Thursday, November 3, 2011

Meryside, London and... Newcastle?

     An predictable start to the BPL season, with one reasonable exception. Newcastle have started out strong, have jumped up to 3rd, passing a Chelsea squad that has lost 2 straight games, both London derbies. They have yet to lose a game, and a tight Newcastle defense allowing just 4 goals at St James' Park. They have a strong fan turnout, as expected, averaging just over 46,000 a game. Meanwhile, a Chelsea side that looks at times like the could beat both Manchester clubs, and at times that even QPR could overcome them. Oh wait, that actually happened. Speaking of QPR, an owner with an open pocketbook has helped to make Neil Warnock's job easier. Summer additions include Shawn Wright-Phillips, (What is it with three word names? Who's next, Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis?), and former Newcastle bad boy, Joey Barton. Although the team seems to be able to attack fine, their defense is hardly up to par with the rest of the body. They have a negative 9 goal difference, and have yet to win 2 games in a row. Neil Warnock, stop getting strikers who will get headlines. Go get a defender, a veteran who will anchor your back line and add some experience to a young team. Maybe an aging Rio Ferdinand. You have the money, so what's the problem?

   Aside from that surprise, the season has been...straightforward? Well, both North London clubs have recorvered from disaterous starts, and the Manchester clubs are taking an early lead. So yes, this season has been straightforward. More exciment to come? Maybe, but not while the Manchester clubs hold such a high lead.

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