Stephane Mbia became Queens Park Rangers twelfth summer signing on deadline day. It is a time for change under Mark Hughes, who faces his first full season in charge at Loftus Road. Mark Hughes has also dispensed with the services of eleven players this summer, so it seemed he was a man with a plan, out with the old in with the new. Sparky is doing his upmost to re-affirm his statement he made when he left Fulham "As a young, ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences". These were surely the actions of a young ambitious manager. QPR’s campaign started off pretty miserably with an opening day thrashing at the hands of Swansea at home. They then went onto draw with Norwich away and lose to Manchester City away.
Signings such as Junior Hoilett will seem like a coup, but one shudders to think of his wages when he turned down a whole host of Premier League clubs to join QPR. Hoilett’s reasons were he wanted to work under Mark Hughes again, but given he spent most of his time on loan in Germany under Hughes’ tenure at Blackburn, makes this statement seem unlikely.
Julio Cesar could be considered another coup. Given he left Inter Milan because they would not match his wage demands, you can only imagine the money he receives each week. This has given Mark Hughes’ summer recruitment somewhat of a mercenary look. First and foremost they’re in it for the money.
QPR have registered their squad for the new season and some notable omissions Rob Hulse, DJ Campbell, Radek Černý and Luke Young, all over the age of thirty and were relatively unimpressive last season. However, out of a squad of twenty five QPR still have twelve players over the age of thirty and considering Mark Hughes brought in eight of these recruits, what is Hughes real vision for the club. Is it to push on this season with the investment from Tony Fernandes or is it just to do enough. You just need to look at the fiasco surrounding Robert Green. Mark Hughes had a decent keeper in Paddy Kenny, he then recruits Robert Green and sells Kenny to Leeds. Green then has a poor debut against Norwich so he buys Julio Cesar and then goes onto say that Green can leave in January if he wants. There doesn’t seem to be a plan for the club.
It is hard to see where Mark Hughes is taking QPR being able to make a coherent starting eleven out of the players is a massive challenge, never mind making the team gel. This is a team that has gone through two overhauls, one in January and another in the summer. So where does it end, the older players will have to be replaced sooner rather than later so expect another overhaul in January and again in the summer. There appears to be little plan, reacting to an individual result causes a backlash of three or four new signings. If Hughes has little faith or patience in his players he should be wary that Fernandes may have a similar opinion of him.
The current state of QPR is a lot like Mark Hughes time at Manchester City. Hughes brought seventeen players to the club to the tune of £250 million. Individually the signings were very good - most of them great players with proven track records. However Hughes never struck me as he knew what to do with these great players, there didn’t seem to be a plan in place. The plan was just buy them first then decide how they can fit together later. Hughes will tell you he was unfairly treated by Manchester City after he was sacked in December of 2009. However given that Manchester City were lying in sixth place and the amount of money he had spent, to me you wander if he could have any complaints.
I think Hughes will struggle this season with the team he has assembled and I don’t think it will be long before his job is called into question, Hughes is currently 4/1 that he is the first manager to go. Tony Fernandes is on a steep learning curve at QPR and it will peak at a massive decision around January whether to stick with Hughes or bring in another man to take the club forward. Either way QPR are set for more transfers and come the summer they will probably be looking to sign another twelve players. The revolving door continues apace.
~John Lavery
Thursday, 6 September 2012
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
We Need to Talk About Michael
What is the defining statement about Michael Owens’ career? Will he be most remembered for the goal-scoring exploits he exhibited for Liverpool FC and England? Or will it be the injury interrupted and bench warming periods he endured at Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United?
His time at Stoke could, and probably will, provide the answer to this question. It’s a move in many ways that makes sense. Stoke don’t have a player in the same mould as Owen. He could work well in a big-man little-man combination with Peter Crouch and of course, The Potteries is near to his Cheshire home.
I have to say I thought Owen was dropped rather prematurely from the England squad. At the time, he probably still had something to offer and but clearly didn’t fit in with Fabio Capello’s plans. For quite some time Owen believed with understandable justification that he could cut it for England, however the Italian didn’t see it this way and he was out.
Owen’s record throughout his career is impressive – he has scored goals wherever he has played. Although it’s interesting to note that he has never scored more than 20 in one season. The move to Stoke could make him the focal point of their forward line and he undoubtedly has the ability to provide a bit more of a threat than they currently offer, but can he stay fit? That’s the big question.
For starters, he has passed a medical, so any worries about those knees or hamstrings could be temporarily calmed – and we all know that Stoke’s medical staff are sticklers for detail, having stuck the brakes on Demba Ba’s move a couple of seasons back. If he does keep himself injury free, then the chance to score goals is there. Owen might not possess that electric pace that was once a hallmark of his game but he will no doubt have adapted his movement and position to compensate for that, to a certain extent.
Then there’s the question of whether Stoke and Owen are a good fit? Amazingly, since they were promoted to the Premier League, Stoke have never recorded more than 50% possession in a match. It’s an unbelievable stat, perhaps giving weight to the fact that Tony Pulis is in favour of a long ball, direct approach. This might not suit Owen that well, whereas someone like Peter Crouch is better able to slot into this style.
The only thing that Pulis could do is to adapt Stoke’s style of play to suit Owen, who has never been one to thrive when the ball is sailing over his head. It’s questionable whether the likes of Dean Whitehead could provide the incisive passing that Owen craves - Michael Kightly is is more likely to achieve this.
At 32, almost 33, and judging by what he’s said in the past, Stoke will probably be his last club. If he isn’t a success here then Owen is unlikely to get another top-flight contract and he has previously expressed his unwillingness to drop down to the lower leagues. If he is successful however, he’ll most likely get an extension and continue on to 34, or maybe even beyond that.
They do say you’re remembered for what you did last, so this is the final opportunity for Owen to prove he still has what it takes. For a man who last started his last Premier League game a year ago (against the Potters), this is a chance he cannot afford to miss, because it’s his final one.
~Ian Bendelow
His time at Stoke could, and probably will, provide the answer to this question. It’s a move in many ways that makes sense. Stoke don’t have a player in the same mould as Owen. He could work well in a big-man little-man combination with Peter Crouch and of course, The Potteries is near to his Cheshire home.
I have to say I thought Owen was dropped rather prematurely from the England squad. At the time, he probably still had something to offer and but clearly didn’t fit in with Fabio Capello’s plans. For quite some time Owen believed with understandable justification that he could cut it for England, however the Italian didn’t see it this way and he was out.
Owen’s record throughout his career is impressive – he has scored goals wherever he has played. Although it’s interesting to note that he has never scored more than 20 in one season. The move to Stoke could make him the focal point of their forward line and he undoubtedly has the ability to provide a bit more of a threat than they currently offer, but can he stay fit? That’s the big question.
For starters, he has passed a medical, so any worries about those knees or hamstrings could be temporarily calmed – and we all know that Stoke’s medical staff are sticklers for detail, having stuck the brakes on Demba Ba’s move a couple of seasons back. If he does keep himself injury free, then the chance to score goals is there. Owen might not possess that electric pace that was once a hallmark of his game but he will no doubt have adapted his movement and position to compensate for that, to a certain extent.
Then there’s the question of whether Stoke and Owen are a good fit? Amazingly, since they were promoted to the Premier League, Stoke have never recorded more than 50% possession in a match. It’s an unbelievable stat, perhaps giving weight to the fact that Tony Pulis is in favour of a long ball, direct approach. This might not suit Owen that well, whereas someone like Peter Crouch is better able to slot into this style.
The only thing that Pulis could do is to adapt Stoke’s style of play to suit Owen, who has never been one to thrive when the ball is sailing over his head. It’s questionable whether the likes of Dean Whitehead could provide the incisive passing that Owen craves - Michael Kightly is is more likely to achieve this.
At 32, almost 33, and judging by what he’s said in the past, Stoke will probably be his last club. If he isn’t a success here then Owen is unlikely to get another top-flight contract and he has previously expressed his unwillingness to drop down to the lower leagues. If he is successful however, he’ll most likely get an extension and continue on to 34, or maybe even beyond that.
They do say you’re remembered for what you did last, so this is the final opportunity for Owen to prove he still has what it takes. For a man who last started his last Premier League game a year ago (against the Potters), this is a chance he cannot afford to miss, because it’s his final one.
~Ian Bendelow
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Liverpool, Time for Patience and Perspective
Last year, Liverpool FC had one of the worst seasons in their history. It was not just the position they ended up in, but more that the average on-field performances in no way reflected the vast amount of money they spent. The year began as one of optimism but it turned very quickly into a season to forget. Their league cup victory provided only a fleeting moment of joy that wasn’t enough to mask the subsequent disappointment in their FA cup final defeat. Finishing below their Everton rivals only further affirmed the dismal end to a poor season. Trust in Daliglish has taken Liverpool back to the 90s - Hodgson laid the foundations, but Dalglish really cemented it.
Roll on season 2012/2013 and Liverpool decides to dispense with the services of Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli and appoint a young manager in the form of Brendan Rodgers. Taking a new view on transfers, those at the top begin looking for a specific type of player that would fit into a system similar to the one Brendan Rodgers adopted during his time at Swansea City.
Things have not started brilliantly however, losing Andy Carroll and missing out on Clint Dempsey can hardly be deemed a master stroke. Results have not gone the way Liverpool would have wanted either but I feel that may be more due to bad luck and timing, rather than the on-field performances. A 3-0 spanking at The Hawthorns was not the best way to kick off the season for Liverpool, but this could be forgiven, considering that West Bromich Albion remain unbeaten and there was two very soft penalties against Liverpool. A draw with Manchester City a loss to Arsenal, are hardly reasons to panic, in the grand scheme of things.
Liverpool on paper has the makings of a good squad. Starting at the back, Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool had the fourth best defence in the league and I think under Rodgers, that could be set to continue. Pepe Reina is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Daniel Agger and Martin Škrtel built a great defensive partnership last season and that could remain, if they can adapt to Rodgers’ new system. Glen Johnson was one of England’s top performers at the Euros, proving all the doubters (myself included) wrong with a string of solid performances. Enrique started life well at Anfield but faded away (like most of the squad) towards the second half of the season, but Liverpool’s signings suggest they are going to keep faith in the back four that for the most part served them very well.
Roll on season 2012/2013 and Liverpool decides to dispense with the services of Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli and appoint a young manager in the form of Brendan Rodgers. Taking a new view on transfers, those at the top begin looking for a specific type of player that would fit into a system similar to the one Brendan Rodgers adopted during his time at Swansea City.
Things have not started brilliantly however, losing Andy Carroll and missing out on Clint Dempsey can hardly be deemed a master stroke. Results have not gone the way Liverpool would have wanted either but I feel that may be more due to bad luck and timing, rather than the on-field performances. A 3-0 spanking at The Hawthorns was not the best way to kick off the season for Liverpool, but this could be forgiven, considering that West Bromich Albion remain unbeaten and there was two very soft penalties against Liverpool. A draw with Manchester City a loss to Arsenal, are hardly reasons to panic, in the grand scheme of things.
Liverpool on paper has the makings of a good squad. Starting at the back, Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool had the fourth best defence in the league and I think under Rodgers, that could be set to continue. Pepe Reina is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Daniel Agger and Martin Škrtel built a great defensive partnership last season and that could remain, if they can adapt to Rodgers’ new system. Glen Johnson was one of England’s top performers at the Euros, proving all the doubters (myself included) wrong with a string of solid performances. Enrique started life well at Anfield but faded away (like most of the squad) towards the second half of the season, but Liverpool’s signings suggest they are going to keep faith in the back four that for the most part served them very well.
The midfield is where Liverpool were let down last season, as they relied too heavily on players such as Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing, and for the start of last season, Lucas Leiva, who seems to receive plenty of critical acclaim, but every time I watch him he never looks anywhere near the player they talk about in the media. The purchases of Nuri Şahin and Joe Allen will give Liverpool an extra dimension - Şahin in particular, who after an injury dogged time at Real Madrid, has the chance to reinforce his improving reputation, following his impressive season at Borussia Dortmund in their Bundesliga winning season of 2010/2011. Stephen Gerrard played fantastically in the Euros (he was probably England’s best player) and if he can adapt to Rodger’s new system and stay fit, he will always pose a threat.
Up front is where Liverpool still lacks real goal scoring threat, but they do have a lot of potential. If Luis Suarez can change his ways and finish his Messi-esque runs with a goal instead of hitting the post or hoofing it straight at the keeper, he could be looking at the Golden Boot this season. Fabio Borini is a young player with a decent free kick ability and he has also played under Rodgers before. Sterling looks like he could be quite the player if nurtured correctly - he possesses skill and blistering pace which could worry a lot of defensive flanks in the Premier League.
Liverpool also have a lot of youth in their squad. The previously mentioned Raheem Sterling is only seventeen and Martin Kelly, Jon Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Jonjo Shelvey, who are all on the fringes of the first team, are not much older. These players will be given more of a chance to impress this season in the extra games from the Europa League. In addition, we could see potentially great performances this season from Joe Allen and Fabio Borini who are still only twenty-two and twenty-one years old respectively.
Overall, I do not think it is all doom and gloom at Anfield and I think this season will be a successful one. Perhaps they will not manage top-four or any silverware, but a strong fifth to sixth place finish will show that Liverpool have improved and under Rodgers they will continue to improve. All that is required is patience from the Liverpool fans and the board - they need to give Brenden Rodgers time and look the Club’s growth in years rather than months. On the face of it, he is a very talented manager and I have no doubt that if he is the Liverpool manager in ten years time, they will have a lot more silverware in the cabinet.
~John Lavery
Up front is where Liverpool still lacks real goal scoring threat, but they do have a lot of potential. If Luis Suarez can change his ways and finish his Messi-esque runs with a goal instead of hitting the post or hoofing it straight at the keeper, he could be looking at the Golden Boot this season. Fabio Borini is a young player with a decent free kick ability and he has also played under Rodgers before. Sterling looks like he could be quite the player if nurtured correctly - he possesses skill and blistering pace which could worry a lot of defensive flanks in the Premier League.
Liverpool also have a lot of youth in their squad. The previously mentioned Raheem Sterling is only seventeen and Martin Kelly, Jon Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Jonjo Shelvey, who are all on the fringes of the first team, are not much older. These players will be given more of a chance to impress this season in the extra games from the Europa League. In addition, we could see potentially great performances this season from Joe Allen and Fabio Borini who are still only twenty-two and twenty-one years old respectively.
Overall, I do not think it is all doom and gloom at Anfield and I think this season will be a successful one. Perhaps they will not manage top-four or any silverware, but a strong fifth to sixth place finish will show that Liverpool have improved and under Rodgers they will continue to improve. All that is required is patience from the Liverpool fans and the board - they need to give Brenden Rodgers time and look the Club’s growth in years rather than months. On the face of it, he is a very talented manager and I have no doubt that if he is the Liverpool manager in ten years time, they will have a lot more silverware in the cabinet.
~John Lavery
Handsome 11
Handsome 11 - Carefully Selected during a drunken night playing pool. We used the pool balls as players to figure out a formation for the team.
GK - Gianluigi Buffon
LB - Ashley Cole
RB - Olof Melberg
CB - Gerard Pique
CB - Matts Hummells
CM - Danielle De Rossi
CM - Xavi Alonso
CM - David Beckham
RW - Mikel Arteta
LW - Christiano Ronaldo
ST - Didier Drogba
GK - Gianluigi Buffon
LB - Ashley Cole
RB - Olof Melberg
CB - Gerard Pique
CB - Matts Hummells
CM - Danielle De Rossi
CM - Xavi Alonso
CM - David Beckham
RW - Mikel Arteta
LW - Christiano Ronaldo
ST - Didier Drogba
~John Lavery
~Stephen Wrigglesworth
Monday, 3 September 2012
August 11
GK - Ali Al Habsi
RB - Branislav Ivonavic
LB - Leighton Baines
CB - Thomas Vermaelen
CB - Phil Jagielka
MF - Marouane Fellaini
MF - Michu
MF - Santi Cazorla
RB - Branislav Ivonavic
LB - Leighton Baines
CB - Thomas Vermaelen
CB - Phil Jagielka
MF - Marouane Fellaini
MF - Michu
MF - Santi Cazorla
FD - Eden Hazard
FD - Carlos Tevez
FD - Robin Van Persie
FD - Carlos Tevez
FD - Robin Van Persie
Predictions Results Week 3
Premier League Results Week 3
Home
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Away
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West Ham
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3
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0
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Fulham
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Swansea
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2
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2
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Sunderland
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Tottenham
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1
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1
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Norwich
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West Brom
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2
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0
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Everton
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Wigan
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2
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2
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Stoke
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Man City
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3
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1
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QPR
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Liverpool
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0
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2
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Arsenal
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Newcastle
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1
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1
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Aston Villa
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Southampton
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2
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3
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Man Utd
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Transfer Review: Summer
Who will win the League?
John: I am going to go with Man City, they have bought well on the final day. The players they have bought are just squad players but they are better squad players than they had last season. I also think they will be more galvanized as a team and I think it will be day light between them and second place. For me I don't think Man Utd will do a lot this season, I know they have signed Van Persie but I think he will disharmonise the dressing room, because Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez will not be playing as regularly.
Sam: Manchester City - I think they have enough to edge it. Although they haven't really hit the ground running, neither have Man Utd. Will be close.
Stephen: Well my answer may have been an outside bet in Chelsea given their 9 points from 9 but watching them get a lesson off Athletico Madrid last night kind of reminded me that Di Matteo is/was/has been luckier than he is/was/has been skilful as a manager and I see a few droughts in his season. Man City I think, I thought it was a very positive deadline day for them, greater quality throughout the whole squad now and the core team aren't too far from fully gelled. Man Utd don't look the part for me, Kagawa and RVP are good signings but I've not been impressed at all with what I've see.
Ian: Man Utd have genuinely strengthened in this window. As have Chelsea. Man city however haven't and it's a bit worrying for them. Signing a number of players on transfer deadline day smacks of a club that isn't completely in control, and you can't really say that their squad is stronger than this time last year. So it's Man United for me.
Champions League positions?
John: Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham. I think Tottenham have strengthened well, even with the losses of Modric and Van Der Vaart and if Andre Villas Boas is given time I think he will get the team playing together.
Sam: Chelsea and Arsenal - To be honest I struggle to see where Arsenal will get their goals, but fortunately for them I think everyone could be beating everyone this season. I think Tottenham could struggle and have so far been far from convincing in their first 2 games. The addition of Dempsey and Adebayor could be a large boost for them.
Stephen: Manchester City, Manchester Utd, Chelsea and given Arsenals inauspicious beginnings I think they'll have their hands full, based on the opening two performances and the transfer window I'm going to predict Everton getting their second bite and Fellaini world player of the year if he keeps the same standard for the next 36 games.
Ian: Spurs appear to have gone backwards, and Newcastle don't have the ability to push on further, neither do Everton. Liverpool will probably be in reverse. So it's the Manchester clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Relegated Clubs?
John: Norwich, Wigan, Aston Villa - Aston Villa have brought in a load of Championship and league 1 players so I don't see how they can stay up. Lambert has made a massive mistake going there. I also can see Randy Lerner selling Villa at some point this year. It has to be Wigan’s time they have weakened an already weak squad. Norwich, as much as I like Chris Hughton Norwich have a poor squad and as the season goes on will struggle more and more, I can see them finishing bottom.
Sam: Norwich, Southampton and Reading - Southampton were very impressive against Manchester City but people should not get carried away by 1 performance. It will be a hard season for them and out of the bottom 3 I reckon they will push the hardest. I do like Nigel Adkins though and they are a team I would like to stay up. Norwich will find it hard this season, I like Chris Hughton for obvious Newcastle related reasons, and he did a fantastic job last season with Birmingham but so far in the first 2 games they have looked like they could be the premier league whipping boys. As for Reading, I don't think a lot of their players are cut out for the premiership, Adam Le Fondre is almost premiership standard. Along with Southampton, I'm sure they can give us some entertainment along the way, and I think that they won't be going down without a big scalp or two.
Stephen: Really early to write off Southampton, I'm going to think more about their performance at Man city rather than that against Wigan. I think Norwich look likely, I've got to go with Wigan... they've done nothing but weaken the team over the transfer window and I think a valiant Reading will struggle to safety thanks to the surely unavoidable drop for Villa... they've got to go down. Villa, Norwich and Wigan are my three.
Ian: West Ham, Reading and Southampton - You can say West Ham have signed quality in Jarvis and Carroll, however Jarvis was relegated last season and Fletcher scored 12 goals for Wolves. Will Carroll get that many? Probably not. West Ham still can't defend - their goals last week vs Swansea were just awful.
Surprise Package? (Team)
John: Everton, they have bought well and so have Swansea. I think Everton will push the European hopefuls all the way and Swansea will finish top half. I also think Tottenham because Lloris, Dempsey and Dembele are three fantastic signings.
Sam: This is hard to judge as I feel that a lot of teams such as Everton, Sunderland, Swansea and Fulham have all made some good signings in the transfer window. If I have to give it to someone it will have to be Everton. Think they will be pushing for the Champions League spots like Newcastle were last year.
Stephen: Everton... for reasons I stated above, I can't believe how good they looked defensively against Man Utd and offensively against villa...they're usually slow starters that end well, keep the strong end and they could be higher than 4th even...basically I'm very impressed.
Ian: Everton for me - They have looked great in the first couple of games and it's going to be really interesting to see how they do now they've had a decent start, which is something they're not used to. Moyes is getting more and more desperate to win something and you kind of get the impression that things are coming to a head for them.
Underachiever of the season? (Team)
John: Well I would have to say Arsenal, as much as I don't want it to be but I just think they haven't strengthened sufficiently to combat the loss of Alex Song and Robin Van Persie. Aston Villa look really awful in the first two games and I don't know where they can get a win from. Judging from their signings they look like they are preparing for life in the championship.
Sam: Aston Villa and Tottenham. Will have to give it to Tottenham though, I think Villas Boas is trying to do a bit too much too fast, which could be a major criticism for why he failed at Chelsea. I think given time, he will prove himself but the time he requires may not be given to him.
Stephen: I'm inclined to say Spurs, I'm a big fan of Dembele and Dempsey so they're good signings but I think AVB is one of those that needs time and whether levy can ride it out will be an issue this season.
Ian: Liverpool. Then again what is underachievement for Liverpool? The inability to accept they're an upper mid table team probably suggests they're held in a little too high a regard by their own fans. They'll finish around halfway and comparing that to the weight of expectation is probably not good enough.
Top Scorer?
John: Torres, he looks back to his best. I also think Mario Balotelli would be a cheeky bet looked amazing in the Euros. Finally Tevez is another player I would back to be a top scorer he looks like he is enjoying his football again. Out of those three I am going for Tevez.
Sam: Fernando Torres - He is looking like the Torres of old, and seems to have immediately started to link up with Hazard.
Stephen: Well I've got to be concerned about Giroud, I thought he looked the part from small pieces of ligue 1 footage but he may need bedding in for longer than is still possible to challenge for the golden boot. Tevez may be there or thereabouts if he doesn't break again. Torres up front on his own and a supply from hazard, could see his old self back. Torres
Ian: Rooney. However I predict that this season, no one will score above 18 goals.
First Manager to Go?
John: Mark Hughes has to be the favourite he has bought himself zero time with his efforts in the transfer market and I think if he hasn't got going by October he will be gone. I also think Tony Pulis has an outside chance, he has spent a lot of money again and if there is not a marginal improvement on the field to last season I think Peter Coates may act.
John: I am going to go with Man City, they have bought well on the final day. The players they have bought are just squad players but they are better squad players than they had last season. I also think they will be more galvanized as a team and I think it will be day light between them and second place. For me I don't think Man Utd will do a lot this season, I know they have signed Van Persie but I think he will disharmonise the dressing room, because Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez will not be playing as regularly.
Sam: Manchester City - I think they have enough to edge it. Although they haven't really hit the ground running, neither have Man Utd. Will be close.
Stephen: Well my answer may have been an outside bet in Chelsea given their 9 points from 9 but watching them get a lesson off Athletico Madrid last night kind of reminded me that Di Matteo is/was/has been luckier than he is/was/has been skilful as a manager and I see a few droughts in his season. Man City I think, I thought it was a very positive deadline day for them, greater quality throughout the whole squad now and the core team aren't too far from fully gelled. Man Utd don't look the part for me, Kagawa and RVP are good signings but I've not been impressed at all with what I've see.
Ian: Man Utd have genuinely strengthened in this window. As have Chelsea. Man city however haven't and it's a bit worrying for them. Signing a number of players on transfer deadline day smacks of a club that isn't completely in control, and you can't really say that their squad is stronger than this time last year. So it's Man United for me.
Champions League positions?
John: Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham. I think Tottenham have strengthened well, even with the losses of Modric and Van Der Vaart and if Andre Villas Boas is given time I think he will get the team playing together.
Sam: Chelsea and Arsenal - To be honest I struggle to see where Arsenal will get their goals, but fortunately for them I think everyone could be beating everyone this season. I think Tottenham could struggle and have so far been far from convincing in their first 2 games. The addition of Dempsey and Adebayor could be a large boost for them.
Stephen: Manchester City, Manchester Utd, Chelsea and given Arsenals inauspicious beginnings I think they'll have their hands full, based on the opening two performances and the transfer window I'm going to predict Everton getting their second bite and Fellaini world player of the year if he keeps the same standard for the next 36 games.
Ian: Spurs appear to have gone backwards, and Newcastle don't have the ability to push on further, neither do Everton. Liverpool will probably be in reverse. So it's the Manchester clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Relegated Clubs?
John: Norwich, Wigan, Aston Villa - Aston Villa have brought in a load of Championship and league 1 players so I don't see how they can stay up. Lambert has made a massive mistake going there. I also can see Randy Lerner selling Villa at some point this year. It has to be Wigan’s time they have weakened an already weak squad. Norwich, as much as I like Chris Hughton Norwich have a poor squad and as the season goes on will struggle more and more, I can see them finishing bottom.
Sam: Norwich, Southampton and Reading - Southampton were very impressive against Manchester City but people should not get carried away by 1 performance. It will be a hard season for them and out of the bottom 3 I reckon they will push the hardest. I do like Nigel Adkins though and they are a team I would like to stay up. Norwich will find it hard this season, I like Chris Hughton for obvious Newcastle related reasons, and he did a fantastic job last season with Birmingham but so far in the first 2 games they have looked like they could be the premier league whipping boys. As for Reading, I don't think a lot of their players are cut out for the premiership, Adam Le Fondre is almost premiership standard. Along with Southampton, I'm sure they can give us some entertainment along the way, and I think that they won't be going down without a big scalp or two.
Stephen: Really early to write off Southampton, I'm going to think more about their performance at Man city rather than that against Wigan. I think Norwich look likely, I've got to go with Wigan... they've done nothing but weaken the team over the transfer window and I think a valiant Reading will struggle to safety thanks to the surely unavoidable drop for Villa... they've got to go down. Villa, Norwich and Wigan are my three.
Ian: West Ham, Reading and Southampton - You can say West Ham have signed quality in Jarvis and Carroll, however Jarvis was relegated last season and Fletcher scored 12 goals for Wolves. Will Carroll get that many? Probably not. West Ham still can't defend - their goals last week vs Swansea were just awful.
Surprise Package? (Team)
John: Everton, they have bought well and so have Swansea. I think Everton will push the European hopefuls all the way and Swansea will finish top half. I also think Tottenham because Lloris, Dempsey and Dembele are three fantastic signings.
Sam: This is hard to judge as I feel that a lot of teams such as Everton, Sunderland, Swansea and Fulham have all made some good signings in the transfer window. If I have to give it to someone it will have to be Everton. Think they will be pushing for the Champions League spots like Newcastle were last year.
Stephen: Everton... for reasons I stated above, I can't believe how good they looked defensively against Man Utd and offensively against villa...they're usually slow starters that end well, keep the strong end and they could be higher than 4th even...basically I'm very impressed.
Ian: Everton for me - They have looked great in the first couple of games and it's going to be really interesting to see how they do now they've had a decent start, which is something they're not used to. Moyes is getting more and more desperate to win something and you kind of get the impression that things are coming to a head for them.
Underachiever of the season? (Team)
John: Well I would have to say Arsenal, as much as I don't want it to be but I just think they haven't strengthened sufficiently to combat the loss of Alex Song and Robin Van Persie. Aston Villa look really awful in the first two games and I don't know where they can get a win from. Judging from their signings they look like they are preparing for life in the championship.
Sam: Aston Villa and Tottenham. Will have to give it to Tottenham though, I think Villas Boas is trying to do a bit too much too fast, which could be a major criticism for why he failed at Chelsea. I think given time, he will prove himself but the time he requires may not be given to him.
Stephen: I'm inclined to say Spurs, I'm a big fan of Dembele and Dempsey so they're good signings but I think AVB is one of those that needs time and whether levy can ride it out will be an issue this season.
Ian: Liverpool. Then again what is underachievement for Liverpool? The inability to accept they're an upper mid table team probably suggests they're held in a little too high a regard by their own fans. They'll finish around halfway and comparing that to the weight of expectation is probably not good enough.
Top Scorer?
John: Torres, he looks back to his best. I also think Mario Balotelli would be a cheeky bet looked amazing in the Euros. Finally Tevez is another player I would back to be a top scorer he looks like he is enjoying his football again. Out of those three I am going for Tevez.
Sam: Fernando Torres - He is looking like the Torres of old, and seems to have immediately started to link up with Hazard.
Stephen: Well I've got to be concerned about Giroud, I thought he looked the part from small pieces of ligue 1 footage but he may need bedding in for longer than is still possible to challenge for the golden boot. Tevez may be there or thereabouts if he doesn't break again. Torres up front on his own and a supply from hazard, could see his old self back. Torres
Ian: Rooney. However I predict that this season, no one will score above 18 goals.
First Manager to Go?
John: Mark Hughes has to be the favourite he has bought himself zero time with his efforts in the transfer market and I think if he hasn't got going by October he will be gone. I also think Tony Pulis has an outside chance, he has spent a lot of money again and if there is not a marginal improvement on the field to last season I think Peter Coates may act.
Sam: Mark Hughes and Paul Lambert both look like they will really struggle this season and given the amount of money Hughes has spent I think he will be the first to go.
Stephen: There's a few in trouble, Lambert won't be a bad call but there's not much anyone can do with that squad... (bet Bent wishes he was still at Sunderland). AVB will feel some pressure as will Rodgers. Close call but I don't think AVB will last.
Stephen: There's a few in trouble, Lambert won't be a bad call but there's not much anyone can do with that squad... (bet Bent wishes he was still at Sunderland). AVB will feel some pressure as will Rodgers. Close call but I don't think AVB will last.
Ian: Mark Hughes. Fernandes is a trigger happy chairman and is currently seeing little return from his investment this season. The knives are probably getting ready to be drawn. Hughes is famously very confident in his own ability, but really his record in the league and transfer market since he left Blackburn has been mediocre at best.
What will be the story of the season?
John: Mario Balotelli gets his own TV show...
Sam: Dunno what to make of this question? I dunno, Wayne Rooney and John Terry have a threesome with Roy Hodgson's wife?
Stephen: Everton playing champions league next season. At least one England international cheating on his wife.
Ian: Everton will be around the top of the table come Christmas and people will be talking about a title push. I'm actually really confident about this!
Individually who will be the best buy?
John: Hazard is the obvious choice, but Michu for me, he has already paid for himself with goals but he is a very good player and I can only see him getting better.
Sam: Extremely bog standard answer but Hazard. And to be honest he should be for the money they paid!
Stephen: Adam Johnson is a very nice move to Sunderland and if Hazard continues as he's started he's got to be in with a shout, but given his immediate impact Michu will be the man.
Ian: Michu looks a cracking signing, but really everyone's saying this so it's not a surprise. I think Johnson is a good player and, ahem, Fletcher after his brace today. I've had the benefit of writing this later than everyone else though so maybe that's a bit cheeky...
Individually who is the worst buy?
John: Pretty much all of QPRs signings, a lot of overpaid journeymen. I also think Gaston Ramirez for Southampton because £12 mill could have been used better, maybe two good defenders.
Sam: Giroud for Arsenal. He just doesn't look confident and that good either. Arsenal already look like they could struggle for goals this season and I don't think he is the answer.
Stephen: One of Villa or QPRs signings, there are a lot of them and they're 90% over travelled, over rated, over paid, you could pull almost any one of all QPRs signings out of a hat to decide that one.
Ian: I believe Podolski to be an expensive gamble. £11m on a player who was relegated last year (I know, I know, so was Fletcher and he cost more). I just think that this is getting towards last chance saloon for Arsenal and the pressure will be too much for the man.
Who has performed the best in the Transfer Market?
John: Sunderland have bought well I think Johnson is quite a coup and I do think with Fletcher, Sunderland will have a decent chance this season. My picks thougt will have to be Swansea they have bought very well, Michu and Hernandez I think will prove to be excellent signings.
Sam: First week of the season I criticised Sunderland but I think since then they have signed well. I think their starting 11 now is very strong however their squad after that is poor. I will give the best business though to Everton, they say never go back but in the case of Pienaar for £4.8 mil I don't see how they can go wrong. Other players they have signed also look strong.
Stephen: I think Swansea. I heart Michael Laudrup and under the circumstances their signings and their start are great... on a side note I wish Sinclair would have stayed but still... Swansea for me.
Ian: Well Swansea have picked up some cracking players, and I think despite losing some of their best ones, they have significantly strengthened.
Who has performed the worst in the Transfer Market?
John: QPR...This is the easiest question among the lot. They have basically panicked bought all their players. You hear Hughes coming out and saying Green can leave in January if he isn't happy. Just proves that there is no plan in place and it is buy anyone who is available. Making a team out those mercenaries will be hardest of all. There team consists of 16 players over the age of 30 and within a squad of 28. Aston Villa have weakened their squad over the course of the transfer window.
Sam: QPR and West Ham have just bought everyone! For West Ham I don't always think that the answer is to sign players in that much bulk. Personally Aston Villa have performed the worst in the Transfer Market. They have signed quite a lot of poor players, for quite a lot of money.
Stephen: QPR - I'm not a fan at all, good luck making a team out of all that. Utter nonsense watching them flap around over this window.
Ian: QPR QPR QPR. Also Arsenal have spent a shedload of money. If Arsene doesn’t get this lot to gel I’m not sure how much longer he'll be around.
What is QPR thinking? Do they have a lot of money or are they spending next year’s TV money? Or does Tony Fernandes not understand the Transfer window?
John: I would like Mark Hughes to sit down and go through each individual player he has signed and go through his thinking behind it. Half of them I don't think he could give you an answer. Tony Fernandes on a steep learning curve and I can see it peaking with the dismissal of Mark Hughes. I can also see mass changes next season at QPR, but hopefully with someone who has a plan and has an actual vision.
Sam: Do I like QPR? No. Do I think they'll finish high up the league? No. To say they are spending next season's TV money is ridiculous because Tony Fernandez is an extremely rich man (I actually find him quite a likeable guy too). I do not blame QPR for 1 second for buying loads of players, Man City did the same and so did Chelsea. However QPR have just done it very poorly and have signed mostly a load of crap.
Stephen: I've got no time for them at all, I think this is Mark Hughes more than Fernandes, he must have a silk tongue because this is exactly what he did at Man city when given money. Hughes clearly has no clue as far as I'm concerned, sitting in a press conference describing his ongoing scouting of Granero?!?!?! What a tool, I wouldn't trust Hughes with a fiver.
Ian: Panic buying, badly run, not thinking, no long term prospects with the players signed. This means another overhaul next year. Not a way to do things.
When will the first "Rodgers out" calls be heard?
John: Soon, without a goal scoring striker I can see Liverpool languishing mid table and it happening around November.
Sam: Personally I don't think we will hear it unless they are in the bottom half of the table which I don't think they will be.
Stephen: I think they'll come and possibly before Christmas, the only thing slower than his start is his activity in the transfer window, he's done himself no favours yet as manager.
Ian: Within a month.
Will Michael Owen be a success at...? (Insert team here)
John: No, he will be average if he gets a game. He will have the same role at any club in the Premier League as he did for Man Utd.
Sam: No, but he'll just be a fringe player for which ever club he signs for unless it’s one of the relegation battlers. Might come off the bench and grab a couple of goals but that’s about it.
Stephen: where's he gone? I just hope not, that's all I can say. The less I hear or see of him the more comfortable my life will be (I'm surprised Hughes didn't get him in, that could've been another £100000 a week pissed into the wind)
Ian: No. No he won't wherever he goes. The guy is nearly 33 and it's almost too late to take a gamble on a guy that has a ridiculously poor injury record.
~John Lavery
~Sam Lavery
~Stephen Wrigglesworth
~Ian Bendelow
Stephen: There's a few in trouble, Lambert won't be a bad call but there's not much anyone can do with that squad... (bet Bent wishes he was still at Sunderland). AVB will feel some pressure as will Rodgers. Close call but I don't think AVB will last.
Ian: Mark Hughes. Fernandes is a trigger happy chairman and is currently seeing little return from his investment this season. The knives are probably getting ready to be drawn. Hughes is famously very confident in his own ability, but really his record in the league and transfer market since he left Blackburn has been mediocre at best.
What will be the story of the season?
John: Mario Balotelli gets his own TV show...
Sam: Dunno what to make of this question? I dunno, Wayne Rooney and John Terry have a threesome with Roy Hodgson's wife?
Stephen: Everton playing champions league next season. At least one England international cheating on his wife.
Ian: Everton will be around the top of the table come Christmas and people will be talking about a title push. I'm actually really confident about this!
Individually who will be the best buy?
John: Hazard is the obvious choice, but Michu for me, he has already paid for himself with goals but he is a very good player and I can only see him getting better.
Sam: Extremely bog standard answer but Hazard. And to be honest he should be for the money they paid!
Stephen: Adam Johnson is a very nice move to Sunderland and if Hazard continues as he's started he's got to be in with a shout, but given his immediate impact Michu will be the man.
Ian: Michu looks a cracking signing, but really everyone's saying this so it's not a surprise. I think Johnson is a good player and, ahem, Fletcher after his brace today. I've had the benefit of writing this later than everyone else though so maybe that's a bit cheeky...
Individually who is the worst buy?
John: Pretty much all of QPRs signings, a lot of overpaid journeymen. I also think Gaston Ramirez for Southampton because £12 mill could have been used better, maybe two good defenders.
Sam: Giroud for Arsenal. He just doesn't look confident and that good either. Arsenal already look like they could struggle for goals this season and I don't think he is the answer.
Stephen: One of Villa or QPRs signings, there are a lot of them and they're 90% over travelled, over rated, over paid, you could pull almost any one of all QPRs signings out of a hat to decide that one.
Ian: I believe Podolski to be an expensive gamble. £11m on a player who was relegated last year (I know, I know, so was Fletcher and he cost more). I just think that this is getting towards last chance saloon for Arsenal and the pressure will be too much for the man.
Who has performed the best in the Transfer Market?
John: Sunderland have bought well I think Johnson is quite a coup and I do think with Fletcher, Sunderland will have a decent chance this season. My picks thougt will have to be Swansea they have bought very well, Michu and Hernandez I think will prove to be excellent signings.
Sam: First week of the season I criticised Sunderland but I think since then they have signed well. I think their starting 11 now is very strong however their squad after that is poor. I will give the best business though to Everton, they say never go back but in the case of Pienaar for £4.8 mil I don't see how they can go wrong. Other players they have signed also look strong.
Stephen: I think Swansea. I heart Michael Laudrup and under the circumstances their signings and their start are great... on a side note I wish Sinclair would have stayed but still... Swansea for me.
Ian: Well Swansea have picked up some cracking players, and I think despite losing some of their best ones, they have significantly strengthened.
Who has performed the worst in the Transfer Market?
John: QPR...This is the easiest question among the lot. They have basically panicked bought all their players. You hear Hughes coming out and saying Green can leave in January if he isn't happy. Just proves that there is no plan in place and it is buy anyone who is available. Making a team out those mercenaries will be hardest of all. There team consists of 16 players over the age of 30 and within a squad of 28. Aston Villa have weakened their squad over the course of the transfer window.
Sam: QPR and West Ham have just bought everyone! For West Ham I don't always think that the answer is to sign players in that much bulk. Personally Aston Villa have performed the worst in the Transfer Market. They have signed quite a lot of poor players, for quite a lot of money.
Stephen: QPR - I'm not a fan at all, good luck making a team out of all that. Utter nonsense watching them flap around over this window.
Ian: QPR QPR QPR. Also Arsenal have spent a shedload of money. If Arsene doesn’t get this lot to gel I’m not sure how much longer he'll be around.
What is QPR thinking? Do they have a lot of money or are they spending next year’s TV money? Or does Tony Fernandes not understand the Transfer window?
John: I would like Mark Hughes to sit down and go through each individual player he has signed and go through his thinking behind it. Half of them I don't think he could give you an answer. Tony Fernandes on a steep learning curve and I can see it peaking with the dismissal of Mark Hughes. I can also see mass changes next season at QPR, but hopefully with someone who has a plan and has an actual vision.
Sam: Do I like QPR? No. Do I think they'll finish high up the league? No. To say they are spending next season's TV money is ridiculous because Tony Fernandez is an extremely rich man (I actually find him quite a likeable guy too). I do not blame QPR for 1 second for buying loads of players, Man City did the same and so did Chelsea. However QPR have just done it very poorly and have signed mostly a load of crap.
Stephen: I've got no time for them at all, I think this is Mark Hughes more than Fernandes, he must have a silk tongue because this is exactly what he did at Man city when given money. Hughes clearly has no clue as far as I'm concerned, sitting in a press conference describing his ongoing scouting of Granero?!?!?! What a tool, I wouldn't trust Hughes with a fiver.
Ian: Panic buying, badly run, not thinking, no long term prospects with the players signed. This means another overhaul next year. Not a way to do things.
When will the first "Rodgers out" calls be heard?
John: Soon, without a goal scoring striker I can see Liverpool languishing mid table and it happening around November.
Sam: Personally I don't think we will hear it unless they are in the bottom half of the table which I don't think they will be.
Stephen: I think they'll come and possibly before Christmas, the only thing slower than his start is his activity in the transfer window, he's done himself no favours yet as manager.
Ian: Within a month.
Will Michael Owen be a success at...? (Insert team here)
John: No, he will be average if he gets a game. He will have the same role at any club in the Premier League as he did for Man Utd.
Sam: No, but he'll just be a fringe player for which ever club he signs for unless it’s one of the relegation battlers. Might come off the bench and grab a couple of goals but that’s about it.
Stephen: where's he gone? I just hope not, that's all I can say. The less I hear or see of him the more comfortable my life will be (I'm surprised Hughes didn't get him in, that could've been another £100000 a week pissed into the wind)
Ian: No. No he won't wherever he goes. The guy is nearly 33 and it's almost too late to take a gamble on a guy that has a ridiculously poor injury record.
~John Lavery
~Sam Lavery
~Stephen Wrigglesworth
~Ian Bendelow
We Need to Talk About Joey
There are three things that are guaranteed in life
- Death, Taxes and a Joey Barton-fallout.
He is a man who has had more column inches and
airtime dedicated to him than almost any other footballer over the last few
years. It's not hard to see why, as various on and off the field incidents have
created stories and headlines that attract huge interest. His ‘indiscretions’
have been well documented and there's no need to go through them again. If you
add up the sum total of his suspensions (not to mention jail time), ranging
from bearing his backside to Everton fans to a red card for a horror tackle
against Liverpool when Newcastle United were battling relegation, you'll see
that he has been banned for almost a whole season.
He's someone who has been on his final warning for
a long time. He had his last chance at Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR, yet
by signing for Marseille he has wiped the slate clean. It's a strange quirk of
football clubs that previous indiscretions by footballers are quickly forgotten
in the hope that they will be able to contribute something on the field. Lee
Hughes, Marlon King and Luke McCormack are all perfect examples of this.
Barton is a man who has created somewhat of a
unique personality about him. Promoting a thoughtful, provocative, intelligent
character is somewhat offset by what radiates from his Twitter account. He will
only be courteous, understanding and diplomatic when things are on his terms.
It was all rosy when the on-off deal to Marseille was on, yet once things
seemingly turned sour it was "I don't want to be disrespectful
but..." He then proclaimed he was off to train with the "youths and
other Taliban members."
Barton seems all too often to be talking as if
acting on the advice of a counsellor, told to curb his rage, face his
addictions and change his personality. We get the impression that he's an angry
man trying to prevent himself from exploding. Using his Twitter account as a
conduit for his thoughts, frustrations and views has been no doubt cathartic
for him, and entertaining for his one and a half million followers, but what it
doesn't do is show us the real Joey Barton in full. We get only glimpses of it,
with the occasional #helmet #bellend comments directed to other Twitter users
(who perhaps unfairly have targeted him hoping for a reaction), which show the
real thoughts of the man.
If he cannot completely control this
compartmentalised area of his life, he will surely be heading for a fall in
France too, if his behaviour is anything like we have seen in the past. He's an
unpredictable man, and we're never quite sure what we'll be getting from him.
He appears on occasion charming and articulate - someone who is trying to
promote a positive image of himself. The predictable truth is however, that
things always have and always will go wrong.
Perhaps the public thought that Barton had finally
turned the corner before QPR's final match of last season. How he managed to challenge
this misinterpretation with a swift elbow, head-butt and slap, was breathtaking.
He will be remembered for these
incidents far more than any footballing achievement, of which there are few.
This Centre Circle will not be sorry to see the back of him.
~Ian Bendelow
~Ian Bendelow
Saturday, 1 September 2012
We Need to Talk About Blackburn
Blackburn’s
story over the last couple of seasons has been enough to test the patience of
even the most hardened football fan. They were taken over by a bunch of chicken
farmers from India, Sam Allardyce was sacked within weeks and Steve Kean took
over. Most people are shocked that Kean has lasted this long, but to be fair,
this is perhaps more of an indictment of trigger happy chairmen than it is of
the blind faith that seems to have been invested in the stubborn-yet-durable
Scotsman. The man is reminiscent of a child’s toy – no matter how much it seems
to get battered it just won’t break.
Time
after time, a very specific brand of propaganda has come out of Ewood Park.
This time last year it was rumoured that the club would finish in the top half.
Relegation was never contemplated, nor was it seemingly planned for. It did
come to pass however, largely thanks to an inability to strengthen sufficiently
in the transfer window - epitomised by the signing of the inept Anthony Modeste.
The
spin machine is once again in full swing in Lancashire and although the feeling
from most supporters towards the owners and managers hasn’t changed, at least
the Club have made a solid start to the new campaign. Kean will have you know
that promotion is well within the club’s grasp. He is still deluded however.
This is a man who believed he could persuade Junior Hoilett to remain at the
club saying they had made him an “amazing offer”.
The
transfer window is drawing to a close and for most fans it is an exciting time,
but yesterday, something happened that on the face of it would be welcomed, but
should in actual fact start ringing some rather loud alarm bells.
Jordan
Rhodes is without a doubt a good player. He is a player that is only proven in
the third tier of English football however. Yet his transfer fee was a cool £8
million and his wages a reputed £45k a week or, in other terms, £2.25m a year. For
a Premier League club this is a lot of money, but for a Championship team it is
something that is unheard of.
This
is where the problem lies. By spending this type of money on a player, another
£3 million on Leon Best and another £4 million on Colin Kazim Richards, Venkys
simply do not know how to run a football club. It’s worrying because there are
many fans that would be able to point to their Club’s woes as a clear reason
not to overspend. Blackburn may say that they have the money, but surely it would
have been better invested in trying to stay in the league last season than trying
now to get back into it?
Blackburn
would do well to look at the example of Blackpool, a club who have barely spent
the outlay on Jordan Rhodes in their entire history. Value for money signings,
a cracking team spirit and a strong ethos, which have all contributed to breeding
an attractive attacking style of play, are some of the things which Ian
Holloway should take a great deal of credit. There’s no doubt that the players
Blackpool bought in were done so to do a very specific job. Steve Kean on the
other hand, appears to be of the ‘Steve Bruce mould’ - buy ‘em in first, worry
about tactics later.
It
would be completely unsurprising to learn that in a year’s time Venkys no
longer own Blackburn and the club is in complete freefall. The reasons why
couldn’t be speculated about unless The Centre Circle wants to be hit with a
potentially bankrupting lawsuit. Spending big money on run-of-the-mill players
is a high-risk outlay for a club that will inevitably have to tighten its belt
following relegation.
We
have statements from Shebby Singh about Morten Gamst Pedersen being a
“pensioner” yet Blackburn then go and sign the thirty-six year old Nuno Gomes.
It’s hardly planning for the future, and the comments hardly reflect those of a
man who understands football or etiquette.
You
have to ask why Rhodes would choose Blackburn, their despised owners,
under-fire manager and poisonous match day atmosphere. In fact, the answer is pretty
obvious. While Steve Kean may say Rhodes’ signing is an indication of the draw
of the Club, this is not the case. Simply put, Blackburn were the only team mad
enough to pay that amount for him and when you raise the stakes like this you
fall a long, long way.
Blackburn
should pray that they do get promoted straight away as there’s plenty of
evidence that demonstrates what can happen to clubs who overspend their means.
Income and gates will be down this year, so the Club cannot afford to get it
wrong this time, because the effects will be a lot worse than relegation. Just
ask Portsmouth fans.
~Ian Bendelow
~Ian Bendelow
Predictions Week 3
Predictions for Week 3
1st of September 2012
|
Matches
|
John
|
Ian
|
Stephen
|
Sam
|
Lawro
|
|
West Ham - Fulham
|
1-2
|
1-2
|
2-3
|
3-1
|
2-1
|
|
Swansea - Sunderland
|
2-2
|
0-1
|
1-0
|
2-1
|
1-1
|
|
Tottenham - Norwich
|
3-0
|
3-1
|
2-0
|
1-0
|
2-0
|
|
West Brom - Everton
|
1-2
|
2-2
|
0-2
|
0-0
|
1-2
|
|
Wigan - Stoke
|
2-0
|
1-2
|
1-2
|
1-1
|
1-2
|
|
Man City - QPR
|
4-1
|
1-0
|
3-1
|
2-0
|
2-0
|
|
Liverpool - Arsenal
|
0-0
|
2-0
|
2-2
|
2-0
|
1-1
|
|
Newcastle - Aston Villa
|
3-0
|
4-0
|
4-1
|
3-0
|
2-0
|
|
Southampton - Man Utd
|
1-3
|
0-2
|
1-2
|
1-4
|
0-2
|
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Soft Tackles Glitches of the Real Game
OK. I will try to
prevent this from turning into a rant, but an issue I think needs to be addressed
is that of players going down too easily.
It was a massive problem last season and judging by the performances of the
first two weekends of this season, it seems set to continue. All the examples from the past couple of
weeks involve Phil Dowd – nothing against the man, he just happened to be the
referee.
West Bromich Albion
vs Liverpool:
Liverpool concedes a penalty as a result of what appears
to be a shove in the back on Shane Long by Daniel Agger. On closer inspection, Agger makes minimal
contact and the force would have hardly displaced a small child, never mind a
grown man. Soon after, Martin Skrtel
makes a hash of a clearance and accidently trips our man-of-the-hour Shane Long
in the process. Again, there is minimum
contact and if it was not in the penalty area, Long would probably not have
bothered to bamboozle us with his expert diving skills.
Chelsea vs
Newcastle United
The incident in question is another penalty. Torres
charges into the box, leaping over Anita’s leg gaining the penalty for Chelsea. Down at the other end, Cisse picks up the
ball about thirty yards from the goal, runs past David Luiz, who makes the same
action Anita did, but Cisse does not go down.
If Cisse had have been inside the penalty area he would have most
definitely thrown himself to the floor.
These are just a few of the many examples of how the
rules are being taken advantage of, playing into the hands of the players who
break them. In my opinion, one of the
most annoying phrases used repeatedly to evade the issue by managers and
pundits alike is “well… in the letter of the law…” This is essentially just an
accepted excuse for cheating and I think fouls awarded for incidents like this
should be stopped. The rules are being
manipulated and it is to the ruin of the game.
It reminds me of the glitches you experience in football video games. I remember a particular glitch, in a popular
football sim, that meant you could always score straight from a corner if you took
it a certain way. In another, you could run
down the wing, take a shot from a thirty-degree angle and the keeper would just
palm the ball into his own goal every time.
The point I’m trying to make is this: Due to the unfair nature of the glitches, at
the beginning of every match between my friends and I, there would be a gentlemen’s
agreement put in place to stop the glitches from being exploited and ruining the
game. This applies to football in the
sense that the penalties awarded as a result of diving, are comparable to the glitches
in a video game.
My solution to the glitches is to stop referees from playing
into the hands of the offenders. There should be much harder punishments for
diving. I would even go so far as to say,
if a player dives, instead of receiving
a booking he should pick up a straight red card and an instant three-match
ban. It sounds extreme but it would be
effective in rooting out the glitches once and for all.
Rant over…
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Predictions Results Week 2
Ian - 9
Stephen - 7
Lawro - 7
Sam - 4
John - 3
League Standings
Stephen - 7
Lawro - 7
Sam - 4
John - 3
League Standings
Pts
|
||
1
|
Ian
|
18
|
2
|
Stephen
|
17
|
3
|
Lawro
|
15
|
4
|
Sam
|
10
|
5
|
John
|
7
|
Premier League Results Week 2
Home
|
Away
|
||
Swansea
|
3
|
0
|
West Ham
|
Aston Villa
|
1
|
3
|
Everton
|
Man Utd
|
3
|
2
|
Fulham
|
Norwich
|
1
|
1
|
QPR
|
Southampton
|
0
|
2
|
Wigan
|
Sunderland
|
P
|
P
|
Reading
|
Tottenham
|
1
|
1
|
West Brom
|
Chelsea
|
2
|
0
|
Newcastle
|
Stoke
|
0
|
0
|
Arsenal
|
Liverpool
|
2
|
2
|
Man City
|
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