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Carlos Tevez, the Manchester derby, Arsenal's perfect defensive pairing plus more - readers' Premier League questions answered in Goal.com's Twitter Q&A
Both Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini have much to ponder ahead of the weekend, our Goal.com correspondent gives his take on various events
Oct 21, 2011 4:00:00 PM
With the Manchester derby looming and Carlos Tevez's fate at City taking a dramatic twist, Goal.com correspondent Rob Stewart had a barrage of your questions to answer this afternoon.
Our Twitter page was inundated with questions from fans who were eager to get the latest ahead of this weekend's Premier League action.
Click here for a full transcript of the session - here are some of the highlights:
Q: What does Rob think of the Carlos Tevez saga, which now sees the Argentine charged with failing to warm up as a substitute - rather than refusing to come onto the pitch? - Fred The Red
Rob Stewart: “This doesn’t look too good as far as Roberto Mancini is concerned. It’s far messier than I expected because I thought that Tevez didn’t have a leg to stand on and I thought City would be able to throw the book at him. It just shows what you can do when you have money to pay for top lawyers. If they want to win the Premier League they should move on because they are going to need Tevez and no one can afford to take him off their hands.”
Q: Will Roberto Mancini revert to a defensive style for the Manchester derby? - Rohith Ravi, who is celebrating his birthday today
Rob Stewart: “First of all, happy birthday Rohith from all of us at Goal.com Towers. Secondly, you can bet all your birthday money on Mancini playing it cagey and being cautious at Old Trafford - and who can blame him. He’s seen what has happened to Chelsea and Arsenal and the best way forward will be to play it safe and hope United lose their discipline and throw caution to the wind before hitting them on the counter-attack. Plus, there are always the set-pieces to exploit against a side seeking their 20th successive Premier League home victory.”
Q: With all their options in attack, what is Manchester United's best strike partnership? - JP Oracion
Rob Stewart: “For me, Wayne Rooney would be the first name on the team-sheet for Sir Alex because he not only scores goals but he’s a creative force as well. Alongside him I would stick in Chicharito because of his amazing predatory skills and penalty box instincts and hold back Danny Welbeck as an impact player from the substitutes’ bench.”
Q: What do you think is Arsenal's best centre-back pairing when all their defenders are available? - Daniel Obiaga
Rob Stewart: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it - and with that in mind, the way they played against Marseille the other night I would have to say Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny because they were imperious at the Stade Velodrome. I saw the Gunners against Blackburn earlier this season and those two were hopeless but Arsene Wenger has clearly been working with them at the training ground and they suddenly look as though they could do the business. Koscielny looked so assured that I couldn’t believe my eyes. I know lots of fans will want Thomas Vermaelen back in ASAP once he is fit again but if the other two keep it up they should keep their starting slots.”
Q: How long can Newcastle United can continue their unbeaten start to the season and where do you see them finishing? - Danny Hart
Rob Stewart: “I don’t think anyone on Tyneside expects them to stay in the top four but one thing’s for sure, they will remain unbeaten beyond this weekend because Wigan are their visitors and they could be on the end of a good hiding. Then they have got Stoke at the Britannia and Everton at home which should see them emerging unscathed, but then they head to Manchester City and Manchester United, and that’s where they are brought down to earth. As for what happens to Newcastle this season, I reckon they will finish in the top eight and while that might not seem like a big deal, the fact that Sunderland will be trailing in their wake will mean the season can be counted as a success.”
Our Twitter page was inundated with questions from fans who were eager to get the latest ahead of this weekend's Premier League action.
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Click here for a full transcript of the session - here are some of the highlights:
Q: What does Rob think of the Carlos Tevez saga, which now sees the Argentine charged with failing to warm up as a substitute - rather than refusing to come onto the pitch? - Fred The Red
Rob Stewart: “This doesn’t look too good as far as Roberto Mancini is concerned. It’s far messier than I expected because I thought that Tevez didn’t have a leg to stand on and I thought City would be able to throw the book at him. It just shows what you can do when you have money to pay for top lawyers. If they want to win the Premier League they should move on because they are going to need Tevez and no one can afford to take him off their hands.”
Q: Will Roberto Mancini revert to a defensive style for the Manchester derby? - Rohith Ravi, who is celebrating his birthday today
Rob Stewart: “First of all, happy birthday Rohith from all of us at Goal.com Towers. Secondly, you can bet all your birthday money on Mancini playing it cagey and being cautious at Old Trafford - and who can blame him. He’s seen what has happened to Chelsea and Arsenal and the best way forward will be to play it safe and hope United lose their discipline and throw caution to the wind before hitting them on the counter-attack. Plus, there are always the set-pieces to exploit against a side seeking their 20th successive Premier League home victory.”
Dream team | Rob Stewart tips a Rooney & Hernandez partnership ahead of the derby
Q: With all their options in attack, what is Manchester United's best strike partnership? - JP Oracion
Rob Stewart: “For me, Wayne Rooney would be the first name on the team-sheet for Sir Alex because he not only scores goals but he’s a creative force as well. Alongside him I would stick in Chicharito because of his amazing predatory skills and penalty box instincts and hold back Danny Welbeck as an impact player from the substitutes’ bench.”
Q: What do you think is Arsenal's best centre-back pairing when all their defenders are available? - Daniel Obiaga
Rob Stewart: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it - and with that in mind, the way they played against Marseille the other night I would have to say Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny because they were imperious at the Stade Velodrome. I saw the Gunners against Blackburn earlier this season and those two were hopeless but Arsene Wenger has clearly been working with them at the training ground and they suddenly look as though they could do the business. Koscielny looked so assured that I couldn’t believe my eyes. I know lots of fans will want Thomas Vermaelen back in ASAP once he is fit again but if the other two keep it up they should keep their starting slots.”
Q: How long can Newcastle United can continue their unbeaten start to the season and where do you see them finishing? - Danny Hart
Rob Stewart: “I don’t think anyone on Tyneside expects them to stay in the top four but one thing’s for sure, they will remain unbeaten beyond this weekend because Wigan are their visitors and they could be on the end of a good hiding. Then they have got Stoke at the Britannia and Everton at home which should see them emerging unscathed, but then they head to Manchester City and Manchester United, and that’s where they are brought down to earth. As for what happens to Newcastle this season, I reckon they will finish in the top eight and while that might not seem like a big deal, the fact that Sunderland will be trailing in their wake will mean the season can be counted as a success.”
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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