Half Season Analysis- Part 3

I started the last post with what in my opinion was the best goal of the season. This time I will start off with a video of a player who will easily be anyone's choice for player of the season at this point and also the clear favourite at this moment to take home the PFA Player of the Year award. None other than Liverpool's own Luis Suarez. He has had a brilliant start to the season and has been a key player for the side's run to the top and challenging for the title. Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool owner John W. Henry's best business in the transfer window was to keep hold of the Uruguayan forward.

Liverpool 

Unexpected, but good start for Liverpool, fans will hope Rodgers can keep it going

No one, not even Liverpool fans at the start of the season predicted that Liverpool would be title contenders this season. The form the club has shown this season, has shocked lot of the fans of the club and also the general public. Jamie Carragher himself has stated that if he knew that the club would perform at the level that they are right now, he would not have retired! 

The club may be fifth right now after the loss to Chelsea, but they are now most certainly considered part of the title race for the foreseeable future. Most Liverpool fans would be happy with their current position in the league and still accept a top four spot at the end of the season. 

Luis Suarez has been in terrific form and as I stated above the frontrunner for the Player of the Year this season. To think he actually missed the first five games of the season, he has been absolutely tremendous so far. Him and Sturridge have formed a lethal partnership upfront and are a real threat for any defence in the league.

Will he still be here in 2015? Time will tell

Brendan Rodgers has done a wonderful job at the club, and while not all of his signings have done well, he has this finally got the team playing the way he wants it and you can see what time given to the manager has done for the club, something that some clubs could take note from. Rodgers' and owner John W. Henry should give themselves a pat on the back for staying strong and not selling Luis Suarez at any price to Arsenal. Convincing him to sign a new contract at the club was another smart move by the powers above at Liverpool. Raheem Sterling has also improved this season after going off the boil last season and credit once again should be given to Brendan Rodgers' man management. 

The fans will hope that the season ends with the club placed in a Champions League spot. How they have missed those famous Champions League nights...

Performance Score: 7.5/10
Best Player: Luis Suarez
Under Performer: Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel
January Transfer Window: The current injuries at the club has really stretched the resources. A new winger and some reinforcements at the back would do well. Not sure if replacements at RB and RCB could be found in this transfer window. 

Manchester City

Can he guide City back to the Title? They sure are one of the favourites

At the start of the season, Manchester City were along with Chelsea were put in the favourites bracket by pundits to clinch the Premier League title back from neighbours Manchester United. The start to the season was mixed. While they were dominating teams at home, away from home they were being beaten by all comers. The city away from home looked a completely different prospect to the one that welcomed teams to the Etihad. In their first six away games, City lost four, drew one and managed three points against West Ham. They have recently managed to conquer those away demons though, with seven points from the nine available, dropping points against Southampton. 

They have been completely dominant at home and that is what has kept them in the title race. No team has left the Etihad this season, in the league with even a point. Until Crystal Palace visited Etihad, all the visitors conceded atleast two goals. Teams haven't only been beaten but humiliated. United lost 4-1, Norwich 7-0, Tottenham 6-0, Arsenal 6-3 are the results that stand out. 

This midfield has dominated over many teams in the Premier League this season. 

Aguero and Negredo have formed a formidable partnership and Samir Nasri has improved under the watchful gaze of Manuel Pellegrini. The defence has caused Pellegrini some problems but with Kompany back and Joe Hart restored as the No.1, you feel even that will improve. Yaya Toure has once again been the driving force in midfield, but Fernandinho's performances haven't gone unnoticed with many terming him as the buy of the season. Him and Yaya have dominated opposition midfield's with Pace and Power that has been too much to handle for most opposition teams. David Silva has been hampered by injuries but has been a really creative spark whenever he has played this season. 

Manchester City are surely to contest for the title at the end of the season and their brilliant home form could be key to retaining the title in a year where consistency has been a major issue for most Premier League clubs.

Performance Score: 7/10

Best Player: Sergio Aguero

Under Performer: Joe Hart
January Transfer Window: Do they really need signings? Maybe a centre back, but that would probably be better bought in the summer transfer window. 

Manchester United

Replacing Ferguson hasn't been easy but who expected it to be anyway?

For the first time in 26 years, United fans saw a new manager at the helm of the of team affairs. David Moyes was chosen by  Sir Alex Ferguson himself to try and fill the large shoes left by him. One Scotsman replacing another. 

It hasn't been as expected a smooth transition for United fans. A tough start in terms of fixtures did not help David Moyes at all and neither did a squad which has been in general under performing. A poor transfer market and it wasn't the start that the new manager would have asked for.

David Moyes' best move in the transfer market

The new manager started off with a promising 4-1 win but a loss to Liverpool and a heavy defeat at the Etihad really ramped up the pressure on him. His failure to address long issues in Central Midfield also made matters worse and a very poor Home record has handed Moyes a hard task in the second half of the season.  Most of the new generation United fans have been spoilt by trophies and dominating teams which has meant that the current predicament of the club has been some what new to them. Something similar to what Liverpool fans felt back in the 2009-2010 season. 

Recent weeks have brought some positivity back in the club, and while Moyes has made many mistakes, he has also improved on those same mistakes and is learning quickly, what it is to be manager of one of the biggest clubs in the world. His decision to not sell Wayne Rooney and keep him has proven to be a master stroke, and Rooney has carried the team this season with some influential performances. 

United fans will hope, Moyes can guide the club to a top four finish and maybe even a cup victory. Though secretly all United fans will be wondering, could we get back in the race for the title?

Performance Score: 5.5/10

Best Player: Wayne Rooney

Under Performer:  Patrice Evra

Transfer Window: Recent performances suggest a LB is as important as a new CM. But the question is, will their be players available of the quality that Moyes requires?

Newcastle United

Can Newcastle go on as they have till now?

The season did not start well for Pardew and his men. Travelling to the Etihad, they were hammered four to nothing by the home side. Fast forward to the half way point and Newcastle fans would be happy with how the club has done up till this point. Currently eighth, the toon army have had  their moments this season.

A win over Chelsea at St. James, thrashing Stoke City and the big win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The win over the reigning league Champions at their home, was the first for the Geordies, since 1972.

Newcastle have befriended consistency since the loss to rivals Sunderland away from home, losing only two games and drawing one. This has helped them climb up the table and at one point found themselves above Manchester United and Spurs.

Pardew will expect his men to continue performing well and keep this decent run of consistency going.

Performance Score: 6.5/10
Best Player: Tim Krul
Under Performer: Papiss Cisse
January Transfer Window:  Sell to buy may be the policy that is continued. Newcastle are not a squad with depth and it will be interesting to see how Pardew addresses that. A key player may have to leave though.

Part 1: Here | Part 2: Here

Comments welcomed! 

Half Season Analysis- Part 2

Before I continue with the analysis, here is my favourite goal of the season till now. Came right out of the blue and was a brilliant goal. You could argue that the Arsenal goal against Norwich was better, but for individual brilliance there have been none which have bettered this.

Crystal Palace

Can Pulis guide Palace to safety?

Crystal Palace were many pundits favourite for the drop this season and they started the season like they did not want to disappoint those pundits. At one point the club had lost 7 games in a row. Ian Holloway would also leave the Crystal Palace job, sighting burnout as one of the reasons he decided to leave by mutual consent. Ian Holloway believed a new manager would probably do better than him and thought it was the right decision.

In came Tony Pulis on 23/11/2013 and results have certainly improved, so much so that Crystal Palace now find themselves outside the relegation zone( at the moment of writing). Four wins and three losses have been a decent start for Pulis' side and fans will be hoping that this continues till the end of the season. Tony will be looking to funds being made available to him, as the former Stoke City manager would look to strengthen his side especially in their defensive ranks. Tony's teams are known to be a hard side to break down and you can expect him to try and do the same with Crystal Palace.

Whether or not Tony can upset the predictions made by pundits at the start of the season, we will have to wait and see.

Performance Score: 4/10
Best Player: Mile Jedinak
Under Performer: Adrian Mariappa
Transfer Market: New players needed in defence and in midfield and scoring boots for Cameron Jerome 

Everton

Martinez has made Everton more attacking...but can he make them more successful? Time will tell... 

What a start to the season the blue side of Merseyside have had. The fans certainly did not see it coming. Having lost David Moyes to Manchester United, everyone expected them to drop out of the top ten this season, expecting the new manager to find it difficult to work on a shoestring budget. 

All those predictions have been blown apart by the explosive start to the season under new manager Roberto Martinez. They have lost only two games till now are fighting for the top four spot. There brand of football has under Martinez evolved into a more attacking style. Roberto's Wigan were known to concede goals while creating loads of chances in attack, but this Everton side are rock solid at the back as well. David Moyes does deserve credit for handing Martinez a back five that was stable and solid, and it has certainly helped Maritnez, as it would any manager coming in. 

Ross Barkley has been one of many bright sparks emanating from Everton this season. Not long before the big vultures come to swoop him.  

Lukaku's arrival on loan has certainly helped improve the goal scoring prospects of the club and Gareth Barry has also found a new lease of life at Everton. His work allows Martinez to implement the expansive style of football that the manager prefers. Barkley has also announced himself in the Premier League.  Seamus Coleman has been one of the biggest benefactors of the Martinez era, with more license being allowed to roam forward he has been consistent for the club and has been the best right back in the league this season. 

The question now is, that can Everton continue on this run till the end of the season and possibly nick a fourth spot? Remember Newcastle two years back? 

Performance Score: 7/10
Best Player:  Seamus Coleman

Under Performer: Nikica Jelavic

January Transfer Window: A possible back-up for Lukaku? Also possibly try and make the temporary loan deal of Barry a permanent one. 

Fulham

Rene has a relegation dogfight on his hands!

Fulham are part of a set of clubs this season, who've already changed managers this season after having shown Martin Jol the door. Time and patience is a commodity that has been too expensive for some managers to buy and Martin Jol found that out at Fulham.

The signs for the club do not look bright at the moment. The club are stuck in a relegation battle having registered only five wins so far this season.  Rene Meulensteen has been tasked with the job of getting Fulham out of trouble having replaced Jol as manager at the start of the month. 

Also star striker Dimitar Berbatov has made his displeasure known and could be seen at a new club in the New Year after agitating for a move away from the club. Rene will need to convince Berbatov that things will improve at the club and also look to make signings of his own to improve the faltering fortunes of the London club. Jol left an ageing squad at the hands of Rene and he would do well to infuse some freshness to the squad. 

Performance Score: 3/10
Best Player: Scott Parker
Under Performer: Bryan Ruiz

January Transfer Window:  Infusion of fresh legs. More creativity and solidity in defence. Rene has a big task on his hands, in what could turn out to be a crucial transfer window for the club.

Hull City

Steve Bruce has done a good job till now, can he keep it going?

The return to the Premier League has been good to the Hull City fans so far. Having notched up twenty points from the first eighteen games this season and  placed twelfth in the league, Steven Bruce can say he's done a decent job so far. 

The club did well in the transfer window, and Bruce who can be termed as a fairly experienced manager will be confident of securing another season of Premier League action for the fans. Whether they will be known as Hull City AFC or Hull City Tigers, is another debate altogether though. 

It is certainly Hull's home record which has ensured that the club managed to get off to a decent start with the recent loss against Manchester United being only their second loss at home. Infact before the Red Devils strode into town, Hull had only conceded three goals in eight home games this season.

Bargain Signing: Davies has been a key player in the Centre of Defence for Hull City

The defence has been a key part of Hull City's good start and Curtis Davies could be termed as  bargain of the season having enhanced his reputation in his first Premier League season. Tom Huddlestone has managed to grab all the headlines at the club with his performances but it could be argued that Davies has been better than the former Spurs midfielder.

Another player who started off brightly before succumbing to injuries has been Robbie Brady. The former Manchester United winger has scored three goals this season, and the top scorer at the club. Out of the five games that Hull have won this season, Brady scored in three of them outlining his key contribution to the club. The fact that he is the top scorer with only three goals underlines how badly in need of goals and hence a striker Steve Bruce will be when the transfer window opens in January. 

Performance Score: 6/10

Best Player: Curtis Davies

Under Performer: Danny Graham

Transfer Window: A proven goal-scorer is the need. Hull have the fifth worst goal scoring record in the league and if they want to stay up they will need to improve on that. 

Half Season Analysis Part 1 can be found HERE.

Please leave your comments below. Part 3 of the Analysis will be out tomorrow. Cheers!  

Half Season Analysis- Part 1

The first half the season has now come to an end and what a half it has been. The first half has been filled with humiliating defeats, shocking victories and many more surprises. Arsenal's shock big money signing, Liverpool's surge to the top and currently once again competing for the top honours, Chelsea's stuttering start, Manchester City simply annihilating anyone and everyone at home and Manchester United's uncertain start getting used to huge changes at the club. It is not only the traditionally top teams but also Everton who have shown they can mix it with the top clubs having beaten Chelsea and Manchester United and drawn games against Liverpool and Arsenal. Southampton have been another refreshing side in the top half of the league with an exciting brand of football showcased under Mauricio Pochettino.

Lack of patience from the club's board memebers has also reared its head on quite a few occasions this season, with André Villas-Boas (Tottenham), Martin Jol(Fulham), Steve Clarke(West Bromwich Albion) and Paolo Di Canio( Sunderland) out of jobs due to not being able to match the expectations of their owners.The lack of time given to managers in the league is something that has already been discussed on this blog before after the unfortunate sacking of AVB by the Spurs board. Ian Holloway the only manager who left on his own terms this season, after accepting that Crystal Palace needed someone new to help and bring the best out of this team, and  Tony Pulis has had a promising start with the club, one which has been earmarked for the drop this season. 

Now, time for the individual analysis. This will be a 4 part series where I dissect the performance of each team in the first half of the season. Marks will be given from ten and also as to the best performers and those who could do better.

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger: Can he finally end the trophy drought this season?

The date is 17 August, 2013. Referee Anthony Taylor has just blown the whistle for full time. A chorus of boos rings around the Emirates. Scoreline reads: Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa. Arsenal fans leave the stadium wondering why the club hasn't signed players and preparing themselves for another season of a fight for the top four and wondering when will the board feel Wenger can do no better.

Fast forward to now and Arsenal fans are talking about a possible title challenge. They are top after the Boxing Day games.  They are happy with most things related to the club. In terms of transfer, who would not be happy after the club splashed a whopping 42.5 million pounds on a world class player in the form of Mesut Ozil. There are still complaints regarding not having bought a striker but the current form of the team has kept those noises to a whisper, for now.

Aaron Ramsey took the league by storm in his first few months, when he just could not stop scoring and has been the key to the clubs surge to the top. The Arsenal back five of Wojciech Sczcesny, Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Kieran Gibbs has brought alot of solidity to the team and Wenger has been able to build on that. Where once the club's defence seemed to get their own fans nervous, it now exudes confidence.

Aaron Ramsey:  One of the driving forces behind the club's resurgence

One area where Arsenal seems enriched with quality is their midfield. Wenger has almost two options for each position in midfield and that has certainly helped him this season to rotate his players around, ensuring they remain fresh. Wenger might also look to bring in a striker to help ease the burden off Olivier Giroud, who has done admirably well for his part in the side. He will eventually need support and Wenger might buy it in January. Buying good quality players is never easy in January, hence the Frenchman will be cautious in his approach.

The club are playing some of their best football in quite some time and look to be serious title contenders. Since the signing of Ozil, I have pegged Arsenal to be outside favourites for the title. Their performances when the pressure is on them, is yet to be answered. Arsenal seem to deliver when expectations are lowered, but what happens when the expectations are high? The answer to that question may well hold the key to winning that Premier League title and ending the trophy draught for Wenger and his charges.

Half Season Performance Score: 8/10 
Best Player: Aaron Ramsey
Under performer: Santi Cazorla 
January Transfer Window: Need a striker to support Giroud. But who can Wenger buy that will do better than what he already has in Bendtner?

Aston Villa

Lambert needs to get more out of this side, a decent start but will need better results

Paul Lambert's side may have started the season off with a big win over Arsenal and also managed to beat Manchester City along the way, but it has been a disappointing season till now for Villa fans. In their last five games, the Villa faithful have seen their club succumb to defeat three times. In nine home games this season, Lambert's side has managed to collect only seven points out of twenty seven. 

They have been slightly better travellers though, having collected twelve points out of a possible twenty seven. Inconsistency has plagued a lot of teams this season and Villa have been one of them as well. One of the key reasons for the club's poor start could be directed towards their inability to keep the ball. According to Who scored, the club lies second in terms of Lowest pass rating(73.9%) and Lowest possession(42.4%) both of which are topped by Crystal Palace, a team which has found itself at the bottom of the table for most of the season. 

Benteke: Where have all the goals gone?

The club's top scorer last season has found goals hard to come by this season. Christian Benteke loss of goalscoring form has hampered the Villa side alot and the fans will hope he turns it around in the new year and that the Belgian is able to overcome the second season syndrome.

Not all has been bad for the club though. The manager has been able to bring a little bit of stability at the club. The club flirted with relegation last season and it will be a slow walk back up. Fabian Delph has been a sort of success story for the manager. Lambert would be looking for a finish closer to the top 10 this time rather than near the relegation zone and look to build this team further. 

Half Season Performance Score: 5/10
Best Player: Fabian Delph
Underperformer: Christian Benteke
January Transfer Window: Few creative additions in midfield and if possible some scoring boots for star man Benteke. 

Cardiff City

It hasn't been easy for Mackay, but he has been professional throughout

The first season in the Premier League for a promoted team is always a tricky one. For last season's Championship winner, Cardiff it has been a very topsy turvy season up till now. Things though stand to possibly turn for the worse, at the point of writing, with manager Malky Mackay's job on the line.

Mackay has done a good job with the squad he has and has the supporters backing for the job he has done. The club owner, Vincent Tan faced backlash for his e-mail to Mackay stating he either stand down or be sacked. Mackay managed to maintain his dignity stating he would not re-sign and since then thanks to support from the football fraternity as a whole along with the Cardiff supporters, Vincent Tan lifted the threat to fire the manager.

Considering all that Mackay seems to be facing internally, he must be applauded for having kept Cardiff out off the relegation zone till now and also garnering victories over Swansea, Manchester City and also managing a point against Manchester United and Everton. The Cardiff performance against United, was a typical performance of the club.

The club though will need to start scoring more goals in order to win games and ensure Premier League survival . With the uncertain nature of the league this season from top to bottom, any team that manages to maintain some sort of consistency in collecting points will be able to rise up the standings.

Mackay has done a wonderful job up to now. His professional approach has ensured he has been praised not only by his own supporters but also by the media and football in general. Now all he will hope for is the backing from the board and his owner in the January transfer window and guiding the club further away from relegation.

Half Season Performance Score: 6/10
Best Player: Steven Caulker
Underperformer: Peter Odemwingie
January Transfer Window: Strengthening in all 3 departments will be needed as Mackay has mentioned, but the question remains will the funds be available and will Mackay still be manager?

Chelsea

The return of the Special One, hasn't been so special yet

The season started off with Chelsea fans excited about alot of things. The return of the Special One, return of their loan players and uncertainty plaguing teams at the top around them. Chelsea were many pundits favourites along with Manchester City for the title this season.

It hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for Jose Mourinho in his second coming as manager of Chelsea, but they remain in touch with the top without actually playing really well. The first thing that can be gathered from the first half of the season is, that this is not your typical Mourinho side yet. He is still moulding this team into his own team and that might well just take time. A simple look at the defensive records tell you how far this Chelsea side has to go compared to the Mourinho's Chelsea of 2004-5. The 04-05 side conceded the same amount of goals in a whole season that this current Chelsea side already has in less than half a season, and we all know Mourinho's hate of conceding goals.

The fact is and it was something that was pointed out during the transfer window as well by Chelsea fans, that the club may have stocked well on attacking midfielders and wingers, but failed to address issues upfront, in midfield and at the back.

Mourinho's lack of trust in Mata, has confused most Chelsea fans and everyone else as well. How a player who has been key to the club's success for the past two years could be thrust aside like Mata has been is difficult to understand.

Mata on the bench: A regular occurrence this season to the displeasure of many

Also his decision to loan out Lukaku instead of offering him regular game time is another decision that hasn't been a popular one. Especially considering his success at Everton compared to the strikers available to Chelsea currently.

The danger for rivals though should be the fact that without actually playing well, Mourinho's side has managed to stay near the top. What happens if they actually get into top gear? Arsenal, Liverpool are already playing at their best level. In recent weeks, Manchester City have also taken their game up one level. Now it will be interesting to see if Mourinho can get his side to raise their game up a level to make this seasons Premier League even more interesting and breathtaking.

Half Season Performance Score: 6.5/10
Best Player: John Terry
Underperformer: Ashley Cole
January Transfer Window:  A midfielder perhaps to add more energy in the middle of the park? 

What are your thoughts about the teams mentioned above? Do leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Stats courtesy: Whoscored

Note: This was written and posted before the sacking of the Cardiff City manager. 

Half Season Analysis Part 2 can be found HERE. 

Preview: Manchester United vs West Ham

Manchester United vs West Ham
Date: Saturday, 20-12-2013
Time: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Old Trafford
Referee: Mike Jones

Manchester United come into the game on the back of a 2-0 victory over Stoke City, away from home in the Capital One Cup. David Moyes will certainly be looking to now take this positive momentum into the very important Christmas period and go on a long winning run. The Red Devils have slowly managed to bring about some sort of positivity back with three consecutive victories in three different competitions.

The next task would be to now slowly make their way up the table and look to be in the top 4 before February. The manager would certainly look at the the clubs form at Old Trafford and be worried that he hasn't managed to do well at home as he has done away from home. The players themselves would be now hoping they could pick up more points at home and win games. More goals and more positivity in their play are two things that the current Premier League Champions will need to look at. A more settled back 5 will also help settle things at the back.

West Ham will also travel to Old Trafford after having seen off Tottenham in the quarter finals of the Capital One Cup. Now Sam Allardyce will turn his attention back to the Premier League where the Hammers are currently just above the relegation zone. A loss or draw against United and a win for either Crystal Palace or Fulham would mean they would end the week in the relegation zone. They will not be helped by the fact that the club hasn't won an away game since their victory over Spurs in October. United's home form though will help their confidence in avoiding a defeat, while West Ham's away form will be something that Moyes will look at as an opportunity to notch another win and improve the Red Devils home form.

One sub-plot of the game will be the return of Ravel Morrison back to his old club, Manchester United. It will be interesting to see if Allardyce starts the Englishman and the kind of response Morrison gets from the home fans. While he was at United, the management tried to do all that they could to try and keep him away from his off-field troubles but failed to do so and decided it was best that he moved into a new environment.

Ravel Morrison Resurrected
Picture courtesy: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

This has certainly helped the talented attacking midfielder and he has now forced his way into the West Ham first side this season while also making his way into the England U-21 side. Could he come back and haunt his old club?

Manchester United Team News

The injuries keep piling up for David Moyes and it is not an ideal situation to be in with the Christmas Period now upon us. With games coming thick and fast having Van Persie and Carrick missing wouldn't have been something that Moyes would've wanted and now Nani has joined them as well, expected to miss around two weeks of the football action. The big blow for this weekend though comes in the form of Wayne Rooney, who is touch and go right now for the game at the weekend. Moyes will be keen to feature the English striker from the start but would be cautious in not to further cause harm to Rooney as he would want him to feature in the busy schedule ahead. The forward will have a late fitness test on Saturday before the manager makes any decision over his involvement tomorrow.


Last Six Games: Manchester United vs West Ham United

Picture Courtesy: ww.whoscored.com

Manchester United would like to keep this run of victories over West Ham going and notch another home win this season.

Predicted Starting XI

Though you can expect Wayne Rooney to start instead of either Welbeck or Chicharito in case he is passed fit for the game.

Predictions

All things put together, I expect Manchester United to walk away with a victory but it sure won't be easy.  A 2-1 victory over the Hammers. Though a clean sheet would be nice as well.

Post your predictions in the comments section below. 

Tottenham have got it wrong, just like they did in the summer... and views on the Champions League draw

Sell your best player. Spend more than 100 million, buying seven new players from different leagues. Then give your manager six months to get it working. Welcome to modern football, where time is a commodity which is priceless for managers today.

 Tottenham currently lie sixth in the table, eight points off the top and more realistically five points from the top four. They have qualified for the Round of 32 in  the Europa League and are in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup.  Almost midway into the season and the Spurs board believed that this wasn't good enough and decided to give AVB, the sack. The board, I believe has got this wrong.

Buying seven players and losing your best player from last season, is not the ideal way to begin a new season. As Sunderland have shown in the past two seasons, buying a whole new squad(well almost) doesn't necessarily help the club move forward and infact could pull the club down. Integrating so many new players into the style you want them to play, while they are already trying to settle down in a new league, possibly in a new country and for some like Erik Lamela, trying to learn a new language as well, it is hard to get a team playing as a cohesive unit instantly. As the saying goes, too much of anything isn't good and so has been the case here.

The correct way to have gone about things, would probably have been to give AVB atleast till the end of this season. Then analyse and see where to go from there. Sacking him in the middle of the season is a big mistake and continues to underline the impatience of not only fans but the top management in today's time.
The below picture gives an even more clearer picture of the situation in the Premier League.

 Picture Credit: sportingintelligence.com

It does seem that the two big defeats against Manchester City(away) and Liverpool more recently(home) was what really got AVB the sack. A little more patience would certainly help though. But buying seven players and hoping they would start with a bang was a mistake and similarly sacking AVB was another. The only way Daniel Levy and co, could come out of this mess would now be to do what Southampton did last winter, and find their own Mauricio Pochettino from somewhere. AVB though could leave with a solace of knowing that he goes with the highest win % of any Spurs Premier League manager.

Picture Courtesy: 101greatgoals.com

Champions League Draw Reaction

The draw for the Round of 16 was held today and the result was some really exciting games to look forward to when the Champions League will make its return in February.

The two games to look forward to are obvious. While the focus has been on how the two English clubs have been dealt a tough draw, one should note that Barcelona and Munich would themselves would've certainly preferred a simple tie. Those two would also not be jumping with joy having draw the English teams.

Manchester City vs Barcelona, is this season's version of Manchester United vs Real Madrid.  

Both of the teams have an enviable line-up of attackers while at the same time frailties in defence that need looking at. Barcelona it could be said are weaker at the back compared to City, who've got Kompany and Nastasic to call on when everybody is fit. Though a certain  little Argentinian in the Barcelona side is enough to cover any frailties that Barcelona may have. Infact it will be the clash of Aguero and Messi that will be most intriguing with both set to line-up together in the World Cup. Neymar, Negredo, Iniesta, Silva will be other key players for both the sides in attack. Also, it will be a return for Yaya Toure to his old club, and he will be looking for a win. 

The other exciting game in this round will involve another English club, when Arsenal once again face Bayern Munich. Both teams have seen changes at their clubs since the last time they met. Arsenal currently hold a slender lead at the top of the table, whereas Bayern have undergone certain tactical changes in their playing style under Pep Guardiola. Pep had a good time facing Arsene Wenger when he was the manager at Arsenal, and will be hoping that run can continue. The Arsenal manager though, would love to beat Bayern over the two legs(instead of just one) and continue proving that this Arsenal squad does have what it takes to win titles. 

Didier Drogba will be returning to his past kingdom, when he makes his grand return to Stamford Bridge with Galatassaray to face his old master, Jose Mourinho and the new Chelsea. It will be an interesting tie as it also sees Mourinho face Mancini, the man he replaced at Inter and also Sneijder who was key to Mourinho's treble winning season with the Inter Milan side. 

AC Milan vs Athletico Madrid will be an interesting tie to look forward to while PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund will all be expected to reach the quarters.

Lot can obviously change over the two months with injuries, form, etc but here are my predictions for who will be still standing when the draw for the Quarters is held:

1. Barcelona
2. Manchester United
3. Athletico Madrid

4. Paris Saint-Germain
5. Chelsea
6. Real Madrid
7. Borussia Dortmund
8. Bayern Munich.

So what are your early predictions for the Champions League? Make sure to tell me what your predictions are in the comments section below. 

Also one more thing, yesterday was a special night for one footballer who has been fighting a very rare disease for what has been almost two years. The moment when Darren Fletcher was subbed in by David Moyes, it was a moment to savour for every United fan and he was rightly applauded on. Here's hoping Fletcher can slowly recover some of his old form and return to the same old Fletcher that the United faithful were used to seeing before he was struck down with the disease. Welcome back Darren Fletcher, Football Genius.

"Today was my re-debut. I replaced my first idol (Beckham) back then and I replaced my other idol (Giggs) today"- Darren Fletcher. 

David Moyes is not alone...

Note: If you're expecting an article to defend the club, Moyes and his reign etc please don't read further.

When David Moyes stepped into the (extremely large) shoes of Sir Alex Ferguson, even he wouldn't have been able to rightly guess the huge challenge that awaited him. The challenge to replace the best manager the Premier League has seen, was one that was seen as an enormous task.

What Moyes may not have foreseen was the big task he had in terms of overhauling the United squad, a squad that had only last season won the League. Many people can be seen complaining about how could a side that were crowned Champions in May, be so woeful in December.

The answer lies in the fact that the signs were there in March itself, and if you look behind, even before that. Robin Van Persie, Michael Carrick and Ferguson were able to mask over our the obvious failings in our squad last season.

It is indicative of how much United depended on both of them that, both were playing with knocks for a quite some time before, Moyes had to reluctantly rest them. The results since then, apart from the Bayer Leverkusen game have been disappointing.

There are various reasons for the current predicament of United, and Moyes is at fault for some but not all of those reasons.

• Lack of Quality Midfielders

This is a problem in other parts of the squad as well, but nowhere is it more deeply felt than in midfield, where when Carrick doesn't start, it almost seems like United are playing a false midfield. It is almost shocking how the United management have seemed to allow this to happen. There really is no excuse. Some of the sides in  the bottom half of the league could challenge us for quality in midfield. Southampton are into their second season in the Premier League and their first choice midfield trumps our own. We have only one quality midfielder and he is on the wrong side of 30. The blame for this majorly lies on the management that preceded Moyes. Yes, Ferguson and his staff can be blamed for allowing our midfield quality to degrade with every passing season. When Moyes signed Marouanne Fellaini, he was the first midfield signing since 2007 at the club.  That in itself shows how the management completely neglected the midfield.

This isn't to say though that David Moyes is faultless. He had two months to sign players who could not only refresh the squad but also bring quality to midfield. There were so many players that were bought in by different clubs that could really have improved our midfield. Just looking around off the top of my head; Kevin Strootman, Wanyama, Thiago to name a few, all of whom could've improved our midfield, but Moyes and his team did not make a move. Who they now try to sign in January, is up for debate but it will be hard for the manager to sign quality players.

• Lacking World Class Quality, Glazers need to release the funds for spending now

A look at the current Manchester United squad shows how badly the club needs to sign some World Class players. Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney are the only two truly world class players the club can currently boast of. Rafael, David De Gea, Phil Jones, Adnan Januzaj all these might one day turn out to be World Class if they keep on growing, but they aren't World Class yet.

There are question marks over whether Moyes can attract World Class players, but the management will need to look at splashing the cash, and splashing it big to attract some of the world's best players to the club. Expecting Moyes to get more than 100% out of a squad a la Ferguson style would be unrealistic. The management needs to back the manager and buy the players. The squad is an ageing one and it needs to be refreshed with new signings. We need either a Luis Suarez type signing in January or a Ozil type signing in the summer to really get this squad going. Last season neighbours Manchester City failed to build on their EPL success and saw themselves brushed aside from the top spot. The Red Devils have suffered a similar fate this season.The Glazers have been all talk till now. They need to act now and spend big. The cold hard truth.

• Moyes needs to bring stability to his line-ups

David Moyes has been chopping and changing his line-ups way more than required at times. Injuries and Suspensions have surely forced his hand at times but chopping and changing his line-ups clearly shows that even after more than 20 games, he still doesn't know his best line-up. There were seven changes yesterday to the starting line-up. Defenders have been constantly swapped around, something which affects the performances of all involved. A good team always builds from a solid backline and Manchester United currently lack that. Patrice Evra, due to lack of competition and being majorly injury free has been the only constant in the backline for majority of the season. Sadly though, again this is not entirely Moyes' fault, which brings me to my next point.

• Players need to start performing!

The players have been absolutely shambolic at times this season and have let Moyes down. The senior players especially need to stand up now and get the team back up. The team at times seem to be hiding on the pitch. They need to start demanding the ball more and be more positive when going forward rather than looking at the simple options. Apart from David De Gea, Rafael,Evans, Carrick, Rooney and RVP no one in the squad has really looked to cement their place in the squad. If  you include Evra, who has no competition, there are 4 places in the squad up for grabs. Wings is one area which has caused Moyes most trouble considering none of the three "seniors" in the squad have performed well consistently. Moyes will certainly hoping now that the above 7 can remain fit and play together for large parts of the remainder of the season so as to get United back on track.

• David Moyes needs to improve!

The Chosen One was rightly criticized by many United fans in the beginning of the season for mistakes that he had made and Moyes did correct some of those mistakes. For the past two games, he has made attacking substitutions, something that he was criticized for not doing previously.

What has been lacking though is signs of improvement in performance. You could expect fans to be more sympathetic towards Moyes' if they could see a philosophy that Moyes was trying to implement on the squad, but all I've seen is a team's over dependence on a LB's attacking capabilities to put balls into the box, something that the team's wingers have found impossible to do. Last season, when Brendan Rodgers joined Liverpool he had a clear philosophy in his mind that he wanted to implement at the club and he set about his task in the same manner. He is now reaping the results this season and that is something Moyes also needs to do. Now Liverpool may not win the league or even finish in the top 4 this season, but no neutral can really say that they haven't improved moving on from last season. Considering where the Merseyside club were when Rodgers was brought in, I believe he has done a commendable job in the past two season.

David Moyes will be given time by the board and fans, but for that he will need his squad to show improvements on the field. Moyes needs to stamp his authority on the squad as quickly possible and get Manchester United back on track. Everyone at the club needs to get together and really start performing. The players need to start providing support to the manager by actually performing. You do really wonder, for all the preaching the club does with regards to patience, how much of it will they provide Moyes with, if things don't change till the summer?

In the end I'd just like to mention one more thing, I was having a chat with a friend of the clubs current predicament and he said the following which I though I should share because he was absolutely right.

"Its really sad to see that we have no distinct style of playing. We actually are the club version of England right now. Big reputation, a few big name players but no output."