Archive for the ‘Premier League’ Category

Antonio Conte May Be Able To Have A Quiet Laugh At Pep Guardiola And Jose Mourinho After Manchester City And United Have Contested The Derby

Posted: September 7, 2016 in Arsenal, Chelsea, European Football, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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What is the significance of a local derby game to a Premier League team? In the cases of Manchester United, City, Everton and Liverpool it is, basically, six points and bragging rights for a few days. Gone are the days when it really was a “local” derby.

With the possible exception of Marcus Rashford, who may or may not play in the upcoming game this weekend, the Manchester United player born closest to Manchester will probably be Wayne Rooney, who is a Scouser, not a fact which particularly endears him to the fans. Of the rest, it is quite possible that Luke Shaw will be the only other Englishman in the team! (more…)

Manchester United V Manchester City Means Jose Mourinho V Pep Guardiola. How Do Their Records Compare?

Posted: September 6, 2016 in Chelsea, European Football, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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For the first time in a while, the two master tacticians meet in a domestic league game. In truth though, there is little difference nowadays between meeting in the league and meeting in the Champion’s League, the latter being an impossibility until next season, at least.

People will say, ” it’s different when it’s a league game,” or “it’s not the same as in a knockout tournament.” Actually, there are many similarities. Both would want to win their home game in both competitions but would, grudgingly, take not losing as a pretty close second choice. Both would want a point, or a draw, depending upon the competition and which stage has been reached, from the away game. (more…)

The Best Manchester Derby In Years? The Worst? Or Yet Another Mediocre One?

Posted: September 5, 2016 in European Football, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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What can we expect from a Manchester United versus Manchester City game in the modern era?

Contested between, arguably, the two greatest managers in the world, two teams with several world class players between them seem to be very evenly matched but, as usual, there is still time for a spanner or two to be thrown into the works.

It already appears as though Manchester United will be without Henrikh Mhkitaryan through injury whilst on international duty. Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia will not be available due to arriving home the day before the game and Luke Shaw was sent home from the England squad as a precaution but should be OK to play. (more…)

Why Did Manchester United, Manchester City And Chelsea Really Change Managers? What Was Wrong With The Ones They Had?

Posted: September 4, 2016 in Arsenal, Chelsea, European Football, Football, Managers, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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Manchester City finished fourth last season and won the Capital One Cup. That relative failure saw them having to play a Champion’s League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest this time out, a tie they won comfortably.

To many fans of many clubs Manchester City’s season would have been considered a resounding success but, when you have the kind of players, and therefore, the kind of financial outlay that they have, success is deemed to be finishing in the top two in the Premier League and reaching the final of the Champion’s League. (more…)

How Does The International Break Affect Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea And Others?

Posted: September 3, 2016 in Arsenal, Chelsea, England, International Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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(With Sam Allardyce as England boss, many players will now dread international breaks as much as most fans do)

Like an ad break just at the most exciting moment of your favourite TV show, it’s here again! Yes folks, just three games into the new season and everything stops for the internationals. It isn’t a long break, just an annoying one when your favourite new series had just begun a new run.

Wayne Rooney, recently given the nod to carry on as England captain because there is nobody else, can stroll around the pitch thinking about what he is going to do when he retires from international football, whilst many wish he would retire from club football in order to prolong his international career. It just goes to show how much people love the national team when they couldn’t care less whether or not their captain is any good. (more…)

Was David De Gea Right To Stay At Manchester United?

Posted: September 2, 2016 in European Football, Football, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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Although the transfer to Real Madrid a year ago was scuppered by some dodgy faxwork, there is really no reason why, if they were that determined, Madrid shouldn’t have come back for him during this latest transfer window. Did they ever really want him? We at WSA are not so sure, and we said as much at the time.

Right from the beginning there were real problems and potential problems with this move. Firstly it was said that De Gea wanted the move because he is from Madrid. That is entirely possible but not to Real. De Gea was brought up through the academy at AtlĂ©tico, so would have been looked upon as a traitor by their fans and an intruder by the enemy. There was never any clamour from the Madridistas for him to sign. (more…)

No Great Surprises From Either Pep Guardiola At Manchester City Or Jose Mourinho At Manchester United

Posted: September 1, 2016 in Chelsea, European Football, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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The operative word here is “inherited” as any player can be deemed surplus to requirements by a new coach and, as long as he is new, he will be forgiven virtually anything he does with the team.

A perfect example is Pep Guardiola and his decisions at Manchester City. He has, no doubt, ruffled a few feathers. That is no surprise, Guardiola always ruffles feathers.

Joe Hart has gone out on loan to Torino having been replaced by a shorter Chilean version who, according to Pep, can play football. (more…)

Manchester United, Manchester City And Chelsea Are Too Close To Call

Posted: August 31, 2016 in Chelsea, European Football, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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The battle for control of Manchester between the two clubs also looks set to be the battle for the Premier League title. At present, the only other team who may be a threat to that dominance is Chelsea, one of those teams from down South.

With newly appointed Antonio Conte in charge and having won three out of three, they are the only club going toe to toe with United and City in the early stages. (more…)

Does Jose Mourinho Need To Buy A New Centre Half For Manchester United?

Posted: August 30, 2016 in European Football, Football, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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On the evidence of the first three games the answer is very simple; No.

United have played Bournemouth away, Southampton at home and Hull City away and have conceded only one goal. More to the point, David De Gea has had very little to do.

This is in stark contrast to the last two seasons where the defensive statistics have been very good but only because De Gea was very good. Good enough, in fact, to win the player of the season award on both occasions. Without him the defensive statistics would have been quite poor. (more…)

The Renaissance Of Marouane Fellaini At Manchester United

Posted: August 29, 2016 in European Football, Football, Manchester United, Opinion, Premier League
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He has been ever-present this season, he has been consistent and is doing everything asked of him. Which one of Manchester United’s superstars are we talking about? Why, Marouane Fellaini of course.

It is probably a little unfair to use the word renaissance, as he never really became a bad player, he was just never a very good one. He is proving to be of some worth to United now though, a situation unseen by certain blinkered supporters who were never prepared to give him a chance. He has also managed to stay in the Belgian national team along with some world class players, so he’s not that bad. (more…)

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