Guest post 2: Men 2 Boyz…
By Matthew Degnan
It’s time to sort the men from the boys or another way to put it, it’s time for the last ten or so games of the English Premier League season.
With Arsenal able to close the gap with Manchester United in 2nd to only two points if they can manage to overcome the Delap torpedoes on Saturday evening and Chelsea facing a difficult match at The Bridge against Mancini’s millionaires on Sunday, 3 points could separate the Big Three (Sorry Rafa) by end of business on Sunday.
The Champions League will have an impact, no doubt, but I don’t buy S.A.F.’s excuses that tiredness will play a factor. At this end of the season, the adrenaline should be pumping through the veins, the chants of the crowd ringing in the ears and the manager’s instructions clearly understood.
Comparing the run-ins, Chelsea just about have the upper hand with the 6 out of the remaining 10 matches at home but one could argue that Arsenal have the less enthusiastic run-in. For Man United everything depends on the performances in the home matches against Chelsea and Liverpool and away to Man City. If they come out of those with 7 points I believe Sir Alex will see it as a job well done.
Whilst part of me wishes that Arsene Wenger will finally get some reward for the seismic changes he has made to the Gunners, I believe 09/10 is a year too soon. With the electric form of Wayne Rooney, United cannot be discounted, but the worrying performances of the supporting cast, four titles in a row may be too far. I don’t think Chelsea deserve the title, Drogba apart they are really rather boring… but with a snarling John Terry and returning Michael Essien I fear that the EPL Trophy will be draped in blue and white come May.
I don’t feel there’s any point in compounding Pompey’s misery by virtually relegating them. So lets consider the other two drop spots. Owen Coyle is a quality coach and Bolton will stay up. For me, it’s between Hull, Burnley, Wigan and Wolves. I fear for Wigan, they seem to be on a hiding for nothing and have a lot of the big boys still to play. Who’s there to drag them out…? I think they could be goners. Hull have made a number of interesting signings and should just and I mean just stay safe. I would love Burnley to stay up, especially for the effort they have put in to play pretty football, but I just don’t think Brian Laws has it in him.
Will the defeat to Leeds be a blessing in disguise for Man Utd? Will Arsenal choke yet again when faced with the opportunity to win some silverware? Or will Chelsea steamroll the opposition into submission? In the immortal words of Sir Alex Ferguson, it’s squeaky bum time, who will slide off into oblivion and who will reign supreme…
Comments ( 2 )
Peter added these insightful comments on Feb 24 10 at 3:30 pmChelsea boring? Which EPL are you watching?! Chelsea have scored the same number of goals as Arsenal and have played some great stuff along the way. I think the danger for us is that we are a pretty old squad and i fear for some of the legs. Like you mentioned, Essien coming back would be a huge boost to our midfield. I think Arsenal have a great footballing philosophy but the mental weakness (due to age?) is shocking at times. They seem to crumble any time the pressure starts to mount or a decent team comes their way.
admin added these insightful comments on Feb 24 10 at 4:17 pmWigan are definitely punching above their weight at the moment. I’d say in 2/3 games they’ll be swapping positions with Bolton. I’d happily see Hull go down. I can’t stand that perma-tanned idiot they have as manager.
and as for pompey – deary me, they deserve everything they get (or gets taken away from them)
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