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This weekends games in the premiership are all about bottle.
With just two games remaining of the season, not only could the league title be decided, but also the relegation places could be all but finalised.
The title:
I fully expect Man Utd to equal Liverpool’s record of 18 championship wins tomorrow, against Arsenal.
The only minor spanner in the works could be Arshavin, who has been electric for the gunners, when he’s been fit.
Utd just need one point to clinch the title, which is surprising, as they have been pushed all the way by both Chelsea and Liverpool, but who also both slipped up, when they really should have won games, taking the pressure off Utd.
Over the whole season, Liverpool’s mid season series of drawn games looks to have cost them the prize that I and every Pool fan, dreams of, the league title.
Unusual this time as Utd have lost more games, Liverpool have just lost twice, in games they really should have got something from. Will this highlight to Benitez, that he cannot buy the title, but needs to bring reliable players, the likes of Jay Spearing, etc, through the youth set up, into the first team. Players of this ilk are vital on wet rainy wednesday night games in Bolton, etc.
Utd have struggled against some teams this season, but have used their “home grown” players to great effect. I remember them struggling 0-0 against Bolton, then scoring late on to clinch a vital 3 points, one of three games they did this as the games in cup competitions mounted up and they picked up a couple of injuries.
It’s about time we saw more teams of Hull and Stoke’s type, that comes up from the championship and have a right good go at the big clubs.
I’m tired of the stale mid to bottom half of the table clubs who just plod on and don’t put up a good fight against the top five clubs.
It would also be a refreshing change, if clubs managed by ex fergie players, actually took points from Utd.
The amazing figure of Wigan (managed by Steve Bruce) versus Man Utd games was plastered everywhere last weekend.
In 13 attempts, Wigan have drawn 2 and lost 11 against Utd.
To be fair they did give Utd a good go in midweek, once again it wasn’t enough.
I’d expect Man Utd to be too strong for Arsenal tomorrow, Utd to win 3-1.
The relegation battle:
I don’t want Hull City to go down (that will be a kiss of death then) this season they have been a breathe of fresh air!
They have had a go at all the teams in the top flight this year, with the exception of one or two games, every club has had to battle it out with them.
At the time they went to Old Trafford, they were higher in the league than Man Utd and at one point, were the top team in the land!
However, I think their time may run out this weekend.
Away to Bolton is never an easy game, but with Bolton now safe for another season, will they relax or try to push on?
Newcastle have now got above Hull, with a much better goal difference. Last week’s win over Middlesbrough was huge for them.
Had they lost they would have been in deep trouble, as it stands they have survival in their own hands again.
At home to Fulham (who are chasing a european place) they should win and be safe (due to Hull’s poor goal difference) as Fulham on the road are less than average. At home, Fulham would have been odds on to win it.
Middlesbrough have gone in my view. They surely cannot pull it around can they?
With Alves out this weekend and Wheater their defender missing also, a hungry Aston Villa are visiting, who themselves have Everton breathing down their necks for 5th place and a european place.
West Brom could be the surprise package. Although bottom for a long while now, their home form in their last two games has been electric!
3-0 and 3-1 wins are just what the doctor ordered. They can now only catch two teams who are not in the relegation places, which brings me on to the one team that no pundit seems to be talking about… Sunderland!
They got rid of Roy Keane (now at Ipswich) and placed Ricky in charge. Their results turned with away draws and home wins for a while, but recently they just cannot score.
Bizarre it may sound, but all three North East clubs could go down this season. With the bottom clubs all being close to each other, it certainly hasn’t been dull this season.
With games being played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday due to television commitments, those playing later could be much more comfortable before they even kick off.
Whatever happens, there will be heartache and wild celebrations this weekend in the premiership…
After Man Utd breezed past Arsenal last night, in the champions league semi-final, the diabolical performance of the referee and the ludicrous rules and regulations that UEFA impose on the game, need sorting out and quick.
Problem one:
Diving – it is cheating, pure and simple.
After some brilliant matches in the quarter finals, all expectations are that the semi finals will be at least equal to them.
Barcelona v Chelsea 1st leg was a complete joke!
Drogba going down in a heap for nothing, then the ref warns him, so for the next 15 minutes, malouda starts going down without being touched.
Barcelona players are also doing the same, it was pathetic to watch and totally ruined the match, stop-start stop-start, handbags at ten paces, laying on the ground in agony, for minutes, then getting up without any treatment and running halfway across the pitch.
I hope the referee gets a grip for the second leg tonight?
Ronaldo’s dramatic efforts to win a free kick, which led to Utd’s second goal against Arsenal last night, was a farce!
I wonder what he would do, if he was at home and he stubs his toe on the coffee table? Would it involve 10 minutes of rolling around on the sofa?
Would his partner rush in with a wet sponge?
Would he then hobble to kitchen, grimacing as he goes and trying to flex his foot to ease the pain?
Do us all a favour and give it a rest!
Problem 2:
Darren Fletcher, (I speak as a Liverpool fan) is a victim of a complete joke.
He has played his part in Man Utd’s season, they have battled through to the European cup final, only for him to be suspended, for winning the ball with a well timed tackle!
Under UEFA rules, Man Utd can only appeal if the referee admits he has made a mistake. The referee will not admit his mistake, despite clear video evidence that his decision was completely wrong!
At the speed of the game and where the ref is on the pitch, mistakes can be made, sending him off was bad enough, giving Arsenal a penalty was even worse, but suspending him from the biggest single game of his career (One of the biggest games in any player’s career) and refusing to reverse the decision, makes a mockery of UEFA.
The lad made a perfectly timed tackle, come on UEFA, step in and put this right, then change the rules, before it happens to any other player!
Do you think Darren Fletcher should miss out on the final?
Football’s worse case scenario, injury heartbreak right before the FA cup final, European championships or World cup finals.
All too often a player is “rested” or comes on as a sub and gets an injury which ends their playing for that season.
Gazza, Beckham, Bryan Robson (for England) are just some of the high profile names to have experienced this.
The latest name is Phil Jagielka, the Everton defender who has been exceptional all season for his club, he breaks into the England set up, holds off Man Utd and books a place in the FA cup final, is rested for a game then comes on as a sub, falls awkwardly, is stretchered off and his season is over.
I can sympathise with this. Many years ago in my youth, I was playing for an under 15 side, who lost almost every week in their league matches. Bottom of the league on -2 points our club’s one saving grace, was qualifying for the league’s “FA cup” final.
The day before our big game, I was taking part in cross country at school, as I walked back to the changing rooms, I tripped over a foot high, small edging wall, scraping right down my left shin.
So bad was it, I was not allowed to play in the final, I was absolutely gutted!
Devistating for the player, disastrous for the club and their fans, nobody wins. Heartbreak!
If Ryan Giggs plays against Arsenal this week, he will be making his 800th appearance for Man Utd.
In the crazy world of premiership football where footballing talent is often over-rated, this is a phenominal achievement.
Yes, as a Liverpool fan, I think it is fantastic that Giggs has won the PFA award for player of the season.
Three years ago, Liverpool inquired about buying him when it looked like his Man Utd days were over, he was given a contract extention and hasn’t looked back.
Many players are derided when they play for clubs but credit Giggs, he joins a list of players who have great consideration for the clubs they serve.
Gary Neville (Man Utd), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Tony Adams (Arsenal), etc, who have been loyal to their club.
Giggs is now 35 years old and hopefully will move into coaching, he is now and always has been, a credit to the game!
When Liverpool beat Real madrid at Anfield, although well down on the goals count, Real Madrid cut through the middle of our defence with ease in the second half.
Lucas was brought on to shore up the midfield and still the run through and shots kept on coming.
Liverpool brought on Jay Spearing, within 10 minutes the breakaway attacks stopped. So much so, Spearing was often popping up in Real’s box and looking likely to score.
Last night against Arsenal, the opportunity for Liverpool to take all three points was there, they played fast attacking football, they had Arsenal under the kosh for long periods, but still only came away with a point.
This point now leaves Man Utd level with us, but with two games in hand and surely the league title.
Arshavin is a class player, but even he would admit at the surprise of just how much space he was allowed. Four goals at Anfield is a wonderful performance, even sky sports news reported that he had only 5 touches all game. (He’s even in my fantasy football team – as a sub last night!)
Liverpool are not in a position for league challenges as I hope this season will make clear.
During the 1970s-80s, Man Utd were as Liverpoool are today, a few big names, but average in other areas. They tried to buy in big names in various positions, etc, as a result they were mocked for trying to buy the League title.
It never worked, even their first title win back in the early days of the premiership, came more by accident than plan.
Early in the season, Man Utd had some serious injuries to key players, Fergie was forced to promote a group of Youth cup winners into the first team.
They have never looked back, having seen the light and the way that great Liverpool teams of the past came about, find them young, promote them steadily to the first team and watch them grow in stature, brings success and continued success at that.
Liverpool have a similar set up, excellent young players, youth cup winning side, yet rarely have they managed a game for the first team. Carragher and Gerrard have many fans and we are forever being told how vital they are to the team, home grown talent who have passion, heart and skill, they drive the team and inspire the so called “big names” that are bought for millions of pounds, not against the big clubs, but when you are away to Bolton on a wet wednesday night in December, for example.
Liverpool need to wake up, if you only lose two games in the league all season and still cannot win the title, this must show that the title cannot be bought.
Get a style of play and stick to it, keep the regulars in the team, stop resting players and chopping and changing the side. How can a left back develop an understanding of how a left winger plays, if either of both only play 1 game in 3?
How can any player get “match fit” if they only ever play 70 minutes, before being substituted?
Create an atmosphere where players are battling for positions, if Agger is playing well and scoring goals, don’t “save him” for a league match, by dropping him for a champions league game, play him in all games until he has a couple of bad games, then give someone else a chance.
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