IF LAST SEASON proved anything; it was that Manchester City have enough excellent players to scramble through despite the madness of king Mancini.
Now, Robert may think it was hilarious, but his appearance wearing a David Platt mask today was just downright bizarre, almost like a PG version of Joe Kinnear’s C-bomb laden rant upon taking control at Newcastle.
It could work. It could bring the same type of siege mentality that Kinnear introduced. But this is not a new coach, this is a man on the edge. A man trying to cope with players publicly breaking rank and shrugging shoulders at his tactical genius.
In the long-term, they’re due an implosion, but in the short, they have to host Villa. Mancini and the blue half of Manchester will enjoy this weekend, but stern December tests in the shape of United, Dortmund, Everton and Newcastle are just around the corner.
Two players to pick this week
Carlos Tevez: A week on from doing what they do best – throwing a two-goal lead away against Manchester United – Aston Villa head to the home of the champions. Expect a little more ritual humiliation for them, and from City a little more fluidity in their third consecutive home game.
Saschsa Riether: Sunderland at home is a massive opportunity for Fulham to add to their three clean sheets this season. The German full-back has played every league minute for Martin Jol’s side this season. A solid point-getter to rotate in and out of your team as the fixtures demand. This week, against an out-of-sorts James McClean, the situation does demand it.
Two players to avoid
Jermaine Defoe: The England striker is being touted as the answer to all Spurs’ woes, but cannon-emblazoned red shirts will always be a much steeper mental hurdle for Tottenham than any combination of personnel. If this north London derby is to have an away winner, then Andre Villas Boas will need an inspired display from Emmanuel Adebayor on his old stomping ground and the Portuguese seems unwilling to play the front men in tandem.
Angel Rangel: Michael Laudrup takes Swansea to the north-east with enough injury concerns to turn that luscious brown mop of his to an unsightly shade of natural grey. Rangel is not one of that number, but he could be the one to suffer.
Newcastle’s home form has been mixed at best so far in this campaign with the early home win over Spurs offset by draws wit Villa and defeat to West Ham. Even so, we reckon the traditional 3pm kick off time will suit the Magpies and their vocal support will bring on a convincing win.
Predictions:
Arsenal 4 – 2 Tottemham HotspurLiverpool 0 – 0 Wigan
Man City 3 – 0 Aston Villa
Newcastle United 2 – 0 Swansea
QPR 1 – 1 Southampton
Reading 1 – 2 Everton
West Brom 1 – 1 Chelsea
Norwich 1 – 2 Manchester United
Fulham 2 – 0 Sunderland
West Ham 0 – 0 Stoke
How my team got on last week
This was a case of the old 11:20am change on Saturday morning, so I was happy enough with 51 points headlined by John Ruddy’s clean sheet and James Morrison’s goal.
Who’s leading TheScore.ie Primera Division?
Gavin Gingles and his Meath Lovers Pizza stormed into top spot on the back of a 78-point gameweek, relegating Man Red and their paltry 29 points to second.
