The EPL: The League Tightens Up and the Plot Thickens

Ball Harambee By Bagga Wilks

It is too early in the English Premier League for the sheep to be distinguishing themselves from the goats. Nonetheless, from these early rounds, it is clear that as the game becomes more tactical, coaching matters even more. Much takes place in training and in the locker room beyond the seeing eye of the public. But much also takes place during the ninety minutes in front of the eyes of the public.

A classical illustration of this was the Manchester United versus Sunderland game. Manchester United has begun the season like a sputtering old jalopy. Before confronting Sunderland on their home field, they had just been trashed by West Brom 2-0 at Old Trafford.

All eyes were on the Manchester United manager struggling to walk in Sir Alex Ferguson’s shoes. Moyes decided to act boldly. He sat down his aging central defender, Rio Ferdinand, and replaced him with the younger, Phil Jones. He sat down his over-size mid-fielder, Fellani who he had brought over from Everton at the twelfth hour of the trading deadline. He brought in the 18 year old mid-fielder, Januzaj, starting for the first time in the Premier League.

The move was a stroke of genius as the youngster leveled the score for Manchester United which had fallen behind. Januzaj tallied later in the game to secure three vital points for the team.

Like Manchester United, Manchester City was also in the throes of a shaky start. The previous week they had lost to Aston Villa 3-2. They were facing Everton who had not lost thus far for the season. Pellegrini didn’t make any drastic changes and unfortunately lost their skipper early in the game. But Manchester City with the return of Silva pulverized Everton with Yaya Toure and Fernandinho exercising hegemony in mid-field. Everton suffered their first defeat as Manchester City returned to their triumphant pathway defeating The Toffees 3-1.

Jose Mourinho has won in every major competition in Italy, Spain and in England. Some recognize him, especially with the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson as the outstanding manager in the game. Matched up against Norwich, he was face down in the weeds, late in the game with a 1-1 tie.

Mourinho went for broke and opted for a 3-5-2 system from the 4-4-1-1 system he began the game with. The move paid immediate dividends as the Norwich team had to fight back a barrage of Chelsea attacking players. He substituted Demba Ba with Eto'o, Cole with Hazard and Willian for Mata. Chelsea scored two goals after the 83rd goal that was a beauty. Mata wasn’t sharp during this game and Hazard displayed his guile and Willian demonstrated dexterity at finishing. Lampard played for ninety minutes but Frank is not the Lampard of old. He is now an old Lampard. John Terry has bounced back and David Luiz, time and time again, illustrates that he is the best central defender with concomitant defensive and offensive skills, a rare but precious attribute. For the time he was on the pitch, Demba Ba showed he adds the Drogba-like dimension to Chelsea’s game.

Mourinho is not afraid of making changes and the experiment for the right chemistry is still a work in progress.

Things are still sorting out themselves in the EPL. Southampton thus far has been a surprise and are perched in fourth place. West Brom under Steve Clarke are a well-prepared team that has beaten Manchester United and held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw. Sunderland is undergoing managerial woes. Liverpool is at the top of the tables and has shown that the tandem of Suarez and Sturridge is uncontainable for the first 45 minutes. Liverpool remains a potent first half team and an impotent second half team. They defeated Crystal Palace 3-1 after having them down 3-0 at half time.

Rodgers has shown that he is not averse to playing the formation that fits his personnel and in the last two encounters have reverted to playing with three at the back. He has critical decisions to make when Glen Johnson returns and Coutinho is again fit to resume his playmaking role. Victor Moses has been outstanding as a player on loan and deserves to be on the pitch. Rodgers’s mettle as a coach will be severely tested but he has already shown that he has brought together a collection of players that currently sits at the top of the Premier League.

2013-2014: The Year of the Managers

Ball Harambee By Bagga Wilks

This season, 2013-2014, has seen quite a movement of managers at some of the top clubs in this global sport. Owners are not shy to show managers the door and managers are not reluctant to confine players to the bench or not including them on the eligible roster.

The Chelsea manager, Mourinho, has won titles in La Liga, Serie A and the English Premier League. He cut his teeth as a manager in the Portuguese League. His managerial strategy has evolved in recent years as he is no longer defensiveminded but he remains a player provocateur and his criticism of players are not done in the office but in the glare of press conferences.

Juan Mata had an outstanding season last year as Chelsea’s playmaker and as a goal scorer. With the second coming of Mourinho to Chelsea, Mata has lost his starting place and has been told he will have to change his game or he will be a “tit-bit” player for the duration of the season. Oscar is the new playmaker with the newly acquired Willian as his understudy.

Against Fulham, David Luiz was also placed in Mourinho’s dog house and was confined to being a spectator. Mourinho punished him for the loss in the Championship League against Basel. Mata and Luiz are set to have ongoing confrontations with the combative Mourinho.

David Moyes is finding that Sir Alex Ferguson’s big shoes are not easy to fill. He received quite a spanking from Pellegrini’s Manchester City.

Yaya Toure was the towering figure in mid-field and turned the giant figure of Fellani into a dwarf. Pellegrini seemed to have figured out his starting eleven while David Moyes is busy criticizing his players like Ashley Young in the tabloids.

Arsene Wenger has silenced his critics. Without any great midnight shuffler, just the acquisition of Ozil, Arsenal is playing the best football in many a season. The obstinate yet visionary Wenger stuck with his young prospects like Ramsey and Wilshire who have emerged as big league impact players.

Managerial changes have taken place at Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Roma and Bayern Munich. Next year is the World Cup in Brazil and players’ fortunes in Brazil will be impacted by the decision of managers. In this era of coliseum spectacles, gladiators can be chewed up by the managers who are the Kings of the Jungle.

Signs of a Long Season

Ball Harambee By Bagga Wilks

Last season, 2012-13, Manchester United ran away with the League like Usain Bolt and left the “also ran” far behind. This year the opening games signify that we are in for a long, competitive season and the struggle for the top four will be particularly grueling.

Arsenal vs Fulham

In inclement weather, Arsenal easily defeated the revamped Fulham. Arsenal is yet to make any formidable trades yet the miserly Wenger can point to improvement of particular players in yesteryear squad. Mertesaker who in his first year looked clumsy and ineffective has become the key man in defense. If Kieran Gibbs can remain healthy, he will be an attacking threat to opposing teams.

The Arsenal surprise thus far is Ramsey who seems to have recovered his old confidence. Wilshire is developing into a first class midfield player and Walcott on his day has become an unstoppable force.

The yesteryear trades have come of age. Cazorla is more at ease this season and Podolski just had a hell of a game against Fulham. And Giroud doesn’t have the technique of Van Persie but he has his own method of scoring.

Tottenham vs Swansea

Despite the team improvement, it will be a great struggle for Arsenal to qualify to play in the Champion’s League at the end of the season. Other clubs have bolstered their ranks with new acquisitions. In Tottenham’s case, Bale is expected to sign with Real Madrid and although the club’s coffers will be more than replenished, it may be too late to purchase an impact player to replace the departing Bale.

Tottenham has played two games in the EPL and yet to score from open play. Their two 1-0 victories have come from the penalty spot.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Liverpool played a strange game against Aston Villa. They eked out a 1-0 victory from a terrific goal from Sturridge. They were impressive in the first half and, like a flower, wilted in the second half.

Aston Villa who were mesmerized in the first half, outplayed Liverpool in the second half. They failed to score but deserved to have gotten at least a draw. Aston Villa against Chelsea and Liverpool has served notice that they are no longer just a team of immature cubs but a team of young lions with a fierce will to be contenders.

Manchester City vs Cardiff

Manchester City who looked invincible in their first game looked vulnerable against the newly promoted Cardiff soccer club. With Kompany out with a groin pull and Kolo Toure at Liverpool, the normally deep Manchester City has no replacement for their fallen skipper. Before the trading deadline closes, they had better procure a reputable center back. So early in the season, they have fallen among the vanquished. Kompany’s injury shows that durability is an important factor in ensuring a top four place.

Manchester United vs Chelsea

Moyes debut at Old Trafford ended in a scoreless draw. Manchester United looked fluid and Rooney was at his best but Terry kept Van Persie in his pocket.

Mourinho started the game with his specialist strikers on the bench. Ba and Mata have been invisible men in the second coming of Mourinho to Chelsea. Mata was missed as last year he was the straw that stirred the drink. Chelsea had half chances but were in desperate need of a playmaker.

The Mourinho experiment will continue and David Moyes will fight to step out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s shadow.