January 2013

Compliments of the season or should I be honest and just say “complications”? As expected, the frenetic holiday of the EPL was bound to have casualties and have everyone running for their cheque books as the transfer window opens. Scummester United, as they do, used the holiday to open a gap at the top and have all haters choking on the egg - wondering just how Sir Alex Ferguson does it. At the time of going to press the Devils had beaten Liverpool, confirming the Reds’ mediocrity. A bitter pill to swallow for all its fans and one wonders how it is possible to be average when you were once great. The Citizens, also known as the ‘noisy neighbours’, stumbled but continued to shout; though they are not as loud as they could be they are seemingly the only real threat, with the man in the mirror being their biggest challenge.  If Mancini can find a solution to Yaya Toure’s absence in January and galvanize his unit for a different kind of march on Rome, the title race come May will be interesting. Chelsea splashed out seven million pounds for Demba Ba and sold Sturridge to Liverpool for twelve million pounds. My arithmetic tells me that with some smart business Rafa could be begging for financial prudence in shrewd investment at the bridge…

Chelsea are still in with a shout but their internal wrangles “will Frankie leave?” “will Frankie stay?” “Bring back Di Matteo!” “We hate Rafa!” “We don’t like change!” and their owner’s “It’s my club” attitude will probably snuff out their challenge leaving them to fight another day.

As for the Wenger boys yet another financially successful season beckons. I doubt they will make the Top Four but then again they might not have intended to. Liverpool continue on their 23 year lesson on how not to win a title. In this particular chapter they explore the use of an inexperienced coach in conjunction with American owners more interested in baseball and ice-hockey. May all major clubs take note. I suspect it will get worse before it gets better. The blue half of Liverpool housed at Goodison Park are lauding it over their more illustrious neighbours. David Moyes and his team at Everton should take advantage of the January transfer window to beef up their squad and who knows a place in the Champions league could fall into their laps. In my previous article I predicted that AVB would be looking for a job before the season ends. I still think his agent shouldn’t pack away his CV just yet but it would seem he survived the holiday season and more importantly Tottenham have given up on breaking into the Top Four and resign themselves to the safety of the mid table.

It is at the bottom of the PL that the league promises the most excitement. The Queens Park Rangers with their escape artist and deep pockets are still at the bottom of the league and one wonders if one more attempt at throwing money at the problem this January will have the desired effect. Sadly history is not on their side. The team at the bottom after Christmas after the holidays rarely ever survives.

Aston Villa are also dancing with the devil and as we all know Lucifer is a tricky date. Villans will have to pay more attention to the Coca Cola division’s calendar and manual in case they will need to acclimatize soon. Reading completes the bottom trio with Wigan, Southampton and New Castle (who have just sold their best striker) keeping them company for an interesting “Survivor Series”.

So as the plot unfolds and it seems all too familiar as the Red Devils march on I find myself sympathizing with the project once again and I can go out for Abu Dhabi money. Here is the log for those who care and to the Anfield faithful YNWA...