I'll give a loaded slanted bias review of Arsenal's first game:
For the first 83 minutes I think until the penalty was awarded complete gloom and dread over the entire season. By the time the 90th hit 180 degree switch and pure excitement over the potential. Not gona lie the way Fullham scored and Arsenal reacted all I could think of was god no no no no not an entire season of this but pulling off the win with such a streaky player getting the winner was megatons of anxiety of relief. As far as individual play goes Hleb made a strong case of not losing his spot, Eboue looked effective as a right winger and works very well with Sagna who is damn solid and the best suprise was Bendtner who came on and looked like a super sub. Adebeyor has pretty much lost his spot on the squad unless hes brilliant when he comes back because this Bendtner kid is hungry to prove his spot. Between RVP, Da Silva, Bendtner and playing 5 in midfield Adebeyor is going to have to shine when he gets his chances to play.
On the Rooney injury. Manu might have to consider bringing in another striker depending on the Ole and Saha injuries. Having 0 strikers on the bench proved disastrous in the Reading game and assuming they hurry Tevez into action next game they could be dropping points early all because they sold Alan Smith too early and not closer the deadline, go figure. This season is getting dramatic fast!
I think ManU will be fine without Rooney, especially if Tevez is up to form; I read that he was being called up to start in place of Rooney.
Arsenal are young, so you'll probably want to stock up on heart medicine for games. I can see a few of these "get scored on early, but since we're ridiculously fit and talented, you'll get scored on later" games that give me fits watching (or playing in them).
They're not hitting the Panic Button at Tottenham mind, but they are gently caressing the "heart palpitations" button.
Watched the majority of the game and they are just not clicking at all. They have a very interesting schedule for the start of the season that could really make or break it for them. Derby at home, ManU away, Fullham away, then it gets real tricky Arsenal home, Bolton away, Aston Villa home, Liverpool away, Newcastle away and Blackburn home. Derby, Fullham and maybe Bolton should be wins but the rest are gonna take a serious turn around.
First 11 games and then it gets easier but they could be playing some serious catchup by the start of November.
Prederick wrote:They're not hitting the Panic Button at Tottenham mind, but they are gently caressing the "heart palpitations" button.
First 11 games and then it gets easier but they could be playing some serious catchup by the start of November.
We stumbled early last year, to be honest, but I hope it doesn't take us too long to sort things out with that schedule.
With Daws, Bale, and Ledley out, I'm not expecting us to keep anything out of the net. And with Lennon gone...
Its disappointing, but its still early in the season.
Thank god Mido's on the way out, though.
Ronaldo red and ManU are going into the ManCity derby away with no Rooney no Ronaldo and 2 points from 2 games.... Pretty much the worst start they could of got off to and not to rub it in I'm loving it :D.
We really need Liverpool to beat Chelsea in the first big clash of the top 4 to keep this interesting early because after yesterdays halftime swing around I don't think Chelsea are going to drop many points to the lower teams. You gotta really hand it to Mourinho. Down 1-0 away to a pretty good defensive team and he uses his last two subs takes the lead in 5 minutes and collects the 3 points.
Yea yea I know were only 17 total games in but when you look at the point totals last year Man U won the title with 89 points only dropping a total of 25 points and 5 of those were already when they had clinched the title. Thats a pretty insane pace which is even lower then the 3 previous seasons (90,95 and 91). If they drop another 2 or 3 vs Man City who look well up to the challenge under Sven they will be playing some serious catchup which is a horrible mental position to be in.
I'm already looking forward to my team's relegation struggle, regardless (or in spite of) their recent signing of Dyer. I can't wait to see a fight on-field between Bowyer and Dyer again though, to be quite honest -- as a referee myself, I'm not really sure what the hell I would do...
At any rate, ManU needs some stability and once Nani and Tevez, who are now both forced into action are settled, I think even with the injuries and cards (in the Ronaldo's case), they'll be extremely potent, if they can settle a ball down more in the midfield and work their transition game a little more, which will take a ton of pressure off of their defense.
God, I'm praying for Liverpool to do well, but Chelsea looks good in spurts and in those spurts they seem to score and take advantage of their opportunities, C. Shield aside. I have a feeling that Drogba won't be able to keep from being injured at some time during this year... he seems pretty fragile even though he's a beast up front.
Fernandes is represented by the same companies that brought Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham last summer, sparking the months of wrangling over the clauses of their third party ownership.Everton, it is believed, are only buying 50% of the player from Benfica, with third party companies owning the rest.
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_2666881,00.html
for the love of god make it stop. they mention this contract wont be a problem like the last two but cant the damn FA step in and ban these partial player ownership deals for clarity.
Riquelme to Bolton?
...but stranger things have happened!
I dunno, I think Villa is going to be on the wrong end of a growing legend in Big Sam this weekend.
Bolton moving on Anelka and giving his rights away would be nothing less than a concession of the season and the prem. I don't know that I see them moving him until at least mid-season, but hey, stranger things have certainly happened.
Dodgy penalties always seem to decide games for Liverpool, don't they? I wonder how well Gerrard will play with his broken toe?
Sorry for not quoting...I'm lazy and, well, I'm lazy.
Gotta love a sport where the Management is so important and influential. Portsmouth IS Harry Redknapp. The sniping he has done in the transfer market is just pure genius. John Utaka is blazing fast and is going to prove his worth this year especially against the lower clubs who's defenders will be left in his dust. We won't mention Nugget who I don't rate really ;D It's too bad Fernandes contract situation is confusing because it was Portsmouth who first tried to sign him up into the EPL and he also will be class at Everton.
Its kinda funny as I watch this game because Bolton WAS big Sam. They look like such a shell of their former selves and I agree Anelka will be gone sooner then later if Bolton is smart because once he starts sulking he wont be scoring the goals they need to stay up. Cash out now save on his wages and admit this is going to be a long hard season.
I expect allot of Big Sam at Newcastle but still confused by some of his transfer movement. Mainly Joey Barton. Pretty much my most hated player in the prem since Keano retired. Defensively they will be more consistent just by shedding Titus Bramble who reminds me of Emile Heskey at the defensive position (overrated and plain bad). That was the main issue I think Newcastle has had for ever. Any improvement on defense is going to pay off as their midfield and strikers have always been fairly good. Taking Taylor Milner and N'Zogbia in the fantasy league is probably suicide for me tho ;x
Not the end of the world dropping points to Blackburn away but in the fashion it happened Arsenal are looking a ways off if they want to be in the title chase. Besides the obvious blackhole at keeper that's sucking all the confidence out of defence watching the team barley even be able to pass it out of their own half in the last 5 minutes playing 11vs10 they really don't look like challenger.
Man U are pretty much out of the title race. You just cant start this slow in such a competitive league. Next four games are Tottenham at home Sunderland at home Everton away and the most important Chelsea at home. 4 wins in a row would put them right back in it but on their current form I wouldn't bet on that. The "easiest" game even is a tough one cause you know Keano is going to have his team foaming at the mouth.
I'm honestly surprised that the rumors around Martin Jol may have hit critical mass already. The word is the Dutchman will be replaced by Juande Ramos of Sevilla in the immediate future, which I can't help but think is... rather harsh on Jol. But that's the nature of the game in the Premier League, isn't it?
I don't really have anything against ManU (since I enjoy watching Lord Rooney invent all new expletives when referring to Referees) but I was thrilled to see City get the three points. I don't think they're quite out of it yet, the rude interruption of European competition always throws teams seasons in a tizzy, and unlike Chelsea, they don't have to worry about losing the best of their squad when the African Cup of Nations comes calling, but it is certainly an uphill battle they face.
You're right about ManU worrying -- fortunately for the big four (Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and ManU), they've all started out of the gates a little slow and there do have to be some serious concerns when the African Cup does come around and they experience a drop in their depth.
I'm honestly surprised that the rumors around Martin Jol may have hit critical mass already. The word is the Dutchman will be replaced by Juande Ramos of Sevilla in the immediate future, which I can't help but think is... rather harsh on Jol. But that's the nature of the game in the Premier League, isn't it?
It doesn't make any sense to me.
Two top five finishes in the last two years (particularly after such a bad start last year).
Quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup only to be beaten by a poor decision in Spain (imagine that).
Attracted some of the best young talent in the world.
And they're going to judge him on two losses where the anchors of his defense are injured?
I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make any sense. Jol clearly has the support of the players.
It all sounds like media sensationalism to me. Particularly given the opening weeks of the season. Pundits are just trying to make sense of all this, and have whipped themselves into a frenzy.
I can't imagine that Levy would be involved in this. He and Jol seem to understand each other too well. Is there a division within the Board? Or is it just the media? And why would they go straight to Sevilla, except that they were the ones to knock us out of the Cup last year?
1 game into the Portuguese league season and Quaresma scores 2 from freekick's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvxFuI3CUkM
the first the goalie should of maybe had and isn't very good quality but the second is just a rocket and even at that angle I don't think any goalie had a chance.
Wonder what Porto set as the asking price for him as teams probably came sniffing but they had already cashed in on Anderson this summer. He will eventually make a big splash move somewhere will be interesting to see him in the champs league again this year.
I think this is pretty definitive.
I'm glad Levy put his foot down.
I think this is pretty definitive.
I'm glad Levy put his foot down.
This really heats up the upcoming weekend game. Both sides are under allot of pressure could be a great game... or a 1-1 tie.
In other news Everton has stepped up the arms race.
Everton agree £11.25m fee for striker Yakubu
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=455661&cc=5739
not sure if I rate him that much but hes definitely a improvement over Anichebe and could pair Johnson very well. Sometimes its not how good the player is but how well he will fit into the squad and this looks like a very good pairing for Everton. This also shows how ambitious those 5-10 clubs are getting. This could also potentially lead to a more exciting UEFA cup which is a complete dwarf compared to the Champions League in TV revenues.
LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Jens Lehmann has injured his Achilles tendon and will miss Saturday's home clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Thursday. Wenger said: 'Jens is out and he will miss two weeks, I think. Maybe more. I don't know. He is going to see a specialist in Germany tomorrow. He had this injury before but it has got much worse.'
funny how things magically work out sometimes. He had a decent game against England but now this way with at least 3 games before he gets back Alumnia and Fabianski have their window to steal the job. Best solution would be to magically sign a new starting keeper but I have no idea who that person could be and its too late in the window to find one I bet.
Micah Richards is amazing and guess what? The rest of the big 4 are stupid. Chance a high value bid for him would be accepted in the Pearce Pre Thai era? 99%. Now that hes Svens and they don't need to be sellers 1%. The only chance he leaves Man City in the near future now is if a major club managers to unsettle him and he demands to leave which I don't see happening unless Man City stumble and fail to make UEFA this year. Considering Chelsea needed a RB which he looks best at and he can also play center last winter transfer market would of been the best time to swoop in. Looks like the Mourinho Abramovich rift really cost them the real solution to their defensive problems in the second half of the season and at RB for the future.
old one for Haakon. The faces are just priceless.
http://www.footytube.com/2007/08/26/man-united-vs-tottenham/
Man U v Tottenham highlights. Nani with the wonder goal.
Bad weekend for Everton. They tie Blackburn which isn't the end of the world but then Yakubu is turned down for a new work permit so that deal is in limbo until a new hearing this Wednesday (most likely will go through) and Valencia steal the Manuel Fernandes deal out of nowhere. Not sure if they will target another midfielder or just keep the cash back but these players with third party owners are really starting to drive me nuts. I was actually excited for this transfer as hes great to watch and just like that not only will I not see him in the Prem he will probably rot on the Valencia bench unless he impresses fast or they run into some injuries.
Alright. I'll play your game, old man.
But you have to send an invite for the League.
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