Does anyone want Premier League safety?

By Guest Blogger Tom Mallows

So the final day is to be labelled ‘survival Sunday’ and for fans of Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Hull and Sunderland, it will be an afternoon packed full of tension.

For Hull and Sunderland the outlook is simple; win your game and you’re safe. For Newcastle and ‘Boro, they are in that uncomfortable position whereby by their fate is not in their own hands.

But they should be thankful they have a chance of staying up on the last day, their recent form doesn’t suggest they deserve it.

It seems to me that none of the four teams are showing the battling qualities required to stay up. They have a combined total of just three wins between them in their last eight games and a total of 16 points gathered - hardly the sort of form that will drag you out of trouble.

Hull’s downturn is perhaps the most spectacular. Sixth at Christmas and a chairman talking of European competition, just one win since the turn of the year has seen them nosedive. Sunderland had a brief flurry of form when Ricky Sbragia took charge but once the honeymoon period came to an end they limped towards the finish line. They have had numerous chances to grab the one win they need to secure survival but have failed to take it - they may have just sleepwalked into the relegation trapdoor.

Boro and Newcastle have been in trouble all season, the circus that is St James' Park has perhaps hogged most of the headlines. Four managers, boardroom turmoil, fan’s protests, it has been nothing but chaos all year. The game between the two sides last week was dubbed a relegation decider, and a Geordie victory set up the home game with Fulham nicely. But once again they failed to take their chance and now must get a result at Villa. Relegation would be a fitting end to a traumatic season.

Boro have a chronic lack of goals, just 27 in the league all year isn’t going to keep you up. I admire the chairman for sticking by Southgate, as well as the way the former England man has handled himself throughout a difficult campaign. But the truth is he failed to replace departing key players last summer and those he has put faith in have failed to deliver.

No team can really say they have fought their way out of trouble, like Fulham did last year when they won three games on the spin to stay up on the last day. The only side to show any real mettle in recent weeks has been West Brom, too little too late for the Baggies though I’m afraid.

Because of that it's my football prediction that all four teams will lose at the weekend, sending Newcastle and Boro down. If that proves to be the case, Hull and Sunderland should count themselves lucky that the ineptitude of other sides kept them up, rather than any ability by themselves.

Why Liverpool Can Still Win The League

The football odds on Liverpool snatching the Premier League title from under the noses of Man United may lengthen by the week, but it is still possible.

For starters, Rafa Benitez’s men have only had the Premier League to focus on since their Champions League defeat to Chelsea in March. Whereas United have been battling on three fronts until the FA Cup defeat to Everton a few weeks ago reduced it to two.

Free from the distractions of knock-out competitions Liverpool are flying, scoring goals left, right and centre. Benitez has his side in bullish mood ahead of the final run-in and you can sense the determination in the squad to win all their remaining games and apply as much pressure on United as possible – and I thoroughly expect them to do so.

It is, of course, a pressure United and Alex Ferguson are used to and have dealt with successfully over the past 20 years. But the quest to win an unprecedented quintuple will have taken on its toll on even United’s large squad so it is not unrealistic to think that something has to give in their remaining fixtures. Plus when the United players see their title rivals despatching their opponents so comfortably it puts added psychological pressure on them to perform in their next game.
Looking at who United have to play there are two games in particular that could cause them problems. First up is a local tussle against Manchester City. Tough at the best of times this latest instalment of the Manchester derby will be even harder for United given City’s recent good run of form - they also did the double over United last season don’t forget. A point a piece is not an unrealistic outcome. Following that is the much awaited game-in-hand away at Wigan, who despite a successful season under Steve Bruce shouldn’t have enough to deprive Fergie’s men of the points.

However it’s the penultimate weekend of the season which is the one that could be a watershed moment in the title race. Firstly on the Saturday Man United take on a wounded Arsenal side still reeling from that emphatic Champions League defeat. Arsene Wenger’s men will be desperate to extract some revenge and putting the brakes on United’s title bid could be the perfect way to do it. Any United slip-up will surely be pounced upon by Liverpool who travel to bottom club West Brom the next day and will be overwhelming favourites to collect the points.

That would take things to the last day, where Liverpool are at home to Spurs and United travel to relegation haunted Hull, who may need something to stay up. It evokes memories of West Ham in 1995 when the Hammers earned a 1-1 draw with United which allowed Blackburn to take the title, at Anfield funnily enough. If Hull can do the same then a win for Liverpool over Spurs could be enough.

I know it seems unlikely and is dependent on Liverpool winning their remaining fixtures, but stranger things have happened in football.

I think this one could go to the wire.

By Guest Blogger Tom Mallows

Chelsea win for Hiddink first game in charge..

Aston Villa 0 - Chelsea 1 (Premier League, February 21, 2009) The Guus Hiddink era at Chelsea started in fairy tale style, 19 minutes in Frank Lampard rode two tackles to break into the final third where he played in Nicolas Anelka who produced the expert finish.

Martin O'neill hates january window!

Andrei Arshavin's move have been completed after the deadline. It is very unfair! Feeling angry, Martin O'neill is suggesting scrapping the January window altogether. Eventhough he had reaped instant rewards from this current window. Emile Heskey had moved to Villa in a 3.5 million pound deal and is in splendid form... He said,

Should the transfer window stay? I hope not.
"
"I think if the Premier League haven't discussed it, then they should do. It is a waste of a month.

"I accept the fact a couple of years ago it was fine for us when we brought in people like Ashley Young and John Carew.

"But you have got to look at this situation because it is claustrophobic. I see it serving no fantastic benefit. I don't know what the point of it is."

He added: "An extension of time at least would be something. I know that the reasons for it coming in was so that clubs couldn't end up effectively being able to buy the European Cup and I accept that you can't go on buying forever.

"You can't arrive at a cup final and still have the ability to buy nine players the night before. But a bit of an extension would do no harm."

David Beckham Interview (Italy)

Transfer deadline extension

England's top-flight clubs have been granted a conditional extension to the transfer window deadline, the Premier League said in a statement on Monday.

As long as a deal has been agreed in principle, a conditional extension can be granted. This will give the teams more time to complete their transfer moves.

The British transportation network had been hard hit by the heavy snowfall causing in and outbound flights from England to be delayed.

"Clubs have informed us of the difficulties they are having in getting deals concluded," Premier League general secretary Mike Foster told the body's website.

"We are currently trying to gauge the level of activity and how many deals are in the pipeline."

The statement said: "The Premier League has announced that it will grant applications from clubs to complete transactions after the 5.00pm deadline...

"The Board will take a decision on a case by case basis as to when the registration documents have to be submitted after taking into consideration weather conditions and ability to travel."

(fourfourtwo.com)

I did not think that it is fair to offer an extension. The transfer window was one entire month and since most clubs are able to complete their transactions on time why should some clubs be more privileged and be granted an extension of the deadline.