It’s About Time

Well, after a week plus of EPL, we see Man Utd defeated by Burnley and then rebounded to thrash Wigan 5-0. At half-time, it was still 0-0 and people are wondering if Ronaldo’s departure is that significant.  Many forgot that Utd didn’t win the first 4 games last season. I recalled it was a stuttering start. 

Anyway, I was glad that Rooney opened the scoring with a world class header to register his 100th goal for Utd. I’m personally glad for Michael Owen who scored his typical goal and kicked off his premiership scoring for this season.  Good for Man Utd. 

What makes teams like Utd enjoyable to watch is their resilience, and gumption to fight on when the goings got tough. 

Well, the EPL has barely started for a week and already there are shockers : 1) Liverpool was beaten on the first day of EPL (cos it’s the only top 4 that didn’t register a win – big deal!).  Pundits and sports writers speculate that they’ll not be able to win the Premier League. What rubbish!  One swallow doesn’t a summer make!  Idiots!

2) Man Utd got beaten by newly promoted Burnley yesterday; whose last triumph was 1968.  Undoubtedly, the naysayers will speculate that Utd is facing a crisis cos of Ronaldo’s absence.  Ha! That’s the beauty of football, and as Arsene Wenger says before the match between Arsenal and Celtic a couple of days ago — “it’s down to 11 vs 11 on the pitch.”  Nothing else matters. If teams turn up expecting to be beaten; they’ll be beaten!  A team that comes up disrespecting the opponents might can beaten too!  Another team that turns up expecting nonthing; gets nothing! 

I think it’ll be interesting to see how things fare in a month’s time. When things are more settled; transfer windows closed. 

Well, last weekend saw the new EPL football season started with lots of goals and furore.  The usual pundits with their dead-sure predictions came reversing some of them without shame as usual.  Classic example, the writing off of Arsenal pre-season due to sale of Edabayor and Toure, saw a heap of praise over the play when Arsenal beat Everton 6-1 in style. 

Personally, I could care less about pundits prediction.  Most fueled by need to keep readership writes in tabloid manner.  Speculations aplenty.

I think the usual top four will still be there. Interesting to see how Man Utd will adapt to changes without Ronaldo. Not that it will suffer greatly for after all football is a team sports.  Most tend to think that minus one equal disaster. Most didn’t recall that it was ROnaldo who almost jeopardize Man Utd’s chance to capture the Champions League trophy when his penalty was missed. It was John Terry’s slip-up (literally) that saw Utd winning the trophy. 

I would like to see Michael Owen proving pundits and critics wrong.  Especially Capello who seemed to have an axe to grind against Owen since Real Madrid’s days. I still think he is much better player than Berbatov the new le-sulk of EPL.  I’m waiitng for him to do that. Maybe it’s the underdog mentally. 

Chelsea will still be a strong team because of its resilience but will not capture league title due to injuries.  Utd starts off with injury much like last season, but should rebound quickly. Liverpool? Unlikely given Benitz’ unusual reluctance to field non-spanish players (maybe he can communicate better with them?).  His ultiamte mistake to leave the Israeli player out consistently. 

Everton, will be affected by City’s distracting tactics.  Aston Villa, need not panic and sack O’ Neil. That would be a knee-jerk reaction for sure. 

On a side note, interesting to see how Arsenal will fare against Celtic tonight in Scotland.