A whole season's worth of hard work nearly undone in 25 minutes!!
Great comeback though and must be favourites now.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Week One of the Premier League
After the first week of the Premier League, what have we learned?
I can't see the top two being anything other than Man Utd & Chelsea. The battle for the remaining two Champions League spots will be between the usual suspects Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City & Spurs.
Everton will probably be next best despite an opening defeat and Aston Villa will do well to match last season's finish.
As for the relegation battle, Newcastle don't look too different to the team that got relegated two years ago. West Brom and Wigan will really struggle and, despite a great opening win, Blackpool will definitely go down.
Roll on Week 2
I can't see the top two being anything other than Man Utd & Chelsea. The battle for the remaining two Champions League spots will be between the usual suspects Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City & Spurs.
Everton will probably be next best despite an opening defeat and Aston Villa will do well to match last season's finish.
As for the relegation battle, Newcastle don't look too different to the team that got relegated two years ago. West Brom and Wigan will really struggle and, despite a great opening win, Blackpool will definitely go down.
Roll on Week 2
Sunday, June 20, 2010
England Questions
Cappello reckons the problems are all in the players minds. Isn't this what we pay him a fortune to sort out?
Why no Joe Cole? One of England's most creative players and our best player at the last World Cup. Both games have been crying out for his introduction.
A mistake to drop Walcott? Whoever was picked between him and Wright-Phillips was only ever going to be used as an impact player when things weren't going right. Surely Walcott is more capable of producing the one piece of magic required? He may not do it for a whole game but that wouldn't be his role.
Will the fact that the Slovenia game is now win or bust take away the conservative attitude of being frightened to lose and we will see the real England or is this it?
No team has yet to set this World Cup alight apart from Argentina and that won't last. But surely England are better than this?
Why no Joe Cole? One of England's most creative players and our best player at the last World Cup. Both games have been crying out for his introduction.
A mistake to drop Walcott? Whoever was picked between him and Wright-Phillips was only ever going to be used as an impact player when things weren't going right. Surely Walcott is more capable of producing the one piece of magic required? He may not do it for a whole game but that wouldn't be his role.
Will the fact that the Slovenia game is now win or bust take away the conservative attitude of being frightened to lose and we will see the real England or is this it?
No team has yet to set this World Cup alight apart from Argentina and that won't last. But surely England are better than this?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Premier League Fixtures
Away from the World Cup for a moment and the Premier League fixtures have now been released for the coming season.
You can find them here
http://fixtures365.teamtalk.com/?deepLink=http://fixtures365.teamtalk.com/Data/0,13754,MjAxMDA4X1BSRU1fQUxM,00.html
You can find them here
http://fixtures365.teamtalk.com/?deepLink=http://fixtures365.teamtalk.com/Data/0,13754,MjAxMDA4X1BSRU1fQUxM,00.html
Monday, June 14, 2010
Ledley King Out Of World Cup?
Reports in today's paper suggest so.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1286365/Ledley-Kings-England-fear-World-Cup-crocked-central-defender.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1286365/Ledley-Kings-England-fear-World-Cup-crocked-central-defender.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
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Robert Green to start against Algeria?
Interestingly today, Coral’s have slashed the odds on Robert Green starting England’s next game against Algeria. With Cappello quick to defend Green after his howler, the bookies reckon that he will be retained and he is now odds on to do so.
Thank goodness for some goals! The Germans looked pretty impressive in destroying a poor Australian side, who to be honest looked poor even with eleven men. Cahill’s sending off means Australia will also be without their best player for the crunch clash with Ghana, where defeat would mean elimination.
Looking forward to seeing the Dutch today.
Agree/Disagree with these points? Please feel free to comment with your views.
If you'd like more thoughts and views as the tournament progresses, follow this blog or follow me on Twitter.
Thank goodness for some goals! The Germans looked pretty impressive in destroying a poor Australian side, who to be honest looked poor even with eleven men. Cahill’s sending off means Australia will also be without their best player for the crunch clash with Ghana, where defeat would mean elimination.
Looking forward to seeing the Dutch today.
Agree/Disagree with these points? Please feel free to comment with your views.
If you'd like more thoughts and views as the tournament progresses, follow this blog or follow me on Twitter.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
England! What have we learned so far?
Cappello is human and will make mistakes:
How ironic that he wouldn't play the inexperienced Joe Hart because it was too much of a gamble - but then the two gambles he did take backfired spectacularly, with a clearly unfit Milner and an injury prone King having to be replaced before the second half had even started.
Cappello will admit mistakes and won't be afraid to change things:
It must have been a difficult call from him to substitute Milner so early (effectively admitting he'd made an initial selection error) but he wasn't going to be stubborn about it. Would previous managers have took immediate action like he did?
How important Gareth Barry is to the team:
Playing with two wingers doesn't work without a holding midfielder. We were getting over run in midfield and stifling Lampard's forward runs. I don't agree that Lampard and Gerrard can't play together but the system has to suit this. Gerrard behind Rooney seems the best option to me.
The expectation of the team should now be more realistic:
After all the madness and hype of the opening game has settled, people will realise that this isn't a disastrous result. The manner of the equaliser may make things appear worse but England should still qualify easily. Previous World Cup winners have started slowly. Italy drew with USA in their opening game of the last World Cup, then went on to win it!
Agree/Disagree with these points? Please feel free to comment with your views.
If you'd like more thoughts and views as the tournament progresses, follow this blog or follow me on Twitter.
How ironic that he wouldn't play the inexperienced Joe Hart because it was too much of a gamble - but then the two gambles he did take backfired spectacularly, with a clearly unfit Milner and an injury prone King having to be replaced before the second half had even started.
Cappello will admit mistakes and won't be afraid to change things:
It must have been a difficult call from him to substitute Milner so early (effectively admitting he'd made an initial selection error) but he wasn't going to be stubborn about it. Would previous managers have took immediate action like he did?
How important Gareth Barry is to the team:
Playing with two wingers doesn't work without a holding midfielder. We were getting over run in midfield and stifling Lampard's forward runs. I don't agree that Lampard and Gerrard can't play together but the system has to suit this. Gerrard behind Rooney seems the best option to me.
The expectation of the team should now be more realistic:
After all the madness and hype of the opening game has settled, people will realise that this isn't a disastrous result. The manner of the equaliser may make things appear worse but England should still qualify easily. Previous World Cup winners have started slowly. Italy drew with USA in their opening game of the last World Cup, then went on to win it!
Agree/Disagree with these points? Please feel free to comment with your views.
If you'd like more thoughts and views as the tournament progresses, follow this blog or follow me on Twitter.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The opening games
Well, all square after the first round of games in Group A.
South Africa would have surprised a few people and I'm backing them to go through along with Mexico. Uruguay are a hard working team but looked pretty limited. If the opposing defence can stifle Forlan then they don't appear to have too much else.
As for France, they really look like a team of individuals that have been put together and forced to like each other. Not sure how Domenech has stayed so long in the job but it seems that even the players are now passing the time until he leaves, I believe to be replaced by Laurent Blanc.
Overall though, an enjoyable start to the World Cup with top class refereeing so far.
I'm sure the novelty of those vuvezelas being blown is going to wear off soon though. The South Africans reckon they sound like a herd of charging elephants. Sounds more like a swarm of bees to me!
South Africa would have surprised a few people and I'm backing them to go through along with Mexico. Uruguay are a hard working team but looked pretty limited. If the opposing defence can stifle Forlan then they don't appear to have too much else.
As for France, they really look like a team of individuals that have been put together and forced to like each other. Not sure how Domenech has stayed so long in the job but it seems that even the players are now passing the time until he leaves, I believe to be replaced by Laurent Blanc.
Overall though, an enjoyable start to the World Cup with top class refereeing so far.
I'm sure the novelty of those vuvezelas being blown is going to wear off soon though. The South Africans reckon they sound like a herd of charging elephants. Sounds more like a swarm of bees to me!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Welcome!
Welcome to Rob's Football Outlook where I'll be sharing my thoughts on the beautiful game.
Ready for the World Cup now and looking forward to swapping reading all the previews to watching the action begin.
My predictions:
Winners: Brazil - I believe they have the most complete squad and will be more solid defensively than usual. Used to playing in all conditions including high altidude and around 5/1 look great value to me.
Runners Up: Germany -Not getting the same media hype as normal and being written off by some after some key injuries including captain Michael Ballack. Have a strong squad though and will be hard to beat.
Beaten Semi Finalists: England and Argentina - The draw could open up nicely for England provided they win their group and may not meet a real top side until the semi finals. Unfortunately this is where I believe it will come to an end. Argentina have an array of talent and their biggest problem is trying to fit them all in. Also more solid in defence than previous tournaments but reaching the final could be a step too far.
Check back regularly throughout the tournament for more thoughts, views and predictions.
Meanwhile, let the action begin!!
Ready for the World Cup now and looking forward to swapping reading all the previews to watching the action begin.
My predictions:
Winners: Brazil - I believe they have the most complete squad and will be more solid defensively than usual. Used to playing in all conditions including high altidude and around 5/1 look great value to me.
Runners Up: Germany -Not getting the same media hype as normal and being written off by some after some key injuries including captain Michael Ballack. Have a strong squad though and will be hard to beat.
Beaten Semi Finalists: England and Argentina - The draw could open up nicely for England provided they win their group and may not meet a real top side until the semi finals. Unfortunately this is where I believe it will come to an end. Argentina have an array of talent and their biggest problem is trying to fit them all in. Also more solid in defence than previous tournaments but reaching the final could be a step too far.
Check back regularly throughout the tournament for more thoughts, views and predictions.
Meanwhile, let the action begin!!
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