EPL Game Week 8

There was a time England boasted the world's best goalkeepers since Gordon Banks. In fact, they had four top goalies all at once - Ray Clemence (Liverpool), Peter Shilton (Nottingham Forest), Joe Corrigan (Man City) and Phil Parkes (West Ham). Later, after David Seaman, there was a huge vacuum. 

I saw a very young Paul Robinson with such great promise while playing for Leeds especially against Barcelona in Europe saving from the great Rivaldo. Saw him made a back-peddling lounge to save a certain goal then that England game versus Croatia where he mistimed his kick from a back pass where the ball bob over a lump on the pitch put paid to his career. Joe Hart showed so much promise but lately is form is in the doldrums. Why? Remember David James? Another talented goalie whom admitted to his addiction to some video games. It is not just the goalkeepers. 

All young players have lots of money and maybe they have nothing to do outside of soccer and may indulge in gambling, sex or simply too much binge drinking other than video games. To be and to maintain standard, a top sportsman needs a lot of discipline. It has not been helped by the fact that today's world has no patience to develop talents. Just buy them. Everybody wants a quick fix. Local talents lack opportunities and eventually the England team suffers. It does not help that because the EPL is the most exciting soccer brand on TV, everybody knows how the English play but England may not know how Montenegro or Poland play. 

Talking about goalies, I was pleased to see Hassan Sunny back for the Singapore Team. I do not agree goalkeeping coach with Lee Bee Seng that Izwan could be the best ever keeper for Singapore. We have legendary goalies like Wilfred Skinner and Chu Chee Seng I read about but never seen. we have Lee Bee Seng himself, Lim Chiew Peng, Eric Paine, Edmund Wee, David Lee, Brian Rozario, and Abdul Malek. Izwan is good especially when he caught the ball and is launching an attack. For that he has no peers but he lets in soft goals like the ATM goal from a good free kick but it is a cardinal sin for goalies to let in at the near post.

In the old days, teams like Liverpool scouted, bought and then develop talents like Ray Clemence and Kevin Keegan from a fourth division team Scunthorpe. Paul Gascoigne once while learning his trade at Newcastle was polishing the boots of Kevin Keegan. All apprentices did that. I doubt they do this any more. Actually, it is not restricted to soccer. Even at the work place anywhere, such transformation is taking place. You just slot into place but without gaining all the experience. Except at work places, many people still go all out to polish boots - the boss's boots.

Talking about the good old days and Kevin Keegan, I automatically remember Trevor Brooking now "Sir" Trevor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk82PGXxmEY

Watch this great headed goal by Keegan from a Brooking pass:

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

There were the legendary voices of Brian Moore and John Motson. There was Jimmy Hill and great players like Pat Jennings, Charlie George and Stan Bowles. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgH6thQGqwc

So what do I think and how do I rate this weekend's EPL matches?

Newcastle v Liverpool - Newcastle showed character to win 2-1 away at Cardiff last week but still lack consistency and assurance. They have sold Demba Ba to Chelsea and Papiss Cisse has yet to score but Loic Remy was a revelation last week when he got a brace. The Magpies are hosting in-form Liverpool at St. James Park, the revitalised Reds have just displayed the potent potential of Sturridge and Suarez. Newcastle could not boast a great record here as they won just once, drawn once and lost 3 in 5 previous contests. Liverpool are grinding out the right results except for that Southampton blip. Will Gerrard and Sturridge be tired after the World Cup game? Will they put a Magpies feather in their cap? Yes but narrowly. 1-2.

Arsenal v Norwich - Norwich played quite well against Chelsea with an equaliser but eventually went down 1-3 at their home ground. Arsenal did not play as well for maybe the first time but yet got a draw from a Wilshere equaliser who smoked a cigarette and now scored a goal. Should he smoke a few more? Just kidding. With Giroud, Ramsey, Ozil, Arteta and Wilshere back for more business on home soil. Arsenal's past records against the Canaries was 2 wins,1 draw and 1 loss. The Gunners are expected to win such a match against the visitors from Carrow Road and maintain their lead at the top. 3-1.

Chelsea v Cardiff - Chelsea could not do much with Norwich last week as Pilkington's goal cancelled Oscar's lead until the introduction of Eden Hazard and Willian, the latter who scored a wicked goal. It was a substitution master stroke. It will be hard for Cardiff to surprise Chelsea as Stamford Bridge is their fortress. 2-0.

Everton v Hull - Everton suffered their first defeat at the City of Manchester Stadium. It has to come sooner or later and no point mulling over it. Goodison Park awaits the visit of the Tigers. Hull was on a bit of a roll with 2 wins before being held by Villa 0-0. But their record against Everton is not good. They won and drew Everton once (both at home) but lost heavily when visiting Goodison Park, 2-0, 4-0 and 5-1. Everton to win this. 2-0.

Man Utd v Southampton - I saw on FB, a picture of a pub with a sign board outside "Saturday Night Live: Sunderland v Man Utd" - Relegation battle! Wicked humour. The win at Sunderland was important. The Saints are a completely different proposition these days playing with confidence, purpose and effectiveness. They now know how to win. In their last four meetings Southampton lost all matches to Man Utd. Prior to these during older days, the Saints are the Red Devils' jinx. Man Utd can surprise with a good win here so it will be interesting to see how Southampton will fare here. It may be a tight game but Man Utd to take the game with a narrow win. They have a new star - read my lips - Januzaj! 2-1.

Stoke v WBA - After a positive start, the Potters have lost 3 on the trot while the Baggies fortune took a turn after that 3-0 win over Sunderland, went on to shocked Man U and held Arsenal. Their head-to-head meetings were close affairs - draws of 0-0, 1-1 or win for either team of 1-0 or 2-1. Normally I will pick a draw but the contrasting fortune suggests a WBA win. 1-2.

Swansea v Sunderland - The Swans crashed 2-0 at the St. Mary's to the Saints. After crashing to Birmingham in the Cup (3-1) they have lost to Arsenal and Southampton. The Black Cats' appointment of new manager Gus Poyet may inspire them but would it be enough. The good news for Sunderland is that they do have good head-to-head record against Swansea having drawn thrice and won once. I suggest a draw here. 1-1.

West Ham v Man City - The Hammer's win not just win but an emphatic 3-0 win at White Hart Lane over their London rivals have given them bragging rights till they meet again. It was a very good performance. Ravel Morrison's goal was a thing of beauty as he took on Dawson and Vertonghen and glided past them before waiting for Lloris to go down before a delicate chip completed the rout. Their five previous meetings favour City but when played at Upton Park, West Ham have managed two draws and lost once. Imagine last week's inspirational performance follows another famous scalp here. I have a soft spot for the Hammers since the old days of Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard Senior, Phil Parkes, Mervyn Day, Alan Devonshire, Trevor Brooking to Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and way before all these - Bobby Moore and Martin Peters. It won't be easy for City but their fire power might just pull them through. 1-2. 

Villa v Tottenham - Villa blow hot and cold. They hosted Newcastle and lost 2-1, played away to Norwich and won 1-0, met Tottenhan at home in the CCup and got thrashed 4-0 then went on to beat Man City 3-2 and got held 0-0 by Hull. Consistency in sports is not easy. Consistency in life is not easy too. If you know a very consistent person in all aspects, he is probably a champion. Tottenham was impressive playing in a compact and calm style and doing so well until they came crashing 0-3 at home to West Ham. However, Villa's record against Spurs have been poor. They held Spurs once at home, lost twice 2-0 away and then in the last two meetings at home lost 0-4 twice. If Tottenham aspire to be a great team they must bounce back. Otherwise, they drift further apart from Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. 1-2.

Palace v Fulham - Crystal Palace have not won for a long time while Fulham are back with a win though Martin Jol's job could be in danger any time. After a 3-1 win over Sunderland, Palace have lost 4 times on the trot with performance reading at W-L-L-L-L while Fulham is better at  D-L-W-L-W. It will probably be a draw. 1-1.

Any EPL team looking for a striker should consider Mexican Raul Jimenez. Watch this beauty of a goal.

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/mexico-vital-world-cup-qualifier-win-spectacular-overhead-035324483--sow.html


Happy EPL Weekend!