What a game that was last night. Manchester United were awe inspiring. They toyed with Tottenham in the first half. Let them have some possesion, a couple of chances, and they went in with smiles on their faces. Who needs Modric? or Jenas, or Sandro, Palacios or Huddlestone. Livermore was playing well, Kranjcar was keeping himself at the club, and then half time came. Fergie obviously told his boys that they weren't playing on the playground anymore and to take the game seriously. After the break, it did start off as more of the same. Both teams wanted to play and we got some good stuff to watch. And then Welbeck took centre stage. He had been largely a fringe player in this match up until then, but he turned the tie on it's head. A well taken goal later and United were in charge. Tottenham had to come out and take the game to the Champions, but any challenge failed until it was too late. Welbeck's awareness for Anderson's goal was marvellous and he deserved the ovation of the Old Trafford Faithful. Rooney just put the polish on the performance after a good ball from a man in his 22nd season of Premiership football, Ryan Giggs.
Man Utd were once famously told that you don't win anything with kids, only to produce the most succesful side England have seen. In those days, they didn't look this impressive. Sir Alex has produced yet another team that can be another legacy for historians to write about. With Young, Welbeck, Cleverley, Jones, De Gea, and then the established stars, they are not only going to make it 20 titles but have a serious chance of dominating the top of the table for the next ten years.
Speaking of the top of the table, Man City have today agreed a deal to sign Samir Nasri. This now looks likely to ensure some unhappy gooners and some Man City players without registration in the slimline 25 man squads.
Liverpool are also close to signing a young centre back with decent prospects, 20 year old Sebastian Coates from Uruguay. He impressed in the Copa America in the summer and is something Liverpool have cried out for, as I said earlier in the week.
I'm on holiday for the rest of this week and this weekend, so no predictions but I'll be back with a roundup on Monday
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Monday, 22 August 2011
Lots to talk about this week. Arsene looking like he doesn't know what's happening... don't tell me he didn't see it coming? QPR are off the mark, A fiery Tyne-Wear derby, AVB's first win as Chelski manager, and that's only half the action. Firstly Arsenal then. They missed a spark, and inevitably people will say that's Fabregas. The players they have got have talent, including the youngsters. They have got to develop and add to that squad if they want to retain that 4th spot. Frimpong looked good before he was sent off. He added that bite they have been missing and covered the defence brilliantly. His enthusiasm and lack of experience showed in the end though. He'll be a good player for them but not yet. The sending off changed the game and Liverpool took advantage of that. Arsenal have a re-building season ahead of them and it's not going to be easy.
QPR are off the mark in a match I expected them to lose. They were much better in defence this week and were lucky on a number of occasions. If it hadn't been for a rare Jagielka mistake they wouldn't have scored either, but Warnock's boys worked hard, and he'll add to the squad now and could make them contenders to stay up. Moyes on the other hand has his work cut out. He's lacking numbers and quality up front, and that seems to be the only position his youth system hasn't produced since Rooney. Ross Barkley looked like he's played for a lot longer, such was his assurity and ability on the ball. They've found another good youngster, but Moyes desperately needs money, and that's not going to happen. They should have another overacheiving season but I still worry for their future as should most Toffee's.
The Tyne-Wear derby was a fiery match, but did you honestly expect any different? Sunderland should've scored in the first half, but the seconf half was very even. Howard Webb had a difficult job, but proved his tag of best ref with aplomb. Yes, Barton had claims for a penalty, but it was difficult from his position to see that, and the linesman obviously thought it was ball to hand. Other than that he did an outstanding job in a tempestuous match. Both teams showed signs that they'll be fine, and with some luck maybe up in the europa league places.
Chelsea took their first three points under AVB. But they were lucky. West Brom had chances, and were unlucky to concede late on again. Shane Long looks Premiership class. He has strength, pace awareness and can finish well. He'll do well for the baggies, and soon you'll see they'll no longer be boing boing. Meanwhile, Villa looked good under Mcleish, but that's not hard against Blackburn. They were poor with the exception of Hoillet. He showed some good flair and ability in getting past his man. His crossing wasn't bad either. A good season for him this year and he'll be moving on. In wales for the first time in the premier league and Swansea got their first point of the campaign. They played good football, but could be in trouble against the big boys.
Sundays football went pretty much as I predicted and My Player of the Weekend comes from one of those matches. Jamie O'Hara had a wonderful match for Wolves. He was at the centre of everything they did. Mick has got himself the bargain of the season there. Capello should watch more of him and Wolves. I expect them to hit mid table this year, if they can keep a settled, injury free team.
Now to tonight, and we finally get to see Harry's boys in league action. I predicted a draw and I'll let you know tomorrow how it went.
QPR are off the mark in a match I expected them to lose. They were much better in defence this week and were lucky on a number of occasions. If it hadn't been for a rare Jagielka mistake they wouldn't have scored either, but Warnock's boys worked hard, and he'll add to the squad now and could make them contenders to stay up. Moyes on the other hand has his work cut out. He's lacking numbers and quality up front, and that seems to be the only position his youth system hasn't produced since Rooney. Ross Barkley looked like he's played for a lot longer, such was his assurity and ability on the ball. They've found another good youngster, but Moyes desperately needs money, and that's not going to happen. They should have another overacheiving season but I still worry for their future as should most Toffee's.
The Tyne-Wear derby was a fiery match, but did you honestly expect any different? Sunderland should've scored in the first half, but the seconf half was very even. Howard Webb had a difficult job, but proved his tag of best ref with aplomb. Yes, Barton had claims for a penalty, but it was difficult from his position to see that, and the linesman obviously thought it was ball to hand. Other than that he did an outstanding job in a tempestuous match. Both teams showed signs that they'll be fine, and with some luck maybe up in the europa league places.
Chelsea took their first three points under AVB. But they were lucky. West Brom had chances, and were unlucky to concede late on again. Shane Long looks Premiership class. He has strength, pace awareness and can finish well. He'll do well for the baggies, and soon you'll see they'll no longer be boing boing. Meanwhile, Villa looked good under Mcleish, but that's not hard against Blackburn. They were poor with the exception of Hoillet. He showed some good flair and ability in getting past his man. His crossing wasn't bad either. A good season for him this year and he'll be moving on. In wales for the first time in the premier league and Swansea got their first point of the campaign. They played good football, but could be in trouble against the big boys.
Sundays football went pretty much as I predicted and My Player of the Weekend comes from one of those matches. Jamie O'Hara had a wonderful match for Wolves. He was at the centre of everything they did. Mick has got himself the bargain of the season there. Capello should watch more of him and Wolves. I expect them to hit mid table this year, if they can keep a settled, injury free team.
Now to tonight, and we finally get to see Harry's boys in league action. I predicted a draw and I'll let you know tomorrow how it went.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Weekend Predictions : Sunday Edition
Well, 4 correct results, but not accurate enough on the final scores. More on that on Monday in my weekend roundup. On to more predictions.
Norwich v Stoke
This is by far the hardest of the remaining matches to predict, Norwich being an unknown quantity at this level and Stoke having an european hangover to contend with. I can see Norwich scoring, and doing well all season at home. They'll have a capacity crowd at Carrow Road and they'll be bouncing. Stoke on the other hand are improving season after season and could trouble the europa league places this season if they're consistent. I have a hard time predicting this, I can see either team winning so I'll fence sit and say 1-1.
Wolves v Fulham
I think Wolves will be the entertainers of the division this year. More goals will flow at Molineux than anywhere else. After two years of scraping to safety, they'll be ok this season. A settled squad, and the signing of O'Hara will see them right. Fulham have a tough season ahead and Martin Jol should see them to mid-table. They have goals in them and I'm sure we'll see that today. 3-2 to Wolves should be about right.
Bolton v Man City
I was impressed by Bolton last weekend but this is a different challenge than QPR. Man City have the world at their feet and only mis-management could see them fail to improve on last year. Aguero will do the damage for them again, and don't be surprised to see him top the goal charts. I'd like to say I see Bolton scoring, but they'll only do that if Kompany and co. switch off. 0-2
Monday Night Football - Man Utd v Spurs
Just a quick prediction here, a draw will suit both teams and that's what they'll get. 1-1.
Norwich v Stoke
This is by far the hardest of the remaining matches to predict, Norwich being an unknown quantity at this level and Stoke having an european hangover to contend with. I can see Norwich scoring, and doing well all season at home. They'll have a capacity crowd at Carrow Road and they'll be bouncing. Stoke on the other hand are improving season after season and could trouble the europa league places this season if they're consistent. I have a hard time predicting this, I can see either team winning so I'll fence sit and say 1-1.
Wolves v Fulham
I think Wolves will be the entertainers of the division this year. More goals will flow at Molineux than anywhere else. After two years of scraping to safety, they'll be ok this season. A settled squad, and the signing of O'Hara will see them right. Fulham have a tough season ahead and Martin Jol should see them to mid-table. They have goals in them and I'm sure we'll see that today. 3-2 to Wolves should be about right.
Bolton v Man City
I was impressed by Bolton last weekend but this is a different challenge than QPR. Man City have the world at their feet and only mis-management could see them fail to improve on last year. Aguero will do the damage for them again, and don't be surprised to see him top the goal charts. I'd like to say I see Bolton scoring, but they'll only do that if Kompany and co. switch off. 0-2
Monday Night Football - Man Utd v Spurs
Just a quick prediction here, a draw will suit both teams and that's what they'll get. 1-1.
Friday, 19 August 2011
Weekend Predictions
Sunderland v Newcastle
This derby match is a fiery match every time, and with Joey Barton on the pitch anything can happen. Newcastle will want to get three points after the draw with Arsenal but I feel Sunderland should be good enough to get something. With a bit of luck they'll get the win I'm predicting. 2-1
Arsenal v Liverpool
Arsenal will want to prove that they can still perform without Fabregas. Rumours are Nasri will play but that could be a farewell performance. Wenger is saying he needs to be trusted, but is that the act of a desperate man? We will see in time. Liverpool did look good against Sunderland but will need to improve for this match. However, Kenny will have worked on things in training and with no european midweek game, they will be fitter. Last year I would've written off Liverpool, but I'm not sure this time. I'll go 1-2
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Villa look like they'll be a mid table side, but with Given they'll probably keep some clean sheets when otherwise they wouldn't deserve them. I worry for Blackburn. I don't see them scoring enough this year. With Robbo in the nets though, they'll do better than some fear in defence. Their goal difference will still be negative though. 1-0
Everton v QPR
Everton win. This was easy. QPR need more than Tony Fernandes to lift them. They'll need 5 players before the window shuts. They don't have the quality, some don't have the desire, and they won't keep the ball out of their net in this match. Everton will have tougher games this year. 3-1
Swansea v Wigan
The Swans are the promoted team I like the best. They play good watchable football, and that will get them points this year. Wigan need to build on the close shave of last season and this will be an early chance to grab three points for Roberto Martinez. 1-1
Chelsea v West Brom
Nobody thought AVB would start with a goalless draw with Stoke, and nobody will think Roy Hodgson's boys will do the same today, but I see good things at the Hawthorns this year. They could grab a draw today, but only if they can score. 1-0
This derby match is a fiery match every time, and with Joey Barton on the pitch anything can happen. Newcastle will want to get three points after the draw with Arsenal but I feel Sunderland should be good enough to get something. With a bit of luck they'll get the win I'm predicting. 2-1
Arsenal v Liverpool
Arsenal will want to prove that they can still perform without Fabregas. Rumours are Nasri will play but that could be a farewell performance. Wenger is saying he needs to be trusted, but is that the act of a desperate man? We will see in time. Liverpool did look good against Sunderland but will need to improve for this match. However, Kenny will have worked on things in training and with no european midweek game, they will be fitter. Last year I would've written off Liverpool, but I'm not sure this time. I'll go 1-2
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Villa look like they'll be a mid table side, but with Given they'll probably keep some clean sheets when otherwise they wouldn't deserve them. I worry for Blackburn. I don't see them scoring enough this year. With Robbo in the nets though, they'll do better than some fear in defence. Their goal difference will still be negative though. 1-0
Everton v QPR
Everton win. This was easy. QPR need more than Tony Fernandes to lift them. They'll need 5 players before the window shuts. They don't have the quality, some don't have the desire, and they won't keep the ball out of their net in this match. Everton will have tougher games this year. 3-1
Swansea v Wigan
The Swans are the promoted team I like the best. They play good watchable football, and that will get them points this year. Wigan need to build on the close shave of last season and this will be an early chance to grab three points for Roberto Martinez. 1-1
Chelsea v West Brom
Nobody thought AVB would start with a goalless draw with Stoke, and nobody will think Roy Hodgson's boys will do the same today, but I see good things at the Hawthorns this year. They could grab a draw today, but only if they can score. 1-0
5 Star Spurs
Well, I must say, They looked good. Sharp. But then, they are a good side. They had a good campaign last season. Except the start of the european dream last year against some young boys. Complete opposite this year. Harry's men made Hearts look like lost boys. Tottenham were very good to watch. Especially young Livermore, who will see more game time this year, along with Danny Rose. I'm sure Harry will blood some youth this year, especially in this tournament. More is probably needed up front, and with that, rumours persist of an Adebayor deal. If he goes to White Hart Lane, it's a good thing. He's a goalscorer and a man who plays for the love of playing(and a helluva lot of money). It doesn't matter that he played for Arsenal. So did Gallas, and he had a great first year for Spurs. Adebayor doesn't care that he played for Arsenal, why should the fans?
Bale looked in good nick, as too did one Rafael Van der Vaart. The Dutchman's ability to find space, use it and score goals will again feature prominently at times. But it's a different story on Monday. It's United next, at Old Trafford. Hopefully it'll be two teams hoping to play each other properly and we'll see 5 goals again.
Meanwhile, there was another good win in europe for Martin Jol's Fulham. They looked comfortable on the ball, and looked a lot fitter than Dnipro. Maybe their early start has helped. But I see them tiring around March if they go far in this competition. Elsewhere Stoke had a win on the plastic pitch of Thun, and Birmingham drew away to Nacional. The rest of last nights europa results are here.
Bale looked in good nick, as too did one Rafael Van der Vaart. The Dutchman's ability to find space, use it and score goals will again feature prominently at times. But it's a different story on Monday. It's United next, at Old Trafford. Hopefully it'll be two teams hoping to play each other properly and we'll see 5 goals again.
Meanwhile, there was another good win in europe for Martin Jol's Fulham. They looked comfortable on the ball, and looked a lot fitter than Dnipro. Maybe their early start has helped. But I see them tiring around March if they go far in this competition. Elsewhere Stoke had a win on the plastic pitch of Thun, and Birmingham drew away to Nacional. The rest of last nights europa results are here.
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Qualifying for your European Adventures
Fabreg-less. Nasri no show. And in case you missed it Eboue-less. :) Slender 1-0 led that. Udinese could do that. Especially if Di Natale gets some chances. Arsene is definitely going to have to look at the midfield. Disjointed and not their flowing usual selves. They've got the lead though and kept a clean sheet so, that's looking on the brightside. Slender lead though boys. Narrow. Not much margin for error. Words like that.
It also appears that Arsene was not so secretely passing messages to the bench whilst he was suspended in the stands. Arsenal's official stance is that they checked he could do this before the game and were puzzeled by UEFA's stance at halftime. They say it was a misunderstanding of the rules and not a deliberate attempt to subvert them. Or Arsene didn't have his glasses on when he perused the rules and didn't see that one.
Theo Walcott got the goal that's given them that hope of qualifying for the Champion's League proper. He deserves more time up front if you ask me. He's got no real outstanding quality for crossing, but the lad can finish and scares defenders with his pace. If he can play there regularly, bang in more than 15 goals this season, and keep on Capello's good side, then he could feature there for England. But I doubt that will happen. He'll play wide right and nobody will see much of him whilst he's out there.
Here's Tuesday's other scores including a fine win for Lyon.
It also appears that Arsene was not so secretely passing messages to the bench whilst he was suspended in the stands. Arsenal's official stance is that they checked he could do this before the game and were puzzeled by UEFA's stance at halftime. They say it was a misunderstanding of the rules and not a deliberate attempt to subvert them. Or Arsene didn't have his glasses on when he perused the rules and didn't see that one.
Theo Walcott got the goal that's given them that hope of qualifying for the Champion's League proper. He deserves more time up front if you ask me. He's got no real outstanding quality for crossing, but the lad can finish and scares defenders with his pace. If he can play there regularly, bang in more than 15 goals this season, and keep on Capello's good side, then he could feature there for England. But I doubt that will happen. He'll play wide right and nobody will see much of him whilst he's out there.
Here's Tuesday's other scores including a fine win for Lyon.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
And we're off
So the new Premier League season is underway. And indications are good. Citeh are good for goals, Utd look capable of clangers and winners, Bolton are unstoppable... some things never change. heh. Seriously, I was impressed by the trotters. QPR really didn't turn up after they went down and Taraabt isn't sure what to do half the time, but Davies and co. worked hard and that showed with the goals they scored. In Coyle they have an astute manager with an eye for a player. Don't be surprised if he takes up Harry's mantle once the FA give him a job.
Liverpool showed some good signs on saturday. Give Kenny a month and he'll have that midfield singing and those strikers scoring regularly. A decent signing to cover that rickety back four and they'll be back in the top four. But the man of that match, and my man of the weekend was Seb Larsson. He was everywhere. Involved with everything Sunderland did. And he scored a properly good goal. And free right? Brucie's bonus.
So now onto the biggest news of the summer. That's right. A North London player leaving for a sunnier climate. Robbie Keane has gone to the Galaxy! Sorry Arsenal fans, but Cesc leaving was a matter of time, and maybe now you can move on, get someone with a bit of bite in midfield to play alongside Wilshere or Ramsey and maybe, just maybe you can hang on in there in fourth. I don't see it mind. Wenger has only just seen that he needs an experienced centre back. He won't see the need for a battling midfielder for two years at least.
Right then, on to Europe and lets see who's playing on sky and itv and who's on on thursday nights channel 5 this year. At least Liverpool get a rest this year.
Liverpool showed some good signs on saturday. Give Kenny a month and he'll have that midfield singing and those strikers scoring regularly. A decent signing to cover that rickety back four and they'll be back in the top four. But the man of that match, and my man of the weekend was Seb Larsson. He was everywhere. Involved with everything Sunderland did. And he scored a properly good goal. And free right? Brucie's bonus.
So now onto the biggest news of the summer. That's right. A North London player leaving for a sunnier climate. Robbie Keane has gone to the Galaxy! Sorry Arsenal fans, but Cesc leaving was a matter of time, and maybe now you can move on, get someone with a bit of bite in midfield to play alongside Wilshere or Ramsey and maybe, just maybe you can hang on in there in fourth. I don't see it mind. Wenger has only just seen that he needs an experienced centre back. He won't see the need for a battling midfielder for two years at least.
Right then, on to Europe and lets see who's playing on sky and itv and who's on on thursday nights channel 5 this year. At least Liverpool get a rest this year.
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