Today we come here to write the obituary and offically declare Liverpool's title chances dead.
We'd have added Arsenal's Champions League aspirations, too, save for a surreal Stoke City 92nd minute comeback at Villa Park.
What's more to say about Liverpool, which days after getting a 1-0 result at the Bernabeau against Real Madrid, hand Middlesbrough it's first league win since November. Only Liverpool, right?
Naturally, the European results will mask the stench emitting from the last few months in the league which will likely keep Rafa Benitez employed at Anfield, assuming he decides to sign a new contract. How such an smart guy (that's what the glasses tell me, at least) could leave a team behilden by the health of two players -- Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard -- is beyond me ... or anyone else.
Liverpool laid an abosolute stinkbomb at the Riverside Saturday -- think along the lines of last summer's anti-classic, "Meet Dave."
I'll keep this short, because looking into the crystal ball it's too easy to predict what ends up happening with Liverpool.
The Reds will have a decent run in the Champions League, which buys Benetiz another lifeline. We'll hear all summer about players he'll target and eventually bring in 4-5 guys, which won't make a difference and the league title drought will continue into its third decade.
Rise, lather repeat.
Temporary, reprieve -- Arsenal gets to wriggle on the hook a little longer. It would be a shame if somehow Aston Villa chokes it up down the stretch and allows the Gunners a lifeline into the Champions League, because it would be a sad indictment about the Premier League if the toothless side from North London is its fouth best team.
Yet again Arsenal, which is now just six points behind Villa for fourth instead of eight thanks to Glenn Whelan, tallied a listless 0-0 draw, this time against Fulham.
Instead of crucifying Arsenal's ineptitude, I'll instead praise Fulham, which damned if I'll say it, is a very competent team. The Gunners were booed off the Emirates as Fulham calmly passed the ball around with ease in the dying minutes of the game. The scariest thought for Arsenal, this was Danny Murphy pulling the strings, who'd hardly be considered by Wenger in the same breath as his beloved Whiz Kids.
Hell, even Clint Dempsey looked downright frisky tracking back-and-fourth for Fulham. (Hey, I'm looking for a silver lining, Trinidad & Tobago has more PL players than America these days.)
Above all, Fulham might prove that a strict 4-4-2 set up isn't completely dead.
As for Arsenal, I say this each week, what's the point? Will the light bulb finally go off at the same time above all the young players? Will all of sudden the Arsenal youth be good enough to leapfrog Mancehster United and Chelsea for the title?
Again, as I've said before, swallow your pride Arsene, and crack open your change purse this summer and bring in someone like Sammy Eto'o. I'm sure you can teach him French if he doesn't already speak it.
Around the league -- Ssshhhh, Everton is now only two points behind Arsenal for fifth. ... I hate writing this, but after Saturday Frank Lampard's 2-1 winner against Wigan, he's wrestled the 'King of Extra Time Winners' title away from England rival Gerrard. ... Was Sunday's set of games the most unappealing we've seen in a long time?
Relegation-o-rama -- We're gettig a bit clearer at the bottom, too. West Brom is all but done -- let's say 90 percent dead. Middlesbrough and Blackburn each picked up three massive points. Stoke pulled off a miracle in the final 10 minutes against Villa, and may have kicked started its survival.
At this point, it's looking more and more like we might get the three promoted clubs dropping down after one season -- West Brom, Stoke City and Hull City, which after losing to Blackburn still hasn't won a league game since Dec. 6. At the moment the Tigers are hanging on above the drop by three points, sort of like a band with a great debut album, which slowly slides back down fame mountain.
Again, the greatest piece of karmatic justice would be for Manchester City to get cut lose.
A word on the Carling Cup -- Welcome back Ben Foster, where have you been? Eh, a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes decied by penalty kicks. I watched most of the game and a couple hours later as I write this find myself having a difficult time remembering what happened.
It was a decent enough game, a couple hit posts were the top action.
In the end, perhaps Harry Redknapp should have realized the game was in penalty kicks so selecting Englishmen Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley wasn't exactly the best strategy.
It would be easy to pin on White Hart whipping boy Gomes, but not stopping a penalty is nothing to be ashamed of, really.
Spurs don't defend their Cup, whislt Manchester United are on track for five trophies, if you want to count the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2008.
Fantasy team o' the week -- Kent Darcy's La Academia takes a good lead in first thanks to a 10 point week inspired by Tim Cahill, Frank Lampard and Leighton Baines.
Midweek Prem pick/guesses
It's the return of the crazy calendar, with games strung across all over the place.
Tuesday
* Portsmouth v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 2:45 p.m.)Well, Chelsea can cut the gap on Manchester United to four points for less than 24 hours, which is something. ... Portsmouth 0, Chelsea 1
* West Brom v. Arsenal -- Arsene Wenger may finally get his wish. The Baggies can't afford to play for a one-point draw, so maybe they'll come out and play, allowing the Arsenal underachievers a chance to play. That also mights the mis-firing Gunners have to figure out a way to slip one past the goalie. ... West Brom 1, Arsenal 2
* Liverpool v. Sunderland -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) If I were a Liverpool supporter, I'd consider boycotting this match, or least rushing onto the pitch and ripping up my tickets in Rafa Benitez's face. Sunderland, meh, looks like it'll live to fight another day. ... Liverpool 1, Sunderland 0
Wednesday
* Stoke City v. Bolton -- Bluntly, Stoke needs to take three points here for any hope of sticking around, though their current squad, especially with James Beattie, will probably look right at home in the Championship. ... Stoke 1, Bolton 1
* Wigan Athletic v. West Ham -- Winner here takes a huge inside track on the UEFA/Europa Cup spot...assuming English team even wants to play in that competition anymore. ... Wigan 2, West Ham 1
* Manchester City v. Aston Villa -- (Live, FSC, 2:45 p.m.) A contrast in foreign ownership here. City's Arab consortium want splashy headlines, champagne football and a superstar at every spot on the pitch. Meanwhile, Villa have grown from also-rans to Champions League-elect status gradually with smart, savvy purchases. ... City 1, Villa 1
* Newcastle United v. Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) Take heed Newcastle, this match can prove whether the Magpies or Fulham is Manchester United ultimate bitch. ... Newcaslte 0, Manchester United 2
* Fulham v. Hull City -- Fulham repays Hull for it's opening day win (and to a lesser extent for buying a damaged Jimmy Bullard.) ... Fulham 1, Hull 0
* Tottenham v. Middlesbrough -- If I were actually betting money, this would be a total no-fly zone. ... Tottenham 1, Middlesbrough 0
* Blackburn v. Everton -- Everton is on fire, but Sam Allardyce better have three points circled on the board for this one. ... Blackburn 2, Everton 1
Last round: 4-4
Season: 121-142
We'd have added Arsenal's Champions League aspirations, too, save for a surreal Stoke City 92nd minute comeback at Villa Park.
What's more to say about Liverpool, which days after getting a 1-0 result at the Bernabeau against Real Madrid, hand Middlesbrough it's first league win since November. Only Liverpool, right?
Naturally, the European results will mask the stench emitting from the last few months in the league which will likely keep Rafa Benitez employed at Anfield, assuming he decides to sign a new contract. How such an smart guy (that's what the glasses tell me, at least) could leave a team behilden by the health of two players -- Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard -- is beyond me ... or anyone else.
Liverpool laid an abosolute stinkbomb at the Riverside Saturday -- think along the lines of last summer's anti-classic, "Meet Dave."
I'll keep this short, because looking into the crystal ball it's too easy to predict what ends up happening with Liverpool.
The Reds will have a decent run in the Champions League, which buys Benetiz another lifeline. We'll hear all summer about players he'll target and eventually bring in 4-5 guys, which won't make a difference and the league title drought will continue into its third decade.
Rise, lather repeat.
Temporary, reprieve -- Arsenal gets to wriggle on the hook a little longer. It would be a shame if somehow Aston Villa chokes it up down the stretch and allows the Gunners a lifeline into the Champions League, because it would be a sad indictment about the Premier League if the toothless side from North London is its fouth best team.
Yet again Arsenal, which is now just six points behind Villa for fourth instead of eight thanks to Glenn Whelan, tallied a listless 0-0 draw, this time against Fulham.
Instead of crucifying Arsenal's ineptitude, I'll instead praise Fulham, which damned if I'll say it, is a very competent team. The Gunners were booed off the Emirates as Fulham calmly passed the ball around with ease in the dying minutes of the game. The scariest thought for Arsenal, this was Danny Murphy pulling the strings, who'd hardly be considered by Wenger in the same breath as his beloved Whiz Kids.
Hell, even Clint Dempsey looked downright frisky tracking back-and-fourth for Fulham. (Hey, I'm looking for a silver lining, Trinidad & Tobago has more PL players than America these days.)
Above all, Fulham might prove that a strict 4-4-2 set up isn't completely dead.
As for Arsenal, I say this each week, what's the point? Will the light bulb finally go off at the same time above all the young players? Will all of sudden the Arsenal youth be good enough to leapfrog Mancehster United and Chelsea for the title?
Again, as I've said before, swallow your pride Arsene, and crack open your change purse this summer and bring in someone like Sammy Eto'o. I'm sure you can teach him French if he doesn't already speak it.
Around the league -- Ssshhhh, Everton is now only two points behind Arsenal for fifth. ... I hate writing this, but after Saturday Frank Lampard's 2-1 winner against Wigan, he's wrestled the 'King of Extra Time Winners' title away from England rival Gerrard. ... Was Sunday's set of games the most unappealing we've seen in a long time?
Relegation-o-rama -- We're gettig a bit clearer at the bottom, too. West Brom is all but done -- let's say 90 percent dead. Middlesbrough and Blackburn each picked up three massive points. Stoke pulled off a miracle in the final 10 minutes against Villa, and may have kicked started its survival.
At this point, it's looking more and more like we might get the three promoted clubs dropping down after one season -- West Brom, Stoke City and Hull City, which after losing to Blackburn still hasn't won a league game since Dec. 6. At the moment the Tigers are hanging on above the drop by three points, sort of like a band with a great debut album, which slowly slides back down fame mountain.
Again, the greatest piece of karmatic justice would be for Manchester City to get cut lose.
A word on the Carling Cup -- Welcome back Ben Foster, where have you been? Eh, a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes decied by penalty kicks. I watched most of the game and a couple hours later as I write this find myself having a difficult time remembering what happened.
It was a decent enough game, a couple hit posts were the top action.
In the end, perhaps Harry Redknapp should have realized the game was in penalty kicks so selecting Englishmen Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley wasn't exactly the best strategy.
It would be easy to pin on White Hart whipping boy Gomes, but not stopping a penalty is nothing to be ashamed of, really.
Spurs don't defend their Cup, whislt Manchester United are on track for five trophies, if you want to count the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2008.
Fantasy team o' the week -- Kent Darcy's La Academia takes a good lead in first thanks to a 10 point week inspired by Tim Cahill, Frank Lampard and Leighton Baines.
Midweek Prem pick/guesses
It's the return of the crazy calendar, with games strung across all over the place.
Tuesday
* Portsmouth v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 2:45 p.m.)Well, Chelsea can cut the gap on Manchester United to four points for less than 24 hours, which is something. ... Portsmouth 0, Chelsea 1
* West Brom v. Arsenal -- Arsene Wenger may finally get his wish. The Baggies can't afford to play for a one-point draw, so maybe they'll come out and play, allowing the Arsenal underachievers a chance to play. That also mights the mis-firing Gunners have to figure out a way to slip one past the goalie. ... West Brom 1, Arsenal 2
* Liverpool v. Sunderland -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) If I were a Liverpool supporter, I'd consider boycotting this match, or least rushing onto the pitch and ripping up my tickets in Rafa Benitez's face. Sunderland, meh, looks like it'll live to fight another day. ... Liverpool 1, Sunderland 0
Wednesday
* Stoke City v. Bolton -- Bluntly, Stoke needs to take three points here for any hope of sticking around, though their current squad, especially with James Beattie, will probably look right at home in the Championship. ... Stoke 1, Bolton 1
* Wigan Athletic v. West Ham -- Winner here takes a huge inside track on the UEFA/Europa Cup spot...assuming English team even wants to play in that competition anymore. ... Wigan 2, West Ham 1
* Manchester City v. Aston Villa -- (Live, FSC, 2:45 p.m.) A contrast in foreign ownership here. City's Arab consortium want splashy headlines, champagne football and a superstar at every spot on the pitch. Meanwhile, Villa have grown from also-rans to Champions League-elect status gradually with smart, savvy purchases. ... City 1, Villa 1
* Newcastle United v. Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 3 p.m.) Take heed Newcastle, this match can prove whether the Magpies or Fulham is Manchester United ultimate bitch. ... Newcaslte 0, Manchester United 2
* Fulham v. Hull City -- Fulham repays Hull for it's opening day win (and to a lesser extent for buying a damaged Jimmy Bullard.) ... Fulham 1, Hull 0
* Tottenham v. Middlesbrough -- If I were actually betting money, this would be a total no-fly zone. ... Tottenham 1, Middlesbrough 0
* Blackburn v. Everton -- Everton is on fire, but Sam Allardyce better have three points circled on the board for this one. ... Blackburn 2, Everton 1
Last round: 4-4
Season: 121-142
Labels: Monday recaps, Premier League, Soccer
I must admit I don't "get" the Rafa obsession - either his European genius or how his blundering strategy keeps Liverpool from achieving their rightful place of victorious wonderfulness. The problems at Anfield do not seem largely of Rafa's making - other than that the team just isn't good enough. I guess he *is* responsible for that. Liverpool has suffered quite a few injuries in 08/09 but many teams do and last year with Saint Niño playing out of his mind, they still couldn't mount a decent challenge in he Premiership.
Like the England Natl Team - perhaps Liverpool is NOT underachieving as the fans would like to think they are. Rather they are right where they should be, based on their good-but-not-great levels of talent. It is SAD that the title race is over, that does make the rest of the season less interesting.
I agree that Fulham's result was not a 'shock' - they finally look to be believing that they deserved the point(s) at the Emirates. This has been a season of great steps forward at the Cottage. Their strict 442 and resolute defending works to get them to mid-table, which is quite an achievement after the last couple of seasons. Hopefully, the future will bring more spark and excitement - but for now, the fact that Hodgson has to take questions about Europe after the match is exciting. Silly and unlikely to happen, but exciting.
Hey Mike,
I have a pressing USMNT question I need answered. In your post today you mentioned the lack of US players in EPL while mentioning Dempsey. Well my question is ... how is Jon Spector playing?
I saw he got 85 mins last weekend and 7 mins this week. I haven't seen him play but if he is the first defender sub or starting back for West Ham.. a top 10 EPL team this year... isn't he the starting left or right back for the US by June or even at the end of the month?
I know he gets injured whenever he is about to become a stable option for club or country, but if he even gets 60 mins every other week for WH then he needs to be the 2nd outside defender option after Cherundalo.
your thoughts?