Welcome to the Short Corner. If you’re looking for in depth analysis and a measured recap of last week's games and managerial decisions you are in the wrong place.
If you’re looking for gut reactions backed up by precisely zero stats and a belief that your team is alternately the greatest and most despised thing in your life this just might be the place for you.
I’m calling this the Short Corner after one of my least favorite tactics on the pitch. You do all the effort to win a corner just to pass is short and around the box back to midfield. Am I sure it never ever works? Absolutely. Am I completely wrong in that assessment because managers are smarter than me? One hundred percent.
I’ll be briefly discussing 3 games that tickled my fancy each week. Giving my opinion on the outcome and how it came to be. Feel free to predict along with me and tell me how crap I am.
The Matches
Match Previews
West Ham v Chelsea
Manchester City v Tottenham
Arsenal v Leeds
The rest of the weekend
Bournemouth v Wolves
Brentford v Aston Villa
Burnley v Sunderland
Crystal Palace v Forest
Everton v Brighton
Fulham v Manchester United
Newcastle v Liverpool
Match 1
West Ham vs Chelsea
Neither team gave their fans much to write home about last week. Chelsea were bailed out by Palace not understanding how far a meter is while West Ham were bailed out by the final whistle. This is the type of game that the Blues love to lose. 75% possession only to be undone by a calamity in the backfield. I’d love to say those days were behind them but they aren’t.
Prediction
West Ham - 2
Chelsea - 1
Match 2
Man City vs Tottenham
Really hope Spurs enjoyed that opening win because they are in for an ugly day. Even though they’ll bunker down and try to weather the storm, City took all of 30 minutes to seamlessly slips the new parts into the machine. They’re going to steam roll the league. This game will offer little resistance.
Prediction
Man City - 3
Tottenham - 0
Match 3
Arsenal vs Leeds
Another classic Arsenal win. Defend well, ignore your shiny new striker and maul a terrible goalie on a corner kick. They don’t take them short which you think would endear them to me, but no, it doesn’t. The Gunners will win a bunch of awful games to watch and convince themselves they have the class to win the league, but they don’t and they won’t. They will however bungle this one over the line. As for Leeds, nice to have you back lads. Lets try some defense this time.
Prediction
Arsenal - 2
Leeds - 0
That’s all for this week. Watch it all play out like I think it will. If it doesn’t, what the hell do I know? Enjoy the games