´óÏó´«Ã½

Great column. I'd love to have seen the chips in the hood!

My predictions for the top 6 are as follows:

Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool though I'm perhaps being optimistic as a Liverpool fan that we'll get 6th and United will win nothing!

The last time I went to Bolton someone threw chips at me, it must be a local greeting custom.

Morning Danny Boy,

Speaking of your chips and gravy experience, and knowing your love of slighty random food (I remember you mentioning a ridiculous sandwich earlier in the season), I have a suggestion for you.

Ever tried chips, cheese and gravy? I live in the Isle of Man and it's apparently a local dish. I say apparently so I don't get someone on from somewhere else abusing me! Beautiful, especially after a few.

I also stumbled across chips, cheese and curry sauce one night in TT Week (Google it) because they had no gravy, another good one! Again, better after a few.

I have the same order as you. Chelsea and Arsenal will drop points and draw a few sadly (I hate United), as will Liverpool. Spurs have a tough run in, but I think have more resilience to grind out a few points. We did a predictor in work for 4th, I have Spurs 55 points, City 53, Liverpool and Villa 51.

Have a good weekend, look forward to your response to the chips combos.

Toddy Orlygsson

'At half-time, he launched a verbal assault, telling me that I was unprofessional and too tall to work in a press box. I made matters worse by spilling half my Bovril down his back at the start of the second half. '

..... Accidentally, of course ;)

As things stand in the table, (being a Spurs fan I'd be more than happy with that) though I'd sneak Everton in 6th instead of the Pool, because the hard working lot deserve it.

Couple of things, you always seem to be away for a few days! and your dad tried to make you a spurs fan twice...

United/Chelsea/Arsenal/Liverpool/Man City/Tottingham

Would have presumed premiereague and championship clubs provided better service than what you got at coventry and bolton! I'm a lincoln city fan and over the last few seasons I've been in a box 5 times, it's a good view near to the pitch, and its comfy enough. Just the food selection seemed a bit strange. Sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and then a selection of biscuits....

Quality as usual blog dan. Totally off topic but was wondering if anyone at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport have been hearing back from Gavin Peacock about how he is and how his new life is going?

Every week at Celtic Park I have a food nightmare as it is surely one of the worst places Ive been to for grub.. Awful..

Although one european game I had snuck in some home made lasagne in tupperware under a large jacket.. and lo and behold the boy in front had snuck in some cheesy garlic bread.. naturally we combined and everyone round about us looked on enviously.

Is there any reason you didn't buy a hat??

Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Spurs

Coby Jones.

# 6 ... Good question as Gavin Peacock was always my favourite analyst on MOTD.. he reminded me of a young Ray Wilkins.. which is awesome

When you mentioned "chips in the hood" - I thought you were leading to a story about dining at the best restaurant in S*nderland! More Michelin tires than Michelin stars!!

Being an Arsenal fan i'd hate for Spurs to get 4th. My choice around Xmas was for Villa to nick it but I think they've thrown it again this season. I really like the way MON has got them playing and Gabby, Young and Milner are really good players for them (wouldn't mind the first two in our team). Instead of Spurs, I wouldn't mind Citeh getting in there, but only to lose in the qualifiers! So long as Arsenal come top, I don't mind! Fingers crossed for a Utd-Chelski draw on Saturday.

Konnichiwa Brother Dan,

Greetings from Japan again.
Great blog as always!

Since you are in Devon, I recommend if you travel to Plymouth, head down to the Barbican and get yourself (and the family) a portion of chips or two from Platters. Their chips are the best by far. Alternatively, if you feel man enough, get a "Jasperiser" from Captain Jaspers!
As for predictions, here's hoping (and I am a Liverpool fan).

1: Arsenal
2: Chelsea
3: Man Utd
4: Liverpool
5: Man City
6: Spurs

(Optimistic, i know)

Titi Camara

You should try cheese, chips and chicken soup. Its great!

Chips in the hood... the killer question is did you then finish off the hood-chips?

As a united fan I hope we finish 1st but not to sure if we will with Rooney injured.

I predict;

United
Chelsea
Arsenal
City
Spurs
Liverpool

Ramon Vega.

The best chip combo is by far chili, chips and cheese. Gotta be in the right order tho, chips as the base, chili over the chips and then the cheese melted on top.

Chelsea
United
Arsenal
Spurs
City
Everton

"In a bid to turn me into a Tottenham fan, my dad took me to a game at White Hart Lane back in the late 1980s. We watched Spurs play Stoke City in a bid to turn me into a Spurs fan."....you're repeating yourself Dan!!

Curry chips, or Cheesy chips are always on the menu in any chip shop here in Ireland...as well as garlic chips!! Yummy!!

Another chucklesome blog Dan!

I was once at the Emirates and watched in fascinated, slow motion delight at a man who'd been standing with one of the fairly large hotdogs that they sell there. As he returned to his seat his friend whipped out the tube of Jaffa cakes unannoucned (I'm sure these get smuggled into football more than anything else!) and he completely lost interest in the 'dog he'd bought. Chatting and laughing around with his friend a short while later, he lost grip and clutched hard to regain control. Catching the cardboard holder and the bun within, the copious amounts of mustard and ketchup betrayed his firm grip as the hotdog sausage accelerated out of the bun as he gripped harder in desperation only to fall out of the bun... As the chap was sitting on the front row of the upper tier with some friends, I gazed on as the sausage spun and arched downward for the ground in front of him, clipped the guard rail fortunately, sprung back up (and arcing trail of mustard and ketchup catching the chap square in the face from the ricochet) and lurched forward and began its descent the 60 odd ft to the lower tier! I leant forward to watch the descent and in pure amazement watched as (literally) the biggest Gooner in the stadium had seen it coming under him, outstretched the hand and clutched it from the air!!! The guy and his friends who'd dropped it cheered (as did many neighbouring fans) and the guy downstairs laughed, shook the sausage in a wave of victorious surprise and devoured it!

Whilst not technically an injury - that will NEVER happen again...

Happy 4-day-weekend people! :)

Forgot to mention:

Man Utd
Arsenal (by around 8 goals difference)
Chelsea
City
Liverpool
Villa
Everton
Spurs
(these were after using the Premiership Predictor!)

Not food related, but in response to your coments about Chesterfield. One of my earliest footballing memories is watching Burnley at Chesterfield. After this game, I then thought that nearly every ground I went to looked like Chesterfield. Honestly, even some really nice grounds, I always thought they had a look of Chesterfield about them.

A few months ago I saw a quiz of guess the ground, I didn't have a clue. Turns out it was Chesterfield. Not even Chesterfield looks like Chesterfield. So now i'm not sure about anything any more. Was Chesterfield really Chesterfield that day way back when????

HI Dan,

Enjoyed the show last week but want to know why there wasn't more than a byline on the JPT final. I am obviously biased being a Saints fan but would have expected more than just the mention of the number of fans at the game. It was the biggest attendance in the country over the weekend, so surely was deserving of at least some interviews with both camps?

I did enjoy the bit on rochdale though, more from the lower leagues please. We see the top 4 stars constantly in the paper and on every other football programme on telly!

Sergey Gotsmanov

I always find where the press etc are positioned intriguing. For instance, in the days of Johnny King as manager and Des Lynam as presenter, TV coverage at Prenton Park used to be presented from ‘the big grey box’ between the Kop and Main Stand, indoor and overlooking the pitch from the corner. When our game got TV coverage in August, Sky pitched up a bit of scaffold and some planks in the Johnny King Stand and did it from there despite the blustery weather.

We’ll see if they decide the same tomorrow.

Grub at grounds seems to be going downhill of late, far too many doing hot dogs in pre-packed foil wrappers that only taste marginally better than the wrappers, although deep-fried prawns and guacamole seems a bit far the other way too!

Another fine blog Dan, keep up the good work!

Eugene Dadi.

Reading the blog while sitting at my desk at work, trying hard to not laugh about what happened to you with your pie/chips and gravy. Class. I went to see a match in Germany a few months ago and ended up looking like an extra in Casualty with ketchup liberally spilt all down my leg where it had dripped out the other end of my Bratwurst.

Chelsea
Man Utd
Arsenal
Man City
Tottenham
Liverpool

Aston Villa are too inconsistent (even more than those above them) I think to get a top 6 place this year. The top 3 are a little tricky to predict still because they all have injuries to big players. Apparently Drogba is a serious doubt for the weekend, but I think they can cope better without him than Man Utd and Arsenal can with who they have lost through injury.

Andy Lineghan

#16 fantastic story! Hope its not an April Fool?

@No.3 Chips, cheese and Gravy/curry is a must at the end of any night out. Best way to stave off potential hangovers!

Managed once to get curry in my eye (i wear contacts, wasnt good.

Man U - experience
Chelsea
Arsenal - Might have had second but some amount of injuries last night
Spurs - Are doing well
Man C - Lose to many points on games they must win

I have NEVER been able to eat a pie properly at a footie match. I always end up losing half of it on the floor, dribbling out of my mouth as it's too darn hot, or down the back of the guy sat in front of me. Am always scalding the roof of my mouth and unable to talk for the remainder of the game. However, I like them so much this is a ritual well worth suffering for....

I read this blog every week but have never mustered enough courage to write anything until now.
Firstly great blog, the food related issue each week always makes me chuckle, in fact I actually went and bought a toffee crisp a couple of weeks ago and was very, very disapointed.
As for food related incidents at football matches, back in 1988 when I was a wee lad I was stood on the Stretford end with my mates awaiting the game against Millwall. We were all munching on sugar free mints. I happened to find these little beauties quite addictive and munched my way through 2 packets. Only after I had I ran to the toilet 5 times and subsequently missed every United goal in a 5-0 thumping did I learn these have a laxative effect if you consume too many. You live and learn!

Top 6

United
Chelsea
Arsenal
City
Spurs
Everton

Remi Moses

Nice blog and a good little insight into the press box which is invaluable information for any aspiring journalist like myself. Keep up the good work.

Entertaining blog again, Sir. It must be quite a challenge every week.

Eating at football grounds isn't easy these days. I enjoyed it more when standing on the terraces. The ketchup always landed on the floor not your thigh. Mind you, I guess this would be difficult in a packed ground. I would always enjoy my burger (late 80s style) in the sparsely populated corners of the Shrivenham Road stand at Swindon Town where one could easily swing several cats.

My top six prediction is:
1. Norwich City
2. Millwall
3. Leeds United
4. Charlton Athletic
5. (my beloved) Swindon Town
6. Huddersfield Town

Sorry, were you talking about the Premier League. Oh no, not again!

Roy Wegerle

Dan, good blog as always.

I think it will finish Chelski/ManYoo/Gooners/Liverpool/Spurs/ManCiteh!

As a Liverpool fan, i'm praying we do it!

As an aside I used Google's translate facility to translate an article from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ gossip column regarding Albert Riera's impending departure. Not sure if this is actually a mistake or Rafa having one of his 'special' moments :)

"Rafa Benitez reiterated on Thursday that Riera is negotiated his departure to Spartak Moscow and stressed that this issue does not mask the smooth running of the wardrobe."

On the subject of footy food. I was once at Pittodrie for Aberdeen vs Dundee a few years back. Pittodrie has a seagull problem, particuarly after halftime. About five mins into the second half of this game, I saw and aberdeen fan throw half a steak pie into the away section. Although I couldn't condone such behaviour, it was hilarious watching the Dundee fans fighting off the swooping gulls.

Dan,
I have a classic food-related injury! Whilst at Uni, we went to the supermarket to grab some grub to watch an England Euro Qualifier. I, naturally, chose pizza as a steadfast option for both lining the stomach and being cookable in less than 15mins... I, rather than for a supermarket brand, plucked for a premium brand (without plugging the brand, it is a pizza company hailing from the Windy City). I put it in the oven for its allotted time (12mins) and waited for the magic to happen. After the cooking time I was ravenous, but gutted to find that the pizza was stone cold on the outside. So I put it in the over for another 10mins to seal the deal. After the second cooking stint the pizza was mildly warm on the outside, so I took a hasty bite out of the pizza and a blod of molten tomato dripped onto my chin. You see, the pizza may have been stone cold on the outside, but the tomato on the inside (tomatoes being the hottest food in the world) was pretty much at boiling point. So, I now have a scar on my face inflicted by a pizza! Every time I eat pizza my mates remind me of this fact...

Oh, top 6 would be:

Chelsea
Man Ute
Arsenal
Spurs
Liverpool
ManC

#3 Definitely with you on the chips, cheese and gravy...fantastic combo!

I think my biggest food disaster was as a curious youngster experimenting what food groups would fit up my nose....it turns out the raisin was a snug fit, a little too snug, that little sucker was up there for a good hour until my ma managed to encourage me to blow it out :-)

Final 6

United
Chelski
Gooners
Spurs
Citeh
Liverpool

Over and out

Paulo Wanchope

Hi Dan,
"A LITTLE TICKLE OF THE SUBSTITUTES....."
Ohh man, what are you on? I'm glad they did not edit out your little witticism. I am now persuaded that I have a full & clear understanding of why the BEEB have elevated you to your current lofty position:
1. You are a good, solid, hard worker, who does the job on a pittance, thus allowing the Beeb to pay unfunny men like Jonathan Woss even more unfunny sums of money.
2. The Beeb know they need a "John Motson" for the 21st Century. You are the Mottie of the next generation. There are THREE irrefutable pieces of evidence that place this claim beyond doubt.(A) You make gaffs such as tickling the away team's substitutes (my edit of your words) and you share your own gaffs with shameless abandon, see Bolton Chip saga and so many others besides. (B) Stuart Hall told you to get a big hat; he did so because the instruction to get a sheep skin were coming next. (c) Look what job Mottie's old man did- proof positive.
My old man tells me that Mottie's big break was the Hereford United and Newcastle United. What was yours?
As for the final 6:
Arsenal followed by
Man U,
Chelsea,
purs,
L'pool &
Man City, but I would prefer Everton.

Seeing as your in Devon, why don't you come to Plymouth argyle for monday, it will be a great game,

Sorry for typos in last post. Rushing
(B) Stuart Hall told you to get a big hat; he did so because the instruction to get a sheep skin WAS coming next. (c) Look what job Mottie's old man did- proof positive.
My old man tells me that Mottie's big break was the Hereford United and Newcastle United FA CUP GAME . What was yours?

Dixon clearly not as excited about the press box food as you Dan, can't get my head around it...

Dan; RE Food at football matches - a few years back a local radio station (name withheld) did a survey around the NorthWest clubs to find who sold the best meat & potatoe pies! The station's 'pie -eater' visited various grounds and reported back, 'on-air', on the quality he had found. When visiting the old Man City ground at Maine Road (who reputedly sold the best pies) the following was heard from the presenter when asking for his pie "How much...? I'm not paying that for a pie!!!......." followed by what I believe in the trade they called 'dead-air' - so we never got to find out who sold the best pies - the arguements still rage!

excellent point about gavin peacock,i wonder how he is getting on? A tremendous pundit and seems an excellent man too. In terms of food specific to clubs,the everton mint toffee never lets you down,along with the rich in tradition toffee girl. I wonder if any other club has specific food conections? With the world cup coming up,and the nations facination with cooking programmes...what if dan was to visit the 32 countries involved. Provide insight into the nation by exploring their footballing and dietry culture. Marrying together the two things we all enjoy most whilst gaining meaningful insight into how different nations experience the world cup. Think eating clam chowder with disinterested new england residents,to the feverish environment of rio while tucking into spiced goat. One to take to the producers? You may need help assembling the ideas,which of course is where i'd fit in.

Neil heaney

Dan- RE Food at football matches - a few years back a local radio station (name withheld) did a survey around the NorthWest clubs to find who sold the best meat & potatoe pies! The station's official 'pie -taster' visited various grounds and reported back, 'on-air', on the quality he had found. When visiting the old Man City ground at Maine Road (who it is reputedly sold the best pies at the time) the following was heard from the presenter when asking for his pie "How much...? I'm not paying that for a pie!!!......." followed by what I believe in the trade they called a period of 'dead-air' - so we never got to find out who sold the best pies - the arguements still rages!

not so much food. more a drinks nightmare at forest green last night... coffee, bovril and diet coke on my notes, kit and coat at different stages. and it was freezing.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Hi from sunny Houston.
All this talk of food makes me hungry and sad. I miss chips with gravy or curry, or just a touch of salt and since Ive lived in the states (for the last three years) I've had no real ones. I think that when I went to watch matches, sausage rolls were my favourite.

OK so the top 4:

Rooney is out so I dont think that United will sustain their goal scoring and they will go out of the champions league. Arsenal will also go out (of the CL), as well as seeing their chase for the title finally collapse without key players.
Tottenham and City have a harrowing fixture list and see them dropping points a many, and Villa will slip away - finally succumbing to Everton for 7th place. As for the FA cup, I think that its Chelsea's to give away.
The only team I havent commented on is my own team, Liverpool. They have the easiest fixtures and I think that they will get at least 14 more points, which should secure fourth (hopefully)

Chelsea
United
Arsenal
Liverpool
Man City
Tottenham
Everton

Come on you reds

Went to Notts County v Northampton in the away end a few years ago, had somehow gone all day without eating anything and decided to just get a pie at the ground. Just get a pie... They didn't have any. I had a Snickers and half a packet of Starburst on a completely empty stomach. Nearly threw up. Hungriest I've ever been. Got a 15" pizza on the way back to my mate's place and devoured it.

The pies at Wigan are the best I've ever tasted at a football ground.

Following Derby away this season hasnt been good.Best food has been a fantastic pie at Palace mind you it was corporate.
Worst has been and we have not even been there yet Coventry it always so bad will be eating away from the ground this Saturday.

UP THE RAMS

worst food moment, thought I was being Billy big balls by getting press accreditation to a national motor event whilst I was doing student media. Turned up at the new Wembley stadium and downed more mini sausage rolls in the press hospitality than Kauto Star could manage. All the press then get told that colin mccrae and andy priaux were ready to take us round the track. Track? Turns out the event was a sort of stunt event inside Wembley. I stand in the wrong queue for mccrae, so I got shoved in the back of a rally car driven by Priaux who drives us around the edges of the pitch on this make-shift track. Somehow, the geezer gets up to 40mph and then slams on the brake and takes us 90 degrees sideways at each corner flag. safe to say, i get out the car, mumble a thanks to Priaux, walk briskly to the bathroom and say hello to my little sausuage rolls once more!! have a gud one again on Saturday fella, ross.

Hey Dan.

Glad to hear you resisted the urge to join/support the dark side, probably saved yourself years of pain and anguish too.

I´m afraid my beloved Arsenal have blown the chance of the title, it´s still possible and I won´t give up hope (a footy fans best friend) but considering the players we lost yesterday it´s gonna be tough. A lot rides on the Utd v Chelsea game this weekend for all three sides.

4th place is also hard to call, I´d like to see Spurs get it, just to show them how difficult the CL really is, but I think Merc City may just pip them to it.

Enjoy your break and try not to scoff too many Easter Eggs next week.;-p

Re: #3 "Spurs have a tough run in, but I think have more resilience to grind out a few points".

Blimey! As much as i love them i never thought i'd see a neutral mention "Spurs" and "resilience" in the same sentence!

As a Spurs fan i obviously want Spurs for 4th, but if i'm really honest i don't think we'll get it. I've been here too many times before, Spurs always manage to throw great opportunities away.
I'm expecting Liverpool to string some wins together and nick it from us on the last day, with Man City not far off either.

1: Chelsea
2: United
3: Arsenal
4: Liverpool
5: Spurs
6: Man City

Yep, it is so Lincoln city to do something like that. That is nice news, yes he always seemed like a really
good guy and intelligent also.
I'm sure I speak for everyone on here when I say thanks for taking your time to answer as many posts as possible and that we all enjoy the show greatly, keep up the good work :D

**Yours sincerely

Carlos Valderama

You're not a fan of the Bratwurst then? Nothing like standing on the terraces with a pint and something hot to eat.

Rene Higuita

thanks Dan... many folks are catching on with signing off as some ex-international. i find that to be interesting as it reminds me of the stars of years gone by.

Justine Fashanu

#55 Freudian slip...?

1. Chelsea
2. Man U
3. Tottenham
4. Arsenal
5. Man City
6. Aston Villa

Great blog as always.

I'll go for:

1: Man U
2: Arsenal
3: Chelski
4: Spurs
5: Liverpool
6: Man City

Spurs are going to need one big result out of the games against arsenal and chelsea, and can't afford to lose to City if they are to come 4th!

Yours Truly,

Jonathan Blondel

Good blog as usual.

Dan, i'm guessing you will be going to South Africa for the World Cup, maybe presenting a few matches?

Terrific blog Dan.

Courtesy of my role at the University newspaper, I have had the priviledge of covering Reading throughout the season, from the early season tribulations through to their fantastic cup run. I always enjoy the intricacies of the Press Box, the pies, the atmosphere and the cameraderie. I was wondering where the best Press Box experience has been for you in this country?

Also, as I am coming to the end of my role due to graduation, I was wondering if you had any tips for aspiring journalists like me who would revel in the opportunity to make this experience permanent in future. I would greatly appreciate your input.

Many Thanks

Jimmy Downing (not an ex-footballer!)

PS - for good measure, I shall unleash my own predictions for the end of the season:
1. Arsenal
2. Man Utd
3. Chelsea
4. Liverpool (got the bottle and the right fixtures)
5. Spurs (they always blow it)
6. Man City (inconsistent)
7. Everton (in form)
8. Aston Villa (gutted for them, but running out of steam again)

serves you right for having gravy on your chips - nasty northern habit. Went to Leeds Uni many years ago and the first time I went to the chippy the old bat behind the counter asked 'Do you want gravy with that luv?'

I honestly thought she was taking the mickey! Disgusting prospect

Anyway:

Man Utd
Chelsea
Arsenal
Man City
Tottenham
Liverpool

Dan, as a Christian man yourself, you should know that plastering your column with a big picture of chips is torture on a fast day! I'm struggling enough as it is.

Great blog by the way, it's definitely my favourite on this site.

Southampton by far does the best Chicken Tikka Pukka Pies. I promise they won't let you down. My Prediction is Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, City, Villa

HI Dan,

I was indeed one of the 44,000 at Wembley last week. First trophy of my lifetime, so wasn't going to miss that!

Looking forward to tomorrow's show. Shame you're not on Bank Holiday Monday!

Ali dia

Great blog.Now for some breakfasT


Neil Mellor

This made me hungry!