by Richard Farley on February 9, 2010 · 0 comments
Simon Hattenstone is a features writer for the Guardian who used to write a weekly sports column. He joined the EPL Talk podcast to talk about his background as a Manchester City supporter, the John Terry affair, and his background in sports writing.
Don’t forget that the EPL Talk Podcast is the only Premier League interview and analysis podcast available for free. In the past few weeks, we’ve interviewed legends of the game such as Steve McManaman, Efan Ekoku, Martin Chivers and Robbie Earle as well as experts such as Declan Hill, Simon Kuper, Misha Sher, Matt Dickinson, Andy Brassell and many others. Why pay $40 a year to rival podcasts when you can subscribe to the EPL Talk Podcast for FREE featuring interviews with the biggest names in football?
by Ethan Armstrong on February 8, 2010 · 8 comments
Yes, I should be all wound up about the upcoming Arsenal match. Yes, that should be all I think about. But I’m still buzzing from Saturday’s derby. I went from being a shifty mess during the ninety minutes to climbing the walls and swinging from the chandeliers with pure elation once that final whistle blew.
Going into the match I didn’t imagine we’d go down to ten men in the first half. This fixture is famous for its bookings and sendings off, but it seemed like the Merseyside derby had been losing some of the usual brutality lately. Last season’s only ejection came against us when Lucas saw red in the FA Cup replay, but I attributed that more to Lucas’s inexperience rather than the traditional derby venom. This season’s previous Merseyside derby had only one booking: a yellow against Everton’s Heitinga.
But when things got underway at Anfield Saturday, I could see this would be the classic kind of battle that lets the blood and loosens the teeth. Tackles were full force and badly timed. You could see early on, all 22 men were never staying on the pitch for the full 90. Dirk Kuyt took a boot in the face after a hard tackle felled him. Mascherano and Fellaini might have both been sent off by less patient officials. But there came a point when enough was enough and the Ref had to respond. So Soto Kyrgiacos took the long walk after taking Fellaini down (just deserts?) with both feet and studs up. Read the rest of this story>>
by David Schiavone on February 8, 2010 · 6 comments
Harry Redknapp is known as a bit of a wheeler dealer, scouring the football bargain bins for days. He is so good at finding bargains he takes half of January off to play the Wii with son Jamie. It is also reported Redknapp once sold ice to Eskimos, but this hasn’t been confirmed but Mr. Redknapp’s representatives. But after a plethora of successful transfer coups, who are the top 5 Harry Redknapp transfer dealings?
Feeling the need to award some warm goal scorers this week.
Feeling the need to award some ice cold shot stoppers this week.
Feeling the need for some warmth from this ice cold week.
There were derbies galore this weekend including a dramatic West Midlands derby featuring Wolves and Birmingham City and a certain 36 year old who proved he’s still got something in the tank, a bruising Merseyside derby that could have ended 9 v 9 or less, and a highly anticipated London derby where one team of giants continued their pursuit of silverware and the other team of beautiful passing gnomes gracefully bowed out of the title race.
The team that was second top of the league dealt with bottom of the table and financially stricken Portsmouth, 5-0, where OG-Pompey outscored United 3-2 (debatable). Two teams competing for L4 (lucrative fourth) entertained and canceled each other out in another draw that didn’t produce any goals, but produced some fine individual performances. A certain American scored his first goal in the Premiership and as the Gaffer mysteriously cruised the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico as ESPN’s guest, we at the mother-ship stayed indoors and out of the 25°F weatherand attempted to analyze the Premier League. Hey, what else was there to do, watch the Super Bowl?
by David Schiavone on February 8, 2010 · 3 comments
One player highly thought of and sought after is Bari defender Andrea Ranocchia, who is one of the hottest defensive prospects currently plying his trade in Europe. Manchester United seen particularly interested along with cross town rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.
The 21 year-old, Italy under 21 international has been in superb form for the newly promoted side as they surged up the Serie A table. Currently on loan from Genoa he is rated as one of the best up and coming defenders in Serie A.
This season Bari had only conceded 15 goals, with Ranocchia in the team, before his knee injury. At the time, that was one more than Champions, table toppers and unanimously the best team in Italy, Inter Milan. That means they had a better backline record than heavyweights such as, AC Milan, Juventus, AS Roma and Fiorentina. This is in part down to the brilliant performances Ranocchia has produced this season, brilliance that has been missed since his lay off.
The word “drog” should be in the dictionary(no not the urban one). “Drog” – verb- Completely dominating one’s opponent in the style of an Ivorian footballing machine.
It was an all too familiar story at Stamford Bridge. Dider Drogba, 12 goals in 12 games against Arsenal. The man simply does not play his age. At 31, he’s still running with the pace of a 26 year old. There is no doubt that the Gunners are sick to the sight of him.
Prior to the game, Sir Alex encouraged Arsenal to batter Chelsea. Wishful thinking on the old fox’s part? Chelsea are now back on top, 2 points clear, and Arsenal’s titles hopes hang by a thread. But what exactly went wrong for the Gunners?
by Richard Farley on February 7, 2010 · 8 comments
This weekend’s EPL Talk review show features Laurence McKenna, Kartik Krishnaiyer and Richard Farley discussing Chelsea downing Arsenal, the stalemate at White Hart Lane, and Liverpool’s victory in the Merseyside Derby. That, a close look at the relegation battle, a look at England’s Euro 2010 draw, and a look back at Friday’s news: John Terry, removed from his Three Lions captaincy.
Don’t forget that the EPL Talk Podcast is the only Premier League interview and analysis podcast available for free. In the past few weeks, we’ve interviewed legends of the game such as Steve McManaman, Efan Ekoku, Martin Chivers and Robbie Earle as well as experts such as Declan Hill, Simon Kuper, Misha Sher, Matt Dickinson, Andy Brassell and many others. Why pay $40 a year to rival podcasts when you can subscribe to the EPL Talk Podcast for FREE featuring interviews with the biggest names in football?
Harry Redknapp is known as a bit of a wheeler dealer, scouring the football bargain bins for days. He is so good at finding bargains he takes half of January off to play the Wii with son Jamie. It is also reported Redknapp once sold ice to Eskimos, but this hasn’t been confirmed but Mr. Redknapp’s representatives. But after a plethora of successful transfer coups, who are the top 5 Harry Redknapp transfer dealings?
