COUNTERFOOTBALL: 2018-19 SEASON
Through periods of the 2018-19 football season, I produced articles for CounterFootball, someone else's blog site.
I am available for paid writing work.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF MARKO ARNAUTOVIC
8th May 2019
Marko Arnautovic is Back.
Or at least, that’s what a section of West Ham United fans think.
Following impressive showings against Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton, some of the East London faithful are licking their lips at the prospect of ‘Arnie’ reverting back to his lethal form next season, but are they clutching at straws? Should two above average performances excuse the complete lack of form since early January, when there was concrete interest in his signature from the wealthy clubs in the Chinese Super League?
Of course, there is no underlining problem with a footballer considering a move for financial reasons. It perhaps signals a lack of ambition, something which the Austrian previously blasted his former club Stoke for ...
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FELIPE ANDERSON AND CHICHARITO: ABOUT TIME?
6th November 2018
After a tough start to life at West Ham, the jury is definitely out on what was originally hailed as an ‘Exciting attacking signing’
Some fans wrote him off quickly, some still believe he can come good, while some think it’s just a case of the management not utilising him correctly.
I am talking about Javier Hernandez.
Oh, and Felipe Anderson.
PELLEGRINI'S WEST HAM: SO NEAR, YET SO FAR
22nd October 2018
On Saturday, Tottenham inflicted a sixth defeat of the season on West Ham. Sixth.
Six defeats from nine matches. That's equivalent to two thirds. A 66% loss rate.
Now for any team, whether expecting to face the drop, crack the top ten or push for Europe, that is an alarming loss rate.
Pessimistic West Ham fans will say they’re not surprised, ambitious fans will be calling this season a disaster already (With the team sitting ten points off sixth place), while realists will have seen the first nine games for exactly what they are, the beginning of a huge transition period.
WEST HAM VS SPURS PREVIEW
19th October 2018
Following the international break, Mauricio Pochettino will look to guide his team to winning ways against a team he has recently struggled against.
After going into the break with a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Brighton, West Ham will hope to, this Saturday, regain the impressive form that saw them pick up seven points from games against Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Despite the manner of defeat on the south coast, Manuel Pellegrini can take hope in West Ham’s recent form against Spurs, picking up two home wins in the past three years, coupled with a point and a dramatic cup victory at Wembley last season.
WEST HAM VS MANCHESTER UNITED PREVIEW
28th September 2018
West Ham United will look to turn up the heat even more on Manchester United tomorrow, when they host a Red Devils side facing internal conflict between their manager and their most expensive player.
The rift between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho has taken centre stage following some interesting footage from the training ground on Wednesday but it goes without saying that there is concern surrounding Manchester United’s results too: a draw against Wolves last weekend was followed by a hugely disappointing exit from The Carabao Cup on Tuesday against Championship side Derby. Add this to long-standing criticism over Mourinho’s style of play, and The Portuguese is certainly in the hot seat.
Manuel Pellegrini and his men have every right to be confident that they can further make life tough for Jose Mourinho; they held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw last weekend before hammering Macclesfield by eight goals in the cup in the midweek. It also appears Marko Arnautovic will be able to play, which is a huge boost for the side who currently sit 17th in the table.
WEST HAM 0 - 0 CHELSEA: FOUR TALKING POINTS FOR THE HAMMERS
23rd September 2018
West Ham halted Chelsea’s perfect Premier League start with a solid defensive display. What was there to say in regards to the home side?
A solid point, a solid partnership -
West Ham continued their defensive improvement with a stable performance against Chelsea. After conceding nine goals in the first three league games, Pellegrini has since persevered with the centre-back pairing of Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena, and the decision appears to be working, The Hammers only conceding two goals in the last three games.
After shaky starts, both of the centre-backs are adapting to pace of this league, on and off the ball.
If both can continue their solid form, which doesn’t really top a clean sheet against the league leaders, then the £24,500,000 spent on them won’t even raise eyebrows.
PREMIER LEAGUE 2018-19: A TEAM-BY-TEAM ROUND-UP
21st September 2018
The Premier League has been back for over a month, and as always, it seems to have snuck up on all of us. The World Cup seems like an age ago although it hasn’t been that at all. Five games have passed already, and even those with the best of memories won’t have remembered every detail so far. This article will briefly recap how every team has begun their campaign.
Arsenal - While Arsenal haven’t been entirely convincing yet, they have avoided any early banana skins and are slowly stabling the ship which Unai Emery is aiming to spearhead into a new and successful era. An opening weekend loss at home to Manchester City was followed by a 3-2 loss to Chelsea and a fortunate 3-1 win over West Ham at The Emirates. An entertaining game in Wales saw them beat Cardiff 3-2 before a late consolation goal from Ciaran Clark perhaps took the shine off of what was a routine win for The Gunners at Newcastle.
WEST HAM VS EVERTON PREVIEW
14th September 2018
An injury-depleted Everton will look to really get life under Marco Silva flying this Sunday as they host West Ham, who also find themselves in a frustrating position.
While still unbeaten, Everton arguably could have got more than three points from their games against Bournemouth, Wolves and Huddersfield. As for West Ham, any point at all would be welcome, as they have lost every league game so far, and haven’t looked at all convincing despite spending over 100 million pounds in the summer.
West Ham haven’t had much success at Goodison Park recently, a 3-2 win in March 2016 their only one at the venue in the past ten attempts. However, Pellegrini’s men won’t have to deal with several of Everton’s strongest players, The Toffees suffering a suspension and injury crisis.
Everton Team News:
Deadline Day signing Andre Gomes is set for a lengthy spell on the side-lines, with fellow last-minute arrivals Yerry Mina and Bernard are also still unavailable. Seamus Coleman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin picked up injuries during the international break, meaning they’ll join Michael Keane, Phil Jagielka, James McCarthy and Idrissa Gueye in the treatment room.
ENGLAND 1 – 2 SPAIN: A DISAPPOINTING NIGHT FOR THE LIONS
8th September 2018
Luis Enrique’s stint in charge of Spain got off to a winning start despite late drama, in which a Danny Welbeck equaliser was ruled out.
Gareth Southgate’s men took an early lead when Marcus Rashford beat David De Gea from close-range following a delightful through ball.
The lead didn’t last long though, as Saul Niguez equalised just two minutes later, with Rodrigo’s volleyed finish later on in the half eventually winning the game for Spain.
The result sees Spain go top of Nations League A4, while England fall into the sole relegation spot.
The first real chance of the game resulted in a goal, and came only 11 minutes in. Jordan Henderson took the ball past three players in the middle, before giving it to Harry Kane. The captain turned and found an onrushing Luke Shaw, who took it forward and slipped a precise ball to Marcus Rashford, with the young forward poking it past his club team-mate David De Gea to give England their first ever goal in The Nations League, and get his fourth for the country.
DOES MANUEL PELLEGRINI KNOW HIS BEST TEAM?
2nd September 2018
Manuel Pellegrini is undoubtedly in the hot seat after West Ham’s dreadful start to the season.
With four losses from four games, and only one goal from open play, the West Ham faithful have already began their annual and inevitable blame game.
But rather than faulty individuals, could the problem merely be a lack of chemistry and cohesion?
The improvement in depth means no player should slip into complacency, so are fans fair to make the case that Pellegrini should have found his best team by now?
OBSERVATIONS FOLLOWING PELLEGRINI'S FIRST TWO GAMES IN CHARGE
18th August 2018
Manuel Pellegrini’s stint in charge of West Ham is off to the worst possible start. His team will finish this weekend in the relegation zone. after two woeful losses against Liverpool and Bournemouth.
But apart from the obvious ‘West Ham haven’t been very good’, what else can be noted when analysing their first two games of the season?
Things are going to take time - Once again, a small section of fans came into this season expecting big things, and instantly. Even as a young fan, I have seen it before with West Ham.
Expectations are high and the outcome is the opposite. With the new signings and Arthur Masuaku aside, none of the West Ham team are suited to tippy-tappy football. Imagine driving a manual when you have only learned automatic. Or think of the phrase ‘Old dog new tricks’.
With no disrespect, I can only imagine uneducated football fans seeing a positive and easy start to life at West Ham for Pellegrini. Endless work on the training ground and match experience will be needed before the style of play Pellegrini wants is achieved. Fans need to be patient.
There is a high chance that West Ham will eventually be playing attractive football and picking up results to match, but these things don’t happen overnight.
WEST HAM VS BOURNEMOUTH PREVIEW
17th August 2018
Tomorrow, The Hammers host The Cherries in the first league game at The London Stadium this season.
The two teams made indifferent starts last weekend. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth comfortably dispatched league new-boys Cardiff with two unanswered goals, while West Ham were brushed aside 4-0 by a strong looking Liverpool side.
Multiple West Ham players are now under question, and will undoubtedly raise their performance in front of an expectant home crowd, but Bournemouth can be buoyed on by the fact that Pellegrini’s ideas will take time to be implemented and by the momentum they have.
Team News and Expected Lineups - West Ham have no new injury concerns ahead of the game, with Aaron Cresswell and Marko Arnautovic confirmed fit by Manuel Pellegrini.
LIVERPOOL VS WEST HAM PREVIEW
10th August 2018
This Sunday, West Ham travel to Anfield to begin their 2018-19 Premier League campaign
With both teams strengthening well over the summer, expectations are high and new signings will be keen to make a good start, while regular players will hope to keep their places over them.
West Ham fans will be eager to see a push for the top six, while Liverpool fans wouldn’t be mad to expect silverware on at least one front this season.
This is definitely one of the more mouth watering fixtures of the weekend, with two highly rated managers and sets of players facing off in front of the ever passionate Anfield faithful.
The odds will understandably be in Liverpool’s favour, especially now that they have strengthened between the sticks and in the middle of the park.
However, don’t count out West Ham, who have considerable firepower themselves after spending over 50 million on Lucas Perez, Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson, and as recently as three seasons ago, beat Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in their opening three away games.
PREDICTING THE 2018-19 PREMIER LEAGUE
7th-9th August 2018 (Three-part article)
Hello, and welcome back to my predictions for this seasons Premier League.
6) Arsenal
Unai Emery has walked into a mess. The only thing he has good is his strikers, and if anything, there is a dilemma itself in trying to fit them both in. They’re relying on new signings to strengthen their weaknesses, and the signings just won’t cut it in my opinion. One has to ask why Leno never moved to any of the bigger clubs he was linked with, Sokratis has regressed and Lichsteiner may not even start. Lucas Torreira has looked promising, but this easily the biggest challenge he’ll face in his young career.
Arsenal have done okay given the small budget, but Emery has a hell of a challenge on his hands, and Arsenal fans need to be patient. I just cannot see them climbing the table again this season, but I still think Emery will win over fans with his mentality, fresh approach and some cup runs.
5) Manchester United
STARS FOR THE FUTURE? WEST HAM U18S VISIT NON-LEAGUE’S HARLOW
4th August 2018
On Wednesday night, my local football team, Harlow Town FC, played host to a West Ham XI, managed by former West Ham player Jack Collison.
To find out what happened in the game, have a read of my match report at http://www.harlowtownfootballclub.co.uk/teams/86425/match-centre/0-4026126
So, how did the young Hammers get on, and should the fans be excited by any of them?
Daniel Jinadu – 7
Was quite shaky early on with a few spilled shots, one which Timothy Obisanya of Harlow should have profited on. However, he redeemed himself later on with a brilliant outstretching save at a set piece and some confident cross interceptions.
RB – Jeremy Ngakia – 8
Going online and finding out Ngakia has claimed that he “[Doesn’t] feel like [he’s] discovered [his] best position yet” does not surprise me one bit. Was impressive all night with some silky footwork and testing crosses, but looked just as comfortable when defending as well.
WHY WEST HAM FANS CAN GET EXCITED
31st July 2018
Although that brilliant Farewell Boleyn season only ended 26 months ago, the majority of Hammers fans will tell you it seems much longer ago.
From that period onwards, things have been miserable. A lack of firepower saw us struggle two terms ago, while last season’s failures came due to all sorts of reasons. But now, West Ham have every chance of climbing the table again. But why?
Manuel Pellegrini - In the Chilean, West Ham have a manager with proven consistency. With title wins in the form of the Clausura 2003 (River Plate), 2013-14 Premier League (Manchester City) and a ‘failed’ stint at Real Madrid, one may feel in their rights to question how he will perform with a ‘lesser’ club like West Ham. This is where you look at his time in charge of Villareal and Malaga.
With the former, Pellegrini finished 3rd in his first season in charge, which was an improvement on 8th the season before. 7th place, 5th and 2nd followed. Couple that with runs to the last four and eight of the Champions League, it becomes clear that Pellegrini has the ability to take a club up a level.
His stint at Malaga provides a similar story. In November 2010, Malaga hired him while in the relegation zone, and a dramatic upheaval began. Pellegrini steered the ‘down and out’ team to 11th. The season after, they finished 4th. The 2012-13 saw a drop down to 6th, but Pellegrini took Malaga all the way to the last eight of Europe’s elite, and it should’ve been further.
Pellegrini has never finished outside of the top seven in any full season he has had in charge. While this could be difficult to maintain with West Ham, his attacking style of play should at least excite the fans and give them the entertainment they have been missing out on lately.