Saturday, March 31, 2007

Who Will Avoid The Drop?

So who is going to end up going down? Watford at 20 points looks like a given for the drop. But with only 5 points separating West Ham United from safety and a mere point from Charlton and Wigan in the safety zone, we still may see Sheffield United (3 points clear) or Wigan going down to the Championship (division 2) next year. So who is going to end up going down? Watford at 20 points looks like a given for the drop. But with only 5 points separating West Ham United from safety and a mere point from Charlton and Wigan in the safety zone, we still may see Sheffield United (3 points clear) or Wigan going down to the Championship (division 2) next year. Charlton Charlton have 3 wins and a tie since they're 2-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in February. With only a game left against Sheffield United, they won't be able to directly influence as much as others. And closing out the season against Blackburn (away), Tottenham and at Liverpool won't make it easy at the end. But if Pardew can save them it'll make for some juicy irony with his ex-employers West Ham the most likely to be relegated of this group. Charlton's remaining games : @ Man City April 6th Reading April 9th @ Everton April 14th Sheff Utd April 21st @ Blackburn April 28th Tottenham May 7th @ Liverpool May 13th Sheffield United Sheffield United hasn't won since 2-1 over Tottenham on Feb. 10. With their loss today and Charlton's 1-0 win over Wigan, they're only a point clear of the drop as much as the others. But they have the easiest schedule as the season closes. If they get the job done, especially at Charlton, they can ensure their own safety. Even though they're only a point clear now, they could find themselves being the ones sending Wigan down when they host them on the last day of the season. Sheffield United's remaining games : Newcastle April 7th West Ham April 14th @ Man Utd April 17th @ Charlton April 21st Watford April 28th @ Aston Villa April 5th Wigan April 13th West Ham It hasn't looked like West Ham's year including a recent 4-0 loss to relegation rivals Charlton. Bringing in Curbishley hasn't exactly righted the ship. But a few results, including today's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough has given them a chance at avoiding the drop. But it's going to be tight. And with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United plus European hopefuls Everton and Bolton still to come their fate may be sealed by the outcome of their travels to Wigan on April 28th. And in the case of West Ham that fate still looks like a trip back down to the Championship. West Ham's remaining games : @ Arsenal April 7th @ Sheff Utd April 14th Chelsea April 18th Everton April 21st @ Wigan April 28th Bolton May 5th @ Man Utd May 13th Wigan With some results they looked like as though they could climb away from the pack at the bottom. But a few results from West Ham and Charlton, including their loss to Charlton at The Valley today have seen them become involved in the relegation fight again. But their schedule to close the season out is arguably the easiest of the bunch. If they don't get the job done before then, they may find themselves traveling to Bramall Lane on the last day of the season with their premiership future on line. Depending on how things play out the next few weeks, their hosts Sheffield United may be fighting for their own survival on the last day too. Wigan's remaining games : Bolton April 7th @ Aston Villa April 9th Tottenham April 15th @ Liverpool April 21st West Ham April 28th Middlesbrough May 5th @ Sheff Utd May 13th

The Last Time Crouch Scored Against Arsenal

The last time Crouch scored against Arsenal, it was for Southampton at St. Mary's. Prutton and Van Persie were sent off that day. Crouch scored in the 67th to tie the game at 1-1. He didn't score the next two times he faced them but today he scored a hat trick. Knowing the English press, this will be fuel for the debate over him play for the English national team. Seems more like it adds to the question if he's the next Emile Heskey.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Minnesota Thunder : New Stadium In St. Paul?

Props to Josh at Throughball for the update on the Minnesota Thunder stadium situation. Awhile back their efforts with Minneapolis to build a soccer stadium at the Parade Stadium site fell through. It looks as though they're working with St. Paul to come up with plan to build on a site around downtown. I'll be sad to see them leave James Griffin since it's nickname is "The Jimmy".

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Cleatus Traded to NYRB???

Is it true? Is Clint on his way the New York Red Bull?

Summer Transfer Rumors

We're still months away from the summer transfer window but that hasn't prevented the rumors from flowing. Here's a few of them floating around : Cannavaro to Napoli - Yep, that's right. They may be in the Serie B but apparently Fabio is willing to entertain a move to his hometown club. Valeri Bojinov to Barcelona - Barcelona are looking at the 21 year old Bulgarian Bojinov as a replacement for the Javier Saviola (out of contract). Micah Richards to Manchester United - Soccer365 is reporting that Manchester United are looking to put in a £20 million bid for the 18 year old. Is Glazer looking to placate fans by spending some money or can a fullback really be worth that much money? Florent Malouda to Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus - There's nothing definite yet but the 26 year-old French International (22 caps) is talking about a move. Although he admits a move to Chelsea is unlikely with Mourinho's future there seemingly up in the air right now. Jefferson Farfan to Chelsea, Arsenal - PSV's fast dribbling Peruvian striker is being linked with a few clubs both as a sale and as a loan move (Chelsea). He's also been linked with a move to Newcastle. Arjen Robben to Barcelona - The rumor is that the 23 year old is ready to move on and make use a new FIFA rule that allows players that have played in a foreign country for 3 years to buy-out the rest of their contract and move. Barcelona are unwilling to meet Chelsea's £12m+ asking price for the Dutch winger but reportedly more than happy to throw an extra £2m in the pot to buy-out the remainder of his contract.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Galaxy Win Inaugural USL-MLS Challenge

The inaugural USL-MLS Challenge is over and as reported by The MLS Zone the Los Angeles Galaxy have won. The pre-season tournament was played between the Los Angeles Galaxy, FC Dallas, Puerto Rico Islanders and Rochester Rhinos. The Galaxy are 6-1-2 in pre-season play sans David Beckham. Is this sign of things to come?

Comments - For The Record

Sorry that I had to turn on the moderating comments feature awhile back. It means that comments aren't immediately posted. But I needed to do it help filter out the spam.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

BBC On Beckham

You have to let a couple minutes of news go by but the BBC has a nice look at David Beckham's move to Major League Soccer (MLS).

USA - Ecuador Commentary

It's too bad that Mostly Blue and White World doesn't blog more on soccer. Some interesting comments by Appoo on the match. As for me I'd sum it up in that once again Lannycakes steps it up a notch but not in a key match.