Football Food For Thought / Ralph Ellis / 02 March 2009 /

Today's papers are all about how Ben Foster used his iPod to study Spurs' penalty-takers as Man Utd won the Carling Cup. This got Ralph Ellis thinking about which songs the Premier League's managers must have on their own iPods if the weekend results are anything to go by.

Ben Foster prepared for the Carling Cup final penalty shoot-out by watching an iPod with pictures of Tottenham's penalty takers. In an age when the sports scientists are taking over, this was the next step in leaving nothing to chance. As players from both teams sat on the Wembley turf rubbing their tired legs and waiting to decide who would take the spot kicks to settle a 0-0 draw, Foster was looking at film clips prepared by Manchester United's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.

Hitherto the clever little gadgets that hold a thousand songs or pictures had been of most use for footballers trying to avoid giving interviews. They keep headphones firmly on as they walk through the 'mixed zone' where reporters and players are supposed to rub shoulders and exchange their views, and therefore can't hear requests to stop and talk. But here was a new use for the iPod generation. And it set me thinking about what other film clips or songs could usefully be downloaded.

Aston Villa, for a start, could do with some footage of how to run the ball into the corner flag and keep it there with two or three minutes left of a game they are winning. Martin O'Neill's side have won some games with late goals this season but they've given plenty away too. And they were at it again yesterday, trying to score from a corner in the last five minutes instead of killing the game. It contributed to them blowing the chance to open an eight point gap ahead of Arsenal for the Champions League places - and indeed to narrow the gap behind Liverpool and Chelsea to just one point.

When John Carew's clever volley put them two in front with ten minutes left it looked all over, but they were too soft in allowing Stoke to get back and snatch a draw. That's three points lost to Tony Pulis' side with injury time goals this season and a painful lesson that sometimes you've got to do the ugly stuff.

Villa remain [1.6] to finish in the top four but could easily find their lead over Arsenal halved this week. They are seeking a club record eighth successive away League win at Manchester City on Wednesday night - and it's a fair bet that City boss Mark Hughes will have Simon and Garfunkel's 'Homeward Bound' on his iPod. His team have won four on the bounce at Eastlands while failing to perform on their travels. A dismal 1-0 defeat at West Ham was typical of how the likes of Robinho and Elano play only when they fancy it. City are [2.62] favourites for another home win.

Rafa Benitez must have David Bowie's 'Changes' on his most played list. A few days after pulling off a magnificent win at Real Madrid he tore up the team sheet again, made four changes to the starting line-up and shuffled several more positions, and handed Middlesbrough their first League win in 15 matches. Once near to even money for the title, they have now drifted to [3.15] to finish in the top two.

That's because Didier Drogba is probably looking at film clips of two seasons ago on his iPod. The arrival of Guus Hiddink has turned Chelsea's centre forward back into the marauding monster who scored 29 goals in Jose Mourinho's last full season in charge. It's too late for him to muscle his way into the goalscoring charts now, but he and Nicolas Anelka together will help Frank Lampard get more. His last minute winner over Wigan took him level with Gabby Agbonlahor on ten for the season and great value at [6.6] to be top English goal getter in the Premier League compared to the Villa striker's [3.05].

I wonder if Sam Allardyce might have been playing Carly Simon's 'You're so Vain' before Blackburn's trip to face his old number two Phil Brown. The Hull boss has talked himself up all season but is finding the hard reality of the Premier League and a 2-1 home defeat means it's one point from eight games. There's always one side who crash into the relegation zone from apparent safety and Hull look like being that team. Once close to the European places they are now [2.66] to get relegated - and it will get worse if Fulham justify their status as [1.77] favourites for a home win over Hull on Wednesday.

Roy Hodgson's theme tune must be Wanda Jackson's Mean Mean Man. A goalless draw at The Emirates was their 11th clean sheet of the season and underlined the consistency of a central defence in which Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland have both played all 90 minutes of every match bar one.

Meanwhile West Brom handed Everton a couple of presents at Goodison and are now [1.68] to finish rock bottom. Tony Mowbray's most played iPod song? Roger Daltry: "Giving It All Away"!

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