Three Things We Learned This Weekend

Modric's Head Has Not Been Turned By Chelsea


The will he won't he move to Chelsea saga had us all bored this summer as nobody truly believed Daniel Levy when he said that Modric was not for sale.  But contrary to reports, Modric really was 'not for sale' as Spurs proved to the Premier League that they were serious 4th place contenders and not a 'selling club'.

Many of us wondered what this meant for Modric's career at Tottenham this season, as his determination to move to Chelsea was clear for all to see.  Harry Redknapp claimed that he had no worries, calling Modric a model professional, and after his performance against Liverpool on Sunday old 'Arry was vindicated.

It wasn't just the way he took his goal that was impressive.  Modric, alongside Parker, tore Liverpool's midfield to shreds as Lucas and Adam chased shadows for most of the afternoon (well until Adam was sent off that is, then it was Jordan Henderson who became the headless chicken).  They played triangles around Liverpool's middle two and dictated the game from the first minute until the end.  His touch, vision and all round game was world class and it is no wonder why Chelsea and Abrahamovic were so keen to recruit him this summer.

Whether Modric moves to Chelsea at the end of the season or not it is clear that, for the meantime at least, his heart is at White Hart Lane.

Three Things We Learned This Weekend

This is the first in what will be a weekly update from the football action over the weekend.  Whilst this blog is primarily a political and cultural blog, we cannot help but chip in with our football opinions on a weekly basis.  Inspired by the weekly articles in The Guardian with a similar name, these weekly posts will highlight the five major things that we have learnt from this weekend's football action:

With Edin Dzeko, Man City will do just fine without Carlos Tevez


With a lot of the attention focusing on Sergio Aguero's fantastic debut last week, and rightfully so, Edin Dzeko's return to form has slipped under the radar.  Three goals in three games is not the whole story.  His all round game has improved, holding up the ball perfectly against Bolton on Sunday and bringing players like Silva and Aguero into the game perfectly.  We sometimes forget that Dzeko was prolific in Germany, scoring over 22 goals for Wolfsburg in the 2009/2010 season, and this season may well be the time for him to justify his large transfer fee.

Wolves will not struggle to stay up this season


Yes, it has only been two games.  And yes, they only played Blackburn and Fulham.  But Wolves look like the real deal this season.  Well not the real deal, but definitely not relegation strugglers.  Kevin Doyle  has looked strong, and it is not surprising that he has been attracting interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, whilst Matt Jarvis has continued his fine form from last season and should be due another call up from England.  Mick McCarthy has a strong nucleus to his team, and if he can add one or two reinforcements before the transfer window closes Wolves may have a very strong season.

Everton have real, real problems


Everton's financial problems are well documented.  No money to buy players. In need of a new stadium and new owners. Owing money to the bank. And disaffected fans.  To top it all off, they had an awful start to the season in losing to QPR at home and their players look very disaffected.  Cahill has stopped scoring, Saha cannot keep fit and Beckford does not look ready for the premier league.  Everton seriously need players, and it will not surprise us if this is Moyes last season.

The Football Season is Well And Truly Back!

Arsenal struggle to kill off a game away from home, Fernando Torres fails to score for Chelsea, Liverpool start well but die in the second half and Man United score a late goal to win a game. It looks like the Barclays Premier League is well and truly back and nothing has changed at all!

We have spent most of the summer debating what will happen this season and with the transfer merry go-round nearly over we at The Urbanite feel obliged to share our wacky season predictions with the world, along with those of our closest friends.

So here are our predictions.  Feel free to scrutinise, criticise and chip in with your own views as well.  Oh, and the guy with the correct top 6 and bottom 3 predictions will win an unnamed prize.  Well we say it is unnamed, we just haven't thought of it yet.

Enjoy: