Archive for the ‘European Football’ Category

Is The Premier League Really So Open This Season?

Posted: October 18, 2016 in Arsenal, European Football, Everton, Football, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur
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(Yet again Ronald Koeman has donned his Claudio Ranieri mask in order to slip under the radar!)

If you believe everything that you read, then yes, the Premier League is very open this season. The fact of the matter is though, that it isn’t really.

What do we mean by “open” anyway? There are twenty teams in the division. For the title race to be wide open, (as in “that result has blown the title race wide open“, a frequently heard phrase), then every one of the twenty needs to be in with a chance of winning it. (more…)

José Mourinho’s Secret Weapons – Ashley Young And Marouane Fellaini As Manchester United Attempt To Confuse Liverpool Into Submission

Posted: October 17, 2016 in Arsenal, European Football, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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So United’s starting eleven included Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini for the first time in a while. In fact, in Young’s case, it was the first time since last January when he played against? That’s right, Liverpool at Anfield!

The idea was that Young would provide more accurate crosses for the likes of Ibrahimović and Fellaini. In order to do so he would have to improve on his normal performances which, I seem to remember, involved one out of every four crosses being reasonably good whilst the other three went miles out of play! (more…)

The Top Four Won’t Take Shape Until After Christmas And Maybe Not Even Then!

Posted: October 17, 2016 in Arsenal, Chelsea, European Football, Everton, Football, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Tottenham Hotspur
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(In the above photo Ronald Koeman has cleverly disguised himself by wearing a Claudio Ranieri mask in order to deflect attention away from Everton!)

After tonight’s game between Liverpool and Manchester United the top seven will have a familiar look about it, (assuming that your regular top seven doesn’t include Leicester City!)

A draw will see no movement, a Liverpool win will take them to the same points as Arsenal and Manchester City, and a United win will take them above Liverpool, into fourth place, on goal difference. (more…)

Somewhere Amongst The Talk Of Money And The Referee Is A Game Between Liverpool And Manchester United

Posted: October 16, 2016 in European Football, Football, Liverpool, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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The stage is almost set. The cast and directors are almost ready. The only delay is because of money. As per usual a “big” game has been moved to Monday night. The argument put forward is so that is doesn’t clash with any other games, which live TV games in the UK are not allowed to do anyway, but also that it is played on a day when there are no other games at all with which to compete. (more…)

The So-Called “Big Four” (And Others) Return To Real Action This Weekend. What Can We Expect From Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal And Chelsea?

Posted: October 11, 2016 in Arsenal, Chelsea, European Football, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion
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That’s almost it folks! We’ve nearly survived another international break! In just a few more days the debate will return to whether or not Wayne Rooney should be picked for Manchester United rather than whether or not he should have been picked for England. Either way the debate will return to Wayne Rooney. (more…)

Who Has Been A Success At Manchester United And Who Hasn’t? The Signings Of José Mourinho And Louis Van Gaal Discussed

Posted: October 7, 2016 in European Football, Football, Managers, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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In the last three transfer windows Manchester United have spent in the region of £410 million. Louis van Gaal was responsible for around £260 million whilst José Mourinho has spent about £150 million. This is not accounting for the paltry £65 million spent by David Moyes in being no worse than van Gaal although, admittedly, not winning anything.

(more…)

Sir Bobby Charlton Or Very Plain Wayne Rooney? There Really Is No Contest For Manchester United Or England

Posted: October 6, 2016 in England, European Football, Football, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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If you were this man,

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Would you be happy to see your goalscoring records taken from you by this man?

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No? I didn’t think so. There is an injustice about the whole thing which makes it seem so totally surreal.

One of the two is about to celebrate 60 years since making his Manchester United debut, the other one isn’t. One is universally liked and respected, the other one isn’t.

Sir Bobby, of course, was and will be the first to congratulate Rooney both for the England record he has already achieved and the Manchester United one which, if he continues to be as bad as he has been for the last few years, he may not achieve. We live in hope! Privately, I would be very surprised if Charlton is happy with this situation. (more…)

The Only Way Is Up For Manchester City And Manchester United

Posted: October 5, 2016 in European Football, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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Despite sitting at the top of the Premier League Table Manchester City, as Pep Giardiola has already intimated, can improve and, as their recent performance against Tottenham Hotspur suggests, they can improve quite a lot.

Kevin De Bruyne has, in a remarkably short space of time, become almost indispensable to the team. City win far more games when he is playing than when he isn’t meaning that, although they have a deep squad, the strength is not necessarily there yet and their dependence upon one player is worrying for the fans. (more…)

A Disappointing Weekend For Manchester As United And City Drop Points. Mourinho And Guardiola Will Be Unimpressed

Posted: October 3, 2016 in Arsenal, Chelsea, European Football, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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The weekend turned out to be a good one if you are from certain areas of London or Liverpool. Chelsea managed to overcome Hull City at the KC Stadium, while Tottenham Hotspur ended Manchester City’s 100% record.

Liverpool played badly, according to Jürgen Klopp, but still managed to beat Swansea at The Liberty Stadium. (more…)

With Manchester United, Manchester City And Arsenal Involved In Europe, Does It Really Help The Likes Of Chelsea And Liverpool To Have Their Midweeks Virtually Game Free?

Posted: October 2, 2016 in Arsenal, Chelsea, European Football, Football, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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This is an argument that has been around for the last few years. Chelsea and Liverpool should have a better chance of challenging for the Premier League title because they are not involved in any form of European competition.

When Liverpool ruled Europe during the 1970’s and early 1980’s, not playing in Europe didn’t seem to be much of an advantage to the other clubs then, and there were more of them as European competition didn’t admit nearly as many teams as it does now! (more…)

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