Challenge Lawro (Round 4)

I've certainly missed the Premier League and glad it's back this weekend after the international break. Round 3 of Challenge Lawro was rather quiet but I still managed to get my first point on the board. However, Lawro still leads 3-1 after he stormed ahead on the first weekend. I think it's about time that changed and I got a few more points.

Saturday 14th September 2013
			Lawro	Conor	Result
12:45	Man United v Crystal Palace		3-0	3-0	2-0
15:00	Aston Villa v Newcastle		2-1	1-1	1-2
15:00	Fulham v West Brom		2-0	2-1	1-1
15:00	Hull City v Cardiff City		1-1	1-1	1-1
15:00	Stoke City v Man City		1-1	1-2	0-0
15:00	Sunderland v Arsenal		0-2	0-3	1-3
15:00	Tottenham v Norwich City		2-0	2-0	2-0
17:30	Everton v Chelsea		1-1	1-2	1-0
Sunday 15th September 2013
16:00	Southampton v West Ham		2-1	2-0	0-0
Monday 16th September 2013
20:00	Swansea City v Liverpool		1-1	0-2	2-2

Poch Eleven

As an avid tweeter and newly formed blogger I've seen plenty of fans doubting Mauricio Pochettino already and I've decided to dissect his team sheet at Norwich last Saturday and tell you my views on him and his selection.

Artur Boruc 31
Bar a couple of slip ups early on in his Saints career, Boruc has been ever present in the starting line-up and rightly so. He has made many key saves that have won Saints games and kept them in others. He showed his quality on the opening day with a great low diving save to deny Billy Jones a late equaliser. No doubt he'll be in nearly every Saints fans preferred XI. Understandably this is why Pochettino has chosen him in his squad, with Davis and Gazzaniga not giving much competition for the starting spot.

Calum Chambers 22
Since Clyne picked up an injury during pre season, Calum Chambers has filled in and turned Pochettino's head whilst doing so. Whether Clyne is fully fit or not remains to be seen but Chambers is quickly making that right back position his own. Calum is purely there on merit but some fans would suggest calling Clyne back as soon as possible. Why? I ask. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

Challenge Lawro (Round 3)

After last weeks dull performance from both myself and Lawro, this weekend surely has to be a more exciting one. Lawro still leads 3-0 and I'm hoping I can peg him back before he starts to run away with it. I'll be happy to just get my first point on the board since the start of the season.

Saturday 31st August 2013
			Lawro	Conor	Result
12:45	Man City v Hull City		3-0	3-0	2-0
15:00	Cardiff City v Everton		1-1	1-2	0-0
15:00	Newcastle v Fulham		2-1	1-0	1-0
15:00	Norwich City v Southampton		2-0	0-2	1-0
15:00	West Ham v Stoke City		2-1	2-1	0-1
17:30	Crystal Palace v Sunderland		1-0	1-2	3-1
Sunday 1st August 2013
13:30	Liverpool v Man United		1-1	1-1	1-0
16:00	West Brom v Swansea City		2-0	1-2	0-2
16:00	Arsenal v Tottenham		2-1	1-1	1-0

Challenge Lawro (Round 2)

It seems I had a total mare last weekend and I'm already 3-0 down to the genius pundit that is Mark Lawrenson. In all three games he predicted correctly, I had the winning teams down to score another goal than they did. It seems playing it safe is working for Mark so far!

Saturday 24th August 2013
			Lawro	Conor	Result
12:45	Fulham v Arsenal		1-1	1-2	1-3
15:00	Everton v West Brom		2-1	2-0	0-0
15:00	Hull City v Norwich City		1-1	1-2	1-0
15:00	Newcastle v West Ham		2-1	0-1	0-0
15:00	Southampton v Sunderland		2-0	3-0	1-1
15:00	Stoke City v Crystal Palace		2-0	2-0	2-1
17:30	Aston Villa v Liverpool		1-2	1-1	0-1
Sunday 25th August 2013
16:00	Cardiff City v Man City		0-2	0-3	3-2
16:00	Tottenham v Swansea City		2-0	2-1	1-0
Monday 26th August 2013
20:00	Man United v Chelsea		1-1	1-1	0-0

Swans glide to victory

Swansea pretty much sealed their place in the groups stages of the Europa League last night with a 5-1 demolition over Romanian side Petrolul Ploiesti in the first leg of the play off tie.

The Swans made three changes to the team who were beaten by Manchester United on Saturday. Nathan Dyer missed out due to injury and was replaced by Pablo Hernandez who was looking to give manager Laudrup reasons to stick with him at the weekend against Tottenham. There were also starts for Neil Taylor and new signing Wilfried Bony who came on and scored on his debut last weekend.

Premier League Preview 5/5

The Premier League campaign kicks off today along with this being my final instalment of the team previews. This one including new Europa League entrants Swansea City and a side who are continuing to try and break into the top four.

Swansea City have spent over £20m and done nothing but improve since the end of last season. They have added Wilfried Bony to their squad, costing them £12m along with Pozuelo and Alberto Canas from Real Betis; both of which will join Jonjo Shelvey and add further footballing ability to their strong midfield. Gaffer Michael Laudrup has said he is hoping to bring in another striker soon but admits he has no plans to sign anymore players from Spain.

Challenge Lawro (Round 1)

Saturday 17th August 2013
			Lawro	Conor	Result
12:45	Liverpool v Stoke City		1-0	2-0	1-0
15:00	Arsenal v Aston Villa		2-0	3-1	1-3
15:00	Norwich City v Everton		2-1	1-2	2-2
15:00	Sunderland v Fulham		1-1	1-1	0-1
15:00	West Brom v Southampton		2-1	0-2	0-1
15:00	West Ham v Cardiff City		2-0	3-0	2-0
17:30	Swansea City v Man United		1-1	1-2	1-4
Sunday 18th August 2013
13:30	Crystal Palace v Tottenham		1-2	0-3	0-1
16:00	Chelsea v Hull City		2-0	3-0	2-0
Monday 19th August 2013
20:00	Man City v Newcastle United		2-0	2-0	4-0