Crunch Time

Everytime I have a crunch, it tastes beautiful yet the crisped rice and nuts make it interesting and its always an adventure going through it. I call this era the Cunch Time.. A lot like what most premiership things are going through now for the 2008/2009 season

Midweek madness occurs this week. Games like WBA vs Arsenal which had forgone conclusions when 1 looked at the fixture list not too long ago noe become almost close to a cup tie.Points must be scored. Positions 12-19 up for grabs this week and with Blackburn looking stronger the Stokes and Hulls have reported sightings of the ghost of end last season that ran through their stadiums singing " You are going straight back downnnn woooo..." Phil Brown has been going church more often but the Pastor who baptised them at the start of the season named Geroge Boateng seems to have his tank empty.Injuries and tiredness have made them the easiest meat around this past few weeks. Fulham at home seems so harmless yet like a cute dog with rabies they never fail to bite when necessary and floor their opponents. Brown is in trouble and he knows it. Sometimes 1 player can make a difference 20 cant. Stokes home points mean they do pick up the points from time to time. They are a tough nut at home but often draw peanuts away.

Tottenham,fresh off their cup defeat have 2 fixtures to contend with this week in the BPL. Playing at home to Boro would be points lost and a significant match for them. It also tests the resolve and the strength of the players. Harry has a job to do. Houdini woud not want that kinda job. Believe me.Newcastle play host to league leaders Manchester United and frankly if there was anytime to play United it would be now. Their defence seems very very jaded recently and playing 120 minutes would not have helped much. Newcastle aka the team of 7 men ( koz they just don seem to have a midfield do they?) are in stellar need of points and more importantly they need Europe come next season or else the once brilliant players like Ginola,Shearer,Woodgate etc.. who played for them would be replaced with David Edgars,Andrew Carolls and Shola Ameobis. Yes a transition from the premiership team to division one outfit. You woudnt see it first den it hits you...in the groin area.

Arsenal should fancy their chances of cementing their position of FIFTH. While Everton have a daunting task at Ewood that may slow down their bid for that position. Villa will find it tough at City which will be an interesting tussle of the underachievers vs the overachievers. Villa not going through a rich vein of form and City may just turn up for this game but its up to them you see.. koz they get paid anyhoos. Portsmouth still managerless play hosts to Chelsea. The first away test for Hiddink and one to look at as a gauge of the job he is doing. Portsmouth will find it tough unless Crouch can get a goal and the once terrifying defence of Portsmouth, closes their mouths rather than opening up James's goalpost time and time again. James is probably saying " You tell em GURU!.. Its not all my fault".. well aren't you supposed to make saves instead of making your defence struggle more?

Finally Liverpool. I was utterly disappointed but Riverside is not an easy place to go to. They must win at home and stop their habit of draws koz lets face it, someone should make it harder for United to win the lot. Expect Gerrard to start and a few players maybe rested but the problem lies up front and Babel and El Zhar must deliver because N'gog is living up to his name as the sound of when someone suffocates you. "Ngoggarghgrgrgh". painful. Gerrard up front and probably El Zhar partnering will help but players like Benayoun and Aurelio provide key for this sorts of ties. Sunderland in Sbragia's words will make it " difficult". Not an ambitious statement but boy if you do not bring a gameplan. They MAKE IT difficult..aye Fergie?

Special thanks to the good people of Nestle Crunch.. If you guys are really good that is..

SOccer Guru..Out..