Well it was a lean old weekend for football this last weekend, eh? Just two games in the Premier League escaping the conditions and seven in the Championship. Which meant it was a slow old game week in the world of fantasy football. Walking into work on Monday morning without a single point to my name – I now know what it feels like to be Avram Grant.
The lunchtime game on Saturday escaped the snow and carried on regardless. While only averaging just over a goal a game so far this season the Black Cats sit handily in sixth place in the league after defeating Bolton. With Craig Gordon pulling off some impressive saves, including one for the Big Man Zat Knight (why do I giggle like a school girl whenever his name comes up in commentary?) and Wellbeck scoring up the other end, Sunderland now occupy their highest position for ten years.
The only other game of the weekend to actually take place was Steve Kean’s first game in Charge of Blackburn against bottom side West Ham. With Robert Green missing his first game for the Hammers since the 2006/2007 season meaning that fourth choice Ruud Boffin was the only other ‘keeper available for the visitors. Reports that Surly Scientist was on the bench were unsubstantiated. Ryan Nelsons header gave the home side the lead before a second half strike from Stanislas leveled the game and left Kean disappointed he didn’t walk away with all three points.
It wasn’t a fantastic spectacle to behold though Benni McCarthy falling over the ball was a lot of fun. With rumours of the future of the manager at Upton Park the old chestnut that only a single side has escape relegation having been rock bottom at Christmas wont bring much cheer to the people of the East London slums.
Though the news the ‘Arry probably wont be making a move for their one shiny light this season, Scott Parker, as he feel’s he’s too rich for Spuds’ blood.
“I like Parker, but he belongs to West Ham. He will be 31 next birthday and they will want £15million. Daniel (Levy, chairman) wouldn’t buy players of that age, on big wages with no sell-on.”
Though admitting he’s short of options in midfield then went on to say Jamie O’Hara could be on his way out in January:
“O’Hara needs to play. He would be better off playing somewhere than not playing, He would do a good job for someone in the Prem.”
Now, let me take you back a week and a half ago when that lot down the road trumpeted on their website:
‘The pitch would have to be frozen solid or completely under water to be the reason for a game to be called off, which shouldn’t happen at Stamford Bridge. In this day and age, with all the modern technology, it is very rare you get a game called off.’
Never mock Lady Fate, sure it’ll make you feel more alive than you have ever felt in your life (or get you told off by Daddy Gatesy as happened to me), but she usually has the last laugh. That lot did so it was no surprise to see them call their game off on Sunday. Surely it was purely down to the weather conditions and not a coincidence that Fat Frank would be far from match for last weekend but will be in far better shape (for him anyway) come the rescheduled appointment. The Daily Mail was suspicious, asking:
The main roads were clear, the Tube was running, and the pitch perfect… so why was Chelsea’s game with United postponed?
Nothing curious here say the blues. It was purely down to health and safety, a spokesman said.
“between the local authority, the club and the police. With the downpour of snow on Saturday morning, it wasn’t just conditions around the stadium but the whole Fulham area. There were concerns about people getting to the ground, as well as staffing at the game and police staffing.”
The fact the day of the game all public transport was running pretty normally for a Sunday is, apparently, moot.
Monday night saw only the third game of the weekend being played with Everton travelling to Man City. Already having a good record of three wins in their last three visits their hopes were raised further after just 4 minutes when Cahil put them one up. A nice play from Everton let Baines double their lead after 19 minutes. City clawed a goal back through Yaya Toure and despite both sides finishing with ten meant the game finished 2-1 and left Man Yoo top of the table for Christmas.
Elsewhere, Ex whites defender Zesh Rehman has fallen out with Bradford and moved to The Thai Premiership, and Fulham favourite Micky Adams is being linked with the Blades job. I think we all know that the job is mine for the taking mind…
Our next game is on Boxing Day and we welcome the Hammers who make the long 26 stop journey on the District Line to The Cottage.
