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EPL Round 26: Arsenal on top
by Paul O'Donnell
The league appears intent to cash in on the world wide appeal of the EPL despite many of the leading managers voicing their disapproval. For Sir Alex Ferguson the major issue is the thought that the league did this without first consulting him. Oh my, imagine that, the league didn't ask SAF what to do! 
EPL Round 25 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
Turmoil continues in Liverpool as the team slides farther into mediocrity and the fans blame their American owners instead of their highly paid under-performing team and coaching staff. With the attitude as it is right now in Liverpool they'd blame Hicks if the sun didn't come up tomorrow. If I were part of the ownership I'd say forget this, we'll invest elsewhere but Hicks & Co. are not likely to pitch in the towel just yet. Bad timing as they say with the team not up to par and the ink not yet dry on a new refinance deal.
FA Cup 4th Round and more
by Paul O'Donnell
The FA Cup takes center stage this weekend with an interesting twist of the schedule which also has Blackburn Rovers taking a trip to Aston Villa in the only EPL match until the mid-week. Can you imagine the thrill for the players of Havant & Waterlooville as they travel to one of the hallowed halls of the game to face Liverpool at Anfield? Only in the FA Cup does such spectacle and dreams become reality.
Explaining away failure
by Paul O'Donnell
"We've got a good set of players here. Whether it's good enough to win the title, I don't know, but we certainly should be doing better than the position we are in right now." (Peter Crouch in interview with the British press on Jan. 23, 2008).
The contrast with Liverpool's captain, Steven Gerrard is striking. 'Stevie G' deflects the criticism and blames the failure on the team's American owners or anyone/anything else that happens to be a convenient target. As he has done for each of the last four seasons Gerrard says everyone else is to blame for the Reds dismal record of under achievement in the league and especially when playing on their own home ground at Anfield.
Busy week in the world of soccer
by Paul O'Donnell
Both U.S. National teams were in action (along with a former Baron) this past week, the MLS SuperDraft took place, and things continue to get interesting in Europe.
EPL Round 22 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
FA Cup, League Cup and now back to the Prem. Can Spurs travel to the Bridge and challenge a depleted Chelsea and their unbeaten run of nearly four years on their home ground? Speaking of crosstown battles Fulham takes a bus ride to East London to visit West Ham in dire need of the points if there is to be survival for the Cottagers.
Those confrontations aside if I had my choice I'd be at Everton for their match with Man City as this one just could be the best of the round. The relegation zone fight between Derby and Wigan is another that will fire up the passions.
FA Cup Third Round recap
by Paul O'Donnell
The flurry of the Holiday blitz of games is history. The Barons begin their 2008 campaign with the first of their open tryout dates this weekend. And, the magic of the FA Cup enters the 3rd Round and takes center stage.
The EPL goes into a near hibernation as with only 17 games to finish the season it takes them over 5 months to get that done with the international breaks and so on. The league season goes through what seems like a period of fits and starts while other competitions dilute the talent pool, such as the African Cup of Nations. For now it is FA Cup that has the focus of the fans and for good reason.
EPL round 21 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
The 2nd game of the 2nd half of the EPL season, or Round 21 comes around this New Year's Day with many teams quickly becoming desperate such as Derby's Paul Jewell acknowledging the obvious when he said "we're just not good enough" in a post game interview after the last round. For some of these clubs we should be hearing about substantive changes being made as the 'winter transfer window' opens. One thing for certain regardless of the low key approach by most of the managers transfers are and have been in the works for some time. For many of them it's a matter of survival or not and the financial rewards for another season in the EPL are huge.
EPL round 20 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
The Cottagers have named their new manager; Roy Hodgson, who formerly was the head man at Rovers and also in Italy at Inter Milan. Good luck to Roy. He'll need it with this bunch. Fulham visits Birmingham and is in dire need of breaking their jinx on their travels. Does McBride make the roster (he had earlier suggested his target for return was the holiday period)?
Doesn't the table look just a little strange these days? Check it out; Man City, Everton, Portsmouth and Aston Villa in 5th-8th. Surely the biggest surprise there is that City is managing to hang in there in a top 6 (UEFA qualifying place, which means either the Cup or perhaps even Champions League is within their reach). No Blackburn (9th), Newcastle (11th) or what has turned out to be my worst pick from back in the summer no Spurs (I picked Spurs for 4th before the season began). And Everton seems poised to move even higher and it wouldn't be a big surprise if they did just that.
Happy Boxing Day!
by Paul O'Donnell
Better and more widely known as Boxing Day, this also marks the half way point of the EPL season. While those in the race at the top will not be facing one another this round the competition usually produces a few surprises. Somewhere in this group of games is sure to be a turning point and that applies to the top as well as the bottom teams. The result is that it is likely there will be some adjustments to the look of the table at this stage.
Christmas EPL roundup
by Paul O'Donnell
Notice that we are one match short of the half way point of the season. When the holiday blitz is over we will be several matches into the 2nd half which is what makes this time of year so pivotal. With time running out on Liverpool (actually any realistic possibility of a title challenge is already gone) can they recover and actually defeat a quality opponent on their own home ground? The Reds have played host to the other three members of the big four at Anfield and failed to win any of those games (they took only 2 points from the three games). Will the Toffees run of unbeaten matches continue as they visit Old Trafford? Don't be a bit surprised if the outcome of this one is determined by some intervention by the match officials.
EPL Winter Window Shopping
by Paul O'Donnell
With many EPL teams in dire need of help in their bid for survival (remember, managing to survive for one more season could be worth tens of millions of dollars with the recent changes to the revenue sharing mechanism) you may hear some of these names show up. One or more of them could be just the ticket to make that mission impossible come true.
Both sides of the pond (12/17)
by Paul O'Donnell
This round of competition promises to have a huge impact on the top of the table as the Big Four face off. Manchester United travels to Anfield and Chelsea visits a depleted Arsenal at The Emirates. The Gunners will be glad to end their 3 match road swing that saw their lead at the top reduced to a single point. Can United extend The Reds poor form at home or will Liverpool display their true potential as they did in successfully managing to qualify for the Champions League against the odds?
EPL round 16 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
Top of the table Arsenal plays their game in hand in the mid-week at Newcastle and under fire manager Sam Allardyce. They follow that with a visit to The Riverside where Boro manager Gareth Southgate is the bookies choice for the next manager to get the axe. Neither of the home sides are likely to mount a substantial challenge to the in-form Gunners although if either do pull that off they could save their job in the process.
United entertains bottom side Derby County and their new manager Paul Jewell while Liverpool travels to the Madjeski to face the struggling Royals.
EPL round 15 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
Arsenal visits Aston Villa to kick off a string of 3 league games in a week all on the road. The schedule has favored the Gunners to this point having played 8 of their 13 games at the friendly confines of the Emirates. Look for this run to change things a bit at the top of the table.
EPL round 13 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
Leaders Arsenal travel to the Madjeski to face the Royals of Reading on Monday who have been fighting to establish some consistency having gone 3-3-0 in their last six with alternate wins and losses. Can Reading hand the Gunners their first defeat of the season? The Royals will have to be at their very best to mount a challenge to the in form Arsenal.
Is it over for Liverpool?
by Paul O'Donnell
Yes, and here’s why, by the numbers so to speak.
When you reduce it all down to who wins and how, what matters over the long haul of the EPL season is points earned per game. The winner of the trophy is determined by the total points earned in the 38 league contests. The team that over that span of games earns the most points per contest wins. Period, end of story.
EPL round 12 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
What a setup for the weekend huh? Kicking off the action we have Man United on the road at Arsenal; 1 versus 2 in the table. Will the young Gunners hold their unbeaten record and top spot against the team playing their best? Or, will United, in their best form in years bang in another 4 spot and set a new club record for consecutive games scoring 4 or more? This should be the match of the season so far in the EPL.
EPL round 11 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
Can Liverpool actually stop Arsenal and win a game at Anfield for a change (3 draws in the league on their home turf already)? What a difference a year makes huh? Last season Liverpool made Anfield a fortress by going 14-4-1 with a +32 GD in league games on their legendary ground while this year they have won only once in front of the home fans.
The real difference maker
by Paul O'Donnell
Why and how is it that some managers actually make a difference while others at or near the top of the soccer world consistently underachieve? Why is it that some managers succeed only at dismantling their team (Graham Souness comes to mind and he's managed to do that more than once)? Wouldn't you really like to be the proverbial 'fly on the wall' at a training session led by Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger or Blackburn's Mark Hughes? I'd love it and it would shed some light on what really makes the difference. Another that might earn a place on that list is Roy Keane. I'd really like to add Greg Ryan and Bob Bradley to that list too.
EPL Round 10 recap
by Paul O'Donnell
Round 10 poses some interesting questions for many EPL sides. The answers they give on the pitch this week will be influential in the outcome, one way or another. This rounds results will likely affect the immediate future for some of them too.
Will Chelsea get back on track and produce a quality performance? How about Lampard being the new boo-bird target when he’s wearing the England shirt; will that continue in his appearances for the Blues? Can Liverpool get themselves back to the level everyone expects from them in spite of Rafa’s rotation policy or will he add to the list of his shortcomings as far as the Kop is concerned? Frankly, you’ll be surprised at what he did this week and it’s sure to earn him another round of challenging questions by the press. And of course, can Arsenal stay top despite the loss of Van Persie (5 goals already)? Will SAF’s guys continue their run and chase down the Gunners? How about Tottenham; will Jol earn his keep this week and win the first on the road for Spurs or will he ensure his early trip home with another losing effort at St James’ Park to close the round on Monday evening? Will Sammy Lee’s dismissal at Bolton make any substantive difference?
After nine (EPL roundup)
by Paul O'Donnell
So, here we are ten games into the season when the next round of play ends on the weekend of October 20. Any surprises so far for you? The "early days" frustration and inconsistent play has affected a few teams but one surprise is that no manager has been forced to turn in his badge (yet).
This break will see some truly decisive Euro 2008 games as England faces Estonia at home then travel to Moscow four days later. More importantly for EPL managers will they get their players back fit and ready to rejoin the fight for the league? Someone usually goes down during these breaks unfortunately and with the top EPL sides heavily laden with international stars its almost sure to happen to at least one team. Let’s hope that’s not the case this time out.
USA vs. Brazil: The better team won
by Paul O'Donnell
While all the pundits have their panties in a bunch over coach Greg Ryan's switch to Briana Scurry in goal replacing Hope Solo as the real clinker in Team USA's loss, the truth is there was much more to it than that. Team USA reverted to their sloppy play all over the pitch, giving the ball away far too easily with aimless passes and searching and every bit as aimless long balls. The overwhelming dependence on one player, Abby Wambach, to produce offense throughout this tournament has become a burden on the team instead of a benefit.
EPL round 7 roundup
by Paul O'Donnell
What a week in soccer huh? After all the high minded rhetoric just before the Champions League Matchday 1 games kicked off some of those dreamers with stars in their eyes have been returned dramatically to good old mother earth.
EPL round 6 roundup
by Paul O'Donnell
League play resumes with some tasty matches on the card for the weekend. A depleted Arsenal takes the short hike to White Hart Lane in the North London derby to kick off the weekend action. One way or another, this match is likely to have profound impact. Spurs have not defeated the Gunners in 8 years in league play and a loss at home at this stage could very well be Jol's last on the touchline for Spurs. It would put them a full 9 points behind Arsenal and that after a big spending spree (over $80 million) with their announced goal to break into the top four. This one should be a thrilling contest worthy of the history of the North London Derby.
After the international break
by Paul O'Donnell
With the close of play Sunday league action will not resume for Round 6 until Sept 15. Expect some changes, perhaps a manager or two will lose his job, before the competition begins again.
EPL recap: Disappointing Round 3
by Paul O'Donnell
With one-fourth of the goals coming from the penalty spot, and in three other matches the on field officials, with a heavy hand and far too frequent whistle, were center stage instead of the players. We're supposed to say 'well, its early days' and that goes for the officials too of course. Disappointing is the correct word. So disappointing in fact that the Premier League will suspend two officials for the next round games.
That said, the results in some matches would surely lift the spirits of many.
Paul's EPL recap (Round 1)
American GK Marcus Hahnemann shines for Reading
With the first ever PDL title rematch settled in penalties Laredo wins it with two saves by their keeper (Cooper) to set the stage for the net minders to shine in the EPL’s opening round. Might be a stretch, but you get the idea. Same weekend and the same theme would produce some thrilling moments in the EPL too.
Especially for Reading’s American keeper Marcus Hahnemann and the Royals stalwart performance at the theater of dreams. Plus, Fulham’s Tony Warner produced the match of his career only to see it go down the drain in the final 7 minutes at The Emirates.
Moments in time
by Paul O'Donnell
As fans of soccer come to realize there are often single moments during a match which contribute to the outcome out of all proportion to the rest of the 90 minutes. There are often plays which turn the game in favor of one side over their opponents. Sometimes those plays, those individual moments of brilliance, are soon forgotten and their contribution to the outcome pass into the ether.
PDL playoff picture: 2 weeks left
by Paul O'Donnell
On Sunday, July 22, the PDL’s regular season will be over and 16 of the 63 teams will engage in their respective conference playoffs leading to the championship match. The format this year has the top two teams from each division appearing in the conference semifinals. The division winners will face the second place side in the other division of each conference in the semifinal round. The winners then face off for their conference titles and a berth in the PDL’s final four.
So who is ’locked in’ or looks to have the inside track?
European roundup
by Paul O'Donnell
Ok, yes, West Ham WON another season in the EPL. And you know what, they did it on the pitch whether Tevez should have been allowed to play or not. Yes, they were gifted 3 points by the on field official’s poor decisions in that match with Rovers. However, they went on from there and EARNED another season. Distinctly different from the Blades of Sheffield United who are leading a legal challenge against West Ham trying to win in court what they failed to earn on the pitch.
EPL 2006/07 Review
by Paul O'Donnell
Manchester United wins the EPL title for the 9th time. A wonderfully balanced team that opened the season in stride and never looked back. Cristiano Ronaldo proved his worth winning several individual honors putting his name in the running for the best player in Europe as well.
What a shame for Sheffield United...and the game
by Paul O'Donnell
You may have read my rant about this one back in March and now you can understand more clearly why I was so upset over what had happened. Several teams in the EPL are now backing a legal challenge regarding the huge fine imposed on West Ham versus a point penalty which would obviously change the fate of at least one team. Had the on field officials not botched it on the pitch that day none of this would be happening. The unfortunate thing about what is happening now is that the real source of the fuss is being shrouded in a cloud of smoke and bellicose rhetoric.
A deserved title for SAF
by Paul O'Donnell
Arsenal 1:1 Chelsea. The draw settles the issue; Man United are champions.
Since I’m not a fan of the Red Devils I’ve been backing Chelsea’s Blues to cut the gap at the top in hopes of seeing the match at Stamford Bridge be the deciding game. Its not going to be that way. Sir Alex Furguson (SAF) has won it with two games to spare and quite simply his team has been the best of the bunch all season long. When they did sputter Chelsea failed to take advantage and this weekend was another example.
Play It Again Sam
by Paul O'Donnell
 Champions step up when the season is on the line. This weekend neither Man United or Chelsea did that.
Jose Mourinho’s Blues held the cards in their own hand and knew precisely what they needed to do on Sunday; go out and win a match at St James’ Park. A win would close the deficit to Man United to a single point as United had been held to a 1-1 draw with Boro on Saturday. Instead of grasping the ring the Blues produced a tentative performance failing to take their chances and were held to scoreless draw by the Magpies.
Are you ready?
by Paul O'Donnell
With only a month to go before the new season kicks off the Barons staff is hard at work putting the finishing touches on the new look team. The MLS season kicked off with the Colorado Rapids winning their first ever season opener at their brand new facility. The Rapids had been 0-9-2 on opening day over the previous 11 seasons. Plus we're only a week away from the USL Div I season getting out of the blocks despite the turmoil of the shutdown of the Virginia Beach Mariners.
USMNT friendlies: What did we learn?
by Paul O'Donnell
Most of the press about the USMNT at this stage still revolves around the "interim" tag still hanging around Bob Bradley’s neck. This needs to be said; Bradley knows the young American players better than any man walking the face of the earth today. He has worked with them at U20, U23 and younger too. He knows who they are and what they can contribute better than anyone and surely better than any ’big name’ international that you may have been reading about. However, the real meaningful news about the team is the lack of progress by some of those we have been told are the real keys to the future success of the squad.
Changes MUST be on the way... justice demands it
by Paul O'Donnell
Expect some changes to hit the pitch before a ball is kicked in August. Far too many goals from the spot and worse, too many bad decisions on goals given and not given. There will be changes. If you watched the Blackburn-West Ham match whether you’re a fan of Rovers or not, you know it just has to happen. (WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MATCH HERE)
Yes, Rovers wasted some really good chances in the match that made the horrifying end a possibility. In the end, the injustice of the result surely must leave a bad taste in your mouth even if you are a fan of Curbishley and the Hammers. Credit to Curbishely for stating it straight up in the post match press conference but, the result stands of course because the FA will never correct such a case and never has. They’d rather allow the obvious failure to get the call correct stand forever than they would correct it.
The Best Of Overseas
by Paul O'Donnell
What’s the real race in England? And I don’t mean (Real) Madrid trying to get Ronaldo. I’m talking about the Championship or what many still think of as the 1st Division.
With the EPL race all but over the season has become a waltz to another title for SAF and the American carpetbaggers that took over Man United (the Glazers). Remember all the big crocodile tears and the whaling about the impending fall from grace when that happened? Sometimes the safest bet is to laugh at the so-called "experts" and prognosticators.
EPL Round 24 Review
by Paul O'Donnell
It can’t get any better than Chelsea visiting Anfield for the Saturday lunchtime match and Arsenal entertaining leaders Man United for their first ever visit to the Emirates (Sunday) which means the challengers really do have an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table. Will they? Can they?
Well, their both in the best form of the season at this stage which means for them these games couldn’t come at a better time. Over the last 8 Liverpool have scored 20 goals and conceded only 1 in EPL contests. At the same time Arsenal have been playing at their very best with Henry back to being himself after his injury layoff. These contests could not come at a more favorable time for the 3rd and 4th placed teams.
EPL Round 23 Review
by Paul O'Donnell
League play resumes today (Jan 13) with some really intriguing confrontations on tap. In light of what transpired over the very short "break" for other competitions the most compelling was probably Liverpool's dropping two games in four days conceding 9 goals to Arsenal on their own home ground knocking them out of both the FA and the Carling Cups. They didn't just lose they were taken apart which was very surprising since their play had begun to look better than on form having won 5 of 6 in the league scoring 13 goals and conceding only 1 over that stretch. Perhaps even more damaging to Liverpool's future they lost both Garcia and Gonzalez to injury in that 2nd loss to the Gunners who have notched 3 consecutive wins over the Reds scoring 12 goals to Liverpool's 4. Resuming league play Liverpool visits Watford in a match where they must get back in stride.
EPL Round 21 & 22 Review
by Paul O'Donnell
Some questions facing teams that fancy themselves potential challengers (for Champions League spots since none are likely to catch either Chelsea or ManU): Can Liverpool really step up? Is Tottenham capable of "the next level"? The questions really ask if either team can consistently challenge for the points on the road. These two rounds have teams among the top six playing one another in games that will answer those questions.
EPL Round 20 Review
by Paul O'Donnell
Theories abound as to where the day’s label comes from but one thing is certain; it usually produces some meaningful soccer games and this year’s rendition was no exception to that general rule. Keep in mind that when this crunch of games is over we will already be 3 games past half way as Boxing Day represents the first round of the second half of the season.
EPL Round 19 Review
by Paul O'Donnell
Kicking off the busy holiday period the round produced the same number of goals as those of Round 17 (32) despite 7 teams failing to find the net. Yet another demonstration of why we see Man United and Chelsea leading the way in this round that marks the halfway point of the season. With Boxing Day’s revelry looming on Tuesday what should be the best match of the day will see a resurgent Newcastle visiting the Reebok with a chance to break into the top 10. As usually happens the crush of games (most EPL sides will play 4) during these ten days will be pivotal up and down the table.
EPL Round 18 Review
by Paul O'Donnell
Will the goal production of Round 17 continue (32 goals in the ten games; the highest of the season) or will this rounds games revert back to the low scoring affairs that have been the mark of the EPL season so far? In case you didn’t realize it, the EPL has been the lowest scoring of all the big pro leagues in Europe this year. Chances are this round will see many fewer goals than the last round where we saw 6 of the 10 games produce a total of four goals or more. While the holiday period produces some thrilling and very entertaining games year after year, they also tend to be low scoring affairs. The three rounds of games centered on those of New Year’s typically produce the fewest goals of the other rounds of the season.
EPL Round 17 Review
By Paul O'Donnell
The EPL elite must have read the report showing they are the lowest scoring of all of Europe’s top pro leagues. The result: an explosion of goals that even had Liverpool putting 4 in the net for the second match in a row after averaging 1 goal per game in the first 15. The 8 matches on Saturday produced 26 goals (3.25 goals per game) far above the season average for the league as a whole which was well under 3 before the weekend.
EPL Round 14 Midweek Review
By Paul O'Donnell (Updated 11/31/06)
While you were at work or doing some shopping after the Black Friday kickoff weekend teams in the EPL were busy with a hefty slate of mid-week matches. The significance of some of them are worthy of note.
English Premier League Week 11 Review
By Paul O'Donnell
While Allan Pardew won’t say it out loud I’m sure, the victory over Arsenal was sweet. Very sweet. Especially since it came only two days after Wenger stated to the press that “home grown players (British) just weren’t good enough” to play a role for the Gunners. Snatching the win late (Harewood’s winner came in the 88th) by one of those British guys that isn’t good enough surely added to the value of those 3 points taken from Arsenal. Well done. Having to swallow his own words must have left a very bad taste in Wenger’s mouth as it wasn’t long after the goal that a pushing and shoving match started between him and Pardew and the customary handshake at the conclusion of the match never happened. Just for the record that team that is too good for homegrown players ended a week where they weren’t good enough to beat Everton or CSKA at home and lost to West Ham. Bravo West Ham
Euro Mess
By Paul O'Donnell
You'd think the sky really has fallen to hear all the shouts and wailing over England's dour performance and 2-0 loss to Croatia. Unfortunately for Paul Robinson, the Lions #1 and Tottenham's fine keeper, he's taking more than his share of the blame for the mini-disaster.
Barons P.D.L. in College
By Paul O'Donnell
Don't look now but the college season is nearly half over for most teams and Ocean City Barons players from the 2006 season are making their contributions count again this year.
The International Break
By Paul O'Donnell
The new EPL season has been less than riveting for the most part, and a terrible disappointment for many at this stage. The promoted sides have demonstrated the energy and will to succeed that many of the established teams, such as Tottenham, have been unable to muster. That has been the lesson of the early days at this stage.
EPL Review - Round 5
By Paul O'Donnell
On a weekend where we see top flight matchups that make you say you can't wait for kickoff, the play on the pitch didn't quite measure up. Come to think of it, it rarely does in these face offs that are hyped beyond the pale and this weekend was no exception.
EPL Action - Round 4
By Paul O'Donnell
Spurs less than energetic play and lack of scoring punch saw them shutout for the 3rd time in their first four games, this time at Old Trafford 1-0 with Ryan Giggs netting the winner. While they have never won an EPL match there I was disappointed to see their lack of urgency and overall very “soft” approach to this match.
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