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Premier League

Ian Griffiths and Kelvin Leong take you on a weekly trip through the latest happenings in the world of football.

Ian Griffiths and Kelvin Leong. Two long suffering football fans who have remained delusional that their respective clubs, Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur will turn back the clock and usher in the glory days give their weekly dosage of matters happening in and around the world of football.

Old skool passion vs new age interest

Let the fun begin!

Robbie Fowler to Blackburn Rovers

KL: If this is not a sign of desperation, I don't know what is. The former Liverpool No.23 has been out injured for most part of last season for Cardiff City and has never quite been the same player he was since leaving Anfield to join Leeds United.

This whole deal seems to be two former teammates wanting to be closer to one another for the convenience of many pub outings to come.

If I was a Rovers' fan, I would be really shocked and worried upon hearing the news of Fowler joining us. I mean, Roque Santa Cruz and Fowler? Doesn't quite make sense does it.

IG: Well I am a Rovers fan and I am totally shocked. I ask you - is the possible arrival of Fowler progress? Not a chance!

The Ewood faithful are now on the verge of seeing the last of Roque, David Bentley, Brad Fridel and Christopher Samba, and having them replaced by Ince's cronies, a bunch of ageing has-beens who should be nowhere near the Premier League.

From being a steady top-flight team who pushed for Europe season after season, we now face the real prospect of relegation under Ince, an appointment that I strongly disagreed with when it was announced.

Get rid of Ince I say, before it's too late.

Cristiano Ronaldo leaving staying leaving staying

KL: Enough already! Yes I love the man to bits for keeping me entertained the whole of last season but when a player starts talking about wanting to leave a club, it speaks volumes for the person's integrity.

I might be considered a rookie journalist but I am a firm believer in loyalty to a club. It is an absolute disgrace that modern footballers are more interested in the crisp pieces of dollar notes falling into the pockets rather than being out on the field with pride and passion.

Let CR7 leave. This whole transfer wrangle is something Real Madrid are very well versed with having done the same with the likes of Luis Figo and David Beckham.

There is so much more on offer in the coming season. I for one cannot wait to see Luka Modric, Giovani Dos Santos - I'm a Spurs fan remember? - Samir Nasri, Deco and Johan Elmander in action. These are some of the best attackers of the modern game mind you.

As I've mentioned in one of my comment pieces, Forget Ronaldo, Hail Modric!

IG: I couldn't agree more Mr Leong. Let him leave and I for one don't care if he rots once he's left "sunny" Manchester.

Ronaldo is the epitome of a footballer in the modern era - a self-centered egotist who cares not a jot for his club and its supporters.

These fools have thrown tradition and loyalty out of the window quicker that you can say "greedy idiot".

Both Ronaldo and that other winging fool Emmanuel Adebayor at Arsenal, should be made to go and work for a week or two in a fish packing factory, or sweep the streets for a month. Only then will they see how ridiculous their demands are, only then will they see what the real world is like.

On a brighter note my friend, you're right to point out that even without the Portuguese pouter and the Togolese twit, there will be a healthy dose of talent on display in the Premier League next season.

I'm not as convinced as you that an ageing Deco will shine, but you lot at Spurs have got a real gem in Modric - now there's someone I would pay good money to see.

Oh, and don't forget there will be another chance to see the ridiculously over-hyped talent of Jermaine Pennant, a Rovers target. On second thoughts, let's forget about him - he's not even fit to lace Modric's boots!

Luis Felipe Scolari at Chelsea

KL: Yes, he has taken Brazil to World Cup glory but no, his club resume is not as impressive. How many times have we been told that not all clubs managers can be good national coaches and vice versa?

Scolari no doubt comes with the reputation of having handled some of the world's best players like Ronaldo, Robinho, etc. But he has never been at a club where the pressure is so great that your head is almost always on the chopping block.

Scolari knows this and credit to him - by bringing Deco in and telling Lampard he is free to leave - is employing the exact tactic I thought he would do. Bring in players who are familiar with his style of play and let them run the show for him. Bosingwa and Deco are classic examples of how this cunning tactician is already learning the tricks of power play that is so evidently present at Stamford Bridge.

I will reserve my judgement on him till Boxing Day. That I feel is when we will know if Scolari has what it takes to manage at Premiership level.

IG: I tell you what, I'm not going to wait until Boxing Day. Scolari has about as much chance of succeeding in the Premiership as Ince. Like an imitation Christmas tree - he'll be out come December 25.

I agree that he has the tactical savvy to succeed - you tend not to win World Cups without it - but the pressure he will be under is sure to be like no other he has experienced.

He will crack like a peanut being steamrollered. After all, wasn't that the sole reason why he turned down the England job?

He went on about journalists hiding in his garden and that he couldn't live his life like that. Welcome to the wonderful world of the English press Big Phil.

Why is it going to be any different now? Simple answer - it won't. Being employed by one of the leading clubs in England, Scolari will be under pressure from both within and outside the club. He will, for every minute of every day he is at the Chelsea helm, be under the spotlight and, not being used to it, he will crumble in an instant.

I wish him well, but he really shouldn't have let the lure of a load of cash make him forget about what life can be like in an English fish bowl.