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Liverpool crashed out of the champions league last night. Benitez time at Liverpool reached a new low yesterday he is out of the biggest competition in Europe and would need a two miracles to win the league.
They currently stand in a respectable 7th place but have conceded the more goals then any other team in the top 9. Journalist and ‘experts’ had been wondered if Arsenal will retain there top 4 status but currently all these questions are being directed towards Anfield.
I have to admit I would be a little worried, they don’t have a great team strange what a summer could do to a team. They 3/4 great players: Gerrard, Torres, Johnson, Mascherano and Reina (ok 5), but then the rest worry me. No real wingers, Benayoun is quality and should probably added to my list but I see him more as an attacking forward then a winger, also Mascherano needs a passer next to him a ‘Carrick/Cesc/Alonso’ a player who can pick out a 30 yard pass or who can thread a ball through. Lucas will be a good player but he needs time…
I know I’m stating the obvious here but Liverpool are in trouble, I believe they need to change there formation playing two up front which means Gerrard will have to drop back into the centre of midfield. Benitez’s transfer record is very very poor but that one for another day.
Burnley: The three of us went to see them play Arsenal in the FA cup last year. They are a decent side who play football, they have a number of young talented individuals for could make a name for themselves. However, I think they will be another West Brom: Good football but no result, ironically very similar to Arsenal.
Birmingham: I’ve read a few peoples reviews and opinions on Birmingham and they’ve all said that they’re going to struggle. For that reason alone, I think they’ll do brilliantly! Maybe for the first season at least, like all the other promoted clubs. Honestly, they will be in a battle to survive, but should escape.
Wolves: This team have a very experienced manager who has dealt with recently promoted teams into the top flight before which will be their talismen for survival. They also have players like Kevin Doyle who’s played in the Premier League before and has the ability to score goals. A tough one to call but they’ll survive, I’m just not sure how well.
The press are suggesting that David Bentley is being targeted by Aston Villa and Martin O’Neil is keen to get the right winger. I have huge respect for O’Neil and I think he probably should go to a bigger team (i.e. Man U/Arsenal) but I simply do not understand this one.
Bentley is useless, arrogate and did I mention useless? I’m not even sure where they would play him. Villa have Miller, Young, Downing and now Delph. Would he be prepared to keep his mouth shout and sit on the bench?? I don’t think so! Totally the wrong type of signing for them and would be very surprised if it works out.
oh and he is in the news again
England 1st Innings – All out
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | |||
| Strauss | c North | b Siddle | 3 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Cook | c M Clarke | b Clark | 30 | 65 | 3 | 0 |
| Bopara | c M Hussey | b Hilfenhaus | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Bell | c Haddin | b M Johnson | 8 | 26 | 2 | 0 |
| Collingwood | c Ponting | b Clark | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Prior | not out | 37 | 43 | 5 | 0 | |
| Broad | c Katich | b Clark | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Swann | c M Clarke | b Siddle | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| S Harmison | c Haddin | b Siddle | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Anderson | c Haddin | b Siddle | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Onions | c Katich | b Siddle | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 3nb 1w 5b 8lb | 17 | ||||
| Total | all out | 102 | (33.5 ovs) | |||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ||
| Hilfenhaus | 7.0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | ||
| Siddle | 9.5 | 0 | 21 | 5 | ||
| M Johnson | 7.0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | ||
| Clark | 10.0 | 4 | 18 | 3 | ||
Australia 1st Innings – All out
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | |||
| S Watson | lbw | b Onions | 51 | 67 | 9 | 0 |
| Katich | c Bopara | b S Harmison | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Ponting | lbw | b Broad | 78 | 101 | 12 | 1 |
| M Hussey | lbw | b Broad | 10 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| M Clarke | lbw | b Onions | 93 | 138 | 13 | 0 |
| North | c Anderson | b Broad | 110 | 206 | 13 | 1 |
| Haddin | c Bell | b S Harmison | 14 | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| M Johnson | c Bopara | b Broad | 27 | 53 | 5 | 0 |
| Siddle | b Broad | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Clark | b Broad | 32 | 22 | 1 | 3 | |
| Hilfenhaus | not out | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Extras | 3nb 4w 9b 14lb | 30 | ||||
| Total | all out | 445 | (104.1 ovs) | |||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ||
| Anderson | 18.0 | 3 | 89 | 0 | ||
| S Harmison | 23.0 | 4 | 98 | 2 | ||
| Onions | 22.0 | 5 | 80 | 2 | ||
| Broad | 25.1 | 6 | 91 | 6 | ||
| Swann | 16.0 | 4 | 64 | 0 | ||
England 2nd Innings – All out
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | |||
| Strauss | lbw | b Hilfenhaus | 32 | 78 | 4 | 0 |
| Cook | c Haddin | b M Johnson | 30 | 84 | 4 | 0 |
| Bopara | lbw | b Hilfenhaus | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Bell | c Ponting | b M Johnson | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Collingwood | lbw | b M Johnson | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Anderson | c Ponting | b Hilfenhaus | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Prior | c Haddin | b Hilfenhaus | 22 | 29 | 3 | 0 |
| Broad | c S Watson | b Siddle | 61 | 49 | 10 | 0 |
| Swann | c Haddin | b M Johnson | 62 | 72 | 7 | 1 |
| S Harmison | not out | 19 | 28 | 4 | 0 | |
| Onions | b M Johnson | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
| Extras | 11nb 5w 5b 5lb | 26 | ||||
| Total | all out | 263 | (61.3 ovs) | |||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ||
| Hilfenhaus | 19.0 | 2 | 60 | 4 | ||
| Siddle | 12.0 | 2 | 50 | 1 | ||
| Clark | 11.0 | 1 | 74 | 0 | ||
| M Johnson | 19.3 | 3 | 69 | 5 | ||
Well how do Australia fans review fourth test, two words, Kicked Ass! That’s exactly what happened, it was a great effort for the baggy green’s to get 20 wickets leaving England trailing an innings and 80 runs.
There wasn’t much secret to this victory but just to say England players played poorly, looked awfully weak in all areas of their game, and lacked some serious backbone without Freddie and KP. You could see the wheels turning in the heads of the middle order batsman over thinking too much, it showed on the faces of players like Bell and Bopara who had to prove their worth with their test life hanging in the balance, and the Australian players were just licking their lips after the first inning demolition knowing that it would take a major thunderstorm for them to lose this one.
If we look back at the bowling its hard to really point out a star, Broad’s 6 wickets is probably the only thing to be proud of, but his figures 6-91 probably doesn’t show the real picture of his bowling but impressive none the less.
There were many stars in Australia’s bowling line up, Stuart Clark with figures of 3-18 in the first innings was just half the story for how he bowled that day, jaffer after jaffer catching the batsman in two minds nearly every ball, I don’t know if this is a credit to him or how bad England were with the bat, but it was some beautiful swing bowling. Peter Siddle mopped up the tail in that first innings with his own 5 wicket haul.
The second innings of bowling for the Aussies looked like this, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Johnson, Hilfenhaus, Johnson, Johnson etc… This was the two bowlers show along with some brilliant catching in the slips and by Brad Haddin, just too good, I had a discussion with my mates that when Mitchell Johnson will get stuck in and find form he will be a power house, and along with his performances with the bat, he was one of the outstanding players of that match, he also may be the difference in the 5th.
As with the bat for Australia, Marcus North showed how you don’t have to show off like Matt Prior to get runs, whilst Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting played some elegant strokes to get their runs for this match Marcus North showed a Steve Waugh or a Rahul Dravid like innings with some classy shots and some discipline play, with 3 centuries under his belt after 6 tests, this is the type of player England need for their middle order. Maybe time to see him move up the order?
Overall this game leaves an interesting and exciting final, Australia will go for the win its in their nature, and if Justin Langer’s dossier is anything to go by England will act hard on the first day and clam up like little girls for the rest of the match. My Predictions, Australia!
Peter Crouch has completed his move away from the south coast side Portsmouth, following his old manger Harry Redknapp to Tottenham Hotspurs. Although the full reports are still coming in the fee is believed to be around the £10-12 Million mark.
Its not a bad signing by Spurs, they do not have a player like him so he will defiantly add something different to the squad. It probably does mean that Huntelaar will not be heading to this North London club, Maybe the other one…
Finally this does leave poppy incredibly short up front: leaving just Nugent and Kanu. (poppy squad)
I actually wanted to get this up yesterday. Leyton Orient beat Championship side Newcastle 6-1 feels weird calling them a Division one team.
You can find a full report here: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/25072009/58/championship-magpies-hit-six-orient.html
Ash-sta: Did you hear that 6-1 to the Orient!
So the summer bazaar has been open for a few weeks, its been anything but quiet. So I’ve decided to summarise what has happened so far and try and predict what may happen in the coming weeks.
Cristino Ronaldo
So lets start of with the biggest move in history: Ronaldo decided to move from Manchester United to Real Madrid for €80 Mill, that’s a lot of money even for Man U. They would be stupid not to sell him for that price especially, for someone who obviously did not want to stay. I have to say next seasons line-up for Real Madrid looks very scary, imagine playing against Kaka & Ronaldo!! I would not want to be a full back in La liga right now. (Although I would never say no…)
Teves, Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Barry.. More??
So on the blue side of Manchester: they continuing to spend STUPID amounts of money… Thinking that if they send Billions and pay ridiculous Wages they could become a world class team…wait a minute we have been here before, Oh yeah Chelski. I guess Man City would like to emulate the success that Chelsea have had, they have already signed a number of good signings. However I do wonder what will happened to all the other crap not so good players. I do get a sense of deja vu here.. I reckon they will sign a defender (not Terry, Toure or Lescottt).
Eto’o <–> Ibrahimovic
Barcalona have decided to let go of there prolific striker Eto’o, the Cameroon international has decided to join Inter Milan as part of an exchange deal for Ibrahimovic (+30 mill). Inter are getting a very good deal, they are getting an awesome striker as well as €30 Milll. Also the papers believe that Touchline Pundit favourite Hleb (not!) will also be going on loan to Inter. This is an interesting signing by the Catalonia side, not sure how they will line up next season but I will be interesting.
Owen
Bargain of the century, I have to say this is very good busy by Sir Alex! He has picked up a very good striker for absolutely nothing. He may be injury prone but he has always proved that he an eye for a goal, if Sir Alex and his team can keep him fit I think Owen will score at least 15 goals..(I may put some money on this)
Right, that’s enough for now. Will be back soon with more rumors and any signings…
Rafael Nadal had to fend of a spirited battle from Federico Gil to go through the 4th round in yesterdays clash, he went through after a tough first set winning 7-5, and then claim the second 6-3 after some impressive tennis from his opponent.
Murray also went through in straight sets Nicholas Massu, but the score line didn’t reflect how well the Chilean played, I watched this game in full and he played aggressively, but Murray did the business and took down the sets to join Nadal in the fourth round.
Roger Federer is another top seeded player to advance into the fourth round of the Miami masters, he is on a mission this season to hold his 2nd spot and challenge for 1st, Murray is catching up and head to head Murray has disappointed Federer several times. The Swiss star was very convincing in his victory against Nicholas Kiefer 6-4, 6-1 to reach the 4th to face local Taylor Dent, should be a good match up.
Former world No.1 Andy Roddick powered into the fourth round by defeating Russia’s Dmitry Tursunov 7-6 (11-9), 6-2. The fifth-seeded American, who won the title here in 2004, will face either French ninth seed Gael Monfils or Russia’s Marat Safin after coping with strong winds.
So that’s the update with some of the top names left in the tournament. I will update from every round now so keep posted. These masters are really exciting now as everyone apart from Nadal needs to win in order to hold their rank.
After a fantastic weekend of football action from the best league in the world, we are left with complete uncertainty of whose hands the title is going to end up in.
As things stand Manchester United are still favorites with one point ahead of Liverpool and a game in hand, but the form Liverpool are in is undeniably breathtaking, their 5-0 win against Aston Villa looked like a day out in the sun, nothing taken away from Villa who just were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Man Utd carried on with their low confidence dropping three crucial points at Fulham, who have shown to be a tough team to break down for the big four this season. Though Sir Alex’s men still have a cushion from the brilliant run earlier this season, Liverpool are creeping up and the pressure is now on.
Chelsea on the other hand look good and buried with their defeat to Spurs, a superb goal from Modric was enough to seal the win for the North Londoners, but Chelsea performed well and deserved a point from the game, if not more. Chelsea do have the easiest run to the finish however, apart from Arsenal all their tough games have been done with, so they will need to win for the rest of the season and hope the other two slip up to have a chance.
Arsenal are out of the race, mathematically still possible but now they are just looking to secure fourth spot and focus their attentions to the FA cup and Champions League, the game against Newcastle was a classic end to end game we’ve have come to miss from both teams, great football from both sides but a managerial decision (or indecision) cost Newcastle the game, when Steven Taylor was off the pitch receiving treatment the manager didn’t fill the hole, why? It was an odd decision for no one to think quickly which of course Arsenal took advantage for a splendid goal from Abu Diaby to get the gunners ahead. With the luck Newcastle are running on, relegation fears are looking likely to continue right till the end of the season.
So that’s the review of how the top four are looking as we go into the international break, it will require a whole new post to discuss the relegation battle this season, lets just say the way its ended up positions 10 and 11 (Manchester City and Tottenham respectively) are not safe from the drop, a few bad results and they may face the axe.
