Boxing Day in the Premier League saw one of the more talked-about goals of recent weeks. In the game between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford, Jonny Evans diverted Danny Simpson's cross into his own net to hand the visitors a surprise 2-1 lead. The problem was that Papiss Demba Cisse was in an offside position in the six-yard box, but didn't play the ball at any point. After much deliberation the own goal was eventually - and correctly - given. Cisse did not touch the ball so was technically not offside, yet there's the problem with the law. How can a striker inside the six-yard box be not interfering with play? He was close enough to David De Gea for the goalkeeper to worry about, and close enough to Evans for him to feel he had to take defensive action. Referee Mike Dean got it right according to the laws of the game, but the rule is surely wrong in this instance. In the six-yard box at least, offside should mean offside. That doesn't excuse Sir Alex Ferguson's behaviour though. He should know better at his age and his experience. It's no surprise he won't face any action over it; his reputation has saved him for years.
Nottingham Forest are in a decent position in the npower Championship, just a point off the play-off places, helped by a terrific 4-2 win over Leeds United on Boxing Day. There was much surprise then, that the owners, the Al Hasawi family, decided to sack manager Sean O'Driscoll just hours after the game. There had been rumours in and around Nottingham for a while that O'Driscoll was on borrowed time, and there was a suggestion that he would be out with a defeat, but to get the chop after a win was very strange timing. O'Driscoll paid the price for new chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi moving the goalposts mid-season. The start of the campaign brought talk of a three-year plan and a year of consolidation, but now it seems like it's promotion or bust. There was a collective sigh amongst the City Ground fans when his successor was named as Alex McLeish. It hardly excites the faithful on Trentside. He has a particular style of football which isn't really the Forest way, and of course there are the two most recent sackings at Birmingham City and Aston Villa which stick in the memory. To say he has to hit the ground running is an understatement if he is to win the fans over and the club's owners are to find out that the grass is greener on the other side.
Speaking of which, I assume the Blackburn Rovers hierarchy thought they would be going places after finally getting rid of Steve Kean and replacing him with Henning Berg, a former title-winner with the club as a player. Despite being hated by the fans, Kean left Ewood Park with the club in 3rd place, after a fairly respectable start to the Championship season. The Venky's group, which owns the club, had the plan for Berg to come in and steer them towards a return to the top flight. Following one win in ten games, the Norwegian is out of a job after just eight weeks in the hot seat with Rovers plummeting to 17th in the table. The fans were desperate for Kean to go for months and months; I bet there may even now be some who would have him back. Talk about 'Be careful what you wish for'!
Finally I will sign off by saying thank you for your support and for reading Behind The Goal in the first half of the season. Happy New Year, and I hope you and your club has a successful 2013.
Friday 28 December 2012
Wednesday 21 November 2012
Deja Vu all over again for Chelsea
The revolving door at Stamford Bridge has sprung into action once again, as Chelsea sack yet another manager. Roberto Di Matteo paid the price for the Blues' likely failure to reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, despite unexpectedly winning the competition just six months ago. The greatest night in the club's history came a couple of weeks after the Italian - who also won honours as a player with Chelsea - led them to FA Cup final success.
Despite rumours at the time that he would not get the job on a full-time basis, he had undoubtedly earned the chance to lead the team through another season, and although their struggles in Europe have been a cause for concern this year, their Barclays Premier League form has seen them keep the pace with the two Manchester clubs, and Chelsea were finally starting to look like a 'new' team, following the integrations of the likes of Oscar and Eden Hazard into the midfield in place of more established names such as Frank Lampard.
The problem remains Fernando Torres however. While it is not his fault entirely of course that Di Matteo has gone, you think an in-form Torres leading the line would have produced better results of late. His omission from the starting XI in Turin last night against Juventus was a clear sign that he was unfancied by Di Matteo. The problem is that it's Torres or Daniel Sturridge, and the English striker was hardly a viable replacement given his struggles.
Three managers have now tried and failed to get the best out of Torres, which perhaps explains that the current favourite to take over is former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez. If he did come in and rejuvenate Torres, then the fans may grudgingly accept that it was the right decision, but I cannot imagine many of them being too happy at the potential appointment of a man who was often the nemesis of much-loved former gaffer Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea need stability badly. Keeping a manager longer than a year would be a good start. Yet, for as long as Pep Guardiola remains on his sabbatical from football following his departure from Barcelona, the speculation that he will one day head for SW6 remains high. So would the new man in the hotseat only be keeping it warm for the rest of this season? Time will tell, but I can't think that Benitez or any other successor would be too happy about being an unofficial interim boss.
Despite rumours at the time that he would not get the job on a full-time basis, he had undoubtedly earned the chance to lead the team through another season, and although their struggles in Europe have been a cause for concern this year, their Barclays Premier League form has seen them keep the pace with the two Manchester clubs, and Chelsea were finally starting to look like a 'new' team, following the integrations of the likes of Oscar and Eden Hazard into the midfield in place of more established names such as Frank Lampard.
The problem remains Fernando Torres however. While it is not his fault entirely of course that Di Matteo has gone, you think an in-form Torres leading the line would have produced better results of late. His omission from the starting XI in Turin last night against Juventus was a clear sign that he was unfancied by Di Matteo. The problem is that it's Torres or Daniel Sturridge, and the English striker was hardly a viable replacement given his struggles.
Three managers have now tried and failed to get the best out of Torres, which perhaps explains that the current favourite to take over is former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez. If he did come in and rejuvenate Torres, then the fans may grudgingly accept that it was the right decision, but I cannot imagine many of them being too happy at the potential appointment of a man who was often the nemesis of much-loved former gaffer Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea need stability badly. Keeping a manager longer than a year would be a good start. Yet, for as long as Pep Guardiola remains on his sabbatical from football following his departure from Barcelona, the speculation that he will one day head for SW6 remains high. So would the new man in the hotseat only be keeping it warm for the rest of this season? Time will tell, but I can't think that Benitez or any other successor would be too happy about being an unofficial interim boss.
Monday 12 November 2012
TWIF 3 - United, England, Forest
Before a ball had been kicked this season I predicted that Manchester United would win the Barclays Premier League, and although Chelsea made a fast start, and Manchester City continue to pick up points without hitting top gear, I haven't changed my mind, and this past Saturday evening's game against Aston Villa just showed why they are once again favourites. (Ladbrokes have them at just 10/11 for the title now.) United's record at Villa Park - unbeaten there since 1995 - meant that we all assumed that three points would be theirs. Nobody expected then that they would fall 2-0 behind. Yet even at that point there was a feeling that Sir Alex Ferguson's team could fight back. We have seen it enough times. Like the Reading v Arsenal game a couple of weeks ago, all it took was that first goal back for the ball to start rolling. Ferguson has the league's top scorer in Robin van Persie, and England's best player in Wayne Rooney leading his line, yet it was Javier Hernandez who would prove the match winner with two goals and a big part in the third, which went down as an own goal. Chicharito may be further down the pecking order than he would like, but he remains one of the league's deadliest finishers when given a chance. That and his own and his team's never-say-die attitude in adversity looks like being the key to another title tilt.
England head to Sweden on Wednesday night for a friendly which, if I'm being honest, I'm not eagerly anticipating. The next World Cup qualifier is not until March, so I'm not too sure what Roy Hodsgon can learn from it in terms of tactics and systems. The fact that Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Jonjo Shelvey, Kyle Walker and Aaron Lennon have all pulled out due to injuries suggests that their club managers don't want their players going out for a meaningless game. I wonder how many of those five will be back in club shirts this weekend? It does however open the door for a couple of others to make their mark. Carl Jenkinson deserves an opportunity after showing remarkable improvement in his form this season for Arsenal, and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace, who no doubt will be a top player in the future, has a very early chance to show why most of the Premier League wants him when the transfer window opens. Even if they do make their England debuts, they're not fully committed to the Three Lions though, as it's only a friendly. Jenkinson has represented Finland at youth level, and Zaha could still play for Ivory Coast. The idea of selecting your nationality has got to stop. In my opinion, they are both English and should play for England. Teams shouldn't be allowed to bring in ringers. It hasn't got Scotland very far, has it!
My team Nottingham Forest continued their solid progress in the npower Championship with a hard-earned point at local rivals Leicester City on Saturday. The home side had every right to feel aggrieved with Forest's penalty which made the final score 2-2 - replays suggested that the defender took the ball - yet even so, their profligacy in front of goal meant that they didn't deserve more than what they got. Besides, we were due a piece of luck; that was our first spot kick awarded to us for 60 games! Forest have drawn more times(8) than any other team in the league, and if they are going to achieve more than their current mid-table position, they need to start turning some of those into wins. They have only lost three times however, and arguably they could have got results in two of those. Maybe we aren't as high in the table as we should be, but I was disappointed to read Paul Taylor's piece in the Nottingham Post which implored the owners to keep faith in manager Sean O'Driscoll. There is no suggestion that his job is under threat. The Al-Hasawis know that the task of making Forest great again is a long term plan, and to suggest otherwise is making smoke without fire.
England head to Sweden on Wednesday night for a friendly which, if I'm being honest, I'm not eagerly anticipating. The next World Cup qualifier is not until March, so I'm not too sure what Roy Hodsgon can learn from it in terms of tactics and systems. The fact that Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Jonjo Shelvey, Kyle Walker and Aaron Lennon have all pulled out due to injuries suggests that their club managers don't want their players going out for a meaningless game. I wonder how many of those five will be back in club shirts this weekend? It does however open the door for a couple of others to make their mark. Carl Jenkinson deserves an opportunity after showing remarkable improvement in his form this season for Arsenal, and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace, who no doubt will be a top player in the future, has a very early chance to show why most of the Premier League wants him when the transfer window opens. Even if they do make their England debuts, they're not fully committed to the Three Lions though, as it's only a friendly. Jenkinson has represented Finland at youth level, and Zaha could still play for Ivory Coast. The idea of selecting your nationality has got to stop. In my opinion, they are both English and should play for England. Teams shouldn't be allowed to bring in ringers. It hasn't got Scotland very far, has it!
My team Nottingham Forest continued their solid progress in the npower Championship with a hard-earned point at local rivals Leicester City on Saturday. The home side had every right to feel aggrieved with Forest's penalty which made the final score 2-2 - replays suggested that the defender took the ball - yet even so, their profligacy in front of goal meant that they didn't deserve more than what they got. Besides, we were due a piece of luck; that was our first spot kick awarded to us for 60 games! Forest have drawn more times(8) than any other team in the league, and if they are going to achieve more than their current mid-table position, they need to start turning some of those into wins. They have only lost three times however, and arguably they could have got results in two of those. Maybe we aren't as high in the table as we should be, but I was disappointed to read Paul Taylor's piece in the Nottingham Post which implored the owners to keep faith in manager Sean O'Driscoll. There is no suggestion that his job is under threat. The Al-Hasawis know that the task of making Forest great again is a long term plan, and to suggest otherwise is making smoke without fire.
Wednesday 31 October 2012
Capital One Raises Interest
The Capital One Cup has never been my favourite competition. It's a trophy to win and has a Wembley final yes, but in all honesty the best thing about it for fans of most clubs is when they're knocked out and they can save themselves for the league. Most teams will get nowhere near winning it, so managers can be forgiven for wondering what the point of trying is. I understand that football is a squad game and that players need to be rested, but at the same time I don't want to watch a reserve team competition. There has been the problem. It wouldn't have bothered me if the Football League scrapped it before this season, and I certainly didn't lose too much sleep when my club, Nottingham Forest, were knocked out in the 2nd round by Wigan Athletic.
How refreshing then, to see two teams scrap it out last night in one of the most remarkable games of football I have ever seen. In a brilliant advert for the League Cup with a 7-5 scoreline, Arsenal and Reading both deserve real praise for producing 120 minutes of pulsating viewing if not incredible quality at the Madejski Stadium. Yes, there may have been 20 changes from the starting XIs from the previous weekend, but despite neither team at full strength, we saw two teams who breathed new life into a tournament which is carving out a niche as the place to see attractive football played by the stars of tomorrow and turning its previous negative image into a positive selling point.
For the record, Reading led 4-0 after an abysmal defensive display from Arsenal for the goals, yet somehow I and many others felt that if the visitors could claw one back before half time, the game would still be on. We were right. In fact many Tweeted their delight at making a few quid off the bookies, who at that point had given up on Arsene Wenger's young Gunners. Theo Walcott set the ball rolling, before second half goals from Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and an added-time leveller from Walcott brought them back from the dead. Marouane Chamakh put Arsenal in front in extra time, before astonishingly Reading picked themselves off the floor to equalise again with five minutes left. Penalties then? Don't be stupid, there was still time for Chamakh and Walcott to net again to make it 7-5. Reading had just become the first team to ever score five goals and still lose an English Cup game.
Arsene Wenger may have stated that the Capital One Cup is fifth on Arsenal's list of priorities this season - he rates a top-four finish higher despite not winning a trophy since 2005 - and in all honesty, it is still probably fifth on a lot of the fans' list, but for a mad night down the M4, it meant everything. The same goes for the 5,000 Bradford fans at Wigan, who incredibly saw their League Two side reach the quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out. I still won't pretend this cup means the world, even as a fan of a club with four of them in the cabinet, but we have made up and I am prepared to give it another chance.
How refreshing then, to see two teams scrap it out last night in one of the most remarkable games of football I have ever seen. In a brilliant advert for the League Cup with a 7-5 scoreline, Arsenal and Reading both deserve real praise for producing 120 minutes of pulsating viewing if not incredible quality at the Madejski Stadium. Yes, there may have been 20 changes from the starting XIs from the previous weekend, but despite neither team at full strength, we saw two teams who breathed new life into a tournament which is carving out a niche as the place to see attractive football played by the stars of tomorrow and turning its previous negative image into a positive selling point.
For the record, Reading led 4-0 after an abysmal defensive display from Arsenal for the goals, yet somehow I and many others felt that if the visitors could claw one back before half time, the game would still be on. We were right. In fact many Tweeted their delight at making a few quid off the bookies, who at that point had given up on Arsene Wenger's young Gunners. Theo Walcott set the ball rolling, before second half goals from Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and an added-time leveller from Walcott brought them back from the dead. Marouane Chamakh put Arsenal in front in extra time, before astonishingly Reading picked themselves off the floor to equalise again with five minutes left. Penalties then? Don't be stupid, there was still time for Chamakh and Walcott to net again to make it 7-5. Reading had just become the first team to ever score five goals and still lose an English Cup game.
Arsene Wenger may have stated that the Capital One Cup is fifth on Arsenal's list of priorities this season - he rates a top-four finish higher despite not winning a trophy since 2005 - and in all honesty, it is still probably fifth on a lot of the fans' list, but for a mad night down the M4, it meant everything. The same goes for the 5,000 Bradford fans at Wigan, who incredibly saw their League Two side reach the quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out. I still won't pretend this cup means the world, even as a fan of a club with four of them in the cabinet, but we have made up and I am prepared to give it another chance.
Monday 8 October 2012
This Week In Football 2
Luis Suarez in recent weeks has found out that a reputation can go before you when it comes to penalty appeals. Rightly or wrongly, and whether they would like to admit it or not, referees must have it in their mind when the Uruguayan goes down in the area. The incident at Norwich last week looked a stonewall penalty, yet Suarez wasn't given it, much to most people's surprise. Yet if he thought that any referee would fall for his antics at Anfield yesterday against Stoke, he was sadly mistaken. It was the worst example of cheating I have seen in a long time, and I hope he is embarrassed by it. I doubt he is though. Sadly he was not the only one to be shamed. Gareth Bale was just as guilty of 'simulation' in the game against Aston Villa and probably just as unremorseful of his actions. If players can receive retrospective punishments for acts of violent conduct, the FA and the Premier League must look to ban divers too.
Ashley Cole became the latest player to find out the hard way that Tweeting in the heat of the moment can land you in hot water. His rant at the FA follwing his evidence in the John Terry racism case was silly, but it could have been worse. Although he ought to have known better, he has apologised and he will pay his fine, and that should be the end of it in my opinion. He was likely to be rested for the England v San Marino World Cup qualifier on Friday irrespective of the controversy, but frankly I could play left back and we would be ok. They say there are no easy games at International level, but San Marino continue to contradict the cliche.
One player who should be playing for England but will not be is Rio Ferdinand. Absolutely nobody believed Roy Hodgson's 'footballing reasons' explanation before the European Champonship, but his omission this time around following John Terry's retirement from the International game can mean there are no other reasons this time. I'm sorry Roy, that's nonsense. He should be in the squad, it cannot be said more plainly. As for Hodgson letting slip on the Tube that Ferdinand was out, inadvertently or otherwise, what an incredible lack of respect. It wouldn't surprise me if Ferdinand opted to quit England duty too.
Ashley Cole became the latest player to find out the hard way that Tweeting in the heat of the moment can land you in hot water. His rant at the FA follwing his evidence in the John Terry racism case was silly, but it could have been worse. Although he ought to have known better, he has apologised and he will pay his fine, and that should be the end of it in my opinion. He was likely to be rested for the England v San Marino World Cup qualifier on Friday irrespective of the controversy, but frankly I could play left back and we would be ok. They say there are no easy games at International level, but San Marino continue to contradict the cliche.
One player who should be playing for England but will not be is Rio Ferdinand. Absolutely nobody believed Roy Hodgson's 'footballing reasons' explanation before the European Champonship, but his omission this time around following John Terry's retirement from the International game can mean there are no other reasons this time. I'm sorry Roy, that's nonsense. He should be in the squad, it cannot be said more plainly. As for Hodgson letting slip on the Tube that Ferdinand was out, inadvertently or otherwise, what an incredible lack of respect. It wouldn't surprise me if Ferdinand opted to quit England duty too.
Friday 14 September 2012
This Week In Football
Queens Park Rangers entertain Chelsea at Loftus Road this weekend, and once again, sadly, the focus will be on what happens before the game. The will-they-won't-they scenario featuring Anton Ferdinand, John Terry, and that handshake. Ferdinand of course has every reason to dislike Terry following the fiery encounter last season and the subsequent race trial, but I do think that the QPR defender should be a big man and shake his hand. He doesn't have to mean it of course, but while the procedure exists, it should be honoured. There's the problem though, Not enough players want to do it and fans know that some players don't mean it. It's too often a hollow gesture. Can we just scrap it and get on with the football?
England were in action this week and while it wasn't particularly exciting, or some may say particularly successful, it was a decent start to another World Cup qualifying campaign. Moldova, with respect, was always going to be as easy as the 5-0 thrashing suggested, and I didn't think we were as bad in the home game with Ukraine as some fans and press were quick to point out. Maybe Roy Hodgson could have been more positive with his tactics, but Ukraine are no mugs, and it was a tough test. With the players available to him, four points from six is not a disaster. I still expect us to qualify from the group without defeat, despite the doom-mongers claiming that we will struggle in the tough away environments. I have never been one of these fans who show apathy towards International football or England. You would never turn your back on your club, yet some can't be bothered with their nation. That annoys me.
The Hillsborough report came out on Wednesday after a long campaign. You all know what happened 23 years ago, and we now know the truth. The real truth. It's not the beginning of the end for the families of the 96 though, it's the end of the beginning. They will want those ultimately responsible brought to justice. There were no doubt many instances of foul play on that afternoon in April 1989 and since. After all, the sheer amount of doctored files could not have been down to just one bent copper. It has been too easy over the years to assume that Liverpool fans were solely, or even partly to blame, and those that have should take time to think of what 23 years of false rumours has done to Liverpool, as a city and as a football club. It could be the start of the removal of the sick chants about it and other tragedies, which will be very welcome. Liverpool v Manchester United next weekend should be fierce, but hopefully without the terrace taunts.
England were in action this week and while it wasn't particularly exciting, or some may say particularly successful, it was a decent start to another World Cup qualifying campaign. Moldova, with respect, was always going to be as easy as the 5-0 thrashing suggested, and I didn't think we were as bad in the home game with Ukraine as some fans and press were quick to point out. Maybe Roy Hodgson could have been more positive with his tactics, but Ukraine are no mugs, and it was a tough test. With the players available to him, four points from six is not a disaster. I still expect us to qualify from the group without defeat, despite the doom-mongers claiming that we will struggle in the tough away environments. I have never been one of these fans who show apathy towards International football or England. You would never turn your back on your club, yet some can't be bothered with their nation. That annoys me.
The Hillsborough report came out on Wednesday after a long campaign. You all know what happened 23 years ago, and we now know the truth. The real truth. It's not the beginning of the end for the families of the 96 though, it's the end of the beginning. They will want those ultimately responsible brought to justice. There were no doubt many instances of foul play on that afternoon in April 1989 and since. After all, the sheer amount of doctored files could not have been down to just one bent copper. It has been too easy over the years to assume that Liverpool fans were solely, or even partly to blame, and those that have should take time to think of what 23 years of false rumours has done to Liverpool, as a city and as a football club. It could be the start of the removal of the sick chants about it and other tragedies, which will be very welcome. Liverpool v Manchester United next weekend should be fierce, but hopefully without the terrace taunts.
Friday 31 August 2012
A new start for Andy Carroll
Today is Transfer Deadline day in England, and although there will doubtless be plenty of last-minute deals, I think possibly the best transaction was done yesterday by West Ham United, who finally sealed a loan move for Andy Carroll of Liverpool.
Carroll of course moved to Anfield for £35million from Newcastle in January 2011, and while he went for a transfer fee which was, and still is, barely believable, his subsequent performances in a red shirt to justify that price, while not groundbreaking, have certainly not meant that he should be labelled a flop. With little service at times he still managed to show his ability, and his return to form at the end of last season for his club and at the European Championship for England shows just how dangerous he can be if given a chance.
Which makes it all the more remarkable in my opinion that new manager Brendan Rodgers can come to Anfield so quickly and dismiss him without so much as a fleeting glimpse at his capabilities. Ok, he might not fit into his style of football, which is a lot more about short, quick passing play through the middle of the pitch with a lot more balls to feet, but I feel he could play in any system if given an opportunity. It wasn't his fault after all, that he had such poor service last season, not least from Stewart Downing, whose own Liverpool future is reportedly under threat.
I think Carroll will thrive at Upton Park with a Sam Allardyce-style of play. West Ham are a lot happier to play long balls through the middle, and in Matt Taylor and Matt Jarvis they have two of the better crossers of the ball in the Barclays Premier League. If he stays fit, I geniunely think he could score at least 15 goals this season and really show Liverpool - who are still a striker short - what they are missing.
Carroll of course moved to Anfield for £35million from Newcastle in January 2011, and while he went for a transfer fee which was, and still is, barely believable, his subsequent performances in a red shirt to justify that price, while not groundbreaking, have certainly not meant that he should be labelled a flop. With little service at times he still managed to show his ability, and his return to form at the end of last season for his club and at the European Championship for England shows just how dangerous he can be if given a chance.
Which makes it all the more remarkable in my opinion that new manager Brendan Rodgers can come to Anfield so quickly and dismiss him without so much as a fleeting glimpse at his capabilities. Ok, he might not fit into his style of football, which is a lot more about short, quick passing play through the middle of the pitch with a lot more balls to feet, but I feel he could play in any system if given an opportunity. It wasn't his fault after all, that he had such poor service last season, not least from Stewart Downing, whose own Liverpool future is reportedly under threat.
I think Carroll will thrive at Upton Park with a Sam Allardyce-style of play. West Ham are a lot happier to play long balls through the middle, and in Matt Taylor and Matt Jarvis they have two of the better crossers of the ball in the Barclays Premier League. If he stays fit, I geniunely think he could score at least 15 goals this season and really show Liverpool - who are still a striker short - what they are missing.
Friday 17 August 2012
Barclays Premier League predictions
On the eve of a new season, I usually predict who will win the Barclays Premier League, and who I think will be relegated, but this season I thought I would have a go at predicting the whole table. I may have just made myself look very silly,and I may have just upset more readers than I please, but hopefully I'll get more right than wrong. Be sure to check back here next May.
I spent almost the entire summer thinking Manchester City would retain their crown, but that was until their neighbours from Old Trafford swooped to sign Arsenal's Robin van Persie. He and Wayne Rooney represents a formidable strike partnership that could rival any that this great league has ever seen.
At the bottom, I think Swansea would have struggled anyway to match the exploits of last season, and that's before they lost Gylfi Sigurdsson, Joe Allen, possibly Scott Sinclair, and of course Brendan Rodgers, who left the Liberty Stadium to take charge at Liverpool. As for Southampton and Reading, I'm just not sure they have got strong enough squads, simple as that.
Let me know what you think.
1. Manchester United
2. Manchester City
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Liverpool
7. Everton
8. Newcastle United
9. Fulham
10. Aston Villa
11. Sunderland
12. West Bromwich Albion
13. Queens Park Rangers
14. West Ham United
15. Wigan Athletic
16. Norwich City
17. Stoke City
18. Swansea City
19. Southampton
20. Reading
I spent almost the entire summer thinking Manchester City would retain their crown, but that was until their neighbours from Old Trafford swooped to sign Arsenal's Robin van Persie. He and Wayne Rooney represents a formidable strike partnership that could rival any that this great league has ever seen.
At the bottom, I think Swansea would have struggled anyway to match the exploits of last season, and that's before they lost Gylfi Sigurdsson, Joe Allen, possibly Scott Sinclair, and of course Brendan Rodgers, who left the Liberty Stadium to take charge at Liverpool. As for Southampton and Reading, I'm just not sure they have got strong enough squads, simple as that.
Let me know what you think.
1. Manchester United
2. Manchester City
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Liverpool
7. Everton
8. Newcastle United
9. Fulham
10. Aston Villa
11. Sunderland
12. West Bromwich Albion
13. Queens Park Rangers
14. West Ham United
15. Wigan Athletic
16. Norwich City
17. Stoke City
18. Swansea City
19. Southampton
20. Reading
Sunday 12 August 2012
Welcome to Behind The Goal
Welcome to Behind The Goal, my new blog dedicated to the world of football. I'm Adam Gray, and throughout the season this will be the place to view my opinions on all that is happening in the Premier League and beyond.
I hope you'll enjoy reading my work as much as I will enjoy providing it to you.
I hope you'll enjoy reading my work as much as I will enjoy providing it to you.
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