So wrapped up in baseball right now, here are a couple random nuggets to chew on for a Friday.
* Ruminating on this for a while, logic would say with the influx of foreign players, specifically non-English speakers, that there would be a better decorum between the players in the Premier League and the officials, but it doesn't seem to be the case. Guess arguing, or acting a fool and or apologetic, is a universal language.
* Whaddaya know? Oguchi Onyewu got off the bench for AC Milan in its Champions League loss to FC Zurich. Down 1-0, bringing on a central defender seems like an odd choice.
* What the hell? How does Portsmouth get bought out by a rich Arab businessman and then have no money to pay the players? Sulaiman Al-Fahim, you got some 'splainin to do.
* Most stunning news of the week, Arjen Robben is out for a month for Bayern. Shocker.
* U-20 World Cup? Does anyone care? Seems like something only important to scouts looking for cheap, young talent. I've watched both U.S. games and hard to get much of a read. For whatever reason I like the moxie from Brian Ownby. Great job by ESPN missing the second goal by the U.S. vs. Cameroon on Tuesday. Meh. At least they got Banana Yaya's penalty kick.
* USMNT named a roster for the final two 2010 qualifiers. No big surprises, but Edgar Castillo is not included, so commence the Jonathon Bornstein hand-wringing begin.
Saturday:
* Bolton v. Tottenham -- (Live, ESPN2, 10 a.m.) If you like goals, this is the match for you since each side is allergic to clean sheets. For Bolton its more of a peanut allergy, while its a shellfish affliction for Spurs. If Spurs realistically want to mount a threat to break up the 'Big Four' monopoly, these are matches they have to go onto the road and win. ... Bolton 1, Spurs 2
* Burnley v. Birmingham City -- The Clarets are 3-0-0 in home games in the Premier League. They wouldn't be the first home in the history of mankind to survive based on home form. Birmingham? Meh. Sums it up. ... Burnley 1, Birmingham City 0
* Hull City v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) At least this has a possible Jozy Altidore sighting. ... Hull City 1, Wigan 1
* Wolves v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) Wolves are among a slew of teams that must take delight in the historically awful start by Pompey. (And now a lack of money, so much for rich Arab benefactors, huh?) By losing its first seven matches, Pompey has essentially made itself a non-factor, meaning that the relegation crew only need to be better than 19 other teams. The weird thing, you look at Pompey and it doesn't scream out "historically bad" like Derby County two seasons ago. It's more of a feeling of congruence of several bad ideas coming together at once. Suffice to say, I like Wolves at Molineuax here. ... Wolves 2, Portsmouth 0
* Manchester United v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) I don't want to say that Sir Alex Ferguson owns Steve Bruce but the master's lifetime record is 10-2-0 against his former defender. One thing to consider about Manchester United's ascent up the table, its last five league goals have been set up by evergreen Ryan Giggs. Doesn't seem like a strategy that's very sound for the long term. I'll say this, if United are going to maintain a steady pursuit of the title, it'll finally need something from Nani and Anderson. ... Manchester United 3, Sunderland 1
Sunday:
* Arsenal v. Blackburn Rovers -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Every single statistical or observational analysis predicts a Gunners rout. Who am I to argue? ... Arsenal 4, Blackburn 0
* Everton v. Stoke City -- This is the kind of game where the winner seems destined to come off the head of a defender, right? ... Everton 1, Stoke City 2
* West Ham v. Fulham -- Last season West Ham was deceptively crafty and lingered around the top half of the table all season. This year they simply linger ... in the drop zone. The biggest worry I'd have if I'm Gianfranco Zola -- aside from where to get a good plate of mussels in London -- is where am I getting goals if Carlton Cole isn't productive? Cole is the only Hammer with more than one goal and the only striker/forward on the scoresheet. It's one thing to have a boatload full of mid-tier midfielders (Parker, Noble, Dyer, etc.) but you need somebody to provide some pop. The same logic might apply to Fulham, too, with only four goals in its six matches this season. Banking on Andrew 'Don't Call Me Andy' Johnson to carry the water for multiple seasons is a strategy that eventually bites you in the keister. Hey, maybe the USMNT isn't the only squad that needs Clint Dempsey to step up his game. ... West Ham 1, Fulham 1
* Chelsea v. Liverpool -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) I know you. I don't like you. ... Chelsea 2, Liverpool 2
Monday:
* Aston Villa v. Manchester City -- (Live, ESPN2, 3 p.m.) Hey, you, get your filthy eyes off Gabby Agbonlahor and James Milner. Martin O'Neill nightmares aside, very interesting bellwether games for both sides. Can Aston Villa defeat a quality team at home? Can City win against a good team on the road? And what kind of reception awaits Gareth Barry? Frosty? Chilly? ... Aston Villa 2, City 1
Last week: 7-3
Season: 40-26
* Ruminating on this for a while, logic would say with the influx of foreign players, specifically non-English speakers, that there would be a better decorum between the players in the Premier League and the officials, but it doesn't seem to be the case. Guess arguing, or acting a fool and or apologetic, is a universal language.
* Whaddaya know? Oguchi Onyewu got off the bench for AC Milan in its Champions League loss to FC Zurich. Down 1-0, bringing on a central defender seems like an odd choice.
* What the hell? How does Portsmouth get bought out by a rich Arab businessman and then have no money to pay the players? Sulaiman Al-Fahim, you got some 'splainin to do.
* Most stunning news of the week, Arjen Robben is out for a month for Bayern. Shocker.
* U-20 World Cup? Does anyone care? Seems like something only important to scouts looking for cheap, young talent. I've watched both U.S. games and hard to get much of a read. For whatever reason I like the moxie from Brian Ownby. Great job by ESPN missing the second goal by the U.S. vs. Cameroon on Tuesday. Meh. At least they got Banana Yaya's penalty kick.
* USMNT named a roster for the final two 2010 qualifiers. No big surprises, but Edgar Castillo is not included, so commence the Jonathon Bornstein hand-wringing begin.
Saturday:
* Bolton v. Tottenham -- (Live, ESPN2, 10 a.m.) If you like goals, this is the match for you since each side is allergic to clean sheets. For Bolton its more of a peanut allergy, while its a shellfish affliction for Spurs. If Spurs realistically want to mount a threat to break up the 'Big Four' monopoly, these are matches they have to go onto the road and win. ... Bolton 1, Spurs 2
* Burnley v. Birmingham City -- The Clarets are 3-0-0 in home games in the Premier League. They wouldn't be the first home in the history of mankind to survive based on home form. Birmingham? Meh. Sums it up. ... Burnley 1, Birmingham City 0
* Hull City v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) At least this has a possible Jozy Altidore sighting. ... Hull City 1, Wigan 1
* Wolves v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) Wolves are among a slew of teams that must take delight in the historically awful start by Pompey. (And now a lack of money, so much for rich Arab benefactors, huh?) By losing its first seven matches, Pompey has essentially made itself a non-factor, meaning that the relegation crew only need to be better than 19 other teams. The weird thing, you look at Pompey and it doesn't scream out "historically bad" like Derby County two seasons ago. It's more of a feeling of congruence of several bad ideas coming together at once. Suffice to say, I like Wolves at Molineuax here. ... Wolves 2, Portsmouth 0
* Manchester United v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) I don't want to say that Sir Alex Ferguson owns Steve Bruce but the master's lifetime record is 10-2-0 against his former defender. One thing to consider about Manchester United's ascent up the table, its last five league goals have been set up by evergreen Ryan Giggs. Doesn't seem like a strategy that's very sound for the long term. I'll say this, if United are going to maintain a steady pursuit of the title, it'll finally need something from Nani and Anderson. ... Manchester United 3, Sunderland 1
Sunday:
* Arsenal v. Blackburn Rovers -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Every single statistical or observational analysis predicts a Gunners rout. Who am I to argue? ... Arsenal 4, Blackburn 0
* Everton v. Stoke City -- This is the kind of game where the winner seems destined to come off the head of a defender, right? ... Everton 1, Stoke City 2
* West Ham v. Fulham -- Last season West Ham was deceptively crafty and lingered around the top half of the table all season. This year they simply linger ... in the drop zone. The biggest worry I'd have if I'm Gianfranco Zola -- aside from where to get a good plate of mussels in London -- is where am I getting goals if Carlton Cole isn't productive? Cole is the only Hammer with more than one goal and the only striker/forward on the scoresheet. It's one thing to have a boatload full of mid-tier midfielders (Parker, Noble, Dyer, etc.) but you need somebody to provide some pop. The same logic might apply to Fulham, too, with only four goals in its six matches this season. Banking on Andrew 'Don't Call Me Andy' Johnson to carry the water for multiple seasons is a strategy that eventually bites you in the keister. Hey, maybe the USMNT isn't the only squad that needs Clint Dempsey to step up his game. ... West Ham 1, Fulham 1
* Chelsea v. Liverpool -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) I know you. I don't like you. ... Chelsea 2, Liverpool 2
Monday:
* Aston Villa v. Manchester City -- (Live, ESPN2, 3 p.m.) Hey, you, get your filthy eyes off Gabby Agbonlahor and James Milner. Martin O'Neill nightmares aside, very interesting bellwether games for both sides. Can Aston Villa defeat a quality team at home? Can City win against a good team on the road? And what kind of reception awaits Gareth Barry? Frosty? Chilly? ... Aston Villa 2, City 1
Last week: 7-3
Season: 40-26
Labels: English Premier League, Prem Picks, Soccer
I thought it was an odd choice to bring Gooch on as well; I immediately thought about the offensive implications on corners and set pieces. It did turn out to be an offensive minded change as Gooch began playing a roving central midfield role around the 83rd minute.
His touch is getting better though his distribution under pressure is still a bit dodgy, but it'll give Bob Bradley another "big man" option up top....
Already got 40 correct picks! I don't think you had that 'til January last season :).
yep. I was abysmal last season. But looking at the table so far, it hasn't been that hard. Take the Big Four, Spurs and City and whomever is playing Portsmouth. Too bad I don't actually wager.