5 talking points of the week

With 4 (in some cases 5) games left in the season, the relegation and title chases should be running at full tilt, but oddly they are not. Reading and QPR have been pushed down, while Manchester Blue cannot defeat the Mancunians this time around. Most teams, except a very fragile Newcastle and a weak Norwich, look safe, while mid table sides seem to have gone into footballing hibernation. But yet we got treated to some good football, so here goes the five talking points of the week-

Goodbye

QPR and Reading played a match, which, if either would have won it, could have put on hold their demotion. But true to

ability, they scraped a 0-0 draw. The draw typified why these teams are going down. Both had a curious inability to defend properly and were almost shy of scoring goals. Not only was the match one of the most drab affairs ever, the crowds too seemed subdued. I guess they are saving their efforts for the Championship.

Luis who?

Many predicted that without their enigmatic number 7, Liverpool would struggle. No one, not even the most ardent Liverpool fan foresaw the 6-0 result at St. James’ Park. Without Suarez, the team combined brilliantly and plundered 6 goals and defended well enough when the need arose. Apart from a couple of saves, Pepe Reina could have been sleeping all through the match and no one would have noticed. Coutinho showed why he could be worth his transfer fees and Sturridge showed his class he seemed to have wasted away at Chelsea.

Pantomime Villain

Now Christmas has already gone by, yet at the Emirates we saw a pantomime villain in RVP. He was jeered and booed by the Emirates faithful and naturally seemed unfazed by it. Of course, the guard of honour accorded to Manchester United would not have pleased die-hard Gunners. Wenger though showed real class and for the most part of the game, Arsenal were the only team trying to play. United seemed busy plotting next season.

A story too old

Every year Spurs work themselves into great positions. And every year around mid-March, they start to unravel. This year is no different. They were pathetic against relegation threatened Wigan and should have lost but for Wigan’s own folly. One goal conceded was a freak goal for which their keeper and Figueroa must share the blame. The other was an unfortunate own goal. The Latics deserved a 2-0 win, but a draw helps neither.

Player of the year?

Gareth Bale has been excellent all through the year, but Player of the Year seems a step too far to me. RVP was better, so was Suarez and Mata for me has been the best player in England this season, but he too was not considered. The step which did not make sense at all was giving him the Young Player award. At 24, the Welshman is not exactly young. And in my humble belief the award should have gone to Eden Hazard or even Christian Benteke, but I guess the FA just loves its British children.