EFT scorecast Weekend 1!

Welcome to a new feature on EFT where the team here put their prediction accuracy skills to the test by trying to forecast the scores of the weekend round of Premier League matches.

3 points will be awarded for a correct score (e.g. 3-1).
1 point will be awared for a correct result (correct positive result or a draw).

T:

Stoke City v Man City 1-2
Arsenal v West Ham 2-0
Aston Villa v Wigan 3-1
Bolton v Tottenham 2-0
Fulham v Portsmouth 1-2
Hull City v West Brom 2-0
Middlesbrough v Blackburn 2-1
Man Utd v Everton 2-0
Newcastle v Sunderland 1-2
Liverpool v Chelsea 1-0

Abdul:

Stoke City v Man City 1-2
Arsenal v West Ham 1-1
Aston Villa v Wigan 2-1
Bolton v Tottenham 0-0
Fulham v Portsmouth 1-0
Hull City v West Brom 1-1
Middlesbrough v Blackburn 1-2
Man Utd v Everton 1-0
Newcastle v Sunderland 2-0
Liverpool v Chelsea 1-1

SKG:

Stoke City v Man City 2-2
Arsenal v West Ham 2-1
Aston Villa v Wigan 2-0
Bolton v Tottenham 1-2
Fulham v Portsmouth 2-0
Hull City v West Brom 2-1
Middlesbrough v Blackburn 0-0
Man Utd v Everton 3-0
Newcastle v Sunderland 2-2
Liverpool v Chelsea 1-1

Skipper:

Stoke City v Man City 2-2
Arsenal v West Ham 2-1
Aston Villa v Wigan 1-1
Bolton v Tottenham 2-1
Fulham v Portsmouth 2-0
Hull City v West Brom 2-1
Middlesbrough v Blackburn 2-0
Man Utd v Everton 1-1
Newcastle v Sunderland 2-2
Liverpool v Chelsea 2-1

Redsman

Stoke City v Man City 2-2
Arsenal v West Ham 1-2
Aston Villa v Wigan 2-1
Bolton v Tottenham 1-1
Fulham v Portsmouth 2-0
Hull City v West Brom 1-1
Middlesbrough v Blackburn 1-3
Man Utd v Everton 2-1
Newcastle v Sunderland 1-2
Liverpool v Chelsea 2-1

Is Rafa ruining Liverpool?

Almost one year ago to the day I wrote an article called "Liverpool and Benitez must now part company". At that time Liverpool were in a terrible run of results - won 0 drawn 4 lost 1 and they ended the season without a trophy, and once again, they did not challenge for the league title.

I felt that Rafa Benitez had lost the confidence of his players by making silly decisions, hence I was amongst many people who thought he should leave.

At the start of 2009, things seemed to have changed. Liverpool were top of the league and the confidence was running high. Everyone thought this could be Liverpool's season.

Then all of a sudden things started going wrong - Gerrard was arrested, Rafa has a rant at Sir Alex, the Americans had not renewed Rafa's contract, the building of the new stadium was left in limbo, Keane was being dropped.

This has all culminated in four consecutive draws which has pushed Liverpool from 1st to 3rd. They are not playing with any confidence, and face the prospect of being pushed to 4th in the league should they not beat Chelsea this Sunday. They could find themselves out of the title race if they lose the game. Then they face Everton in the FA Cup next Weds and Liverpool's season could be in tatters if they lose that one as well.

I had a bad feeling, when Rafa went off on one at Sir Alex, that it would backfire on him There is clearly a power struggle between Rafa and the Americans, and Rafa's treatment of Keane is humiliating to say the least.

I don't know what is ruining Liverpool at the moment, but the more I think about what he has done in the past, and what he has recently done, the more I believe that it is Rafa who is ruining Liverpool.

Where the BBC falls, EFT stands up: DEC Gaza appeal 2009

The Disaster Emergencies Committee - a body of 13 leading humanitarian charities in the UK - has determined that there is an 'overwhelming humanitarian crisis' being suffered by the civilians of Gaza.

The BBC, the public broadcaster in the UK, has refused to air its national humanitarian appeal citing concerns of breaching their 'impartiality'.

When I heard this I remembered these words by Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."

The BBC can't reasonably claim impartiality. The only time they have used this argument to refuse to air a DEC appeal was after the unlawful Israeli military offensive on Lebanon in 2006. The link is obvious and the effect on those suffering is unconscionable.

So, taking a stand with ITV, Channel 4 and Channel FIVE, we will put up the appeal here for viewers to check out: http://www.dec.org.uk/item/200

And in case you didn't recognise the player in the picture above it is the former Tottenham Hotspur and current Sevilla and Mali centre-forward, Fredi Kanoute.

Tutu would admire him!

The link again: http://www.dec.org.uk/item/200

Nemanja Vidic is the most important defensive player in the Premier League

With Rio Ferdinand's injury in the last few weeks the significance of Nemanja Vidic has become all the clearer. For me he is the best defensive player in the Premier League with tremendous anticipation skills, heading ability, strength, aggression, presence, passing accuracy and mobility. His ability at set-pieces to time runs and direct power headers on target are also a massive asset.

His partnership with Rio Ferdinand is arguably the best club centre-back partnership in the world. I think this has been an understated vital factor in Man Utd's successive Premier League title wins plus Champions League triumph. For sure Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez et al have been fantastic in maintaining the Ferguson tradition of exciting attacking football - but its all the easier for these great expressive forward players to perform when they know they have Ferdinand and Vidic keeping it solid and aggressive at the back.

My positive thoughts about the contribution of Vidic has been somewhat justified by the seamless way Man Utd have continued to keep clean sheets in the absence of his England international centre-back partner. In fact, this recent period supports my belief that despite my admiration for Ferdinand it is actually Vidic who is the most important defensive player to Man Utd, and, moreover is the most important defensive player in the Premier League

Do you agree that Nemanja Vidic is now the best defensive player in the Premier League? If you have alternatives it would be good to know.

Happy New Year 2009!

On behalf of the team here at EFT I wish all our readers a very happy new year.

This site is entering our fourth year and we hope that we can continue to write articles of some interest. Your comments are always welcome - keep them coming as your feedback is a vital part of our site.

Best for 2009!

T