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The Full English: Delayed Gratification
With Mother Nature wreaking havoc on the fixture list, Goal.com’s Shane Evans tries to pick up the pieces of a broken weekend.
Jan 8, 2010 12:33:44 PM
By Shane Evans
I wonder, by the time this column gets posted, if any games will be on the docket for the weekend. Since I have woken up this morning, the matches have been dropping like flies with team’s (cough cough Liverpool cough cough) even going as far as to request the postponement of theirs.
The weather is the culprit in this mess, as you may have heard. Snow has blanketed the Old Blighty and has caused a nationwide panic as English people don’t see the white stuff that often.
I lived there for 10-plus years and it snowed maybe twice. It’s come down more than that in the last two weeks, leaving many of my compatriots confused and red-nosed. My hope is they get this little problem under control by the end of the day and we can actually watch some football tomorrow, because if not, this column will be for naught.
But like an old-timey explorer trudging through the arctic to certain death, I will write as if the matches I have picked will be played and thus giving you something glorious to read. Onwards, my friends!
The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)
Arsenal vs. Everton (Emirates Stadium, January 9th, 10:00 a.m. ET)
The day is finally here. Landon Donovan will don the blue and white of the Toffees and has every chance to see action against Arsenal on Saturday.
This is a match that is all about contrasts. Firstly, when it comes to creativity, you could say Arsenal are like Andy Warhol, while Everton are more of a blind squirrel. Donovan, if utilized correctly should add a bit of flair to the side that has scored as many goals as Bolton and less than West Ham this season.
Another area that they differ is goalkeeping. Everton boast one of the top, I’d say, three to five goalies in the league right now in Landy Cakes' Yankee brother, Tim Howard. If it weren’t for the defensive injuries and confusion from the departure of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, he surely would have allowed less than 32 goals. Without him between the sticks, one could argue things would look pretty dire for the Merseyside club right now.
In net for Arsenal is one Manuel Almunia, who despite surrendering just over a goal a game (16 conceded in 14 matches), he seems to have been taking classes at the “Petr Cech School For Keepers Who Want To Look Confused And Out Of Place At All Times.” Not a good thing if you’re a Gunners fan with aspirations for winning, uh, something, this season.
Not too worry though, really, as the ball has barely even come near the Spanglish shot stopper lately as Cesc and co. just keep scoring. Ten in their last three is evidence of this.
Four points off the pace, Arsenal will view this match as one they need to get something out of, especially since they have a game in hand. Beating established, yet under-performing teams like Everton makes the rest of the matches on the schedule seem less daunting. Kind of like when they put a hurting on Spurs a ways back.
A victory for Everton would go a long way in turning their season around and would definitely inject some confidence into the side that puttered through the first half of the season. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening.
TFE Prediction: Donovan makes the field and a difference, but Arsenal are the in-form side and take it 3-2.
Birmingham vs. Manchester United (St. Andrews Stadium, January 9th, 12:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)
This one will probably be the match of the weekend. Birmingham are the league’s in form side (yes, that wasn’t a typo) and Manchester United need points if they want to keep their hopes of a fourth successive title alive.
How’s it going to play out then? Depends on the perspective you take. United have a somewhat healthy back four for this one as Wes Brown and my long lost cousin Jonny Evans are fit to occupy the middle of the defense. Always a plus. They are also still recovering from the ego thumping they took when Leeds beat them in the FA Cup last weekend. I never like United coming off a loss, always nasty.
Birmingham on the other hand are playing the best football in the top flight right now and Alex McLeish has things running tighter than Pompey’s purse strings. They’ve been simply fabulous keeping out goals and scoring when necessary. They’ll need to bring their ‘A’ game when they welcome the champs to town.
United have never lost to Birmingham though, a run that stretches 22 matches. They’ll need to find some quality in front of goal if they want that to continue. It’s been their problem for patches this season: they lack that final touch.
I have a feeling this match is going to be a close one. Shocker, right? Birmingham are playing so well and I really think they’ll push United to the edge, but my gut says it’ll end tied and so says my New Year’s resolution, I have to start going with it more.
TFE Prediction: 90 minutes of quality football, presuming it’s not canceled, ends 1-1.
West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Upton Park, January 10th, 8:30 a.m. ET)
Outside of the first two matches, I had four others to choose from to round out this week’s TFE. None of which were that appealing. In cases like that, I like to choose the one that is most evenly matched and this certainly qualifies.
In 15th and 17th, (almost) respectively, Wolves and West Ham will be battling for some vital points as the season hits the second half. I love the EPL and I’ll tell you why: five points separate 19th place in the table and 11th. Easily made up if you put in the work.
These are two teams who seem willing to do so and I have a sneaking suspicion that this match will definitely be worth the two hours of my time. Gritty and exciting, we could see a real cracker here. Don’t hold me too that.
I like West Ham in this one. They have the scorers and the clinical ability to make things happen when nothing seems to be there. Guys like Franco and Diamanti can strike when you least expect it and though they haven’t been lethal this season, the potential is certainly there.
Wolves have a few like that too, Kevin Doyle being the main catalyst this season. Something about Upton Park leads me to believe the home side will pull through, as the Hammers have the best support in London, me thinks. Gasp!
TFE Prediction: Still think it’l be a quality match, with West Ham stealing the points late on in a 3-2 battle.
The Toast (as in Of The EPL): Premier League Granddads Edition
Patrick Vieira, Manchester City: That sounds strange, doesn’t it? The former Arsenal captain is back in England and will be donning a light blue shirt instead of his customary red. Good for him, though I don’t think the same will come for City. £100,000-a-week for a near 34-year-old who is past it? Please. The bigger the name the better for City, it seems. If someone can explain to me what the point of this move was, from a football standpoint, by all means, enlighten me, because I do not get it.
Sol Campbell, Unemployed: Talk about nostalgia, turned down by Manchester United, old Sol boy has come knocking on Arsene’s door hoping for a way back into football after his Notts County jaunt went horribly amiss. Campbell or Senderos? Yuck. Maybe Tony Adams will come back…
Gary Neville, Manchester United: And to round out my old boys edition, we have Gary Neville, who must be simply beaming at the thought of having Vieira back in the league. My guess is that’s why he’s been talking about retiring lately. Either that or he’s just buying his time to get into a scrap with the lanky Frechman. Mind games, you see. Regardless, the guy can still defend...about as well as Paul Scholes. Sign a new contract, retire, go on Survivor, I don’t care. Having said that, Fergie could use anyone available in the back.
Leicester Update
Been a decent few weeks for my boys. A few postponed games aside, we are doing well and sitting nicely in the league with a few games in hand. A 2-1 FA Cup victory over Swansea put us in the fourth round for the first time in nearly five years, so no complaints there. Just don’t sell Matty Fryatt, please don’t sell Matty Fryatt.
Philadelphia Union Update
The MLS SuperDraft is next week, an event that I will be attending. Should be nice to see how the Union continue to build their squad and what direction head coach Piotr Novak takes the team. Only three months to go, folks. Three short months.
And Finally...The Black Pudding of the Week
2010: Yeah, that’s right, I’m making an entire year my Black Pudding for this week. What a year it will be! You’ve got the Union starting in March, a World Cup, and uh, other things. The point is, it’s a new year and our sport just keeps getting better. I’m interested to hear some of your predictions for 2010, so by all means drop me an email or leave some in the comments section. Until then, I hope the next 357 days or so treat you well, at least better than the 100k man up there.
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 wonder, by the time this column gets posted, if any games will be on the docket for the weekend. Since I have woken up this morning, the matches have been dropping like flies with team’s (cough cough Liverpool cough cough) even going as far as to request the postponement of theirs.
The weather is the culprit in this mess, as you may have heard. Snow has blanketed the Old Blighty and has caused a nationwide panic as English people don’t see the white stuff that often.
I lived there for 10-plus years and it snowed maybe twice. It’s come down more than that in the last two weeks, leaving many of my compatriots confused and red-nosed. My hope is they get this little problem under control by the end of the day and we can actually watch some football tomorrow, because if not, this column will be for naught.
But like an old-timey explorer trudging through the arctic to certain death, I will write as if the matches I have picked will be played and thus giving you something glorious to read. Onwards, my friends!
The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)
Arsenal vs. Everton (Emirates Stadium, January 9th, 10:00 a.m. ET)
The day is finally here. Landon Donovan will don the blue and white of the Toffees and has every chance to see action against Arsenal on Saturday.
This is a match that is all about contrasts. Firstly, when it comes to creativity, you could say Arsenal are like Andy Warhol, while Everton are more of a blind squirrel. Donovan, if utilized correctly should add a bit of flair to the side that has scored as many goals as Bolton and less than West Ham this season.
 Landon Donvan | Lookin' good, Landy Cakes |
In net for Arsenal is one Manuel Almunia, who despite surrendering just over a goal a game (16 conceded in 14 matches), he seems to have been taking classes at the “Petr Cech School For Keepers Who Want To Look Confused And Out Of Place At All Times.” Not a good thing if you’re a Gunners fan with aspirations for winning, uh, something, this season.
Not too worry though, really, as the ball has barely even come near the Spanglish shot stopper lately as Cesc and co. just keep scoring. Ten in their last three is evidence of this.
Four points off the pace, Arsenal will view this match as one they need to get something out of, especially since they have a game in hand. Beating established, yet under-performing teams like Everton makes the rest of the matches on the schedule seem less daunting. Kind of like when they put a hurting on Spurs a ways back.
A victory for Everton would go a long way in turning their season around and would definitely inject some confidence into the side that puttered through the first half of the season. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening.
TFE Prediction: Donovan makes the field and a difference, but Arsenal are the in-form side and take it 3-2.
Birmingham vs. Manchester United (St. Andrews Stadium, January 9th, 12:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)
This one will probably be the match of the weekend. Birmingham are the league’s in form side (yes, that wasn’t a typo) and Manchester United need points if they want to keep their hopes of a fourth successive title alive.
 Fergie | Not best pleased. |
Birmingham on the other hand are playing the best football in the top flight right now and Alex McLeish has things running tighter than Pompey’s purse strings. They’ve been simply fabulous keeping out goals and scoring when necessary. They’ll need to bring their ‘A’ game when they welcome the champs to town.
United have never lost to Birmingham though, a run that stretches 22 matches. They’ll need to find some quality in front of goal if they want that to continue. It’s been their problem for patches this season: they lack that final touch.
I have a feeling this match is going to be a close one. Shocker, right? Birmingham are playing so well and I really think they’ll push United to the edge, but my gut says it’ll end tied and so says my New Year’s resolution, I have to start going with it more.
TFE Prediction: 90 minutes of quality football, presuming it’s not canceled, ends 1-1.
West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Upton Park, January 10th, 8:30 a.m. ET)
Outside of the first two matches, I had four others to choose from to round out this week’s TFE. None of which were that appealing. In cases like that, I like to choose the one that is most evenly matched and this certainly qualifies.
In 15th and 17th, (almost) respectively, Wolves and West Ham will be battling for some vital points as the season hits the second half. I love the EPL and I’ll tell you why: five points separate 19th place in the table and 11th. Easily made up if you put in the work.
 Alessandro Diamanti | One crazy Italian. |
I like West Ham in this one. They have the scorers and the clinical ability to make things happen when nothing seems to be there. Guys like Franco and Diamanti can strike when you least expect it and though they haven’t been lethal this season, the potential is certainly there.
Wolves have a few like that too, Kevin Doyle being the main catalyst this season. Something about Upton Park leads me to believe the home side will pull through, as the Hammers have the best support in London, me thinks. Gasp!
TFE Prediction: Still think it’l be a quality match, with West Ham stealing the points late on in a 3-2 battle.
The Toast (as in Of The EPL): Premier League Granddads Edition
Patrick Vieira, Manchester City: That sounds strange, doesn’t it? The former Arsenal captain is back in England and will be donning a light blue shirt instead of his customary red. Good for him, though I don’t think the same will come for City. £100,000-a-week for a near 34-year-old who is past it? Please. The bigger the name the better for City, it seems. If someone can explain to me what the point of this move was, from a football standpoint, by all means, enlighten me, because I do not get it.
 Sol Campbell | I won't say useless, but... |
Gary Neville, Manchester United: And to round out my old boys edition, we have Gary Neville, who must be simply beaming at the thought of having Vieira back in the league. My guess is that’s why he’s been talking about retiring lately. Either that or he’s just buying his time to get into a scrap with the lanky Frechman. Mind games, you see. Regardless, the guy can still defend...about as well as Paul Scholes. Sign a new contract, retire, go on Survivor, I don’t care. Having said that, Fergie could use anyone available in the back.
Leicester Update
Been a decent few weeks for my boys. A few postponed games aside, we are doing well and sitting nicely in the league with a few games in hand. A 2-1 FA Cup victory over Swansea put us in the fourth round for the first time in nearly five years, so no complaints there. Just don’t sell Matty Fryatt, please don’t sell Matty Fryatt.
Philadelphia Union Update
The MLS SuperDraft is next week, an event that I will be attending. Should be nice to see how the Union continue to build their squad and what direction head coach Piotr Novak takes the team. Only three months to go, folks. Three short months.
And Finally...The Black Pudding of the Week
2010: Yeah, that’s right, I’m making an entire year my Black Pudding for this week. What a year it will be! You’ve got the Union starting in March, a World Cup, and uh, other things. The point is, it’s a new year and our sport just keeps getting better. I’m interested to hear some of your predictions for 2010, so by all means drop me an email or leave some in the comments section. Until then, I hope the next 357 days or so treat you well, at least better than the 100k man up there.
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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