It is exciting times again as the dawn of a new EPL season is upon us!
Player movement continues until August 31st and while the next 19 days will give certain fans more confidence about their team’s fortunes in the season ahead, for others it may be total heart break.
While fans at the Emirates Stadium have been biting their nails anxiously about who they might lose, United’s noisy neighbors have been rubbing their hands about who they might sign. Both sets of fans must be so disgusted about the recurrent transfer tag of war that their captains subject them to every transfer window; they are now ready to say good riddance to their heroes. The destiny of their respective clubs in the new season will however depend on their respective managers finding the right balance between their vastly different personalities. Wenger will need to give up his frugal style purchases and add some steel to his defense and midfield, while Mancini will need to take more adventure and allow his lavishly assembled talent to express themselves especially against the big teams.
Anfield will be reeling after they were recently knocked off their perch as England’s most successful club, but in Daglish they have a man who eats and breathes Liverpool. With the backing of a generous check book that has allowed him to sign over £ 100 million worth of talent during his short reign, the fans are justifiably optimistic. Their conquerors at Old Trafford though embarking on a massive rebuilding spree that has seen the need to replace old war heads will have been encouraged by the promise of the young lads coming through. After the success of what is commonly labeled “Class ‘99”, these kids will know that unlike Emirates, youth is not an excuse for failing to win silverware at Old Trafford.
One side that does not go into field battle with kids is Chelsea. The question is whether their Mourinho era Warlords are too old to last the distance, or if they have just the right blend of experience that their undoubtedly intelligent but youthful coach needs to continue his trophy laden career.
Chelsea has so far succeeded in keeping their London rivals Tottenham on the back foot as they battle to keep Modric, their prized asset away from Chelsea’s clutches. With no acquisitions for a Spurs’ squad that was stretched so thin last season by the rigors of Champions League football, the White Hart Lane faithful must be concerned that for them, this may be one of those seasons to forget.
With the promotion of Queens Park Rangers, one thing London will not have in short supply is local derbies. West Ham may have been relegated but together with Fulham, QPR complete the traditional roaster of five London teams competing in the EPL. The Craven Cottage faithful may have taken encouragement from Jol’s replacement of the ungrateful Hughes as manager, but QPR will be relying on Warnock’s hunger to prove he can keep a team in the division after his Sheffield United woes.
The battle to stay in the division will traditionally be one that the other promoted sides; Norwich City and Swansea will have also braced themselves for. The former brings excellent English football tradition to the EPL while the latter will have EPL teams facing an unfamiliar trip to Wales. Given their limited transfer activity so far, the battle against relegation is one that last season’s final day survivors; Wigan, Wolves and Blackburn will expect to join.
Sunderland have been busy using the check they received from Liverpool’s Henderson purchase to assemble a full team. The question fans at the Stadium of Light will be asking of Bruce is whether this team will have the stamina to sustain their Europa League qualification challenge through the second half of the season.
Unlike Chelsea, Sunderland's derby rivals with black and white stripes have got rid of their proven EPL Warlords and replaced them with less illustrious bargains. Whether St. James’ Park will have joy or remorse will determine whether Pardew will finally be taken to heart by these most faithful of fans.
Other interesting events were at Villa Park who had the audacity to sign their manager from bitter rivals Birmingham. Having lost their two star players, McLeish will have to hit the ground running if he is to avoid a backlash from the fans.
Stoke have surprisingly thrown their weight around during this transfer window and should have some more exciting EPL games to supplement their Europa League adventure. A survey last season indicated that Man City fans were the happiest set in the league, a title that looks like shifting to the Britannia Stadium this time around.
Bolton Wanderers, Everton and West Brom complete the lineup with the division’s arguably most shrewd shoestring budget managers. Top half of the table finishes may just be enough to please their respective fans that have learned to be realistic about their clubs’ ambitions.
Watch this space for predictions through the season about who will win the title, Champions League qualifiers, Europa League qualifiers and Relegation candidates. Have your say!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Who Will Ride the Titanic with West Ham?
For what has been labeled the most unpredictable and tightest season in recent history, the only anti-climax is that Man United and West Ham United were respectively crowned champions and relegated last week. While the former United succeeded because of a unified resoluteness that saw them defy critics, the latter flimsily surrendered winning positions, more tellingly last week when they sealed their fate in the match against Wigan.
Thanks to that last ditch victory courtesy of some N’Zogbia magic, Wigan live to fight another day against FA Cup finalists Stoke City. With four other teams separated by just one point, for once center stage will be occupied by the strugglers in the finely poised table below:
Team GF GD PTS
15. Blackburn 43 -14 40
16. Wolves 44 -19 40
17. Birmingham 36 -20 39
18. Blackpool 53 -21 39
19. Wigan 39 -22 39
20. West Ham 43 -24 33
Center Stage
Stoke City v Wigan Athletic
Wolves v Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham Hotspur v Birmingham City
Manchester United v Blackpool
Wigan will be hoping that a Stoke City side that looked more like the walking wounded at the end of the FA Cup final will be missing many of their stars, and will be under the same hangover that clouded Birmingham’s season after a rare Wembley visit. Wigan will need to show a lot more fight than they have shown all season in order to stand a chance. Arguably the league’s most unpredictable side, it would be crazy to bet against Wigan until one can see which side they chose to show on Sunday.
Victory over Stoke will give Wigan the chance they need to leapfrog Birmingham into safety if the latter fails to find the better of a Spurs side that will be fighting to retain direct entry into the Europa League. Birmingham’s tie is on paper the toughest given that Spurs also has lost only once at home for the best home record in the league after Manchester United. Birmingham on the other hand has won only twice away from home all season.
Blackpool also hoping to leapfrog Birmingham into safety will be hoping to get a better result than Wigan when they visit the Champions, unbeaten at home all season. Blackpool’s hope will be that the eagerly anticipated Champions League final will distract United from continuing a record breaking run of consecutive home victories. However, United’s recent thrashing of Schalke with a shadow side will give Blackpool no consolation.
Wolves hosting Blackburn is promising to be a real cup final! For all the satisfaction Blackburn must have felt in settling for a draw against the champions last week, they should be worried about a resurgent Wolves side that gives away very little at home. It is also very unlikely that McCarthy will roll the dice and settle for a draw given that Blackburn with a better goal difference will have more to gain. If any two of Birmingham, Blackpool or Wigan win their games, a draw would relegate Wolves, while a win by all three would see both Wolves and Blackburn relegated with a draw.
It is so tight; relegation could be determined by goal difference or even goals scored (GF). If Wolves or Blackburn win, the loser would be relegated with the last relegation place going to the team with the worst goal difference - or even goals scored - out of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan. Given that they are currently separated by just two goals, if Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan all lose then the two with the worst goal difference - or goals scored - will go down.
If I had to predict which two from this lot will go down, I would have to go for Wigan and Birmingham. However, I have a strong feeling Blackburn and Wigan could just swap places in a measure of justice against the new Blackburn owners who unjustifiably sacked Sam Allardyce.
Thanks to that last ditch victory courtesy of some N’Zogbia magic, Wigan live to fight another day against FA Cup finalists Stoke City. With four other teams separated by just one point, for once center stage will be occupied by the strugglers in the finely poised table below:
Team GF GD PTS
15. Blackburn 43 -14 40
16. Wolves 44 -19 40
17. Birmingham 36 -20 39
18. Blackpool 53 -21 39
19. Wigan 39 -22 39
20. West Ham 43 -24 33
Center Stage
Stoke City v Wigan Athletic
Wolves v Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham Hotspur v Birmingham City
Manchester United v Blackpool
Wigan will be hoping that a Stoke City side that looked more like the walking wounded at the end of the FA Cup final will be missing many of their stars, and will be under the same hangover that clouded Birmingham’s season after a rare Wembley visit. Wigan will need to show a lot more fight than they have shown all season in order to stand a chance. Arguably the league’s most unpredictable side, it would be crazy to bet against Wigan until one can see which side they chose to show on Sunday.
Victory over Stoke will give Wigan the chance they need to leapfrog Birmingham into safety if the latter fails to find the better of a Spurs side that will be fighting to retain direct entry into the Europa League. Birmingham’s tie is on paper the toughest given that Spurs also has lost only once at home for the best home record in the league after Manchester United. Birmingham on the other hand has won only twice away from home all season.
Blackpool also hoping to leapfrog Birmingham into safety will be hoping to get a better result than Wigan when they visit the Champions, unbeaten at home all season. Blackpool’s hope will be that the eagerly anticipated Champions League final will distract United from continuing a record breaking run of consecutive home victories. However, United’s recent thrashing of Schalke with a shadow side will give Blackpool no consolation.
Wolves hosting Blackburn is promising to be a real cup final! For all the satisfaction Blackburn must have felt in settling for a draw against the champions last week, they should be worried about a resurgent Wolves side that gives away very little at home. It is also very unlikely that McCarthy will roll the dice and settle for a draw given that Blackburn with a better goal difference will have more to gain. If any two of Birmingham, Blackpool or Wigan win their games, a draw would relegate Wolves, while a win by all three would see both Wolves and Blackburn relegated with a draw.
It is so tight; relegation could be determined by goal difference or even goals scored (GF). If Wolves or Blackburn win, the loser would be relegated with the last relegation place going to the team with the worst goal difference - or even goals scored - out of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan. Given that they are currently separated by just two goals, if Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan all lose then the two with the worst goal difference - or goals scored - will go down.
If I had to predict which two from this lot will go down, I would have to go for Wigan and Birmingham. However, I have a strong feeling Blackburn and Wigan could just swap places in a measure of justice against the new Blackburn owners who unjustifiably sacked Sam Allardyce.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
How Did an Unconvincing Man United Win the Premier League?
For much of this season, Man United has done battle not just against the other 19 teams in the league but against the shadow of more fantasy predecessor United teams.
For the better part of the first half of the season, a lot of the talk was about how the team continuously surrendered winning positions, a trait so unlike past Man United conquering teams. The team was said to lack any fluidity in their play and for a side that has for the most part of the modern Premier League era boasted the best away record, United never looked like winning away from Old Trafford.
At the turn of the second half of the season, talk gradually begun to switch to United’s unbeaten run and whether the club stood a chance of emulating Arsenal’s invincibles (2003 – 2004, in a season that had already proved to be the most unpredictable ever. After a club record equaling 29 games unbeaten, United finally lost a game, interestingly to then bottom of the table Wolves! United renowned for their bounce back ability, in accordance with tradition returned to spectacularly beat local rivals Man City in what will be one of the major highlights of the season because of Rooney’s spectacular volley.
As United fans were starting to believe that Sir Alex would somehow marshal his squad of average stars to the title, March descended with defeat by Chelsea followed by a timid display and loss at Liverpool. The critics were soon circling again as this United team had again departed from tradition by losing back to back games!
United traditionally turn on the style in the second half of the season and Chelsea’s winter slump also gave them encouragement. As United steadily surpassed its challengers to lead the table, talk swung to “Man United is only top because everybody else has been poor and inconsistent!”
United’s disappointing away record of 5 wins all season may stand out as the worst for a league champion since Liverpool in the 1976/77 season, but they compensated for this with one of the most formidable home records in Europe with 17 wins and 1 draw from 18 games!
While much of the criticism labeled against United was justified for much of the first half of the season, bar the odd game, United’s displays have since been very impressive. A couple of memorable come from behind away wins at Blackpool and West Ham showed United’s trademark never say die spirit. In fact, the best displays of the season for me will go to Liverpool for the Anfield game against United and then to United for the Old Trafford title decider against Chelsea.
For a side often labeled boring, it is surprising that after 36 rounds, United led the scoring charts with 73 goals, 6 more than nearest challengers Arsenal, and 22 more than Tottenham which is generally considered to be a very attacking side. This is an average of more than 2 goals per game!
Granted, United lack Ronaldo’s flair, Beckham’s curlers, the telepathic Keane - Butt - Scholes midfield, the terrifying Cole – Yorke strike force or the decisive game changing bench of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham. However, Rooney - Berbatov had some breath taking combinations upfront most notably during the thumping of Blackburn at Old Trafford, Carrick and Scholes in separate moments demonstrated a master class range of passing, Chicharito delivered Ruud van Nistelrooy’s poacher’s instinct, Captain Vidic was as commanding as Steve Bruce, Nani for the most part delivered his own share of wing wizardry and Edwin van der Sar was as impressive in goal as the great Peter Schmeichel.
United’s experience of 4 Premier League titles in 5 seasons, the work rate and intelligence of Park Ji- Sung and the return of the consistently excellent Antonio Valencia were grossly underestimated.
It was argued that if Ferguson could win the title with his current crop, he would have won it more easily with any of the top four squads. Of course the Ferguson factor cannot be over emphasized! His record of 12 Premier Leagues, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 Champions Leagues, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup is only the stuff of true legend.
The biggest asset that this United boast, is that they are so easily underestimated. The trashing choruses that have been ringing across England and Europe will have only helped to spur on the team to disprove critics. With 3 Champions League finals in 4 seasons, this crop could actually claim the most successful era in the club’s illustrious history! Big cheers especially to the legendary Giggs whose decision making was the difference in the big games, Michael Owen who in finally winning the one club medal to elude him will be vindicated for moving to the old enemy and the retiring van der Sar who at 40 years old was yet again the best keeper in the league! To Sir Alex, as he has demonstrated a true management master class by playing to the strengths of the individuals in his team and using the saga surrounding the Rooney attempted move to inspire “pay the fans back” performances. Fergie’s bow to the fans at Old Trafford after defeating Chelsea last weekend was so well earned!
For the better part of the first half of the season, a lot of the talk was about how the team continuously surrendered winning positions, a trait so unlike past Man United conquering teams. The team was said to lack any fluidity in their play and for a side that has for the most part of the modern Premier League era boasted the best away record, United never looked like winning away from Old Trafford.
At the turn of the second half of the season, talk gradually begun to switch to United’s unbeaten run and whether the club stood a chance of emulating Arsenal’s invincibles (2003 – 2004, in a season that had already proved to be the most unpredictable ever. After a club record equaling 29 games unbeaten, United finally lost a game, interestingly to then bottom of the table Wolves! United renowned for their bounce back ability, in accordance with tradition returned to spectacularly beat local rivals Man City in what will be one of the major highlights of the season because of Rooney’s spectacular volley.
As United fans were starting to believe that Sir Alex would somehow marshal his squad of average stars to the title, March descended with defeat by Chelsea followed by a timid display and loss at Liverpool. The critics were soon circling again as this United team had again departed from tradition by losing back to back games!
United traditionally turn on the style in the second half of the season and Chelsea’s winter slump also gave them encouragement. As United steadily surpassed its challengers to lead the table, talk swung to “Man United is only top because everybody else has been poor and inconsistent!”
United’s disappointing away record of 5 wins all season may stand out as the worst for a league champion since Liverpool in the 1976/77 season, but they compensated for this with one of the most formidable home records in Europe with 17 wins and 1 draw from 18 games!
While much of the criticism labeled against United was justified for much of the first half of the season, bar the odd game, United’s displays have since been very impressive. A couple of memorable come from behind away wins at Blackpool and West Ham showed United’s trademark never say die spirit. In fact, the best displays of the season for me will go to Liverpool for the Anfield game against United and then to United for the Old Trafford title decider against Chelsea.
For a side often labeled boring, it is surprising that after 36 rounds, United led the scoring charts with 73 goals, 6 more than nearest challengers Arsenal, and 22 more than Tottenham which is generally considered to be a very attacking side. This is an average of more than 2 goals per game!
Granted, United lack Ronaldo’s flair, Beckham’s curlers, the telepathic Keane - Butt - Scholes midfield, the terrifying Cole – Yorke strike force or the decisive game changing bench of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham. However, Rooney - Berbatov had some breath taking combinations upfront most notably during the thumping of Blackburn at Old Trafford, Carrick and Scholes in separate moments demonstrated a master class range of passing, Chicharito delivered Ruud van Nistelrooy’s poacher’s instinct, Captain Vidic was as commanding as Steve Bruce, Nani for the most part delivered his own share of wing wizardry and Edwin van der Sar was as impressive in goal as the great Peter Schmeichel.
United’s experience of 4 Premier League titles in 5 seasons, the work rate and intelligence of Park Ji- Sung and the return of the consistently excellent Antonio Valencia were grossly underestimated.
It was argued that if Ferguson could win the title with his current crop, he would have won it more easily with any of the top four squads. Of course the Ferguson factor cannot be over emphasized! His record of 12 Premier Leagues, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 Champions Leagues, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup is only the stuff of true legend.
The biggest asset that this United boast, is that they are so easily underestimated. The trashing choruses that have been ringing across England and Europe will have only helped to spur on the team to disprove critics. With 3 Champions League finals in 4 seasons, this crop could actually claim the most successful era in the club’s illustrious history! Big cheers especially to the legendary Giggs whose decision making was the difference in the big games, Michael Owen who in finally winning the one club medal to elude him will be vindicated for moving to the old enemy and the retiring van der Sar who at 40 years old was yet again the best keeper in the league! To Sir Alex, as he has demonstrated a true management master class by playing to the strengths of the individuals in his team and using the saga surrounding the Rooney attempted move to inspire “pay the fans back” performances. Fergie’s bow to the fans at Old Trafford after defeating Chelsea last weekend was so well earned!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Africa's Brightest Shinning EPL Player
With Africa hosting its first ever World Cup this year, I found it imperative to dedicate a column this season to the African stars that have helped set the English Premier League alight. In line with this blog’s theme of predictions, we shall have your word on who should be crowned African player of the year in the EPL.
Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba and Ghana’s Michael Essein both at Chelsea are traditionally the most recognized African stars in the EPL, but new arrival and BBC African player of the year, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan at Sunderland would definitely have a say this season.
At 9 goals apiece and level 9th in the league’s top scorers chart, you would have to say that Drogba, Gyan and West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie are the leading African strikers in the league. Other obvious challengers are Morroco’s Marouane Chamakh at Arsenal and Ivory Coast’s Salomon Kalou at Chelsea with 7 league goals each. West Ham’s mid-season Senegalese signing, Demba Ba who has scored 4 league goals in 4 starts has definitely set the second half of the season a light with some breath taking performances and will also have a major say. Other notable African striking stars are Nigeria’s Victor Obinna at West Ham, Victor Anichebe at Everton and Obafemi Martins who famously fired Birmingham to Carling Cup glory, their first trophy since 1963. Malian Mamady Sidibe at Stoke, Zimbabwean Benjani Mwaruwari and Senegalese Mame Diouf on loan at Blackburn as well as South African Benni McCarthy at West Ham are also worth mentioning.
While strikers always take the plaudits, midfield may be the position where Africa presents the league with the best talent. Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure at Manchester City and Ghana’s Michael Essein at Chelsea are two world class midfielders. Cameroonian Alex Song influential in Arsenal’s title challenge, South African Steven Pienaar playing a key role in Tottenham’s fairytale Champions League campaign and battle for a fourth place league finish, as well as New Castle’s Ivorian Cheik Tiote who scored a famous scorcher of an equalizer in the league’s first ever recovery from a 4 goal deficit in the game against Arsenal, may also have a shout in the race for Africa’s best midfielder in the EPL this season. Other notable African midfield mentions include Sunderland’s loan Egyptian Ahmed Elmohamady and Ghanian Sulley Muntari, Nigeria’s Obi Mikel at Chelsea and Dickson Etuhu at Fulham, Senegalese Abdoulaye Faye and Salif Diao at stoke, Aston Villa’s Togolese Moustapha Salifou and mid-season Cameroonian signing Jean Makoun, as well as West Brom’s Congolese Youssouf Mulumbu and Cameroonian Somen Tchoyia who scored a famous equalizer against United in the only points the league leaders have dropped at home so far.
In the case of defense, Congolese Christopher Samba is probably the epitome of toughness and Blackburn’s most influential player. Cameroonian Benoit Assou-Ekotto at Tottenham is definitely amongst the league’s best left backs and Ghanaian John Mensah is a tower of strength at miserly Sunderland. Until his suspension for a failed drugs test, Ivorian Kolo Toure the former Manchester City skipper completed the list of best African defenders in the EPL. Other notable African defenders in the EPL include Ivory Coast’s Emmanuel Eboue at Arsenal, Steve Gohouri at Wigan and Abdoulaye Meite at West Brom. Ghanaian John Pantsil at Fulham, Congolese Herita Ilunga at West Ham, Senegalese Habib Beye at Aston Villa and Cameroonian George Elokobi who scored a goal as Wolves ended Manchester United’s long unbeaten start to the season.
In the race for this season’s African brightest shining star, there is no doubt that strikers usually take all the headlines and my vote would go to one of the forwards. On current form and especially if he helps West Ham sustain their top flight status, Senegalese Demba Ba would be my pick. Since his arrival, West Ham have clearly been rejuvenated with goals flying in from all over, they play at a very high tempo and would be a match for even the league’s most accomplished opposition. His story of a passionate plea for former club Hoffenheim to release him to fulfill his dream to play in the premier league and rejection by suitors Stoke because of a failed medical, make his an emotional story in which he demonstrates the epitome of resolve.
Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba and Ghana’s Michael Essein both at Chelsea are traditionally the most recognized African stars in the EPL, but new arrival and BBC African player of the year, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan at Sunderland would definitely have a say this season.
At 9 goals apiece and level 9th in the league’s top scorers chart, you would have to say that Drogba, Gyan and West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie are the leading African strikers in the league. Other obvious challengers are Morroco’s Marouane Chamakh at Arsenal and Ivory Coast’s Salomon Kalou at Chelsea with 7 league goals each. West Ham’s mid-season Senegalese signing, Demba Ba who has scored 4 league goals in 4 starts has definitely set the second half of the season a light with some breath taking performances and will also have a major say. Other notable African striking stars are Nigeria’s Victor Obinna at West Ham, Victor Anichebe at Everton and Obafemi Martins who famously fired Birmingham to Carling Cup glory, their first trophy since 1963. Malian Mamady Sidibe at Stoke, Zimbabwean Benjani Mwaruwari and Senegalese Mame Diouf on loan at Blackburn as well as South African Benni McCarthy at West Ham are also worth mentioning.
While strikers always take the plaudits, midfield may be the position where Africa presents the league with the best talent. Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure at Manchester City and Ghana’s Michael Essein at Chelsea are two world class midfielders. Cameroonian Alex Song influential in Arsenal’s title challenge, South African Steven Pienaar playing a key role in Tottenham’s fairytale Champions League campaign and battle for a fourth place league finish, as well as New Castle’s Ivorian Cheik Tiote who scored a famous scorcher of an equalizer in the league’s first ever recovery from a 4 goal deficit in the game against Arsenal, may also have a shout in the race for Africa’s best midfielder in the EPL this season. Other notable African midfield mentions include Sunderland’s loan Egyptian Ahmed Elmohamady and Ghanian Sulley Muntari, Nigeria’s Obi Mikel at Chelsea and Dickson Etuhu at Fulham, Senegalese Abdoulaye Faye and Salif Diao at stoke, Aston Villa’s Togolese Moustapha Salifou and mid-season Cameroonian signing Jean Makoun, as well as West Brom’s Congolese Youssouf Mulumbu and Cameroonian Somen Tchoyia who scored a famous equalizer against United in the only points the league leaders have dropped at home so far.
In the case of defense, Congolese Christopher Samba is probably the epitome of toughness and Blackburn’s most influential player. Cameroonian Benoit Assou-Ekotto at Tottenham is definitely amongst the league’s best left backs and Ghanaian John Mensah is a tower of strength at miserly Sunderland. Until his suspension for a failed drugs test, Ivorian Kolo Toure the former Manchester City skipper completed the list of best African defenders in the EPL. Other notable African defenders in the EPL include Ivory Coast’s Emmanuel Eboue at Arsenal, Steve Gohouri at Wigan and Abdoulaye Meite at West Brom. Ghanaian John Pantsil at Fulham, Congolese Herita Ilunga at West Ham, Senegalese Habib Beye at Aston Villa and Cameroonian George Elokobi who scored a goal as Wolves ended Manchester United’s long unbeaten start to the season.
In the race for this season’s African brightest shining star, there is no doubt that strikers usually take all the headlines and my vote would go to one of the forwards. On current form and especially if he helps West Ham sustain their top flight status, Senegalese Demba Ba would be my pick. Since his arrival, West Ham have clearly been rejuvenated with goals flying in from all over, they play at a very high tempo and would be a match for even the league’s most accomplished opposition. His story of a passionate plea for former club Hoffenheim to release him to fulfill his dream to play in the premier league and rejection by suitors Stoke because of a failed medical, make his an emotional story in which he demonstrates the epitome of resolve.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Evaluating My Start of Season EPL Predictions
As we get towards the business end of the season (the last ten games), it felt appropriate to check in on the predictions I made at the start of the season.
Most of my predictions did not involve specific finishing places but highlighted the teams that would finish in each of the key categories. Minutes before most teams kick off their 28th round of games and a handful of others go through their 27th round of fixtures, this is how I am fairing based on current league standings. Champions League – 3 of 4, Europa – 1 of 3, Top half – 0 of 3, No Man’s Land – 4 of 7 and Relegation – 2 of 3. This gives an accuracy of just 50% to highlight how unpredictable the league has been so far.
My predictions about Newcastle, Aston Villa and the last 3 teams that should make the top half of the table seem to be most wide off the mark! Go ahead and test your predicting ability this week before most teams embark on the season’s last 10 rounds of games. We shall check in at the end of the season to determine who our “Predictions Champion” is.
That you have been given the advantage of watching at least 28 rounds of games making your predictions, at the minimum you should beat my prediction score! In case of a percentage tie, we shall look at actual team placement to award 3 points for a team finishes in the exact position you place it in the table format below, and 1 point for finishing in the correct award category i.e. Champions League, Europa, Top Half, No Man’s Land and Relegation. Your predictions must be placed before 2359 GMT on Thursday March 3, 2011 to be eligible.
Good luck!
Most of my predictions did not involve specific finishing places but highlighted the teams that would finish in each of the key categories. Minutes before most teams kick off their 28th round of games and a handful of others go through their 27th round of fixtures, this is how I am fairing based on current league standings. Champions League – 3 of 4, Europa – 1 of 3, Top half – 0 of 3, No Man’s Land – 4 of 7 and Relegation – 2 of 3. This gives an accuracy of just 50% to highlight how unpredictable the league has been so far.
My predictions about Newcastle, Aston Villa and the last 3 teams that should make the top half of the table seem to be most wide off the mark! Go ahead and test your predicting ability this week before most teams embark on the season’s last 10 rounds of games. We shall check in at the end of the season to determine who our “Predictions Champion” is.
That you have been given the advantage of watching at least 28 rounds of games making your predictions, at the minimum you should beat my prediction score! In case of a percentage tie, we shall look at actual team placement to award 3 points for a team finishes in the exact position you place it in the table format below, and 1 point for finishing in the correct award category i.e. Champions League, Europa, Top Half, No Man’s Land and Relegation. Your predictions must be placed before 2359 GMT on Thursday March 3, 2011 to be eligible.
Good luck!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Champions in Waiting
Of the twenty English Premier League teams, five claimed title aspirations at the start of this season. I will stick with the teams I predicted in an earlier article would finish in the top four as the genuine title contenders. Chelsea for their experience and apparent strength in depth, United for their experience and manager’s prowess, Arsenal for their development as a team over previous seasons and Manchester City for their limitless investment in players.
Pre-season favorites and defending champions Chelsea had an assured start but went on a painfully long poor run at the quarter way stage of the season when they inexplicably sacked assistant manager, Wilkins and lost a few of their seasoned campaigners to injury. Chelsea’s £ 70 million January investment should help them close the gap on their rivals but the poor loss to Liverpool probably cost them the championship as there will not be many more weekends where both Manchester United and Arsenal slip up.
Manchester City fans may feel hard done that I apparently just insinuated the champion will come from either of Manchester United or Arsenal. No doubt Manchester City with over £340m spent on player purchases since Sheikh Mansour’s 2009 takeover has assembled a squad of genuine championship winning quality. However, Manager Mancini’s approach contrary to Spurs’ Redknapp is apparently too conservative to win the title. The purchase of Dzeko gives City’s attack a new dimension with some genuine height although they seem to still be mapping out a formula to effectively utilize two out-and-out strikers at the same time. During today’s derby Mancini was forced to portray more adventure although Rooney’s stunning goal may have volleyed City out of title contention.
Arsenal with the best away record in the league and a few gritty victories like the recent one at Everton has shown continued progress and are clearly the only other side with a genuine chance of winning the title. Wenger has previously won the title three times so he has the know-how. The majority of his side has also matured together gaining significant experience over the years challenging for the title in the Premier League and Champions League. To quote Wenger, “the title is Arsenal’s to win”, although record breaking results like the pioneer Premier League surrender of a four goal lead at Newcastle will cause some concern about Arsenal’s on pitch leadership quality. Two potentially decisive moments of Arsenal’s season lie in their performance against Champions League favorites Barcelona and the impact of their expected first piece of silverware in six years, a predicted Carling Cup triumph against Birmingham.
Manchester United being table toppers and with the experience they boast from previous triumphs will no doubt be most people’s favorites at this stage. Most pundits have echoed all season that United are not playing particularly well although they continue to surprise with their league placing. United deserve credit for being the league’s highest scorers going into the 26th round of games and for sustaining such a long 29 unbeaten game start to a season in which many wait for a consistent display of their best form. I believe United’s season will greatly depend on performances of their recent bargain buys Chicarito and Smalling. Chicarito has popped up with game winning goals in the three away wins that United have enjoyed so far this season while Smalling has been an assured presence when he has been called in as cover for Ferdinand. Given that Chelsea only edged United to the title last season by one point despite the absence of most of United’s back four beyond the first half of the season, one cannot over emphasize the importance of a solid defensive bench as cover for especially injury prone veteran Ferdinand. After their recent loss to Wolves, rivals may have started to rub their hands in anticipation of the major collapse that followed the last notable long unbeaten run by Arsenal’s “invincibles” but United popped up again with the “bounce back ability” commodity that has seen them dominate the Premier League era. United’s major challenge during the business end of the season will no doubt be their away form especially with a few potential “six-pointers” lying in wait, but Ferguson’s tremendous ability to re-invent the side in recent seasons when faced with different challenges should edge them to title number 19 of their illustrious history.
Pre-season favorites and defending champions Chelsea had an assured start but went on a painfully long poor run at the quarter way stage of the season when they inexplicably sacked assistant manager, Wilkins and lost a few of their seasoned campaigners to injury. Chelsea’s £ 70 million January investment should help them close the gap on their rivals but the poor loss to Liverpool probably cost them the championship as there will not be many more weekends where both Manchester United and Arsenal slip up.
Manchester City fans may feel hard done that I apparently just insinuated the champion will come from either of Manchester United or Arsenal. No doubt Manchester City with over £340m spent on player purchases since Sheikh Mansour’s 2009 takeover has assembled a squad of genuine championship winning quality. However, Manager Mancini’s approach contrary to Spurs’ Redknapp is apparently too conservative to win the title. The purchase of Dzeko gives City’s attack a new dimension with some genuine height although they seem to still be mapping out a formula to effectively utilize two out-and-out strikers at the same time. During today’s derby Mancini was forced to portray more adventure although Rooney’s stunning goal may have volleyed City out of title contention.
Arsenal with the best away record in the league and a few gritty victories like the recent one at Everton has shown continued progress and are clearly the only other side with a genuine chance of winning the title. Wenger has previously won the title three times so he has the know-how. The majority of his side has also matured together gaining significant experience over the years challenging for the title in the Premier League and Champions League. To quote Wenger, “the title is Arsenal’s to win”, although record breaking results like the pioneer Premier League surrender of a four goal lead at Newcastle will cause some concern about Arsenal’s on pitch leadership quality. Two potentially decisive moments of Arsenal’s season lie in their performance against Champions League favorites Barcelona and the impact of their expected first piece of silverware in six years, a predicted Carling Cup triumph against Birmingham.
Manchester United being table toppers and with the experience they boast from previous triumphs will no doubt be most people’s favorites at this stage. Most pundits have echoed all season that United are not playing particularly well although they continue to surprise with their league placing. United deserve credit for being the league’s highest scorers going into the 26th round of games and for sustaining such a long 29 unbeaten game start to a season in which many wait for a consistent display of their best form. I believe United’s season will greatly depend on performances of their recent bargain buys Chicarito and Smalling. Chicarito has popped up with game winning goals in the three away wins that United have enjoyed so far this season while Smalling has been an assured presence when he has been called in as cover for Ferdinand. Given that Chelsea only edged United to the title last season by one point despite the absence of most of United’s back four beyond the first half of the season, one cannot over emphasize the importance of a solid defensive bench as cover for especially injury prone veteran Ferdinand. After their recent loss to Wolves, rivals may have started to rub their hands in anticipation of the major collapse that followed the last notable long unbeaten run by Arsenal’s “invincibles” but United popped up again with the “bounce back ability” commodity that has seen them dominate the Premier League era. United’s major challenge during the business end of the season will no doubt be their away form especially with a few potential “six-pointers” lying in wait, but Ferguson’s tremendous ability to re-invent the side in recent seasons when faced with different challenges should edge them to title number 19 of their illustrious history.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
English Premier League Misfits
Alongside managing the traditional title contenders, the highest pressure management positions in the English Premier League are with those teams fighting for survival in the division. These clubs are usually run on a shoe string budget, sell any stars that emerge and expect their managers to get them closer to mid table safety rather than involve them in the discomfort of a relegation battle.
Given the millions at stake, one must sympathize with the club owners who must strike a fine balance between knee jerk firings and allowing their managers sufficient time to imprint their football philosophy on the team.
West Ham, my prediction for first relegation candidate are victims to a group of owners that had become renowned for understanding the need to afford their managers sufficient time. Perhaps tentatively blinded by the new millions in the game, Sullivan and Gold who only recently purchased West Ham must now think they should have stuck with principle and rewarded Gianfranco Zola for his successful battle against relegation last season.
The new owners opted for the experienced Avram Grant who had just completed an inspirational season at doomed Portsmouth but he has apparently failed to fire up his troops for the fight. It is often said that managers like Ferguson and Mourinho are winners that find a way to instill a winning mentality to their charges, Avram Grant after all he went through at Portsmouth seems to have a reverse effect. While West Ham may be best served by changing managers now, with their dire financial situation it may be a decision that Sullivan and Gold feel is too costly to make and one that will cost them a place in the top flight next season.
Sticking with the subject of experienced managers, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley seems to cherish an experienced manager over a successful one. Chris Hughton inherited a relegated Newcastle in turmoil and got them convincingly promoted back to the premiership at the first time of asking.
Despite being denied a contract, funds and an assistant, Hughton got Newcastle into mid table of the premier league with some sensational results against heavy weights Arsenal and Chelsea as well as totally thrashing Sunderland their derby rivals. While these achievements would have strengthened the manager’s hand at any other club, Mike Ashley decided the time was right to sack Hughton and bring in Alan Pardew who he considered an experienced manager.
While I think Pardew is a great person and manager who deserves another crack at the top flight, I predict that Mike Ashley’s unconvenality will continue to drag Newcastle down to end the season in the bottom three. Since he took ownership of Newcastle, Ashley sacked Sam Allardyce while they were 10th placed in the premier league because the football wasn’t pretty enough. Then Kevin Keegan left after disagreeing with Ashley’s hiring of Dennis Wise as a Technical Director and the club’s transfer policy. Until Mike Ashley succeeds in selling the club, continue to watch the sports headlines for the next strange Newcastle situation.
My third prediction for relegation is Wigan. They have had some strange results this season with impressive performances when you least expect them but I believe their inconsistency will cost them a place in the division. In the direct battle against Wolves and West Brom, I believe Wigan will just fall short because Wolves have more steel and West Brom have more goals in them.
Now that I have finally concluded the toughest of my predictions, watch this space for my take on who will emerge with the championship. In the interim, have your say on who you believe is going down this season.
Given the millions at stake, one must sympathize with the club owners who must strike a fine balance between knee jerk firings and allowing their managers sufficient time to imprint their football philosophy on the team.
West Ham, my prediction for first relegation candidate are victims to a group of owners that had become renowned for understanding the need to afford their managers sufficient time. Perhaps tentatively blinded by the new millions in the game, Sullivan and Gold who only recently purchased West Ham must now think they should have stuck with principle and rewarded Gianfranco Zola for his successful battle against relegation last season.
The new owners opted for the experienced Avram Grant who had just completed an inspirational season at doomed Portsmouth but he has apparently failed to fire up his troops for the fight. It is often said that managers like Ferguson and Mourinho are winners that find a way to instill a winning mentality to their charges, Avram Grant after all he went through at Portsmouth seems to have a reverse effect. While West Ham may be best served by changing managers now, with their dire financial situation it may be a decision that Sullivan and Gold feel is too costly to make and one that will cost them a place in the top flight next season.
Sticking with the subject of experienced managers, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley seems to cherish an experienced manager over a successful one. Chris Hughton inherited a relegated Newcastle in turmoil and got them convincingly promoted back to the premiership at the first time of asking.
Despite being denied a contract, funds and an assistant, Hughton got Newcastle into mid table of the premier league with some sensational results against heavy weights Arsenal and Chelsea as well as totally thrashing Sunderland their derby rivals. While these achievements would have strengthened the manager’s hand at any other club, Mike Ashley decided the time was right to sack Hughton and bring in Alan Pardew who he considered an experienced manager.
While I think Pardew is a great person and manager who deserves another crack at the top flight, I predict that Mike Ashley’s unconvenality will continue to drag Newcastle down to end the season in the bottom three. Since he took ownership of Newcastle, Ashley sacked Sam Allardyce while they were 10th placed in the premier league because the football wasn’t pretty enough. Then Kevin Keegan left after disagreeing with Ashley’s hiring of Dennis Wise as a Technical Director and the club’s transfer policy. Until Mike Ashley succeeds in selling the club, continue to watch the sports headlines for the next strange Newcastle situation.
My third prediction for relegation is Wigan. They have had some strange results this season with impressive performances when you least expect them but I believe their inconsistency will cost them a place in the division. In the direct battle against Wolves and West Brom, I believe Wigan will just fall short because Wolves have more steel and West Brom have more goals in them.
Now that I have finally concluded the toughest of my predictions, watch this space for my take on who will emerge with the championship. In the interim, have your say on who you believe is going down this season.
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