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Stakesy’s Picks for Round 4 Thursday 27th August 2009
Round 4 is just around the corner, but already the Premiership has thrown up many surprises. Everton are doing a great impression of Spur’s start to the season last time out, along with Burnley looking like the new Hull City. (they will be hoping for much better performances after Christmas though!)
Burnley have far and away been the most surprising threat so far however I reckon they will have met their match when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. At home they seem to have some aura, however I feel away form will severely let them down this season, which is why I have 3 Chelsea players at the back.
I selected Petr Cech as my last line of defence. The big man has an impressive record between the sticks, even after THAT head injury. Best keeper in the league? Probably not, but he has a better chance of keeping a clean sheet this round than some other contenders.
Backing up my shout for a Chelsea clean sheet are John Terry and Ashley Cole. Terry ain’t cheap, but my word, he is worth it! Probably the first name on the team sheet and nearly always plays the full 90, there are some appearance points straight off. For a player who started off as a central midfielder he sure has made the transition to the back line a smooth and successful one. I wonder if he gives his older brother Paul at Grays Athletic any tips?
Ashley Cole, or more fondly known as “Cashley” among the Emirates faithful, is young, quick and highly experienced. There is always a chance of him nicking some assist or goal points, as his surging runs up the wing allow him to provide a real attacking threat. Burnley will struggle to contain him and if you are still looking for a reason to put him in your team, maybe he will introduce you to Cheryl one day!
Now I can’t go through this selection over looking Monday nights result. Liverpool’s 31 Premier League games unbeaten home run ended by Villa. The last time The Villains got one over of The Reds at Anfield was in 2001. The score you ask? 3-1 ... spooky!
With Villa finding their form I’ve gone for a couple of their boys to complete my defensive options. Firstly big Curtis Davies, released by Wimbledon as a youth and applied to every team in the London area in the hope to get back to playing what he knows best. Saved by Luton Town, he now finds himself in Birmingham and has developed into a quality centre back. He will battle through anything, playing with a dodgy shoulder which could “pop-out” at any given time, regularly for the whole 90 minutes.
Joining CD at the back is Habib Beye, a cheeky capture from relegated Newcastle a day after Hull City announced that they had signed him. He has already had a better start to this season, after getting sent off after just 12 minutes in his first outing of the 2008-2009 campaign! Setting you back just £5.5m, how can you resist?
Everton, Everton, Everton, what has happened? All that promise after last season and now sitting in the basement of the league. Well that’s all about to change. The Toffees are at home to Wigan on Sunday and they will be eager to make up for the shocking start they have had. Tim Cahill will lead the charge with his ability to create and score goals, making him a huge threat to any defence. He found the net 8 times last season and provided 3 assists in the league. Expect to see more than that from him this season. Everton’s fight back starts this weekend!
Harry has managed to work a miracle down at White Hart Lane. Compare Spurs now to how they were this time last year and the differences are staggering. They site top of the league, with a goal scoring average of 3 per game. Tom Huddlestone is a rock for them in midfield. His superb passing and strong tackling allow him to boss the centre of the park and gives the team a foundation to build on. Likened to the great Glen Hoddle, the future is bright for this young star. He even found the net midweek in the Carling Cup. An absolute bargain I’ll think you’ll find at £5.9m.
Liverpool were humbled at home on Monday, however they have a perfect opportunity to bounce right back this weekend away at unpredictable Bolton. Dirk Kuyt is a work horse for the Merseyside team, providing both goals and assists. Last season he managed to grab 12 goals and claim 6 assists. Expect the same or perhaps even more from the Dutchman this year.
Manchester United got back to winning ways it spectacular style against Wigan with a thumping victory. However, this weekend things won’t be quite so easy. At home to Arsenal and Fergie is likely to call on Ji-Sung Park. He seems to always play in the big game clashes as his endless fitness and work load make it difficult for the opposition to catch their breaths. Look out for him working his way down the left and there is a great chance of some assist and goal points from the South Korean wonder.
Man City will be looking forward to their away tie at poor old Portsmouth and the fans will be expecting to see a flurry of goals. New signing Tevez is likely to start and should bag himself a brace as the Eastland Big Spenders look to dominate this season. Lescott may well be worth a shout as well having now completed his move from Everton.
What a start it has been for little Jermain Defoe. Four goals already and the striker looks to be on top form and ready to score more. He only managed to hit the net 8 times last season in the league, so it looks like this season will be a fruitful one for the English front man. With Spurs at home to Birmingham, Defoe will be licking his lips at the opportunity. A hat trick on the cards perhaps?
I’m personally looking for a much better performance as my team last week scored just 53 points. If only I had gone with Gallas instead of Sagna I would be looking at 60 points and a place in the money!
Good luck to you all!
Stakesy


