Pre-Match EPL 14/15: Week 3

The EPL is entering its third phase and The Writer offers his brief pre-match previews on all those 10 matches scheduled. May this week brings more shocks and pure entertainment to feed the fans’ hungry football stomach before the league gives way to International matches for a week…

Burnley vs Manchester United

Sean Dyche must be the unluckiest manager in EPL right now. Now he will get to face another big team of EPL, ManUtd, in his only third game for the new season. But somehow he should feel lucky to because he is going to face United at their lowest of form and confidence. A win for Burnley is not impossible, just ask Garry Monk of Swansea. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on new United signing, ‘Devil’ di Maria. He can provide the magic touch that United lack recently but United’s defence is still their biggest weakness.

Manchester City vs Stoke City

Steven Jovetic and Sergio Aguero can add to their goals’ collections in this match. Stoke City is not in a good form but Ryan Shawcross is showing class and hunger last week against Hull. He will have to contain the best attack minded team in EPL at his opponent’s home ground. A small margin loss for Shawcross looks more realistic than seeing him score against City.

Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace

No more managerless tag for Crystal Palace this week, and they should start their engine fast. That means winning games. The chosen one, Neil Warnock should deliver. Both teams are not in ideal condition this early stage with both yet to register a win. Jack Colback must want to cap this wonderful week of being called up into the England squad with a goal or at least a superb performance in midfield. He is Newcastle’s best hope to help achieving a win against Palace.

QPR vs Sunderland

QPR is in dilemma. They love their new formation so much, but unfortunately their opponents do love that too. It exploits their weakness actually, and opponents have better chances to attack them and score past their hapless defence. Harry Redknapp must settle quickly on just one most effective formation. If not, their owner, Tony Fernandes, will not wait any longer to pull the trigger and find someone new. Tony is really desperate to see QPR succeed on the biggest stage. Sunderland on other hand, is in confident mood after having a spirited fight against United last weekend. This maybe a cracker game with lot of goals.

Swansea City vs West Brom

The Writer really likes the new model of play that Swansea brings this season. They look a fresh team and eager to perform. Especially Gylfi Sigurdsson. This game may see Swansea brush aside the West Brom team with their slick passing and telepathic understanding between their players. Wilfried Bony must open his goal account this week, at least by one goal. And one of West Brom’s better performers last weekend, Andre Wisdom, must be prepared to face and stop Bony and his friends.   

West Ham vs Southampton

Mauro Zarate is the most-talked after star at West Ham right now. Fans really adore him even before he started playing for them, and after his goalscoring performance last weekend, Zarate can be their messiah to save West Ham from the relegation battle. Meanwhile, James Ward-Prowse of Southampton should get a goal this week. He has been unlucky for the past two games. His accuracy of set pieces is becoming better but he may have wished that the opposition goalkeeper lose concentration at one point. He can be the new golden boy of Southampton, before too long.

Everton vs Chelsea

Both teams are in crisis. Everton is in a confident crisis after their lack of concentration made them lose a 2-goals advantage over Arsenal. Chelsea is in a striker crisis after their main man, Diego Costa is announced to be doubtful after having a hamstring injury. Drogba is not fully fit either and Torres is becoming useless these days. Mourinho must pay Fabregas a big incentive to create any sort of goalscoring opportunities, so that Chelsea can win this match. If Fabregas has an off-game, Chelsea will go broken.

Aston Villa vs Hull City

Aston Villa can win this game as Hull City must not yet recover from their heart breaking elimination from the Europa League. Steve Bruce must feel shock as he is one of the busiest managers around in buying players to prepare his team for the competition. And the end of their European journey means some fringe players must leave Hull. Fabian Delph, the latest England national team star can add to Hull’s wound with a victory for Villa.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool

Spurs is in an excellent run of form. Liverpool should be worried, even after the addition of Mario Balotelli. Liverpool defenders are really sucks and Brendan Rodgers never learns from his mistakes. If it stays like at the Etihad, Erik Lamela and mates can exploit Liverpool happily and it will be no surprise if Spurs reverse back the score of 0-4 to Liverpool last season.

Leicester City vs Arsenal

Erm, The Writer likes what he saw from Leicester last week against Chelsea. It is just a matter of time before Leicester will defeat one of the big boys of EPL. They are a wonderful spirited team and like The Writer’s earlier assessment for them, Leicester will be a tough nut to crack going for the rest of the season. Arsenal maybe the first customer of Leicester’s project of giants’ killing. And the loss of key players like Giroud and Arteta may bring them closer to that possibility.

Wednesday’s Special: Meet Ricardo Quaresma

In this fourth episode of Wednesday’s Special, The Writer will bring the readers into the life and brief story of a weekly selected footballer. Today, readers will have the chance to meet Portugal former boy wonder, Ricardo Quaresma, albeit in words only. Ricardo Quaresma started his career at the world famous football academy of Sporting Lisbon. He continued the path of Portugese greats such as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo in honing their early career development at Lisbon. He made his professional debut in the season of 2000/2001. Quaresma was then being sold to Barcelona for a reported €6 million fee with a loan deal of Fábio Rochemback going to Sporting. However it turned out bad for him and during UEFA Euro 2004, he announced his refusal to play for Barça as long as Frank Rijkaard was in charge. Quaresma then signed for FC Porto in the summer of 2004 and there was where he really developed his game and became a household name in Europe. He was popular for incorporating various of tricks into his style of play, including the 'Rabona' and 'Trivela'. Generally, he was a winger who can play on either flank, where his qualities of speed and finesse cause a regular problem for opposing defenses. He represented Portugal national team since 2003. He was always being compared with his friend Cristiano Ronaldo where they shared almost similar style of flair when playing and also shared the same passion in hairstyling and fashion. However Quaresma never managed to reach the same height as Ronaldo neither in club achievement nor in the international stage.

  

Ricardo Quaresma then had a more nomadic career experiences where he joined the likes of Inter Milan, Chelsea, Besiktas, and also Al-Ahli. All these clubs didn't manage to maintain and improve Quaresma' career quite as successful as his stay at FC Porto earlier. He was often being criticized as lazy and uninterested. And there were also some sections of football experts referred him as one of football unfulfilled talents in modern era. Luckily he realized before it is all too late for him. He currently rejoined FC Porto in 2014 for his second spell. Hopefully his stay at FC Porto this time can ignite his old glittering form and magical skills which made him one of The Writer's all-time favorite players. He should really call FC Porto as his home now. Good luck Ricardo Quaresma!

Extinction of Great Strikers

So, Liverpool has finally signed Mario Balotelli as they really need another world-class striker to fill up the gap left by former Liverpool great, Luis Suarez. But that is sort of a desperation act by Liverpool, considering that Balotelli brings a lot of negative effect to the Anfield club as well as his outstanding talent. In truth, the world of football nowadays lack true class strikers. That is why teams ready to pour millions of pounds to sign players closest to that category. The days of great strikers in the likes of Ronaldo (the Brazilian), Ruud van Nistelrooy, Thierry Henry, Fillipo Inzaghi, Michael Owen, Andriy Schevchenko, Alan Shearer and others, are merely gone. These players were the main focal point of their team’s attack and they were all involved in the race of the precious golden boot once upon a time. However nowadays, it is rare to see strikers dominate the golden boot award. Most of the candidates are of attacking midfielder’s type and some are wingers cum forward. And even they don’t score an extravagant amount of goals like the past great strikers; with the exception of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Speaking about these two, they are actually a winger cum forward!  

Tactics deployed by teams are also among the factors that contribute to the extinction of these great strikers type. Example can be seen at Barcelona and Spain where they use what they call a ‘False No 9’ to be the focal point of their attacks. A ‘False No 9’ is not a striker. They are actually attacking midfielders who have the ability to score and create a lot amount of goals. Cesc Fabregas is the prime example of this type. The Writer is sad to see more and more true strikers not being given chances to lead the attack, because they don’t suit this tactics of ‘False No 9’ which is also being copied by almost all teams in the world. The best formations to suit these true strikers type are using a lone target man upfront and also using a target man alongside a poacher. Remember Emile Heskey and Michael Owen? That is what called as a perfect combination. A big and tall target man alongside a small but fast goal scorer.

Back to Liverpool. Another true striker who is also being newly signed by the club, Rickie Lambert, will surely ponder on his limited chance to lead his club’s attack. But at least there is still a light at the end of the tunnel for a veteran 33-years old true striker like him at a big club like Liverpool...  

Analysis EPL 14/15: Week 2

The EPL Week 2 has been completed and The Writer offers his brief analysis on all those 10 matches played. Tottenham Hotspur was the big news for Week 2 as they finally managed to score big just like what they always did not so long ago. 

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

Earliest game of this weekend. But both shared the criticism from the fans because it looked like they played for the draw. Fans showed their frustrations in having to pay a high ticket price but only to watch a boring dull game. Both teams showed lack of urgency in finding the net and both played safe football. Emmanuel Riviere once again failed to lead Newcastle's attack. Newcastle had a wonderful setup of midfield plays but every time their strikers failed them in failing to convert the chances created into goal. Aston Villa meanwhile was in a confident mood as their own defense has improved and become less vulnerable. Phillip Senderos looked so eager to perform to play alongside Ron Vlaar week in week out. Good job Lambert and Keano! 

Chelsea vs Leicester City

In the end Chelsea won. That's what matters. But The Writer feels more interested to talk about Leicester. They played with no fear in the first half because they have nothing to lose. Media will not criticize them if they lose, and in fact  media will praise them if they gave a fight. That's what they did! Three players in particular impressed The Writer. Leonardo Ulloa, Riyad Mahrez, and Andy King. King was the common performer for Leicester since last season in Division 1. However, Ulloa and Mahrez were the newcomers. They played last Saturday like they are a seasoned pro for the club. Ulloa was outstanding in holding up the ball, coming deep to get the ball up, and feeding the more well positioned teammates to attack Chelsea. Meanwhile, Mahrez was a magician. He dribbled, did tricks, and made Cesar Azpilicueta looked like a toy. The Writer is very excited to see him perform for the rest of the campaign.

Crystal Palace vs West Ham

Crystal Palace was doomed again. They really need a manager fast. Someone needs to save them as they are actually a decent team and not deserve to be relegated. On the other hand, West Ham surprised everyone with their new playing setup. The Writer has suggested West Ham to play Mauro Zarate and other better strikers than Carlton Cole in his pre-match predictions. It's proved right. Zarate is a player eager to perform. His overall play and his goal was magnificent. West Ham need his flair and imaginations this season to stop the boo boys.  

Southampton vs West Brom

Another game with a zero scoreline. But Dusan Tadic was the star man again. The Writer has known of his existence since playing him in the game of Football Manager, but never know of his real capability real life. He looked a good replacement for the departed Adam Lallana. Tadic surely can lead this new Southampton attack to a greater height. And just like The Writer predicted, Saido Berahino will get lost in an away game. Although he was excellent last week, he failed to perform against Southampton. Berahino is still far from being the new hope of England.   

Swansea City vs Burnley

Gary Monk proved again that he is a great manager in the making. He managed to beat the 'Ginger' Mourinho and his Burnley team. Nathan Dyer provided the solitary goal but Danny Ings of Burnley also came close to equalize. In any given day, Burnley can make this game a draw or a win, if not for some of their bad luck. Swansea fans will be very happy because they will not expect their team to be this good in this early season. The gossip of their former Spanish stars making havoc and disrupt the dressing room harmony is beginning to make sense. Now some fans may say, "Michu who?, Chico who?". 

Everton vs Arsenal

Mikel Arteta did not manage to return to his old home as the Gunners' captain.  He is currently injured. How unfortunate and some may say lucky too! Because his current team was nearly being humiliated by his former team, if not for Everton's now common inability to give a 90-minutes concentration and finish the game early. The gave away a precious 2-0 lead. But in truth their game was better than Arsenal. Steven Naismith showed that he can score goals just like when he was at Rangers once upon a time. Romelu Lukaku also starting to readjust to his old tune and Seamus Coleman is a becoming an unsung hero for Everton. No one will wonder why he was selected as the best right back in EPL last season.

 

Hull City vs Stoke City

Hull City and Stoke City scored the third draw of the week but they managed to get a goal each. James Chester's sent off unbalanced the game but in the end the numerical advantage did not put Stoke City in a strong position whatsoever. Once again Bojan failed to score and it's becoming a boring wait to see him break his English duck. To be fair to Bojan, his Stoke teammates also failed to perform in these 2 games played. When all click later in the season, everyone will see the real Bojan. Whether a hit or a flop Bojan.  

Tottenham Hotspur vs QPR

The Writer's prediction on the need for Harry Redknapp to seriously reconsider using the 3-5-2 formation is true. It really was a fragile formation and against Spurs, they have been exploited. Rio Ferdinand must be anxious to avoid being another Ferdinand flop like his brother, Anton. But last season's more famous flop, Erik Lamela of Spurs, showed his real class against the Hoops. He continued his last Europa League form by giving a wonderful performance. The other one Eric also continued giving a high class performance. Eric Dier scored yet again and this time with a header. Spurs have began to produce their performance of old. Fast paced and ruthless in front of goal. Next game, hopefully the next Erik (Christian Eriksen) will show his undoubted class to complement his other same-named teammates.

Sunderland vs Manchester United

The Red Devils were yet to wake up from their slump. Marcos Rojo still does not being declared fit to help his new teammates. So, ManUtd started with the same group of players, but have RvP and Antonio Valencia to improve them. They scored early through Juan Mata but in truth, they rarely got hold of the game completely. Their defense was an accident waiting to happen and looks very vulnerable. Any formations LVG going to use after this are of no use if he doesn't buy a better centerback. And any 56 or 75 million investment on Angel di Maria after this will also be no use if they keep conceding goals at the back. Sunderland will be proud to match Man Utd's game just like last season.

Manchester City vs Liverpool

Even if Mario Balotelli played this game, Liverpool will still loose. Liverpool defense have not improve much from last season's record breaking achievement in goals conceded. The new boys of Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno failed miserably. Of all three goals that they conceded, the left side of the defense was the culprit. Moreno played like an all-rounder. He played in all position, but rarely in the left back position he was tasked to fill. The effect was having an empty space for the City player to exploit. And they did! Thank you so much Moreno! Lovren on the other hand often played like Phil Jones of ManUtd. Always rushed to the City attackers with no certainty. The effect was the center of Liverpool defense being wide open with only Skrtel and the hapless Simon Mignolet to save Liverpool's net from further humiliation. Steven Jovetic was chosen as the man of the match for the two goals he scored but he was so good too in overall display. Last season's poor debut season show for ManCity was just a blip for a player of his world-class talent.

Football Family

The Writer offers his input on some of footballers with blood relations. And with their current professions...

Rio (QPR) and Anton Ferdinand (Reading) - Brothers

Peter (ex-ManUtd Legend) and Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City) - Father & Son

Andrew (ex-ManUtd Legend) and Devante Cole (Manchester City) - Father & Son

Lars (Bayer Leverkusen) and Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund) - Twin

Kevin-Prince (Schalke 04) and Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich) - Brothers

Frank Lampard Jr (New York FC) and Frank Lampard Sr (ex-West Ham) - Father & Son

Phil (ex-ManUtd Legend) and Gary Neville (ex-ManUtd Legend) - Brothers

Steve (Hull City Manager) and Alex Bruce (Hull City Player) - Father & Son

Harry (QPR Manager) and Jamie Redknapp (ex-Liverpool Legend) - Father & Son

Felix (Werder Bremen) and Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) - Brothers

Shola (ex-Newcastle) and Sammy Ameobi (Newcastle Player) - Brothers

Steven (Liverpool) and Anthony Gerrard (ex-Cardiff) - Cousins

Gianfranco (ex-Chelsea Legend) and Andrea Zola (ex-West Ham) - Father & Son

Gus (Sunderland Manager) and Diego Poyet (West Ham Player) - Father & Son

Yaya (ManCity Player) and Kolo Toure (Liverpool Player) - Brothers

Wait for more in the next episode. Till next time...Ciao!

Pre-Match EPL 14/15: Week 2

The EPL is entering phase two and The Writer wants to offer his brief pre-match preview on all those 10 matches scheduled. With some Week 1 pre-match predictions went wrong, everyone should be prepared for some shocked outcome this weekend…

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

Earliest game of this weekend. Aston Villa will be on a high mood after the surprised win over Stoke last weekend. Aston Villa is always good on the counter attacking game as they have abundant of speedy attackers. Their defense is their weakness but has improved since Ron Vlaar had a good World Cup. Meanwhile Newcastle can also be proud of their display against ManCity last Sunday. They gave a good fight but they lacked an Aguero and a Silva of this world, players who can be the point earner for their clubs. The Writer is waiting for Remy Cabella to make an impact by scoring as he looks like the true heir of Yohan Cabaye. However this game may see Villa to continue surprising people by winning, but still with a small margin.

Chelsea vs Leicester City

Fantasy Premier League players will be too eager to choose either Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, or Eden Hazard to be their team’s fantasy captain as all will expect Chelsea to win this game with a big margin. But EPL doesn’t usually work like that as all would have expected ManUtd to win big last weekend. Leicester has nothing to lose and the spirited draw against Everton last week would instill the good belief in their attackers to surprise Chelsea with a goal or two. Mourinho will want to avoid his team last season’s problem to continue, which was the failure to win against some smaller teams. But this game may see the problem continues. 

Crystal Palace vs West Ham

Managerless last weekend and may also be managerless this weekend. However, Crystal Palace players are not too downhearted by the issues as they showed a good collective style of play like last season. Brede Hangeland is a good addition for Palace and he showed again last weekend on why he was once courted by some big clubs. In all, Palace seems capable to beat West Ham as long as Sam Allardyce still don’t want to start with a better strikers’ partnership. Their attack was weak last weekend and Carlton Cole is not the same bulldozing striker he once was. Mauro Zarate should start instead and Mark Noble should promise to kick a better penalty if he gets one this weekend.

Southampton vs West Brom

Southampton is not a broken team. Don’t believe the media hype. They are still a force to be reckoned with, as long as Dusan Tadic continues to impress from the left flank. And new captain, Jose Fonte proved The Writer was right by showing a main man show against Liverpool. Shane Long can be the thorn for his ex-club by scoring against them and West Brom should beware of him all the 90 minutes. Saido Berahino is the player to rival Shane Long on who can win the game for their respective clubs. But in away game, Berahino may sometimes suffer an off form.

Swansea City vs Burnley

Gary Monk is a great manager in the making. He can claim that he once beat the superior, Louis van Gaal in a tactical game by pointing at last weekend’s battle against ManUtd. Monk was unfazed by the hype of LVG’s new formation for ManUtd. 3-5-2? 4-3-3? Monk still won it. Burnley on the other hand, will have their first real test against an EPL opponent. Last match against Chelsea was a no match, really. Chelsea was expected to win from the start. Having said that, Burnley still need to buy a better center back cause the ones that they have may not be up to the EPL standard. 

Everton vs Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will return to his old home as the Gunners' captain. Quite an achievement, considering his little trophy collections and no Spanish cap whatsoever. But Arsenal has to be careful with Everton at their home. Playing in a small and tight stadium like the Goodison Park will always be a difficult outing for bigger club like Arsenal. Everton can upset Arsenal again for sure, but with Aaron Ramsey on fire and suspended for Champions League game, he will want to play to the very maximum. Which means a win and goals from him.  

Hull City vs Stoke City

Hull City is in danger of elimination from the Europa League. Stoke City is in total shocked from the surprised loss to Aston Villa. Expect both teams to try desperately to win this game and to get back the winning formula. Hull may rest some key players for the return leg of the Europa League but they have a big squad now and should be enough to win against Stoke. Unless Bojan and Marko Arnautovic spoil the party. Mark Hughes has to start them both.

Tottenham Hotspur vs QPR

Harry Redknapp will be back to the White Hart Lane again. Fans will be pleased to see him around as he was once their savior and hero. But there will surely be no love lost for Harry this time. He needs to win this game to repair the damage suffered in last weekend's defeat. He seriously need to reconsider using the 3-5-2 formation as it was a fragile formation. Their strike force of Charlie Austin, Loic Remy, and Bobby Zamora should have enough goals in their lockers to help QPR win. If not, Spurs will unleash last season's flop Erik Lamela to show his real class against the Hoops. He was a joy to watch in last Europa League match.

Sunderland vs Manchester United

Marcos Rojo will go straight to Sunderland and start for ManUtd. They need him as they still don't have Luke Shaw at the left flank. If Sunderland win, more misery will haunt LVG and rivals alike will make them as a laughing stock. That is a possibility as Sunderland is a renowned giant-killer, and old boy John O'Shea will have to perform 100% with Wes Brown to stop United. LVG may wish this game as another pre-season match in which they had an outstanding achievement. Wake up Red Devils!

Manchester City vs Liverpool

The first blockbuster of the season. Last term number 1 and 2 will battle for supremacy. If last season results were to be the indicator, ManCity should win this game. And they will be, considering they have almost everyone fit this time around. Bar new signing, Eliaquim Mangala as the boss said he will not play and so do Alvaro Negredo who has a critical injury. Nevertheless, Liverpool will still manage to nick a goal either from Daniel Sturridge or Raheem Sterling. Their new SAS. Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli is on the way.