Not That Type of Player
“The referee’s done his job, it’s a sending off, but Taylor’s not a malicious player.“ “Ryan isn’t that type. It’s so ironic he’s involved because he’s such a genuine kid. It’ll be devastating for him.” “There was no malice in Nigel’s challenge and Nigel is not that type of lad.” 5 words that could be...
Is Steve Bruce The New Premier League ‘Wheeler-Dealer’?
Yesterday’s result at Anfield has seen a lot of chatter around this and other Blogs, mostly negative and mostly about Liverpool. However, two teams played yesterday and after an odd set-back (for my money you kick a ball when it’s still you’ve taken the free-kick) Sunderland were Liverpool’s equals. Steve Bruce has done an excellent...
Can Man City (finally) Replicate Chelsea’s Success?
As the teams take to the pitch in Eastlands on Saturday two teams will meet who have a very similar ownership structure and transfer policy. Whilst Chelsea have stopped their mega-spending they did attempt to assemble a squad of the best players at any cost after their initial take over, Manchester City have had to...
The EPLtalk Beginner’s Guide to Tactics
Following on from the Gaffer’s suggestion for articles to use as resources one of the key elements of a Football match are the Tactics each team employs. Unfortunately for converts the terminology can be impenetrable – 4-4-2 & 4-3-3 are just random numbers and with two teams lining up it can be hard to understand...
UEFA Champions League Preview – Part 2
After a goal strewn Champions League opener (unless you were at Old Trafford) highlighted the quality on show in the world’s Elite club competition. The games in Group A were a particular highlight. Tonight see’s the rest of the competition kicking off and provides me with another opportunity to embarrass myself publicly with my predictions,...
UEFA Champions League Preview – Part One
Tonight see’s the opening games of the 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League competition. With all 4 English teams in the group stages and this being Tottenham’s first crack at Europe the competition will be given a lot of attention over the coming weeks and months. Few things have truly changed around Europe over the summer but...
The Premier League Weekend in Review
Another Premier League weekend is in the books with plenty of shocks, stops and talking points. The story of the weekend would be Everton’s dramatic comeback against Manchester United and the continued good form of Blackpool. On a sad note though there were one or two concerning injuries and the continued discussion over officiating standards....
The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same at Liverpool
We have now seen Liverpool play a few times under Roy Hodgson and the most surprising thing about their season so far is how familiar it all feels. Their only win this season in the Premier League has been at home against West Bromwich Albion, a team destined for a relegation dog-fight. Of Course in...
The Top 5 Premiership Transfer Flops
As the summer transfer season comes to a close Premiership teams are registering up to 25 players to compete until January. Some have spent big, some barely spent at all but the movement of players is a key in any clubs success. However, now and again transfers don’t work out at all, these so called...
Liverpool’s New Era: The Beginning
So it’s come to this, a once-great European side reduced to selling their best players and bringing in a crocked creative midfielder? This isn’t going to be Inter Milan’s best year. Wait, that was last year, it’s Liverpool this time. When it comes to Liverpool you’re guaranteed two things; Drama and impassioned fans. Impassioned often...
Chelsea’s Off Season Plans
After a return to the summit of the Premier League and retaining their FA cup, Chelsea enjoyed a successful season. The bitter sting of being Mourinho’d out of the Champions league was quelled as Chelsea put that set-back behind and pressed their advantage home for the Premier League trophy. All of this made me select...
The (Unofficial) Team of the Tournament
Explanations after the jump.
Goal Keeper: Manuel Neuer: Winner of the Tallest Dwarf award. Very few keepers merely had good tournaments let alone great ones. Neuer is my choice because he didn’t make any mistakes and for a young keeper was composed on the biggest of stages. Somewhat suspect to long-range shots, he overcame this by...
