I am sorry……. For the long absence, that is. Of late I have found myself apologizing quite a lot. “I am sorry” has become the new ‘hello’ for me. I know it is all probably my fault but I chose not to accept blame so imma go with the notion that everyone else is the problem J Like a wise friend of mine (okay, maybe not-so-wise would be more appropriate) once said, “Yea, I could take responsibility for my actions. But I choose not to.” Okay, so that was just a by the way. Anyway, I don’t know why but everytime I blog after being away for so long, I always feel obliged to explain myself. The reason for the long absence has a bit to do with my birthday, being overtaken by events and the old classic writer’s block. I am pretty sure majority of my readers are intelligent (but then I could be wrong :o) so I will not delve in-depth on those reasons. I know, rather hope, you all know what I mean.
Anyway, that is not at all what this post is about. I just realized that I have not blogged about football since this season started. So I am going to do a review of the teams being considered as title challengers to the MIGHTY MAN UNITED. I will start with the ones I consider as posing the least challenge all the way down to our biggest worry this season. But before I do that, there is something very important I have to tell you. Now this may not be what most of you want to hear but it has to be said……. GLORY GLORY MANCHESTER UNITED :-D
6. ARSENAL
Were it any other season, Arsenal would have been higher up but thanks to the sale of playmaker Cesc Fabregas (and boy isn’t he flourishing at Barca) and midfield mastermind Samir Nasri (would have loved to see him at United), they fall here. Nasri stressed that he was leaving because he did not feel like the club had enough ambition. This I agree with. Wenger has been vilified for being more of a business man than a football manager. And to some extent, this is not entirely baseless. He has such faith in his youngsters but they do not return the favour. However, I cannot lay all the blame on Wenger. I do not believe any manager can be that stingy. I also blame the board at Emirates. I am of the notion that they are the ones withholding the funds and letting Wenger take the fall. Anyway, that is a debate for another day. I, however, think their new signings Benayoun and Arteta will come in handy. For now, I do not see Arsenal finishing in the top 5. Their best finish will be either 5th or 6th, going by the display they have put in at the beginning of this season. If they prove me otherwise, then good for them. If not, I shall do what I do best, season in, season out. LMFAO. I am sure the following picture is a foreign sight for many Arsenal fans so stare all you want (yes, salivate if possible).
5. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
I know some people might argue Arsenal ought to be here but I do not. Maybe it’s the biased Spurs fan in me talking (they ARE my second favourite English team) but I honestly do not see how Arsenal, with their current form, can finish ahead of Spurs. They were lucky enough to hold on to Luka who proved why top teams like United were after him by scoring that stunner against Liverpool this past weekend. And when you have players the caliber of Bale and Defoe in your team, you can sleep a bit easier than most teams. Adebayor is also sending a strong message to critics. “Do not rule me out just yet.” Plus, as I always say, I believe Spurs have one of the best managers in modern football. One Harry Rednapp. He has instilled in his team that never-say-die attitude Fergie has cultivated at Old Trafford. It is not quite over till the last whistle is blown. Comeback is their middle name. They may not have the quality to see them qualify for the Champions League. Yet. However, Europe is still a viable option with the Europa League. I tip them for 5th place. Go Yidds!
4. CHELSEA
Now this is one position which gave me a headache. However, I believe I made the best choice. You see, I have always viewed Chelsea as one of our strongest title contenders. They are the one team I believe we can never beat twice in a season. We equally share the spoils. That said and done, I still do not see them in the top three. This is because I see them as an ageing team. Most of their experienced/star players are beyond their peak. We are looking at Drogba, Lampard et al. They do have a strong team, I will not dispute, but I think with the current crop of young players coming up, they might find themselves in the shadows. Another thing about this team is that they always seem to run out of steam when it counts the most. Romeu and Lukaku are yet to prove themselves and as for 50 million quid striker Torres……… Well, let’s just wait and see. Chelsea for the final Champions League qualifying place.
3. LIVERPOOL
Now, these guys being our sworn enemies, makes all this the harder. Anyway, I see Liverpool actually doing well this season because, let’s face it, they have one heck of a squad. Suarez, Downing, Kuyt etc., these guys are actually good. Though I sometimes question the worth of Carroll. Really Kenny? Really? However, I do see them having one of their best seasons in quite some time. Ever since Dalglish took over mid last season, he has completely transformed the team from mediocrity to an above average side. They have had a good start to the season although that thrashing by Spurs leaves a lot to be desired. This leads me to reiterate what I have always said about the Reds. They are not consistent. They can go on a great run then all of a sudden, there is a serious dip in form and things fall apart. Literally. However, this season might prove to be a bit different. Though Dalglish’s team is still a not a finished product, they are playing more and more as a team and I do see them finishing in a respectable 3rd place this season.
2. MANCHESTER CITY
As painful as this is to admit, I do consider our noisy neighbours as very serious title contenders and our biggest challenge in retaining the crown. Now before all yee Old Trafford faithful deride me, hear me out. Truth be told, even a blind person can see the quality in this team. They have fantastic individual talents ranging from the sensational Kun Aguero, to Edin, to the player I consider the best in that entire team, one David Silva. But in as much as they have all these great players, that will also be their undoing. That is the one reason they will not carry top honours in the league this season. They have so much individual brilliance but Mancini’s expensively assembled team is still a work in progress. Yes they have the quality to score goals but I am still a bit skeptical. I am yet to be convinced that they can play as a unit and in sync with each other. That is why they will score first and go ahead in a game only to lose (Community Shield) or draw (against Fulham). They do not have the frame of mind to hold it together and tend to crack under pressure. That said and done, I do believe the blue side of Manchester will push UNITED right down to the wire this season. I see them taking the other automatic Champions League qualifying spot. And yes, my despise for this team is so immense that my ego will not allow me to post a photo of them lifting a trophy like the rest so there you go :p
1. MANCHESTER UNITED
Yes, once again, I see the RED DEVILS taking top honours in England and landing what is only their 20th title. Going by the sensational form United has started off the season with, I think most people will agree with me here. In just 5 games, the Devils have been able to put 26 goals past 5 different keepers. Not to mention Rooney being the first player to score 9 goals in the first five games of the season. Anyway, current form aside, we have a team and a half. It is a balance between experience and that youthful enthusiasm and energy Fergie is known for cultivating. From regulars Vidic, the evergreen Giggs and Nani to new signings Young, Jones and youngster Welbeck United have the secret winning formula. The Rooney-Chicharito partnership has provided so many goals and will continue to do so. Ferguson has been able to reel from last season’s Champions League final defeat to Barca and re-build an even stronger team which can pose a serious challenge to Barca. I maintain that man is a genius. With our current squad, I would say Man United is set for the next 5+ years. We already have our future in our hands and we should be fine even with Fergie’s imminent departure. And before I finish, I will continue to maintain that de Gea is a very good keeper. He just needs to be given time to adjust. The media is massacring him for no valid reason. He will become an OT great, just watch this space. So yes, the great MAN UNITED will carry the day once again and retain their EPL title.
So there you go folks. There is my two pence worth of how the 2011/2012 season will pan out. If you agree with me then you are very wise. If not, please go suck on a camel’s toe :/
Anyway, before I sign out, I would like to leave you with an excerpt from a poem I have been working on. It is not yet complete so I cannot post it but once I perfect it, I will put it up for you to feast your eyes upon (or completely bore you out of your mind). So here is a part of it. Enjoy (or not *shrug*)
“Then suddenly, just like that, numbness settles in. At first you are thankful because it leaves you devoid of all feeling. Good idea it seems. No possibility of getting hurt. No. You are fine. Then with time you realize that fear is what makes us human. Like I did. Once you lose the ability to fear, or be scared then you are living in utopia. It is all unreal. Happiness? Not quite. We may convince ourselves that we are, happy, that is, due to the numbness of emotions. But we are not. It is all an illusion. The fourth dimension. Surreal if you may. Then the curtains come closing down. Tear-filled, you realize that maybe not all is lost. Like defeated soldiers, you still try convince yourself, pray, that you will live to fight another day. It may all be a farce, we do not know. But then again, it may have a solid base. Solid, not really. But it is not completely baseless either. Then we continue hoping. Hope. Builder and destroyer of mankind. But even with these starry-eyed premonitions or rather optimisms, we still cannot shake off that nagging feeling. That one chill down the very heart of your spine. That if something is not done soon enough, it will be too late. A bit too late, in dramatic fashion. And then you, we, close our eyes. For just a mili-second. Envisioning all that we, I, you, have become so fond of. In such a fashion, as to visualize it.”
Oh, just incase you are wondering WTF, here is what I have to say........
As I sign out, booyah!
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