Entertaining Soccer Is Not the Same Thing As Quality Soccer

The first BFS derby of the season is in the books and the winner is...Mother Nature.  The monsoons came to Tyneside, turning St. James Park into a quagmire.  Newcastle had more chances and more possession but Aston Villa made their one shot count.  The Magpies had pretty much owned the first half and had a 1-0 lead to show for it.  Siem deJong should have made it 2-0 but couldn't get the relatively easy header on target.  AVL grew into the game and were definitely the stronger side in the second half.  Jordan Ayew's goal was hardly a surprise (and damn it, is this week's YouTubeable Moment) and frankly it was Newcastle that hung on for the draw.  The weather made it somewhat fun to watch and it was a tight game but we should clearly not confuse entertaining soccer with quality soccer.  Dennis, you see anything different?

Not really.  Overall, I think the draw was the fairest result, but Newcastle easily could have put this game away multiple times.  I didn't think the Villans were really ever going to win, but maybe we are both just showing how pessimistic we are about our teams.  Jordan Ayew has now shown several flashes of brilliance, but a handful of lightning strikes are not quite going to get the job done.

Newcastle midfielder Siem de Jong (centre) sees his header bounce just wide of the post during wet weather conditions in the north east

Clearly the more important news is the questionable refereeing from our BFS readers as evidenced by last week's poll results - the final tally showed only a slight majority declaring foul play.  I gotta say I found the results surprising.  Even trying to factor in my clear bias for one team, I truly thought this was an obvious foul.  Maybe a key distinction is that I thought this was a foul by the established refereeing standards in the EPL and those disagreeing actually disagree with those standards and think the game should be allowed to be more physical.  Or maybe I am just getting soft and/or going blind.  In any case, it reinforces the notion that refereeing is closer to an art than a science.

Sack Race

I realize the departure of BFS favorite Jose Mourinho went unmentioned last week.  It was like watching a five-month long car wreck that started on opening day when The Special One went ballistic on the team physio for going out on the pitch to treat Eden Hazard (details here).  Maybe fitting that you knew Mourinho was done when Hazard went off with an injury in the match with Leicester; seemed like neither had much regard for the other and the announcement wasn't too long after the incident.

With Mourinho gone, we can now turn our full attention to Louis van Gone Gaal, who at last look is 1/10 to be the next manager shown the door; Alex Neil of Norwich, at 12/1 is a distant second.  Sure, Man United is still in fifth (tied with Spurs on points but behind in goal differential) but nobody seems happy with him.   He might not make it to New Year's Day.  For those keeping score at home, five EPL managers have been sacked since opening day.


Around the League

This being December in England, every match was played in something between a steady drizzle and intermittent squalls.  Dennis took Everton-Leicester while I watched Southampton-Tottenham.  He got the better viewing.  Spurs fans had to be happy with the 2-0 win over the Saints but other than the first 25 minutes (during which Southampton did everything but score) and the three minutes right before halftime (when Tottenham scored two nice looking goals), it wasn't all that great to watch.  As to the action in Liverpool, Dennis adds:

My first thought when tuning is was that I really hoped this game was not decided by the weather.  The first 20ish minutes were a little slow to develop and had bouts of sloppy play that made me fear for a 1-0 contest decided by some rain-aided fluke.  Instead, I got to add another tally to the long list of thrilling Leicester contests.  The Foxes twice took the lead on, what I feel, were deserved PKs and notched a third on some lazy Everton defending.  Everton managed two separate nice offensive moves that didn't immediately result in goals, but some failed clearances from Leicester and some perseverance by Everton finally got the ball in net both times.  The second came with just 2 minutes left to add some tension, but Leicester easily hung on to ensure they would be top of the table at Christmas. 

Watford-Liverpool was fun to watch as the wacky season continues.  The Hornets 3-0 win moved them into seventh, just one point out of fourth.  Swansea-West Ham, played in a gale in Wales, was a dreadful 0-0 draw.  And what's with putting the best match of the week on Monday?  Hard to view it in one piece between work and basketball.  It was a 2-1 win for Arsenal but it didn't really seem that close. Luke P might be happy that Giroud scored a goal against one of the top sides.


Talking Pardew

So I have this new car for work and it has a trial subscription to Sirius satellite radio, which means I get some Football Channel listening.  I can only take it in fifteen minute chunks before I've had enough or they move onto talk about Serie A or something like that.  But one day this week, the topic was Alan Pardew, fresh off Crystal Palace's 2-1 away win at Stoke on a goal in the 88th minute.  The gist of the discussion was that in retrospect, given how badly the Magpies have fared since his departure, it's becoming clear that Pardew did pretty well in Newcastle with the cards he was dealt.  One guy used the phrase "worked miracles."  Don't know if I'd go that far but the trend was pretty obvious.  Pardew would have the team playing well up to the January transfer window, they'd lose a key player and/or fail to address developing needs, and sink back down the table in the second half.  These guys were talking like he might be the next England Manager.


Boxing Day and the 12 15 Days of Christmas

Not quite as fun with Boxing Day falling on a Saturday, the usual game day, but still a hoot nonetheless.  But then everybody has to turn around quickly for matches Monday-Wednesday, then again for Saturday/Sunday.  So we'll make it four games for everybody between 12/19 and 1/4.  Did I say I hate Monday matches?  I meant unless I had the day off.  Can't wait to watch me some weekday soccer. We'll have our exclusive BFS holiday ratings (outlined here) the first week in January.

Too many matches to review the schedule in detail.  My Newcastle side faces Everton at St. James' Park then travels to the Midlands to face West Brom. This is test of how tough the relegation battle is going to be.  I suppose two points wouldn't be a disaster but really, anything less than three points total means it's going to be a long winter/spring.  Aston Villa get West Ham at home then travel to Norwich.  Unfortunately for the Villans, the relegation battle already seems assured but the Canaries have been vulnerable.

Can't say the other fixtures offer the greatest matchups.  Definitely make time for Leicester hosting Man City on Tuesday at 2:45 pm on NBCSN.  For those who like watching car crashes, you might want to check out the Man United matches - Saturday morning at 7:45 away at Stoke (NBCSN) and home to Chelsea Monday at 12:30, also on NBCSN.  It's possible that anything less than two wins for the Red Devils is the end for van Gaal.

Here's hoping you don't find a lump of coal in your side's stockings...unless of course, you're playing against my side. 

 


 

Transitions

The boss put me in charge this week, which means I get to do whatever I want.  And that means forcing you all to watch a clip of Aston Villa - something nobody should be subjected to these days.  Mostly I’ve just given up hope and want to fill the space with something more entertaining than “Villa lost, played horribly, are on pace for 14 points, etc”.  Which is all still true this week, in case you were wondering.

Below is a clip of a play that occurred at a crucial juncture in the Villa-Arsenal contest.  Take a look, then answer the poll below:

Make sure to tune in next week when the results will show how big of a homer I am and exactly how many people care enough about Aston Villa to give them 30 seconds of thought*.

Acceptance, Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Foxes

Facing the inevitable relegation of Aston Villa, it is time I begin to fully turn my attention to my team of the future, the Leicester City Foxes.  I’ll still comment on Aston Villa and follow their doomed bid to remain in the top league but it is time to start devoting more effort to the team that I would have followed from the beginning if they had been a choice (they were not in the EPL when BFS began).  This change has been a long time in the making and it is past time that I embrace it instead of continuing to resist.  Conveniently, this also lets me do a last-to-first transition in the table and actually have something to both root for and watch.   

Pretty much everything went as anticipated this week: Leicester and Chelsea played an extremely watchable match, Vardy scored, Leicester won, and Chelsea lost.  The Foxes continued their recent trend of winning from ahead, going up 2-0 early in the second half, before clinging to a 2-1 win.  Earlier in the season, their calling card was salvaging 2-2 draws or 3-2 wins from 2-0 deficits.  Their ability to win from any match state will be a key to keeping their strong season going and happens to make every match that much more exciting.  And hey, even if they don’t win another match all season, they are safe from relegation, which is good enough for me right now.  

We’re No Bournemouth

Exchange with Steve immediately after watching Newcastle's unlikely comeback victory over Spurs:

Me: “Well la-de-da Mr. Newcastle fan.  Look whose team can win multiple games in a row.  You disgust me.” 

Steve: “Yeah, but we’re no Bournemouth…”

My favorite moment was this Kyle Walker throw-in:

Just look at that bewilderment.  Walker was just off the field for injury treatment and tried to take the throw before reestablishing himself in the field of play.  Referee Roger East forced Walker to step on the field then step off to take the throw.  (I wasn't confused and the laws are very clear on this point but of course the laws can be a bit pedantic.) I also like to imagine Walker’s face on all of the millions of Spurs fans in the moments after Perez’s late winner (Sorry Michael!).  As for the actual match:

McClaren looked like an effin genius.  He subbed Mitrovic at 72 minutes and he scored 1:45 later.  Perez was also a sub and he scored off an assist from ...Mitrovic.  But keeper Rob Elliot was the star; his saves made the comeback possible.

A generally enjoyable week for those able to catch a few of the other contests as well.  Manchester City and Swansea left most of the scoring until late, each scoring in the waning minutes in a 2-1 City victory.  The other side of Manchester was on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line, losing to the aforementioned Bournemouth and also conceding a goal directly from a corner.  Everton and Norwich played a tale of two halves that should have seen Everton up 3 or 4 in the first half, but having to settle for a 1-1 draw as Norwich stepped up their game after halftime.  I didn’t see the remaining matches but was told that Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win over Southampton was also entertaining (I thought it was, even if Pardew was thoroughly outcoached by Koemen; Palace are now level with Tottenham on points but remain 6th in the table with a worse goal differential) and a supposedly “nasty” 2-2 draw between Liverpool and West Brom was probably worth a look.

Back in Action

Since talking about our personal soccer stories is now acceptable on this blog – thanks Mackenzie! – I am happy to report that two weeks ago I played my first game in almost 6 months.  Finally mostly recovered from a series of leg injuries (though I do now have a torn hip labrum that will be with me forever), I was able to not embarrass myself completely in my team’s first indoor game.  It was nothing to write home about but I did manage to score a tap in after an excellent series of passes and I didn’t make any horrendous defensive mistakes.  The main objective now is to recover both my quick feet and my confidence.  The necessity of quick feet is hopefully self-explanatory, in particular for the indoor game.  The confidence issue is something I did not quite expect and I find myself rushing to make a play just to ensure that I don’t make a big mistake.  Right now, the game feels a lot faster than both my body and especially brain can handle, which makes not screwing up priorities number 1-9 and making a better play priority 10.  A few more games should hopefully fix that.


The Purples Get the Blues

Speaking of Mackenzie, here's the latest from our Senior Foreign Correspondent in France:

Sunday morning, Les Violettes traveled to Alixan for our last game of the season, and the second half was riveting. The first half of the game was very, very slow. No pressure from either side, no intensity, and no motivation. By letting Alixan play at their own pace (and also having no skill to defend against fake-outs), Number 13 on their team scored twice, about five yards from the top of the box (which is not at 18 yards, more like 12), sailing shots that were too pretty not to just watch and let them go in (Ed note: I thought you never score from the top of the box). The second half was significantly better in multiple accounts: way more runs, amazing saves by our guardienne Chris, I introduced the concept of “holding the line” on a free kick, and more scoring opportunities for us, but no actual goals. We finished in a 2-0 loss.  (Ed note: Mackenzie provided a fairly detailed account of the team's shortcomings but we'll leave that for another time.)

BFS Derby                   

It’s that time of year again – the first true BFS Derby of the season.  Newcastle host Aston Villa at 12:30 on Saturday, somehow snagging the primetime spot.  Being the only match on in that timeslot, the rest of you will be forced to endure the misery that this contest will surely bring.  I would recommend going outside instead.  Everything says this should be a win for the Magpies but Newcastle can switch off in a moment's notice; this could truly be some dreadful football.  Probably best to save your Saturday viewing for matches such as Leicester visiting Everton (10am, USA) or Spurs at Southampton (10am, Live Extra).  I nearly glossed over Liverpool against Watford (8:30am Sunday NBSCN) only to realize that Watford are sitting in 7^th and this one could be interesting.  If you only have 90 minutes this weekend the best bet is clearly Manchester City and Arsenal at the Emirates (3pm Monday, NBCSN).  The winner would go top of the table if Leicester fail to get any points from their match.

*In case you were wondering, there was no foul called and Arsenal immediately skewered Villa with a counterattack for their second goal.

Unexpected

Sometimes it's good to be wrong.  I was sure Newcastle were going down 0-3 or worse to Liverpool.  The 2-0 victory was beyond all expectations.  To be honest, Newcastle were a bit lucky to come away with the win.  The first score was an own goal off Skertl (his 7^th career OG, which ties him with Jamie Carragher for second all-time in Premier League history; only three to go to catch Richard Dunne) and Liverpool had a goal called back on a phantom offside. But their work rate was perhaps the best of the season and they earned the points. Still in the relegation zone but this was a bonus three points.

Happy to see that I was close in my expectations of several of the matches.  Man United – West Ham was a decent watch even if it was a 0-0 draw.  I said normally I’d yawn over Chelsea - Bournemouth but suggested that you never know with Chelsea this year; apparently we do know – the Blues went down 0-1 on a late goal.  And Everton – Crystal Palace was a highly entertaining 1-1 draw; the score is a little misleading as the Toffees hit the woodwork three times and Tim Howard saved Everton’s bacon a few times.  Best goals of the weekend were easily the two that Stoke put up against Man City in their stunning 2-0 win at Britannia.  I’ll choose this one as this week's YouTubeableMoment.  The spin move from Shakira Shaqiri, his pass to Arnautovic, the run and the finish were all top drawer.  Michael B lamented giving up two points at West Brom as Tottenham could manage only a 1-1 draw.  And Arsenal took their time but eventually vanquished Sunderland.

Dennis had a better weekend as Aston Villa stole a point at Southampton and Leicester showed no let down at Swansea.

This wasn't quite at the same level as the heist they pulled off against Manchester City, but it wasn't too far off.  Villa got a fortunate goal right before half on a poor corner that had even worse defending.  Naturally, as teams on the bottom of the table are expected to do, they came out in the second half and played as defensively as possible - usually 10 men in their own half and 8+ behind the ball.  Just as naturally, the tactic did not work and Villa conceded on a similarly ugly corner and ended with a 1-1 draw.  This was certainly a welcome point, but the second half was so disheartening.  It is one thing to be the inferior team and another to completely acknowledge it and let the opposition have their way.  Several weeks ago, I commented that Villa playing sustained defense looked like a result of poor play rather than a tactical decision.  That has seemed to reverse under Remi Garde - the passing is actually looking better, but they are simply playing more defensively.  Villa needed to show enough life to at least make Southampton hesitate and think before throwing everything forward.  Playing this way just isn't a recipe for long term success.  Now 6 points adrift of 19th place and 8 from safety, they are quickly approaching the time in the season where draws won't do the trick.  But when you are the last place team, it is really hard to look at the schedule and find any wins.  Facing Arsenal this weekend is not a good place to start either.

Leicester, on the other hand (more like at the opposite end of the universe), continue to be the team I dream about in a dominating 3-0 win over Swansea.  Free flowing, high scoring, amazing work rate, supreme confidence -  can you hear the jealousy?  The only oddity this week was that Vardy didn't score and he can probably blame much of that on teammate Rihad Mahrez's selfishness.  Mahrez had multiple chances to choose between trying for a hat trick and playing Vardy in - each time he chose to go for personal glory.  Were I Vardy, I would be a little upset, as a hat trick is not on the same level of glory as extending the EPL consecutive match scoring streak.  Hopefully this isn't the kind of petty nonsense that starts to weaken what appear to be a real title contender.

Timberrrrr

Not necessarily a pretty match but it was competitive.  Columbus put Portland in the driver’s seat early when keeper Steve Clark took too long to deal with a pass back and saw his attempted clearance ricochet off a fully stretched Valeri and into the net.  Portland’s second was off a decent cross and header though it originated from a missed call from the AR.  The ball looked out to just about everybody but the AR never raised his flag, the Columbus players stopped, assuming the call was forthcoming, while the Portland players kept moving.  Hey, they’ve been told since U10 to play the whistle so not much sympathy here.  Columbus got one back when the Timbers keeper Kwarasey spilled the ball in the six-yard box and Kamara put it away.  The Timbers defense did a great job of stifling the Crew’s attack and you can’t really say that Columbus ever really threatened to level the match.  Full credit to Portland – they were the better side.

Meanwhile, in France

Senior Foreign Correspondent Mackenzie W provides this update from a little town in France:

The match between PAFF and Pont La Roche started with a light drizzle. The field was a muddy mess but at least that even a bottom-tier women’s recreational team plays on grass (and yes, I am still mad. http://bookedforsimulation.blogspot.fr/2015/06/blondes-have-more-fouls.html). The match didn't start off too great for Les Violettes. For about the first ten to fifteen minutes, we were grosse merde. I'm not sure if there was a single combination passing sequence and it looked like a bunch of eight year olds playing dump-and-chase. Unsurprisingly, the other team took this opportunity to score twice against us, once about five minutes in, and the other maybe fifteen minutes later. They were two beautiful shots that glided lithely into the back of the net. Eh, it happens.

With a change in gameplay (two goals tend to light fires under one’s cul) came a change in our luck. A high kick in the box resulted in a PK, or a kick from the spot [Ed note: a high kick should be an indirect free kick regardless of location but okay - maybe the rules are different over there - they do have a different word for everything]. Whatever. I was super surprised when my name was called to take the kick. I quickly saw that the keeper wasn't centered; she left more room on her left. Silly goose, that's my right! I sunk the ball in the right side panel with a satisfying swish. My first goal in France!

The second half consisted of significantly more slipping, runs from behind by the defense, our team getting beat by simple fakes and tricks, which was how the third goal got scored. It was not a lack of trying on Chris’s part, our guardienne. She had some amazing mud covered slides and saves, but when a team doesn't practice defending against fakes, well, I'll take it up with management. It was Chris who told me later, while I was munching on the standard after-match fare of bread and Camembert, how our second goal was scored. Because we play 8v8, the keeper can't punt the ball, but instead she launches the ball indoor soccer style. She threw me the ball, which I turned and passed to Claire, who then beat a run down and scored.

So we finished 3-2. I don't think the coach was too happy about the result (I couldn't understand him) but at least we scored this time. It’s better than before. We still have a lot to improve, but there’s only one game left before the break. I'm curious to see how we’ll do after the new year.

Oh and one small side note. One time I called for the ball at the top of the box, but I don't think anyone but the sidelines heard me. One of the many (male) spectators said, "Don't worry, right idea. It will happen eventually." I responded with, "But I don't know how to say 'Top of the box' in French!" But we all know, it doesn't matter if I know how to say it or not, you never score from the top of the box.

Calendar

Looking over this weekend's fixtures, I'm not finding a lot of marquee match-ups.  Leicester hosting Chelsea might be interesting as we see if the upstart Foxes are sticking around at the top.  There's a Monday Night Basketball derby with Newcastle traveling to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham.  No live TV?  Michael B and I are outraged.  As Dennis mentioned, Aston Villa face a tough challenge in the early Sunday morning match hosting Arsenal.

Crystal Palalce-Southampton might be a competitive mid-table contest; that's Saturday at 10 am on USA.  Everton face Norwich on the road in the early Saturday morning match; you would think the Toffees have enough to come home with all three points.  The other televised 10 am Saturday match is Man City hosting Swansea; note that Gary Monk went out of order in the Sack Race, getting fired this week despite having longer odds than Steve McClaren.  The "featured" Saturday match on NBC is Bournemouth-Man United. Other matches include West Ham hosting Stoke and Liverpool taking on West Brom at Anfield.  See what I mean?  Nothing that pops out at you as a must see.

Oh, though it wasn't my only highlight of the week, my Chester Blues did take care of Stoke 4-1 and moved into sole possession of second place.

Limited viewing this weekend but I will leave you in the capable hands of Dennis for next week's post.

Trainwreck

Me and the missus watched Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck on Saturday night.  Two thumbs up.  Earlier that day, I watched Newcastle’s trainwreck of season continue.  No thumbs up.  Ahead 1-0 after 15 minutes, the Magpies completely crumbled before the Crystal Palace onslaught and left London with a 1-5 loss.  Results around the league were decidedly not helpful.  Sunderland won, Bournemouth drew with Everton (awesome ending, with four goals from the 80^th minute on, including two in stoppage time), West Brom stole a point from West Ham, and Arsenal failed to win at Norwich.  I know charity begins at home but a little help from the rest of the league would be nice.

The view from Birmingham was no better, though it looks like the match was at least a little more competitive.  Dennis, if he can bring himself to write anything, adds:

This one was actually a rare "undeserved loss", if such a thing really exists.  Villa have been getting thoroughly beaten for the most part, but this loss was distinctly against the run of play.  Villa controlled the match until allowing a sloppy rebound goal in the 16th minute, should have equalized just minutes later, and did in fact draw level before half, while still mostly controlling the flow of the match.  Watford again took the lead on a Hutton OG and got a third on another multi-rebound ugly passage of play (though the actual finish was pretty).  Ayew kept to his scoring form with a lovely strike from the top of the box with about 10 minutes remaining, which was enough to earn this week's YouTubeable Moment (skip to 1:40 for the goal), but not enough to get the Villans a point. 

In reality, they controlled nearly the whole game, created the better chances, scored the higher quality goals, and generally looked like the better team...and still lost.  If they aren't going to win matches when they play like this (against a lower tier opponent to boot), I don't see a way out of the bottom three.  It will take a run of last-season-Leicester-esque proportions to see them to safety and I frankly do not see it happening.

We both did better with our backup teams.  Dennis, who pegged Leicester as an exciting team to watch early last season even when they were bottom dwellers (that's right - I was on the Leicester bandwagon before it was cool!  In fact, I was driving the wagon!), is thoroughly enjoying their run near the top.  Hard to call it a classic but the Foxes must be happy with the 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United; I didn’t see a case of stage fright in their first real test in the limelight.  And Jamie Vardy got the EPL record with a goal in his 11^th consecutive match.  Bittersweet for me was the Crystal Palace side of the Newcastle trainwreck.  Hard to know how much that was Newcastle suckiness but the 5-1 laugher leaves Alan Pardew’s side in seventh place.

The other big match of the weekend – Tottenham-Chelsea – was a bit of a let-down, though maybe not a surprising one.  Certainly talent was on display but neither side could break through in the 0-0 draw.  Though not a terrible result for Spurs, you can’t help but feel they were hoping for more given their recent form.  Chelsea were probably happy to take the point.

Never Leave Before the Final Whistle

The second legs of the MLS semis certainly reinforced that adage.  Neither contest really offered much until very late but then delivered big time.  After scoring early in the second half, the Portland Timbers were up 4-1 on aggregate and looking very comfortable.  And then suddenly they weren’t.  Goals from Dallas at 68 and 73 minutes created the very real possibility of extra time.  Timber center back Nat Borchers (the one who looks like a lumberjack) got a crucial block on a shot late to preserve the one goal lead and Lucas Melano put away an insurance goal late to seal the 5-3 win.

Borchers (left) - He's a lumberjack and he's okay

Things were just as crazy late in Harrison NJ.  I thought the Red Bulls showed a profound lack of urgency down 0-2 throughout the match.  They did manage to make things interesting with a goal in the 93^rd minute.  With no more than a minute or two left in stoppage, it still seemed like a long shot but extra time was still a possibility.  Then Bradley Wright-Phillips popped a header over Columbus keeper Steve Clark only to see it hit the post leaving Columbus a 2-1 winner.

So once again, the MLS Cup will be lifted by a side other than the Supporter Shield winner.  But a Columbus-Portland final looks appealing; kickoff is at 4 pm Sunday on ESPN.

No Respite

Newcastle have the honor of hosting a hot Liverpool side that seems to be finding their game under new manager Jurgen Klopp.  No reason for optimism here; Steve McClaren is now even money to be the next EPL manager sacked.  You can watch that one on Sunday at 11 on NBCSN.  Aston Villa travel to Southampton with very slim hopes of a result there; no live TV for that one.

Not an overwhelming list to choose from this week.  Man City go to Stoke for the 7:45 Saturday match on NBCSN.  Arsenal, which have been doing a crappy job of beating weaker sides lately (but still sit in fourth) host Sunderland in the 10 am USA match.  Man United versus West Ham at Old Trafford is the 10 am NBCSN match, which should be competitive, if not high scoring.  Saturday TV finishes with Chelsea hosting Bournemouth at 12:30; normally I’d yawn but this year you never know.  Also on the schedule but foolishly relegated to livestreaming is Leicester going to Wales to face Swansea City; hopefully the Foxes aren’t in letdown mode after last week.  Same fate for Tottenham, playing West Brom - no live TV.  Monday has a decent looking match between Everton and Crystal Palace; I have modest hopes for a freewheeling contest there.

Looks like another weekend where the highlight for me will be the Chester Blues in Football Manager.

Looking For Things For Which To Be Thankful

Not a good weekend. At one point on Saturday, Dennis texted me to note that the BFS home sides had gone down in defeat by a collective 0-7. Results from other precincts in the EPL were not encouraging either.

So I had to look elsewhere for positive news. Fortunately, it was to be found. We start in a small town in France, where BFS Senior Foreign Correspondent (and my stepdaughter) Mackenzie has gotten herself on a club team. As you can see, it is sponsored by Peugot, a bakery and some other business entities. In her first game, a 1-1 draw, she played both right and left fullback. But wait, it gets better. The manager quickly realized she has the best foot on the team and was soon taking all the goal, corner and free kicks. And, they were reluctant to sub her out, even though there were several times she was pretty gassed, having been away from the sport a few years. Nice work Kenz. You go girl!


More good news came as I finally got back to Football Manager after a month or so away. My Chester Blues were facing a tough Chelsea side and the pundits had us as serious underdogs. We switched from our usual 4-4-2 to a 4-1-3-2, kept things pretty locked down, scored two goals on set pieces and came away with 2-0 win and all three points. We then closed out group stage play in the Europa Cup with a 4-0 win over Bohemians. Since we had already clinched a spot in the knockout phase, I was able to rest most of the first team and give some of the guys itching for playing time a chance to shine. Though we sit third in the EPL table - six out of first, two out of second - we have two games in hand on both Everton and Aston Villa. If only my real life teams were doing so well.

Not much went right in the EPL. Newcastle went down as predicted 0-3 to Leicester; uh, that would be first place Leicester. The really bad news is the game wasn't as close as the score indicates. Things were no better in Liverpool, where Everton were having their way with Aston Villa. Dennis adds... If your math skills are sharp, you've already deduced the score of this match (it was 0-4 for those not paying as close attention). And as with Newcastle, it wasn't even really that close. But taskmaster Steve said I had to write something about this match anyway after which we had this exchange: 

Me: "They got crapped on." 
Steve: "Then write that." 

Done and done. 

Adding to the frustration was a series of results that did not help either Newcastle or Aston Villa. Arsenal went down to West Brom 1-2 (Cazorla missed a PK!?). Bournemouth took a point from Swansea City. And worst of all, Crystal Palace lost to Sunderland 0-1 at home no less; Alan Pardew really does have trouble beating the Black Cats. The Watford-Man United contest ended up being a close and mildly entertaining one, with the Red Devils needing an own goal in stoppage time to grab a 2-1 win. Liverpool did a number on Man City so the match wasn't all that competitive but there was this sweet goal from Firmino, which started from a clever back heel pass from Emre Can; it's my choice for his week's YouTubeableMoment. Tottenham also turned what on paper looked to be a close match into a romp with a 4-1 pummeling of a pretty good West Ham side.

How 2-0 is worse than 3-1

In the MLS playoffs, both of the favorites fell behind by two goals in the first leg of the semis. But the Red Bulls are clearly in a worse position after losing 0-2 to Columbus on the road. Should they surrender a goal in Harrison this Sunday, the tiebreaker of road goals means they would need to score four of their own to advance. The first half of that match was reasonably lively but the second half seemed pretty stale. Chester Blue sighting as Michael Parkhurst featured in the back line for Columbus. When FC Dallas scored in the second half at Portland to cut the deficit to 2-1, they seemed to have put themselves in a good position for the second leg. Surrendering that third goal surely wasn't part of the plan. They have more margin for error than do the Red Bulls in the second leg in that they at least got a road goal but their position is not a good one. Pretty entertaining match for the neutrals I thought.

One versus Two

Everyone who, back in August, saw the 11/28 Leicester-Man United touted as a battle between first and second, raise your hand. Yeah, sure you did. This will be the featured 12:30 match on NBC Saturday; pundits seem to have a slight preference for Manchester United, though some are calling it a draw. Leicester's emphasis on pace should make it a lively match, plus Jamie Vardy is seeking to become the first EPL player to score in 11 consecutive matches (breaking Manchester United's own Ruud Van Nistelrooy's record, no less). I am really hoping that on this big stage, the Foxes do not fall flat on their faces.

Another match to watch will be the London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea Sunday morning at 7 am (not a typo) on USA. Spurs are really in form while Chelsea is harder to read; they barely beat Norwich last week but did thrash a weak opponent in Champions League action during the week. Tottenham have the added distraction of a Thursday Europa League match but may be able to rest many first teamers. Pundits are all over the map here but I'm seeing more predicting Spurs win or draw than a Chelsea win.

Normally, 10 vs 17 wouldn't have much to recommend it. And frankly, unless you enjoy watching car crashes, you might want to avoid Crystal Palace at home versus Newcastle. The two story lines are that Alan Pardew/Yohan Cabaye - Newcastle escapees - probably wouldn't mind putting a hurting on the Magpies and there are reports of training ground confrontations between Newcastle manager Steve McClaren and senior players so Newcastle may be ready for a complete implosion. Big match for Aston Villa as they host Watford; these are the type of matches where the Villans have to snatch some points (which they won't).

All we ask of some of the better teams is that they do their job this week. Mostly looking at you Arsenal, traveling to Norwich but also Everton (away at Bournemouth) and West Ham (hosting West Brom - USA TV Sunday at 9 am). Liverpool will try to maintain the momentum off the big Man City win as they face a fading Swansea side (Sunday NBCSN at 11:15). Man City vs Southampton could be a tricky match for the Citizens (that's the Saturday 10 am match on NBCSN).

And of course, we have the second legs of the MLS semis. FC Dallas-Portland is the 5 pm match on ESPN and the Red Bulls-Columbus is 7:30 on FS1.

Thanksgiving weekend and football - an American tradition.