EPL Game Week 12
EPL Game Week 12
Last week was an international break. Normal service has resumed. Meantime, a commentary on the friendly international:
England v Spain
World Champion Spain unbeaten for a long time and undefeated by England in the last ten years were finally defeated by the Three Lions when Frank Lampard scored the only goal. You can't play Spain at their own game, not now or in the coming years but the English put on an excellent defensive game. One must be willing and daring to put in your young players and England put them in like 19 year-old Phil Jones (Man U), 20 year-old Danny Welbeck (Man U), 20 year-old Jack Rodwell (Everton), 21 year-old Kyle Walker (Tottenham) and 22 year-old Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea). Joleon Lescott (Man City) and Phil Jagielka (Everton) put in solid performance at their heart of defence.
The biggest accolade must go to the much older Scott Parker who made every crucial tackle and I though he had an incredible game. Parker epitomised England's game - they were physical and powerful which are their strength. I have only one complaint - goalkeeper Joe Hart's awfully designed and coloured shirt. Glen Johnson was a delight to watch going forward but he often look equally dangerous going backwards because he leaves a gap in his adventures. He did fine this time with a more balanced performance. Phil Jagielka was all focus and dependable making important blocks. I felt Joleon Lescott gave a masterclass performance on defending. I can tell you that at Chelsea and England, their most consistent and best player will always be Ashley Cole. He was his usual excellent self. Scott Parker to me is the finest holding midfielder in England today and I wondered why Arsenal didn't sign him. He showed it against the best in the business today. Oh why didn't he featured more for England in the past?
I could not understand why they played Phil Jones in midfield. He's very young and obviously going to be a great future player and though he looked decent he is not accustomed to a mid fielder's distribution and the final ball was lacking. Not his fault. If Theo Walcott know how to use his speed and acceleration, when to hold or release the ball, cross well and time his run a little better he can be a world beater. A bit of Latin guile should be injected into him. If Frank Lampard can transfer his Chelsea form to England he would have done wonders. Playing as Captain, he was decent and typically Lampard including nodding home the only goal. James Milner is a grinder even as he was played on the left and was more defensive than attacking. He's also a good crosser. His free kick resulted in the goal. Jack Rodwell has plenty of energy and is often clever with the ball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb36OBuFIuE
Darren Bent scores regularly and plays well in the EPL and sometimes scores for England. He played a part in that goal. He is strong but looked too static at times. Soccer is about movement and movement can confuse and trouble your opponents. If you had been watching Danny Welbeck this season, I do think he has a bright future. He is a lot more mobile and caused some problems to Spain.
We often think that without certain people or players the world will die on us. The truth is nobody is indispensable. England was without Steven Gerard, Wayne Rooney, John Terry, etc. and Spain may not have the same Golden Generation again. Nothing last forever.
Back to EPL, let me refresh your memory with the previous games as we plot the coming results. Somebody asked me why I had not predicted the 1-6 drubbing of Man U by Man C but I had predicted correctly 6-7 matches and a couple with exact scores. If I could predict everything, I won't be having a day job right?
England v Spain
World Champion Spain unbeaten for a long time and undefeated by England in the last ten years were finally defeated by the Three Lions when Frank Lampard scored the only goal. You can't play Spain at their own game, not now or in the coming years but the English put on an excellent defensive game. One must be willing and daring to put in your young players and England put them in like 19 year-old Phil Jones (Man U), 20 year-old Danny Welbeck (Man U), 20 year-old Jack Rodwell (Everton), 21 year-old Kyle Walker (Tottenham) and 22 year-old Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea). Joleon Lescott (Man City) and Phil Jagielka (Everton) put in solid performance at their heart of defence.
The biggest accolade must go to the much older Scott Parker who made every crucial tackle and I though he had an incredible game. Parker epitomised England's game - they were physical and powerful which are their strength. I have only one complaint - goalkeeper Joe Hart's awfully designed and coloured shirt. Glen Johnson was a delight to watch going forward but he often look equally dangerous going backwards because he leaves a gap in his adventures. He did fine this time with a more balanced performance. Phil Jagielka was all focus and dependable making important blocks. I felt Joleon Lescott gave a masterclass performance on defending. I can tell you that at Chelsea and England, their most consistent and best player will always be Ashley Cole. He was his usual excellent self. Scott Parker to me is the finest holding midfielder in England today and I wondered why Arsenal didn't sign him. He showed it against the best in the business today. Oh why didn't he featured more for England in the past?
I could not understand why they played Phil Jones in midfield. He's very young and obviously going to be a great future player and though he looked decent he is not accustomed to a mid fielder's distribution and the final ball was lacking. Not his fault. If Theo Walcott know how to use his speed and acceleration, when to hold or release the ball, cross well and time his run a little better he can be a world beater. A bit of Latin guile should be injected into him. If Frank Lampard can transfer his Chelsea form to England he would have done wonders. Playing as Captain, he was decent and typically Lampard including nodding home the only goal. James Milner is a grinder even as he was played on the left and was more defensive than attacking. He's also a good crosser. His free kick resulted in the goal. Jack Rodwell has plenty of energy and is often clever with the ball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb36OBuFIuE
Darren Bent scores regularly and plays well in the EPL and sometimes scores for England. He played a part in that goal. He is strong but looked too static at times. Soccer is about movement and movement can confuse and trouble your opponents. If you had been watching Danny Welbeck this season, I do think he has a bright future. He is a lot more mobile and caused some problems to Spain.
We often think that without certain people or players the world will die on us. The truth is nobody is indispensable. England was without Steven Gerard, Wayne Rooney, John Terry, etc. and Spain may not have the same Golden Generation again. Nothing last forever.
Back to EPL, let me refresh your memory with the previous games as we plot the coming results. Somebody asked me why I had not predicted the 1-6 drubbing of Man U by Man C but I had predicted correctly 6-7 matches and a couple with exact scores. If I could predict everything, I won't be having a day job right?
Norwich v Arsenal - The 3-0 drubbing of WBA at the Emirates was comprehensive. Thomas Vermaelen out with injury came back with a vengeance just like when he first joined Arsenal scoring an important goal. Robbie van Persie continued his hot streak leading the goal scorer chart with another and Arteta got his first home goal. Arsenal does not look so bad now. Coming from where they started, that is comprehensive. Anthony Pilkington remained a shining light for Norwich which has been conceding goals but only their second loss in 7 matches. The Gunners are on a roll such that being away will not have any impact. 1-3. In life, you need belief. It keeps you purring. Bet that Van Persie will score again.
Everton v Wolves - Young prodigy Jack Rodwell acquainted himself well socring a goal at St. James Park which is his second of the season. This is more than he garnered in the previous 4 seasons. At Goodison Park, Everton needs to win against a resurgent Wolves whose own youngsters Jamie O'Hara scored last week. Everton has good work ethics but not necessary the luck. 2-1. Watch Everton's Drenthe.
Manchester City v Newcastle - Man City has been bulldozing everyone in a steamrolling mayhem. Bosnian Edin Dzeko added his fourth goal in three matches while David Silva contributed a beauty and he could be one of the front runners to this season's best player. Can Man C continue with another win or could they be halted? Nobody could really piece together the Magpies' fine form till now as they remain unbeaten even after having quite a few tough ones but they do not come bigger than Man C.
It is a meeting of two unbeaten teams. Maybe the owner really knew what he was doing back then and Alan Pardew has done very well. Newcastle now has balance and purpose. Coloccini and his defence of Danny Simson and Steven Taylor has been outstanding and so was Ryan Taylor. Striker Demba Ba has been superb. I believe even the best team can't go on winning forever and if anyone can take a point off City, it will be Newcastle. The match pits the highest scoring team against the team with the best defensive record. Man U will be waiting at Old Trafford followed by Chelsea at St. James Park. Can the Magpies continue to fly or their wings be clipped? 3-2.
It is a meeting of two unbeaten teams. Maybe the owner really knew what he was doing back then and Alan Pardew has done very well. Newcastle now has balance and purpose. Coloccini and his defence of Danny Simson and Steven Taylor has been outstanding and so was Ryan Taylor. Striker Demba Ba has been superb. I believe even the best team can't go on winning forever and if anyone can take a point off City, it will be Newcastle. The match pits the highest scoring team against the team with the best defensive record. Man U will be waiting at Old Trafford followed by Chelsea at St. James Park. Can the Magpies continue to fly or their wings be clipped? 3-2.
Stoke v QPR - Stoke was a complete mess at Bolton. Being trounced by a team low on morale and hit 5 times without reply is embarassing. Meantime, QPR put out such a gallant display v Man City that at one time, you can't help but stood up and gave a standing ovation. QPR must now have belief. 1-2.
Sunderland v Fulham - I do not think Sunderland deserved the loss at Old Trafford. Man U was ordinary that day. They should do better at home welcoming a Fulham that could not contain Tottenham at Craven Cottage. 2-1.
WBA v Bolton - The 0-3 loss to Arsenal by WBA was an exception. Yes they have been losing but not by this many goals. In fact, there were times even against the big boys that they played well enough not to have lost. Perhaps Bolton is now inspired and highly charged, buoyed by that 5-0 drubbing of Stoke but not everyday is Sunday. 2-2.
Wigan v Blackburn - While Wigan lost 1-3 at Wolves, Blackburn lost 0-1 narrowly to Chelsea. Both teams together with Bolton are at the bottom three while Wolves and WBA are just two points better. The scramble for points must surely start now. 1-2.
Swansea v Manchester United - Swansea looks really good against Liverpool. Their Dutch goalie Vorm wormed and wriggled his way to make a crucial save among others. Swansea can be more than a match and can give a good game to anyone including the Lucky Devils. Oops! Red Devils. Although as usual it can look a a Man U win, I feel Swansea can surprise. 1-1.
Chelsea v Liverpool - This is the monster game of the week. It is an important game for both. Chelsea at home will face even more pressure with a young manager in the hot seat and Chelsea has not been doing too well or look very convincing lately. Liverpool, definitely better than last season is still lacking an edge to kill a game. Suarez starred in Uruguay's 4-0 win over Chile by scoring all 4 goals but the question is whether he could summon more energy for a repeat. Liverpool has a good record against Chelsea and could force a win but the game is at Stamford Bridge. In their last game they could not even beat another team ending with "sea" - Swansea. Will they be all at sea? Let's see. Mmmmm.....1-1?
Tottenham v Aston Villa - Villa had a good win but that was only Norwich - Canaries. Now Cockerels are bigger and stronger than Canaries. At best Villa may be as good as Fulham who lost 1-3 at home. Harry Redknapp may be recovering from heart problems but his team has continued the resurgence from last season. Their invention and imagination are there, they could score and they play at speed. They could even displace a top four team. Maybe now we have the big six. 3-1.
Wigan v Blackburn - While Wigan lost 1-3 at Wolves, Blackburn lost 0-1 narrowly to Chelsea. Both teams together with Bolton are at the bottom three while Wolves and WBA are just two points better. The scramble for points must surely start now. 1-2.
Swansea v Manchester United - Swansea looks really good against Liverpool. Their Dutch goalie Vorm wormed and wriggled his way to make a crucial save among others. Swansea can be more than a match and can give a good game to anyone including the Lucky Devils. Oops! Red Devils. Although as usual it can look a a Man U win, I feel Swansea can surprise. 1-1.
Chelsea v Liverpool - This is the monster game of the week. It is an important game for both. Chelsea at home will face even more pressure with a young manager in the hot seat and Chelsea has not been doing too well or look very convincing lately. Liverpool, definitely better than last season is still lacking an edge to kill a game. Suarez starred in Uruguay's 4-0 win over Chile by scoring all 4 goals but the question is whether he could summon more energy for a repeat. Liverpool has a good record against Chelsea and could force a win but the game is at Stamford Bridge. In their last game they could not even beat another team ending with "sea" - Swansea. Will they be all at sea? Let's see. Mmmmm.....1-1?
Tottenham v Aston Villa - Villa had a good win but that was only Norwich - Canaries. Now Cockerels are bigger and stronger than Canaries. At best Villa may be as good as Fulham who lost 1-3 at home. Harry Redknapp may be recovering from heart problems but his team has continued the resurgence from last season. Their invention and imagination are there, they could score and they play at speed. They could even displace a top four team. Maybe now we have the big six. 3-1.
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