Fern Mc Costigan

Friday, December 19, 2014

It’s Not Brendan Rodgers Fault for Liverpool Troubles

A man that last campaign got all the praises from the millions of Liverpool followers, after his team feats and near encounter with the Barclay’s EPL Shield.

One magic campaign is what Anfield lived with its faithful, something not seen for quite a while- still for Brendan Rodgers being the man of the hour for his winning determination.

That was then and now he’s the subject of much criticism, if not seating in the accuser’s box for his squad poor playing and not so pleasant results.

After the departure of Luis Suarez to Spanish Giant Barcelona, the arcs of Liverpool were filled a plenty with all the monies earned with the sale of the Zombie, something that Manager Rodgers took advantage of.

Getting several players that looked promising to his new project and to face another competed edition of Premiership as the previous one in 2013-14.

The arrival off three Southampton players in Dejan Louvre, Adam Lallana and Ricky Lambert-coming from a dream campaign and a resurgent squad in EPL, made Liverpool’s Boss a happy man.

Also the arrival of Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Mario Balotelli- so far none of these chaps have been able to equal of be near the levels of play that the duo of Sturridge – Suarez duo, that destroyed the opposing squads goalposts.

And reinforcing its defensive side with a couple of Spaniards in Javi Manquillo and Alberto Moreno and Belgian Keeper Simon Signolet, the Reds have shown a lot of flaws in its backfield, making life a living hell to its boss, who has to shuffle constantly his lineups.

Without mentioning the err of getting troublesome Mario Balotelli to Merseyside was a total mistake- for a player that hasn’t shown any of his talents and is becoming a focal point of a trade back to Serie A.

It’s not easy to be in Brendan Rodgers shoes and showing a lot of challenge’s from its new cast of players, which so far have not adapted to his style and new club!

Still all the fingers that point to the man at the helm for his faulty deals during the offseason and lack of direction or a project that could see another repeat of last campaign miraculous run.

Many should stop, as this situation is not Brendan Rodgers fault, not at all ladies and gentleman, the man is only human and mistakes can happen, even for the top rated player his adaptation to his new squad isn’t an overnight thing.

Ask that to the lads that Liverpool’s Boss deposited his trust for their talents and overall performances in the field, that so far have been null an a bit disappointing.

Another low point has been the constant injuries to Raheem Sterling that so far his participation has been a overshadow by his hurts and so far no repeat of his previous campaign outstanding performances.

Brendan Rodgers is no wizard or loaded with magical powers to make this squad as it was in the previous campaign, time will be one ally for this skipper.

At the end, with the winter market opening and the league first half near its end, it’s for the Reds Boss to get back into the drawing board and search for immediate solutions.

Getting rid of Brendan Rodgers will a not be a so smart move by the directives back at Anfield and can make things worse, just a vote of confidence and getting a new batch of players capable of performing and productive.

Crest Credit and Property of Liverpool Football Club and Wikipedia 2014

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2014

Monday, December 15, 2014

Will Prayers Save the Southampton Lads from a Downfall?

Maybe, but in the eyes and mind of its Manager Ronnie Koeman, that’s not the point and he’s becoming a bit worried about his club performances in the remainder of the campaign.

After a red hot start this campaign, the Saints started performing and took by surprise the league top positions and starting making many headlines with their aggressive style of football.

Remember this squad was molded and formed by its former skipper Mauricio Pochettino who left and infused a winning mentality into this squad.

Very well a squad after seeing an exodus of players to other entities, still it prevailed and with its academy, being an important center point for its overall success.

With a start that has seen this squad occupying the second sport of the table behind Chelsea and making netting important wins for such results.

Recently the Southampton boys are suddenly involved in a four game losing skid and giving away important matches that cost this squad dearly.

Although the campaign is not lost or over yet, the upcoming winter market can be a sort of distraction to many players that are being sought by the big guns of the EPL.

Still Premiership is one contested event and with many of the big guns and the resurgent ones moving up in the table, the Saints are starting to give some inches of its ground.

I mean sliding into fifth place and with 26 points in the table unexpectedly after losing four back to back matches and among one of them with a modest Burnley squad.

Very well putting this club mettle and its current football philosophy into a big test, this failed its initial eleven radically after not performing on a one to one basis.

Initially this club was put on a big test that failed horribly- by losing key matches with so called big guns of Premiership in the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Possibly as the Saints desires to compete for the top spots in the table and netting a position into the prestigious Champions League, there will be no more excuses of mediocre play.

Something that its current Boss Ronnie Koeman will have to sort and find answers in an immediately way to stop his squad debacle before it’s too late.

At the end for more prayers are poured in by the Saints supporters, if its skipper doesn’t correct many of its weaknesses seen lately.

This club can fall into the league abyss if corrections to wasteful playing and a lack of definition that translates to a fracases and hence the latest results for the Saints, hopefully things get better at Saint Mary’s if not what a shame.

Crest Credit and Property of Southampton Football Club and Wikipedia 2014

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2014

Sunday, December 14, 2014

The Red Derby An Early Manchester United Christmas!

The agony of defeat and the wonderful thrill of winning in what many have dubbed the Red Derby and with one squad really showing off its style.

With a nice showmanship and in control of the match throughout the whole ninety minutes of play, Manchester United really played like in its old days.

Very well showing off in the field a nice display of elegance and fought off football, which earned them the grand win.

Playing the always competed and disputed Red or Merseyside Derby with their cross region foes in the Liverpool Reds, this time both squads needed a win so desperately.

One Boss that was in a desperate need of a win for his squad and to prove that he can turn things around at Anfield and for the Trafford top man at the helm was to prove his squad might.

The unfortunate side for Skipper Brendan Rodgers, that his Red weren’t any match for the local Trafford chaps that came inspired since the first whistle of the match.

Not bad for the Old Trafford boys with five matches won consecutively and netting points and ascending like a delightful beer froth.

Still the United squad was in need of playing in a way to convince as well silence its critics that has blasted this squad, since their last campaign debacle.

I mean, in the middle of the week there was a London tabloid a giant in terms of journalistic coverage in the area of football- making a point that the Red Devils had a lack of style in its game.

Very well lacking an identity since the arrival of the Dutchman to the venue of Sir Matt Busby and Trafford Way, wrong they proved the presses today.

Indeed, a nice display of elegance disguised with a hardened football and a determined stance in every minute of play, along its three musketeers in Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin Van Persie.

Alongside a brick wall and dominant defensive stance and its newly creative and disputed midfield, the Red Devils really dominated its Kop neighbor’s blatantly well!

Merry Christmas for the Trafford squad, it was a job well done and in front of its faithful, the Red Devils were really possessed since the beginning of the match till its end.

At the end I do credit the whole initial eleven put in the field by Wizard Van Gaal, who despite of suffering many of its top players injuries and setbacks, so far he has keep the calm and delivering as expected.

My hats off to the Dutchman’s project that’s paying off and netting the desired results desired buy its owners and millions of its faithful not only in Manchester but the whole world!

Crest Credit and Property of Manchester United Football Club and Wikipedia 2014

Burnley’s Uplifting Effort That Paid off!

Sean Dyche is one happy Boss, after seeing his side perform as a true contender and made a living hell of the visiting Saints squad.

By playing the role of spoilers wasn’t a difficult thing for the Burnley boys; after all they had the support of their faithful at Turf Moor.

Showing off a serious game of football in ninety minutes of play and overall performance like true champions hungry for glory!

Being this one hell of a feat for the Lancashire squad and very well denied the visiting and resurgent Southampton squad an easy win that could stopped their sudden skid.

Very well netting a positive result from this match, this uplifted their spirits up high and motivated them ahead of the upcoming second half of Premiership.

As every match this squad plays, it’s their pride and salvation on the line- that can equal a repeat of another campaign in the ranks of Premiership.

Still the road ahead is full of many challenges and obstacles that can either bring many satisfactions or many sour afternoons for its followers and its top man at the helm.

Not today, after playing a one on one with one of the most surprising squads in this edition of Premiership- the Southampton Saints, as many gave the nod to the visiting squad to obtain an easy victory.

Not today as many saw how a determined Claret squad- really lived up to their reigns of a proud entity and sent a worthy and motivated initial eleven into the field.

And they didn’t let their boss and followers down, their one and only feat was heard all around the circles of Premiership as ambitious and audacious.

For now this victory puts the Burnley squad out of the infamous relegation and bottom three positions and although today’s win get them out of the abyss, still there’s more work to be done at Turf Moor.

A nice 1-0 win that equals a much leveled match and a defensive one that wouldn’t allow the visiting squad with its might and arsenal- perform with such an easiness and conviction that at the end succumbed.

Today’s match made a believer of Sean Dyche and his boys, whoever they face or play in future compromises, doesn’t have to be an intimidating force to run but face off until the final minute of play.

Very well this squad philosophy will be one of nothing will stopped them and continue their march towards the promised land of permanency- if this squad puts its thoughts and goals into a winning mentality.

Crest Credit and Property of Burnley Football Club and Wikipedia 2014