The Dim in Beirut

AGREE OR DISAGREE

3 Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs fans see if they can agree from 5 conclusions from the weekend’s Premier League action.

1) The North London derby is the most entertaining one in the league

Nadim: AGREE

The Manchester one is the most important nowadays, and the Mersesyide derby remains the most aggressive and unique. But for sheer unbridled fun and entertainment, the clashes between Arsenal and Spurs are undisputed number 1.

In the last few years we’ve had that crazy 4-4 game at the Emirates, the Spurs comeback from 2-0 down,  the Arsenal comeback last season and now last Saturday’s game. Full of goals and incidents. Just pure fun.

Joe: DISAGREE

 It is very exciting given the apparent animosity between the two clubs and when you add the flawed defending on show, it only adds to the excitement.

But the fixture cannot compare to the Manchester derby, we have been given a few examples of this in recent years and now that the game is a potential league decider then it only adds to the excitement.

Shep: AGREE

Neutral and fans alike love to watch goal laden fixtures and in recent  years this match has produced  them. I suppose it has a cycle as a George Graham Arsenal would have taking a beating for producing  such outcomes.

As entertaining as they are I think for the supporter this fixture highlights a great deal of deficiencies that will come to haunt them throughout the remainder of the season.

2) West Brom can get a European place

Nadim: DISAGREE

They’ve started well, better than anyone would have expected. But will they finish ahead of 14 teams in the division? I doubt it.

They don’t have the attacking quality of Newcastle last term to have a similar season. Their current run smacks of a team that’s in form, with lots of confidence and getting all the breaks. Won’t last.

Joe: AGREE

They CAN, but they probably won't. Granted they have a good strike force but the test will come when they visit the bigger clubs and have to soak up more pressure than they do at the Hawthorns.

So far they’ve taken a very creditable 6 points from 9 against City, Chelsea and Liverpool- but all those games have come at home. The away games will be a different test for them.

 Shep: AGREE

Great teams are built on solid foundations and usually the cost of putting such foundation runs into the millions. For me, the partnership of Mulumbu and Yacob is, pound for pound, the best midfield in the league.

The key for WBA is injuries and suspensions. The Christmas period, the run of games and the toll it takes on your squad can almost be season defining -and for West Brom I feel this period will be crucial. If it is kind then I'd expect Europa League at the Hawthorns and if not it will still be a very respectable, if not remarkable, season.

 3) 4^th spot is wide open

 Nadim: AGREE

All candidates for 4^th have major flaws. Everton’s small squad, Spurs’ adjustment to the post Modric world, Liverpool’s lack of forward options, Newcastle’s “second season” syndrome and Arsenal’s inconsistencies.

4^th spot is there for anyone that manages to consistently perform, win their home games while picking up some points on their travels.

I’d still expect Arsenal to get it though; just because they always do.

 Joe: DISAGREE

United and City will be in the top 4 for the foreseeable future. Arsenal always find a way of securing their place but for it to be wide open it would require an implosion at Chelsea.

Yes it happened last season and in recent weeks they have dropped points but the top 4 will be United, City, Arsenal and Chelsea

Shep: AGREE

The gulf in quality between the top 3 and the rest is vast so 4th is not guaranteed. At the minute, you look at Tottenham in 8th place and the situation doesn't look irretrievable.

I think the team that does the best business in a difficult January transfer window will ultimately reap the financial rewards that much coveted 4th spot brings.

 

 4) Harry Redknapp is the answer to QPR’s prayers

Nadim: DISAGREE

There’s a certain Spaniard living on the Wirral, with Champions League, La Liga, Uefa and FA Cup winners’ medals in his cabinet, who's out of a job…

Redknapp would do better than Hughes, no doubt. But with the investment QPR have put in into their playing squad, they need to look at someone who can change their youth setup too.

Benitez would be perfect for them. He’d get the best out of the current playing staff and make them very tough to beat. He’d get more out of Champions League players like Cesar, Mbia, Granero and Cisse than Redknapp. And he’d stamp his foot down and refuse to let the likes of Raheem Sterling leave the club.

Joe: AGREE

With the exception of the 2004-05 failed attempt at Southampton, Harry Redknapp knows how to secure a club's top flight status.

Granted, he will have his work cut out but with Fernandes' prepared to bankroll QPR, he could the one to save them. Although I read this morning that Benitez would be interested....

Shep: AGREE

If Tony Fernandes has dreams of QPR remaining in the division beyond May then Harry is his man.

He won't be cheap and imagine it will mean yet more expenditure in January but I believe if they act now they will beat the drop.

 5)  You are looking forward to watching tonight’s West Ham vs Stoke game.

Nadim: DISAGREE

El Shitico.

Carroll vs Huth. Crouch vs Collins. Vaz Te vs Shawcross. Diame vs Nzonzi. Allardyce vs Pulis.

Yummy…

Joe:  DISAGREE

Allardyce v Pulis... Not one for the purists as they say...

Two managers that know how to survive in the premier league but are prepared to swap substance for style.

What’s playing at the movies?

Shep:  DISAGREE

I love football and I am stupid so I will be watching. You occasionally watch a random game of football that becomes an unexpected treat.

However, I will purchase and eat a hat if this fixture becomes that treat…

 Thank God for Messrs Big Sam and Baseball Cap Tony, as thanks to them we manage to agree one something. Just the one from 5 this week. Thanks for reading, leave us your comments.

AGREE OR DISAGREE

3 LFC, MUFC and AFC fans see if they can agree on 5 conclusions from the weekend’s Premier League action. Thanks to @joethewag from http://thenotsoanonymousfootballfan.wordpress.com and @SamerF89 for their contributions.

1) Everton are serious contenders for 4^th place

Nadim: DISAGREE

Their squad is small and that will prove to be their undoing.

Everton are doing a Newcastle , in the sense that they’re beating the teams they should be beating at home and picking up a few points against the bigger sides along the way. 

The difference, however, is that Everton are potless. While the Geordies could go out and spend 10m on Papis Cisse last January to boost their challenge, Everton can’t. They’ll have to rely their small squad all season, which means a prolonged challenge will be next to impossible.

Joe: AGREE

Very well drilled team.

They seem to have confidence in their ability as comebacks often illustrate. Moyes has been successful in rebuilding his teams after some players left for bigger things.

 If only he got more investment then they would be pretty much a certainty for top 4.

Samer: AGREE

What a flying start to the season they’re having.

I have been pretty impressed with how they have approached their games recently. Moyes has done a great job.

Contenders, yes. Can they do it? We'll see. Top 7 come May for sure though.

2)  Fulham are great fun to watch

Nadim: AGREE

In Berbatov and Ruiz, they have 2 of the most elegant players in the entire Premier League. Just watching them play football is as relaxing as a full body massage.

 I was very impressed with them Saturday, especially with how they built from the back and were very patient on the ball. Martin Jol has done wonders for the team, taking them into the 21^st century after their flings with Hodgson and Hughes.

Joe: AGREE

Very well run club.

 With Berbatov at the fulcrum of their attack, a lot can go through him. No cloggers in their team and choose to play the “right way”.

Their biggest challenge will be when clubs come sniffing around their key men. Whilst they have done well since losing Dempsey and Dembele, can this go on forever?

Samer: AGREE

Martin Jol has transformed a usually typicaly English side into one worth watching.

He’s made some great signings and has a great approach which offers neutrals an entertaining brand of football.

Although they gave me a lot of heartache this weekend, they still deserve enormous praise for how they played at the Emirates. Not a lot of teams are able to come to Arsenal and do what Fulham did.

3) On the field, the 2 Manchester clubs biggest asset is their will to win

Nadim: AGREE

Absolutely.

Huge cliché, but it’s the mark of champions. Both clubs just refuse to get beaten. They’ve both gone behind numerous times this season and have almost always recovered (in City’s case, scratch the always).

United’s will to win is legendary; but it was absent last season. For City, it’s a new phenomenon; but a very welcome one. It’s what makes them both title favorites.

Joe: AGREE

Whilst they do have other assets, both clubs simply never give up and it is testament to their team morale that they can so often come from behind.

Two goals down would have been the end for most other teams but you just felt that once the 1^st goal went in, more would follow for United. As for City, there was the same inevitably as Aguero’s goal went in.

Samer: AGREE

As much as it hurts, it’s true.

Both teams have that never give up, no nonsense mentality. Everything was going against them this weekend. However, once both got their first goals, you just knew they'd go on and win it.

Europe is a different story, but in the Premier League both teams just don't know when to give up

 

4) Mark Hughes’ time at QPR is surely up

Nadim: DISAGREE

Any other club, I’d say yes.

But Tony Fernandes has been extremely vocal about his support for Hughes. I have no idea why though as he’s doing terribly. He was lucky to keep them up last year and with the money spent in the Summer, the fact they’re bottom is ludicrous.

Don’t know how bad it will need to get for Hughes to get fired, but I doubt it’ll happen this week.

Joe: AGREE

QPR’s season could mimic that of last: new manager, and money being spent in January to battle for survival.

Mark Hughes needs to take a long look at himself as a manager. His stock has plummeted. Perhaps managing abroad for a few years could do him the world of good?

Samer: AGREE

He's one of the worst managers in the league, he shapes his teams up well, yes, but the amount of money at his disposal at both City and QPR show how much of a fraud he is.

He left Fulham to find a better job… and went to QPR. His team is performing way below expectations. With those summer signings, results are not good enough.  His time at QPR is up. 

5) Unless they sign a new striker in January, Chelsea won’t win the title

Nadim: AGREE

Needing a goal on Saturday, United turned to Hernandez. On Sunday, City turned to Dzeko. Later on in the afternoon, in the same situation,Chelsea subbed off their main striker for the only other striker they have in the squad.

Much has been made of Liverpool having only 2 strikers, but it’s somehow not been noticed that Chelsea are in exactly the same situation. For title challengers, that’s ridiculous- especially when you consider how out of sorts their first choice striker is and how much money they have in the bank.

Joe: DISAGREE

Fernando Torres has shown signs of life this season and Sturridge and Moses can chip in with some goals.

They don’t have a great deal of striking options but remember in 2002-03; United got by with pretty much just Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Samer: DISAGREE

Recently some teams have proven that it is possible to win trophies without having too many strikers.

Barcelona and Spain, prime examples, both use players out of position in that striker role to their own benefit.

Chelsea have an array of attacking talent at their disposal. Even if Torres isn't scoring for fun, he's still linking up with Mata, Oscar and Hazard to create chances. They have more than enough firepower to challenge. 

So we manage to agree on 2 out of 5 conclusions from the weekend’s action. Thanks for reading and leave us your comments.

 

 

Top 10 Luis Suarez Liverpool Goals

Luis Suarez has scored 31 times for Liverpool since his arrival from Ajax in late January 2011. Here's his 10 best so far.

10) vs. Fulham, 2010/11

It takes a special display for a player to be named the man of the match in a game that sees another player score 3 goals. For it to happen twice in a couple of months (while Dirk Kuyt scored 3 against United in March, it was Luis who took home the bubbly) shows just how incredible Suarez’s performances were in his first half season at Anfield.

He tore Fulham to shreds here and all that was lacking was a goal. It came late on as a brilliant Jonjo Shelvey through ball found Liverpool’s number 7.

What sets Suarez apart from other strikers is his balance and close control- and he displayed both attributes fully in this goal. Other players would have taken an extra touch after rounding the keeper, or simply planted their foot on the ground to regain balance. Suarez did neither, and executed the finish all in the same movement.

9) vs. Sunderland 2010/11

Something about Suarez that leaves fans bewildered is his ability to make something out of absolutely nothing.

There’s nothing on when Suarez plays a one two with Dirk Kuyt. The Uruguayan is still on the touchline as he receives the ball. Running in a straight line, he skips past the Sunderland defender and enters the area when he’s closed down by another Sunderland player.

Parallel with the bye line, in an apparent cul de sac, Suarez rips a scorcher of a shot which flies past the shell shocked Mignolet. It’s an early warning to English Football that a man to make the impossible possible has arrived. It’s a confirmation to Liverpool fans, bewitched by the Uruguayan’s performance in the previous game against Man United, that they had something special on their hands.

8) vs. Wolves 2011/12

 Another facet of Suarez’s play is his unpredictability. Instead of passing the ball as you expect, he’ll create space for himself by twisting the defender inside and out.

It’s highly debatable whether he knows what he’s going to do half the time. This unpredictability makes playing with him very difficult for his strike partner but makes playing against him even harder for defenders.

The goal against Wolves is a case in point. Running into a through ball from Jose Enrique, Suarez quickly finds himself in the area. Andy Carroll frees himself by making a run but Suarez elects to move the ball to his right foot and then back to his left very quickly, confusing  2 defenders, before firing a shot with his weaker foot inside the near post from the tightest of angles.

 

 7) 2^nd vs. Norwich 2011/12

I’ve watched football for 26 years. During that time, I’ve seen some fantastic players. None, however, have had the constant ability to make the ball ricochet in their favor.

The amount of times Suarez gets the ball, hits the defender with it before taking the rebound in his stride is unbelievable. The first few times it happened you chalked it off to good luck. But as it still occurs every game close to 2 years after his Liverpool debut, it’s clear there’s something more to it.

Take this goal for example. It starts off with a ricochet which looks like bad defending if you don’t know it happens with Suarez every game. Luis then runs with the ball and reaches the edge of the area where fires in drilled shot from a very hard angle.

6) vs. Udinese 2012/13

Despite scoring a few for Ajax and hitting the bar with one on his full Anfield debut, Suarez hadn’t scored a free kick for Liverpool before his beauty against City in August.

This one was even better, a belting, curling shot into the top corner of the goal at Kop end for Liverpool’s first free kick goal (that went OVER a wall) since Fabio Aurelio’s special at Old Trafford in the 4-1 win in 2009.

5) vs. Hearts, 2012/13

While there are some fantastic dribblers in the English league, Luis Suarez is perhaps the only one who constantly takes players out of the game without touching the ball.

The Uruguayan is a master of letting the ball do the work for him. He often receives a pass, puts his body between the defender and the ball then feints to control it and lets it run past him; taking out his marker in the process.

This is what he does for this goal as he receives the ball in the center circle and eliminates his marker. He’s still a long way away from goal, but Suarez runs at the opposing center back and takes the ball to the left side of the area where he slots home from a tight angle.

He’s often come close to scoring brilliant individual goals like this (and almost scores an even better one a few of weeks later vs Stoke), but the Hearts one is the first time he’s pulled it off.

4) 2^nd vs. Norwich 2012/13

Not a single goal in the entire list encapsulates Luis Suarez more than this one. His ability to score impossible goals is as renowned as his habit of missing easy chances. His skill and insane work rate have made him the biggest nightmare for opposing defenders in the league. He is unquestionably the league’s most hated player, but also perhaps its most gifted.

This goal has everything.

It starts off with the striker missing a simple 1-1 with the keeper by about 5 yards to howls of laughter.  While the Norwich crowd boos him unmercifully, Suarez trots back. By the time the resultant goal kick is taken, he is running to close down the defender who doesn’t spot him.

Suarez nips in to dispossess the Norwich player, turns and nutmegs him in one movement and then guides an exquisite finish from the edge of the area with the outside of the boot in to the far bottom corner- when the easier option would have been to take a few more touches.

28 seconds. 4 touches. 1 glaring miss, 1 interception, 1 nutmeg,  shot.

1 goal.

3) vs. Stoke, 1^st goal, League Cup 2011/12

If Jonjo Shelvey is the king…  The king of the Golf (just watch Being Liverpool- Oh Brendan…); then Luis Suarez is the king of the nutmeg.

There isn’t a defender that Suarez hasn’t nutmegged or at least attempted to. It’s not a exaggeration to say it happens every game and it’s a perfect example of how dangerous Suarez is in tight spaces- and how cheeky and impudent a player he is.

In this goal, again nothing is on as the number 7 picks the ball. He’s surrounded by defenders but Henderson’s run creates space for him. Suarez nutmegs Rory Delap’s apprentice and then curls a fantastic shot into the far right corner to give Liverpool an equalizer.

He’d then grab a late winner but it’s this goal that was on all the highlight reels.

2) vs. Newcastle, 2012/13

There are very few players currently playing professional football that could have scored this goal. Everything about it is sheer perfection.

It starts off with Luis Suarez, 70 yards away from the ball making a clever run between the Newcastle defenders. As the ball is pumped into him by Jose Enrique, Suarez could easily have been distracted by Krul or Coloccini but he keeps his eye on the ball throughout its trajectory.

He then controls it with the upper part of his chest and shoulder, killing it dead. He strains his entire body in order to let the ball drop without any interference from his chest. And while 99% of world footballers would have shot it first time, Suarez rounds the keeper and slots into an empty net.

3 exquisite touches combined with bravery, movement, industry and sheer flair.

Denis Bergkamp, Matt Le Tissier, Diego Maradona?

No, Luis Suarez.

 

1)3^rd Vs Norwich 2011/12            

This goal is a guilty pleasure of mine. There’s nothing else in football I love more than seeing someone chipping the keeper from distance.

For a player to score a chip requires several attributes. The vision to spot the keeper off his line, the cheekiness to decide to try to chip him, the acceptance that you’ll look like a fool if it doesn’t come off and the technique to actually pull it off. All this is done in a couple of seconds.

Few players actually have all these traits. The ones that do are some of the best players in football (Seedorf, Beckham, Alonso, erm, Figueroa…).

Suarez displayed all these traits to score this strike. It was made even better by the fact that it was his hatrick goal, coming 1 week before the cup final. Oh, and by this celebration.

AGREE OR DISAGREE

3 Liverpool, Manchester United and Spurs fans see if they can agree on 5 conclusions from the weekend's Premier League action. Thanks to @joethewag from http://thenotsoanonymousfootballfan.wordpress.com/ and @irritableshep for their contributions.

1) Spurs’ loss at home to Wigan is the biggest shock of the season so far

Nadim: DISAGREE

A far bigger shock was the Norwich win against Arsenal. Busted my 14 game accumulator and cost me 1200 pounds. I’m still not over it.

While Spurs have been doing well recently, they still have an air of inconsistency about them and Wigan seem a much better unit this term then they did for 75% of last season. They also won at the Lane a couple of seasons back by the same scoreline.

It was definitely a surprising result, but not one that came as a shock.

Joe: DISAGREE

Yes it was a big shock and probably yet another sign of how much work Spurs still have to do to be considered serious title challengers.

A bigger shock was the Norwich victory against Arsenal a few weeks back.

Shep: AGREE

To many on the outside Tottenham's defeat will appear the biggest shock result of the season so far. Those who saw the game would say it was a well earned victory for Wigan and the margin of victory could and should have been greater.

8 points from a possible 18 at home, compared to 9 from 12 on the road suggests the side is better equipped to hit teams on the break. The sale of Modric and van der Vaart, coupled with injuries to key players, means there could be more days like these unless AVB is backed financially in January.

2) Arsenal will struggle to finish 4th

Nadim: AGREE

They’ve got 15 points from 10 games which is their worst start ever under Wenger and it could have been less if the linesman had not made a horrific offside call for Arteta’s goal last week.

At present, they look a very average side, void of any confidence and presence. However, they’ve had a very tough start with away trips to Liverpool, Stoke, and the Manchester clubs as well as a home game against Chelsea. Should get better these next few months, but they’ll face a very tough challenge from Spurs.

It’s going to be a dogfight for 4th.

Joe: AGREE

Yes they will struggle.

Whilst Wenger insists on making questionable tactical decisions (Ramsey on the right wing?) they will drop points in similar circumstances as they have done so already.

But they will make it. Other teams, like Spurs, are prone to bigger blips than Arsenal.

Shep: DISAGREE

As we saw last year, Arsenal had a rough start but finished the season strongly to get Champions League football at the Emirates. The dynamic changed when Chelsea invested heavily making it look like the top three seems a foregone conclusion leaving a host of teams fighting it out for the remaining spot.

The sale of Van Persie was a big blow and it looks like they are struggling to find the right combination up top. But overall, I think their midfield will do them proud in their quest for Champions League football whilst Spurs adapt to life under AVB and Newcastle come to terms with juggling Europa League commitments. As for Everton, I am unsure they have sufficient strength in depth for a sustained challenge.

3) You didn't see the Norwich revival coming

Nadim: AGREE

I have to admit, after Liverpool them 5-2 I thought they’d do a Derby County. There were times during that game when we made them look amateurish (we could have scored 10) and I really thought they were the worst team in the division.

7 points from the last 9 (and 2 clean sheets) and a win against Spurs in the League Cup have proven me very wrong. Still a long way to go, but I never saw it coming.

Joe: DISAGREE

The moment they beat Arsenal the signs were there that they would not do a Swindon 93/94 or Derby 07/08.

A spirited comeback against Villa and victory over Pulis' cloggers means that they have every chance of staying up.

Shep: AGREE

Going into the October International break following big defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea I thought they were dead and buried with another thumping defeat to Arsenal surely to follow.

The additions of Bassong and Tettey appear shrewd. Grant Holt seems to be returning to his talismanic best following his uncertain summer. I think if Norwich can keep him fit then Hughton has an exceptional chance of keeping them up.

4) The only thing keeping Martin O’Neill in the Sunderland job is his name

Nadim: DISAGREE

1 win out of the last 17 tells its own story but it took a long time for Sunderland to get rid of Bruce (who the fans were patently against). If Short was a trigger happy owner I suspect he’d have sacked Bruce a lot earlier than he did.

As such, O’neill has other factors in his favor bar his name; namely a patient owner. Considering how much money they’ve spent, Sunderland are the great underachievers of the Premier League , and there’s really no excuse for their performances and results. But it’ll need to get even worse for O’neill to go.

Joe: AGREE

The Rolling Stones will always have sell out tours. Noel Gallagher will always have chart topping music. Martin O'Neill will always find a premier league side to manage despite the fact that his managerial career is not living up to its promise.

It is hard to understand where the downward spiral started; but for a man once linked to the Liverpool and United jobs, O'Neill has a lot of work to do to keep his credibility intact.

Shep: AGREE

I think when Martin O'Neill got the Sunderland job the majority of us felt it was an exceptional appointment and feared that trips to the Stadium of Light were going to become difficult fixtures.

Yet with just the one win this season, the only one dating back seventeen games from the end of March, they are showing relegation form. How many other managers would be afforded as much patience in such a winless run?

5) There’s nothing wrong with Liverpool that a top class finisher wouldn’t solve

Nadim: DISAGREE

Liverpool certainly need a finisher, but they need a creator too.

At the moment, Luis Suarez is being asked to be the chief creator and chief scorer. He’s doing well enough with 7 goals and 3 assists in 10 games (don’t get me started on the “offside” goal at Everton last week) for a side with no number 9 and Joe Cole as number 10.

Adding a striker (and there’s strong rumors that Huntelaar is a done deal) will ease Suarez’s goalscoring burden but not the creative one. A top quality attacking midfielder is also greatly needed.

Joe: AGREE

Liverpool's season has seen youngsters such as Wisdom, Sterling and Suso join an impressive list of youth team players in the squad.

A bit more bite in the final third would see the team elevated to potential top 4.

Shep: DISAGREE

Liverpool, understandably, rely too heavily on Suarez. I feel for Rodgers as he is dealing with the legacy of the previous regime and their extravagant expenditure.

Whilst a clinical, proven finisher would alleviate the burden on Suarez, Liverpool need more to make them a team that can string a sequence of results that can trouble the top 5.

I think Liverpool need to look for a long term replacement for Gerrard to mentor. In addition, they need another tricky, quick, experienced wide man to provide goal threat and prevent the younger players like Suso and Sterling from burning out too soon.

So not a single conclusion manages to unite us 3 this weekend. Thanks for reading and leave us your thoughts.