Rat's off a sinking ship. "aka" The Arsenal

Now with Cesc out, and Nasri seemingly on his way, Wenger turns to Lille once again targeting Eden Hazard to replace the fleeing talent. The talented Belgium would be a valued asset at many clubs, showing fantastic skill in the french league last years, guiding Lille to a League 1 title. Although the rumors are flying like the shit towards the fan, after already signing Gervinho from Lille, the loss of Hazard, would be hugely detrimental to the french side, rendering the deal a no-go. Before Wenger gets a Hazard- primarily a winger- forward, when they have the likes of Arshavin and Walcott, a silky footed playmaker is who they should be after. It's worrisome times for the Arsenal, with the likes of City and Liverpool strengthening. Their is the question... with Fabregas out, will Nasri step up and take his place, or will he jump ship as well? It's either going to be rat's off a sinking ship, or a separation for the wheat from the chaff. Heavily linked with a transfer to City looming, the Gooners should be crossing their finger's that the Frenchy stays. 

When Joey Barton exposed the corruption at club Newcastle, he seemed certain to leave but after that skirmish between the maligned midfielder and Gervinho, I believe Joe has ruined his chances.  If I where Arsenal I would make an offer prying Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool. Seems to be excess, and seemingly wants to go. He has yet to prove his worth in England but he is a tidy playmaker that Arsenal would do well to sign. If they could afford his wages- which should not be a problem- a swoop would be a economical one, clearing the Italian off Liverpool's books.

Cesc finally signs for Barca!!! Thank Jesus! This and more...

Cesc has finally signed for his boy hood club of Barcelona, leaving the Arsenal for a fee of 35 million pounds. This makes me a jolly young lad, not for Cesc, but for my own personal reasons of never having the hear about this transfer deal ever again. This does bring the end of the longest transfer saga of all time, and  no matter what happens in this day, I will render it as a great one! It was Inevitable that cesc was going to get what he wanted, like a kid pouting in a toy shop. What bewilders me is why  he wants to go to a club where he won't necessarily get first team football. Xavi has a few goods years under his belt, at age 31, Andre Inesta, somewhat injury prone, but a fantastic player, who plain and simply starts when fit. It's the same situation of the Spanish National Team. Xavi, Inesta and Xabi Alonso start, not  Cesc. In terms of nostalgia, it's an inspiring transfer for the young Spaniard, but when looked at it seems a bit forced. With the emergence of future super-star, Thiago Alcantara, what's the point of Cesc?? Thiago is probably the person most disappointed with this transfer, also  Arsene Wegner and the Arsenal fans, but besides those few football fans can now rejoice over the end of the annoyingly arduous transfer saga, known as Cesc-gate.

After cast out at Liverpool, excess at Tottenham Robbie Keane has finally found some place to rest his head, and that is in the city known as La-la Land. The 31 year old Irish Captain signs for the Galaxy for a fee of $3.5 Million, a bargain considering this time-less relic still has some fantastic goals in him. The west coast giants are strengthening to prove their dominance over their east coast rivals, NY RedBulls who have been the DP procurers over the last few years.

Patience is the game, Dalgleish's the name.

mmmm…. the smell of promise, cut short like buns toasting in the oven pulled prematurely from their toasty creation, somewhat resembled  Liverpool's opener against Sunderland. All the gyp seemed justified until  Liverpool's first half dominance was quickly forgotten after being done by a top drawer volley off the boot of Sunderland's Seb Larsson. If you are to lose, that is the way to do it. I say lose even thought the final score read 1-1, but for the Anfield club it was a loss. All the excitement of the coming season and big money signings created a stir of hope and promise, that due to the result has been put on hold.  seen in the fantastic reception received by the fans  for the opening of the 2011-12 EPL season. 

In the first half Liverpool  looked to have jet- heeled enthusiasm, spraying passes around and  retaining possession well.  Luis Suarez looked to have not skipped a beat on the back of his fantastic half season for Liverpool, and a Copa America, earning a penalty which he thrashed over the bar. However this was quickly forgotten when he nodded in a cross at the front post  from fellow new-boy Charlie Adam, to make it 1-0. Newboy's Charlie Adam, and Jordan Henderson - playing against old side- looked good in the first period, and in collaboration with Lucas bossed the likes of Lee Cattermole and young Jack Colback. Taking into account the abundance of midfielders at Dalgleish's disposal, bringing on the likes of Raul Miereles in the 2nd-half should provide sustained midfield domination for the whole 90, but Sunderland clawed their way back in to contention.

As the whistle sounded for the break, Liverpool had felt that they should have been at least 2 to the good,  after a mazy run from Downing, saw him cut onto his left but his shot riffeld of the crossbar. On the whole Downing was docile in the game, but the added width was an improvement, and the balls into the box from Downing and Adam look to pay dividends in the future. 

The impotence in Liverpool's play subsided, and the crowds fanfare dwindled as their grip on the game loosened. Sunderland still struggled to trouble Reina in goal, until a ferocious volley changed this and Seb Larsson finished in fantastic style, hitting it first-time at the back post. Reina had no chance, as the Swede who signed on a free from Birmingham scored on his debut. This was the last significant chance for either side as the game petered out towards its climax. 

Liverpool should feel as though the game was theirs to take, with a  massive home support behind them, and the excitement of what could be in the upcoming season. We all recognize that the Dalgleish dynasty will take time to build, but  an opening fixture win was necessary. You cannot pull much form the first match but the doubters will voice their opinion using this as proof that a top-4 finish will not be in the cards for the Merseyside club

Promising features:

Newest signing of the bunch Jose Enrique  was cast into the fire, after only completing one full training session with the club, making his debut against Sunderland. The Spaniard had a  decent game, getting caught out a couple of times, but overall slotted in quite well with Liverpool's back- line.  Had limited forward forays but linked up well with midfield anchors and Downing on the wing. 

Suarez looked up to his old shenanigans, thought his energy levels drained towards the end of the match, fitting of the amount of football he has played this summer.

Andy Carroll, though predominately anonymous,  linked decently, with on-running players. Ferdinand, had him in his pocket for most of the game, but his ability to find space to get  his ponytailed head on the ball was un-canny. 

Troublesome features:

With the return of Steven Gerrard looming like a ominous shadow, Dalgleish has to find where to play the no. 8.  Will he play him behind Carroll,   pushing  Suarez out onto the wing? Will he start him in the place of Henderson? Will he have deeper role next to Lucas. The uncertainty is worrisome, but a player of Gerrards stature must play, even thought during his Injury last season Liverpool played some of their best football. 

Conceding goals was a feature in their pre-season fixtures, and although it took a piece of brilliant skill to undo them Saturday, the threat is still there. Young Flannigan had a difficult game in the right-back spot beaten to easily by  Ji-Dong Won and Larsson.

Patience is Key for Dalgleish and Co. and like said in his post match interview, more is expected of his players. His new signings will take time to settle into the idiosyncrasies of Anfield, and when the team faces Arsenal next weekend it should be on. 

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Spot Kick's 2011-12 EPL Predictions Are Here!!!

Let me apologize to my few followers for not keeping up with my EPL team previews for the 2011-12 season. I know it seems I abandoned ship, leaving you all with just the one full preview of....Fulham?  Life happens, actually it's more like fantasy as I spent the last couple days getting fitted for my role as an extra in an upcoming Jaoquin Pheonix movie. Now I will cut right to the chase and get to my predictions.


Christmas...superficial, Birthdays...overrated, but the start of the footballing season, sublime. 
And now drumrole......


 1.) Manchester United                                      Top Scorers, (all comp's):
 2.) Chelsea                                                        Luis Suarez   21
 3.) Manchester City                                          Robin van Persie  19
 4.) Liverpool                                                    "Chicharito" Hernandez  18 
 5.) Arsenal
 6.) Tottenham                                                  Surprise of the season:
 7.) Aston Villa                                                 Stefen Savic ( Man City)
 8.) Fulham
 9.) Everton                                                       Flop of the season:
10.) Bolton                                                        Edin Dzeko 
11.) West Brom                                                 Gabriel Obertan
12.) Newcastle                                                  Fernando Torres ( Goals scored...6 total)
13.) Stoke                                                          Signing's of the season:
14.) Sunderland                                                 Gervinho (Arsenal)
15.) Blackburn                                                  Ashley Youing (Man U)
16.)Wolves                                                        John Arne Riise (Fulham)
17.) QPR                                                           Demba Ba (Newcastle) 
----------------- Relegated----------
18.) Wigan
19.) Swansea City
20.) Norwich

                          After winning  the Copa America practically on his own, the Uruguayan will destroy defenses this year. 

Looks to have no confidence. Was fantastic in the Bundesliga, but will once again struggle for an impact.

Where's the allure? Reminiscent of a car without a speed-o-meter.

Total goal tally....a clinical 6. Suddenly that Lukaku signing looks something special. I am not being bitter, he's lost it. My bet is in two season's he'll be heading back to Athletico, to find himself.

Still unsure over Lescott?? the young Montenegrin might not get much time, but when he does he'll shine like a Swarovski. 

Jose Enrique arrives in Liverpool for Medical.

Looks like Dalgleish has made a significant stride in solving the left-back situation at Anfield. The Spaniard, who has played second fiddle only to Joan Capdevila for the National Team, looks to seal his move to Liverpool before they kick off the season on Saturday against Sunderland.

Tunnel Chatter: USA vs. Mexico

When the USMNT steps out onto the link this evening against Mexico, American soccer fans will be   watching the dawn of a new era in American Soccer.  The usual suspects will for the most part, be playing right where you think they would, but when it comes to the new-boys, its a horse of a different color. Some of the names include, Brek Shea of FC Dallas, Omar Gonzalez, Edgar Castillo, Michael Orozco Fiscal and Kyle Beckerman. Many had brief  appearances for the squad, but never got a good look in under Bradley's regime. From the 22 men squad their are 7 from MLS, 4 playing for  Mexican clubs, and 11 from England and Europe. For me, the most exciting player that will take the field in one form or another is Brek Shea. The dynamic winger is the future of the USMNT wide game, giving excellent showings week- in week- out in Dallas. I am interested to see what position he occupies if he gets the nod? Hopefully he will start in the left back role, which is entirely possible with the mass of injuries. Primarily a left winger he has been used as a left back on occasion, and has shown brilliantly. FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman uses him in one, one week and one, another week, but

 he's  consistent in his performances, no matter where he plays.

Here is my projected starting line up for Klinsmann's first match:

Howard

 Cherundolo      Bocanegra       Ream   Pearce

    

Bradley    Torres

Donovan       Adu           Shea

Agudelo 

Here is the Line-up I want to see: " taking into account that Timmy Chandler, and now Clarence Goodson are injured, plus Dempsey and Lichaj are tied to their clubs:"

Howard

Cherundolo   Bocanegra   Ream    Shea

Jones

 Donovan       Bradley           Adu

                                               

 Buddle     Agudelo

Be it Jurgen's first game at the helm, I would be surprised to see anything overly poetic from the German.  A lot is at stake,  if an experiment  goes pear shaped, so I figure he plays it safe. Mexico are a fantastic squad, and have a star-studded line up ready to prove once again they're the heavy weight in the CONCACAF region, so some familiarity in the  US line-up is a must. Due to personnel loss, the USMNT ,will not have all their starters available, making for a perfect opportunity to give the fringe players a run out.

If Jurgen is to impress me in this game, win or lose, I require this:

Freddy Adu starts, behind the striker or pushed out to one side. He needs to be our trequartista if have you, that no. 10, allowed to make mazey runs into the box. If Shea occupies the left back spot, he will have free reign to overlap Adu as he cuts inside.

Bradley played way to deep under his fathers control. I Want to see him pushed higher up the field  in a more attacking role, box to box, rather than a holder.

A 2nd striker needs to be played. Agudelo cannot do it on his own, he's to young, inexperienced, and not strong enough. Looking at the roster Edson Buddle ticks all boxes needed to get the best out of the young Redbull. At his age Buddle is not one for the future, but if played shows attacking intent from Jurgen, which we need more of.

Prediction: There will be goals, for both sides, rendering it an all to familiar to the finale of the Gold Cup played last month. The final ended 4-2 in Mexico's favor, as once again are defensive frailties cooked our goose. This time it ends, painfully said: 2-1 in Mexico's favor, as our  team still struggles to find an identity. 

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Liverpool are trying to pip Arsenal for Birmingham's Scott Dann

In Liverpool's quest to strengthen their defense, recent sights have been set on Birmingham's defender Scott Dann. With Birmingham out of the Premier League, tempting Dann, one of their  top performers during their stent In the Premier League,  would probably be easy.  Besides the convenience, I don't see the allure. Scott Dann is a player, akin to Michael Turner, or even Charlie Adam- all of which were on Liverpool's radar at some point- who shined in a a team, performing well above expectations. When removed from that system, the hunger felt by player's playing for a team struggling for survival, diminishes astronomically. Managers up the table see an opportunity to sign a player on the cheap, from a relegated team, alla Hull City, Blackpool and of course Birmingham. Cheap they may be, but it's a price to pay for uncertainty.  Kenny Dalgleish added Blackpool's diamond in the ruff  Charlie Adam to Liverpool's ranks this summer. A player who looked good in pre- season, but the jury is still out on how he will perform at a bigger club.  The signing of Scott Dann would paint an all too familiar picture, as Dalgleish's push for English talent continues. He may be English, he may have performed for a struggling Birmingham side, but what the Red's need is a proven center-back, who has done it at the highest level.

With news of German International Per Mertesacker pondering his future at current side Werder Bremen, the German club would be mad not to cash in on him now before the end of his contract. Be it that he is available, that's who I would like to see at Anfield, a proven central defender vs. another question mark. It's not all doom and gloom defensively for the Merseyside club, and it's certainly rosier than Arsenal's situation. Jamie Carragher still has some spring in his 33-year old step, but he will need replacing at some point. Daniel Agger- a player I love- has been troubled with injury for much of season's past, so pinning your hope on him for regular service would be un-wise. Dann is not the answer, he's a finger in the dam.