Premier League Capsules, Part 2
By Sam McPhee
Part 2 of the early season EPL team team capsules includes Everton through Stoke City:
Everton
Much like Aston Villa has had happen in recent years, Everton has had quality players but large spots of inconsistency at some point have ended up sinking their seasons. Everton will be lead once again by the all-action Tim Cahill & Marouane Fellaini & skillful Mikel Arteta & Steven Pienaar in midfield. Utility defender Phil Jagielka has been rumored to be on his way to Arsenal but with veteran warhorse Phil Neville able to play in both defense & in midfield & the likes of Joseph Yobo, Tony Hibbert & Dutch World Cup man Johnny Heitinga at the back, the Toffees should be able to have enough cover if Jagielka leaves. Up front, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, or Yak as he’s affectionately known by the Everton faithful, can be as good as a physical menace up front as anyone when he’s on his game & manager David Moyes can also throw out youngsters Victor Anichebe, who also provides a more physical presence up front & James Vaughan, who is a nippy Michael Own-type of striker, not to mention cagey veteran Louis Saha, at the top as well but Moyes is also bringing in League 1 hitman, Jermaine Beckford from Leeds to give him yet a further option up front.
Fulham
Welshman Mark Hughes has taken over at Fulham following Roy Hodgson’s departure for Liverpool. Hughes will no doubt be looking to impress following his ignominious dismissal from Man City during the holidays last year but the challenge at Fulham will be that they are at a crossroads this season. They will be looking to build upon their Europa League runner-up accomplishment from last year but with their current roster, the Cottagers either need Bobby Zamora & Clint Dempsey to continue to improve up front & score more goals or will be likely in the market for a new striker. Fulham is a club with players who are steady if not spectacular but probably lack the trickery to push on past a mid-table finish or possibly sneak into a Europa League spot again unless new faces are brought in.
Liverpool
Roy Hodgson is now in charge at Liverpool & Joe Cole has signed on a free transfer from Chelsea. Serbian Milan Jovanović was brought in following the World Cup & Liverpool looked okay if not spectacular in their opening day draw with Arsenal. Although the Kopwill be hoping Pepe Reina’s last minute goalkeeping gaffe that handed Arsenal a share of the points on Saturday was a one-off blunder. Dane midfielder Christian Poulsenwas brought in to add some steel to the midfield in light of rumors of Argentine Javier Mascherano’s impending departure. Liverpool won’t most likely fully click, however, until striker Fernando Torres is back & fully fit from his groin injury he picked up in the World Cupbut should have enough quslity to eclipse their disappointing 7th place finish of last season.
Manchester City
Frankly speaking, with the money available at Man City these days anything less than winning the EPL or the FA Cup would almost have to be considered a failure by most people. Man City has seemingly been buying up everyone with even a modicum of talent of late & has to be looking to offload a few people you would think. Especially in light of the new 25-man EPL roster rule. Stephen Ireland seems to be on his way out with James Milner’s arrival & Yaya Touré was brought in from Barcelona to help strengthen the midfield. Up front Man City has the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Mario Balotelli, Roque Santa Cruz & Carlos Tevez, so obviously there is no shortage of firepower to choose from. So much so that even Brazilian Robinho will most likely remain on loan at Santos in his native country & Welshman Craig Bellamy is also exiting the club. The Sky Blues biggest problem is you can only play 11 at any one time & keeping everyone happy in that environment may be City boss Roberto Mancini’s biggest task.
Manchester United
Arguably Manchester United didn’t have enough options up front last year to outlast Chelsea to the EPL title following Cristiano Ronaldo’sdeparture for Real Madrid. Wayne Rooney was often paired with Dimitar Berbatov last year but Berbatov has traditionally been very good when he’s on but very iffy when he’s not. Sir Alec Ferguson this year has brought in young Mexican striker, Javier Hernandez who impressed in pre-season friendlies to expand the attacking choices up front. Midfielder Nani fills in the skill & tricks void left by Ronaldo’ s departure, albeit at lesser skill level while evergreen Ryan Giggs & Paul Scholes provide the grit & determination along with Darren Fletcher in midfield. Patrice Evra marauds down the flank from left back & with a fully fit Rio Ferdinand at some point to partner Nemanja Vidić in central defense, it would do Man U wonders & would no doubt strengthen their resolve to wrest the title back from Chelsea.
Newcastle United
Last year’s Championship champions are back in the EPL following just a single season in the 2nddivision but look to have their work cut out for them to avoid another relegation battle. Newcastle has decent players like attackers Kevin Nolan & Alan Smith, but their best days are both behind them & wingers Jonás Gutiérrez & Wayne Routledge have been far too inconsistent in the past to be constant dangers to top EPL sides. Their defense has the makings of good players in Fabricio Coloccini & José Enrique but was far too leaky in their last EPL venture 2 seasons ago. You have to imagine the Geordies’ boss, Chris Hughton, will be looking to the transfer market prior to its closing at the end of August because badboy midfielder Joey Barton can’t keep the Northeast side in the EPL with his fight & determination alone.
Stoke City
Stoke is the “gimmick” team of the EPL. Because of the allowance for different pitch sizes in soccer, many clubs have playing surfaces of differing sizes & Stoke has by far the narrowest pitch in the EPL. There’s only about 8 yards or so on either side from the edge of the penalty area to the touchline. This really narrow field allows fullback Rory Delap to launch his trademarked long throw-ins directly & deep into the penalty area often leading to chances for Stoke that are even more dangerous than corners for most sides. Tall, powerful forward Kenwyne Jones is being brought into the side this year by Tony Pulis to try & take further advantage of Delap’s prowess but unfortunately other than being ridiculously dangerous from throw-ins, Stoke’s game isn’t much else other than tackle hard & try & win set pieces. So as many results as they can pull off at home, on the road they are often poor or average at best. Winger Matthew Etherington & the Turkish attacking player Tunçay can be dangerous at times but the Potters’ narrow field often doesn’t allow them to use their abilities to their full extent.