City look set for a change with Guus Hiddink being linked for a summer move to City. Pressure on Mark Hughes to convince his bosses has rightly increased after 3-0 drubbing by fellow championship hopefuls-Spurs. Of the last 10 games, City has won one, lost one and drawn a whopping 8 games. They find themselves languishing at 8th in the league and somehow it appears that all of £170m+ spent this year has not been enough.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/18/mark-hughes-manchester-city
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Who will win Barclays Premier League ?
Few weeks back I had mentioned Chelsea as the front runners with ManU and Arsenal close behind. Over the last two weeks things have not changed too much apart from the fact that Chelsea has left the door open for those chasing them. It would be difficult for most teams barring United to catch them but the way top teams are tumbling nothing can be taken for granted.
Look at the traditional top 4 and none of them look as strong as previous years. They all look fragile and prone to a shock. As the table stands right now, Chelsea are still upfront but they do not look as invincible as few weeks back when they had threatened to run away with the title. United had the opportunity but they failed to punish the Blues after City had shocked them. While Gunners have also failed to close in with a mid week draw with Burnley, Liverpool’s season is still waiting for a fillip which I guess will have to wait until next year and by that time it would be all too little too late for them. If the reds finish in the top 4 it would be a huge surprise for me looking at the way things stand right now.
Let's look at some of the outsiders who could upset the applecart. Villa and Spurs look threatening while City and Liverpool cannot be taken for granted at any stage. Then there are Birmingham and Fulham both capable of untimely surprises for any of the top runners. The closeness of teams this season has meant a wonderfully entertaining and competitive league- especially for an outsider.
Wenger has summed it up quite nicely by stating this years’ as the most open title race -
"Yes [this is the most competitive I have known the Premier League since joining Arsenal]. It is, why? Because nobody looks to run away early in the season and there are six, seven, eight teams that can create a surprise any weekend and it is certainly the most open race," Wenger said in his pre-match press conference. "I think yes, that many [eight] can mount a title challenge."
While Wenger is upbeat about his teams title chances, Harry Redknapp has proclaimed the end of the Premier League's big four by declaring that only Chelsea and Manchester United are certainties to finish in the Champions League places this season and that the other pair of prized berths for Europe's elite tournament could be filled by any two of several teams – including Tottenham Hotspur.
Redknapp said "I've said since the start of the season that the champions will come from Chelsea or Manchester United but after that it's up for grabs," he said. "Anything is possible this season. Look at Arsenal, you would have expected them to go up and win at Burnley after beating Liverpool, but they didn't so that shows you how hard it's going to be."
Read more at:
http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/12/15/1689097/arsene-wenger-highlights-most-open-premier-league-title-race
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/17/harry-redknapp-tottenham-manchester-city
Look at the traditional top 4 and none of them look as strong as previous years. They all look fragile and prone to a shock. As the table stands right now, Chelsea are still upfront but they do not look as invincible as few weeks back when they had threatened to run away with the title. United had the opportunity but they failed to punish the Blues after City had shocked them. While Gunners have also failed to close in with a mid week draw with Burnley, Liverpool’s season is still waiting for a fillip which I guess will have to wait until next year and by that time it would be all too little too late for them. If the reds finish in the top 4 it would be a huge surprise for me looking at the way things stand right now.
Let's look at some of the outsiders who could upset the applecart. Villa and Spurs look threatening while City and Liverpool cannot be taken for granted at any stage. Then there are Birmingham and Fulham both capable of untimely surprises for any of the top runners. The closeness of teams this season has meant a wonderfully entertaining and competitive league- especially for an outsider.
Wenger has summed it up quite nicely by stating this years’ as the most open title race -
"Yes [this is the most competitive I have known the Premier League since joining Arsenal]. It is, why? Because nobody looks to run away early in the season and there are six, seven, eight teams that can create a surprise any weekend and it is certainly the most open race," Wenger said in his pre-match press conference. "I think yes, that many [eight] can mount a title challenge."
While Wenger is upbeat about his teams title chances, Harry Redknapp has proclaimed the end of the Premier League's big four by declaring that only Chelsea and Manchester United are certainties to finish in the Champions League places this season and that the other pair of prized berths for Europe's elite tournament could be filled by any two of several teams – including Tottenham Hotspur.
Redknapp said "I've said since the start of the season that the champions will come from Chelsea or Manchester United but after that it's up for grabs," he said. "Anything is possible this season. Look at Arsenal, you would have expected them to go up and win at Burnley after beating Liverpool, but they didn't so that shows you how hard it's going to be."
Read more at:
http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/12/15/1689097/arsene-wenger-highlights-most-open-premier-league-title-race
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/17/harry-redknapp-tottenham-manchester-city
Sunday, December 6, 2009
City brings smiles in Manchester!!!
Holders Manchester United's thrashing of West Ham was followed by City's brilliant come from behind victory against the leaders –Chelsea. It capped a brilliant day for both Manchester sides. City desperately needed a win to put their season back on track and they were excellent all around barring last few minutes where they threatened to let the advantage slip away - once again.
City was good all through as they out played Chelsea for most part. They however came really close of getting another draw when Frank Lampard stepped up to take the penalty in the 81st. Shay Given saved the day for City after brilliant Tevez free kick had put City ahead. Chelsea's lead at the top has now been reduced to only 2 points but more importantly City have also showed that Chelsea is not unbeatable.
Detailed match report at:
http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~48535,00.html
City was good all through as they out played Chelsea for most part. They however came really close of getting another draw when Frank Lampard stepped up to take the penalty in the 81st. Shay Given saved the day for City after brilliant Tevez free kick had put City ahead. Chelsea's lead at the top has now been reduced to only 2 points but more importantly City have also showed that Chelsea is not unbeatable.
Detailed match report at:
http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~48535,00.html
Friday, December 4, 2009
England's World Cup Draw: High Profile Reactions...
As last night's draw was unfolding, plenty of reactions were pouring in. Following are few from the English-men who matter:
Capello: "You have to respect all the teams and I know from my experience as a player that when you have to play here, the pressure is different and the mentality is different."
"We played against Slovenia at home and I well remember suffering in the second half. Slovenia's style is Balkan. They are technically good, a lot of passes and imagination. USA can prepare for the World Cup better than us and prepare with their training a long time before us." The manager admitted he knew "nothing" about Algeria and saw only "some moments" of their dramatic victory over Egypt. "I saw the goals they scored to qualify but not too much to understand the style or what will happen during the game."
Beckham: "It's a very interesting group. You don't get easy games at the World Cup. As a country we're very honored to be here and very honored to play a part in such a historical time in South Africa."
Gerrard: "I am really encouraged by the draw. It is all we could ask. There are no surprises and it's been really kind, even beyond the first group stage. We have to be professional and show the right attitude, because even though we'll be massive favorites you know the other teams in our group will see England as a huge scalp - almost their own World Cup final. But we have to be confident of getting maximum points, otherwise we shouldn't be going. And that can give us the confidence to progress, given that a lot of the favorites to win the trophy are in the other half.
Terry: "We've been labeled the Golden Generation and soon we'll find out if we can live up to the billing or risk being dubbed the Lost Generation," he told the Sun. He spoke of "a lot of unfulfilled ambition in the dressing room" and added: "For myself, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, David James, Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand it's now or never."
Lampard: "People want and expect us to win the tournament, which is how we feel as players. Anything other than winning it would be failure almost."
Shearer: "Fabio Capello will be sat in his seat in Cape Town, and inside he will be absolutely delighted with that draw. I can see England doing well in all of their group games. I don't think anyone can be anything other than delighted with that - if you'd offered that group to Fabio this morning, he would have bitten your hand off."
BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson on England's World Cup draw: "That couldn't have gone any better. Privately, Fabio Capello will be absolutely delighted with that."
Read more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8391833.stm
Capello: "You have to respect all the teams and I know from my experience as a player that when you have to play here, the pressure is different and the mentality is different."
"We played against Slovenia at home and I well remember suffering in the second half. Slovenia's style is Balkan. They are technically good, a lot of passes and imagination. USA can prepare for the World Cup better than us and prepare with their training a long time before us." The manager admitted he knew "nothing" about Algeria and saw only "some moments" of their dramatic victory over Egypt. "I saw the goals they scored to qualify but not too much to understand the style or what will happen during the game."
Beckham: "It's a very interesting group. You don't get easy games at the World Cup. As a country we're very honored to be here and very honored to play a part in such a historical time in South Africa."
Gerrard: "I am really encouraged by the draw. It is all we could ask. There are no surprises and it's been really kind, even beyond the first group stage. We have to be professional and show the right attitude, because even though we'll be massive favorites you know the other teams in our group will see England as a huge scalp - almost their own World Cup final. But we have to be confident of getting maximum points, otherwise we shouldn't be going. And that can give us the confidence to progress, given that a lot of the favorites to win the trophy are in the other half.
Terry: "We've been labeled the Golden Generation and soon we'll find out if we can live up to the billing or risk being dubbed the Lost Generation," he told the Sun. He spoke of "a lot of unfulfilled ambition in the dressing room" and added: "For myself, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, David James, Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand it's now or never."
Lampard: "People want and expect us to win the tournament, which is how we feel as players. Anything other than winning it would be failure almost."
Shearer: "Fabio Capello will be sat in his seat in Cape Town, and inside he will be absolutely delighted with that draw. I can see England doing well in all of their group games. I don't think anyone can be anything other than delighted with that - if you'd offered that group to Fabio this morning, he would have bitten your hand off."
BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson on England's World Cup draw: "That couldn't have gone any better. Privately, Fabio Capello will be absolutely delighted with that."
Read more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8391833.stm
Bookmaker makes England second favorites ahead of Brazil!!!
Immediately after the draw bookmakers William Hill made England 5-1 second favorites to win the World Cup behind Spain at 4-1.
Perhaps surprisingly, they make Brazil third favorites at 11-2 after the South Americans were drawn in a tough Group G with North Korea, Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
The list from William Hill looks like this:
Spain 4/1
England 5/1
Brazil 11/2
Argentina 9/1
Italy 11/1
France 11/1
Germany 12/1
Netherlands 14/1
Portugal 25/1
Ivory Coast 28/1
http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/EN/betting/e/839/World-Cup-2010---Outright.html
Perhaps surprisingly, they make Brazil third favorites at 11-2 after the South Americans were drawn in a tough Group G with North Korea, Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
The list from William Hill looks like this:
Spain 4/1
England 5/1
Brazil 11/2
Argentina 9/1
Italy 11/1
France 11/1
Germany 12/1
Netherlands 14/1
Portugal 25/1
Ivory Coast 28/1
http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/EN/betting/e/839/World-Cup-2010---Outright.html
2010 FIFA World Cup Final Draw: Pot Luck favors England
I just got off ESPN and draw has been a fair boost for English World Cup aspirations. England has been drawn in Group C which looks like this:
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
England will have a tough game against USA that would possibly decide the group standings. I expect England to go through easily however they would be wary of finishing behind USA as that could mean Germany in the round of 16. The group could have been a lot tougher with either Portugal or France and England has been lucky to avoid both of them.
The Good:
In my opinion, England has been overtly lucky this time around. By being drawn in the first half of the group, England make sure they do not meet any of the following until the Semi-Finals:
Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Ivory Coast
Two top contenders - Brazil and Spain- along with the ever dangerous Italy, Portugal and Holland have been drawn in the south side of the draw- very very good for England.
England is in Group C and I would expect them to top the group ahead of USA. If that happens and Germany top their group 'D' as expected, England would avoid even the Germans until the Finals.
The Bad:
England has a possibility of facing Argentina, France or Aussies somewhere before the semis. While these are good teams they do not match up to Spain, Brazil or Italy. So really it is not too bad for England.
The Ugly:
Only one possibility- England finish behind USA in Groups.
It's already 1:30 AM in India and I am groggy now... More to follow later.
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
England will have a tough game against USA that would possibly decide the group standings. I expect England to go through easily however they would be wary of finishing behind USA as that could mean Germany in the round of 16. The group could have been a lot tougher with either Portugal or France and England has been lucky to avoid both of them.
The Good:
In my opinion, England has been overtly lucky this time around. By being drawn in the first half of the group, England make sure they do not meet any of the following until the Semi-Finals:
Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Ivory Coast
Two top contenders - Brazil and Spain- along with the ever dangerous Italy, Portugal and Holland have been drawn in the south side of the draw- very very good for England.
England is in Group C and I would expect them to top the group ahead of USA. If that happens and Germany top their group 'D' as expected, England would avoid even the Germans until the Finals.
The Bad:
England has a possibility of facing Argentina, France or Aussies somewhere before the semis. While these are good teams they do not match up to Spain, Brazil or Italy. So really it is not too bad for England.
The Ugly:
Only one possibility- England finish behind USA in Groups.
It's already 1:30 AM in India and I am groggy now... More to follow later.
2010 FIFA World Cup Final: Draw is out
The final draw is out. Here it is:
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
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