Home
By winning when they shouldn't have, ManYoo are ready to topple Chelski. The title is now theirs to lose...
Winners
ManYoo
The bookies get paid a lot of money not to make mistakes, so the 1/6 odds on ManYoo winning the Premiership is a reliable indicator of just how spectacularly their collapse would be if Chelski, at 4/1, were to still prevail.
The title is now ManYoo's to lose. When the leaders lost at Upton Park in December, a turning point was proclaimed from every available rooftop. West Ham were supposed to mount a stirring recovery and ManYoo were expected to subside against Chelski's superior strength. It just hasn't happened. Even if Sir Alex's side were to lose at Anfield next week, and at Stamford Bridge in April, they would still be in pole position.
It doesn't even seem to matter that they are no longer playing particularly well. Saturday's win at Fulham was a Chelski-esque lesson in how to win without deserving to do so - which just happens to be the hallmark of champions. "These are the games that decide if you are going to be champions," said goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.
If they win next Saturday lunchtime then at least one publicity-seeking bookmaker is bound to crown ManYoo champions. Equally, expect an aggrieved Jose Mourinho to complain this week about the distorted fixture list that requires Chelski to play on Saturday night under the influence of the result at Liverpool. The Portuguese would be right to claim that his side are being unfairly denied a straight fight.
Tottenham Hotspur
As Martin Jol said, Spurs have just enjoyed their "best week since the start of 2006". The pathetic capitulation at Sheffield United has proved a blessing, inspiring three impressive bulked-up victories in seven days against Fulham, Everton and Bolton. There was a UEFA Cup bye in there somewhere too.
Spurs have a dreadful record at Bolton, losing each of their last five league matches at the Reebok, but are a completely different proposition at White Hart Lane. Dimitar Berbatov, a snip at £10m, was unstoppable this weekend but his goal at Goodison Park on Wednesday night was his first away from home in the Premiership.
One day, a group of scientists, psychologists and home improvement experts will join forces to publish the definitive explanation for why playing on a familiar patch of grass provides such a telling benefit for footballers.
Robbie Fowler
A last hurrah for the Kop's God. And it must be his last - the three league goals he has scored this season have all been from the penalty spot against Sheffield United.
Javier Mascherano
Quite how or why West Ham failed to accommodate Mascherano's undoubted talent in their struggling side is one of the mysteries of the new millennium.
The young Argentine excelled at the World Cup and, by all accounts, did so again on his Liverpool debut this weekend. The five months in between, in which Mascherano made just three starts, make absolutely no sense.
The Premiership's In-Form Striking Partnership
Mark Viduka, scorer of six goals in his past seven games, and Yakubu, with seven in ten, are a formidable strike partnership which wouldn't look out of place at the head of a big four side.
Even in the bottom half of the Premiership, there are enough parts to form the body of a very decent side. Put together Watford's goalkeeper, either Wigan or Fulham's full-backs, Man Citeh's central defenders, Newcastle's first-choice midfielders and Middlesbrough's two strikers and the result would be an outfit comfortably capable of finishing at least fifth.
Blackburn Rovers
Rovers have under-achieved this term. After an inexplicably slow start to the campaign, October's warranted draw at Anfield was a reminder of their capabilities. A week later, Mark Hughes' team were unfortunate to lose at home to Bolton. That derby defeat seemed to knock the stuffing out of Rovers and they then lost five of their next six games. Only since Christmas have they finally found their 2006/07 feet.
Sunday's 3-0 win over declining Portsmouth - possibly suffering the consequences of relying on so many thirtysomethings - was well timed, coming three days after UEFA Cup elimination, and propelling Blackburn into the top half to join a clutch of teams eyeing a route into Europe. "Today's performance has posted notice of our intent not to let our season peter out," declared a satisfied Mark Hughes.
Although much of the Premiership seems set in stone - ManYoo comfortable at the top, the Big Four in a league of their own, the bottom three cut adrift of Wigan and Sheffield United - the fight for UEFA Cup qualification, potentially involving as many as eight teams, will be an entertaining distraction for the next three months.
Wigan
By cancelling out Chartlon's win with one of their own, Wigan gained a considerable advantage because the status quo favours a side six points clear of the relegation zone.
Losers
Alan Curbishley and West Ham
Only the defeatism that has become the hallmark of Alan Curbishley's disastrous reign at West Ham can be saving him from the sack. Chairman Eggert Magnusson, sinking ever deeper into his seat, has probably realised that, barring the Second Coming, it's now too late for anyone to save West Ham.
The dreaded vote of confidence was delivered late on Saturday night. The good news for Curbishley, who palpably does not possess the stomach for this relegation battle, is that only ten days elapsed between Magnusson's last managerial endorsement and predecessor Alan Pardew being dismissed.
Although Curbishley should not carry the blame for the Hammers' plight, it is a statistical fact that they have declined under his guidance. Whereas Pardew has brought energy and belief to Charlton, Curbishley has offered only doom, gloom and failed signings. Calum Davenport was repeatedly exposed at the Valley while the £5m Luis Boa Morte didn't even make the bench.
Curbishley was the wrong manager at the wrong time. West Ham needed a street fighter and a ball breaker. Instead they hired a hangdog pacifist whose unfamiliarity with an open chequebook meant that Hammers' last roll of the dice ended with a series of duds.
It's only down from here.
Robert Green
Regret joining West Ham? Join the club.
Green was dropped after the 6-0 humiliation at Reading on New Year's Day, only returning over a month later for last week's disaster against Watford. He wasn't culpable for any of the four conceded at Charlton, but nor did he improve his reputation either.
It is a depressing reflection of the dearth of quality goalkeepers currently available for England that if all the Premiership-based keepers were placed in order of merit then Green, who would have been at the World Cup but for injury, wouldn't be included in the top twenty.
Bolton Wanderers
On MOTD2, Neil Warnock opined that "sixth place is up for grabs", but what of fifth? Current residents, Bolton, are in dreadful form, winning just two of their previous seven matches.
At the very least, defeat at Spurs has destroyed the few remaining thoughts of challenging the big four. "I think we blew any chance of trying to catch Arsenal or Liverpool by not at least getting a point," admitted Silent Sam.
Pete Gill
Winners
ManYoo
The bookies get paid a lot of money not to make mistakes, so the 1/6 odds on ManYoo winning the Premiership is a reliable indicator of just how spectacularly their collapse would be if Chelski, at 4/1, were to still prevail.
The title is now ManYoo's to lose. When the leaders lost at Upton Park in December, a turning point was proclaimed from every available rooftop. West Ham were supposed to mount a stirring recovery and ManYoo were expected to subside against Chelski's superior strength. It just hasn't happened. Even if Sir Alex's side were to lose at Anfield next week, and at Stamford Bridge in April, they would still be in pole position.
It doesn't even seem to matter that they are no longer playing particularly well. Saturday's win at Fulham was a Chelski-esque lesson in how to win without deserving to do so - which just happens to be the hallmark of champions. "These are the games that decide if you are going to be champions," said goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.
If they win next Saturday lunchtime then at least one publicity-seeking bookmaker is bound to crown ManYoo champions. Equally, expect an aggrieved Jose Mourinho to complain this week about the distorted fixture list that requires Chelski to play on Saturday night under the influence of the result at Liverpool. The Portuguese would be right to claim that his side are being unfairly denied a straight fight.
Tottenham Hotspur
As Martin Jol said, Spurs have just enjoyed their "best week since the start of 2006". The pathetic capitulation at Sheffield United has proved a blessing, inspiring three impressive bulked-up victories in seven days against Fulham, Everton and Bolton. There was a UEFA Cup bye in there somewhere too.
Spurs have a dreadful record at Bolton, losing each of their last five league matches at the Reebok, but are a completely different proposition at White Hart Lane. Dimitar Berbatov, a snip at £10m, was unstoppable this weekend but his goal at Goodison Park on Wednesday night was his first away from home in the Premiership.
One day, a group of scientists, psychologists and home improvement experts will join forces to publish the definitive explanation for why playing on a familiar patch of grass provides such a telling benefit for footballers.
Robbie Fowler
A last hurrah for the Kop's God. And it must be his last - the three league goals he has scored this season have all been from the penalty spot against Sheffield United.
Javier Mascherano
Quite how or why West Ham failed to accommodate Mascherano's undoubted talent in their struggling side is one of the mysteries of the new millennium.
The young Argentine excelled at the World Cup and, by all accounts, did so again on his Liverpool debut this weekend. The five months in between, in which Mascherano made just three starts, make absolutely no sense.
The Premiership's In-Form Striking Partnership
Mark Viduka, scorer of six goals in his past seven games, and Yakubu, with seven in ten, are a formidable strike partnership which wouldn't look out of place at the head of a big four side.
Even in the bottom half of the Premiership, there are enough parts to form the body of a very decent side. Put together Watford's goalkeeper, either Wigan or Fulham's full-backs, Man Citeh's central defenders, Newcastle's first-choice midfielders and Middlesbrough's two strikers and the result would be an outfit comfortably capable of finishing at least fifth.
Blackburn Rovers
Rovers have under-achieved this term. After an inexplicably slow start to the campaign, October's warranted draw at Anfield was a reminder of their capabilities. A week later, Mark Hughes' team were unfortunate to lose at home to Bolton. That derby defeat seemed to knock the stuffing out of Rovers and they then lost five of their next six games. Only since Christmas have they finally found their 2006/07 feet.
Sunday's 3-0 win over declining Portsmouth - possibly suffering the consequences of relying on so many thirtysomethings - was well timed, coming three days after UEFA Cup elimination, and propelling Blackburn into the top half to join a clutch of teams eyeing a route into Europe. "Today's performance has posted notice of our intent not to let our season peter out," declared a satisfied Mark Hughes.
Although much of the Premiership seems set in stone - ManYoo comfortable at the top, the Big Four in a league of their own, the bottom three cut adrift of Wigan and Sheffield United - the fight for UEFA Cup qualification, potentially involving as many as eight teams, will be an entertaining distraction for the next three months.
Wigan
By cancelling out Chartlon's win with one of their own, Wigan gained a considerable advantage because the status quo favours a side six points clear of the relegation zone.
Losers
Alan Curbishley and West Ham
Only the defeatism that has become the hallmark of Alan Curbishley's disastrous reign at West Ham can be saving him from the sack. Chairman Eggert Magnusson, sinking ever deeper into his seat, has probably realised that, barring the Second Coming, it's now too late for anyone to save West Ham.
The dreaded vote of confidence was delivered late on Saturday night. The good news for Curbishley, who palpably does not possess the stomach for this relegation battle, is that only ten days elapsed between Magnusson's last managerial endorsement and predecessor Alan Pardew being dismissed.
Although Curbishley should not carry the blame for the Hammers' plight, it is a statistical fact that they have declined under his guidance. Whereas Pardew has brought energy and belief to Charlton, Curbishley has offered only doom, gloom and failed signings. Calum Davenport was repeatedly exposed at the Valley while the £5m Luis Boa Morte didn't even make the bench.
Curbishley was the wrong manager at the wrong time. West Ham needed a street fighter and a ball breaker. Instead they hired a hangdog pacifist whose unfamiliarity with an open chequebook meant that Hammers' last roll of the dice ended with a series of duds.
It's only down from here.
Robert Green
Regret joining West Ham? Join the club.
Green was dropped after the 6-0 humiliation at Reading on New Year's Day, only returning over a month later for last week's disaster against Watford. He wasn't culpable for any of the four conceded at Charlton, but nor did he improve his reputation either.
It is a depressing reflection of the dearth of quality goalkeepers currently available for England that if all the Premiership-based keepers were placed in order of merit then Green, who would have been at the World Cup but for injury, wouldn't be included in the top twenty.
Bolton Wanderers
On MOTD2, Neil Warnock opined that "sixth place is up for grabs", but what of fifth? Current residents, Bolton, are in dreadful form, winning just two of their previous seven matches.
At the very least, defeat at Spurs has destroyed the few remaining thoughts of challenging the big four. "I think we blew any chance of trying to catch Arsenal or Liverpool by not at least getting a point," admitted Silent Sam.
Pete Gill
....The Tevez contract was simple...we just pay his wages for as many appearances as we want...
Was it offside?
wrote:Kimmy's here now too. Good News - I can start my new thread.
