Bleacher Report - Articles by MyRoyalWay

Who Are the Pivotal Players in the Premier League?

MyRoyalWay — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:55:25 -0400

Is there any reason why Manchester United and Arsenal are stuttering into the new season, while Liverpool and Chelsea are sitting at the top?

Well I can pinpoint at least one reason—for the first two games, Manchester United and Arsenal were both without their lynch pins, Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas respectively, while Liverpool and Chelsea have Steven Gerrard and John Terry fit and leading their teams to the top of the Premiership.

Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to put the wins on Gerrard and Terry, and nor should we blame poor results on the absence of Ronaldo and Fabregas. Teamwork is definitely important. Yet we cannot deny the fact every team has its own lynch pin—that one player who has exerted the most influence and been the most consistent player throughout all the club’s games.

In my humble opinion, we can measure the extent of influence of that player by observing the results of the club in the player’s absence, which is what I have attempted to illustrate above.

With this as a measurement parameter, (in my opinion) some nominees are already obvious—Steven Gerrard for Liverpool, and Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United.

Who, then, are the stars for the rest of the clubs?

I have compiled this list based on players still remaining at the club as at the start of the 2008/2009 Barclays Premier League Season. I dare not say I did a great job—I left out newly promoted clubs Hull, Stoke, and West Brom, but I definitely put in a lot of effort to compile this.

In no order of merit…

Arsenal
Pivotal Player: Cesc Fábregas

Arsenal’s midfield dynamo with seven goals and 20 assists is the obvious choice. Fabregas’ creativity was sorely lacking in the Gunners' first two games of the season. When he came back for the Newcastle game, Arsenal won 3-0. It is anyone’s guess why he was only used as a substitute for Spain’s European 2008 Championship!

Notable Mention: Emmanuel Adebayor

Aston Villa
Pivotal Player: Gareth Barry

There is a reason why Rafael Benitez made the Aston Villa captain his top transfer target. His statistics are not astronomical, just nine goals and 10 assists. His ability to score, assist, and a tireless work ethic to provide cover for the back four made him the outstanding player for Villa.

Notable Mention: Ashley Young

Blackburn
Pivotal Player: Roque Santa Cruz

Frankly my first choice was Brad Friedel, but he has moved on to Aston Villa. In his first season with Rovers, Roque Santa Cruz displayed an uncanny ability to be at the right place at the right time. The Paraguayan finished the season as the club’s top scorer, with 19 goals. The £3.5m that Blackburn paid for Santa Cruz now seems like a bargain!

Notable Mention: Morgan Gamst Pedersen

Bolton
Pivotal Player: Jussi Jaaskelainen

Finland’s No. 1 is amongst the most highly regarded goalkeepers in the Premiership. His loyalty to Bolton is the only reason why the big clubs have not prised him away. Jaaskelainen reminds me of Peter Schmeichel, he has the ability to make himself big to intimidate onrushing strikers. His reflexes and commanding presence in the penalty area proved to be invaluable to Bolton time and again.

Notable Mention: Kevin Davies

Chelsea
Pivotal Player: John Terry

Chelsea and England captain John Terry is the league’s top centreback. He is not the tallest defender around, but his timing and leaping ability make him a dangerous target from set pieces. Terry’s leadership and ability to galvanize his team is what makes him so special. I am not surprised he is the league’s top paid defender. I am only surprised that Frank Lampard is paid more than him!

Notable Mention: Didier Drogba

Everton
Pivotal Player: Mikel Arteta

I am not sure if I am the only one who noticed Everton usually win when Mikel Arteta plays! The fleet footed Spaniard can score cracking goals from free kicks as well as deliver quality crosses from the wings for the strikers. His excellent close control of the ball and quick feet often took him pass defenders with ease. Despite a season shortened by injuries, it is no coincidence that he suffered a cracking 85 fouls last season!

Notable Mention: Ayegbeni Yakubu

Fulham
Pivotal Player: Jimmy Bullard

When Jimmy Bullard missed the first half of the 2007/2008 season to injury, Fulham seemed in freefall to the Championship. Jimmy Bullard’s comeback provided the turning point in Fulham’s season. I would say his leadership, energy and delivery from set pieces is the sole reason why Fulham avoided the slide to relegation. Thoroughly deserved the England call-up.

Notable Mention: Antti Niemi

Liverpool
Pivotal Player: Steven Gerrard

In his first season, Fernando Torres bagged 24 goals for Liverpool. But nobody will dispute that Steven Gerrard is the heart and soul of Liverpool. Gerrard’s tireless running, superb vision on the ball and the ability to strike from distance and from set pieces made him one of the best midfielders in the world. His most important quality is his determination—this guy never gives up! One moment he runs up the field to intercept a ball, the next moment he is back in his own half making critical tackles. Even at 3-0 down to AC Milan in the 2004/05 Champions League, Gerrard never ever gives up.

Notable Mention: Fernando Torres

Manchester City
Pivotal Player: Elano

Many wondered who Elano was when Sven Goran Eriksson signed him from FC Shakhtar Donetsk. There was no such queries by the end of the first few games. Manchester City’s rise to the top of the league early last season and their collapse to 9th place near the end of the season are linked to the same reason—the form of their Brazilian playmaker.

Notable Mention: Martin Petrov

Manchester United
Pivotal Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Frankly, I am torn between Cristiano Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic. Indeed, Vidic deserve as much of a mention for his defensive intensity as Ronaldo does for his attacking prowess. However, Ronaldo’s 31 goals (42 in all competition), seven assists, dazzling stopovers and monstrous pace made him the most feared winger in the world. A favorite to win the Ballon d’Or.

Notable Mention: Nemanja Vidic

Middlesbrough
Pivotal Player: Stewart Downing

One of the best, if not the best left winger in England, Stewart Downing is my definite starter on the left of midfield. His excellent dribbling, and delivery from the left made him the scourge of many Premiership right-backs.

Notable Mention: Afonso Alves

Newcastle
Pivotal Player: Shay Given

On his day, Shay Given is impossible to beat—just ask Manchester United! The Irish international possesses all the qualities of great keepers—he is a good shot-stopper and confident at claiming crosses. His best quality must be his incredible reflexes, he has the ability to make seemingly impossible saves. For the past few years, he has been my choice for the PFA Team of the Season.

Notable Mention: Michael Owen

Portsmouth
Pivotal Player: David James

Portsmouth ended last season in 8th place. That deserves attention because the club hovered above the relegation zone just one season ago. Portsmouth’s remarkable turnaround has a lot to do with the form of David James. In 2007/2008, James finally showed the form that made him England No.1 in the early part of 2000.

Notable Mention: Nwankwo Kanu

Sunderland
Pivotal Player: Kenwyne Jones

Many wondered why Roy Keane would pay £6M for the Trinidad and Tobago striker. Southampton manager George Burley stated that “Kenwyne is another Didier Drogba in the making, as far as physical attributes, his strength and power in the air are second to none.” His height made him a excellent decoy for his strike partners. Jones’ seven goals, 10 assists last season were proof of his worth.

Notable Mention: Kieran Richardson

Tottenham
Pivotal Player: Jermaine Jenas

My first choice was Dimitar Berbatov, who has since signed for Manchester United striker on the last day of the transfer season. He is so influential that Juande Ramos made him the scapegoat for Tottenham’s stuttering start to the new season!

My next choice is Jermaine Jenas. Jenas statistics are not impressive but his strength is the little things he does. He is inventive and tenacious, running from box to box to defend and to attack. He also can pop the occasional goals from distance.

Notable Mention: Aaron Lennon

West Ham
Pivotal Player: Dean Ashton

Despite a season shortened by injuries, Dean Ashton still racked up 10 goals in 20 games. That’s a goal every two games! When he is fully fit, Ashton is one the best strikers in the league. His strength in the air makes him a difficult task for any defender. He also packs a powerful shot from either foot. Three games into the new season, and he has already scored two goals. It would be interesting to see how West Ham's season would progress when Ashton is healthy.

Notable Mention: Mark Noble

Wigan
Pivotal Player: Chris Kirkland

In the 2000/2001 season, Chris Kirkland rose to prominence as one of the most promising young English 'keepers in the country, while with Coventry City. However since moving to Liverpool, he has been plagued by injuries. In the 2007/2008 season, Kirkland managed to stay relatively injury free, and proved to be critical to Wigan’s relegation battle.

Notable Mention: Emile Heskey

That is a mouthful from me, now let me hear from you!

Comments and Suggestions please!

Roger Federer Wins Fifth US Open Title in a Row

MyRoyalWay — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:24:20 -0400

Match Recap

Either person will create history by winning the 2008 US Open Final.

Roger Federer will be the first person to win five straight US Open Championships, a feat not achieved since 1920. If Andy Murray wins, he will be the first Briton to win since 1936.

This match is also interesting for other reasons. Roger Federer has had a poor season by his standards, and by winning the US Open, he is seeking to win at least one grand slam every year since 2003.

Andy Murray, coming off a sensational upset of Rafael Nadal, will continue his astronomical rise in the ATP rankings and culminate in a career best world no.4 by the end of the tournament.

First Set

Federer looked extremely focused from the start. He opened the game with two aces, and won the third with an unforced error from Murray. He finished the game point with an emphatic backhand.

Early on, Federer’s backhand, which has provided the bulk of his enforced errors previously, was looking good. Murray, on the other hand, seems to be getting the big match jitters, making unforced errors that were a rarity against Nadal.

Federer broke Murray for a 4-2 lead. Federer increased his lead to 5-2 with a series of huge forehand that painted the lines. The Federer of old is showing up!

Murray seemed to be a little conservative in this set thus far. Perhaps he has not recovered from the exertion against Nadal.

Federer broke again to win the first set 6-2, aided by a couple of Murray’s unforced errors.

Second Set

Roger Federer started the second set where he left off. In the first game, he moved Murray around with huge forehands. On his day, Federer’s forehand is absolutely the best in the business.

Second game, Federer leads 30-0, looking set to break Murray again. However, Murray fought back with huge serves of 133 mph to lead 40-30. However, he played the next point to Federer’s forehand, and Federer duly converted with an aggression that was missing for so long.

Federer won the next two points to break Murray again. In the third game, Murray broke right back with an emphatic 40-0 game. His venomous backhand is on display in this game.

Murray looks much more settled down now. It will be interesting to see how the match will progress from now.

Murray held serve, and raced to a 40-0 lead on Federer’s serve. However, Federer won the next three points to force a deuce, and subsequently won the game. Both players held serve for the next four games, for a 5-4 Federer lead.

At this point, Andy Murray seems a little affected by a pain his right knee; he would clutch his knees in between serves.

The score is tight at 5-5. Federer serving, score at 15-15. Point of the game thus far. Federer attempted to lob Murray as he comes to the net but Murray showed great agility to retrieve the ball. Federer hit a forehand to the net. Though Federer eventually won the game to lead 6-5, he seems to be tiring, or is he?

On the next game, Federer showed lots of aggression, signaling his intent to close out the set. He came to the net at every point and led 40-0 for a triple set point.

He won the last point with an emphatic overhead smash, and boy did he show some emotion in winning the point and set! This is the Federer of old! Aggressive and a hunger to win! Two sets to love for Federer.

Third Set

Roger Federer won the first point of the set as with the previous two sets. Federer broke Murray 40-0 in the next game to take a 2-0 lead. His drop shots with tremendous back spin are on display early in the third set, and even the great athleticism of Murray could not retrieve those balls.

Federer adopted a serve and volley game for the next game, and despite Murray’s attempts, he led 3-0. He broke the fourth game 40-0 with another emphatic backhand. Federer leads 4-0. Boy, is he in a hurry to win!

Federer again adopted a serve-and-volley game for the next game, and he simply moved overwhelmed Murray. 5-0 to Federer. This is the ruthless Federer of old! It is simply a joy to watch.

Interestingly, Murray won the next two games for a 5-2 Federer lead.

What a way to end the game! Roger Federer showed amazing patience to strike two seemingly impossible to save overhead smashes to Andy Murray.

It is only on the second smash that Murray finally hit a forehand to the net. Federer collapsed to the ground in trademarked fashion! Federer has won his fifth straight US Open title!

I mentioned in an earlier post, that Roger Federer is a totally different person after winning the Olympic Doubles Gold medal. The hunger to win which was missing for the bulk of 2008 was on full display.

Roger Federer is back!

Roger Federer's Inconsistency Results in Yet Another Loss

MyRoyalWay — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:25:31 -0400

Another match. Another loss.

Roger Federer suffered yet another loss in a forgettable season. This time it was to American James Blake, in the Olympic quarterfinals.

This time, at least he reached the quarterfinals. Federer won his first few matches, including a convincing victory over Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic prior to the clash with Blake.

In fact, despite the media attention to his slumping form, he still won two tournaments this year and got to at least the semifinals in all three Majors thus far!

Put simply, if an unheralded player gets to the semifinals of three majors in a year, he would probably be hailed and showered with affection and praises.

Unfortunately, semifinalist and finalist are not what we come to expect from the world No. 1.

Then again, his losses this year have all come against top ranked players—notably against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon and the French Open, Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, and most recently at the hands of up-and-coming Croatian Ivo Karlovic.

This Olympic match was delayed by a thunderstorm for four hours. When the two players did eventually begin, Blake won the first set, 6-4. Prior to the match, Blake was 0-8 against Federer and had only won one set.

In winning that first set, Blake overcame a huge psychological hurdle.

In the second set, both players held serve to leave the score level at 5-5. Then, inexplicably, Federer crumbled.

With the game at 30-40 in Blake's favor, Federer gave away another point from a backhand error, one of 56 unforced errors he made in this match. That gave Blake the initiative at 6-5.

Federer then served, at 5-6 down. Facing the prospect of Blake winning the match, Federer's serve deserted him when he needed it most. He couldn't get a single first serve in for this pivotal game!

Fortunately, Blake hit a forehand just wide to hand Federer a lifeline. With the score tied at 6-6, the match went into a tiebreak.

At times, Federer looked like he was bothered by the humid weather. Other times, it almost seemed he was too kind to play the game. There were a couple of points where he should have been more aggressive with his smashes.

For instance, with the tiebreak at 1-1, Federer hit a forehand smash meekly, enabling Blake to recover and hit a cross-court winner. Things were not looking good for the Swiss maestro.

Blake won the next point with a powerful serve, bringing the score to 3-1. Then, showing confidence against the world No. 1, he adopted a serve-and-volley game and went to the net.

The strategy worked, as Federer hit a backhand into the net, perhaps affected by Blake's net presence. Blake was now three points away from a place in the semis.

Federer won the next point with a smash. But as mentioned before, it seemed almost like he couldn't bear to hit it—there was just no aggression.

Federer's body language seemed to suggest he had already given up. Did he finally succumb to the tremendous pressure of performing match after match, tournament after tournament?

James Blake wrapped up the next two points, and held serve for match point. With a forehand error from Federer, Blake had finally won against the world No. 1.

Is Federer Getting Vulnerable?

Honestly, the game was won by James Blake not because he deserved to win, but because Federer deserved to lose.

Federer's backhand has been very unreliable this year, but at least he still had his serves. In this match however, his serves deserted him as well.

I believe the pressure of winning has finally overwhelmed the Swiss star. Perhaps being at the top for so long has made him forget how he got there in the first place.

I can still remember Federer crying as he won his first ever ATP title—or during that unforgettable victory over Pete Sampras in the 2001 Wimbledon final.

He was so passionate about winning back then.

Quite frankly, I do not see the same emotions displayed in his recent games.

You could see from his game today that he can still be brilliant when he wants to be, hitting impossible shots that land on the line. He is only 27 years old, so he definitely still has a few more good years ahead of him.

I believe it's more of a psychological barrier he has to get through. He has to get back that feeling of winning, and that desire to win. Once he gets it back, I am certain he will overtake Nadal.

I will wait for that day.