TSN Soccer analyst Gareth Wheelers Midweek Musings on the Barclays Premier League. [url=http://www.footballtitansfanatic.com/authentic-brice-mccain-titans- jersey/]Brice McCain Jersey[/url] . Welcome to the goal-line technology era in British top-flight football. Seamless, wasnt it? I bet you hardly

TSN Soccer analyst Gareth Wheelers Midweek Musings on the Barclays Premier League. Brice McCain Jersey . Welcome to the goal-line technology era in British top-flight football. Seamless, wasnt it? I bet you hardly noticed. Makes you wonder whats taken so long. One of the sights of the opening weekend in the Barclays Premier League came Sunday (as seen on TSN, heard on TSN Radio) as Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic had his header on goal cleared off the line by Hull City goalkeeper Allan McGregor. The play ominous, as it was the first decent shout for the use of the goal-line technology. Instead of running over to the linesman or shouting at the match official, all Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had to do was turn to the fourth official for a verdict. A simple look and he had his answer. Mourinho, in his always-colourful fashion, arms flailing, turned to fourth official Andre Marriner. Holding his wrist, Marriner showed Mourinho his red and black watch. The device wasnt vibrating. No flash of the word goal. And it was understood the ball didnt cross the line. The two men had a laugh. As did Hull City manager Steve Bruce. The two managers even shared a hug. And it was over with. The television replay and subsequent graphic confirmed what we all knew. No lengthy debate. No prolonged protestations. The situation was over. No goal. The technology got it right. Simple. Quick. And effective. Hawk-Eye goal-line technology has been developed since 1999 and used in the Premier League for the first time on the weekend. Its the same technology thats revolutionized tennis with instant replays on hotly contested shots; in or out and a decisive answer. It takes less than a second for the high-speed cameras to determine whether the ball has crossed the line on the pitch. Although its inevitably at the referees discretion to ask the fourth official for the goal/no-goal verdict based upon the encrypted wristwatch, the man in charge would be a fool not to use his help through technology. Sunday was exhibit A how efficient it was executed. Many fought diligently to keep goal-line technology out of football. FIFA president Sepp Blatter dragged his feet accepting the clear benefits of technology, saying rejecting hi-tech progress put the game in a special place, creating more fascination and popularity in the game. Human error was deemed to be charming and a catalyst for conversation and debate. Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand concurs, speaking out against goal-line technology before the season. Ferdinand believes "Incidents like that add to the game because it runs into radio phone-ins, people talk about it in the pub and in other media. Was it a goal or wasnt it." I strongly disagree. Debate will always exist in football. Various approaches to the game, and more importantly, the subjective nature of officiating provides substantial fodder to argue and discuss. A match-officials interpretation and implementation of the rules of the game, what is a foul and how to manage proceedings varies from match to match. Just ask Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway how he felt about the opening weekend officiating. Holloway provided plenty of food for thought. The conversation to do with on field injustice is going nowhere. Penalty calls, foul calls around the box, what constitutes a proper caution or sending off, even a flag offside are entirely unpredictable and an imperfect science. Whether a ball crosses a goal-line is black and white. Its not subjective in nature. Its a game-changing call. And it has to be correct. I covered the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and was in attendance in Bloemfontein for Englands 4-1 loss to Germany in the Round of 16. Germany held a 2-1 lead in the first half. Frank Lampards shot from outside the box hit off the bottom of the crossbar and over the goal-line before spinning back out of the net. The linemans flag stayed down. No goal. The crowd was irate. Mere seconds after the play, a photographer in front of me turned and showed photo evidence. It wasnt even close. The ball crossed the line. The match was immediately riddled in controversy. And England lost their way. In 2005, Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll was bailed out by the linesman for what could have been one of the biggest howlers in Premier League history. Spurs midfielder Pedro Mendes hit the ball from just inside Uniteds half. It was a floater. Carroll stumbled, failed to cover and put the ball into his own net. In a moment of panic, Carroll scooped the ball out and the play carried on. It was a shocking miss by the match officials. And a clear sign technology was needed to help during such critical moments. The match ended in a scoreless draw. And Carrolls blushes were saved. The embarrassment of the referees was not. Goal-line technology is the ultimate helping hand. Argument over whether the ball crossed the line is nonsensical with video replay from multiple angles providing irrefutable evidence. Lets save our debate for the subjective side of the game. Hawk-Eye goal-line technology ensures that. And the Premier League is better for it. - Newcastle manager Alan Pardew and Everton boss Roberto Martinez have criticized transfer activity and the approaches of their players as the transfer window remains open despite the start of the Premier League season. The window stays open until September 2nd. Pardew has called for the transfer window to be closed before the first ball of the season is kicked. And hes absolutely right. Get rid of the distraction. Get rid of the excuse. A team should be forced to do team business in the run-up to the season. The preseason instead has become a time to trek around the world on sponsorship and business endeavours. Take care of your transfer business first. And dont let it linger. Close the window early. - Manchester City showed their title credentials in Mondays 4-0 win over Newcastle. The bad news, captain Vincent Kompany will miss three weeks with a groin injury, putting his fitness in question for the match-day five meeting with Manchester United. The positive news, Citys next three matches come against newly promoted Cardiff and Hull, as well as lowly Stoke. Kompanys loss mitigated by poor competition. - Widespread questioning of Manchester Uniteds title chances seemed to have quelled to a certain degree after scoring four at Swansea. But the need for upgrades in the transfer market has not. Uniteds double swoop attempt for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines is a curious one, with Everton going public about the move. Its a curious tactic Everton revealing Uniteds approach. The tactic signals a possible negotiating ploy out of Goodison Park to drive up the price of the players, rather than being insulted by the bid, as Martinez proclaims. There has to be more than what appears. Uniteds bid for Fellaini makes sense to fill a need at central midfield. A move for Baines doesnt make much sense at all. Patrice Evra has been fantastic at left-back for United for the better part of the last two years. United would be better off pursuing a younger successor for the position. A player like Southampton 18-year old Luke Shaw makes much more sense. - It looks like Yohan Cabaye will leave Newcastle for Arsenal. A price needs to be settled, but it seems the Emirates is the most likely destination for the Frenchman. The bigger question; would Cabaye solve Arsenals problems? Arsene Wenger is under pressure to buy, but the team would be better off investing in a new goalkeeper, a reliable centre-back and a top class striker. A player like Cabaye falls further down a preferred shopping list. - Its always good seeing smaller clubs buy intelligently, bringing in players specific to the clubs needs. After a terrible start to last season upon promotion and through a managerial change, Southampton has emerged a dangerous club showing ambition. The spine of the team up the middle is all-important to competing week after week in the Prem. And the Saints have significantly upgraded those areas. Centre-back Dejan Lovren (Lyon), central midfielder Victor Wanyama (Celtic), and striker Pablo Osvaldo (Roma) bring substance to an already talented side. A push for a Europa League spot is not crazy to suggest. - Impressive teams not picking up three points: Everton, Swansea. - Not sure what they are: Fulham, West Brom, Liverpool. - Performer of the week: Robin van Persie (Manchester United) - Biggest disappointment: Arsenal. - Underrated players: Kevin Nolan (West Ham), Steven Pineaar (Everton), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Sascha Riether (Fulham) - Match-day two fixture(s) to watch: Manchester United v Chelsea, Tottenham v Swansea You can reach Gareth at gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca or follow him on Twitter, @WheelerTSN Logan Ryan Jersey . The Marlies surrendered two power-play goals and failed to score on six man-advantage opportunities en route to a 4-1 defeat in American Hockey League action on Saturday. Ryan Succop Jersey . Serves hit by her surgically repaired shoulder often missed the mark, resulting in 12 double-faults. http://www.footballtitansfanatic.com/authentic-brett-kern-titans-jersey/ .com) - Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau has been selected as the NHLs Rookie of the Month for December, the league announced Friday.VANCOUVER - Filip Forsberg is at the centre of early conversations about rookie of the year candidates — and Sunday night he showed why.The 20-year-old Swede scored twice and added an assist as the Nashville Predators beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 at Rogers Arena.Forsberg now leads all NHL rookies with 11 points in 11 games for Nashville and his go-ahead goal in the third period — his second of the night — displayed just how quickly hes adapting to the pro game.And as for all that rookie of the year discussion, Forsberg is politely shrugging it off.Its nothing I really pay attention to. Its more you guys (media) reminding me of it, said Forsberg. If I can contribute to the team in the points department I am more than happy to do that.Forsbergs winner came when James Neal powered his way in for a shot, then fanned on it, before Forsberg skated in behind Neal and lifted the puck past Lack to make it 2-1 at 6:42 into the third.Hes getting better every night, said Neal. I was in the same position he was, so its fun to help him and hes been good. He had a great night tonight. He shoots the puck well and hes just going to keep getting better.Colin Wilson also scored and goalie Pekka Rinne made 26 saves for the Predators (7-2-2), who won for the second time three games into their six-game road swing.Defenceman Alex Edler scored the only goal for the Canucks (8-4-0), who had a four-game win streak snapped before heading out for a tough away trip through California and Colorado.Eddie Lack, making his first start since getting hammered for seven goals at Colorado on Oct. 24, finished the evening with 30 saves. Ryan Miller had the night off after backstopping his team to a 3-2 win at Edmonton the night before.Lack is still searching for his first win of the season after three starts. He played much better than his last outing and says he just has to stay positive.Somehow the puck keeps finding a way in and I keep finding ways to lose the games, said a dejected Lack. I feel like I have to keep working and staying positive. Its tough right now for sure.It was midway through the first when the Canucks opened the scoring while on a power play. Defenceman Luca Sbisa levelled Preds winger Tayor Beck against the boards, earning the ire of captain Shea Weber, who dropped his gloves and went after Sbisa.It was only 24 seconds into the roughing penalty to Weber when Edler blasted one from the point that snuck thrrough traffic to beat Rinne at 11:10. Erik Walden Jersey. anucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa, who doesnt wear a visor, left the game shortly after when he took a puck in the eye behind the Nashville net. He did not return and the Canucks were forced to play down a D-man.Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins didnt give an update on Bieksa after the game, but the defenceman was seen leaving Rogers Arena with a doctor.Lack looked sharp for Vancouver midway through the opening frame when he made a great pad save on a Mike Ribeiro rocket from the slot. He finished the period with 11 saves.He played real good, said Desjardins about Lack. He made some real good saves in the first and a couple real big saves. He was good enough. He would probably like the third one back, but he played well and gave us the chance we needed.With the Canucks serving a penalty for too many men on the ice early in the second, the Preds were given a gift to tie the game. Vancouver defenceman Dan Hamhuis tipped a Forsberg shot into his own net with surprising accuracy to make it 1-1.Its just the way the winds blows right now, said Lack. Getting a lot of bounces off the wrong guys. I just have to keep staying positive here and keep battling. The first win is going to come.Minutes after Nashvilles goal the casualties piled up for Vancouver as Canucks winger Tom Sestito was helped off to the locker-room with a lower-body injury and he did not return.The Canucks came out with more energy in the third, firing more pucks at the Finnish goalie in the first three minutes than all of the second period combined.However, it was Nashville that would jump ahead with Forsbergs second before Wilson added some insurance with under two minutes to play with a snipe that went top shelf over Lacks shoulder.They have a deep lineup with a lot of threats on different lines, said Canucks captain Henrik Sedin. You have to be focused every time youre on the ice.Notes: The Canucks are hitting the road for a four-game road trip, starting Tuesday in Denver followed by three stops in California. ... Nashvilles next stop on its current six-game road swing is Tuesday at Winnipeg. ... Sunday was the first of three meetings between the Canucks and the Preds. The next two are both in Nashville, Jan. 13 and Mar. 31. ...