My EPL Final Table Prediction

Just in case if it comes true.

Late Update

It's been quiet some time now, since my last post. It was a very sad period of time for me. Not, that I'm not placed yet, but, I should admit that it is also adding to the misery. There are a few things that kept me away from blogging. Firstly, the previous theme that I installed hadn't looked sharp. There were huge spaces between components. The sidebars were narrow and I didn't really feel like looking at my blog.

Also, my graphic card has blown up. That sounds too dramatic, right? OK, it was only a few capacitors that have exploded. It was a gradual process. More than a month ago, I heard a sound. I could compare it to an electric discharge but, I could not trace where it had originated from. A couple of days before the graphic card gave away, there was the second 'blast'. I knew that it was coming from inside the room. But, to feel safe, I've assumed that the fuse of the water cooler was destroyed. And finally, it's D-day. The third explosion rocked my room at 10'o clock. I was a bit nervous, but, didn't care much. That evening, when I started Football Manager 2009, the screen began to show huge pixels. I restarted the game and the problem persisted. Then, I began to realize that it was my graphic card. It was acting as the center of terrorist activity. Soon, I couldn't even view the desktop and I had to remove the card.

I had to reboot my Windows but, as soon I thought that my computer was up and running again, a dangerous virus has caused even more problems. I had to do the same thing again. It was literally 4 days, without a proper computer. Now, its all fine again and thanks to NOD32 Anti-virus for doing a commendable job in keeping my computer clean. There were the small matters of tests, assignments and projects also. I fared well in the last week of fantasy football manager, notching up 80 points(my personal best). All hail Cesc Fabregas. I thought that it would be good to have a Mini League for Bitsians within the game, but I'm not sure how many people play the game. Maybe, next time...for the Class of 2010.   :)

We've started playing 5 on 5 football quite frequently now and I'm really enjoying it. I know that all the others are too. If you want to join us, just come to Bhag QT everyday after 10 pm. There is no football on TV this weekend. It is due to the international break for World Cup Qualifying. So, I'm bored to death. Last week, Cesc Fabregas and Co. blasted Blackburn all over the park finishing with 6 goals. Vermaelen's goal was the best for me, though I'm also impressed by Bendtner's howler and Fabregas's well placed half volley. I don't know for sure...how long Vermaelen will continue to score but, I'm confident that he has proved himself to be a very good signing. He is the joint top scorer for Arsenal along with Cesc Fabregas (4 goals). Both the Manchester clubs were held to draws over the weekend. Chelsea is setting the pace for the rest of the teams by defeating Liverpool 2-0.

Today is my brother's birth day and I wish him a happy Birthday. Hope he has a good year in front of him, because it is going to be crucial for him.

I will write again! Till then, good night!

Saturday Night!

Well, it is quite boring. The reason for it is the lack of football on TV because of the international break. You, may ask me to watch the internationals then, but, this is India. You cannot expect to watch a game between Brazil and Argentina on Indian TV, unless it is a world cup match. Anyway, I've been reading a lot of stuff about Eduardo, Chelsea, SAF, etc. in newspapers recently and I can't say how much I'm annoyed by all of it.

Eduardo is pissed that he was the scape goat of a political game played by the UEFA and Michael Platini. There would not have been this much fuss about the incident if UEFA has made it a rule that, 'If a player tries to fox the referee, he will be serving up a two match ban!'. That did not happen. According to reports, UEFA said that this was the last case of it's kind and no other complaints will be entertained in the future.

I do not defend divers. This guy has returned from a serious injury to his ankle. He lost 18 valuable months of footballing life because of a careless and rash tackle. And, nothing has been done about it. The people who had cost some footballers their careers, are roaming free, to break some more bones. But, the one who tries to save himself from a repeat of such injury is branded a 'Cheat' and is now serving a 2 match ban.
It was a dead game! If you expect Celtic to win that match from 2 goals down(in their home leg) at Ashburton Grove, I presume that you have no logic at all.

Though I'm passionate about the game, I believe that, people's body parts are more important than a useless match. It is funny, how a person can be charged with assault if he breaks someone's leg in the real world and the same person would get away with it if he had 'intentionally'(not accidentally) tackled a player with that severity.
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The cunning bastard Alex has backed the decision taken by the UEFA. He also said that it is because of players like Eduardo and the things they do on the pitch, a bad influence is being created on young footballers. Balls to you c*nt! Don't you remember the feather weights your team had in the past. C.Ronaldo(disgrace to the name of the god) and Van Nistelrooy are the most famous of them. The ugly, short and bald-headed as**o*e has made a statement, ' I never intentionally dived'. John Terry says that English players are too honest to dive intentionally. This statement itself shows the level of honesty their team has! Aren't Rooney and Gerrard English? One thing's for sure. England will not even make it to the semi finals of the world cup next year with this over-hyped team.

England's Jack Wilshere has supposedly dived to gift their team a penalty in their U-21 Euro Qualifiers against Macedonia. I like Jack. I don't know if he really dived, nor does the Macedonian team's coach. There is an article here. Why is the headline like that? Why can't it be, "England player dives to gift their team a lucky win against Macedonia." He is an Englishman, ain't he John Terry? What will be the case if he is picked for your world cup squad. What if he dives to win a penalty that will take you into the semis or finals? He will definitely be called a 'Wonder Kid'. No doubt. The state of the media is like that. Most people are very much concerned about results, rather than the way they are achieved. This needs to end and fast! I would like to see a day when a player kicks the ball to the corner flag, from the spot, if he was awarded a penalty by mistake by the referee. Mistakes are common, but not accepting them will lead to a lot of trouble.

Out of football now. Our chief minister Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy has passed away in a horrific Chopper crash. The main cause of the crash is believed to be bad weather conditions. The state mourned his death for two days and he was cremated yesterday. Though I do not personally like him, it has to be accepted that he was a great leader and politician. I hope his soul finds peace!

So, it's going to be another long week before football finally kicks off!
Till then, Bye and good night!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

If i am going to see papers/headlines/people saying 'Manchester United got a glorious win in the match against Arsenal', it will be clear to me that the world is coming to the end in a couple of years. For godsake, Manchester United sucked at playing football tonight. It was very much evident. Arsenal played far below the level that was set by them in the first half, after they conceded the penalty. I think that this team doesn't like going a goal or two down. That's good but, you need to be able to cope with such circumstances if we were going to win a title this year. If we cannot put up a comeback, we should atleast make use of all the opportunities that are thrown at us at he other end. That didn't happen. We missed quiet a few sitters, especially in the first half and one in the second which was made and then wasted by Diaby.

I am not totally disappointed but, this was a game that Arsenal could have won quite easily. That's why I am pissed! The refereeing was average. But, no complaints on that, except for the penalty shout by Arshavin. I think that it would have been a penalty in most cases. Arshavin pulled the ball back before he was run over by Fletcher/Carrick. If he would have been going forward that would have been more dramatic and would have resulted in a penalty and a sending off, maybe. But, I would blame it on our players, who didn't finish the game when there were many chances to do it! An Arshavin low cross was met by Van Persie and was cleared off the legs of Foster. I thought that VnP could have been more clinical in his finishing. Every Arsenal player played well, i thought. Luck has deserted us in the right moments. Van Persie hit the post from a wonderful free kick and that could have wrapped up the mach if it has gone in. I should admit that the team lacked creativity in the center of the park though they were brilliant on the wings. Manuel Almunia is looking like he's gonna make a mistake every game that will eventually result in a goal and make it a blunder. He had a touch on Rooney, who was waiting to go down, and gave away a penalty. Anyway we go into the international break now, for two weeks. Hope the lads do well for their countries and return without any new injuries! Put this game in a sack and throw it into the ocean. Gun for Glory!

THE GOOD

Arshavin had a penalty shout turned down by the ref. He could have scored even before the was tackled was made. He had that much space. But, it didn't go as planned. Within minutes he got the ball on the left hand side from Denilson. Vidic didn't close him down and he showed why he is considered such a dangerous player. He blasted the ball into the top corner, to the right side of Foster who got fingers on the ball but, it wasn't enough to stop the cannon unleased by the little Russian.

THE BAD

Some one played a through ball into the Arsenal box. Rooney was right behind it. Almunia called and was charging at the ball. He made a dive, only to find the feet of Rooney, who immediatly went down and took the penalty.

AND THE UGLY!

It was a free kick to Giggs. Some 35-45 yards out. A ball was played into the box. It didn't look dangerous. The next moment, the ball was in the back of the net. I would have liked to see a United player's name on the scoresheet then, but unfortunately it was Abou Diaby. He was having a good game and suddenly this happened. It wasn't dangerous, he wasn't under pressure by any player but he made a blunder that had cost us the match. He tried to cover up his fault, but he couldn't put the ball in the back of the net from the space which he had created for himself. I thought that Wenger would sub him after the incident, there are two sides for every coin and he stuck with Diaby who was trying hard to make amends.

Later then!
Atleast U have a goodnight's sleep!
(Publishing this late coz the server was down)

The Final Verdict before Kickoff!

Well, well, well, the big moment is finally here. It's the kickoff for the Barclays' Premier League Season tomorrow and I am thrilled about it. Most Arsenal fans are in total disbelief before the start of the season but, I differ with them. I think this might be the season, in which our trophy drought will finally end. Nothing wrong in being a bit optimistic/realistic. I know that many have thought the same way before the start of our four previous campaigns, and were saddened to see the team not win anything at the end. I do not think that Cesc will be leaving the club this month. All the lads are really motivated and also have just the right amount of experience they need to prove the bookies wrong. Some things that will slow us down and have been doing so for some time now will be the injuries and the lack of an experienced bench.

Well, anyway here is my final verdict;

Chelsea look the strongest team on paper and a lot of depth in their squad, and this might be sufficient to win them the premier league, unless they goof up. There is no major improvement in the standard of the team with minimal activity in the transfer market. But, the advantage they have is that the rest of the BIG3 have supposedly been weakened by the departure of their star players.

Liverpool did well the previous season. But, they are a team that relies majorly on two key players, namely Torres and Gerrard. They cannot afford a injury to any of them.They also have a very poor defense. The loss of Xabi Alonso will add to this. Their key defenders are recovering from injuries and are doubtful for the first one or two games. If they lose points in these games, i do not see them competing for the honors at the end of it.

Manchester United will not win the title for sure. Rooney will be their key player and we may also expect him to pick up a couple of reds, unable to control his anger/rage on the pitch. They will not loose sight of the 1st place but, I do not see them winning. They still have their defense in tact and the major worries would be the injuries to Van Der Sar and Vidic at the start of the season. They have the easiest first 3 fixtures and this might save them from losing precious points.

Arsenal have the toughest start to the season with fixtures involving Everton, Manchester United and City(all AWAY fixtures) in the first 5 weeks. They also have their Champion's League qualifier against Celtic in between. It's a worrying start but, it can be crucial. If the team manages to get the most out of these fixtures, it will definitely boost their confidence and we could be gunning for glory. If we falter, we would have to fight out for the fourth Champion's League place against City or Liverpool.

I "feel"(it's a lot different from "think", if you know what i'm saying) that this would be the final league table(with the current teams and injuries out of cosideration )

1.Arsenal. Arshavin and Van Persie will break down defenses.
2.Liverpool. Will power prevails.
3.Chelsea. The slightly older team.
4.Manchester United. It will be close.
5.Everton. Not City, because of their relatively weak midfield and defense.

In the champion's league final however, I would like to see Barcelona and Real Madrid fight it out for the title. I don't think any other club can stop these Spanish Giants.