IF WE CAN’T HAVE IT, WHY SHOULD YOU? If Arsenal go with that motto to the Etihad then Manuel Pellegrini would be in for a treat, and such tr...
IF WE CAN’T HAVE IT, WHY SHOULD YOU?
If Arsenal go with that motto to the Etihad then Manuel Pellegrini would be in for a treat, and such treat would only see his side lose ground on getting their hands on the trophy.
The Citizens’ boss had begun talks of the game with placing Alexis Sanchez over Sergio Aguero in footballing abilities, how the Argentine reacts to being inferior to the Chilean would be interesting as Kun would be returning to face the Gunners but can he hit the ground running so quick?.
Another telling fact is City’s inability to win a game without Yaya Toure in the starting lineup since April last year, talk about presence eh? The Ivorian is away for the African Nations Cup and his absence was telling in City’s last draw, can Arsenal’s returning Ozil be the one to put a dent to Man City’s title ambitions?
CUP HANGOVER
It is a tough and resilient West Ham side this season, combination of flair and individual brilliance has seen the Hammers challenge for continental places even as the historical owners have seen them drop to 7th.
Victory against Steve Bruce’s Hull City could see them climb to 5th but it would demand a lot from them. Hammers’ F.A Cup replay against Everton on Tuesday saw them play a 120minutes’ game which they won on penalties at the end.
Question is, can they put up such fight against a Hull City side bar flair and brilliance, are in the same category in terms of resilience?
KEEPING IT NATURAL AND SIMPLE
We all know the grumbles of the unbalanced nature of the squad and how injuries have hit them from all corners. Saturday’s game against QPR gives LvG a chance to get it right second-time running.
Against Southampton, it was widely expected to see a full powered Man Utd side and a reversal to her orthodox 4-4-2 formation. But LvG waved his wand.
Not only were we denied the pleasures of the aforementioned, perplexity was thrown at us in the pairing of Angel Di Maria and Robin van Persie up front, a position strange to the former, denying him the chance to excel in a position that got him the FIFPRO XI spot.
Radamael Falcao was dropped from the match day squad as well. Such decisions cost the Red Devils with the Saints taking three points at OT.
Against QPR, a better lineup would surely be put out with Falcao expected to return to the starting lineup given RvP’s recent injury. QPR have been excellent at home, Man Utd have been far from excellent on the road- how well would the stories change?
FRIENDLY FOE IS COMING TO WHITE HART LANE
Sunderland make the trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham and would surely be lifted by the fact that Jermaine Defoe is now in their camp.
The ex-Spurs player signed with them this January and Gus Poyet would be hoping the striker can make an immediate impact if given the debut against his former side.
The Black Cats have scored just 18 goals this season and are one point above the drop, with Defoe scoring more than 100 Premier League goals for their opponents; much hope would be on that the new signing could bring some of that stat to Sunderland as well.
The last meeting at the Stadium of Light saw a 2-2 draw after Sunderland fought back to earn a point. Spurs were in action against Burnley midweek for a replay in which they also fought back to win 4-2 after being two down. Morale is high at White Hart Lane and Jermaine’s probable return just makes it another to relish.
REDS COLD DISH
Last year, the Villains ran away with a one-nil win over the Reds at Anfield, now they welcome a Reds team on the up. Times at Villa Park are getting hard and the Villa fans are being faithful with their manager… for now.
Randy Lerner is getting the ire of the fans, as an eight minutes absence from the game is being planned, 8 minutes a representation of his 8 years as owner. perhaps, as a plan to show that their silence through absence could be deafening.
Aston Villa have scored the lowest amount of goals not just in the Premier League but in the three divisions down after and Lambert would be desperate for goals to come from anywhere against a Liverpool side trying to stabilize its oscillating form.
He would be hoping to get three points which could see them move to sixth with Paul Lambert hoping the outcome of this game can only affect his team positively with F.A Cup game against Bournemouth, with Arsenal and Chelsea to follow.
Written by: @ChukaMVP
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