So the past years, I've seen the England "back the bid" websites up 2,3 years prior before the voting ever even started. So all those in the making and the efforts put into it for England to host had only a mere 2 votes to show for? That is outrageous. That Posh and Becks had all the rights to be furious. But all around the speculations on cheating and bribing, I guess the real loser on this is Spain and Portugal. Having worked out some sort of peace treaty with the Qatari's, they hoped working as a team would get each other through, Spain/Portugal representatives voting for Qatar and Qatari representatives voting for Spain/Portugal. A "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" situation. Too bad Spain/Portugal voted for Qatar it seems and Qatar did not return as Russia won the bid. Disgraceful this whole process was.

But going away from that, news from the past week. Manchester United save themselves from another scare against newly promoted Blackpool, down 2-0 after 75 minutes and firing all out to win behind a Berbatov double and another added by Chicharito to win 3-2. I don't know how, but they are being compared to the 2004 Arsenal "invincibles"???? I don't see how you can compare the United squad to the Gunners. Maybe by record, but Arsenal then steamrolled past opponents. Thierry Henry blew past everyone and led the league the scoring I believe. Possibl the best Arsenal squad ever...and arguably the best squad the Premier League had seen. The whole season undefeated. United are on pace to achieve such a feat, but with the close calls they come by. Its only a matter of time before Berbatov can no longer save United. Rooney will have to step up now and carry the load as he once did for United to reach perfection.

FA Cup, fourth round, Arsenal slip past Huddersfield Town 2-1 behind a late penalty from Cesc Fabregas. News on the match. We will be even shorter centre defenders for a match though as Sebastien Squillaci received a red card. And FA Player of the Year possibly, Samir Nasri suffers a heartbreaking hamstring that could leave him out for three weeks which means he could mean the tie with Barcelona in CL, somewhere we need him desparately. If that's the case, then our chances on claiming the most prestigious European trophy of them all seems too far to reach, Arsene Wenger's arms will look to be too short, or the trophy will be too heavy for the Frenchman to hoist. So transfers for a cenre back. Arsene Wenger stated Arsenal can cope with what we have in the meantime. A deal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will look to wait until the summer along with other possible candidates in the centre half. So I don't see any deals being made unless he pulls a last minute deal as he did for Arshavin a few years ago.

BREAKING NEWS!!! Liverpool has been reported to have accepted the offer from Chelsea for the rights for Spanish striker Fernando Torres. The deal was agreed for 49million pounds and Chelsea has been given the right to talk with Chelsea to finalise personal terms and passing a medical will see him wearing blue as early as this weekend. Lampard said Chelsea acquiring a player the caliber of Torres will help any club so he looks to be the one to get Chelsea back in contention for the title. But was this the right move? Ancelotti's formation does not suit Torres as Drogba is the lone striker up front supported by Anelka and Malouda. Adding him into the squad would see Ancelotti changing formation as he would more than likely like to ease Torres into the club rather than put him in an uncomfortable position and be criticised for bad form. We shall see how soon Torres will play in Blue. Pips, what now for Chelsea? Perhaps they really are abandoning the financial play rules.