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
January 27, 2009
January 8, 2009
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...
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...
January 4, 2009
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...
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...
December 31, 2008
Half Term Report Card (Part 1)
With 2008 kissing good bye tonight, it is a good time to look back at the season that has come half way through...a season which many have described as the most competitive and packed with more surprises than any we've seen in recent years.
Here I've drawn a report card of all the 20 teams fighting it out there. I'd start from the bottom of the league as of today.
West Brom
Many pundits described them as the best of the promoted side, and not without a logic. Not only were the baggies last year's Championship champions, but the way they achieved promotion was remarkable. The kind of flowing football which is slightly out of place in a league like the Championship, they won many hearts. Life in the top tier, however, has not been as rosy. Although they've kept the style of play, the end result has been eluding them for most of the season. Yet they are no Derby! With a couple of wins in last three games, confidence is back and they could well stay in the top flight if they could capitalize on the current form.
Verdict: relegation
Blackburn Rovers
Paul Ince was a gamble Rovers took at the start of the season, and it has certainly come off badly for them. Half way through the season they have only managed as many points as West Brom. Only the goal difference keeps them from the bottom position. An indifferent form of last year's sensation Roque Santa Cruz has not helped and suggestions are that his mind could be elsewhere. With a proven PL manager now at the helm, there is hope but it could soon wane if they keep throwing away two goal leads in the last seven minutes as seen against ManCity last weekend. A string of good results is what Blackburn need and soon. With Fulham away and Newcastle and Bolton at home as their next three fixtures, it doesn't look a particularly easy ride but one they would expect to get a few points from if they have to stay up.
Verdict: 17th
Stoke City
Only goal difference separate Stoke from 16th and 17th placed Spurs and Middlesbrough resp. Their physical style and Rory Delap's throw ins have given us a few surprise results like victory over Arsenal and Aston Villa but that apart, Stoke have been found wanting in many areas vital to stay in the top flight. Pundits described them as one of the candidates for relegation and I would not bet a fortune against it.
Verdict: relegation
Middlesbrough
Gareth Southgate's men over the past couple of years have done just enough to stay clear of the relegation dog fight. This season its different with the league being so competitive, they are just goal difference away from relegation zone while just 2 points away from their last season's 13th place finish. If the current form is anything to go by, they could well be in the mire this season. Sunderland and West Brom are the next two games and their chance to get points on board before they travel to Stamford Bridge.
Verdict: 15th
Tottenham Hotspurs
With their worst ever start to a season, Spurs have steadied the ship a little with the help of Harry Redknapp. But the results still do not guarantee survival. With Harry's honeymoon period long over, they have mustered just one win from their last six league games. Still the feeling remains that Spurs are just too big to go down. That said, they should act soon to get some results in the next few games because this season there is no guarantee. As little as 5 points separate the bottom half of the league and a couple of games here and there could turn it all around.
Verdict: 14th
more to follow...
Here I've drawn a report card of all the 20 teams fighting it out there. I'd start from the bottom of the league as of today.
West Brom
Many pundits described them as the best of the promoted side, and not without a logic. Not only were the baggies last year's Championship champions, but the way they achieved promotion was remarkable. The kind of flowing football which is slightly out of place in a league like the Championship, they won many hearts. Life in the top tier, however, has not been as rosy. Although they've kept the style of play, the end result has been eluding them for most of the season. Yet they are no Derby! With a couple of wins in last three games, confidence is back and they could well stay in the top flight if they could capitalize on the current form.
Verdict: relegation
Blackburn Rovers
Paul Ince was a gamble Rovers took at the start of the season, and it has certainly come off badly for them. Half way through the season they have only managed as many points as West Brom. Only the goal difference keeps them from the bottom position. An indifferent form of last year's sensation Roque Santa Cruz has not helped and suggestions are that his mind could be elsewhere. With a proven PL manager now at the helm, there is hope but it could soon wane if they keep throwing away two goal leads in the last seven minutes as seen against ManCity last weekend. A string of good results is what Blackburn need and soon. With Fulham away and Newcastle and Bolton at home as their next three fixtures, it doesn't look a particularly easy ride but one they would expect to get a few points from if they have to stay up.
Verdict: 17th
Stoke City
Only goal difference separate Stoke from 16th and 17th placed Spurs and Middlesbrough resp. Their physical style and Rory Delap's throw ins have given us a few surprise results like victory over Arsenal and Aston Villa but that apart, Stoke have been found wanting in many areas vital to stay in the top flight. Pundits described them as one of the candidates for relegation and I would not bet a fortune against it.
Verdict: relegation
Middlesbrough
Gareth Southgate's men over the past couple of years have done just enough to stay clear of the relegation dog fight. This season its different with the league being so competitive, they are just goal difference away from relegation zone while just 2 points away from their last season's 13th place finish. If the current form is anything to go by, they could well be in the mire this season. Sunderland and West Brom are the next two games and their chance to get points on board before they travel to Stamford Bridge.
Verdict: 15th
Tottenham Hotspurs
With their worst ever start to a season, Spurs have steadied the ship a little with the help of Harry Redknapp. But the results still do not guarantee survival. With Harry's honeymoon period long over, they have mustered just one win from their last six league games. Still the feeling remains that Spurs are just too big to go down. That said, they should act soon to get some results in the next few games because this season there is no guarantee. As little as 5 points separate the bottom half of the league and a couple of games here and there could turn it all around.
Verdict: 14th
more to follow...
December 29, 2008
Can Arsenal turn it around?
Arsenal have always had a consistent approach to the way they play their football. They have never differed from their footballing philosophy but consistency is something that hardly goes in conjunction with Arsenal FC nowadays. Results and performances such as the wins against Manchester United and Chelsea and matching Liverpool brilliantly after being a man down would have every football fan believe that they are having a great season. But a quick look at the points table reveals the other half of the story when you see them fighting for the fourth place with Aston Villa.
Arsene Wenger, Arsenal’s talismanic manager and probably the manager with the least pressure to perform in this world of pressure cooker sports has always maintained that his side is good enough to mount a serious title challenge and his belief in his team was almost justified last season. Arsenal might be tempted to cite the recurrent injuries to their team as a reason for their derailed campaign but it is no secret that champion teams are not made by the starting eleven alone but by having an excellent squad. Wenger doesn’t have to look beyond his team to justify that cliché. Arsenal led the table in the premier league last season until the last third of the season and it was their trophy to lose from there. Injuries, lack of form, lack of a leader allowed Manchester United and Chelsea to cruise past them in the last third of the season. Wenger surely should have brought in a couple of more players in the summer, even more so, considering the departure of two his best players last season, Flamini and Hleb.
Arsenal had a great chance on the Boxing Day to remind Villa that they still have a long way to go before considering themselves as a potential team in the Champions league. But as we have come to know them this season, they squandered a two goal lead and have instead given Villa a huge boost. There was a sense of purpose from both the teams
as the match started but only one team had actually issued a statement of intent. Aston Villa had to show the world that they are no mere flash in the pan and are actually capable of achieving a top four finish. They could have finished the match within the first half an hour when they were denied thrice by the woodwork. But like any other good team, Arsenal, stayed in the match, displayed their mental fortitude and took the lead against the run of play. Diaby added to the first one within ten minutes of the second half and that surely should have wrapped up three points for them.
Amidst the amazing come back by Aston Villa, people have forgotten the generosity displayed by Arsenal after they bagged the two goals. With the kind of experience they have at the back, they surely, more than anyone else on the pitch, should have known how to defend the two goal lead. Mind you, none of the goals scored by the Villains belonged to the bracket of outstanding or to the level of unstoppable football. Both the goals were conceded largely due to the lax and callous defending by Arsenal. Arsenal on that day had most of their experienced players, Almunia, Gallas, Toure and Silvestre playing in the defence yet they would have conceded many more goals if not for the heroics of the outstanding Sagna. Lee Dixon, Arsenal’s former defender and great had been reiterating all week the need to defend deep when a team does not have the required personnel in the mid-field to pressurize the opposition. Arsenal, clearly, should have defended deep that day especially when they were up against Agbonlahor, the quickest in the league. As a manager one can only work out the tactics and the game plan but what goes on in a players mind on the pitch is widely out of a manager’s control. Gallas, should have learnt from his mistakes from the game against Liverpool when they conceded a goal to Robbie Keane from a similar set of play. They allowed him to run behind the defence, collect the long ball and dispatch it home. Gallas should have definitely had that in mind as he was up against a player who is quicker and in better form than Keane. Such naivety from an experienced defender led to a desperate plunge which in turn into a goal and a ray of hope for Villa.
If the first goal was a mistake in the game plan of the defence, the blunder committed for the second was even more elementary. Aston Villa gave their all, pulled all stops to get the equalizer and they had four players in the box, rightly so, when Zat Knight received the ball. To everyone’s amazement there were only three Arsenal defenders defending against those four Villa players and this was in the final few minutes of the match when they were sucking in the Villa attack. One is tempted to ask where the other defenders were when the ball was being whipped into the box. Arsenal had five established defenders at that point of time and along with Denilson and Diaby they had enough numbers to deal with any sort of threat. If only they had a clear game plan and answers for these questions.
Villa have certainly showed us this season that they are good enough to be in the top four one day. It might not happen this season, as I, for one, believe Arsenal have too much quality to let that happen. Neither are good teams made in a fortnight nor the good ones become bad overnight and Arsenal certainly is a good team.
Arsene Wenger, Arsenal’s talismanic manager and probably the manager with the least pressure to perform in this world of pressure cooker sports has always maintained that his side is good enough to mount a serious title challenge and his belief in his team was almost justified last season. Arsenal might be tempted to cite the recurrent injuries to their team as a reason for their derailed campaign but it is no secret that champion teams are not made by the starting eleven alone but by having an excellent squad. Wenger doesn’t have to look beyond his team to justify that cliché. Arsenal led the table in the premier league last season until the last third of the season and it was their trophy to lose from there. Injuries, lack of form, lack of a leader allowed Manchester United and Chelsea to cruise past them in the last third of the season. Wenger surely should have brought in a couple of more players in the summer, even more so, considering the departure of two his best players last season, Flamini and Hleb.
Arsenal had a great chance on the Boxing Day to remind Villa that they still have a long way to go before considering themselves as a potential team in the Champions league. But as we have come to know them this season, they squandered a two goal lead and have instead given Villa a huge boost. There was a sense of purpose from both the teams
as the match started but only one team had actually issued a statement of intent. Aston Villa had to show the world that they are no mere flash in the pan and are actually capable of achieving a top four finish. They could have finished the match within the first half an hour when they were denied thrice by the woodwork. But like any other good team, Arsenal, stayed in the match, displayed their mental fortitude and took the lead against the run of play. Diaby added to the first one within ten minutes of the second half and that surely should have wrapped up three points for them.
Amidst the amazing come back by Aston Villa, people have forgotten the generosity displayed by Arsenal after they bagged the two goals. With the kind of experience they have at the back, they surely, more than anyone else on the pitch, should have known how to defend the two goal lead. Mind you, none of the goals scored by the Villains belonged to the bracket of outstanding or to the level of unstoppable football. Both the goals were conceded largely due to the lax and callous defending by Arsenal. Arsenal on that day had most of their experienced players, Almunia, Gallas, Toure and Silvestre playing in the defence yet they would have conceded many more goals if not for the heroics of the outstanding Sagna. Lee Dixon, Arsenal’s former defender and great had been reiterating all week the need to defend deep when a team does not have the required personnel in the mid-field to pressurize the opposition. Arsenal, clearly, should have defended deep that day especially when they were up against Agbonlahor, the quickest in the league. As a manager one can only work out the tactics and the game plan but what goes on in a players mind on the pitch is widely out of a manager’s control. Gallas, should have learnt from his mistakes from the game against Liverpool when they conceded a goal to Robbie Keane from a similar set of play. They allowed him to run behind the defence, collect the long ball and dispatch it home. Gallas should have definitely had that in mind as he was up against a player who is quicker and in better form than Keane. Such naivety from an experienced defender led to a desperate plunge which in turn into a goal and a ray of hope for Villa.
If the first goal was a mistake in the game plan of the defence, the blunder committed for the second was even more elementary. Aston Villa gave their all, pulled all stops to get the equalizer and they had four players in the box, rightly so, when Zat Knight received the ball. To everyone’s amazement there were only three Arsenal defenders defending against those four Villa players and this was in the final few minutes of the match when they were sucking in the Villa attack. One is tempted to ask where the other defenders were when the ball was being whipped into the box. Arsenal had five established defenders at that point of time and along with Denilson and Diaby they had enough numbers to deal with any sort of threat. If only they had a clear game plan and answers for these questions.
Villa have certainly showed us this season that they are good enough to be in the top four one day. It might not happen this season, as I, for one, believe Arsenal have too much quality to let that happen. Neither are good teams made in a fortnight nor the good ones become bad overnight and Arsenal certainly is a good team.
December 23, 2008
Mid-Season thoughts on United
Manchester United have clinched another trophy this week to make 2008 as amazing a year if not more as 1999 which witnessed vintage United. Surely the year of the 50th anniversary of the Munich disaster will go down in the history books of football as Manchester United’s year and a feat which pundits across the world will use as a benchmark to compare any team’s achievements.
Manchester United are currently 7 points behind the Liverpool, the league leaders, with two games in hand and all their remaining fixtures against the top teams are at Old Trafford. That certainly is a situation which will not worry a United fan unduly and it is something that Sir Alex and United fans would have accepted before the start of the season. However, that is not to be so. There is something missing which is distinctly highlighting the gulf in the ruthlessness of this team to the one that won the double. On paper, this team looks even more menacing than the previous one with the addition of Berbatov and the Da Siva twins. United have earned the tag of being slow starters over the years but they have never taken so long to hit top gear and neither have they been this inconsistent. Many a times this season fans and Sir Alex himself have predicted that United had actually top gear only to be let down by their performance in the next game. To be fair to the players, they have been handed out a really cruel fixture list pitting them against all the top teams, in their respective backyards, very early in the season. They missed players and lost players through injuries at crucial times of the season but with the squad strength that United possesses that can no longer be used as a valid excuse for the lack of momentum. To put it plainly, United have been slow on the pitch this year and the interchanging of positions and the lightning counter attacks are not coming to the fore.
Let me list down the things that United need to address in the winter break :
Berbatov: Untied have an embarrassment of riches in the striking department but they haven’t been able to get the best out of the various strike partnerships. Berbatov has taken time to adjust to United’s style of play and the fans are still waiting to see vintage Berba’s displays. Nevertheless, he already has around 6 assists to his name and his magical flicks and touches always leave the crowd enchanted. Sir Alex needs to find a way to get the best out of the Bulgarian without sacrificing the talents of the other players because right now Berbatov has not done much to become an automatic first starter.
Tevez and the formation: Though the Rooney- Berbatov partnership is being preferred to the rest, Tevez still plays a huge role if United are to win anything. A terrier by nature, the skillful Argentine has the uncanny knack of getting important goals. Will Fergie devise a system to accommodate all the big four players of Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez and Ronaldo?
Rooney and Ronaldo : Sir Alex was just not ready to sell Ronaldo , his most prized asset , not just because of his influence on the pitch but also because United were not equipped to deal with the sale of Ronaldo as Fergie built this great team revolving around Ronaldo’s talents. Any football fan who has been watching United for the 3-4 years would have realized by now that the team has been built to get the best out of Ronny. Two strikers who work their socks off, who move to the middle to collect the ball and who keep drifting off to the wings to provide space to Ronaldo to cut in, two deep lying centre mid fields who got themselves into positions to put forward a ball to Ronaldo running behind the defenders, all these tactics have been well documented over the years. Ronaldo is not being given this kind of freedom this season as Fergie wants the attack to revolve around Berbatov as the focal point. This system invariably gets the best out of Rooney and has been adopted to do just so. Rooney has been outstanding in some of the games so far and every United fan right now just wish he stays healthy for the rest of the season because when on song there is no better player in United who can influence a match as much as he can. The plain truth is Fergie needs to get the best out of Ronaldo without sacrifing Rooney in the centre of the pitch. The solution to this problem will probably go a long way in deciding where United end up this season.
Centre Mid-field: The injury to Hargreaves has been a big blow to United and with Scholes showing signs of his age, suddenly United look a little light weight in the centre of the mid field. Carrick has picked up from where he left off last season and he has been superb in the centre of the mid-field for the last ten games or so bagging four consecutive man of the match performances. Fletcher has complimented him well in the mid-field so far and it remains to be seen if Anderson is beginning to find his touch again after an indifferent start to the season. What Fergie needs to address here is he needs to come out with his best and most balanced mid-field combination and the most capable mid-field to battle it out against teams which play through the centre such as Inter. The plain truth is this has to be done without Scholes in the mix of the things. As much as a world class technician he is and he is still arguably the best passer in the league , he sadly does not have the legs anymore to last for 90 minutes of a tight game.
Right-Back: The only problem or the possible debate has revolved around this position; the rest of the defense picks itself up. I, for one, believe that Fergie has to give Rafael an extended run and should start with him in the big games as well. Clearly the boy is not just the future but also the present.
Manchester United are currently 7 points behind the Liverpool, the league leaders, with two games in hand and all their remaining fixtures against the top teams are at Old Trafford. That certainly is a situation which will not worry a United fan unduly and it is something that Sir Alex and United fans would have accepted before the start of the season. However, that is not to be so. There is something missing which is distinctly highlighting the gulf in the ruthlessness of this team to the one that won the double. On paper, this team looks even more menacing than the previous one with the addition of Berbatov and the Da Siva twins. United have earned the tag of being slow starters over the years but they have never taken so long to hit top gear and neither have they been this inconsistent. Many a times this season fans and Sir Alex himself have predicted that United had actually top gear only to be let down by their performance in the next game. To be fair to the players, they have been handed out a really cruel fixture list pitting them against all the top teams, in their respective backyards, very early in the season. They missed players and lost players through injuries at crucial times of the season but with the squad strength that United possesses that can no longer be used as a valid excuse for the lack of momentum. To put it plainly, United have been slow on the pitch this year and the interchanging of positions and the lightning counter attacks are not coming to the fore.
Let me list down the things that United need to address in the winter break :
Berbatov: Untied have an embarrassment of riches in the striking department but they haven’t been able to get the best out of the various strike partnerships. Berbatov has taken time to adjust to United’s style of play and the fans are still waiting to see vintage Berba’s displays. Nevertheless, he already has around 6 assists to his name and his magical flicks and touches always leave the crowd enchanted. Sir Alex needs to find a way to get the best out of the Bulgarian without sacrificing the talents of the other players because right now Berbatov has not done much to become an automatic first starter.
Tevez and the formation: Though the Rooney- Berbatov partnership is being preferred to the rest, Tevez still plays a huge role if United are to win anything. A terrier by nature, the skillful Argentine has the uncanny knack of getting important goals. Will Fergie devise a system to accommodate all the big four players of Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez and Ronaldo?
Rooney and Ronaldo : Sir Alex was just not ready to sell Ronaldo , his most prized asset , not just because of his influence on the pitch but also because United were not equipped to deal with the sale of Ronaldo as Fergie built this great team revolving around Ronaldo’s talents. Any football fan who has been watching United for the 3-4 years would have realized by now that the team has been built to get the best out of Ronny. Two strikers who work their socks off, who move to the middle to collect the ball and who keep drifting off to the wings to provide space to Ronaldo to cut in, two deep lying centre mid fields who got themselves into positions to put forward a ball to Ronaldo running behind the defenders, all these tactics have been well documented over the years. Ronaldo is not being given this kind of freedom this season as Fergie wants the attack to revolve around Berbatov as the focal point. This system invariably gets the best out of Rooney and has been adopted to do just so. Rooney has been outstanding in some of the games so far and every United fan right now just wish he stays healthy for the rest of the season because when on song there is no better player in United who can influence a match as much as he can. The plain truth is Fergie needs to get the best out of Ronaldo without sacrifing Rooney in the centre of the pitch. The solution to this problem will probably go a long way in deciding where United end up this season.
Centre Mid-field: The injury to Hargreaves has been a big blow to United and with Scholes showing signs of his age, suddenly United look a little light weight in the centre of the mid field. Carrick has picked up from where he left off last season and he has been superb in the centre of the mid-field for the last ten games or so bagging four consecutive man of the match performances. Fletcher has complimented him well in the mid-field so far and it remains to be seen if Anderson is beginning to find his touch again after an indifferent start to the season. What Fergie needs to address here is he needs to come out with his best and most balanced mid-field combination and the most capable mid-field to battle it out against teams which play through the centre such as Inter. The plain truth is this has to be done without Scholes in the mix of the things. As much as a world class technician he is and he is still arguably the best passer in the league , he sadly does not have the legs anymore to last for 90 minutes of a tight game.
Right-Back: The only problem or the possible debate has revolved around this position; the rest of the defense picks itself up. I, for one, believe that Fergie has to give Rafael an extended run and should start with him in the big games as well. Clearly the boy is not just the future but also the present.
December 21, 2008
Emirites || Arsnl-Pool || Ref
The Emirites would’ve produced a definite result yesterday but for the intervention of the Ref Howard Webb. The game started off well, with both sides settling down well. Liverpool settled down faster than Arsenal. But, Gunners were the first to get the break through at 24" with a splendid finish by Van Persie. A perfect pass from Nasri and a great first touch and control by VanPersie. He’s sometimes criticized for hitting the ball too hard when not really necessary. But yesterday, he shot the ball so hard that it was virtually impossible for Reina to react so fast. Any football fan would standup and clap for that finish.
Then came the complacency in Arsenal. They started sitting back when they should’ve gone for it and looked to extend the lead. Anyways, thanks to the inexperience of Djourou and clinical finish by Robbie Keane, Pool managed to get the equalizer.
Until then, Howard Webb was doing OK…making some bad decisions once in a while. By now, he should’ve realized that it wasn’t his day and he should’ve atleast tried to stay put and do his best. The first yellow card of Adebayor was a total crap. And the second one was surely a yellow card. But it could never be a second yellow that could lead to a red. But yet, Webb chose to make a difference. He didn’t want the match to take it’s shape in due course of time. Probably he was bored…so, he wanted to add a twist in the tale. Like the reality shows that bring in the wild card entries when the show is getting boring.
But it didn’t go any good either. Atleast, he didn’t make it a point to maintain consistency in whatever he doing. When there was a heavy tackle on Gerrard just outside the penalty box, it wasn’t given. Anyone with a pair of eyes (and glasses if required :-P) would’ve agreed that it was a foul. But, Webb chose to be different yet again !
Arsenal lost its front guns and Liverpool were sitting back and planning to settle for a draw. Right from the beginning, Andy Gray has been telling that Rafa would go for a draw. He would be defensive and stick to a draw and would try to stay in Top2 of the table and look for some luck from Gods at the end of the season. Interestingly, the cup eludes anyone who don’t GO for it. At times, too much strategy kills the spirit of the game.
As a Gooner, I would’ve been happier if Arsenal had managed to win the game. I was pretty happy that they atleast managed to get a point out of it. But, as a football fan, I was very disappointed that the game didn’t give us a true result. The game was never going for a draw….there was a definite result all over it…could be on anyone’s favour. But, Ref intervened and spoiled the game. Infact, I would’ve been happier if the game produced a result (even if it was against Arsenal). I’m a football fan first and then a Gooner.(thnx kuyil)
Btw, Arsenal are going nowhere this season. I think they would settle down for a 4th position. I don’t think Aston Villa has the consistency to hold on to the 4th place. Arsenal has a great team only when (Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy) do the defending, (Walcott-Febregas-Denilson-Nasri) play in the midfield and (Adebayor/Eduardo-VanPersie) play up front. Anything other than this would spoil the rhythm of the game. A passing game needs rhythm. Without that, there’s no meaning to that kind of game. Rest of the players like Song, Eboue and Diaby are not natural passers of the ball. Song and Eboue are not footballers in my point of view. Diaby would fit into more attacking positions, similar to Babel. So, Wenger should look to expand his team in proper direction rather than getting dummies like Eboue and Song. He should get true replacements. I hope he doesn’t some Christmas shopping this time.
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