At this stage of their respective campaigns, there are some teams in dire need of success on the pitch. Let’s take a look at what transpired this week and how these teams can use their momentum as a springboard heading into the subsequent weeks of the season.
Mesut Ozil
By all accounts, this German international footballer has had a disappointing start to the season at Arsenal. He has been ineffective offensively and has had lapses on defense. But the Gunner’s manager Arsene Wenger has continued to be supportive, in spite of some unkind words appearing in British newspapers. While The Guardian was writing his epitaph, Wenger argued that he would continue to be an integral part of the team’s success. Of course, paying a record $60 million in 2013 for Ozil might trigger such a comment. Arsenal traveled to Villa Park on Saturday to play an Aston Villa team that has had success this season after a dismal 2013 season, beating Liverpool at Anfield in their last match. Against this backdrop, Ozil had a stellar game, netting a goal and an assist and was key in the Gunners’ 3-0 win. Props to the German midfielder for turning adversity into a quality match.
Newcastle United FC
Here is how the season has been going for the Magpies. They’ve played four games going into Saturday’s match against Hull City without a victory, netting two ties and two losses, while wallowing in the relegation zone. The fans have been clamoring for manager Alan Pardew to be fired, with one of the most active web sites in the Newcastle area being aptly named sackpardew.com.
St. James Park is no longer filled to capacity, as it’s been for generations. Their owner, Mike Ashley, has said publicly that he will not sack his manager, but of course that is predicated on a more successful campaign. With so much pressure, most players would let up a bit on the pitch in order to “help along” a change in management in order to avoid relegation and to keep their squad intact. It was against that backdrop at Tyneside for the Saturday match that saw the Magpies never give up. Cisse netted both goals in the 73rd and 87th minutes to salvage a point in the match for Newcastle, perhaps giving the manager a chance to right the ship. After the match, it was revealed that Cisse had been unfit to play by the medical staff to play, but would not be denied his chance to make a difference in the match. It is for their grit and determination in such an adverse climate that they are deserving of recognition today.
And speaking of grit and determination, watch this scissor kick by Hull’s Jelavic.
Real Madrid
When you’re the Galacticos, team expectations are high and nothing less than three points will suffice. With some of the best strikers in the world playing up front such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Javier Hernandez, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema, one would expect the goals to flow freely and result in three points every game. However, it seems that this offensive juggernaut has come at the expense of their defense, and some games this season have not gone according to manager Carlo Ancelloti’s plan. This Saturday, however, went according to plan. The offense, while playing an away game vs. Deportivo La Coruna, demonstrated that a good offense can mask an average defense, beating the hapless home squad 8-2. While a great win for Real Madrid, it seems that they must make their success pay off financially, with their reliance on silverware to cover their spending. The team’s debt has risen 11.3% from last year to a total of $850 million. While last year’s Champions League victory increased their coffers $85 million, it is not clear how the team can mitigate their debt load successfully. But after losing their last two La Liga matches, it appears that the Galacticos have their mojo back. Congrats.
Javier Hernandez
After a disappointing season that saw Chicharito manning the bench rather than the pitch at Manchester United, Hernandez was loaned to Real Madrid. This seemed a bit odd at the time, given that Los Blancos have more than enough quality strikers. But this Saturday, Chicharito proved his mettle, coming on in the second half and scoring two goals. With an option for Los Blancos to purchase his contract at the end of this campaign, it would surprise no one if his stint in La Liga is successful and he continues to ply his trade for the Galacticos. Kudos to the Mexican International striker for making the most of his opportunity.
West Ham United
The end of most seasons finds the Hammers perilously close to the relegation zone, yet they manage to hold onto a position above number eighteen to remain in the Premier League. They’ve never won the EPL, have no star players and are the poor stepchildren in London, playing in a storied but older facility at Upton Park. Their opponents this week were Liverpool, who barely missed the top spot of the table last season and have not shied away from big name signings, the most recent being Mario Ballotelli. Historically, the Hammers have beaten the Reds twice in the last twenty-two games, so one would think that the match would heavily favor Liverpool. Someone forgot to tell that to the Hammers, who outplayed Liverpool from the opening kick and soundly defeated the Reds 3-1. With this win, West Ham moves up to the upper half of the table. Well done, Hammers, well done. Now, about those maroon uniforms.
[Photo credit: Sky Sports]
