Tis the season, so let's keep it clean and come out boxing.
As much as I'm on record as against the loaded Holiday/Boxing Day fixture list in the Premier League, this year it isn't that big of an issue. The traditional day-after-Christmas games fall on the traditional Saturday/Sunday, setting up a viewing smorgasbord on par with the traditional idea of college bowl games on New Year's Day. (Not included the bastardized version we now have thanks to the BCS.)
By the time Liverpool wheezes into Molineux to play Wolves, I might frankly be EPLed-out.
Or not ... likely depends on how much egg nog is consumed the previous two days.
Anyway, since Boxing Day is such an important England tradition, along with the Christmas Party (see, "The Office, Special"; Joey Barton, cigar) and the song topping the pop charts (see, Rage Against the Machine vs. Simon Cowell/X-Factor.); plum pudding; Christmas geese; the term "Happy Chirstmas", etc. I figured it was my patriotic American duty to flip the script.
Father Christmas? Get lost. This is (Roque) Santa (Cruz) territory.
So with Good King Wenceslas, err Landon Donovan, on his way to Goodison Park let's take a look at how our Yankee Cowboys have fared nearing the midway point of the Premier League season.
* Jozy Altidore, For., Hull City -- Let's say the good first, unlike his initial move to Villareal, at least Altidore is getting off the bench and onto the field.
Beyond that? It's been a pretty grim time in Northeast England for the 20-year-old New Jersey native.
It's amazing that after he set up Kamel Ghilas's game-winner vs. Bolton on Aug. 22 in his first ever touch in English football, Altidore has been a total non-factor.
Altidore has made six starts, being subbed out in the second half each time and hasn't scored a goal. Most recently last weekend at Arsenal he wasn't even in the team, with Hull manager Phil Brown favoring the immortal Daniel Cousin.
Let's not forget his late arrival to the KC Stadium and subsequent Twitter apology/disappearance.
There is clearly time for Altidore to integrate himself into the mix at Hull, but the longer the Tigers are mired above the drop zone, the less likely he is to see the field. We're not in the out-and-out disaster region, but it's getting close.
Everything said about Altidore, he does have the chance -- with the World Cup on the horizon -- to pull like a "Sixth Sense" and redeem himself with an strong ending. (Let's face it, are you sitting through that movie again, or can you remember anything beyond the reveal? If Alitdore gets hot in April/May, we won't remember the doldrums of the last three months.) Grade:D+ (At least he is playing.)
Clint Dempsey, Mid., Fulham -- The marvel of Dempsey at Fulham is that he was bought by a manager -- Chris Coleman -- nearly four years ago, survived the cull following the Lawrie Sanchez debacle and has made himself an essential component in Roy Hodgson's solidly mid-table bunch. Many players, especially a young American trying to integrate himself into a new league, could have fallen off or gotten loaned out, only to be never seen again.
Dempsey, who we all know is a freestyle rapper from Texas, has simply let his play do the talking, whether as a right/left midfielder or as a forward, as evidenced by five Premier League goals and solid play in the Europa League.
It's just baffling that Dempsey seems so at ease at Fulham, yet sometimes so lost playing for the U.S. Maybe it's because at Fulham he doesn't need to be an alpha or even beta dog. The Cottagers are a team, first and foremost. With the U.S., perhaps since he's probably the best Yank field player in the best league in the world, he's expected to do too much, and in the end takes stuff off the table?
I don't get it. Neither does Bob Bradley. Regardless, Dempsey is clearly the best field player export from MLS of the decade. Grade: A.
Brad Friedel, GK, Aston Villa -- Loyal readers know I have a man-boner that can be see from space about Big Brad.
Two small nuggets.
1) Freidel finally earned his rendered, albeit cro-magnum-looking, face in "FIFA 10."
2) He simply owes the goal box. The stats -- seven clean sheets and 61 saves, don't matter as much as this.
It would be great, at 38, for the man from Ohio to gain the Champions League. Grade: A-.
Brad Guzan, GK, Aston Villa -- Is it Guzan's fault that Friedel keeps him relegated to Carling Cup duty? At least the 26-year-old is learning from a master, and he is 3-0-0 with 21 saves in Cup duty. Granted backup keeper isn't a big concern, but bringing him as the No. 2 at the World Cup could be troublesome. Grade: INC
Marcus Hahnemann, GK, Wolves -- Credit to Hahneman, at 37, for being back in the Premier League and integrating himself into Mick McCarthy's lineup. That said, he hasn't been that great and let in a true howler vs. Manchester United recently. Grade: C+.
Tim Howard, GK, Everton -- Say this about Howard, he might not have been Everton's best player so far, but perhaps its most consistent, as the Toffees continually field a makeshift defense.
On the plus side of the ledger, the British media have conceded that he's the one American that would clearly start for the Three Lions were he born in Essex, England, not New Brunswick, N.J. This was only reinforced by his penalty save on Jermain Defoe earlier in the month. Yes, he's prone to errors, but about as solid a keeper as you'll find in the world. Grade: B+
Eddie Johnson, For., Fulham -- No way to sugar coat this one, another lost couple of months for the one-time future of U.S. soccer.
It's not pretty and unlike Altidore, he isn't playing. His Premier League stats this season -- 24 minutes, one shot and one yellow card. Ouch. He hasn't even been on the bench since late November, so it's safe to say, he'll be on the move next month.
What makes this all the more disappointing is that with Andrew Johnson hurt for almost the entire season and Hodgson looking for answers at forward, Eddie Johnson couldn't force himself into the equation over guys like Erik Nevland and Diomansy Kamara. Not good.
Where the 25-year-old ends up? MLS? The Championship? Who knows. If Bradley has any faith left in him, he's a better man than I. Grade: D-
Jonathon Spector, Def., West Ham -- Tough season for West Ham, doubly for Spector, who looked to have turned a corner last year.
For whatever the reason, he's not a first choice at either left or right back for the Irons, sitting behind Julien Faubert and Herita Ilunga.
Could he look for a new employer in January, as he tries to gain a starting spot for June in South Africa? At still only 23-year-old, with a solid physical presence and decent skill set, you'd think somebody would want him in their defense, right? Grade: C-
So that's it. Obviously the American keeper in England continues to thrive, while the field player, Dempsey, aside struggles to establish himself.
Good luck Landy.
Saturday:
* Birmingham City v. Chelsea -- (Live, ESPN2, 7:45 a.m.) Skittering form for Chelsea and no Nic Anelka, coming to face the hottest team in the league. The question remains, will Birmingham play like a team that's unbeaten in nine, or wilt when they see the Chelsea road whites? They do have some of the things that trouble Chelsea, namely Seb Larsson on set pieces. I'll be up early for this one. Hope St. Andrews looks good in HD. Maybe my preseason touting of Daniel Sturridge comes to roost in this match? ... Birmingham City 1, Chelsea 1
* Fulham v. Tottenham -- (Live, FSC, 8 a.m.) Pretty evenly, though contrasting, teams. Fulham aren't flashy, but get the job done with a collection of of castoffs, where the sum is greater than the parts. At Spurs, many times its the opposite, with the sum less than the parts. Plus, you can never trust Spurs, especially after a Robbie Keane sponsored Christmas party in Dublin. ... Fulham 2, Spurs 1
* West Ham United v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta, 8 a.m.) Who doesn't want No. 19 hosting No. 20 in the table for Christmas? ... West Ham 3, Portsmouth 2
* Burnley v. Bolton -- For a feel-good story, Burnley are now just three above the drop. ... Burnley 1, Bolton 2
* Manchester City v. Stoke City -- (Live, Setanta 10 a.m.) My friend Suppe was wondering the other day why Manchester City isn't good, or at least good enough to win consistency. Call it the billion pound question. Roberto Mancini must think he has an answer, or at least looks stylish signs giant-sized novelty checks. City is about just as likely to win this match 4-0 as it is for the players (and maybe fans) to have an open revolt during the match. ... Manchester City 2, Stoke City 0
* Sunderland v. Everton -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) A perfect example of how muddled it is in the middle of the table. Everton hasn't won in five matches, but would pull even on points with Sunderland with a win. This is a gritty game that figures to be played in rain, or some crummy weather, right? ... Sunderland 1, Everton 0
* Wigan Athletic v. Blackburn Rovers -- Too bad this one isn't in HD. It would be fun to see the state of the Wigan pitch after a rugby action coupled with the snowy weather in northwest England. ... Wigan 3, Blackburn 0
* Liverpool v. Wolves -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) I've run out of things to say about Liverpool for the time being. ... Liverpool 2, Wolves 0
Sunday:
* Arsenal v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m. range) Best game of the weekend, which could be a joy to watch. You wonder if Villa will be extra motivated to nip the Gunners, after seeing them blow by them for fourth place last season. Plus Villa hasn't lost at the Emirates Stadium, which should count for something. Arsenal barely skated past Hull last weekend without Cesc Fabregas. The bigger concern might be if Mikael Silvestre has to line up on the outside of defense and have to check either Ashley Young or James Milner. At this point we kind of, sort of know who Arsenal is. We'll learn a lot more about Aston Villa. ... Arsenal 0, Aston Villa 1
* Hull City v. Manchester United -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) Beating United would make Hull's season, but I doubt Sir Alex is in the Christmas spirit. With a makeshift defense for United, the time has never been better for Altidore to score his first Premier League goal ... Hull 1, Manchester United 2
If you read every week, I'm going to try to post a quick recap on Sunday, with picks for Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday. There are no games the following weekend.
Last week: 5-4
Season: 91-85
As much as I'm on record as against the loaded Holiday/Boxing Day fixture list in the Premier League, this year it isn't that big of an issue. The traditional day-after-Christmas games fall on the traditional Saturday/Sunday, setting up a viewing smorgasbord on par with the traditional idea of college bowl games on New Year's Day. (Not included the bastardized version we now have thanks to the BCS.)
By the time Liverpool wheezes into Molineux to play Wolves, I might frankly be EPLed-out.
Or not ... likely depends on how much egg nog is consumed the previous two days.
Anyway, since Boxing Day is such an important England tradition, along with the Christmas Party (see, "The Office, Special"; Joey Barton, cigar) and the song topping the pop charts (see, Rage Against the Machine vs. Simon Cowell/X-Factor.); plum pudding; Christmas geese; the term "Happy Chirstmas", etc. I figured it was my patriotic American duty to flip the script.
Father Christmas? Get lost. This is (Roque) Santa (Cruz) territory.
So with Good King Wenceslas, err Landon Donovan, on his way to Goodison Park let's take a look at how our Yankee Cowboys have fared nearing the midway point of the Premier League season.
* Jozy Altidore, For., Hull City -- Let's say the good first, unlike his initial move to Villareal, at least Altidore is getting off the bench and onto the field.
Beyond that? It's been a pretty grim time in Northeast England for the 20-year-old New Jersey native.
It's amazing that after he set up Kamel Ghilas's game-winner vs. Bolton on Aug. 22 in his first ever touch in English football, Altidore has been a total non-factor.
Altidore has made six starts, being subbed out in the second half each time and hasn't scored a goal. Most recently last weekend at Arsenal he wasn't even in the team, with Hull manager Phil Brown favoring the immortal Daniel Cousin.
Let's not forget his late arrival to the KC Stadium and subsequent Twitter apology/disappearance.
There is clearly time for Altidore to integrate himself into the mix at Hull, but the longer the Tigers are mired above the drop zone, the less likely he is to see the field. We're not in the out-and-out disaster region, but it's getting close.
Everything said about Altidore, he does have the chance -- with the World Cup on the horizon -- to pull like a "Sixth Sense" and redeem himself with an strong ending. (Let's face it, are you sitting through that movie again, or can you remember anything beyond the reveal? If Alitdore gets hot in April/May, we won't remember the doldrums of the last three months.) Grade:D+ (At least he is playing.)
Clint Dempsey, Mid., Fulham -- The marvel of Dempsey at Fulham is that he was bought by a manager -- Chris Coleman -- nearly four years ago, survived the cull following the Lawrie Sanchez debacle and has made himself an essential component in Roy Hodgson's solidly mid-table bunch. Many players, especially a young American trying to integrate himself into a new league, could have fallen off or gotten loaned out, only to be never seen again.
Dempsey, who we all know is a freestyle rapper from Texas, has simply let his play do the talking, whether as a right/left midfielder or as a forward, as evidenced by five Premier League goals and solid play in the Europa League.
It's just baffling that Dempsey seems so at ease at Fulham, yet sometimes so lost playing for the U.S. Maybe it's because at Fulham he doesn't need to be an alpha or even beta dog. The Cottagers are a team, first and foremost. With the U.S., perhaps since he's probably the best Yank field player in the best league in the world, he's expected to do too much, and in the end takes stuff off the table?
I don't get it. Neither does Bob Bradley. Regardless, Dempsey is clearly the best field player export from MLS of the decade. Grade: A.
Brad Friedel, GK, Aston Villa -- Loyal readers know I have a man-boner that can be see from space about Big Brad.
Two small nuggets.
1) Freidel finally earned his rendered, albeit cro-magnum-looking, face in "FIFA 10."
2) He simply owes the goal box. The stats -- seven clean sheets and 61 saves, don't matter as much as this.
It would be great, at 38, for the man from Ohio to gain the Champions League. Grade: A-.
Brad Guzan, GK, Aston Villa -- Is it Guzan's fault that Friedel keeps him relegated to Carling Cup duty? At least the 26-year-old is learning from a master, and he is 3-0-0 with 21 saves in Cup duty. Granted backup keeper isn't a big concern, but bringing him as the No. 2 at the World Cup could be troublesome. Grade: INC
Marcus Hahnemann, GK, Wolves -- Credit to Hahneman, at 37, for being back in the Premier League and integrating himself into Mick McCarthy's lineup. That said, he hasn't been that great and let in a true howler vs. Manchester United recently. Grade: C+.
Tim Howard, GK, Everton -- Say this about Howard, he might not have been Everton's best player so far, but perhaps its most consistent, as the Toffees continually field a makeshift defense.
On the plus side of the ledger, the British media have conceded that he's the one American that would clearly start for the Three Lions were he born in Essex, England, not New Brunswick, N.J. This was only reinforced by his penalty save on Jermain Defoe earlier in the month. Yes, he's prone to errors, but about as solid a keeper as you'll find in the world. Grade: B+
Eddie Johnson, For., Fulham -- No way to sugar coat this one, another lost couple of months for the one-time future of U.S. soccer.
It's not pretty and unlike Altidore, he isn't playing. His Premier League stats this season -- 24 minutes, one shot and one yellow card. Ouch. He hasn't even been on the bench since late November, so it's safe to say, he'll be on the move next month.
What makes this all the more disappointing is that with Andrew Johnson hurt for almost the entire season and Hodgson looking for answers at forward, Eddie Johnson couldn't force himself into the equation over guys like Erik Nevland and Diomansy Kamara. Not good.
Where the 25-year-old ends up? MLS? The Championship? Who knows. If Bradley has any faith left in him, he's a better man than I. Grade: D-
Jonathon Spector, Def., West Ham -- Tough season for West Ham, doubly for Spector, who looked to have turned a corner last year.
For whatever the reason, he's not a first choice at either left or right back for the Irons, sitting behind Julien Faubert and Herita Ilunga.
Could he look for a new employer in January, as he tries to gain a starting spot for June in South Africa? At still only 23-year-old, with a solid physical presence and decent skill set, you'd think somebody would want him in their defense, right? Grade: C-
So that's it. Obviously the American keeper in England continues to thrive, while the field player, Dempsey, aside struggles to establish himself.
Good luck Landy.
Saturday:
* Birmingham City v. Chelsea -- (Live, ESPN2, 7:45 a.m.) Skittering form for Chelsea and no Nic Anelka, coming to face the hottest team in the league. The question remains, will Birmingham play like a team that's unbeaten in nine, or wilt when they see the Chelsea road whites? They do have some of the things that trouble Chelsea, namely Seb Larsson on set pieces. I'll be up early for this one. Hope St. Andrews looks good in HD. Maybe my preseason touting of Daniel Sturridge comes to roost in this match? ... Birmingham City 1, Chelsea 1
* Fulham v. Tottenham -- (Live, FSC, 8 a.m.) Pretty evenly, though contrasting, teams. Fulham aren't flashy, but get the job done with a collection of of castoffs, where the sum is greater than the parts. At Spurs, many times its the opposite, with the sum less than the parts. Plus, you can never trust Spurs, especially after a Robbie Keane sponsored Christmas party in Dublin. ... Fulham 2, Spurs 1
* West Ham United v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta, 8 a.m.) Who doesn't want No. 19 hosting No. 20 in the table for Christmas? ... West Ham 3, Portsmouth 2
* Burnley v. Bolton -- For a feel-good story, Burnley are now just three above the drop. ... Burnley 1, Bolton 2
* Manchester City v. Stoke City -- (Live, Setanta 10 a.m.) My friend Suppe was wondering the other day why Manchester City isn't good, or at least good enough to win consistency. Call it the billion pound question. Roberto Mancini must think he has an answer, or at least looks stylish signs giant-sized novelty checks. City is about just as likely to win this match 4-0 as it is for the players (and maybe fans) to have an open revolt during the match. ... Manchester City 2, Stoke City 0
* Sunderland v. Everton -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) A perfect example of how muddled it is in the middle of the table. Everton hasn't won in five matches, but would pull even on points with Sunderland with a win. This is a gritty game that figures to be played in rain, or some crummy weather, right? ... Sunderland 1, Everton 0
* Wigan Athletic v. Blackburn Rovers -- Too bad this one isn't in HD. It would be fun to see the state of the Wigan pitch after a rugby action coupled with the snowy weather in northwest England. ... Wigan 3, Blackburn 0
* Liverpool v. Wolves -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) I've run out of things to say about Liverpool for the time being. ... Liverpool 2, Wolves 0
Sunday:
* Arsenal v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m. range) Best game of the weekend, which could be a joy to watch. You wonder if Villa will be extra motivated to nip the Gunners, after seeing them blow by them for fourth place last season. Plus Villa hasn't lost at the Emirates Stadium, which should count for something. Arsenal barely skated past Hull last weekend without Cesc Fabregas. The bigger concern might be if Mikael Silvestre has to line up on the outside of defense and have to check either Ashley Young or James Milner. At this point we kind of, sort of know who Arsenal is. We'll learn a lot more about Aston Villa. ... Arsenal 0, Aston Villa 1
* Hull City v. Manchester United -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) Beating United would make Hull's season, but I doubt Sir Alex is in the Christmas spirit. With a makeshift defense for United, the time has never been better for Altidore to score his first Premier League goal ... Hull 1, Manchester United 2
If you read every week, I'm going to try to post a quick recap on Sunday, with picks for Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday. There are no games the following weekend.
Last week: 5-4
Season: 91-85
Labels: English Premier League, Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer
Mancini is a good coach and he lead Inter Milan to take over the Italy throne from Juventus and AC Milan. He will able to unleash the power of Man City squad with many talented players.
Visitor Stoke City has a bad away record. Nothing much they can do here when Mancini thirst to have victory in prove of his ability.