EPL on TV this weekend

Some good games on the telly this weekend... and then there's West Brom/Everton. Sigh.

We'll get to see if Wigan are for real as they take on the Arsenal. Can they quiet Herny and van Persie? Can Arsenal's depleted left flank contain Pascal Chimbonda?

Charlton/ManU should be an exciting game as both teams are trying to solidify their places this season. ManU need to build on their victory over Chelsea while Charlton need to rediscover their early season form.

And Sunday brings a London derby that will hopefully be an open, entertaining game. That is of course, if Tottenham don't string together 4 deep-lying middies and strand Mido and Defoe against a suprisingly effective West Ham rear-guard.

Soccer on Fox Soccer Channel
Day	Date	Competition	Home	Visitor	Kickoff (ET)
Sat.	Oct 29	EPL	Wigan Athletic	Arsenal	7:30 a.m.
Sat.	Oct 29	EPL	West Brom	Everton	12 p.m.
Sat.	Oct 29	EPL	Charlton	Man United	3 p.m.
Sun.	Oct 30	EPL	Tottenham	West Ham	1 p.m.
Soccer on PPV/CCTV
Day	Date	Competition	Home	Visitor	Kickoff (ET)
Sat.	Oct 29	EPL	Chelsea	Newcastle	10 a.m.
Sun.	Oct 30	EPL	Middlesbrough	Fulham	11 a.m.

For anyone with S. Taylor or N. Reo-Coker still in their team

Sun Jihai looks set to be handed a central midfield berth. With Joey Barton suspended and Claudio Reyna (ankle) almost certainly out, City boss Stuart Pearce seems likely to hand the Chinese utility man only his second senior start since he ruptured knee ligaments against Chelsea 13 months ago."

Keane leaves Man United

Wow!

Captain Roy Keane has sensationally left Manchester United by mutual consent, the club has announced. Keane himself said: 'Whilst it is a sad day for me to leave such a great club and manager I believe that the time has now come for me to move on.' Portsmouth have already shown an interest in the 34-year-old midfielder.

Though the Portsmouth link is a bit sad.

Australia - "Stayin' Alive"...

"Congratulations Australia, You Have Now Just Qualified for the World Cup - What Could Be Better Than That?"
------------------------------------
From Soccernet --> After a wait of 32 years since their only appearance at football's biggest tournament, Australia will be in Germany after holding on in front of 82,698 fans and taking the game to penalties.

Among the crowd was Hollywood actor John Travolta, who celebrated with the Socceroos in the changing room after the dramatic finale.

'Not only have we made the nation proud, we had John Travolta in the changing room,' Blackburn full-back Lucas Neill added. 'It's an amazing night and that capped it off.'
-------------------------------------
Me'thinks Lucas needs to get out more often...

Not to step on Yanks Abroad's toes, but...

Everton are believed to be interested in signing Josh Wolff when the transfer window reopens in January.

Anyone else doubt that Wolff has what it takes to make the step up? No offense, becuase when healthy, he's been a great player for MLS and for the USA. But I'm not sure I can see him in the EPL.

Then again, you could argue that he's a striker in the Owen mold. He'll play on the line and get behind the defense.

What do you think?

Friday's Team News Today

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has been rocked by the news that teenager defender Steven Taylor could be sidelined for another eight weeks with a shoulder injury.

Even if you have him at $4, 8 weeks is long time.

But it's gonna seem like 6 months to Shay Given!

Neal's Wet Dream - Intl Week version

For Neal, this is almost as good as two Carolina Panther cheerleaders locked in a bathroom together:

Darren Ambrose also had a goalbound header hacked away late on - but he had the last laugh two minutes from time when he turned home sub Dean Ashton's left-footed shot from close range to keep England's hopes alive and kicking.

International Week

Equal Time

... or, "Credit where credit is due."

Robert in more hot water

Good news for those with Matthew Taylor in their lineup?

Winger Laurent Robert could be heading for more disciplinary action at Portsmouth after his latest outspoken comments about the club.

The Frenchman was last week fined after refusing to be a substitute at Sunderland, although the matter was later put down to there being confusion over his injury situation.
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He played the last half-hour of the defeat to Wigan on Saturday but went public on Tuesday with his complaints about his team-mates, Portsmouth's style of play, the fact nobody passes to him and that even the best players in Europe would struggle in the side.

Of course, there is a down side:

Portsmouth have just 10 points from 12 matches this season and their next four fixtures are Liverpool (away), Chelsea (home), Manchester United (away) and Tottenham (away).

Monday Morning Manager

The Manager is going to bite his lip until the weekend settles itself later today.

But hey, it's an international week, so they'll be nothing but time for aimless speculation and pointless commentary!

By knockout!

... or more accurately, one goal to nil!

Liverpool warned to beware Baros

Puh-lease.

Milan Baros has admitted he is desperate to score against old club Liverpool when they visit Aston Villa for Saturday's lunchtime Premiership clash.

The Czech forward, fit again following recent injury problems, insists he has nothing to prove although there is little doubt he is still smarting about the way he was treated at Liverpool.

In other ridiculous headlines -- "Mother's Backs Threatened by Crack-Steppping", and "Bones Wary of Sticks and Stones".

EPL on TV this weekend

Yes, Virginia, there are other games on this weekend besides ManU/Chelsea. They're just not as interesting. ManU will be sure to fight tooth and nail for this win... but after they were supposed to do that in midweek against Lille how much can you expect from them? Look for Lampard and Drogba to give Smith and Ferdinand fits.

Otherwise, a very fragile Villa side face a Liverpool side trying to re-establish their form in the EPL. Look for Gerrard and Cisse to overshadow Baros' return against his former club. (Note to Snr Benitez: play Riise in front of Warnock on the left to shut down Milner and disrupt Villa's route into the attack.)

For the umpteenth week in a row, FSC is showing Portsmouth. I'm actually looking forward to the game this time as I picked up Matt Taylor (after his exploits of last weekend, unfortunately) and am expecting him to get the start again on the left side of midfield. I'm interested to see if with his moving left and Vukic back to health if Portsmouth have anything like a recognizable formation. Of course playing Wigan almost guaruntees a dour 1-0 game (0-0 until about 85mins) which dims my enthusiasm a bit.

Speaking of dull, scoreless games, Everton/Boro should be a real treat on Sunday! So hurry back from church in time for your nap. Or will a revitalized Boro meeting a revamped Everton (Arteta on the right, Van der Meyde on the left) make for good viewing?

And don't forget Owen, excuse me, Newcastle v. Birmingham City. Is NUFC for real yet? They'll need 3 points from this game to avoid taking a huge step backwards.

Soccer on Fox Soccer Channel
Day	Date	Competition	Home	Visitor	Kickoff (ET)
Sat.	Oct 29	EPL	Aston Villa	Liverpool	7:30 a.m.
Sat.	Oct 29	EPL	Portsmouth	Wigan Athletic	12 p.m.
Sat.	Oct 29	EPL	Newcastle	Birmingham City	3 p.m.
Sun.	Oct 30	EPL	Everton	Middlesbrough	1 p.m.
Soccer on PPV/CCTV
Day	Date	Competition	Home	Visitor	Kickoff (ET)
Sat.	Oct 29	EPL	Arsenal	Sunderland	10 a.m.
Sun.	Oct 30	EPL	Manchester United	Chelsea	11 a.m.

Henry to face Black Cats

Thierry Henry will play against Sunderland on Saturday despite being substituted during the second half of the Champions League win over Sparta Prague as a precaution against complications to his groin problem.

Arsene Wenger said: "He will play tomorrow. I was very impressed by him on Wednesday. He looks sharp and fit."

Quick Preview

Sadly, my day job has gotten in the way of putting together a full preview for the week so this will have to do...

Chelsea - in a lot of turmoil but nothing compared to ManYoo - stay away from the defenders and keepers in this match. Lampard is a no-brainer if you have the $$. Ruud and Rooney are slightly less valuable this week because of the match-up. Drogba might be a good bet because of the issues on the ManYoo backline.

Former "Big Two" - See above for ManYoo...Arsenal host Sunderland...Henry questionable...Ljungberg out...van Persie flying high...Reyes a good bet if Henry is out but not so much if he's in...Clichy cheap...Lehmann back in the line-up but expensive

Against the Relegation Zone - see above for Sunderland vs. Arsenal...Boro vs. Everton - Mendieta hot but historically sporadic...Yakubu on another streak?...Andy van der Meyde should start on the left and is really cheap...Newcastle vs. Brum - Newcastle hot...Emre and Owen relatively inexpensive and building up the fantasy points...N'Zogbia is a quietly effective fantasy player...Pennant keeping his place in the lineup (desperation anyone?)...Jarosik still cheap...

Random Notes - West Ham likely to break out on the offensive end vs. WBA so Benayoun, Etherington, and Harewood might be decent cheap bets...Villa vs. Liverpool has all the makings of a 1-0 match - I'd stay away...Bolton vs. Spurs also seems like an unappealing match although Mido is exceptionally cheap after a bad week vs. Arsenal...Charlton and Blackburn is a match-up of teams heading in opposite directions - MGP is always a good bet...Pompey's offensive outburst seems unlikely to continue against Wigan but betting on Wigan for a clean sheet seems like a hard thing to expect vs. Pompey at home...Fulham vs. Citeh should showcase some offensive fireworks on both sides of the field...both Jensens, Barton, Andy Cole and Boa Morte should all be considered.

Can anyone help?

Keano Calls For A Clear-Out

"There is talk about putting this right in January and bringing players in," Keane told MUTV according to the Daily Mirror.

"We should be doing the opposite - we should be getting rid of people in January."

So who should go, and where? Some possiblities include:

Alan Smith

He's not going to cut it as a middie. So send him to Aston Villa who desperately need the kind of aggression energy that Smith brings to the table. This would reunite him with DO'L who is "getting the band back together" anyway (Milner, Bakke). And we can end the JPAngel era... not a moment too soon.

Darren Fletcher

Can we convince one of the Old Firm to take him? If he moves back to Scotland we'll never have to hear from him again.

Tim Howard

"Welcome back, Timmy. We at the NY/NJ MetroStars have missed you since you've been gone. Tony Meola? What were we thinking?"

Kieran Richardson

It's better than East Brom!

John O'Shea

Liverpool. They're in desperate need of another crap fullback who can do equally little from the wide midfield role.

Paul Scholes

It's simply time for him to take a Fredo boat ride.

Liam Miller

Whomever buys him will have to do it on faith. I don't think there is any evidence of his actually having played for ManU.

Roy Keane

Sam Allardyce lies in bed at night thinking of this transfer!

Louis Saha

Birmingham City are struggling and could really use a prolific striker. And their trainers are very experienced dealing with a wide range of injuires.

Rio Ferdinand

Has to be Real Madrid, doesn't it? They've already shown their willingness to overpay for former Leeds center backs with questionable disciplinary histories.

Who else?

It's not Hearns/Hagler, but...

... would you consider selling Danny Murphy for M.G. Pedersen this week? Head to head with Blackburn the home team.

What do you think?

Monday Morning Manager

Once again, Bolton is a fantasy killer. This weekend the victims were Charlton. Already without Darren Bent with a virus, Charlton were strangled by Bolton and even normally reliable Danny Murphy lost points for the Manager. That's two poor performances in a row for Murphy. Against Portsmouth he was resuced by two sublime passes that led to goals. But Bolton are a much better team than Portsmouth. At resugent Blackburn this weekend... a good test for the Addicks. Are they hitting the late-season skids already?

Another player turning in his second poor match in as many weeks (at least for fantasy managers) is Mido. Good link play from him, as always, against Arsenal. But not enough end product. Tot look a team built to pass the ball around whereas Mido's greatest strength is in the air. He does good work for the team - when he's not throwing his body around looking for and/or committing fouls) but it's time for him to start getting the points!

Odds are we won't see this scene again this season

Of course the Manager could just sell Mido for another striker, you say. Well, the Manager would like to report that he's spent his transfer window money already. Welcome Matt Taylor, and old favorite, back to the team as well as Michael Owen. This will be Owen's third time with the Manager this season. In the previous two spells he's amassed a total of 1.50 points. When not with the team he's put up 4 goals in 3 games. We'll see whose karma wins out at home to Birmingham this weekend.

Until next week,
The Manager