United on top, Scholes remains top dog

Manchester United have climbed to the top of the table by beating Stoke City at the Britannia stadium. United dominated the match and most of the play was played in the final third United’s pitch. The old guards, Giggs and Scholes, once again tunred on the screws, rolled back the years and helped their side gain three points after Chelsea lost their first game of the season, rather unexpectedly, against Wigan.

Highlights of Man United vs Stoke City

Highlights of Chelsea vs Wigan Athletic

Tony Pulis in the post match interview quipped that Scholes was the best player on the pitch by a country mile and the latest premier league statistics back that up revealing the astronomical passing percentage that Scholes has. Times ran an article stating how Scholes still remains the premier mid-field maestro in the league

Scholes remains top dog

Quote of the Day

"Is it unkind to point out that since Phil Neville got injured, Everton have scored 11 goals and conceded none?"

Added time, bedlam,Guardian strip themselves

There has been hue and cry about the added time given to Manchester United in their derby game. Manchester City have complained that they were robbed of a point. But let us just put the talk about added time aside. Complaining because your team had to play for a minute extra is all baloney to me. It is not as if one team is tied by the ropes and the other is asked to play. Both the teams are asked to play in the added time and both the teams have the chance to win the game. If one team loses, then they have only themselves to blame, not the clock.

This was exactly what happened in the derby game. Both the teams played for 5 minutes and 27 seconds going into injury time. During this time, both the teams had the chance to win the game; in City’s case, they had the chance to see out the game but instead kept giving the ball away to United and they were made to pay.

Manchester City’s and some of the media outlets’ complaints look even more ridiculous when you actually break down the time and see that the referee infact played only a second extra. Bellamy’s celebrations in added time took 56 seconds and 30 seconds are added for every substitution. So, that adds up to 5 mins 26 secs into extra time and Owen scored when the clock ticked 5mins 27 secs in added time. United complained about the time wasting tactics employed by Given in the added time and there is a possibility that the referee noted down that as well. So, all in all, City don’t have a case to complain against the added time.

Guardian ran a post to highlight the liberty given to United in added time in their home games. What Guardian fails to mention in their so called ‘revealing post’ is the reason for the additional time in the actual time added by the fourth official. It is really shameful that people working for a national newspaper aren’t aware of the rules themselves. The added time declared by the fourth official is the minimum time that would be played additional to the normal time. Guardian complained that in the last three years United have got 1.9 seconds additional in the added time when they were either losing or drawing. How silly of Guardian to come up with such a myopic point of view? Most of the teams coming to Old Trafford celebrate if they can take a point from the game, let alone winning it and in such circumstances it is only natural for the opposing teams to waste some time which go down in the referee’s watch as time to be added. Sports fans like to absorb as much as they can from the gazettes but it would do good if the papers can avoid printing such garbage.

Derby Delight for United

Goals and Highlights of Manchester Derby

It was not just a game of three points, it was not just any other derby game between the Manchester teams, this was a game to show intent, to gain an upper hand, bragging rights in Manchester. For all the hype created prior to the fixture, it did not disappoint one bit, did it?There were heated pre-match exchanges between both the camps, one trying to dismiss another, the other trying to stand up to be counted. Whilst Sir Alex called City ‘noisy neighbours’, Mark Hughes warned Sir Alex that he would help City knock United off their perch.

United started brightly, opened the scoring within the first two minutes. Evra caught City’s defense unaware and Rooney showed his strength to brush of two challenges to slot home his sixth goal of the season. After that, it was all about United and really looked up for it until a Ben Foster howler which allowed City to get back in the game. Foster has the talent to challenge for United’s and England’s No.1 jersey but he isn’t doing himself any favours by committing such school boy errors. He has the tendency to make a howler for every three good saves. City were gifted a goal and their three man mid-field started to get a hold of the mid-field. De-Jong and Barry were able to influence the flow of the game from there on in the first half. Chances were fluffed at both ends and the easiest undoubtedly fell to Tevez. He had a full view of the goal but could not find the target as he hit the post. That was a moment that vindicated Sir Alex’s decision to let him go, for all the terrier like attributes that he possess, he lacks real quality in front of the goal to demand such high fees and wages.

United started the second half as they did in the first, scored through a Darren Fletcher header. But United’s lax defending once more allowed City back into the game. To Bellamy’s credit, it was a screamer but a shot which should have been blocked in the first place. Bellamy is a right-footed player and O’shea should have closed him down and allowed him to run down the left. United got right back at City and the introduction of Valencia brought more directness to their play. Valencia pinned back Bridge and this stretched Man City’s mid-field as Ireland and De-Jong had to venture on the wide positions. Evra and Giggs, who was outstanding, created havoc on the left side. United played through the middle in the first half and were over run by City’s mid-field. Giggs started to hug the touch line in the second half and that stretched City which inturn allowed Fletcher and Anderson to boss the mid-field. Giggs bombarded City’s defense with cross after cross and United should have wraped up the match but for Given’s saves from Berbatov. Fletcher found the net again thanks to a pin-point cross from Giggs. That should have sealed all the three points for United. Rio Ferdinand, this time, made the howler which were associated with his West-Ham days and presented Bellamy with a chance to equalize. City were delighted with the equalizer and decided to settle for a point, they kept hoofing the ball into United’s half. Inexperience and cowardice cost them. Giggs brilliantly found Owen at the edge of the box in injury time and Owen duly obliged coming up with a wonderful finish in a nervy situation. He was bought to finish off matches under such situations and that is any player’s true worth not the transfer fee that they demand.

As Sir Alex described, it definitely was the best derby ever and one to savour for the United fans.

Owen stole the headlines but the stars of the day were undoubtedly Fletcher and Giggs. Giggs was by far the best player on the pitch that day. He rolled back the years and delighted the fans with his mazy runs. He skinned Richards, fourteen years junior to Giggs, time and again. If Giggs continues the season the way he started it, one wonders if he might win the player of the year award again this year.

Quote of The Day

"Were it not for another inspired performance by keeper Brian Jensen, Chelsea could have become the first team in Premier League history to score ten goals in one match." --- Kevin Palmer , ESPN
soccer Correspondent

Vintage Rivalry Review - Manchester United vs Arsenal, 29th August 2009

1990 – The Beginning
In reaction to a late challenge, McClair kicked Winterburn repeatedly, as he lay prone on the ground, igniting a 21 man fracas. FA docked Manchester United a point and recouped two points from Arsenal (who went on to win the 1990-91 league title). The Arsenal-Manchester United Rivalry was officially inaugurated!.

1996-2001 – The War of Words
The war of words started between Arsene and Fergie. Some of the exchanged verbal attacks included:

“I’ve got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast, he speaks five languages.” – Fergie, on arrival of Arsene in England in 1996.

“It’s wrong the league programme is extended so United can rest up and win everything.” – Arsene complaining about Manchester United’s fixture list in 1997.

“They wouldn’t have waited for three months if it was a United player…….our disciplinary record is tremendous. I’m very proud of it.” – Fergie on the delay of disciplinary hearings on Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry.

“One thing I will say is that he doesn’t disturb my nights at all. We didn’t do anything, but if we are clever, that’s a compliment.” – Arsene responded.

2001-2005 - The Tiffs, The Kicks and The Pizzas
10 years later after the first official kick, came the most fiercest period of rivalry between the two clubs. In the course of 2001-2005, EPL witnessed Kanu leaping over Wiltord to claim the title for Arsenal in 2001-02 at Old Trafford; Van NistelRooy missing the penalty and antics of Lauren and Keown; much-yearned battleground tiffs and the famous tunnel incident between Vieira and Keane before the kick-off; Neville’s frolics to kick every Arsenal player in the midfield, Rooney’s dive to break the gunners’ 49 unbeaten in league record and pizza chucked at Fergie after United 2004 victory at O.T.(In his autobiography, Ashley Cole made us yawn by giving the hint that the arsenal player behind the pizzagate incident was neither english nor french. Loser! i just can’t avoid him) and the list goes on.

Champions League Semi-Final 2009
After defeating Arsenal on aggregate 4-1, Evra declared “We were 11 men and they were 11 children.”. And these words are still alive in the heart of every gooner

Today - 29th August, 2009

Arsenal and Manchester United are back again today to lock their horns at Old Trafford. And, God and I yearn once again for a footclassical clash of the titans and the march of two clubs to the warpath of old rivalry.

Both the clubs have been weekend in the summer. As a tradition for both the clubs – Heroes came, Heroes Left.

But clubs will continue!

Today’s tie is just not just Arsenal against Manchester United for 3 points. Its beyond that.

Today’s tie could give a massive boost to Arsenal squad to firmly set on 2009-10 title challenge.

Today’s result may bring back the old days of Arsenal’s premier league authority.

Today’s tie may rekindle the old but subdued rivalry.

Today’s tie can prove it once again that Arsenal Manchester United Rivalry is indeed a Vintage Affair to cherish about.

Come on Gunnersssssssssss, Show them what you’ve got!
Roll on 9:45 pm !

Here is a preview video compiled by Comp-Art using latest clips.

Ciao.

God is a Gooner. Cheers!

Follow God is a Gooner on Twitter

Carling Cup Third Round Draw: Arsenal Got Baggies

Arsenal (Kids) have drawn West Bromwich Albion in third round of Carling Cup draw. Arsenal were the first team to be drawn out of the hat and will play at home to advance to fourth round of the carling cup. The tie will be played in the week commencing September 21. For the record, Arsenal will start their 12th consecutive Champions league quest in Belgium against Standard Liege on September 16.

The full list of carling cup third round fixtures is given below:

Arsenal News: Fabregas to miss Manchester United Clash and Arsene is set to defend Dudu

I”ll start with the bad news first. Cesc Fabregas’ hamstring injury will keep him out of Saturday’s clash with Manchester United.

In an interview with Arsenal Online, Arsene confirmed Cesc’s absence and said,

“Fabregas is out and his test was not conclusive this morning.“Therefore he will not travel.

Ideally you want him to travel and to play but he would not be 100 per cent.

Everybody else who played on Wednesday is ok.”

Issues:
Will Arsene continue with 4-3-3 at Old Trafford?
I guess, he will. We should go roaring into this fanastic tie.

Now, the expected news. Arsene has called UEFA’s decision to charge Dudu illogical and is ready to defend the striker. Dudu has been accused to dive in Arsenal’s 3-1 Champions League Play-off round victory over Celtic when Bhoys’ keeper Boruc appeared to bring down the striker. The referee awarded the penalty to Arsenal and the croatian converted it in 28′ minute

Speaking in Friday’s pre-match conference, Arsene was vocal and vowed to fight against the decision. He said,

“He’s been charged, not charged guilty. We’ll defend our player.
It is completely [a] lack of logic in this case. Why? Because people have reacted emotionally, which I can understand.

Secondly, because this case has been rule by the media.”

Now, to me, I don't care much if Eduardo dived or not. Probably, boys have learnt the hard or dirty way of playing football. Hell, yeah! But, surely I won’t like any gunner doing that again on the pitch (unless you tell me its Champions league final and arsenal trailing 1-0 in 90′ min)

Singling out a single player and charging him for diving doesn’t make sense. It has to be a football-associations-wide movement. There have been obvious cases of diving (Did i say ronaldo? When did i say Drogba?) and English FA didn’t raise its eye-brows. They might have seen that too as a busineess opportunity in some way. But i guess Scottish FA is furious over Celtic’s elimination and Platini of course needs a reason against Premier League.

Expecting a debate.

Anyways, God is a Gooner. Come on you Red and Whites! Cheers!

Quote Of The Day

We'll take what we discovered, as best we can, into the weekend's fixture at home to Burnley. Every season, there's a club of whom little is expected who steam away at the start of the season and hoist themselves to the top of the table, in a glorious, but inevitably short, burst of flames. Last year it was Hull. This year it looks like it's going to be Tottenham. Tottenham are this year's Hull.

Giles Smith

Bet Of the Day: First Premier Manager to Leave in 2009/10 – Rafa 7/1

Quote Of The Day

"Didier Drogba's downward header goes over the bar"

- BBC Live Text

Pic Of The Day

Quote of the Day

"The more you watch it, the better that save was."--- Alex Ferguson fooling no one on Owen's miss against Birmingham.

GameWeek 1: Carlo Wins First Test With Drogba scoring a Drogger

Chelsea 2-1 Hull city.

The EPL kicked off with Carlo Ancelotti making his EPL debut.The blues started off well and maintained lions share of possession in a new diamond formation, but it was Hull who got the lead via Hunt scoring the first goal of the season. The unexpected goal gave one of the favourites a kick in the back with Drogba delivering his 'Drogger'.( You dont miss ronaldo ! Ain't it ) .

The second half substitution of Ballack for Mikel and Essien moving into the holding role gave Chelsea the much needed bite and Chelsea moved the ball a lot quicker creating loads of chances, thanks to the marauding runs from Bosingwa on the right flank.Nonetheless Hull city put on a brave fight like their usual selves . Anelka had an off day sulking on last defender's shoulder for the day, But his strike partner who got the three points for the blues with his delightful cross-shot( guy was honest to accept that).

Contrary to what most have expected, the blues played well and moved the ball with intent and pace despite Hull's Bus-park in front of their goal. Its true that fullbacks gave the required width especially on the right side of the field due to the absence of a genuine right sided player. Malouda got into wide left positions posing a goal threat. It will be interesting to see what Ancelotti does when teams neutralize the wing backs' attacking threat and whether Joe cole will be played behind the strikers or on the right side of the diamond when he is available.

Why Chelsea are the favorites and why they aren't

Chelsea seem to be almost everyone’s favourite to win the league title,but people seem to have looked over an important fact.

I can understand why Chelsea are the favourites.Firstly,Chelsea haven't sold anyone yet,which means they have a settled squad. Manutd have lost the world's best player in Ronaldo and that does make them considerably weaker. Tevez too was instrumental in the past two campaigns,scoring some important match winning goals.Liverpool too have lost their most consistent player from last season in Alonso, a player who seemed to be at his peak.Arsenal have lost big players in Adebayor and Toure.Looking at the additions to the squads,Chelsea have bought Zirkhov and Strurridge.The former is acclaimed to be one of the best left sided player around in the world right now and the latter is still untried at Premiership level, albiet having a few substitute appearances while he was at Man City. Manutd haven’t really set the world alight with surprisingly low key transfers.Pool meanwhile,or I should say Rafael Benitez meanwhile keeps surprising people with uninspiring transfers.Glen Johnson for 17m pounds?!!How much better is he than Arbeloa? Aquilani one the other hand might be a shrewd addition,only time will tell.

Chelsea also have an edge in the midfield scoring department.This in my opinion has made them the favourites for the league title. Every deck chair pundit knows that for a team to win the league you need midfielders who can score as well or the forwards should have one hell of a season.Manutd have had Giggs, Scholes, Beckham and even Keane scoring goals for them

on a regular basis when they were in prime.Ronaldo did so for the past 3 seasons.Arsenal had Pires,Ljunberg and Vieira ,Chelsea had Lampard, Robben and Duff

In the defense and striking department the top four are pretty much even.But what people seem to have missed out is the fact that,a diamond formation never works in the Premier League.Mourinho was unsuccessful with a squad arguably even better than the current Chelsea squad. The most experienced and successful managers in the premier league Sir Alex,Wenger and Harry Redknapp have never deployed a team with a diamond formation,simply because you need width to break down teams who just park the bus in front of goal and defend for the whole 90 mins. You need wingers who can stretch defences and pull defenders out of position.If Ancelotti sticks to his slow passing game, which almost bored the opposition into sleep, that he used at Milan then Chelsea can forget about winning the league.

And even for the diamond to be successful,they need a world class holding midfielder like Pirlo.Mikel is nowhere close,and Ancelotti knows it. No wonder he tried to sign Pirlo,a player who is on the wrong side of 30.So that is yet another problem for Chelsea. Oh,and then there is the small matter of the African Nations Cup.I guess the likes of Drogba,Essien and Kalou are going to miss a few games.In any case,this season promises to be as exciting as ever and I think the fight for the title will go down to the wire.

P.S.-History says favorites rarely go on to win the title

Forbes has released their analysis on the football clubs’ valuations, revenue and their debts.

League Predictions

‘Never ever make predictions’ is one famous man’s saying but it is that time of the year when you hardly adhere to such maxims. Predictions about this season’s English Premier League have come out left, right and center. The ‘Pundits’ who, I believe, belong to the most over-rated profession in the world have come out with their predictions; some smacking against logic, some giving us a good laugh and some actually worthy to have blogs on them.

The famous choice this season seems to be Liverpool with many pundits claiming them to be stronger than last season. Really? Do they think Glen Johnson is the final link as they go searching for their league title? By the looks of it, they don’t seem any stronger and minus Alonso they might as well have to sign up Indy Jones to trace their missing title. Alonso played a huge part in Liverpool’s quest for trophies last season. He was excellent in the center of the park and provided the creativity to free up Gerrard and Torres. Torres himself admitted a couple of weeks back that the sale of Alonso would seriously dent their title chances.

I believe Chelsea are a bigger threat to United this season. United, yes, will still be fighting for the honours sans their most prolific goal scorer for the last three seasons because they have a manager who is the best in building a side and if pre-season games are anything to go by, Owen and Valencia are already exciting the crowd.

Chelsea have failed to get a ‘marquee signing’ but have enough experience and quality in the squad to win the league. Most importantly, Chelsea and United have the players who have done it before and know what it takes to win the league. That could go against Liverpool.

People have written off Arsenal as easily as fans have written off Paris Hilton the actor. But unlike the latter, the former has quality upfront, pardon the pun, to showcase.A front line of Van-Persie, Nasri, Eduardo,Walcott,Arshavin,Rosicky and ably supported by Fabregas is worthy of a punt. If Arsene Wenger manages to get in a couple of signings as defensive cover, Arsenal should be streets ahead of City in the league table.

David Moyes has been hailed as one of the best managers in the league for quite some time now and that doesn’t defy logic. He has time and again proved that when it comes to extracting the best out of the players, he is a top dog. Everton finished fifth last season with having to do with limited resources. They’ll definitely be the ones to watch out for, if there is a chance of shaking up things at the top four of the table.

On paper, Man City’s squad looks good enough to be challenging for the top honours but with greedy mercenaries in the team, would they have the spirit and the stomach for a fight?

Tottenham haven’t added any one noticeable as they do every season. For a Spurs fan though, that might be a good omen as they deviate from their usual summer transfer antics, may be a sign that they would deviate from their abysmal starts.

The lower end of the table is always fought as closely and more as the higher end of the table. Of the teams that have managed to survive the drop last season, Hull City and Portsmouth look the most likely to go down. Of course that would hugely depend on what the new boys, Burnley, Wolves and Birmingham have to offer or rather not offer.

There are 250 people who admire Nicklas Bendtner!

What a romantic, our Dany Boy is!

Yes! Nicklas Bendtner is actually following club's 'Be a Gooner. Be a Giver.' cancer campaign. The young Dane has changed his jersey numer 26 to 52. And, he is reimbursing the gooners for the cost of the jersey , who showed faith in him by buying his replica shirt adorned with number 26 on the back. I am pretty much confident that those are not dying gooners whose last wish was to buy his jersey.

Bendtner is reportedly facing a £10,000 bill from Arsenal for his generosity. The average price of home replica shirt is £40. So, there are around 250 people (10,000/40) who actually bought original bendtner's jersey. I mean 250 people !!

For those who admire him...Where are you guys? ..errr..Hello? anyone? Come on.. you bought his jersey!

For those who hate him, i had told you! Stop moaning about him. You just lost a jersey.

Anyways, does doubling up the number (26X2=52) mean he is hoping to score 30 goals this season (15, overall last season)? Good, if he thinks like that. Awesome, if he will come any near to that figure.

But i like one thing about him. He keeps his head down and works for the team. He may not be a glamorous striker, but he wasn't bad last seaon. And he can perform much better. Lets all (gooners) hope and dream!

"Bendtnerrrrrrrrrr and he is the top goal scorer of BPL 20010-11!"

Amen!

P.S. Anyone knows of any example of footballer with such a high jersey number. No one comes to my mind.







.

Funny Quote of the Day

"Any of those guys that say they would rather have Arsenal's sexy football and not be winning titles must be lying especially if you compare it to making love with a beautiful woman. Arsenal are, as many have said a bit like Angelina Jolie or Halle Berry or other such stunners. The problem with it is that everything is going great the sex is brilliant but just when it coming to the really good part, the climax, what you are been working up to, Angelina stops, gets up and says "sorry mate have to go" and just walks out while leaving you to finish off alone whilst dreaming of what could have been. However you dress it up, however much you tell your mates it was brilliant and what a stud you are, you'll always have that nagging at the back of your mind saying "yeah but you didn't quite go all the way did you".

- Nick M, Madrid

23 Reasons why no one can wait for the Premier League to start.

1.ManCity will be the new circus following Newcastle's relegation.
2.Liverpool supporter's claim yet again that this is their year.
3.Carragher will add to his tally of own goals and become the leading own-goal scorer.
4.Fellaini will scores more goals with his bush.
5.Berbatov will get lazier(if that is possible).
6.Van der Sar will go 10,986.5 mins without conceding a goal.
7.Chelsea will concede a 100 goals as opposition strikers wont be facing a huge fluorescent orange gay goal keeper charging at them.
8.Tevez will cry more.
9.Aquilani's wife is a great new addition.(not sure about Aquilani though)
10.Ballack will continue to lose cup finals.
11.Arsenal will continue to be in the transition period.
12.Adebayor will miss more number of open goals.
13.Eboue wont have anyone to dance with IF he scores a goal.(Adebayor and Toure aren't around)
14.Rafa Benitez will dig up more facts to show that Liverpool play better football than Hull City.
15.Crouch will move to Man City in January.
16.Tevez will cry more.
17.ManCity will make a bid of 500m pounds for Torres.
18.Tevez will stop crying.(realises no ones bothered)
19.Rooney will lose his other ear too in a car crash.
20.Saha,Hargreaves and Rosicky remain close friends with the treatment table.Mickey Owen will join them soon.
21.Rafa Benitez talks up more facts claiming he is the best manager ever at Liverpool.
22.Sheva,Voronin and Pizarro are back to excite the fans.
23.Gareth Bale will finally win a premier league match.

Starting the blog fantasy league

I have created a league for the people participating in or following our blog in the fantasy premier league. Here's the code for joining the same...115927-172317.

For the uninitiated, fantasy premier league is a fantasy team management game where you pick 2 goal keepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders and 3 strikers out of your kitty of 100 fantasy money. Each player has a predefined value hence one has to have a good balance of promising less expensive players and expensive star players with guaranteed point return. The total points earned by the playing eleven after every gameweek is what you earn as points. Needless to say, the manager with the highest points at the end of the season wins.

Here is link to register your teams. After registering simply click leagues at the right hand side of your home page and enter the code given above in the private leagues section. You will be all set. Any further queries, the comment section is there for you.

Let the fun begin!

Cheers

Rahul

Funny made up quote of the day

At Manchester United, Nani is the man tasked with filling Ronaldo's shoes, but with limited success. "The boy works his socks off, and he's trying everything he can, make no mistake," says Sir Alex Ferguson. "He's always the first onto the training ground, diving and rolling around, and the last one off, cheating, faking injury and trying to get people in trouble. But he's still got a long way to go: there's a few little bits of likeability and selflessness to iron out yet."

Community Shield Review

Chelsea clinch this season’s community shield in a nervy and controversial contest at the New Wembley and also get their first victory against United in a penalty shoot out. Though the Shield has always been viewed as a glorified friendly, it gives a good indication as to how the teams would shape up for the following season.

Manchester United started the proceedings well and dominated Chelsea for the better of the first half. Losing Ronaldo did not take the sharpness in their attacking play as they could get behind Chelsea’s defence repeatedly and would have wrapped up the match bar the profligacy of the United players and the superb saves from Cech. Nani looked like a man possessed and was out there to stake his claim as the ‘New Ronaldo’. He put United into lead with a blistering drive after beating his man Ivanovic who had a torrid time dealing the Nani-Evra axis before being substituted at half time. United dominated the mid-field rendering Lampard to be a peripheral figure for Chelsea. Rooney- Berba partnership looked promising and linked well with Nani and Park.

Chelsea got into the game in the second half with retaining possession and controlling the mid-field. Ancelotti replaced Ivanovic with Bosingwa and that mitigated the threat caused down the left flank by Nani and Evra. Lampard got more involved as the clock ticked by and Anelka found himself in good positions down the left flank. Chelsea got their first goal courtesy to a number of reasons, Drogba’s presence in the box, Foster’s inability to punch out the ball clear and Nani’s lax defending in not following Carvalho’s run into the box. Chelsea got a hold of the match after their first goal and controlled the proceedings until a controversial incident which marred an otherwise fair game. Moments before Lampard celebrated the second goal, Ballack had gown down from an innocuous shoulder barge from Evra and Chris Foy stopped play when Evra found himself in a dangerous position. Chris Foy, comically though, decided to let the play continue when Ballack intentionally elbowed Evra in his face moments later which in turn led to Chelsea attackers finding themselves 3 against 2 at the edge of United’s box. The decision looks even more controversial when the replays show that the incident happened right in front of Chris Foy. So much for the referees’ consistency and so much for the ‘Respect Campaign’.

That sparked some of the United players who were mediocre at best until then in the second half. Rooney came up with a fine finish in injury time after being put clear by a superb through ball from Giggs. That equalizer took the match to the penalty shoot outs and sub par kicks from Giggs and Evra had ensured that Chelsea lifted the Community Shield for the 09/10 season.

Community Shield goals and penalties

Funny Quoite of the Day

"Anyone who plays Champ Manager could figure this out, Ivanovic off, he's not fast enough to deal with Nani and Evra. Bosingwa on. Essien back into a central role."

Championship Manager player who thinks he is better manager than Ancelotti

Community Shield Preview

So the curtain raiser for the season begins today with arguably England’s best representation in Europe at action today. Both the sides Manchester United and Chelsea are beginning a new chapter in their respective club histories, for United it is without their most prolific talisman Ronaldo and for Chelsea it is the dawn of a new era under Ancelotti if he manages to survive long unlike his predecessors.

Today’s match would be a good indication as to how both these would shape up for the coming season and would be quite intriguing to see the tactics employed by either.

Any club for David Bentley? He is (un)done at Roflham Lolspurz!

Words of a £15 M signing at Spurs in 2008, the footballer who couldn't wait to rise through Arsenal youth ranks before he moved to Ewood Park, Blackburn in 2006, rung around London.

"We can do anything we want, anything we put our minds to."

Quite exactly, Spurs want to sign everyone at the moment!

Once hailed as "The New Beckham", the former Arsenal trainee is a miserable figure to be seen at the White Hart Lane these days (if at all, he is at the bench). Leave aside the chance to showoff his boots embossed with DB7 slogan, he is even struggling to get a chance to kick a ball. He has been stripped off his number 7 to give it to Lennon and the icing on the cake, few days back, he was punched on the face by some unknown lad (must be a gooner) while he was dining at a north London restaurant.

You are out, Bentley! Where will you go? Stoke? Join Larsson at Birmingham, Bentley? or would like to play under another like-minded bulldog with a headset at Hull?

I even doubt that. And forget it, that City will come for you. You are not even going to earn bucks.

Being at the most confused club of the EPL at the moment, what more can you expect!
Presenting to you, The Roflham Lolspurz!:

• Sold Defoe to Pompey in for £9 M only to bring him back after an year for £15 M


• Bought Giovani Dos Santo from Barcelona for around £5 M and ultimately loaned him out to Ipswich Town to avoid the further payments to Barcelona. According to the transfer clause, Spurs may have to pay Barcelona as much as £8.6 M for Giovani, depending upon his appearances for the club. When they didn't know what to do with him, they loaned him out.


• Pascal Chimbonda resigned for Spurs in Jan09 having lasted only 6 months at Sunderland


• In Jan09, Robbie Keane was back to White Hart Lane after 7 disappointing months at anfield

And now, they want to sign Patrick Vieira, the cult figure among Gunners - their fierce and arguably the most intense rivalry in the Premier League at the moment.

What can i say Levy? Its not real estate business. Why don't you just make some use of your Land Economy degree to find a better place for your fans to sit and watch your players?

Salgaocar to Carrington

Manchester United host a tournament every year, the Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) for U-15 teams across the world. This year the MUPC finals are to be played at Carrington, United’s training ground. The tournament is held over a period of five days from Aug 4^th to 9^th August.

Indian U-15 team Salgaocar, Goan club, got selected this year from the Asia – Oceania region.

East Bengal and Mohan Bagan were the teams which got selected earlier for the MUPC finals but the format of the tournament ensured that those teams never had the chance to face teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid, AS Roma etc.

We’ll keep updating the status of the team representing India in this tournament

Funny Interview

Interviewer : Your goal today, on your wrong foot I guess. Well, it's a great finish !

James Beattie : I haven't got a wrong foot...... What are you laughing at?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nfGppd3tSM

Ronaldo in a friendly jibe

Continuing the quote section for the day, this is what Ronaldo quipped when Noel Gallagher questioned if he could afford the Oasis doing a private gig for him. He also took a dig at Manchester City.

"If Noel or Liam want to let me know what they charge for a private gig, they can give me a call or let you guys know and you can pass the message on."

"I mean it can’t be that expensive can it? They’re no Ricky Martin."

"The lads here don’t mind spending their money. If I explained to the boys how good Oasis are, I think we could get a whip round going and come up with the fee pretty easily."

“I think Kaka would love them. He has very good taste.

"You can let them know that I won’t be coming to their beloved City as well.I love it here in Madrid and there will only ever be one club in Manchester for me.”

Quote of the day

“Seriously getting pissed off now. Why can’t anything be simple. It’s so frustrating hanging round doing jack shit. Do I want to go to Hull City, no. Do I want to go to Stoke, no. Do I want to go to Sunderland, yes. So stop fucking around, Levy.”
Darren Bent
His rant on Twitter cost him £80k. Funny though

Funny Quote of the Day

"Apparently Michael Owen had a choice between joining the mancs or Hull City, which shouldn’t have been any choice at all. One club tries to play good football with honesty and integrity in the finest traditions of the game, the other one plays at Old Trafford!"-- Srujan Gottemokala on Manchester United's new Freebie Micheal Owen.

Funny quote of the Day

Anonymous on Pirlo's possible transfer to Chelsea

"Still not sure if I want this deal to happen or not, but losing Pizarro is a plus I think - throw in Sheva too! "

Funny quote of the day

"Players joining City for medals not for money" -- Mark Hughes; Manchester City Football Club Manager.

.

Have a good one, Sir Bobby

It is indeed a sad day in the world of football. One of the legends of the sport has passed away leaving behind fans all over the world in shock and in mourning.

Sir Bobby Robson was one of the most loved personalities both among the footballing industry and among the fans. His charisma, his dedication to the sport and his fantastic work ethic made him one of the respected people in his generation. I remember Steve Mcmahon once mention that Sir Bobby played a round of golf (18 holes), immediately came to the studio, worked for 8 straight hours and he looked as fresh as ever. And he was 74. That says it all.

John Travolta's quote about Phoenix in the hit movie Ladder 49 can be compared to the following quote. Sir Bobby loved football and gave his life to football. Let us all celebrate the life of Sir Bobby Robson.

Rest in Peace, Sir Bobby...

Manchester United Player Ratings

Manchester United player ratings for their match against Boca Juniors in the Audi Cup at Allianz Arena:

ManUtd ( *Anderson,Valencia) 2 - 1 Boca Juniors( * Insua)

Tomasz Kuszczak - 6 . Excellent shot stopper but terrible with the kicks. Has to improve a long way to stand any chance in dislodging Foster and Van Der Saar.

John O’Shea – 6. Wore the Captain’s armband in the first half. Decent

Wes Brown – 5. Injured in the first half.

Craig Cathcart – 7. Impressive debut performance. Except for an erratic header which could have ended up as own goal, didn’t look lost. Good prospect.

Fabio - 7 . Going from strength to strength. Ever impressive.

Carrick – 7. Kept things tight in the middle. Played an advanced role in the second half.

Anderson – 7. Brilliant first half and bagged his first goal from a wonderful freekick. Pulled the strings but faded in the second half.

Park – 6. Tireless as ever. Helped out Fabio defensively.

Valencia – 8. Excellent debut, bagged a goal as well. Never lost the ball and showed his skill in beating his man every time.

Rooney – 7. Dropped deep to control the flow of the game. Still not at his best.

Macheda- 6. Received little service, looked frustrated. Showed glimpses of his talent.

Ferdinand – 7. As classy as ever.

Evra – 6. Came on for the last ten minutes to tidy up things.

Nani – 7. Had little time to impress but made the most of it. Looking a better player day by day.

Fletcher – 6. Brought on to add some steel to the mid-field late on in the game.

Scholes – 6. Had a job to do, to keep possession. Would do that all day.

Giggs -6. He is getting younger by the day.

Berbatov – 6. A few classy touches here and there. Nothing much to write about.

Reads of the Week

Following the Glazer take over of Manchester United, a certain section of fans felt that they were betrayed by their beloved club and took it in their hands to start a supporter’s club of Manchester United, FC United. Guardian covers their latest Asia pre-season tour where they look to expand their wings

United FC

Sir Alex Ferguson reckons Real Madrid would struggle in the forthcoming season when asked about their chances while on Manchester United’s trip to Munich while back in England, Toure is set to undergo his medical at Eastlands.

Fergie on Real

Toure to undergo Medical

The Republik of Mancunia covers the cloud that surrounded the Terry transfer and questions if Chelsea fans would ever be able to treat him the same.

ROM on Terry

For all the cricket fans out there, Soccerlens takes a dig at cricket and explains why football is the better game.

Football better than Cricket

While Soccerlens also runs an fairly good read on deep-lying midfielders.

Deep-lying Midfielders

Redefining Football Terminology

Hey guys ...Here I go ..my first post in ..

Off lately this idea came upon me and I ve decided to coin some new terms.

Drogger :-

This term in general is referred to pile drivers and scorchers scored by super hero Didier drogba
who play for ChelseaFc. A typical drogger can be viewed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Plsn_8Zf-8.

However the above example will showcase a broader view. An archetypal drogger occurs when drogba's back faces opponent's goal and two opponent defenders are trying to shovel and him and dispose him off the football pitch. But our man holds off these defenders while immediately brings the ball hoofed up in his direction with the help of his chest and makes a 360 degree turn and swivels one of his either feet. Within few moments the opponent goal keeper tries to save himself from the venom of the shot thereby resulting in ball reaching for the top corner.

Note: A few excerpts of such droggers were scored against Barcelona, Liverpool, Everton, Milan etc.

Cya guys . I hope you enjoy the post and I will come up with new terms in my next post.

Duffu talks the show

Sup"porter"

Well, enough has been said about the footballing world. The players, the managers, the clubs, UEFA, FIFA et all... It's time to talk about the more important contributors to the sport - The supporters.

Warning : This might NOT please many people...

Undoubtedly, the supporters of a football club/country are the most important ingredients to making football what it is today, and what it will be tomorrow. We all know that. But this post is not about that.

A decade ago, not many people I knew, even considered Chelsea as their club to support, to watch, to pay to watch.Then, Mr. Abramovic arrived and shortly thereafter, Mr. Mourinho arrived. Needless to say, many good players arrived and not surprisingly, Chelsea started winning titles(NOT by playing the best football at most times). Suddenly, there were a whole barrage of people supporting Chelsea. People who knew zilch about football were supporting Chelsea left, right and center. People even switched their support from their own club to Chelsea. Is this what you call a "Die-Hard" supporter? Is not a supporter responsible to support a club through the best and worst of times?

I am not saying, people should not watch the football, admire it etc. Hey I am a Liverpool fan and I admire the way Manchester United play at times(Again, I am a football fan first, then a Liverpool fan). But never in a million years would I "yap" about the football United play oreven think of being an United fan.

These people are definitely contributors to the football world (what with the merchandise, tickets et all). But are such people really good for the world watching football? More importantly, are such people really needed for the watching world?

You may be intrigued by the timing of this post, but, it might just be the right timing after all. What with the Manchester City explosion going on.

P.S. I hope you get the subtle pun in the title.

Pre-Season Results

Some of the pre-season results and in particular for the Top-four are:

Manchester United:

Man United 3 – 2 Malaysian XI

Man United 2 – 0 Malaysian XI (a rematch because of the Jakarta bombings)

Liverpool:

Liverpool 0 – 0 St Gallen

Liverpool 0 – 1 Rapid Vienna

Liverpool 1 – 1 Thailand

Chelsea:

Chelsea 2 – 0 Seattle

Chelsea 2 – 0 Inter Milan

Arsenal:

Arsenal 2 – 2 Barnet

Arsenal 7 – 1 SC Columbia

Summer Competition

To come out of our igloos and shells, I decided to throw you guys a challenge. Yes, a competition, where the winner takes all and in this case a jersey of his/her (hopefully soon) favourite team or player. Which day didn't you look forward to finding your favourite player's jersey at your doorstep?
I'll list down the rules and the regulations of this competition where the stakes are pretty high.

1. All participants are requested to send their articles or their original player/team chants be it brain tickling or funny bone tickling as long as it conforms to the norms of the blog which can be found in the very first post in the blog.

2. The competition would be open till the 15th of August, the first day of the season.

3. Most of you have the author rights and those who don't can just drop in a mail to me asking for the access. I would request you to use those author rights and post your piece in the blog.

4. I and my friend, Rahul, would be the judges and vow to remove the word 'bias' from our dictionary and can safely assure you that judgment will totally be an unbiased one. We’ll go through the posts and others can as well and will announce the winner within a week of the closing period. As it stands we offer to give a jersey to the winner but we might as well come up with some gifts for the 2nd and 3rd place winners.

5. Since the scope of topics is not much we wouldn't discard your post if you are writing on an already written topic as what matters most is the way you put it across and the amount of footballing acumen that you can display in the post. More the number of posts from an author the merrier it is.

Good luck to all

Its a mad mad world

Football… bloody hell !

Whilst the summer opened up new avenues for corporate giants to reinvent, retool and rethink their investment strategies following the credit crunch, footballing world had literally worn an armour and a shield to protect itself from the credit crisis.

The transfer prices this season would have one believe that capitalism is the best thing to have ever happened on Earth. The biggest perpetrators of inflating the market are Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Real Madrid has always been a club hugely favoured and amply supported by the Spanish government since the rule of Franco. It cringes one to see the poverty and the penury of this world on one side and 200 million pounds (an interest free loan) being spent on a handful of supreme athletes on the other side.

Every liter of fuel consumed around the world culminates in Manchester City having a bigger transfer chest. If only the credit crunch affected them, it was in making them bid for Ronaldo for a reported 100 million pounds as opposed to the previously proposed 140 million pounds.

Amidst the mad spending of the two clubs, managers like Sir Alex, Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho haven’t been dragged into any kind of bidding war and have bided their time without flaunting their cash.

I’ll leave you to debate on the choice of the above managers to be skinflints this season. Were they right in not splashing the cash and getting the best possible players or have they missed a trick in trying to be prudent and might actually end up paying more next year as it happens to be a World Cup year.

British Invasion

The last five years have seen an immense improvement in the performance of English teams in Europe. Five of the last eight champion league finalists were English teams (Arsenal - 1, Chelsea - 1, Liverpool - 2, United - 1). The most notable feature of last season's champions league was, no English team was eliminated by a non-English team. Arsenal lost to Liverpool, Liverpool were eliminated by Chelsea and Chelsea were defeated by Manchester United. A similar pattern seems to be developing this season.

Football history shows, domination of a club or a set of clubs from a particular country often coincides with the domination of that country at the World/Europe level. For example, consider the Ajax team of the early 70's. They were the European champions in '71,'72 and '73. The Dutch international team were World-cup runners-up in '74 and '78 (thanks to Johan Cruijff). Bayern Munich were champions from '74 to '76. The German National team won Euro in '72 and the World Cup in '74. Another example, Juventus were European champions in '83 and runners-up in '85. Italian national team won the '82 world cup. In spite of the indomitable performance of English clubs over the last few years, England national team hardly showed any domination at the world level. Forget domination, they haven't even managed to qualify for Euro '08.

Thanks to the global transfer market, over the last two decades, the correlation between Club domination and National team domination reduced significantly. One, very obvious reason for the current English domination is their wealth. United, Chelsea and Liverpool all owned by billionaires can afford to buy the cream of footballers in the world. Though Arsenal does not have any rich owners, it has a stadium that makes more money than any other stadium in the entire world. Another gargantuan source of income for english clubs is the global TV rights. Putting the economic advantage aside, do English teams have the advantage of playing a more competitive breed of football week-in and week-out? Does this help them at the European stage? It sure is more physically demanding than other leagues (not including the Socttish and Irish leagues). It is quicker than other leagues - one of the main reasons for long adaptation time of immigrant players.
It would be very interesting to see the trend at European level, if FIFA and UEFA seek to impose a quota system on the immigrant players in a club.

Is the Quintuple dream on ?

The biggest question of all as the season approaches its finish line is not if Man Utd can retain the league title but it is if they can complete the historic quintuple. 

Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to point out to the readers that if at all Man Utd go onto achieve the ‘ Quintuple’ it wouldn’t be an unprecedented achievement but just a historic one. The famous Ajax team of ‘74/’75 won eight titles in a span of two years , so surely ,which ever way one looks at it , they either won the quintuple in an year or achieved the quadruple for two consecutive years.

 Is Man Utd actually capable of realizing the almost impossible dream of achieving the quintuple? I, personally, don’t think so. I don’t think any Man Utd fan would be extremely upset if they don’t finish tops in all the competitions as it is like asking a normal human being to be a superman for a day.

 As Sir Alex, himself, put it Man Utd should ride their luck for way too long to come out triumphs in all the competitions. If the premier league is an indication of a team’s consistency and ruthlessness, the cup competitions always require a slice of luck. A wrongly judged offside goal, a wrongly adjudged penalty, there are way too many things that can change a match in a flash. Last years FA cup tie with Portsmouth can always be used as a good case study when trying to illustrate the kind of luck that is needed to win the cup competitions.

Secondly, if Man Utd actually complete the quintuple this year, I would be as amazed at their success as any other neutral fan. I wouldn’t be awe struck at their achievement but rather I would be amazed at the opponents’ incapability to stop them from achieving that feat. Any honest assessment of Manchester United’s season so far will have one believe that they have been far from their best and have nowhere attained the devastating form that they displayed in abundance last season. They have been having a rollercoaster season by their footballing standards, brilliant in one, subdued in the next. While some players haven’t hit strides yet such as Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney and Berbatov some, notably Anderson and Nani, are suffering from the proverbial second season syndrome.   To simply put, Manchester United haven’t yet hit fifth gear this season and look unlikely to do so. 

Is The League Title All United's?

First of all I'd like to apologize for not completing my previous post due to certain unforeseen circumstances. And now that its been a long time since, I wont complete it either. It wont make sense.

Moving on to today's post, I'd first like to say.....Its good to be back!

The other day I was having this conversation with a friend of mine who is a Pool fan. Well with these Pool fans my conversations generally spiral out of control, especially the football ones! This time it was a bit of a bringing her back to earth time.(Yes its a girl pool fan!! Can you believe that?)

With a good comfortable victory over Sunderland after the heartache of Middlesborough defeat, Liverpool are joint second on points in the table along with Chelsea. Her argument was that maybe there is still time for United to slip up and one of us to finally win the thing. I said its possible but not probable. Then I went on to put things into perspective. So I did some research and following are the findings.

Manu............P27....Pts65...GD36
Chelsea.........P28...Pts58...GD32
Liverpool......P28...Pts58...GD25

Therefore, United have 11 games to play whereas Chelsea and Liverpool have 10 each. The point difference is 7. The odds are stacked heavily against either of the chasing pack.

Now let us assume(make an ass of u and me). Here is how it goes for Chelsea and Liverpool. If either of them win all their remaining games(highly unlikely), they will be at 88 points. With United having 11 games to play, they will have to do either of the following.....

Lose 4 Win 7 (total 86) [extremely unlikely]
Lose 3 Draw 1 Win 7 (total 87) [highly unlikely]
Lose 2 Draw 2 Win 7 (total 88) [unlikely]
Lose 1 Draw 4 Win 6 (total 87) [highly unlikely]

for Chelsea or Liverpool to have any chance. The most promising is the third scenario. The unlikely one. In that scenario, goal difference comes into picture. So lets put that too into perspective....

United have lost 2 games all season both 2-1 losses so the avg goal difference when they lose is 1/game. While when they win the avg goal difference is 1.9/game. Hence in the above scenario, the goal difference tally will see a rise of 11.3 goals, lets say 11 for convenience. (Overall GD at the end of the season...47!)

Compare this to Chelsea's record. When they lose, they lose by an avg GD of 1.8/game. When they win, they win by an avg GD of 2.3/game. Since Chelsea have to win all 10 games, that makes it 23 GD in 10 games(Overall......55!!!) Chelsea will win the thing :)

Now for Liverpool's chances. When Pool lose, they do by an avg of 1.5 but when they win they do it by an average GD of 1.7/game. That takes their tally to 17 GD in next 10 games(Overall 42!) Liverpool will still be third :P

So there you have it. Chelsea are the only team in a position to challenge United for the title, and that position is on a tightrope tied between Mt Everest and Mt K2. Still enjoying the good times under Hiddink. Hope we do better in the UCL.

Have a nice day folks!

Arsenal desperate for Arshavin?

Lets talk from Arsenal point of view. Why are we behind him ?

1. Russian league Player
2. That too 27 years old
3. Arsenal's record breaking transfer fee
4. High salary demand - for what?
5. Totally desperate and would surely sulk in future

And compare Nasri at 21 who came for around 11 miilion. Thats Wenger. Then why Arshavin?

Because
1. For fabregas, who might think of leaving this summer (quite likely)
2. To increase the atendance and restore the fans' faith (unlikely)
3. In Arsene's words, just to add the creative spark in midfield (I doubt it, why didnt he move for him in last summer then?)

Please enlighten me with any other reason or argument in favor of this transfer. I am sick of reading, he is in... no, he is not.. he will come.. he refused..his gay agent wants more money..his mood changed..he will talk on monday..he wants a cradle too

Half Term Report Card (Part 3)

Now coming to the top half of the table, we have a couple of interesting ones here. A small club venturing in the unknown arena and Hull City to name just two!

West Ham

Zola has been the only rather inexperienced manager to be doing a decent job with his club. Paul Ince and Tony Adams are the others in the category and both have struggled, the former losing his job before the turn of the year. Zola's assistant Steve Clarke's hand in the whole picture cannot be doubted. The latter's experience as an assistant coach in the top flight is second to none. Its ironical that two of Chelsea's biggest legends are working for one of Chelsea's rivals and doing a good job. Hammers are destined for mid table anonymity at best, at worst they could lose a couple of key players in the Jan transfer window due to the financial crisis the club is going through, and their season could fall apart.

Verdict : 9th

Fulham

Roy Hodgson was one of the best managers of last year. When he took over, Fulham were in deep mire with relegation looking directly in their faces. He not only turned it around in the last game of last season, but has also managed to take them to 9th place by the end of the same calender year, a remarkable achievement by all means. Fulham are pushing for UEFA cup places but with Wigan, Everton and Aston Villa apart from the four usual suspects definitely better than them, it will be a near impossible task.

Verdict: 13th

Hull City

Hull City have been one of the stories of the season. With almost everyone predicting struggle in the club's first ever adventure in the top flight, they have not only defied the odds but also done it in style. Last couple of months have seen them struggle a bit and they've slipped a couple of places but another run of good results is long due and that could well see them in a UEFA cup spot....icing on the cake one has to say! But whatever the tigers achieve this season, they can hold their heads high and look forward to avaoiding the second season syndrome for promoted clubs next season.

Verdict : 8th

Wigan

Another club which has achieved an overturn of fortunes in a calendar year is Wigan. Struggling in the relegation zone at the start of 2008, they have their sights on UEFA cup at the end. Enjoying an excellent form of late(5 wins in last 6 games), the FA cup break might have come at hte wrong time for them. Still they should be good enough to give the likes of Everton and Hull a run for their money in the battle for UEFA cup spot.

Verdict: 6th

Everton

Without a recognized striker for a good few weeks, toffees have tremendously well to be where they are now. David Moyes should be in the look out for a recognized striker in the transfer window if only on loan, but recent form suggests he can as well manage without one. Hull, Liverpool and Arsenal are their next three opponents and 3 points or above is what they should be aiming at to put pressure on Arsenal and Aston Villa for the automatic UEFA cup place.

Verdict : 7th

the final bit to follow soon...

Half Term Report Card (Part 2)

Sunderland

Roy Keane showed some ambition in the transfer market when he bought the likes of Cisse, Chimbonda, Malbranque and Anton Ferdinand. Yet spending huge amounts of money did not guarantee a smooth sailing in the mid table. With an awful away form continuing from last season, Keane saw his team faltering at home too. A relegation scrap was all but certain and Keane took the responsibility and resigned. His assistant, replacing him temporarily, had a good couple of games with comfortable victories but that was what is called the honeymoon period. Currently sitting at 15th, future does not look to bright for the Stadium of Light(love the name!) outfit. A decent run until the end of the season is too much to ask for from the inconsistent black cats, hence a relegation is more likely this season.

Verdict: Relegation

Newcastle United

Joe Kinnear has done wonders at Newcastle since taking over the troubled club. He's getting results and more importantly the confidence is back in the team which looked doomed a couple of months back. The form and most importantly fitness of Michael Owen is a crucial factor for Kinnear to keep them away from relegation scrap and if the current form is anything to go by, they will stay clear comfortably. Still as I said before, with the bottom half of the table so tight, a couple of games can change it all around.

Verdict: 12th

Manchester City

The cliche 'Money can't buy success' goes around a lot in football. And Sparky is learning it the hard way. Inconsistency coupled with an abysmal away form has seen them in the bottom half of the table. The only positive for the richest club in the world has been the forms of Robinho and Ireland. Defensively City still remain fragile, but the January acquisition of Bridge should add some steel. There could be a lot more ins and outs in the blue half of Manchester before the window closes shut on Feb 2nd. There is still a lot to play for and a good second half of the season could see City in reckoning for European places, but much will depend on the wheelings and dealings of the current transfer window.

Verdict : 10th

Portsmouth

We've seen this so many times in the past. A manager takes a below average team and over achieves with them year after after, then as he leaves, the club goes back to where it belonged. It happened with Bolton a season back, Blackburn at the start of this season and now the same with Pompey. The on field woes coupled with financial mini crisis has let to the fear of a mass exodus of the most talented of Pompey players. Diarra left for Real before the window even opened. The futures of Defoe, Glen Johnson, Kranjcar, Distin are far from certain. And if most of them leave, it could spell big trouble at Fratton Park. Relegation scrap is most likely.

Verdict: 16th

Bolton Wanderers

With a difficult start to the season, Bolton looked in trouble but Gary Megson has pulled it together somewhat and collected a lot of points of late, especially away from home. They've been rising steadily in the league table and currently top the bottom half of the table. Mid table is what Gary should be content with, but a European place is not out of question. A good run of form and a bad one for those above can see them push for UEFA cup spot. But thats too many ifs and buts right? Right!

Verdict: 11th

still more to follow...