EPL Game Week 14

Game week 13 has significance. Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd., all drew which means AVB has some breathing space as Chelsea won after stumbling a few times.  Except for Wigan, all the bottom teams lost to go deeper into the abyss. Swansea, a Welsh team and Aston Villa with Welsh players tried and battled but found it hard to conjure anything more as they were shell-shocked by the demise of Gary Speed, still only 42, the current manager of the Wales team who was getting good results for Wales. Kenny Dalglish released Craig Bellamy saying sometimes there are more important things than football. Welsh Captain Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal would have been affected. Gary Speed himself has 85 caps for Wales, was the Wales Captain and current manager.

Gary Speed

A distinguished player for Leeds in the 1992 Championship winning team and later played significant and not bit roles for Everton, Newcastle and a key role at Bolton under Sam Allardyce's revival. He held the Premiership's longest record of 535 appearances till David James overtook him in 2009. Speed was an old school type of player playing a physical game with industry and he was always an athlete. Few players, especially outfield players lasted that long. Think Pele and how he lasted that long and you will learn how Gary Speed did it - he worked hard and took care of himself much unlike modern players today. It is not important for us to know what happened or why it happened. Our human minds and human life is too complex sometimes. Everyone we meet is facing a harder battle in life. This is my tribute to Gary Speed.





EPL Game Week 14

Newcastle v Chelsea - The Toon Army face a harrowing few weeks and having lost to City they held United with distinction. Just look at this link to understand what I meant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-OxxSp-VJw&feature=related

This was how a soccer team should always play and Singapore team should learn from it. Newcastle played with a never say die attitude, at times even defending desperately. They threw their bodies in the way if I have to say that. Man U was superior and clearly dominated especially in the last 11 minutes and with Gutierez off and injury time added, two things can happen. In the ensuing process, Man U was going to score if you had followed but as the game wore on, the feeling begun to change to one where United would not score. Newcastle's hope brightened and United's hope dimmed. It was as much mental and I predicted a 100% correct outcome of 1-1. Tim Krul continued to be in inspired form while Hernandez is exactly that kind of player who just needs to be fielded and the ball will find him and go into the net. Wonder if he knew what hit him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i-JaFMWkuw

Chelsea made minced meat of Wolves pattie and a stroll in the park but the Geordies at St. James Park will give a sterner test. Demba Ba will at least score a goal and if they can repeat that performance I do not see how the visitor can walk away smiling. 2-2 as Chelsea will leak a goal or two as they have just leaked two more to Liverpool in the League Cup at home. Maybe the Magpies can fly one over the cuckoo's nest.

Blackburn v Swansea - Blackburn are in serious trouble and Swansea would have recovered over their grief over  Gary Speed. Blackburn can't win but they have shown that they could draw even when playing away. Swansea plays beautiful soccer but in the final third, they have not converted what they could have. 1-1. Kean's Blackburn has not been doing too well but he got a contract renewal. Was it to secure his position and payment or is it one to pay him less in case of getting fired. I wish I can be a soccer manager for just one season.

Manchester City v Norwich - Man City got a draw at Anfield and they were lucky. I would have been correct again with 2-1 to Liverpool if that last gasp header had gone in. Andy Carroll showed what he could do with that powerful header but Joe Hart was equal to it making a stupendous one-handed world class save in the very last minute and showed why he is England's No. 1. Joe Hart interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPbwuyrbvkI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTsI-XCBaUk&feature=related

I like Joe Hart. See if you agree:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pflPdmLiGUQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yhv1EVKBMk&feature=related

It was good that Norwich overcame QPR at home previously and Man City can smother them at the City of Manchester Stadium. 2-0 if not for the fact the City has got some distraction from Europe. I like to see Edin Dzeko playing more though and score too.

QPR v WBA - QPR lost away to Norwich and they will press for the home points but WBA can inflict some pain sometimes except Spurs was just too good the other day. 1-1. They are both quite equal.

Tottenham v Bolton - Tottenham is the most in-form team now while Bolton is in really bad shape. Did you see that goal from Jermaine Defoe. He took the ball on the run with a defender close by and in mid stride he took a whack diagonally into goal. If only he can do it consistently, he will be leading the England attack. 3-1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTdmq1nerXo

Wigan v Arsenal - Wigan inflicted a big blow to their competitor Sunderland with a late winning goal at the Stadium of Light where they promptly sacked Steve Bruce. Arsenal can tamed a lion but do squeak at times when they meet a mouse. Problem with the Gunners is that their squad is a little thin and as the season wears on, injuries, loss of form or suspension can rear its ugly head. Can Robbie van Persie can another few? Is there an over reliance on him? Arsenal's defence can look suspect at times but Vermaelen will hold strong. 1-2.

Aston Villa v Manchester United - Villa is not easy to play and at Villa Park they can be stubborn even brave. Man Utd's form is waning having just lost 1-2 to lower rung Crystal Palace albeit with a weakened second team. When Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) is fuming frequently, you know something is not quite right. Another draw on the cards? It is possible. 1-1. United will only peak after Christmas.

Everton v Stoke - Everton won 2-0 away in their last outing but then it was only Bolton. Stoke continue to blow hot and cold. They were hot in their 3-1 home win over Blackburn but it was only Blackburn. Hot and cold means they'll be cold again but the way these 2 teams are playing it would probably be a 1-1 draw. 

Wolves v Sunderland - Wigan dealt a fatal blow to Sunderland and Steve Bruce. Are Wolves vicious? There's no better time to play Sunderland you may say. Demoralised without morale and their manager or banding together to fight back. Wolves must win or they will sink deeper. 2-1.

Fulham v Liverpool - Fulham will be no easy meat at home or even away as Arsenal found out. They are the type of team that are spoilers to the big boys. I think other than Tottenham, Liverpool is also on song. They have came out unscathed winning at Chelsea and nearly winning over City and still looking very good. Lucas was playing his best ever for Liverpool but is now out injured. That's life.
Beating and holding the arch rivals are not enough. You have to beat the weaker teams in the lower half or mid-table. 1-2.

Your best weekend EPL match will be at St. James Park between Newcastle and Chelsea.

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