Sanford's Soccer Net: 2006-10-29

Friday, November 03, 2006

Sanford's Premiership Predictions

If Lawro can do it and only get one match correct on occasional weeks then I figure I can give it a go. Things are slow at the office at the moment so let’s take a crack at a few of the contests on offer this weekend…

Fulham vs. Everton

I always fancy Fulham at home and with Everton failing to win at Craven Cottage in 40 years I’ll stick with history on this one. Throw in that virus hopping about the Toffee camp and my vote is for a Fulham win.

2-1

Bolton vs. Wigan

As expected, Bolton has missed their captain Kevin Nolan and although they are at home, I think Wigan will prove difficult to beat. That said, I still think Bolton will win. Big Sam will have the lads ready to defend at the Reebok and although it will be the usual scrappy Bolton affair, they’ll pull it off – from set piece no doubt.

1-0

Liverpool vs. Reading

I really like Liverpool in this one, even though I don't approve of the gaffer's rotation policy. They’re at home and Reading lads appear to be falling back to Earth at great speed after a couple of successful months in the big time. I fear the visit to Anfield will overwhelm them.

4-1

Manchester United vs. Portsmouth

I’d like to think that Portsmouth could get a result here but that would be naïve. The Reds are starting to click and Rooney has broken his duck. This should be a lively encounter with plenty of action in both penalty areas. A late goal from Portsmouth will result in a score line that flatters them.

3-2

Newcastle vs. Sheffield United

Although this will kick off at St. James’ Park I can’t forecast a sunny afternoon for Geordie fans. Yes, the fixture list is crowded and yes that means times are tough. It also means Newcastle will fail to win: too many injuries and too much bad luck. This will be a drab encounter.

1-1

West Ham vs. Arsenal

I like Arsenal to continue their dominant play in the middle of the pitch and continue to have trouble finding the back of the net. They’ll still get a couple of goals, though. West Ham will keep it close but the Gunners will have too much for them in the end.

1-2

Right! That's it for this week. Tune in Monday to see how I fared. -Sanford

Ronaldo defiant but feels a forgotten man by Capello

That's what happens when you get fat, slow, and old. Why is he so surprised? He and Cassano can go start their own team...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblbraesprealronaldo&prov=afp&type=lgns

South America tries to sweep violence under the carpet

Brian Homewood on the lack of concrete action by authorities to the constant violence at matches in Latin America...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-column&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Wenger offering no explanation as Arsenal keep firing blanks

Gallas says it was God's will. I suppose that's one way to look at it...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,762-2435443,00.html

England: EPL Weekend Preview

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2436227,00.html

'Babydepor' snapping at heels of distracted Barca

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=An8hUjDjvXf5_UJBbJsgPqQmw7YF?slug=reu-spain_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Friday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1938853,00.html

Feyenoord find fun amid the depression

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=389297&root=europe&cc=5901

Roeder bemoans fixture 'madness'

Glenn Roeder has hit out at a fixture list which has left his Newcastle side facing three matches in six days...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6112648.stm

Does anyone actually care about the Uefa Cup?

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/02/does_anyone_actually_care_abou.html

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Gunners Guilty of Gargantuan Gaffs

I'm not sure I've ever seen a match quite like this. The misses were so pronounced and so constant over the course of the 94 1/2 minutes. It was like some sort of Xtreme Arsenal, with them running completely rampant and causing CSKA all sorts of problems with their movement and precision but then failing so horribly in front of goal. Rosicky's "shot" (what do you call it?) was completely bizarre. Adding to the oddity of it all was the fact that Moscow did not score. When it is so one-sided yet the team dominating cannot score, it is almost inevitable that the team under pressure will get a counter attack goal. Vagner Love left Gallas for dead with a sick move but then allowed Lehman to make an exceptional save. I wonder if he had scored there if the floodgates would have opened and The Ars would have won 5-1? Probably not. Not on this night to remember.

Here's decent summation of the misses if you missed (sorry) the match:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1mKtqLCLKQ

-Sanford

Of course, we have museums, beautiful natural and man-made scenery, art, monuments, beaches and the sea, but hey, we had those two hundred years ago, too, and we've barely moved an inch in the direction of ethical progress since...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=388838&root=europe&cc=5901

Traffic in Moscow can be such a bear. Why didn't they just hire a bunch of goons in black suits to close off the roads for them so they could cruise on by?

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AgCLkVrcM1DuSFFScU1cvmEmw7YF?slug=reu-championsspartak&prov=reuters&type=lgns

		P	GD	Pts
1	Man Utd	10	18	25
2	Chelsea	10	12	25
3	Bolton	10	2	20
4	Portsmouth	10	10	19
5	Arsenal	9	11	18
6	Everton	10	7	17
7	Aston Villa	10	3	15
8	Liverpool	10	0	14
9	Fulham	10	-4	13
10	Reading	10	-5	13
11	Blackburn	10	-3	12
12	Tottenham	10	-4	12
13	Man City	10	-6	12
14	Wigan	9	1	11
15	Middlesbrough	10	-5	11
16	West Ham	10	-6	8
17	Newcastle	10	-6	8
18	Watford	10	-6	6
19	Sheff Utd	10	-10	6
20	Charlton	10	-9	5

Friday, November 03, 2006

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Monday, October 30, 2006