EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 8

I guess all the managers were right about Rooney. From Sir Alex, David Moyes, to Louis van Gaal to Jose Mourinho, from Roy Hodgson to Sam Allardyce and now Gareth Southgate - no one has dropped Rooney. They liked him, believe in him, I could understand but now only Mourinho has decided to drop him after much pressure but Southgate did England a big disfavour by continuing the silly policy of Roy and Sam when they have a chance to change thing for the better. This is like a business organisation that has employed someone who was once good but was a long time ago no longer good but no one wish to be the one who make that decision. 

I applaud Southgate for giving Jesse Lingard his debut but why did he use the opportunity to play Marcus Rashford or Michail Antonio? The worst fear was seeing Rooney on the team sheet. Yes, he is England.s best all time goal scorer, record caps, blah, blah, blah but thank you. You are not doing the right thing for him if you truly respect him. It remains a mystery what all these managers see in him. It was Jordan Henderson who ran the show as Rooney was inept against part time opposition. Can't these highly qualified managers understand that when Rooney plays, he slows down England and create problems for his team mates. Rooney is history strolling on modern pavements. In the football and business world, sentiments get you nowhere. 

If Pep Guardiola can come in and removed a good goalie like Joe Hart because he has a preference for a certain style of play why is that no one has the balls to retire Rooney. Perhaps the only way is for Rooney to volunteer non selection to save his country. Act, before it is too late. Rooney's continued involvement raised more questions for England instead of providing answers and solutions. A good manager will always select the best players who are on form and perhaps one or two other for tactical reasons. Rooney is not among the best players nor has he been on form nor could he deliver for tactical reasons. However, dropping Rooney does not mean England will come alive and have their problems solved as they often lack guile on the pitch. Will even Arsene Wenger be of help or do English football needs an overhaul like the Germans did? By the next morning the results were out - Slovenia 0 England 0, another shambolic display where Joe Hart saved the day with a series of saves including two world class saves. You must see to believe one of the saves where Hart dived across his left and with a strong left hand pushed the ball on the underside of the crossbar and the ball was going down and in when in a split second Hart right hand pushed the ball away for a superb double saves.

A word of advice for England's record cap holder and goal scorer borrowed from Balthasar Gracian - "Tis a maxim of the wise to leave things before things leave them. One should be able to snatch a triumph at the end, just as the sun even at its brightest often retires behind a cloud so as not to be seen sinking, and to leave in doubt whether he has sunk or no. Wisely withdraw from the chance of mishaps, lest you have to do so from the reality. Do not wait till they turn you the cold shoulder and carry you to the grave, alive in feeling but dead in esteem. Wise trainers put racers to grass before they arouse derision by falling on the course. A beauty should break her mirror early, lest she do so later with open eyes".

P.S. When I wrote this piece on 11th morning, it was reported later that Rooney was to be dropped.

Here are some highlights of the previous week:

https://www.facebook.com/premierleague/videos/1456780384346372/?pnref=story

Chelsea v Leicester - This is such an important game for both sides not to lose track of the leaders as Chelsea (7th) and Champions Leicester (12th) must catch up. Chelsea was typical in their 2-0 away win at Hull while the Foxes were held 0-0 at home by Southampton thus keeping their unbeaten home record. Last time they met here the score was 1-1. When they last met in the league cup Leicester led 2-0 but ended with a 2-4 loss after extra time. Although Leicester have lost only Kante they are not the same as their title-winning season team form. It is just hard to replicate and EPL Player of the Year Mahrez and second top scorer Jamie Vardy must start doing their magic soon as they are ten points form the table leaders. Chelsea too need to keep pace as they 5 points away. While the Foxes are not all conquering now they could still hurt Chelsea. Dilly ding dilly dong has to step up. Draw. 2-2.

Bournemouth v Hull - Only a point set them apart. Home advantage may not be enough for Bournemouth as Hull seems to be their jinx team. Eddie Howe's team plays good football that is why he was reported to be a candidate for the Arsenal job when Wenger finally retires. I will always favour form over history as in picking the right players, etc. In this respect, the Cherries are the better team. 2-1.

Arsenal v Swansea - The Gunners are in great form and looking solid even but Swansea is not their favourite opponent as in their last five meetings, Arsenal won just once, losing three and drawing one. It will surprise you to know that in four visits to the Emirates, Swansea has not lost. Then again, their last five matches this season for Arsenal were WWWWW whereas Swansea's DLLLL. Though Arsenal have been dominant they struggled to score against Burnley. Though Swansea seemed weak, they gave Liverpool a taste of their own medicine in the first half the precious week. The 1-2 loss to Liverpool resulted in manager Guidolin's departure unfortunately. Can new manager Bradley deliver? Head on with Arsenal. Make a guess how things would pan out. Winning Arsenal against losing Swansea. Long time manager Wenger against newly minted manager Bradley. Think about Swansea's good record against the Gunners. I pick Arsenal to just make it. 2-1.

Manchester City v Everton - City were unbeaten against Everton the last six times. They still top the table but Tottenham showed how they could be beaten and by 2-0 at that. Before that, they were held 3-3 by Celtic away in the Champions League. It showed City's form has dovetailed and the defence needs work. Everton's great start has somewhat stalled of late. Based on these plus the fact the Ronald Koeman himself is astute and a proponent of soccer that originated from Barcelona just like Pep Guardiola, it would be an interesting match but City's home ground and their better players might just swing the match in their favour but I do not expect a thrashing. 3-2.

Stoke v Sunderland - Though Stoke are at home, Sunderland are the team they do not really like to meet because they are without a victory in their last five meetings but the good news is they have lost just once in eight meetings at home. This is a crucial match for the 19th and 20th positioned teams. Stoke may have finally turned the corner when they last held Manchester United 1-1 at Old Trafford. Based on that performance, I shall give Stoke City a win here. 2-1.

WBA v Tottenham - The Baggies are not doing badly. Consider their 9th position and their last three matches being a home win and two away draw but they have not beaten Tottenham at the Hawthorns for the last six times. They are facing a side that have won so many matches preceding this and the last one was an awesome 2-0 home win against leaders Manchester City. Historically, WBA have often given Tottenham a tough test. This could be no different. The visitors will have to go there to grind out a win. It is possible for the home side to play to a draw but when you have watched how Tottenham overcame City, you should be giving them another win here as I watched them won against City they looked like the real deal. 0-2.

Crystal Palace v West Ham - Palace's win rate v the Hammers is about 25% in this London derby but West Ham are not out of the woods with this season's surprisingly poor form. Are the players somewhat unhappy? However, Dimitri Payet continued to shine like a beacon. You must watch that goal he scored as an equaliser against Middlesborough. From the left, he dragged a couple of defenders with him to the right and had a couple more beaten before deftly hitting a low, diagonal shot into the net. This is a "Messi" type goal! Their past records put them on par with each other but Palace are in 8th position and West Ham in 18th. Tough one that. 1-1.

Middlesborough v Watford - Two points separated them currently and two points means five places - Watford in 11th and Boro in 16th. Both their early form have dissipated. Middlesborough have not beaten the Hornets in their last five meetings but at the Riverside they have lost just once. A draw is most likely to be the result here. 1-1.

Southampton v Burnley - Leicester did all they could but could not break the Saints. After losing even more players manager Puel seems to be repeating previous Southampton feats remaining unbeaten for quite awhile but Burnley have beaten Liverpool and Watford and they made Arsenal slogged for a 1-0 win. In this match, only history favours the home team but Southampton have what it takes to win this match at home. 2-1. 

Liverpool v Manchester United - This is a great big match and will be red hot. Liverpool have been highly impressive and just looking at their last five matches were all wins while the visitors drew Stoke at home in their last match. History favours the Red Devils though including United winning in their last four meetings. However, if you put history aside and had followed the Reds this season, perhaps only Manchester City and Tottenham could match them but Liverpool must play like they did against Leicester, Chelsea and Hull or even Swansea in the second half. That way they will beat Manchester United. 

Jose Mourinho will likely play a different game perhaps turning his team into his old Chelsea style to soak and strike. United do have the players who could punish other teams unless Liverpool choke them back with their pressing. It is a pity that Adam Lallana and Wijnaldum may not play due to injuries. So you must expect Henderson, Sturridge, Coutinho, Firmino and Mane to turn it on. Except for that 4-1 win over Leicester, United have failed to impress. This is Liverpool's chance to rewrite the record. 3-1.