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Premiership Transfer Window Review - Part One

The January transfer window gave Premiership clubs the opportunity to add new players or ship out those surplus to requirements. David Walker looks at who came and went and how these moves will impact on each teams success.

Arsenal

The Gunners have invested in the next generation of young talent after a disastrous season. Vassiriki Diaby joined from Auxerre and Togo striker Manuel Adebayor arrived from Monaco but the most talked about transfer was the capture of Southamptons 16 year old Theo Walcott. The transfer fee could rocket to 12 million.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Jeremie Aliadiere joined Spartak Moscow and Wolves respectively while David Bentley joined Blackburn permanently.

Such change is vital to both Arsenals immediate and future success. They currently lie in sixth place but a massive 25 points behind leaders Chelsea. The bookmakers arent convinced and offer them at 12/1 in the without Chelsea market to win the Premiership.

Aston Villa

After a pre-season transfer investment with very little to show for it, there have been no more funds made available. The Villains, despite spending 11 million on new players in the summer, are only seven points clear of relegation.

Kevin Phillips has scored just three goals, Milan Baros has netted five and defender Wilfred Bouma has been something of a 3.5 million misfit. Poor home and away form could see a bit of value in the 22/1 relegation odds.

Birmingham City

Struggling in the bottom three is never the best position to be in when trying to attract new players but with goals in short supply, two new attacking options arrived in January.

Striker Chris Sutton arrived on a free transfer from Celtic after scoring 63 goals in 130 league appearances and Brentfords DJ Campbell, 24, signed for 500,000. Campbell may be an unknown quantity for top flight defences but his two goal salvo which dumped Sunderland out of the FA Cup will send out a warning to Premiership managers.

The bookmakers are not convinced Steve Bruces side are relegation fodder just yet, at 4/6 to stay up or 5/4 to go down.

Blackburn Rovers

Rovers may be out of both Cups but are making good progress in the league under manager Mark Hughes. Unbeaten in their last six matches and sitting in eighth position is marked improvement from last seasons flirt with relegation.

Arsenal striker David Bentley made his loan move a permanent transfer and scored a hat-trick in the 4-3 win against Manchester United on February 1. Rovers also boosted their bid for a UEFA Cup place with the loan signing of Liverpool striker Florent Sinama Pongolle and Martin Olsson from Hogaborgs for a nominal fee.

Bolton Wanderers

There wasnt much evidence of the usual wheeling and dealing at the Reebok Stadium with only Matt Jansens free transfer arrival from Blackburn. Despite losing five players to African Cup duty, manager Sam Allardyce has kept faith with his current squad.

January has seen more interest in Big Sams future at the club following Sven Goran Erikssons decision to quit as England manager after the World Cup. He is one of the favourites to take over the role and can be backed at 5/1.

Charlton Athletic

After a slump in form which saw the Addicks lose seven out of 10 Premiership matches from the end of October to New Years Day results are beginning to improve and they are unbeaten in their last three league matches.

Marcus Bent arrived with a bang following his 2.5 million transfer from Everton by scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea. Manager Alan Curbishley will hope he can ease the goalscoring burden off 11-goal Darren Bent who can be backed at 20/1 to finish the season as the Premierships top goalscorer.

Chelsea

With a 15 point lead at the top of the Premiership and having spent 53 million on new players this season so far, it is not a big surprise that Chelsea have been quiet in the transfer market.

One new player arrived in the form of Portuguese winger Maniche, making a loan switch from Dynamo Moscow although defender Wayne Bridge has headed out of the Stamford Bridge exit door to join West London rivals Fulham on loan.

The Blues are unbackable now as far as Premiership success is concerned with odds of 1/66 the most generous available. Frank Lampard is available at 12/1 to finish as the Premierships top goalscorer.

Part two will look at the transfers impacting Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.

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Why We Cook

Its interesting really, all the reasons I can come up with as to why we cook. If you look back into ancient times, people cooked to survive. Would you eat raw buffalo? How determined they were to create a fire by rubbing two sticks together and then making contraptions to create a spit to roast the catch of the day. Back in those days, cooking was a full time job just to get a single meal on the table (did they even have tables?). Surely, if I had similar circumstances, that is to have to live without my 101 kitchen gadgets (Yes, they call me gadget girl. In fact, I get kitchen appliances and such as birthday, holiday, even anniversary gifts from my husband each year and my girlfriend yells at him each time. But truly, I asked for these giftshe wasnt TRYING to keep me in the kitchen! I dont do diamonds unless they come in a knife sharpener or something similar. But I digress.

Why else do we cook? Some say they cook to impress others. If you prepare a meal for your girlfriend or boyfriend during courtship, they are sure to be swooned by your culinary skills. I remember when I was dating my husband he would invite me over to his house for an authentic Chinese dinner. He would cut up all the vegetables perfectly, create his marinade, and toss everything in his newly purchased wok. How impressed I was! You dont only get to a man through his stomach. He certainly got to me by demonstrating his cooking skills. He created my image of the perfect husband.

Heres a basic reason why we cook, because we need to eat. Another is that we want to be sure we know what our families are actually eating and that they are eating healthy. Sure, we can go out a get a bite to eat at a local fast-food establishment or take the time to be served at a local restaurant, but do you really know what you are getting? Is it really nutritious and healthy? Obesity is becoming one of the major reasons for premature death. If cooking for ourselves to assure a healthier life isnt reason enough to do it, then I dont know what is.

Although there are many more reasons why people cook I would like to point out why I believe we should cook at home. Cooking is a great way to demonstrate how much we care about those we serve and the great amount of satisfaction it gives us when you know they appreciate your efforts. There are also numerous side benefits to cooking at home two of which are to eat healthier and to spend more time with the family around the dinner table to talk about the days events. Studies have shown that families who regularly cook and eat together have happier marriages, improved childrens health, and stronger family ties. Taking time to plan, shop and create a wellrounded, healthy meal is the greatest demonstration of love and devotion. Although I find the unending list of tasks associated with preparing daily meals somewhat daunting at times, I truly enjoy the process. And, after that first taste, if I hear, Gee Mom this is really good!Wow, how great it feels to know the fruits (no pun intended) of my labor are appreciated and that my family is gaining profound benefits.

Positive feedback from those you cook for can provide you with a can-do cooking attitude. My grandmother was a constant source of feedback for my culinary creations when I was young which is how I think I got hooked on cooking for others. Once you begin to get that kind of feedback, its addictive. You start to challenge yourself by creating even more complex creations time and again. The more they like what you cook, the more you cook. Its really hard not to want to hear positive comments on each and every dish, which then makes one want to try harder to please. You see where Im going with this? And, if you know they are really eating well and enjoying these culinary moments, you know you did your best to thwart the bad diet demons.

If you dont already cook or perhaps you only cook occasionally, you probably havent felt the amazing sense of gratification it brings. Today, many of us are time-starved and therefore the best we can do is grab the phone and order take out. But next time, before you think about ordering that mystery food, realize that many recipes today can be completed in 30 minutes or less and that they taste much better! Theres many a cookbook, magazine and TV show to prove it. Simply browse your favorite on-line bookstore or recipe website and Im sure you will find a gazillion books with 30 minutes in the title.

No time for browsing you say? Okay, heres a few of my favorite recipes that can be put on the table start to finish in no time. Whoever gets to taste these culinary creations youve prepared will no doubt feel special that you took the time (they dont need to know it didnt take all day) to create something wonderful for them to eat. I know that once you hear their oohs and aaaahsyou too will begin to get hooked on cooking. You will start to realize that cooking can be a pleasure as well as a necessary part of our day.

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