The Prem Blog

A general guide to the English Premier League season from a biased London based Man United fan.

[thepremblog]

PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS.

Preview to the new Barclays Premier League season. I don't think I've been more excited for a new season in a long time and a lot of that is due to the signings Sir Alex has made for my beloved Manchester United. I've usually been pretty accurate with any predictions in the past regarding the Premier League and so I'll put that to the test this year by recording any I make, as well as providing relative odds (thanks to oddschecker) against any views I have.

I think this season is going to be incredibly close both at the top and bottom. The Top 8 stand out and could finish anywhere in that zone though I think the Manchester clubs will be one or two. United are the champions in my eyes. Kagawa and RVP are two fantastic signings and just tip the balance in our favour. City will feel like they have a new signing in Tevez however and with Rodwell being able to play as a back up Centre Back they are definitely a stronger side this season. Chelsea in my eyes have bought far too many players in the same role and for some reason still want to add to that with Victor Moses. Hazard is a top player however and with Torres coming back into form they will be a force this year. Arsenal are always stronger than everyone thinks but as usual (at least in recent years) I expect them to get off to a sluggish start. Spurs could challenge for a Top 4 place if they can find a striker to support the fine signing of Sigurdsson. Liverpool are a bit of an unknown quantity. The signings seem relatively low key but cost a fair bit of money. Joe Allen is a good young player and Borini looks like a real goalscoring talent. It will be interesting to see how Brendan Rodgers does there. I think Top 6 is within their range and should be expected but nothing more. Everton and Newcastle are the other two in that zone that might just spring a surprise or two. Newcastle have the pressure of last season to live up to but seem to have bought well and more importantly hung on to their best players. Everton look to have a very strong team despite the loss of Tim Cahill. If Ross Barkley can break through and make an impression then a Champions League spot or at least a challenge isn't the most unrealistic of claims.

While I'd suggest that no-one outside of that Top 8 is completely safe at the bottom. I think Southampton will surprise many and may sneak into the Top Ten while Aston Villa could really struggle despite having the wonderful Paul Lambert in charge. Villa are my outside bet for relegation as I feel that 7/1 is too high for them at this early stage. Norwich will definitely struggle without Lambert in charge and I think are the most straight forward bet for relegation but they were fantastic last year so that's not quite as straight forward as I would like to believe. The other new boys Reading and West Ham approach life in pretty different ways. Reading for the most part are pretty untested in the Premiership while West Ham under big Sam have much experience in their ranks that could prove crucial come the end of the season. That said, I think both will stay up along with Southampton too.

I believe that Sunderland will fit in nicely just behind the Top 8 as long as Sessegnon stays fit while b could do much better than last year. They really picked up towards the end of the season with their 5-3-2 system working wonders. Emmerson Boyce looked like a new player in that formation and is a shoe-in for my Fantasy Football side.

Swansea are another side who may struggle without their manager from last season just like Norwich. But I think having seen them play enough last year I believe they will do just enough to stay up. This despite losing Joe Allen and Sigurdsson. With no Clint Dempsey, Fulham could have a major problem and thus need to get that resolved asap. I like Martin Jol as a manager but having lost Zamora and Johnson already they look a bit short upfront. Dempsey carried them forward last season and with him a relegation fight beckons. QPR should grow into the season having strengthed their side perhaps more than anyone. They have made some real eyecatching signings under Mark Hughes. Junior Hoilett is a player who could reach the very top while in Jose Bosingwa and Fabio they have two players who have already plied their trade that high. And finally, last but definitely not least come Stoke. In Michael Kightly I think Tony Pulis has made an incredible shrewd signing (as long as he stays fit!) and whether they can grab Michael Owen on a free or not another decent season in mid-table beckons for the long throw specialists. 

My Final Table Prediction 2012/13

Manchester United (Champions - 9/4)

Manchester City

Chelsea

Everton (Top 4 Finish - 22/1)

Arsenal

Tottenham

Newcastle

Liverpool

Sunderland

Southampton (Top 10 Finish - 9/1)

Stoke

QPR

Wigan

West Ham

Reading

Fulham

Swansea

Aston Villa (Relegation - 7/1)

West Brom (Relegation - 4/1)

Norwich (Relegation - 13/8)

Top Goalscorer - Wayne Rooney (8/1)

Top Goalscorer Best Outside Bets

Darren Bent - 28/1 (If Villa do well under Lambert then a lot will be down to him)

Nikica Jelavic - 33/1

Gylfi Sigurdsson - 100/1

Adam Le Fondre - 200/1

Cup Winners

Champions League Winners - Manchester United - 12/1

FA Cup Winners - Southampton - 80/1 (each-way)

League Cup Winners - Everton - 16/1

Other Bets of Interest

Winner without big 6 - Southampton - 40/1

[thepremblog]

Credit to Tony Pulis.

Not afraid to take off big players early on. Subbing Jonny Woodgate just 19 minutes into the game as he was having a torrid time and already booked. Stoke were when 1-0 down and they came back to win 2-1. Very good management!

[thepremblog]

That Bryan Ruiz is something special isn't he?

Yes, he might take some time to adjust to the Premiership but I can't help but think Man United missed a trick by not signing him. Very much in the mould of Mata and David Silva. Blackburn and Bolton struggling again at the foot. When will Steve Keen finally go?! I feel a bit sorry for the guy because its the board's fault. Why, oh why did they sack Sam Allardyce! Looking forward to the Man United game tomorrow. We could be top by 2pm! I've got a bet with my friend's brother on the title which was made about a month ago when City were 5 points clear. If City win the league by 6 points (from Man United) I owe him £50, if City win by 5 points I owe him £20, if City win it by less than 5 points he owes me £10 whereas if United win the title he owes me £60. Let's see how that pans out but at the moment its going well for me as the gap is down to 2 points.

[thepremblog]

Sagamartha (10yr old stallion)

Unraced at 2 and 3, Sagamartha came good as a 4 year old over the long distances and soon became a horse that the fans took to in their thousands.  After winning his first two races, a 2m 3f Warwick maiden and then a Kemption 2m 1f class 2 Sagamartha was supplimented late on for the 2m 4f Ascot Gold Cup. With Kirsty Milczarek on board Sagamartha ran a fabulous race coming 4 out of 17 at a big price of 16/1. Kirsty and the horse were soon to make a fabulous partnership over the forthcoming years. It wasn't long before Sagamartha was bounding back to winning ways and on the 1st September 2013 he cruised home in the Class 1 Group 2 Doncaster Cup which is raced over 2m 2f winning at a price of 10/1 and by over 3 lengths. This win was to spark a fabulous run of flat form and 7 straight wins over the next year which included winning the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp (2 years on the trot), the Henrey II stakes at Sandown, The Ascot Gold Cup and retaining his Doncaster Cup trophy. It wasn't long before Sagamartha was being touted as a jumps horse and after sprucing home in a 3 mile handicap he lined up as a 33/1 outsider for the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Unfortunately he fell 4 from home when in a promising position but this was just to be the start for punters and fans alike. At the end of the 2015 season Sagamartha went for the 2m Melbourne Cup which many experts believed would prove too short for a horse of his age. However he gave it a real good go from the front as an 100/30 favourite and was being by just a nose by the younger and speedier Fabiatra. Fans were beginning to really love this horse and its fighting spirit and at the start of 2016, now at the age of 7 he was being predicted as a Grand National winner by many. He was the 6/1 antepost favourite for the 4m 4f event but unfortunately in his warm up race, the 4m 1f Elder Chase he got an injury just a few furlongs in and had to be pulled out of both this race and the National. After spending half a year on the sideline, Sagamartha returned in September for the Doncaster Cup back on the flat. On his return run the punters were sceptical over whether he would have the legs to complete the 2m 2f course or even stay competitive however Sagamartha proved them all wrong with a valient effort in 3rd place finishing just under a length behind winner Sloe Gin. He went 2 better in the Prix du Cadran a month later taking Gold and making it 4/4 for his career on the flat in France. He was soon put away for the remaining few months of the year with the 2017 National now in mind. Again the owner Josh Hall opted for a warm up race this time choosing the 4m 2f Midlands National as a tester to see if Sagamartha could really stand a chance in the Grand National. Sagamartha came 2nd in the Midlands National behind 2015 Grand National winner Armada Graove and so passed this tricky test. On the 6th April 2017 Sagamartha, ridden by Liam Treadwell lined up as the 6/1 favourite for the Aintree Grand National in his first ever run at the course. He travelled very well for much of the running however fell when in 4th position at the 21st flight. The horse was tried over the flat again in his remaining years however didn't manage any more wins in 4 Group attempts as his speed begin to deterioate with age. However he was becoming a much better jumps horse and trainer Josh Hall fancied another crack at the National. Sagamartha - who was boarded by Jamie Moore - was again favourite this time at 7/1 and despite behind behind for a long way run on for 2nd place some 8 lengths behind 25/1 winner Tahill. In 2019, now at the age of 10 Sagamartha seemed to be weakening substantially as a horse. Having raced for the final time in France on the flat and only finishing in 9th position (at a course he had a past record of 11112) punters, trainers, fans and owners all felt like Sagamartha may be one of the greatest horses never to win a National. However Josh Hall was determined to give him one last try and once again gave him a run in the Midlands National. Unfortunately this didn't go down well at all and Sagamartha was way back in the field throughout and while he completed the 4m 2f course he only finished 13th out of 28 and was last of the horses that actually passed the post. But ever the hoper, Hall declared Sagamartha for his 3rd Grand National run. The previous two, Sagamartha had been favourite but having looked hopelessly out of form in the run up to the race he found himself a 66/1 outsider for what looked like being his last race of a fabulous career. After being restrained early by rookie jockey Seamus Durack Sagamartha started to make steady progress and with 4 to jump he was one of four horses still in with a fighting chance. He showed his will, fight and determination over those last few flights, proving that those who stayed faithful to this galliant horse were not to go home disappointing and at those huge odds of 66/1! Sagamartha won the 2019 Grand National by 5 lengths and by doing so made sure he is a horse who is truly never forgotten.

[machedinho27]

[thepremblog]

aarbeloa17:

Cristiano Ronaldo introduces teammates Marcelo and Pepe to the Israeli president as “the best players in the league.”

[barzagirl-deactivated20140320]

[thepremblog]

barzagirl:

Bojan is the youngest player to achieved 100th matches at La Liga

[thepremblog]

Man United 2 Arsenal 0.

Arsene Wenger is a fantastic manager. He is a man who can find great players, and usually get them for bargain deals. He sticks to his morals, and always has inquisitive and innovative (a word he used to describe Sir Alex) things to say on the matters of football and his team. On the other hand, his stubbornness on the football field has cost Arsenal time and time again. This man took Arsenal from a mid-table club into a title challengers in no time, he consolidated them at the top of English football and they will continue to stay there while he is around. However, they have hit a wall under his reign. For years now they have had the same old problems, year in, year out and Wenger shows no interest in adapting to the Premier League and trying to bring success to Arsenal Football Club.

I am a great admirer of Wenger, however for at least 2 years now I have felt it is time for a change of manager at Arsenal. I feel like Wenger has got himself into a rut of signing players who are too similar. He is too caught up in a dream of perfect football, and while yes, they may consistency play the slickest football in the Premier League, Barcelona showed them they are way off of perfect in that respect.

Man United V Arsenal and Barcelona V Arsenal were two games played in completely contrasting ways, yet both yielded effectively the same result, a two goal Arsenal loss.

I believe that Arsenal need someone new at the helm. Who that may be? I have no idea, but they need fresh ideas. They need someone who can grind out results as well as play the pretty football. They need leaders in their team. People have been saying this for years and Wenger must read the papers, he must see the media talking about it. All I can think is his stubbornness is getting the better of him and he thinks he can do it his own way. 

Yes, Arsenal may win the Premier League this season, but I don't think it will cloud over the fact that they are the 3rd best team in England and someway off being the best team in Europe. Chelsea and Manchester United have had very poor seasons by their own respects this year while Arsenal haven't actually improved on last year. They are merely benefiting from the fall and demise of their rivals.

In regards to the game today. Arsenal had a lot of chances, but I don't think Van Der Sar was that worthy of a Man of the Match award. Just like I don't believe Ben Foster should have been the Man of the Match in the Carling Cup final. Arsenal forced these keepers into a lot of routine saves, but nothing to write home about.

In my eyes, the match winners today were the leaders in the Manchester United team. I guess we could add Van Der Sar into this category, but the main protagonists for me were that of Mr Vidic and Rooney.

Nemanja Vidic held the backline together brilliantly and allowed for Chris Smalling to bounce back to form with a fantastic display alongside him. At the other end, Wayne Rooney changed the game for Manchester United and thus in my eyes was the Man of the Match and the match winner.

If you watch the first 30 minutes of the game up until the goal, United really struggled to come to terms with their new set up. Playing a standard 4-4-2 but with 7 defenders helping make up the 11 they looked all over the place in attack, but held firm in defence. Arsenal dominated possession without ever really looking too threatening. United time and time again were lumping the ball into the channels hoping that Rafael, Fabio or Hernandez would latch onto the balls but the three little men were too far up the field, and too closely marked to be productive.

It was Rooney who was the catalyst in changing the match. He dropped up deep and brought players into the game. Gibson and O'Shea were really struggling against Arsenal's five man midfield and Rooney evened up the contest and it was a spark of magic on his part as well as some good work from the other front three that brought Manchester United's goal on the half hour mark. Once Fabio and Rafael were forced to defend it meant that United could attack from deep and in collective numbers. This was shown in both of the goals. Some great counter attacking moves and following up rebounds and the second ball. For the first half hour. United were two seperate sides. It was the back 4, Gibson and O'Shea and then the Da Silva twins and the two strikers. Once Rooney bridged the gap between front and back United got into the game and started to pose a threat.

The fact that it took half an hour to sort out our frailties shows that we were for the beating today but Arsenal, who looked their normal pretty self on the ball lacked any real urgency infront of goal. Time and again they chose one extra pass or when backwards/sidewards instead of trying to play that killer ball. Manchester United are one team, especially when Scholes is in the side (and on form) who are brilliant at dictating the pace of a game. Knowing when to speed up the game and start a move - like he did with some World Class 50-60 yard passes at the end - and also knowing when to slow down the game in the Arsenal manner that we have become so accustomed to.

Arsenal were not without chances but that was to be expected against a make-shift United side, who as I said before could easily have been beaten today. The problem was Arsenal didn't get their tactics right. Sir Alex knows how to play against them now. He cancels the team out, frustrates them, makes them over commit and catches them on the counter. We have seen that time and again over the last few years at Old Trafford and at The Emirates.

For a mere onlooker to be able to work that out and see that so clearly you'd think the Arsenal coaching and management staff would be doing something about it but no, year after year, they buy the same old players, they play the same old way, occasionally it works and they are applauded quite rightfully for playing the beautiful game. But, they need more to their game. Plan A can be great at times, and equally frustrating at times. The problem is, when it's frustrating, they continue to plow on with Plan A. That I'm afraid has to come down to Mr Wenger and that is why I believe he shouldn't be in a job anymore.

It's a controversial view, but it's an opinion, and if he wins the league right now, he will have gone someway to keeping it an opinion. However, if it goes on like this for a few more years, it's going to turn into a fact. With the emergence of Tottenham and Man City, as well as the recent resurgence of Liverpool this is Arsenal's best chance ever to get a grip on the top of the Premier League. If they miss out this year, I do believe that will be it for Wenger's kids. This article has had no real structure and I apologise for that, but it is merely me trying to vent out my frustrations as a football fan from the neutral point of view.

As a United fan though, I'm worried about us. I think this season could be really turn into something great, but the squad is down to the bare bones right now. Chelsea aren't out the title race (I do think they will come 2nd), Arsenal only have the league to concentrate on now too. Marseille are going to be no pushovers in midweek in the Champions League and the FA Cup draws ever closer to us clashing again with neighbourhood rivals Manchester City.

If Scholes and Giggs can hit some form, Vidic and Smalling can stay fit, and Rooney can keep up his great recent work (apart from that shocking finish at the end) then I don't need to worry because come May Manchester United will be celebrating at least one Trophy.

[thepremblog]

Chelsea 2 Man United 1.

I have a lot on my mind after the match today and I wanted to express that a bit so I figured I'd write a post on here as I haven't in quite a while!

Firstly, it was a really great game of football. Both teams went out to win the game and both teams could have won. There were plenty of chances and while Chelsea were the victors tonight, on another night it could have easily ended 2-1 to United, or even had a lot more goals to show for what occured throughout that 90 minutes.

I think Man United were a little guilty of sitting on the one nil lead. The goal almost ended up being a bad thing and coming too early. We were very much in control at the time and looking like we were going to score with every attack. Once Rooney scored - what a great goal that was by the way - we naturally sat back a little bit and Chelsea lifted their game and fully deserved to get back into it.

The major talking points of the match will be three things that all happened in the second half. All three went Chelsea's way. The final event of interest was the Vidic sending off - which was pretty clear cut and fair. It was a bit silly really because now he will miss the Liverpool game on sunday but I suppose it was just frustration. The other clear cut decision wasn't actually given. David Luiz clearly had a moment of absolute madness when he decided to trip Wayne Rooney up and should have received a second yellow card for his actions. I think he was helped by the fact Man United still had the ball and I don't know if the referee saw it. If he did see it, I have no idea why he didn't send him off.

The final moment of interest was of course the winning goal; or rather the lead up to it and the penalty decision. Yes, there was contact but Football is a contact game and in my eyes at least, it was a very soft penalty decision. However, I suppose it's the sort of thing you get at home sometimes. No doubt neutral fans will probably point to some dubious and similar decisions going Man United's way in the past. I do believe though that the past should have no baring on each happening and they should all be judged individually.

In the case of this match, if you looked at past events then Rooney shouldn't have played due to his stupidity last weekend and thus the game would have been an entirely different affair. But that doesn't affect my thoughts that David Luiz should have been sent off with 15 minutes to go and then Man United would most likely have been in the ascendency and it's highly likely they would have left Stamford Bridge with at least one point, and maybe all three. David Luiz should actually have been AT LEAST given a yellow card for his deliberate taking out of Javier Hernandez. This was before he had received his first caution of the game and was something that bared some similaries to the Wayne Rooney episode against Wigan.

Sunday's game against Liverpool has definately got more of an edge to it now that United need the points a little bit more. Oddly enough, if we come away from Anfield without a win, and that is quite likely on the surface of things then Arsenal could go rightfully top of the Premier League with just 9 games to go in the season. It's starting to look increasingly more like the game at the Emirates is going to be the Title decider although i'm sure Chelsea will believe they aren't quite out of it just yet. I do feel however that they will have to win probably 10 of their remaining 11 games to stand a chance of the title and while that is plausable, it's not something I would hold out for as a Chelsea fan with Tottenham and both the Manchester clubs still to play.

Chris Smalling was the unfortunate man that gave away the penalty but I've been really impressed with him in recent months and he shows all the signs of becoming a top, top player. Both the left full backs, Patrice Evra and Ashley Cole were brilliant in their attacking advances. Both Rooney and Torres looked somewhat back to their old selves and Scholes and Ramires (Yes I was surprised too!) had influencial games in the centre of midfield. It was a superb game of football and one I really enjoyed as a spectacle despite United's loss. I was disappointed but the way we played in the first half gives me little worries as far as our attempted treble challenge is concerned. I think with Valencia coming back to fitness soon and Rooney seemingly back to form we have a great chance of doing something special this season.

Back to the game itself, I think Chelsea showed slightly more desire to win the game and this could have been the difference on the night. United, at least in my eyes, played some wonderful attacking football but just lacked that final pass or finish to complete some terrific flowing moves. David Luiz (i've spoken about him a fair bit in this) looks a real fine centre back but Rooney and Nani really stretched him in the second half and made him look ordinary at times.

Continuing on looking at some of the Manchester United players, I was really pleased we remained unchanged and Hernandez got his chance to start in a big match. Wayne Rooney was at the heart of most of what was good about United and probably put in his best performance of the season. i felt like the weak link for United tonight was the centre of midfield. In the first half it worked fine but as the game went on, Chelsea took over and started to boss the midfield. Especially when we took Scholes off - Giggs came on and did actually look very lively on the left side. I like Carrick and Fletcher but without the Ginger Ninja we had lost that sparkle and creative edge in the centre of the park. Fletcher didn't have his best game in possession of the ball tonight, he gave the ball away on numerous actions, in particular towards the end when we were chasing the match. Michael Carrick has been very hit and miss in that aspect of his game in the last two seasons. It was only three years ago that I was touting Carrick as a potential world beater but his form has dipped somewhat in the last 18 months and while I value him as an important defensive midfielder he has lost his attacking flair he once he had. Carrick can break up the opposition attacks very well, he has lost a bit in the more forward thinking side of his game and doesn't look the same player who smashed those two beauties against Roma in the 7-1 thrashing in 2007 nor is he quite living up to the expensive fee that we paid from Spurs.

Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes will be important players for us in the run in and their injuries in mid season could well prove to be a blessing in disguise with both players getting a small break and maybe finding their best form in these last 15 or so games as their fitness hits its peak.

One thing is for sure, Man United are in their strongest position for quite a few years. Challenging on three major fronts and top of the league as we fast approach March. Chelsea on the other hand only realistically have the Champions League to go for. They may have won tonight, but it doesn't cloud over the fact that the Champions of England, who at one point this season had scored 36 goals unanswered and were 1/4 to retain their League Title are very much languising behind their rivals in terms of success thus far in 2010/2011. It may have been a good night for The Blues, but it still looks very much like a season to remember for The Reds.

[thepremblog]

31 January - Random stat.

I did a bit of research on Dimitar Berbatov and his performances infront of goal this season and found some really interesting results.

Berbatov has 19 goals in 23 league starts, BUT has score those goals in 1624 minutes which calculates at a goal every 85 minutes. Thus he has scored over a goal a game in minutes which is very impressive. Dimitar has score 3 hat-tricks of course, although one was the 5 against Blackburn.

He also went on a run of 535 minutes without a goal That's pretty much 33% of his league campaign in which he didn't score in. So for a third of the season he went AWOL so to speak. I say this because he has only contributed 2 assists all season.

United in those 9 games in which he either played and didn't score, or didn't feature won 4 and drew 5. They got a few late winners and definately struggled a bit moer without him although still remained unbeaten of course.

I just thought it was quite amazing statistics really. I mean if you take out that lean spell, Berbatov has scored 19 league goals in 1089 minutes which calculates at a goal every 57 minutes or around 19 goals in 12 league games!

[thepremblog]

27th January 2011 - JoshSportUpdate (JSU)

I will be updating some of the major sports news and my own take on it every day that I can for the near future. In between that I will write specific sports articles here and there depending on what tickles my fancy.

Today is thursday 27th January and this big newswhen I woke up was that Novak Djokovic had reached the final of the Australian Open, beating Roger Federer in the process.

I wasn't surprised, I thought Djokovic would win to be honest as I had tipped up a Murray/Djokovic final earlier in the week (looks very likely now). However I was a little shocked at the ease of which he did it. I mean I know the first two sets were very close, in particular the first but a straight set win against Roger Federer is definately a rarely in Grand Slam events. This whole Slam has shown up a few anomalies in that respect.

It will be the first time since 2003 that Federer will not hold any of the four major titles and the first time that Nadal orFederer haven't made a grand slam final in 3 years, when Djokovic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open in 2008.

I was just trying to search up the stats on Federer losing in straight sets in a major. In 2008 he lost twice in straight sets, once to Nadal in the French Open final and once to Djokovic again in the Australian Open Semis. You have to go back another four years to find another straight sets defeat which is to Gustavo Kuerten back in 2004 at the French Open. So in 7 years that's 4 Grand Slam defeats in straight sets. It's not exactly something comes around often!

Nadal also losing in straight sets was a strange one, althoguh injury seemed to play a part. I researched his straight sets defeats in Grand Slams since 2005. In every year from 2007 he has had a straight sets loss in one of the four events. So he has not been quite as impressisve as Federer in that respect but those stats alone show why these two players are a cut above the rest. It's not just because of their talent but also their will to win and fighting spirit.

So tonight Andy Murray has the chance to go one step closer to his first Grand Slam final and perhaps this time is his best chance of all. it's the first time he has got this far and there is no Nadal or Federer to stop him in his path. He has sometimes found his way past one, but never both. I do feel if he does manage to win it it would take him to a new level and this could infact be the year of Andy Murray. But he still has two men in his way who are both immensely talented.

Firstly, David Ferrer. This Spanish man has played some great tennis in this tournament and shocked everyone by knocking out Nadal in the quarters. The second time he has beaten Rafael in a grand slam match in his entire career. I was surprised there was even a time before this one!

Then tha man who is already in the final, Novak Djokovic who along with Murray has probably played the best tennis of the week. He has put in some fantastic performances and his straight sets win over Roger was certainely no fluke. He has won the Australian Open before just 3 years ago and would love to recapture that. Which ever one wins will have a great chance to sweep up some ranking points from the top two and start to put pressure on their positions.

I'll be up early tomorrow to watch Murray hopefully sweep aside Ferrer and then look forward to the final!

[thepremblog]

Chairboys get in touch with own Town...

BBC news reported on the 7th August 2010 that Josh Hall recently took his side to Wycombe’s very own Chair Museum on a bonding exercise said to bring the players closer together as well as get them in touch with the town that they are playing for. Club Captain and former Leeds United player Michael Duberry had this to say, “The players love the gaffer’s attitude and belief right now and were more than happy to take him up on his offer of taking us to the Chair Museum. The place was very interesting and we feel its really brought the players together and got us ready for the big game against Charlton.”

As the season approaches Hall has said he wants to keep the current squad together and has squashed rumours that young talents Matt Phillips and Daniel Fitchett will be leaving the clubs by giving them both new long term deals. He has brought in 5 new players on the cheap and is said to be delighted with how the team is coming together...

An intense friendly campaign has seen it’s high’s and low’s for Hall’s side. They beat top quality local side Witney United 7-0 but saw themselves becoming unstuck by Manchester City’s Reserve side as well as underrated Dutch side VVV-Venio. Hall is said to be very happy with his sides preparation’s going into the new season when they travel into London to face Charlton Athletic.

[thepremblog]

Unknown Cashier Takes Charge Of Chairboys...

Wycombe Wanderers have appointed unknown former Sunday League player Josh Hall as their new manager in their bid to stay in League One. Josh Hall formerly of Sunday League clubs, North Met, Waltham Cross, East Herts and Ware Lions is set for his first Managerial post at the Buckinghamshire club. Hall, who has been out of work since leaving Somerfield last year, succeeds Peter Taylor in the Adams Park hotseat. "I've got so much enthusiasm to be a manager ever since I met Kevin at Somerfield. He showed me that I had the managerial skills in me to succeed him and even though I have moved on from that place it is still in my heart.“ said Hall, 20. "I've learnt from every job I‘ve had in the past and hope to put that into action for Wycombe. There is a good bunch of lads here who will all work hard for each other and we feel survival is a realistic attainable goal." he added. Josh Hall’s first act as manager was to rearrange his backroom staff. He has brought in 4 new coaches replacing the old ones and his trusty favourite physio and good friend Steve Whitehall, 42 Hall, who is affectionally often known as “Ginge“ by players and fans alike is said to be looking into tapping into the youth setup of the club and planning for the future. He has signed a two year deal, reported to be worth in the region of £4,000 per week.

Questions are already being asked as to why such a young, unknown manager has been put in charge of a professional football club however Wycombe have yet to release a further statement on the matter.

[thepremblog]

I'm Back. Day 12.

Ok, so i haven't posted in ages but i'm back writing again now after a short break.

Gonna start this blog back up by writing about my Football Manager experiences.

This is a game on the PC for those that don't know...

I'll just post things about my game, as if it were from the Media etc.. Enjoy reading, if you can be bothered and feel free to remark on anything you like/don't like.

[thepremblog]

Day 11. Post 11. Tips for Wed 10th March

Tonight i'm tipping up Man United, Real Madrid, Ayr and Reading. Four HOMES.

I haven't got any time on my hands as I have to go out. Just wanted to log that down and i'll give reasoning later tonight as to why they did/didn't come out!

Last nights predo's weren't too bad, more on that later! Ciao!

[thepremblog]

Day 10. Post 10. Tonight's Football (9th March 2010)

I'm going to keep this quite short and just go over a few of the matches tonights with some predictions and such...

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2ND ROUND GAMES

I fancy Arsenal to go through comfortably even without Sir Cesc Fabregas. Nicklas Bendtner as you will know from my last post about Arsenal is not exactly my favourite player but he gets himself into good positions and I expect him to bag a few today. However I stil think Arsenal need to get rid of him and bring in someone with some actual finishing quality worthy of a "top four three" club...

Arsenal 3 Porto 0

I think elsewhere Bayern and Fiorentina will play out a draw with the German club going through to the Quarter Finals. That lucky "offside" goal in the first leg I think will make the difference this evening.

Fiorentina 2 Bayern Munich 2

In the lower leagues I have a few selections I think worth noting...

QPR to beat Plymouth and Bradford to continue their recent good away form against Port Vale

QPR 3 Plymouth 1

Port Vale 1 Bradford 2

I'll comment on these tomorrow along with another post ! Check out some of my old posts if you get the chance, especially the one regarding Arsene Wenger and Arsenal...

[thepremblog]

Day 9. Post 9. The England Squad - Re-assessment of Defence + the Midfield

Upon selecting my Defence, Wayne Bridge has decided he cannot play International Football under the circumstances so Leighton Baines it seems has given himself a shot at a place on the plane after a solid performance against Egypt.

I also favoured 8 defenders with just 4 strikers in my first defensive provisional squad. I do however think now Capello may pick 7 defenders and 5 strikers (or an extra midfielder). He knows James Milner is willing to cover at Full Back and has a whole 15 minutes evidence to support that case! Milner seems a dead cert for the plane to South Africa in my view. He is playing tremendously for Aston Villa and i was very disappointed not to see him start against Egypt on Wednesday night. Theo Walcott got the nod, which seems strange given Capello's apparent strong feeling towards picking form players... Walcott, yes is a very talented youngster but he hasn't been playing all that well and there were at least 3-4 wingers who deserved chances ahead of him. He didn't have a great 45 minutes - although who did in that dreadful first half! - and was promptly substituted for Shaun Wright-Phillips who a good solid half playing a major part in all three of England's goals and perhaps earning himself a spot on Capello's ship in the process. Peter Crouch also helps his claims with a brace and I'd expect him to be on the plane not just for the "man of the match" performance yesterday but also for the difference in style he can bring to the side.

Anyway, to the team, my new look SEVEN man defence will be:

Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Leighton Baines, Matthew Upson.

Johnson, Cole and Ferdinand still need to prove their fitness though and Joleon Lescott and Ledley King will be on standby...

Personally I'd much rather Ledley King in the squad over Matthew Upson but I can't see Capello taking Ledley King with all the fitness doubts.

The Goalkeepers, i have mentioned before too but it seems Mr Capello just has his own ideas and it will be Robert Green and not the surprisingly 'in-form'* Paul Robinson in the squad as the other third goalkeeper. However Fabio seems to want Robert to be the number one on the evidence of his selection against Egypt. It would have been nice to see him give Joe Hart a chance. He really deserves it, but it seems that when asked about Joe, Fabio just said, "he's young."... so i'm going to go ahead and assume that He feels that Joe Hart is too young to be England's Number One at this World Cup.

* Personal Opinion!

So onto the midfield we go, and I'd say definates in the squad at Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and TWO i didn't include before in James Milner and Gareth Barry. That leaves about 4-5 more slots for Midfielders. I'm going to pick 5 myself as I would be looking to play 5 in the midfield anyway so this would help that with extra cover available.

My first nomination is one that is Mikel Arteta. Now the selection of Arteta willl depend on a few things. One; Capello considering him for selection, Two; Arteta putting himself forward, Three; Him getting Dual Nationality for England as well as his Native Spain. He qualified for this however in January 2010 after 5 years of English football and I think he would be an absolute gem of a player in the England squad and someone who could put us on that platform to send us to World Cup Glory.

Ok so one of our biggest rivals in terms of winning the World Cup in Spain haven't capped him yet and to put a player who can't even make it into their squad in the starting line-up or at least squad of our team could be seen as alarming...? Not to me...

I think if Mikel had not of suffered that horrendously long lay-off with the cruciate ligament injury then he would have been playing for Spain and not stuck with the minor honours of youth team caps that he currently has for Espana.

My second selection is that of Michael Carrick. Carrick can occasionally go missing for Man United however he has proved to be a very good signing for the club and has played a major role in the 3 successive Premiership titles since his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur.

Carrick is someone who can only really play in the centre of midfield but he does a good job breaking up the play and is very good at starting attacks, or creating goals or chances for more attacking players.

Thirdly would be the experience of David Beckham. I think he can still win a game for England from the bench or starting on the right hand side of midfield. He is still very fit and agile despite his age and has so much desire and belief. He deserves to go to South Africa for his final World Cup and I hope he has a part to play in it.

My final two selections would be that of Stewart Downing and Aaron Lennon (if fit). Downing has played very well for Aston Villa since signing and is starting to score goal again like he did in his early stages of his Middlesbrough career. He would give us a natural left footed option and I'd like to see him included in the squad. Aaron Lennon is an extremely exciting player to watch when playing well. This season he has brought much more consistency and some end product to his brilliant pace and dribbling ability. If he regains fitness and form in time for South Africa he will surely make the trip.

Of the other players who could and should be considered, Capello seems to love Theo Walcott and he has a very good chance of being on the plane. Shaun Wright-Phillips did himself no harm with a very good second half performance against Egypt. Ashley Young needs a very strong end to the season with Villa to be considered as do Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone of Tottenham. One player who is really impressing at the moment is Adam Johnson of Man City. Signed from Middlesbrough I have always really liked him as a player since I saw him week in week out for a while when he was on loan at Watford. It may be one World Cup too soon for him but he looks like a very good signing for City.

So my squad now is....

Robert Green, Joe Hart, David James

Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown (a fitness doubt now?), Leighton Baines, Matthew Upson

David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Mikel Arteta, Stewart Downing, Aaron Lennon, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Michael Carrick

Wayne Rooney.

THREE more spots left for the Strikers. I also may change the defence about a bit depending on how serious Wes Brown's injury is!

[thepremblog]

Day 8. Post 8. England World Cup 2006 Writing. Part 2.

Here is post 2 of those 2006 World Cup blogs, take a read if you can remember the pain and be bothered...

What A Game.... But why aren't England this far? Having thought i would have absolutely no interest in the remander of the World Cup after England's exit, I was to be proved wrong tonight by the game of the tournament! It lacked goals until the last minute, but there was tension, suspense and top quality football from both sides. The game was played in the right manner and the referee was top class too. Germany are a team that have a fierce rivalry with us, the English. But over the course of this World Cup, many Englishman have taken to the Germans, myself included. Jurgen Klinsmann has been a breath of fresh air to the game. He has proved his critics wrong and his great attacking approach to the game along with his desire to win has really rubbed off on his team who before the tournament were expected to flop but by today were actually favourites for the tournament. Unfortunately for them it wasn't meant to be. Tonight they played their part and you have to feel sorry for them. They were brilliant and played some great football, yet despite this they were still beaten by the better team, that of Italy! Italy have had a mixed run to this stage. They beat Ghana and Czech Republic in a tough group but struggled to a draw against 9-man U.S.A. They were treated to a favorable draw in the second round and quarter final. Australia and then the winners of Switzerland and Ukraine. A slightly lucky win against a plucky Australia side, followed by a flattering 3-0 victory against the Ukraine meant that they were in the Semi-Finals and would finally face a tough test, The Germans. Most people, myself included felt the Germans would be too strong and wanted them to win anyway. But the Italians approched the game with no fear, and nothing to lose. Maybe the massive match-fixing scam surrounding Italian football has helped them? I look at the Italian team and think they aren't better than England. I mean they have Cannavaro who is top-class, they have brilliant full backs and a world class goalie in Grosso, Zambrotta and Buffon but we have an equally good defense in Robinson, Neville, Cole, Ferdinand and in my opinion the best centre back in the world John Terry. Then you look at their midfield, sure Pirlo and Guttoso are great midfielders but i'd rather have Gerrard and Lampard anyday. Camaronasi and Perrota are hard-workers but even they would be nothing in my team when i could have Beckham and Joe Cole. And finally the strikers, i'll include Totti despite the fact he plays off the forward. He reminds me very much of Rooney apart from he cheats a bit more, drops slightly deeper and isn't as good and is older! And then the only real spot where an Italian wins in my opinion and that is Toni Vs Owen. They are different types of players but Toni with his 31 goals in Serie A and his good hold-up skills just shade it over injury-prone confidence player Michael Owen. I look at the two sides that played tonight and think England have a better side so why are we not there, but i guess it all comes down to organisation and the management. Klinsmann and Lippi have got the best out of their players. Sven didn't! But rather then ramble on about England's problems. Lets look at the two superb teams that were on show tonight. I feel sorry for Germany who i feel have played some brilliant football in this tournament and even deservedly knocked out the Argies. But they were fairly beaten by an Italy team that played magnificantly tonight and their football was out of this world. The two goals were of the highest quality and the game as a whole was a joy to watch. After this performance, I will become an Italy fan for the Final, whether they play Portugal or France.....just please don't let Portugal win the World Cup!