Sunday, July 8, 2012

RVP's next stop

The Arsenal captain has confirmed that he would not renew his contract with Arsenal which leds to the question, where next for the Dutch forward? Staying is still an option but would that be healthy for the club come the new season? Wenger purchasing players like Giroud and Podolski has not convinced Van Persie. He stated that there's a difference between him and Wenger in the way forward for Arsenal. Well let's weigh up his options.

Manchester City have been known to have a keen eye on Van Persie so too are Barcelona who are now showing more interest since his revelation concerning his future was made public. Man City have players who he might be friends with from his Arsenal days sure as Nasri and Clichy which should help him settle in well plus an ambition matched with that of the Club. Also he is sure to earn nearly double what he gets at Arsenal FC.

Barcelona might not be a bad option too but the competition for starting places are much with players such as Messi and David Villa in the central attacking role and Sanchez, Pedro who are younger and more adept to the Barcelona style on the flanks. Juventus also have a strong interest in the forward as they look to defend their Serie A this coming season, they are in search for a world class striker and RVP fits the bill. The Serie A has also been known to favour older players hence RVP's career might just be beginning if he heads over to Turin barr any long term injuries. A surprise move to Old Trafford should not be off the cards as Sir Ferguson is an admirer of the striker but the wrath of Arsenal fans might be too much for him to consider a move there.

To me, i feel he is not of appreciative of the faith and patience that Arsenal and particularly Wenger have shown to him through all the injury ridden seasons during his stay (well he's still there for now) at the club he claims to love. Its his choice anyway, a choice that has dragged Wenger back a bit just as the departures of Fabregas and Nasri did. Where would be the best destination for RVP? Please drop your comments

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The "King" is gone

Kenny Dalglish has been sacked as the manager of Liverpool F.C today follwing a poor end to the season. Liverpool had struggled to find winning form this past season especially at Anfield their home ground. The club stated "After a careful and deliberative review of the season, the club came to the decision that a change was appropriate. It is not a decision that was reached lightly or hastily. The search for a new manager will begin immediately." Club chairman had kind words for him explaining that Dalglish was requested at the time to become manager because Liverpool F.C needed him and he took on the challenge.

Early favorites to replace him are former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez and Andre Villas-Boas. Do you feel it was right to sack King Kenny? Do under performing player cause this sacking of managers always? Please make your comment.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Nosiy neighbour's win the EPL

In a final day match that had so much at stake for both Man City and QPR, the league and survival respectively, we had a contender for match of the season. The excitement, the intensity, this game had it all. At one stage it seemed like City had lost the league until an extra time winner from Sergio Aguero, for me their player of the season, gave them all three points and the English Premier League title for the first time in 44 years. QPR would have Stoke City to thank as their equalizer against Bolton Wanderers from the spot ensured QPR's safety in the league condemning Bolton to Championship football next season.

In other results Koscielny's header against West Brom guaranteed Arsenal a place in next season's Champions League, Tottenham Hotspur finish the season in fourth spot and might be in for the qualifying round of the Champions League provided Chelsea lose in the Finals against a Bayern Munich side who have the advantage of playing in their stadium. Newcastle would have to be content with a spot in the Europa League after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Everton ended their hopes of a place in next season's UCL. This is the first time in a long while in the EPL that all three promoted teams have survived relegation.

This was a very exciting season for me in the EPL, can't wait till the next one kicks off in August. Though i would miss Bolton sorely next season maybe it was about time they relegated. Did City deserve the league? To me they did, might have been a bit cruel if Man United snatched it in the dying minutes of the season, what do you think? Surely Man City would be stronger next season right? Would love to hear your opinions

Monday, May 7, 2012

Juventus win Serie A

A two goal win against Cagliari has seen Juventus clinch the title with a game still left in the season. AC Milan had a slim chance if they had won their derby match over city rivals Inter but a 4 - 2 defeat to them saw lose the scudetto.

Juventus deserved the title in what has been an astonishingly excellent season for them. Just a few seasons ago a scandal that rocked Italian football saw them relegated to the second division but ever since they have come back stronger than before. They remain unbeaten so far this season and with one game left they might write themselves into the history books as the first team in Italian football since the implementation of a twenty team league to win the Serie A.

Next for them is the return to the champions league. How prepared are they for that? Surely a bit more investment is required right?

Friday, May 4, 2012

EPL Match day 37 - Race Against Matches

The penultimate game in the English Premier League (EPL) comes on this weekend, with some exciting games with the various teams in need of games if that was possible. Saturday sees the rollercoaster team Arsenal take on a stable and safe Norwich team who have nothing to prove or loose. The gunners can stake a claim at the now most converted 3rd spot when the take on the cannaries in an early kick-off. With the game coming on a day earlier than their closest rivals Tottenham and Newcastle, the gunners can make their own destiny. A win at the Emirates will go a long way to show how much Arsenal want this 3rd Position and it will be a befitting gift to their home fans that stood by them the whole season.

Newcastle then takes on title chasing Man City in an early kick-off on Sunday. This is the match game of the week by far, with both teams having different aspirations. Man City cannot afford to drop points, if they are to be crowned Champions as Man United will quickly take advantage when the play Swansea at Old Trafford later that day. Newcastle on their part cannot also afford to drop point, as that will make qualifying for the Champions League difficult. Rule out Newcastle out at your own peril with their in-form Senegalese Striker Papise Demba Cisse who seem not to stop scoring and every touch from him might just end up scoring (ask Petr Cech). They will also have a capacity crowd of 52387 loyal fans at the Sports Arena (St. James Park) cheering them for the whole duration of the game.

Tottenham also face a daunting task when they visit the Villa Park to face Aston Villa, who themselves are fighting against relegation. The Villians are not normally found at this part of the table, but as they say “ The League Table does not Lie “, Aston villa have had a torrid time this season and nothing seems to work for Alex McLeish and his charges. Aston Villa will have to win to be certain of their safety with one more game to go.

It gets interesting at the bottom of the table when a 6-pointer game between Wigan and Blackburn. A win for Wigan will certainly guarantee them another year in the EPL. A win for Blackburn will afford them a fighting chance in their last game against Chelsea. QPR will need to sort themselves out when they take on Stoke City, bearing in mind that their last game will be against Man City at the Ethihad. This is a MUST win game. Bolton will need to be at their best to beat the team of the newly appointed England manager WBA who will come out to show solidarity for their manager to whip up support for the manager.

The penultimate fixtures for this years’ EPL couldn’t be more fascinating and mouth- watering. I guess no one can confidently make a call on the various highlighted matches. Your guess is as good as mine. What are your predictions? Who takes 3rd and 4th i.e, if 4th becomes relevant, provided Chelsea doesn’t win the CL. Who wins the EPL? Who beats the relegation drop?

Article by Michael Quaye

Thursday, May 3, 2012

English FA Cup Final

The oldest tournament in football and one of the most exciting competitions in England which sees team in the different tiers of the English league battle it out would have a champion for the 2011/2012 season this Saturday. Chelsea take on Liverpool in Wembley for a place in history and more importantly the prestigious trophy. Both these teams have had a tough run getting this far and would be so determined to get a win here. For Liverpool it would be compensation for a bad league performance after the summer spree while for Chelsea it would be a chance to get their first trophy for the season.

Matches between the two sides have always been exciting and tense. I couldn't have imagined a better set of opposition for this final. Who would come out on top? I'd say Liverpool have had an excellent cup run winning the Carling Cup and now in this FA cup final. Chelsea have also had a good cup run especially on the continental scene and would be desperate for a trophy. What do you think the outcome of the game would be? Would Torres finally hunt his former employer? Drop your comments

Hala Madrid!! New Spanish champions

Real Madrid yesterday won the Spanish La Liga with a win over Atheltic Bilbao. The newly crowned champions still have two games in the season but with a seven point led over Barcelona the league is mathematically theirs. It hasn't been an easy run for them after they nearly squandered their ten point league over Barcelona with a run of poor results. But a win at the Camp Nou two weeks ago gave them that breathing space they needed.

They worked hard and were resilient enough to win the league and end the dominance of Barcelona. For me i would say they deserved it after so much investment and persistence. Maybe today's football world really needs money for success as Man City seem to have clinched the league with much investment also. Did Madrid deserve the league? Are they now at par or better than Barca? Is Mourinho right calling them one of the greatest teams in football? Please share your comments

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Most important Manchester Derby

The most important Manchester derby? To me, yea, no other match between these two Manchester teams has been so anticipated because of what's at stake, the English Premier league, three points between them and a six goal advantage to City. Mancini's men would be looking to get all three points while United might be content with a draw but bringing to mind the humiliation suffered against City earlier in the season United might go all out for this. Both clubs are banking on winning the English league after a disappointing season in various ways. Disappointing for United for the fact that they crashed out of Europe, league cup and FA cup and for City in that they were on top of the league for so long only to slump and drop to second at the closing stages.

In honesty United should have wrapped the league by now if not for the loss to Wigan Athletic a team which has also defeated Arsenal in a bid for survival. City need this league or rather Mancini if he is to continue in the club after the heavy investment made in the summer. The return of Tevez has given the squad a boost which was shown in the thumping of Norwich City. Man City's form of recent has been better than that of their city rival and that might be a crucial factor which might come to play. Also with United injury problems it might seem this is City's best and final chance to close up the lead on the league with just four games left. I am looking forward to watching what i think might be one the most important derby Manchester is yet to witness come Monday night. Would United succumb to pressure? Does City have what it takes to beat an experienced side? We shall see...please make your comments

Friday, April 27, 2012

Pep leaves Barca, Tito Vilanova replaces him

Reports are emerging that Pep Guardiola is set to leave Barcelona FC when he's contract expires at the end of the season. It is said that he would go on a sabbatical rather than join another club according to Guillem Balague

Early favorites to replace him were Marcelo Bielsa of Bilbao, Luis Enrique of Roma and Arsene Wenger. But news is out now that the assistant manager has taken over, Tito Vilanova. Do you think he's able to continue what Pep had started or it is the Barcelona Era truly over? Please make your comments.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Barca era over?

Before you think am just another Barca hater lemme tell you that am not (though am smirking) because I enjoy good football and they are the epitome of that. Last night they drew against a Chelsea side that they have not defeated in their last six games, in the weekend's el Classico they lost home to Real Mardid something I didn't see coming (maybe I should).

For three seasons now they have totally dominated European football. Their youth system has been superb along with their great coach, Pep Guardiola. So when a squad that has been constantly winning trophies is threatened by the prospect of a barren European season there should be cause for concern. To me Pep has been quite cocky this season especially in the league testing/using a 3-4-3 formation often that is yet to convince. Also putting a player of Pedro's quality on the bench and preferring youth talent Tello. Against Madrid if Pedro had started maybe the league chase would have still been on and also against Chelsea last night surely he would have done more than Isaac Cuenca.

Am I being too quick to judge? Maybe Madrid's squad depth is evident and Chelsea are having all the luck in the world? Messi is human also so is Iniesta and could be suffering from fatigue. Please share your ideas.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

El Classico - Mardid beat Barca away

Mourinho's side come out victorious in a crucial match against their main (only) rivals in la liga. It was a very entertaining game with Madrid showing their class in end product and Barca dominating as always. Messi and Iniesta where subdued for most of the game and would have hoped the chances that fell Tello's way came theirs. Ronaldo was classy for the first time in an El classico, making runs and showing good composure in his goal.

The league is officially over in my opinion, Barca would have to fight for the Champions League a competition in which Mardid have craved so long to win. Can Barca still win the league? Is Madrid capable of upsetting them in the UCL assuming they meet in the finals? Please share your opinions.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Barca feeling the Blues


Messi huffed and danced and puffed only for him to be poofed. Barcelona tried all they could, had most of possession throughout the match but couldn't break down a resilient Chelsea side at Stanford Bridge. It was an entertaining game with plenty of goal mouth action as expected but in the end the team who won deserved it. They were superb at the back with exception of some periods when they lacked concentration and allow Cesc have a chance at goal.

To me its just a one goal victory and I still believe Barca would overturn the deficit at Camp Nou. I might be wrong and surprised again, what do you think?

Monday, April 16, 2012

Resurgent Wigan

Tonight's win against Football's Team (Arsenal) has seen Wigan climb up to 16th in the league three points ahead of QPR in 17th. They have beaten two top three sides away now something which few would believe could happen especially at Old Trafford with Man United edging closer to a league win.

Personally i believe Wigan are not of Premiership standards and should have been regulated last season. The club just has a way of leaving the best for the last. Survival looked bleak for Wigan Athletic some months ago but now there is this desire and willingness to stay in the league.

Would Wigan survive relegation again? Please drop your comments

Thursday, April 5, 2012

el Spanish dominion de Europe

Mind my poor Spanish (the title). Tonight saw all the Spanish side in the Europa league qualify for the semi's. Also last two day in the Champions league we witnessed the same dominance. What has propelled Spanish teams into so much success this season, a league which is constantly and rightly said to be dominated by two teams has seen other clubs in the league performing well in Europe.

Athletic Bilbao crushed Manchester United which was supposedly a contender for the cup on their way to the semi's resoundingly. They took apart a resilient Schalke side also in what was to me the fixture of the round over both legs.
Valencia and Athletico Madrid have also impressed in this competition and would now battle each other out in the next round.

Could it be that the Spanish league is becoming the strongest in the world? Emmm I like the EPL and would argue about the competitiveness among the teams in it but in Europe they have failed to perform. This season could very like see an all Spanish finals in both the Europa league and Champions league. Also on the back of being world champions it is quite clear that Spain is taking the world of football by storm.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Runaway Champions?


With the victory at Blackburn Manchester united seem to have the title wrapped up (in my view). The point difference between the two Manchester clubs stand at five with the possibility of it been stretched further if City don't get a result against Football club (Arsenal) this weekend.

From my years of watching the EPL I have noticed that Football club keeps doing Man United favours so the league might be done with this season.

Please drop your comments