Mystic Jarv Premier league predictions weekend of 14 August

A new season and a new lot of premier league predictions. I am hoping to write these every weekend but I’m sure there will be weeks when i cannot add them. Let me know what you think. Anyway here goes

Saturday, 14 August 2010

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, 12:45

What a potentially great game to begin the season. Last seasons 2 main challengers to finish 4^th up against each other on the opening day. If last season is anything to go on then this might go some way determining who finishes 4^th. Although it is too early to make much of a difference last season the gap was only three points. It will be a tight game but I think Spurs will just shave it. – Mystic Jarv predicts 1-0 to Spurs, Join in our Tottenham Hotspur V Manchester City discussion.

Aston Villa v West Ham United, 15:00

I would have predicted this game to be a lot more comfortable before Martin O’Neill did a runner this week, that been said I still think Villa will be too much for West Ham. If there was ever a good time to be going to Villa park though this is it and West Ham must think they have a good chance to get something from the game.  – Mystic Jarv predicts 1-0 to Villa, Join in our Aston Villa V West Ham United discussion.

Blackburn Rovers v Everton, 15:00

One of the best teams at home last season against the end of the seasons form team says to me this game could go either way. Had Everton started last season well then they would have had a great chance at finishing fourth and be playing Champions league football this season. Blackburn finished top half largely due to their excellent home form and neither club will want to lose their first game.  – Mystic Jarv predicts a cagey 1-0 to Blackburn, Join in our Blackburn Rovers v Everton discussion.

Bolton Wanderers v Fulham, 15:00

Two teams I have predicted to finish in the bottom half and neither will want to get off to a bad start. I expect this to be a hard fought defensive game which will be edged by one goal either way.  – Mystic Jarv predicts 1-0 to Bolton, Join in our Bolton Wanderers v Fulham discussion.

Sunderland v Birmingham City, 15:00

Steve bruce takes on one of his former clubs in a game they will think is winnable. Birmingham were the lowest scorers in the top half last season and will not be easy to break down. But as first home games go Against Birmingham could be much worse. Birmingham will want to aim to re-create last seasons form which allowed them to finish a very respectable ninth. I have predicted Birmingham to finish above Sunderland by the end of the season but  i think Sunderland will win this one.  – Mystic Jarv predicts 2-1 to Sunderland, Join in our Sunderland v Birmingham City discussion.

Wigan Athletic v Blackpool, 15:00

Originally switched from Blackpool to Wigan while work is completed at Blackpool’s ground. This is a vitally important game for both clubs, Blackpool should see this as the most likely away game they ought to get something from  all season and anything less than a win for Wigan at home to the likely bottom team will send alarm bells ringing – Mystic Jarv predicts 2-1 to Wigan, Join in our Wigan Athletic V Blackpool discussion.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City, 15:00

Stoke new boy Kenwyne Jones will want to get off to a good start but may find it tough to break down Wolves who will be well organised. McCarthy will see this as a winnable game and will probably take the three points although a 0-0 wouldn’t surprise me either.  – Mystic Jarv predicts 1-0 to Wolves, Join in our Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City discussion.

Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion, 17:30

The toughest possible start for West Brom and anything at all from this game would be a massive bonus for them. Chelsea have stuttered in pre-season and this might be the best time for a team to visit the bridge. Still I cannot see anything less than a comfortable win for Ancelotti’s men   – Mystic Jarv predicts 3-1 to Chelsea, Join in our Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion discussion.

Sunday, 15 August 2010

Liverpool v Arsenal, 16:00

For many years this was a top 4 clash and while Liverpool wont make the top four this year (I don’t think) this is still a massive game. Arsenal are very light in the middle of the park and look to be starting Frimpong and Wilshire. Liverpool have just added Poulson from Juventus and have Most of their squad available. This would ordinarily point to a Liverpool win but I just have a sneaky suspicion Arsenal will grab a draw.   – Mystic Jarv predicts 1-1 , Join in our Liverpool v Arsenal discussion.

Monday, 16 August 2010

Manchester United v Newcastle United, 20:00

The last version of this fixture was 0-0 on the opening day a few years ago and I’d guess Newcastle would take that on Monday night this time around. Man Utd are off the back of comfortably brushing off Chelsea in the Community shield but that will in no way make up for Chelsea doing the double last season. Fergie will want the team to get off to a strong start, something they have struggle with in the past. I expect him to pick an attacking line up and as a Man Utd fan I would like to see Hernandez and Rooney up front.  – Mystic Jarv predicts 3-1 to Manchester United, Join in our Manchester United v Newcastle United discussion.

So there you go, as always visit Away Goals Rule Football Forum for all of your Football discussion. There will be more from Mystic Jarv as the season progresses. You can pit your wits against me in our I know the Score game and also in our Fantasy football game. There are still a few hours to enter your team before the deadline.

Premier League preview part 5

Here is the fifth and final part of Mystic Jarv’s premier league preview. The earlier instalments can be found here, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4. Still time to join our  Fantasy football game or I know the score game too. I realise some of my previews are now looking a bit off but these were written usually a few days before they are posted….that’s my excuse anyway and I’m sticking to it. Anyway onto the preview.

West Brom

The last of the three promoted teams from the championship in this preview. Getting off to a good start is important for most of the smaller teams and unfortunately for West Brom they are travelling to the reigning champions and it would be a brave man who predicted anything other than a Chelsea win there. I successful season for most of their supporters would be still be playing in the top division next season.

Key Men: Carson or Myhill will need to be at the top of their game as they will certainly be kept busy.

What they Need: All around improvement and general strengthening, especially up front.

Eighteenth, going back from whence they came, probably on the last day of the season.

West Ham United

West ham are a strange club these days, constantly linked with big names who are past their best which invariably comes to nothing. West ham have a range of promising youngsters and their season could largely be determined on how many of them make the grade. They have brought in very average striker Frédéric Piquionne  who in my opinion wont get nearly enough goals.

Key Men: Carlton Cole, A quality player who will be there or there abouts most England squads for the next few years if he can find form and stay fit. Scott Parker, Their best midfielder and engine room in the middle, also apparently the only squad member not up for sale

What they need: A really good goal scorer and Carlton Cole to stay fit & Avram Grant to work some magic.

Fourteenth, by virtue of there being more poor sides this season….which is lucky for the Hammers.

Wigan Athletic

Managed by my pick for first real managerial casualty, a poor start may see them going down but they have a very winnable first game at home to Blackpool. Failure to pick up three points in this fixture will send alarm bells ringing around the JJB/DW/What ever its called this season stadium.

Key Men: Chris Kirkland, when fit he’s a quality keeper and a good season will see him in a Capello squad. Whoever plays up top needs to score lots of goals

What they Need: Strengthening at the back, I never expected to say this but the loss of Bramble could be a big loss for them

Seventeenth, just and only if they get a little luck along the way, if I were a Wigan fan, I would be worried.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Defied most peoples predictions (including mine) of a swift return to the Fizzy pop league last time around. In the end last season 15^th was a good finish, I am sure they would have taken 17^th at the beginning of the season. I’m sure they will want to push on but realistically I think there are more better teams out there this season.

Key Man: Kevin Doyle, a reasonable quality striker (nowhere near the £50 million McCarthy said he was worth though) and will get them goals, will it be enough to stave off the drop for another year? Jody Craddock, linchpin of the Wolves defence

What they need: Mick Mccarthy to instil his usual strong work ethic on the newcomers and Steven Fletcher to gel quickly with Kevin Doyle. 32 goals last season may not be enough this time around.

Nineteenth and going down to the Championship.

As always we would like you to visit Away Goals Rule Football Forum for all your football discussion

Premier League preview part 4

Here is part 4 of Mystic Jarv’s premier league preview. This one covers Newcastle, Stoke, Sunderland and Spurs. If you have missed the three previous instalments they can be found here, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. Also don’t forget to get your team ready for our Fantasy football game this season, there are still 2 days to enter but time is running out fast.

Newcastle United

Last season’s Championship winners but this season will present itself in a whole new light. Expectation of greatness is the norm on Tyneside but it would be one very biased Newcastle fan to even contemplate anything other than survival this time around as being a good season. My opinion is they will survive but need to get off to a good start .

Key Men: Andy Carroll will need to get them some goals and Nolan and Barton will need to be at the top of their game in the middle and they may just surprise a few people.

What do they need: To get off to a good start and consign the almost Circus like antics in the board room in recent years to the past.

Fifteenth.

Stoke City

Finished last season in a comfortable eleventh place and didn’t look at any stage to be in trouble or to be dragged into the relegation dog fight. Another season of the same would likely please most Stoke fans. Lets face it the alternative is a return to weekly trips to places like Blackpool…….oh wait!

Key Man: Rory Delap’s long throw.

What do they need: To continue how they have been for the last 2 seasons, make themselves hard to beat.

Eleventh.

Sunderland

Last season was mixed for Sunderland, at one point flirting with a Europa league space then slipping down to 13^th. I personally see much the same for them in terms of finishing. They have a good team but not spectacular. A top 10 (just) finish may be possible but I believe there are 11 stronger teams this season.

Key Men: Lee Cattermole is very important to Sunderland offering some bite and steel to the centre of midfield. Darren Bent, Main goal threat along side Kenwyne Jones who needs a good season (20+ Goals) to justify the hype.

What do they need: Jones and Bent to score plenty of goals and Craig Gordon to retun quickly if they cannot find better cover.

Twelfth.

Tottenham Hotspur

Will this seasons jaunt into the Champions league be a distraction for spurs, will they even make it past the qualifiers. Personally I hope they do qualify but regardless I think they will struggle to maintain finishing in the top 4.

Key Men: Ledley King, quite frankly their defences is a whole lot better when he is fit and playing although Dawson had a good season last year.  Defoe is likely to be their main goal threat once again and Luka Modric will pull the strings in midfield.

What they need: Either Woodgate to be fit long term or another really really good centre back as King cannot be relied on to play 40 games a season. General squad strengthening all round if they are to run deep into the Champions League and stay in the top 4.

Fifth.

The last part will be tomorrow

Who loves you Bébé

Manchester United’s Third Signing of the summer: I love you Bébé

Another morning, and another shock from Alex Ferguson, as he adds to the ranks with a big surprise from Portugal. This time in the form of 20 year-old Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, better known as Bébé.

The shock new 6 foot 3 inch signing arrives at Old Trafford from Vitória de Guimarães, having arrived there this summer just five weeks ago from his previous club, Estrela da Amadora in the Portugese Third Division.

According to reports, Bébé spent time being raised in an orphanage during his youth, after spending part of his childhood on the streets, hardened from a tough background of street football which carries over into his playing style impressing greatly in pre-season friendlies, though his only real experience of note so far came representing Portugal in the homeless World Cup, a competition held annually since 2003.

But the 20-year-old clearly did enough that Portugal coach Carlos Quieroz has identified his abilities and impressed his feelings upon old pal Sir Alex Ferguson, leading to Manchester United acting with lightening speed to secure his signature ahead of their rivals, reported to be no less than Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. If true, Ferguson scores another point against his old sparring partner… which is nice.

Manchester United are reported to have agreed to pay the full release clause to release Bébé from his five-year contract with his previous new club, and while the fee is officially undisclosed, the Guardian and others are reporting a fee somewhere in the region of £7.4m for his services – quite a sizeable fee for an unknown young player from the lower leagues – and enough to fuel speculation that while Bébé is far from the finished article, he has enough in his locker to work on and become something very good indeed. If he turns out to be as good as the young Mexican striker Javier Hernández, another of Ferguson’s surprise summer captures, then Manchester United might well have got themselves another very good deal – even more impressive because it was done out of the public spotlight and away from the ears of would-be rivals eager to snatch the prize away from Old Trafford and Ferguson’s new-look squad.

It’s fair to say nobody saw this one coming until the ink was dry, typical of many of United’s deals of late, now released of their obligation to report their intentions to the stock exchange.

As for the paperwork, it is said personal terms have been agreed with the 20-year-old and he will move to Old Trafford as long as he passes a medical, and no problems are foreseen.

We shouldn’t be surprised as United and Ferguson clearly have their network of spies around the world, but I still can’t help being a bit surprised; Bébé was a relative unknown outside his native country, he only arrived at Guimarães in July 2010 and it is a mark of Sir Alex Ferguson’s belief in his new striker that he was prepared to spend that sort of money on a virtually unknown player who has spent most of his career playing in the Portuguese third division.

Bébé’s arrival takes United’s spending to around £25 million, squashing some fans fears that Ferguson’s war chest is empty and the club are broke. Fans may be somewhat reassured, because despite the lack of star names many were calling for, the wily Scot has already added towering former Fulham defender Chris Smalling and the exciting Javier Hernández to his squad in readiness for the new season, further strengthening United at the back and up front.

Sir Alex Ferguson apparently only met the player for the first time on Tuesday, whilst he was in Portugal to be a witness for Carlos Queiroz in a disciplinary case with the Portuguese Football Federation. Not a lot else is known so far, though I’m sure he’ll be all over YouTube and the Interwebs soon enough. Until then, let’s wait and see if Fergie’s new generation can match the previous all conquering one. I for one can’t wait…

You can join in the debate over on AwayGoalsRule.com football forum. See you there.

Premier league preview part 3

Mystic Jarv's premier league preview for Awaygoalsrule.com

Part three of Mystic Jarv’s premier league predictions for 2010/2011. If you have missed the earlier parts you can find them here Part 1 & Part 2

Fulham

Fulham are in for a tough season this year, expectations have been raised a little after a run to the Europa league final and finishing in the top 7 2 seasons ago and 12^th last season. Fulham have lost Hodgson to Liverpool and he will be a very tough at to follow, Hughes seems to do well as the underdog as proved with Wales and Blackburn.

Key Men: Hangeland, Solid rock at the Back, Schwarzer, if he stays will need to be on top form again and Zamora will need to find the form he had last season and not be distracted by call ups to the National set up.

What they need: To gel quickly under Hughes and to replace Schwarzer fast if he goes with another quality keeper. A bit of luck on the injuries front would help too.

Thirteenth.

Liverpool

Last season was very poor by Liverpool’s recent standards and this season appears to not be any easier. They have held onto Gerrard and Torres which is a big part of anything they may achieve this season. Joe Cole has joined to replace Benayoun who went the other way. I personally think Cole is a massive upgrade and if he stays fit will be a big player for them this season. Liverpool have a good first team but keeping Gerrard, Torres, Reina, Agger and Joe Cole fit will decide whether they are challenging for the champions league or scrapping for a Europa league place again.

Key Men: Gerrard and Torres, These 2 have to stay fit

What they need: New owners to clear the debt and invest in a few more world class players or they will quickly be left behind in the regular challengers for the top 4 list.

Sixth.

Manchester City

Another off-season of big spending from the men from Eastlands and City should be taken as serious contenders for the title. Ultimately I don’t think they will win it this year but I wouldn’t bet against them in the next few years(as a Man Utd fan that’s very hard to type). Mancini’s first task is to trim the 40 players they have down to 25 a job which seems to be getting harder with the likely addition of Ballotelli and Milner. City will certainly have no excuses if injuries strike.

Key Men: I could name lots here, but I’ll go with whoever plays in defence as this was definitely their weaker point last season even with the excellent Given in goal who will this season be fighting against Hart for the the right to wear the gloves.

What they Need: A full time counsellor to keep the players who are not playing happy.

Fourth. Normally this would be a successful season but owing to the amount spent over the last three years it should really be seen as a complete failure. If I had spent close to half a billion pounds I’d be expecting a strong title challenge, anything less isn’t good enough.

Manchester United

Close but no cigar last season and no matter what any pundit says winning the community shield in no way is any revenge or makes up for Chelsea winning the League and FA Cup last season. There have been no notable exits apart from Ben Foster who wasn’t likely to play much. Smalling and Hernandez have been brought in and should Injuries not strike to the level they did last season, (More than any other club) Then this season United should have enough to reclaim the title.

Key Men: The Physio who needs to keep Ferdinand, Owen, Brown and Hargreaves (if he ever comes back from the Surgeons waiting room in America that is) patched up. Scholes and Giggs, both these 2 need to play often as the midfield lacks much of a creative spark without them.

What they need: A creative midfielder to take pressure off Scholes and Giggs, Fergie seems to think Cleverley will be that player and I hope he is right. As a United fan I would have loved Cole who went to Liverpool and I would like Ozil too, even if Cleverley is the real deal then having 2 really good players takes the pressure off them a little

Champions, just.

For all your football discussion visit the Away Goals Rule Football Forum

Premier League Preview Part 2

So here is part 2 of Mystic Jarv’s premier league preview of the 2010/2011 season. If you haven’t read part 1 read it here

Blackpool

Last seasons surprise package in the Championship and an inspiration to all the clubs in the second tier wanting to reach the Premier league. Sadly I think the fairytale will be short lived once the season starts

Key Men: Ian Holloway, He will need to get them motivated to give their all and then some every single game if they are to have a hope of surviving. Charlie Adam, one of the key reasons they made it up in the first place.

What they need: Several quality players.

Twentieth.

Bolton Wanderers

Perennial relegation battle fighters Bolton Wanderers will once again be battling the drop and should survive comfortably as there are at least 3 worse team than them. I have predicted 16^th which may be a little harsh. If Martin Petrov keeps fit he will be a fantastic signing for them.

Key Men: Petrov as mentioned above and Gary Cahill. Cahill I really expected to be elsewhere this season and its testament to Owen Coyle managing to keep him at the Reebok stadium.

What they Need: Lots of hard work and they will be fine.

Sixteenth.

Chelsea

Last seasons champions and they will be in the fight right up until the end again this season. Four players have left in Ballack, Deco, Joe Cole and Belletti. In comes Beanyoun, Ramires and Michael Essien returns from a long injury.

Key Men: Lots of them, Drogba & Essien being the chief two but there are plenty of others to fill in.

What they Need: A few younger players to start breaking through sooner rather than later.

Second. There or there abouts, but ultimately a point or two short.

Everton

After a terrible start and a boat load of injuries Everton finished the season with just 2 defeats in the last 24 games. Had they picked up a few points earlier in the season they would have finished above their city rivals. A good start this time around and they may not be far away from the Champions league places. Ultimately though I don’t think they have a strong enough squad and seventh is where they will end up. They might snatch anything from 4^th downwards if they get a little luck.

Key Men: Cahill & Arteta. If they stay fit and firing Everton should give everyone a tough game.

What they Need: Players to stay fit.

Mystic Jarv’s prediction: Seventh.

Premier League Preview Part 1

So the premier league season is only a few days away (Have you joined our Fantasy Football Game yet?) This is a quick view at all 20 teams, split into five parts, and where I think they will end up this season. So anyway here we go.

Arsenal

So… Arsenal they play very nice football, sadly for Arsenal fans that isn’t enough for them any more they want one of those silver things that Man United and Chelsea seems to be getting a few of on recent years. Its five years since the FA cup triumph in 2005 and even longer for a league title.

Key men: Fabregas and Van Persie. Fabregas who isn’t off to Barcelona this season is the heartbeat of Arsenal if he is playing well so are Arsenal. Van Persie is key because they are a lot more threatening than when he is on the treatment table again, They have brought in Chamakh to ease the burden on scoring goals too.

What do they need: A better than average keeper and they might have won something in the last few years. They also need the new defender they have signed to quickly bed in with Vermaelen.

Third, Still not god enough over the long haul to oust United or Chelsea and may spend some of the campaign looking over their shoulders at City and Spurs.

Aston Villa (please note this was written before Martin O’Neill quit)

Villa are a very well run club, however that appears to mean they will sell their best player and be happy to finish top half of the table each season but little better. The Europa league is of little benefit to Villa and they may as well not bother playing Rapid Vienna as sooner or later they will rest players and go out so it may as well be now.

Key Man: Ashley Young, Strangely Young looks like a world beater until around February or March then goes missing and so does Villa’s form.

What do they need: To stop selling their best player every season and to add a few more quality player to their squad depth.

Eighth, possibly even Ninth if Birmingham City have a good season. Whom they choose as their new manager could be all important.

Birmingham City

Last season’s surprise package, helped considerably by having the excellent Joe Hart in the net. Ben Foster will have a tough time filling Hart’s gloves and he is crucial if Brum are going to match or better their last seasons performance.

Key Men: Foster for the reason mentioned above and Lee Bowyer, Who will need to be on top form to get close to matching last season.

What do they need: Lots of hard work and a little luck.

Ninth.

Blackburn Rovers

No-one likes a Big Sam team, I’m not even sure Big Sam likes them some of the time. One thing for certain is they will be very tough to beat at home. Phil Jones looks like he will mature into an excellent defender and Swede Martin Olsson looks the real deal too.

Key Men: a Few, Robinson, Newly retired form international football was a quality keeper last season. Ryan Nelson, a good centre back and not often noticed which is good for a Centre back.

What they Need: A really good goal scorer.

Tenth.

Think I am way off? come and tell me your order on our What’s the order thread. Part 2 will be posted around the same time tomorrow and the remainder about 6pm each day this week.

Taking a bite of the Apple

Since it’s formation on April Fool’s Day 1976, Apple Inc. has been one of the more curious operators out there in computerland. Now back under the guidance of lucky talisman Steve Jobs, they’re back to the top of their game after nearly going bankrupt just a few years ago. You’d think all would be well.

But despite their many victories, this is now, and in an age where he thinks he can sell crap in a box and if there is a problem with it, pretend you’ve opened the packaging wrong, and it’s your own fault for getting brown fingers.

Apple products have always carried a price premium, and generally cost approaching double (or more) for the equivalent PC compatible specification. Comparably priced alternatives were always vastly technologically superior. But Jobs always countered this by saying he had the best stuff. But has he? He certainly doesn’t like it when anyone questions that.

But he is something of a marketing genius. He has so many fanbois (and one presumes, fangirls) that don’t ask questions singing to the Emperor’s New Clothes hymnsheet that somehow it’s generally falling under the mass-media radar. Sure, they’ll show you the all-night queues the night before launch date, when they deliberately limit stock to give the impression it’s a sold out success, which might not had enough stock have been delivered instead of held back.

Not so long ago, they were nailed because of the iPhone 4′s inability to hold a steady telephone conversation, and the shower of excuses about how it’s not their fault. Despite it’s famed reception problems caused by shoddy design flaws, and expert analysis backing up this view, Jobs’ Apple are still not having it. No honourable product recall for Apple, just constant denials whilst they secretly send broken iPhones back to customers housed in a newly designed case. But wait I hear you cry, if nothing was wrong with the old one…  Indeed. Jobs went on record to claim that there wasn’t a fault at all and it was fine, then he said that there was a fault but that it wasn’t important as proved by the fact it was a ‘feature’ of the original iPhone, then he blamed a software error by claiming the on-screen status of the signal strength bar was just inaccurate and that in fact… it had a strong signal anyway, issuing software updates to back it up. Then when that didn’t work, he blamed YOU, the users for being too stupid to hold it correctly! Everybody else’s fault except Apple, according to Apple, despite evidence to the contrary. Jobs even denied that repaired iPhones had been returned in new cases, even the photographs and customer testamony are available on the net.

Lesson learned? Guess again.

Currently they are being sued because the iPad shuts down when it gets too hot, and the US courts have been asked to elevate the lawsuit to class action status. User are saying things like:

“the iPad is virtually unusable when sitting in particular environmental conditions (e.g., in direct sunlight with virtually any ambient air temperature) since it turns off, sometimes after just a few minutes of use.”

The suit states that “according to the www.apple.com website, ‘Reading on iPad is just like reading a book.’ However, contrary to this promise, using the iPad is not ‘just like reading a book’ at all since books do not close when the reader is enjoying them in the sunlight or in other normal environmental environments. This promise, like other portions of APPLE’s marketing material for the iPad, is false.”

The complaint asks for no specific damages, but otherwise leaves few legal stones unturned: relief is sought based on ten “Causes of Action”, including fraud, negligent misrepresentation, deceptive advertising practices, unjust enrichment, breach of both express and implied warranties, and violations of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies, Unfair Competition, and Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty acts.

Really? Noooo. Apple wouldn’t treat customers to substandard tat whilst swearing blind it’s top-of-the-range luxury goods would it? LOL!

Perhaps this time Steve Jobs will blame the universe for making the sun too hot, or blame customers for not living in the right part of the world where the temperature allowed the iPad to operate properly.

Either way, the mass consumer should take note, even if Jobs refuses.

If Apple want to be the King of Cool, their stuff needs to work as advertised.

How hard can it be?

The Unlucky Dozen: Manchester City and the 25 player rule

The Unlucky Dozen: Manchester City and the 25 player rule

Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Oh dear. What were Manchester City thinking? That seems to be the general consensus at the moment, with their continued ignorance of the 25 player rule. Their insistence on continued new player recruitment when their current squad sits at 37 names is a bafflement to all.

As you all know, the Premier League has introduced a new rule that limits match-day squads to be picked from the submitted squad list of only 25 players. So what then, for the unlucky dozen?

Speaking to Sky Sports News after last night’s 2-1 defeat to New York Red Bulls, Mancini insisted he didn’t know the identity of which of his stars would be sold.

“We must do a list with 25 players. For this, I think that some players remain out of the list and for them it’s better that they leave the club,” Mancini revealed.

“We are not sure whether it’ll be [Craig] Bellamy, [Michael] Johnson, [Nigel] De Jong it is impossible now to know which players will be on the list.”

Pretty gauling for the players you’d have thought, and a pretty bad way to demotivate anyone likely to make the list, and leave large parts of your squad quite unhappy. Additionally, it may only serve to deter future signings as they know if they don’t hit the ground running they’ll simply be replaced on a whim or left to rot after not being named on the squad list; similarly with their youngsters, the chance of a squad place is now further away than ever. And of course, if they weren’t funded by a billionaire, then the lower fees they’ll receive as sellers in a hurry could be a real problem too.

Out of Manchester City’s 37 players, they have 4 goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 14 midfielders and 7 strikers – clearly more than any club needs, but where money is no object, the numbers were never a problem. Until now. Players such as Fulop, Neilsen, Garrido, Onuoha, De Jong, Michael Johnson, Stephen Ireland, Roque Santa Cruz, Bellamy and others will be watching the sports headlines with added interest to learn if their employer will be spending large amounts of money to upgrade what was previously their spot on the list. Most recently, Aleksandar Kolarov arrived for £14.1m from Lazio, but he’s not the only new arrival as he joins their £24m capture from Valencia, David Silva, £28m Barca reserve Yaya Toure and a further £10m for Jerome Boateng in the new arrivals lounge. And talk of yet more new players, step forward Aston Villa’s James Milner, Inter Milan’s Mario Balotelli, and if the press is to be believed (lol), more to come. These sure are hard times… unless you’re City.

I suppose time will tell for Mancini and his Manchester Galacticos. In the meantime, there’ll be plenty of clubs waiting for the chance to sign their spare players for reduced fees, so it’s not all bad if you’re one of the unlucky dozen.

Written by Conscience • © 2010 Conscience and AwayGoalsRule

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