The Battle for Survival

While the race for the EPL title heats up with little less than 10 games to go, so does the battle to stay up for some. Currently at the foot of the table is Fulham with 21 points from 29 games thus far. Sunderland are 3 points better off although with 3 games in hand after a  successful  League cup run that saw them lose in the finals to their much fancied opponents Manchester city.

For Fulham, life under new manager Felix Magath  hasn't   yielded  the results for a team fighting to stay up. Magath was brought in as the 3rd manager so far this campaign to mastermind Fulham survival this season after early season slip ups under Martin Jol and an unfruitful stint by former United first team coach Rene Meulensteen.

Fulhams last league victory came as far back as January against Norwich city, having lost an incredible 20 games this season. Theres no doubting the remaining fixtures for Fulham are make or break for a club who have recorded considerable success considering the little finance, which saw them reach the finals of the Europa League finals which they lost to Atletico Madrid in 2010 under now England boss Roy Hodgson.

Cardiff have also been drawn into the relegation battle having made a good start in the Prem after gaining promotion from the Championship last term. The Welsh outfit under Malky Mackay were proving a difficult side to over come on their home turf after seeing the likes of Man city fail to take a point off them before their relegation woes.

With Mackay shown the door after  accusations  from the the blue birds malaysian owner, Vincent Tan for over spending. His  replacement  in Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is not stranger to the prem having played for big time hitters Manchester United, this will be a  different  territory for him as a manger trying to avoid the  dreaded  relegation. Ole comes in with managerial  experience  after a  successful  spell as manager of Molde FC back in his home country Norway (home to a good mate of mine #holla kompis)

Not forgetting fellow strugglers Sunderland, West Brom and Crystal Palace. As much as a keen eye is given to the top of the table, a worrisome wilf has to be lent to the bottom of the table. For me, i hope the 'baby face  assassin' is well able to pull Cardiff outta the drop zone, cos whats not to love about Solksjaer, during his playing days he was simply sublime. Known for coming of the bench to bail United when they needed goals. Nevertheless, whoever is bale to beat the drop during the coming weeks, its sure gonna be interesting to see as each game unfolds.

Let the games begin..

The Great White Hype

England as a footballing nation have been branded the inventors of modern day football after developing the rules that define the modern day brand of the game according to FIFA.

Possessing a rich history in terms of footballing talent, the English Premier League is by far the most most watched soccer league, debatably the most interesting league if you ask my opinion, but despite the success of the league its current crop of players are far from interesting.

The English footballing press don't seem to help matters at all, either on and off the pitch. With every little significant contribution by a up and coming player in the English  game touted as the next big thing, the  English  press are known to hype their players with little or less convictions.

Take for example Wayne Rooney in his early years was touted as the next Bob Charlton, and even now Andros Townsend of Totenham who many are tipping to shine in the world cup for England after his performances in the early part of the season.

Then, heres the big one of them all, Tom Cleverly. After Scholsey hung his boots, United to needed to fill the void left in the  center  of the park by his retirement, but rather than bring in a seasoned midfielder, Fergie strong headedly  decided  against  that notion and stick with what he had. Known for getting success with youth players  groomed  from United's academy, Cleverly was promoted up the ranks to feature for the first team after a couple of successful loan spells.

Wesley Sneijder was  rumored  to be a transfer target, after winning the treble with Inter Milan and falling out with the club for refusing to take a pay cut, but demand in wages and considering his age at the time the deal fell through. When United played Man city in the Charity  shield  game 2011,Tom Cleverly was unleashed to the world of football and chants of "who needs Sneijder" was  echoed  by United supporters, following his instant impact on the game that saw United come from 2 goals down to win 3 - 2. 

Fast forward 3 years on, the player dubbed as the new Paul Scholes has been subjected to heavy criticism following his performances this season. In his words, he has been made a 'scape-goat' for United woes this season. thats not all, theres been an online petition to see him dropped from Englands squad for the upcoming world cup. The petition which has gotten a  staggering  17,500 signatures is unfair towards any professional career and his person likewise.

For me, the hype the press gives its  players  are unjustifiable, which makes me wonder what if Messi and Ronaldo were both English. They  probably  would have won the world cup before setting foot in Brazil. Hopefully the same fate  doesn't  befall the like of Ross  Barkley of Everton,  at least  Jack Wilshire has come good so far.

Master of the Mind Games.

After a lacklustre first half showing by Chelsea against Fulham during their Saturday lunch time kick off. Chelsea came out in the second half and put Fulham to the sword, with a 20 minute hatrick from German Andre Schurrle and another dazzling performance from the dynamic Belgian  Eden Hazard giving Chelsea a 3 – 0 victory over their local London rivals.

The turnaround in Chelsea's performance was put down to what the Gaffer must have told his charges during the break in the dressing room, but in typical Mourinho fashion during his post match interview with BBC he simply said,

“At half-time, I told them nothing—nothing—not a word. I walked in, then I walked out. I don't know if anyone else gave a team talk. I was not inside the dressing room. The second half was a great reaction to the worst performance of the season.

The second half was one of the best performances of the season. Schurrle is cold in front of the goal. “

Forget his airs of arrogance, love/hate relationship with the media, and certainly the tantrums he throws, you can’t fault his will and desire to win albeit his "defend - defend" tactics has drawn criticism considering the wealth of attacking talent at his disposal with the likes of Hazard, the Magical Oscar and the imperious Willian (referred to as a 'rare specimen' in one article..Laughable)

One of Jose's tactics he employs before and after games is his mind games. Wit-fully pilling pressure on his opponents, blaming the referees or take a few digs at opposing mangers of which Arsene Wenger has been on the receiving end of a few.

Mourinho has consistently insisted that his team are not favourites for the title despite sitting at the top of the pile with a four point lead over Liverpool and Arsenal and six ahead of City who have two games in hand. Constantly bemoaning the form of his strikers in Torres, Ba and Eto'o who for all their cost and experience have bagged a combined total of 11 goals between them to date in the League, that is one less than Chelsea leading scorer at the moment Hazard with twelve.

Manchester City are the bookmakers favourite for the title, with Chelsea second favourites, has led Mourinho to dish a few of his mind games at City when quoted as saying he would prefer to swap position with City. He was at work again before the sides met in the League, and while claiming City were favourites Chelsea came out victorious on the 2 occasions they met in the League putting an end to city envious home record in the league with  a hard fought 1 – 0 victory to Chelsea.

There might be truth in Jose’s words about his team not being favourites, think about it, with little less than 10 games to the end of the season and with a Chelsea side far from convincing (in my opinion), the title looks to be heading to Manchester (the blue half of course). Chelsea have the players and manager that posses the experience to pull through to the title, and the added advantage of an enviable midfield, but you dock your hats atimes for the way City have played this season, steamrolling their opponents at home.

Mind games or not, if Chelsea are gonna beat the odds and claim the title this season, which would undoubtedly be a huge feat to achieve, Chelsea trio of strikers need to step up to the plate and come good for the team this season while the midfield has to show the consistency in performance that defines champions.

March'ing' towards the Title - Supremo Bayern

With the race to be crowned Bundesliga Champions all but over in my opinion.(c'mon who would bet against Bayern winning the league this year)Bayern's weekends resounding victory over  Schalke 04 lends credence to their invisibility and total domination in the German league opening up a 20 point gap. wheewwww...

You gotta feel sorry for a Schalke side thats shipped in 11 goals in two matches,  although  you can say against two of the very best sides in European football.

Its still hard to make a case for Schalke considering they're not lacking quality players, having in their ranks one of  Europe's top marksman in Huntelaar and the much coveted youngster in Julian Draxler, who has been linked with the likes of Arsenal FC, Madrid and Bayern.

Bayern have been simply sublime in their own rights, combining strength, technicality and tactics which have seen them play some silky stuff to the bewilderment of their opponents and amazement of football lovers. You gotta admire the away they have gonna about their business this past season.

On the touchy subject of "Business". Criticism abound that Bayern have bought the competition by weakening their opponents in terms of purchasing  the best players from their league opponents. This is no new accusations, we know for sure of Mario Gotze and soon to be Robert Lewandoski from Dortmund who were Bayern title  challengers  having won the  title  2 seasons back. While Thiago from Barcelona was simply a case of "if you can't beat em join em" the likes of Toni Kroos from Leverkusen and Luis Gustavo from Hoffenheim in 2010/11, Mandzukic from Wolfsburg and Dante from Mönchengladbach in 2011/12 all lends credibility to this unjust assertion.

While there's little or less justification to this ploy, you gotta appreciate the way they play as a team. Heck, you can splash the cash like City, P.S.G and Madrid and still suffer lack of coherence in team play. its one thing to have the finest players at your disposal, its another to make them into a team. For me thats what make Bayern worthy champions in my books anytime anyday.