United hammer sorry Chelsea
January 11, 2009
Manchester United heaped the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool this afternoon with a thumping three nil victory against Chelsea.
In truth there was only ever one team in the contest and Big Phil Scolari now has serious issues if he is to keep his job at the end of the season. This was a tired, uninventive and weak Chelsea team who were always going to be brushed aside by the current Champions. Some bookies offered up to 20/1 for United to win three nil – if they knew how badly they would play, I guess they would not have gone anywhere near that mark.
So United have the opportunity to go top if they beat Wigan in midweek and Bolton following this. It would take a brave man to bet against the Old Trafford outfit being top by the time Liverpool play next. It certainly looks like the title is United’s for the taking with Liverpool and Chelsea seemingly faltering already. We all know how strong United are in the second half of the season and if you are a betting man then you could do worse than putting a few quid on Sir Alex claiming the quadruple this season.
How will you spend your Saturday?
January 10, 2009
With the majority of games in the English Football League called off, it promises to be a wierd Saturday afternoon for many of you today. No icy conditions or bovril at half time – so what are you going to be doing to pass the time?
Many of you will now doubt be watching the legend that is Jeff Stelling and seeing just what all the fuss is about. Others may prefore the Score programme on the BBC, but one thing is for sure – just because your match has been called off, does not mean that you have to have a football free Saturday.
Have a look in the papers, see if there are any other games which you can get to, other than that why not put a few quid on some of the televised matches to make the afternoon a bit more interesting.
The West Midlands derby between Villa and West Brom is first up whilst the league leaders Liverpool travel to Stoke in the pick of the late kick offs. So dont fear, your afternoon does not have to be shopping or decorating – make sure that you still have a cracking Saturday afternoon however you decide to spend it!
Good news for away fans!
January 9, 2009
With the terrible weather which we have all experienced over the past week or so, many games have had to be called off due to frozen pitches.
Last week, the FA announced some new guidelines to clubs in terms of the procedures which they have to follow before calling a match off. This came as a result of the Exeter City v Port Vale match which was called off at around 1:45 last weekend with the vast majority of Vale fans already in Devon.
Clubs now have to inform the Football League as early as possible if a game looks to be in doubt and a local referee drafted in early to make a firm decision if the away team has a long journey ahead of them. The plans are designed to facilitate a match being called off before opposing teams and fans begin their journey no matter what time this may be at.
This is good news for all those people who have been caught out in the past and will hopefully save many people from wasted journeys in the future.
The cold spell does look to be passing however and it is thought that next weekend will see normal service being resumed.
Pressure on City boss Hughes
January 5, 2009
One manager who is sure to be active in the transfer marker this January is Manchester City’s Mark Hughes. With a failing team in the league, things got even worse for Sparky over the weekend when Nottingham Forest wiped the floor with his team in the FA Cup.
The first arrival is set to be Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge who must have wondered what he had walked in to after watching the horror show last Saturday. City have also been linked with Stewart Downing who is expected to hand in a written transfer request to Middlesbrough today.
Other names who have been linked with a move to Eastlands are Roque Santa Cruz and former Brazilian hot shot Ronaldo.
It has not come as a surprise that City are about to splash the cash on essentially a new team, but is this a reason for their current league position? If you knew that you were going to be replaced at any moment would you give 100%?
The pressure is now on Hughes to produces results quickly – my guess is that he will not be able to do this and will be shown the door in the summer.
Do you agree with me?
FA Cup Round up
January 3, 2009
The FA Cup never fails to disappoint and the Third Round of the 2009 competition was no different. The day started when League One side Hartlepool United sent Stoke crashing out with a great two nil victory at Victoria Park.
The result which was sure to have pleased the legendary Jeff Stelling, seems to indicate that there is a crisis brewing in the Potteries. Last week Ricardo Fuller got his marching orders after lashing out at team mate Andy Griffin, and this week their hopes of a cup run were ended at hardly the most glamorous of places.
Following on from this, Southend United’s last minute equaliser surely raises questions about what on earth is going on at Stamford Bridge. Big Phil is surely not meeting Roman’s demands and I feel that of he doesn’t get his act together quickly, it could be yet another departure in the managerial hotseat.
Everton narrowly saw off Macclesfield with a goal just before the interval whilst both Arsenal and Liverpool cruised through to Round Four.
Kettering and Torquay are the only non league sides guaranteed a spot in the next round after wins over Eastwood Town and Blackpool respectively.
The draw will take place tomorrow at 3 15 just before the Southampton v Manchester United tie.
