Same standard, 1/2 price?

Much was said about United's attacking front after the departure of Ronaldo and Tevez. While Ronaldo's ability to kill off small teams is greatly missed, I can hardly say the same for Tevez. While United misses his incredible work rate and commited play every single game, Valencia seems to be improving at a steady pace with each passing game.

Put both players' current statistic together and you will get:-

Tevez: Started 9, Sub 2, Goals 2, Assist 4 (http://search.espn.go.com/carlos-tevez/)

Valencia: Started 9, Sub 3, Goals 2, Assist 2 (http://search.espn.go.com/antonio-valencia/)

Comparable? Almost.

But.

Valencia cost United £16m. Tevez cost City a whopping British Transfer Record of £47m. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article6831582.ece

Best of all, Owen is FREE!

Owen: Games 10, Goals 2, Assist 0

Same standard, 1/2 price? Thats for Mark Hughes to answer..

A miracle too far..

This morning, even the most delusional Liverpool fan woke up to the fact that the team is indeed headed no where this season.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Debrecen
Fiorentina 1 - 0 Lyon

As it takes a moment for most to digest the result over a cup of teh tarik or nescafe, the long sigh from Benitez could almost be heard all the way from Hungary. For the first time in six season under his charge, Liverpool failed to qualify to the knockout stage of Champions League. While he is frustrated to say the least, I wouldn't say that he couldn't see this coming. Several near misses including Liverpool's one-off exception qualification to the Champions League 2005-06 even though they ended up fifth in the league, by virtue of being the 2004-05 champion.

As, Rafa adjust his GPS - changing course from Madrid to Hamburg, he is left to ponder - if Liverpool was ever meant to play in Europa Cup with the likes of Everton, Benfica and Valencia. The true damage to Liverpool will be the failure to qualify for next year's Champions League. With the likes of Spurs, City and Villa all hovering above them, it might soon become a task too far..

Attention folks: One miracle coming right up!

Watch out guys! If you're watching the Champions League qualifier tonight - you're in for a treat - apparently. Rafa Benitez 'insist' that his Liverpool side is ready to amaze Europe again with an unlikely Champions League knockout stage qualification.


Well his words are not without credit actually: Liverpool is a team that lives on miracle after all - two years back when they miraculously survived to the knockout stage, whacking Porto, Besiktas and Marseille along the way - and of course, which Liverpool fan will allow you to forget their 0-3 come back against AC Milan to win the Champion's League in 2005.

Any difference now and then? YES

For starters, this guy isn't playing:
















He is the sole reason why Liverpool is winning - sad to say.

Fiorentina only need one point from the match against Lyon to dash Liverpool's hope. And this man is on a mission to make sure that this happens:

Adrian Mutu







Yes, thats right boys and girls - Adrian Mutu is back to wipe that grin off all those English fans that mocked him during his scandalous stay with Chelsea. At one point fans were even laughing at the report where he was in the sack with four ladies - but didn't impress any of them! Now back with the big boys and despite a difficult elbow injury, Mutu managed to finish the 2008-2009 season with 14 goals, along with Gilardino they were one of the top ten single season striker partnerships in Viola history with 33 goals between them.

My money is on him - finishing of Liverpool's faint hopes. What do you think?

Hand of Henry

Once again the world of football is in the middle of another uproar - this time its because of "Hand of Henry" at work. Thierry Henry's handling of the ball during Ireland vs France's World Cup Qualifier 2nd leg playoff, allowed his team mate - William Gallas, to score the goal that took France to World Cup Finals.

In all honesty, I sympathise with Henry. Yes, he did handle the ball. He has admitted to it, and even asked for a replay as a fair resolution to the matter. What else do you want from him? He is right actually - saying that he is not the referee, and that it was the referee's responsibility to stop the game and disallow the goal.

But all this commotion is part of the game - the more publicity the better. FIFA knows very well, that part of what makes the game exciting is questionable decisions or human error in refereeing. In the end - the longer you stay in the game, you'll realise that the theory of equilibrium may bring justice to you.. eventually. You win some, you lose some - that's the name of the game. What do you think?

A shift in power

The Barclay's English Premier League is going through an exciting phase in its 17th year of existence. As the world's most watched sporting league, and the strongest national league for 2 consecutive years in a row (2007 & 2008), the balance of power is finally being more equally distributed - breaking the traditional 'Big Four' dominance.

A snapshot of the table as of 1st November 2009

At first glance, you may be forgiven for thinking that its business as usual - as all (well, with Liverpool as an exception) the big names are occupying the top 3 spots. A close look will reveal how close these teams are from the rest of the chasing pack. Arsenal with 22 points could go above United if they win the next game (having played only 10 games and with superior goal difference) and City could potentially make it 22 points - having played 1 game less as well. Villa could also move into 5th if they win the next one - having 18 points and having played 1 less as well.

Interesting enough - all top 3 teams have lost twice so far with 11 games played. Gone are the days where title contenders run away with a clear cut lead after playing only 1/3 of the season. All top teams have been going through a tough time so far:-

Chelsea - Woeful away form (2 away losses) and slapped with 2 transfer window ban. Better hope no one gets injured.

United - Lack of creativity in attack and midfield. Hopefully for United, all the rumors of capturing David Silva and David Villa will come through good. Scrapping through 1-0 wins may not be good enough at times - like what the Gaffa always say - At the end of the day, it may come down to goal difference. Right now their 12 is a pale comparison against Arsenal's 19 and Chelsea's 20.

Arsenal - Inexperienced young Gunners tend to collapse towards the end of the season. Games like the one against West Ham are tell tale signs. That being said - when they thump teams, they really do it in style!

Manchester City - Showed promising signs defeating the likes of Arsenal. Like Liverpool, they rise to big occasions, but play poorly against mid table teams. Looking at their performance against Birmingham - Hughes has a lot to do for the remaining season.

Liverpool - Most likely to drop out of the top 4 position. Rafa has got to make up his mind. With a squad like theirs (Lucas & Voronin - need I say more), competing on all fronts for honours, is an impossible task. Now staring at Champion's League exit and with Gerrard possibly out until December - League title should be a foregone conclusion by then.

With a WAG like that, it is no wonder Stevie G's groin injury is so serious..

Consistency - as in the past and now as important as ever - will be the key to winning the Premier League this season.