Wednesday 22 February 2012

Wolves managerial hunt.



Wolves sacked ex-manager Mick McCarthy last Premier League weekend, after what can only be described as an embarrassing defeat at the hands of bitter rivals, West Brom. Ever since then Wolves have been on the look out for their new manager, but it hasn't gone so well.

The Wolves board came our saying that they wanted to resolve this quickly. They did act quickly by interviewing, recently sacked manager, Bruce. He was thrown off the "managerial merry-go-round" by Sunderland and was replaced by O'neill. The interview happened and as of yet nothing more has come out about Steve Bruce. He is still the bookies favourites at a stunning 2/1

Under pressure at Sunderland. Not anymore
Alan Curbishley is another one of the men Wolves seek. An original interview was followed by the ex-Charlton man ruling himself out of the running. It didn't stop the persistent Wolves offering again, but alas...still no! However the bookies have him at a strong 7/1 or 4th favourite. Other strong candidates include Lee Clark, Roy Keane and Gus Poyet at 5/1, 6/1, 7/1 respectively. Outsiders, includes some crazy managerial ideas, like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at 40/1. How about Slaven Bilic at 50/1. Even Sven Goran Erisson at the furthest outside, 66/1. Whoever the next manger is..........they will probably still be relegated.
Can they prove me wrong?
I don't think so.
COULD IT BE???????????????????????

Sunday 19 February 2012

StevenageVTottenham



Stevenage came into this match as the lowest ranked team left after Crawley had been knocked out earlier. New manager at Stevenage who had big boots to fill, but he has started filling them well. Redknapp's mind may have been else were, (England job or Premier League) but Spurs certainly, especially in the first half, did not perform.

Tottenham were nothing special but, you can't take anything away from the League One team.  The closest Spurs came in the first 45 was a header from skipper Dawson which was cleared off the line. Stevenage offered little in the way of clear cut opportunity's, however a few long shots came very near. Most noticeably a left foot strike from Byrom, only one foot over the bar with the Cudicini scrambling.

It would seem that at half time the away side were given a real bollocking. They came out and drilled continuously at Stevenage. The lower league side were well organised at the back and gave away very little. The team from North London had the ball in the back of the net 55 minutes in. Louis Saha scrambled the ball in and the goal was given, however the assistant on the far side raised his flag and the ref over turned his original decision. The shot from Saha hit Parker standing on the line, more importantly standing offside.
Parker offside from Saha'a shot.

Stevenage were incredible and 100% earned their replay at White Hart Lane. To be honest you can't see anyone going into the Quarter-Final, in this tie, other than Tottenham. Stevenage will have everyone apart from Tottenham supporters behind them. Awaiting the winner of that is Bolton.


FA Cup quarter-finals draw:
Liverpool v Stoke City
Chelsea/Birmingham City v Leicester City
Stevenage/Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers
Everton v Sunderland

CrawleyVStoke

This FA Cup tie took place under a sun soaked Broadfield Stadium. The match had is fair share of controversy in the first half. The referee at the centre of it all.

The game began with the League 2 side on top, it got better for them when a 50/50 ball ended in Delap leaving the ground in his tackle, Steve Evans, the Crawley manager, jumped up and down on the sideline and then onto the pitch. The referee showed Delap the red card to the dismay of Mr. Pulis. Stoke were almost made to pay when a corner that wasn't dealt with by Begovic and came to Crouch, all  2m of him, it hit his knee and rebounded on to his own crossbar. Then came more controversy, a ball hit into the box by Crawley was heading for Barnett when it appeared that he was blocked by Stoke defender Shawcross. A free-kick was awarded to the away side, but replays show that maybe The Red Devils were a bit unlucky not to be awarded a penalty. A penalty was awarded later in the first half, but it was given to Stoke. Shawcross got the wrong side of McFadzen and was then brought down. The debutante goalie was unable to stop the viciously struck penalty from Walters.
Delap's challenge earns him a red card

The second half was less "interesting" however a great header from Crouch sealed victory for Stoke, a much needed one to, they had lost 4 in a row in all competitions before this one. They will now face the winner of the match BrightonVLiverpool.
Crouch celebrates with team mates after scoring Stoke's second

Saturday 18 February 2012

ChelseaVBirmingham

Birmingham travelled to London today to face Chelsea in the early kick off in the FA Cup 5th round. Chelsea's manager Andre Villas Boas or AVB has been in the news a lot this week for comments saying he doesn't need all his players to back him in his "project" at Chelsea. His comments came after rumours players were still texting ex-Chelsea manager Mourinho.

It didn't start well for the Blues...the London version of the Blues, when after 20 minutes Murphy scored, for the more northern version of the Blues. However Chelsea earned a penalty moments later after Ramires was felled in the box. Mata's penalty was by no means bad but and incredible save onto the post by Doyle.

At half time Villas Boas' men were booed off the pitch, and as they returned it appeared that Drogba, who came on at half time, was giving the team talk. AVB denies this strongly. Chelsea dominates the match, but created very few clear cut chances. There was one noticeable chance for Chelsea, a cross from the right from Ivanovic was met by the head of Sturridge and he guided it carefully into the corner to level the game at 1-1. The match ended without much more drama.

This result capped of a very bad week for Villas Boas, but hopefully for all Chelsea fans...me, that the pensioners can put the week behind them and have a successful trip to Italy and come back with a solid lead taking the tie with Napoli back to the Bridge.
Villas Boas on his knees
Sturridge's equalising header

SunderlandVArsenal


Sunderland beat an Arsenal who are looking likely to end this season trophyless......again, keep track with this  www.sincearsenallastwonatrophy.co.uk. A first half goal form Keiran Richardson sent the half full Stadium of Light into raptures. Recent calls from, a so called Arsenal fan, Piers Morgan requesting Wenger's head has been met by anger with some fans, but now some fans may start to agree. Arsenal's young star Chamberlain, who is currently making a strong push a place in England's Euro squad, heaped more misery on his own side. He was robbed off the ball by Sessegnon who played a ball into ex-gooner Arsenal Larson, his shot hit the post and rebounded off Chamberlain himself and into the back of the net.

Does this spell the end for Arsene Wenger? Well probably not...sorry Morgan, however it does most likely spell the end for Arsenal's trophy hunt for another year.

 A worrying stat for Arsenal supporters is 3 matches, 7 goals scored, 7 goals conceded, and only 1 win. 

It gets worse 2 matches, 0 goals scored, 6 conceded, 0 wins.