Chitika

Wednesday 25 May 2011

What team do you support?

Taking a break from the informative posts, I'm now going to ask a survey. I'd like everyone to fill out the following information, so it's like a football/soccer census really. So.

1. Age
2. Location
3. Team supported
4. Any other teams you admire
5. Most hated team and why.

Me:
1. 19
2. Suffolk/ UK
3. Newcastle United
4. Yeovil Town, dunno why but I do
5. Sunderland - The Toon's arch rivals so it's only fair.

Yours?

Tuesday 24 May 2011

Top 3 goals this season

Here is my pick of the Top 3 goals in the Premier League this season.

1. Wayne Rooney v Manchester City
 
This goal was amazing. Perfect accuracy, and such style. Rooney had had a poor season, but this showed everyone that he's still a great scorer.

2. Cheick Tiote v Arsenal
 Great 35-yard volley after a Joey Barton freekick was headed away. And what added to the greatness was that Newcastle were 4-0 down, and this got them back to 4-4 with just 2 minutes left to play. Sensational goal, and the atmosphere in the stadium was magnificent.

3. Jermaine Beckford v Chelsea
Last game of the season saw this amazing solo goal.  Beckford took the ball from his own box, ran the entire length of the pitch, beat pretty much every Chelsea player (Who are considered world-class midfielders and defenders) and calmed a cool chip over Cech. Great way to end a season.

Tell me what you guys think. Remember, these are my opinions.

Monday 23 May 2011

Ancelotti Axed

Who next for the Chelsea Merrygo-round?
Carlo Ancelotti was sacked within hours of Chelsea's final-day defeat at Everton on Sunday. His future was always a cause of speculation after successive defeats again Manchester United in both the Premiership and the Champions League, leaving Sir Alex's men with the spoils of a trophy, and perhaps another if United can win against Barcelona.

Ancelotti brought Chelsea to their first Premier League and FA Cup double in the history of the club - Something even 'The Special One' Jose Mourinho couldn't do. This was in his first term, but Abromovich wasn't happy with the lack of silverware this season. Even a second-placed finish could save him.

So, the search for a new manager starts, with many names in the frame.
Marco van Basten is bookie's favourite for the job, with Englishman Harry Redknapp behind him. Rednapp could be tempted by the hefty budget handed by Abromovich. Also noted is Gus Hiddink, who had a spell with Chelsea temporarily as he reached the Semi-finals of the Champions League and won the FA cup. However, he turned down a permanent role to go away and coach Russia in 2009. The rest of the list contain Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas, Massimiliano Allegri, and Frank Rijkaard. The biggest two listed are Barcelona's Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid, and former Chelsea manager, the Special One himself.

Mourinho said he'd love to coach Chelsea again, and with relations with Abromovich strong and sorted it could be possible. Guardiola could also leave Barcelona, stating that  "I think my time here at Barcelona is coming to an end... A club like (Barca) must have a lot of courage to keep a coach for all this time because players tire of coaches and vice versa."

Who do you think will be the new manager of Chelsea? If you're a Chelsea supporter, who would you like to see take charge?

Sunday 22 May 2011

Birmingham and Blackpool join West Ham's departure from the top flight

Birmingham and Blackpool have been relegated from the English Premier League in the last game of the season. Blackpool always had the tougher task, facing off against Manchester United at Old Trafford, whereas Birmingham were hosted by Tottenham. This means Wigan, Blackburn and Wolves were saved from the drop.

Blackburn were hosted by Wolves, while Wigan had to travel to Stoke in order to fight their way from the drop zone. Although Wolves were beaten 3-2 by Blackburn, it was still enough to stay up, as Blackpool and Birmingham (who were below them) failed to get a point.

Wigan, who were at the time second from bottom, needed a win to ensure safety (due to goal difference). And it was Rodallega who scored for their survival, with 400 jubilant fans there to witness it. The '76th minute goal ensured another season of Premier League football awaited them.
Blackpool had the harder task, and were soon down a goal in the 21st minute, courtesy of Ji Sung Park. However, the Seasider's talisman Charlie Adams levelled the scored to 1-1, and by this time they were out of the relegation zone at half time. They then miraculously went 2-1 up, and it seemed that Blackpool COULD have gotten a point. However, THREE defensive blunders allowed Andison, Owen, and an own goal by Evatt, to give Man Utd a 4-2 win, even with a weakened side.
Birmingham went down a goal too, this time at the start of the interval. It seemed to have been a tough day, until Gardner pulled a goal back, and with Wolves with a worse goal difference, the Brummies were out of the relegation zone. However, Pavlyuchenko piled on the misery and scored an injury time goal to seal the fate of the ill-prepared Birmingham. 

So, Goodbye West Ham, Blackpool and Birmingham; hello QPR, Norwich and either Swansea or Reading. The three relegated teams may struggle to make an impact in the Championship, but it's sure that the newly promoted ones will struggle more. 

Football League season 2010/11 ends, but the transfer gossip has now begun.
It's been a thrilling and long season, and next year will be the same. 

Thanks for reading.

Friday 20 May 2011

The Battle of the Titans - Manchester United v Barcelona

The two greatest teams on the planet battle it out at Wembley next week. The Champions League Final is the biggest club-competition around, and both teams will go all out to win. Barcelona are arguably the world's best team, with Messi, Iniesta and Xavi powerhousing the heart of the team. With the worlds best player - Messi - even a team like Man Utd will struggle to play them.

Both teams are champions of their respective nations, with Barcelona winning the La Liga, and United the Premier Leauge. It's as if the stars have aligned so that all football fans can witness this match. They met two years ago, at the same stage, with Barcelona winning 2-0, courtesy of two Lionel Messi goals. However, it could be different this year. Arsenal fought out a 2-1 victory against Barcelona earlier in the competition, showing that they're not unbeatable. The Catalan's then had to go all out at home, winning the 2nd leg 3-1 (with Arsenal's Van Persie picking up a very controversial red card). If Van Persie didn't get sent off, then Arsenal could well have beaten them.

Manchester United have outplayed all of their opponents in the knockout stages, showing their maturity in the competition. If it wasn't for Schalke's goalkeeper, and Man Utd target Neuer, the scoreline could've hit double figures. Barcelona controversially beat rivals Real Madrid in the Semi's, coutesty of Messi yet again.

Either team could win. If United are on form, with Messi and Hernandez working well together, they could easily win. That said, if Messi is on fire like he was against Arsenal and Real, then it's Barce's for the taking. Expect an awesome match at Wembley on the 28th; It's sure to be spectaculor.

What are your opinions?