Welcome to ‘Clean
Sheet’, an inside look at the ‘Number 1’ position in World Football…
“Goalkeeper”
Well haven’t
things gotten a little bit interesting in the A-League. Having a top six in a
competition of only 10 teams does tend to favour mediocrity at times and
cheapens the consistent performers at the top of the ladder. It does however
make for great viewing and the tipping comps around the country are always thrown
into turmoil as many an upset is thrown up with only four rounds remaining in
the regular season.
After a quiet
Friday night with no A-League to be seen or heard on the airwaves, the Brisbane
Roar travelled to Hindmarsh Stadium on a sunny Saturday to help secure a top
six spot. The Roar dominated this one
with 22 goal attempts but their radar just wasn’t on song. Michael Theo notched
up his third clean sheet in as many games and is now equal with Adelaide
United’s Eugene Galekovic on seven, narrowly behind Matt Ryan and Ante Covic
who are out in front on nine for the season. Galekovic played in his 150th
A-League game, but the celebrations were a little subdued after an uninspiring
and flat performance by the Reds.
The match of the
round also doubled as a potential dress rehearsal for this seasons Grand Final,
with the Western Sydney Wanderers and their impressive band of supporters (The
RBB) making the wet trek up the F3 from Parramatta to Gosford in what was an extremely
tight affair. Ante Covic took home the goalkeeping bragging rights after Matty Ryan
looked to add a string to his keeping bow by demanding a rare spot kick. It was
not to be, as Ryan looked a bunny in Covic’s headlights and missed with a
poorly executed strike. Something tells me it might be a while before Ryan gets
a chance for spot kick redemption, although if they meet in the Grand Final you
never know what will pan out? Although a huge advocate of the poor misunderstood
keeper, I firmly believe that barring injury or substitution, your dedicated
striker must take a spot kick. It is what they do, and it’s easier to point the
blame at a striker that more often than not spends more time on hair care
product and exfoliant than getting their hands dirty.
Before shifting
my attention to the EPL, the Melbourne Victory performance against the
Newcastle Jets was nothing short of impressive. In front of their faithful
fans, the Victory dished up calorie filled US sized portion of attacking
dominance that will please manager Ange Postecoglou after a three losses on the
trot. Postecoglou will be looking to reverse
his side’s poor showing earlier in the season when they again travel to Brisbane
this weekend to take on the Roar. When they last met at Suncorp the Roar
dominated by running out 5-0 winners. I’m predicting this one will go down to
the wire with the Roar narrowly getting the chocolates and consolidating their
position.
To the EPL and
the top four looks to be settling down with in-form Tottenham cruising past
Chelsea on the ladder and beginning to look the goods for a return to European
football next season. Gareth Bale has been in white-hot form of late and sits
in third place on 16 goals for the season.
Spurs have recorded more shots on target than any other league side and
their low tally in the fouls department is also impressive.
On the clean sheet
front, Chelsea’s Petr Cech added another for his club in their win over the
Baggies. Manchester United’s keeper
David De Gea had a quiet night between the sticks after Shinji Kagawa bagged a
hat-trick on the back of some beautiful service from Wayne Rooney. De Gea will
now prepare for the Champions League second leg against Real Madrid at Old
Trafford. If his form matches the first leg at the Bernabéu then we’re in for a
salivating game. Cannot pick this one but with Real beating Barca twice in a
week, their confidence will be high. Be sure to have a bib handy for this game!
West Ham were
surprise winners away to Stoke at Britannia Stadium and the win helps them
drift slowly away from the relegation zone. Jussi Jaaskelainen continued his
fine season with the Hammers and his clean sheet has him in forth spot in the
standings with eight. However he will be tested in coming weeks against the
might of Manchester United and Chelsea. Swansea hit the ground running after
their historic win in the Capital One League Cup Final at Wembley, disposing of
a disappointing Newcastle United. The ‘Reserve’ reserve keeper for Newcastle, Rob
Elliot played in only his second EPL match for the injured Tim Krul who will
spend up to five weeks on the sideline after an ankle injury he sustained in the
Magpies Europa win over Ukrainian opponents Metalist Kharkiv.
Finally Pepe
Reina’s Liverpool dished out a football master class at the DW Stadium on the
back of a Luis Suarez hat trick. It was a difficult night for Wigan’s Ali Al
Habsi who saw his stats sheet cop a battering as his side only sits ever so
slightly above the relegation zone on goal difference. Their fate could
ultimately be decided in the last round of the season when they host Aston
Villa.
Until next week I
hope your team performs to your high expectations.
Football Quote of the week:
"That's exactly how you head a ball, with the head."
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