Tuesday, December 31, 2013

WAS IT GOING TO BE A WIN FOR CHELSEA OR LIVERPOOL?

By George Oginga,
Guest Columist.



Congratulations Chelsea fc for winning the much anticipated big game of the weekend however there are so many areas to improve on. Goals from Eden Hazard and Samuel Etoo kept Chelsea two points from the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season, as Chelsea fc side came from behind to win at Stamford bridge. It was a game bringing together formers old foes in Brendan Rogers and Jose Mourinho who worked together as manager and assistant during their glory days at the Bridge. But the game had this faults, Chelsea don’t have sharp strikers, and I do agree with Jose when he says that the strikers we have are killing him after every game, imagine three strikers in 32 games yet they only have six goals, Etoo according to me should go for weight lose to be fit to play as a sharp striker, he wastes so many open chances.we would have killed that game in early times of the game.

Eden Hazard too should learn that goals can not be scored when he goes like lone ranger, there is no need to dribble too much yet Chelsea has 10 players who should assist him in getting the goals. He will only pass the ball for support after the opponents have taken cover, and it is time Jose stops personal grudge and gave De Bryune chance a head of This person called Hazard. Oscar is an amazing talent but he should learn to keep his temper ahahahahahahahahaha that moment when he wanted to fight Lucas, it was like mosquito fighting butterfly, Andre Schurle plays as false 9 for Germany national team, Mou should try him in that position and let this flop strikers go out for holiday in Portugal or Miami.


When you compare Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba to the rest of the top strikers in the Premier League they are way down the list. Edin Dzeko has got an unbelievable strike rate but is third choice at Manchester City.



ARSENAL FC vs NEWCASTLEFC

For the first time I saw Arsenal out played in the so called sexy football, this is during the last 20minutes of play though they got 3points, if that is the play they are going to opt for then let them bid bye to EPL title. The outstanding player was Rosicky very composed on ball and passes, but Newcastle team was amazing only that not all days in office are success. Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was never really called upon to make a telling save during the late barrage and that said much for the work of those in front of him( Koscilny and Per) and for the fact that the ball never really bounced Newcastle’s way. Ben Arfa too is another Hazard In Newcastle shirt, over dribbling and want to go lone ranger.


MAN UNITED vs NORWICH CITY

All these teams struggled until that moment that Welbeck was introduced, With pace, agility and just enough balance, super-sub Danny Welbeck punished the one major defensive error Norwich made — and in doing so maintained United’s charge into genuine title contenders which be dream come true. It was a massive disappointment, certainly a game Norwich didn’t deserve to lose but when you are having your best period you have to capitalize on that, which they never did. Norwich can now feel the pressure of letting Grant Holt leave, for they would have killed Man United in the First half of the game.



MAN CITY vs CRYSTAL PALACE

It seems like without Aguero goal drought is being felt by Pellegrini or let me put it that Eagles were too strong for the citizens at Etihad. In a game most people thought that City would hit five goals plus,Crystal Palace frustrated and almost ambushed the title favourites and that can be used by other teams as a blueprint to counter City’s irresistible form at the Etihad. Eagle’s organization made it an uncomfortable afternoon for the Citizens until Edin Dzeko scored midway through the second half with his 10th goal of the season.What a talent on Dzeko.


Friday, December 20, 2013

Chelsea Vs Arsenal: Do this and Chelsea will easily win at Emirates, again!



I am looking forward to watching a beautiful match on Monday night and I confidently say so since I regard Mou highly when it comes to big matches. Chelsea has beaten City, drew at United, drew at Tottenham and its now facing Epls inform team.
He has also beaten Arsenal before. I know he can do it again. Thirdly, he has never lost a match to Wenger or Arsenal and that gives our team a psychological advantage.
However, Arsenal is finding hope in Chelsea’s inconsistency this season, something that is giving them belief that for the first time in many years, they may cause an upset. Yes, I am calling it upset since Emirates is one of Chelsea’s favourite stadiums. We rarely lose there!

(a) The Juan of Mata Matters

Some of us have called Mata, the new Drogba when it comes to facing Arsenal. The lad has four in four starts. If you give him a fifth start against Arsenal, I see a fifth goal. I would wish for him to start.

(b) Ramires rhymes with Ramsey, or does it?

Arsenal’s box to box player Ramsey has been their player of the season so far. He needs to be checked, not that someone famous will die when he scores, but it has now been confirmed, that no one scores after Ramsey. If you score a goal after Ramsey, he will score a second one. Just ask Flamini at Cardif. The boy is equally good in providing crucial assists for his team mates. Against a faster more energetic Ramires, life wont be as easy. Operation stop Ramsey from scoring!

(c) Obi Mikel or Arteta Mikel? Someone shout Obiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!

Against City, when Chelsea’s midfield couldn’t cope because of Yaya Toure and company, Mikel came in for Lampard to tidy things up, thereby shifting the balance of play in Chelsea’s favour. Now, Chelsea have a huge task of stopping one of the most dreaded midfield combination, that is not only creative but equally speedy. On his day, Mikel’s calmness on the ball is useful to break and frustrate opposition attacks.
Besides, if Mata starts then Chelsea needs a more consistent holding midfielder who sits back unlike both Ramires and Lampard who like surging forward, leaving a gap in midfield. This is what cost Chelsea at Stoke by the way......

(d) Ashley Cole but they call him Cashley Cole, and he cashes on that!

I have watched several Chelsea goals against Arsenal. 73% of them have come from the left wing and either Cole had a hand in them or assisted. Emirates Stadium has been very hostile to Cole since he moved to their London rivals. They boo him loudest, but quite frankly, that has never bothered him.
And against a midfielder like Walcott, I would rather Ashley Cole starts on the left at the expense of Cesar who has been good too but not as good as Cole. In his press briefing last evening, Mourihno indicated that Cole would not start. Am not buying that for now.
(e) Central pairing of JT26,GC24

Well, there has been no clean sheet in the last 11 matches. I am not sure but was the last clean sheet against Arsenal in the Carling Cup? Or was it Shalke 04 in the Champions League? Its one of those. In as much as Chelsea has been leaking in goals carelessly, I would still fancy a central pairing of Terry and Cahil.

(f) Forward line
With Etoo missing open chances against Sunderland in midweek, with BA falling down carelessly at every opportunity, with Torres playing like he did last time out, why don’t you play Islam Feruz?  Oh wait, Torres scored in his last match against Crystal palace and also against Arsenal in the Epl last year at Emirates. He is the best among the worst. Against tougher opponents, he has been really good. As usual, he may score, provide an assist, miss an open chance or get sent off. What a complete striker we have here!
Anyway, I expect an explosive entertaining match.

Until Tuesday 1am, pass the salt!