‘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