Let's Take A Very Serious Look At The English Premiership.

The direction of the Backlays English Premier League is a hard one to predict for an ordinary fan. For fortune tellers, it is the easiest. Unfortunately, coaches do not predict, we study the game. While you fret and curse as Arsenal lose or Manchester draw, it is no surprise if one is more objective. Through away your supporters tag and follow me only for this moment. 

If walk into a new job today, say you have to coach, one thing for you to know and for players to digest, is that good teams win home and away. This must be over emphasised at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson has hammered on this point time and again, but players forget these things as soon as Chelsea walk into the stadium. This must be followed by training meant to unlock a defeatist mentality of saying Anfield is home ground and then Blackpool come to teach a lesson. Never learn that way.

Arsenal have been a personal favourite for a long time until they passed their sell-by-date. I stuck with them a year extra and wasted my energies. Arsene Wenger is one to know that the championship hopefuls must beat fellow contenders. Those handshakes after the weekend fixture were meant to say 'well done champions, we will be contenders once more next year.' Honestly, if you are not beating the team that want your title, you are in the wrong league.

Good performance with results boosts morale and is a message greater than any known therapy. Teams beating fellow contenders sends shivers down the spines of smaller teams. These smaller teams lay down a red carpet for great performers. They will also fight to beat their peers for you. The next time Chelsea play the next league match, that team will leave it to the Blues' ability. Drogba's troops will have to exercise their will to win. When it comes to Arsenal, teams will accept bribes and go on to win the match nonetheless. This is all the Emirates' fault.

Things do not get worse for Arsenal. Nigel De Jong has broken a bone. His crunching tackle revives sad and unsightly memories the Gunners are now familiar with. Very hard tackles which usually turn to be bad terrifies them to death. Any small teams will have their knees knocking against each other. Remember Viny Jones of Wimbledon FC of the 1980s, who went on to create a very controvential movie of the 'Hard Men Of Soccer'? His 'take no prisoners tackles' are something we must never witness in football, but the competence of the referees these days is horrendous, because De Jong was unpunished for breaking a leg.

Small teams like Stoke City have been accused by the Professor-turned -nutter of rough and tough tackles. Like Wimbledon FC of old, they are usually driven by nothing but team spirit. Their budgets are tiny and their salaries shameful. All they to do is played for each other and hope for bigger contracts by impressing the likes of Wenger, and of course, it goes horribly wrong more often than not. This is regardless of a poor paying habit of the Gunners. Of course they are aware Manchester City and Roman Abramovic are watching.

Talking of Manchester City, the premiership teams are creating a monster they might fail to destroy in the next decade. The Man City victory over Chelsea last week may engrave an air of arrogance and intimidation in their character that they will go around bullying smaller teams to the detriment of the traditional big 4. As soon as City find their rhythm, they will be uncontainable. They are getting that scarce confidence at an alarming rate. A charismatic coach in the mould of Jose Mourinho and Frank Rikjaard will be necessary to elevate them to another energy level shell for better bonding. City are the best talent with man-like character and well paid such that their second position on the log will set them to believe they are worth a second look by the rest of the Premiership.

Before we forget the traditional top 4 issue, Liverpool are gone and walking alone. Even in alphabetical order, they have never sunk that deep. They are fading with lighting speed as evidenced by their relegation zone position. Actually because we do not know much about Albert Einstein's relativity theories, so let's keep it within footballing terms. They sink only just slower that Tottenham Hotspur are claiming the number 4 slot. Spurs are accelerating at a fast paced progression while being hammered left, right and centre by both the injuries to key personnel and inexperience in dealing with Champions League pressure. Under any standards, they would be justified to lay back and relax, and start counting their achievements of having reached the FA final last season, their UEFA Champions League progress and a decent start to the current campaign. 

Keeping heads cool under those conditions needs a cool coach. There is no better guy that Harry Redknapp. Arry is a very practical Manager with a rare ability to use the players' strengths to rub off onto each other's confidence. He is quite conservative when it comes to buying and his salaries are not crazy. It is one area he does better than Wenger. Before we leave Wenger, he has some work to do. The Gunners keep checking the fixtures list and medical records of other teams to see who is likely to kick them. That focus loss cost them the consistency of a good team. They are remanufacturing themselves into a substandard product. That, however, becomes the difference between the boys and men, i.e. themselves and Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

The Premiership story cannot conclude without mention of the big story of Stoke City. Small minds think it is a fluke they are 7th. They are the best team in the league by far and I said it before, if you remember. They are a team with a potential to retrieve tha ball from anyone earlier than any team in the Premiership. They had to sort out the details of  dealing with the balls they win. Their biggest fault was surrendering it with the same consistency, following by lack of support for Kenwyne Jones when the ball landed forward. Stoke took leaps and bounds addressing that and are being rewarded by the points they pick. If they do not regress, Arsenal may find themselves on 6th position in May 2011.    

Manchester United are hoping to welcome Owen Hargreaves from injury. The great English midfielder arrived from Germany amid media revs and as the man Man U needed to cement their authority as the kings of English football, a few seasons back. Solid as he is, he has spent almost his entire stay since then with the doctors and surgeons than with Sir Alex. How the long lay-off will help United will be seen the day he finally arrives. How much impact he will have playing against footballers who have been on the pitch since he arrived in England is yet another issue. All we can do, is wish him and Man U the best.

Other players in dire need of our prayers are Robin van Persie and Fernando Torres. RVP had a long spell out last season and the Gunners felt they had no better excuse for letting the championship go than blame his injury. Justified but still very few will remember that. van Persie is a sharp shooter who scores less than one thinks he should. He appears dangerous and scores great goals. His scoring rate is far lower than a man in his class. However, he is so valuable and his presence is something Wenger will do with and now. Personally, I would trade him at the soonest possible window, not because of the injuries, but to protect the Gunner machine. His presence at this point will dwarf the growth and confidence of youngsters finding their feet at the Emirates, the way Thierry Henry did with Emmanuel Adebayour. Talking of these two, Henry went away a little too late while Adebayour went a little too early for Arsenal to harvest their full potential.

With Torres, Liverpool are regretting not sell this top marks man. He has been a victim of injuries largely due to the way The Reds play. It is no longer his style. Torres does not win the ball neither does he track down and fetch the ball. He is a pure finisher. Unfortunately, all the teams that wanted his signature were not ideal for him. Torres is a Barcelona type of player. There is a class of midfielders and fellow strikers to do all the donkey work before they can lay it along the goal-line for him to tap in. As for now, both parties will go on, one of them both injured and frustrated, and the other frustrated and broke, and looking for a buyer.

Theo Walcott is one player injuries will have to excuse. His red-hot the beginning of this season will suffer the break, and finding the rhythm to be in sync with players who are consistently playing will draw him miles back. I genuinely wish him well and now. Arsenal would really do with his scoring and the threat of his speed. If he could have a consistent comeback, the Gunners may have a shout next season, provided they get Itumeleng Khune as their goalkeeper. Fabianski is a good goalie and may actually prove the goalie Wenger needs, not matter how much he mistrust him. At the end of the day, it is too early to say, as you would like me to believe. I will agree with you for now, but believe you me, teams must make hay while the sun shines and it is almost getting cloudy.

Let's Take A Very Serious Look At The English Premiership.

The direction of the Backlays English Premier League is a hard one to predict for an ordinary fan. For fortune tellers, it is the easiest. Unfortunately, coaches do not predict, we study the game. While you fret and curse as Arsenal lose or Manchester draw, it is no surprise if one is more objective. Through away your supporters tag and follow me only for this moment. 

If walk into a new job today, say you have to coach, one thing for you to know and for players to digest, is that good teams win home and away. This must be over emphasised at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson has hammered on this point time and again, but players forget these things as soon as Chelsea walk into the stadium. This must be followed by training meant to unlock a defeatist mentality of saying Anfield is home ground and then Blackpool come to teach a lesson. Never learn that way.

Arsenal have been a personal favourite for a long time until they passed their sell-by-date. I stuck with them a year extra and wasted my energies. Arsene Wenger is one to know that the championship hopefuls must beat fellow contenders. Those handshakes after the weekend fixture were meant to say 'well done champions, we will be contenders once more next year.' Honestly, if you are not beating the team that want your title, you are in the wrong league.

Good performance with results boosts morale and is a message greater than any known therapy. Teams beating fellow contenders sends shivers down the spines of smaller teams. These smaller teams lay down a red carpet for great performers. They will also fight to beat their peers for you. The next time Chelsea play the next league match, that team will leave it to the Blues' ability. Drogba's troops will have to exercise their will to win. When it comes to Arsenal, teams will accept bribes and go on to win the match nonetheless. This is all the Emirates' fault.

Things do not get worse for Arsenal. Nigel De Jong has broken a bone. His crunching tackle revives sad and unsightly memories the Gunners are now familiar with. Very hard tackles which usually turn to be bad terrifies them to death. Any small teams will have their knees knocking against each other. Remember Viny Jones of Wimbledon FC of the 1980s, who went on to create a very controvential movie of the 'Hard Men Of Soccer'? His 'take no prisoners tackles' are something we must never witness in football, but the competence of the referees these days is horrendous, because De Jong was unpunished for breaking a leg.

Small teams like Stoke City have been accused by the Professor-turned -nutter of rough and tough tackles. Like Wimbledon FC of old, they are usually driven by nothing but team spirit. Their budgets are tiny and their salaries shameful. All they to do is played for each other and hope for bigger contracts by impressing the likes of Wenger, and of course, it goes horribly wrong more often than not. This is regardless of a poor paying habit of the Gunners. Of course they are aware Manchester City and Roman Abramovic are watching.

Talking of Manchester City, the premiership teams are creating a monster they might fail to destroy in the next decade. The Man City victory over Chelsea last week may engrave an air of arrogance and intimidation in their character that they will go around bullying smaller teams to the detriment of the traditional big 4. As soon as City find their rhythm, they will be uncontainable. They are getting that scarce confidence at an alarming rate. A charismatic coach in the mould of Jose Mourinho and Frank Rikjaard will be necessary to elevate them to another energy level shell for better bonding. City are the best talent with man-like character and well paid such that their second position on the log will set them to believe they are worth a second look by the rest of the Premiership.

Before we forget the traditional top 4 issue, Liverpool are gone and walking alone. Even in alphabetical order, they have never sunk that deep. They are fading with lighting speed as evidenced by their relegation zone position. Actually because we do not know much about Albert Einstein's relativity theories, so let's keep it within footballing terms. They sink only just slower that Tottenham Hotspur are claiming the number 4 slot. Spurs are accelerating at a fast paced progression while being hammered left, right and centre by both the injuries to key personnel and inexperience in dealing with Champions League pressure. Under any standards, they would be justified to lay back and relax, and start counting their achievements of having reached the FA final last season, their UEFA Champions League progress and a decent start to the current campaign. 

Keeping heads cool under those conditions needs a cool coach. There is no better guy that Harry Redknapp. Arry is a very practical Manager with a rare ability to use the players' strengths to rub off onto each other's confidence. He is quite conservative when it comes to buying and his salaries are not crazy. It is one area he does better than Wenger. Before we leave Wenger, he has some work to do. The Gunners keep checking the fixtures list and medical records of other teams to see who is likely to kick them. That focus loss cost them the consistency of a good team. They are remanufacturing themselves into a substandard product. That, however, becomes the difference between the boys and men, i.e. themselves and Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

The Premiership story cannot conclude without mention of the big story of Stoke City. Small minds think it is a fluke they are 7th. They are the best team in the league by far and I said it before, if you remember. They are a team with a potential to retrieve tha ball from anyone earlier than any team in the Premiership. They had to sort out the details of  dealing with the balls they win. Their biggest fault was surrendering it with the same consistency, following by lack of support for Kenwyne Jones when the ball landed forward. Stoke took leaps and bounds addressing that and are being rewarded by the points they pick. If they do not regress, Arsenal may find themselves on 6th position in May 2011.    

Manchester United are hoping to welcome Owen Hargreaves from injury. The great English midfielder arrived from Germany amid media revs and as the man Man U needed to cement their authority as the kings of English football, a few seasons back. Solid as he is, he has spent almost his entire stay since then with the doctors and surgeons than with Sir Alex. How the long lay-off will help United will be seen the day he finally arrives. How much impact he will have playing against footballers who have been on the pitch since he arrived in England is yet another issue. All we can do, is wish him and Man U the best.

Other players in dire need of our prayers are Robin van Persie and Fernando Torres. RVP had a long spell out last season and the Gunners felt they had no better excuse for letting the championship go than blame his injury. Justified but still very few will remember that. van Persie is a sharp shooter who scores less than one thinks he should. He appears dangerous and scores great goals. His scoring rate is far lower than a man in his class. However, he is so valuable and his presence is something Wenger will do with and now. Personally, I would trade him at the soonest possible window, not because of the injuries, but to protect the Gunner machine. His presence at this point will dwarf the growth and confidence of youngsters finding their feet at the Emirates, the way Thierry Henry did with Emmanuel Adebayour. Talking of these two, Henry went away a little too late while Adebayour went a little too early for Arsenal to harvest their full potential.

With Torres, Liverpool are regretting not sell this top marks man. He has been a victim of injuries largely due to the way The Reds play. It is no longer his style. Torres does not win the ball neither does he track down and fetch the ball. He is a pure finisher. Unfortunately, all the teams that wanted his signature were not ideal for him. Torres is a Barcelona type of player. There is a class of midfielders and fellow strikers to do all the donkey work before they can lay it along the goal-line for him to tap in. As for now, both parties will go on, one of them both injured and frustrated, and the other frustrated and broke, and looking for a buyer.

Theo Walcott is one player injuries will have to excuse. His red-hot the beginning of this season will suffer the break, and finding the rhythm to be in sync with players who are consistently playing will draw him miles back. I genuinely wish him well and now. Arsenal would really do with his scoring and the threat of his speed. If he could have a consistent comeback, the Gunners may have a shout next season, provided they get Itumeleng Khune as their goalkeeper. Fabianski is a good goalie and may actually prove the goalie Wenger needs, not matter how much he mistrust him. At the end of the day, it is too early to say, as you would like me to believe. I will agree with you for now, but believe you me, teams must make hay while the sun shines and it is almost getting cloudy.

Let's Take A Very Serious Look At The English Premiership.

The direction of the Backlays English Premier League is a hard one to predict for an ordinary fan. For fortune tellers, it is the easiest. Unfortunately, coaches do not predict, we study the game. While you fret and curse as Arsenal lose or Manchester draw, it is no surprise if one is more objective. Through away your supporters tag and follow me only for this moment. 

If walk into a new job today, say you have to coach, one thing for you to know and for players to digest, is that good teams win home and away. This must be over emphasised at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson has hammered on this point time and again, but players forget these things as soon as Chelsea walk into the stadium. This must be followed by training meant to unlock a defeatist mentality of saying Anfield is home ground and then Blackpool come to teach a lesson. Never learn that way.

Arsenal have been a personal favourite for a long time until they passed their sell-by-date. I stuck with them a year extra and wasted my energies. Arsene Wenger is one to know that the championship hopefuls must beat fellow contenders. Those handshakes after the weekend fixture were meant to say 'well done champions, we will be contenders once more next year.' Honestly, if you are not beating the team that want your title, you are in the wrong league.

Good performance with results boosts morale and is a message greater than any known therapy. Teams beating fellow contenders sends shivers down the spines of smaller teams. These smaller teams lay down a red carpet for great performers. They will also fight to beat their peers for you. The next time Chelsea play the next league match, that team will leave it to the Blues' ability. Drogba's troops will have to exercise their will to win. When it comes to Arsenal, teams will accept bribes and go on to win the match nonetheless. This is all the Emirates' fault.

Things do not get worse for Arsenal. Nigel De Jong has broken a bone. His crunching tackle revives sad and unsightly memories the Gunners are now familiar with. Very hard tackles which usually turn to be bad terrifies them to death. Any small teams will have their knees knocking against each other. Remember Viny Jones of Wimbledon FC of the 1980s, who went on to create a very controvential movie of the 'Hard Men Of Soccer'? His 'take no prisoners tackles' are something we must never witness in football, but the competence of the referees these days is horrendous, because De Jong was unpunished for breaking a leg.

Small teams like Stoke City have been accused by the Professor-turned -nutter of rough and tough tackles. Like Wimbledon FC of old, they are usually driven by nothing but team spirit. Their budgets are tiny and their salaries shameful. All they to do is played for each other and hope for bigger contracts by impressing the likes of Wenger, and of course, it goes horribly wrong more often than not. This is regardless of a poor paying habit of the Gunners. Of course they are aware Manchester City and Roman Abramovic are watching.

Talking of Manchester City, the premiership teams are creating a monster they might fail to destroy in the next decade. The Man City victory over Chelsea last week may engrave an air of arrogance and intimidation in their character that they will go around bullying smaller teams to the detriment of the traditional big 4. As soon as City find their rhythm, they will be uncontainable. They are getting that scarce confidence at an alarming rate. A charismatic coach in the mould of Jose Mourinho and Frank Rikjaard will be necessary to elevate them to another energy level shell for better bonding. City are the best talent with man-like character and well paid such that their second position on the log will set them to believe they are worth a second look by the rest of the Premiership.

Before we forget the traditional top 4 issue, Liverpool are gone and walking alone. Even in alphabetical order, they have never sunk that deep. They are fading with lighting speed as evidenced by their relegation zone position. Actually because we do not know much about Albert Einstein's relativity theories, so let's keep it within footballing terms. They sink only just slower that Tottenham Hotspur are claiming the number 4 slot. Spurs are accelerating at a fast paced progression while being hammered left, right and centre by both the injuries to key personnel and inexperience in dealing with Champions League pressure. Under any standards, they would be justified to lay back and relax, and start counting their achievements of having reached the FA final last season, their UEFA Champions League progress and a decent start to the current campaign. 

Keeping heads cool under those conditions needs a cool coach. There is no better guy that Harry Redknapp. Arry is a very practical Manager with a rare ability to use the players' strengths to rub off onto each other's confidence. He is quite conservative when it comes to buying and his salaries are not crazy. It is one area he does better than Wenger. Before we leave Wenger, he has some work to do. The Gunners keep checking the fixtures list and medical records of other teams to see who is likely to kick them. That focus loss cost them the consistency of a good team. They are remanufacturing themselves into a substandard product. That, however, becomes the difference between the boys and men, i.e. themselves and Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

The Premiership story cannot conclude without mention of the big story of Stoke City. Small minds think it is a fluke they are 7th. They are the best team in the league by far and I said it before, if you remember. They are a team with a potential to retrieve tha ball from anyone earlier than any team in the Premiership. They had to sort out the details of  dealing with the balls they win. Their biggest fault was surrendering it with the same consistency, following by lack of support for Kenwyne Jones when the ball landed forward. Stoke took leaps and bounds addressing that and are being rewarded by the points they pick. If they do not regress, Arsenal may find themselves on 6th position in May 2011.    

Manchester United are hoping to welcome Owen Hargreaves from injury. The great English midfielder arrived from Germany amid media revs and as the man Man U needed to cement their authority as the kings of English football, a few seasons back. Solid as he is, he has spent almost his entire stay since then with the doctors and surgeons than with Sir Alex. How the long lay-off will help United will be seen the day he finally arrives. How much impact he will have playing against footballers who have been on the pitch since he arrived in England is yet another issue. All we can do, is wish him and Man U the best.

Other players in dire need of our prayers are Robin van Persie and Fernando Torres. RVP had a long spell out last season and the Gunners felt they had no better excuse for letting the championship go than blame his injury. Justified but still very few will remember that. van Persie is a sharp shooter who scores less than one thinks he should. He appears dangerous and scores great goals. His scoring rate is far lower than a man in his class. However, he is so valuable and his presence is something Wenger will do with and now. Personally, I would trade him at the soonest possible window, not because of the injuries, but to protect the Gunner machine. His presence at this point will dwarf the growth and confidence of youngsters finding their feet at the Emirates, the way Thierry Henry did with Emmanuel Adebayour. Talking of these two, Henry went away a little too late while Adebayour went a little too early for Arsenal to harvest their full potential.

With Torres, Liverpool are regretting not sell this top marks man. He has been a victim of injuries largely due to the way The Reds play. It is no longer his style. Torres does not win the ball neither does he track down and fetch the ball. He is a pure finisher. Unfortunately, all the teams that wanted his signature were not ideal for him. Torres is a Barcelona type of player. There is a class of midfielders and fellow strikers to do all the donkey work before they can lay it along the goal-line for him to tap in. As for now, both parties will go on, one of them both injured and frustrated, and the other frustrated and broke, and looking for a buyer.

Theo Walcott is one player injuries will have to excuse. His red-hot the beginning of this season will suffer the break, and finding the rhythm to be in sync with players who are consistently playing will draw him miles back. I genuinely wish him well and now. Arsenal would really do with his scoring and the threat of his speed. If he could have a consistent comeback, the Gunners may have a shout next season, provided they get Itumeleng Khune as their goalkeeper. Fabianski is a good goalie and may actually prove the goalie Wenger needs, not matter how much he mistrust him. At the end of the day, it is too early to say, as you would like me to believe. I will agree with you for now, but believe you me, teams must make hay while the sun shines and it is almost getting cloudy.

Let's Take A Very Serious Look At The English Premiership.

The direction of the Backlays English Premier League is a hard one to predict for an ordinary fan. For fortune tellers, it is the easiest. Unfortunately, coaches do not predict, we study the game. While you fret and curse as Arsenal lose or Manchester draw, it is no surprise if one is more objective. Through away your supporters tag and follow me only for this moment. 

If walk into a new job today, say you have to coach, one thing for you to know and for players to digest, is that good teams win home and away. This must be over emphasised at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson has hammered on this point time and again, but players forget these things as soon as Chelsea walk into the stadium. This must be followed by training meant to unlock a defeatist mentality of saying Anfield is home ground and then Blackpool come to teach a lesson. Never learn that way.

Arsenal have been a personal favourite for a long time until they passed their sell-by-date. I stuck with them a year extra and wasted my energies. Arsene Wenger is one to know that the championship hopefuls must beat fellow contenders. Those handshakes after the weekend fixture were meant to say 'well done champions, we will be contenders once more next year.' Honestly, if you are not beating the team that want your title, you are in the wrong league.

Good performance with results boosts morale and is a message greater than any known therapy. Teams beating fellow contenders sends shivers down the spines of smaller teams. These smaller teams lay down a red carpet for great performers. They will also fight to beat their peers for you. The next time Chelsea play the next league match, that team will leave it to the Blues' ability. Drogba's troops will have to exercise their will to win. When it comes to Arsenal, teams will accept bribes and go on to win the match nonetheless. This is all the Emirates' fault.

Things do not get worse for Arsenal. Nigel De Jong has broken a bone. His crunching tackle revives sad and unsightly memories the Gunners are now familiar with. Very hard tackles which usually turn to be bad terrifies them to death. Any small teams will have their knees knocking against each other. Remember Viny Jones of Wimbledon FC of the 1980s, who went on to create a very controvential movie of the 'Hard Men Of Soccer'? His 'take no prisoners tackles' are something we must never witness in football, but the competence of the referees these days is horrendous, because De Jong was unpunished for breaking a leg.

Small teams like Stoke City have been accused by the Professor-turned -nutter of rough and tough tackles. Like Wimbledon FC of old, they are usually driven by nothing but team spirit. Their budgets are tiny and their salaries shameful. All they to do is played for each other and hope for bigger contracts by impressing the likes of Wenger, and of course, it goes horribly wrong more often than not. This is regardless of a poor paying habit of the Gunners. Of course they are aware Manchester City and Roman Abramovic are watching.

Talking of Manchester City, the premiership teams are creating a monster they might fail to destroy in the next decade. The Man City victory over Chelsea last week may engrave an air of arrogance and intimidation in their character that they will go around bullying smaller teams to the detriment of the traditional big 4. As soon as City find their rhythm, they will be uncontainable. They are getting that scarce confidence at an alarming rate. A charismatic coach in the mould of Jose Mourinho and Frank Rikjaard will be necessary to elevate them to another energy level shell for better bonding. City are the best talent with man-like character and well paid such that their second position on the log will set them to believe they are worth a second look by the rest of the Premiership.

Before we forget the traditional top 4 issue, Liverpool are gone and walking alone. Even in alphabetical order, they have never sunk that deep. They are fading with lighting speed as evidenced by their relegation zone position. Actually because we do not know much about Albert Einstein's relativity theories, so let's keep it within footballing terms. They sink only just slower that Tottenham Hotspur are claiming the number 4 slot. Spurs are accelerating at a fast paced progression while being hammered left, right and centre by both the injuries to key personnel and inexperience in dealing with Champions League pressure. Under any standards, they would be justified to lay back and relax, and start counting their achievements of having reached the FA final last season, their UEFA Champions League progress and a decent start to the current campaign. 

Keeping heads cool under those conditions needs a cool coach. There is no better guy that Harry Redknapp. Arry is a very practical Manager with a rare ability to use the players' strengths to rub off onto each other's confidence. He is quite conservative when it comes to buying and his salaries are not crazy. It is one area he does better than Wenger. Before we leave Wenger, he has some work to do. The Gunners keep checking the fixtures list and medical records of other teams to see who is likely to kick them. That focus loss cost them the consistency of a good team. They are remanufacturing themselves into a substandard product. That, however, becomes the difference between the boys and men, i.e. themselves and Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

The Premiership story cannot conclude without mention of the big story of Stoke City. Small minds think it is a fluke they are 7th. They are the best team in the league by far and I said it before, if you remember. They are a team with a potential to retrieve tha ball from anyone earlier than any team in the Premiership. They had to sort out the details of  dealing with the balls they win. Their biggest fault was surrendering it with the same consistency, following by lack of support for Kenwyne Jones when the ball landed forward. Stoke took leaps and bounds addressing that and are being rewarded by the points they pick. If they do not regress, Arsenal may find themselves on 6th position in May 2011.    

Manchester United are hoping to welcome Owen Hargreaves from injury. The great English midfielder arrived from Germany amid media revs and as the man Man U needed to cement their authority as the kings of English football, a few seasons back. Solid as he is, he has spent almost his entire stay since then with the doctors and surgeons than with Sir Alex. How the long lay-off will help United will be seen the day he finally arrives. How much impact he will have playing against footballers who have been on the pitch since he arrived in England is yet another issue. All we can do, is wish him and Man U the best.

Other players in dire need of our prayers are Robin van Persie and Fernando Torres. RVP had a long spell out last season and the Gunners felt they had no better excuse for letting the championship go than blame his injury. Justified but still very few will remember that. van Persie is a sharp shooter who scores less than one thinks he should. He appears dangerous and scores great goals. His scoring rate is far lower than a man in his class. However, he is so valuable and his presence is something Wenger will do with and now. Personally, I would trade him at the soonest possible window, not because of the injuries, but to protect the Gunner machine. His presence at this point will dwarf the growth and confidence of youngsters finding their feet at the Emirates, the way Thierry Henry did with Emmanuel Adebayour. Talking of these two, Henry went away a little too late while Adebayour went a little too early for Arsenal to harvest their full potential.

With Torres, Liverpool are regretting not sell this top marks man. He has been a victim of injuries largely due to the way The Reds play. It is no longer his style. Torres does not win the ball neither does he track down and fetch the ball. He is a pure finisher. Unfortunately, all the teams that wanted his signature were not ideal for him. Torres is a Barcelona type of player. There is a class of midfielders and fellow strikers to do all the donkey work before they can lay it along the goal-line for him to tap in. As for now, both parties will go on, one of them both injured and frustrated, and the other frustrated and broke, and looking for a buyer.

Theo Walcott is one player injuries will have to excuse. His red-hot the beginning of this season will suffer the break, and finding the rhythm to be in sync with players who are consistently playing will draw him miles back. I genuinely wish him well and now. Arsenal would really do with his scoring and the threat of his speed. If he could have a consistent comeback, the Gunners may have a shout next season, provided they get Itumeleng Khune as their goalkeeper. Fabianski is a good goalie and may actually prove the goalie Wenger needs, not matter how much he mistrust him. At the end of the day, it is too early to say, as you would like me to believe. I will agree with you for now, but believe you me, teams must make hay while the sun shines and it is almost getting cloudy.

The English Premiership Results: Spurs Bury Villa 2-1 as Man U Disappoints.

[caption id="attachment_2245" align="alignright" width="460" caption="Man of the moment, Rafael van der Vaart"][/caption]

 

Tottenham Hotspur came from a goal down to win 2 - 1 against Aston Villa in a Backlays English Premier League at White Hart Lane. Evidence of heavy legs due to the Champions League took its toll on the Spurs team. Spurs hammered Partizan 4 - 1 a few days back. Rafael van de Vaart was the toast of the hosts with a telling performance that produced a first injury time equaliser from a Peter Crouch header service of top quality. 

He finished off with aplomb to seal the real deal. Manchester United proved to be a yester team with a laboured draw at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland were unlucky not to beat an out of sorts United. To be fair, the fading masters of football were a victim of the midweek Champions League. 

A 0 - 0 result was a raw deal for the hosts and Sir Alex Ferguson surely treasures the point gained. Three points gained in Spain at Valencia were so precious given the ones dropped against Rangers at Old Trafford a fortnight ago. Manchester United's failure to get a first away win must be a warning to Arsenal who have their fixture coming in 24 hours. The Gunners tasted a very cool 3 - 1 victory midweek and will have to up their game to pick up points. 

Emmanuel Alimuna had a nightmare of a match last week and Arsene Wenger replaced him with a better Fabianski. Alimuna may claim to have seen a lion or a snake in that nightmarish performance against West Brom. In Africa you can get away with that excuse as it has been the case with goalkeepers seeing several balls and do not know which one to block. 

It is also usual for witch doctors to scratch players' backs with leopard's paws so they run as fast. Theo Walcott will need a lot of that if he recovers, for the Gunners to remain within shouting distance of the leaders. Chamakh is getting to score regularly but then Arsenal are patenting a very bad habit. 

They repel penalty kicks with amazing and chilling accuracy. In Africa, they would reconsider eating pork or fish before matches as this can be a result of the bad luck swines bring or the slippery fish that skids the ball away. If they engage witch doctors, they may join company with Man U in notoriously having all players go through between legs of naked women at night. There is smoking and burning of herbs and the like. Man U miss the target with pin-point accuracy. 

Maybe technology has nullified those tendencies which many of us saw during our hey days with the jujuman, but it is high time someone did something to restore order in the Premiership. Talking of order, Stoke City won again. I am not coaching that team by remote by they remain my team of choice by far. 

Can someone convince me that the champions, Chelsea, deserve my backing, despite their ruthless nature which their fans are rightly proud of? 

Other results: West Ham 1 - Fulham 1, West Brom 1 - Bolton 1, Stoke City 1 - Blackburn 0, Birmingham City 0 - Everton 2, Wigan Athletic 2 - Wolverhampton 0.

The English Premiership Results: Spurs Bury Villa 2-1 as Man U Disappoints.

[caption id="attachment_2245" align="alignright" width="460" caption="Man of the moment, Rafael van der Vaart"][/caption]

 

Tottenham Hotspur came from a goal down to win 2 - 1 against Aston Villa in a Backlays English Premier League at White Hart Lane. Evidence of heavy legs due to the Champions League took its toll on the Spurs team. Spurs hammered Partizan 4 - 1 a few days back. Rafael van de Vaart was the toast of the hosts with a telling performance that produced a first injury time equaliser from a Peter Crouch header service of top quality. 

He finished off with aplomb to seal the real deal. Manchester United proved to be a yester team with a laboured draw at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland were unlucky not to beat an out of sorts United. To be fair, the fading masters of football were a victim of the midweek Champions League. 

A 0 - 0 result was a raw deal for the hosts and Sir Alex Ferguson surely treasures the point gained. Three points gained in Spain at Valencia were so precious given the ones dropped against Rangers at Old Trafford a fortnight ago. Manchester United's failure to get a first away win must be a warning to Arsenal who have their fixture coming in 24 hours. The Gunners tasted a very cool 3 - 1 victory midweek and will have to up their game to pick up points. 

Emmanuel Alimuna had a nightmare of a match last week and Arsene Wenger replaced him with a better Fabianski. Alimuna may claim to have seen a lion or a snake in that nightmarish performance against West Brom. In Africa you can get away with that excuse as it has been the case with goalkeepers seeing several balls and do not know which one to block. 

It is also usual for witch doctors to scratch players' backs with leopard's paws so they run as fast. Theo Walcott will need a lot of that if he recovers, for the Gunners to remain within shouting distance of the leaders. Chamakh is getting to score regularly but then Arsenal are patenting a very bad habit. 

They repel penalty kicks with amazing and chilling accuracy. In Africa, they would reconsider eating pork or fish before matches as this can be a result of the bad luck swines bring or the slippery fish that skids the ball away. If they engage witch doctors, they may join company with Man U in notoriously having all players go through between legs of naked women at night. There is smoking and burning of herbs and the like. Man U miss the target with pin-point accuracy. 

Maybe technology has nullified those tendencies which many of us saw during our hey days with the jujuman, but it is high time someone did something to restore order in the Premiership. Talking of order, Stoke City won again. I am not coaching that team by remote by they remain my team of choice by far. 

Can someone convince me that the champions, Chelsea, deserve my backing, despite their ruthless nature which their fans are rightly proud of? 

Other results: West Ham 1 - Fulham 1, West Brom 1 - Bolton 1, Stoke City 1 - Blackburn 0, Birmingham City 0 - Everton 2, Wigan Athletic 2 - Wolverhampton 0.

The English Premiership Results: Spurs Bury Villa 2-1 as Man U Disappoints.

[caption id="attachment_2245" align="alignright" width="460" caption="Man of the moment, Rafael van der Vaart"][/caption]

 

Tottenham Hotspur came from a goal down to win 2 - 1 against Aston Villa in a Backlays English Premier League at White Hart Lane. Evidence of heavy legs due to the Champions League took its toll on the Spurs team. Spurs hammered Partizan 4 - 1 a few days back. Rafael van de Vaart was the toast of the hosts with a telling performance that produced a first injury time equaliser from a Peter Crouch header service of top quality. 

He finished off with aplomb to seal the real deal. Manchester United proved to be a yester team with a laboured draw at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland were unlucky not to beat an out of sorts United. To be fair, the fading masters of football were a victim of the midweek Champions League. 

A 0 - 0 result was a raw deal for the hosts and Sir Alex Ferguson surely treasures the point gained. Three points gained in Spain at Valencia were so precious given the ones dropped against Rangers at Old Trafford a fortnight ago. Manchester United's failure to get a first away win must be a warning to Arsenal who have their fixture coming in 24 hours. The Gunners tasted a very cool 3 - 1 victory midweek and will have to up their game to pick up points. 

Emmanuel Alimuna had a nightmare of a match last week and Arsene Wenger replaced him with a better Fabianski. Alimuna may claim to have seen a lion or a snake in that nightmarish performance against West Brom. In Africa you can get away with that excuse as it has been the case with goalkeepers seeing several balls and do not know which one to block. 

It is also usual for witch doctors to scratch players' backs with leopard's paws so they run as fast. Theo Walcott will need a lot of that if he recovers, for the Gunners to remain within shouting distance of the leaders. Chamakh is getting to score regularly but then Arsenal are patenting a very bad habit. 

They repel penalty kicks with amazing and chilling accuracy. In Africa, they would reconsider eating pork or fish before matches as this can be a result of the bad luck swines bring or the slippery fish that skids the ball away. If they engage witch doctors, they may join company with Man U in notoriously having all players go through between legs of naked women at night. There is smoking and burning of herbs and the like. Man U miss the target with pin-point accuracy. 

Maybe technology has nullified those tendencies which many of us saw during our hey days with the jujuman, but it is high time someone did something to restore order in the Premiership. Talking of order, Stoke City won again. I am not coaching that team by remote by they remain my team of choice by far. 

Can someone convince me that the champions, Chelsea, deserve my backing, despite their ruthless nature which their fans are rightly proud of? 

Other results: West Ham 1 - Fulham 1, West Brom 1 - Bolton 1, Stoke City 1 - Blackburn 0, Birmingham City 0 - Everton 2, Wigan Athletic 2 - Wolverhampton 0.

The English Premiership Results: Spurs Bury Villa 2-1 as Man U Disappoints.

[caption id="attachment_2245" align="alignright" width="460" caption="Man of the moment, Rafael van der Vaart"][/caption]

 

Tottenham Hotspur came from a goal down to win 2 - 1 against Aston Villa in a Backlays English Premier League at White Hart Lane. Evidence of heavy legs due to the Champions League took its toll on the Spurs team. Spurs hammered Partizan 4 - 1 a few days back. Rafael van de Vaart was the toast of the hosts with a telling performance that produced a first injury time equaliser from a Peter Crouch header service of top quality. 

He finished off with aplomb to seal the real deal. Manchester United proved to be a yester team with a laboured draw at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland were unlucky not to beat an out of sorts United. To be fair, the fading masters of football were a victim of the midweek Champions League. 

A 0 - 0 result was a raw deal for the hosts and Sir Alex Ferguson surely treasures the point gained. Three points gained in Spain at Valencia were so precious given the ones dropped against Rangers at Old Trafford a fortnight ago. Manchester United's failure to get a first away win must be a warning to Arsenal who have their fixture coming in 24 hours. The Gunners tasted a very cool 3 - 1 victory midweek and will have to up their game to pick up points. 

Emmanuel Alimuna had a nightmare of a match last week and Arsene Wenger replaced him with a better Fabianski. Alimuna may claim to have seen a lion or a snake in that nightmarish performance against West Brom. In Africa you can get away with that excuse as it has been the case with goalkeepers seeing several balls and do not know which one to block. 

It is also usual for witch doctors to scratch players' backs with leopard's paws so they run as fast. Theo Walcott will need a lot of that if he recovers, for the Gunners to remain within shouting distance of the leaders. Chamakh is getting to score regularly but then Arsenal are patenting a very bad habit. 

They repel penalty kicks with amazing and chilling accuracy. In Africa, they would reconsider eating pork or fish before matches as this can be a result of the bad luck swines bring or the slippery fish that skids the ball away. If they engage witch doctors, they may join company with Man U in notoriously having all players go through between legs of naked women at night. There is smoking and burning of herbs and the like. Man U miss the target with pin-point accuracy. 

Maybe technology has nullified those tendencies which many of us saw during our hey days with the jujuman, but it is high time someone did something to restore order in the Premiership. Talking of order, Stoke City won again. I am not coaching that team by remote by they remain my team of choice by far. 

Can someone convince me that the champions, Chelsea, deserve my backing, despite their ruthless nature which their fans are rightly proud of? 

Other results: West Ham 1 - Fulham 1, West Brom 1 - Bolton 1, Stoke City 1 - Blackburn 0, Birmingham City 0 - Everton 2, Wigan Athletic 2 - Wolverhampton 0.

Manchester City Burst Chelsea Bubble in A Thrilling Battle Of Wits.

Manchester City 1 - Chelsea 0.

Manchester City started playing not to lose at the City of Manchester Stadium, as if they were the away team. They were very disciplined defensively and well-shaped in midfield. It was always playing to stop Chelsea from scoring. James Milner provided a forward dimension on the left wing going forward.

On their part, Chelsea were patient and dangerous entering the attacking third of the field. Man City fortified the 18 yard area, building a solid wall, a barrier Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda kept knocking  with consistent aggression. With a little composure, Michael Essien could have at least forced a save from Hart.

City managed sporadic spells of possession only restricted to the midfield third with very occasional forays into the box. Both teams applied chess-like moves, accelerating forward-looking for opportune moment to catch each other off guard. They made good use of all manpower, getting goalside and leaving Drogba and Carlos Tevez upfront.

Combative duels became a little physical in the preparation zones, with Man City the more aggressive and Chelsea craftier. While not so polished, the match was excessively competitive. To show the balance of play, both Anelka and David Silva found themselves involved in defensive duties once in a while. Chelsea's intentions were very clear as they stroke the post, had 2 penalty situation when Bolata wrapped his arm around Drogba and then shoulder charged dangerously later on.

The second half started with Anelka's effort missing the post after a finger tip touch by Joe Hart. Man City passed the ball better but failed to penetrate. Their first half wing player became less effective as they changed the channel of attack to the right, though when they used the left side, Silva forced Petr Cech to dive low to parry the ball for a corner. The competitiveness of the match was less obvious, probably due to heavy legs from the first half pace and the midweek  Carling Cup losses by the 2 teams.

Carlos Tevez received the ball exactly in the centre circle and ran the entire 55 metres with Ashley Cole backpedaling and then shot low to his left to beat Cech for only the second goal Chelsea have conceded in the league this season. The tempo increased as City looked for the second one while Chelsea hoped for an equaliser. Manchester City defended resolutely and counter-attacked decisively as Tevez began to harass Terry and Alex at will. The goal scorer and captain was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Adebayour with 5 minutes of play remaining.

Anelka had City fans and players' hearts in their mouths when he failed to redirect the ball past Hart from within the 6 yard box. City defended like men possessed throwing all men behind the ball to thin any meaningful threats Chelsea posed. As it turned out, it was a day they would drop the first points of the Backlays Premier League campaign.

Manchester City Burst Chelsea Bubble in A Thrilling Battle Of Wits.

Manchester City 1 - Chelsea 0.

Manchester City started playing not to lose at the City of Manchester Stadium, as if they were the away team. They were very disciplined defensively and well-shaped in midfield. It was always playing to stop Chelsea from scoring. James Milner provided a forward dimension on the left wing going forward.

On their part, Chelsea were patient and dangerous entering the attacking third of the field. Man City fortified the 18 yard area, building a solid wall, a barrier Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda kept knocking  with consistent aggression. With a little composure, Michael Essien could have at least forced a save from Hart.

City managed sporadic spells of possession only restricted to the midfield third with very occasional forays into the box. Both teams applied chess-like moves, accelerating forward-looking for opportune moment to catch each other off guard. They made good use of all manpower, getting goalside and leaving Drogba and Carlos Tevez upfront.

Combative duels became a little physical in the preparation zones, with Man City the more aggressive and Chelsea craftier. While not so polished, the match was excessively competitive. To show the balance of play, both Anelka and David Silva found themselves involved in defensive duties once in a while. Chelsea's intentions were very clear as they stroke the post, had 2 penalty situation when Bolata wrapped his arm around Drogba and then shoulder charged dangerously later on.

The second half started with Anelka's effort missing the post after a finger tip touch by Joe Hart. Man City passed the ball better but failed to penetrate. Their first half wing player became less effective as they changed the channel of attack to the right, though when they used the left side, Silva forced Petr Cech to dive low to parry the ball for a corner. The competitiveness of the match was less obvious, probably due to heavy legs from the first half pace and the midweek  Carling Cup losses by the 2 teams.

Carlos Tevez received the ball exactly in the centre circle and ran the entire 55 metres with Ashley Cole backpedaling and then shot low to his left to beat Cech for only the second goal Chelsea have conceded in the league this season. The tempo increased as City looked for the second one while Chelsea hoped for an equaliser. Manchester City defended resolutely and counter-attacked decisively as Tevez began to harass Terry and Alex at will. The goal scorer and captain was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Adebayour with 5 minutes of play remaining.

Anelka had City fans and players' hearts in their mouths when he failed to redirect the ball past Hart from within the 6 yard box. City defended like men possessed throwing all men behind the ball to thin any meaningful threats Chelsea posed. As it turned out, it was a day they would drop the first points of the Backlays Premier League campaign.

Manchester City Burst Chelsea Bubble in A Thrilling Battle Of Wits.

Manchester City 1 - Chelsea 0.

Manchester City started playing not to lose at the City of Manchester Stadium, as if they were the away team. They were very disciplined defensively and well-shaped in midfield. It was always playing to stop Chelsea from scoring. James Milner provided a forward dimension on the left wing going forward.

On their part, Chelsea were patient and dangerous entering the attacking third of the field. Man City fortified the 18 yard area, building a solid wall, a barrier Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda kept knocking  with consistent aggression. With a little composure, Michael Essien could have at least forced a save from Hart.

City managed sporadic spells of possession only restricted to the midfield third with very occasional forays into the box. Both teams applied chess-like moves, accelerating forward-looking for opportune moment to catch each other off guard. They made good use of all manpower, getting goalside and leaving Drogba and Carlos Tevez upfront.

Combative duels became a little physical in the preparation zones, with Man City the more aggressive and Chelsea craftier. While not so polished, the match was excessively competitive. To show the balance of play, both Anelka and David Silva found themselves involved in defensive duties once in a while. Chelsea's intentions were very clear as they stroke the post, had 2 penalty situation when Bolata wrapped his arm around Drogba and then shoulder charged dangerously later on.

The second half started with Anelka's effort missing the post after a finger tip touch by Joe Hart. Man City passed the ball better but failed to penetrate. Their first half wing player became less effective as they changed the channel of attack to the right, though when they used the left side, Silva forced Petr Cech to dive low to parry the ball for a corner. The competitiveness of the match was less obvious, probably due to heavy legs from the first half pace and the midweek  Carling Cup losses by the 2 teams.

Carlos Tevez received the ball exactly in the centre circle and ran the entire 55 metres with Ashley Cole backpedaling and then shot low to his left to beat Cech for only the second goal Chelsea have conceded in the league this season. The tempo increased as City looked for the second one while Chelsea hoped for an equaliser. Manchester City defended resolutely and counter-attacked decisively as Tevez began to harass Terry and Alex at will. The goal scorer and captain was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Adebayour with 5 minutes of play remaining.

Anelka had City fans and players' hearts in their mouths when he failed to redirect the ball past Hart from within the 6 yard box. City defended like men possessed throwing all men behind the ball to thin any meaningful threats Chelsea posed. As it turned out, it was a day they would drop the first points of the Backlays Premier League campaign.

Manchester City Burst Chelsea Bubble in A Thrilling Battle Of Wits.

Manchester City 1 - Chelsea 0.

Manchester City started playing not to lose at the City of Manchester Stadium, as if they were the away team. They were very disciplined defensively and well-shaped in midfield. It was always playing to stop Chelsea from scoring. James Milner provided a forward dimension on the left wing going forward.

On their part, Chelsea were patient and dangerous entering the attacking third of the field. Man City fortified the 18 yard area, building a solid wall, a barrier Didier Drogba, Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda kept knocking  with consistent aggression. With a little composure, Michael Essien could have at least forced a save from Hart.

City managed sporadic spells of possession only restricted to the midfield third with very occasional forays into the box. Both teams applied chess-like moves, accelerating forward-looking for opportune moment to catch each other off guard. They made good use of all manpower, getting goalside and leaving Drogba and Carlos Tevez upfront.

Combative duels became a little physical in the preparation zones, with Man City the more aggressive and Chelsea craftier. While not so polished, the match was excessively competitive. To show the balance of play, both Anelka and David Silva found themselves involved in defensive duties once in a while. Chelsea's intentions were very clear as they stroke the post, had 2 penalty situation when Bolata wrapped his arm around Drogba and then shoulder charged dangerously later on.

The second half started with Anelka's effort missing the post after a finger tip touch by Joe Hart. Man City passed the ball better but failed to penetrate. Their first half wing player became less effective as they changed the channel of attack to the right, though when they used the left side, Silva forced Petr Cech to dive low to parry the ball for a corner. The competitiveness of the match was less obvious, probably due to heavy legs from the first half pace and the midweek  Carling Cup losses by the 2 teams.

Carlos Tevez received the ball exactly in the centre circle and ran the entire 55 metres with Ashley Cole backpedaling and then shot low to his left to beat Cech for only the second goal Chelsea have conceded in the league this season. The tempo increased as City looked for the second one while Chelsea hoped for an equaliser. Manchester City defended resolutely and counter-attacked decisively as Tevez began to harass Terry and Alex at will. The goal scorer and captain was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Adebayour with 5 minutes of play remaining.

Anelka had City fans and players' hearts in their mouths when he failed to redirect the ball past Hart from within the 6 yard box. City defended like men possessed throwing all men behind the ball to thin any meaningful threats Chelsea posed. As it turned out, it was a day they would drop the first points of the Backlays Premier League campaign.