Rafael Benitez is at last starting to say what we Liverpool fans have all hoped for. He is to play Torres for the second games in a row against Reading! In a must win game for the Premier League hopefuls Liverpool's manager appeared to hint today that Fernando Torres will start against Reading despite the Marseilles game being only three days later and the six-pointer against Manchester United being the weekend after.
This season is turning out like the 2005/06 season for Liverpool to some extent. Then they started with a miserable 3 wins out of 8, found the midfield four of Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko and Kewell and promptly launched into title winning form. Rafa now appears to be finding the blend except this time they are in a much healthier position in terms of Premier League points.
Liverpool's Manager really is an enigma at times. He has the best win rate since Bob Paisley at 60% yet you always feel that but for a little less rotation his teams could get that little bit nearer the Premier League the Liverpool fans crave.
My best eleven is: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger (when fit) Arbeloa, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Kewell, Torres, Babel
For Saturday Liverpool are still without Alonso, Pennant, Aurelio and Agger. Reading meanwhile are still without Michael Duberry and Glenn Little.
I'd bank on a Liverpool win for this one. Reading have picked up clean sheet in 12 and have only got one point from the last 12. I'm not saying the will go down but they really are relegation fodder for the likes of Liverpool. My prediction - a comfortable Liverpool win providing Rafa doesn't come up with the selection from hell!!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Premier League - Wed 26th Dec - Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal
Newcastle have defied my predictions and eased the pressure on Sam Allardyce with a battling point against Arsenal. Arsenal got a great early goal but Newcastle battled back in the second half to equalise through Stephen Taylor.
The Gunners, who along with Liverpool remain unbeaten in the Premier League, just didn't capitalise on their early goal and overall Newcastle deserved a point after a match in which they showed a real determination and work ethic.
The draw and performance against the leaders will be heartening for Allardyce, after Newcastle's woeful recent run that had seen them take just one point from the previous five Premier League matches.
Arsenal meanwhile remain unbeaten in the Premier League but have missed the chance to extend their lead to 6 points and are now 4 points clear of Manchester United having played the same number of games. Chelsea and Liverpool remain in third and fourth on 31 and 30 points respectively with Liverpool having played a game less.
The Gunners, who along with Liverpool remain unbeaten in the Premier League, just didn't capitalise on their early goal and overall Newcastle deserved a point after a match in which they showed a real determination and work ethic.
The draw and performance against the leaders will be heartening for Allardyce, after Newcastle's woeful recent run that had seen them take just one point from the previous five Premier League matches.
Arsenal meanwhile remain unbeaten in the Premier League but have missed the chance to extend their lead to 6 points and are now 4 points clear of Manchester United having played the same number of games. Chelsea and Liverpool remain in third and fourth on 31 and 30 points respectively with Liverpool having played a game less.
Newcastle vs Arsenal - Premier League
Its reported Newcastle will be missing defenders Abdoulaye Faye (calf) and Stephen Carr (hamstring) for the game against Premier League leaders Arsenal. Reported target of Liverpool, Manchester United and others centre-back Steven Taylor may be ready to return, but Cacapa and Michael Owen are both still absent.
Midfielder Mathieu Flamini has joined Arsenal's crowded treatment room, which already contains Alex Hleb, Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby. Striker Robin van Persie is still working his way back to match fitness and may figure on the bench.
I really can't see past Premier League leaders Arsenal in this one. After winning a very difficult match at Villa they will be confident they can come to places like Newcastle and get a result. Big Sam looked absolutely despondent the other day after Newcastle's Blackburn defeat. He just looked like for the first time in his career he couldn't see a way out for them.
For a team managed by Big Sam Newcastle are all over the place at the back and alarmingly disorganised. The very antithesis of what Big Sam is all about. He also may well find himself the first Newcastle manager in recent years to feel the pinch in the transfer market as its unlikely the new chairman will allow Newcastle to spend like they have in the past. Newcastle should concentrate on one thing at the moment and that's a clean sheet and not getting beat. Its the only way they'll build themselves back up.
Premier League leaders Arsenal meanwhile will be full of confidence coming into this game. The win at Villa will have convinced themselves (if they needed to) that they can mix it as well as play that stylish Arsenal football. Any back of the mind nerves of coming to Newcastle will be diminished now. They really are playing some great stuff now too - the Arsenal of recent seasons tried to walk the ball into the net but this season they seem to have found the right balance. Selling Henry has really enabled this Arsenal team come of age and their Premier League rivals are up against a team that will take some catching.
My prediction - more misery for Newcastle and the Gallowgate inflicted by an Arsenal in ruthless mood!
Midfielder Mathieu Flamini has joined Arsenal's crowded treatment room, which already contains Alex Hleb, Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby. Striker Robin van Persie is still working his way back to match fitness and may figure on the bench.
I really can't see past Premier League leaders Arsenal in this one. After winning a very difficult match at Villa they will be confident they can come to places like Newcastle and get a result. Big Sam looked absolutely despondent the other day after Newcastle's Blackburn defeat. He just looked like for the first time in his career he couldn't see a way out for them.
For a team managed by Big Sam Newcastle are all over the place at the back and alarmingly disorganised. The very antithesis of what Big Sam is all about. He also may well find himself the first Newcastle manager in recent years to feel the pinch in the transfer market as its unlikely the new chairman will allow Newcastle to spend like they have in the past. Newcastle should concentrate on one thing at the moment and that's a clean sheet and not getting beat. Its the only way they'll build themselves back up.
Premier League leaders Arsenal meanwhile will be full of confidence coming into this game. The win at Villa will have convinced themselves (if they needed to) that they can mix it as well as play that stylish Arsenal football. Any back of the mind nerves of coming to Newcastle will be diminished now. They really are playing some great stuff now too - the Arsenal of recent seasons tried to walk the ball into the net but this season they seem to have found the right balance. Selling Henry has really enabled this Arsenal team come of age and their Premier League rivals are up against a team that will take some catching.
My prediction - more misery for Newcastle and the Gallowgate inflicted by an Arsenal in ruthless mood!
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