‘What more can I say’

Before it starts to sound like a broken record, Barcelona needs to be given props for the way they are playing. As much as the Manchester United fans out there believe they are the best, I think that’s a little short-sighted, they haven’t met Sammy and the boys.

Barcelona maintained their 12 point cushion at the top of the table by beating Racing Santander 2-1. This is another time when the real outcome of this match was left till late before it was known.

The man Messi was the reason for all the destruction in the 2nd half. He did the typical super sub routine by coming in with Barca 1-0 down, and this was in the 59th minute. What was supposed to be an opportunity for this man to get some much earned rest, the coach felt that his superstar needed to deliver the midas touch. It was 30 minutes of absolute joy for the travelling fans but agony for the home supporters as they watched any hopes of causing an upset fly away with the little Argentinian, he South American like Speedy Gonzalves, maybe there’s a genetic something there.
Another thing that made this day great was the fact that Messi scored Barcelona’s 4999th and 5000th league goals. It was a fitting achievement for Messi, mainly because he has been the Barca catalyst this season, with him in the line up they can do no wrong. Thierry Henry echoed that very sentiment, although he would have liked to, he felt that the honour would have been better fulfilled by a player who was more of the veteran on the team and Messi, Puyol, Xavi and Eto’o would be a better suited.

A stunning statistic is that Messi has scored six goals on the six occasions that he has come off the bench. He’s lethal in every role. This was the most recent, but he also lit up Shaktar Donetsk after coming on in the 59th minute, two goals were all the game needed and the candyman came with gifts.

I’m in awe of this man, as short as he is, he still brings the fire. He is unassumingly strong on his feet with speed to match, just like Maradona used to be. There are similarities but no-one is trying to put undue pressure on the young man, I can’t help it, he’s awesome.

May the onslaught continue……

Peace,

Mhayise

This week in the FA…

..Was frenzied in the Premiership, there were transfers to lock down, F.A. Cup places to handle, as well as the regular league smackdown. The action was really hectic, so lets go through it, hopefully, in bite size chunks. You ready! I need you to have your football stomachs ready for a filling meal.

As of now it is still unknown whether the we are signing that man Arshavin, but word has it that he’s been seen in London. You had better believe that I’d be in London to take in the sights if Arsenal was willing to lock me down for 21 big ones, I mean pounds folks, dude be as cheap as Ol’ John Mabizela if you thought those were rand big ones. I think Arsenal needs all the help it can get right now, we just aren’t getting the job done and anything we can to stem the negative tide would be great right now. News just in; he's signed.

Aston Villa are playing like they made a deal with the devil; all heart and they seem to getting stronger as the season heads for the final stretch. They are really playing with a balance that most clubs lack, which is really working for them. John Carew has come back after 2 ½ months through injury. No matter what our thoughts are, this man played for Valencia and he handled business; don’t doubt him. Ashley Young is coming back too, after the 3 match red card suspension, his role as team jack russell is waiting for him. I hate to say this but, you could see big things from this team.

It’s been a tough week for both Blackburn & Bolton. They faced off this past weekend with no result from the match, just a point each. It’s better than nothing but both these teams are having a season like the economic climate. The only difference for them is there is no bottom, except of course for the 4th division. The fans of both these teams have a lot to be concerned about, the main fall guys in these situations can only be the mangers. It’s a sad world when players can’t be held accountable for their lack of action. In this situation I feel sorry for Blackburn, I think they have more talent.

I think that Jose Muriniho is the man. He has shown that he holds no grudges whatsoever, or maybe he has a great deal of respect for Big Phil. Whatever it is, the gesture speaks volumes. In my book Roman Abramovich cut ‘The Special One’deep, so deep he had to leave mid season, that was cold. In light of all the wounds Jose loaned Chelsea Quaresma. A masterful touch indeed, I know I’m being OTT, but I’m impressed. After the 2-0 beatdown at the hands of Liverpool Scolari’s job is definitely on the line.

Hull City have enjoy some fruits of success in the league, but since reality struck there’s been no sunshine for The Baggies. The drawn match on the weekend against West Brom gave them some breathing room. They are still placed in the bottom half of the league and as you know in those temperamental waters any point counts. They face a battered & bruised Chelasea next where they’ll need their best survival skills to get through unscathed.

‘El Nino’ arrived at Anfield, in the snow, to deliver a crushing blow to Chelseas hopes of closing in on Manchester. Let’s be fair, someone had to win this battle, from a traditional perspective I’m glad Liverpool won. This is the kind of performance he was looking for, after starting only 11 games this season. Even I would like to return to action in this way, scoring 2 goals at the death of one of the most important games of the season. After offloading Robbie Keane back to where he came from maybe Liverpool will perform better. I honestly didn’t believe Keane was right for “The Reds’, I think Liverpool needs more of a playmaker with ball skills; just to put a little paint where it ain’t.

I sincerely hope that the acquisition of Shay Given will help boost Man. City, even if they are the richest team in the world, that’s no free passage to greatness. Robinho needs more quality on that team, or else his career is doomed.

I’ll leave the best for last, I think it should be last because ‘The Nemisis’ always seems to ‘Outwit, Outlast and Outdo’. Manchester is bubbling at an easy temperature, like a V8 idling. They haven’t even turned it up yet, mainly because they aren’t rolling shotgun, they’re in the drivers seat. Once again everybody’s chasing them, I know, sad, but true. They won this past weekend, 1-0, off a penalty and they been doing what it takes to get the’W’. As a fan I can say what I feel because I’m not in the coalface but it’s simple, the most positive results through the season will give us the champion, it’s just that simple. Manchester are the best kind of superpower with enough firepower to take through the rest of the season.

Later family,

Mhayise

Barca, Barca!


Barcelona have been at it again, stacking up yet another victory to basically put to bed any one’s, specifically Real Madrid’s, chances of maybe winning the league this year. This was against a team that dealt Barca their only defeat of the season. Numancia were hoping that luck would’ve shone kindly in their favour but unfortunately they were due to see stars.

Numancia’s attitude was ultra defensive with all their players basically stacked up in their half. This was suffocating Barcelona. This was different from their approach in the first half of the season, but it seemed to work for them in the early going because Barca just couldn’t crack them, there was no space.

The chink in Numancia’s armour was found in the 17th minute when Gorinsa found the net. His goal was disallowed, but like a prize WWF fighter Barcelona found Numancia’s weakness and they went to work. It was as if Barcelona had found their stride, after a few moments of unfocusedness. The blows came in more rapidly and steadily from then on, Xavi staked his claim for a goal in the 21st minute, then Pique in the 26th. In the 33rd Messi, Xavi and Yaya also made cases for a goal, Numancia were still stopping Barca but it seemed like their resistance was starting to crumble, but still intact due to the efforts of Ortega & Palacios.

The 1st Half ended goalless.

The 2nd half started with the pace of a Usain Bolt sprintfest, Barca were on a mission, on some “There’s gonna a lot of slow singing and flower bringing….”. Lionel Messi, my choice for FIFA World Player of the Year, next year, opened things up with a strike in the 49th minute. This moment could have been seen as the catalyst for the rest of the game, like Messi sang the hook from the famous Ishmael, of Jozi, Skeem and POC fame, gospel track, “Avulekile amasango…….”. Eto’o was the first to join in and he did on the 52nd minute thanks to the assist from Iniesta.

By the end of the famous gospel track chorus it was 2-0. Wounds were being licked and there was at least 35mins to go. Numancia’s behaved like a wounded, cornered animal; they attacked viciously to restore some kind of order in the game. Of the set piece, which seemed to be a reward, Barkero brought Numancia closer to Barca.
The goal seemed to bother Barcelona as they decided to turn things up a little more. Messi decided to be the architect of Numancia’s ultimate demise; first he set Thierry Henry up then he set himself up, by dribbling two defenders in the box, to wrap the week. Maybe they’ll get a light training session on Monday. Messi was Freddy Kruger in a shirt and shorts, no hat, as he swooped in on the Numancia 18 area 2 more times before the game was done.

The Barcelona Big Three are scoring goals like no other combination in football right now, they are the most unique bunch. When was the last time a team was more than 10 points ahead of the competition at the halfway stage. They are more dominant than anyone, Manchester doesn’t stand a chance, btw this is my other favourite team. These guys look like they’re having fun while they’re playing, that’s not good for opposition.

I wish them luck.

Peace,

Mhayise

F.A. Cup Roundup

It’s been a bumpy F.A. Cup ride for some the premiership teams this past weekend. Although most teams made it through there were some speed wobbles for a few of the bigger names.

Arsenal drew 0-0 with Cardiff City in a game that I would have thought was easily wrapped up before the game started, but football is as dramatic as a daily soap. Aaron Ramsey struggled against his old club, which is what usually happens on such an emotional day, especially for a youngster like Ramsay.

Aston Villa will get another chance to advance to the next round after a goalless draw with Doncaster Rovers. In the 1st half Doncaster were the better of the two teams but Villa changed that after the break. Although chances were created, none were converted as the Doncaster goalkeeper proved to be the difference in this game.

Blackburn also drew 0-0 with Sunderland as Roque Santa Cruz made his first start in 6 weeks, after recovery from an injury. The manager seemed to be happy with his progress and believes he will be up to speed once he’s match fit.

Chelsea moved on to next round with a 3-1 win against Ipswich Town. Michael Ballack contributed two goals to the cause, just to show us all that he still is a world class player. Michael was a doubtful starter because he took a knock in training, but came in to the line up and he made an invaluable contribution to the team.

Fulham went to work, unconvincingly, on Kettering by winning 4-2. Although it was thought that Fulham would struggle since the departure of Jimmy Bullard but they managed to move on. It was difficult for Fulham but they made it through.

The Mersyside derby was like two prize fighters beating each other to a standstill with no winner emerging from the rubble. A week after the draw in the league fixture Everton held The Reds at Anfield. This has been a tough fixture for both teams, but now there is no turning back. The next time they meet someone has to lose, I think they should really put their game faces on because it won’t be easy to walk away with the victory.

The Hull City fairytale continues with a 2-0 smashing of the Millwall Tigers. Record signing, Jimmy Bullard, surely inspired the win since he is Hull’s record signing so far. With the inclusion of Angolan Manuchio, Hull will be hoping that their fortunes will change for the rest of the season.

Manchester United moved on with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspurs. More disappointment for Harry Redknapp, but United have been a tough proposition to swallow for all opponents so far. Berbatov put the game beyond doubt in the 2nd half.

Middlesbrough moved on after a 2-1 win at Molineux. Boro were a injury depleted squad, with suspension also having a negative effect on their chances of going through. It was a much needed win for Boro, who haven’t won in their last 10 games and are travelling to Chelsea and face Blackburn at home, all this week.

Portsmouth, current champions, crashed out of the F.A. Cup with a loss to Swansea City. Pompey were outfought and outplayed, which is was confirmed by Tony Adams, and only fighting spirit will get you through in any cup competition.
West Brom drew 2-2 with Burnley, while West Ham made Gianfranco Zola happy with a 2-0 win to progress to the next round. Both games weren’t pretty with one of them, at least yielding a win.

No more F.A.Cup for now, this week we head straight into the league fixtures with a full calendar of events.

Till the next time, Peace.

Mhayise