Why We must Mock all Relegation Talk about Liverpool

No doubt the last few weeks have been quite entertaining (as a neutral observer), in terms of the off-the -field controversies, the high-court dramas, the stubborn owners, the protests, and what have you. But amidst all this, supporters and fans have forgotten about the on-field “problems” as well; choosing to turn a blind-ish eye towards the team’s dismal results on the pitch.

Note how I maintain them to be dismal “results”, and not “performances”. No doubt the more enlightened will tend to raise an unwavering finger here, and point out that performances reflect results. But in my opinion: do they really?

One look at the current scenario at the Kop will tell you the ground realities.

We have been seeing from before the season itself; that before every match, the Captain or the Manager, or other Icons at the LFC mention how one win will set the pace for the rest of the season. That the same tosh has been reiterated before almost every match has not been lost on the viewers and supporters, and hence the growing concern over the club’s downhill trend.

What are we now, seven games into one of the most competitive league in the world? And with one win to show from these, languishing in the relegation zone, with the imminent threat of administration at the club, which will further dock another 9 points, no doubt my sympathies are with the fans.

But let’s get things into perspective.

Firstly, Hodgson is as good a manager as he ever was: it’s only that the manager is as good as his players and vice versa that has placed him under so much fire. And to replace him with Dalglish? I mean, yes, it is the era of Texting and Twitter, but giving a manager around a dozen games to prove himself with a new squad before booting him out, seems quite ridiculous. And to replace him with Dalglish? I concede that Dalglish was a great player in his own rights, but look at his recent past – the man hasn’t coached or managed a team for close to ten years, since his unceremonious exit from Celtic. Whereas Hodgson has shown us some miracles with Fulham as recently as last season, leading them to the finals of a European tournament.

Moreover, the EPL is quite competitive as it is, it does not come as a surprise that a team not at it’s best goes down the pecking order. But if anything could be seen from Liverpool’s display against Manchester United or in the second half against Blackpool (both of which they lost), it is that they are actually a decent team in the making. Maybe the then ongoing off-field legal battles had taken the spring out of their step. Maybe the team was  still gelling together.

And from all the newspaper-rubble that I go through, also comes the unceasing attacks on Fernando Torres. Not that I will adjudge his present form a product of bad luck and injuries. But the fact that his best season for Liverpool came around two years ago, and yet despite his unconvincing performances since then, he has still managed to capture the terror and topics of defenders and columnists alike, says one thing about the man: that he definitely is still a force to be reckoned with, with soem fuel left in the tank.

All in all, a Premier League without Liverpool is simply unthinkable. One can only hope that the dreary era is behind us, and we can finally see some positive results.

Premier League Schedule for 2010-11 Season Out

The fixtures of the new season of the Barclays Premier League were announced earlier today.

Season 2010-11 will kick off on August 14th, with all 20 teams in action. Defending champions Chelsea will face newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion at the Stamford Bridge. Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United,too, entertain promoted Newcastle United.

Blackpool, the third team to be promoted, will clash with Wigan Athletic for their first match in top-flight.

The biggest match of the opening day, arguably, will feature Liverpool at home to Arsenal. Liverpool, who parted ways with Benitez earlier in the summer, are yet too announce their new manager, and also face uncertainty about the future of the club, what with it being on sale. Arsenal, however, will be high on confidence after the new signings join them, and Arsene will look to go one better this season and land a major trophy.

Another big match though, will be Tottenham versus Manchester City, at White Hart Lane. The last time these two sides clashed, it was almost a playoff for the final Champions League berth, and Mancini’s ManCity will have a bitter taste in their mouth about those memories. Having to settle for the Europa League in spite of their signings, the blue half of Manchester seems destined to go on yet another spending spree and bring in a couple of more high profile signings after the World Cup.

Boxing Day fixtures, too are set to be a hoot with Arsenal hosting Chelsea at home, and Aston Villa host Tottenham. The December mothnw ill witness Chelsea play Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham in what promises to be a mouth-watering battle for top spot.

Add to that the Champions League and the Europa League schedules, and fans across the world will be licking their lips in anticipation.
OPENING DAY FIXTURES

Aston Villa v West Ham
Blackburn v Everton
Blackpool v Wigan
Bolton v Fulham
Chelsea v West Brom
Liverpool v Arsenal
Man Utd v Newcastle
Sunderland v Birmingham
Tottenham v Man City
Wolverhampton v Stoke

BOXING DAY FIXTURES

Arsenal v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Blackburn v Stoke
Blackpool v Liverpool
Bolton v West Brom
Everton v Birmingham
Fulham v West Ham
Man Utd v Sunderland
Newcastle v Man City
Wolverhampton v Wigan

FINAL DAY FIXTURES

Aston Villa v Liverpool
Bolton v Man City
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Arsenal
Man Utd v Blackpool
Newcastle v West Brom
Stoke v Wigan
Tottenham v Birmingham
West Ham v Sunderland
Wolverhampton v Blackburn

EPL - Week 36

What a weekend it has been in the Premier League! And by Premier League, I mean the English Premier League, not the Indian Premier League, although the cricketing bonanza has had it's fair share of headline-grabbing thrills as well for the last couple of weeks...

Chelsea took to the field on Sunday, knowing that one of their closest rival (Arsenal) was out of the race after their draw at home to Manchester City, and Manchester United was two points ahead after their win against the Spurs. (see here)

Chelsea knew that anything apart form three points would hand the initiative back to United, and that they had to fire, at home against the Potters. And boy, did they! A stunning game followed as the Blues were in rampant form, netting seven past the helpless Stoke. An efficient display of ruthless quality, Chelsea showed every bit the title contenders they looked to be, as they scored seven in a game for the third time this season. The win was Chelsea's best ever since the result against Portsmouth in May 1963, and Stoke, who had been unbeaten in their six previous away games, lost by their biggest margin since the 0-7 loss to Birmingham twelve years ago.

Let's take a short look at the other results before eyeing the mouth-watering prospects coming up next weekend.

Liverpool thrashed Burnley 4-0 at the Turf Moor, which not too long ago, had been considered a fortress by the Clarets supporters. Gerrard was in sublime touch once again as he scored a brace, as 'Pool pushed Burnley out of the Premier League.

In the 100th derby meeting between Aston Villa and Birmingham, the Villans brushed through 1-0 courtesy of a penalty in the 83rd minute. James Milner the scorer, Aston Villa are now on par with Tottenham at 64 points, though both the Spurs and ManCity have a game more in hand.

Everton hosted Fulham at Goodison Park. Everton dominated the first half hour, but were witness to a howler from their left-back Baintes, gifting Fulham a shock lead in the 35th minute. For a spell after that, it seemed Fulham were lifted, but Everton equlalised five minutes after the restart through Anichebe/Smalling (both seemed to have gotten their heads to it). But it wasn't until a late late penalty that Everton were to get get their three points over the under-strength Fulham (under-strength because of the nine changes made to the squad considering the return leg against Hamburg this week).

Now a look at the jucier fixtures next weekend.

Of course, the biggest game is the Reds hosting the Blues, which many are dubbing to be the title decider. Liverpool are riding high on confidence after their 4-0 dismantling of Burnley, this without Torres. Chelsea look solid after their rampant 7-0 win over Stoke.

Manchester United travel to the Stadium of Light to face a good Sunderland unit, but this game will kick off after Chelsea's, so the players will know what position they are in before the start. Of course, they will be counting on a Chelsea slipup.

The battle for fourth place also heats up, with ManCity facing Aston Villa. ManCity also have a game against Tottenham on May 5th.

Arsenal face Blackburn, and will want to bounce back after being held by ManCity.

The fixtures are as follows:

Saturday 1st May 2010 Birmingham City v Burnley 12:45 St. Andrews Ground Manchester City v Aston Villa 15:00 City of Mcr. Stadium Portsmouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Fratton Park Stoke City v Everton 15:00 Britannia Stadium Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers 15:00 White Hart Lane

Sunday 2nd May 2010 Liverpool v Chelsea 13:30 Anfield Fulham v West Ham United 15:00 Craven Cottage Sunderland v Manchester United 16:00 Stadium of Light

Monday 3rd May 2010 Wigan Athletic v Hull City 13:30 DW Stadium Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal 17:00 Ewood Park

The points table:

Chelsea 36 80 Man Utd 36 79 Arsenal 36 72 Tottenham 35 64 Aston Villa 36 64 Man City 35 63 Liverpool 36 62 Everton 36 57 Birmingham 36 47 Sunderland 36 44 Blackburn 36 44 Fulham 35 43 Stoke City 35 43 Bolton 36 36 Wolves 36 35 Wigan Athletic 36 35 West Ham Utd 36 34 Hull City 36 28 Burnley 36 27 Portsmouth 36 16

Arsenal now Out of Title Race

After today's fixtures, some races have seemingly been decided, whereas others have opened up further to make this this EPL ride all the more interesting!

ManCity fail to capitalize on the Spurs' loss to ManU, by reaching a stalemate against Arsenal at the Emirates. Arsenal is now mathematically out of the title race, as they can reach a maximum of 78 points if they win their last two games. ManU is on 79 with two games left, Chelsea on 77 with 3 games left. Chelsea host Stoke tomorrow in a bid to regain the slender lead at the top of the table. ManCity is on 5th still,1 point behind the Spurs, and 2 points ahead of Aston Villa. Liverpool are 7th, with a maximum point haul seeing them reach 68 points by the end of season - and whether this will be enough for them to get a Champions League spot, only time will tell. Although it looks like the odds are heavily against them, with Tottenham only needing to get 4 points from their next three games to reach 68 and push the Kop out of the race mathematically. But as the maxim goes, it ain't over till it's over.

In other games, Bolton Wanderers drew to the already-relegated Pompey, Wolves drew with Blackburn, West Ham boosted their Premier League return chances with a vital 3-2 win against the inconsistent Wigan. Hull City remain six points away from safety after their loss to Sunderland 0-1.

Oh and to those who have been living under a rock, Wayne Rooney is now officially out for the rest of the season, and so is Fernando Torres.

The table looks like this now:

		Pl	W	D	L	+/-	Pts
1	Manchester United	36	25	4	7	53	79
2	Chelsea	35	24	5	6	54	77
3	Arsenal	36	22	6	8	39	72
4	Tottenham Hotspur	35	19	7	9	26	64
5	Manchester City	35	17	12	6	27	63
6	Aston Villa	35	16	13	6	15	61
7	Liverpool	35	17	8	10	24	59
8	Everton	35	14	12	9	9	54
9	Birmingham City	35	12	11	12	-8	47
10	Sunderland	36	11	11	14	-6	44
11	Blackburn Rovers	36	11	11	14	-16	44
12	Fulham	34	11	10	13	-2	43
13	Stoke City	34	10	13	11	-4	43
14	Bolton Wanderers	36	9	9	18	-25	36
15	Wolverhampton Wanderers	36	8	11	17	-23	35
16	Wigan Athletic	36	9	8	19	-34	35
17	West Ham United	36	8	10	18	-18	34
18	Hull City	36	6	10	20	-41	28
19	Burnley	35	7	6	22	-37	27
20	Portsmouth	36	6	7	23	-33	16