Since I'm writing this on Easter Sunday night with a belly full of food, allow me to be a little generous for a change. (FYI, Easter has the most underrated candy of any Holiday, well, aside for Arbor Day.)
Week after week I take potshots at about every team in the English Premier League, some in a nod to 'Animal Farm', more than others.
Today, along with my lamb, meatballs, penne, etc. I'll shovel down a big pieces of humble pie toward my two biggest targets -- Chelsea and Arsenal.
Admittedly, I'll never be a big fan of either of these clubs, but when they could have wilted and mailed in the season, they've come to play better-and-better each week. I still don't like either club, per say, but they've made me eat my words for much I'm now conditioned to respect them.
For Chelsea, I'll even give the Blues a pass for allowing Bolton to storm back and almost pull off a stunning four-goal comeback. (How Matty Taylor doesn't slot it in somehow in the final minute amazes me.)
How many other people like me turned it off at 2-0, only to rush back once it got to 4-3?
Like I casually mentioned Friday, Chelsea have the ability to conjure goals at almost all times. And maybe the key to their recent success more than anything is the improved play in the 4-3-3/4-5-1, specifically the wing play of Saloman Kalou and Florent Malouda. This likely ties into the coaching of Guus Hiddink, who has that formation ingrained in him from birth.
Oh, it doesn't hurt to have Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack marshaling the middle of the park, either.
Maybe the only weakness right now in the Chelsea lineup are two of its stalwarts -- John Terry and Petr Cech, who aren't exactly on top of their games like they were from 2004-2006. Back then scoring on Chelsea was like trying to sneak into Fort Knox, now it's like robbing a bank in post-communist Hungary, still tricky but doable. (That's a plug for 'The Whiskey Robber', which I've finished re-reading.)
Does Chelsea have the juice to make up four (or seven) points on Manchester United over its final six fixtures? Possibly, since the only rough match is on May 10 at the Emirates against Arsenal.
More likely, Chelsea will turn all it's attention -- assuming it dispatches Liverpool Tuesday, toward Barcelona in an EPIC Champions League semifinal. You'd have to say the winner of that match wins the whole thing.
As for Arsenal, which conveniently enough plays Chelsea in an FA Cup semifinal over the weekend, guess I was wrong. Surprisingly Arsene Wenger knows more than me. Shocking.
Considering Cesc Fabregas was out months, it's pretty damn impressive that the Gunners held onto fourth place and haven't lost since Novemeber.
Over the long haul, though, there are two things to question about Arsenal:
1. Do they have the quality and consistency to overcome Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea next season?
2. What's stopping teams from sucking the air out of the ball and playing 10 behind the line to go for a draw?
The first question is the big one, especially with Real Madrid and Barcelona likely making the hard press on Fabregas over the summer.
Long story short, chalk it up to too many Cadbury eggs, but I have to give credit where credit is due.
***
As for Liverpool's 4-0 thrashing of Blackburn early Saturday morning. Well, I just couldn't get up for it, so I'll fill you in with Ace Cowboy's email he sent me:
Considering the European flame is about to go out, the Reds need six more games like this.
On more important Ace-related note, Liverpool are now ahead on goal difference by three on Chelsea and five on United.
***
I did watch another meh-inspiring show from Manchester United, which has suddenly become more uncomfortable on defense as Richard Nixon under the television lights during that famous 1960 presidential debate with John F. Kennedy.
If Sir Alex Ferguson is able to guide the Red Devils into the garage in first place it'll be like a race car driver stealing a checkered flag with a tank running on fumes.
United finally make up their game in hand next week, part of four matches in 10 days -- including the trip to Portugal in the Champions League. (Only two are league matches.)
From what we've seen out of United this last month, there's not a lot of confidence in them surviving. As it is, they're like a boxer with a standing eight count.
'Kiko' Macheda can only provide the smelling salts so many times, right? (I wish I could just invent a cool nickname after doing something impressive for one whole whopping week. On second thought, Kiko isn't that cool.)
Then again, with Ronaldo, Rooney & Co., even staggered the Red Devils still pack a punch like a 1985 Mike Tyson (sad to see Iron Mike reduced to crummy movie cameos)
***
Special D-A-P to Clint Dempsey -- our lone American hope -- scoring a brace against Manchester City, as Fulham wins on the road against Manchester City. I only watched this briefly (family commitments) but Dempsey appeared to start on the left midfield.
Bob Bradley, are you paying attention?
(I'll try to cobble something up on Jurgen Klinsmann redux during the week.)
***
Other stuff.
Are Manchester City now in the relegation picture? ... From the too little, too late department -- Middlesbrough 3, Hull City 1. ... Even with Niko Kranjcar's nice deadball goal, Portsmouth had by far the worst result of the weekend, drawing West Brom 2-2 at home. ... Newcastle United, good grief. ... Aston Villa 3, Everton 3? Let's just let these two play each other every week and enjoy it.
Fantasy team of the week -- Tom Hope's Real West Chester put up 80 points behind Lampard and Clint Dempsey. Well done. There's a 41-point gap between first and second between La Academia and 92% Pure Oxygen. Is that attainable?
Adios. Enjoy 'Observe and Report' (go see it).
Week after week I take potshots at about every team in the English Premier League, some in a nod to 'Animal Farm', more than others.
Today, along with my lamb, meatballs, penne, etc. I'll shovel down a big pieces of humble pie toward my two biggest targets -- Chelsea and Arsenal.
Admittedly, I'll never be a big fan of either of these clubs, but when they could have wilted and mailed in the season, they've come to play better-and-better each week. I still don't like either club, per say, but they've made me eat my words for much I'm now conditioned to respect them.
For Chelsea, I'll even give the Blues a pass for allowing Bolton to storm back and almost pull off a stunning four-goal comeback. (How Matty Taylor doesn't slot it in somehow in the final minute amazes me.)
How many other people like me turned it off at 2-0, only to rush back once it got to 4-3?
Like I casually mentioned Friday, Chelsea have the ability to conjure goals at almost all times. And maybe the key to their recent success more than anything is the improved play in the 4-3-3/4-5-1, specifically the wing play of Saloman Kalou and Florent Malouda. This likely ties into the coaching of Guus Hiddink, who has that formation ingrained in him from birth.
Oh, it doesn't hurt to have Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack marshaling the middle of the park, either.
Maybe the only weakness right now in the Chelsea lineup are two of its stalwarts -- John Terry and Petr Cech, who aren't exactly on top of their games like they were from 2004-2006. Back then scoring on Chelsea was like trying to sneak into Fort Knox, now it's like robbing a bank in post-communist Hungary, still tricky but doable. (That's a plug for 'The Whiskey Robber', which I've finished re-reading.)
Does Chelsea have the juice to make up four (or seven) points on Manchester United over its final six fixtures? Possibly, since the only rough match is on May 10 at the Emirates against Arsenal.
More likely, Chelsea will turn all it's attention -- assuming it dispatches Liverpool Tuesday, toward Barcelona in an EPIC Champions League semifinal. You'd have to say the winner of that match wins the whole thing.
As for Arsenal, which conveniently enough plays Chelsea in an FA Cup semifinal over the weekend, guess I was wrong. Surprisingly Arsene Wenger knows more than me. Shocking.
Considering Cesc Fabregas was out months, it's pretty damn impressive that the Gunners held onto fourth place and haven't lost since Novemeber.
Over the long haul, though, there are two things to question about Arsenal:
1. Do they have the quality and consistency to overcome Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea next season?
2. What's stopping teams from sucking the air out of the ball and playing 10 behind the line to go for a draw?
The first question is the big one, especially with Real Madrid and Barcelona likely making the hard press on Fabregas over the summer.
Long story short, chalk it up to too many Cadbury eggs, but I have to give credit where credit is due.
***
As for Liverpool's 4-0 thrashing of Blackburn early Saturday morning. Well, I just couldn't get up for it, so I'll fill you in with Ace Cowboy's email he sent me:
Amazing first half from Liverpool...they overloaded the left side and had a dynamic one-two working between Riera and Insua. Somehow, for some reason, they got away from that in the second half, trying to come through the center all too often, but brilliant play for the first 45 minutes and last 10. I guess Blackburn just gave up about 35 minutes in and Liverpool in turn tried to dominate through the middle instead of what they did so well early on. Either way, dominant performance, great stuff.
Torres' brace was magnificent. The first goal was just stellar, goes without saying. But the best part of it was that he never once looked up to see where the net was. Chested it down, looked at the ball with his back almost all the way to the goal and nailed it side net over Problemson's hand. Gorgeous. The second one probably won't get as much esteem, but man was it an amazing piece of skill. He made an amazing run, adjusted two feet, rose up against 6'5'' Samba, elbowed him out of the way and powered it in the back of the net. Fucking awesome. Agger's was sick as well. Reminded me of his first goal for Liverpool - against West Ham, I think.
Considering the European flame is about to go out, the Reds need six more games like this.
On more important Ace-related note, Liverpool are now ahead on goal difference by three on Chelsea and five on United.
***
I did watch another meh-inspiring show from Manchester United, which has suddenly become more uncomfortable on defense as Richard Nixon under the television lights during that famous 1960 presidential debate with John F. Kennedy.
If Sir Alex Ferguson is able to guide the Red Devils into the garage in first place it'll be like a race car driver stealing a checkered flag with a tank running on fumes.
United finally make up their game in hand next week, part of four matches in 10 days -- including the trip to Portugal in the Champions League. (Only two are league matches.)
From what we've seen out of United this last month, there's not a lot of confidence in them surviving. As it is, they're like a boxer with a standing eight count.
'Kiko' Macheda can only provide the smelling salts so many times, right? (I wish I could just invent a cool nickname after doing something impressive for one whole whopping week. On second thought, Kiko isn't that cool.)
Then again, with Ronaldo, Rooney & Co., even staggered the Red Devils still pack a punch like a 1985 Mike Tyson (sad to see Iron Mike reduced to crummy movie cameos)
***
Special D-A-P to Clint Dempsey -- our lone American hope -- scoring a brace against Manchester City, as Fulham wins on the road against Manchester City. I only watched this briefly (family commitments) but Dempsey appeared to start on the left midfield.
Bob Bradley, are you paying attention?
(I'll try to cobble something up on Jurgen Klinsmann redux during the week.)
***
Other stuff.
Are Manchester City now in the relegation picture? ... From the too little, too late department -- Middlesbrough 3, Hull City 1. ... Even with Niko Kranjcar's nice deadball goal, Portsmouth had by far the worst result of the weekend, drawing West Brom 2-2 at home. ... Newcastle United, good grief. ... Aston Villa 3, Everton 3? Let's just let these two play each other every week and enjoy it.
Fantasy team of the week -- Tom Hope's Real West Chester put up 80 points behind Lampard and Clint Dempsey. Well done. There's a 41-point gap between first and second between La Academia and 92% Pure Oxygen. Is that attainable?
Adios. Enjoy 'Observe and Report' (go see it).
Labels: Monday recaps, Premier League, Soccer
Enjoy the work. I would suggest, perhaps as a good post during the summer lull (yes, MLS can safely be described as a lull), penning down some thoughts on what it would take for a team to crack the Top 4, and perhaps who would be best placed to do it.
It's a pretty regurgitated piece that comes out every year, but I don't think anyone has really sat down and penned WHAT each team should do (i.e., what it would take for Villa, Spurs, Everton, Man City, etc. specifically, not generic team).
That said, if your post said "Get a filthy rich owner", you'd probably have summed it up.
I think it is pretty obvious that while Vidic and Rio are good defenders in their own right, they really only become top notch when they are playing along side of each other. They compliment each other perfectly.
Vidic handles the tough stuff and Rio works to keep the back line organized and operating as one.
Cardillo, you hit the nail on the head when it comes to the Arse. Will they try to build on their solid 2nd half the season for 09-10 and try to build a solid contender in the off-season? Or will Wegner simply say "the kids are alright" again and leave the team extremely thin? If I put out the following lineup every week, I'd feel pretty great about it: Almunia-Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy-Walcott-Nasri-Fabregas-Arshavin-Adebayor-van Persie. (I know that Nasri isn't a center half, but I think he'd actually work better playing off the wing than on it.) The problem is two-fold: First, Once you get beyond this 11, the bench is awfully young, green and unproven. Second, even playing the reserves in the League Cup, the amount of fixtures they need to play you have to go 2 deep at almost every position.
Consistency is another problem. Walcott, Nasri, and Adebayor this year have all been brilliant at times and completely missing at others. Injuries have played a huge part as well, and even more-so now with 3 defensement down for at least 3 weeks. It'll be interesting to see if Wegner changes his philosophy this off-season; if not, they'll be battling Everton and Villa again for 4th place in the table.
There's a 41-point gap between first and second between La Academia and 92% Pure Oxygen. Is that attainable?I dunno, but I will take a good crack at it. I made up 20 last week thanks mostly to Deuce covering for Gerrard. Unfortunately, now I have to chase and differentiate, which means betting against 2-game Pompey this week since Kent's all-in on them. Betting against Pompey is not at all a bad idea, but betting against 2-gamers usually is, and I'm not at all sure which of my players from top-4 teams are actually gonna play. It'll probably come down to whoever does the best at picking their captain, and I'm gonna have to be pretty much perfect on that front for the rest of the year.
Is there a prize or anything? Did we decide on some sort of goofy trophy or joke prize or something?