We’re pretty big soccer fans at PhillyPhaithful and until the Union arrive, we’ll continue to make due with waking up at 7:30am to watch HD games on ESPN. In case you’re crazy enough to do the same–though good beer tastes more pure in the AM–or have interest in doing so, here are our thoughts on the weekend slate of games in Jolly Olde England…

The Beautiful Game

Hull City-West Ham: If the Premier League was like the NFL and there were blackout rules for home games that failed to sell out, I imagine this game would never see the light of day on Sky Sports 6. Which means, naturally, it will end up as the most entertaining. I predicted a draw against Stoke last go-round with Hull, yet even in my optimism I did not see Phil Brown’s charges picking up a full casket of points against the Potters. West Ham seem to have the talent to be consistently in mid-table, as well as a positive thinking manager with loads of desire. Sidenote: Wouldn’t a reality show featuring Carlton Cole and Gianfranco Zola be the most entertaining bit of television that side of Gordon Ramsay? Regardless, I’m sticking with the belief that this match has 87 minutes of boring with 5 minutes of drama at the end. Late sub Jozy steals the three points at the death and promptly oversleeps his alarm for training tomorrow.

Birmingham-Fulham: Credit to the Blues: they’ve faced Arsenal (A), Sunderland (H), Man City (H) and Liverpool (A) in their last four and lost only one of those, collecting 5 against-the-odds points. Birmingham only have one player worth watching, the enigmatic Cristian Benitez, AKA Chucho. He’s like a little Ron Artest without the whole punching people thing and making crappy albums. Despite the lack of talent–let alone depth–they have been a tough out. Fulham, when they’re not in the middle of acquiring the better part of the Scandinavia landmass, have been much improved on the road. This is highly unusual considering they were apt to losing everywhere away from Craven Cottage in previous years, promoted sides be damned. However, despite Bobby Zamora’s best efforts to prevent victory at all costs, Fulham should continue their strong road play and take full points.

Sunderland-Arsenal: On paper, it seems a gimme for the Gunners. But Sunderland are a different team under Steve Bruce, who did much more with much less as manager of Wigan. The absence of Kenwyne Jones this weekend stings–Sunderland will need to take its chances even though Arsenal’s defense has conceded 14 goals this term, more than each of the other top 5 squads in the league. Without the services of Robin van Persie, whose ankle is apparently being medicated by a Serbian healer, Arsenal will look to their own Balkan healer, Eduardo, to continue their rich vein of form. On a somewhat related note, does anyone else enjoy the character of Arsene Wenger as much as I do? After spending time abroad, my friends and I developed a scale of how much you look like somebody should from that country. Frenchman Wenger would be a 10–meaning you could easily see him eating nothing but crusty bread and drinking the best Pinot Noir in his Burgundy vineyard estate. Also 10s: Gareth Southgate (England), Andriy Voronin (Ukraine) and Steve Stiffler (America). Any suggestions for the opposite end of the spectrum, someone you can’t believe is from that country? Eduardo (Croatia) always make me laugh despite the naturalization.

Stoke-Portsmouth (LOCK): Rumors out of the South Coast that Portsmouth boss Paul Hart doesn’t want to bring in former Wigan striker and Dep 7: Extra Hold supporter Amr Zaki from Egyptian side Zamalek, despite the two sides apparently agreeing on a fee. Watching Zaki on the same pitch as Stoke winger Tuncay might be too much unintentional humor for my heart. It’s no fluke Stoke are in the top half of the table, even if Tony Pulis is moonlighting as a substitute high school math teacher. Pompey has been better of late, but not good enough to win in the Potteries.

Liverpool-Man City: Is there not a player more mercurial by definition then one Fernando Torres, El Nino? It’s entirely possible for him to have a hat trick by halftime or leave gingerly holding his groin. At least his hair is a consistent participant. Even without his involvement, I feel the return of inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard will propel the Reds to victory, sparing Rafa further blushes. This game non-withstanding, you have to wonder how long City’s one-time, game-changing signing Robinho will continue to spend time watching with an ankle injury. Maybe he should catch up with van Persie. This game promises to be a doozy, if for no other than I’m waking up at 7:30am to watch it.

Owen Coyle is the new you

Burnley-Aston Villa: Like fellow newboys Birmingham, Burnley have managed to keep themselves right in the thick of things by limiting shellackings and riding strong home form. Owen Coyle is Phil Brown, circa 2008, minus the Just For Men goatee and Motorola straight-from-the-box headset. Aston Villa are nearing the return of Stewart Downing (who really should be spelling his name Stuart as I instinctively typed before realizing my error), which will give them transfer window results before the transfer window. Villa started strong last season and were in 3rd spot as late as February before the lack of depth in their squad began to take its toll. The recent time off will serve them well. No slip ups here against a game Burnley squad.

Man United-Everton: Apart from maybe Wenger, can you imagine there being a larger character in the league then Sir Alex? First he’s getting fined for calling the officials fat-asses, now he’s claiming Wayne Rooney is simply not ready to captain United, despite already captaining his country. My personal opinion is irrelevant, but seems strange for Ferguson to even bring it up. United aren’t nearly as dynamic a team as they were with Portuguese Ken leading the lines and their backline is woefully inconsistent considering Nemanja Vidic gets a red card every fourth game. While amusing to see standing next to each other, both Jo and Marouane Felliani have been a disappoinment this season for Everton and not even Tim Cahill will be enough to overcome an inspired Rooney, playing against his former team and to a lesser degree, one would imagine his manager’s assertions.

Chelsea-Wolves: It speaks to the strength of Chelsea’s squad that they will be without the likes of Lampard, Drogba, Ballack and Deco and will still field a team that should be heavily favored to win at home. It also speaks to the quality of Wolves when the main headline out of their camp is that they’re being boosted by the return of right-back Kevin Foley. Yeah. Exactly. Missing out on a chance to watch Drogba in his current form is unfortunate for those in attendance. He’s really been nothing short of dominant despite spending nearly 33 percent of each game on the ground.It will be interesting to see if younger, fringe players like Daniel Sturridge get a run-out for the Blues.

Really packing them in at the Reebok

Bolton-Blackburn Draw: Big Sam returns to his former stomping grounds with major worries about the psychological and physical state of his midfield Keith Andrews. Remarkable that Paul Ince got at least one thing right in his time at Rovers, as Andrews was a major force for his country against France in their disputed World Cup Playoff. If he can’t play, it will likely hurt Blackburn in midfield. In the other dugout, it seems like every time someone calls for the ritualistic eating of Gary Megson’s first born, his team responds. Bolton seem destined to live dangerously close to the drop zone all season, stringing together inconsistent performances until the very end. This should be a very physical game and I’m going with a draw.

Tottenham-Wigan: More fallout from the Irish losing in France should include Robbie Keane playing a massive role in the result. A motivated Keane-O makes for good viewing, preferably complete with cartwheels and 2nd grade shooting of the finger guns. The good news from Spurs is that keeper Carlo Cudicini is out of the hospital after his nasty motorbike accident and it appears that while he’ll miss the remainder of the season, he should be fit to resume his career in the future. I am yet to get a good read on Wigan and new manager Roberto Martinez, though they seem to be strong enough to finish safely midtable if they don’t run into an injury bug.

My High School Aged Cousins’ Team-Whoever they’re playing: Despite knowing very little about soccer strategy, my Uncle–and team coach–loves nothing more than yelling out randoms forms of vocal encouragement in the hopes that it will spur his guys and girls to victory. I’m betting they respond by largely ignoring him and dominating the competition anyways.

We’ll have NFL Picks up tomorrow in the AM. Enjoy the weekend.

I have not been this agitated by a sporting event in all my life. I’ve been more depressed, more heartbroken; but never this frustrated.

As a fan, I have skewed more towards the camp of continued support during the entire Reid tenure.  Between Reid and McNabb, there has been more unwarranted criticism thrown around then in any head coach/star player combo in the league. Regardless of what you think of either coach or quarterback, they have remarkable longevity as a tandem…

…oh wait. I’m sorry. Longevity is what we’re celebrating? In our case, isn’t that simply an extended period of well-chronicled failures and a woeful inadequacy to solve similar problems? By the similar, I mean exactly the same.

Donovan McNabb seems like a lovely person and a great guy to spend a day with watching football. I would hope our children play rec league sports together so I could joke with Donovan about the spot of the ball, the rebound or the goal. I bet he hosts wonderful Sunday BBQs with endless waterfalls of Chunky soup.

Andy Reid seems burdened and unhappy but I imagine that due to his shear girth and unwavering support of full mustaches, he has enjoyed good times in the past. He does a number of things very well, including earning the respect of his players and handling himself incredibly professionally at all times–in spite of a challenging personal situation that nobody would have begrudged him leaving the NFL to handle. But this is unmistakeably a business. A very big business at that. And what ruins the business of an NFL team?

When you run into the same exact problem week after week after week…

And your fans literally have NO clue which team will show up on Sunday…

And your coach believes it is a mandatory rule to use at least one timeout in each quarter of the game…

And your team gets a REAL, Pro-Bowl Caliber Fullback, yet refuses to use him to block under any circumstances…

And the man calling your plays is the same guy who opted for the WIND in the overtime coin toss…

And that same man calling your plays also declined a penalty in the same sudden death overtime that would have GIVEN HIS TEAM THE BALL! Yes. Let that sink in…

(This man was subsequently fired by the Detroit Lions…)

And your $57 million cornerback doesn’t know how to tackle…

And your $47 million free agent tackle gets straight benched in Week 2…

And his brother is a legitimate candidate for a Psych ward…

And 3rd and 1 feels longer than 4th and 26…

And you almost forget Michael Vick is on the team…

And your entire fan-base sincerely believes–mind you with conviction–that the presence of a 36-year old safety who is addicted to Wolverine would render all of the above obsolete.

The Gold Standard in what exactly? Steadfastly refusing to recognize problems that have existed as long as the current regime has been in place? When will the stubbornness end? There are no longer excuses to make about the personnel. It is deep enough to overcome the injuries. It is talented enough to go toe-to-toe with almost anyone in the league. Yet every week, the same thing. Today, they knew coming into the game that they were shorthanded on the O-line, yet they ran the ball 13 times against 56 passes. 13 times. They had nearly two and half times as many yards in penalties (70) as they did in rushing (29). That’s astounding, but far from unusual in these parts.

Case and point. Thom Brennaman was literally taken aback when the Eagles handed the ball off today. You could have told him that Tom Brady retired today, effective immediately, and joined the professional Bass Fishing tour. He likely wouldn’t have reacted much differently.

Eldra Buckley was given the ball on 3rd and Goal from the 1-yard line. Eldra Buckley carried one time today. That was it. This is an Eagles team that scored 9 points in a loss to Oakland. The same Oakland who lost the previous week 44-7 to New York. Said Antonio Pierce of that game, “We’re playing [the Raiders] and, honestly, it felt like a scrimmage, like a practice”. A week after the Eagles win, those Raiders, buoyed with new found confidence in their abilities promptly lost 38-0. At home. To the now 4-5 Jets.

I could go on until I broke the keyboard, but I can say with authority I would rather see them change the coaching staff and go 5-11 or 6-10 competing every game with intensity and preparedness for multiple situations than to have to suffer through another agonizing late-season roller coaster ride. I’m fed up with the tease and I’m fed up feeling like every Sunday is my personal version of Groundhog Day. That’s it. That’s all.

PhillyPhaithful fans,

First and foremost we want to thank you for your support of our company during this, our inaugural summer. We can honestly say that without your unrelenting passion for your teams and this city, we wouldn’t be doing what we do–namely make tees that mock pathetic Mets fans and Cindy Crosby.

After last night, we know that you feel a bitter mix of disappointment and frustration with our season ending just short of hoisting the trophy for a second consecutive year. But losing last night doesn’t take anything away from what we accomplished this summer and fall.

The memory of Jimmy Rollins’ clutch 2-out double off a terribly nervous Jonathan Broxton (thank you Matt Stairs) will never fade.

Watching Charlie Manuel manage his players as people–and not the reverse–will always inspire us to treat each other with respect.

And the golden pipes of Harry the K will echo into eternity. Win or lose.

As a token of our appreciation, we would like to offer all of our fans a 20% off coupon on any order from PhillyPhaithful.com. Just enter the code ‘fanforever’ (all lowercase, case sensitive) into the box at checkout and hit apply changes, and you’ll see the discount. All orders include free shipping, so whether you’ve already purchased a tee from us before or are trying us for the first time, we want to welcome you to our extended Philadelphia sports family. We are all fans.

Best,
Dan Hershberg
President, PhillyPhaithful.com