EPL, England, Features, Ian John, Leagues, Regions POSTS

5 Burning Questions in the EPL…

Published by Ian John on January 17, 2011

1. If Manchester United are not the force they once were, how come they are still unbeaten?
By all accounts, Manchester United are not as strong as they have been in previous seasons. They seem fallible and yet, they remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season. Tottenham were the latest to try and fail to beat United at White Hart Lane on Sunday. The truth is, I feel, United may lack the attacking flair and power that they have had in previous years, but this may be just about the most well organised defensive United team in many a year. They may not be the flowing football team of a couple of years ago, but they are incredibly tough to play against and very difficult to beat.

2. Why can’t Liverpool defend?
Any time Everton put a high ball into and around the Liverpool penalty box during the 2-2 derby draw on Sunday, it caused the home side untold panic. Given that Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Sotiris Kyrgiakos are no strangers to heading the ball and that both full backs are on the positive side of six feet tall, can anyone at Liverpool explain this current level of ineptitude as regards heading the ball? Almost every meaningful Everton attack and the two goals came from players winning headers against Liverpool defenders that perhaps they should not have done and this is not the first time this has happened this season.

3. Why such animosity between Birmingham and Aston Villa fans?
A very enjoyable 1-1 draw at St Andrews, with plenty of chances for both sides to win the game was once again overshadowed by the threat of fan violence that marred their cup clash earlier in the season. The massive police presence at the game was notable at the end when there seemed to be more police dotted around the periphery of the pitch than fans. Why the animosity? I understand rivalry, but since when has the fashion been for this to turn into genuine hatred? It is not just in Birmingham either, in Liverpool, Manchester, the North East and London this trend is being repeated. Why?

4. Who is going down this year?
Liverpool are not out of it, neither are Everton. Aston Villa are deep in it and so are Birmingham. Wolves, Wigan and West Ham are most peoples favourites and Blackpool will be looking over their shoulder. West Brom, Newcastle and even Sunderland won’t feel secure just yet. The big relegation lottery is still rolling and it seems other than the top five sides fighting for the Champions League spots, just who goes down could be the talking point of the entire season. A very close Premier League means not only are more teams in danger of the drop, but more teams who for whom relegation is unthinkable are now having to consider that a very real possibility.

5. Who will be next to go?
Avram Grant is as good as gone, so who will be next out the door? Mick McCarthy looks safe despite Wolves struggles, so what about Alex McLeish at Birmingham? Mark Hughes at Fulham? Roberto Martinez at Wigan? Whisper it quietly… Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea? Who is your money on?

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