Paul Thomson from Stockport has won a training session with former Wales International Robbie Savage. We’re sure his team will now go on to romp their league! Well Done Paul and Thank you to everyone who entered!

The Competition…

This is a chance for your football team to enjoy a training session with our Brand Ambassador Robbie Savage!

As one of the Premierships most capped players, with over 600 starts, Sav is sure to be able to pass on some good, and perhaps some not so good, advice and plenty of banter from over the years in a professional career which started in 1993 with Manchester United, and includes spells at Crewe, Leicester, Birmingham, Blackburn, Derby and of course his 39 caps playing for Wales.

How to enter the Robbie Savage Training Session Prize Draw.

To be entered into the prize draw for this fantastic prize, order your teams next full kit from our range of Team Kit Super Deals between 5th May 2011 and 30th June 2011. On July 1st we will pick a winner and contact the teams representative to arrange what will be a fantastic day for some lucky football fans.

We have a fantastic selection of Team Kit Super Deals which save teams on printing, a team kit bag and offer huge discounts on the kits themselves. The range includes team kits from Adidas, Nike, Prostar, Stanno, Hummel and Puma in a great choice of classic or modern designs and colourways.

Terms and Conditions

1. Orders placed between 5th may 2011 and 30th June 2011 will be counted only.

2. Cancelled orders will be removed from the draw.

3. The draw to pick a winner will take place on July 1st 2011, and will use random.org to ensure the result is indeed random.

4. Once picked, the winning customer will be contacted with available dates for the Robbie Savage Training Session.

5. The prize is not exchangeable.

The winner will receive a pair of the fantastic new Adidas Predator X in White/Macaw Green…

The winning Question is from Aaron.

His question was… If you could pick any centre midfielder in the world to play alongside in your last game who would it be? Here is Robbie’s answer…Congratulations Aaron your Adidas Predator X will be on the way soon!!

Question 2 is from Patrick

P. Given your own prolific Twitter presence, how do you feel about footballers’ use of social media? Is it repairing the link between fan and player or does it represent a danger for pros?

RS. As you can probably tell I love twitter and Facebook!! There is no doubt that people who used to think I was an idiot have changed their mind thanks to twitter.

My aim has been to give people an insight into the life of a professional footballer, get to know the real Robbie Savage and all the banter that goes with it.

You do have a responsibility to your followers and ultimately use a bit of common sense before you type – I like being able to interact with the fans and despite some abusive messages from the minority it has been a brilliant experience for me.

Question 3 is from Barbara

B. hi robbie, being a mum and wife i would just like to know if it ever upsets members of your family when you get booed at all the games ???? if it was my husband or dad or son if it comes to that i know it would upset me very much…..or have they all learned to live with it?

RS. It isn’t very pleasant being booed but it is something that Sarah has had to put up with throughout my career. There will always be people out there looking to put you down but you just have to rise above it and believe in yourself. It is only what the people close to you think that matters most and my mum will always let me know if I have had a bad game anyway!!

Question 4 is from Alan

A. What has been your biggest regret in football ?

RS. Everton were looking to sign me at one point and whilst I don’t regret anything that has happened in my career, I ahave been very fortunate, I would have loved the opportunity to play at Goodison Park for Everton.

Question 5 is from Adrien

A. Robbie, Kids football in Wales is non-competitive until the age of 12. Do you think we should be rewarding kids who show potential just like we reward kids who are academically good. My sons team went three years unbeaten and they have nothing to show for it Fair or not??

RS. The important thing is that we encourage as many people to play and enjoy football as possible. There are far too many players leaving the game at an early age and we need to get more people back into the game, living a healthy lifestyle and enjoying the game that we all love so much.

Question 6 is from Amanda

A. Do you like marmite????

RS. Love it!!

Question 7 is from Deano

D. What is the most important thing you have learnt throughout your career that you will take with you in life?

RS. If you want something badly enough and you are prepared to put the hard work and dedication in then you can achieve anything.

Question 8 is from Danny

D. What are the best boots you have played in over your career?

RS. I had a pair of Panthers with 4 stripes when I first started playing but have to say the AdiPures I have got at the moment are up there with the best I have had.

Question 9 is from Coventry

C. As a player you was either loved or hated aka marmite man,if you was playing against yourself do u think u would have liked or disliked yourself?

RS. I definitely wouldn’t have liked to play against myself – I would have been far too good!! Seriously though I go on to the field to do the best I can for my team not to be liked by the opposition – off the field is a different matter and I think people are starting to realise I am actually a good bloke.

The final question is from Scott

S. Robbie, Do you think I will win a pair of adidas predator X football boots

RS. No sorry pal but enjoyed the banter!! More work needed though if you want a pair of Predator’s.

Well now you can do just that and have the chance to win a pair of the new Adidas Predator X in White/Macaw Green at the same time, which I’ve reviewed in my recent blog!

Robbie, who is brand ambassador for ACA Sports, will be taking your questions and giving you the all important answers on JustSocca, the official blog of ACA Sports.

How to enter the Robbie Savage Competition.

Enter by simply asking your question on this page using the comments field. Once we’ve got all questions, to be in by Friday 25th February, Robbie will pick the top 10, and announce his favourite, who will win the boots.

Robbie will reveal his top 10 questions and more importantly the answers on JustSocca on the 28^th of February.

Good luck to everyone who enters!

We could now shoot from over the half way line and bend the ball around corners – to be fair David Beckham did both of those in a pair of Predators so they weren’t far off the mark!

I can even remember the April fool’s day when newspapers carried pictures of Neil Ruddock in a Predator headband that gave him more heading power – classic!

Some of the boys have been parading round in the latest versions of the Adidas Predator X in a black/yellow or yellow/red, and to be fair they look pretty sharp. No more massive black groves of rubber but a great striking zone on the front instep of the boot and they no longer use the famous Craig Johnston Kangaroo leather – they have now changed to Taurus bull leather no less.

They are an iconic boot that have been worn by some of the greatest players that have ever graced a football field. The likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Del Piero and Raul don’t just wear any old pair of boots – they are master craftsmen and the boots are the tools of their trade.

Even Dirk Kuyt has a pair!!  Although I thought his had lead in them the way he was running against Chelsea the other weekend!

“One of the most comfortable pairs of boots I have worn”

The White and Green or White and Macaw Green Adidas Predator X as it is officially known are really stylish and possibly my favourite, although I will always be a fan of the traditional black and red.

A great boot whatever the colour and, I have to say, one of the most comfortable pairs of boots I have worn.

If you want to read more about the boots, you can check out these Adidas Predator X blogs which have a little technical to explain the science behind the boots.

Win a pair of Adidas Predator X Boots.

For a chance to win a pair of the Adidas Predator X, in the stylish White/Macaw Green colourway, take a look at me Robbie Savage Q & A Competition!

As soon as they came in they shipped a couple of pairs of the white size 8’s down to me.  Even now I get excited about a new pair of football boots – like when I was a kid growing up – there is just something about that brand new out of the box feeling when you put them on!

I haven’t always worn adiPures and it was the team at ACA Sports that suggested them to me when I joined as ambassador. I was having a chat with the boot expert and mentioned that I had always suffered from bad heels and sore feet.

When you are wearing football boots all day for training it is important you look after your feet – they are like the tools of your trade and in the past some of the boots I have had made the matter worse.

“Even now I get excited about a new pair of football boots”

Since I have been wearing the adiPures the problem seems to have disappeared.  Every pair I have had have moulded to my feet really quickly and I haven’t had to wear them in.

In the past I have changed boots after just a few months but the adiPures have lasted well and until the new model came out I wasn’t thinking about changing them.

The first thing that strikes me when I take them out of the box is the colour and how soft they feel – the blue streak on the white adiPure IV looks really sharp.

They seem to be lighter than the last version and the new soleplate adds a bit of comfort which is evident as soon as you slip your foot in.

“Xabi Alonso, Kaka and Frank Lampard have started to wear them since they have seen me playing in them”

Obviously it is great to see that Xabi Alonso, Kaka and Frank Lampard have started to wear them since they have seen me playing in them – must have been those quality through balls I have been spraying around all season.

These are the best adiPures I have seen yet and I couldn’t wait to test them out in the East Midlands Derby against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

They didn’t bring me any luck at Pride Park against the local rivals but I was more than happy with how they went.

To find out more about the new Adidas adiPure IV, you can visit ACA Sports, or read about them in this Adidas adiPure IV Blog.

They had left the price tag on the box and I have to admit I thought they were going to be made of gold when I opened the box. Instead I was met with a gleaming pair of snow leopard print boots that back in the day I would have probably worn on the dance floor rather than the football field. You have to admit they are a stylish boot with the big orange swoosh across them so you don’t forget who has made them.

As I pull them out of the box it is quickly apparent they are built with speed in mind and at the tender age of 36 I need all the help I can get in that department! I still get excited about a new pair of boots, something that never leaves you and I can’t wait to get them on, similar to the feeling I get when I am testing driving a new car. So out of the box on the feet and let’s give them a spin around the training ground.

It felt a bit weird having a brightly coloured pair of boots on my feet, I’m used to wearing traditional black or white boots pretty much my entire career. The first thing that hits me, apart from the pattern, is how light they feel! It is almost as if I am wearing a pair of thin socks with studs in the bottom, that feels pretty good and as I trot out onto the pitch I have an extra spring in my step, perhaps this could be the answer to me playing another 5 years!! Kicking the ball around is a pleasure in these boots, the material is so thin which means your foot feels so close the ball and and the coating on the synthetic leather upper does seem to make it easier to keep close control.

I mentioned they are built for speed and I would definitely recommend them for wingers and attack minded players, they are so light and great for control. Not sure I am suited to them in the thick of things in midfield but I will keep dreaming!!

When I got home with the Nike Mercurial Victory CR7 Safari Junior FG boots the boys couldn’t wait to try them out. The three of us went out onto our field of dreams in the back garden to try them out, snow leopard print all round, it was quite a funny sight! Kids look up to the professional players and of course they both know who Cristiano Ronaldo is, he is that guy Daddy had in his pocket during the Derby vs Manchester United game a few years back!

They enjoyed the novelty of them and they were nice and light and within minutes they wanted to try out their Ronaldo free kicks, I was quick to point out that Daddy takes better free kicks for Derby. The most important thing at their age is that they enjoy playing the game and live a healthy lifestyle, whatever boots they are wearing. Within half an hour the novelty of the boots had worn off for them and it was back to normal, just the way it should be!

£275 (or £259.95 from ACA Sports) for the adult boots is a lot of money in anyone’s book but football is all about earning the extra yard, scoring that late goal or winning that vital point for your team.

Certainly the £34.95 price tag for the junior boot is a lot easier to stomach for young players but I am always keen to stress to the boys that it is the player in the boots and not the boots that make the difference.

To view a great selection of Nike Mercurial football boots for adults and juniors, visit ACA Sports.

They are everywhere at the moment and with good reason – there is nothing better at keeping you warm and still being able to perform at the top of your game. It’s not so long ago that no-one would have even heard of baselayer. But we as professionals first started wearing them about five to six years ago for the first time. Now if you look at any junior game on a parks pitch on any Sunday morning you’ll see all the youngsters themselves wearing baselayer.

It’s now an accepted integral part of our training and match kit.

Under Armour Cold Gear Mock

You know I like my cars – well Under Armour Cold Gear Mock is the Rolls Royce of base layers!

Towards the upper end of the price range but definitely worth the money. These are the most popular brand with professional players throughout the Premier League and the Football League. The Cold Gear Mock keeps the body at a constant optimum temperature for performance – so good you don’t even realize you are wearing them.

Great to see so many kids wearing them too …. None of us like seeing our young children freezing in the cold weather on a Sunday morning.

Under Armour Compression Shorts

As you would expect from Under Armour, another high quality product.

The Under Armour Compression Shorts are really comfortable to wear both during games and at training they offer good support as well as keeping you warm. Perfect when you are warming up at training and loosening off the hamstrings and also protects the groins as well, once you start wearing them, you feel naked without them.

Like the waist band too – very Calvin Klein!

Nike Pro Combat Ultra Warm leggings

Compression Leggings are the in thing on the training ground at the moment.

I remember when one of the lads wore them for the first time – he got hammered by the rest of us! Slowly but surely more people started wearing them and all of a sudden they are part and parcel of the training kit.

There is nothing better to keep you warm and give you the freedom to move during training and the Nike Pro Combat Ultra Warm leggings are a great example of this style of base layer.

Skins Recovery Compression Tights

Skins Recovery and Recharge products are the latest development in the evolution of compressionwear and baselayer.

Despite all the hype and the pr speak, I really think the Skins Recovery Compression Tights do work and there is going to be a real take-up of this and similar products in the British game. Ice baths have been part of our routine for a while and recovery leggings are starting to become an accepted part of recovery too.

At my age I need as much help as I can get – must be the massive work rate I have! The Skins compression tights are nice and tight which helps increase blood flow, which is vital to aiding recovery.

Wear them under your after match clothing or track suit bottoms after training, perfect.

Precision Training Base Layer Mock

Kitting out your child or yourself with everything required to play football is not a cheap business these days.

So Precision Training have got it exactly right with their pricepoint for this excellent value-for-money range. I was struggling to find a base layer for my two young lads but Precision Training have hit the mark with this one. The base layer mock is a fantastic shirt at an even better price. The material takes sweat away from the body quickly and keeps you warm and comfortable – vital when the kids are training on a wet and cold Sunday morning.

Well cut to fit the body and available in some stylish colours (including pink) – can’t go wrong with this one.

Looking for more compression clothing? View the extensive range at ACA Sports

Over the coming weeks I will be reviewing items from balls to base layers, boots to goalkeeping gloves – hopefully giving you an idea of which product would best suit you and your team.

First Up, Match Balls!

It always amazes me that there are so many different footballs on the market but having tested these out you can definitely see the reasons why. Who would have thought there would be so much technology in a simple football?

The way things have evolved with the football is making the game quicker and more dynamic which makes for a fantastic spectacle for the fans – bit of a nightmare for the goalkeepers though!

Mitre Max  Football

This is an absolute classic!

The ball that reminds me most of my time in the Premier League – things have moved on a bit since this ball first came out and it is a bit heavier than the balls we use now.

Easy to control free kicks because of the weight it makes an ideal match ball.  Will work well for the Sunday morning matches as well as those slightly higher up the non-league echelen on a Saturday.

You can’t go wrong with this middle of the range price ball – top draw.

You can pick up the Mitre Max football for £25.95 from ACA Sports.

Nike T90 Tracer Hi Vis

Goalkeepers in the Premier League might already  be having nightmares about this ball! The tag line for the ball gives it away – kill the nil!!  Oh dear keepers!!

It is easy to strike and it really flies. My mate, Derby keeper Steven Bywater, and the rest of the goalkeepers’ union bemoan how balls become repeatedly lighter and move around in flight more with every passing season.

Fans want to see goals, though, not clean sheets.  With practice you could make this ball swerve into the top corner with ease – it is actually quite hard not to strike it well – lucky for me!

The Premier League version of the Nike T90 Tracer Hi-Vis is available now for £79.95.

Mitre Tensile Football

For me, Mitre is still THE classic football manufacturer.  So much heritage and tradition.

This is the Match ball we use in the Championship week in week out.  We also make sure we are training with them all week – each club has it supplied in their bespoke colours, which is a nice touch.

The Tensile has a different panel design  to previous years.  This is great ball to pass with – it zips across the pitch nicely and is easy to control, sometimes!!

The Tensile is perfecttoo  for non-league clubs and those Sunday morning players who want to play with the best.

Pick up your Mitre Tensile match football for £64.95, bargain!

Adidas Champions League Finale 2010

Can you believe this is the 10^th edition of the iconic Champions League ball?

Adidas have released this for the 2010/11 season and a Special Edition version will be used at Wembley in the final later this season.

After the controversy that the Jabulani World Cup ball caused in the World Cup it was important that Adidas delivered for the Champions League. They have certainly done that!

The Finale plays a little bit heavier than the Jabulani but nowhere near the old school favourite – the Adidas Tango. This latest edition from Adidas is definitely worthy of gracing the Champions League.

The Adidas Champions League Finale is on sale now.

Mitre Revolve Match Football

This is last year’s Football League ball. More classical than this year’s Tensile , a little heavier and it doesn’t zip around the field quite as much. That said it was great for accuracy and I enjoyed playing with them last season.

The Mitre ball this year is a step up though – it suits my passing game – yes you read that correctly!

Still this is a quality ball that would cope with high level football easily.

The Mitre Revolve is available for just £59.95 from ACA.

If you haven’t had a look, then now there is even more reason to do so, as ACA Sports Limited have teamed up Brand Ambassador Robbie Savage to give his fans free sports gifts every week. Our first competition was for one of the most advanced Match Football available, the Mitre Revolve which is worth £75.

But that’s just the start, in the coming weeks and months we will give away some fantastic prizes including replica football shirts, base layer clothing, goalkeeper gloves, and even the odd bit of gear signed by Robbie himself.

Log on to Twitter and start following @RobbieSavage8 and @ACA Sports Limited for your chance to win every week!

Arjen Robben will definitely go down as one of the biggest girls of the World Cup, he has been cutting inside and shooting with his left foot all tournament – why couldn’t anyone stop him?

He will be playing those two clear chances over in his head for weeks to come but I can’t believe nobody in the Spanish side clouted him first.  He doesn’t strike me as the sort of player to react well to a hammering – not that it takes a foul to have him writhing around on the floor anyway.

So Holland were my pick for Champions but these are the others stood out for me:

Team of the tournament              New Zealand

Player of tournament                    Bastian Schweinsteiger

Goal of the tournament                Giovanni Von Bronckhurst

Best place I visited                         Durban

Biggest flops                                      England

Best pundit                                        Robbie Savage – just kidding!!

Back to normality now the World Cup is over – not long until the start of the season!