EPL: Things to look out for at the weekend - Part 3
Wigan were woeful in their own right during their last week’s match with Blackpool but if the seasider’s thought that this is the amount of competition they will face in the top flight of English football, then they better change their mindset.
Wigan was not a complete representation of the quality that prevails in English Premier League. However, Blackpool’s next test comes against a team from London which will truly test their ability to hold their own amongst the bullies of English club football. On Saturday, Blackpool will face Arsenal at the Emirates stadium. Arsenal might not have been that appealing in their draw at Anfield against Liverpool but there is no doubt that the Gunners will be out to put their season back on track.
Fabregas is expected to be back in the starting line-up for Arsene Wenger’s team and thus Blackpool have every reason to prepare themselves for one of the toughest tests they might face this season. It will be interesting to see how Blackpool will deal with Arsenal’s all conquering possession football. Blackpool usually play an attacking style of football, which includes moving the ball in quick succession across the field but if they do keep to their tactics, then disaster befall them. Arsenal are one of the best teams in counter attacking and if Blackpool do keep to their guns, then the Gunners will be odds on favourites to out gun them.
However, Ian Holloway will be more inclined towards adopting a more English style of play i.e. tough tackling, long balls and quick pressing. Arsenal has seemed susceptible to such an approach since the past 3 seasons and on evidence, such a style might unsettle Wenger’s men. Blackpool will be well advised to close down empty spaces because if they don’t, then Arsenal will not hesitate in passing the Seasider’s to death. Blackpool retained their gung ho style against Wigan and it worked very well against a shambles of a team that is Wigan. If they go for glory at the Emirates stadium, then Holloway’s honeymoon in the English Premier League can end in Blackpool’s funeral away from the London giants.
Another promoted team West Brom will also be under the radar this weekend due to their compulsive habitual ability to suffer from humiliation in the English Premier League. West Brom is one of those yo-yo clubs in English football which are in the Championship for a season and then qualify for the English Premier League in the very next season. This means that they are superb when it comes to the Championship but in the English Premier League, West Brom just doesn’t cut it. In their first game of the 2010/2011 season, West Brom has already suffered a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of the English champions Chelsea F.C.
West Brom’s manager, Roberto Di Matteo emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes in an interview and now is the time for the Baggies to toughen up. Their next game is against Sunderland at home on Saturday. If West Brom survives the scare in English Premier League, then they will have to pick up points against the likes of Fulham Wigan, Sunderland etc. These are the teams who are susceptible to dropping points on their travels.
This week, the black cats will be without Lee Cattermole who was sent off in their match against Birmingham, therefore West Brom has an excellent chance of pulling out a surprise win against them. If that is the minnows have learned their lessons, lesson’s that might just keep them in the league with the big boys.
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