Ever since Swansea City won their play off final at Wembley in the summer, i'm not sure many people would of expected them to be 10th in arguably the best league in the world.. just goes to show you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. You could relate their style of play to Barcelona's if you so wish, as their players are calm on the ball, seemingly know what they're going to do with it before they receive it. Their team may not be full of superstars or spoilt footballers and they certainly don't have the money backing other clubs around the world do, but they have a brilliant spine in their first team, their wingers can give any full backs a nightmare on a good day and as of November last year, their central midfielder Leon Britton boasted a 93.8% pass completion ratio, which was the second best pass completion ratio in Europe at that time, bettered only by Barcelona's young midfield prodigy.. Thiago Alacantra, which does indeed mean that he held a better ratio than Wayne Rooney, David Silva, Samir Nasri just to name a few PL midfielders ..along with Xavi and Iniesta joining that list.
However, his pass ratio at the Liberty City stadium was the best in Europe for some time, with figures suggesting it was a ratio of 95.5% completion.
Of course this can be classed as a testament to how Swansea play, as they have dominated most games at home this season, dictating not only the pace of the game but keeping some of the games best strikers quiet, notably Wayne Rooney of Manchester United.
[side note]Now of course you will have the minority of people saying "what if most of them passes are just sidewards or small passes".. i can only suggest to you .. watch Xavi/Iniesta/Paul Scholes/ David Silva.
95% of their passes in a game are made to their fellow midfielder or to a winger, not many midfielders feel the need to try and ping a pass out to a rushing winger on their team.
Xavi completes over 100 passes a game on average, imagine if 95% of them were over the top balls.. he wouldn't have the ratio he does have.. same goes for the above mentioned.
As for Swansea, in the summer they signed Hollands second choice keeper in Michel Vorm(Maarten Stekelenburg is Hollands first choice) who had at the time, the best penalty saving ratio at his former club, Utrecht FC. Many people would suggest he's been Swanseas signing of the season and we're only half way through 2011-2012!
He maybe small however he has pulled off a handful of game winning/point saving reflex saves this season.
With Ashley Williams at centre half they not only have an established Wales international captaining their team, they have a leader who brings the ball out from the back and isn't afraid to pick a pass now and again.
You could say they are the improved Blackpool from last term, who came up aiming to stay up, played some good football but ultimately didn't play good enough.
Sunday 15 January 2012
Sunday 8 January 2012
Manchester Derby.
Well it was never going to be your ordinary, run of the mill derby now was it?
Manchester City last season had won their first cup in 35 years, that cup being the F.A cup and Manchester United secured their 19th league title! History was made for both clubs, not forgetting Manchester City beat Manchester United in the semi final of the F.A Cup to get to the final where they eventually beat Stoke City.
When both teams were drew out in the 3rd round draw for the F.A cup, both sets of fans had mixed emotions, seeing as Manchester City thumped United 6-1 at Old Trafford, some United fans were sensing either a beating of the same kind or a revenge mission of some sorts! One thing was for sure, both sets of fans were not to be disappointed in game, however one set of fans were undoubtedly going to be, after the match had finished!
With Manchester City losing arguably their most influential central midfielder in Yaya Toure for the ACON, their was a debate as to who would replace him for this match, although Mancini did admit himself no player can replace him in their midfield!
Manchester City went into this game, losing to a last minute goal that on any other day, would of been given as offside, to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, yet replied to that loss, by demolishing a Liverpool side lacking Suarez's guile and agility upfront, 3-0, with goals by Aguero, Yaya Toure and a James Milner penalty.
Manchester United who had lost their previous two league games, against Blackburn at Old Trafford 3-2, with De Gea making a mistake to gift Blackburn Rovers their winning goal.
A 3-0 loss to Newcastle away at the Sports Direct Arena was to follow, with Demba Ba(arguably the most inform striker in the league), a stunning free kick by Yohan Cabaye and an own goal by Phil Jones condemned Sir Alex's boys to their first two defeats in a row since 2001!
Manchester City were sprung a surprise when the team sheets were released, when they seen that Paul Scholes had come out of retirement and will be on the bench for todays game, as were a lot of Manchester United fans, arguably seeing one of their best ever players, grace the turf until the end of the season!
Manchester United lined up with what was seen as their first team, Welbeck and Rooney leading the line, Valencia, Giggs, Carrick and Nani in the midfield and Evra, Smalling, Ferdinand and Jones in a basic 4-4-2(which became 4-4-1-1) as the game went on.
Manchester City lined up with Pantilimon in goal, Richard, Kompany, Lescott and Kolarov in defence, (Clichy presumably rested).. James Milner, Nigel De Jong, Samir Nasri and Adam Johnson in midfield with Silva playing the whole behind Sergio Kun Aguero who was the lone forward!
Manchester United kicked off the match, slowly passing the ball around trying to dictate the play yet it was soon to be Manchester City who took control of the game for the first ten minutes or so, however City not being clinical enough with the ball, led to Manchester United scoring the first goal of the game with their first meaningful attack of the game, Ryan Giggs releasing the revitalised Antonio Valencia who jinked past Aleksander Kolarov before fizzing in a cross to the penalty spot where Wayne Rooney met the ball with a firm header and beat Pantilimon with the header that rebounded off the bar before crossing the line for good. Little did both sets of fans know what drama was coming next, a stray pass which made its way to Nani who judged it wrong, as he didn't get a firm touch on the ball, Vincent Kompany lunged in with a two footed tackle, however it must be stated he did take the ball and didn't touch the winger Nani, yet he did take the risk himself which will always be punished, on this case referee Chris Foy deemed this as a straight red card as to the dismay of most fans in the ground, including most MUFC fans.
This did of course lead to Manchester United taking the upper hand in the match as they had the spare man, Manchester City did eventually grasp the game a little tighter however when they did, Manchester United doubled their lead with an athletic strike from Danny Welbeck, Nani having his first proper gallop down the left wing, seen Patrice Evra overlapping, however before the ball was played to Evra .. Nani cut inside in the mean time Cruyff turning Adam Johnson .. released the ball to Patrice Evra whos ball in wasn't the best, after a couple of deflections in the box, the ball looped over Nasri, De Jongs and Welbecks head however Welbeck was quickest to it, swerving an athletic first time volley into Pantilimons far post, the Romanian keeper did get a fingertip to it but it was not enough to stop Welbeck doubling Uniteds lead.
Danny Welbeck was it again for the reds just 10 minutes later, making a direct run at Kolarov who slid in recklessly, with Chris Foy seemingly the centre of attention again, pointing to the spot! Wayne Rooney would be the man to step up, with his penalty going Pantilimons left, Pantilimon did save it however he parred it into the danger box where Wayne Rooney followed up to get his second of the game and Manchester Uniteds third.
Half time was quick around the corner and 2 minutes before half time, Antonio Valencia whipped in a devilish cross which Welbeck couldn't get full contact on to make it a fourth at the Etihad!
After half time Manchester City came out a completely different team, keeping in mind they were down to ten men, they got hold of the ball straight away and Micah Richards found himself in space running at Patrice Evra and was took down by Michael Carrick which resulted in a free kick in dangerous territory for the home side, and dangerous it proved to be, with Kolarov stepping up and scoring a belter of a free kick, similar to the one he scored against Napoli in the Champions League, down at Anders Lindergaards left leaving the Dane no chance. Manchester City then smelt the blood and began chomping at the bit, slowly dictating the pace of the game once again.
After the hour, Paul Scholes was once re-introduced to the green turf and was greeted by a partisan crowd understandably however, more cheers than boo's were heard!
Yet it was to be the un-retiree who gave the ball away to James Milner who cut back to Aguero who released a first time shot at Anders Lindergaard who couldn't hold the shot, which then spilt back to the Argentinian who poked the ball beyond the Dane to get the scoreline to 3-2.
The whole of the Etihad stadium were lifted by the little Argentinians goal however it wasn't to be the fairytale finish for the blue side of Manchester, they applied a lot of pressure to a second half United side that seemed to switch off completely and couldn't control the game until the last ten minutes when Anderson was introduced to the match, presumably to keep control of the ball with Scholes, Carrick and Giggs in midfield..
Manchester United fans hearts were in their mouths however in the last minute as Rio Ferdinand completely took out Micah Richards in dangerous set piece territory .. as Kolarov proven in the first handful of minutes in the second half, however it was not to be as Anders Lindergaard parred the free kick with his hands, albeit into dangerous territory however Uniteds defence were quick enough to pounce to the second ball and get it out of the danger area.
Manchester City fans can be proud of their team because they did prove they have the mettle to dance with the big teams in the big games, albeit without the Toure's/Gareth Barry and down to ten men!
MOTM for MUFC: Chris Smalling
MOTM for MCFC: Sergio Aguero
Flop of the match for MUFC: Phil Jones
Flop of the match for MCFC: Aleksander Kolarov.
Manchester City last season had won their first cup in 35 years, that cup being the F.A cup and Manchester United secured their 19th league title! History was made for both clubs, not forgetting Manchester City beat Manchester United in the semi final of the F.A Cup to get to the final where they eventually beat Stoke City.
When both teams were drew out in the 3rd round draw for the F.A cup, both sets of fans had mixed emotions, seeing as Manchester City thumped United 6-1 at Old Trafford, some United fans were sensing either a beating of the same kind or a revenge mission of some sorts! One thing was for sure, both sets of fans were not to be disappointed in game, however one set of fans were undoubtedly going to be, after the match had finished!
With Manchester City losing arguably their most influential central midfielder in Yaya Toure for the ACON, their was a debate as to who would replace him for this match, although Mancini did admit himself no player can replace him in their midfield!
Manchester City went into this game, losing to a last minute goal that on any other day, would of been given as offside, to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, yet replied to that loss, by demolishing a Liverpool side lacking Suarez's guile and agility upfront, 3-0, with goals by Aguero, Yaya Toure and a James Milner penalty.
Manchester United who had lost their previous two league games, against Blackburn at Old Trafford 3-2, with De Gea making a mistake to gift Blackburn Rovers their winning goal.
A 3-0 loss to Newcastle away at the Sports Direct Arena was to follow, with Demba Ba(arguably the most inform striker in the league), a stunning free kick by Yohan Cabaye and an own goal by Phil Jones condemned Sir Alex's boys to their first two defeats in a row since 2001!
Manchester City were sprung a surprise when the team sheets were released, when they seen that Paul Scholes had come out of retirement and will be on the bench for todays game, as were a lot of Manchester United fans, arguably seeing one of their best ever players, grace the turf until the end of the season!
Manchester United lined up with what was seen as their first team, Welbeck and Rooney leading the line, Valencia, Giggs, Carrick and Nani in the midfield and Evra, Smalling, Ferdinand and Jones in a basic 4-4-2(which became 4-4-1-1) as the game went on.
Manchester City lined up with Pantilimon in goal, Richard, Kompany, Lescott and Kolarov in defence, (Clichy presumably rested).. James Milner, Nigel De Jong, Samir Nasri and Adam Johnson in midfield with Silva playing the whole behind Sergio Kun Aguero who was the lone forward!
Manchester United kicked off the match, slowly passing the ball around trying to dictate the play yet it was soon to be Manchester City who took control of the game for the first ten minutes or so, however City not being clinical enough with the ball, led to Manchester United scoring the first goal of the game with their first meaningful attack of the game, Ryan Giggs releasing the revitalised Antonio Valencia who jinked past Aleksander Kolarov before fizzing in a cross to the penalty spot where Wayne Rooney met the ball with a firm header and beat Pantilimon with the header that rebounded off the bar before crossing the line for good. Little did both sets of fans know what drama was coming next, a stray pass which made its way to Nani who judged it wrong, as he didn't get a firm touch on the ball, Vincent Kompany lunged in with a two footed tackle, however it must be stated he did take the ball and didn't touch the winger Nani, yet he did take the risk himself which will always be punished, on this case referee Chris Foy deemed this as a straight red card as to the dismay of most fans in the ground, including most MUFC fans.
This did of course lead to Manchester United taking the upper hand in the match as they had the spare man, Manchester City did eventually grasp the game a little tighter however when they did, Manchester United doubled their lead with an athletic strike from Danny Welbeck, Nani having his first proper gallop down the left wing, seen Patrice Evra overlapping, however before the ball was played to Evra .. Nani cut inside in the mean time Cruyff turning Adam Johnson .. released the ball to Patrice Evra whos ball in wasn't the best, after a couple of deflections in the box, the ball looped over Nasri, De Jongs and Welbecks head however Welbeck was quickest to it, swerving an athletic first time volley into Pantilimons far post, the Romanian keeper did get a fingertip to it but it was not enough to stop Welbeck doubling Uniteds lead.
Danny Welbeck was it again for the reds just 10 minutes later, making a direct run at Kolarov who slid in recklessly, with Chris Foy seemingly the centre of attention again, pointing to the spot! Wayne Rooney would be the man to step up, with his penalty going Pantilimons left, Pantilimon did save it however he parred it into the danger box where Wayne Rooney followed up to get his second of the game and Manchester Uniteds third.
Half time was quick around the corner and 2 minutes before half time, Antonio Valencia whipped in a devilish cross which Welbeck couldn't get full contact on to make it a fourth at the Etihad!
After half time Manchester City came out a completely different team, keeping in mind they were down to ten men, they got hold of the ball straight away and Micah Richards found himself in space running at Patrice Evra and was took down by Michael Carrick which resulted in a free kick in dangerous territory for the home side, and dangerous it proved to be, with Kolarov stepping up and scoring a belter of a free kick, similar to the one he scored against Napoli in the Champions League, down at Anders Lindergaards left leaving the Dane no chance. Manchester City then smelt the blood and began chomping at the bit, slowly dictating the pace of the game once again.
After the hour, Paul Scholes was once re-introduced to the green turf and was greeted by a partisan crowd understandably however, more cheers than boo's were heard!
Yet it was to be the un-retiree who gave the ball away to James Milner who cut back to Aguero who released a first time shot at Anders Lindergaard who couldn't hold the shot, which then spilt back to the Argentinian who poked the ball beyond the Dane to get the scoreline to 3-2.
The whole of the Etihad stadium were lifted by the little Argentinians goal however it wasn't to be the fairytale finish for the blue side of Manchester, they applied a lot of pressure to a second half United side that seemed to switch off completely and couldn't control the game until the last ten minutes when Anderson was introduced to the match, presumably to keep control of the ball with Scholes, Carrick and Giggs in midfield..
Manchester United fans hearts were in their mouths however in the last minute as Rio Ferdinand completely took out Micah Richards in dangerous set piece territory .. as Kolarov proven in the first handful of minutes in the second half, however it was not to be as Anders Lindergaard parred the free kick with his hands, albeit into dangerous territory however Uniteds defence were quick enough to pounce to the second ball and get it out of the danger area.
Manchester City fans can be proud of their team because they did prove they have the mettle to dance with the big teams in the big games, albeit without the Toure's/Gareth Barry and down to ten men!
MOTM for MUFC: Chris Smalling
MOTM for MCFC: Sergio Aguero
Flop of the match for MUFC: Phil Jones
Flop of the match for MCFC: Aleksander Kolarov.
Tuesday 3 January 2012
The Journey of RVP(Robin Van Persie)
As this is my first article, i won't be going "all in" on Holland and Arsenals most inform striker of 2010-2011 but i will try my best.
When the maestro was bought for just £2.75 million, he was merely seen as a replacement for the legend that was and still is, Dennis Bergkamp.
Not many EPL fans had seen much of him in the Dutch league at Excelsior and of course, Feyenoord. Also to add, not many Arsenal fans in particular probably thought that one of their heroes in Bergkamp could be replaced, you could say they were proven wrong in just one season? Or you could not, it's all about opinions in football!
When he first moved, he was under the wing of possibly the best striker to grace our league in Thierry Henry and one of Hollands best strikers in Bergkamp of course and you can't ask for much more if you're an up and coming striker in the best league in the world and being mentored by one of the best managers in the game in Arsene Wenger, am i wrong?
Some people/critics will point out that he is "injury prone" as the phase is known as, however when he isn't injured and he is getting through balls to his left foot, is he unplayable? Is it right to call him one of the best strikers in Europe, maybe the world? Just the year of 2011 has lifted him up there to be considered the best in Europe? Of course you have Lionel Messi, Mario Gomez, Benzema, Higuain etc.. however Robin Van Persie has come out of the shadows of Thierry Henry, Bergkamp, Wiltord, i could go on .. not to mention Nasri and Fabregas, moving away from Arsenal which has put the dutch Maestro at maybe the peak of his career without anyone over-shadowing his movement?
When the maestro was bought for just £2.75 million, he was merely seen as a replacement for the legend that was and still is, Dennis Bergkamp.
Not many EPL fans had seen much of him in the Dutch league at Excelsior and of course, Feyenoord. Also to add, not many Arsenal fans in particular probably thought that one of their heroes in Bergkamp could be replaced, you could say they were proven wrong in just one season? Or you could not, it's all about opinions in football!
When he first moved, he was under the wing of possibly the best striker to grace our league in Thierry Henry and one of Hollands best strikers in Bergkamp of course and you can't ask for much more if you're an up and coming striker in the best league in the world and being mentored by one of the best managers in the game in Arsene Wenger, am i wrong?
Some people/critics will point out that he is "injury prone" as the phase is known as, however when he isn't injured and he is getting through balls to his left foot, is he unplayable? Is it right to call him one of the best strikers in Europe, maybe the world? Just the year of 2011 has lifted him up there to be considered the best in Europe? Of course you have Lionel Messi, Mario Gomez, Benzema, Higuain etc.. however Robin Van Persie has come out of the shadows of Thierry Henry, Bergkamp, Wiltord, i could go on .. not to mention Nasri and Fabregas, moving away from Arsenal which has put the dutch Maestro at maybe the peak of his career without anyone over-shadowing his movement?
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