Le Sulk heads for Les Bleus

Nicolas Anelka's move to Chelsea provides the perfect stage for the gifted but enigmatic French striker to make his football career mean something.

Arsene Wenger unearthed the french starlet as an 18 year-old from Paris St Germain, for the meagre price of £500,000 and got some brilliant performances during an all-too-brief stay at Highbury.

He earned the tag of "Le Sulk", during his stay in North London, as he listened to the deluded ramlbings of his brother agents - and despite his talent there was great relief and merriment in my household when he left Arsenal in August 1999 to join Real Madrid in a £23m deal.

Anelka has never lived up to his undoubted talent, never really looked likely to fulfill his potential as while he was blessed with physical prowess - he's also been cursed with mental shortcomings and a readiness to believe his sycophant followers.

Anelka showed at Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahce and Bolton that he has (had?) the skills to succeed at the top level, but for all his talents - he has too much baggage to be relied upon by top flight sides.

After a domestic double with Arsenal in 1998 and a Champions League win with Real Madrid in 2000, his career has been a series of ill-fated transfers where the biggest headlines are written the day he signs the contract - and little more thereafter.

Chelsea have bought a flawed talent, although in the short term Anelka might be able to help Chelsea to strive towards their trophy challenges this season.

But it will be beyond Avram Grant (or any manager) to keep Anelka playing to his ability for more than 30-40 matches. Anelka changes clubs like other players change their cars - playing for ten teams in scarcely more than ten years.

Despite the 4 1/2 years on the contract the fact remains that Anelka has never seen a contract through - and it's most likely that Stamford Bridge will be no more than a pit stop as "le Sulk" continues his footballing journey through most of Europe's clubs.

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Rugby World Cup : Weekend Outrights review.

The first weekend of games saw one upset - some impressive rugby from the Southern Hemisphere trio - and an unconvincing English performance. How did the bookies react?

New Zealand Price Cut
The All Blacks have been trimmed to 1.57 at Ladbrokes after their 76-14 win over Italy

Australia Price Cut
The Wallabies are now down from 12.00 to 10.00 at Bet365 after they thumped Japan 91-3.

South Africa Price Cut
The Springboks are now second favourites at 6.00 at Eurobet after a very impressive 59-7 demolition of Samoa.

France Blowout !
Le Bleus now look to be on a collision course with New Zealand in Cardiff in the Quarter/Finals - assuming that they can squeeze past the Irish - and that idea was enough for Bet365 to set their price at 13.00

England Blowout !
England took almost nothing positive from their 28-10 win over the USA and the price on a successful cup defence is now a best priced 41.00 at Canbet

Ireland Stable
And Irish eye were not smiling at the inept display in only beating tiny Namibia by a 31-17 scoreline. They're now 41.00 at Canbet

Wales Drifting
Neither were the Welsh happy with their efforts against Canada. It was a 42-17 win in the end, but Wales were 9-17 down early in the second half. If you still believe in the Boyo's chances of lifting the cup then take 126.00 at Canbet

Argentina Price Cut !
After betting the French side you had to expect some shortening in price for the Pumas and it has happened (a bit) but you can still bet on the Argies at 41.00 at Gamebookers.

The next best side is Scotland at 250/1, Italy at 660/1 and Samoa and Fiji at 1000/1 - but you'd be better off donating your stake to charity - at least then something good would come of it.

Onto the next round of games then ...

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RUGBY : All Blacks 61-10 France : France all at "C"

After the pre-match jousting where the French tourists were annoyed as being described as France "C" by the New Zealand managers and media - they simply showed that the locals knew best.

New Zealand ended the test as a contest before half-time - taking a 30-3 lead into the break and continued on on the second half for a nine try blitz and a final 61-10 score.

Joe Rokocoko's first-half double set New Zealand on their way adding to Byron Kelleher and Anton Oliver's close-range touchdowns before halftime.

Leon MacDonald, Isaia Toeava, Jerry Collins and Nick Evans added to the scoreline after the break, with Julien Laharrague scoring a consolation try.

France who had left as many as 28 quality players at home playing domestic club competitions were no match for the All Blacks in any area.

France tour captain Olivier Magne told Sky Sports: "We're very disappointed to lose by so many points, but it is all preparation for the World Cup and I hope we will be on time for this competition."

But perhaps France would be far better to admit that this was a 3rd choice team (or dare I say it "C" side) and that the tour was little more than a farce and a devaluation of the famous Tri-colour reputation.

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Football Betting Crackers (Sat 4 Nov )

Starting bank : 133.5 Units (+33.5)

Remember we have already placed the 40 unit double on
ManYoo and Liverpool - 1.82 @ Interwetten

Additional Saturday crackers :

Werder Bremen v Energie Cottbus
Take 20 units on OVER 2.5 GOALS - 1.50 @ SportingOdds

Auxerre v Le Mans
Take 20 units on Auxerre - 1.90 @ Eurobet

Bolton v Wigan
Take 20 units on Bolton - 1.99 @ Mansion Ex.

Fulham v Everton
Take 20 units on Fulham - 2.80 @ Bet365

I make that a total of 120 units placed - I did warn you that we'd have to be aggressive ... so that leaves us with just 13.5 units in the bank.

We'd better get some payoffs tonight - or it will be a short campaign.

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