The handshake between Rafa Benitez and Mark Hughes at the end of today's 2-2 draw spoke
volumes. Although a pulsating second half had rescued what looked to be a turgid scoreless draw provided
plenty of the attacking threat both sides possess, their frustrated expressions bore the knowledge
of all too familiar frailties and failings that continue to cost their respctive sides. Click to continue reading...
Here's my squad for the weekend Given, Verm, Heiti, Gibbs, Fab4, MPet, DDunn, BFAR, Drogs, Bellamy,
Campbell and here's Jeremy's team for those interested... Given, Verm, Heiti, Gibbs, Emerton, BFAR,
DDunn, Collison, RvP, Bellamy, Drogs Looking ahead to next week (OK, two weeks from now since
there's another International break coming up next weekend) - Rovers, Fulham, Everton, and Hull are
all Click to continue reading...
Stephen Ireland has spoken about the recent incident where he was taken to hospital following the
Fulham win:
"Thankfully it wasn't too serious because at the time I thought that was the end of me
but I don't even know what it was. I've had every test that there is and still don't know what it
was.
I've posted previously about a changing mentality in this City side, whereby if we are to make a
genuine attempt at a top six (or higher) position there needs to be an expectation of achieving
victory heading into games - in that the three points become a formality rather than something
hoped for. A home game versus Fulham has to be such a game. Click to continue reading...
It's been over 20 years since Liverpool last lost four games in a row and it is
time for some changes at Anfield. Rafa Benitez has enjoyed a big support from the fans even though
he did little to deserve it but it is more than clear he has taken this team as far as he could.
He's had his ups and downs at Liverpool but for the team that should be fighting for honours to
lose four games in a row is simply inexcusable.
Hot on the heels of more Robinho exit rumours comes Guillem Balague's considered view:
The Premier league club have no intention of selling their star player and Barcelona do
not have sufficient funds to even consider making a large enough bid that might give City reason to
reconsider.
John Terry (C): Yawning during meaningless match in Ukraine
Just in case you find yourself in a "which is better" debate with a Serie A or La Liga fan
during the international break, here are a few Premier League players who will captain their
countries on the weekend. John Terry: Ukraine v.
I don't hate the whinging Welshman! Watching Aston Villa's draw with Manchester City last night
provoked a bit of reaction. Along with many football followers, I've kept one eye on City this
season. Given all of the money invested and players that have come in, big things and big
performances are expected. Click to continue reading...
Aston Villa has been a Jekyll and Hyde team so far this season. While they have yet to surpass
the impressive performances they showcased for portions of last season, they showed glimmers of
hope Monday night with an admirable defensive display against a very talented Manchester City
team.
"Thank you NCNB for picking me twice!" - M. Petrov Our Funny Feeling Friday
selection this week is Manchester City's winger Martin Petrov. Petrov (I think) is our first ever
repeat Funny Feeling Friday recipient. Petrov is fit and Robinho is not. The Brazilian is still out for 3 more weeks with a right ankle
problem. Click to continue reading...
"All Craig has done is go over there and tell the guy to get off the pitch," said Mark Hughes.
"Craig wasn't privy to how much time was left to enable us to get back into the game. The guy made
an aggressive move towards him and Craig wanted to get him off the pitch. Craig just put a
defensive hand out to push him away.
During Sunday's Manchester Derby, Craig Bellamy managed to do just about everything possible to
make United fans hate every fiber of his being. Firstly, he scored two rather nice goals to keep
the City team in the match. Then he elected to celebrate the second goal by doing a thoroughly
inappropriate airplane celebration (a reference to the Munich Disaster, if you didn't know).
We're only six games into the season, but much has already become apparent. Under-performers,
over-performers, challengers, also-rans, and players and teams to watch for the right and the wrong
reasons. Here's a quick look at the most obvious, interesting, and intriguing...
Manchester City
It's already clear they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
The Manchester derby was an enthralling affair providing us with one of the games of the season.
The momentum ebbed and flowed between the two teams throughout as both searched for the upper hand
on the other. Before kick off we were greeted with the news Carlos Tevez would start, which added
even more spice to the game.
Incredible match! Although both teams did not play brilliantly from start to finish, the derby
match between United and City produced 7 goals in total, and saw both Fletcher and Bellamy score 2
goals a-piece for their respective teams, but in the end it was Michael Owen's shot which saved the
day for United in [. Click to continue reading...
Having taken a few weeks off to study Arsenal‘s play, I am now back to discuss the latest game
and clarify the recent fear that is tingling inside you.
Following the last two trips to Manchester, I have noticed that many of you have commented on
Arsenal's failure but on the contrary; both games showed that we were very unfortunate.
Make no mistake, todays win was an important one. With eyes upon us, and an air of expectation around the stadium we turned in a result and
performance that suggested this side could be ready to achieve something. With a more defensive formation, we managed to combine both endeavour and an attacking threat to
come away with all three points when at one stage we may well have been facing a defeat. Click to continue reading...
Adebayor decided to remind us all of why we sold him today ahead of the game by saying that any
fans who booed him during his tenure with Arsenal are "not real fans" and "tomorrow they will
support Liverpool." He just doesn't get it, does he? The relationship between supporters and
players is just that a relationship.
Whilst performances so far this season have been professional - with the results reflective of this
- our opponents in those games are those who we should be victorious against if we have designs on
a succesful season. This now changes with the visit of Arsenal (and the trip to United the following week) as these
will be more of a measure of us as a side, and our potential for the remainder of the season. Click to continue reading...
"There's an understanding that at times the next game or opposition might not be the
right one for them to be in the side.
"I look at the opposition and the threats our players can make - against different teams you
need different threats. That will always come into my thinking, and the players understand
that.
It's getting near that time when even I would travel up to the chilly north of our fine country,
but maybe that's because ‘those lights' are soon to be turned on in Blackpool!!
On that note, this coming Saturday I think it will be the Mighty Arsenal who will shine as
bright as those Blackpool Illuminations, and come away with three points at least.
So thinks former Arsenal player (and City fan) Lee Dixon in his BBC column (with a nod to Jack for
the link):
I'll say it again, balance will be the key to City's success this season.
But they are still a tour de force going forward as well.
At Fratton Park, they employed Emmanuel Adebayor as the key frontman, with Carlos Tevez,
Bellamy, Wright-Phillips and Ireland supporting and inter-changing behind.
Part the first: Aston Villa 2 - 0 Fulham I'm not sure we can draw any conclusions from this match. Fulham must have been absolutely wiped
out after their trip to the Urals. Villa are a real Jekyll and Hyde team so far this season, but
I think they'll continue to improve. Click to continue reading...
Given - More smart saves and another assured performance. Has not put a foot wrong since he
signed. 7.5 Richards - Struggled against the lively Moses after being booked early. 6 Toure - The new captain had a strong all-round performance both defending and coming forward.Click to continue reading...
So the new season is upon us. The one day in the season where everyone is equal. Hopes and dreams remain intact as the sun shines
down onto the perfect green turf below. Optimism reigns supreme. There is expectation now more than ever before. A serious assault on the top four is a possibility
- albeit an outside one, but there are high hopes. Click to continue reading...
Costruire squadre di calcio non è certo facile. Ma quando a capo di un club c'è uno sceicco molti
problemi finiscono per essere risolti in breve tempo e le parti si vengono incontro più
facilmente. Un pò come il Real in Spagna anche se con cifre nettamente inferiori a quelle "messe
in campo" dai galattici, il Manchester City è una di quella squadre di calcio che sta comprando i
migliori giocatori. Click to continue reading...
Carlos Tevez has signed with cross town rivals Man City...good for him, bad loss for the Red
Devils, trust me! Now it has been reported that they are after Arsenal striker Emmanuel
Adebayor...WHY?Don't they know that playing with 10 forwards and a keeper is just not going to
work?They now have on their squad, officially:Robinho, Bojinov, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Caicedo, Evans,
Benjani, and Bellamy. Click to continue reading...
Carlos Tevez has signed with cross town rivals Man City...good for him, bad loss for the Red
Devils, trust me! Now it has been reported that they are after Arsenal striker Emmanuel
Adebayor...WHY?Don't they know that playing with 10 forwards and a keeper is just not going to
work?They now have on their squad, officially:Robinho, Bojinov, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Caicedo, Evans,
Benjani, and Bellamy. Click to continue reading...
