Party With Marty
Martin O’Neill was named Manager of the Month for December, and he’s probably halfway to getting the award for January as well. After just two wins all season before his arrival, there have been five since (in eight games) and just two defeats. This has included a win over league leaders Manchester City, and three wins coming by way of last minute winners. The turnaround has been quite remarkable – the ‘O’Neill effect’ is undoubted and for Sunderland fans, it is very much time to ‘Party with Marty’.
Magic of the Cup™
There may not have been any major giant killings, per se, in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. However, there were the return of two giants to the footballing field. Football fans worldwide were shocked by the announcement that Paul Scholes had came out of retirement, signed to play for Manchester United until the end-of-the-season and on the bench against Man City. Thierry Henry’s return to Arsenal was less surprising, but even more magical. His script was written just in time for the awards season, and there must surely be an Oscar heading his way as he came off the bench to score the winner against Leeds. Now, that’s magic.
Tottenham for the title
Many, including myself, didn’t think Tottenham Hotspur would be mounting a serious title challenge come the second half of the season. However, they are currently top the Premier League form table, and are just two points off second placed Manchester United – only five behind Manchester City. If they keep up this good form, and the stuttering of the Manchester clubs continues, then maybe, just maybe, they have a chance.
The battle for Middle-Earth Table
Seven points is all the separates Stoke City in 8th and West Brom in 15th. Norwich in 9th are just three points ahead of the Midlands outfit. There is a bit of a gap either side – Newcastle are four points ahead of Stoke, eight ahead of Norwich. Wolves in 16th, are five points behind West Brom. There is a battle in this middle section that is often overlooked, but is no less fierce than those being waged above and below. In a game where money counts, even finishing one place higher guarantees you a bigger share of the spoils, and who finishes where in that middle section is probably the hardest to predict.
Mario Balotelli
I was beginning to worry about Mario Balotelli. I thought maybe he’d made a New Year’s Resolution to not make headlines, and was going to be quiet. I need not have feared. When you’re a famous footballer, why wouldn’t you turn up to the local college and ask to use the toilet? And then enjoy a nice stroll around the place. Compared to his previous efforts, it isn’t much. But it’s the start of another Balotelli-filled year.
