Archive for the ‘Team Talk’ Category

No fans can tolerate their supported clubs to win only 1 match in last 8 fixture. Further more if the supporting clubs is suppose to be 1 of the european top side. Loyal fan of the red are starting to lose their cool and putting all the blame on Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez. A 6th lost tonight shall bring Benitez closer to axeing.

What really went wrong for Liverpool?
Rafael Benitez has blamed the International fixture which cause both Torres and Gerrard to come back injured. Not really a good excuse, as a manager, Benitez didn’t bring in enough depth to the squad, too rely on these 2 players, and when they get injured, no one else in the squad are capable enough to step up the shoes.

So far Benitez haven’t been a great merchant in the transfer market, with only Torres can be counts as a great buy, only Benayoun and Reina to be consider worth their costs. The bought of Mohamed Sissoko, Jermaine Pennant, Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane, Mark Gonzalez, Craig Bellamy and Fernando Morientes all doesn’t fit into the squad. Whereby the current expensive player such as Kuyt, Babel, Lucas, Riera and Dossena which totals up more than £44 million, doesn’t live up to expectation.

Liverpool youth academy haven’t been able to produce decent player which can go into the first team since Gerrard made his debut in Nov 1998. Compare to the rest of the top 4 side, whereby Arsenal constantly having new rising star appearing, Chelsea got spending power along with enough player to form 2 teams, and Man Utd with enough depth consisting of 2 generation of player.

The sales of Xabi Alonso is appearing to be 1 of the cause of the failure of Liverpool up to now. Lucas lack of the vision and passing skill of Alonso who can test out keeper from far too. Summer new arriving Alberto Aquilani has yet to make his debut in Anfield yet. Since recovering from injury, Aquilani has been trying to keep his fitness up with reserve matches and the playing time in Carling cup against Arsenal after beign sub in.

With Steven Gerrard look likely not to be involve in tonight matches against Birmingham, Torres remains doubtful, Alberto Aquilani likely to make his debut, can he turn the tide for Liverpool to prevent a 6th defeat or first draw in the league? Most of the Liverpool fans are looking forward to his performance after he merely played 15minute and shown some quality during the carling cup.

After going 9 matches without a win, West Ham manager Zola are blessed with a win, thanks to Aston Villa’s Ashley Young missing a penalty on 49minutes and substitute Zavon Hines to strike in an injury time winning goals. This win get West Ham out of the relegation zone, sitting on 16th with 10 points.

Zola make 3 changes in the lineup from previous match against Sunderland by bringing in Scott Parker, Da Costa and Faubert to the starting lineup. Aston Villa remains the same lineup except for Beyes to come in replace of the suspended defender Cuellar who received a red card against Everton last week.

West Ham have been the better side of the match, by taking up the lead just before half time with a penalty scored by M.Noble. Aston Villa then make immediate changes at half time for Reo-Coker to replace Heskey at the break. Robert Green dived correctly to saved A.Young penalty kick on the 49 minutes. But A.Young atoned his mistake within 2 minutes by scoring in a curling strike. Aston Villa was down to 10 mens with 6 more minutes to go when Beyes received his 2nd yellow card of the match. Just when both side are about to take home a point each, Z.Hines strike in the decisive goals to bring West Ham their first home win of the season.

Shall this win be the turning point for West Ham? They will be facing low morale Everton who has yet to get a win from the previous 7 matches. The tiring Everton side will be playing their 6th matches in 3 week at Upson Park. I shall expect another win for West Ham in the coming fixture.

West Ham since promoted back to England top flight in season 05/06, have been finished in top half of the table 3  out of 4 seasons. With former Chelsea star player Gianfranco Zola taking over the manager role from Alan Curbishley in Sep 08, he managed to finish the season at 9th place, 2 points better than their previous season.

West Ham started this season opening match with a graceful 2-0 victory away at Wolverhampton. But since then, they only managed to get 4 points out of the next 9 matches. The worst was last match where they actually lead 2-0 first before entering half time with the scoreline of 2-1 with Sunderland’s Jone being send off. But Richardson managed to equalise on the 76th minute for Sunderland to get 1 points.

West Ham will face Aston Villa tonight with a win will moved them out of the relegation zone, while on the other hand, a win for Aston Villa will see them get into top 4. Both side key striker C.Cole and G.Agbonlahor have enjoy a good start with 6 and 5 goals respectively and hopeful to be part of the team for Capello World Cup campaign.

West Ham will be without Dyer, Ashton and Boa Morte but welcome back captain Scott Parker after serving one-match ban. Aston Villa will be without Downing who yet to make his debut and S.Davis, with Milner and Petrov remains doubtful and likely to be feature on Saturday against Bolton at home instead. I predicting a 1-1 draw for this one.