The Return of Rob and Wayne’s Prem Preview!

By: Rob | January 16th, 2009

I’m very happy to be able to bring to you again, our weekend preview. This is where we look at what’s happened over the last week, predict which games will go well or badly in the coming week, and basically round up everything interesting in the Premier League at this moment in time.

Which of course means, this week we’ll look at the proposed move of one Ricky Kaká, Chelsea falling out of the title race, the sagas surrounding John Carew and carlos Tevez, Whether Arsenal can get revenge on Hull, and of course, a massive Mersey Derby.

All after the jump.

Last week’s big talking point was Man United’s demolition of Chelsea, do you think that Chelsea have what it takes to get back into the race?
Wayne - No, not really. They were really poor against United. Even before United-landed the sucker punch that was the first goal, Chelsea competed but never looked dangerous. United, with less in midfield against Chelsea’s first choice midfield, controlled the play and always looked like something could happen. Chelsea capitulated after the first United goal and showed no heart, no spirit and no desire to claw the game back. Scolari’s Chelsea were superb at the start of the season with free-flowing football and good results. But once things got shaky, that free-flowing team turned into a Chelsea that leave huge gaps all over the field and basically forget how to defend. Perhaps, the whole age thing with this team is starting to kick in. They look slower, less dynamic and less athletic than before. They lack the spirit and determination that is needed to win titles and overcome adversity. In a moment like this, Chelsea should be performing out of their skin to get back in the race. Instead, they’re showing the sort of nervousness and lack of belief that inevitably leads to failure.
Rob - They certainly aren’t mathmatically out of it just yet, but they are going to have to show a bit more team spirit than they showed against Man United, where they appeared to just give up, if they want to take the title. When you think about how Sir Alex has kept Man United at the top for so long, he is constantly revising and reinventing the side – that seems to be what Chelsea have failed to do – I think Scolari should have shaken things up a bit more looking back on it. They’ll probably get that at the end of this season though, with (or probably without) Big Phil.

Who do you make as favourite for the title?
Wayne - Who do I think? United of course! Not because I support them either. History tells us that Manchester United are always stronger after Christmas. It also tells us that they have no qualms with attempting to turn over a points gap that had previously looked difficult to overcome. In my eyes, United are overwhelming favourites. They’re hitting form at the right time with 9 EPL clean sheets in a row. The attack still hasn’t started to score the amount of goals they should, but with a defence as solid as it is, that’s not a huge problem! Liverpool draw way too many matches and with Rafa’s recent outbursts appear to lack stability. Rafa may have intended that speech not only to ruffle United feathers, but also to attract some of the scrutiny that his players have been under. The media have questioned their lasting power and ability to grind out results. But while the mind-games are a good idea, leaving out Robbie Keane and ‘Nando Torres against Stoke is a monumentally bad one. Let’s put it this way, can you imagine Fergie leaving out Ronaldo and Rooney if they were fit? I didn’t think so. Unless Rafa starts thinking more sensibly and concentrating on his own side rather than Fergie’s, United might just walk this title.
Rob - From a neutral perspective, I also think Man United are probably favourites, they obviously have the experience in this area, whereas its all new to Liverpool. This would be the season where Man United caught up with Liverpool the amount of titles won and I have a feeling thats firing both clubs right up. I still think its going to be close, and Liverpool are in with a great shout. It may well all come down to that game at Old Trafford between the two clubs.

Kaká to Man City, on-again, off-again, on-again this week. Will it ever happen?
Wayne - I think so, yeah. His father is making all the noises that indicate that the transfer is imminent. And Milan have finally accepted Man City’s €120M or €100M or whatever it was bid. Why did they even have to think about that? With that money they could buy 12 good players, 6 great players or 4 world-class players. If I was Mr. Galliani I’d have bitten Sheikh Whateverhisnameis’ hand off. Kaka doesn’t appear to be the type of player to be hugely influenced by fiscal influences and I think that he will only come if City really, and I mean really show ambition to take the EPL by storm next season. Let’s be serious, even with Kaka what are they gonna do this season? If they can impress upon Kaka their true ambitions and goals, they have a good chance of nabbing him.
Rob – It is begining to look like a real thing. I know Man City seem to have more money than God, but they ought to look at the lessons of Leeds United before they go too crazy.
While the prospect of seeing Kaká in the Prem is really really exciting, he isn’t going to solve all of Manchester City’s woes. They are struggling, especially defensively, but the key is going to be, now if they can sign Kaká they’ll be able to sign anyone. Players will join because they want to play with him. So he could be the first step in real revolution at Eastlands, if they play it right.
From the players point of view, as a casual follower of Serie A, he seems to have burnt out a bit at AC Milan, its been quite a long time since we’ve seen his Ballon d’Or form anyway. So it probably is time for him to move on. Whether Manchester is the right place to come (I live here and it rains All The Time. Not sure how someone from Brazil might deal with that) we might find out sooner or later.

What do you make of the ongoing John Carew Saga?
Wayne - You know what it reminds me of? The Louis Saha Saga at United that lasted forever. I like Carew and I think he has improved hugely since he joined Villa. But these ‘mystery’ injuries very rarely heal completely. I hope for Villa’s sake that I’m wrong and he comes back and starts banging them in. But to me, it looks like a case of either a player who doesn’t want to play for his club anymore or who’s so afraid of injuring himself he won’t even play. I really hope I’m wrong though, and I probably am.
Rob - It reminds me of the Ronaldinho situation at Barcelona last season. Where the Brazilian clearly was not injured but had just upset the powers that be. I remember a few years ago when Carew was considered one of the best strikers in Europe, so it seems odd to see him frozen out like this at Villa. I’m suprised they haven’t bought someone in to replace him anyway.

Carlos Tevez will return to the Man United XI after Wayne Rooney got injured midweek – do you think United will keep him?
Wayne – I don’t think so actually. And honestly, as a United fan I’m not too bothered either. If, this time last year, or even during the summer someone had said to me that United wouldn’t take the option to buy him permanently I’d have been really angry. But this season, Tevez has shown little of the talent he showed last season, or the previous season with the Hammers. His touch is off, he doesn’t look super-fit and he’s not looking dangerous when with the ball. But I still like him, seeing him kiss the badge as he warmed up during the Chelsea game melted my heart, because it showed a player that really wants to stay, but for me he simply hasn’t done enough to prove himself. I love him as a football personality. I imagine he’s an infectious character who livens up the dressing room, but that alone is not reason enough to keep a player.
Rob – It does look less and less likely. The trouble now is, with Berbatov up top, United need the wide strikers – which is fine in the case of Ronaldo, but there’s noone to play on the other side. So while Rooney or Tevez can play up front with Berba, they can’t both unless one is played completely out of position (as we saw with Roo at the start of the season). Rooney is in great form this season, so has been pretty undroppable. So Tevez does seem surplus to requirements. You can see why Fergie is so keen on Karim Benzema though – he’d fit this formation perfectly.

Arsenal play against Hull again this week, the Gunners were embarrassed last time around, will they be able to fix that this time?
Wayne - I dunno, it’s a really hard one to call. Hull hugely need an EPL win and they will be confident going into this one after beating Newcastle, but also after their result at the Emirates last year. Really, Arsenal should win this one, but they’ve been really unpredictable this season, while Hull have shaken up a few cages. I simply couldn’t and won’t call this one.
Rob – I don’t see lightning striking twice in the same place to be honest. Hull have lost a bit of form anyway, despite that win in midweek, so I think Arsenal will win. Unless Arsenal beat Arsenal.

The big game this week is the Merseyside Derby, how do you see it going?
Wayne - A draw me thinks. Everton are in good form and will look to Arteta to inspire a victory here. They’ll miss Fellaini in midfield but I really don’t think Liverpool will win this one. They might need to though, because if United beat Bolton, ‘Pool need to win to go back on top by 2 points. Nonetheless, I see a draw, I’m going to say 2-2.
Rob - I wouldn’t be surprised to see it goaless to be honest. Everton are playing without a real striker at the moment, and are really hard to break down – Liverpool have problems breaking sides down at the best of times. I think a draw. 1-1 at best.

Fantasy Football Tip?
Wayne - Wow, it’s hard to say. Kaka? Only joking…A Man City player though. They should be bouyed by the prospect of Kaka joining and if anything does happen between now and 3PM Saturday, they will probably know about it. Ireland’s still out suspended but if Robinho’s back from injury he’ll have a good game. Wigan are in magnificent form and really gave Man Utd a game midweek. But I think that this will be too much for them. So, if he’s playing I’m going for Robinho. Otherwise, Daniel Cousin and Geovani. Who knows, lightening might strike twice
Rob - Man United have got Bolton, and without Rooney, it means that both Tevez and Berbatov will play, which means I think they are both good picks. I’ve bought Michael Carrick in for the suspended Steven Ireland this week, so fingers crossed he can do something.