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The Full English: Dropping Out
With Arsenal fading...and fast, a midweek bout with Liverpool takes the top billing in today’s special edition of “The Full English.”
Feb 8, 2010 1:16:00 PM
By Shane Evans
I never thought it possible, but could Arsenal, Arsene Wenger and Gooners fans across the world be running out of excuses? No way, right?! Two losses on the trot against Manchester United and Chelsea have our boys now holding on to third place by an ever-slimming margin.
Oh and look! Liverpool are coming to town with the hopes of piling more pressure on the bruised and beaten kids in red. Obviously, that’ll be our highlight match for this round of midweek fixtures.
From there it’s up to Villa Park for a tasty return match between Aston Villa and Manchester United. To top off this Monday TFE, I’ll cast my all-seeing gaze a bit further north to Lancashire and the Super Bowl-caliber bash between Blackburn and Hull.
Smashing. Let’s get going.
The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)
Arsenal vs. Liverpool (Emirates Stadium, February 10th, 2:45 p.m. ET, Setanta Sports)
I don’t know if I can side with Arsenal again. Not after two straight defeats. Not after I picked them to win both. I just don’t get where the passion went. In both matches, they just looked flat. Completely uninterested.
What is ailing this team? Why can’t they get it going against the big boys? Like it or not, they just haven’t been up to the challenge this year and it doesn’t get any easier, as they welcome a resurgent Liverpool side to town on Wednesday.
The opposing fixture back in December was an excellent match, though played a bit sloppily. That’s a word, yes? Anyway, my favorite little Russian won the match with a cracker of a goal and would do himself proud to do it again this time around.
Arsenal have completely shut down as far as scoring goes and appear content to just pass the ball around the 18-yard box 15 times before giving it away. That’s basically what I took from the Chelsea match. Lots of passing, nothing coming of it. Granted, it’s not easy to play that way when you go behind early, but it also doesn’t justify the lack of width displayed.
Theo Walcott’s influence? Zero. Abou Diaby? Zilch. Bacary Sagna? Zip. Things really didn’t start to pick up until Nicklas Bendter was brought on. I was quite impressed with him at spots, but then he proceeded to give the ball away whenever I made a positive mental note. Sounds about right.
Taking on Liverpool will be just as tricky as Manchester United and Chelsea as the Reds, somewhat coincidentally, smell blood. Fresh off a morale-boosting derby win, Liverpool are getting close to thinking their crap doesn’t stink again. With Torres on the mend, Gerrard playing well, and Kuyt chasing down every ball within a country mile, the Merseysiders have every reason to believe they can march down south and take the full three from the hapless Gunners.
I disagree. Possibly for the last time.
I’ve put my faith in Arsenal lately to make things happen at the top of the table. They’ve failed me. Not this time. It’s not so much that I have confidence in them at the moment, because I don’t, but more that if they lose this match, or even draw, they have to be considered out of the title race. Arsene can’t let that happen.
TFE Prediction: 2-1 Gunners. Could be the last time you ever see those words written in that order, and so on.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester United (Villa Park, February 10th, 2:45 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)
United with a bit of help from Portsmouth (ok, a ton of help) were able to stroll back to the top of the English Premier League table on Saturday, only to be pegged back by Chelsea the following day.
The goals are starting to flow for the Red Devils, (15 in their last four) and the defense has played well (one conceded in the same number). All good signs and ones I saw coming as this all happened last year, the very same way.
They played to a slow burn for most of the first half and then lit the candle after Christmas and really started cooking down the stretch. With only two points between them and the leaders, and a match between the two table toppers set for early April, the race is still wide open.
For now, though, they will travel south and take on one of the teams which has sufficiently shut them down so far this season, none other than Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa.
Earlier in the year, if we can think back, Villa tightened the screws on Manchester United and left Old Trafford 1-0 winners. One of the better defensive performances of the season, as despite being out-possessed 68%-32% and outshot 19-8, Villa held on and denied the Champions a way back.
Villa have had an up-and-down season, but for the most part have played some quality football. They experienced a patch of no-scoring matches that was helped by a win at Fulham but then resumed with a scoreless draw at Spurs. Seems to be a big problem for them.
Playing Manchester United isn’t the answer. Playing Burnley, Hull and Sunderland (their next opponents) is. Regardless, I like United to get some revenge and keep the pressure on Chelsea.
TFE Prediction: Rooney is unstoppable at the moment, he nets a pair in a tight 2-0 United win.
Blackburn vs. Hull City (Ewood Park, February 10th, 3:00 p.m. ET)
Really, Shane? This match? What can it possibly offer? Not a lot really, but they are two teams fighting it out at the bottom of the table and who simply cannot afford (literally) to get relegated.
Not so long ago, Blackburn were top of the EPL pops. One of only four different teams to win the Premier League title (five bucks if you can name the other three), Rovers have fallen off the face of the earth since their glory days back in the mid-90s.
Hull on the other hand are enjoying the best form of their club’s career. Never a top flight team before a season ago, the Tigers are running wild on their competition. I say that jokingly, but they actually played a great game against the Man City enigma the other day and pulled out a win. Impressive.
So who takes this one? Does anyone even care? I’m going Hull for their first string of back-to-back wins this season. Jozy has a fire lit under his keister and will help propel Phil Brown to the ultimate tanning package instead of the meager standard option.
TFE Prediction: It’s a shootout! 3-2 Tigers.
The Toast (as in Of The EPL): ‘They Score Goals’ Edition
Didier Drogba, Chelsea: I feel that I have the same fear of seeing Didier Drogba in a dark alley as many goalkeepers do seeing him with the ball inside the 18-yard box. Manuel Almunia looked petrified on Drog's second on Sunday. Frozen stiff. Maybe because the shot looked to be faster than a McLaren F1. Sheesh...that guy is something else.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United: So Mr. Wazza netted his 21st against Portsmouth. Only 14 away from the record now. Yeah, I know, I just jinxed him. I’ve decided lately that I’m a living, breathing jinx. I have the reverse effect that Midas had. You get the idea. Anyway, keep hitting that target, Roo.
Gabby Agbonlahor, Aston Villa: Despite having the most awkward sprint I have ever seen (couldn’t find video evidence, sorry), Agbonlahor has grown in me in recent years. A Birmingham native, Gabby has come up come up with the Villa and has made all the right moves this season for a potential World Cup call-up in the summer. Two goals against Fulham at the Cottage helps. A tough one for Don Fabio...Gabby or Michael Owen? Hmmm…
Leicester Update
I swear, we have more chances on net these days than one can count. What can be counted, however, is the number of goals we score, and frankly, the number is too low. Finally we got a couple on the board against Blackpool and were able to stave them off by the seaside on Saturday. Proud of my boys for that. Next up is Doncaster on Tuesday at the Crisp Bowl. Up 10 points on them, a win would be lovely to help our playoff positioning.
And Finally...The Black Pudding of the Week
Euro 2012: Oh how lovely! The Euros are back in the news. Yes yes, everyone’s favorite continental super-tourney is back thanks to the draw that was held recently. Hopefully England manage to qualify this time. Our group seems solid and we’ll get a crack at Wales, which is fun. Feel a bit sorry for them really, never qualify for anything big and they’re stuck with Craig Bellamy. I’m part Welsh, so I feel the pain. Aside from that little bit of sappiness, I love the ‘green’ hippy logo. So beautiful, Michel. Should go in the Louvre.
Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com. His feature, "The Full English" appears every Friday morning. Contact Shane at shane.evans@goal.com with questions, comments and concerns, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/shanEvans or join the TFE/FCS Facebook fan page!
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
I never thought it possible, but could Arsenal, Arsene Wenger and Gooners fans across the world be running out of excuses? No way, right?! Two losses on the trot against Manchester United and Chelsea have our boys now holding on to third place by an ever-slimming margin.
Oh and look! Liverpool are coming to town with the hopes of piling more pressure on the bruised and beaten kids in red. Obviously, that’ll be our highlight match for this round of midweek fixtures.
From there it’s up to Villa Park for a tasty return match between Aston Villa and Manchester United. To top off this Monday TFE, I’ll cast my all-seeing gaze a bit further north to Lancashire and the Super Bowl-caliber bash between Blackburn and Hull.
Smashing. Let’s get going.
The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)
Arsenal vs. Liverpool (Emirates Stadium, February 10th, 2:45 p.m. ET, Setanta Sports)
I don’t know if I can side with Arsenal again. Not after two straight defeats. Not after I picked them to win both. I just don’t get where the passion went. In both matches, they just looked flat. Completely uninterested.
What is ailing this team? Why can’t they get it going against the big boys? Like it or not, they just haven’t been up to the challenge this year and it doesn’t get any easier, as they welcome a resurgent Liverpool side to town on Wednesday.
The opposing fixture back in December was an excellent match, though played a bit sloppily. That’s a word, yes? Anyway, my favorite little Russian won the match with a cracker of a goal and would do himself proud to do it again this time around.
Arsenal have completely shut down as far as scoring goes and appear content to just pass the ball around the 18-yard box 15 times before giving it away. That’s basically what I took from the Chelsea match. Lots of passing, nothing coming of it. Granted, it’s not easy to play that way when you go behind early, but it also doesn’t justify the lack of width displayed.
Theo Walcott’s influence? Zero. Abou Diaby? Zilch. Bacary Sagna? Zip. Things really didn’t start to pick up until Nicklas Bendter was brought on. I was quite impressed with him at spots, but then he proceeded to give the ball away whenever I made a positive mental note. Sounds about right.
Taking on Liverpool will be just as tricky as Manchester United and Chelsea as the Reds, somewhat coincidentally, smell blood. Fresh off a morale-boosting derby win, Liverpool are getting close to thinking their crap doesn’t stink again. With Torres on the mend, Gerrard playing well, and Kuyt chasing down every ball within a country mile, the Merseysiders have every reason to believe they can march down south and take the full three from the hapless Gunners.
I disagree. Possibly for the last time.
I’ve put my faith in Arsenal lately to make things happen at the top of the table. They’ve failed me. Not this time. It’s not so much that I have confidence in them at the moment, because I don’t, but more that if they lose this match, or even draw, they have to be considered out of the title race. Arsene can’t let that happen.
TFE Prediction: 2-1 Gunners. Could be the last time you ever see those words written in that order, and so on.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester United (Villa Park, February 10th, 2:45 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)
United with a bit of help from Portsmouth (ok, a ton of help) were able to stroll back to the top of the English Premier League table on Saturday, only to be pegged back by Chelsea the following day.
The goals are starting to flow for the Red Devils, (15 in their last four) and the defense has played well (one conceded in the same number). All good signs and ones I saw coming as this all happened last year, the very same way.
They played to a slow burn for most of the first half and then lit the candle after Christmas and really started cooking down the stretch. With only two points between them and the leaders, and a match between the two table toppers set for early April, the race is still wide open.
For now, though, they will travel south and take on one of the teams which has sufficiently shut them down so far this season, none other than Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa.
Earlier in the year, if we can think back, Villa tightened the screws on Manchester United and left Old Trafford 1-0 winners. One of the better defensive performances of the season, as despite being out-possessed 68%-32% and outshot 19-8, Villa held on and denied the Champions a way back.
Villa have had an up-and-down season, but for the most part have played some quality football. They experienced a patch of no-scoring matches that was helped by a win at Fulham but then resumed with a scoreless draw at Spurs. Seems to be a big problem for them.
Playing Manchester United isn’t the answer. Playing Burnley, Hull and Sunderland (their next opponents) is. Regardless, I like United to get some revenge and keep the pressure on Chelsea.
TFE Prediction: Rooney is unstoppable at the moment, he nets a pair in a tight 2-0 United win.
Blackburn vs. Hull City (Ewood Park, February 10th, 3:00 p.m. ET)
Really, Shane? This match? What can it possibly offer? Not a lot really, but they are two teams fighting it out at the bottom of the table and who simply cannot afford (literally) to get relegated.
Not so long ago, Blackburn were top of the EPL pops. One of only four different teams to win the Premier League title (five bucks if you can name the other three), Rovers have fallen off the face of the earth since their glory days back in the mid-90s.
Hull on the other hand are enjoying the best form of their club’s career. Never a top flight team before a season ago, the Tigers are running wild on their competition. I say that jokingly, but they actually played a great game against the Man City enigma the other day and pulled out a win. Impressive.
So who takes this one? Does anyone even care? I’m going Hull for their first string of back-to-back wins this season. Jozy has a fire lit under his keister and will help propel Phil Brown to the ultimate tanning package instead of the meager standard option.
TFE Prediction: It’s a shootout! 3-2 Tigers.
The Toast (as in Of The EPL): ‘They Score Goals’ Edition
Didier Drogba, Chelsea: I feel that I have the same fear of seeing Didier Drogba in a dark alley as many goalkeepers do seeing him with the ball inside the 18-yard box. Manuel Almunia looked petrified on Drog's second on Sunday. Frozen stiff. Maybe because the shot looked to be faster than a McLaren F1. Sheesh...that guy is something else.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United: So Mr. Wazza netted his 21st against Portsmouth. Only 14 away from the record now. Yeah, I know, I just jinxed him. I’ve decided lately that I’m a living, breathing jinx. I have the reverse effect that Midas had. You get the idea. Anyway, keep hitting that target, Roo.
Gabby Agbonlahor, Aston Villa: Despite having the most awkward sprint I have ever seen (couldn’t find video evidence, sorry), Agbonlahor has grown in me in recent years. A Birmingham native, Gabby has come up come up with the Villa and has made all the right moves this season for a potential World Cup call-up in the summer. Two goals against Fulham at the Cottage helps. A tough one for Don Fabio...Gabby or Michael Owen? Hmmm…
Leicester Update
I swear, we have more chances on net these days than one can count. What can be counted, however, is the number of goals we score, and frankly, the number is too low. Finally we got a couple on the board against Blackpool and were able to stave them off by the seaside on Saturday. Proud of my boys for that. Next up is Doncaster on Tuesday at the Crisp Bowl. Up 10 points on them, a win would be lovely to help our playoff positioning.
And Finally...The Black Pudding of the Week
Euro 2012: Oh how lovely! The Euros are back in the news. Yes yes, everyone’s favorite continental super-tourney is back thanks to the draw that was held recently. Hopefully England manage to qualify this time. Our group seems solid and we’ll get a crack at Wales, which is fun. Feel a bit sorry for them really, never qualify for anything big and they’re stuck with Craig Bellamy. I’m part Welsh, so I feel the pain. Aside from that little bit of sappiness, I love the ‘green’ hippy logo. So beautiful, Michel. Should go in the Louvre.
Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com. His feature, "The Full English" appears every Friday morning. Contact Shane at shane.evans@goal.com with questions, comments and concerns, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/shanEvans or join the TFE/FCS Facebook fan page!
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
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