Wally with a Brolly

Wow, Pep Guardiola joined Bayern Munich. The man played his cards right and played it all secretive despite signing the deal in December. Kudos to the German powerhouse. You won't be surprised to see that this was the first topic of the Round Table. Unfortunately the questions were sent prior to Nigel Adkins's shocking dismissal at Southampton, so we'll cover it another time. You know the rest. Enjoy.

1- And the coaching carousel will start now. Pep Guardiola said he wanted to manage in England but he fooled us all and joined Bayern Munich. How will he do at Bayern?

Westy: It's a good move for Pep and it will be interesting to see if Chelsea now stick with Rafa or try to lure anyone else to manage them. It'll also be good to see how well he works with a team without the likes of Iniesta, Messi and Xavi - not that Bayern aren't great - but Guardiola's never managed a team that's not the best in the world.

Chaka Demus: I have been quite outspoken before about the fact that I/my nan/Boris Johnson could probably have won something with Barca given the players they have there. Therefore this will be a test to see whether he is actually a good manager or not...will be interesting to see.

According to Chaka Demus, this man could have led Barcelona to glory.

Bappo: I've made this clear in another article, but I think Pep is a football genius. Will he do well? I have every reason to think so, but he's in a tough situation due to enormous expectations. If he doesn't win the Champions' League people will call him a disappointment. If he assimilates the German culture I believe he will be a success.

2- What was the main thing you learnt about Arsenal in their 2-0 loss to Man City? And how do you think they will fare against Chelsea this week-end?

Westy: Not really learnt, but that they still badly need a holding mid. With all of 'Arry's bluster about M'Vila, I can't for the life of me work out why Arsène hasn't gone for him. Abou Diaby still only has a right foot (and it's not that great) and they never posed Hart any problems. That said, I still predict them to finish ahead of Liverpool, just...

Chaka Demus: They were unlucky but the red card was deserved. Didn't really learn anything new about them. they have been reliably unreliable so far this year. Chelsea have been much the same. they scored about 50 goals over Christmas/New Year and have since lost to QPR, Swansea and drew against Southampton this week. As for this week-end, I have no idea...Hoping for a Gibbs clean sheet and hat-trick as he is in my fantasy team! The Gunners totally dominated Swansea on Wednesday though so I will go with an Arsenal win.

Bappo: I feel like I keep on harping about it but one thing I learnt was that Theo Walcott really doesn't have the level to play as a lone striker against big teams. It might happen in the future (although I'm a serious doubter of that) but it's still too early. I don't understand Wenger's reluctance to finally put Giroud as his main striker. He's so much better than anyone else they have. Also learnt that Arsenal don't have a midfield past Wilshere. Sorry but Arteta, Diaby, Ramsey and Coquelin don't cut it. But they'll beat Chelsea. Abramovich's team hates playing at home where their 'fans' hate their manager. Arsenal should bounce back.

Walcott: not good enough to play as a central striker yet. Or ever?

3- Ba has left, Remy didn't come, Coloccini wants to leave. Where are Newcastle heading? Relegation battle or upwards eventually?

Westy: Still upwards. It's interesting that such a big thing has been made of it, as Newcastle are better with one up top - and Cissé is probably a better finisher. Consequently, they should be looking for a left wing. Besides, if someone chooses QPR over anyone else, it's a pretty godd sign you don't want them playing for you.

Chaka Demus: I watched their game against Brighton and Newcastle were AWFUL. Debuchy is a good signing and Cabaye is back which is a plus. I think they'll be fine. Cisse's Torres-like behaviour in front of goal is concerning though.

Will Cissé be freed now Ba has left? He certainly divides opinion.

Bappo: Newcastle had thought they were heading to the top again but they got lucky last year. No injuries, good signings and Tim Krul playing like a beast. These recipes aren't working any more, and now we realise that Newcastle are actually a mid-table side. I like the Debuchy signing and think they will eventually get out of it but it's a good wake-up call. There's still a lot of work to be done up there in Geordie land.

4- Spurs vs Man Utd at White Hart Lane. Which players hold the key to the game for each team?

Westy: For Spurs, Jermain Defoe. For all the talk about Bale, Defoe has been lethal this season, and they've struggled when he hasn't featured much. Admittedly, all he does is shoot, but he's the forefront of the new Spurs under AVB. As for United, Hernandez has been impressing me recently - his runs are incredibly well timed and clever, and Rooney's midweek goal against West Ham showed his unselfish side. He might not start, but if he comes on, he will worry the two centre-backs incessantly.

Chaka Demus: Vidic, Carrick and RVP for Man Utd. Dawson, Sandro and Bale/Defoe for Spurs. The backbone of each team.

Bappo: The battle will be won in midfield. For me it's a case of Dembele vs Carrick. If Carrick can counter Moussa's influence and negate his attacking play then Man Utd have a good chance of winning. If Dembele runs the show then Spurs will win it relatively comfortably. Moussa is one of the best midfielders in the country and Tottenham are heavily reliant on his form. He also tore Man Utd apart for Fulham early in the season, so we've seen it before. Had Sandro been fit (big loss) I would have made Spurs the favourites.

Mouss beasted Man Utd when he played for Fulham. Can he do the same for Spurs?

5- Jay Rodriguez dived but got a penalty. Wilfried Zaha was booked for an alleged dive. What do you make of British players and diving?

Westy: The same as anyone else to be honest. Anyone saying that British players are never accused of diving has a short memory - Ashley Young anyone? I'd like to start seeing retrospective bans for clear dives. 1 game out for a clear dive would soon kill this off.

Chaka Demus: Rodriguez was embarrassing. I didn't see the Zaha one. In general, it's dreadful and should be punished. A little Uruguayan fella admitted to it yesterday so it's not just British players there Bappo!



Bappo: British players dive. And it's been that way for a while. Rooney and Gerrard did it repeatedly before we started focusing on it so much. Of course Suarez is one of the worst but Rodriguez's dive was as bad as Suarez's at Stoke, and he even had the nerve to say to the ref that he didn't dive. So not only is he a cheat but he's a nice little liar. You wouldn't get Suarez saying that in a game, mostly due to the fact I'm unsure as to whether he actually speaks any English. And yet Rodriguez got away with it and hasn't been as criticised as Suarez has been. Shameful double standards right there. I'd like to see bans as well but the FA have no balls so it won't happen. Don't be surprised if you see people like Fergie opposing it as well.

6- A Birmingham derby with West Brom vs Aston Villa. What are the chances the Baggies inflict more misery on the Villains? And what do you make of Romelo Lukaku's desire to stay at West Brom next season rather than go back to Chelsea?

Westy: WBA will destroy Villa. They were hugely unlucky to lose to an average Reading side, and that is testament to the progress they have been making under Steve Clarke. Lukaku should definitely stay at WBA - he's the main man there, and he should be starting for Chelsea. I suspect that the move for Demba kills his first team hopes there though - by the time Chelsea would want to play him, he'll have outgrown sitting on the bench.

Chaka Demus: West Brom will beat Villa because Villa are laughable. Very good to hear Lukaku speaking about staying at West Brom - a refreshingly mature head (+ big hair) on those MASSIVE shoulders of his. Good for him!

Just an absolute beast. And he's 19! Or is he Obafemi Martins 19?

Bappo: West Brom should really win this as Villa have got NOTHING going for them. And Barry Bannan is not the solution. Neither is Eric Lichaj. And Steve Clarke has done a great job. As for Romelo Lukaku, not only does he have a great name and he looks like an even stronger version of Victor Moses (who is a beast), but he also seems to have a brain, something which has been found wanting in several Chelsea players in recent years. Good to hear him chat about wanting to play first, but he did sign a contract with Chelsea and he knew the deal. This might simply be a bit of a PR stunt on his part for Chelsea to give up to certain demands he might make in the future. But at least he's making sense so good on him. but should we praise a player for being reasonable?

7- Swansea vs Stoke, or Beauty and the Beast. Which one of the two teams is more of a miracle when you consider their respective positions (8th and 9th)?

Westy: Swansea. They haven't spent a lot of money, whereas Stoke have made quite a few expensive signings in their Premiership stint, such as Wilson Palacios (where is he now????) and Peter Crouch.

That Stoke fan just realised his club paid Spurs around £8m for Palacios and the man is still at his club. Sad.

Chaka Demus: I don't think either is a miracle to be honest with you. Both deserve a top of the table position as things stand. Swansea play excellent tiki-taka (Westy) football and Stoke are overly criticised in my opinion. Although Robert Huth is a monster who should be kept in a cage of some kind.

Bappo: Swansea by a mile. They've spent no money and have done it by playing the right way. Stoke have done well but they've spent bucket loads (third biggest net spenders in the Premier League since they've been there, behind only Man City and Chelsea!). And it's easier to survive when you play negative football.

8- Man City are 7 points behind Utd, but this time with 16 games left. Are you confident that the title race will be as close as last season?

Westy: To be honest, I think the African Cup of Nations is what will do for City. You still feel that United have yet to play well - but they are top with their best points total ever! When they do hit their stride, and sort out the defence, I can't see anyone catching them.

Chaka Demus: I'm not confident of anything. If RVP stays fit I don't see Man Utd losing it. Man City must start playing well at some point though and at the end of last year Utd fell to pieces so, who knows?

Man Utd don't want a repeat of that again. Bappo certainly does.

Bappo: It does appear as though Man Utd are going to win it. They haven't been that good, and I'm not actually sure they do have that famous 'second gear'. They're also so reliant on Van Persie it's untrue. Honestly. He's bailed them out so many times this year. But we just never know, Man City might turn it on, and let's be honest Man Utd deserve to lose a few more games. Not only because they don't really deserve to be top, but more importantly because I hate them. And it's all that matters really.

9- Southampton have finally found their way out of the relegation zone. How impressed have you been with Rickie Lambert? Would you rather have him or Grant Holt?

Westy: Lambert any day. I like Grant Holt, and he had a great first season, but Lambert is equally as good with the ball on the deck as with it in the air. It's nice to see a resurgence of the old fashioned Target Man. Incidentally, I've expected more of Gaston at Southampton. When that much money is spent by a weak side, you need the player to actually influence games.

Chaka Demus: Very impressed. It's a Championship formula to have a big front man but they play very good football besides that. It's not all route one. I would say Lambert in a starting XI and Holt as a super-sub to batter tired centre-backs!

Bappo: I've been impressed by Lambert. Not only is he a good target man but the man can play. Grant Holt, on the other hand, is a donkey. He's like a less expensive version of Andy Carroll. I like him and respect him because of the way he's made it to the Premier League, but he's a donkey. He's a beast in the air but he can't do much else. He's been absolutely found out this year after a good first season.

They've both come a long way. Kudos to anyone who knows who that builder on the right is.

10- Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool or Loïc Remy at QPR. Who will have the most success, and who will be the biggest failure? Any other transfer rumours that have interested you or that you think would make sense?

Westy: In rejecting Newcastle amid rumours of a bumper QPR contract, Remy has set himself up for a fall. I think that's highly likely (and would be very funny) that he and QPR  will go down with a whimper and Harry will have ruined yet another club.

Chaka Demus: Sturridge at Liverpool. I can't say I have seen enough of Remy to comment on him. Shame he's gone to QPR and not Newcastle though. Another big wage bill to contend with!

Bappo: In all honesty, Remy has the potential to be very good in the Premier League. He's big, strong, versatile, quick and skilful, and it's not like he's going to face quality defenders in the Prem. Ligue 1, on the other hand, is a league where teams are very well organised defensively. So he could be a steal for QPR. Or he'll be an incredible flop. I still think he'll do well. He can't be worse than Bobby Z and Djibril. And I wouldn't be too disappointed if I was Newcastle; they'll snap him up in 6 months when QPR go down and Remy activates a clause in his contract which puts him on the transfer list for half the price he was bought. So there you go Newcastle. Just wait 6 months. As for Sturridge, he's cocky and he thinks he's better than he is, but he'll do well at Liverpool. He is a good player, he's scored goals in the past and Liverpool really need him. A match made in heaven really. On a side note, I'd like to see Arsenal go for a big, powerful, injury-free defensive midfielder (aka not Diaby). How about Diamé? Or does that make too much sense Arsène? I'm guessing there's a 15-year-old Peruvian wonderkid they've been scouting for 3 years who'll come soon. Oh wait, Arsenal don't do that anymore. My bad.

'What do you mean this is awkward?'

LAS PREDICTIONES DEL WEEK-END

Manchester City vs Fulham
Westy (3-0), Chaka Demus (3-0), Bappo (2-0)


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


Swansea vs Stoke
Westy (1-2), Chaka Demus (1-1), Bappo (2-0)


West Ham vs QPR
Westy (2-0), Chaka Demus (2-2), Bappo (1-1)


Wigan vs Sunderland
Westy (1-1), Chaka Demus (1-2), Bappo (1-1)


Newcastle vs Reading
Westy (1-0), Chaka Demus (1-1), Bappo (2-0)


West Brom vs Aston Villa
Westy (4-1), Chaka Demus (2-0), Bappo (3-1)


Chelsea vs Arsenal
Westy (2-1), Chaka Demus (3-4!!!!!), Bappo (1-2)


Tottenham vs Man Utd
Westy (1-2), Chaka Demus (4-3!!!!!), Bappo (2-1)


Southampton vs Everton
Westy (0-1), Chaka Demus (1-2), Bappo (0-2)