Wizard of Oz to Steal the Show at the Etihad

Football commentators are probably struggling to get a grip on Manchester City and their performances at and away from the Etihad Stadium. All this leads to me thinking that instead of relying on former players and managers for tactical nous, it might then be more advisable to look to none other than the man who penned Dr. Jekyll and Hyde, because it indeed is a strange case. Step up Robert Louis Stevenson. 

City have scored 2800 goals this season at home (cynicism intended) but have been a bunch of poppycocks away from their back yard. One may point to the midweek result at the Allianz Arena but even Arsenal fans were not overjoyed after their team beat the Munich stalwarts in February this year. On both occasions, Bayern were nowhere near what they can be. The pair though, did play quite well to beat the Germans but that discussion should be left for next year when the Champions League resumes. 

Poison ball. 

Two words that Arsene Wenger should impart on his players. Because if they perform at the level they most definitely can, with the trio of magicians in Cazorla, Ozil and Wilshere, supported by Ramsey and Flamini (as I don’t think Arteta should start today), the Gunners can certainly cause the upset of the season, because City have been that good. 

A zip in passing and movement has to be key tonight, especially if Roberto Mancini, sorry, I mean Manuel Pellegrini, deploys two men in the middle of the park tonight. 

Tottenham played a similar way a month ago, and though the result did not mean anything other than shoes and bottles thrown at Andre Villas-Boas, the men from White Hart Lane actually did control the ball and create some chances. 

The only change that Pellegrini will make will either be Navas or Silva, with Nasri, Toure and Fernandhinho as shoe ins for the game. Argentina and Spain are represented up top for the Mancunians. 

City will have the ball for periods in tonight’s game. That’s how they are drilled to play, it is like riding a train by a countryside in Switzerland, from a far it looks like a pleasant journey and the train moving at a gentle pace. One thing’s for sure, you don’t want to get in the way of that train, and Yaya Toure epitomises this. 

Everyone knows City will be great tonight. They have been all season at home. What people aren’t sure of is how good will Arsenal be. Wenger’s troops haven’t yet come up against the ‘creme de la creme’ in the Premier League, apologies to Man United fans. 

The game at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion was, I think, the most threatened the Gunners have been this season. 

If Walcott is drafted into tonight’s line-up, it might worry City. Theo could trouble Aleksandr Kolarov and Martin Demichelis if gets up in support of Giroud. Cazorla and Ozil should play, with Ramsey getting the central midfield role just ahead of Flamini. He will do a good job as he’s been doing all season of shielding the back four. 

Arsenal, if they mimic the action of a simple sponge, they might do well tonight. Soak up the pressure and splash at City’s defense. They have yet to be tested this season at home. Vociferous they have been, City’s fans I mean. 

My one worry is Giroud. A thousand apologies to all his supporters, but the solid Frenchman does not cut it at this level. Yes, he has a good touch and is momentous in the air, but he lacks the pace and finishing ability possessed by previous Arsenal strikers. If he gets a chance, you’re not sure whether he’s going to put the ball past the opposing goalkeeper, but in Sergio Aguero, City have a mini bull who has the panache of Michelangelo. 

But, like how the saying goes, as the going get tough............ Arsenal to win 1-0. 

Spurs Could Do A Lazarus and Come Back From The Dead

I was approached a few days ago by someone I did not know at all, but a conversation was struck as this person sported a Manchester United number 11 jersey on his back. It indeed is amazing to think that the Welshman has achieved such a feat, hitting the golden age of 40 just a day ago. And it all isn't just Ryan Giggs and his golden age, this man can still strut his stuff. To those in doubt, do catch the replay of Man Utd's trip to currently the 2nd best team in the Bundesliga (doubt it'll last for long though after that showing).

With that being said though, tonight' game will certainly be a belter, and will pose many questions as to how far David Moyes has come as Man. Utd. coach, conceivably even banishing memories of Morgan Amalfitano's dummy to land David De Gea on his behind.

Tottenham will no doubt come into this game needing to prove themselves, as they've not justified the splurging of more than a 100 million pounds, with more than half of that going to acquire the duo of Erik Lamela (30 million) and Roberto Soldado (26 million), and both have not convinced one bit. What a stage to put it right. To think that Sergio Aguero has scored more goals than the whole of the Spurs team is astounding to say the least. No doubt Gareth Bale is being missed severely (he just scored a hat trick, mind you) but there is justifying to do, and that has to come from Andre Villas-Boas.

The team isn't all that bad actually, quite the contrary. To think that they have the likes of Jermain Defoe up front, with a quartet of midfield maestros in the shape of Eriksen, Dembele, Paulinho and even Holtby, much stronger than what the reigning champions can put out in their first 11. Only Michael Carrick I would think, is good enough for a place in Tottenham's trio in the middle of the park. That's where this game tonight can be won and lost.

Moussa Dembele has to play, and Villas-Boas will deep down affirm, that he made a mistake keeping the Belgian on the bench against the slaughter by Man City. With the ball at his feet, and a cultured left peg at that, Dembele at times is like a gazelle in the way he floats past players in possession of the football, plus he has a great physique to go along with it.

Paulinho should patrol in front of the Spurs defence and negate the threat of Wayne Rooney. United's number 10 has to be denied space or the side from Old Trafford will run ragged against the Spuds. Eriksen should start if fit, or Gylfi Sigurdsson must come in for him. Lewis Holtby has the legs but lacks guile to unlock the door of the top defences in town.

For once, AVB could perhaps start with Jermain Defoe, flanked with Townsend and Lennon on the left and right wings respectively. That's what Spurs had last season, blistering pace on the break. With Soldado, they can't do that as he's a 'box player', and only sparks into life in the 18-yard box. Outside that, he's as good as a sitting duck. Putting Townsend on the left wing will help the Spurs attack as it'll curb his insistence on coming in on his left foot and letting fly. England's winger has had the most shots on goal but has scored only once thus far this season.

With all due respect, Michael Dawson should be benched for this game, he's too slow in the mind at the top level. Vertonghen is screaming out to play in the centre of that defence, alongside Kaboul. Naughton and Walker to take the remaining two places in the back four.

United will be looking to go in for the kill tonight, knowing the defeat could not only take Spurs out of the equation for the title race, but probably knock the stuffing out of them, so much so they might even struggle to make the top four. Look at Liverpool and Southampton's form.

Rooney and Giggs will be raring to go, but so will the likes of Nani, who put in his best performance of the season in Germany when he also bagged a goal against Leverkusen.

If the score is still blank at half time, the crowd could turn against Villas-Boas and his players. However, get a goal in the 1st half hour, and this could be a cracking game. They have it all to do Spurs, and there's something in me which says they might just surprise a few and bag the points at the Lane tonight. 2-1 Spurs (sorry United fans!)

Till next time.

It Might be the Time that Spurs Get Going

Arguably the bigger half of London and Manchester met, (though Manuel Pellegrini and his troops might have something to say about that), Robin van Persie headed in the winner, in a match which some would say did not live up to expectations, especially for fans of the Gunners and neutrals alike. Arsenal failed to impose their authority on the game, and were sub-par at best.

Fast-forward two weeks, and the Wenger's men have extended their lead at the top to 4 points, courtesy of one Artur Boruc and his 'I wanna-be Leo Messi with gloves' moment of madness, but also down to the blockbuster down at Goodison Park. And what a match that was, I think we might all struggle to find a better 90 minutes all season. That was how good the game turned out to be, and if the notion that Jose Mourinho sent Romelu Lukaku to Everton so that he can cause Chelsea's rivals a certain degree of mayhem, then what a masterstroke it could turn out to be. But I don't think Jose did that, he's lost his verve since he returned to the bridge.

But enough of all this, I'm here to provide a bite-size preview of the game tonight at the Etihad.

For all out there who've read Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Jekyll and Hyde', Manchester City is the epitome of it. Swashbuckling at home, lethargic anywhere else. They did though, run Chelsea off the park at Stamford Bridge and but for Hart's rush of blood to the head, could've at least taken a point home.

For a team involving top internationals, City are not up to the standard which the Sheikhs would have demanded. An over reliance on Vincent Kompany has probably cost them big time, as they do not seem to have anyone capable of enforcing proper steel in the back line. Matija Nastasic is a bit lightweight for me, and does not command the defense enough in the absence of Kompany.

And Joe Hart, well, you might have to ask Joe Hart for some insight on how he'll perform.

Past the defence though, and City are ridiculously good. They were like knife through butter against Norwich, putting seven past the Canaries. The likes of David Silva, Toure, Aguero (who I think is the best striker in England now), and Alvaro Negredo will go about their duty. It's a question of whether or not Andre Villas-Boas can set his stall out from kickoff, and drum into his players what is needed tonight.

Paulinho and Dembele will be vital tonight. If that axis can stop the likes of Silva and Nasri, then Spurs might have a chance. Defoe has to start the game as I think Demichelis and Nastasic will have their cigar and a cup of latte if Roberto Soldado starts. He does not threaten the space in behind, something which Jermain Defoe dreams about.

Also, Andros Townsend and his pace will be essential for Spurs. He can stretch the pitch and have his trademark one-on-one runs against Gael Clichy. And Lamela should play on the opposite wing. With Christian Eriksen (if he's fit) behind Defoe, this match is set perfectly for Spurs. They haven't clicked yet this season, but I think it may not be too far.

The money which has been spent is bound to pay off, and I have a gut feeling that this might be the time they click. As long as the Lilywhites can keep the score tight approaching the hour mark, they'll have every chance of overturning City at their backyard. Spurs to nick it, 2-1. You heard it right.

Overconfidence May Not Be Good Always, Man United to Win.

Jay Jay Denis

"They 8-2 much, Arsenal fans", was the comment thrown around, with some even saying, "I'd 8-2 be an Arsenal fan right now." Horrendous, that night in 2011, so frightening that even some fans contemplated supporting a different club after that game.

Mind you, the strong ones stay. Majority of that 11 who started, of which only 5 remain. After that defeat, Arsenal were 17th, and there was no mention of the top 4, let alone title.

Today, they go into the game, 8 points clear of their hosts, and there is an air of a new-found belief not only in the squad, but amongst the fans as well. Before I go further, any talk of the title has got to wait till the turn of the year, at least.

Wenger's men have a better defense this time around, with stalwarts in Mertesacker, ever like a gazelle in the way he floats slowly but with quick thinking, it's all upstairs for Per. His colleague Koscielny meanwhile, complements him fabulously, possessing the speed and panache to be confident in a 20-yard foot race. Mikel Arteta needs no mentioning, the Basque midfielder was absolutely immense in the last 2 games, especially at the Emirates against SAS.

But its Man Utd right? They almost always find a way in big games, as Sir Alex is tactically so proficient in the setup of his troops.

Oh sorry, it's David Moyes. Okay Moyes. They've played Chelsea, Liverpool, City and have only one point to show for. But that all seems quite some time ago. Wayne Rooney must be licking his lips at the sight of Wenger's men, as he has scored 10 goals against the North London outfit, more than any club in the Premier League.

With Van Persie ahead of him, Man Utd can never be ruled out, not at the Theatre of Dreams. Atmosphere around Old Trafford will be buzzing, the fans surely looking at this game as a way to jumpstart their dwindinh season.

Ramsey, Arteta and Rosicky will be key, with Ozil and Cazorla on both wings. Personally, it'd be much more effective if Ozil was played centrally tonight, as he'd have the guile and zip to thread balls in between United's centre halves. Shunning Ramsey out to the right however might not be the best of ideas as he's been immense in the centre of the park this season.

It all depends on which Arsenal turns up, ad they've never been so confident heading to Old Trafford before, not even with the Invicibles.

That could be the undoing for Arsenal. Wayne Rooney and Man Utd are no pushovers, Ashley Young could convince referree Michael Oliver to award a spot kick. Anything could happen.

There are too many if's and buts in this game for a clear Arsenal victory. I think the Devils might nick this one, an early goal, which would force the Gunners to attack, leaving holes in behind for Valencia and Janujaz to exploit later. Final score, 2-0

Liverpool Might Trounce The Gunners With 'SAS'

Following completion of the first round of matches on August 17^th, many experts and pundits alike, wrote off Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal with some even concluding that the Gunners would break Wenger’s record of having finished in the top four ever since he arrived from Japan. How wrong they have been proven to be with the North London outfit now seated top of the Barclays Premier League with 9 games having been played. Or were they right?

                               

            Just under a week and a half ago, defeat to Champions League finalists, Borrusia Dortmund, sort of brought the Arsenal fans, more than anyone else, back down to the grass of Emirates’ pitch, after preconceived ideas of lifting the league title come May. Chelsea’s swashbuckling performance coupled with two goals in the Capital One cup further served as a reality check with the Arsenal squad now being stretched quite a bit. With high-flying Liverpool the visitors tonight, Wenger’s troops have it all to do if they are to stop an unwanted record of 3 successive home defeats for the first time ever at the Emirates.

            Flamini, Walcott, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain among others, will are all still out with injury (though the German striker recently returned to training) along with a speedy winger in Serge Gnabry, who has more than made a case for a starting place in Arsene’s first 11. News just in that Jack Wilshere has been rendered unfit to start the game tonight, which further complicates matters. A squad which was stretched earlier, is now down to its bare bones.

            Liverpool are undoubtedly the toughest test in the league thus far, among all teams who have played against Arsenal. Boasting the deadliest duo in England thus far with a combined 14 goals between the pair, ‘SAS’ as they’re fondly nicknamed, are brimming with confidence, playing with the panache last seen from the likes of Torres, Owen and Rush.

            One may construe that team supremo Brendan Rodgers has come up with a tactical masterclass may not be too far off, as he has altered his team’s outlook from the now common 4-3-3 to a more flexible 3-5-2 formation, enabling Suarez and Sturridge to play in their favoured positions, but still having control in the middle of the park, with Gerard and Lucas shielding the Merseysiders centre backs with Henderson in front of them, (though Coutinho will definitely be ahead of that diamond when he returns). The game changer is that this permits both Johnson and Cissokho to get forward to provide width for the attack. Teams who play narrow against such an outfit will find it tough as Liverpool will smother the midfield. Key to counter this sort of system is to have pacy wingers who can stretch the game, dragging centre backs into unwanted territory out of their box.

However, with the threesome of Walcott, Chamberlain and Podolski out, Arsenal are powerless to go out wide, with both Cazorla and Rosicky preferring to drift infield. Brendan Rodgers will be silently chuckling with joy, defending against such a system.

            And almost everyone knows that Arsene Wenger is such a stubborn man that he would not change his tactics to counter a losing situation.

            Centre halves like Skrtel, Sakho and Toure will be loaded with confidence in their veins, tasked to defend against a static forward in the shape of Olivier Giroud because they know he doesn’t possess the pace to get in behind them.

            Wenger has his work cut out here. He’ll have to get into his players, stressing on the importance of this game because winning it not only maintains their stay at the top, but it widens the gap between them and the red half of Merseyside and also provides much-needed morale going into a do-or-die tie against Dortmund in midweek.

            Ramsey will be needed to cover every blade of grass at the Emirates, with enough pizzazz from Ozil, Cazorla and Rosicky while Arteta has to take some advice from Flamini on how to bite at the heels of nifty forwards like Suarez.

            Arsenal’s fullbacks, both have a mammoth of a job tonight, not only in defence but in the attacking third of the pitch as well. They might have to revisit the tape of that match against Dortmund, where the Germans provided a scintillating show of counterattacking football at its best.

If they do all of these, then maybe, just maybe, the Gunners will have a chance against the inform-duo in the Barclays Premier League.

            With that being said, I personally think there are too many “if’s” and “maybe’s” for Arsenal to win. The Reds have been going great and Suarez will want to teach the Gunners a lesson for not upping their ludicrous 40 million plus one pound bid. Prediction, a 3-1 win to Liverpool.

Gunners get Cannoned at their BackYard by the Devils

The juggernauts of English football clashed at the Emirates, where previously this was the game every single fan in England looked forward to as it was a game where there was bad blood, clashes between fans, managers, players, throwing of pizzas? Well you get the general idea. It was really a tale of two halves, whereby the first was just a dour one, not much 'pezzaz' but the second half was absolutely momentous, a really funtastic 45 minutes where it had almost everything. Even the atmosphere generated by both sets of fans was astounding. I won't really waste time going in depth into the match report, so let's looks at the aftermath.


1. United are better at handling injuries, in short, Squad Depth is better

Most of the players of the United team who were out would walk in to most, if not all teams in the Premier League. Fletcher, Hernandez, Ferdinand, Vidic, and not to mention the lack of a proper playmaker in the team. Ah ha, I hear someone saying that 'Eh Phil Jones aso injured lah, he damn good'. Alright, I admit, he is a very good player, but Ferguson has got to put him in his proper position, be it in the centre of defense or in midfield. The old man has to decide, and fast but now that the boy is injured, he will have time to decide but decide he MUST. On the issue of squad depth, yes United are not that bad, but City are the Kings when it comes to having reserves in the tank. The whole of the league can just stand back and watch. 


2. Arsenal have been hit with injuries which even City or United would've failed to handle. 

Sagna, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Santos all out with Chamakh and Gervinho at the Nations Cup. Well other teams have also been hit with players representing their respective countries at the ACN and Newcastle have probably suffered the most. Let me provide an analogy. Say if United had Evra, Rafael, Smalling and maybe Fabio out, who would be drafted in to play at the full back positions? Probably Valencia and erh Giggs? Well there you go, but there's no use talking about 'If's', 'but's', or 'maybe's'. You have to handle whatever is in front of you, and Arsenal have failed to do so. Add to that the fact the transfer window has been opened for the best part of three weeks suggests that Mr Wenger is going senile. He could've got in at least a player to come in for a two months or so at left back, but he brought in Henry, and the King is now injured as well. 


3. Both the top clubs in England were involved in the match at the Etihad, not the Emirates. 

Well well, many United fans will be cursing me for this, but the rational ones would agree with me to an extent. Plain and simply put, the midfield of both City and Spurs are the best in the league, full stop. Manchester United's midfield duo are the weakest compared to the top 5 or 6 clubs. The likes of Carrick and Anderson/Scholes/Giggs just does not cut the mustard when it comes to the 'creme de la creme' of the Premier League. Picture this. Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry and David Silva on one side. Next you have the trio of Parker, Modric and Van Der Vaart for Spurs. To be honest, even the midfield of the SportsDirect Arena sounds better with Tiote and Cabaye. The papers this morning said that United might be in for Modric, but with the form Spurs are in, I doubt the little Croat would even consider leaving White Hart Lane. 


4. United have to revert to the way they played at the beginning of the season. 

At the start of the current campaign, the style of football played by United was breathtaking, marvelous 'tippy-tappy' football which left teams in their wake. The gung-ho style was thrown out the window the day they got raped and humbled at Old Trafford when the Blues put SIX goals past them, yes that day. Although that day was a real torture for the fans, it still made Ferguson rethink his tactics and that has made him resort to a more conservative approach. As a fan of slick football, I hope Fergie goes back to his style at the start, as that was also the period of time that a certain Wayne Rooney was on fire. When the tactics were changed, Rooney was deployed in a more withdrawn role which has seen his effect neutralised as well as the goals drying up, not forgetting the arguments he had with the Boss. Fergie, for the good of United, please revert, please. 


5. Arsene has to leave, and leave soon. 

The time has come for 'Le Professor' to leave Arsenal and the Emirates. He looks like an old man who has run out of ideas and really does not know what to do. I will stress the fact that his inability, or rather stubbornness of that has caused the club big time, and the decision of not bringing at least a single full back in the current window speaks volumes. I have never in my life called for the removal of Arsene Wenger as the man has done wonders for the club and probably made Arsenal what it is today. That being said, there has to be an end to every chapter so that a new one can be written. That time is now, and I'm sorry but Mr Wenger has to be shown the door. Arsenal will most likely miss out on the top four spot, which could also mean goodbye to RVP and future signings. The question remains as to whether Wilshere will stay long after he sees big names heading for the exit. Oxlade-Chamberlain is a wonderful player, and he puts Theo Walcott to shame. There are many managers who could come in and turn the club around. Personally, Van Basten would be a great choice, though there's always Guus Hiddink waiting in the wings, together with Frank Rijkaard or maybe even Dennis Bergkamp. You do not need to be Albert Einstein to manage a football team, but you cannot be an Average Joe either. 

Interesting times ahead in the league indeed. The race is still on, its just a question of who wants it more. 

Till next time,
Sayonara. 

The ribbons hung on the BPL trophy could be Red/White instead of Blue/White

Last night saw the 'Big Boys' drop valuable points against the so called 'whipping boys' of the Premier League with only Man. Utd picking up all points against Roberto Martinez's 'yoyo' team. The interesting aspect of that game was the sort of 'back from the dead' the Bulgarian magician, who in my opinion is the second most skillful Big Man in the world behind Swedish ponytail pumpkin, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The former Spurs forward managed to net a hat trick, adding to his previous goal in the last game (ironically another 5-0) whipping against Fulham. United now have 10 goals in the last two games, and are breathing down fellow Mancunians necks, cross-town rivals Man City. The Citizens, who were backed by everyone except Chow Yun Fatt to beat Wigan, and by a handsome margin at that, came up well short against Roy Hodgson's well-organised, well-oiled machine, West Brom. Bear in mind, the West Brom defense cost all of 2 million pounds. (City's cheapest defender last night was Gael Clichy, at 7 mil).

Before I move on, let me just say that Chelsea were never in the title race from the beginning of the season, so when AVB said at the post match interview that his team were 'all but out of the title race' more than amused me, even my dog howled at the teevee.

Moving on to serious stuff, I think United might actually pip City to the title, and here's why.

Fergie's men have not playing great football in the last five games, but have managed to beat all teams convincingly. And that with more than their fair share of injuries to go along with. City on the other hand, haven't had that many injuries, and have been more often than not, been able to play their best 11, though even if they were to have a couple of niggles they'd still be capable of bringing in support from their 'Gold' bench.

However, in all these games, Yaya Toure has been an ever-present. The Ivorian powerhouse has allowed the likes of Silva to go about his business, and has the capability to play in more than a couple of positions, and it is no wonder why he is City's best paid player. He will be gone next month though, and I don't see anyone in the squad being able to do anywhere near what he does. His older brother Kolo, who has been immense since his return from the drugs ban, will join him to represent Ivory Coast and that would mean the return of Lescott into the team, and he is by no means a world-beater.

Another reason would be the 'know-how' of Alex Ferguson's teams throughout the years. With the Scotsman at the helm, the players are more free to go about their business on the pitch, and most of the team are used to 'getting across the finish line'. The jury is still out on Mancini, however. Moreover, he is a manager who is known to buckle under immense pressure.

Lastly, by hook or by crook, past United teams tend to go into overdrive come January/February. The best part is this time around, it looks like they have started a month earlier.

I am by no means ruling City out of the title race, far from it actually, but it will be anything but easy. The advantage though is with United. The blue half of Manchester have been labelled as favourites all season, and Sir Alex might use that to his team's advantage.


Till next time,
Sayonara.