EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 32

During the International Week last week, England visited Berlin to play Germany. I was hoping that Roy Hodgson fielded a young team. I mean England is not expected to win the European Championship in France so why not use the occasion to prepare a team for the future? I was shocked when I read that he mentioned Jack Wilshere to be ahead of Eric Dier. How can that be as Wilshere has been out in the cold for so long while Dier to me has been a revelation in that defensive midfield role. For once in quite a long time, England now has three goal-keepers of almost equal standing. Joe Hart is the most experienced and though occasionally prone to error, he is still capable but injured. Jack Butland is currently by statistics the best goalie in the Premier League while Fraser Forster have been as outstanding at Southampton and after a long eight month lay off, came back to keep so many clean sheets as if he was never away.

At right-back, Nathaniel Clyne has been very good at Liverpool while Kyle Walker has been brilliant for Tottenham. Left-back Danny Rose is in scintillating form at Spurs too. Is there a point to bring Michael Carrick who is at the wrong end of thirties though he has held the fort at Manchester United? Naturally, Eric Dier is England's best hope playing the role between defence and midfield. Adam Lallana creativity has been impressive for Liverpool and Dele Alli is a giant of a find for Tottenham and England. He is performing way above his age at 19. I certainly feel that Wayne Rooney despite breaking the goal-scoring record of Sir Bobby Charlton has been way past his best for a very long time he is unlikely to be anywhere near his best when he played in the Euro many years back. He has been too poor for me (and now injured) to be even considered for a place in the team let alone to be captain.

Up front, they have Sturridge who is certainly a class striker when not injured. While Harry Kane will go very far. Sturridge scored for Liverpool a great goal against Southampton the other week. Just a little shuffle of his feet to make his marker move a little and he swung a sweet shot from a small angle into the net. Kane just need a little touch to bulge the net as he displayed against Bournemouth. Do not forget Jamie Vardy who never stopped running, assisting and scoring. You just do not know how to play against him.

This has been proven when England came from 2-0 down in Berlin against the World Champions to win 3-2. To go two down was bad and their defensive woes needed to be fixed. Kane's goal was unexpectedly gorgeous. He was sandwiched between two German defenders with his back to goal. Pretending as if he was to move forward out of the penalty box, he suddenly pulled the ball back and ran backwards towards goal and bang! Vardy's equalizer as a substitute was even more amazing! Clyne's low cross was met by Vardy who allowed the ball past his forward left foot and then did a crossed shot with his hind right foot leaving one of the world's best goalie Neuer grasping thin air. Then along came Eric Dier's headed goal from a corner set-piece. Wunderbar! Vardy is hungry and instinctive and look at his recent history : 2005-factory worker, 2011-played in 5th division, 2012-3rd division, 2015-19 goals in EPL, 2016-1st England goal against Germany and what a goal! How could he not be ahead of Rooney?

Now, let's get this straight. To win 3-2 after being 2-0 down in an away game against the world champions was brilliant. The last time it happened was forty years ago in 1976! Come tournament proper the Germans will be in competitive mode, not that they are not serious with friendlies. However, friendlies are for experiment but the kits on show were rather bland for both teams. The most important thing is for the UK press not to start declaring this England team can now beat anyone and be crowned champions. Finally, Roy Hodgson must do the right thing. Be bold. England's attack has cause for optimism but the defence need some real beefing up. Vardy netted a second against the Dutch but they have conceded four goals in two matches. 

Aston Villa v Chelsea - With seven matches left, Villa is fighting a hopeless case. Only from Swansea and above 36 points you are safe. Villa only have 16. Chelsea have improved but still a far cry from their glorious days but still pack too much punch for their host. Their manager has also parted ways. 0-2.

West Ham v Crystal Palace - The last three times they met all ended in 3-1 score line. Palace at the beginning were flying high. What happened to them now in 16th? West Ham have recently beaten Tottenham, drew away against Manchester United and Chelsea and sitting proudly in 5th position, just a point behind Manchester City. Payet yet again scored a wonder free-kick this time for France. The Hammers are going great guns now such that even the big teams fear them. EVen Andy Carroll is getting in the act. Home win. 2-1.

Bournemouth v Manchester City - The good news for the home side is that they are playing well and getting results except for that away trouncing by Tottenham. You will be surprised that City have not won in their last three matches. Losing the home derby to United was bad enough and if City do not get a win, United and West Ham could overtake them. They should not have announced Pep Guariola's appointment ahead of time. Pelligrini is a good manager and gentleman who plays attractive soccer. Another EPL team should snap him up. The Cherries cold cause an upset here but I think City will bounce back. 1-2.

Norwich v Newcastle - The Canaries have been losing narrowly but have stamped the rot. They held Man City at home and went away and won at WBA. The Magpies lost their last three before holding Sunderland 1-1 at home. Can Benitez save them? Hisotry is strongly in Newcastle's favour as they have won four and lost none to Norwich in six meetings. Benitez to get a first win. 0-1.

Stoke v Swansea - Stoke are back in the fray while Swansea lacks consistency. Previous encounters tend to be a close fight. Stoke are home so they should take the three points. 2-1.

Arsenal v Watford - Arsene Wenger has money to spend that others envy but he will heed no advice and have none of that. If he does not use it, someone else who takes over someday will spend it. Prudence is good but the Gunners have came up short in Europe and at times in the league. They do need a really commanding center half, a solid protector in front of their back line and a striker who could bang in twenty goals or more a season like Harry Kane. Giroud is good but his goals are not enough. Arsenal need no reminder that their high hopes in the F.A. Cup were dashed by Watford at the same venue just recently. They have to go for the jugular as there is not a lot of games left. 2-0.

Sunderland v WBA - The Black Cats drew their last three matches, not bad for a team fighting for survival. The Baggies whom they are hosting today are no easy meat. Being 11th bears testimony to it. At home, Sunderland could eke out a draw. 1-1.

Liverpool v Tottenham - This is the match of the day. Easy one for Liverpool. They will lose. Haha. Tottenham have a real chance to win the title having come this close. They are the only one who could and is capable of really catching Leicester. The recent England exploits will boost Spurs. Alli was named Man of the Match. Kane scored a fine goal against Germany. Liverpool's most in-from player Firmino may not be fully recovered from injury. History favours Liverpool who won five and have not lost to Spurs at Anfield in six matches. Spurs too failed to score in the last four meetings. But this will be another game altogether. 2-2.

Leicester v Southampton - If there is one team that totally deserved to win the title it must be the Foxes. For their team spirit, for the way they play and some really fine and once unknown players. You should really see Jamie Vardy's goal for England against Germany. He scored another for England against the Netherlands which means he has scored against the finest opponents and he could do the same and more. Then we have Riyad Mahrez who could be the best player this season together with West Ham's Dimitri Payet. Do not forget this name - N'Golo Kante. I watched him closely against Arsenal and he was everywhere and winning every ball. What a great player! Leicester must keep him as the enforcer. The Saints are in solid form. Southampton will make it hard for the host but I believe Leicester will continue to have that extra fire power to edge closer to their magical fairy tale. 2-1.

Manchester United v Everton - Despite not being very good, United in 6th position is not doing too badly. But being Manchester United, that is rather poor but they have been boosted by that derby win over their noisy neighbour City while Everton lost twice to Chelsea and Arsenal. In their last five meetings, you could see these two teams do not do draws and are about equal in taking home the spoils. United aare in better form right now than Everton. Home win. 2-1.