07:18 > 0:07:22think he has been tempted by Real Madrid, and to be honest with you,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26he would be a perfect fit for something like that. You know,
0:07:26 > 0:07:31Chelsea supporters will be moaning, so all our players! But he will have
0:07:31 > 0:07:37done his time, top player, of all of the players going to Real Madrid or
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Barcelona, he is one of those players.He is the sort of manager
0:07:41 > 0:07:44who, if he does not want to stay, you will get him out, and perhaps
0:07:44 > 0:07:50that is healthy, and has it needs to go to that next level of Messi and
0:07:50 > 0:07:57Ronaldo. He shows flashes, but something holds him back.I think
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Dan said that he might even go before Hazard.There is some
0:08:00 > 0:08:02uncertainty.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Stoke are the visitors at Stamford Bridge.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Huge four points for the Potters over Christmas.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11Steve Bower is there, I am sure they enjoyed their turkey on Christmas
0:08:11 > 0:08:18Day, Stoke!Absolutely massive, those points for Stoke, who we know
0:08:18 > 0:08:22have been struggling this season. I saw them against Spurs at Wembley,
0:08:22 > 0:08:26when frankly, in the second half, they downed tools, Mark Hughes was
0:08:26 > 0:08:32furious. But the win against West Brom, particularly, to give them a
0:08:32 > 0:08:35bit of breathing space, take the heat of macro, then following it up,
0:08:35 > 0:08:40going behind at Huddersfield to take a draw, that was huge. They will not
0:08:40 > 0:08:44expect much today. Until last season, Mark Hughes had always
0:08:44 > 0:08:48delivered a top-ten finish for Stoke, but the fans may have got
0:08:48 > 0:08:52carried away. Away from home is where they have struggled, and today
0:08:52 > 0:08:58they are down to the bare bones, five defenders out today, an entire
0:08:58 > 0:09:04back four, including captain Ryan Shawcross, Bruno Martins Indi. They
0:09:04 > 0:09:07will have to include one or maybe two academy defenders, so a huge
0:09:07 > 0:09:12ask. They rely on Peter Crouch, they are wrapping him in cotton wool and
0:09:12 > 0:09:1736 years of age, their joint top scorer in all competitions, so in
0:09:17 > 0:09:20January they need to find goals from somewhere. Today it is all about
0:09:20 > 0:09:23keeping them out against the miserly defence of Chelsea at one end and
0:09:23 > 0:09:26the goals that have been no problem with those home wins in a row for
0:09:26 > 0:09:31Chelsea. They have got back on terms here, and Stoke with the worst
0:09:31 > 0:09:35defence in the Premier League, it might be a very long afternoon. I
0:09:35 > 0:09:40was going to tell you that the last time they won here was November
0:09:40 > 0:09:452014, but I knew you already knew that, Dan!Of course, I will jot
0:09:45 > 0:09:47that down for later use!
0:09:47 > 0:09:49The reigning champions in third, then, 16 points behind
0:09:49 > 0:09:50the runaway leaders, Manchester City.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52On Wednesday night, Newcastle were the latest team
0:09:52 > 0:09:54to face the blue juggernaut.
0:09:59 > 0:10:05Newcastle United against this remarkable City team, looking to
0:10:05 > 0:10:09extend what is already an English league record, 17 consecutive league
0:10:09 > 0:10:16wins. Fernandinho plays a dim, Sergio Aguero with a chance in the
0:10:16 > 0:10:25six yard box! Courts laid by Murphy, free kick to Manchester City.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30Towards the near post, a glancing header, brilliantly saved!It is
0:10:30 > 0:10:36difficult to play when the other team does not want to play.You have
0:10:36 > 0:10:39to think carefully about the team you're playing against.This must go
0:10:39 > 0:10:44down as one of the most negative approach is I have seen from a home
0:10:44 > 0:10:50team in the Premier League. Aguero shoots, narrowly wide!We created
0:10:50 > 0:10:56enough chances to win 4-0.Brilliant pass for Sterling, who steers it in,
0:10:56 > 0:11:02what a pass from De Bruyne! Magnificent run in behind, hell of a
0:11:02 > 0:11:10finish.He slices and goalwards, headed over the crossbar! On his
0:11:10 > 0:11:13right foot, it hits the post, comes out to a Guerra, who was in an
0:11:13 > 0:11:20offside position! -- Aguero.That is a dive, and the referee gets it
0:11:20 > 0:11:31spot-on.Diving header, narrowly wide! Only 1-0 in the end for
0:11:31 > 0:11:36Manchester City.
0:11:39 > 0:11:39Lidl
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Manchester City 15 points clear at the top.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Manchester United had a 13 point lead in 1993, but we have never seen
0:11:47 > 0:11:50a lead of this size at this stage of the season.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58Did you expect their dominance to be as impressive? Is it all down to
0:11:58 > 0:12:04Guardiola?Of course it is, we saw last season that Conte was a
0:12:04 > 0:12:07pragmatic manager, three at the back, but it is the artistry of the
0:12:07 > 0:12:11team, we talked about De Bruyne's feed being like paintbrushes.When
0:12:11 > 0:12:17you say we, you mentioned it!If you like at the DNA of the side of
0:12:17 > 0:12:26Barcelona over the years, Iniesta replaced by De Bruyne and Silva, it
0:12:26 > 0:12:29is not too different, there is no Messi in the team, but the team is
0:12:29 > 0:12:34really switched on to winning.It is his players, and you have to mention
0:12:34 > 0:12:39the money.That is what I was going to say, Mourinho had a bit of a
0:12:39 > 0:12:44Noble about the money.He is the last person to have a moan about the
0:12:44 > 0:12:49money, surely. It is teams down the bottom who could say that. He has
0:12:49 > 0:12:52bought outstanding players and make them better. That is the thing, he
0:12:52 > 0:12:58has made them better, so many there as well. They are the best team I
0:12:58 > 0:13:02have seen for many, many years.
0:13:04 > 0:13:10A case in point, Raheem Sterling, great finish.When he played at
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Liverpool, he was a reactive player, right?Yes.He reacted to
0:13:14 > 0:13:19everything. When he first went to City, he wasn't sure what he was
0:13:19 > 0:13:22doing, and it didn't always come off.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Now he knows what he has got, and the way he plays, the way he
0:13:27 > 0:13:32interacts with his team-mates, he has become what everyone expected.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35They did not start so well at the beginning of the season, but now
0:13:35 > 0:13:38these are major players. I am wondering if they can win this in
0:13:38 > 0:13:45March.Yeah, yeah.12 more wins and they are champions. When you are in
0:13:45 > 0:13:49the mix, they know they can keep doing it. 12 games and they will be
0:13:49 > 0:13:52champions.One negative is the Vincent Kompany injury. Newcastle
0:13:52 > 0:13:56were heavily criticised in some quarters for the way they played,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59incredibly negative, can you understand what they were trying to
0:13:59 > 0:14:04do?Of course you can! Every team they play, apart from Tottenham,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08they were one of the last teams to try to take them on, maybe Arsenal a
0:14:08 > 0:14:18little bit. But all the teams down the bottom, Dan, if you are Rafa
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Benitez, you don't want to get done five at home, even though you can
0:14:21 > 0:14:24say they are beating everyone. You have got to keep a threat.You refer
0:14:24 > 0:14:27to a boxing match, you are going to cover up or get knocked out, Roy
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Hodgson has said, we will have to go after you at some point, it might be
0:14:31 > 0:14:37a team like that that under City, but it is unlikely.Even more
0:14:37 > 0:14:41important, Brighton at home, Stoke in Swansea, Newcastle have got to
0:14:41 > 0:14:45pick up points.Yeah, but we are sick of hearing about the takeover,
0:14:45 > 0:14:52the money and one thing and another. They have got to get on with it
0:14:52 > 0:14:54until it changes, but in answer to your question, yes.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Seems a long time ago that Sam Allardyce was
0:14:57 > 0:14:58the Newcastle manager.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00He's now enjoying a new start on Merseyside.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Seven games into his Everton tenure, still undefeated.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Time for a chat with Juliette Ferrington.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11I Dave Farrar Everton to forget. It should have been seven or eight.
0:15:11 > 0:15:18They were awful. Resounding boos from the Everton faithful.The heat
0:15:18 > 0:15:23is on Ronald Koeman. There is an ill feeling around the place, negative
0:15:23 > 0:15:30feeling.Ronald Koeman has been sacked.Big Sam is back. There was a
0:15:30 > 0:15:33bit of a negative feel around the place before you came in. Did you
0:15:33 > 0:15:38envisage it would be in the position you find yourselves and now, going
0:15:38 > 0:15:42into the New Year?No, I am delighted that players have taken
0:15:42 > 0:15:45the pressure of themselves, starting with the West Ham game and moving on
0:15:45 > 0:15:50from there. There is resilience in the team, to pick up points against
0:15:50 > 0:15:56the teams were probably nobody thought we were going to pick up
0:15:56 > 0:15:59points, Liverpool and Chelsea. To be able to do that in such a short
0:15:59 > 0:16:04period of time, the transition from having a leaky team that concedes a
0:16:04 > 0:16:08lot of goals to being resilient and stopping the opposition scoring, it
0:16:08 > 0:16:14has been a major turnaround, which gives us a great platform to be
0:16:14 > 0:16:20better in all areas.What has been the difference, why has it happened
0:16:20 > 0:16:29so quickly? Do you know climbs -- do you know?You have to see what is
0:16:29 > 0:16:34the key problem at this football club when you arrive. They conceded
0:16:34 > 0:16:38too many goals. That was the first thing we had to put right. The
0:16:38 > 0:16:43resilience has been the biggest thing from the players and their
0:16:43 > 0:16:46application has been outstanding. In terms of goal-scoring opportunities,
0:16:46 > 0:16:52I think we have done very well. That is beginning to get a bit tighter
0:16:52 > 0:16:58again. That is an area of concern. We have strikers at the club, but
0:16:58 > 0:17:04unfortunately for them, not just with me, before I got here, they
0:17:04 > 0:17:09have not been able to produce. We can try and put somebody in that
0:17:09 > 0:17:12position in January, but certainly the players have done so well that
0:17:12 > 0:17:18we do not have to panic.When you talk about strikers, I know Wayne
0:17:18 > 0:17:23Rooney has recovered from his nasty injury that he had.-- and as the
0:17:23 > 0:17:28illness. He is not a striker any more. He has not been a striker for
0:17:28 > 0:17:34a while. His long, illustrious career has taken him into a deeper
0:17:34 > 0:17:38role, when he uses his talent and experience much better in that role
0:17:38 > 0:17:44than he ever well as a striker.But he is scoring goals, he seems to
0:17:44 > 0:17:48have settled back in?Yes, but we need goals from other places as
0:17:48 > 0:17:54well. I was just thinking about Seamus Coleman. His contribution
0:17:54 > 0:17:59over the last couple of years has been five or six goals a year. That
0:17:59 > 0:18:04is massive for a fullback. You put the other feel back to squirt to
0:18:04 > 0:18:09Mike Worsley, centre-halves to get four, midfield players to get seven
0:18:09 > 0:18:14or eight, defensive midfield players, one or two macro, and you
0:18:14 > 0:18:16accumulate those together and you have another goal is to finish
0:18:16 > 0:18:21eighth or better.As simple as that. In the summer, you were undecided
0:18:21 > 0:18:25about whether you wanted to come back into club football.I do kind
0:18:25 > 0:18:31of glad that you did? Only because it is Everton. I turned a number of
0:18:31 > 0:18:36jobs down before that, and this one was realistically too good to turn
0:18:36 > 0:18:41down, too good to not come out of retirement to try and bring as much
0:18:41 > 0:18:44success to Everton as I possibly can.
0:18:44 > 0:18:50He had a bad cold this week, so thanks for talking to us.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54He has the Merseyside derby to come in the FA Cup as well in a couple of
0:18:54 > 0:19:00weeks' time. Still undefeated since his arrival. They have improved
0:19:00 > 0:19:05incredibly, they are fifth in the form table since he took over.It is
0:19:05 > 0:19:11the Sam Allardyce effect, he has changed the system. There are more
0:19:11 > 0:19:17direct. Lawro is laughing. There is now eyeing team. Exactly, you're not
0:19:17 > 0:19:24wrong. Sam has definitely improved the Everton team. Straightaway you
0:19:24 > 0:19:27are seeing Pigford hitting balls long to the front players, he finds
0:19:27 > 0:19:31a position for Wayne Rooney, playing with three at the back, he has put
0:19:31 > 0:19:37his arm around a central defenders. Before, they were defending terribly
0:19:37 > 0:19:43and want on one situations. Keane is back to what we now expect. Bigger
0:19:43 > 0:19:47games coming up with Manchester United in the distance.Yannick
0:19:47 > 0:19:53Bolasie is back, Ross Barkley is back, players are coming back.They
0:19:53 > 0:19:58need a striker. It is hard to get a good striker in January. They are
0:19:58 > 0:20:03looking at a fellow from Besiktas, Cenk Tosun.It is a drop in the
0:20:03 > 0:20:09ocean.With Lukaku gone, they need somebody to do that job.Not only
0:20:09 > 0:20:15that, but that would kick again. What he has done so far has been
0:20:15 > 0:20:18outstanding, but if you're struggling for goals, eventually
0:20:18 > 0:20:22will have a bad patch. If you have someone who hates the ground
0:20:22 > 0:20:26running, you have a chance of staying high in the league.Lukaku
0:20:26 > 0:20:30was allowed to leave, what on earth was happening there? Ross Barkley is
0:20:30 > 0:20:36training. We would love to see back in and Everton shirt, and maybe Sam
0:20:36 > 0:20:38can convince to stay.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41A visit to the Vitality Stadium awaits Everton today,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44as does John Motson.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Merry Christmas and happy New Year and all that when it comes.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49They've done so well under Eddie Howe, but they're
0:20:49 > 0:20:52struggling at the moment.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56They are. If this was three years ago, bearing in mind where
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Bournemouth have come from, they're a great adventure, getting to where
0:20:59 > 0:21:04they have is an established Premier League club, it would not lead to
0:21:04 > 0:21:10great surprise to see them in the bottom three, but that is where they
0:21:10 > 0:21:13are. That prompts two things in my mind. First, Eddie Howe, who has
0:21:13 > 0:21:17always insisted Bournemouth will play the same way, they're are nice
0:21:17 > 0:21:20passing game along the ground, he has always said he will not
0:21:20 > 0:21:24compromise that. It makes me wonder if things got more tricky you might
0:21:24 > 0:21:28have to have second thoughts, something perhaps Mark Lawrenson
0:21:28 > 0:21:33would have a view on. Secondly, everyone gets injuries, we all know
0:21:33 > 0:21:38that, but Bournemouth have been deprived of five key players, Harry
0:21:38 > 0:21:52Arter, Daniels, Andrew Surman, Jermain Defoe for a long
0:21:53 > 0:21:56time and now Junior Stanislas. It is a tricky time for Eddie Howe, is
0:21:56 > 0:21:58specially with them conceding so many goals. At this moment in time,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01you would not want to be playing Everton who have had such a good
0:22:01 > 0:22:03record and Sam Allardyce. Interesting that you see that and
0:22:03 > 0:22:06you bring in Mark Lawrenson. Martin was making a point about the number
0:22:06 > 0:22:09of goals that they have conceded. Levin in the last three matches.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14They do try and overplay from the back. Lots of them or of their own
0:22:14 > 0:22:18making. I am still with you. I just want to
0:22:18 > 0:22:23refer back to something. People say goals, goals, goals. It was 3-3 and
0:22:23 > 0:22:28boxing -- on Boxing Day. I was here two years ago when Bournemouth and
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Everton mad. We had this dramatic moment
0:22:30 > 0:22:31Everton mad. We had this dramatic moment in the last minutes of the
0:22:31 > 0:22:37game. The away fans were in the corner and Everton score in the 90th
0:22:37 > 0:22:42minute with Ross Barkley making it 3-2. Well the celebrations were
0:22:42 > 0:22:46going on with the fans and the players, the referee decided, only
0:22:46 > 0:22:51for that reason, to add another couple of minutes of injury time. If
0:22:51 > 0:22:54you remember, and even if you do not, I will tell you, Bournemouth
0:22:54 > 0:22:59went on the attack and that the other end Junior Stanislas scored
0:22:59 > 0:23:05the equaliser. It ended 3-3, just like the game on Boxing Day. When I
0:23:05 > 0:23:08spoke to Sam Allardyce this morning, I thought, I better not mention too
0:23:08 > 0:23:14many goals because he does not concede them. We got into a
0:23:14 > 0:23:17conversation about retirement which I have not got time to tell you
0:23:17 > 0:23:22about. He has not retired, he is back in the game. It would be lovely
0:23:22 > 0:23:27to have lots of goals today. The conditions on the south coast,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31bearing in mind the conditions the UK has had to put up with this week,
0:23:31 > 0:23:38are fantastic.I hope the game is just as good. Tell us in more detail
0:23:38 > 0:23:41about that conversation with Sam Allardyce.Why has he got his
0:23:41 > 0:23:47sheepskin on if it is fantastic?He is overdressed.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49So Bournemouth start the day in the bottom three,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52but it's Swansea rooted to the foot of the table and are in
0:23:52 > 0:23:54danger or starting 2018 adrift at the bottom.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57A new manager appointed this week in the shape of the former
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04I believe, also, that there are no easy jobs in football, but
0:24:04 > 0:24:04I believe, also, that there are no easy jobs in football, but some of
0:24:04 > 0:24:10them are harder than others. This is one that is really very hard.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Probably that is why I am here. I like this kind of challenge. I am a
0:24:14 > 0:24:20positive person. I will try to give the everybody my positive feelings,
0:24:20 > 0:24:25and try to improve things.He was sacked by Sheffield Wednesday on
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Christmas Eve, a new job in the Premier League. Paul Clement, the
0:24:29 > 0:24:33way it went, it proves a point you made recently, that for the first
0:24:33 > 0:24:38time in a long time, Swansea do not have a succession plan.The always
0:24:38 > 0:24:43had a plan a and it always works. They do not have a plan B. Some of
0:24:43 > 0:24:53their choices of manager was bold, what they did not change the way
0:24:53 > 0:24:55they played, so you have players for the system. Now they have completely
0:24:55 > 0:24:58throw that away. You look at this football club now and you're
0:24:58 > 0:25:00thinking, what has happened?That is a point that will have annoyed
0:25:00 > 0:25:06Swansea fans this week, an interview with Huw Jenkins. What he says is
0:25:06 > 0:25:10quite interesting, this is the chairman. They could not buy until
0:25:10 > 0:25:14they had sold in the summer, and Gylfi Sigurdsson went on the final
0:25:14 > 0:25:19base so they had no money to reinvest in the club. They had to
0:25:19 > 0:25:22sell Jonjo Shelvey to Newcastle, they could not afford £11 million
0:25:22 > 0:25:27for Joe Allen when he left Liverpool and went to Stoke. That is an
0:25:27 > 0:25:31indictment. The new owners from America are there but they are not
0:25:31 > 0:25:34putting in money for a player acquisition.This is part of the
0:25:34 > 0:25:47problem. I think he was talking about 2016 when they did not want to
0:25:47 > 0:25:50go into that position again. I know he has sold his shares. He is a
0:25:50 > 0:25:53businessman as well. There is no other place they will end but in the
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Championship. The Sigurdsson deal took forever. There was no time left
0:25:56 > 0:26:01to any purchases. In the January window, the new manager is coming
0:26:01 > 0:26:04in, he has said he will work with the players but he will need a
0:26:04 > 0:26:09miracle to get them out of trouble. Can you see any hope?Loaves and
0:26:09 > 0:26:14fishes. That means they require a medical, for those of you who do not
0:26:14 > 0:26:18know. I referred to the honourable gentleman on my right. Feeding the
0:26:18 > 0:26:255000. This season, Watford are almost a perfect mirror of what they
0:26:25 > 0:26:31were like under Walter Mazzarri.An important victory against Leicester.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36Much needed. Do you think they can continue in the second half of the
0:26:36 > 0:26:40season and be as impressive as they have in the first half?I do not see
0:26:40 > 0:26:44why not. I am not sure that Troy Deeney will be deal at the end of
0:26:44 > 0:26:49the transfer window. He might move on. The manager has done a good job.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53He has not been there that long. You do not look it Watford and expect
0:26:53 > 0:26:58them to be in the bottom six.There are better than that. This time last
0:26:58 > 0:27:02year, they beat Arsenal after Christmas. Maybe they can beat City.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07It may give us hope in the Premier League, make a game of it.Thank
0:27:07 > 0:27:11you. Another of the teams have made a managerial swap the season at
0:27:11 > 0:27:16Crystal Palace. They are up to an under Roy Hodgson was put to the
0:27:16 > 0:27:18test by Arsenal. Remember that? Thursday
0:27:18 > 0:27:23test by Arsenal. Remember that? Thursday night that was.Tonight is
0:27:23 > 0:27:26going to be the coldest night of the year. Six of the Arsenal players are
0:27:26 > 0:27:32wearing gloves. Here it comes, into the penalty area. Benteke. The
0:27:32 > 0:27:41defence helps. Lacazette, and to his feet. Left footed. That might have
0:27:41 > 0:27:45crept inside the post. A goal for Arsenal. Shkodran Mustafi helps it
0:27:45 > 0:27:50in. He thought he was helping it away from danger but Shkodran
0:27:50 > 0:27:56Mustafi was lurking at the back post. Wilfried Zaha, the cross.
0:27:56 > 0:28:02Andros Townsend. It is the equaliser. Simple as that. Wilfried
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Zaha with the low cross from the left, and how much time and space
0:28:06 > 0:28:14did the Arsenal defence give Andros Townsend? Ten yards inside the
0:28:14 > 0:28:18penalty area, into the box, headed down by Alexis Sanchez. Lacazette,
0:28:18 > 0:28:24back to Sanchez, and he touched it in the near post.Arsenal have
0:28:24 > 0:28:30regained the lead. An excellent strike from Sanchez, clean, if flat
0:28:30 > 0:28:35straight, Julian Speroni has little chance to react it was so powerful.
0:28:35 > 0:28:41Jack Wilshere, or over the top, Alexis Sanchez is on to this. He
0:28:41 > 0:28:46beats Julian Speroni. A brilliant goal, really good from Alexis
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Sanchez. What the ball from Jack Wilshere, one touch to control it
0:28:49 > 0:28:56and shoot. Arsenal have got their third. This is the corner, floated
0:28:56 > 0:29:04in. Headed down. An excellent goal for Crystal Palace. James Tomkins
0:29:04 > 0:29:11makes it 2-3. They phase West Brom this week.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15Let's start with the Lexus Sanchez. Martin Keown, you're having none of
0:29:15 > 0:29:19it, the dressing room bust up, it was rumoured that he had a fallout
0:29:19 > 0:29:23with the shell me after the Burnley game, and the lack of celebration
0:29:23 > 0:29:28after his first goal?There is no doubt he is a special player. You
0:29:28 > 0:29:31make allowances for him. You have not necessarily got to get on with
0:29:31 > 0:29:37them. I never really celebrated when I scored similar goals. Arsene
0:29:37 > 0:29:43Wenger accuse me of not running for another game. To boost my distance
0:29:43 > 0:29:48covered, I started to spread, to put my stats up a little bit.He's
0:29:48 > 0:29:54saying the Lacazette, where are they?If you are a central defender
0:29:54 > 0:30:01and 50 yards away, it is a 100 yard round-trip. Can I not give him a big
0:30:01 > 0:30:07thumbs up. He wants to go, so what? I feel they have been overindulged,
0:30:07 > 0:30:11both him and Mesut Ozil. I have made the analogy of young kids, when you
0:30:11 > 0:30:16go out in public, they will let you down if you spoil them too much.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21They have been overindulged and at times petulant. They have turned the
0:30:21 > 0:30:27cap on and off, and these two capable of doing that. In the
0:30:27 > 0:30:30previous Liverpool game, Sanchez was rubbish and suddenly brilliant.That
0:30:30 > 0:30:34is the case of player power, it has completely turned.The club are
0:30:34 > 0:30:41unable to stand up to them?What can they do. Arsene Wenger is trying to
0:30:41 > 0:30:45get these two and the pitch every week, in the most difficult period
0:30:45 > 0:30:49of his managerial career.I think is most difficult period was looking
0:30:49 > 0:30:57after you. That is 24.5 hours a day. Like Miazga by Jack Wilshere, four
0:30:57 > 0:31:04consecutive starts.How is he playing?Good. In this instance, the
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Palace midfield gave him too much space, to provide the ball for
0:31:07 > 0:31:15Sanchez. Do you like what you're seeing?He has personality. He has
0:31:15 > 0:31:20vision and ability. He is tenacious. He looks really fit as well. Who
0:31:20 > 0:31:25cares if he plays for England? It is great to see him back in there, five
0:31:25 > 0:31:29games on the trot in the Premier League. Six before in the Europa
0:31:29 > 0:31:40League. He is back in business. I did Arsene Wenger to drop.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43There are rumours about Wilfried Zaha going to Arsenal in the
0:31:43 > 0:31:48transfer window, he had a chance at Manchester United, it didn't work
0:31:48 > 0:31:51out, as he matured?If you are Crystal Palace, you are selling the
0:31:51 > 0:31:55Crown Jewels if you let him go, because when you look at where the
0:31:55 > 0:31:59majority of their goals are coming from, it is Wilfried Zaha.He was
0:31:59 > 0:32:06there last signing, I do feel he is a better footballer now, a dangerous
0:32:06 > 0:32:12player.Quick word on West Brom, they have not won since August, only
0:32:12 > 0:32:1814 goals in 20 games.When Pardew took the job, I was a price, maybe
0:32:18 > 0:32:22his last big chance in the Premier League. If he doesn't improve, they
0:32:22 > 0:32:25will end up in the Championship. They have got a few more
0:32:25 > 0:32:34forward-looking players, but they can't get a win.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Arsene Wenger will break Sir Alex Ferguson's Premier League
0:32:36 > 0:32:38record of 810 games in charge when Arsenal travel
0:32:38 > 0:32:39to West Brom tomorrow.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42We can't finish 2017 without talking about the man who's been breaking
0:32:42 > 0:32:46all the goal scoring records. about the man who's been breaking
0:32:46 > 0:32:47That about the man who's been breaking
0:32:47 > 0:32:50That rush about the man who's been breaking
0:32:50 > 0:32:50That rush of about the man who's been breaking
0:32:50 > 0:32:50That rush of goals, unbelievable, about the man who's been breaking
0:32:50 > 0:32:59That rush of goals, unbelievable, not much that combos to it.Kane!A
0:32:59 > 0:33:06predatory finish from Tottenham's goal king.Harry Kane! You never
0:33:06 > 0:33:13know what chances you are going to get, right foot, left foot.He has
0:33:13 > 0:33:25beaten Mignolet, and he has scored. Array Kane again for Tottenham.
0:33:25 > 0:33:36Clinical from Kane.It is one of the best feelings ever.I will say it
0:33:36 > 0:33:43again, it is Kane!If I go a game or two without scoring, I missed that
0:33:43 > 0:33:55feeling.Kane! Oh, yes!Oh! That is fantastic!What a special strike!
0:33:55 > 0:34:06Scoring goals is an obsession for me.Yet another hat-trick for Kane,
0:34:06 > 0:34:12impossible in 2017!Are you feeling all right?!To score that many goals
0:34:12 > 0:34:24in a year, it is something I have drained.Harry Kane, he has done it!
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Impressive statistics whatever way you look at it, those are the goals
0:34:27 > 0:34:28for club and country.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35He has got a bit of an illness at the moment, three Premier League
0:34:35 > 0:34:41hat-trick on the trot he is going for. It has never been done in the
0:34:41 > 0:34:47Premier League, but we forget, in 1946, Liverpool's Jack Balmer did
0:34:47 > 0:34:53three hat-tricks back-to-back.Were you there?Very good(!) A bit of
0:34:53 > 0:34:59noise there, I don't know what it was.Whatever he does in his next
0:34:59 > 0:35:04game...He has been brilliant. And also the variety of goals, left
0:35:04 > 0:35:09foot, right foot, headed. The thing is, Dan, it is not just the goals,
0:35:09 > 0:35:15everything he does is for the team, not just for him.If you are looking
0:35:15 > 0:35:18for improvement, only four goals in the Premier League with his head,
0:35:18 > 0:35:24could he be better in that area? Flick it up for himself like Roy of
0:35:24 > 0:35:30the Rovers?It will come, 12 goals from his left foot, quite brilliant
0:35:30 > 0:35:33how he keeps doing it.People probably, if you didn't know his
0:35:33 > 0:35:38stats, would guess he scored more headers than he has. But that is to
0:35:38 > 0:35:43do with the crosses. But he is a team player, a thoroughly nice bloke
0:35:43 > 0:35:48as well.There I say it, can Spurs hold onto him? They are making him a
0:35:48 > 0:35:52superstar, they would give him the most money, there is something in
0:35:52 > 0:35:56keeping him, but he will not win a trophy this year, certainly not the
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Premier League.For my fantasy football team next week, two games
0:35:59 > 0:36:05in a few days, then the FA come, would you play him in both?Why not?
0:36:05 > 0:36:11That is what I want to hear!The scores goals, he wins you the games.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15Momentum, try to keep them out of the team, he wants to play.Who have
0:36:15 > 0:36:21they got in the FA Cup?I will find out for you.That might be the game
0:36:21 > 0:36:25that he misses, rather than the league games.I will remember my
0:36:25 > 0:36:31third round draw. Wimbledon?At home?You might be warming the bench
0:36:31 > 0:36:39that day.We got there in the end!
0:36:40 > 0:36:43And we'll be hearing from the former Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas,
0:36:43 > 0:36:45who got a rather nifty car for Christmas.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47He'll be driving this in the Dakar Rally next weekend.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Another man with an expensive Christmas present is
0:36:49 > 0:36:51the Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, who's got a shiny new
0:36:51 > 0:36:53central defender in Southampton's Virgil van Dijk.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56The fee - £75 million - has caused quite a stir.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57What do the Saints make of it?
0:36:57 > 0:37:07Rachel Stringer has been talking to full back Matt Targett.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12How was your Christmas?It was all right, got to spend the morning with
0:37:12 > 0:37:17my family, then training in the afternoon.IGas, looking back on
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Christmas last year, when you had your operation, you were injured,
0:37:19 > 0:37:25things were quite different.It has been a lot different. This time last
0:37:25 > 0:37:29day, I was on crutches, I couldn't even walk, I had Christmas at home
0:37:29 > 0:37:34with the family, it was nice, but on the other hand you want to be with
0:37:34 > 0:37:38the boys, helping the team. Liverpool finally got their man, and
0:37:38 > 0:37:43and sync Virgil van Dijk is joining the club at the beginning of the
0:37:43 > 0:37:49year in a world record deal for a defender at £75 million.Big changes
0:37:49 > 0:37:52this week at Southampton, Virgil van Dijk is leaving.A lot of
0:37:52 > 0:37:56speculation at the start of the season, he is a world-class
0:37:56 > 0:38:01defender, a very good player, so he has moved on, but we are still here,
0:38:01 > 0:38:07we have to knuckle down and carry on what we do.Everyone is talking
0:38:07 > 0:38:11about the 75 million, a record for a defender, massive money, what is
0:38:11 > 0:38:18your thought on that?The market is crazy now! That he is a very good
0:38:18 > 0:38:21defender, only time will tell if he carries on with the level of
0:38:21 > 0:38:28performance he has shown here. Very good purchase for Liverpool.What to
0:38:28 > 0:38:32think Liverpool can expect from him? What will you take into the dressing
0:38:32 > 0:38:37room?Good leadership qualities, composed on the ball, a big presence
0:38:37 > 0:38:42to have in your team, going to be a big loss. But then again, we have
0:38:42 > 0:38:47got 75 million, and we can invest in our squad to improve it.Against
0:38:47 > 0:38:57United, what have the team got to do to get a point or three?We have got
0:38:57 > 0:39:00to defend well, at the moment we are conceding too many goals, the main
0:39:00 > 0:39:03thing is to keep a clean sheet. It will be difficult, they have got
0:39:03 > 0:39:04good players, but that is the objective.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08You are watching that game at Old Trafford, when you think about all
0:39:08 > 0:39:15the players they have sold to Liverpool, that they are, since
0:39:15 > 0:39:192014, 160 £6 million worth, two defenders in the studio, 75 million
0:39:19 > 0:39:25for Virgil van Dijk, good business? It is massive money, that changes
0:39:25 > 0:39:29things for ever, it is a huge amount of money, he is a good player, he
0:39:29 > 0:39:33has been sulking for a number of months, he was injured, he has all
0:39:33 > 0:39:38the attributes to be...You like him a lot.I think everyone likes him,
0:39:38 > 0:39:44Dan.Quick, rapid, like a Rolls-Royce on the pitch, but he
0:39:44 > 0:39:49needs to form a partnership. He is not just going to come in and put
0:39:49 > 0:39:54everything right instantly.That is the key, when you sign a player like
0:39:54 > 0:39:57that, you think, I have signed a really good player, and you are
0:39:57 > 0:40:01looking for the reaction of whoever plays with them, so straightaway
0:40:01 > 0:40:05they are under pressure. By the way, he is under pressure, no fault of
0:40:05 > 0:40:11his own, I think it is a good sale, but I think he will turn out to be a
0:40:11 > 0:40:21good buy, yes.If we look at the top most expensive defenders, most of
0:40:21 > 0:40:26them play in Premier League football teams.The Premier League is a
0:40:26 > 0:40:29different world, and we should almost separated from the real
0:40:29 > 0:40:33world. The player himself, you cannot look at the figures involved.
0:40:33 > 0:40:41There is the top five by the way. That seems to be a standard amount
0:40:41 > 0:40:44of money for a full-back, things have changed, it will be 200 million
0:40:44 > 0:40:52for a defender.It will keep going up and up and up.What would you pay
0:40:52 > 0:40:58for Keown?Five and ten! He is nearly 50, why would you pay
0:40:58 > 0:41:05anything for him?!This was once Liverpool's record signing back in
0:41:05 > 0:41:121981.900,000.Yes, but can I say that VAT was 12%, so it took it over
0:41:12 > 0:41:16the £1 million mark!It was a different Liverpool, they were
0:41:16 > 0:41:22winning the European Cup, that is the thing, can he go in and raise
0:41:22 > 0:41:26the bar?You are still under immense pressure, because the fee is nothing
0:41:26 > 0:41:33to do with you, is it? It is just an agreement between the clubs. You are
0:41:33 > 0:41:36under massive pressure walking into the dressing room. They are all
0:41:36 > 0:41:41looking at me, who is this idiot from Preston?! So you have got to
0:41:41 > 0:41:47kind of settling really quickly.You did settle in well. Celtic are
0:41:47 > 0:41:51currently involved in the Old Firm derby against Rangers, that is
0:41:51 > 0:41:56currently 0-0. Details of that on final score for you this afternoon.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17There is plenty to celebrate at this time of year,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20but Christmas and New Year can be a difficult period for many.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Despite the huge sums of money in the game,
0:42:22 > 0:42:23it's no different for footballers.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27The players' union, the PFA, say more and more players
0:42:27 > 0:42:28are being affected by mental-health issues,
0:42:28 > 0:42:34as Mark Clemmit has been finding out.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46Over the past 12 months, one in-form us have suffered from some sort of
0:42:46 > 0:42:54mental health issue, accounting for 31% of sick notes and 65 million
0:42:54 > 0:42:57prescriptions for antidepressants. As we are about to hear, being a
0:42:57 > 0:43:06professional footballer is no guarantee of immunity. How many
0:43:06 > 0:43:11cases the think you are currently dealing with?We have 147 life cases
0:43:11 > 0:43:17at the moment.Karen and players and former players.Current and former
0:43:17 > 0:43:22players in therapeutic relationships, 147.There must be
0:43:22 > 0:43:26key moments in a player's career, maybe not making it as an
0:43:26 > 0:43:3118-year-old, early 30s, when you retire, something like that?Back in
0:43:31 > 0:43:37the day, it was early 30s, but now people are retiring from the game at
0:43:37 > 0:43:402627, the average career is just seven years. People see top players
0:43:40 > 0:43:45earning vast amounts, they think, why should they have problems? They
0:43:45 > 0:43:49are just a human being who plays football. Whatever industry or
0:43:49 > 0:43:55workplace you go into, people shouting the abuse that they do
0:43:55 > 0:44:00players, I have played the game, I know what it is like. Fortunately,
0:44:00 > 0:44:05players these days, they have got social media, but they are being
0:44:05 > 0:44:10abused there as well, a constant barrage of abuse, and it is hard for
0:44:10 > 0:44:18players.Press, at what point did you realise you had a problem?2012,
0:44:18 > 0:44:24when I left Wigan, that is when I noticed that I was getting very
0:44:24 > 0:44:30anxious, just not myself at all. I didn't really want to go anywhere, I
0:44:30 > 0:44:35didn't want to leave Wigan. The time I remember at Sheffield was when we
0:44:35 > 0:44:39played against Bolton at home, and I had a bad game, and I just didn't
0:44:39 > 0:44:46want to be there, I just thought, I wanted to get off the pitch, I
0:44:46 > 0:44:50signalled after about 25 Minister Andy, I want to come off, and he
0:44:50 > 0:44:56just went no, carry on. -- after about 25 minutes. The first year and
0:44:56 > 0:45:02a half, it was starting to manifest, but I could block it out.What sort
0:45:02 > 0:45:06of thoughts were you having?I didn't want to wake up in the
0:45:06 > 0:45:10mornings, I couldn't wait to get to sleep for that piece of mind.
0:45:10 > 0:45:15Ireland's you saying that you could only describe it as being in a black
0:45:15 > 0:45:21hole, at the bottom. -- I remember you saying. He felt that he wanted
0:45:21 > 0:45:31to get and, I don't want to be here. I was always conscious that I just
0:45:31 > 0:45:35couldn't get out, obviously I had them thoughts, every time I did, I
0:45:35 > 0:45:39thought of Leeona and Lucy, that is the thing that stopped me, the thing
0:45:39 > 0:45:44that always will stop me.
0:45:44 > 0:45:45the thing that stopped me, the thing that always will stop me.Tell us
0:45:45 > 0:45:48about that moment when you decided, that is it.I
0:45:48 > 0:45:49about that moment when you decided, that is it.I should not have signed
0:45:49 > 0:45:56for Bury. I went away preseason, which I was dreading, the Portugal.
0:45:56 > 0:46:01I completely lost it, I broke down, late at night. I rang my wife. We
0:46:01 > 0:46:06were staying in little villas. I was on a roof terrace, it was outside. I
0:46:06 > 0:46:12was standing near the edge. Obviously I thought about jumping
0:46:12 > 0:46:17off and stuff like that. That is when I rang my wife and said, I am
0:46:17 > 0:46:22worried, do I need to come on?I tried to Camden Town, I spoke to
0:46:22 > 0:46:26him. We need to get this sorted, we will do together, you're not going
0:46:26 > 0:46:31to do it on your own. Just get home and we will take it from there, one
0:46:31 > 0:46:39step at a time.I came home the next day.I gave him a men's credit. He
0:46:39 > 0:46:43got to a place where he realise that football was the thing making him
0:46:43 > 0:46:47unhappy and the key for him is to be happy, so he decided to walk away
0:46:47 > 0:46:53from the game because of that. -- massive credit. He has paved path
0:46:53 > 0:46:57for other players thinking about it to do the same.I wonder how many
0:46:57 > 0:47:00players are going out in the field that are forcing themselves out
0:47:00 > 0:47:04there and managing to get through the pain barrier but really do not
0:47:04 > 0:47:13want to be the?Your weight of lots of them? Yes. I have come into
0:47:13 > 0:47:16contact with the number of players. Numbers wise, more younger players
0:47:16 > 0:47:19than older players. They just do not want to play football any more. They
0:47:19 > 0:47:23cannot share that with anyone. People say, I would give an arm and
0:47:23 > 0:47:27a leg to do what you're doing, but your mental well-being is more
0:47:27 > 0:47:32important. If you have to leave the game to look after yourself, you
0:47:32 > 0:47:36will get support from us. Money does not help, it does not save you from
0:47:36 > 0:47:43getting these issues. Mental health does not care who you are what you
0:47:43 > 0:47:48have got.Mental health issues can impact anyone. I was more scared,
0:47:48 > 0:47:52and embarrassed as well. You do not want to talk, but as soon as you do
0:47:52 > 0:47:57and ask for that help, it is a big weight off your shoulders. As soon
0:47:57 > 0:48:03as I said it, I could see a clear picture and the way forward.Just
0:48:03 > 0:48:07talking about it is massive. Football is this mantra sport.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11Mental health is a taboo subject. We just want to break that the book,
0:48:11 > 0:48:19that stigma. Footballers are human beings that play football. They will
0:48:19 > 0:48:24encounter the same issues that everyone else will encounter.A
0:48:24 > 0:48:28massive thank you to Chris Kirkland and his wife are speaking so
0:48:28 > 0:48:33honestly about that subject. It is sad that it is happening but it is
0:48:33 > 0:48:38great that the PFA are doing so much to deal with the problem, which is
0:48:38 > 0:48:42massive, not just in football but across society?It is live, isn't
0:48:42 > 0:48:47it? There are many different parts to it. We have all been abused as
0:48:47 > 0:48:52footballers. That has to come with the territory, although it should
0:48:52 > 0:49:05not necessarily be so. There are normal people in
0:49:05 > 0:49:07the street with depression, Exedra. Michael speaks really well. Ten
0:49:07 > 0:49:10years ago, this was never mentioned. You would go to your manager Simon
0:49:10 > 0:49:13at the club, you would be out of the team. In football there are massive
0:49:13 > 0:49:15highs and lows for players. In cricket there have been suicides of
0:49:15 > 0:49:20people coming out of the game. It affects people massively. This is
0:49:20 > 0:49:24different because Chris was at the peak in his career.It will help the
0:49:24 > 0:49:28next generation. That is the best thing, people will watch that and
0:49:28 > 0:49:33listen and if there are a couple who are a little bit, what shall we do?
0:49:33 > 0:49:38Go and see somebody. That is why Chris Kirkland was so keen to talk.
0:49:38 > 0:49:52He wants to help someone who might be suffering with that same sort of
0:49:52 > 0:49:55issue.It is amazing that either 400 current or former players had been
0:49:55 > 0:49:58to see the PFA. I am not really surprised with that, because of what
0:49:58 > 0:50:01you go through, the ups and downs, more so when you come to the end. It
0:50:01 > 0:50:03is suddenly, real life, what do I do?Many people might be watching
0:50:03 > 0:50:06this and saying, how can you feel like that when you get so well
0:50:06 > 0:50:11rewarded but it is not about the size of your wallet?Nothing to do
0:50:11 > 0:50:15with it. People say, how can you have problems, the wealth that they
0:50:15 > 0:50:22have.But they get the same problems. They are normal, they get
0:50:22 > 0:50:26-- they do everything that you do and the Queen does.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in that
0:50:29 > 0:50:31piece on mental health, details of organisations offering
0:50:31 > 0:50:33information and support with mental health are available
0:50:33 > 0:50:35at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free,
0:50:35 > 0:50:40at any time to hear recorded information on 08000 564 756.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43Let's head back to Bournemouth, where the Vitality stadium
0:50:43 > 0:50:47is the latest stop for Matt Walker, who is trying to get to a match
0:50:47 > 0:50:50in each one of Uefa's 55 member nations during the season,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53and is taking some rather good photos along the way.
0:50:53 > 0:50:58You might have read about his story. We will have a look at his photos in
0:50:58 > 0:51:03a moment. What number of the game are you at -- argue that at the
0:51:03 > 0:51:08moment?This will be number 33 of my season.In terms of planning this,
0:51:08 > 0:51:13at what stage do you think, OK, I will attempt to go through all 55
0:51:13 > 0:51:17Uefa member nations and watch a game in each one over the course of the
0:51:17 > 0:51:23season? I imagine it is a big chart to build, the diary, the level of
0:51:23 > 0:51:28work that goes into that must be incredible?It is a logistical
0:51:28 > 0:51:32challenge, particularly when games move at very short notice. I started
0:51:32 > 0:51:36off by concentrating on the summer leagues, of which there are 13 in
0:51:36 > 0:51:39Europe, then I pushed around clusters of countries so that my
0:51:39 > 0:51:49travelling distances are not far between games.You are a
0:51:49 > 0:51:52statistician between games. I can tell that because of the numbers you
0:51:52 > 0:51:55have been throwing out left, right and centre already. We can see the
0:51:55 > 0:51:57places you have visited. In terms of highlights, what is the best place
0:51:57 > 0:52:02you have been to so far?It is hard to peg but the main -- but the game
0:52:02 > 0:52:08in Kosovo was pretty incredible. The home side went into a 3-1 lead, and
0:52:08 > 0:52:13then there was an amazing chip, and there were two goals in the last ten
0:52:13 > 0:52:17minutes, and one Tim ended up winning with the last kick of the
0:52:17 > 0:52:21game. The management were ecstatic and I was invited out with them to
0:52:21 > 0:52:27celebrate.Are you a fan of film football club? That is right. As
0:52:27 > 0:52:32this trip changed your perception of football?A little bit. The Premier
0:52:32 > 0:52:37League is one of the best in Europe, but there are competitive leagues
0:52:37 > 0:52:42all over the Uefa nations. I had some enjoyable experiences in places
0:52:42 > 0:52:47where I was not expecting to enjoy it so much, Poland and Armenia. Your
0:52:47 > 0:52:52low point was Bulgaria? I was not looking forward to the game. Both
0:52:52 > 0:52:59teams were out of form. I found out at the stadium that the fans were
0:52:59 > 0:53:04protesting against the club so the atmosphere was dire. Not
0:53:04 > 0:53:08surprisingly, the game was also dire. Too many yellow cards, not
0:53:08 > 0:53:13enough chances, and locomotive ended up winning 1-0 with the terrible
0:53:13 > 0:53:17goalkeeping mistake.It was a drab game. Hopefully Bournemouth will be
0:53:17 > 0:53:22better for you today.Enjoy the rest of your travels.No worries.
0:53:22 > 0:53:29A logistical thing, who pays for it? He has sorted it out himself. I
0:53:29 > 0:53:32think he is averaging £20 a ticket, but that will go up in the Premier
0:53:32 > 0:53:36League. He has got to get to the countries. I will run you through
0:53:36 > 0:53:39the logistics later on.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41To another man enjoying his travels, the former Tottenham
0:53:41 > 0:53:42manager Andre Villas Boas.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44After his departure from White Hart Lane in 2013,
0:53:44 > 0:53:47he took Zenit St Petersburg to a Russian title and was most
0:53:47 > 0:53:48recently in charge of Shanghai.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50But now a rather different challenge awaits.
0:53:58 > 0:54:04It is the 40th edition of the Dakar Rally. I am 40. All the numbers
0:54:04 > 0:54:12playwright. It has been in the family for quite some time. My uncle
0:54:12 > 0:54:18also did Dakar two times. All these things are part of a great passion I
0:54:18 > 0:54:24have for motor sport. No matter how you train, nothing prepares you for
0:54:24 > 0:54:28the challenges of Dakar. I need to take it day by day but I do not know
0:54:28 > 0:54:32how my body will react.Shanghai have sacked Sven Goran Eriksen and
0:54:32 > 0:54:38are said to have replaced them with the former Chelsea and Tottenham
0:54:38 > 0:54:42bars Andre Villas-Boas.We had a wonderful year in Shanghai, lots of
0:54:42 > 0:54:51experiences, winning emotions. We took the team at upper level. I took
0:54:51 > 0:54:56the decision to stop my career, to pause, and we decided that the best
0:54:56 > 0:55:03way going forward was for us to move in different directions.He has had
0:55:03 > 0:55:06a go, brilliant.Spurs, at the moment, in terms of infrastructure,
0:55:06 > 0:55:11they're one of the best clubs in England, when the new stadium is
0:55:11 > 0:55:16ready. What will make Spurs an even greater club as trophies. This is
0:55:16 > 0:55:21what is missing. The conditions are there, the team is good, well
0:55:21 > 0:55:24managed. They need to get that winning feeling again to move on but
0:55:24 > 0:55:29all the conditions are there for them to succeed. Harry Kane,
0:55:29 > 0:55:36clinical again. With me, he was not very lucky. He did not have so much
0:55:36 > 0:55:41playing time. The year before, we sent him on loan a few times. He
0:55:41 > 0:55:45came back and went again on loan. I think young players are not giving
0:55:45 > 0:55:50the chance in the beginning. They should take up the chance to go on
0:55:50 > 0:55:56loan, I and come back stronger. Harry Kane is a winner in terms of
0:55:56 > 0:55:59his mentality, always strong, very driven, but that breakthrough was
0:55:59 > 0:56:05not with me, it was later with Tim Sherwood. But he certainly deserves
0:56:05 > 0:56:08this moment.
0:56:14 > 0:56:20I will come back into football. This is just filling my passion. My
0:56:20 > 0:56:24professional career is my professional career. -- this is just
0:56:24 > 0:56:28fuelling my passion. I still have the ambition to coach in Brazil and
0:56:28 > 0:56:33Japan is I need to find time for that in his 10-year span that I seek
0:56:33 > 0:56:38for me to continue my professional career. We will see what comes
0:56:38 > 0:56:43around in me and make a decision. Shall we show you the rate that he
0:56:43 > 0:56:49is taking? -- the route.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52Here is route that AVB will be following that starts on the 6th
0:56:52 > 0:56:54January for two weeks, goes through Peru, Bolivia
0:56:54 > 0:56:55and ends in Argentina.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59I think that is the highest capital in the world, La Paz. It is very
0:56:59 > 0:57:04dangerous. He loves his motorsport. His uncle has done it a couple of
0:57:04 > 0:57:10times as well. He is taking time away from football.He is a
0:57:10 > 0:57:18globetrotter. He has we'll spend of a few training grounds.That is
0:57:18 > 0:57:19unnecessary.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21Another footballer in an unusual position this
0:57:21 > 0:57:22week, George Weah is now the
0:57:22 > 0:57:23president of Liberia.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26The former striker took over 60% of the vote.
0:57:26 > 0:57:27President Keown has a nice ring to it?
0:57:27 > 0:57:29That's it from us for 2017.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31We'll be back a fraction later at 12:15
0:57:31 > 0:57:34next Saturday as we'll be in Fleetwood to bring
0:57:34 > 0:57:37you live coverage of the FA Cup third round tie between the League
0:57:37 > 0:57:381 club and Leicester City.
0:57:38 > 0:57:41We leave you with the predictions of Darren Campbell, who, as
0:57:41 > 0:57:44well as having an Olympic gold in his locker,
0:57:44 > 0:57:46could have been a rather tasty forward.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48Goodbye.
0:57:50 > 0:57:56As a kid I was at the same soccer school of excellence as Ryan Giggs.
0:57:56 > 0:58:02I think that is when I realised I was not going to be a footballer.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04Ryan Giggs. Still Ryan Giggs.
0:58:04 > 0:58:06The team I support is Manchester United.
0:58:06 > 0:58:07A Manchester lad.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10My favourite colour was red as a kid, so there was no doubt,
0:58:10 > 0:58:12but my mum is a City fan.
0:58:12 > 0:58:14But I am a Red.
0:58:14 > 0:58:15Manchester United versus Southampton.
0:58:15 > 0:58:17Well, this is the easy one, isn't it?
0:58:17 > 0:58:19United, 2-0.
0:58:19 > 0:58:25This year I've been working with Yannick Bolasie.
0:58:25 > 0:58:28With the serious knee injury he had, we have worked really hard
0:58:28 > 0:58:29on his movement and stuff like that.
0:58:29 > 0:58:32That has given me a lot of pleasure, seeing him back.
0:58:32 > 0:58:34Bournemouth against Everton, Sam Allardyce is in place,
0:58:34 > 0:58:37he has galvanised the team, I'm going to say an away
0:58:37 > 0:58:43victory to Everton, 1-0.
0:58:43 > 0:58:49If you look throughout most teams, there is genuine pace. Danny Welbeck
0:58:49 > 0:58:54is quick. Sadio Mane. I would not want to raise them now. I would have
0:58:54 > 0:58:58raced them when I was an athlete, but not now.
0:58:58 > 0:59:00Liverpool versus Leicester, Klopp!
0:59:00 > 0:59:04As a United fan, this kind of hurts, but I will say 2-1 Liverpool.