Before I begin my analysis of the afore-mentioned game, there are a few points I’d like to incessantly rant about make because they require some thought. However, if I bore you beyond words, feel free to scroll down to the analysis!
My first point is regarding the Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur game. It was an excellent game of football and a great advert for English football, although I think Tottenham Hotspur are possibly sick to death of conceding 5 goals in a second half after leading from the first half against the current champions. However, all that aside, I have two problems with this game. The first problem I have is the disgusting behaviour of Tottenham Hotspur’s players towards their own fans at the end of the game. The travel from London to Manchester is no stroll in the park but many loyal fans had travelled north to witness the game. Yet at the end of the game, only three players bothered to go over and applaud those fans. As a loyal football fan myself, I can’t help but feel absolutely incensed by that. The second problem is basically the first goal of Manchester United’s, which was a penalty that was allegedly wrongfully given. From where I was sat in the ground, it was never a penalty. However, having had time to look at replays, Gomes does catch Carrick before he gets the ball, thus a foul. Either way, the referee gave it and Manchester United scored. The bulk of the population since then seems to assume that because a “dodgy” decision was given to the hosts at Old Trafford that there must be corruption/bribery involved behind the scenes. I find this ludicrous, as the “big four” teams get the most harshly treated by referees overall! It’s fact that the “big four” get into the box of their opponent more and thus more potential refereeing mistakes are likely to occur there than anywhere else. However, because it’s a big side, everything is blown wildly out of proportion. It’s fooball! Even if it was a mistake by Howard Webb – which I don’t think it was – these things happen, get over it! Manchester United lost the FA Cup Semi-Final last weekend because a stone cold penalty wasn’t given but the moment one is rightfully given, there’s an outcry! There was no public outcry, however – no cries of “corruption” and whatnot – people just got on with their lives, disappointed as they were. I think there were more Manchester United complaints about Dimitar Berbatov’s casual and ineffective penalty strike in the penalty shootout than about the penalty that should have been given in normal play! However, that leads me into my next point.
Subject – Dimitar Berbatov. I’ve already previously expressed my severe malcontent with the majority of my fellow Manchester United fans because they’re thick as pig shit, generally. I suppose it makes sense that the most widely supported team would have the biggest number of idiots by default but sometimes I find myself wondering if they know what football is. Some Manchester United fans have actually booed Dimitar Berbatov after he missed his penalty in the FA Cup Semi-Final. Numerous people have rang up talk shows and whatnot to say effectively “He’s shit – get rid of him!”. What amazes me most about these people is what short memories they have. If it wasn’t for Dimitar Berbatov, amongst others, Manchester United wouldn’t currently be top of the league. In my opinion, he was man of the match against his former club Tottenham Hotspur and the guy oozes class and ability. I think people don’t like him because he’s arrogant and has a languid style that makes him appear lazy, but that’s no foundation for a campaign of hate against a frankly fantastic striker. I was pissed off when he missed the penalty but again, it’s football, it happens.
My last point is on Real Madrid defender Pepe. I don’t know how many of you saw their miraculous escape at home to Getafe mid-week, but Pepe basically stole the show, and not for the right reasons. Real Madrid were 2-1 down at home to Getafe with 5-10 minutes remaining when Pepe’s push on a Getafe player handed the visitors a penalty. Pepe was so enraged that he actually kicked the player on the floor 2 or 3 times. It was basically nothing more than assault, to be frank. If it was off the field in the street somewhere, he’d have been arrested and most likely convicted because he hasn’t got a leg to stand on with it. Pepe naturally got a red card and his defence was that he felt he let his side down. I mean, as much as I share his opinion that the way to alleviate “letting your side down” is to get a red card and a lengthy ban on top of it and potentially ruin their title aspirations – he’s still an idiot. Anyway, the Spanish FA have impressed me by being on the ball for a change and hitting him with a 10-game ban which will continue into next season. However, Real Madrid have since said they’ll appeal the decision because the “punishment doesn’t fit the crime” – who the fuck employs these idiots at an illustrious club like Real Madrid? On what basis are you going to appeal assault on another human being, something the Portuguese centre-back could conceivably have been arrested for? Anyway, I applaud the Spanish FA for their swift and decisive action. However, it’s really backfired for Pepe now as instead of Real Madrid losing, they won 3-2 and Barcelona dropped points in their next fixture whilst there’s still the mouth-watering prospect of a clash between these two gians at the Santiago Bernabeu. Pepe, however, won’t be available as he’s now suspended. I’ve added the reason for his suspension below in a link, providing Youtube don’t remove it by the time this post is published. So here is Pepe at his very best!
Newcastle United vs Portsmouth
Now, onto the game of the evening, which is certainly said with a sense of irony as it contains two of the worst clubs in the Premier League, on a performance level at least. Portsmouth face the long trip north to Newcastle United with the hosts needing the points far more than the visitors. Newcastle United are in great danger of being relegated as they’re currently second from bottom and are four points from safety. Their run in is very difficult and to be honest, I think we may well witness Newcastle United’s descent into the Championship this year. The hosts haven’t won in their league eight games and to be honest, I think this run will continue tonight. Portsmouth’s performances over their last two games has been good, the most notorious of which is Peter Crouch, who has been outstanding. When times are tough, you need your strikers in form and he is playing extremely well. Portsmouth are probably safe from relegation, looking at the league table. I think they’ll come to the North-East of England simply looking to take a point and I think they’ll get it too. Newcastle United have little cohesion and their big players aren’t playing their best by any stretch of the imagination. For me, this game has draw written all over it. I’m going to call 1-1 with Peter Crouch scoring the first goal of the game.
Incidentally, I heard a cheap but amusing joke the other day. What’s the difference between Alan Shearer and Newcastle United? Alan Shearer will still be on Match Of The Day next season. Hahaha.
Monday’s Picks
My tips:
The games today are decidedly more risky than I’d like but nonetheless, I’ve prepared two trebles very much worthy of your consideration. My personal favourite is Ancona, Parma and TPS Turku (should be about 4/1 or 5/1). My second favourite is Midtylland, FC Honka Espoo and Strasbourg (should be about 6/1 or 7/1).
For the complete picks listing, see below!
Bulgarian A PFG:
PFC Sliven vs Chernomorets Burgas (5) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Lokomotiv Mezdra vs Cherno More Varna (6) 1-2
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Slavia Prague vs Mlada Boleslav (7) 1-1
Danish Superligaen:
Midtylland vs SonderjyskE (7) 2-0
English Premier League:
Newcastle United vs Portsmouth (7) 1-1, Crouch first goal
English Championship:
Norwich City vs Reading (6)
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
TPS Turku vs JJK Jyvaskyla (8) 2-0
VPS Vaasa vs FC Honka Espoo (7) 1-2
French Ligue 2:
Strasbourg vs Metz (7)
Italian Serie B:
Ancona vs Cittadella (8)
Parma vs Salernitana (8)
Norwegian Tippeligaen:
Bodo Glimt vs Brann Bergen (6) 1-1
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
Leixoes Matosinhos vs Vitoria Guimaraes (6) 0-0
Pacos de Ferreira vs Academica de Coimbra (7) 2-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!