Connor's Blog

Everton v Newcastle Everton are like that really annoying fly - they don't go away. Every time you think their hopes of a top 4 finish have disappeared, they go on another decent run. I would expect that run to continue here against a Newcastle side with no wins in the league since before Christmas. The concern for Steve Bruce is they have not performed well once in that time. Prediction 3-0 Crystal Palace v Wolves When these teams met in the cup a few weeks ago, it was a very tight game. Yes Wolves came out on top, but Palace will argue they were the better team. I really do not see much between these sides and that is backed up by the current league table. I would expect this one to finish all square. Prediction 1-1 Manchester City v Sheffield United Pep Guardiola must be delighted. City have found their mojo again, and are top of the league with a game in hand. If you had offered him that a month ago then I'm sure he would not have believed you. The Blades had an excellent w...

Hi everyone! I am doing my first ever live stream on my Facebook page 'Connor's Blog' tonight at 8pm. If you are not too busy then it would be great to see you there. It's a Q&A so have a question ready. Thank you for your continued support Connor 

Crystal Palace v West Ham The home side should be fresh and ready to go following a full week off. A real feature of their play lately has been their defensive resilience, although they perhaps expectedly came unstuck at the Etihad. West Ham had a big win in the FA Cup at the weekend, and I just have a feeling they could edge this London derby. Prediction 1-2 Newcastle v Leeds Steve Bruce and Newcastle are in a real hole at the moment. They have only drawn two of their previous ten league games, losing the rest. They have got some good individual players, but nothing is clicking for them as a team. Leeds will be unpredictable as ever, however, they will cause Newcastle a lot of problems going forward. Prediction 0-2 Southampton v Arsenal I think this will be a completely different game to the one at the weekend, mainly because Mikel Arteta will play a vastly different team. I would expect Aubameyang, Smith Rowe, Saka and Lacazette to all come in from the start. The Saints will fancy th...

Chorley v Wolves Chorley have done brilliantly to reach the 4th round but this should be a step too much for them. Prediction 0-3 Southampton v Arsenal The Saints edged past Shrewsbury on Tuesday evening but I do not see them getting past the holders. Prediction 1-2 Barnsley v Norwich I expect Norwich to make changes as they continue their promotion push, which could give Barnsley the edge here. Prediction 2-1 Brighton v Blackpool Blackpool knocked out Premier League West Brom in the 3rd round, but I think they will fall here. Prediction 2-0 Millwall v Bristol City There is something about Millwall at The Den in this competition. I would not be surprised if they got through this tie. Prediction 2-1 Sheffield United v Plymouth The Blades got their first win of the season in the previous round and should get another one against another League One side. Prediction 2-0 Swansea v Nottingham Forest A tasty looking all-Championship affair in South Wales - with a resurgent Forest side the visi...

Good afternoon and welcome back to this afternoon's blog. As we begin to move towards the end of the first month of the year, the pandemic situation is still showing no signs of easing. The vaccine rollout, however, does offer that glimmer of hope that we have to hold on to. It is far too easy to let ourselves slide into a mindset of panic, negativity and anxiety - but why? We know that this pandemic will come to an end and that our lives will go back to normal. Every day that passes means we are a day nearer to returning to that. In the meantime, we need to deliver anxiety that knockout blow and allow happiness, positivity and a brighter outlook to flood into our veins. It sounds easy, but how easy is it to apply to our everyday lives? During a non-pandemic life, we all have routines, schedules, timetables and deadlines that we have to stick to. We all have our normal working hours, our hobbies and the times we meet friends for the weekly catch-up down the local pub. Routine is yo...

Wolves v West Brom I did not think Wolves would miss Raul Jimenez as much as they have. They haven't got the same threat going forward and this is giving teams chances to beat them, as Everton showed in the week. They should beat West Brom though, who look in worse shape under Allardyce than they did under Bilic. They are conceding more too, which is rare for a Sam Allardyce side. Prediction 2-0  Leeds v Brighton Leeds will have a lot of the ball here, and the outcome will depend on whether they can take their chances in front of goal. They have been wasteful at times this season - the goalless draw against Arsenal sticks out. Brighton have played ok recently, but continue to lack the cutting edge that they need to break teams down. Prediction 2-0 West Ham v Burnley This fixture has been won by Burnley on 5 of the last 6 occasions. However, I can't see that run continuing here. Neither side have had any consistency this season, but the Hammers have the better players, and the b...

Sheffield United v Newcastle I don't want to state the obvious here, but the hosts need a win. They scraped past Bristol Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup at the weekend and just maybe that could get them going in the league. Newcastle are in the comforts of mid-table, but did have to play extra time in their cup tie at the weekend, so maybe fatigue could play a part. Either way, I think Chris Wilder will be reflecting on yet another defeat. Prediction 1-2 Burnley v Manchester United Sean Dyche will definitely be happier with the performances and results of his side recently. They are defending well and winning the games against relegation rivals. Manchester United are still unbeaten away from home in the league this season, and even if Solskjaer does make changes after the cup win, they should have enough here to win. Prediction 0-2  Wolves v Everton Both of these teams have impressed me this season with the brand of football they try and play. Wolves have found the consistency that h...

This incredibly talented young lady has a unique knack of capturing and mesmerising her audience with the purest and most heartfelt vocals. I am yet to come across a genre that Sheya is unable to make her own, all whilst maintaining the full range of emotions that her voice contains. It is not just her sensational vocals that is a lure for listeners - it all stems from her wonderful song writing ability. When you first listen to Sheya, pay particular attention to the lyrics. Not only does every original song tell a truly emotional story, but there will often be lines within them that indicate personal experiences, and these are what makes Sheya's songs special. And let's not forget that she accompanies all of this with the highest level of acoustic guitar playing. Sheya understands music and understands herself - the balance between vocals and guitar remains perfect throughout every set. Here, Sheya shares some of her experiences about her musical career, her hopes and ambition...

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool  Wolves 1-0 Crystal Palace Boreham Wood 0-2 Millwall Everton 3-0 Rotherham Luton 1-2 Reading Norwich 2-0 Coventry Nottingham Forest 0-2 Cardiff Chorley 0-1 Derby Blackburn 1-2 Doncaster Blackpool 1-0 West Brom Bristol Rovers 0-2 Sheffield United Burnley 1-0 MK Dons Exeter 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday Oldham 0-2 Bournemouth QPR 1-2 Fulham Stevenage 0-3 Swansea Stoke 0-2 Leicester Wycombe 0-1 Preston Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle Brentford 2-1 Middlesbrough Huddersfield 1-0 Plymouth Manchester United 2-0 Watford Southampton P-P Shrewsbury - postponed due to coronavirus Barnsley 2-0 Tranmere Bristol City 1-1 Portsmouth - Bristol City to win on penalties Chelsea 4-0 Morecambe Cheltenham 1-1 Mansfield - Cheltenham to win on penalties Crawley 1-3 Leeds  Manchester City 5-0 Birmingham Marine 0-4 Tottenham Newport 1-2 Brighton Stockport 1-2 West Ham

Good afternoon and welcome back to this afternoon's blog - the first one of 2021 and the 65th overall. I, like you, have got no idea where that time has gone. Days have merged into weeks and weeks have merged into months, largely due to the pandemic of course. I hope that everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year celebrations, irrespective of how small these might have been. But all things, good and bad, must come to an end. So as we wave (very gratefully) goodbye to 2020, we welcome 2021 with open arms and ask ourselves one very important question - "Can this year get any worse?" The answer is probably not. Well, hopefully not anyway. With a New Year comes an opportunity for a fresh start. 2020 is old news now and it should not take up any of our time. Without any further ado, let's commence the blogging for 2021. To an unfortunately large extent, the first few months of the year are going to look very similar to what we have experienced. From local lockdowns, na...

Everton v West Ham People say this is the time to go on a winning run and the Toffees have definitely done that. Since Richarlison has returned, there's a much brighter spark about them. Allan deserves a mention too - he is an engine in their midfield. West Ham have drawn three of their previous four games, but I don't see them getting a point here. Prediction 2-0 Manchester United v Aston Villa United beat Wolves with a very late deflected goal last time out, and people are getting carried away with title talk. To win the league, you need to play well and get results, and they are certainly not playing well at the moment. Villa got a deserved point at Stamford Bridge last time out and I can see them getting a result here too. Prediction 1-1 Tottenham v Leeds Spurs have become a bit Spursy recently by conceding too many late goals. Jose Mourinho has questioned the desire of his team, but I think it is simply a case of not sitting on a one-goal lead - if you are on top push for ...