As we race towards years end, the EPL is again very much in focus as those very well paid footballers literally turn up several times in a few days. Starting with the Liverpool v Newcastle match on Friday night, most sides will play twice in the five days up to Wednesday 4th January. One thing we can all count on at this time of the year, are the regular 'turn up' results that go with the holiday period. One particular illustration comes to mind and according to the Guardian, Fulham beat Ipswich 10-1 at home on Boxing Day 1963, then lost 2-4 at Ipswich 2 days later! Perhaps it is the unusual frequency that teams have to play but there will be upsets. A quick scan of the past weeks results show some unexpected outcomes....seven out of the ten fixtures resulted in draws, Citeh, Arsenal and Chelsea all dropping points unexpectedly.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal 1-1 Wolverhampton |
Monday, 26 December 2011
Barclays Premier League
Stoke 0-0 Aston Villa |
Sunderland 1-1 Everton |
Such is the mind-set of our UEFA overlords that they believe we need a 'transfer window' twice a year. Here disruption and horse trading are allowed to take place with regard to the loan and transfer of footballers. Personally, I hate it. This is because it allows agents to push speculation through the media. My own side Spurs suffered particularly in the June 2011 window as Chelsea attempted to prise Luka Modric from their grasp.....this in spite of said player having recently signed a 6 year contract!
Listening recently to the tv football commentators I was surprised to hear their take on the propects of the three recently promoted sides. QPR, Norwich and Swansea. All three of these sides have made a good fist of promotion so far, although as it was pointed out, they are now in the bottom half of the table. Apparently, only QPR new owner Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes has the cash to go into the transfer market to recruit new players for the new year....expect them to spend big. The value of staying in the EPL is worth a lot. Last year Man Utd made £60.4million in TV money alone, while at the lower end Blackpool still made £39.1million.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8533559/Manchester-United-top-60-million-in-Premier-League-earnings.html
One slightly surprising player move will probably see Arsenal legend Thiery Henry come back to them on a loan deal, before returning to his New York club later in the year. Personally, I think this will be a good move for Wenger with little downside...the club using the usual Macdonalds 'get out clause' because even if he fails to shine, he will only be at the Emirates for a 'short time only'. It will be interesting to see what transpires for Henry. My feeling is that he will help take some of the focus / reliance away from RVP.
I also expect a few out of favour strikers to play an increasing important role in the second half of the season. Man United are already seeing the benefits of playing Berbatov. Torres will also fire again for Chelsea, while Defoe will have a big say in Spurs push for a top four spot. VDV's elastic band hamstring's will ensure Defoe gets loads of playing time (and hopefully goals) in the next few months. It seems a shame that Tevez will be lost to the EPL while Roman Pavlyuchenko looks set to accept a move to is ready to accept a move to Anzhi Makhachkala and all their petro-dollars. Man Citeh are unlikely to go into the transfer market other than unloading Tevez, while neighbours United appear to need reinforcements but are reminicent of Monty Pythons 'Black Knight' in denying the impact of multiple injury set-backs............
King Arthur:(Mancini) [after Arthur's cut off both of the Black Knight's arms] Look, you stupid Bastard. You've got no arms left.
Black Knight: (Ferguson)Yes I have.
King Arthur: :(Mancini)*Look*!
Black Knight: (Ferguson)It's just a flesh wound.
Key games of the week appear to be Blackburn's trip to United where manager Steve Kean may be asked to say goodbye. Citeh have a tricky trip to MON's Sunderland.....Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will all be wanting a return to winning ways after dropping points in draws last week. Next Tuesday Citeh entertain Liverpool while the next night United go to the Geordies.
As 2011 finishes we realise it is all still to play for....we are barely at the half-way point. Bring on EPL 2012....my resolution is to not stop talking about it!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8533559/Manchester-United-top-60-million-in-Premier-League-earnings.html
One slightly surprising player move will probably see Arsenal legend Thiery Henry come back to them on a loan deal, before returning to his New York club later in the year. Personally, I think this will be a good move for Wenger with little downside...the club using the usual Macdonalds 'get out clause' because even if he fails to shine, he will only be at the Emirates for a 'short time only'. It will be interesting to see what transpires for Henry. My feeling is that he will help take some of the focus / reliance away from RVP.
I also expect a few out of favour strikers to play an increasing important role in the second half of the season. Man United are already seeing the benefits of playing Berbatov. Torres will also fire again for Chelsea, while Defoe will have a big say in Spurs push for a top four spot. VDV's elastic band hamstring's will ensure Defoe gets loads of playing time (and hopefully goals) in the next few months. It seems a shame that Tevez will be lost to the EPL while Roman Pavlyuchenko looks set to accept a move to is ready to accept a move to Anzhi Makhachkala and all their petro-dollars. Man Citeh are unlikely to go into the transfer market other than unloading Tevez, while neighbours United appear to need reinforcements but are reminicent of Monty Pythons 'Black Knight' in denying the impact of multiple injury set-backs............
King Arthur:(Mancini) [after Arthur's cut off both of the Black Knight's arms] Look, you stupid Bastard. You've got no arms left.
Black Knight: (Ferguson)Yes I have.
King Arthur: :(Mancini)*Look*!
Black Knight: (Ferguson)It's just a flesh wound.
Key games of the week appear to be Blackburn's trip to United where manager Steve Kean may be asked to say goodbye. Citeh have a tricky trip to MON's Sunderland.....Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will all be wanting a return to winning ways after dropping points in draws last week. Next Tuesday Citeh entertain Liverpool while the next night United go to the Geordies.
As 2011 finishes we realise it is all still to play for....we are barely at the half-way point. Bring on EPL 2012....my resolution is to not stop talking about it!
Friday, 30 December 2011
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Barclays Premier League
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Barclays Premier League
Monday, 2 January 2012
Barclays Premier League
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Barclays Premier League
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Barclays Premier League
Newcastle v Man Utd, 20:00
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Man City | 18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 52 | 13 | 38 | 45 |
| 2 | Man Utd | 18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 47 | 14 | 33 | 45 |
| 3 | Tottenham | 16 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 31 | 19 | 14 | 35 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 21 | 16 | 34 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 17 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 33 | 25 | 8 | 32 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 31 |
| 7 | Newcastle | 18 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 22 | 3 | 30 |
| 8 | Stoke City | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 28 | -10 | 24 |
| 9 | West Brom | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 22 |
| 10 | Everton | 17 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 21 |
| 11 | Norwich | 17 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 27 | 31 | -4 | 21 |
| 12 | Aston Villa | 17 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 19 | 23 | -4 | 19 |
| 13 | Fulham | 18 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 24 | -5 | 19 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 18 |
| 15 | Swansea | 17 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 18 |
| 16 | QPR | 17 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 31 | -14 | 16 |
| 17 | Wolves | 17 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 31 | -13 | 15 |
| 18 | Wigan | 18 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 35 | -20 | 14 |
| 19 | Bolton | 18 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 22 | 41 | -19 | 12 |
| 20 | Blackburn | 18 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 25 | 39 | -14 | 11 |
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