C
Chris Maduewesi
Guest
Another exciting weekend on the horizon in the English Premier League and surely there won't be a shortage of intrigues, going by the way the league is currently moving at the moment.
Who would have thought that the duo of Arsenal and Liverpool are not in the top four going into this round of matches.
Even Manchester United had to beat Arsenal last weekend at the Emirates, for them to be able to find themselves in the top four.
It is now a jungle fight where only the fittest emerges victorious, as all the teams seems to be fixated on a particular goal.
The top teams are doing all they can at the moment to scrap out wins, every point counts, any points dropped could weigh in now in big proportions as the gap between the others would definitely widen.
And to compound to the woes of the other nineteen teams in the league, Chelsea are untouchable at the moment.
In fact, they are subtly being christened "the invincibles" because they are miles apart from the chasing pack.
So it is down to simple logic: 'if you must hope that Chelsea will drop points' then win your own matches. Which was exactly what the Manchester clubs: City and United did last weekend, get three points no matter how it was gotten.
Sadly for Arsenal and Liverpool, they don't seem to have gotten the memo just yet, as others are gradually leaving them behind.
So, the teams will be going into this weekend's matches with the same mindset- 'no further slip ups' .
Below, we compiled comments of the top managers during their press conferences for this weekend's games.
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal):
The Frenchman spoke about the injury of his midfielder, Jack Wilshere who is set to be on the sidelines for up to three months: "He deals very well with tackles and kicks but nobody would've dealt with that tackle," Wenger said.
"His injury is a consequence of a very bad tackle that was not malicious.
"If he has no problems with his joints he will make a massive career".
Also, about the prospect of selling Lukas Podolski, who told German daily,Bild, that "the situation has to change" for him to remain at Arsenal, Wenger said that he is yet to get offers for the striker.
"I have had no enquiries from anybody," said Wenger.
"He faces big competition. He has an outstanding attitude and he works very hard."
Louis Van Gaal (Manchester United):
Coach Louis Van Gaal revealed that his cropped players are gradually coming back from an injury . Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo are both expected to feature against Hull City.
He however noted that he gave Daley Blind a holiday as the Dutch midfielder begins his recovery process.
"I gave him(Blind) a holiday. In the first week of recovery he needs more rest than exercise and he didn't have much holiday in the summer because at the World Cup," Van Gaal said.
On Luke Shaw, Van Gaal in an apparent comical manner took a swipe at the club's official twitter page for the way they misquoted him in the injury of Blind last week.
"Last week I said something that was not interpreted so good. Now I will read what my medical adviser has written
"Maybe Man Utd Twitter can pay attention!"
However he added that the English defender will be out for :"the next few weeks'."
He also noted that he wants his team to start beating teams more convincingly and to entertain United fans.
"We have to improve our playing style and beat opponents more easily," he said.
Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City):
Manuel Pellegrini said that only three first team players are still not fit at the moment.
"Everybody else is fit and available," said Pellegrini.On their opponents Southampton, who are currently above them on the table: "They are a good team with very good players and they're playing very well. It's no surprise they are where they are.
"Ronald Koeman has lost four or five players but they are still a good team and that's a merit to him. It will be a tough game."
"We can't complain about our spirit. We were losing against Swansea and we scored twice - the same against Bayern."
The Chilean is full of praise for his star striker, Sergio Aguero who is single-handedly carrying the club with his goals: "Sergio is a top player. He's a very important striker in the Premier League and we're very glad to have him."
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
Chelsea are the team of the moment and this has made Jose Mourinho to be full of praise for his players.
"For us every competition is important, so we don't rest players and we try to play with our best team.
"Every player in my squad is fantastic and I'm so happy with all of them. The only risk we don't have is complacency.
"'My untouchables are the ones who aren't playing, they are responsible for what we are doing. They are all ready to help."
On Cesc Fabregas' who is having a massive influence with his game: "If he says he is playing the best football of his career that means something. You can see it in his body language," he added
"We were winning 5-0 against Schalke and in the 88th minute Eden Hazard made a big sprint to defend," the boss said.
"I have enough experience not to be over the moon when we win or in hell when we lose.'
Mourinho on reports of that Chelsea wants to sin Barcelona's star: Lionel Messi, he said: "Obviously, it's not true."
Brendan Rodgers(Liverpool)
Liverpool are struggling at the moment to have their heads above water as they are barely managing to stay afloat.
Their manager Brendan Rodgers has come under fire with many criticising him as being the cause of the club's poor form.
Even the goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet has not been spared from the early season gaffe, with many using the Belgian as a scapegoat.
"He’s strong enough, you have to embrace it and have to be able to cope." - Brendan Rodgers said of Mignolet.
On their game so far this season
"We’re losing games of football, not playing so well. When you’re at a club like Liverpool the focus is magnified."
"A few months ago I was the manager of the year and now I’m favourite to get the sack. It’s part and parcel of football," Rodgers added
Fixtures
Saturday 29 November 2014
West Brom vs Arsenal 13:45
Burnley vs Aston Villa 16:00
Liverpool vs Stoke 16: 00
Manchester United vs Hull 16:00
Queens Park Rangers vs Leicester 16:00
Swansea vs Crystal Palace 16:00
West Ham vs Newcastle 16:00
Sunderland vs Chelsea 18:30
Sunday 30 November 2014
Southampton vs Manchester City 14:30
Tottenham vs Everton 16:00
Who would have thought that the duo of Arsenal and Liverpool are not in the top four going into this round of matches.
Even Manchester United had to beat Arsenal last weekend at the Emirates, for them to be able to find themselves in the top four.
It is now a jungle fight where only the fittest emerges victorious, as all the teams seems to be fixated on a particular goal.
The top teams are doing all they can at the moment to scrap out wins, every point counts, any points dropped could weigh in now in big proportions as the gap between the others would definitely widen.
And to compound to the woes of the other nineteen teams in the league, Chelsea are untouchable at the moment.
In fact, they are subtly being christened "the invincibles" because they are miles apart from the chasing pack.
So it is down to simple logic: 'if you must hope that Chelsea will drop points' then win your own matches. Which was exactly what the Manchester clubs: City and United did last weekend, get three points no matter how it was gotten.
Sadly for Arsenal and Liverpool, they don't seem to have gotten the memo just yet, as others are gradually leaving them behind.
So, the teams will be going into this weekend's matches with the same mindset- 'no further slip ups' .
Below, we compiled comments of the top managers during their press conferences for this weekend's games.
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal):
The Frenchman spoke about the injury of his midfielder, Jack Wilshere who is set to be on the sidelines for up to three months: "He deals very well with tackles and kicks but nobody would've dealt with that tackle," Wenger said.
"His injury is a consequence of a very bad tackle that was not malicious.
"If he has no problems with his joints he will make a massive career".
Also, about the prospect of selling Lukas Podolski, who told German daily,Bild, that "the situation has to change" for him to remain at Arsenal, Wenger said that he is yet to get offers for the striker.
"I have had no enquiries from anybody," said Wenger.
"He faces big competition. He has an outstanding attitude and he works very hard."
Louis Van Gaal (Manchester United):
Coach Louis Van Gaal revealed that his cropped players are gradually coming back from an injury . Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo are both expected to feature against Hull City.
He however noted that he gave Daley Blind a holiday as the Dutch midfielder begins his recovery process.
"I gave him(Blind) a holiday. In the first week of recovery he needs more rest than exercise and he didn't have much holiday in the summer because at the World Cup," Van Gaal said.
On Luke Shaw, Van Gaal in an apparent comical manner took a swipe at the club's official twitter page for the way they misquoted him in the injury of Blind last week.
"Last week I said something that was not interpreted so good. Now I will read what my medical adviser has written
"Maybe Man Utd Twitter can pay attention!"
However he added that the English defender will be out for :"the next few weeks'."
He also noted that he wants his team to start beating teams more convincingly and to entertain United fans.
"We have to improve our playing style and beat opponents more easily," he said.
Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City):
Manuel Pellegrini said that only three first team players are still not fit at the moment.
"Everybody else is fit and available," said Pellegrini.On their opponents Southampton, who are currently above them on the table: "They are a good team with very good players and they're playing very well. It's no surprise they are where they are.
"Ronald Koeman has lost four or five players but they are still a good team and that's a merit to him. It will be a tough game."
"We can't complain about our spirit. We were losing against Swansea and we scored twice - the same against Bayern."
The Chilean is full of praise for his star striker, Sergio Aguero who is single-handedly carrying the club with his goals: "Sergio is a top player. He's a very important striker in the Premier League and we're very glad to have him."
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
Chelsea are the team of the moment and this has made Jose Mourinho to be full of praise for his players.
"For us every competition is important, so we don't rest players and we try to play with our best team.
"Every player in my squad is fantastic and I'm so happy with all of them. The only risk we don't have is complacency.
"'My untouchables are the ones who aren't playing, they are responsible for what we are doing. They are all ready to help."
On Cesc Fabregas' who is having a massive influence with his game: "If he says he is playing the best football of his career that means something. You can see it in his body language," he added
"We were winning 5-0 against Schalke and in the 88th minute Eden Hazard made a big sprint to defend," the boss said.
"I have enough experience not to be over the moon when we win or in hell when we lose.'
Mourinho on reports of that Chelsea wants to sin Barcelona's star: Lionel Messi, he said: "Obviously, it's not true."
Brendan Rodgers(Liverpool)
Liverpool are struggling at the moment to have their heads above water as they are barely managing to stay afloat.
Their manager Brendan Rodgers has come under fire with many criticising him as being the cause of the club's poor form.
Even the goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet has not been spared from the early season gaffe, with many using the Belgian as a scapegoat.
"He’s strong enough, you have to embrace it and have to be able to cope." - Brendan Rodgers said of Mignolet.
On their game so far this season
"We’re losing games of football, not playing so well. When you’re at a club like Liverpool the focus is magnified." "A few months ago I was the manager of the year and now I’m favourite to get the sack. It’s part and parcel of football," Rodgers added
Fixtures
Saturday 29 November 2014
West Brom vs Arsenal 13:45
Burnley vs Aston Villa 16:00
Liverpool vs Stoke 16: 00
Manchester United vs Hull 16:00
Queens Park Rangers vs Leicester 16:00
Swansea vs Crystal Palace 16:00
West Ham vs Newcastle 16:00
Sunderland vs Chelsea 18:30
Sunday 30 November 2014
Southampton vs Manchester City 14:30
Tottenham vs Everton 16:00
