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

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

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.

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 :)

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

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

Premier Predictions (Week 10)

Sorry for the delay, all my usual blogger buttons have gone missing? and I've only just figured out how to do a new post :(

Here goes with Week no.10 which has got some tough to call games :)

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

Everton v Tottenham
Cardiff v Swansea

Crystal Balls Up

There is only one reason I wanted Palace to stay up this season, and now they've sacked him :(
I think he's a decent manager, not a great one but probably as good as Palace will be able to attract.
I can't think of any decent manager who is likely to take over there with a squad who over achieved getting up, and were always going to struggle staying out of the bottom 3.
Maybe DiCanio???

Premier Predictions (Week 9)

Palace v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Everton
Liverpool v West Brom
Man Utd v Stoke
Norwich v Cardiff
Southampton v Fulham

Sunderland v Newcastle
Chelsea v Man City
Swansea v West Ham
Tottenham v Hull

6 games Saturday, 4 on Sunday

Can we stop in form Longy or is it just a flash in the pan :)
.. and don't panic Biopunk, I lost the first 9 last year and only just got pipped at the end.

Premier Predictions (Week 8)

World Cup qualification done and dusted :)
2 Great performances and the future looks bright, hopefully our promising younger players can stay fit and keep improving and who knows?
No doubt the England haters will be pissed off for a while and snidey Lineker and cabbage patch Chiles will have to hold their tongue for a few weeks, I guess the scum press will be setting up Hodgson and our players for some eve of tournament revelation to scupper our confidence like they always do, but let's enjoy the next 6 months dreaming of World cup glory days in Brazil :)

Anyway back to normality with the latest Premier predictions :)

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

8 games on Saturday, 1 on Sunday and a trip to the Palace on Monday night.

Fantasy Football Update

Week 7 Update of the "Nothing Better Than Football" leagues.
Just 8 teams in the TFF league but our top 5 average has moved us up 750 places from last week :)
My 2 teams are joint leaders so I need to the rest of you to come and catch me to improve our overall standing.

                                                             Telegraph Fantasy Football

 

Fantasy Premier League

 

Shot myself in the foot on the FPL game as my confidence in West Ham winning at Tottenham didn't extend to leaving Reid and Morrison in my starting XI and my 2 benchwarmers would have racked up 25 points :(
But I can live with it after seeing that performance yesterday :)
Should have been in a clear lead of the works league but dropped to 2nd, but still plenty of time to catch up.

Smily Time

Being a Hammers fan you don't get that many opportunities to have a big grin on your face after a match, but I shall be wearing one all week :)

No premier games this week due to another International break, so I'm hoping England don't take the smile off my face and do enough to qualify for next years World Cup.

Premier Predictions (Week 7)

Man City v Everton
Cardiff v Newcastle
Fulham v Stoke
Hull v Aston Villa
Liverpool v C Palace
Sunderland v Man Utd

Norwich v Chelsea
Southampton v Swansea
Tottenham v West Ham
West Brom v Arsenal

6 games on Saturday and 4 on Sunday
The big game on Saturday is the other Manchester v Liverpool clash that usually doesn't get as much publicity, City are really unpredictable at the moment, Everton seemed to have clicked under Martinez straight away which makes me wonder if Moyes has been holding them back?
Moyes himself needs a victory badly, and anything less than 3 points against the struggling Mackems will heap the pressure on him.
A few possible upsets on Sunday and I'm praying that Tottenham have a nightmare journey back from Russia and eat some dodgy lasagne on the flight, because with 3 tough games this month we could end up in the drop zone :(

Disgrace

Dirty Vertongen wiping bogies all over Torres thumb, it's a disgrace.

Is it the early seventies again? Man Utd are shit and Clough has been sacked by Derby.

Van Ginkel is out for 6 months, which is great news for Juan Mata ... He'll have someone to talk to in the stands.

I've just seen a referee in a pink and yellow quartered shirt ... it was Mark Battenberg. 

Gareth Barry has revealed the chance to play under Roberto Martinez was a big factor in his decision to join Everton... Man city telling him "F*ck off, you useless c*nt" was also a consideration.

Premier Predictions (Week 6)

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

Saturday
AVB v No Way Jose, big test for the Y words to see if their new collective XI can be better than the old one- man team.
West Ham have a strictly must win game against Brucie's Tiggers.
Villa will be dreading facing Man City now they've hit form and also having lost their star striker.
Man U need to start winning to stay in touch with the leaders and will hope RVP is fit.
Arsenal's injury prone stars face the best footballing side in the division, could be good.
Saints v Palace, probably the best bit will be Pochetino's interpreter trying to translate Holloway's rants and words of wisdom.
Fulham v Cardiff, the other game.

On Sunday
How will those pampered little darlings of Blunderland cope without that nasty man shouting at them? not good that they have to share a field with the cannibal who according to his manager is "chomping at the bit" and "hungry" :)
Norwich at Stoke, Gary Hooper's fit so it will be good to see if he can cut it at this level.

Monday
Unbeaten Everton against Le Toon, should be the Toffee's game but Newcastle are always unpredictable.

Good luck all :)

Bye Paolo

Bye bye Paolo DiCanio the least surprising Premier manager sacking of recent seasons.
It was fun for the rest of us but I think we all knew it was just a matter of time before the loveable loon was shown the door.
The main surprise was that they had offered him the job full time, and after allowing him to bring in 14 players during the summer break you would have expected them to give him a bit more time.


They have been a bit unlucky in the last 2 games with some dubious reffing in the Arsenal game and the late injury to Fletcher after using 3 subs in Saturday's game.
The team Paolo inherited were piss poor and he did well to inspire them enough to stay up, and as they decided he was to be the future of Sunderland and not just a quick fix, they should have given him more time.

For the record - Played 13, W 3, D 3, L 7, F 15, A 24 including a 3-0 away win over the Geordies.

Premier Predictions (Week 5)

Saturday and Sunday games this week, West London derby on Saturday, Manc derby on Sunday.
Will the Chelsea boys get off the mark? will Lukaku send a message to Jose (hope not).
Good luck all :)

Norwich v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Southampton
Newcastle v Hull
West Brom v Sunderland
West Ham v Everton
Chelsea v Fulham

Arsenal v Stoke
C Palace v Swansea
Cardiff v Tottenham
Man City v Man Utd

Premier Predictions (Week 4)

Still can't get used to England playing in German shirts, but the results were not too bad.
Anyway International break over, back to the real stuff :)
 10 games this week spread over 3 days, 8 on Saturday.
First chance to see all these new "superstars"our clubs have spent millions on, maybe we've even heard of some of them?

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

Bale Saga

The summer long Bale transfer looks like it's finally going through today.
Tottenham must be sweating as they've spent all the money already, and I really don't know how this "financial fair play" thing works?
Once again I hear West Ham can't bring anyone in because of the wage restrictions and yet Tottenham can sign a bundle of high wage players despite only averaging a thousand more fans per game than us??

I personally think AVB must be sweating as if Bale goes the team doesn't look anywhere near as good as what he had last year, Bale and Dempsey were 2 players always likely to get you a goal and Parker, Huddlestone, Caulker and Livermore are all good premiership players.
Paulinho looks a good solid midfielder and Soldado has a good goal scoring record in Spain but the others are virually unknown to me, and a lot of foreign players do struggle to settle in.