Tuesday 26 November 2013

Premier Predictions (Week 13 + 14)

A Double this week, games on Saturday and Sunday.and next Tuesday and Wednesday.
This weekends games are week 13, the midweek games count as week 14.

Week 13
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Cardiff v Arsenal
Everton v Stoke
Norwich v C Palace
West Ham v Fulham
Newcastle v West Brom
Tottenham v Man Utd
Hull v Liverpool
Chelsea v Southampton
Man City v Swansea

Week 14
C Palace v West Ham
Arsenal v Hull
Liverpool v Norwich
Man Utd v Everton
Southampton v Aston Villa
Stoke v Cardiff
Sunderland v Chelsea
Swansea v Newcastle
Fulham v Tottenham
West Brom v Man City

Just need the second set by Tuesday night, so no hurry.
Good luck all :)

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Premier Predictions (Week 12)

Just woke up after nodding off during the England v Germany game, so no time to go to bed as the alarm goes off in 2 hours!!
So a stiff neck and just found out we lost again :(

Anyway Premier predictions is back for an uninterupted run now all those internationals are out of the way, games over 3 days this week with 7 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and the Baggies Villa game on Monday.
Arsenal Saints is the top of the table clash and the Scouse derby is the early game (BT top pick?).
Obviously the big game for this blog is the late game on Saturday, just read that the Hammers have lost Collins, Rat and O'Brien to injuries picked up on international duty joining Reid and the rest in the sick bay meaning we now have only 2 defenders and no forwards so Fat Sam will have to play a 2-8-0 formation??
Good luck all :)

Everton v Liverpool
Arsenal v Southampton
Fulham v Swansea
Hull v C Palace
Newcastle v Norwich
Stoke v Sunderland
West Ham v Chelsea
Man City v Tottenham
Cardiff v Man Utd
West Brom v Aston Villa

Monday 18 November 2013

World Cup Squad?

I've been looking through prospective candidates for England's World Cup squad, and here's my take on it.
A few of the old hands will probably be selected by Hodgson but I reckon this slightly younger lot could be worth a go.
Don't expect us to win or go really close, but it would be great if we could have a few performances to remember.

Goalies
Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Jack Butland

Defenders
Kyle Walker, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones

Midfield
Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott, Michael Carrick, Adam Lallana, Jack Wilshere, Ravel Morrison, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andros Townsend

Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Rickie Lambert, Saido Berahino

Reserves
Fraser Forster, Steven Caulker, Luke Shaw, Tom Cleverley, Ross Barkley, Andy Carroll


Thanks and Goodbye
Ashley Young, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Jermain Defoe, John Ruddy, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Jordan Henderson, Gareth Barry, Matthew Jarvis, John Terry, Michael Dawson, Scott Parker, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand, Aaron Lennon, Leon Osman, Frazier Campbell, Rob Green, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Ryan Shawcross, Tom Huddlestone

Maybe Next Time
Jack Rodwell, Jay Rodriguez, Raheem Sterling, Wilfried Zaha, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Ryan Bertrand, James Ward-Prowse, Jonjo Shelvey, Nathan Redmond, Tom Ince, Andre Wisdom, Eric Dier, Tom Carroll, Danny Ings, Jake Livermore

Saturday 16 November 2013

England

If anyone was suddenly believing we were world beaters after our World cup qualification, this should bring them back to reality.
The 4th best team in South America made us look really ordinary, I realise we played with an experimental team but their were enough experienced players on view to have made a game out of it.
The only bright spot was Adam Lalalalana who didn't look overawed and was our best player.

Fraser Forster - Looked slow and cumbersome, probably better than Ruddy but not a patch on Hart or Foster.
Glen Johnson - Best days are behind him and with only Kyle Walker challenging him we have a problem in the right back position.
Leighton Baines - Proving again he's not a patch on Ashley Cole as a defender, and against teams that don't allow him to get forward he will struggle.
Phil Jones - Should do better, needs a run in central defence with club and country which he's unlikely to get.
Gary Cahill - Usually impresses me but now I know why Mourinho leaves him on the bench so often, lucky not to get sent off in this match.
Frank Lampard - Should retire gracefully now, he's been good in the past but those days have gone.
Jack Wilshere - Has got talent but injury prone and his attitude will see him sent off against teams who specialise in winding up opponents.
James Milner - No idea why he keeps getting picked? very average player.
Adam Lallana - Good debut, skilful player who might make the grade.
Wayne Rooney - Having his best season in years, struggled in this game but still looked better than most on view.
Jay Rodriguez - Rabbit in the headlights, played out of position but never looked likely to have any influence on the game. Maybe he could be brought back after the World cup for another go.

Andros Townsend - Has looked very good so far, but didn't get a chance to shine last night.
Chris Smalling - Like Jones needs to play regularly as he looks promising.
Jermaine Defoe - Another one who's best days are behind him.
Jordan Henderson - Average midfielder lacking the skills for international matches.
Tom Cleverley - Looked good last season but seems to be going backwards.
Ross Barkley - Promising player but gives the ball away too much, will get better.

Rickie Lambert - Has done nothing wrong and should stay in the squad.
Daniel Sturridge - Skilful player who seems to play according to his mood, can be very good but sometimes looks like he can't be bothered.
Steven Gerrard - Should be good for another year, if Lampard's not playing he still looks our best midfielder but injuries are a big problem.
Ashley Cole - Still our best left back.
Joe Hart - Still our best keeper despite the mistakes.
John Ruddy - He's English and a goalie?
Phil Jagielka - Reliable, best option at the moment.
Kieron Gibbs - 3rd best left back possibly, could be good in the future if he keeps playing regularly for Arsenal.

Sunday 10 November 2013

Possession

According to the pundits possession is key, if you've got the ball you should win.
The facts don't really support that fact this weekend.


Everton 73% Draw
Chelsea 69% Draw
Liverpool 67% Won
Swansea 65% Draw
Tottenham 65% Lost
Man City 63% Lost
Southampton 61% Won
Arsenal 60% Lost
Cardiff 56% Lost
West Ham 53% Lost

Dive Dive Dive

3 strong contenders for dive of the week.

Ashley Young's dramatics after the Sociedad defender held his arm were rightly criticised.

Gary Hooper's amazing fall after tripping over Jaaskelainen's arm was just about legal as the West Ham goalie gave him the opportunity to display his diving skills.

But outright winner must be Ramires who threw himself at West Brom defender Reid and fell over to earn Chelsea an extra time penalty.
Mourinho's after match comment really just made him look a prat, he should have just said "it was a bit soft but we'll take it".

.... and no mention of Luis Suarez or Gareth Bale this time :)

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Premier Predictions (Week 11)

It's that time again, one more set of fixtures before yet another international break.

Aston Villa v Cardiff
Chelsea v West Brom
C Palace v Everton
Liverpool v Fulham
Southampton v Hull
Norwich v West Ham

Tottenham v Newcastle
Sunderland v Man City
Man Utd v Arsenal
Swansea v Stoke

Monday 4 November 2013

Nostalgia

Some great old footie films found at http://www.britishpathe.com
Here's a couple for the Hammer fans (click to go to page). Plenty of other clubs if you search at the top of the page.

SOCCER AGAIN!


WEST HAM FOOTBALL TEAM