Four Balls Blog Team of the Year 2015/2016

 

Just How Big Of An Upset Would A Leicester City Title Be?

One of the many things we love about sports is it's ability to surprise and shock us. We've been treated to some truly phenomenal upsets of course, from the likes of Japan beating South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup to Greece winning the European Championship in 2004. But how does Leicester's potential title compare?

Jags' Fans Draw The Yellow Card

Former Glasgow art student turned world-renowned artist, Jonathan Monk, is blowing the whistle on the boundaries between art and football by creating his own unique giveaway for Partick Thistle fans.

The third in a line-up of artist collaborations with the club, Jonathan has created a yellow card fans can take away and use during the match, giving a nod to both the sporting and artistic worlds. 

Win the FA Cup on Saturday, lose the league on Monday

Former Leeds United player Eddie Gray says there is no better feeling than winning the FA Cup ahead of his former side’s match against Rotherham on Saturday.

England vs France - More Than A Football Match

This is no normal football match. After the travesty on Friday night, this is a show of solidarity, a unity against terrorism, all forms, not just the disaster in Paris, but also to pay respects to those who perished in the horrifying events in Beirut which saw over 40 people die, and also the ongoing conflict in Syria, as well as everywhere else in the world thats has been on the receiving end of this barbarism. Yes, Wembley will be sporting the French colours and the motto "Liberté Egalité Fraternité", but the message is not uniquely in support of Paris, but for every nation that has suffered at the hands of terrorists.

If I Were Always Right... - Premier League Table After Round 3

Premier League - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

Arsenal

With Alexis Sanchez absent from the starting line-up for the season opener against West Ham, Arsenal seemed to struggle to find their feet despite a promising pre-season. Fans would have been filled with hope after their Community Shield victory against Chelsea, but may have been left unsure after the opening game as the Gunners disappointed in a 2-0 opening day loss. Olivier Giroud struggled throughout the game and Wenger could well go back into the transfer market to look for a new striker to lead the attack. Talk of Karim Benzema arriving has simmered down to mere whispers which may upset the Arsenal faithful. Petr Cech’s competitive debut was less than convincing, however I’m sure it was simply a blip in form and he will prove his worth in the upcoming fixtures. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was possibly the Gunners’ only bright spark during the game, however Sanchez’s return following his rest after the Copa America saw him return to the bench for the match against Crystal Palace.

West Brom - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

Tony Pulis’ West Brom side will have been hoping to start the season with an upset against a Manchester City side improved by their £49million signing of Raheem Sterling. The atmosphere at the Hawthorns was dampened after 9 minutes, as Yaya Toure’s shot ricocheted in off David Silva’s legs, giving the Sky Blues an early lead. Toure got on the scoresheet later on in the game and Kompany rounded off the performance with a third, his second half header completing their domination of an underwhelming Albion side. A 3-0 loss would not have been how the Baggies wished to start their campaign, but it would have taken something special against a Man City side playing with this much quality.

Watford - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

Watford will have wanted to start the season well in order to have a chance of staying up following their promotion to the Premier League on the back of an impressive performance in the Championship last campaign. They did just that, Miguel Layun’s half-volley opening their account after 13 minutes in what could have been a tricky away fixture against Everton. The toffees drew level late in the second half, Ross Barkley’s strike beating Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes after 78 minutes. Watford responded well, as Odion Ighalo put the Hornets ahead once more, only for his goal to be cancelled out by Arouna Kone’s composed finish late on in the game. The travelling fans will be happy with their side’s performance, a 2-2 draw probably the right result.

Tottenham - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

Manager Mauricio Pochettino will have been hopeful that star man Harry Kane could reproduce his form from last season for Tottenham when his team visited a renovated Manchester United side at Old Trafford in the opening Premier League fixture for the season. Chances came at a premium for the striker and the first real chance of the game fell to midfielder Christian Eriksen – his dinked effort beat United goalkeeper Sergio Romero, but fell onto the roof of the Argentinian’s net. Shortly after, Red Devils’ striker Wayne Rooney found the ball caught under his feet in the Spurs area, only for Kyle Walker’s last ditch tackle to trickle into his own net. The game remained at 1-0, with the few chances Spurs had kept out by Romero.

Swansea - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

A strong performance from Garry Monk’s Swansea City side saw them come from behind twice in their opening fixture against reigning champions, Chelsea. A resolute attitude throughout the team meant Swansea’s perseverance and good decision making in attack brought them through the game, to leave Stamford Bridge with a point. A composed finish from new boy Andre Ayew brought Swansea level after 29 minutes, however the joy was short lived as a Fernandez own goal brought Chelsea level just 1 minute later. In the second half, Swansea continued to threaten Chelsea’s goal and striker Bafetimbi Gomis won a penalty early on as Chelsea’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saw red. Gomis dispatched the penalty to draw them level once more. Swansea couldn’t take advantage of the situation, but will be pleased to leave with a point.

Sunderland - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

Questions rose about the solidity of Sunderland’s defence as they fell short in a 4-2 defeat away to Leicester City in their opening fixture of this Premier League season. Dick Advocaat’s men had little to shout about at half time, conceding three goals in the opening 30 minutes of the game. New signing Younes Kaboul seems to have struggled to settle in his new role leading the Black Cats back line, as John O’Shea’s omission from the starting line-up may have surprised some after a solid 2014/15 campaign. Advocaat will have been happier at full-time than half-time, despite the loss, following his side’s attempt to drag themselves back into the game with goals through strikers Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher.

Stoke - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

Stoke fans have plenty to be optimistic about this season as Mark Hughes proved his side could compete with some of the top sides for the big names, signing Ibrahim Afellay from Barcelona – the winger starting the opening game against Liverpool. A late moment of brilliance from Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho took the draw away from the Potters in a well contested match at the Britannia Stadium. Hughes will look for his side to be more clinical moving forward, with only one shot on target in the match. Despite the loss, Stoke proved they have what it takes to go toe to toe with the big boys this season and could shock a few.

Southampton - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

England striker Jay Rodriguez made his return in a 2-2 away draw against Newcastle, as Southampton sought to build on the good foundations they laid down in last season’s impressive 7^th place finish. An opening goal from striker Graziano Pelle after 24 minutes will have filled Saints fans with hope, but it was short lived as goals from Papiss Cisse and Georginio Wijnaldum gave the Magpies a lead early in the second half. Rodriguez’s replacement, Shane Long, grabbed a late equaliser for Southampton after 79 minutes which will give the travelling fans something to cling onto.

Norwich - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

The 2015/16 season began with a match that will leave Canary fans with a bitter taste lingering in their mouths. A few contentious decisions saw the game run away from them in a 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Having gone 2-0 down, Norwich responded well as substitute Nathan Redmond pulled one back after 69 minutes. Striker Cameron Jerome then scored what would probably be the greatest goal of his career, expertly hooking the ball over his head, only for it to be taken away for a “high boot”. Although the foot was high, it seemed to have no impact on surrounding players, suggesting the goal should have stood. A potential turning point in the game got away from the Canaries and they went on to concede another, beginning their Premier League return with a defeat.

Newcastle United - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

In manager Steve McClaren’s return to the Premier League, Newcastle faced a tough opening day fixture against last year’s surprise package, Southampton. The match was hard fought, with the Magpies having plenty to shout about as they ploughed on through to a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park. One particular moment will stand out from the game as summer signing Georginio Wijnaldum buried his header to take the game to 2-1. An astute acquisition from McClaren, one which has slipped a little under the radar. The Newcastle boss may be disappointed to see his side fail to hold on to the win, however has many positives to take from the match.

Manchester United - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

After Louis van Gaal’s clear out over the summer it was important for the Red Devils to get off to a quick start this campaign. It wasn’t quite that easy though as they stumbled through their opening fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. A first half Kyle Walker own goal was all United fans could shout about after the game with a less than convincing performance in their 1-0 victory. With an abundance of new signings it may take a short while for the squad to pull together fully, but despite a poor performance, van Gaal will be pleased to escape with 3 points. New signing Sergio Romero started in goal amidst uncertainty over last year’s star man David de Gea’s future, and was instrumental in keeping Spurs out all game, including a late Christian Eriksen effort.

Manchester City - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

As Raheem Sterling made his debut following a £49million move to Manchester City, the Sky Blues romped home to a 3-0 win against West Brom at the Hawthorns. Yaya Toure inspired the City side throughout, grabbing the second goal of the game, sandwiched between talisman David Silva’s opener and Captain Vincent Kompany’s second half header. Manuel Pellegrini’s men impressed throughout the game and looked at ease as they tore apart the Baggies. After a particularly effective first half, man of the match Toure may have worried some City fans as he left the field of play with a groin injury in the second half. Star striker Sergio Aguero made an appearance from the bench late on but had little impact following his return from the Copa America.

Leicester - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

Having survived against the odds last season, Leicester will be looking to get a fast start to this campaign, doing just that in a 4-2 opening day victory against Sunderland. New manager Claudio Ranieri seems to have injected some new found belief into the Foxes with Algerian Riyad Mahrez impressing, scoring a brace in the first half of the game. An early head from striker Jamie Vardy, alongside the Mahrez goals, saw Leicester enter the break with a convincing 3-0 lead. Sunderland worked hard in the second half trying to drag the game back in their favour, however Marc Albrighton’s strike after 66 minutes put the game out of reach and the Foxes took their first 3 points of the season.

Liverpool - Weeks 1 & 2 Review

Having spent heavily in the transfer window, Brendan Rogers will have been looking for his Liverpool side to gel quickly this campaign. Stoke City away will not have been the fixture Reds fans wanted to start with after an embarrassing 6-1 defeat in Gerrard’s departing match at the end of last season, despite Rogers’ claims. Christian Benteke made his Liverpool debut as they seek to find an answer to their attacking problem following Luis Suarez’s exit in 2014. However it was Philippe Coutinho who secured the 1-0 victory as his thunderbolt on 86 minutes rifled into the back of Jack Butland’s net. With so many debuts across the Liverpool team, they will be happy to have left the Brittania Stadium with 3 points.