Greedy Youth

 

Reports are fresh out of Manchester saying Pogba and Zeki Fryers have been given their final contract offers. If these are rejected, then they are done as United players. 

I’m distraught. I like both of them. We do have Fabio so losing Zeki wouldn’t be the end of the world. But what we do absolutely need is a strong, dynamic presence in the midfield, something we’ve missed for a very long while since the days of Keano. Darren Fletcher was going to fill that role for years to come, but it seems that irritable bowel syndrome or tapeworm or whatever it is, is far deadlier for a footballer than broken legs. So now we are left with a brilliant, but aging Carrick. Carrick who I adore and rate very highly, but who doesn’t really have an athletic presence in the midfield. Having Paul Pogba grow up with the first team and be that pivotal fulcrum in our future midfield is thus a big, big hope of mine. I’ve doubted the hype, mostly due to my distrust of the English media, but multiple reserves matches on United TV and his most recent cameo have convinced me of his obvious potential and quality. And he has high marks in both categories. 

So what to do? 

It seems that like much of the Bosman bred youngsters nowadays, under the greasy fingers of scum like Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba has decided that Juventus’s 40,000 pound offer is much more appealing than accepting a 20,000 pound contract. Considering that’s a record offer for a youngster out of Carrington, it is very disappointing to see him adopt the contract rebelliousness of a certain Ravel Morrison. 

We love our youngsters at United, and our youngsters have loved us. It is folklore that not one of the class of 92′ rejected their initial professional contracts with the club. They put up zero negotiation. Becks, Butt, Scholesy, Giggsy, Savage, the Nevilles all accepted their 9,000 pound offer on the spot in Fergie’s office. Scholes never used an agent his entire career. They just offered him hefty raises contract after contract, and he signed them with not so much as a raised eyebrow. And look Fergie’s Fledglings now. Long decorated careers, some more decorated than others, but all household names. 

So on one hand, I do get very angry and frustrated at reading something like this about Pogba. If a club like United offers you a professional contract, don’t be a greedy little bitch about it. I want to say at him, look around you. Look at the 38 year old Giggs, who has individually won more trophies than multiple clubs put together. Look at Scholes who retired at the unanimous praise of football’s greatest luminaries. Clearly, you are in great hands, and in a club that is known for using the homegrown. Is 20,000 pounds enough for you to hop borders to a team with a completely different playing style, in a league with a completely different (and by that I mean far more boring, less competitive and substandard) game?

On the other hand, I am… scared and hesitant. Scared that this may be another Pique or Rossi. In this anxious side of my brain, I’m thinking…maybe we try not losing this one. Even if it means we soften a little. Maybe we don’t let this one get away. I’ve grown tired and sad of growing great youngsters, teaching them good technique, and english physicality, and then letting them go to foreign clubs free of charge. It might be a better strategy long-term to let the kid have his 30-35K, BUT on a long-term deal where we don’t need to do any raising of wages until 4 or 5 years into it. In that way, if he complains about his wages a couple years from now, we can at least get some transfer money out of it. Financially speaking, its actually the far more lucrative strategy than losing the kid for free now over a measly 10K a week.  

Having said that, at the end of the day, I know Fergie’s right. Despite my crafty financial solution proposed, which I’m sure David Gill has mulled over in his brain at some point as well, principle must prevail at United. Fergie is painfully old school, and also unimaginably stubborn. Sometimes frustrating, but that’s why United is United. So no, we can’t go soft over one kid. If we set this precedence, how many United youngsters in years to come will actually accept their standard 15,000 pound (yea, inflation since 92 has been a bitch) contract? I stand firm with Fergie’s position, but it doesn’t stop me from being worried that he’ll be the next Gerard Pique. One heartbreak was painful enough. 

 

 

My Favorite Things

Warning: To understand this post, readers must have heard the song “My Favorite Things” from the legendary 1965 musical, “The Sound of Music.” 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Tenacious centerbacks much fiercer than lions

Strikers with anger and blazing fast wings

These are a few of my favorite things

 

bom bom bom – dum dum dum – bom bom bom – dum dum dum…

 

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Center midfielders with brains that see passes

Holding midfielders who murder all weaklings

These are a few of my favorite things

 

bummm….dom dom! dom dom!

 

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Goalkeeps with handling and top notch reflexes

The best trequartista whose long shots will sting

These are a few of my favorite things…

 

When the dog bites!!

When Liverpool wins!!

When I’m feeling saaaad…

I simply remember my favorite things…

And then I don’t feeeeeeel…. sooooo bad……

 

 

On a related note: my current world best XI, influenced, but not completely based on form

(3-4-3 Diamond)

———————————————-Van Persie———————————————–

Ronaldo————————————Rooney—————————————–Messi

—————————-Iniesta———————————Xavi———————————

————————————————-Toure—————————————————-

————–Thiago Silva——————-Vidic——————Pique————————–

————————————————–Hart—————————————————–

 

7 Subs: Benzema, Gomez, Marko Van Bommel, Dani Alves, David Silva, Iker Casillas, Kompany.

 

 

Putting Matters To Bed

It’s been a whirlwind of events in the last two weeks. The Northwest Derby incited much drama and controversy, and sadly took light away from the football. The Suarez Evra row extended beyond the ban. Never in my viewing history have I ever seen this much extended press coverage from a racism incident. 

This whole ordeal is something that will inevitably permeate the pre-match talk of any united liverpool match in the future. People don’t forget. And so that I don’t get carried away by my own emotions when arguing with some Liverpool fan, I want to clarify my position and thoughts now, while its fresh in my mind, so that when I get into an argument in the future, I can speak with clarity, and hopefully understandable logic. Because it is such a sensitive subject for both clubs, I have to be sure I speak on proven facts, and not my own conjecture.

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The Contention: Suarez is an alleged racist. Despite the findings of the FA committee, despite Evra’s claims, despite his known antics (biting people, kicking people, etc), no one has the right to declare him a racist, because we simply do not know what was said that day. Period.  

The Facts: he called Evra a “Negro.” We know this by Suarez’s own admission. When asked why he used the word “Negro” to insult Evra, he stated: “I did not insult him. It was just a way of expressing myself. I called him something his teammates at Manchester call him, and even they were surprised by his reaction.”

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Having established the above, now for my position, for both fans. 

A) Suarez owes Evra an apology for the snubbing of the extended hand. 

That’s basic sportsmanship. As the victim of hearing an offensive word, regardless of whether it was intended to be offensive or not (I cannot emphasize that enough), Evra extended his hand, and Suarez did not shake it. There is no justifying or explaining this. Period. That is 1000% wrong, and the situation is unbelievably backward. If anything, Suarez should had extended his hand and apologized to Evra before the handshake. Suarez simply has no excuse for not shaking a fellow professional’s hand, no less a person he has racially abused (again, intentionally or unintentionally).

And now certain football luminaries come out saying they should scrap the handshake entirely? We should scrap an old-world, gentlemanly tradition observed for over a century in this game, worldwide, so that players like Wayne Bridge and Luis Suarez can be shielded from the fallout? Bollocks. Should we scrap the singing of the national anthem before a basketball game because some player doesn’t sing or put his hand on his chest? Protect the tradition, not the violator of it. Especially someone who violated it without reason. 

So Suarez and King Kenny apologized. Speaking for myself, I appreciated the initiative by Liverpool FC. Perhaps the apology was indeed a publicity stunt to recover a stark drop in Liverpool’s reputation caused by that non-handshake. Maybe Suarez and King Kenny were indeed coerced by Standard Chartered to apologize. But that’s all heresay. In any case, It should not matter to any United fan. See, none of us are entitled to an apology. Suarez and King Kenny owes nothing to any United supporter. The victim of the snubbed handshake is Evra and ONLY Evra. I would much, much rather have Suarez and Kenny apologized to Evra directly, and left the rest of the world out of it. 

One trivial thing I want to note is this – certain United supporters are arguing about how Evra should get an apology from Evra about using the word Negro. Fuck that. Suarez served his ban. Justice on that matter was dealt. Leave him be on that incident. The only thing an apology is due for is the handshakegate, nothing else.  

So here it is. My position. As long as I am entitled to an opinion, as a human being, to make things genuinely right and squash the ill-will once and for all, my position is that :

1) Suarez should apologize personally to Evra for snubbing the handshake. Not to us, not as a press release on the LFC website, but man to man, face to face. Lets keep things real simple here: Suarez disrespected Evra by not shaking his extended hand. Evra deserves an in-person apology for that. For me, from how my parents raised me, from my morals, that is the right thing to do. That’s what I would do if I wrongly ignored another man’s handshake. 

2) Evra should also apologize to Suarez with the over-the-top celebration. While I was watching that, I admit I felt great satisfaction of rubbing the victory in Suarez’s face, not only because of the snubbed handshake, but also because Suarez had kicked the ball into the stands multiple times, and also at Evra on out-of-bounds. It was unsportsmanlike conduct at is worst, and in the heat of the moment, I was glad that Evra gave Suarez some deserved grief. But it was still wrong to do it right in front of his face. In front of our fans? Sure. In front of Suarez directly? That incites riots, and is always ill-advised for the sake of Stadium safety.

 

Whether what I think should happen will happen does not matter. It may happen, it may not. If it does, I will get a whole new level of respect for Suarez. If it doesn’t life goes on. At the very least, he owes Patrice Evra a handshake when we meet Liverpool next. 

On a final note, regarding tribalism in football…

I’ve experienced a lot of tribalism on Liverpool and United’s part on this ordeal. And it would be remiss of me not to address it while its on my mind. Tribalism in football is a long standing subject of controversy. Tribalism is where a fan protects a player no matter what, just for the sake of protection. That’s what made Kenny do that post-match conference where he chewed out the reporter when the handshake snub was brought up. I disagree with tribalism in football. I have serious issues with it. Let me elaborate.

I retain my opinion on this controversial footballer simply based on what I’ve seen. What I’ve seen from Luis Suarez as a footballer is wonderful footballing ability and incredible penalty box skill. I’ve never hidden my admiration for his qualities as a forward. I love that he brings that kind of technical proficiency and creativity to this league. But what I’ve also seen is consistent, deliberate handballing, constant denying of clear diving and any sort of wrongdoing, biting people, kicking people, etc.

I think that it is the obligation of a proper footballing fan to acknowledge both the light side and the dark side of a footballer. I find it difficult to swallow the tribalism in football sometimes, because I could personally never trust the opinion of a fan who demonstrates tribalism. For example, take one of my favorite United players. Wayne Rooney. Rooney is a wonderful footballer, but he can be petulant, and goes to the ground too easily sometimes. Because I freely admitted his shortcomings, all while praising his strengths, people, whether it be my EA colleagues, or my friends, generally trust my opinion on footballers. EA scouted me out to rate players of FIFA for that very reason, because I said that in a United forum. In their own words, they felt that my opinion was deemed objective and trustworthy, because I was fair and honest about a player, regardless of my obvious team affiliation.

As a fan, if you want your opinion to be respected, you have to be generous with praise about what a footballer does on the pitch, but also condemn the things he shouldn’t be doing. How can I trust another fan’s opinion knowing that they won’t tell me the full truth about a player? Or worse, if I have to accept that what another fan says to protect a player as his/hers honest opinion, how am I to accept the obvious moral deficiency of that individual? As I see tribalism, or perhaps not even tribalism for that matter (maybe the entirety of Liverpool fans genuinely see nothing wrong in Suarez’s character, in which case, scousers are genuinely scum), I have to wonder, is my definition of a fair, footballing observer too idealized or glorified?   

 

 

I Forgot!

I forgot a couple things!

David De Gea. The Enigma. One minute you see him punch unecessarily, weakly, and it odd directions. And in another, you see him make the save of the season. Juan Mata hit a fantastic freekick that should have gone in. By any standard, that was a world class free kick. But De Gea was there, and in a single moment, showed by he was worth 18 million pounds. There were six goals in this game, but the moment of the match for me personally was one where a goal was denied. Absolutely spectacular. Its odd. I would have rather him dealt with the earlier goals better, rather than make an incredible save towards the end. But on the other hand, I’d rather have a young goalkeeper be weak in his handling ability and full of nerves, rather than not possess the ability to make those kinds of saves. You can improve handling and learn better judgment with time. But you can’t learn world class reflexes. And David De Gea at least has the latter, perhaps better than anyone in the world that I’ve seen. I’m a big believer and fan of Buffon and company, but I honestly doubt that the usual suspects of top goalkeepers in the world could have made that same save. Thank heavens the Spaniard is only 20 and has lots of private tuition to go at Carrington.

I forgot the other thing. Ugh.

EDIT: This isn’t the topic I forgot, but still is worthy of mention. Demba Papiss Cisse. For some reason, everyone is wanting Newcastle to succeed. There is this feel-good factor around a team that has skyrocketed to the top half of the table, largely thanks to new signings that have increased the club’s quality on the pitch. Demba Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba’s Senegalese teammate, joined in January for 10 million quid, and announced his arrival almost fatefully with his rocket of a left footer. I’m no Newcastle fan. I have great respect for the institution, but no particular fondness nor dislike. But I was in mob mentality when I saw the debut goal. Always nice to see (hopefully) a good, new talent in the premiership, and always nice to see the crowd embracing a new signing. Beyond the boundaries of club against club, a successful premiership debut, and the faces of happy supporters is something that always makes me happy. I was happy to watch Aguero’s stunning debut, as I was to watch Suarez’s scoring one. Despite the clubs they belong to. You may spell trouble, but in the mean time – welcome Papiss Cisse!

 

Turning Point?

February 2012, Stamford Bridge. Site of another yet United comeback? Or the place we lost the 2011-2012 premier division?

Hopefully it doesn’t turn out to be the latter.

The outcome of the game was mostly bitter, and just a little bit sweet. It’s always nice to see United’s relentlessness. Its always heartwarming to see United going at it without regard to securing the back. On some days, it ends up with us getting ripped apart 6-1, but on most days of Sir Alex’s 25 years, it has ended games in our favor. As an ongoing principle, I would gladly risk the occasions where we lose by even more (even if it be against City), to see the team continually demonstrate the United spirit. What really do we have over our premiership rivals? Whether it be Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Liverpool? Not much. For the most part, the starting 11 even of the top six squads, on any given day, can beat each other. What’s kept us over the others over the years, despite the inevitable turnover in personnel, is that relentless spirit – attacking fearlessly when the other five would rather be pragmatic and practical in a similar situation. So we must retain that ideal, no matter the squad, no matter the circumstance. And the game on Sunday showed that we remain Manchester United in the most important of ways, when there were reasons for me to doubt a decline of that relentlessness this season. So that reassurance was the “sweet” for me.

The “bitter” was the points dropped. We shouldn’t have had a need to fight our way back. Against a team without Ashley Cole, Ramires, Drogba, and John Terry, that should have been a stroll. We’ve beaten greater Chelseas’ and the team we played was definitely the weakest I’ve seen in the last 5 years. Even Michael Essien was just returned from injury, and should have been a non-issue. We needed to match City’s three points, but instead we missed this golden opportunity against a weak Chelsea side. Now we find ourselves two points down with another high profile game next saturday against Liverpool. The easiest way to look at it is that if City had faced the same team we faced yesterday, I would bet that they would have gotten the win. The fact that we couldn’t get a win against this Chelsea, but further, had to battle like hell to get a draw, worries me greatly. I still maintain that we are on course for another title, but this was a big mistake and another cannot be afforded.

There’s a lot of press about how our second penalty was soft. Welbeck found his left foot caught and went down. It was most definitely soft. Having said that, Cahill got him in the first half, very clearly replays would later show, and got away with it. Yet, of course no one mentions that because the referee happened to be Howard Webb. In any case, while I would normally sympathize with the other team if the were indeed unjustly penalized, I feel justified about the two penalties granted on the balance of 3 possible calls. Besides, how people would talk about that all day and yet choose to ignore Adam Johnson’s penalty awarded against Fulham feels ironic. Adam was blatantly sticking his right to get caught by Baird, and yet no one talks about that one after the game. Again, only because our game was reffed by Howard Webb.

It feels like its time to end Welbeck fest some point in the near future. I’m a big fan of our academy boy, but the hot streak is ending, Chicharito is getting restless, and Berbatov looks more sad-faced by the day. While Javier Hernandez cannot match Welbeck’s physical presence, his movement and proven understanding with Rooney will pay dividends against reactive (as opposed to anticipatory) defenders like Agger or Skrtel. While many United fans are excited about Welbeck’s growth this season, I still have significant doubt about his first touch, ball control and positioning. He’s done well, but against greater teams, his lacking in those areas will render him ineffective. Weaknesses that I see in those three areas mean that Berbatov or Chicharito deserve that spot instead.

I missed the Pool Tottenham game today. Thankfully, it was a goalless, but I would have loved to see the gameplay regardless. It seems that Suarez shows his class yet again with black belt kick to Scott Parker’s midsection. What compels him to do these things is beyond me. Why he has to kick Scott Parker just because Parker had muscled him out on a routine header is beyond me. Why tarnish such talent with such garbage character? Ugh. Its equal parts disgusting and frustrating. Why do some fantastic footballers have to pair classlessness with their talent? Why can’t Dani Alves just be a great right back? Why does he have to be a classless fuck/great right back? Why can’t Luis Suarez just be a great striker and not classless fuck/great forward? Why not just be talented and full of desire? And yet he escapes with a yellow. I’d be shocked if the FA does not investigate this post-game.

I think there comes a point where “I didn’t see it” by a manager no longer cuts it. Wenger came to that point when Arsenal lost the 4 goal lead against Newcastle last season, Sir Alex came to that point in Switzerland after De Gea made his third gaff for the club. When is Kenny going to finally admit that maybe Suarez needs to get his human side in order? When a manager covers for a player, its the right thing to do, and it is beautiful to see that loyalty from one man to a another. When that point becomes extreme, it becomes sickening. For once, King Kenny needs to acknowledge that maybe Luis Suarez just isn’t that perfectly nice guy. The guy is a fucking scum bag. Goal blocking handball, BITING people, “negro-negro-negro’, kick to the abdomen…come to terms with it so you don’t look like a manager in desperate, failing denial.

I will happily cheer for Luis Suarez the day he decides to clean up his act. But for now, I hope he plays on Saturday, I hope we knock their teeth in and I hope Johnny Evans terrorizes him.

 

Tuesday Power 6 Hours

Power 6 Hours of Footy after dinner. Thats’ whats up.

What a day to black out news. January 31st. Transfer Deadline.

So young Ravel joins West Ham. I could not think of a better destination, considering a move was inevitable. He’s a great talent, but also a raving lunatic who has beat his own mother. His playing for the reserves was outstanding, but never really got to show us anything in the first team due to limited experiences. It’s hard for any man to show what you’ve got in 10 minutes of a dying game when your teammates are simply interested in keeping the ball and not conceding. So he goes, and so does his ego, and his talent. Big Sam is a perfect boss to give him a strong hand, and West Ham is a great place to foster his talent as a young Englishman. Best of luck Ravel. We hardly knew ye. Buckle down and focus on soccer, you nut.

His counterpart Pogba looks set to stay. Fucking agents keep messing with these players, and his turnover of agents certainly does not help. What was great was his 15 minute cameo today. He looked incredibly comfortable, passed with accuracy and flair, and put in some strong tackles. Nothing more to ask, and I’m simply excited for him to develop more this season. If he stays, its evident that he will have a big future with us. And unlike his former midfield teammate, he is not clinically insane.

Once again due to my fatigue and inability for coherent composition of thoughts, I will defer to the list method. Inevitably, United will be the subject of the first several:

1) United playing Scholes (who is now 95% back to pre-retirement Scholes), Park, and Carrick will not lose the ball, even with a rampant Palacios running around.   The midfield was so commanding and flawless, it wasn’t even funny.

2) Young Ben Amos might have to start for us regularly. His handling wasn’t good at all, but his presence in the box is more commanding than De Gea. As much I like David De Gea, I prefer talent out of Carrington. If potential is the same between the three goalkeepers we have, I prefer the kid whose lived at the ground since he was 9.

3) Ironically, our best transfer of the season was Darron Gibson, who opened up the title race for us. His shot was classic Gibbo too. The guy was average at everything else, but he could always strike a ball.

4) Pogba’s 15 minute cameo was the third most encouraging 15 minutes of the Manchester United season thus far. The first was Cleverley, the second was Big Phil.

5) Most EPL teams outside United, Chelsea, City, Arsenal, and Liverpool pay scouts an average of 20,000 per week for scouts to find them talent. David Moyes obtained a free copy of Football Manager from Sports Interactive and found Denis Andrés Stracqualursi, one of the really few players that I’ve looked upon and said, who the hell is that guy? He looked fantastic against City. He trapped well, played in his teammates well, and harassed Kompany. Not bad for a loan signing from Tigre. Considering that Moyes has worked on a tremendously limited budget, his ability to find bargain talent is incredible. Incidentally, the one other player that I had never heard of when he signed for an EPL team was Apostolos Vellios, a Moyes signing this year.

6) Liverpool his a stride. I’ve been screaming for the Scum to play Bellamy. Now that he plays week in and week out, his form is outstanding, and is undroppable at this point. Congratulations to Andy Carroll for finally scoring.

7) Tottenham is becoming much too reliant on Gareth Bale, who seems to have adjusted to his right flank role. Most games it looks like he is swapping flanks at will, and it certainly worked to good effect today. He has added attacking runs to his game as compared to the past two seasons, and its paying off in goals.

8) Swansea should have really beat Chelsea today. Its such a shame. Credit to David Luiz who made a good goal line clearance today. Always good to see a rejected player play against the club that rejected him. Sinclair had a good game, but as always I feel Dyer did the bulk of the impressive work. Bosingwa’s equalizer was a garbage deflection and I feel very sorry for the ever excellent Michael Vorm.

9) It looks like Jack Wilshere will be out much longer than the anticipated short return forecasted by Wenger in December. Its too bad. We need all the best talent in the EPL, and his loss for Arsenal certainly marks a big gap in talent that could have grace this league. All the best to his recovery.

10) Tottenham sends out Pav to Stuttgart, thank god, and signs Saha on a loan deal. What a great move. Saha is a better striker, and Pav’s warming of the bench is becoming embarassing to people not even affiliated with the club. Redknapp and Levy are often made fun of, but one thing that they are is wise with money. At least in recent seasons.

11) Zamora joins QPR, which I think is a mistake. Zamora hasn’t had the best form, but part of that has to be on  Jol. As much respect as I have for Martin Jol, I think Zamora’s direct style can still pay dividends for Fulham. Ruiz is too soft to play up front on his own, and Andy Johnson is a speedster, not a target man. Considering Dempsey is not much of a hustler of the ball, having Zamora use his physicality to bring the ball down for his teammates can be an asset. Ask Hodgson’s side of 2010…Having said this, 5 million pounds for mid-table player on the wrong side of 30 is not a bad deal.

12) John Terry’s trial is rescheduled until after Euros, which infuriates me. I support England wholeheartedly, and having John Terry is a great asset, but justice must be served. If Luis Suarez got such swift retribution for his actions, Terry deserves no mercy. This sheds a bad light on the league because we are sending mixed signals about our way of dealing with alleged racism. We are treating Englishmen in one way, and foreigners in another. We are also sending the message that we give quarter to established England internationals, but not foreign internationals. These only serve to damage the reputation of the league and I do feel very aggrieved about the decision. Particularly considering the postponement concerns England’s Euro squad.

12) Arsenal rejects loaning out of Park. The guy who has played maybe 2 league games. This is incredibly idiotic.They have loaned out Miyaichi to Bolton, which will definitely be a good move for the youngster. The young Japanese kid is a really good talent, and Bolton will tough him up as they toughed up a frail Wilshire.

13) A makeshift center defense consisting of 5’8”, just returned from injury, right back, 30 year old Tony Hibbert, and a 5’11 defensive midfielder Johnny Heitinga kept out Silva, Nas, Dzeko, Aguero, and Adam Johnson. City is not as impregnable as everyone thinks they are. Hit them in the right spots, stifle the midfield, and anyone, particularly an EPL team, has a credible shot. And for our sake, I pray teams hit them hard now.

So thats it for now. Maybe ill add some more tomorrow.

But the message Everton sends to everyone in our beloved league is that City is beatable. It just takes vigilance and defensive determination. So do us some favors fellow leaguers.

 

What a Weekend – An Unfinished Post

Below is a post i could not finish for my life. And I don’t intend to due to fatigue. So here it is.

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Ahhhhh Barclay’s Premier League – I love you so much. You make me instantly forget a terrible week of work. Over the span of 90 minutes at a time, I can forget everything and just immerse myself in the world of passes, tackles and goals happening at breakneck speeds, while thousands of fans scream and jump and down. I look at the game clock and hope it will go slower. I have a big fat smile on my face every game. There is really nothing like you.

Honestly, after weekends like this one, can anyone doubt at this point that the EPL is hands down the best league in this world? It is really simple why this league is the best. It’s because so much drama and emotion only found in cup games elsewhere is found in just a regular season game. Because a team like Bolton can play Liverpool and bring a completely unexpected result, and Norwich supporters can just about storm the pitch after shutting out Chelsea. Every game is fought to the death and even the big teams have to fight for their lives to keep bottom half teams down.