The half-time whistle

Published on December 30, 2011 by mod1 · No Comments

Premier League Spotlight previews the weekend’s top-flight fixtures, highlighting the key points to keep an eye on as the action unfolds. Under the microscope this week: a potentially familiar look at the top, the beautiful football being played under Harry Redknapp, sympathy for Liverpool, and sentimentality at Arsenal.

Manchester: All change

The sky above the Premier League crown has been Blue for some time now. Seemingly set to stay that way, in fact. Of late, though, a familiar red tinge has wrested to break through. And come the close of 2011, a sense of divisional normality might have returned as Manchester United aim to see off Blackburn Rovers at home – which they surely will – to leapfrog their rivals City, who play Sunderland 24 hours later, and reclaim their place at the top of the pile. Their form since that infamous humiliation against their title rivals has been gradually more impressive, yet unsurprising considering the Premier League’s master is in charge. This is now a two-horse race, one that is set to run and run.

It is indeed peculiar that what looked, on paper at least, the best equipped squad to cope with the arduous nature of the winter fixture list has in fact stuttered, left looking decidedly leggy. The thoroughbred United, meanwhile, have been playing three-legged – such is the extent of their injury list – yet, if anything, gained momentum, and as such chipped away at City’s imposing goal difference to ensure they are now level on points and only five worse off on the aforementioned column. What it may come down to, ultimately, is belief of whether glory can honestly be achieved.

One wonders whether the Etihad Stadium camp genuinely consider league success to be within their potential, this season at least. At United, that habit of triumph is a valued substance, instilled within the players from day one of donning the shirt that must smell of the stuff. Roberto Mancini needs some of his vast experience of glory to rub off his personnel, or otherwise, like many before him, he may fall victim to the Premier League’s godfather, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Tottenham: Sexy football

Beneath City and United is a side making third their own, playing first-rate football in the process. Tottenham Hotspur’s display against Norwich was imposing once more, such was the execution of their swagger. Spurs are, arguably, the team most desirable to watch at present; Harry Redknapp’s side are playing with a relentless tempo and precision that takes the breath away. The challenge for Spurs is to maintain. So far, injuries have not been too unkind to the first-choice starting XI. Redknapp is also proving to the suggestion that consistency in selection brings better results – Newcastle were evidence of this prior to their dropping like flies. His resistance to shuffling in the league – a luxury levered by their non-Champions League commitment – has benefited, with eye-popping results.

The January transfer window is within touching distance and with it presents an opportunity for another Redknapp masterstroke – in the ilk of Scott Parker or Emmanuel Adebayor. It is hard to pick holes in his team, but murmurs of a marquee signing have already begun, so as to demonstrate a statement of intent, of where this club wants to be. Indeed, perhaps next season, should again they retain the likes of the world-class Luka Modric (although his words this week hardly cemented confidence), title hope won’t be just mere words. It might be tangible. Now, though, the focus is the top-four, and with their game in hand it would take an almighty capitulation in the second half of the term to leave them short. It’s an exciting time to be a Tottenham fan, and also to be a fan of football. Certainly, their next outing at pretty boys Swansea City has the potential to be one of the loveliest fixtures on the eye this season.

Liverpool: Gloved nemesis

Their finishing has taken a bashing. And, at times, that criticism has been justified. As a caveat, however, Liverpool have been unfortunate. Luck has played its part, only in the negative capacity – so much for touching wood going by their propensity to hit post and bar. But, primarily, gloved ones have made a habit of choosing their outings versus the Reds to have a blinder. And the bad news is that they next face Newcastle United, for whom the goalkeeper of the season thus far is placed between the sticks. Tim Krul has been inspired for the Magpies, and will be hungry to add to his growing stock with another performance to frustrate goal-shy Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish, rightly or wrongly (probably the latter), will be without Luis Suarez, who, while hardly being prolific this campaign, makes things happen, makes his team tick.

Steven Gerrard’s return to fitness has acted as a fillip, helping to rebuff the shine taken off by Suarez’s absence. But this is quite an onus placed on a rusty captain, against a Newcastle side conscious a trip to Anfield poses an opportunity to climb above their opponents, having returned to winning ways versus Bolton. Thereafter for Liverpool awaits Manchester City, whom they should have beaten at Anfield only to be denied by, yes, shot-stopper Joe Hart late on. Maybe now, as is impossible to ignore, when Andy Carroll face his former club, the time will come for him to deliver as £35 million worth of expectancy falls on his broad shoulders. There is no agenda, Kenny. Just figures that haven’t yet added up. That Fernando Torres at Chelsea hasn’t been immune is evidence of a non-Liverpool conspiracy.

Arsenal: What might have been

Wearing the same colour as profligate/unlucky Liverpool, Arsenal experienced life in the Merseyside lane as their home encounter with Wolves much left to rue. The Gunners missed the chance to rise above Chelsea into the top four, and they were further left kicking themselves in light of Spurs’ success. Indeed, when Arsenal’s North London foes are struggling for firepower they can call upon Jermain Defoe from the bench. For Arsenal, however, the ignition is Van Persie. And he is their sole, reliable rocket to goal, with Marouane Chamakh continually looking a stranger to the sport when introduced, his legs barely working let alone his shooting boots. Such is the dearth of options – the summer signing of Park Chu-Young looks a non-entity – that conjecture is gathering that a two-month swoop for legend Thierry Henry is in the offing and it could even be completed over the weekend. Wenger is having to rely on former greats, rather than on his current crop.

Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com