It must be difficult to convince supporters of the three Premiership teams located in the north-east of England that it is the season of good cheer. As it currently stands Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland have played six games over the holiday period and have the sum total of one point to show for it. Even then it required a late equalizer from Mark Viduka to earn the single point against foot-of-the-table Derby County.
A stirring performance against Arsenal in the first week of December seemed to have set Newcastle on the right path as they followed the draw up with wins against Birmingham and Fulham. But the scrambled draw with Derby and an anemic loss to Wigan had Sam Allardyce publically questioning his players.
Full points from these very-winnable four games would have earned Newcastle more breathing space and moved them into a top eight position. As it is, they sit just below mid-table with 26 points with the definite possibility that come the beginning of March that they will not have too many more.
Starting on Saturday with a trip to Stamford Bridge Newcastle will play eight Premiership games with six of them against top half opposition (Manchester City h, Manchester United h and a, Arsenal a, Aston Villa a), and the other two against Bolton and Middlesbrough at St. James’ Park. There is also a tricky FA Cup third round match in two weeks time away to Stoke City who are currently in the top four of the Championship.
With the team again taking two steps forward and three back Allardyce’s position is again the subject of speculation. You get the feeling that if Big Sam is going to survive then Newcastle has to pull off some big results and pick up a few points over the next two months. But there again if you are going to be labeled unpredictable then there has to be good times as well as bad – will this weekend be one of the good times?
Only two weeks after losing their unbeaten home record to Manchester United, Liverpool faces the other Manchester side this Sunday. City’s form over the first eight home games this season was nothing short of spectacular with eight wins, thirteen goals scored and only three conceded. The streak extended to nine with a win over Bolton although it took three second half goals to overturn a 2-1 half time lead for Bolton.
Three days later Spurs came to City of Manchester Stadium and pulled off a 2-0 Carling Cup win while playing for almost an hour with ten-men and Blackburn became the first team to leave with a point in the Premiership when they drew on Thursday.
All the signs seem to be pointing to City’s home streak running short on steam. Liverpool needs to keep winning in order to maintain their title aspirations while if City are to remain in the six more home points are crucial. All things point to a cracking good game.
Everton and Arsenal is another good game in prospect. Out of the top four clubs Arsenal drew the toughest holiday schedule. So far the Gunners have mimicked results from last season with a win over Tottenham and a draw at Portsmouth.
They will be hoping that results against Everton (Saturday) and West Ham (Tuesday) are not replicated as they lost both games last season by the same score - 1-0. Goodison has not being a profitable venue for Arsenal with Everton winning three and drawing one of their last five meetings.
No doubt the Everton coaching staff will have taken notice of Portsmouth’s display on Wednesday in holding Arsenal off the score sheet for the first time this season in the Premiership.
The centre-back partnership of Campbell and Distan were outstanding and the Portsmouth midfield gave Arsenal very little time and space to operate. Everton seem to have similar types of players and with Yakubu and Cahill carrying a scoring threat it could be another tough ninety minutes for Arsenal.
Quick free kicks Manchester United toyed with Sunderland in midweek cutting their defence to ribbons. Roy Keane has to find an experienced centre back to plug the Sunderland defence – and not one from the Championship.
Scoring streaks - Marcus Bent has scored 7 goals in his last 13 Prem appearances - that was over three months. It took him 90 games and over three years to score his previous seven Premiership goals.
Pity Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz. He’s scored seven goals in his last four games but during that spell Rovers have lost three games and tied the other.
bobby - carsley will be key against Arsenal, Moyes will be tempted/inclined to attack a little more than harry. The really good thing about Everton this season is an ability to come from behind, it's a step forward from snatching one-nil wins with a team focused on defending.
Arsenal now have to keep pace with the mancs, hope they slip up or beat them at old trafford in april.
from my POV United won't be caught, what do you think?
What's your view on the changes made to the MLS recently.
What is the tie you'll be looking forward to most in the UEFA Cup and Champions League?
Do they do Hogmanay in Canada?
Any transfer rumour stand out for you? What do you see as a BIG MOVE in your crystal ball!
How much snow is outside your door?
"Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will spend New Year in jail after being refused bail on charges of common assault and affray, a court ruled today.
The 25-year-old was arrested in Liverpool early yesterday after an incident in the city centre."
over from soccernet.
He will be stuck in jail and miss two games, at Chelsea and home to Mancity.
This has to be one of the last nails in his horrible career as a top flight player. He still faces a trial from last years training bust up I think plus this new one. Good riddance.
If Wenger is going to play 4-5-1, I'd much rather see 4-1-4-1 with Flamini in front of the back four and Hleb paired with Fab, instead of 4-4-1-1. I believe this would relieve some of the congestion.
This season is not over by a mile. There so many important games coming, there is no way Man Utd don't drop points. SAF will make a push for Europe.
IMO Man Utd are one injury away from trouble. If Vidic, and to lesser but still important extent, RIo were to be out for even 3-4 games Utd will struggle, even though I like Brown as a utility defender and they should not let him leave.
With the second half of Spurs season looking far more promising than an insane first half, the faithful who go 'down the Lane to worship' have a new Cockney hymn of praise.
C'mon, everyone, sing along:
Awll fings broight an' beyoo-ee-full
Paul Robinson Ten Feet Tall
Aaron Lennon runnin' woild
Tom 'Uddlestone burstin' balls
Each little flick from Berba
The Return of Ledley King
The debut of Jamie O'Hara
Just hear the Park Lane sing
Awll fings broight an' beyoo-ee-full
Awll praise young Gareff Bale
Robbie Keane fillin' the net
100 goals to hail
Jermaine Defoe won't sign on
Darren Bent's a doubt
But Spurs fans they don't worry
Magic Juande'll sort it out
Awll fings broight an' beww-ee-full
Jermaine Jenas in his pomp
Nutmegs galore from Adel Taarabt
The Spurs are set to romp
The cockerel crows for Malbranque
His tackles and his runs
The Paxton End loves Chimbo
When he overlaps for fun
Awll fings broight an' beww-ee-full
Spurs marching in again
All fings woise an' wonn-er-full
Brought by our King of Spain
The outcome of these holiday period games is likely to have some influence on the final results in the Prem, but who knows how much. There are too many important games to come, and there will surely be some reversals of form, particularly in the teams currently in the middle of the table. At least one of the current top 6 will likely slide down, as happened last year. I suspect this will be Man City, who have less depth than most of the others, tho this may improve if they get some good transfers. How the Gunners and Man U do may have some influence, but the injuries for both have mounted, and as others (and I) have pointed out in the past, Man U has less depth on the defensive end than the other top 3. There will be some surprising runs to come, both of victories and defeats, in the coming weeks. This season is far more competitive than the past few.
What do the Freanch know about football anyway!?
I would go with:
Buffon
D.Alves-Cannavaro-Nesta-D.Maicon>
A.Pirlo-S.Gerrard
L.Messi-R.Kaka'-C.Ronaldo
D.Drogba
(also, we'll bring on Super Pippo with about 20 mins to go!!)
Besides, who needs cover in midfield when you score in double digits anyway!?
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on December 28th at 4:17 PM.
Davard: 'Uddlestone and Robinson have each dropped more than 10 pounds since Ramos assigned his fitness coach to whip them and everyone else into shape.
Michael Dawson's migraines were apparently triggered by the drastic change in his eating habits.
As messy and fumble-fingered as the Martin Jol-Juande Ramos switchover was, the bottom line is, it had to be done and Ramos is now beginning to show why Spurs brought him on board.
A shame we can't get more of the mighty horde of Spurs fans to stop their wisecrackin', put their pints down, quit squeezin' the barmaids' backsides and come on line to join the serious, serious discussions that swamp the internet.
I suppose that's what separates them from fans of a certain rival club that decorum prevents me from mentioning.
Well, if the good times are rolling, here's a fun read from the Times of London. What else would you expect when it's got a big connection to Spurs:
hate to have to agree with somebody who works with the plonker but he had a point yesterday -
Why is there no bad press about Sunderland and particularly Keano? plenty of cash spent in the summer and already second from bottom, plucky players - yes, cack results - many, so what is separating keane from sanchez, Bruce, Jewell's predecessor, southgate, big and little sam?
what managers have won in europe with two (or more) different teams?
lawrenson thinks spurs will roll reading at whl today so that's a kipper!
hodgson will keep fulham up - good manager - last I read he was technical director at Internaz ionale?
spurs dropped from 9/1 to 8/1 and have slavia prague then likley psv. that's a tough route to the qfs but winnable - the bookies lowered the odds to take more money off punters. the full odds spread make for an interesting peruse - check my blog
seems that jr has the credentials to at least revive spurs as a good cup team - no top four for you this year though
jewell needs to start miracle number two today - c'mon paul!
And speaking of big Sam ,although he was medium size Sam at the time.
Late seventies ,old second division ,Chelsea v Bolton.
With twenty minutes to play Bolton where 3-0 up when chelsea brought on the sub ,Clive Walker ,who almost single handedly turned the game around setting up three goals.
Into injury time and a Bolton defender turns the ball into his own net to give Chelsea a 4-3 win.
The defenders name? Sam Allardyce.
So Max Bretos and Bobby Mac seem to think Man Utd are cut and dried certs to win the premiership eh? Even if Liverpool lose tomorrow I do not think this years Premiership is over by a long way.
SAF dropped Ronny and lost to Bolton. Today he dropped Roo and lost to West Ham. SAF tinkering with his core could take some of the attention from Rafa who will surely play Gerrard, Carragher, Torres and Mascherano tomorrow.
The top and bottom of the premieship will go to the last day of the season at this rate. It is the clsoest race, or fight, for years and must be a good thing.
Well, looks like Wenger finally listened to everyone. He started Eduardo alongside Bendtner. I've been saying this for a long time. This had the potential to be Arsenal's best partnership.
Another exhibition of beautiful football from Arsenal ,even beautiful route one football.
If things don’t work out at the Emigrants for Eduardo he could always try his hand at playing wide receiver.
Bendtner gets two yellows when both shoulda been straight reds.
And I take it when Wenger talked yesterday about protecting players from bad “tackles” ,he meant to say “well err ,but my players don't do that of course”.
And I’m sure that the failing to control your players charge will not be used by the FA again ,it only applies to a certain other London team.
Almost forgot ,the slimy little play acting runt was at it again.
I think that covers it all….
Last edited by RINGO on December 29th at 12:10 PM.
I recorded the game but didn't get a chance to watch it yet. What my understanding was that while at first it looked like a handball, it clearly wasn't. Unintentionally touching the ball with a shoulder does not constitute a handball. Many goals were scored that way and we'd have to change the rules to satisfy those who complain. What I have been reading is that Eduardo showed great control, skill, and composure to score the goals. I'll watch the game for myself later to arrive at a conclusion. On the sidenote, I still think that Wenger has more faith in the selfish Adebayour and injury-prone RVP than Eduardo.
Last edited by Sleeper000 on December 29th at 12:51 PM.
redfan2000 - And when/where did I say that Manchester United were certs for the title? If you are referencing last nights show then what I said was (paraphrased) United must be considered favourites based on how they are playing but there is a long way to go and it makes no sense to count teams out at this stage - lots of time for unexpected things to happen. It is far to too early to talk of a two horse race or the likes. I said a four-horse race at the start of the season and see no reason to change that view.
I also said that Liverpool needs to keep on winning and hope for slips from teams ahead of them (no great insight there) but that I thought they would be undone by their record against the other big three and would come acropper in games when Torres and/or Gerrard are missing. I'm sure that as a Liverpool supporter you will remeber that I picked them to finish fourth this year so the previous comments should not come as a surprise.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on December 29th at 2:49 PM.
I agree with David Moyes, the best team lost. Everton played the football, Arsenal defended effectively with a very physical style and scored courtesy of hoofballs and some schoolboy errors by Jagielka, Howard and Yobo.
Shame that Arteta reacted to being fouled all day and was sent off. Arteta is the most fouled player in the EPL
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ma in.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/12/29/nosp lit/sfnsta129.xml
Ringo, "No Manager"? On Sky Sports News they refer to Grant as the First Team Coach as opposed to the Manager. Is he just keeping the seat warm until Rijkaard arrives?
Berbatov looked great again for Spurs. In some ways he reminds of a Spurs striker from years past named Alan Gilzean ... all the delicate flicks, feints etc.
Bobby, Jimmy Baxter ... great player from an era when Scotland had two world class players (Baxter and Dennis Law) not bad for a country with a smaller population than the San Francisco Bay area.
Bobby, apologies, I caught the show this morning as I was making coffee and was only half awake/listening, but I did catch Max's comments t'other day and read Phil McNulty's too.
I see a 4 horse race and I do not think Liverpool will finish 4th. My biggest surprise is Arsenal who I picked to finish 5th. The rest is neck and neck after 19 games and I see it going to the wire, with the winner being the most consistant over the next 19 games. Well, we will all be wiser come May. Happy New Year.
Last edited by redfan2000 on December 29th at 7:25 PM.
Eduardo touched the ball twice once on the second goal and on the last long ball, as the commentator noted correctly neither were intentional. Get over it, haters.
If Chelsea or Utd win like this, the reaction is that their quality showed through in the end. Which is the case here.
Arteta continually fouled Clichy with little kicks and elbows again as the commentator rightly pointed out.
Bendtner's 2nd foul should have been a straight red.
I am sick of the "we hate foreigners" shtick that permeates all negative talk about Arsenal, it is stupid. To me the whole EPL is foreign and the foreigners I hate most of all are ignorant low class English, reminds me of the local trailer park.
Almost makes me hope for the day when the G14 start a super league and I won't have to listen to these bullet heads. Next we are gonna here the jury is still out on Global Warming and Evolution.
And RINGO the Arsenal players never touched the Ref, and were only protecting each other.
MasMaz - Barclays Premier League - almost as bad as plonker calling the the premiership! I think people don't like this attitude that Wenger comes out with about his players being kicked about when he fields someone like Bendtner who enjoyed kicking lumps today!(or is that yesterday!)
THESE AREN'T MY OPINIONS! THESE ARE THE OPINIONS OF A FOOTBALL MAD BRAZILAN NATIONAL WHO HAPPENS TO LIKE SNOW!
My Brazilian snowboarding partner had this to say about Eduardo;
"(Inesert a four letter word for cat) I hate him! He prostitutes himself to some #### european cesspit because he's not as good as love or robinho.
Real Brazilian men don't do that. Obviously the women in croatia like tiny foreign ####! The worse thing is he will retire in some tropical Brazilian paradise.
Cheat! Handball! Prostitute! Son of a b*tch!"
THESE AREN'T MY OPINIONS! THESE ARE THE OPINIONS OF A FOOTBALL MAD BRAZILAN NATIONAL WHO HAPPENS TO LIKE SNOW!
Needless to say watching more smegging awful refereeing at Goddison along with some shoddy and uncharcateristic defending with some rs was loud!
Arsenal were shiite in the first half! Everton made them look like chumps! A few brief red and white flurries and a whole load of blue passing!
How we could be so shiite in the second half is beyond me. Still thanks Boro! Still sixth and a result on NYD should see us 6 from 12 over the mad holiday period - not bad considering we played both the top two.
Still going to be the Mancs - April 12th at Old Trafford!
RonW - gotta disagree with you on that score.
The team with the mo
RonW - gotta disagree with you on that score.
The team with the most goals always wins!
Yak had a stunning opportunity and blew it and a sublime move in the first half had to fall to the Ugly Sister.
The game tomorrow should be interesting, Elano v Mascherano - rs v bn - the noise will be deafening! (but fun)
Another installment of the Carlos Tevez payment made then!
Thank God Barwick and brooking didn't pick O'Neill.
Still in the southern hemisphere-- I've been a bit distracted to check in regularly!
Firstly, RIP O'Donnell.
I'm happy to hear that Zé Castro has been linked with a move out of the club, CIAO! Not a bad centre-back, but he hasn't been playing regularly. He has a lot of pace, but can make silly errors at times (costly, on a few occasions).
Other club-related news: Agüero's buy-out clause has been increased to €55m, which is great.
Ya-- I saw the Arsenal game & felt that they deserved the win...they scored more goals! :)
2007 Albiceleste Mini-Review:
*Copa America: heartbreak
*U-20 World Cup Champion: the future is bright
*2007 Rugby World Cup squad: inspiring stuff, they made me a fan
Last edited by atleti on December 29th at 5:52 PM.
lol craigy - European cesspit? Since when is Brazil considered a leading nation in terms of wealth and economy? Your friend has no grounds in mocking a European nation in terms of prosperity when he himself comes from a "Third World" country. That's a joke.
Aside from that, Eduardo is not the only Brazilian or South American player to play for another country and certainly won't be the last. Besides, there are so many players deciding to play for their non-native countries, it should not matter any more. What would France be without Zizou, Desailly, Thuram, Henry, etc
P.S. Roberto Collauti is an Argentine who decided to play for Israel.
Last edited by Sleeper000 on December 29th at 6:11 PM.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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