Away day blues

Merson backs Chelsea and Villa on Super Sunday

Last updated: 2nd September 2008

spurs juande ramos newcastle

Ramos: set for third defeat?

This isn't the stock exchange. Fans pay their money to watch top-drawer players trying to win things, not a bunch of 20-year-olds being groomed to be sold for a profit.

Paul Merson
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PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE
Chelsea v Tottenham
1pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
Aston Villa v Liverpool
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1

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Sky Sports expert Paul Merson looks ahead to this weekend's live offerings.....

Merse on Chelsea v Tottenham
Merse on Aston Villa v Liverpool

Chelsea v Tottenham

Spurs have had a shocker so far this season. The team is in disarray and the last thing they need is all this confusion over Dimitar Berbatov, who is their best player by a million miles. I don't know what the club are doing, having just let Robbie Keane go. Those two players scored most of their goals last season and I can't see them bringing in anybody better.

It's all very well making money, but not at the expense of the team - you can see that down the road with Arsenal. I heard Arsene Wenger saying he didn't want to buy players of a certain age because they had no "sell-on value". What's the point of that? You should be buying players to win trophies, not to make a few million quid a few years down the line.

This isn't the stock exchange. Fans pay their money to watch top-drawer players trying to win things, not a bunch of 20-year-olds being groomed to be sold for a profit. That's why Chelsea have been successful; they've bought the best players without worrying about their sell-on value.

I don't know who's going to take Keane's place. I like Darren Bent but he needs someone up alongside him creating chances like Keane did last year. It looks like Roman Pavlyuchenko is joining, but he's no better than Keane or Berbatov and they'll be lucky if he settles as quick as snow in this league.

Brilliant Blues

I've been very impressed by Chelsea so far and with Robinho coming in, you wonder how the rest are ever going to catch them.

It's getting to a stage where even Arsenal are miles behind them. If you look at the Arsenal team you wonder if any of their players would get in the Chelsea side - and that shouldn't be the case with the top teams. Manchester United and Chelsea are still ahead of the rest and even though we're only two weeks into the season, you can see just how good Chelsea are.

I don't see any weaknesses there. If Petr Cech, John Terry or Ricardo Carvalho got injured then there might be cause for concern but elsewhere they are rock solid and have internationals waiting in the wings to come in.

MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Ledley King - Spurs are going to be under the cosh for long periods and as their best defender, King will be important. Jermaine Jenas will also be crucial and will have to be on his guard against Frank Lampard. Jenas is a fit lad and must play box-to-box and he must try to take the Chelsea midfield in the other direction to give the defence some rest.

PAUL'S PREDICTION
Home win - This will be a walk in the park for Chelsea. Tottenham usually like to play free-flowing football, but they will have to go there with a different game plan because an open match will suit the home team. However, Chelsea's movement is phenomenal and they will be able to break Spurs down. I'll go for 2-0 to Chelsea.

Aston Villa v Liverpool

I've watched Liverpool four times this season and I don't know what they've done. They've got great players, but there's something missing and I can't put my finger on what it is.

I was talking to Phil Thompson last week and he said that if they can turn their draws into wins they can win the league. The problem is they always go out to draw the match. Against Villa, they'll go out and set themselves up to make sure they do not get beat and whatever they get after that will be a bonus. They only lost four games last year and yet they never looked like winning the league. I refuse to believe all of those draws were down to bad luck.

Liverpool didn't look like they were trying to win the game against Sunderland, they were lucky with two late goals against Middlesbrough and they were second best against Standard Liege, particularly in the first game. They've got away with it so far but sooner or later they will get found out, especially when they come up against better teams.

Unless they raise their level against Aston Villa, they will be beaten comfortably. Of course, Liverpool are capable of winning this game, but not if they perform as they have been so far.

Villa value

Villa's defeat to Stoke last weekend shows the difference between the top four and the rest of the Premier League. Villa had an off-day and lost, whereas Liverpool have had two off-days and won twice. The rest of the league have to perform at their maximum every week if they want to compete - but at their best, Villa are capable of giving anybody a game.

All eyes will be on Gareth Barry on Sunday, but he'll deal with it because he's a level-headed lad. I don't think he should be too impressed with his agent because this story shouldn't have dragged on all summer. Barry has come out of it looking like the bad guy and he'll have some of the crowd on his back, while his agent can hide away behind the scenes. But I'm sure Barry will win the fans over because he's too good a player.

Keeping him is a massive bonus for Martin O'Neill because he's their best player. Villa will do well this season if they steer clear of injuries to their top men. But if the likes of Barry, Ashley Young and John Carew are out then they could end up among the also-rans.

MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Ashley Young - He's the best winger in the country because he does something that nobody else does - taking people on. If he gets enough of the ball on Sunday then he'll cause problems because even if you speak to the best defenders in the world they'll tell you they hate players running at them. How he doesn't get in the England squad is beyond me.

PAUL'S PREDICTION
Home win - If Aston Villa defend well they can win the game 2-1. Liverpool had a really tough game in midweek and I think Villa will be fresher after a straightforward UEFA Cup tie. With the way that Liverpool have been playing I can't see why Villa can't do it.

Comments

Joel Etherton (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I agree with just about everything you've said here, Merse, except Ledley King. I don't know how people can consistently call this guy "Tottenham's best player" and how he continues to be in consideration for the English side. I will say that for Tottenham to have a prayer at not embarassing themselves, they need King to play out of his skin and not get another injury. Woodgate will be solid at the back as always, but I think the big battle is going to be fought in the middle of the park between Deco/Lampard and Jenas/Modric. Frankly, Jenas has been having his best season in my opinion, but I don't think Modric has settled down and will be a little too star struck and lost to play well. Deco will likely eat him for a half-time snack. Bentley and Bent are going to have to have the games of their lives in order for Tottenham to have a prayer. As for Gomes, I really hope he settles down in the back. He looked worse than Robinson against Sunderland.

Posted 16:01 29th August 2008

Haydyn Williams (Liverpool fan) says...

Agree with you,Paul.Liverpool look completely out of sorts at the moment.There is no width,and as Leige showed,they are easy to defend against when they play down the middle.I pesonally,would like to see a genuine right sided player - like Pennant play,in preference to Kuyt,and feel that we are too reliant on Gerrard and Torres to provide that moment of brilliance,instead of functioning as a team.Looking back,I'm not sure many of the current squad would have survived long under Shanks or Paisley,and the wait for a title will go on beyond this year at least.In fact,expect a new manager soon......

Posted 13:46 29th August 2008

Nigel Canavan (Liverpool fan) says...

i have to agree with some of the other comments, when ever Man U Chelsea win 1-0, it is viewed that if you want to beat them you have to be a 95 minute team, when liverpool leave it late its luck. Fergie once said winning 1-0 consistantly is championship form. liverpool do lack width and i cant understand why Kyut is continously being played on the wing, hes not a winger but does work hard, Liverpool have not been able to find a descent winger since Steve Mc Mannaman, it needs to be sort quick and Reira of Espanyol is not the answer he was useless at Man City, un less he has improved drastically it is another bad buy. Rafa should give some level of consistancy to the team so players can get used to playing with each other, fergie would never make such whole sale changes and delivers consistancy.

Posted 13:46 29th August 2008

Franny Challoner (Liverpool fan) says...

as a massive liverpool fan i will be worried watching the game we have played awful in all the games so far this season and somehow won. i will be verty nervous watching on sunday as i think we will be torn apart especially without stevie gerrard who we rely on too much, im also going to back gareth barry to get on the scoresheet its just written in the stars

Posted 13:29 29th August 2008

Scott Peacock (Aston Villa fan) says...

totally agree with merse. i mean now with the signing of milner, qualtiy and width either side. so what if we lost against stoke the weekend, every game is different. we go out to win games right til the end, like liverpool. so you got to give respect to them on that front. also with cueller fit and ready now, hopefully our defence will be solid, yes we conceded 5 goals in 2 games, but you forget we scored 6 goals. spurs can take the game to chelsea if they sign pavluchenko, he is an awsome player! and with the quality in the midfield its only time before they start pushing the 'big four'. spurs have the same problem as the villa though, there not secure enough in defence!! if we and tottenham conceed less goals then liverpool and arsnal best watch there backs.

Posted 13:18 29th August 2008

Alan Welch (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpools performances so far this season have indeed been poor, however we have 6 points out of 6. I dont understant why people are saying we have a problem. Soon enough the team will click and once that happens i can see very few teams beating us. As soon as Gerrard, Kean and Torres gel you watch the goals fly in, especially with Babbel whipping the ball in and Dirk Kuyt working his backside off as usual! We'll turn last years draws into wins!! I think having Mascherano back will also give balance to the whole team and improve performances. I can see us really challenging for honours this season, I trust Rafa and believe his plan for league success will some good this season or next. As far as Villa are concerned, we will win 2-0. Our superior work rate, creativity and class will shine through in this game.

Posted 13:17 29th August 2008

Matthew Rowe (Liverpool fan) says...

"That's why Chelsea have been successful; they've bought the best players without worrying about their sell-on value. " Merson's a footballer granted, not a businessman, but if he really thinks any other club could adopt this attitude, he's on another planet. Not every club has a Roman.

Posted 13:12 29th August 2008

Arvinder D (Liverpool fan) says...

I think Paul M has a good point about Young, BUT also think he is a season or two away from playing for England on the regs, HOWEVER Cappello should be bringing in the young players that will probably be playing in the next world cup.... with him playing the like of Lamps and Becks is a joke... i know they are top players but he has two years to get a team ready.... and i cant really seen becks and lamps playing Becks is like 33/34 and lampard is 30 in two years they going to be old and not as good as they are now and that says something as i currently think there are other players who should be in the side before them NOW, he likes of Carrick bentley SWP young Hargreaves Barry Cole should all be in the line up....... as far as This weekend i think Two games in to the season and people have opinions about how the league is going to pan out is really silly .... last year EVERYONE wrote of Arsenal had such a poor squad and even UTD BUT look what happened.... I love Liverpool BUT sometimes do think Rafa doesnt really look around for the right players he bought Pennnet, Dussena, Veronen, Aurolio, Arbeloa, Yosi, Dessena all these players i cant see getting in to half the Mid-table teams and yet they are all at Liverpool I know there is a big difference in spending power but even so we cant be getting rid of players that might be the same or a little better then the ones he's bought in...... I rly regard Finnan Riise Alonso as top players some of the best in the league... and he's willing to get rid and bring in players that are worse..... i'm a big fan of Barry and think he should play for a top four team but no way ever is he better then Alonso.... Sorry to say Xavi oozes class and would walking in to any other side across Europe and we're willing to sell him for 15 odd million and spend more on Barry...its a shocking thought i bet O'neill would love to have Xavi rather then Barry.

Posted 12:20 29th August 2008

Dave Ankle (Liverpool fan) says...

Okey dokey day. First off, three of the team who played over 30 games last season have not been playing as they have been at the Olympics. We have re-arranged the formation and are trying to accomodate a new player with a BIG reputation. We have a new left back settling in. Gerrard has been playing with an injury that needs surgery and we only got the Spanish lads back in the last week of pre-season. Yet with all of this....we are unbeaten and in the CL group stages. Boo frickin hoo. Ok the TWO premiership games and the two CL games havent looked great, did anyone see Chelsea getting peppered by Wigan last week? How many seasons have United started poorly....I mean they were rubbish last year in the first month....they didnt do too bad. Fulham beat Arsenal and we are being mocked for being joint top.

Posted 12:07 29th August 2008

Uche Ugorji (Arsenal fan) says...

Paul, i agree with you on someof you comments, but i completely disagree on the case of arsenal. This is the team that went a long way last seaon and its only true to say they a more experienced than they were at that time. Even you, had you chance at highbury when you were young,so give them the benefit of the doubt. I remember when last season was about to start, a lot of people said the team were not a bet for the champions league, and players like Flamini were supposed to be inexperienced and not good enough, now they are the talking point of how Wenger has let experienced players go. About Tottenham, i think Ramos has gotten caught up on the bus that so wants to make an impression on Arsenal. I agree with you that he somewhat stupidly let go his most efficient front-man and cant get to keep his best player, and there was som much noise about him buying Dos Santos, Modric and some kids, all in bid to whip up sentiment against Arsenal, now you can see things fashion themselves out. I like reading your write-ups Paul and i am with you on your predictions for this weekend.

Posted 11:48 29th August 2008

Sandeep Kaverappa (Chelsea fan) says...

I do agree that liverpool have been scrappy and were lucky to come away with three points in both their games, this is when they have all thier players available, but what happens when players like gerrard, torres or carragher get injured and they do not quality players to fill in that positions. last season liverpool were terrible when they lost thier key players and dropped points against mediocre teams. this is where teams like chelsea and Man U pull away from the rest as they have a big squad and enough quality in the bench. chelsea last season could grind out results even though they lost players like drogba, lampard, terry at the same time. liverpool tend to make the same mistakes and over rely on some players. i expect them to drop points against villa this weekend in the absence of gerrard.

Posted 11:22 29th August 2008

Thomas Hansen (Manchester United fan) says...

I predict Liverpool to fall short in this game simply because Villa look more of superior team. Liverpool is not a overall better side than they was last season. In my opinion they`ve got 4 top class players. If you compare them agains Chelsea, United and even Arsenal, these teams have top class players in every position. They even got top class players in cover. Liverpool might say they have improved the squad, but the distance to the top is the same because the other teams have improved as well and even more.

Posted 11:18 29th August 2008

Ben Powell (Liverpool fan) says...

I would say that its a bit harsh to rule tottenham out completely, they have given Chelsea some good games over the last couple of seasons and might come up with the goods on the day, also Chelsea were lucky not to lose 4-1 last week to wigan!! Our two games in the League so far haven't been the best but at least we have been good in our defense and haven't really look liked conceeding!!! As mentioned by other fans we def need some width to give torres and keane some room to operate!!! I can't see us losing, I think it will be a 1-1 draw, but either team may nick it!! Come on Lpool

Posted 11:13 29th August 2008

Max B (Aston Villa fan) says...

Merse you are still a legend at the Villa. As for Sunday, I think Villa will win it. Having seen MON nurture the reserves into Euro and with players like Salifou and Osborne starting to find their true form, we are getting some depth to the squad. Ashley, Gabby and Carew are quicker than the static Liverpool defence. Liverpool haven't gelled as a team yet and look wrong on the left - I can' t think why that would be! If we get Millner we will have an awesome attack . I totally agree that if we loose Ashley Young or Carew we will need cover - Harewood is no replacement for Carew at the moment. We could do with another striker if we are going to get some decent cup runs. 3-1 Villa win on Sunday

Posted 10:10 29th August 2008

George Mofulu (Liverpool fan) says...

I quite agree that Big Phill (Scolari) has a best squad for now and there is a lot of expectation to win the title(s) out of his squad, but in this early period of Primier League most of the Clubs will stand strong when facing the Blues and they may end up get a series of draws which could be an advantage for either Man U. Liverpool or Arsenal to take up the lead. For the case of Liverpool I also agree that The Refa's squad is not at its best form for now although they have good results from their games. The team is not playing well and even there is a lot of common mistakes from individual players. Keane has not shown impressive perfomance to capture the heart of liverpool fans and justify his transfer. In the tommorow's game against Villa, i think the absence of the Captain (Gerrard) we expect to see minor changes in the formation and this will give The Reds improved perfomance.

Posted 09:45 29th August 2008

Martin Begg (Liverpool fan) says...

Last season when Man Utd where winning and not playing well, all the pundits were saying "thats what makes a good team when you are not playing well but still winning". Now Liverpool is doing it all I hear is that Liverpool need to sort it out cos they are not playing well. It's not right it's like people hate to see us do well, I admit we need to sort out the team starting eith the wide areas. We bought Dirk Kuyt to score goals, he wasn't doing that so now we put him on the right wing where he is awful, he needs to come out of the team. I can't believe that we want to sell Pennant he is llike the only quality winger we have along with Babel and Jermain's crossing is second to none. Did you that in the 2006/2007 season he put in more crosses than any over player, yes more than Cristiano Ronaldo, but we want to sell him! We have no width at al we need to buy some wingers im glad we didnt get Barry thats far to much money wen we r desperate for wide players, Dossena looks good but other than him our full backs are too defensive, we need to sort it now before its to late!

Posted 09:44 29th August 2008

Rajan Awasthi (Liverpool fan) says...

The current Liverpool form is woeful indeed, but still I think the defense is not too far from being their best. Aston Villa is going to be a tough test for Liverpool, specially at the back of Gareth Barry saga, but I do not see how you think Liverpool would be beaten COMFORTABLY. I think you are right in saying that Liverpool would put out a team not to be beat, but at the same time I think there Liverpool have enough quality in the midfield to deal with Aston Villa, even with Gerrard being a non-starter. Atleast Liverpool have ground out the results but the same can not be said of Aston Villa. Personally, I think it would be a draw. I am also tipping Alonso for the man of the match, he really takes over when Gerrard is missing.

Posted 08:43 29th August 2008

Ziggy Johnson (West Ham United fan) says...

Liverpool have struggled in ALL games this season. In my opinion they haven't deserved to win any of them. Luck will only take them so far. They have no width and that is their downfall. Kuyt and Benayoun both cutting in squashes things up for Keane and Torres. It took Liverpool 118 minutes to get some one down to the by line and put a cross in and some tired defending help them to get the ball across the line. Don't get me wrong I like Liverpool and would rather see them win the PL than Chelski or Man U But they look a long way behind them both at the moment.

Posted 08:41 29th August 2008

Michael Henderson (Manchester United fan) says...

Money wasted today can't be spent in the future ask any Leeds fans whether a Champion's League semi-final was worth it? In the end the books need to be balanced. Chelsea seem to be having one last ditch effort to buy success but the day abramovich calls his loan is the day Chelsea are bankrupt. Forget the money wasted on transfers, their salary outlay is 50MM per year more than any other club. The idea that Tottenham or even Arsenal would do well to match Chelsea's spending is farcical but they will both be there in 10 year's time. Chelsea might not be

Posted 08:01 29th August 2008

Kevin Knott (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Why do people, as Merson has in this article, keep saying they don't understand why Spurs let Robbie Keane go, and are willing to let Berbatov go as well ? Simple answer. Clubs playing the Champions League express an interest or put a bid in, and the player's head is turned and he wants to leave (in Keane's case, also the club he supported as a kid). Spurs don't want to lose their best players, but have no option to sell them and get the best price if the player wants to go. It's unfortunate that our two top scorers and arguably best players are both sold at the same time, but what is a club supposed to do ? All we can do is sell Berbatov for the best price we can get, buy in some quality replacements and hope that they can climatise to the Premiership quickly! That's the opinion of an optimistic, level headed Spurs fan...

Posted 06:10 29th August 2008

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