The Best Premier League Matches Of The Festive Season

For football fans, one of the best things about the holiday season is that matches continue without interruption in the major European leagues. This means we can all spend some of our time away from work taking in the matches and getting a nice look at how the teams look heading into 2015 and soon the second half of the league campaigns. So with that in mind, here's a glance at some of the top Premier League fixtures to keep your eye on this festive period.

Aston Villa v. Manchester United (December 20)

Much has been made of Man Utd.'s recent hot streak, which has propelled them all the way up to third place in the league tables. Following the club's recent 3-0 dismantling of Liverpool at Old Trafford, the Daily Mail even went so far as to declare the EPL a three-horse title race (with many still assuming it'll come down to Chelsea and Manchester City). But Aston Villa can be a tricky club when playing at home, so this is an interesting match to watch. If there's a game that could trip up Man Utd. before 2015, this is probably it.

Liverpool v. Arsenal (December 21)

Liverpool is having a disastrous go of it thus far, and the aforementioned 3-0 loss at Man Utd. didn't help matters. Now, a December 21 fixture in which the club hosts Arsenal is beginning to resemble a make-or-break contest. Bet Fair analyst Luke Moore wrote about Liverpool's outlook standing as one of the EPL stories to watch in the coming weeks. He even went so far as to suggest that Brendan Rodgers may be coaching for his job. Meanwhile, Arsenal is hoping to gain some momentum.

Chelsea v. West Ham (December 26)

Chelsea will likely go into this match as the strong favourite, and justifiably so. But a cross-town rivalry in London yields no sure results, and West Ham has been stronger than most anyone anticipated this season. This should be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the season.

Manchester United v. Newcastle (December 26)

As mentioned, Man Utd. has come on strong of late, but Newcastle has had a fairly impressive campaign as well. Its claim to fame is becoming the first club to beat Chelsea in a league match this season, as Newcastle won their Week 15 contest 2-1. But Newcastle then followed up that result by taking a 4-1 clobbering from Arsenal. Man Utd. will be favoured, but it shouldn't overlook a Newcastle squad that's trying to get back on track.

Southampton v. Chelsea (December 28)

There aren't many fixtures that one can point at and label as a chance that Chelsea may lose, but this is one of them. The Atlantic posted an interesting piece at the beginning of December that gives sound reasoning for Southampton's improbably hot start to likely meet an end—and they're probably right. But this has nevertheless been one of the EPL's most impressive teams thus far, and one never knows what may come up with hosting Chelsea in December.

West Ham v. Arsenal (December 28)

If Arsenal can handle Liverpool in the previously highlighted match, it will have generated some very positive momentum heading toward the second half of the season, with a top-four finish in its sights. West Ham will then become a very intriguing obstacle, and as noted when discussing the Chelsea v. West Ham fixture on December 26, cross-London rivalries make for extra intrigue. This will also be a great opportunity for Arsenal, in that West Ham will only have one day of rest between the matches.

Any EPL match holds the potential to entertain, but if you're looking for a few fixtures to highlight for holiday season viewing, these look to be the best of the bunch!
 
 

Lambert to Liverpool - Analysis and Review:

Done: Lambert was officially unveiled by Liverpool last Monday, having signed on Saturday

Hello again everyone and welcome to my latest blog post.

Today, I will be reviewing the summer signing of English striker Rickie Lambert, who has just signed with this season's EPL title runners-up Liverpool to join them on an inital two-year contract deal next season from Southampton.

Who would say no to a top 4 team and a potential start in the UEFA Champions League?

The transfer fee is thought to be in the region of £4million pounds plus add-ons, and I will be analyzing whether the move is a good one or not for both parties involved.

Just a quick notice to anyone who is interested in contacting me

Here is some background information on the deal:

• The 32-year-old, who is currently in Miami with England's World Cup squad underwent a medical last Saturday after a fee was agreed with Southampton
• He signed for the club who released him as a 15-year-old, with fond memories of his former club and the ambition for him to join their title charge encouraging him to sign once again for The Reds 

He is an experienced striker, there is not a doubt about that, and is a bargain at only £4million for a player of his ability.

Here is what Lambert had to say on his dream move back home:

"I can't believe it. I've loved this club all my life. I left here 17 years ago - and I haven't stopped loving it since.

I have always dreamt of playing for Liverpool, but I did kind of think the chance of playing for them had gone. I didn't think the chance would come," Lambert told liverpoolfc.com.

Perhaps his age is the reason why his transfer value is not as high as someone who is ten years younger than him for example, but he will still provide some much-needed back-up to the front duo of SAS (Suarez and Sturridge) who carried Liverpool's attacking charge this past season with their fast pace counter attacks and clinical finishing.

Lambert has been one of the best strikers in the EPL this past season, excluding SAS.

Lambert's qualities and weaknesses:

• He is experienced, so will be an asset to the younger players at the club who could learn from him - especially the attacking-minded squad members
• Let's just say he would not beat the likes of new team-mates Sturridge and Sterling in a race, but his clinical finishing and vision to get into the best attacking position possible makes up for his pace
• He scored 13 goals and made 10 assists this past season for Southampton, which shows that he isn't afraid to contribute to the team aswell as finish off his scoring opportunities
• His defensive contribution is lacking, meaning that he is more likely to stay up the pitch (near the centre circle) to wait for counter attacks to begin and gallop forward
• He is a set-piece specialist, meaning that he can take free-kicks from up to 40 yards out and has a swerving corner shot
• He is also a specialist at penalties; since joining Southampton he has converted his last 34 penalties and has not missed from the spot since 2009, which has not been broken across the world
• He is less confident when it comes to dribbling on the ball in comparison to the likes of Sturridge and Suarez, he is better assisting with direct passes to team-mates and quality ball control

This is what Rodgers had to say about his new signing:

"I've seen Rickie Lambert over the years and he's one of those players that probably never got the recognition for what a really good footballer he is."

Lambert's career in dates:

1982: Rickie was born on the 16th of February, in Liverpool.

1998: In August, he began his professional career by signing a deal with Blackpool - a year after being released by his boyhood club.

2000: In November of 2000, he was released from Blackpool by then manager Steve McMahon.

2001: March - After being a free agent since his release, Lambert joined League 1 club Macclesfield.

On the 17th of November, he scored his first two goals for the club in an FA Cup match.

2002: On the 26th of April, Lambert joined Stockport after Macclesfield accepted a then club-record bid of £300,000.

2005: On the 17th of February, he left Stockport for Rochdale after making nearly 100 appearances.

2006: Joined Bristol Rovers from Rochdale for £200,000 on transfer deadline day.

2007: A breakthrough year for Lambert -
On the 27th of February, he scored against local rivals Bristol City to send Rovers through to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final (which they went on to lose)

May 5th - Rovers made it into the League Two play-off's as they beat Hartlepool 2-1 with Lambert scoring the winning goal, and then they gain promotion in the final, beating Shrewsbury.

2009: April - Lambert was selected in the PFA's League One Team Of The Year.

August 10 - He signed for Southampton, a transfer fee of £1million pounds was paid. The day after he signed, he scored on his debut in a League Cup win.

2010: Helped Southampton to win their first domestic trophy in over 30 years by scoring a penalty in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

In April, he was named in the PFA League One Team Of The Year, and also won the PFA Fans' Player Of The Year Award.

2011: Finished the 2010-11 season with 31 goals, meaning that he was the top scorer in English football for back-to-back seasons.

Helped The Saints to finish second in League One, thus gaining promotion to the Championship.

2012: Won the award for Championship Player Of The Year in March, and then gets his shot at Premier League football in dramatic style with a final-day win against Coventry in late April.

2013: August - Called up to the England squad for his national team debut, on the same day that his daughter, Bella Rose is born. Comes on as a sub and scores the winner in a 3-2 win over Scotland at Wembley a few days later.

In September of the same year, he became the first England player to score in his first two internationals for 37 years after scoring against Moldova in a 4-0 win.

2014: Scored 13 goals in this past season, joint 13th highest total in the league with new club team-mate Steven Gerrard.

Was officially named in England's 23-man 2014 Brazil World Cup squad on the 12th of May.

Unveiled as Liverpool's first signing of the season on Monday, the 2nd of June.

In conclusion, I think that Lambert's move to Liverpool is an intelligent one by Rodgers.

Lambert played well for Southampton this past season and it would be ignorant to say that the side do not need a back-up striker just in-case one of SAS gets injured - Lambert probably will not expect to start every match for Liverpool but if he impresses in training for example, he could easily start behind the two strikers in CAM, who knows?

Liverpool are doing shrewd business at the minute, trying to get their transfer activity done and dusted quickly without any deadline rush of August - Lambert is a great signing and £4million is a bargain.

I just hope Southampton are able to replace him in a good way, they have no bad feelings over the transfer of a former Liverpool player but the absence of him could prove costly next season for a side who are looking to improve on an impressive season this term, the way it is looking they could lose their best players and unless they replace them well they could be in trouble.

A clear signal of intent to the rest of the league, Lambert could be one of many signings this summer for Rodgers and Liverpool.

Taken from:

http://football365mo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/lambert-to-liverpool-analysis-and-review.html

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James Beattie Appointed Manager of Accrington Stanley

In a short statement on the official club website late on Monday evening, James Beattie was announced as the new Accrington Stanley manager. The former England striker spoke of his delight at being chosen for the role, revealing how he had been bitten by the Stanley bug after seven months in Accrington as player and coach.

The club had been without a first team manager for just shy of a fortnight after Leam Richardson departed for Chesterfield – a period in which some players were released, others signed new contracts and a great deal of speculation took place over who should take Accrington forward.

The past eighteen months have been times of great upheaval at the club. After stalwarts John Coleman and Jimmy Bell left after over a decade in charge, few could have predicted that at the end of the following season Stanley would be appointing a new man at the helm for a third time.

Many fans called for Coleman and Bell to be re-appointed in a bid to regain stability as well as a resurgence of the most successful times in the club’s history. In truth, this wish was born out of a degree of opportunism due to the availability of the pair and unavoidable nostalgia. At the core of the clamour was the aim to avoid becoming a club that changes its leader with frightening frequency.

James Beattie is a breath of fresh air and offers something which no other can. A likeable and knowledgeable character with well documented pedigree, he knows what it takes to succeed as a professional at the top level –yet understands how a club like Accrington works best.

In interviews following his appointment, Beattie spoke of his desire to meet the challenge he faces and succeed at it. He believes that he is the right person for the job and that his influence and connections will only help the club. The new manager also speaks of gaining an inexplicable infatuation with the club and it is this that truly earns him credibility with Stanley fans.

Beattie brings with him an infectious belief. In his career he led the forward line – a scorer of important goals rather than a prolific poacher. If he can instil a team spirit that reflects his own sense of drive and shoot-for-the-stars mentality, he has every chance of emulating the great duo’s tale of impossible success.

Departing manager Richardson’s backroom team of Paul Stephenson and Paul Lodge will be there to aid Beattie on the touchline and training field. The experience of the pair will go a long way to back up the young hopeful in a job that has the potential to become very lonely. Beattie also has great support from the chairman and board which he will need to take advantage of as he looks to build a competitive side for next term.

His first task is to keep together the members of the existing squad that ensured league football for Accrington, most of whom are out of contract very soon.

Best of luck to you James, the fans are right behind you.

On, Stanley, On.