EPL Teams Theme Song 2014-15 season Part I

Hey guys,

Its exactly 16 days  8 hrs 56 mins and a couple of seconds to the new EPL season but who's counting anyway?

i have picked out each teams theme song but the idea isn't to pick just any random track but to find a song that (hopefully) will capture the tone of each teams season. Suffice to say that, you will find a few selections here that will never ever be played at any venue this season.

please enjoy my rich repertoire of 'classic' music and make sure you leave your comments below.

 Arsenal - Kanye West, "Good Life"

Yeezy's most deliriously happy single encapsulates how folks up at The Emirates must be feeling entering the 2014/2015 season. 

Fresh off an FA Cup title (their first trophy of any kind in 9 agonizing years), endorsements pouring in like an avalanche, with world class names like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil on the team sheet and a player like Aaron Ramsey, who is high on octane at the moment, caviar should be served at halftime at the Emirates next season. 

The Gunners don’t even have to auto tune like T-pain before living Kanyes kinda life in this song.

Aston Villa – Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now"

Picture this: Villa coach Paul Lambert calls up Christian Benteke at 1:15 AM one night and slurs, "I said I wouldn't call, but I've lost all control and I need you now."

Benteke, who scored 19 goals for the Villains in the 2012-13 season but sat out almost the entire 2013-14 season with an injury, could certainly have helped a Villa team with the lowest Goal Difference amongst surviving teams last season. 

Benteke, with a supporting cast of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann would do well to improve Aston Villa offensively this season.

Burnley – Take That, "Back For Good"

The last time Burnley FC won a trophy was the year Robbie Williams, lead vocalist of TT, was born.

Having spent 53 seasons in total in the top flight (the highest number amongst the promoted teams), The Clarets would be hoping it’s on a more permanent basis this time around. Sean Dyche will be counting on players like Danny Ings upfront and his on-field leader Jason Shackell to fire up the younger ones, but in a corner of his mind I’m sure he knows the top flight has changed dramatically since when last they came through these woods.

Chelsea – Jay Z, "Takeover"

Just like this track is a call-to-arms to all NY rappers who stood against Shawn Carter just before the Nas beef, so has Chelsea’s move been of late.

The Blues have pulled the BPL equivalent of ‘going all-in’.

With Cesc Fabregas, of blessed memory, Diego Costa and Filipe Luís all in tow, Jose’s squad will do damage to even the finest in Europe and will indeed be competing for the league title he promised. Just so people don’t confuse his intentions as ‘just football’, the special one has called back his evil Gregor Clegane to rein terror on twinkle toe teams who fancy finesse like Oberyn Martell. Chelsea will come down like a force of nature and most likely reclaim the crown so in case your advisors haven’t forewarned you: Please don’t throw rocks at the Special Team.

Liverpool – Young Money Entertainment, "Roger that"

The Merseyside kings might have dared to dream again last season under Brendan Rodgers but losing a player like Luis Suarez just might be too much to chew on (pun intended). The Reds look to be having their ‘Bale’ moment by splurging on quantity over quality but the rebuilding at Liverpool is justifiable and might be the start of an era reminiscent of the Shankly years.

or maybe not, just in case their dreams slip away yet again.

Manchester United – Marvin Gaye, "Mercy Mercy Me"

Things aren't what they used to be, that’s for sure.

Just over two years ago, The Red Devils won the league with points to spare even a third class student to make the Dean’s list. Fast forward 38 league games and a cockeyed manager later and United looked like a team ran over by Lewis Hamilton on the Monaco circuit. It’s unimaginable that a club as big as United would not be in Europe next season but it is what it is. 

From changes in United’s traditional 4-4-2 formation to new man Louis van Gaal’s admonition that he won’t be playing mind games with his ‘friend’ Special Ed, something which was Sir Alex’s forte (you don’t have to ask Rafa).

Can someone tell us What’s Going On at OT?

Southampton – The Script, "Break Even"

They say bad things happen for a reason; but believe me; no wise words will stop the bleeding happening at St. Marys.

The Saints have always been a nursery for the bigger teams; from Gareth Bale to Theo Walcott and A.Ox. Who knows if Jack ward-Prowse or Morgan Schnerderlin or maybe even a stud rookie will be leading this team in one or two years' time? Whatever the case, Mauricio Pochettino, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana are gone and so is everything the Saints have been about over the past two seasons.

It's time to face the break up, Saints fans.

Stoke – Arrested Development, "Arrested Development"

Whatever happened to Bojan?

This was a kid who was supposed to be the next best thing from Spain since Matadors in a bull fight. UEFA young player of the year, La Liga Young Player of the season are some of his personal accolades and the next thing you hear is that he has signed for Stoke City. Stoke freaking City!! Really??

Stoke has come a long way since the days of a manager like Tony Pulis, out muscling anything that dares move at the Britannia; I must confess Mark Hughes has added a new dimension to that; out muscle the immobile things!

His acquisition by Stoke is sorta like watching Mike Tyson on a ice rink doing the figure skating; ugly to imagine.

Sunderland – Gym Class Heroes, "Shoot Down The Stars"

Gus Poyet was arguably the manager of the season last term; he might have struggled with teams around him, but oh what a number he did on the big boys. 

Taking points off Citeh, Chelsea and United swung the title in more ways than anyone could have imagined and this brought back Sunderland from the abyss of eternal condemnation.

He sure did turn feces into fertilizer after at the Stadium of Light.

 Queens Park Rangers – Drake, "Started From the Bottom"

Even ‘Arry Houdini could not pull a rabbit out of his top hat to save The Hoops from the calamity Sparky created in the 2012/2013 season; but with a full season in charge and him instilling some of his magic potion in the club, now they’re here!

 With the benefit of hindsight, I doubt Harry Redknapp will sign 12 new players in this window least of which will be a certain Jose Bosingwa whose resume was inversely proportional to his performances at Rangers that season. 

Like Drake said “no new ni**a”, especially those you can’t trust.

One Last Chance Jack

Jack Wilshere is in the news once again. He has been pictured, cigarette in hand, surrounded by girls, partying with friends and pouring drinks down friends throats in a far off destination. Don’t get me wrong, players deserve a break once-in –awhile, but for a player who barely played 60mins in all of England's campaign in Brazil, this is not where Jack ought to be. Once again, it has led to criticism in many parts that he is wasting his talent. There is a special bond between Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere but why he doesn't seem to learn from Welshman is beyond me.

Arsenal as a club is changing, cash rich, mortgage paid off and self-sufficiently run is the new face at The Emirates. We are now able to attract some of the best legs in the world like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, Sami Khedira could be on his way. We have so much strength in the middle of the park that we were able to turn down AW’s lovechild Cesc Fabregas. It also means that we are now in a situation where Jack Wilshere is currently not good enough for our first 11; this is a player who as at 2011 was touted to be the next best thing in England since the British Bulldog, now questions marks are starting to be raised if we even need him in the squad. A senior colleague of mine who calls Jack “disable” said this morning “what will happen to disables development, if you buy Khedira?”  And that got me thinking of how Jack  seems to be going down the same route as many other talented Englishmen before him. A brilliant teenage talent, he has struggled to go from being a teenager to the man. Young Jack might just be on his last chance.

Yes, he has had injuries which have hampered his performances since his breakthrough season in 2010, but that was 4 years ago. His best performance in an Arsenal shirt was against Barcelona when he was 19. That was in 2011.

This season could be a defining one for Wilshere. He will be 23 on January 1st. We should no longer be talking about his potential, but about his actual talent. The older he becomes, the more younger players will be breaking through who are performing at a higher level. At an international level, Ross Barkley is 2 years younger and at Arsenal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is 18 months younger. Both of these are on the verge of overtaking Wilshere for club and country.

It is not far-fetched why young talents from in England most times crash even before they fly.  They are paid too much at such a young age, they thrust into celebrity lifestyle rather than concentrating on football, they become too concerned with tattoos, hairstyles, booze, birds and partying. I believe a mixture of all of these go into a mixing pot and create a footballer who is often content with becoming a millionaire, whilst not having to try too hard. English footballers are more interested in earning as much as possible, with as little work as possible and getting the girl. Meanwhile their foreign counterparts are driven by success. They want the Champions League, the World Cups, knowing that along the way, they will pick up the millions and the girl. A good example is Andreas Iniesta who had won it all and got married just two years ago (at 28); the average English “talent” has two kids and twenty tattoos by the time he is 18.

It is not a new thing. I read the memoirs of Paul Merson, and many others at Colney on how they trained, and went straight to the pub to party and were content. Meanwhile, the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry came across from the continent. They were first into training, and whilst the English lads left quickly to hit the pub or golf course, they would stay behind. It is often said that Cristiano Ronaldo trains more, and harder, than anyone else at Madrid; you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you why he is the best in the trade today. To become the best, you have to train better than the best. Natural talent only takes you so far.

This is an epidemic in English football. David Bentley never fulfilled his talent; he is not yet 30 and retired. Even Wayne Rooney, the bright hope of English football, has never really fulfilled his talent. Jack Wilshere, whilst not being as bad as David Bentley, is close to becoming the next Joe Cole, the next Wayne Rooney. Incredibly talented, but never really fulfilled it.

With our new found wealth, we can buy ready-made stars. We no longer have to look at a players potential and hope that they fulfill it. If they fail to do so, we can ship them out, buy in better. We no longer have to ‘make do’.

Yes, every player deserves a chance, and Aaron Ramsey showed the benefits of giving a player that chance. For me, Jack Wilshere is on his last chance. He needs to step up; otherwise he could find his Arsenal career sail away like the black pearl.

 COYG!!!

Post Match Review: Arsenal 3-1 WestHam

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Rosicky, Arteta, Podolski, Cazorla, Kallstrom, Giroud
SUBSTITUTES: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Bellerin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Sanogo, Akpom

WESTHAM UTD: Adrián, Reid, Tomkins, Armero, Demel, Jarvis, Noble, Diame, Downing, Nocerino, Carroll
SUBSTITUTES: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Johnson, Taylor, Cole, Vaz Te, Cole

After playing 120mins in the FA Cup win over Wigan on Saturday, it was going take a lot to get past a team coached by Sam Allardyce; 3goals and 3 points later we overtook Everton into fourth place at least till they play Crystal Palace tonight.

Extra time in the FA Cup took a toll and Arsene Wenger was forced to make five changes from the team that won on Saturday. Kim Kallstrom got his first start and despite a few wayward passes, looked good in midfield shielding the back four when needed. Vermaelen started at left back due to injuries to both Monreal and Gibbs and played solidly with Rosicky adding pace and directness in midfield.

Arsenal haven’t been particularly good at comeback victories this season having gone behind 11 times in Premier League play but only notching one win and four draws in those matches. Arsenal’s only win from a losing position this season came against, yes wait for it, West Ham on Boxing Day. In that match, Podolski came on in the 65th minute and scored the third goal. Did I hear Déjà vu?

Operation “Save Our Season” kicked in after the Hammers goal and Arsenal seemed to find another gear, linking passes effortlessly and keeping the ball deep in the Hammers area. After Stewart Downings failed clearance fell to Cazorla the Spaniard played a splitting ball to Podolski who simply took a touch, turned and fired in to the far corner. A much needed goal at an important time in the game.

Arsenal came out in the second and took the game to West Ham. A series of corners tested the Hammers’ set play defense with Cazorla playing in dangerous crosses that were only just dealt with. When West Ham did finally clear their lines the ball went to Vermaelen who was playing as last defender for Arsenal. The Arsenal captain played in a huge long ball to Giroud and the Frenchman, despite Andy Carroll shoving him in the back, plucked the ball out of the air and powered a shot between Adrián’s legs.

Arsene made his customary 70th minute sub in the 72nd minute and put Aaron Ramsey in for Tomas Rosicky. Now I must confess, if Rosicky brought directness to the midfield then Ramsey’s rottweiling drive gave us more impetus upfield, it took three minutes to show what he’s all about and after a few well worked passes got himself into space 20 yards out and had a crack at goal. Two minutes later he was in the same position when a Giroud cross was played behind him but the Welsh wizard stepped back and headed the ball softly to Podolski. The end result was never in doubt as the German simply smashed the ball over the keeper and into the roof of the net.

For all the stick that a player like Olivier Giroud gets, I think last night was one of his finer moments and why Arsene Wenger fails to utilize a player of Podolski’s class more is beyond me. I know he fizzles out defensively atimes , especially when he combines with Monreal on the left flank but  playing for der mannschaft at all levels and scoring 46 goals in more than 100 games has to count for something.

Let us wait and watch what happens to Martinez’s Everton team tonight but as much as I hate to say this, I believe our Champions League exploits for next season lie with the two Manchester clubs.

So COYG!!!

What Would Be A Great Season Finale?

So the team is back squabbling for a spot in the top 4 again this season, after spending the most number of weeks atop the league table than any other club.

Where and how did we go wrong?  Santi Cazorla was quoted as mentioning the Stoke game at the Britannia but I believe something went burst in our heads at Anfield  after we lost to Liverpool (in a shambolic fashion if I may add), the belief, the drive and all that chutzpah that we really could win the league got deflated like a kids first birthday balloon.

I’m still wondering what a good ending to this season will be; The FA cup trophy and/or UCL qualification for next season.  If I was asked this question a few weeks into August 2013, I would have grabbed both but i guess we quivered under the weight of that huge expectation of winning the league...needless to say, which no one gave us a chance of winning in the first place.I still believe those two milestones would be worth the nine year wait. 

Now back to reality, we need to refocus on the league and put pressure on Everton by winning tonight. I don’t see Martinez’s men winning all their remaining games especially those two games against the Manchurian clubs, so in a way our faith still lies in our hands and we mustn’t let it slip off (again).

COYG!!!