A little pressed for time so a couple random thoughts, though this post is pending Charles Minor's approval.
* Can anyone come up with a reason why the Manchester United's wheels have fallen off? (Sorry about the previous comment, really really bad job on my part. Sorry if anyone was offended, if was just stupid by me. Hope you'll get past it. If it helps, I was going for a bad 'Big Lebowski' reference.) Pointing to the too many games/competitions theory seems too simplistic. Perhaps the Michael Carrick/Paul Scholes midfield isn't getting the job done? Is it just mental lapses? It's astounding a team with that much talent lost it so quick.
Not even Sir Alex Ferguson seems to have answer. To paraphrase the Smiths, "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" ... well, United was playing like that until it suddenly did.
For what little it's worth, I did happen to play a couple FIFA 09 online games with my opponents chosing Manchester United and I picked Porto. The Dragones hung tight, which is no small feat since United are uber-amazing in the game. Nobody is used to a team that goes 4-3-3.
* Liverpool's stunning 3-1 setback to Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals refreshes everyone's thought on set pieces. I could have marked Ivanovic from my couch better than the Reds. The result makes it all the more imperative that Rafa can someone coax the squad past Manchester United in the league.
* This is a little old, but in wake of Argentina's 6-1 loss to Bolivia are we sure it's such a good idea to have Diego Maradona in charge? Granted nobody cares in America, but would we have Michael Jordan coach the Team USA hoops team? We can only imagine what the training sessions with Maradona must be like? Does he keep the earring in? Do the players tune him out? Personally, in my humblest opinion I'd prefer a coach who's not gallivanting around with Mike Tyson, but that's just me.
* Is there anyway the U.S. could naturalize Rory Delap? His long throw could work wonders on the International stage. Just imagine his rubber armed launches hurling it toward Oguchi Onyewu in the box. Nobody would know what hit them.
* Emanuel Adebayor. Doesn't matter you didn't do anything else during the Villareal game, that goal was the tits. Too bad the idiots on ESPN laughed over it's airing during the 'Sportscenter' Top 10 while talking hockey with Barry Melrose. Yeah, it happened and I saw it. Either way, that kind of inspiration is what wins two-leg affairs.
Saturday
* Liverpool v. Blackburn -- (Live, Setanta, 7:45 a.m.) You'd think Liverpool takes out its frustration on Blackburn, but if Steven Gerrard isn't playing all bets are off. Of course, Rovers don't exactly have a Michael Essien clone to grasp at Gerrard's groin all game, so even at half speed he could be effective. ... Liverpool 1, Blackburn 0
* Chelsea v. Bolton -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Watching Chelsea this year, this much is clear -- the Blues can play like dogcrap for 90 minutes but have the ability to produce goals out of nothing better than any other team in the league. How Chelsea has maintained its pace without Deco is a minor miracle. (Sarcasm, folks.) ... Chelsea 2, Bolton 0
* Middlesbrough v. Hull City -- Since I'm tired of beating a dead horse, just a prediction here. ... 'Boro 1, Hull 0
* Portsmouth v. West Brom -- You have to sympathize with Pompey fans, who are watching their eternal rival Southampton crash, burn and probably fade away. That could be them, especially since the new stadium project never got off the ground. Anyway, the chimes of 'Play Up Pompey' should ring out at Fratton Park in an absolute must-win, underline, must-win game. ... Portsmouth 2, West Brom 1
* Sunderland v. Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 9:45 a.m.) If United doesn't get its defensive woes sorted out against Sunderland, the season is probably lost. Also, the Red Devils depth will be tested, because Sir Alex doesn't have the benefit of a cushion to rest guys ahead of Porto, still some fresh legs like Welbeck and new hero Federico Macheda wouldn't hurt. ... Sunderland 0, Manchester United 1
* Tottenham v. West Ham United -- It's amazing that even though Iceland went bust, West Ham has maintained a position in the top half of the table all season. ... Spurs 1, West Ham 1
* Wigan Athletic v. Arsenal -- Interesting to see how Wenger plays this one, with the return match with Villareal a few days later and the club ravaged with injuries. Considering Aston Villa's plight, the Frenchmen might be wise to rest Fabregas, Van Persie, et al or risk the crunch of Lee Cattermole & Co. ... Wigan 2, Arsenal 1
* Stoke City v. Newcastle United -- (Live, FSC, noon) The weekend's big six-pointer. Stoke are pretty good at home, and Newcastle doesn't do much away. I'd like Newcastle to do something, but Delap's long throws coupled with Fabricio Colocinni scare me. ... Stoke 2, Newcastle 1
Sunday
* Aston Villa v. Everton -- (Live, Setanta, TBA) This was one of the best games of the season in the first encounter, but with Villa reeling this one loses a little appeal. Humor me for a second, but imagine if these teams combined their talent? Guess we wouldn't have to worry about either side being over-extended. As it is, both are stuck in the unenviable position of good, but not good enough for crack the top four and gain access to the Champions League riches. ... Aston Villa 2, Everton 2
* Manchester City v. Fulham -- (Live FSC, 11 a.m.) City's owners ought to give a hard, strong look at what Roy Hodgson's done over at Fulham. Not a lot of flash -- Danny Murphy is no Kaka -- but there's a system and it's effective for moving up the table. That said, expect nothing less than flash and pomp at Eastlands. ... City 2, Fulham 1
Last week: 6-4
Season: 141-162
* Can anyone come up with a reason why the Manchester United's wheels have fallen off? (Sorry about the previous comment, really really bad job on my part. Sorry if anyone was offended, if was just stupid by me. Hope you'll get past it. If it helps, I was going for a bad 'Big Lebowski' reference.) Pointing to the too many games/competitions theory seems too simplistic. Perhaps the Michael Carrick/Paul Scholes midfield isn't getting the job done? Is it just mental lapses? It's astounding a team with that much talent lost it so quick.
Not even Sir Alex Ferguson seems to have answer. To paraphrase the Smiths, "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" ... well, United was playing like that until it suddenly did.
For what little it's worth, I did happen to play a couple FIFA 09 online games with my opponents chosing Manchester United and I picked Porto. The Dragones hung tight, which is no small feat since United are uber-amazing in the game. Nobody is used to a team that goes 4-3-3.
* Liverpool's stunning 3-1 setback to Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals refreshes everyone's thought on set pieces. I could have marked Ivanovic from my couch better than the Reds. The result makes it all the more imperative that Rafa can someone coax the squad past Manchester United in the league.
* This is a little old, but in wake of Argentina's 6-1 loss to Bolivia are we sure it's such a good idea to have Diego Maradona in charge? Granted nobody cares in America, but would we have Michael Jordan coach the Team USA hoops team? We can only imagine what the training sessions with Maradona must be like? Does he keep the earring in? Do the players tune him out? Personally, in my humblest opinion I'd prefer a coach who's not gallivanting around with Mike Tyson, but that's just me.
* Is there anyway the U.S. could naturalize Rory Delap? His long throw could work wonders on the International stage. Just imagine his rubber armed launches hurling it toward Oguchi Onyewu in the box. Nobody would know what hit them.
* Emanuel Adebayor. Doesn't matter you didn't do anything else during the Villareal game, that goal was the tits. Too bad the idiots on ESPN laughed over it's airing during the 'Sportscenter' Top 10 while talking hockey with Barry Melrose. Yeah, it happened and I saw it. Either way, that kind of inspiration is what wins two-leg affairs.
Saturday
* Liverpool v. Blackburn -- (Live, Setanta, 7:45 a.m.) You'd think Liverpool takes out its frustration on Blackburn, but if Steven Gerrard isn't playing all bets are off. Of course, Rovers don't exactly have a Michael Essien clone to grasp at Gerrard's groin all game, so even at half speed he could be effective. ... Liverpool 1, Blackburn 0
* Chelsea v. Bolton -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Watching Chelsea this year, this much is clear -- the Blues can play like dogcrap for 90 minutes but have the ability to produce goals out of nothing better than any other team in the league. How Chelsea has maintained its pace without Deco is a minor miracle. (Sarcasm, folks.) ... Chelsea 2, Bolton 0
* Middlesbrough v. Hull City -- Since I'm tired of beating a dead horse, just a prediction here. ... 'Boro 1, Hull 0
* Portsmouth v. West Brom -- You have to sympathize with Pompey fans, who are watching their eternal rival Southampton crash, burn and probably fade away. That could be them, especially since the new stadium project never got off the ground. Anyway, the chimes of 'Play Up Pompey' should ring out at Fratton Park in an absolute must-win, underline, must-win game. ... Portsmouth 2, West Brom 1
* Sunderland v. Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 9:45 a.m.) If United doesn't get its defensive woes sorted out against Sunderland, the season is probably lost. Also, the Red Devils depth will be tested, because Sir Alex doesn't have the benefit of a cushion to rest guys ahead of Porto, still some fresh legs like Welbeck and new hero Federico Macheda wouldn't hurt. ... Sunderland 0, Manchester United 1
* Tottenham v. West Ham United -- It's amazing that even though Iceland went bust, West Ham has maintained a position in the top half of the table all season. ... Spurs 1, West Ham 1
* Wigan Athletic v. Arsenal -- Interesting to see how Wenger plays this one, with the return match with Villareal a few days later and the club ravaged with injuries. Considering Aston Villa's plight, the Frenchmen might be wise to rest Fabregas, Van Persie, et al or risk the crunch of Lee Cattermole & Co. ... Wigan 2, Arsenal 1
* Stoke City v. Newcastle United -- (Live, FSC, noon) The weekend's big six-pointer. Stoke are pretty good at home, and Newcastle doesn't do much away. I'd like Newcastle to do something, but Delap's long throws coupled with Fabricio Colocinni scare me. ... Stoke 2, Newcastle 1
Sunday
* Aston Villa v. Everton -- (Live, Setanta, TBA) This was one of the best games of the season in the first encounter, but with Villa reeling this one loses a little appeal. Humor me for a second, but imagine if these teams combined their talent? Guess we wouldn't have to worry about either side being over-extended. As it is, both are stuck in the unenviable position of good, but not good enough for crack the top four and gain access to the Champions League riches. ... Aston Villa 2, Everton 2
* Manchester City v. Fulham -- (Live FSC, 11 a.m.) City's owners ought to give a hard, strong look at what Roy Hodgson's done over at Fulham. Not a lot of flash -- Danny Murphy is no Kaka -- but there's a system and it's effective for moving up the table. That said, expect nothing less than flash and pomp at Eastlands. ... City 2, Fulham 1
Last week: 6-4
Season: 141-162
Labels: Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer
I think you are correct about the defensive woes Man United are facing. The problem is that all the young legs available (Welbeck, Macheda) to fill in are in the offensive half of the field. Ferguson shows no inclination to play da Silva and he is the only defender who isn't dinged up or creaking along - besides the fresh off suspension Vidic.
One more Red Devil comment. That Liverpool game really messed things up for MU - thankfully. Not only did the 'punch in the face loss' dent the confidence at Old Trafford, more importantly, it showed the way on how to beat them. Since the video from that game spread all over England and even to Portugal opponents have been pushing forward and not letting Man United get their offense going. This has been largely effective (esp when combined with the unusual 4-3-3, as you said) but it has also made United games 10 times more fun to watch since seeing opponents try to stick it to Fergie's boys is way more enjoyable than seeing everyone park the bus in the back - whether it works or not. Yay, for pushing forward!
I think that the flash and pomp of Citeh got banged up a bit in Hamburg. If Fulham gets a draw, they keep Man City behind them in the table - and who doesn't wanna see that?
The Liverpool-Man U bias is really starting to show, Cardillo. Could it just be that Man U have been figured out? Their defense is a disaster right now, and they have been relying on Scholes and Giggs far too much for as old as they are.
Man U are probably still the best team in England, but they put out a weakened squad against Porto and got caught napping. I think everyone is overlooking how much they've missed Hargreaves, and whenever you are playing two second-choice players on your back line you are asking for trouble...
...unless you are the mighty Chelsea. That was a very good performance by Chelsea, but just a horrid showing by Liverpool. Drogba could have easily had another goal or two, and Ballack looked dangerous in a couple of situations.
Other than Kuyt's chance after the first Ivanovic goal, Liverpool looked awful. Starting Lucas was the wrong move, for sure, but they just looked flat all around. As soon as Arbeloa got that yellow (which should have been his second after he clobbered Kalou in the first half), you could tell that the game was done.
Yikes, Mike -- what's the statute of limitations on using plane crash analogies while talking about United and not coming across like an insensitive jerk? I know Munich happened 51 years ago, but it seems like it still is in the consciousness of the supporters and the club in general. I'm sure you weren't yanking the chain there purposefully, but you never know what people find cross the line.
I thought the same thing Rich...as soon as I read "plane crash" and "United", I thought, "what the hell is he thinking?"
Also, Arsenal haven't lost in the league since November, but you have Wigan beating them? Your anti-Arsenal bias comes up again...either that, or you really don't follow the league like you say.
Rich, Eladio, etc.
Good catch by you guys. That was a terrible mistake by me. It didn't even cross my mind actually, which is a stupid mistake and the problem when you write quickly and don't have editors.
It was just dumb by me, a lapse in judgment which I apologize for.
As for Arsenal losing, I just think they'll rest some players ahead of the Champions League game on Wednesday and avoid more injuries.
Again, sorry if I offended anybody.
--Mike
Mike, don't sweat it. As for me, it is literally impossible to offend me, so none taken, no need to apologize. I think those that read you regularly know that you are an intelligent guy and not one who tries to be sensationalistic, so I'm sure you won't lose readers. I just know you have a wide distribution and didn't want someone to pounce on it and try to exploit it and make you look like a jerk.
Cheers - have fun watching the matches this weekend (and only 20 days til the Timbers home opener!!)