Well thought I would get some regular Premier League picks going. To tell you the truth, I have been doing accumulator bets for the last 4 years and I have won only once so probably best not to use this as your tips for the weekend but let’s see if I can get at least one right over the course of the season.
Saturday
Aston Villa v Bolton
Villa dropped points at West Ham on Monday night but Bolton are also coming into this game on the back of a defeat - a much heavier one. After a 4 goal mauling by Chelsea, a visit to Villa Park is not the ideal place to get back on track. Verdict: Aston Villa 2-0 Bolton
Blackburn v Portsmouth
Looking at the fixture list about 3 weeks ago, Rovers fans would have been relishing this encounter after two tough games and expected defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United but Portsmouth are starting to settle and a good win last weekend will give them more confidence going into this game. Verdict: Blackburn 2-2 Portsmouth
Man City v Burnley
This is an interesting encounter with Manchester City looking to get a win after four straight draws and Burnley looking to get their first point on their travels in the Premier League. However, despite the Clarets only trailing City by four points in the league table, the home side are clear favourites for this one - especially with the return of striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Verdict: Man City 3-0 Burnley
Tottenham v Sunderland
This is going to be a right tweet for Darren Bent as he returns to White Hart Lane for the first time. The striker, who criticised his former club for their handling of his transfer to the Stadium of Light in the summer on social networking site Twitter, will be looking to let his feet do the talking this time and show the Spurs faithful what they are missing. Tottenham have had a tough run of late after a disappointing home defeat to Stoke and a hammering at the hands of rivals Arsenal last week so they will be keen to get back to winning ways. Verdict: Tottenham 3-2 Sunderland
Wolverhampton v Arsenal
The home side will be looking to take their second-half performance against Stoke last week through to this game but they will be up against much stiffer opposition. Arsenal have been outstanding of late with a comprehensive win over Tottenham last week followed up with the comfortable victory over AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday and will have no problems keeping up the pressure on Chelsea and Man United. Verdict: Wolverhampton 0-3 Arsenal
Sunday
Chelsea v Manchester United
The top of the table clash is, as usual, billed as an epic battle but, as usual, will most likely be a tactical encounter. Chelsea are favourites, and rightly so as the Blues have been in good form of late in the league and the Champions haven’t exactly been setting the world alight. United can’t really afford to fall too far behind their title rivals but it looks like five points will be the difference come 6pm on Sunday. Verdict: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Hull v Stoke
Phil Brown’s job is apparently still on the line and he will surely have his troops fired up for this one but they were turned over by Burnley last week and Stoke, despite a terrible second half performance, have been looking impressive. It does not look like an exciting game on the tin and it will be exactly what it says. Verdict: Hull 0-1 Stoke
Fulham v Wigan
It must be frustrating to be a Latics fan at the moment, they have been the most inconsistent team this season. They managed to beat Chelsea and Aston Villa, get a draw with Manchester City but suffered disappointing defeats to Burnley and last week’s demolishing by Portsmouth. Fulham had a tough outing in midweek against Roma but, after going the month of October unbeaten, they will be looking to keep their good league form intact. Verdict: Fulham 2-0 Wigan
West Ham v Everton
The Hammers had a great win on Monday night over Aston Villa and boss Gianfranco Zola will be hoping that form continues and they can move away from the drop zone. A win could take them above their opponents Everton who have been struggling of late. David Moyes has been complaining about fixture congestion but they are not the only team with European commitments so they need to get on with it and focus on getting three points. Although, I doubt they will do that on Sunday. Draw for me. Verdict: West Ham 1-1 Everton
Monday
Liverpool v Birmingham
Last week’s defeat to Fulham has left the Reds’ title hopes hanging by a thread and with their chances of Champions League success looking even more precarious, the pressure is on boss Rafa Benitez. Birmingham done well last week to hold Manchester City to a point at St Andrew’s but a trip to Anfield, despite Liverpool’s poor form, will prove a lot more difficult. Verdict: Liverpool 2-1 Birmingham
My Game:
I will do a verdict every week if I am reporting on a game and this week is my first FA Cup assignment.
Oldham v Leeds
Leeds are finally looking good for promotion in League 1 this season and have won their last two games against Yeovil and Bristol Rovers 4-0 but form goes out the window in the Cup as everyone knows so Oldham are without a doubt in with a chance, especially at Boundary Park. However, I think Leeds will just have enough to make it into the second round draw. Verdict: Oldham 0-1 Leeds
Friday, November 06, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Haye to tame 'The Beast' in bore-fest
I’m back and I am promising to be more regular with my rants, oh sorry blogs. Been a long time due to the summer, work and various other commitments but now with the cold and wet winter nights setting in I have nothing better to do!
This weekend many British boxing fans will pay £15 or thereabouts to watch David Haye square up to Nickolai Valuev in what will only be a moderately interesting encounter because of the size difference.
Most are probably interested because of the comedy factor they have seen in this size difference and are expecting either Valuev destroying Haye (not going to happen) or Haye in true ‘Rocky Balboa’ style defying all the odds and knocking out Valuev.
However, I see a tactical encounter with Haye keeping his distance, being cautious and only attempting to go inside on selective occasions. Valuev will, most likely, attempt to keep Haye at bay with his extremely long reach, strength and limited boxing skills. In all a tactical 12 round contest is what I am betting on.
People who pay will complain if they don’t see a war, these are the same people who moaned when they paid to see Ricky Hatton get knocked out in the second round by Manny Pacquiao, when Floyd Mayweather gave Juan Manuel Marquez a boxing lesson and when he dismantled Hatton.
These were advertised in the UK as being epic encounters and they were, but not in the way that most people wanted. True boxing fans were in awe but punters baying for blood were disappointed.
However, I don’t think boxing purists or those looking for an out-and-out scrap will be pleased with what will be on show on Saturday night.
Haye has the opportunity to breed new life into the heavyweight division that has been struggling over the past decade so for the sport’s popularity I hope the Londoner conquers the ‘Beast From The East’.
This weekend many British boxing fans will pay £15 or thereabouts to watch David Haye square up to Nickolai Valuev in what will only be a moderately interesting encounter because of the size difference.
Most are probably interested because of the comedy factor they have seen in this size difference and are expecting either Valuev destroying Haye (not going to happen) or Haye in true ‘Rocky Balboa’ style defying all the odds and knocking out Valuev.
However, I see a tactical encounter with Haye keeping his distance, being cautious and only attempting to go inside on selective occasions. Valuev will, most likely, attempt to keep Haye at bay with his extremely long reach, strength and limited boxing skills. In all a tactical 12 round contest is what I am betting on.
People who pay will complain if they don’t see a war, these are the same people who moaned when they paid to see Ricky Hatton get knocked out in the second round by Manny Pacquiao, when Floyd Mayweather gave Juan Manuel Marquez a boxing lesson and when he dismantled Hatton.
These were advertised in the UK as being epic encounters and they were, but not in the way that most people wanted. True boxing fans were in awe but punters baying for blood were disappointed.
However, I don’t think boxing purists or those looking for an out-and-out scrap will be pleased with what will be on show on Saturday night.
Haye has the opportunity to breed new life into the heavyweight division that has been struggling over the past decade so for the sport’s popularity I hope the Londoner conquers the ‘Beast From The East’.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Sir Bobby Robson - Not just a football legend
Well it’s been a while, too long in fact, since my last blog. With holidays, decent weather (I say decent, I really mean there’s some breaks in-between showers) and a few other things that kept getting in the way. Anyways, I felt it fitting to begin again with a small tribute to a legend – Sir Bobby Robson.
It was only when I watched the fantastic BBC tribute programme to the former footballer and manager that I realised how much good work outside of football that he actually did.
Doing so much charity work while also balancing his career and battles with cancer –beating the disease four times before it eventually got the better of him last Friday – is truly amazing.
During this time it was likely that by associating his name to his and other cancer charities he indirectly saved many lives, a success that outshines any trophy he ever won.
One other thing that I never knew about Robson, was the torment he went through with the English media during his tenure as the national coach.
Caught in the middle of a tabloid war at the time, The Sun and The Daily Mirror used him as a pawn in their readership battle.
In a way it wasn’t personal, as whoever was the manager at the time would have received the same shocking treatment but it was harsh and a lot of it over the top.
However, it was the way in which he dealt with it that proved again what a terrific person he was.
Maintaining a good relationship with other members of the press and attending lunches put on for him by the media after the 1990 World Cup, showed he could still show respect, maybe not to the reporters and editors who hung him out to dry, but to the others who didn’t. Too often today people involved in sport tar all journalists with the same brush.
How fitting that the last game of football he was to ever attend was an England win over Germany with the winning goal being a penalty, even if it was only a charity match I’m sure he enjoyed a win over the Germans.
It was only when I watched the fantastic BBC tribute programme to the former footballer and manager that I realised how much good work outside of football that he actually did.
Doing so much charity work while also balancing his career and battles with cancer –beating the disease four times before it eventually got the better of him last Friday – is truly amazing.
During this time it was likely that by associating his name to his and other cancer charities he indirectly saved many lives, a success that outshines any trophy he ever won.
One other thing that I never knew about Robson, was the torment he went through with the English media during his tenure as the national coach.
Caught in the middle of a tabloid war at the time, The Sun and The Daily Mirror used him as a pawn in their readership battle.
In a way it wasn’t personal, as whoever was the manager at the time would have received the same shocking treatment but it was harsh and a lot of it over the top.
However, it was the way in which he dealt with it that proved again what a terrific person he was.
Maintaining a good relationship with other members of the press and attending lunches put on for him by the media after the 1990 World Cup, showed he could still show respect, maybe not to the reporters and editors who hung him out to dry, but to the others who didn’t. Too often today people involved in sport tar all journalists with the same brush.
How fitting that the last game of football he was to ever attend was an England win over Germany with the winning goal being a penalty, even if it was only a charity match I’m sure he enjoyed a win over the Germans.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sir Alex The Great
Let’s put all biased opinions aside. Let’s talk about facts. Let’s talk about the greatest manager of all-time – Sir Alex Ferguson.
An emphatic 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups, three Carling Cups, one European Cup Winners Cup, one Super Cup and one World Club Cup are the list of honours Sir Alex has picked up in his 23 years as manager of Manchester United.
Then put that with the three Scottish Premier Division titles, four Scottish Cups, one European Cup Winners Cup and one Super Cup that he won at Aberdeen. The greatest ever? Without a doubt.
It’s hard to find the superlatives to describe the feats the Scot has achieved during his career. However, his eleventh league title at Old Trafford may just be the sweetest of the lot.
Why? It’s simple, because it marks one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all-time. When Sir Alex took over at Old Trafford, United trailed Liverpool 18-7 in league titles. In 23 years at the helm, Ferguson has equalled it and is now looking to surpass it.
United and Liverpool fans constantly argue what was the greatest comeback – the injury time turn around in the Nou Camp by Fergie’s men over Bayern Munich in 1999 or the Merseyside club’s amazing recovery against AC Milan in 2005 when they were trailing 3-0 at half-time. 18-7 wins hands down in my opinion.
To make it even sweeter for the Scot was that this one had Liverpool as the challengers and, more importantly, Rafa Benitez as the chasing boss.
The pair made no attempt to hide their dislike for each other this season and even after Rooney, Ryan, Ronaldo and Rio lifted the Premier League trophy high into the Manchester sky, Benitez refused to congratulate his rival. It could be seen as disrespectful, it could be seen as poor sportsmanship, it could be both but I don’t think Sir Alex was worried anymore.
Have no doubt, as the Spaniard rubbed his goateed chin on Saturday night wondering what could have been, Ferguson would have been popping the cork of his favourite red wine and wondering if his rival understood the phrase – “stick that in your pipe and smoke it”.
For once he wasn’t infuriated and ready to give the hairdryer treatment, he was smiling and happy, and Benitez was the one left smouldering.
Ferguson loves challenges, loves rivalry and loves winning even more, especially when there’s a special personal edge to it.
When Ferguson started out at United, he was entering into a voyage unknown, just like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan did when they conquered the new world.
Trailing 18-7, the Liver Bird was singing from its perch but Fergie was hoping to make it squeal in agony.
He was famously quoted back in 2002: “My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool off their f****ing perch”.
He was bold and brave just like the explorers and he wasn’t afraid to meet the challenges that stood before him.
Ferguson tracked down Liverpool and planted the United flag firmly in the history of English and world football.
The angry man that all United fans have grown to love has built team after team that follows his way of rage, brilliance, thoughtful ambition and, for most of the time, football played at its most beautiful best. His philosophy of success and joyous football seeps through to his squad and the results follow.
But let’s be honest, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Sir Alex, it took a while to settle in, he nearly got the sack but he was given time - six and a half years in fact - to take United to the top of English football. How every manager nowadays would love that amount of time. Ferguson had it, he used it and he’s never looked back.
However, blows have come along the way, but even Columbus and Magellan had their obstacles to pass, and for Sir Alex one such which was Arsene Wenger who came strutting into English football with new mentalities and unknown foreign star players. They tested Fergie, they beat him but they couldn’t withstand the backlash and now they lie on the ropes, barely making it into the Big Four.
Then the Russian tycoon arrived, armed with money and ploughed it into Chelsea and the ‘Special One’, Jose Mourinho. They tested United. They fought, they won two battles but after that their leader walked out when the fightback had begun and Ferguson led his men to victory in the war, winning three titles in a row and beat them in the Champions League final.
This year saw United and Ferguson come under pressure from their fiercest rivals in Liverpool. And what a year to equal the record.
The Merseyside club would stop at nothing to keep United away from their precious record and Benitez understood this but for some unknown reason started a war of words with Ferguson. Big mistake!
Challenging the master of mind-games when you already have his back against the wall, as Liverpool did with their seven point advantage back in January, is nothing short of lunacy. It backfired and it backfired spectacularly.
United not only closed the gap but flew past quicker than a Formula 1 car at full throttle, creating a seven point lead that proved, despite a minor blip from the Old Trafford outfit, unsurpassable.
So as United swept past Arsenal on Saturday and into the history books, Benitez and his team cannot feel anything else other than that they were overpowered by a greater force, outwitted by a man with far more experience and shown they have still a way to go before they can pick up the illustrious crown again.
The worrying thing for them and other would-be challengers is that Ferguson has by no means lost any hunger along the way, he is not happy yet.
“I’m not looking at equalling anyone, winning more titles with this team resonates with me far more than that,” he declared as the title celebrations ensued.
“More titles can mean anything but this team is young enough to win more. I am always looking, that’s the way I am. I am never really happy.”
If Columbus had this hunger, he might have gone on to find the real India.
An emphatic 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups, three Carling Cups, one European Cup Winners Cup, one Super Cup and one World Club Cup are the list of honours Sir Alex has picked up in his 23 years as manager of Manchester United.
Then put that with the three Scottish Premier Division titles, four Scottish Cups, one European Cup Winners Cup and one Super Cup that he won at Aberdeen. The greatest ever? Without a doubt.
It’s hard to find the superlatives to describe the feats the Scot has achieved during his career. However, his eleventh league title at Old Trafford may just be the sweetest of the lot.
Why? It’s simple, because it marks one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all-time. When Sir Alex took over at Old Trafford, United trailed Liverpool 18-7 in league titles. In 23 years at the helm, Ferguson has equalled it and is now looking to surpass it.
United and Liverpool fans constantly argue what was the greatest comeback – the injury time turn around in the Nou Camp by Fergie’s men over Bayern Munich in 1999 or the Merseyside club’s amazing recovery against AC Milan in 2005 when they were trailing 3-0 at half-time. 18-7 wins hands down in my opinion.
To make it even sweeter for the Scot was that this one had Liverpool as the challengers and, more importantly, Rafa Benitez as the chasing boss.
The pair made no attempt to hide their dislike for each other this season and even after Rooney, Ryan, Ronaldo and Rio lifted the Premier League trophy high into the Manchester sky, Benitez refused to congratulate his rival. It could be seen as disrespectful, it could be seen as poor sportsmanship, it could be both but I don’t think Sir Alex was worried anymore.
Have no doubt, as the Spaniard rubbed his goateed chin on Saturday night wondering what could have been, Ferguson would have been popping the cork of his favourite red wine and wondering if his rival understood the phrase – “stick that in your pipe and smoke it”.
For once he wasn’t infuriated and ready to give the hairdryer treatment, he was smiling and happy, and Benitez was the one left smouldering.
Ferguson loves challenges, loves rivalry and loves winning even more, especially when there’s a special personal edge to it.
When Ferguson started out at United, he was entering into a voyage unknown, just like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan did when they conquered the new world.
Trailing 18-7, the Liver Bird was singing from its perch but Fergie was hoping to make it squeal in agony.
He was famously quoted back in 2002: “My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool off their f****ing perch”.
He was bold and brave just like the explorers and he wasn’t afraid to meet the challenges that stood before him.
Ferguson tracked down Liverpool and planted the United flag firmly in the history of English and world football.
The angry man that all United fans have grown to love has built team after team that follows his way of rage, brilliance, thoughtful ambition and, for most of the time, football played at its most beautiful best. His philosophy of success and joyous football seeps through to his squad and the results follow.
But let’s be honest, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Sir Alex, it took a while to settle in, he nearly got the sack but he was given time - six and a half years in fact - to take United to the top of English football. How every manager nowadays would love that amount of time. Ferguson had it, he used it and he’s never looked back.
However, blows have come along the way, but even Columbus and Magellan had their obstacles to pass, and for Sir Alex one such which was Arsene Wenger who came strutting into English football with new mentalities and unknown foreign star players. They tested Fergie, they beat him but they couldn’t withstand the backlash and now they lie on the ropes, barely making it into the Big Four.
Then the Russian tycoon arrived, armed with money and ploughed it into Chelsea and the ‘Special One’, Jose Mourinho. They tested United. They fought, they won two battles but after that their leader walked out when the fightback had begun and Ferguson led his men to victory in the war, winning three titles in a row and beat them in the Champions League final.
This year saw United and Ferguson come under pressure from their fiercest rivals in Liverpool. And what a year to equal the record.
The Merseyside club would stop at nothing to keep United away from their precious record and Benitez understood this but for some unknown reason started a war of words with Ferguson. Big mistake!
Challenging the master of mind-games when you already have his back against the wall, as Liverpool did with their seven point advantage back in January, is nothing short of lunacy. It backfired and it backfired spectacularly.
United not only closed the gap but flew past quicker than a Formula 1 car at full throttle, creating a seven point lead that proved, despite a minor blip from the Old Trafford outfit, unsurpassable.
So as United swept past Arsenal on Saturday and into the history books, Benitez and his team cannot feel anything else other than that they were overpowered by a greater force, outwitted by a man with far more experience and shown they have still a way to go before they can pick up the illustrious crown again.
The worrying thing for them and other would-be challengers is that Ferguson has by no means lost any hunger along the way, he is not happy yet.
“I’m not looking at equalling anyone, winning more titles with this team resonates with me far more than that,” he declared as the title celebrations ensued.
“More titles can mean anything but this team is young enough to win more. I am always looking, that’s the way I am. I am never really happy.”
If Columbus had this hunger, he might have gone on to find the real India.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Hatton plays the game wrong against Pacman
So I stayed up into the early hours of Sunday morning to see five minutes and 59 seconds of boxing action which might seem not worthwhile but it certainly was worth ruining my sleep pattern for.
What was seen was one of the greatest boxers of this generation, as Manny Pacquiao dismantled Ricky Hatton with unbelievable ease.
Never before have I seen the right hand jab of a southpaw used with such ferocious precision, Hatton seemed to miss them though because he got caught flush with 80 per cent of them.
I knew what to expect from the Philippine, having been first introduced to the 'Pacman' when he blitzed Marco Antonio Barrera back in 2003. You know he's going to come out throwing shots faster than the eye can see.
However, that was the shock for me because Hatton didn't seem to know what was going to happen and despite all his pre-fight talk of using his jab, having composure and moving his head to work his way in, the Hitman approached the fight as if it was like he was back in the MEN five years ago, fighting some other journeyman that Frank Warren pulled off the street.
With his head down and hands low he went at Pacquiao time and time again, in the aggressive nature that Freddie Roach had predicted, and planned for.
Right from the opening bell Hatton flew at his opponent and right from the opening bell Pacquiao landed his jab straight down the middle.
Hatton kept coming in a straight line, head still and just looking for the power shots. It would have been harder for his opponent to miss.
The British boy brought the crowd but he didn't bring his pre-fight tactical plans to the MGM Grand which, I imagine, will make Floyd Mayweather Sr decide to step down as his coach if he wasn't going to already.
Whoever thought in the Hitman's camp that the Philippine did not have the power or the ability to maintain his ferocious speed at the light welterweight division, should also quit.
He just destroyed one of the legends of the ring in Oscar De La Hoya, and even if the Golden Boy was off colour or past it, that was at welterweight, why could he not do the same at a lower weight?
In fact I would have been more worried that Hatton would not have the power after yet another draining training programme to make the 10 stone limit.
Let's not take anything away from the pound-for-pound champion, Pacquiao was superb.
He and Roach got the tactics spot on and used Hatton's over the top aggression against him.
It was Roach's words after the fight that signified the simplicity in their preparations.
"Every time Ricky throws his left hand he pulls it back and cocks it and he's wide open for a short right hook on the inside from a southpaw stance.
"I knew it was over because it seems like Ricky doesn't have the ability to adjust.
"He fights the same way over and over again. I've watched him for the last two-and-a-half months. I know him pretty well."
It may seem obvious to watch the tapes and find the weaknesses but in the professional game with all the hype, money and pressure for excitement, it's sometimes forgotten.
The way that the tactics were employed, worked to utter perfection. It could not have worked any better.
It typifies Roach, a pure perfectionist that makes sure his fighters are ready for whatever lies ahead.
He took on Pacquiao as a decent slugger and turned him into a boxing master who's record of beaten opponents now reads like a Hall Of Fame list.
Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, De La Hoya and now Hatton are just some of the greats he has beaten.
In my opinion he should only fight once more before calling it a day as a true ring legend and turning his attention to the world of politics.
With the winner of Floyd Mayweather Jr versus Marquez in July getting the privilege of facing the Philippine to decide who really is the true pound-for-pound champion and probably the greatest fighter of the last decade.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)