Liverpool strikers firing blanks

Take a look at this image........................(Liverpool fans may wish to look away now)
                      

Yes the truth hurts Liverpool fans.............................and hard to believe.
Not one Premier League goal from  Lambert, Borini or Balotelli so far this season.
Before Liverpool fans think I am having a go at them. I am not. I was hoping for a great Premier League season. One with more teams involved. No chance. Its Chelsea or Manchester City.
Is it fair to criticize these Liverpool strikers for their poor goalscoring return? or Liverpools poor start to the season? 
People will look at the loss of Suarez, but its not as simple as that.
Brendan Rodgers has bought badly, and not replaced Suarez with anywhere near the quality that is needed to make a serious challenge to Chelsea or  Manchester City this season.
Too many changes Brendan. You dont know your best team, and the service to the strikers is poor. Added to that is that Liverpool back 5 (4 + keeper) is just not good enough.
Liverpool will struggle to make top 4 this season unless they make major signings in January.

Get the refs?

Fans of all clubs get sick and tired of managers blaming referees for defeats. Every week there is another manager moaning on and on about referees decisions. Isn't it amazing that managers only moan when they lose?Ofcourse it cannot be the mangers fault? or their teams? or tactics? or simply beaten by a better team? No chance, it was the referee.
When will supporters stop accepting this nonsense? Ofcourse bad decisions are made. But when did you ever see a manger come out and say " we won -but the referee gave us great decisions -they should have had 2 penalties, and two of ours should have been sent off."

 The real solution to this problem can never appear. In other words, no game will ever be refereed to the satisfaction of all concerned. Added to that is referees do, and will make mistakes.
The nearest solution is one that I cannot believe has not been adopted by The Premier League. It is this...............
Get the best referees in the WORLD to the English Premier League.Why not?
The EPL game is world wide now with international players in every team in the Premier League. Referees are the 'key' aspect of any game. One decision by a ref can determine trophies, or relegation, or a manager getting the sack. So us fans must demand we have the best referees in the world.
Money? yes its at the root of all football issues these days. but how can Wayne Rooney demand 300,000 pounds a week, and yet a ref is paid much, much less than any Premier Player? 
We now have huge sky tv money, sponsorship and transfer dealings  and so the solution must be pay the worlds top referees well, and they will come. If Rooney is on 300,000 pounds a week why is it acceptable to pay a ref a fraction of that?
I would suggest a referees pay to be in the region of 400,000 pounds per year, with three year contracts that will appeal to top referees from all over the world. 
I believe there are around 20 referees on the Premier League list. So less than  10 million pounds per year for the Premier League for the worlds top referees. That is small money in the world of Premier Football. A ridiculously low price to pay for better quality refereeing. There is also the strong possibility of sponsorship for such high profile referees joining the premier League.
There are so many good reasons to attract top world referees to the EPL, and with this action the standard of refs will improve overnight. 
Head hunt them Premier League -get them here now!
Premier League - wake up and get the best - we deserve it and need it in the Barclays Premier League, and hopefully it will improve the game, and also stop Premier League managers moaning about the standard of referees.
                            

Grow up Warnock

What is it with Neil Warnock? Always moaning as if the world has it in for him ,and Crystal Palace. Is there a more ungracious manager in the Barclays Premier League? Ok he is not the only one but Warnock has been at this stuff for years. It is classic deflection from the fact that he picked the wrong team and tactics.
Its so predictable..............Palace lose, and yet he comes on to the media and off he goes..Moan, moan, moan. Any excuses will do for Warnock,and ofcourse the refs get it in the neck. Easy target mate.
Why do the media let him get away with this garbage? When will a media man actually ask the real questions? For example, in the game against Sunderland how many saves did the Sunderland keeper have to make? or "Why did you leave two of your best strikers on the bench for so long?" or "Do your teams ever offer much more than huff and puff, bit of pace -and sunday league standard goals?" or maybe suggest making a video " Neil Warnocks teams great goals?" or the basic question  'Did you notice Sunderland scored 3 goals?" or "Did you notice your captain was sent off?" or "the only goal you scored was by a Sunderland player - how did your strikers do today?" or my favourite would be "is it the refs fault that you have 1 point out of the last 4 games?" or maybe "you moan about not getting a penalty - do you think any of your teams have ever had a decision like that?"
Warnock is often considered a disliked manager in football by most fans. I think I know why.
Grow up Warnock.
           

Man United v Chelsea -season decider?

Sundays Barclays Premier League game between Manchester United and Chelsea could well turn out to be the end of the Premier League season ................well almost.
If Chelsea win at Manchester United - and they may well do - they may as well give Chelsea the Premier League winners trophy.
Chelsea get stronger and even Manchester City look like struggling to keep up. In simple terms, the Chelsea squad is getting stronger in depth, and quality, whilst other teams just look uncertain.
Manchester City seem to be the only team who can even possibly challenge Chelsea to be champions. So they need their neighbours Manchester United can do them -and the Premier season - a big favour.
Chelsea have what all champions have many strengths but one area gives them the edge .............a great defence. The other contenders Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool do not.
I am not a Chelsea fan and so hope Man United win -and keep this Premier League exciting.
                           

                     

Liverpool in big trouble

Last season Liverpool were tremendous.This season Liverpool are nowhere near tremendous. Infact they have been very, very average.
Some fans are sayings its early in the season so Liverpool fans need not worry.
Cobblers.
Liverpool are in trouble, and this season is already looking like a poor one unless questions are answered - and quickly. 
All areas of Liverpool's team look decidedly dodgy. If they do not fix these problems Liverpool will be out of the Champions League and the Premier League title race, and it may take years to get back in contention. There is a serious risk of Liverpool not finishing in the top four of the Premier League this season -and no Champions League football for them next season.
What problems? Firstly,Liverpools defence is simply not good enough. The back 4 and keeper are not average and not able to compete at the top level. Take a look at Manchester City's,and Chelsea back 5 - a big difference from Liverpools?
Liverpools midfield looks like a jumble sale of ideas. Who does what? yes there is a plan in there somewhere, but it just is not working and Rodgers now looks like he does not know his best team, or best formation.
Answers? .......Stevie G is a legend at Anfield, but is it not about time somebody told him he cannot hack it at that level anymore? What does he do now? Dont get me wrong I am a long time admirer of Stevie G but he has struggled now for a season or two - time to be on the subs bench for Stevie?
As for strikers signings of Lambert, and Balotelli also hints at another reason why Liverpool will struggle this season. Simply not good enough. What other top four Premier League squad would those two get into? The workrate and quality of Suarez has been replaced by those two -and so why are people surprised that Liverpool are poor this season.Added to that is that "striker" Fabio Borini is obviously not wanted, or good enough.
Ofcourse there are positives. Sturridge and Stirling are quality players. The bad news is that Liverpool are depending on those two to win them games now. Who else?
Liverpool are faced with a similar choice to what Manchester United had a few months ago. Sink or swim. Manchester United took a long look at their squad, and also saw what Manchester City, and Chelsea were building, and went out and bought proven internationally established players -and will do so in the January transfer window.
Liverpool must do that in January. They dont really  have a choice.
Goodbye to Borini, Balotelli, Lambert, Toure, Enrique,Coutinho, Sakho , Johnson and lucas - and thats just a start. 
Liverpool made one huge mistake when selling Suarez. It was not that they sold him. It was that they should have bought a striker BETTER than Suarez.Until they do that Liverpool will struggle.
                                

Newcastle United laughing stock?

Newcastle United are rapidly becoming the laughing stock of the Premier League. 
That is hardly shock news is it?
Newcastle United are now like having an old dog (with fleas) that really should be put out of its misery. 
Where to start first is tough. So many hilarious, tragic and ridiculous aspects to Newcastle United right now.Tragic in many ways as no supporter deserves to see their club dragged through such public humiliation - at so many levels.
I am told that Newcastle United have won 5 games since last Boxing Day (December 26th 2013). They have been stuffed by their biggest rivals Sunderland - home and away, and Pardew head-butted Meyler of Hull City. On top of that lot the owner seems to be a hate figure to most Newcastle United fans. Strange that, as these fans seem to have forgotten the money put in by Ashley.
The fans have a full on campaign to get rid of Pardew, and seem to think Ashley gives a toss about what the fans think.
Newcastle United  fans ..................you need to know this.
You are waisting your time lads. Your moaning and bile does sod all except drag Newcastle United even further down.
Nobody doubts that Ashley is taking a long hard look at Pardew. Its hardly rocket science to think that the odds on Pardew turning 10 months of terrible performances, and results around are more than slim. Its 90% sure that Pardew is out soon.
Ashley is a business man who simply cannot let this go on. He has a simple choice. Bye Bye Pardew, or give Pardew big,big money to buy a decent squad.
On the subject of Newcastle's squad. It is poor. Lacking quality,and about at level to be in the bottom third of the Premier League - and that is being kind.
How many of the Newcastle United squad would get in a top half of the Premier League team? You will do well to find even a few.
Answers? The bad news is that ,at the present time there are none. Changing the manager will do sod all. Which coach/manager will do anything with that squad? Many have suggested Moyes - If Moyes touches Newcastle, and that squad, he needs his head testing.
Before Newcastle fans get lemming like and throw themselves off the Tyne Bridge, I have a feeling Ashley will take the first offer to sell the club,and it  may well happen this season.
Pardew out, and new owners in? There will dancing and celebration in the bars and clubs of Newcastle if that happens.
In the meantime Newcastle fans , it may well be a good idea to prepare for Championship football next season - its a big possibility. 

                            Newcastle fans show their class?

Manchester United past sell by date.

Manchester United this season have provided some much needed entertainment in the Barclays Premier League. What fun it has been to watch Manchester United have to resort to playing terrible football and spending mega money just to have a faint hope that they can climb to the dizzy heights of top four of the league. How the mighty have fallen. It was not too long ago that second spot in the league would have been considered a poor season for United- now the United fans dream of second spot. Dream on - it aint gonna happen.
Millions of words have been written about Fergie leaving, Moyes disaster, poor signings last year and the demise of Manchester United. But my thoughts are that it is incredibly healthy that it has happened.
Not just to lose the arrogance of some Man United fans, who  foolishly thought Uniteds dominance would go on forever. How wrong they were.
The main reason its healthy for football is that United are no longer anywhere near what they were. The "fear factor" nonsense has finally gone. Referees, Football Associations, opposing managers and others no long fear playing Manchester United. The days of intimidation and dodgy decisions have gone - excellent news for all - except Manchester United.
So the excitement builds in Old Trafford as they sign anybody who might help rebuild a poor squad by top four of the prem standards.
Van Gaal may well take years to get Manchester United back where they want to be. He, and the United faithful must hope Liverpool continue to miss Suarez and buy average players,and that Arsenal finally stop falsely believing that Venger will deliver the title. The only real opposition to "United" is their bank manager, and Manchester City, and Chelsea.
This season will prove a season to forget for United. Teams in the prem look forward to playing a team with no defence, too many new players to integrate, and no balance in key areas of the team.
Good luck Mr. Van Gaal - you may well need it.
               

Arsenal will never change

Arsenals season so far is a bit like watching an old movie over and over again. Same old - same old stuff. Gooners start the season with unbelievable optimism.  Optimism  based on what? A couple of signings of Sanchez, and Welbeck. Wow that will frighten the top teams.................not.
Its a shame that Gooners fall for this every season. 
Arsenal will never win the Barclays Premier League with the present managerial structure in place. Dont get me wrong. Venger is a great manager. One of the best. But for several reasons Arsenals interest each year is to stay in that top four of the Premier League, and get through to the group stages of the Champions League - thats about it.
Do Gooners seriously think they can better Chelsea or Manchester City in the Premier League? or Knock out those two teams, plus Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid etc in the Champions League? There is more chance of me waking up next to Kelly Brook than Arsenal winning a trophy other than one of the domestic cup competitions.
Reasons? Simple.Too many similar players -especially in midfield, several overrated players - especially in midfield, and too many passengers - especially in midfield.
No matter how much "potential" Arsenal has it just never gets that near to where they want to be -and that is Premier League Champions and Champions League winners.
Will Arsenal change? No is the simple answer. 
I am not blaming Venger. A great coach and manager -but either its him, or the Arsenal board who either dont see what the other top teams are doing or simply refuse to go down that route.
Whether we like it or not. Chelsea and Manchester City simply buy the best. They only buy potential to loan it out, or,at best, sit on the subs bench occasionally.
Winning the premier league and/or the champions League is not simply about having a good squad, or an improving squad. Its about top quality players, brilliant players who can turn a game in a second ie Messi, Ronaldo etc, and its about competing for the signatures of world class players. Over critical? Try this. How many Arsenal players would get in the Real Madrid team? or Bayern Munich? You will do well to find 3 or 4 -its probably less than that.
Arsenal fans can always hope that their dreams will come true and the will one day be champions again. 
Dont hold your breath - its not going to happen
                         

A REVIEW OF THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SO FAR

Introduction.........looking at the Premier League season so far. After this there will be articles on key Premier League issues throughout the coming season.
So here goes.........
The English Premier League season so far has been crap.
Whats happened?............sod all.
The season so far has been so bad that fans are talking about Gary Linekers ridiculous goatee beard he has on Match of The Day more than the Premier League season so far.
So what has happened so far this season? Un-amazingly Chelski have continued to buy their way to the top, and only Manchester City are attempting to make this season even slightly interesting. May as well give Chelsea the Premier Trophy now.
Mourinho knows his ego could not handle it if Chelsea did not win the Premier League this season. So he,and Chelea will bore us to death with not much more than "park the bus" performances from Chelsea. Sad really isnt it?
Any other contenders for the Premier title? -Dont make me laugh.
Manchester City are the nearest contenders. But there is still the odd poor performance and/or result just round the corner for "Cit-eh". Pellegrini still tinkers with his team and, like Chelsea will buy,buy,buy to help their ambitions. Sorry "Cit-eh" - you wont win the title this year, and as for the champions League there is more chance of me marrying Beyonce.
Arsenal are their usual Arsene Venger self. ie run about a lot, go through the motions in the Champions league then will get knocked out, and as for the Premier League, Arsenal have more chance of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Arsenal performances huff and puff and their fans see "flashes of brilliance" from the likes of some of the most overrated players in the history of football. Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain,Welbeck etc. 
Wilshere? - he is so "only slightly above average" its unbelievable. When was the last time he played an awesome 90 minutes? Turned games?How many games per season do you see him performing to high standards? Ok the odd performace -but hardly world class. Would he get near Barcelona? or Bayern Munich? -only if he is working on a hot dog stall. The most interesting aspect of "Wilshire" is that me and my friends have a new game to play in the pub whilst watching Arsenal play. Its called "Guess how many times Wilshere will fall over in this game?" - who ever gets furthest away from the total buys the beers. Does Wilshere have studs on his boots? - it certainly dont look like it. 
My question is when will Arsenal fans realise that Venger will never again win you the Premier League?
As for Liverpool .......oh dear, dear -so near and yet so far last season. In a nutshell, Liverpool,this season  have gone downhill, panicked and bought badly. So many changes, and questions not answered. Liverpool have messed up -just because Suarez got on his bike and went to bite people in Spain - perhaps they taste better? Did Liverpool not see the simple answer to replacing Suarez? -Which is..................to buy a replacement similar, or better in quality. What did Liverpool do? - buy quantity -all very "promising" but that just dont do it in the Prem these days chaps. Take a look at Manchester City and Chelsea. They are light years ahead of Liverpool now, and would not have gone near the likes of Lallana, Lambert and Balotelli, 
Balotelli? - I could not stop laughing when Liverpool signed him. He has this reputation...........for what? A vastly overrated player who will be average at best. Liverpool needed a top quality player to replace Suarez - Falcao, Cavani, Costa were all possibles but Liverpool go on Ebay and find a special offer with Balotelli. Liverpool feel they belong at the top table of English,a and also European football, and yet their signings are average. Its simple - if Liverpool put the entire team up for sale how many would attract Chelsea? Manchester City? Real Madrid? Barcelona? Bayern Munich? - probably Sturridge and Stirling - after that most would end up at the likes of Spurs . Sorry Liverpool fans - buy a video of last season as it will be the last time you challenge for the title for many,many moons.
Manchester United do make me laugh. the dynasty left by Ferguson has been found out. In other words, there wasnt one. Moyes was left a poor squad and then spent his pocket money of Fellaini and Mata - oops Mr. Moyes that is the thing sackings are made of. In steps the dutch master Van Gaal -takes a look at he squad and "says "are you serious about winning the Premier league with that lot?" and then goes shopping for players who dont give a toss about Champions League football they just happy to play footy for big dosh at the "theatre of wet dreams". and as for Rooney.............how many pointless cross field 40 yard passes does he have to make to justify his ridiculously high wages? and then the bit which makes my sides ache with laughter......Van Gaal makes Rooney captain. Oh please stop! - I cant take this hilarity any more..........Rooney could not captain a primary school netball team. What an excellent example he sets. Especially on Saturday against West Ham - getting sent off like he did. Pathetic, and he had the balls to clap the fans as he walks off. Captain Rooney now misses 3 games including the game against Chelsea. Well played Wayney Boy, and an excellent appointment Van Gaal.
The rest of the Premier League has been worthless. About as interesting as watching my grandma take her teeth out. Maybe somebody should make a video of the highlights of games with West Brom, Stoke City, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Burnley, Newcastle United, QPR, Leicester City,Aston Villa and Hull. What a great video that would be........the sort of video you buy as a Christmas present for someone you dont like. By the way that lot is half the teams in the Premier League - just shows you how bad this season is.