Wally with a Brolly

Hello boys and girls. The Round Table returns with apologies for the delay. The questions were put to everyone prior to this week-end's action so forgive us if some issues might look a bit outdated.

1- It's fair to say people have been surprised by Gary Neville's performances as Sky pundit. Where does he rank for you? And who are the worst in the business?

Westy: It's been great to see him be so honest about Man Utd. We're all used to the 'I'm sorry, I didn't see it' excuses, and it's nice to see someone genuinely speak their mind. It does help that he was an opinionated **** as a player too - see Robbie Savage for someone else who's made the transition comfortably. As for the worst, Garth Crooks would be there, but watching the Alistair Magowan clips I just think he's hilarious. Lawro gets my vote. Just annoying.

Bappo: Let me first say that I seriously disliked G dot Nev as a player. He was scum, loved himself, was successful and kept sporting that ridiculous pre-pubescent boy's mustache. He was absolutely disgusting. But as a pundit? From the on-air orgasm to his criticism of absolutely everyone, he's quickly become my favourite commentator and expert. That's also because he gives a damn and actually does his research. Unlike Garth Crooks, who not only loves himself, makes no sense but also clearly knows nothing about football. After all, in one of his 'team of the week-end', he did say it was a shame James Morrison hadn't been picked by Hodgson. Isn't that because he's already got over 20 caps for Scotland Garth? Muppet. Lawro and the ITV lads aren't far behind though.

Garth Crooks: an explosive combination of smugness and incompetence.

Chaka Demus: It was clear to all watching (and more importantly listening) that Gary Neville's 'goal-gasm' at Torres's goal against Barcelona changed football punditry forever. He played for Man Utd for about 30 years so he knows his stuff. More importantly he didn't retire all that long ago so he still knows and played with a lot of the players that are still in the Prem, which helps. The main thing is that he really knows his stuff and doesn't talk and chat s**t just for the sake of filling air time. The worst? Garth Crooks. Also, Adrian Chiles as the host of ITV - he's just atrocious.

2- Aston Villa defeated an optimistic Liverpool 3-1 at the week-end with Benteke in particular looking impressive. The Belgian has played very well, but which new signings have also opened your eyes so far?

Westy: Michu's still wining this battle for me. Other than him, I've been seriously impressed with Steven Pienaar back at Everton - he's been awesome. I've also quite liked the look of Tettey in midfield for Norwich; he was particularly good against Arsenal.

Bappo: Hard to look past Michu really. Absolutely fantastic. I also think Claudio Yacob at West Brom has been an inspired signing, linking well with Mulumbu to form a dynamic midfield partnership. And he cost nothing as well. I've got to say I also think Sebastien Bassong has been spectactular at Norwich. They were porous before he turned up and have become solid since then. He's even scored some important goals as well. And of course Cazorla at Arsenal - I knew he was class but that man is just a pleasure to watch play football. And he does it with a smile on his face.

Chaka Demus: Michu is an obvious answer but definitely a deserved one. Santi Cazorla really impressed me early on but with Arsenal's shocking form and his dive against West Brom I am beginning to doubt that. Kevin Mirallas at Everton looks like a very lively player but seems a little injury prone. Then, I've only seen him play one full game (which I think was against QPR so we can't go too mad about it) but Alexander Buttner looks like an incredibly gifted and hard-working full-back.

Tettey and Bassong nominated: a reward for Norwich's impressive start. Forget Leon Barnett on the far left though. He shouldn't be included on the list.

3- Norwich have been on a great run, notably led by Wes Hoolahan. Who would be in your top 5 most underrated players in the Premier League?

Westy: Claudio Yacob has been a great find for West Brom, and I'd probably put Mulumbu in there as well. On top of that, James McCarthy looks really good playing for an average Wigan side. I'd round it off with Mark Noble and Wayne Routledge who are both having excellent seasons.

Bappo: West Brom have many in my books (Morrison, Mulumbu, Brunt, Long). In fact nearly half of their team is in there, but I'd like to recognise Gareth McAuley's good work. Before last season he was just an average 31-year-old centre back who'd always played in the Championship. Since then he's settled well into the Prem alongside Jonas Olsson to form an efficient pairing. Apart from him, I think Wayne Routledge has been criminally underrated this season; he's added goals and cleverness to his goals. Damien Duff also deserves some credit: every year people say he'll be left out of the Fulham squad, and every year he proves them wrong. Even though he's lost his pace he's still a very clever winger.  Finally I like the looks of Leon Osman and Sandro - effective, no-nonsense players who work hard for their team.

Chaka Demus: Top 5 underrated - very tricky as I think there are quite a few to choose from.
                          1. James Morrison - nothing too flashy (other than his goals) and very rarely puts a foot wrong. A very reliable player.
                          2. Leon Osman - has been consistently good for years so I was very happy he got called-up to play against Sweden.
                          3. Matty Taylor - like the other two he doesn't really have that much to set him apart (a very good left foot though) but works very hard for his team (be that Bolton or West Ham).
                          4. Matthew Etherington - incredible feet, likes to run at players, good with both feet, not the quickest anymore but a real diamond in the thick rough that is the Stoke squad.
                          5. Sandro - I seem to have picked five hard-working midfielders but there you go. Sandro has certainly benefited from Scotty Parker's injury but he has done well - a shame that he will probably lose his spot now that Parker is on the mend and Dembele is back as well.

Can we just hand out the award to West Brom? Wally's been impressed by the boys from the Hawthorns.

4- First Grant Holt. Now Rickie Lambert. If you had to name a striker now plying his trade in the Championship who could have the same impact, who would it be?

Westy: Jumping on the bandwagon a bit I guess, but Glenn Murray has been impressive in helping Crystal Palace massively overachieve. Either him or strike partner Wilried Zaha would be a great shout for lower Premier League sides. Sorry Chaka!

Zaha: predictably nominated. But then he looks like he's THAT good.

Bappo: Charlie Austin is a candidate for me. Scored bucket-loads at Swindon then adjusted really well to a poor Burnley side and the Championship. The boy clearly knows where the goal is and it would be fun to see him have the same route as the two previously mentioned strikers. He even played for even sh****r teams so it would be quite an achievement.

Chaka Demus: Wilfried Zaha - I am obviously biased but I really think he is going to be a great player. I just hope he stays with us until we (hopefully) make it to the Prem at the end of the season.

5- Chelsea lost the final of the 'Club World Championship' and Torres only scored a fluke against Monterrey. Will there be a Chelsea and Torres revival? And what did you make of David Luiz playing in midfield?

Westy: Torres revival? No. I do feel sorry for him though - it was funny at first with him not scoring for weeks on end, but now it's just a little bit painful. Benitez will help him play better, but in reality it's a bit of a doomed vanity project of Abramovich's - much like a certain Andriy Shevchenko. As for Sideshow Bob, the further you can get him away from your own goal, the better. He's always been technically good, but defensively he's an utter clown.

Bappo: Torres revival? No. And he doesn't even deserve one to be honest. The man is just lazy now, he's lost pace and his touch wasn't that good, even at Liverpool. He was great because he had an instinct, anticipation and reactions and his pace was frightening. He's lost all of that, and scoring against Nordsjqelanddfjlsmqbv (not a typo), Sunderland and Monterrey is not an achievement. As for David Luiz, he just lacks concentration. If he focused on his job he'd be an outstanding centre-back, and has been so several times (Champions' League final anyone?). It'd be great if he could have a mentor to teach him the ropes at Chelsea, but JT is no Desailly.

Chaka Demus: I have always liked Torres and would like him to do well. I think with Benitez he will be better and his confidence will come if he scores more consistently. David Luiz is certainly not a central defender and is certainly more suited to the defensive midfielder position.

One of them is a professional footballer.

6- Arsenal bounced back with a 5-2 win over Reading. Walcott finally played up front. Would you play him there? How good could he be?

Westy: No, he's not a striker. Theo's biggest detriment is his inability to make any sort of decision and strikers need to know exactly what they're going to do without any sort of doubt. He needs to be playing on the wing with simple instructions - either get to the byline and pull it back, or cut in and shoot. Plus, it's ridiculous that he's demanding to be played there like he's God's gift - it's not like he's set the world alight!

Bappo: Walcott is a typical young-ish English player; he's incredibly overrated and believes in his own hype. Honestly the boy just isn't that good a footballer. I'm going to go all ESPN on you: in the NBA what separates a great player from an average one is not athleticism, it's what they call 'Basketball IQ'. Walcott has all the tools but he has NO 'football IQ', no footballing brain. He's even said it himself when he wrote: "If I didn't have pace I wouldn't be a professional football player." So who am I to doubt Theo? How good could he be? A better version of Gervinho. Admittedly that's not too difficult, but that's still what he'd be. If only he could grow the same hair/wig! Maybe I'd warm up to him then.

Chaka Demus: I would definitely play Theo there. Chamakh is terrible. Gervinho is very hot and cold. Giroud could be good but it's taking him quite a while to settle. I don't think Podolski is quick enough to be a striker. Walcott's finishing and final ball have been his supposed 'weaknesses' over the years but I really think he has improved a lot.

There's something not right with this picture.

7- QPR beat Fulham for their first win of the season, and now go away to a struggling Newcastle. Will 'Arry's unbeaten run continue? Or will Newcastle turn things around?

Westy: I really, really hope they lose. Newcastle deserve so much more than QPR, and I think you'll see them comfortably ease past QPR's mercenaries. That being said, Newcastle really need Cabaye back, or at least play a midfielder with a semblance of creativity.

Bappo: Newcastle will win, strictly because QPR are that bad. I know 'Arry's done OK, but his team hasn't really played any heavyweights yet. I was disappointed in Fulham more than anything, it's not like QPR set the world alight. Hopefully a nice little comfortable win for Pardew and his boys.

Tiote and Cabaye: without them Newcastle struggle.

Chaka Demus: I think QPR could well beat Newcastle. The Toon have been poor for quite a while now. I think I am right in saying that Tiote and Cabaye are both still out so their midfield is significantly weaker and less creative. Their first win will have spurred QPR on and I wouldn't bet against them this week-end.

8- The Champions' League draw pitted Man Utd vs Real Madrid and Arsenal vs Bayern Munich. What do you make of the English clubs' chances? And who are your dark horses for the tournament?

Westy: Sad to say, but I can't see any of the British teams making it through. Real and Ronaldo will just be too strong for Man Utd, and I can't see United having the weapons to hurt Ramos and Co at the back. Make no mistake, Mourinho won't want to lose that one either. As for Arsenal, they've been poor recently and Bayern (CL penalty miss aside) are generally clinical and remorseless. Pluky losses for both of them is probably the best we can hope for. As for dark horses, I'd go for Dortmund, who have looked classy all the way through.

We're expecting this again.

Bappo: Man Utd will be pulverized in midfield. They were awful in the group stages and Real will doubly want to win the CL considering they're in turmoil. And Utd's defence is just shocking at European level. Just not good enough. They'll do OK at home and then will be found out away. As for Arsenal they'll need Wilshere, Arteta and Cazorla to turn in two outstanding performances if they want to have any luck of progressing further. I also hope Koscielny and Vermaelen will play because they can be solid. But I think they'll fall short.

Chaka Demus: This is boring but I mostly agree with what Westy says. Dortmund have been my dark horses from early on and neither of the English teams will progress through to the next round I think.

9- Everton and Tottenham look like serious contenders for the top 4 this year. Which team has a better chance of reaching that target, and why?

Westy: Probably Spurs because Everton are bound to get an injury at some point. It's been good to see AVB coming out of some rough patch looking good, and he deserves a lot of credit. The Chelsea fans (that loveable bunch) really got on his back early after he tried to move their precious JT and Lamps on, and whilst he made some mistakes, he didn't deserve the backlash he got. Moyes is again doing a fantastic job, but their financial constraints will probably stop them getting the Champions League spot they crave.

Bappo: Tottenham, strictly because they have a stronger squad and a better starting XI anyway. And they have one of the best midfielders in the country in Moussa Dembele. Honestly, he's that good. Add to that Lloris, Caulker, Sandro, Bale, Lennon and Defoe and you have one hell of a spine to the team. I wish Everton could make it but they'll be hit with injuries at some point and their squad is so thin that it would be a miracle if they made it. But they'll give it one hell of a go and will keep showing that Moyes is the best manager in the land.

Chaka Demus: I think Everton do. They are drawing a lot of games but they aren't losing many at all. Their team spirit is excellent and they have arguably the best manager in the league. Spurs have conceded a LOT of late goals (ironically 2 against Everton), are too inconsistent and their fans are too quick to boos and criticisms rather than getting behind their team.

Wally is unanimous: Moyesy is the best in the business.

10- It's the end of the year, and people are thinking of their team of the season. Who would be your goalkeeper for 2012 (Premier League only)?

Westy: The frontrunners have to be Hart, Krul and Vorm, and actually I'm going for the Newcastle stopper. In a defence that consists of Coloccini (who admittedly has been pretty good) and Mike Williamson, Krul has made some outstanding saves, and often been the difference between Newcastle winning and drawing. Michel Vorm has had an excellent start to Premiership life as well, but I feel Krul deserves this more.

Bappo: Hart has been good but he's been overrated. His performance against Dortmund overshadowed the fact that he's made mistakes in the Premier League. Still a very good goalie, especially at such a young age. I think Krul has been the keeper of 2012 for me: reliable, solid, makes no mistakes and makes that bunch of average players (Coloccini is also overrated) look like Premier League quality. Quite an achievement. I'd also like to nominate Ruddy, Howart and Vorm who have all performed very  well. But Krul just wins it for me.

Chaka Demus: Keeper of the year - tricky one. I am going to say Ali Al-Habsi. He is Wigan's best player by a mile. Were it not for him they'd be in more trouble than they already are. In fact, they would be in the Championship already were it not for him.

Kelvin Davis: funnily enough he wasn't nominated for goalie of the year.

The week-end's predictions

Wigan vs Arsenal
Bappo (0-2), Chaka Demus (1-2)


Man City vs Reading
Bappo (3-0), Chaka Demus (4-1)


Tottenham vs Stoke
Bappo (1-0), Chaka Demus (1-1)


Liverpool vs Fulham
Bappo (2-0), Chaka Demus (2-1)


West Ham vs Everton
Bappo (2-1), Chaka Demus (1-2)


West Brom vs Norwich
Bappo (0-1), Chaka Demus (2-2)


Newcastle vs QPR
Bappo (2-0), Chaka Demus (2-3)


Southampton vs Sunderland
Bappo (2-2), Chaka Demus (3-2, biggest game of the week)


Swansea vs Man Utd
Bappo (2-1), Chaka Demus (2-2)


Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Bappo (2-0), Chaka Demus (3-1)