Mario Pepe blog"Two players, both alike in madness,
On the field, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new badness,
Where uncivil studs make civil hands unclean"

The past week has seen two highly-publicised and controversial incidents in huge matches - involving Manchester City's Mario Balotelli and Real Madrid's Pepe - but with two very different outcomes.

Both men are big, strapping athletes, highly-talented but unquestionably unhinged, who represent their adopted countries at international level but have caused uproar in the nations where they ply their trade for their recent actions.

On

Wenger and RedknappSky's slogan is the pseudo-aspirational "Believe in better". Perhaps they should give a nod to John Lewis and change it to "Never knowingly underhyped", because the broadcaster really laid it on thick on Sunday.

"PAYBACK" was the graphic motif repeatedly flashed in front of viewers throughout the mouth-watering double-header of Manchester City v Tottenham and Arsenal v Manchester United, though it would not have looked out of place in the build-up to a bout between John Cena and The Rock.

The theme was introduced in expectation of the two North London clubs gaining revenge for their respective

Chris Coleman: Replacing the irreplaceable?When humbly and reluctantly being confirmed as Gary Speed's successor as Wales manager on Wednesday afternoon, Chris Coleman greeted the assembled journalists and cameramen and then admitted "[this is] probably the most difficult press conference I've ever done, or ever had to do I imagine."

Such a sentiment could be extended to the task now facing Coleman, because in many respects, managing Wales in the wake of Speed's tragic suicide represents the impossible job.

On a purely human level, the task of replacing a man as beloved as Speed is surely intimidating. The outpouring of grief that

Jack Wilshere in England trainingThe news got a surprisingly muted reception, and the betting markets barely registered a flicker.

But yesterday, England's 2012 hopes - slim as they may be - received a huge boost.

It seems Jack Wilshere has made a speedy recovery from a stress fracture to the ankle, and could be ready to return about a month earlier than expected.

Club doctors claim the young tyke is a "medical miracle".

The midfielder could play for Arsenal in early February, giving him ample time to find form and full match fitness ahead of a trip to Polkraine in June.

A prompt return is vital if Wilshere wants to be

Mike Ashley: time to forgive and forget?It was just over a year ago that Newcastle United's shadowy cabal of 'cockneys' committed what would be construed as another addition to their catalogue of PR disasters.

They invited a vicious backlash when sacking the popular Chris Hughton with the club 11th in the Premier League, and worse was to follow when Alan Pardew was unexpectedly appointed and hometown hero Andy Carroll was allowed to leave the club for Liverpool without a replacement striker being sought. It was the end of days at Newcastle, again.

Twelve months on, and although Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias remain about as likely

Football really is a game of fine margins. Well, so is every other sport, but Early Doors is in the business of football so let's concentrate on that, shall we?

Manchester City's 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic keeps them top of the table, reopening a three-point gap between them and their nearest and dearest rivals Manchester United.

Edin Dzeko scored the only goal of the game - his first since November - with a fine glancing header in the first half, but it was at the other end where the key moment for City occurred.

With 70 minutes on the clock and City still unable to register a scoreline more

ArsenalThere was a lot of anger in the air at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday evening.

Not from the Swansea natives, of course. They had just seen their team claim a thrilling 3-2 win over Arsenal that took them up into the top half of the table, a full nine points clear of the bottom three with more than half of the season gone.

No, the ire was all generated by the visitors, who were sent packing back across the Severn with their tails between their legs and a second consecutive league defeat upon which to ruminate.

A week that began with Thierry Henry's heroic return to Arsenal by scoring the winner

Steven Gerrard: haunted by his failure to win the leagueIf there is one thing Early Doors respects more than any other in the wonderful game of football, it's that rarest of beasts: the genuine one-club man.

Those players such as Tony Adams and Paul Scholes, who have woven themselves irrevocably into the fabric of their respective sides, and become icons and legends in their own lifetime. Players like Ryan Giggs, who have become the human embodiment of loyalty and commitment. On the pitch at least.

But despite this weak spot for a loyal club servant, ED also felt a tiny pang of regret at yesterday's news that Steven Gerrard had signed a new