Category: Premier League

The Nightmare Before Christmas…

Tis’ the season to be jolly. Or is it?

If you are a Manchester United fan, it feels more like the nightmare before Christmas than a holly, jolly holiday.

When it comes to English football, Manchester United have long been the epicenter of success over the last 20 years. And like Margaret Thatcher many moons ago, United have ruled with an iron fist for so long, it’s almost strange to think how life would be if their prolific reign came to a dramatic end.

Success in sports is cyclical and following Manchester United’s shocking exit from the Champions League at the hands of Swiss side FC Basel, coupled with the 6-1 thrashing at Old Trafford courtesy of “noisy neighbours” Manchester City, you could argue the football tide is turning. Is this going to be a season where United win nothing?

When the season started, nobody expected Manchester United to fail so miserably in the Champions League. They had one of the easiest groups of any big team in Europe and their failure to qualify for the last 16 was as shocking as seeing Mike Tyson hit the canvas in Tokyo back in February of 1990. Tyson was so good, you never thought he could lose. And Manchester United have been so good for so long, a defeat to FC Basel wasn’t something the fans or media were expecting.

Mentally, I don’t believe they have yet recovered from that horrific 6-1 loss to their biggest rivals. There is no doubt Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the best managers ever. He will go down in history as a managerial pioneer of the modern game. From tactics, to mind games and handling the media, he has provided a master class for all to enjoy. But, his overall demeanour of late has not been the same and I truly believe the epic loss to Manchester City felt like a death to him and he might well still be in his grieving period.

To hear Sir Alex Ferguson apologise to fans following their loss to Crystal Palace at home in the Carling Cup was shocking. Yes they fielded a weaker team, but they still had the likes of Park Ji-Sung, Antonio Valencia, Darron Gibson and five other international players on the pitch. Regardless who plays, United look a shadow of the team we’ve seen in recent years. And let’s be honest, some of Sir Alex Ferguson’s recent team selections, especially in the Champions League have been questionable.

Granted it takes United a while to heat up their season and they are where they usually would be around this time of year. The difference however is that they are playing so much worse than they normally would at this stage. There is very little creativity in midfield and their inability to replace Paul Scholes following his retirement is clearly evident on the pitch. Yes Tom Cleverley is a wonderful young player, but how did he become so integral to their midfield after only just starting in the first team this season? Hernandez hasn’t yet captured the dizzy heights he reached last season and Rooney’s incredible start has come to a grinding halt.

Even with Nemanja Vidic in defense and the emergence of hugely talented players like Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, United still appear extremely vulnerable at the back. Rio Ferdinand is an aging defender who has lost his pace and the overall inconsistency of not playing the same group of players together more often has definitely hurt them. They also have issues with David de Gea in goal. He cost a lot of money when he came from Atletico Madrid and he continues to make expensive mistakes that should not come with an almost 19 million pound price tag.

You can never write off Manchester United, but it’s hard not to flirt with the idea this season. They are just not good enough and their history and pedigree shouldn’t be a reason to diffuse the critics opinions about the current state of the club. There’s no doubt one should beware of the wounded animal, but right now, Manchester United can barely compete with Newcastle, let alone Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

The mighty have definitely fallen and we have yet to see Sir Alex Ferguson overcome too much adversity in his illustrious career with the greatest of the Manchester clubs. He’s rattled by City and for the first time in a long time, his magic wand has eluded him in European competition too.

It probably won’t be too long before Manchester United are back to their usual best. But for now, it’s the turn of their fans to suffer in a football nightmare and just before Christmas too…

Wrap Him Up In Cotton Wool…

Robin van Persie is magical. Playing injury free for the first time in a long time, the delicious Dutchman is giving Arsenal fans everywhere hope. And with Fabregas and Nasri gone, it appears the shackles have been taken off his feet and he is thriving on being the main man.

For the first time since Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry, Arsenal have a true leader in their captain. Van Persie is putting this team on his back and you can see that being captain for one of the world’s biggest clubs is a role he is relishing.

He has been playing as an out-and-out striker and some would say that it’s not traditionally his best position. And just like fellow Dutchman and Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp, Van Persie has thrived in that #10 role, loving to drop off, find the killer pass and punish teams. Right now, the Gooner nation is loving where he’s playing and he’s scoring goals at will like never before.

But what would happen to the Gunners if Van Persie were to get injured? Where would the goals come from then? Sure Theo Walcott can score a few and when he finds his finishing touch, Gervinho can be a major threat. However, it’s Van Persie’s goals that are bringing Arsenal back from the dead following that 8-2 thrashing at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

Arsenal have a lot of work to do at the back. And should Van Persie get a nick or bump here or there, they would also have a ton of work to do upfront, because without him, they would be lost. They need to protect him, but they also need to play him. Last week he was rested but came off the bench to score two goals in a win over Stoke.

Just a few hours ago on a sunny Saturday afternoon in London, Robin van Persie delivered another spellbinding performance against Chelsea, scoring a hat-trick and leading HIS team to victory once again. Granted Chelsea were woeful in defense, but to go to Stamford Bridge and inspire your team to a 5-3 win after facing so much adversity shows how much of a leader he has become.

Wrap him up in cotton wool Arsenal…

Spring is here…

It’s that time of year where the flowers are blooming, the weather is getting warmer and everyone’s mood is filled with optimism. It’s also that time of year where the men are separated from the boys on planet football. That’s right folks. Spring is here. Do you know what else that means? It’s time for Arsenal to fall apart.

Over the last few years, spring has become more predictable than an episode of a daytime soap opera. Either Chelsea or Manchester United are leading at the top of the Premier League and winning the F.A. Cup, and Barcelona are dominating in Europe, destroying anything within 10 yards. It’s also the time of year where Arsenal dissolve as quickly and as easily as an Alka Seltzer.

At bloom’s first sight, the Gunners usually get knocked out of every trophy they are contending for. There’s talk of a quadruple from Christmas to about mid-March and then bam. Spring hits and it’s like Arsenal develop allergies against winning. Could this be the year where the script is written differently?

If Arsenal don’t win a trophy again this season, it’s almost a certainty Fabregas will leave. And after seeing Jack Wilshere play and bloom beautifully himself this season, the Gunners should finally cut the Fabregas umbilical chord. Time to let the Spaniard go. Let’s face it. During Arsenal’s Champions League battle with Barcelona, Fabregas looked like he was already gagging to play for the Catalan giants. In such a big game for the Gunners, Fabregas was doing too much hugging and kissing of the opponent if you ask me. It’s good to be friendly, but not that friendly before kick-off.

Can any Arsenal fan endure another spring full of tears? Or will this finally be the season of change. Hope springs eternal for many Gooners around the globe…

Sleeping with the enemy…not…

What can I say? I’ve been missing in action. I’ve been bad. I’ve had no desire. Just like my beloved team. It’s their fault. They did this to me. This season, they’ve already had me floating towards heaven and then they abruptly drag me into the depth’s of hell. It’s senseless. It’s hurtful. And shameful.

I haven’t even been able to face the blog. I mean it’s not like I write ground-breaking articles. They are merely my football thoughts that hopefully turn into conversations between fellow football fans. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates. But let’s face it. There are times when you don’t fancy going down the pub. Especially when your team recently lost its balls to the enemy.

So what do you do? When your team is painful to watch, you often look elsewhere for some football inspiration and pleasure. You are not deserting or cheating on your team, you are just choosing to watch more games that don’t exactly involve them. And I knew that if I could just get out of my bubble-of-hell, I would see that I’m missing one of the most exciting Premier League season’s ever.

Chelsea are not running away with it. Manchester United are undefeated but yet look beatable. Manchester City could really make a run for it. Bolton are shockingly only 6 points back. Liverpool are hanging on by a thread. Arsenal are being traditionally Arsenal and Tottenham…well as painful as it might be Arsenal fans, Tottenham are the most exciting team to watch this season. They play beautiful football and they score lots of goals. Am I losing my mind? I don’t think so…

Whether they are playing in the Premier or Champions League, Tottenham are capturing the imagination of the football world. Van der Vaart is the buy of the season so far. He looks like he belongs at White Hart Lane. He already carries himself like a Spurs legend. He performs for the fans. They love him. And he loves them. And ‘Arry loves him a little bit too. I don’t love them. But can I compliment the enemy?

Welsh sensation Gareth Bale is setting the pitch on fire wherever he plays. @ Inter Milan, no problem! @ Arsenal, no problem! As posted in a previous article, Bale reminds me of Ryan Giggs. He flies down the wing in a fearless fashion that is truly inspiring to watch. He overcame adversity at Spurs and has solidified his reputation as one of Britain’s best. He is the most thrilling player to watch in the world right now. If he were Portuguese or Argentine, we’d be talking about him in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo. Yes. I said it out loud. And that’s what I truly believe. If Tottenham can go on and win a major trophy and Bale can stay injury free, he will be in the running for World Player of the Year! I need a bath.

Even though the last two paragraphs felt like I cheated on the Gunners, I’m not sleeping with the enemy and I believe the truth will eventually set me free. I’ve had these thoughts about Tottenham bottled-up for weeks. I was down and out. I was washed-up for the season. But I got my head out of my own arse and started smelling the football roses again. And I usually can’t help think that Tottenham always stink. But for the first time in many many years, the enemy is a real threat. And I have raised my hat to their recent victory. But the war continues and we will rise again for another day of brutal battle. And sometimes, just sometimes, the enemy wakes the sleeping giant. Could it be Arsenal? Could it really be?

It’s early days but…

Did anyone think Newcastle would thrash Aston Villa 6-0? Are Chelsea going to score 6 goals week-in-week-out? Is this Theo Walcott and Arsenal’s season to shine? Are Manchester City the real deal this time around? Do Manchester United look sluggish? Will Tottenham flounder after a stellar showing last season? Is it me or do Liverpool look pizazzless?

We all know the season rarely ends the way it starts. But I feel like I can make one prediction already. West Ham look woeful and unless they strengthen their team, they are toast. Their fans can look forward to life in the Championship if their first two games are anything to go by. Time to put some superhero power in those bubbles Hammer fans!

Everyone was blown away by Blackpool’s first game and they soon bounced back to earth after being tossed like a salad by Arsenal. Theo Walcott looked explosive and he sure feels like a man with a point to prove. It’s good for Arsenal that he’s started off the season that way. Let’s hope he can stay fit .

Manchester City have spent gazillions on some foreign imports but it’s the homegrown talent that look like the sharpest tools in the shed. Adam Johnson and James Milner could be the difference in that team this season and to see young British players flourish and play with such style is refreshing. I’m not rooting for City, but I am rooting for Johnson and Milner to do well!

Newcastle stunned Villa and perhaps even themselves with an outstanding home return to the Premier League. Is Andy Carroll finally the man to fill legend Alan Shearer’s shoes? He could be a winner for the Toon and England. Will be exciting to keep watching how he progresses.

Chelsea look sharp and ready to defend their title. So what’s new?

Manchester United look non-plus at this point. But the Red Devils always get off to a slow start. Perhaps this season is the type where no team can afford a slow start?

It seems you were all chicken to cast your stones and vote who you think will finish where. It’s time to put your footballs where your mouths are fellow fans. Check out the THIS IS IT post and plaster your predictions for the football world to see. What has caught your eye so far?

Thank goodness normal life has resumed once again…

Finally…

After a heartbreaking World Cup (well for us England fans anyway) the cure for all of humanity has finally arrived. Welcome back the sexiest football league in the entire universe…yes that’s right, the Premier League is here. Oh how we’ve missed you. And oh how happy we are that you are back. Thank you…until you do something that hurts our feelings of course!

So fellow footie fans. Let’s get the drinks in and talk about who we think will shine this season. Post back who you believe will achieve top spot in the below mentioned categories and together with the amount of posts you make throughout the season, you could find yourself crowned champion. Are you ready for the glory and the heartache?

Champions? Runners-up? 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th? Bottom 3? Player of the Year? Young Player of the Year? Top Scorer? Best Buy? Biggest Flop? Surprise of the Season? First Manager to Be Sacked? Manager of the Year? Greatest Goalie?

Feel free to suggest a category you’d like to see added. Who doesn’t love a democracy?!

Cast your football stones now and you could win the BSD Fans Premier League title and your team’s home jersey. Looking forward to podcasting with the winner. Good luck, play fair and have a stellar season…

Joe Cole finds love…

Joe Cole has moved to Liverpool as a free agent and he couldn’t be happier. Having lost his way at Chelsea over the last couple of seasons, Joe was certainly ready for a new challenge. Could this move be the making of his career?

When he first burst onto the football scene at West Ham United as a wee puppy, Joe Cole was deemed a future England superstar. And when he scored that beautiful self-made volley for England against Sweden in World Cup 2006, we all thought he would go on and evolve into a very special player as everyone had predicted. He certainly played well and won lots with Chelsea, but I don’t think we’ve seen the magic he is capable of in recent seasons.

Joe Cole now gets the opportunity to play with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. And as Liverpool had nothing short of a mediocre season last term, Joe can certainly become an instant hero with the Kop, if he gets off to a good start. He was excited to sign-up for Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool revolution and can play a key part in lifting the hopes of their fans as they begin their battle for the title once again. Can he make a winning difference to Liverpool?

At Chelsea, Joe Cole felt very under appreciated and he wasn’t feeling the love at all. His relationship with Ancelotti was strained and he believed he was worth a lot more than the recently crowned Premier League Champions did. In Liverpool, he feels he is playing for the best club in the world and he is certainly feeling the love from the club and the fans.

Could this London lad fall in love with one of England’s most beloved Northern teams? He has 19 million reasons to…

They think it’s all over…it is now…

Congratulations Chelsea! After a thrilling season, pants are swinging on the King’s Road again now the Blues have been crowned champions of the Premier League.

Following a crazy tabloid infused season which included naked photographs of Ashley Cole’s private parts and John Terry’s affair with a teammate’s girlfriend, Chelsea were able to grind through their scandalous mess and still win the title in the toughest league in the world. How did they do it? In a word…Ancelotti.

It’s tough to work through any problem in life. It’s especially tough when the world watches as you battle through your problems. Despite the scandals they faced, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti kept his team together. He saved the ship when it was sinking at a rapid rate and he even steadied its course to bring it home safely. He never gave up and always believed his team could win. He made no excuses. He handled it like a world-class manager.

A world-class manager also needs world-class players to perform for him and Chelsea have them in abundance. Didier Drogba has certainly been a star again this season, but it’s the unsung hero Frank Lampard who deserves to be their player of the year. For so long his leadership qualities have walked in the shadow of John Terry. But this season, he showed what makes him such a quality world-class player. He stood behind Terry throughout his scandal and other players followed. He led on the pitch with goals galore and play making any coach would be proud of. Frank Lampard…if only they would make you captain of England!

Chelsea’s achievement this season is impressive. The media told them they were nothing but an aging team who probably didn’t have championship legs. Looks like Lampard & Co. could have run for another 90 minutes on Sunday. They were also told they had a manager who wasn’t tested in the Premier League, despite his success in Italy. Ancelotti went on to win in his first season as manager and could potentially do the double if they win the F.A. Cup.

Most importantly for Chelsea – they finally won “the big one” without “the Special One.” Is it possible they can finally lay the ghost of Mourinho to rest? It is possible when you are living under the reign of King Carlo…

Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur…

After years of paddling around in the kids pool, Tottenham finally get their chance to dip their large man toes in the big boy pool. Champions League football beckons at the Lane next season. Question is, will they sink or swim? For now, Tottenham fans are not worried about the two-legged play-off in August. For now, they are just happy to have been invited.

Regardless of how they do in their first Champions League tournament, for Spurs fans, this is a monumental time. Not only have they achieved their main objective of the season by qualifying for Europe’s most prestigious footballing competition, they have also surpassed expectations by beating London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea. In seasons past, they always failed against the big boys. Not anymore. This is a new Tottenham.

‘Arry Redknapp has done a phenomenal job guiding Spurs into the Champions League in his second season as boss. He has built a team that play for each other. He has developed Michael Dawson into a potential England international. He has made Gareth Bale a positive attacking force and his displays have made him a target for Manchester United. He has given Huddlestone so much confidence that you can now see his “Hoddle” like abilities. He even made Bentley step-up to the plate following Aaron Lennon’s injury. And his boy Peter Crouch came up trumps netting the winner against City. You could go on and on about what a great job ‘Arry and his staff have done. It’s good to see an English manager getting the opportunity to manage an English club in the Champions League.

Spurs are now breathing down Arsenal’s neck in more ways than one. They have certainly caught up to their North London rivals with regards to talent on the pitch and they are certainly miles ahead in the spending ranks. Plus they have done much better in domestic competitions over the last few years. They’ve actually won something! Credit to Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy for making some bold decisions and for being willing to make mistakes in order to achieve success. With Tottenham having gained on Arsenal so fiercely, is the power shifting to the blue side of North London?

There’s lots to dissect after this game, but the other obvious winner last night was British football. Manchester City made some bold statements at the beginning of the season. They spent huge amounts of money which left them so assured about qualifying for the Champions League. Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Wayne Bridge were already guaranteed Champions League football with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. So if it was really about playing Champions League football, then surely Adebayor, Toure, Bridge and Tevez would have have stayed at their previous clubs no? Gareth Barry wanted to play Champions League football but snubbed Liverpool for Manchester City, who were not even in the competition. All of these moves were motivated by the big bucks City were willing to pay. And it didn’t work. Does this mean you can’t buy success?

For British football, Tottenham and Manchester United, the fact City didn’t qualify is great news! But despite their failures, City have much to be excited about next season. They will no doubt have a new manager and they will certainly bring in some new faces. Of the faces they currently have, it’s questionable who will stay. One thing is for sure, Adam Johnson looks like a future star and was the best buy of the bunch that rolled into City over the last few months. If I were running the blue side of Manchester, I’d build my team around Johnson.

For now, the day belongs to Tottenham. It’s been such a long journey for their fans. They are ready to cheer their team on in Europe. Could they be singing “Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur” all the way to Wembley in 2011 or will it all end in tears before the party has even begun..?

Player of the year…

The ultimate climax is upon us. The season is reaching its crescendo. We are all about to burst. This is one of the most exciting finishes to a season in recent years. Who will win the Premier League? Who will win the Champions League? Heck who will win the World Cup?

We are all waiting. And in the midst of our anticipation comes another question. Which player has made his team tick the most in the Premier League? Which player has been the sensation of the season? Who deserves to win Player of the Year?

Can anyone eclipse the season Wayne Rooney has had? If Manchester United don’t win the league, is Rooney’s season a failure? Do his 30 odd goals count for nothing? Can we call him the best if United don’t win it all?

With all his injuries, is it fair that Cesc Fabregas is in the frame for Player of the Year? Has he really made a difference to Arsenal’s season? Has he truly been the best player?

Carlos Tevez has scored a bundle of goals for Manchester City. Has the Argentine hit man done enough to be considered the best in 2010? If Manchester City don’t qualify for the Champions League, can we really put Tevez on the best player pedastal?

Didier Drogba has been superb for Chelsea over the years. But has he really lit it up this season? The Blues could easily walk away with the title, but has Drogba done enough to win the big player prize?

Which players do you think have been totally ignored for Player of the Year? Did Gareth Bale deserve a shot? Should Vermaelen have been considered? Why is Lampard ignored year-after-year?

Have your say…