Goals, Cards and Drama!

Hello you lovely lot and welcome to a Monday night Strike, well what a weekend of football that was! So much to talk about from the thriller on Saturday where Norwich and Liverpool played out a goal fest, Man United just cannot score at home, Dele Alli's wonder goal and a fiery game at The Emirates.


Late Lallana adds to the Drama

On Saturday morning when I saw that Norwich were playing Liverpool, it didn't fill me with much hope of a goal fest, how wrong was I?! Liverpool got an early goal from Firmino and should have made it two when James Milner was one on one with the keeper but he took too long and it could have bit Liverpool on the backside. Norwich to their credit fought back and got back into the game with a clever back heeled finished by Mbobkani and then Steven Naismith scored his first goal for his new club. The second half started with an early penalty to The Canaries after some awful defending from Alberto Moreno who I really have no idea what he was doing. So 3-1 to Norwich was a shock but the last half hour was complete madness. Jordon Henderson got one back with a cracking finish and then a few minutes Firmino scored another one to make it 3-3! Norwich didn't help themselves and the goal that put Liverpool back in front was simple awful defending from Jonny Howson who tried to knock it back to his keeper but there was nowhere near enough pace on it and James Milner made up for his earlier miss with a cool finish and this mental game was 3-4 to The Reds. With the game heading into injury time, surely there couldn't be anymore drama? The 4th official indicated there would be 5 minutes of time added on which frustrated Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and when Sebastian Bassong piledrived the ball into the bottom corner it only annoyed the German more. So 4-4 with 1 minute to go of injury time, surely now this game would be a draw and both sides would have earned a very hard fought point but no, Adam Lallana reacted quickest to head tennis in the Norwich penalty area and hit the ball on the half volley into the top corner which lead to some incredible scenes with Klopp celebrating like a madman and losing his glasses. What an unbelievable game of football where the standard was pretty average and the defending was just plain awful.



Saints down sinner Van Gaal

Man United went into this weekend on a high after beating Liverpool last week and so a home game against side who aren't in exactly great form should be a relatively easy one. However this one didn't go to a plan at all and it is now 11 home games in a row that Man United have failed to score a goal in the first half. That stat is shocking because this is United, a Premier League giant who used to rip teams apart and a lot of the time, won the game before a ball was kicked. This Man United side are beyond poor and they just don't look like beating anyone with ease and the fans aren't silly, they want a team who hits teams with pace and skill but Marouane Felliani has all the skill of an ostrich on Rollerblades and he is truly woeful and should have been sent off for a blatant elbow. Louis Van Gaal is under massive pressure now and there are reports that Ed Woodward has spoken to some of the key players to find out what they need in this transfer window. Would you trust LVG with anymore money? He has spent over £250 million and are now worse than when David Moyes was there. They head to Derby in the Cup this weekend and if they get knocked out then I really think it could be the final nail in the coffin.


Dele Alli

A quick mention to the Spurs midfielder who for me scored probably the goal of the season against Crystal Palace which reminded me of Gazza in Euro 96, an absolute corker of a volley. He has a very bright future and he has to go to the Euro's because he is young and will have no fear. Spurs are looking very good this year and they title contenders because at the moment, it is so tight at the top.


Arsenal's Chelsea jinx continues

Arsenal will never get a better chance to beat a Chelsea side who despite have improved under Guus Hiddink are still way down the table and are beatable. I am going to try my best not to lose my rag over Diego Costa's antics. I don't blame Mark Clattenburg for showing Per Mertesacker off because it was stupid lunge and from where the ref was, it looked like he had taken him clean out but when you have the advantage of replays then you will see there was no contact between the Germans legs and the Strikers foot. I am not going to lie and say I am not biased about my club and football is an emotional game so when I saw the dive, I was enraged. I just can't work out why he went down when he wasn't touched, he could have gone to have a one on one with Petr Cech but he decided to fall over and roll about 6 times. Hate is a very strong word but it is very fitting for Diego Costa, there is another word I could use but I will leave that to imagination. I felt for Oliver Giroud when was hooked off because he hadn't done anything wrong and the Arsenal fans were gobsmacked. I can see why Wenger done it but when your one nil down and have a golden chance to grab an equalizer, Mathieu Flamini isn't really the man you want it to fall too. It was a massive blow to lose because a win really would have made us big favourites for the title but I am sure there will be other bumps in the road.



Well that is it for now! I will be back on Wednesday!

TEAM OF THE YEAR SO FAR!!!

Hello you lovely lot and welcome to a brand new Strike, it has been a while but I am back! There have been some surprises this year in terms of players who have really impressed this season. My team of the year is not biased at all.

So let's crack on with my team!


Petr Cech - This choice was a very difficult as Hugo Lloris has been sensational this season but I couldn't ignore this man because he is the reason that Arsenal are flying high in the league at the moment. A lot was made of Arsenal not signing an outfield player in the summer but I think this was probably signing of the summer. There was another Keeper who has been brilliant this year and that is Jack Butland, who for me will be a massive star in the future.


Hector Bellerin - Again not a biased choice, for me he is the best right back in the league at the moment. He is brilliant going forward, good at defending and his pace is unbelievable. This was the easiest position to choose for me.


Toby Alderweireld - There is no doubt this boy can defend and he is class. Spurs have been brilliant this year and he is one of the reasons why they have been so hard to beat. I was a massive fan of his when he was at Southampton and he has made the step up and will be one of the Defenders in Europe for a long time.



Chris Smalling - While I haven't been impressed with Man United in the slightest, Smalling has been sensational at the back in a very average team. There is no doubt he should be in the starting 11 for England at the Euro's in the summer. The only positive thing that LVG has done is bring the best out of Chris Smalling.



Aaron Cresswell - He has been absolutely brilliant for The Hammers this year, he has a lot of pace and is dangerous going forward but is also a very good defender. I think he could be in with a shout of getting a call up for the summer. A real talent and deserves a chance in my opinion.




Riyad Mahrez - I have really enjoyed watching Leicester this season and this man has been class. It took him a while to settle into the Premier League after a quieter first season but he has been just incredible and I do wonder if he will be still at The King Power in the Summer.



Mesut Ozil -  He is just class, the way he can see a pass when it seems it is impossible but he could pass a ball through a cheese grater without touching the sides. One of the best midfielders in Europe at the moment. He is a joy to watch and as an Arsenal fan, I feel very lucky to have him.




Deli Alli - The boy came with a lot of promise from MK Dons but he is class, the way he runs with the ball and the confidence is staggering from a kid so young, has a massive England future and I think he should be one of the first picks for France.



Kevin De Bruyne - It never really worked out for him at Chelsea for whatever reason and I had my doubts when Man City paid a shed load of money but he hasn't disappointed. Very good on the ball and has an eye for goal. There were a couple of players who could been picked instead like Payet from West Ham, who has been simply brilliant but KDB just about gets the nod.



Romelu Lukaku - This man is a beast and he cannot stop scoring goals and I can't imagine any defender who looks forward to playing against him. He scores goals and creates all sorts of problems for defenders. Massive player with a huge future.


Odion Ighalo - Maybe a surprise but his record speaks for himself, scores goals and the step up from Championship to Premier league hasn't fazed him at all. I have been very impressed with Watford and he has been key as has Troy Deeney.


So there you go, that is my team of the year so far! I am sure it will all change by the time May comes but I would love to see this squad play together.


 

Merry Christmas!

Hello you lovely lot! Would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Merry Christmas, may your day be filled with food and booze!

So tomorrow is a massive day of football, Can Leicester continue their sensational form and push for an incredible title push? Will LVG still be in a job after Man United's trip to Stoke? All in I know is, it is going to be a cracking day of football.


Stoke 2 - 1 Man United - This is a must win for United, no win in 6 games, playing poorly and a manager who is losing the plot. I really see the Dutchman losing his job if they do not pick up a result in this one and the way United are playing at the moment, I wouldn't be backing them. Stoke have already beaten City and Chelsea this season and will feel fairly confident on another win here.


Bournemouth 2 - 2 Crystal Palace - I see this one being a goal fest, both sides play attacking football and I think this one will be a cracker. Bournemouth are on quite a run of form after 3 wins on the bounce and will fear nobody. Palace are much better away from home than they are away due to the pace in the side so they can hit teams on the break. A real Christmas treat with plenty of goals.



Chelsea 2 - 1 Watford - I haven't said much about the sacking of Jose but I think the players were an absolute disgrace, doesn't matter if you don't like the manager, you should play for the badge and the fans who pay to watch you. Chelsea will just about edge this one but Watford were supreme against Liverpool and will create chances. A part of me wants The Hornets to get a result and prove how bad Chelsea are.


Liverpool 1 - 2 Leicester - Why can't The Foxes go all the way and win the league? They are a joy to watch and I think they will get the points at Anfield. Liverpool were truly woeful against Watford and were lucky it wasn't more than the three. They seem to do well against the big sides but run out of ideas when it comes to the teams they should be beating. The Foxes will cause havoc against a very shaky defence without Martin Skirtel.


Tottenham 3 - 1 Norwich - The Canaries were superb at Old Trafford and should have won even more comfortable but I can't see them getting a result here. Spurs are in good form and they are looking like a top four side but it is a funny season as Newcastle stunned Spurs a few weeks ago.


Southampton 1 - 3 Arsenal - Arsenal are in great form and were brilliant on Monday against City and the way Mesut Ozil is playing at the moment is just incredible. The boy is just world class, also Oliver Giroud cannot stop scoring goals and I fancy him to continue his goal scoring form.



Well guys that is it for now, hope you all have a great day! Merry Christmas x

Predictions!!

Hello people! It's that time of the week again where I wrongly predict the scores from the 6 Premier League games.



Crystal Palace 2 - 0 Southampton - I really enjoy watching Palace play, they have lots of pace and goals in them. I thought they played very well last Monday at Everton and could have grabbed all the three points. Southampton are on a real bad run at the moment and somehow couldn't beat Villa last week when for the majority of the game, they were well on top. I think Palace will win this one quite comfortably and pile more misery on Koeman's side.


Bournemouth 1 - 1 Man United - A few years ago I would have predicted an easy win for United but now I really don't see how United will be The Cherries. United looked better against Wolfsburg but still look a poor side in my opinion. Bournemouth will fear nobody after their stunning win at Chelsea where they deserved the points and I think they will cause United problems. Louis Van Gaal's side are in an injury crisis at the moment but I think this game has a draw written all over it.


West Ham 1 - 2 Stoke - The Hammers got a very good point at Old Trafford last week and with their injury list it was a very good performance but they are a funny side who seem to play well against the bigger sides and struggle when they play the teams around them. Stoke were phenomenal last week and played Man City off the park. This is going to be a tight one but I think Stoke will grab the points.


Aston Villa 1 - 3 Arsenal - Arsenal were supreme in midweek and Oliver Giroud was even better than that. If Arsenal would have gone out the Champions League then this one could have been a potential banana skin but I just can't see anything other than an away win here. Villa somehow grabbed a point last week but they are in massive trouble in my opinion. A routine win for The Gunners and I am backing Giroud to continue his fine goal scoring form.


Tottenham 2 - 0 Newcastle - Tottenham are in very good form and with everyone else seeming to not want to win the league, if they carry on then they are in with a shout. Newcastle got a very much needed win last time out and played some good football but I can only see one result here and that is a home win.


Leicester 2 - 1 Chelsea - Make no mistake about it, that win over Porto in midweek papered over the cracks, Chelsea were awful against Bournemouth and something isn't right. I don't think Leicester will fear anyone at the moment. The Foxes are just brilliant this season and although I don't think they will win the league, there is no reason why they won't be in the top four in May.



That's all for now! Have a good one!   

Bits and Bobs!

Hello people and welcome to a midweek Strike! Coming up, going to be talking about the shock appointment of Gary Neville to Valencia and the possibility of him maybe managing England one day, Man United's boring football and being knocked out of the Champions League. Also a look at Arsenal's big game in Greece where they have to win by 2 clear goals or a result of 3-2.


Gary Neville to Valencia

I was pretty shocked to hear about Gary Neville being appointed the manager of Spanish outfit, Valencia but I think he has all the qualities to be a success and maybe replace Roy Hodgson as England manager. I really enjoyed Neville's punditry on Sky Sports because the way he explained certain things was pretty fascinating and I found myself agreeing with him on most things. I think he will make a very good manager because if a player isn't putting in a shift then I don't see Neville turning a blind eye. There is no doubt it is a slight gamble to appoint a manager with no real managerial experience but he has a great footballing mind and it is going to be really interesting to see how he gets on and he could actually get further in the Champions League this year than Louis Van Gaal.


Manchester United

Everyone who follows this blog will know how unimpressed I have been with Man United so far this season and last night just summed up how poor they are and how inept their manager is. Louis Van Gaal has spent an absolute fortune in his 18 months and to be honest, I haven't seen much improvement. There are probably three players who I would say are genuine class and they are David De Gea, who keeps United in games on his own and without him they would be midtable and next summer I think they will lose him. Chris Smalling has come on leaps and bounds and is probably the best English centre back at the moment and the other is Anthony Martial, who is still only 20 years old and I think he will be a top player in a few years. The reason I say Louis Van Gaal is inept is because the players he has let go are better than the players he has bought in. Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Robin Van Persie, Adnan Januzaj, Nani and Angel Di Maria would all do a job for United and probably a better one than the current players. Look at Memphis Depay, good going forward at times but he is the most frustrating player I have ever watched. The amount of times he gives the ball away is unforgivable. Louis Van Gaal should be under massive pressure and last season a top four place was good enough to stabilize the team. This season there are no excuses, this is his squad, his money and I really think that he has to win something this year.


Arsenal's big night

Tonight is a massive game for The Arsenal, I think they can do it but they only have themselves to blame if they don't qualify because results haven't been good enough. As an Arsenal fan, I want us to win every possible game and to be honest if we do end up going into the Europa League then I would want to win it. Every other European Country seems to take it seriously but we seem to turn up our noses at it. It is a trophy end of the day, maybe not quite as glamorous as the Champions League but if you don't want to win a trophy then you should be questioning yourself. There is no doubt that Arsenal will miss Sanchez and Cazorla but the return of Theo Walcott could be a key factor. His pace and recent form could fire the Gunners into the knockout stages. The first goal is key, like Monaco last year when Arsenal scored the French side just gave up and were holding on. I am going for an Arsenal 3 - 0 win tonight. Aaron Ramsey will get on the score sheet as well.



Well that's all for now and I will be back tomorrow for a look back on tonight's action where Chelsea also need a win to guarantee qualification because it would be such a shame to see Jose go out.

Cheers!    

New Week, Different predictions!

Hello you lovely lot! Welcome to another Strike! You know the drill by now, going to pick the top games of the weekend and give my predictions which will probably be wrong as always!



Stoke 2 - 2 Man City - I can see a lot of goals in this one, both sides eased into the Semi Finals of the Capital One Cup in the week. Stoke will want to bounce back after their defeat last week to Sunderland and I think the home fans will demand a response but Ryan Shawcross being suspended will be a huge blow. Man City are back to winning ways after a slightly wobbly couple of weeks but another injury to Sergio Aguero is not a good sign. Not a game a for defending with lots of goals.


Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland - This is a must win for The Gunners, they have been below par over the past couple of weeks and have dropped silly points but I do expect them to bounce back against a Sunderland who have been in good form recently after an absolute torrid start to the season. How many more players will get injured for Arsene Wenger? I don't think this is just down to bad luck, something isn't right at the club but I do think with home advantage, The Arsenal will get the points.


Manchester United 1 - 1 West Ham - I really don't know how Man Utd are up near the top of the table, they were terrible last weekend and somehow got a draw. This isn't the United that I know, the boring football, lack of pace and creativity and it is down to one man....the manager. I really can see this game being a draw because there isn't a thing to fear about going to Old Trafford anymore and West Ham play some good football so it is a draw for me.


West Brom 1 - 3 Tottenham - After a dismal game against Chelsea last weekend, I think Spurs will get back to winning ways here. Harry Kane will definitely grab a goal here. Spurs do play some good football and I think it will be to much for The Baggies.


Chelsea 2 - 0 Bournemouth - I would love it, if The Cherries got a result but sadly but I can see Chelsea being a bit too strong. There are still problems at the Bridge and the behaviour of Diego Costa is something that is a problem. If he was scoring goals and playing well then you could understand his frustration but at the moment it looks like he couldn't score in a brothel, never mind on a pitch.


Newcastle 0 - 5 Liverpool - This is the banker of the weekend, if Newcastle defend anything like they have been then this could end up double figures. They were utterly dreadful last weekend against a very good Palace side but surely they cannot play any worse? Liverpool look good away from home and I don't see them having a problem here.


Cheers for reading! I will be back!

Previewwww!

Hello you lovely lot and welcome to another edition of The Weekly Strike. I haven't done one for a few weeks as I have been so busy but I am back!

There are some absolute cracking games this weekend I am going to give my predictions for the top  games that stand out to me.


Aston Villa 1 - 0 Watford - Aston Villa simply have to win this game, it is their Cup Final. Another defeat for Remi Garde's side will push them further adrift at the bottom of the table and in serious trouble. They were awful last weekend at Everton and could have been beaten 10 nil. I can see Villa just about getting the 3 points because the home faithful will demand it. Watford were so unlucky last weekend in the defeat to Man United, if they had taken their chances then they would have got the points. The Hornets could well win this game because Troy Deeney is in good form and with Villa's defence looking very suspect. I predict a very tense game and a home win....just.


Crystal Palace 2 - 0 Newcastle - The Eagles would have been kicking themselves last time out after Sunderland grabbed a very unlucky win. I do predict they will bounce back here as The Toon are in freefall and the Manager is under massive pressure already. Rumours of a fall out between Steve McLaren and some of his senior players does not bode well here. I really fear for Newcastle in this one, they don't score enough goals and they can't defend. An easy home win for Palace.


Leicester 2 - 1 Man United - This one has the makings of an cracker and I don't think it will disappoint. I have said it all season that I have not been impressed with United and on Wednesday in the Champions League it was another woeful display. There is no creative, no pace and no ideas in that team at the moment. LVG is getting away with it because they are sitting very close to the top but if I was a fan, I would be so frustrated. Can Jamie Vardy break the record? There is no reason why he can't, everything he touches turns to goals and the way The Foxes are playing at the moment, I can really see them getting the win.


Tottenham 2 - 2 Chelsea - You have to give Tottenham enormous credit, they are in top form and they could win this, Harry Kane has found his scoring boots and they aren't conceding many. The reason I am going for a draw is because as much I have enjoyed the lack of form of Chelsea this season, I think they will be up for this one, especially after they were tonked here last season. I think Harry Kane will score again in what is always a feisty encounter with no love lost.


West Ham 2 - 1 West Brom - West Ham were pretty average last weekend but did create a few good chances and I think they will bounce back here. West Brom just about got over the line last week in their win over Arsenal but I think they will come up short here.

Norwich 1 - 3 Arsenal - This game is another one of those games that if you really want to push for a title challenge then you need to win and I think Arsenal will have too much for The Canaries who to be fair, do play some good football and I am a fan of Alex Neil. The way Mesut Ozil is playing at the moment is breath-taking and for me, he is one of the best midfielders on the planet. Norwich will create problems and will punish The Gunners if they are not up for it but I can see it being an away win.


Right then, that is that! I will be back tomorrow night for a round up of all the talking points!

Cheers!