Posts Tagged ‘Man City’
Spurs’ need is greater than Man City’s
Results in the Premier League last weekend whittled down the Champions League hopefuls to just two clubs and they now face each other at the City of Manchester Stadium in what is effectively Champions League play-off.
The build up to the game has seen much talk of launch pads to success, and the impact a new side finishing in the top fourth could have on the Premier League.
This has been the case with Manchester City in particular. If they secured fourth they would be able to offer the world’s best players Champions League football as well exorbitant wages.
However, the amount of cash available at City means they will eventually make the top four regardless of what happens this season. Sheikh Mansour has already shown he is prepared to continually throw money at the problem until he achieves his objective. Indeed, if Harry Redknapp is to be believed City don’t hold back when it comes to the transfer market.
So even if City fall at the final hurdle this week, and the football betting odds suggest they will, it will not be a disaster. Roberto Mancini, or whoever is in charge, will have a limitless amount of money at his disposal in order to achieve his objective next season.
Spurs, meanwhile, have a lot more to lose in my opinion. Redknapp has built at talented squad at White Hart Lane and although it was expensively assembled, he knows that every player has their price and already the vultures are circling overhead, ready to pick off the likes of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale.
The last time Spurs finished fifth they were heavily tipped to push on the following year, but made a terrible start to the following season and were bottom of the league by the time the clocks went back. They can’t afford for that to happen again. Failing to make fourth now could see the team break up. City, on the other hand, would spend big to ensure they stay in the top four, meaning the door to the will be shut again, leaving Spurs back among the likes of Aston Villa and Everton, banging their heads on that glass ceiling.
Meanwhile, the World Cup 2010 odds still make England third favourites as the big kick-off looms.
Tags: Amount Of Money, Aston Villa, Champions League Football, City Of Manchester, City Of Manchester Stadium, Everto, Football Betting Odds, Harry Redknapp, Hopefuls, Hurdle, Launch Pads, Man City, Manchester City, Mansour, Modric, Roberto Mancini, Talented Squad, Team Break, Terrible Start, Vultures, White Hart Lane
Are Arsenal the real deal?
I’m sure most people expected Arsenal to beat Porto in the Champions League - the Portuguese side have an awful record in England after all. However, the manner of the 5-0 victory, achieved without talisman Cesc Fabregas, should force people to sit up and take notice.
Arsenal put in a sparkling performance against the 2004 European Champions, dominating pretty much from start to finish. Nicklas Bendtner will no doubt take most of the headlines with a face-saving hat-trick going some way towards making up for his horror show against Burnley at the weekend.
But credit also has to go to the two chief architects, Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin, whose probing midfield runs were instrumental in the victory and eased the pain of being without captain Fabregas.
The win caps off a satisfying few weeks for Arsene Wenger, whose side are visibly growing in confidence. Following last Saturday’s win over Burnley they will firmly believe they can take advantage of their favourable fixture list and win their first Premier league title since 2004.
After the Porto result what is stopping them going all the way in the Champions League as well?
Wenger himself has admitted he would relish the chance to avenge their heavy league defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United should they be drawn together in the next round.
Personally I feel the Champions League is a step too far. The Gunners have shown already they struggle against the top sides in the Premier league and I feel that when up against a similar side in the Europe they will fall just short. The Champions League football betting certainly suggests this will be the case.
The momentum is definitely with them in the league, however. Their win at Stoke the weekend before last was celebrated with extra vigour, not just because it was in response to Aaron Ramsey’s shocking injury but because it was seen as a rare banana skin in what is a dream of a run-in fixture list.
Local rivals Spurs and fellow fourth place chasers Man City are the only other major hiccups remaining for the Gunners and if the past few games are to go by, they shouldn’t present a problem. If this proves to be the case, then the title could be heading to Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium for the very first time.
Meanwhile, hat-trick hero Bendtner will be hoping he can hit form in time for the World Cup.
He will be representing Denmark and while the side are unlikely to be many people’s World Cup 2010 tips they could still cause an upset.
Tags: Andrey Arshavin, Banana Skin, Burnley, Cesc Fabregas, Champions League Football, Chasers, Chief Architects, European Champions, First Premier, Fixture List, Going All The Way, Gunners, Hat Trick, Horror Show, Last Saturday, Man City, Midfield, Nasri, Vigour, Wenger
January Sale Extended - Save up to 80% on Football Shirts
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Our January Sale continues with more great items added to our sale starting from only £8. We have great offers from all the leading teams including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd, Real Madrid, England, Brazil and many more. Check out the full range of special offers on our website, or take a look at a selection of our hottest new sale products - with discounts of up to 80% - below. 2010 January Sale Highlights 08-09 Arsenal Training shirt (yellow) was £26.99 now £8 09-10 Aston Villa Training shirt - was £26.99 now £14 09-10 Brazil 3/4 Pants - was £34.99 now £20 08-09 Celtic Lineup Jacket (white) - was £49.99 now £22 08-09 France Track Top - was £44.99 now £18 08-09 Juventus Tracksuit (yellow) - was £69.99 now £30 08-09 Man City home (Robinho 10) - was £49.99 now £30 08-09 Wales home socks - was £11.99 now £5 |
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Tags: Ajax, Arsenal, Aston, Athletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Brazil, Eroi, Euro Home, Football Shirts, Home Kids, Liverpool, Madrid Home, Man City, Man Utd, Mgb, Polo Shirt, Real Madrid, Socks, Special Offers, Udinese
Settled Fellaini leads Everton revival
“Fellaini is probably the best midfielder in the country right now.”
When David Moyes uttered those words on Boxing Day I’m sure I wasn’t alone in thinking the Everton boss had supped a few too many whiskeys the day before.
But as Everton slowly climb the table Fellaini’s performances have been the driving force behind their revival. This culminated in his glorious man of the match performance against Man City at the weekend, denting the Blues hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four .
It brought back memories of the Belgian’s performance for his old club Standard Liege against Liverpool in last season’s Champions League qualifier.
Liege were unlucky to lose that night, succumbing to a last minute Dirk Kuyt strike. During the game Fellaini was everywhere, breaking up Liverpool attacks and frustrating the forwards.
It is no wonder that Moyes was spent up to £15 million on the then 21-year-old to fill the void in front of the back four vacated by the popular Lee Carsley.
But ask any 21-year-old who moves to a new country, it’s a tough gig at first and Fellaini looked lost at times in the Premier League. His tall frame made him look awkward and clumsy and a flurry of early yellow cards earned him a somewhat unfair reputation with referees. Souvenir sellers loved him though, thanks to his huge afro hair style sales of giant Fellaini wigs went through the roof.
His most effective position last year was actually up front, where his tall stature proved an effective foil for Tim Cahill. He finished the season with nine goals and this should be considered a successful first year. However,it is in a defensive role where he feels at home and he has shown why in recent weeks. Since moving deeper towards the end of last year Fellaini has helped shore up the Toffees’ backline and has also provided a platform for the likes of Steven Pienaar to drive forward. Everton are currently unbeaten in seven after last Saturdays’ convincing win over mega-rich Man City.
The crowning glory of that day was Fellaini’s neat pirouette to escape Craig Bellamy in the centre circle. It earned him a standing ovation from the crowd and even a thumbs up from Bellamy himself.
Fellaini’s rise just goes to show the value of being patient with young players. It may have taken him over a year, but the big move and a hefty price tag were tough to overcome. Thanks to Moyes’ astute management (his praise of him over Christmas is bound to have boosted his confidence, spurring him onto new heights) and the support of his team-mates Fellaini finally looks like a £15 million pound midfielder.
While the Premier League football betting suggests
that Everton won’t make a Europa Cup spot this season, Fellaini should be dominating midfields at Goodison for years to come.
Tags: Afro Hair Style, Backline, Best Midfielder, Boxing Day, Champions League Qualifier, David Moyes, Dirk Kuyt, Driving Force, Lee Carsley, Man City, Premier League, Rich Man, Standard Liege, Steven Pienaar, Tall Frame, Tall Stature, Tim Cahill, Unfair Reputation, Wigs, Yellow Cards