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