The FA Cup Preview - Arsenal vs Hull City.

9 years. 9 years Arsenal fans last saw their beloved team lift a trophy. Since then; Chelsea have had nine different managers, Twitter was launched and Arsenal have had a change of stadium. However today on the 17ty May 2014, Arsene Wenger's men have a huge opportunity to end their horrific record and give something for the Arsenal fans to cheer about.

There is no doubt about it though, today is not going to be easy. Arsenal are favourites to win, yes. But Hull City will not go down without one heck of a fight. Steve Bruce's men have had a successful season in their return to the Premier League and what a way to conclude their season with a trophy. 

The two teams have met twice this season. Arsenal coming out on top both times in a convincing 2-0 victory and recently a steady away performance at the KC Stadium to win 0-3. 

Possible XI's.

Arsenal - Fabianski; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Rosicky, Ozil, Podolski; Giroud.

Out: Gnabry (knee), Miyaichi (hamstring), Walcott (knee).

Hull City - McGregor; McShane, Bruce, Davies, Figueroa; Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Meyler; Fryatt, Aluko. 

Out: Jelavic, Long (both cup-tied)

Written by Liam (@Mourinholic)

Mexico - 6th time lucky?

Mexico have qualified for fourteen World Cups and have qualified consecutively since 1994; Mexico played France in the very first match of the first World Cup on 13 July 1930. Their best progression was reaching the quarter-finals in both the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, both of which were staged on Mexican soil. In 2002 and 2006 they reached they round of sixteen and they matched that in 2010. Miguel Herrera, the coach, led them to World Cup qualification but can he be the man to take them to the quarter finals?

In qualifying they finished 4th in their group behind, Honduras, USA and Costa Rica. They beat New Zealand 9-1 on aggregate in the playoff which secured their place in Brazil. Oribe Peralta was Mexico's top scorer with 10 goals and they need him to keep on scoring if they want to progress through the group.  

Personally, I don't think they will qualify, they may be used to the South American temperatures but they don't have as much quality as Brazil or Croatia. If they do get through then I think the round of sixteen is a likely finish. 

Player to watch- Many people outside of Mexico would say Javier Hernandez or Giovani dos Santos but in my opinion, Oribe Peralta is the player people should be looking out for. Just secured a $10 million move to América and has been a goal-scoring machine on the international stage of late and can propel Mexico to new heights this summer if he can continue to deliver in the final third. He was Mexico's top scorer in qualifying and also fired them to Olympic success two years ago. At 30 years old, could the 'late bloomer' be the vital part of Mexico's success. 

Possible Starting XI- 5-3-2

Ochoa; Marquez, Rodriguez, Aguilar, Hector Moreno; Layun, Jimenez, Medina, Giovani dos Santos; Peralta, Hernandez

Written by Henry (@FoulkesFootball)

Croatia - Group A's dark horses.

In Croatia's FIFA World Cup debut in 1998 the team finished third and provided the tournament's top scorer, Davor Šuker. However, since then they haven't had much luck. They failed to qualify in 2010 and didn't get through the group stages in 2002 and 2006.

Can new manager Niko Kovac be the man to lead them out the groups? He is certainly no stranger to Croatian fans. He was Croatian captain in his playing days and most recently managed the Under 21 team.

In qualifying they finished 2nd in their group behind Belgium and qualified through the play offs, beating Iceland 2-0 on aggregate. Mandzukic finished as top scorer but only with 3 goals.

In their group, they have the tournament favourites- Brazil. They will also face Cameroon and Mexico. Getting out the group will be a tough task for this Croatian team but I think it is one they should do. The round of 16 is a realistic finish because they don't have the quality or strength in depth that other teams have but if Mario Mandzukic can start scoring, who knows what can happen?

Player to watch- Many people will say Modric or Rakitic but I think Mateo Kovacic is the Croatian midfielder people should be watching, a summer transfer target for Liverpool and Manchester United. He has been described as a great technician with excellent dribbling abilities. He is considered to be a versatile midfielder, having played in different midfield positions. He started off as an attacking midfielder at Dinamo Zagreb, but he transformed his game at Internazionale where he was deployed as a regista or a deep-lying playmaker. One of his trademarks is dropping deep to receive the ball and then drive forward, often performing his slalom runs. Under the coach, Walter Mazzarri, he was often used in a more advanced position. He has created four goals this year and if he plays like he does for Inter for Croatia then maybe we could see him in the Premier League very soon.

Possible XI- 4-4-1-1

Pletikosa; Pranjic, Corluka, Lovren, Srna; Olic, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic; Kovacic; Mandzukic.

Written by Henry (@FoulkesFootball)

Cameroon - The Lions in Brazil.

Cameroon are one of 5 African countries in the World Cup this year. Cameroon have had little success over the last few years in the World Cup; having been shown the exit early on in the group stages in years 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010. 

So, how did Volker Finke's men get to the World Cup? Well, they were drawn in perhaps the most open group in Africa, alongside Libya, Congo DR and Togo, Cameroon. Once in the final play-off round, they handled a tough task against Tunisia. A scoreless draw on the road gave way to a 4-1 home win that has Volker Finke's side feeling confident about their trip to Brazil.

As I'm sure your aware, Cameroon have been placed in a difficult group. One which could see them plunge out of the group stages for the 5th time in 6 attempts. Brazil, Croatia and Mexico are their opponents, and all carrying some World Class players in their squads; a something you can't help but not see in Cameroon's squad. Samuel Eto'o maybe an exception. Getting out the group would be put down as an achievement, a big achievement. But it will be very difficult and their awful record in group stages looks like it could just carry on.

Star players? As I hinted in the last paragraph; Cameroon's squad is not brilliant. A few noticeable players in the likes of Alex Song, Stephane M'Bia and Nicolas N'Koulou. However the star player of this squad is easily Samuel Eto'o. One of the best strikers on all platforms. 55 goals in 112 games for his country, leader of the team and an experienced striker who knows how to perform at the top level. It's fair to say, he is no longer the striker he was at Barcelona and Inter Milan, but he still has it as he has shown in his first and possibly final season under Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. 

Possible Starting XI;

Itandji/Chedjou/N'Koulou/M'Bia/Assou-Ekotto/Enoh/Song/Makoun/Moukanjo/Eto'o/Webo.

Written by Liam (@Mourinholic)

Brazil - Hoping and Hosting.

Brazil are an International team in which has been feared by many over the centuries. This year is no exception. The talent blossoming in the Brazil squad is evident, and we can't forget the big advantage Brazil hold this year. They have the crowd on their side, and to think what damage this Brazil squad can do with their squad and the fans right beind them is scary.

Brazil are the most successful team in World Cup history, having won the competition 5 times. However, Brazil have been knocked out in the quarter finals of the competition in the last 2 attempts and last won the competition in 2002, after triumphing against Germany in a 2-0 victory. 

As hosts; Brazil did not have to go through a qualification stage in which determines if you will be playing in the competition. Brazil were automatically put through as hosts, leaving just 31 spaces. 

This year you could easily argue that Brazil have been 'blessed' with an easish group. Teams in Group A include Mexico, Cameroon and Croatia. It could have been better, but it could have been a lot worse. You would expect Brazil to end up winners of Group A, if not, qualify. 

Star Player - Who to watch?    

Due to the depth and the amount of class Brazil are blessed with within their squad; a star player was always going to be difficult. However one man I feel will be the reason for a successful or unsuccessful tournement is Neymar. Neymar usually leads the attack for Brazil however also goes out on the wings. He is a quick, versatile and one of the most skilful players in the whole tournament. Neymar has played 47 times for his country and scored an impressive 30 times. He also played a huge part in Brazil's confederation cup victory in 2013; scoring 4 times in 5 games. Neymar is vital to Scolari's hopes.

Possible starting XI?

(4-2-3-1)

Cesar/Dani Alves/Thiago Silva/David Luiz/Marcelo/Hernandes/Gustavo/Neymar/Oscar/Hulk/Fred. 

Written by Liam (@Mourinholic)

An Introduction.

Having thought about it for a few weeks now amongst my friend, we have given into creating a blog. Posting our football opinions over the internet for your entertainment. 

So who am I?

Well, I am co-owner of Footballisimo. My name is Liam but better known on twitter as @Mourinholic. I am a huge Chelsea fan, having been brought up by my Dad who was a season ticket holder for 15 years at the club; and my passion for the club has grown with age I guess.

The next few weeks on the blog here will be obviously World Cup based. After that we will focus on Premier League and any other controversial topics.

I hope you enjoy reading our opinions.

Liam (@Mourinholic)

The future for Foulkes Football.

After a dramatic Premier League season with ups and Downs for every fan out there. I thought now was the best time to start a blog. It's been something I've been wanting to do for a long time but I have never had enough time on my hands.


I'll just start off with a bit of information about myself;

Been a Wrexham fan all my life, my dad inflicted that pain on me. Follow Everton along the way but the dragons are my main passion.


My blog will have a World Cup theme for the next few months, bringing you information on most of the teams, the main talking points of the competition and my view on it all.


After the World Cup, my blog will resume to the summer transfer window and the opening of the Premier League season. Plus, many other articles about things that pop into my head along the way.

Hope you enjoy.


Henry (@FoulkesFootball)