The False 9 report with Senor Spectre
So I was all ready to divulge into the drama of a Premier League race that had gone down to the wire. On top of that a relegation battle, where each goal counts for so much, and heroes are made... However back to reality and both sides of the table seem sewn up and even Arsenal’s now traditional 4th place trophy. Booooorinnnngggggggg. Wouldn’t it have been nice to see how big spending City fight to stop Liverpool from winning their first premier league title since god knows when? A script for the ages. But no, shit hit the fan or Stevie slipped on a banana skin, you choose. A 2-0 loss to Chelsea wasn’t the end of the world (maybe for Stevie G), but the collapse against Crystal Palace just defied belief. There I was at 3-0 up thinking to myself there were another few goals in this match and I could see a 6-0 or 7-0 score line eventuating.
Those goals came through. But for Palace, not the Reds. In the face of 15 incredible minutes the title was handed to Man City. You couldn’t have dreamed it. City’s win against Aston Villa now leaves them with a home game against West Ham to at least draw and once again be crowned champions. Shut the gate this one’s over, says Vossy. But is it? This has been a crazy year. Sunderland just picked up 13 points from 15 on the stretch home to secure survival, small teams have regularly beaten big favourites, and young guns have conjured up magic at moments when all seems lost. Something tells me we could be in for another drama filled day. If West Ham scores first you will probably be able to hear the cheer all the way from Anfield. Stranger things have happened. If we get half as much drama as when City won the title 2 seasons ago, then it will be a sensational last day of the campaign.
A couple of words on Man United. Seeing Ryan Giggs manage from the sideline and then come on as a substitute seemed a tad surreal to me. On one hand it’s bloody awesome what he did, not many can say they’ve managed and played in the same premier league match before. But from another point of view it’s a sad sign for how low United have dropped this year. ‘Manager-less’, starting youngsters so they can blood them for the future and playing old guns so they can get a nice ‘farewell’. That isn’t the United way. Normally fighting till the end of the season, this United side shows how significant the whole season has been. In a way I want it to continue, everyone bar United fans, love seeing the Red Devils suffer but we know they will be back. Hopefully with a Manager.
Man City vs West Ham:
There is only really one real game to preview. The one that matters most of course. 1 point is enough for the light blue boys and at home with an imperious record, they should be fine. Should be I repeat. West Ham have nothing to play for in this game, but lets be honest, wouldn’t big Sam love to play the spoiler. His tactics will be simple. Soak up early pressure, keep it tight for as long as possible, and then attack on the counter. City will be well aware of this. After they lost Sergio Aguero, many, including myself wondered if they could still get the goal production needed. Up stepped Edin Dzeko. 16 goals in a league where his side boast 3 other strikers vying for game time, is pretty impressive. He is the king of big goals. If he doesn’t score this weekend I will be well surprised.
The real heartbeat though is Yaya Toure. Give this guy a medal. He is a beast. Like seriously test him for roids because he is phenomenal. The full package. Strong like an Ox, fancy footwork up there with the best, good in the air and composed in front of goal. Can Arsenal get someone like him please? Bet Liverpool wish they got this Toure instead of their one... If he plays well then this game is over. City’s worst enemy in this match is themselves. Knowing a draw is enough, could see them be complacent and a bit pedestrian to start. If West Ham can capitalise on this and poach an early goal, then all things change. And West Ham has the players to do this. Andy Carroll is Liverpool’s secret weapon and is always a handful. Kevin Nolan has the ability to turn a game and of course our very own Winston Reid manning the fort. Are they disciplined enough though to keep this game close for a long period of time? That will be the key for West Ham, because we all know City can rattle home the goals at a tremendous rate.
Prediction: Even if West Ham scores first, I can’t see City getting beat. They know what is at stake and they will play like their lives depend on it. This game will be tight for 60 minutes, but eventually City will prevail and will deservedly be crowned Premier League Champions 2013/2014.