Its a couple of weeks into the new season (EPL) and there are some early indications.
Chelsea has started off slowly, scraping up two 1-0 wins before demolishing West Brom yesterday. But that was quite expected. The thing is if they play as badly as they did against Arsenal, the title looks like a longshot. But with the money that they have spent their options have increased. They can play the usual 4-4-2 or play a 4-1-3-1-1 formation with Makelele doing the defensive midfielder's role. Duff/Robben/Shaun-Wright/Joe Cole gives Mourinho a lot of options behind Drogba/Crespo/Gudjohnsen. Their forwards are the weakest link I think. Horno is a good buy at left back.
Arsenal has also had a quiet start other the Fulham match last night. But all said and done, sans Viera the midfield looks a bit suspect with Flamini as a second half option for Fabregas. Henry and Pires are still holding up the team; if they have a bad day, so does Arsenal. The good signs are that in form of Van Persie (who is proving to be quite a volatile player) and Hleb (who has fitted in immediately).
ManUtd is actually looking good after the league and UEFA qualifiers. Rooney and Nistelrooy looks to be a good pair up front with the former just playing behind the latter. Park has been quite energetic and gives Fergie more options along the flank. Ronaldo's looking sharp as well. The defense looks more settled with the other Van in goal. Silvestre is still the weakest link i feel.
Last night's qualifier was quite well played, given the state of the pitch. Was quite a professional display and Smithie has shown signs of playing the midfield role pretty well. Richardson sent a scorcher to the back of the net...I feel he is gonna be a regular on the left wing in a couple of seasons. Needs to add a lil' more muscle and get more first team chances, which is why i felt another West Brom stint wouldn't have done any harm this season (even for half a season).
Liverpool's looking a ghost of the side that won the UEFA champions league last time around. Its become a Gerrard show...remember it was an Owen show before that...they rely too heavily on one player; though Alonso and Garcia are doing the part to shine as well. Forwards are a problem here too with Baros leaving, Cisse being a disappointment so far, Owen not looking likely to come back on a loan. Defense reserves is pretty thin too, a long season with injuries can end their hopes.
Newcastle is just rubbish right now...whome did they sell off?? Lets see...Lauren Robert, Bellamy, Viana...and no one seems to be excited to join them. What was Souness thinking????
The team to look out for this season would be West Ham. They have done well so far, beating the Pompies by 2 goals.
My prediction for relegation this season would be: Portsmouth, Wigan, Sunderland (they look a mess, and they were the champions last season!)
But again, its too early...we will look at this post around Christmas and figure out the realistic chances of the above three.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Facing the music?
A belgian girls team suffered a 50-1 defeat after their regular goalie decided to skip the the match to attend a rock concert!
In other news, Real continued their team building excercise reaching an agreement with Sao Paulo over Cicinho - the Brazilian full back. Cicinho is currently getting his paper work completed to receive Italian nationality so Real won't face a problem for going over the 3 non EU players quota.
And Jonathan Woodgate made his debut for Real in a5-0 thrashing of the MLS Select XI. Beckham opened the scoring before Ronaldo (2), Guti, and Raul joined the party.
They face Cadiz away in their season opener this Sunday.
In other news, Real continued their team building excercise reaching an agreement with Sao Paulo over Cicinho - the Brazilian full back. Cicinho is currently getting his paper work completed to receive Italian nationality so Real won't face a problem for going over the 3 non EU players quota.
And Jonathan Woodgate made his debut for Real in a5-0 thrashing of the MLS Select XI. Beckham opened the scoring before Ronaldo (2), Guti, and Raul joined the party.
They face Cadiz away in their season opener this Sunday.
Friday, August 19, 2005
The King is back ...
Long live the King!
Zidane's return inspired the French team to a 3-1 victory over Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast.
Arguably the best player of this generation, and one of the best of all time, reinvigorated the French World Cup qualifying campaign. France, currently lie 4th and have never qualified for a World Cup since 1986 - Qualified as hosts in '98 and holders in '02 (when they crashed out without scoring a goal!)
Their poor performance in '02 is even more astounding since they had the top scorers from the English League - Henry, Serie A - Trezeguet and French League - Wiltord. But Zidane's absence through injury (missed the first 2 matches - played against Senegal) proved too much to bear.
Hopefully, the return will revive French fortunes.
Zidane's return inspired the French team to a 3-1 victory over Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast.
Arguably the best player of this generation, and one of the best of all time, reinvigorated the French World Cup qualifying campaign. France, currently lie 4th and have never qualified for a World Cup since 1986 - Qualified as hosts in '98 and holders in '02 (when they crashed out without scoring a goal!)
Their poor performance in '02 is even more astounding since they had the top scorers from the English League - Henry, Serie A - Trezeguet and French League - Wiltord. But Zidane's absence through injury (missed the first 2 matches - played against Senegal) proved too much to bear.
Hopefully, the return will revive French fortunes.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Chelsea roll on..
The first title of the the new season, the community shield has gone the way of Chelsea with their 2-1 win over Arsenal. Didier Drogba returned to the starting line up with two goals either side of the half-time whistle.
Cesc Fabregas managed to pull one back for the Gunners, but the Blues held firm (as usual) to see the match out.
Arsenal had more of the ball, and kept probing the Chelsea back line but were guilty of over elaborate play with few clear cut scoring oppotunities resulting. Henry, Pires (replaced by Gilberto) and Co were guilty of continuing their search for the beautiful goal - a trademark of their play over the last few seasons, which probably explains their lack of European success. They are able to dominate weaker teams in the Premiership but fail against the more determined defences of teams like Bayern.
Cech made a few good stops, with Makalele continuing to disrupt most of the opposing attacks - why Real sold him is still a mystery to me, they have struggled ever since.
Robben was effective occasionally on the flank, and Drogba used his skill and technique to repeatedly expose Senderos.
On evidence seen so far, the Blues are still the team to beat. Although Man U are the only team to succesfully defend their title.
News from the International Blues - Zizou has announced his return to international football and will captain the struggling french team in their next match. Claude Makalele announced his return too. Qualification should not be too difficult now..
Real have agreed to lower their price for Owen, who scored in their pre-season friendly. (Also on the score sheet Ronaldo, Portillo and Julio Baptista)But will they lose Ronaldo too? Cafu claims they might.
Figo joined Samuel and Solari at Inter, ending his 5 year tenure at Real rather abruptly. One hopes that this move does not come back to haunt the whites. Remember Morientes' goals knocked Real out (while he was on loan to Monaco?)
Transfers continue to make news as the weekend is the deadline for the Premiership. Will the Michaels make it? Hessien and Owen?
Cesc Fabregas managed to pull one back for the Gunners, but the Blues held firm (as usual) to see the match out.
Arsenal had more of the ball, and kept probing the Chelsea back line but were guilty of over elaborate play with few clear cut scoring oppotunities resulting. Henry, Pires (replaced by Gilberto) and Co were guilty of continuing their search for the beautiful goal - a trademark of their play over the last few seasons, which probably explains their lack of European success. They are able to dominate weaker teams in the Premiership but fail against the more determined defences of teams like Bayern.
Cech made a few good stops, with Makalele continuing to disrupt most of the opposing attacks - why Real sold him is still a mystery to me, they have struggled ever since.
Robben was effective occasionally on the flank, and Drogba used his skill and technique to repeatedly expose Senderos.
On evidence seen so far, the Blues are still the team to beat. Although Man U are the only team to succesfully defend their title.
News from the International Blues - Zizou has announced his return to international football and will captain the struggling french team in their next match. Claude Makalele announced his return too. Qualification should not be too difficult now..
Real have agreed to lower their price for Owen, who scored in their pre-season friendly. (Also on the score sheet Ronaldo, Portillo and Julio Baptista)But will they lose Ronaldo too? Cafu claims they might.
Figo joined Samuel and Solari at Inter, ending his 5 year tenure at Real rather abruptly. One hopes that this move does not come back to haunt the whites. Remember Morientes' goals knocked Real out (while he was on loan to Monaco?)
Transfers continue to make news as the weekend is the deadline for the Premiership. Will the Michaels make it? Hessien and Owen?
Monday, August 01, 2005
Owen to Manutd?
Well that could be good news for ManUtd fans because the ball has not been seeing the back of the net like previous seasons and Rudd really struggling. And stories suggest that money is on the table for Fergie to spend.
But I'm wondering if we need a striker or some one like Essien to fill up Keano's shoes. Or maybe Fergie's gonna make Smithie do that job. Coz that guy does remind everyone of Keano (and he's young as well and i just love when he tackles the defenders!). The talk also doing the rounds is that Ballack could be another prospective target but if I was Fergie I would go pick Essien as he is younger while Ballack is close to his peak now. You wouldn't get any money back from a Ballack sale later while Essien (if he walks out later) could be give a greater return on the investment.
I would even stick my neck out to ask for a good defender because I don't give too many points to Silvestre...Brown's better. Neville's struggles to run back and he's not getting any younger. Two young kids have gone on season long loans who I would assume I would see a lot of in the first team in the next year or two. Spector has the speed and toughness for a full back (needs to get more first team exposure and gain some muscle..which he would get in his loan term). Chris Eagles would also benefit in his role as a winger from his loan. He could then be made to use as a backup to Ronaldo/Park in the years to come and he could surprise us all by pushing for a first team place himself. But all said and done, the defense was not a problem (we let in a few more than Chelski) scoring goals was. So I would not be suprised if Fergie gets Owen instead of Essien/Ballack. Lets see....season starts in less than a fortnight...Aug 13 is near!
But I'm wondering if we need a striker or some one like Essien to fill up Keano's shoes. Or maybe Fergie's gonna make Smithie do that job. Coz that guy does remind everyone of Keano (and he's young as well and i just love when he tackles the defenders!). The talk also doing the rounds is that Ballack could be another prospective target but if I was Fergie I would go pick Essien as he is younger while Ballack is close to his peak now. You wouldn't get any money back from a Ballack sale later while Essien (if he walks out later) could be give a greater return on the investment.
I would even stick my neck out to ask for a good defender because I don't give too many points to Silvestre...Brown's better. Neville's struggles to run back and he's not getting any younger. Two young kids have gone on season long loans who I would assume I would see a lot of in the first team in the next year or two. Spector has the speed and toughness for a full back (needs to get more first team exposure and gain some muscle..which he would get in his loan term). Chris Eagles would also benefit in his role as a winger from his loan. He could then be made to use as a backup to Ronaldo/Park in the years to come and he could surprise us all by pushing for a first team place himself. But all said and done, the defense was not a problem (we let in a few more than Chelski) scoring goals was. So I would not be suprised if Fergie gets Owen instead of Essien/Ballack. Lets see....season starts in less than a fortnight...Aug 13 is near!
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