EPL Game Week 13

Sadness lingers as we read about Robert Enke, goalkeeper for Germany's World Cup squad who took his own life after suffering depression after coming back to the top of his game having been voted the best goalie in the Bundesliga last year. Some intestinal infection that made him sick saw him lost his place in Germany's qualifiers for a few games. This is a shocker as Germany mourns the loss. It was reported that he suffered from depression and he also had the tragic loss of his very young daughter previously.

Nearer home, we read about a relatively young man who killed himself after murdering his own children. Who are we to judge people when we can be equally gullible and susceptible?How are to say that bad things won't come to us? All the more important it is for us to ram home the message about our state of mind that when troubled can be so dangerous and tragic. I hope that when our casinos open, the floodgates of such profligacy can be binded.

Stay strong, come what may!
 

Liverpool v Manchester City

Poor Rafa, Liverpool dominated the entire game and all they could show was a 2-2 draw with Birmingham. To make matter worse, Benitez scored against Liverpool. Not Rafa but Christian Benitez of Birmingham fortunately. They are not able to convert chances like Chelsea, Arsenal or Man Utd. When you read the papers or hear the news and what you see or hear is "Liverpool avoided defeat..." this is not the Liverpool Shankly built. When they hung the sign "This Is Anfield" at the tunnel's entrance, it was supposed to remind opponents that they should tremble and have wobbly legs and start thinking they should try to avoid being thrashed rather than getting a result. In the blue corner, Mark Hughes is learning that money alone cannot buy success. Conceding 3 goals to Burnley at home is not something to be proud of. It can decide who between them can get the fourth spot and the ticket to Europa provided Villa do not crash the party. Mark Huges will be happy that they are dealing with Liverpool. Pool's injury list is scary: Gerard, Torres, Benayoun, Riera, Agger, Johnson....2-2.

Birmingham v Fulham

Birmingham must have been encouraged with their result at Liverpool and like I said everybody wants to play Liverpool now. Fulham shall continue to do well but travelling and playing away is never easy. 1-1.

Burnley V Aston Villa

To go to Manchester and scored 3 times is not easy even though it's the blue side and facing a marauding Villa on song is not good timing. I got it right when I said Young, Agbonlahor and Carew will dance. Manager Owen Coyle knows his stuff and if they could beat Man Utd. then they could beat anyone. 2-2. Villa has no right to go on winning like that scoring 5 goals, c'mon they are not Arsenal. Life is funny though. American Brad Friedel was 3rd choice once at the Liverpool goal but has been performing heroics week in and out first for Blackburn and now for Villa. Why Pepe Reina? You have a good thing and you don't know it. Like your job, your wife, a staff or a friend.

Chelsea v Wolves

Sometimes, doing things through the computer is cold and cruel. First they let you host Arsenal and then they send you to Chelsea. It's like going to the slaughter house twice in two weeks. Why don't they give me Liverpool? You can hear them howling. 3-0. Drogba, Lampard and whoever will score. Ancelotti is getting everything in place and since he is related to Pavarotti at least in nationality, he sure know a thing or two that it is not over till the fat lady sings. Beating Man U and going 5 points clear is not enough. He would love some Wolves' fur to add to his ground at the fire place. Ancelotti has made Chelsea fashionable again.

Hull v West Ham

Hull is playing their 2nd year in the Premiership for the very first time after surviving relegation and with limited resources are finding life hard to cope. They were magnificent to have downed Stoke last week while the Hammers lost at home to Everton at Upton Park. Zola is having a crisis and need to put things right fast. The nice guy deserve a point. 1-1.

Sunderland v Arsenal

The Black Cats are doing very well and Steve Bruce must have done a good job making them over achieve up to now. Spurs hit them for two surprisingly as Spurs can be wimps at times so unless they could raise their game to get a shock result, Arsene's Assasins who has amassed 55 goals in all competition thus far and averaging 3 goals per game will take them to the cleaners. Arsenal are playing to their handicap 1-3 to the Gunners. You see Arsenal like Ris just concentrate on themselves.

Manchester United v Everton

Everton won at Upton Park but this is Old Trafford. In fact Man U played well v Chelsea. I thought Wayne Rooney was simply outstanding. He's no Ronaldinho or Ronaldo but his desire to win that could be seen is second to none. He could only succeed. He has that same steel like Tiger Woods. Even Ris Low is studying...steel. Everton can work out a draw but Man U must win now to keep in contention. Rooney should be inspired as the fans from his ex club taunts him.

Bolton v Blackburn

Bolton was awful against Villa while Blackburn may have trouble maintaining consistency. Both have to go out their to eke out a draw. 1-1.

Tottenham v Wigan

Spurs is doing fine so far except for getting trounced by Arsenal but I like them. Based on seasons passed, they are due a loss. Tom Huddlestone is actually a very good midfielder and those who saw his goal zooming past Gordon Craig's replacement must know that he is capable of doing that and has found himself in Capello's set up. I said Capello not a capella. However, Defoe is losing his zing as quickly as it came. Spurs goalie Huerelho Gomez was so dodgy at the beginning that he was quite unbelievable but having kept some clean sheets and performing with heroics with some incredible saves, he is back in the fold. It showed that events in life and fortunes can change very quickly.

Stoke v Portsmouth

Portsmouth is in a sorry state so soon after the new owners pledge cash for spending and Harry Redknapp was manager. Now Ole Harry and some players has switched allegiance and defected to White Hart Lane. Stoke will get back where they belong. 2-1. When you have a goalie named Hennessy you want it on the rocks!