Five Observations from Week 8 in the Premier League

1. Manchester City send a powerful message that will resound across Europe – Prior to the Manchester Derby, Man United were viewed as invincible at home. And so they should have been. United had won their previous 24/25 Premier League home matches, a feat which in itself was a key factor as to why United won the league last season. Ahead of the match Mancini said he would be content if he left Old Trafford with a draw. But boy, didn’t he leave with so much more. Manchester City compounded Man United to their worst defeat since 1955. Mancini’s city were sensational. David Silva toyed with Man United’s defence throughout the game. Silva’s movement, passing and creativity was incontainable for Manchester United. City severely frightened Man United. Actually no, Manchester City humiliated Man United. But the result is a massive indicator of how Man City need to be taken seriously. Firstly, the fact Manchester City hammered Man United at Old Trafford demonstrates the sheer monstrosity of this expensively assembled City side. It proves not only does Manchester City have title credentials, they have the belief, quality and hunger to run away the Premier League. Secondly, in England, the press seem adamant to brand Roberto Mancini’s style as ‘calculated, disciplined and defensive.’ But these statements were confounded by this weekend’s result. Manchester City headed to the Champion’s invincible ground. A ground in which United had not lost a league game in over two years. But Manchester City came, saw and conquered. Not only this, City proved Mancini is willing to make his side play adventurous football in order to get crucial wins at away grounds, something he was criticised for continuously since becoming Man City manager. Finally, Man United now know the ‘noisy neighbours’ are no longer noisy. Manchester City are now roaring with hunger, belief and pride.
2. Liverpool must to learn to take their chances or fourth place will be beyond them – Liverpool have now drawn 3/5 of their home Premier League matches this season. Draws against Sunderland, Man United and Norwich have been agonising for Liverpool fans. All three games could have easily been won. Had Liverpool been more clinical. The simple matter is, Liverpool have been creating the chances. But the team, especially the strikers have failed to finish the chances. This wastefulness has cost them in the short term, as its meant Liverpool have dropped points against teams which they should have easily got three points off. As a result Liverpool find themselves 4 points away from 4^th placed Newcastle. But in the long term, Liverpool’s wastefulness upfront could have detrimental effects on their long term goals. The fact Newcastle and Tottenham have been solid and productive at home it could mean that Liverpool could fall away rather dramatically from 4^th place because of their rather avoidable dropped points.
3. Swansea impresses, but show they lack Premier League experience – Swansea played Wolves off the park for 83 minutes. Swansea kept the ball better, they created the better chances and looked far more accomplished against a rather defensively clumsy Wolves side. Swansea quite rightfully went into half time 2 goals ahead. It was utterly deserved. They dominated proceedings. But as the second half progressed, Wolves pressed higher up and looked desperate to somehow claw their way back into the game. Throughout the game, Swansea dealt with Wolves set pieces in a rather unconvincing manner. The team struggled to get the ball away and lost many key tackles and headers during set pieces. It came as no surprise that Wolves goal came from a set piece – be it a scrappy one. But the Wolves goal seemed to give the Wanderers all the confidence and momentum. Two minutes later, Jamie O’Hara made it 2-2. But this result was completely undeserved for Wolves. Who were second best for most of the game. The draw showed Swansea still lack a certain degree of Premier League experience. At the back, Swansea were not very organised in defending set pieces. While after the first Wolves goal, Swansea lost their focus and allowed Wolves to grow in confidence. This weekend’s result will provide harsh evidence to the Swansea players that keeping their concentration and not getting complacent for 90+ minutes is an imperative. As a team can be woeful as Wolves were and can still manage to come away with a draw by simply hanging in there and throwing knock out punches when the opportunity arises for them.
4. Bolton become softer and softer at home – Last season, Bolton were pretty hard to beat at home. The Wanderers only lost four home games last season. While this season, a different picture is painted. In five Premier League home games, Bolton have lost every single one, thus failing to even pick up a point at home. That is disastrous form. This form is unacceptable in any league in the world. The team have scored 4 at home this season, while conceding a monumental 17 goals at home. But this weekend’s game against Sunderland was supposed to be the game which Bolton bag their first home win of the season. Sunderland was there for the taking. Like themselves, Sunderland’s form has been relatively inconsistent. Prior to this weekend, Sunderland had only won once in 8 games – a hardly impressive feat. But Bolton have looked far too soft this season. In defence Bolton look unoriginally weak, while upfront, Bolton look toothless. Perhaps the difference between the Bolton and Sunderland was that Sunderland were more clinical. Bolton have a lot of improving to do. The team seem to have no real strengths at the moment.
5. Chelsea’s indiscipline could cost them their title challenge – So far this season, Chelsea have looked rather impressive. Their style of play, along with their attacking nature has made Andre Villas –Boas team very entertaining to watch. However, this weekend, they were the victims of their own downfall. Prior to the match, QPR provided Chelsea with a key chance to go ahead of Man United in the league. Furthermore, QPR’s home form this season has been far from impressive. The Rangers had not won a single home game and had only scored two goals at home prior to the game. But Chelsea’s two red cards which both were frustratingly avoidable and changed the game. Chelsea unsurprisingly with 9 men looked rather shaky at the back, but Chelsea reacted fantastically. Chelsea dominating proceedings with just 9 men. The Blues attacked, attacked and attacked. Perhaps Chelsea were unlucky not to get at least a draw. Chelsea created a handful of chances. However, Chelsea’s finishing was a tad lacklustre. Had they been more clinical, Chelsea could have possibly got all three points let alone a single point. But in 9 Premier League games, Chelsea have gained three red cards. 2/3 of the red cards were strikers (Torres and Drogba) both challenges were reckless and unneeded. AVB must further discipline his players, or Chelsea could be victims of their own downfall.

Five Statistics from this weekend

1.) Man United have allowed the opposition more shots per game than any other Premier League side

2.) 80% of the goals Liverpool have conceded have come in the second half

3.) Robin Van Persie has scored 25 Premier League goals in 2011 – no other player has scored more than that in the Premier League in 2011.

4.) Edin Dzeko has scored 8 Premier League goals this season – 7 of those goals have been scored away from home.

5.) Manchester City have scored the first goal in every Premier League game they have played in this season – Only team in league to have this record in tact.

The Tale of Five Expensive Strikers

The 2011 January transfer saw a record £225 million being spent in the Premier League in a single month. Normally, the January transfer window is viewed as a quiet window, due to clubs being unwilling sanction big moves. But January 2011 proved to be contrary to that line of thought.

There were five fantastic strikers who were brought in January. Fernando Torres, Andy Carroll, Edin Dzeko, Luis Suarez and Darren Bent. Each of these five strikers cost their new clubs more than £20million.

Furthermore, the five strikers have a combined value of £152.8million. You would have to say, it’s a very expensive 5 aside team!

The massive sums being splashed on these players quite obviously mean that all five players are massive signings. Their new fans and clubs should quite rightly expect big things from these centre forwards.

But how have they fared in their first 5 months of their new job?

Here are the stats for the fantastic five.

Name	Transfer Fee	Total Appearances	Total Goals	PL (Premier League )apps	PL goals	PL assists	PL shots per game	Goals per game ratio
Fernando Torres	£50mill	18	1	14	1	2	1.1	0.05
Edin Dzeko	£27 mill	21	6	15	2	2	1.5	0.28
Darren Bent	£18 mill potential £24mill	16	9	16	9	1	1.7	0.56
Andy Carroll	£35mill	9	2	7	2	0	1.9	0.22
Luis Suarez	£22.8mill	13	4	13	4	3	3.6	0.30
Total	£152.8	77	22	65	18	8

To many observers of the game, these stats aren’t inspiring, especially when you consider the huge sums spent on these players.

It’s evident, Darren Bent has scored the most goals, by far. Nine goals in sixteen games is a pretty impressive record. He clearly has settled in at Aston Villa very smoothly and his goal record already proves this.

Some argue, Bent’s Villa goal scoring record is something which should be expected. Seeing as he has consistently proved he can score in the Premier League. However rather ironically, the most expensive Premier League player, Fernando Torres has only scored once for Chelsea. This is a horrifying statistic. The principle that Torres was signed for £50 million and has only conjured one goal in 5 months is incredibly alarming.

Edin Dzeko’s goal return has been satisfying. Six goals in twenty-one games isn’t terrible. But, his form in the Premier League paints a distressing picture. In 15 appearances, Dzeko has managed just two goals.

For a man who has cost Man City £27 million, one would expect a few more goals. Especially, since the player has an impeccable goal scoring record. Prior to his move to City, the Bosnian scored 10 league goals for Wolfsburg this season.

However, it’s fair to say Edin Dzeko needs time. After all, this is his first time playing in the Premier League. He is still adapting to the technical and physical demands of the English League.

When considering Dzeko’s appearances, he has played the most games in comparison to any of the other strikers analysed. The reason for this is pretty logical. This is firstly because the Bosnian striker joined Man City at the start of January. While the other four strikers were signed towards the end of the month.

Coming back to appearances, Dzeko made 15 Premier League appearances. 8 of those appearances have been from off the bench. Perhaps this shows how Dzeko has failed to settle into Man City so far.

After all, one would expect a 27 million pound centre forward to start most of the games for their new club. Dzeko’s failure in getting starts for Man City could suggest that buying big players in January isn’t a good idea. The player, like in the case of Dzeko could fail to adapt to the environment of the new league. Or perhaps internally, the player could struggle to truly understand the teams strategy or their role in the team. The same hypothesis could be followed when considering the form of Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres.

The player who appeared the least amount of times is Andy Carroll. The £35million man has only appeared 9 times for Liverpool. This is a serious worry for the Liverpool fans. Especially when considering he is the clubs’record signing. The fans quite rightly, want him to contribute heavily on the pitch, rather than spending most of his time on the sidelines. Furthermore, three of the player’s analysed, they have played double the amount that Carroll has for Liverpool. Next season Andy Carroll will have to prove that he is not an injury prone player and he has to justify his massive price tag.

While Andy Carroll’s strike partner, Luis Suarez has the best assist record in comparison to all the strikers analysed. In thirteen appearances, he has set up three goals. This record is reasonably satisfying. After all, this is the player’s first experience in the Premier League. There is no doubt Suarez has settled very quickly into England and Liverpool. His tenacious style has enlightened and energised the kop. This is backed up by Suarez having the most shots per game. On this basis, one could argue, the Uruguayan is perhaps the most threatening striker out of the five analysed.

The 6ft 4 Edin Dzeko has only assisted twice for Man City. The principle, Dzeko’s game is based on the Bosnian’s physicality, one would expect him to assist more. Especially as the player is relatively decent in the air and can creatively pass. The same could also be stated about Andy Carroll. The England international has completely failed to assist for Liverpool. However, this could be because if a player is to regularly assist, he needs to be settled in the starting 11. This is something that both Dzeko and Carroll have failed to achieve.

Along with Edin Dzeko and Andy Carroll, it’s clear the jury is still out for all the five strikers. Of course, Darren Bent and Luis Suarez have had satisfying starts to their new clubs. But more will be expected from all the strikers next season. Each club will demand a consistent goal flow from each striker, especially since the clubs have dug deep to sign them.

The statistics for the five strikers do not light up the screen. But a complete pre-season with their respected clubs will further enhance their bodies and mind for the demands of the Premier League. One should expect all the strikers performances to further improve and for the player to look far more settled.

There is one certainty which lies ahead of the new season, the levels of expectations will dramatically rise next season. All the strikers will have to perform and contribute consistently next season. The excuse of ‘settling into the team’ will no longer be accepted. All five strikers will have to prove their moneys worth.

A mere 22 goals from men who have a combined value of £152.8 million is hardly justifiable. But, the statistics could be proof that signing big players in January isn’t a good idea. As it gives no time for the players to develop an intuition of their new teams theories and strategies. This then leads to the players such as Torres, Dzeko and Carroll to initially fail to live up to expectations placed on them.

Indeed, all five men will have to truly justify their value next season.

Things you may like to read

Why the signing of Andy Carroll is a fatal error for Liverpool

Edin Dzeko – How will he fit into Manchester City’s catalogue of players

How will Chelsea shape up, now Fernando Torres has arrived