sorry and champions league

I AM SORRY BUT IVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL AGAIN WITH A TEMPERATURE AND WILL STRUGGLE TO GIVE MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE WEEKEND UNTIL LATE. AS I MENTIONED IN THE TITLE, THIS BLOG IS ALSO ABOUT THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. LIKE THE EURO QUALIFIERS I AM ONLY GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME TEAMS.THESE TEAMS ARE ARSENAL, MAN UTD , CHELSEA,TOTTENHAM AND THE HOLDERS INTER. LETS START WITH ARSENAL AND THE PERFECT START TO THEIR GROUP WITH A 6-0 WIN AT HOME TO BRAGA. THROUGHOUT THE GAME ARSENAL PLAYED LOVELY FOOTBALL AND SCORED EVERY GOAL IN STYLE, EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST WHICH WAS FROM THE SPOT, AND BRAGA COULDN'T GET A SNIFF OF THE PLAY.CHELSEA ALSO SCORED A FEW WITH A 4-1 WIN AT ZILINA, NEVER HEARD OF THEM MUST BE MAKING THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT,WHICH IS ALSO A VERY GOOD RESULT. THE ONLY THING THEY WOULD BE UPSET ABOUT IS THAT THEY COULDN'T KEEP A CLEAN SHEET. NOW FOR MAN UTD AND THEY HAD A ALL BRITISH CLASH AGAINST RANGERS. RANGERS HAD ONE PLAN FOR THIS GAME AND THEY STUCK TO IT. EVERY TIME UTD WENT FORWARD RANGERS GOT 10 BLUE SHIRTS BETWEEN UTD AND THE GOAL. MILLER MADE SURE UTD COULD ONLY ATTACK WITH 8 PLAYERS BY OCCUPIEING FERDINAND AND SMALLING. IT ENDED 0-0 AND WAS RATHER DULL. UTD SUFFERED A MASSIVE BLOW AS VALENCIA DISLOCATED HIS ANCLE AND COULD BE OUT FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON. TOTTENHAM WENT 2-0 UP AWAY TO WERDER BREMAN AND WERE CRUISING BUT LET THAT LEAD SLIP IN THE SECOND HALF AND ENDED UP DRAWING 2-2. IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE YOU HAVE TO HOLD ON TO LEADS LIKE THAT AWAY FROM HAME, LIKE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE. INTER DIDN'T START THEIR DEFENCE OF THE TROPHY TO WELL BY DRAWING 2-2. IF YOU ASK ME I DON'T THINKY THEY CAN WIN IT WITHOUT JOSE AND WILL BE STRUCK DOWN BY BARCELONA. THIS HAS BEEN MY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVIEW AND I APOLIGISE IF I CAN'T GIVE MY PREDICTIONS BY THE TIME THE GAMES START.

The weekends action and Monday

I'm sorry I couldn't put this post up earlier but I got sidetracked so here it it is a few days late.

Well its been another action-packed gameweek in the premier league. With the top 2 maintaining their good starts with wins. But if I was to start there I would be being very bias. The only place to start was at Goodison Park were Everton hosted Man Utd. This was a classic and is by far the game of the season so far. Everton started the better team but failed to score when Utd were on the back foot. When they did score, through Steven Piennar, Utd had found their feet and responded with a goal of their own scored by Fletcher. Utd had taken all the confidence with them in the dressing room on to the pitch in the second half and 2 minutes in they took the lead through Vidic. Everton now had to go for it and when they pushed men up from the back for a corner Utd pounced. Scholes picked up the ball on the edge of his box, took it forward a few paces then hit an amazing ball to Berbatov. Distin, who was the only man back for Everton, decided to come for the ball but got the flight of it all wrong and missed it completely. Berbatov was now one on one and buried it in the corner with the outside of his boot. Utd were now cruising and had several chances to score again. Scholes blazed over and so did Nani. While I was watching the game I thought to myself will these misses come back to haunt them. Then I shook myself out of the trance and said ' Everton aren't going to come back from this 'or were they. Even though Arteta scored the goal that gave Everton a point it was Cahill who really saved the day for Everton. First he scored to make the comeback possible Then when the ball was played into the box he headed it down instead of trying a impossible header to grab the glory for himself. Arteta's shot had a bit of luck as it came of Scholes which diverted it past Van der sar. I have talked a lot about this game so I am gonna be quick with the rest of the games. I'll start with Arsenal and a 4-1 win over Bolton means they stay 2nd in the table. I love to see my team scoring goals but the one we conceded was very sloppy. A weak Konscielny back header was intercepted by Lee who took it round Almunia, who was now in no mans land, Lee then chipped it to Elemander who headed home. I think we conceded this goal due to inexperience at the back. Without Vermalean we have a young centre-back pair who need to learn when and when not to do things. Bolton ended the game with ten men and I have to say it wasn't a red card. He basically went through the the back of Chamakh but his studs were down and it wasn't dangerous so I don't know what the ref sent him off for. Chelsea easily defeated West Ham 3-1. The shock from that game was that Essien scored 2 headers. I mean when does Essien score headers? Scott parker scored a great goal but by then it was too late. Fulham may have come away with all three points from their game but they will be without Zamora for at least 4 months after he suffered a horrible injury. He was taken to hospital and needed gas and air to ease the pain. They say he has broken his leg above the ankle. This is a major blow to both Fulham and Zamora as he will find it hard to get into the England squad now. Man City have been very disappointing so far with only 1 win out of 4. They keep on saying the team needs time to gel but its been 3 years since they got that money so I think if the team hasn't gelled by now then something is wrong. As for Blackburn a point is a good result at City and they should be pleased. Blackpool have started amazingly for a team that came up via the playoffs. They have only had one game at home and out of the three away games they've had its won 2 lost 1. If they can keep this up they might even finish without the danger of relegation on the last day of the season. As for Newcastle, they have failed to beat Blackpool twice now in their last 2 meetings and apart from the 6-0 win against Aston Villa it hasn't been a great start to the season. WBA got a great point out of a game they were tipped to lose. Spurs have been delt another injury after Modric was seen on crutches when leaving the Hawthorns. Gyan scored on his debut for Sunderland but the celebrations were slightly dampened by Alcaraz netting a leveler for Wigan. Liverpool carried out a goalless draw at Birmingham. If it wasn't for Reina Liverpool would of lost. I did not get to see Stoke v Villa but Stoke got the win they needed to kick start their season. But for Villa their bad start continues.

A view on the weekend's action

Here is my view on the weekends action a day earlier than normal.

Everton v Man Utd

This game has occurred near the later stages of the season in recent years and Utd haven't been as successful as they would have liked in 08/09 they drew 1-1 and last season they lost 3-1. So not really a happy hunting ground. But as I said those games were in the last part of the season, when Everton were finishing strong. Now that they are playing at the start of the season it might be different. Let's face it Everton's start hasn't been good and that will not make them high on confidence. Man Utd on the other hand have started pretty well, not 100% but still pretty good, and are in 3rd place beaten to 2nd by Arsenal because of the 6 they scored against Blackpool. Who knows, when Utd play Blackpool they might score 7. So basically Utd are on a high and will be tough to beat. I will say Utd based on form alone but if Everton keep playing like they do against Utd then Who knows Chris might have a smile on his face by Sunday.

Arsenal V Bolton

Arsenal will be without Walcott for this game which is a real shame cause he was playing so well and was a joy to watch, obviously if you support Bolton its not a shame and more of a relief. As many of you probably Know he got injured playing for England and will be out for 6 weeks. Van persie is also out till october. So Arsenal come into this game missing 2 stars. I would expect Wenger to put Denilson in for walcott and play Fabregas behind the front 2. As for Bolton confidence will be on a high after coming back from 2 goals down with ten me 2 a fortnight ago. They sit 5th probably their best start after 3 games in a long time. I would expect Arsenal to win because they are at home and rarely slip up at home. Though Bolton will certainly make it a challenge and will do whatever they can to stop them.

Fulham v Wolves

I think this will be a alright game with one or to pieces of drama or excellence. Wolves have started well for only their 2nd season in the prem an have saved points from Everton away and won at home to Stoke. So that is alright. Fulham have made a steady start with 3 draws but they have proved no lead is safe untill the final whistle blows after scoring late on twice. First against Man Utd and then the following week at Blackpool. I'll say Wolves on the way they have played this season. But if Fulham can keep the deficit at 1 then I would put money one them rescuing something late on.

Man City v Blackburn

City haven't started the way the way their football suggests they should have. They have got 4 points and have failed to put teams like Sunderland away after bossing the game then conceding a late goal. Black burn have started even worse they won their first game at home to Everton but then lost to Birmingham after taking the lead and then lost to Arsenal having pulled it back. I will say City cause of home advantage and that lots of players have had a good international break.

Newcastle v Blackpool

Newcastle for me. They have started very well only losing to Man Utd away which lots of teams fail to come away with anything. Blackpool have proved they can score goals but have failed to defend. They were poor against Arsenal and conceded a late goal against Fulham. Now you could argue that Arsenal were superb on the day and that they could of been undefendable. But they need to hang on to leads at home if they want to stay up. I'm sorry Blackpool fans but I don't think that you would be able to defeat Newcastle on their own turf.

WBA v Tottenham

I think Tottenham will edge this one. They will be without Defoe though because he has been ruled out for a few months. New signings Van der Vaart and William Gallas might make their debuts and Modric is fit again. WBA don't for me have the talent to defeat an in form Tottenham side.

West Ham v Chelsea

After the start that both teams have made Chelsea should win this one as they have won all their other games. West Ham have played three and lost three and sit rock bottom of the table. Upton Park isn't particularly a fortress either so I will say another high scoring game for Chelsea.

Wigan v Sunderland

Draw for me. Wigan will be boosted after beating Spurs at White Hart Lane because last season they got hammered 9-1. Sunderland are coming off the back of a narrow win home to Man City so will also be on a high. I don't see much separating these two teams and fear a goalless draw.

Birmingham v Liverpool

Liverpool, as I mentioned to Claire, need to score more goals to get higher up the table. They will definitely need to do that against Birmingham as they are stubborn at home. Birmingham will be disappointed after a fortnight ago they lost a 2-0 lead to a 10 men Bolton side. Liverpool should win this if Gerrard and Torres turn up. It might also be a chance for new signing Konchesky to make his debut but Hodgeson will have to drop one of his defenders for him to do so.

If you comment on this post I may not be able to answer in time before the games kick-off as I'm in Brighton this weekend. I have no idea who they are playing!

Sonny side up

This is my fantasy league. If hope you are doing one then best of luck.

CLICK ON THE TABLE TO IN LARGE IT

Euro 2012 Qualifying

So England have started their qualifying campaign along with Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. I am only going to put posts out about these teams. If you want to know about any other nations results please comment and I will include them in the post. I'm going to start with England and 2 wins out of 2 is just the start we needed to make us forget the world cup. But I still think we need to work on a few things. Now I know we scored 4 against Bulgaria but at 1-0 they looked like they might get back into it. Even after we scored the 2nd we nearly let them in the back door and then we would of had a fight on our hands at 2-1. And against Switzerland we were 2-0 up against 10 men and we let them get a foothold. We might not be so lucky in the actual tournament. On to Scotland and they proved last night that just because Spain are in their group doesn't mean they aren't going to give them a run for their money for that 1 automatic place. At 1-1 against Liechtenstein they could of just excepted the point but these men are Scottish and if they don't get it all they don't want any. So Stephen McManus snatched a late late winner to make sure the Scots went back up north happy. Wales have only played 1 game in there campaign but it did end in defeat. They are in a very tough group with England probably going to take the automatic place and you would expect Switzerland to win the play-off. I Don't see Wales at the Euros but who knows. Republic of Ireland have got a great shout at automatic qualification after 2 wins out of 2. Looking at there group they could quite possibly manage it. And last but not least Northern Ireland. They, like Wales,have only played 1 game and, unlike Wales, have got 3 points. I have had a look at their group and the toughest team is Italy. They might not get the automatic place but if Italy take it then they have got a great chance of winning the play-off. A good start for England and the whole of Ireland. Scotland are still unbeaten and have made the 2nd best start possible. Don't worry if your Welsh you have played a game less than everyone else [except Switzerland] and there is a long way to go yet.

Chris's Everton worries

Everton's start hasn't been good enough for Europe. They are playing alright but they need to find an end product. What is their goal scoring record after 3 games 1 goal for 3 against. It isn't good enough. I'm an Everton admirer at the way they can always pull something out of the fire against the big boys but they need to beat smaller teams like Blackburn and Wolves and if they want to beat Villa to the Europa league spot they have to beat them. If they keep on playing like they are, something will go their way eventually but if your after Europe you can't wait for that to go your way you have to make it go your way by forcing goals and winning games by big margins. I still wouldn't worry Chris but you do need a win to get your engine started.

A comment from Claire

You are right. At the moment as long as you get the 3 points you can relax. Its later on in the season that goals become important because the top 4 might be decided on goal difference. Liverpool will need to start scoring goals but at the moment they only need to focus on getting all 3 points.