Goals Busters - Half-Time Report Card
There's something strange in the neighbourhood. Who do you call? Goals Busters!
Barcelona won everything in sight all six of them and made history with Lionel Messi at the helm. Meantime, they sacked Mark Hughes whose Manchester City suffered only two losses even if they drew too many but they had taken the mickey out of Arsenal, Chelsea and drew Liverpool. But I suppose Hughes will be paid handsomely but there is no dignity with people doing things these days. Instant noodles, instant coffee, instant cash, instant success and instant death.
Liverpool lost 2-0 to bottom team Portsmouth on Bill Shankly's 50th anniversary. It was not so much the loss but the way they played. Captain and vice captain Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher played as if they wanted Rafa out and Rafa's selection and and tactics seemed like he wanted an early pay cheque. Liverpool is no longer the family club we knew and the American owners are not helping the situation. It's not far-fetched to imagine that Liverpool may not get into the top four to qualify for UEFA Championship meaning a deeper loss of funds. Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and others like Real Madrid and Barcelona may pounce on their top players like Torres and Gerrard. Hmmm...only Torres and Gerrard actually. They may go back to the abyss where they were before Shankly brought them up. Success is never final, you have to keep plugging away. This has got to be the most open EPL season in a long time. Every team has been stuttering and fluttering. Here's my report card at the half-way mark:
Chelsea - With their top scorer Didier Drogba in superb form, Chelsea still look good for the title shot. The fact that they clawed their way back way late after trailing Fulham's early goal showed their mettle. But Drogba and a few others are leaving for the African Nations Cup and there are big shoes to fill at Stamford Bridge. Still a favourite but they are not as invincible as before. 5 points clear is a good things but it can be over in 2 games. Dumping Watford 5-0 in the F.A. Cup is an affirmation. Carlo Ancelotti is not making news for the wrong reasons.
Manchester United - Edwin van Der Sar's wife has a brain tumour and he'll be away. God bless her for a recovery. Rooney made the difference in their last win over Hull. Like Chelsea Man U has lost some aura and have not been as convincing. They have an advantage over Chelsea as their squad are intact with no one leaving for Africa. Still a possible contender with their experience. Losing to lower tier Leeds 0-1 in the FA Cup is an exasperation considering it the first time in 26 years qt Old Trafford. I alway thought Alex Ferguson should have retired that year he said he would.
Arsenal - It is not easy to win against Aston Villa. You saw how the Gunners dominated and how simple they made it look but still they are guilty of over-playing sometimes in the final third when a simple shot might do the trick. Three nothing on Villa is special and you saw why I rated Cesc Fabregas so highly when he made a cameo for 25 minutes scoring 2 goals including a wonder free-kick before aggravating a hamstring. This team will go places if kept together and hopefully soon as they offer exciting prospects. They are 7 points adrift of Chelsea but with 2 games in hand, 2 points behind Man U with a game in hand. If Arsene Wenger can keep the momentum, they might just nip it.
Tottenham Hotspurs - Harry Redknapp really is a magician and is turning Spurs around. Jermaine Defoe is having the form of his life and Aaron Lennon is finally showing his full potential. With his speed and acceralation, he will trouble any defence anytime and this season his crosses have improved by a mile. Fabio Capello must be smiling. Spurs will have a big say for the fourth spot for UEFA qualification. Watch out for Tom Huddlestone, a midfielder who is so comfortable on the ball with either feet and packs a wallop from distance. The new Glen Hoddle?for England?
Aston Villa - Martin O'Neil has been exquisite as I told you umpteen times. James Milner may even play himself to a World Cup spot. He is a player who can operate anywhere, has very high work rate and is fearless. I always wonder why England U-21 fare so well at internationals and why not the national team? I thought Ashley Young has been great too. Fast and an ability to whip n those killer crosses and free-kicks. Two-footed and can play on the left wing. Why didn't Capello pick him? Gabriel Agbonlahor too will be a strong contender for WC action. Unfortunate to have lost to Arsenal after such a great run and then to lose to a under-fired Liverpool side by an odd Torres goal. Like Spurs, a strong contender for the last ticket to Europe.
Manchester City - Roberto Mancini through no apparent reason has brought about an awakening and new hope to the Maine Road faithfuls. The players may be fearing a kick up the backside so they have to up the ante. Carlos Tevez is playing like a man possessed. City has a slight advantage now over their main rivals Spurs, Villa and Liverpool with either a game in hand or more points and they have lost only 2 games all season. They look the strongest contender yet and may have new players added. Mancini is likely to bring in his own preferred players some time. This is sometimes a problem. Manchester City - Man Citi & Mancini. Sounds like a good match.
Liverpool - I have said enough about Liverpool even dedicating an articles on their history and their legendary players. They have just won their last 2 games 2-0 v Wolves and 1-0 away to Villa grinding out correct results to save their skins. There is no room for them to slip further but they are looking from bad to worse. I am really fearing for Liverpool. Someone out there, please save them.
Birmingham - has been surprisingly stout-hearted with their performances. Manager Alex McLeish has certainly done a wonderful job. Seems like HK tycoon Carlson Yeung has been equally astute in this business. Not sure if they could sustain the second half. If you have seen their goalie Joe Hart's performance in the last two games you will think he should be going to South Africa with England. There was a time where England always produce some of the best goalies in the world. After Gordon Banks, Ray Clemence (Liverpool), Peter Shilton (Nottingham Forest) were playing at the same time. Joe Corrigan (Man City) & Phil Parkes (QPR) were also available. The envy of other countries. How quickly things have changed. You see Joe Hart is fearless, has big match temperament and plays with a smile. Looks like Birmingham will make him a permanent signing from Man City. Watch this boy, he will be big for England someday. Forget David James, Robert Green, Chris Kirkland or Ben Foster.
Fulham - Roy Hodgson's credentials has been reported by me in previous articles. They took the game to Chelsea last week but lost unfortunately to a late own goal. Roy could turn Chris Baird into a formidable player and how Liverpool wish they have kept Danny Murphy. Today's managers in the EPL are mostly foreign even the England manager and it is going to be hard for future England managers to be English. Being so cosmopolitan, it looks like continuing that way. However, Roy Hodgson should really be given a chance to do that job. He has the ability and he's English. They way the EPL is going, English managers, goalies, strikers and everything else are disappearing.
Sunderland - Under Steve Bruce, Sunderland has been having quite wonderful results playing with confidence and purpose. Striker Darren Bent is having the form of his life and among the top scorers this season and may play himself into WC contention for England. Standing anywhere, the ball could hit him and go into the net. Injuries and suspensions are hurting them most unfortunately.
Everton - David Moyes is having an unusual season blighted by injuries. For the good work he has done over the years, he deserve better. Having produced and sold Rooney, Everton may have another ace in the pack with Jack Rodwell whom Man U is eying. With some players leaving for the African Cup things may get worse.
Stoke City - Stoke is physical and plays a hard game. They are certainly not doing badly where they are but things are going to be harder for everyone after Christmas and increasing the quality is going to be a problem.
Blackburn - Big Sam Allardyce was one hell of a manager with Bolton who was tough and can offer quite a few scalps a season. Then the big job at St. James Park beckoned and he took the bait only to be sacked shortly. He like Alan Curbishley once with Charlton could have been England manager. Blackburn could give anyone a bloody nose if needed. That's Sam for you but they haven't won for quite awhile and it doesn't bode well.
Burnley - Owen Coyle is a good manager. He got his team to overcome Man U, Arsenal and a few big guns before but sometimes when your pocket is light, there is little you could do but they haven't won longer than Blackburn and the early season form has fizzled. It's a cold winter.
Wigan - Has never budge by playing negative but something is not right as they have been losing quite tamely. Remember that 3-1 win over Chelsea an then the 9-0 thrashing by Spurs? What's up??? They have forgotten how to defend conceding the most goals. Manager Roberto Martinez plays good soccer and deserve a lot better.
Wolves - They have already been playing above themselves. They need to score goals. If they have some players back or clever acquisitions, they might just scrap through.
West Ham - Many things are wrong with our beloved West Ham. Injuries, poor form, lack of depth resulted in under performance so far. The Hammers are giving away goals a two a pop not because of superior opponents but self destruction. I hope they survive.
Bolton - In a precarious position. Sam Allardyce and Bolton were both doing great until they split. A contender for the drop if they don't start pulling up the socks.
Hull - They are lacking goals just like the other bottom teams and conceding too many. Manager Phil Brown pulled off a miracles to avoid the drop the last time. It may be tougher now.
Sometimes I wish they could appoint me for 3 years and then sack me in 3 months with compensation so that I have more time to catch up with old friends and cash to splash.
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