Let's channel my inner Jim Cramer and play "Buy buy buy" or "sellsellsellsell" with the 20 clubs in the Premier League a month ahead of the January transfer window. The wintry economic climate obviously will impact this a lot, but if we've learned one thing, it's that Premier League clubs no matter what never issue any financial restraint. That said, the mid-season splurging should be tempered because one little mistake and words like 'bankruptcy' start to creep in.
* West Brom (20th) -- Obviously the Baggies need help, but do they want to sink money into what could already be turning out to be a lost cause? There doesn't seem to be anyone on their roster worth plundering. Besides fringe Premier Leaguers or players on struggling Championship sides, hard to see many viable options for West Brom.
* Blackburn Rovers (19th) -- With every loss the odds on retaining Roque Santa Cruz drop more and more. You'd figure Paul Ince will try to buy something -- likely with the Santa Cruz profits -- but an impact player to keep the club in the top flight? A defender probably couldn't hurt.
* Sunderland (18th) -- God only knows at this point. If Sam Allardyce is appointed, expect wholesale changes as Sunderland takes a defensive approach to hunker down for PL survival. Everybody probably has a price tag hanging off them at this point.
* Newcastle United (17th) -- Obi Martins likely gone, probably to Everton. The Magpies would be well served to add a defensive midfield type to provide cover for Nicky Butt. As usual, it all hinges on Michael Owen's mood of the day.
* Tottenham (16th) -- As sure as the sun rises in the east, Mr. Redknapp will be wheeling and dealing at White Hart Lane. A goalie might be in the mix. Maybe. (Cough, cough Andrei Arshavin.)
* Manchester City (15th) -- Earlier this week the word was City wanted an 'international superstar. (Not sure if Santa Cruz fits the bill.) Who, exactly, wants to join in January with the club firmly mid-table? Yes, money does talk, but you're telling me Kaka is bailing on AC Milan right now? A candidate would have been a guy like Samuel Eto'o, but Barcelona is playing too well right now to sell. The right move would be to snare a top class holding midfielder. Expect daily rumors regardless of what happens.
* Stoke City (14th) -- Tony Pulis has built a side and more importantly an image of how they want to play. It might not be pretty, but it's working Buying for depth wouldn't hurt, but this club probably doesn't want to spend unless it survives the season in the top flight.
* West Ham United (13th) -- There could be some useful players to pillage if the club's Icelandic ownership continues to falter financially. A club is surely going to field a lowball offer for Luis Boa Morte, right? Considering this club doesn't even have a shirt sponsor, speculating on its transfer moves seems silly.
* Middlesbrough (12th) -- 'Boro came out of nowhere and made a club-record buy for Afonso Alves last January, so another splurge seems very unlikely. Instead, Gareth Southgate will again have to fit off bids for Stewart Downing and the rest of his good players. 'Boro would be wise to build and buy to solidify the midfield.
* Wigan Athletic (11th) -- Talk is that Steve Bruce is going to sell Emile Hesky and that wouldn't be a bad idea. It's like a trade in a fantasy league -- sell high. Most of the Wigan drama will be in June around Amir Zaki, who's cooled off considerably. I'd still expect Bruce to make a couple small, unsexy, unheralded moves to beef up the team.
* Fulham (10th) -- ROy Hodgson probably did all his shopping last January and over the summer. It's not out of the realm of possibility that a club swoops in for Jimmy Bullard, but he seems committed to Fulham for the time being. If I were running the club I'd try to offload Diomansy Kamara (and his chest hair) to club like West Brom to make some easy cash.
* Bolton (9th) -- Another club that did its business in the summer. The Johann Ellmander move is reaping dividends right now and looks like a smart move. If Allardyce does take over Sunderland he might pillage a couple of his old charges.
* Portsmouth (8th) -- All depends on Redknapp, who you'd think would grab a couple players from his old club -- all but Younes Kaboul. Portsmouth is another club teetering with financial solvency so it's unlikely they'll break out the checkbook, but if they do deal with Tottenham players might come back in their direction as part of any deal.
* Everton (7th) -- Need a striker, but if anything Moyes has been prudent and won't jeopardize the club's long term finances for a quick fix.
* Hull City (6th) -- The Tigers could always use some more players, but why would Phil Brown want to risk the chemistry he's built. It's remarkable how the players he brought in like Geovanni and Daniel Cousin have gelled with the old members.
* Aston Villa (5th) -- Villa's first XI is about as solid as they come. The team should look for some bargains or younger players for the future. They'll need something to maintain a prolonged UEFA Cup run and challenge for fourth.
* Arsenal (4th) -- The win over Chelsea probably gets the pressure off Wenger to buy a proven player, namely a striker. The return of Eduardo is essentially as good as a transfer.
* Manchester United (3rd) -- Sir Alex has already pounced on Serbian winger Zoran Tošić. Don't discount this move, both Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra came to Old Trafford in relatively quiet January moves.
* Chelsea (2nd) -- Will they or won't they? What exactly do you buy the team that already has everything? Could Phil Scolari push for one of his ex-Brasil charges? Or how about a guy from Portugal like Joao Moutino? And what about the persistent rumors of Didier Drogba bolting? Or Michael Essien? Chelsea is going to do something one way the other, with another true forward likely the biggest need. Could Chelsea make an offer financially threatened Valencia can't refuse for David Villa? It could happen.
* Liverpool (1st) -- You know, if given the chance, Rafa Bentiz would like to spend a la the '12 Days of Christmas' except it being the '31 Days of January.' And instead of turtle doves and brass rings it would be Spanish midfielders and South American wingbacks. How much money do the American owners have to spend? And how serious is the Fernando Torres injury? David N'Gog isn't winning you the Premier League.
Saturday
* Fulham v. Manchester City -- (Live, Setanta, 7:30 a.m.) So let's figure this out. Fulham splurged on Andy Johnson for about $15 million in the summer, while City made headlines spending close to $55 million on Robinho. Well, for about $40 million less, Fulham are actually two points better in the table. Maybe that's a misleading stat since Fulham are currently 10th in the table because of a suddenly stout defense (Breda Hangeland for Best XI!), which has only allowed 11 goals -- topped by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. Now, with only a month before the transfer window open up again, City's fortunes could go two ways -- 1) players looking over their shoulders until the 'international superstar' arrives or 2) players dig in and fight for their spots and raise their level of play. ... Fulham 1, City 1
* Arsenal v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Not to sound like Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, but "Hate to say I told you so." Okay, again a little unfair. Arsenal beats Chelsea then loses to Burnley in the Carling Cup, albeit with a cast of characters that probably won't sniff a Premier League pitch any time soon. That means the real test if Arsenal might have turned the corner comes this weekend when it hosts Wigan at the Emirates. Will we get another stinker, flat showing or is all the lip service after beating Chelsea going to stand up? Even at their best, the Latics probably don't have enough to stop the Gunners. ... Arsenal 2, Wigan 0
* Blackburn Rovers v. Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 9:30 a.m.) It doesn't need to be said that Liverpool blew a yuge, yoooooooge, chance to show it was for real in the title race with a relatively listless showing against West Ham on Monday. On top of that, we find out Fernando Torres is out until 2009. Good stuff. Lucky for them they get Blackburn this weekend. Also, is it just me or does Steven Gerrard look like he went from about 28 to 48 overnight. Look at the lines in his face, it's like he spent a night playing poker at Kramer's apartment. ... Blackburn 1, Liverpool 2
* Bolton v. Chelsea -- (Live, Setanta Xtra, 10 a.m.) Fox Soccer's Jorge Moran argues Chelsea in in crisis. His points are valid, but let's not forget Chelsea had one dodgy run of form last season during the Mourinho/Grant transition. Of course that run left the title open to Manchester United, which itself sputtered down the stretch. Maybe lost in Moran's argument is that it seems, to me, that Petr Cech has lost a little bit. He's never been the same since the collison with Stephen Hunt. Bolton has been the league's hottest club, winning four out of five matches in Novemeber. Still, Chelsea usually owns Bolton, so obviously something has to give at the Reebook in the weekend's best match. ... Bolton 0, Chelsea 2
* Hull City v. Middlesbrough -- If you're a fan of the New York Mets, you may like this one featuring the orange-and-black stripes of Hull and the blue-and-black stripes of Middlesbrough's away shirt. Sorry, just don't feel like talking on the latest Stewart Downing transfer rumor. ... Hull 1, Boro 1
* Newcastle United v. Stoke City -- A month ago who would have thought Newcastle would the stabler club compared to Sunderland. That, again, might be perception since both clubs sit on 15 points. Somehow Stoke figures to stick around based mainly on home form, but that -10 goal difference is scary. This seems like a match Newcastle should win, but we know what happens when we start thinking like that. .. Newcastle 0, Stoke City 0
* Manchester United v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Sir Alex Ferguson might had some sympathy in his heart for Sunderland if his old sheriff Roy Keane was patrolling the touchline. There's always the chance the nutjobs like El Hadij Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda, etc. relish the chance to play for somebody not named Keane, but not at Old Trafford. Bottom line, Ronaldo chose the right match to get a red card suspension. ... United 3, Sunderland 0
Sunday
* West Brom v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) If West Brom is ever going to win a game, this is its chance as Portsmouth comes to the Hawthornes after being dumped out of the UEFA Cup on Thursday via David James screw-up. ... West Brom 2, Portsmouth 1
* Everton v. Aston Villa -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) They ought to erect a statue of David Moyes outside Goodison Park if David Moyes can keep the Toffees in the top half of the table without any healthy strikers. (Paging Mikel Arteta!) Villa is new Everton, as in, the team that's most likely to crash the top four. Still, Villa despite a nice record and position in the table seems to be missing a little something that's going to push them past Arsenal for the final Champions League spot. ... Everton 0, Villa 2
Monday
* West Ham United v. Tottenham -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp. ... If you're watching this one, expect that name to be uttered about as much as Plaxico Burress on ESPN this week. Factoring everything, this is the proverbial coin-flip match if there ever was one. ... West Ham 1, Tottenham 1
Last week: 5-5
Season: 60-86
* West Brom (20th) -- Obviously the Baggies need help, but do they want to sink money into what could already be turning out to be a lost cause? There doesn't seem to be anyone on their roster worth plundering. Besides fringe Premier Leaguers or players on struggling Championship sides, hard to see many viable options for West Brom.
* Blackburn Rovers (19th) -- With every loss the odds on retaining Roque Santa Cruz drop more and more. You'd figure Paul Ince will try to buy something -- likely with the Santa Cruz profits -- but an impact player to keep the club in the top flight? A defender probably couldn't hurt.
* Sunderland (18th) -- God only knows at this point. If Sam Allardyce is appointed, expect wholesale changes as Sunderland takes a defensive approach to hunker down for PL survival. Everybody probably has a price tag hanging off them at this point.
* Newcastle United (17th) -- Obi Martins likely gone, probably to Everton. The Magpies would be well served to add a defensive midfield type to provide cover for Nicky Butt. As usual, it all hinges on Michael Owen's mood of the day.
* Tottenham (16th) -- As sure as the sun rises in the east, Mr. Redknapp will be wheeling and dealing at White Hart Lane. A goalie might be in the mix. Maybe. (Cough, cough Andrei Arshavin.)
* Manchester City (15th) -- Earlier this week the word was City wanted an 'international superstar. (Not sure if Santa Cruz fits the bill.) Who, exactly, wants to join in January with the club firmly mid-table? Yes, money does talk, but you're telling me Kaka is bailing on AC Milan right now? A candidate would have been a guy like Samuel Eto'o, but Barcelona is playing too well right now to sell. The right move would be to snare a top class holding midfielder. Expect daily rumors regardless of what happens.
* Stoke City (14th) -- Tony Pulis has built a side and more importantly an image of how they want to play. It might not be pretty, but it's working Buying for depth wouldn't hurt, but this club probably doesn't want to spend unless it survives the season in the top flight.
* West Ham United (13th) -- There could be some useful players to pillage if the club's Icelandic ownership continues to falter financially. A club is surely going to field a lowball offer for Luis Boa Morte, right? Considering this club doesn't even have a shirt sponsor, speculating on its transfer moves seems silly.
* Middlesbrough (12th) -- 'Boro came out of nowhere and made a club-record buy for Afonso Alves last January, so another splurge seems very unlikely. Instead, Gareth Southgate will again have to fit off bids for Stewart Downing and the rest of his good players. 'Boro would be wise to build and buy to solidify the midfield.
* Wigan Athletic (11th) -- Talk is that Steve Bruce is going to sell Emile Hesky and that wouldn't be a bad idea. It's like a trade in a fantasy league -- sell high. Most of the Wigan drama will be in June around Amir Zaki, who's cooled off considerably. I'd still expect Bruce to make a couple small, unsexy, unheralded moves to beef up the team.
* Fulham (10th) -- ROy Hodgson probably did all his shopping last January and over the summer. It's not out of the realm of possibility that a club swoops in for Jimmy Bullard, but he seems committed to Fulham for the time being. If I were running the club I'd try to offload Diomansy Kamara (and his chest hair) to club like West Brom to make some easy cash.
* Bolton (9th) -- Another club that did its business in the summer. The Johann Ellmander move is reaping dividends right now and looks like a smart move. If Allardyce does take over Sunderland he might pillage a couple of his old charges.
* Portsmouth (8th) -- All depends on Redknapp, who you'd think would grab a couple players from his old club -- all but Younes Kaboul. Portsmouth is another club teetering with financial solvency so it's unlikely they'll break out the checkbook, but if they do deal with Tottenham players might come back in their direction as part of any deal.
* Everton (7th) -- Need a striker, but if anything Moyes has been prudent and won't jeopardize the club's long term finances for a quick fix.
* Hull City (6th) -- The Tigers could always use some more players, but why would Phil Brown want to risk the chemistry he's built. It's remarkable how the players he brought in like Geovanni and Daniel Cousin have gelled with the old members.
* Aston Villa (5th) -- Villa's first XI is about as solid as they come. The team should look for some bargains or younger players for the future. They'll need something to maintain a prolonged UEFA Cup run and challenge for fourth.
* Arsenal (4th) -- The win over Chelsea probably gets the pressure off Wenger to buy a proven player, namely a striker. The return of Eduardo is essentially as good as a transfer.
* Manchester United (3rd) -- Sir Alex has already pounced on Serbian winger Zoran Tošić. Don't discount this move, both Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra came to Old Trafford in relatively quiet January moves.
* Chelsea (2nd) -- Will they or won't they? What exactly do you buy the team that already has everything? Could Phil Scolari push for one of his ex-Brasil charges? Or how about a guy from Portugal like Joao Moutino? And what about the persistent rumors of Didier Drogba bolting? Or Michael Essien? Chelsea is going to do something one way the other, with another true forward likely the biggest need. Could Chelsea make an offer financially threatened Valencia can't refuse for David Villa? It could happen.
* Liverpool (1st) -- You know, if given the chance, Rafa Bentiz would like to spend a la the '12 Days of Christmas' except it being the '31 Days of January.' And instead of turtle doves and brass rings it would be Spanish midfielders and South American wingbacks. How much money do the American owners have to spend? And how serious is the Fernando Torres injury? David N'Gog isn't winning you the Premier League.
Saturday
* Fulham v. Manchester City -- (Live, Setanta, 7:30 a.m.) So let's figure this out. Fulham splurged on Andy Johnson for about $15 million in the summer, while City made headlines spending close to $55 million on Robinho. Well, for about $40 million less, Fulham are actually two points better in the table. Maybe that's a misleading stat since Fulham are currently 10th in the table because of a suddenly stout defense (Breda Hangeland for Best XI!), which has only allowed 11 goals -- topped by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. Now, with only a month before the transfer window open up again, City's fortunes could go two ways -- 1) players looking over their shoulders until the 'international superstar' arrives or 2) players dig in and fight for their spots and raise their level of play. ... Fulham 1, City 1
* Arsenal v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Not to sound like Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, but "Hate to say I told you so." Okay, again a little unfair. Arsenal beats Chelsea then loses to Burnley in the Carling Cup, albeit with a cast of characters that probably won't sniff a Premier League pitch any time soon. That means the real test if Arsenal might have turned the corner comes this weekend when it hosts Wigan at the Emirates. Will we get another stinker, flat showing or is all the lip service after beating Chelsea going to stand up? Even at their best, the Latics probably don't have enough to stop the Gunners. ... Arsenal 2, Wigan 0
* Blackburn Rovers v. Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 9:30 a.m.) It doesn't need to be said that Liverpool blew a yuge, yoooooooge, chance to show it was for real in the title race with a relatively listless showing against West Ham on Monday. On top of that, we find out Fernando Torres is out until 2009. Good stuff. Lucky for them they get Blackburn this weekend. Also, is it just me or does Steven Gerrard look like he went from about 28 to 48 overnight. Look at the lines in his face, it's like he spent a night playing poker at Kramer's apartment. ... Blackburn 1, Liverpool 2
* Bolton v. Chelsea -- (Live, Setanta Xtra, 10 a.m.) Fox Soccer's Jorge Moran argues Chelsea in in crisis. His points are valid, but let's not forget Chelsea had one dodgy run of form last season during the Mourinho/Grant transition. Of course that run left the title open to Manchester United, which itself sputtered down the stretch. Maybe lost in Moran's argument is that it seems, to me, that Petr Cech has lost a little bit. He's never been the same since the collison with Stephen Hunt. Bolton has been the league's hottest club, winning four out of five matches in Novemeber. Still, Chelsea usually owns Bolton, so obviously something has to give at the Reebook in the weekend's best match. ... Bolton 0, Chelsea 2
* Hull City v. Middlesbrough -- If you're a fan of the New York Mets, you may like this one featuring the orange-and-black stripes of Hull and the blue-and-black stripes of Middlesbrough's away shirt. Sorry, just don't feel like talking on the latest Stewart Downing transfer rumor. ... Hull 1, Boro 1
* Newcastle United v. Stoke City -- A month ago who would have thought Newcastle would the stabler club compared to Sunderland. That, again, might be perception since both clubs sit on 15 points. Somehow Stoke figures to stick around based mainly on home form, but that -10 goal difference is scary. This seems like a match Newcastle should win, but we know what happens when we start thinking like that. .. Newcastle 0, Stoke City 0
* Manchester United v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Sir Alex Ferguson might had some sympathy in his heart for Sunderland if his old sheriff Roy Keane was patrolling the touchline. There's always the chance the nutjobs like El Hadij Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda, etc. relish the chance to play for somebody not named Keane, but not at Old Trafford. Bottom line, Ronaldo chose the right match to get a red card suspension. ... United 3, Sunderland 0
Sunday
* West Brom v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) If West Brom is ever going to win a game, this is its chance as Portsmouth comes to the Hawthornes after being dumped out of the UEFA Cup on Thursday via David James screw-up. ... West Brom 2, Portsmouth 1
* Everton v. Aston Villa -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) They ought to erect a statue of David Moyes outside Goodison Park if David Moyes can keep the Toffees in the top half of the table without any healthy strikers. (Paging Mikel Arteta!) Villa is new Everton, as in, the team that's most likely to crash the top four. Still, Villa despite a nice record and position in the table seems to be missing a little something that's going to push them past Arsenal for the final Champions League spot. ... Everton 0, Villa 2
Monday
* West Ham United v. Tottenham -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp, Harry Redknapp. ... If you're watching this one, expect that name to be uttered about as much as Plaxico Burress on ESPN this week. Factoring everything, this is the proverbial coin-flip match if there ever was one. ... West Ham 1, Tottenham 1
Last week: 5-5
Season: 60-86
Labels: Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer
Ronaldo is NOT suspended for the Sunderland match -- he served his suspension in the Carling Cup match mid-week.
"poker in Kramer's apartment" haha nice one.
West Ham has a sponsor again, starting this week I think. Believe it or not, it's even uglier than the 5k fun run numbers it is replacing.
a need for a "holding" midfielder is a troubling sign, in and of itself.
If you can't defend with 4 in the back, you are screwed, and you are playing scared soccer when you have a Fifth Beatle, as it were.