Premier League - Game Week 26 In-form XI

With just three months left of the Premier League season, players hitting form in the latter stages of the season can have a huge effect on where their team finishes come the end of May. This blog post will analyse and select the most in form starting eleven.

Goalkeeper: In goal we have Ben Foster, the former Manchester United man has revitalised his rollercoaster career in recent months for a Watford side struggling to find form. The ex England international has been in the news recently not only for his outstanding form but because he became the record holder for 'the most saves by one goalkeeper in the division' since records began in 2006. Whether that is an accomplishment for the Watford showstopper or a sign of Watford leaky defending you will have to decide. 

Right Back: We have Chris Smalling the England international was one of the names thought to be leaving Manchester United as Ole Gunner Solskjaer looks to inject some energy into the side that was  underperforming under Jose. But the ex Fulham man has played with 'the bit between his teeth' in the recent weeks, being aggressive and formidable in defence for the 'Red Devils.' 

Centre Back: Making up the first half of the defensive partnership is Cardiff's Sol Bamba, the Ivorian joined Neil Warnock's side whilst they were fighting for promotion into the Championship but the central defenders robust style has worked well in the top flight. Cardiff who sit in 17th faced Southampton at St Mary's last time out where Bamba put his side ahead from a corner, earning him a place in the Premier League's in-form XI. 

Centre Back: A long side Bamba, is Vertonghen. The 31 year-old Belgian defender has bolstered Tottenham's defence in recent week's whilst their star man Harry Kane is out with an ankle injury, Spurs have become reliant on their defensive line to ensure they are not leaking goals whilst they struggle to score them. Vertonghen also scored in mid week on the European stage against Borussia Dortmund in a 3-0 home win, putting his side into the driving seat to qualify for the next stage of the competition. 

Left Back: On the left hand side of the defensive line we have Scottish captain, Andy Robertson, who signed from Hull for just £8 million in the 2017 summer transfer window. With a lack of first team defenders currently fit at Liverpool Robertson has stepped up to the mark ensuring his side are not out of contention for both the Premier League title and the Champions League. The 24-year-old claimed his sixth assist of the season last weekend, making him the second highest assisting defender only behind Watford Greek international Holebas.

Central Midfield: In midfield we have young midfielder Sean Longstaff, having only made 3 appearances for the magpies in recent weeks the 21-year-old has impressed both many including Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez. The ex Blackpool loanee signed a four-year deal with the club earlier this year and he has certainly impressed since, being involved in a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Cardiff and the shock 2-1 win over last years champions Manchester City.

Central Midfield: Paul Pogba is our next in form midfielder, the French World Cup winner, has flourished under caretaker manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer, having 15 goal engagements since the sacking of Mourinho in just 12 games. When in full stride the midfield maestro is near on impossible to stop, which is why he has earned his way into the current Premier League in form XI.

Central Midfield: Next to Pogba, we have another Manchester United player in Ander Herrera, the Spanish international has too been impressive since the beginning of Solkjaer's reign. The former Bilbao man has cemented his place alongside Matic and Pogba in the United midfield, acting as the engine room for the side. As well as supplying the opener against Chelsea on Monday night, when he stooped low to head in Pogba's inviting cross to put United into the quarter finals of the FA cup.

Right Wing: On the right side of an attacking three is Raheem Sterling, the England international has excelled under Pep Guardiola bringing composure and intelligence to his game. Sterling is in the form of his life since his controversial move from Liverpool, already achieving his highest scoring tally to date.

Striker: Up front is none other than Manchester City's all time top goalscorer, Sergio Aguero, the prolific Argentinian has scored back to back hat-tricks this month. Almost individually dragging City to the top of the table on goal difference.

Left Wing: Is the South Korean Heung Min Son, since his return from international duty in UAE the Tottenham man has been in sensational form scoring a sensational solo goal in a 3-1 win over Leicester. His goals have helped Spurs stay within five points of the league leaders Liverpool and Man City.

Bayern Munich vs Liverpool pre-game squad analysis

Bayern Munich may have won the last six Bundesliga titles, but their squad has been all but dominant in the first 6 months of the 2018/19 season. Currently sitting in second place behind their bitter rivals Borrusia Dortmund, the Munich based side are only five points ahead of the chasing pack. For the first time in a number of years the German top division is not a two or even three hourse race, as Borrusia's second club Moenchengladbach have joined the fight for the title. Followed by a Red Bull Leipzig side notorious for their immense financial who sit two points further a drift in fourth place. Perhaps the more competitive nature of the German top flight has effected Bayern's ability to perform on the European stage.

With an average age of 27.7 Bayern Munich's squad may have too much experience, if thats possible. The ageing squad has been put into question, with fans speculating about the ability of Bayern's chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, questioning why he and other board members have allowed the squad to age to such a degree without younger replacements.

Tonight the 2011 Champions League Winners take on joint Premier League leaders Liverpool. With an average age of 25, including Premier League veteran James Milner at 33, it is clear which team has youth on their side going into tonights first leg knockout fixture. Of course being the younger side is not the only key to progressing through to the next round of Europe's most prestigious competition. Can Liverpool take advantage of having the more youthful side on this occasion?

Bayern's quality is not in question, that being said, with a number of Bayern Munich's 24 man squad being past their prime and now in their 'twilight years'. How will the German's top team compete with the pace and direct approach that Liverpool lit up last years competition.

Of course even in the later stages of their careers, on their day each member of the Bayer side are able to compete with any club still in the competition, with a number of Germany's world cup winning team in the squad. Especially when looking at Bayern's attacking style it is impossible to look past prolific goal scorer Robert Lewandowski. Niko Kovac's side play the majority of their football through their Polish number nine. As a traditional striker, in terms of his ability to hold up the ball and ariel ability, the leading Polish goal scorer is a threat to anyone of Europe's finest defence's even at 30 years of age. Looking to be the supply line for the three time Bundesliga player of the year is the hungry French international Kingsley Coman and ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry, Liverpool's depleted makeshift defence could be in for a long European night at Anfield.

How does that compare with Liverpool's attacking trio? After just missing out in last years final to serial winners Real Madrid, Liverpool's attacking threat of Salah, Mane and Firmino became some of the most sort after attackers in the footballing world, with interest coming from the likes of PSG and Barcelona. Although they haven't hit the heights of last year thus far, the raw pace and flowing football will no doubt be a problem for the veteran defenders in Jerome Boateng and Matts Hummels who in recent years have struggled on the turn when the ball is played in behind, a style of play that has become paramount since Klopp's reign.

Liverpool fan Ellis Ranger believes his side have what it takes to beat the Bavarian's. 'I think if Salah, Mane and Firmino are on song they wont be able to cope with us on the turn. The likes of Sule, and Hummels are good when they play is in front of them because they're strong central defenders that can read the game well, but with the likes of Wijnaldum playing intricate balls in behind I think we will have the upper hand tonight at Anfield.' He says showing the level of confidence he has in the depleted Liverpool side. 'Of course we are lacking a few of our star players, especially in defence with Gomez still out and Virgil being banned but I think Fabinho has enough European experience and quality to pull through what is a young defence.' Clearly Ellis sees Liverpool going into the second leg with the an advantage over the Germans. 'Not forgetting the atmosphere at Anfield, theres no where like it in the country.'

After last years near miss, Liverpool are 10/1 and the 4th favourites to go all the way, will the addition of the ball playing keeper Alison Becker prove worth his £67 million price tag. 

While last years Bundesliga champions are sixth favourites  to take home the trophy at 12/1 according to the bookies. Will the experienced German side be able to turn back the clock to beat Liverpool and progress into the Quarter finals of Europe's top competition? Tune into BT one from 7pm tonight to find out.

Rinse and Repeat for Nottingham Forest fans

Its de-ja-vu for Nottingham Forest fans, if you cast your mind back 12 months Mark Warburton had just been sacked, despite guiding them to safety on the final day of the season just six months prior. The club escaped relatively unscathed from the relegation battle which saw them stay in England's second division with a 3-0 home win over Ipswich that saw the now ex Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga score a brace that cemented Forest's place in the Championship for another season.

Forest were two points above the drop when Warburton took over on March 14th 2017, but guiding an underperforming side to safety without a transfer window was clearly not enough to allow him to take charge for the entirety of the following season.

By December 12th 2017, just one day after an embarressing 1-0 loss to struggling Sunderland, Warburton was sacked, his term in charge lasting just nine months, only managed the side 37 times. After his sacking last season Nottingham Forest were put into the hands of the under 23's manager Garry Brazil, this the third time Brazil has had to make the step up to manage the first team in the past five years.

Thankfully, this time Gary Brazil's spell was short, lasting just eight days in charge before former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka became the new manager, sadly the ex Real Madrid assistant manager was unable to have a positive effect on the club despite spending upwards of 20 million pounds. The Portuguese coach invested heavily in young talent from abroad, though it seems it is experience that the youthful Forest side seem to be lacking. Karanka lasted 3 days short of a year in charge, before his sacking on the 11th January 2019. An almost carbon copy of the clubs management activity just a year prior.

Once again begging the question what are the owner looking for in a managerial sense? How can you give a manager less than a calendar year to sort out a club that were fighting to stay in England's second division just a year ago?

Having explored the expansive footballing style associated with managers from the continent, in the form of Karanka, Forest fans demanded someone with a sense of familiarity, in an attempt to bring some pride back into the club.

Martin O'neill, a two time winner of the European Cup with Nottingham Forest was without a job after leaving his post as the manager of the Republic of Ireland international side, the board wasted no time securing his services just a week after the sacking of Aitor Karanka. The ex-Irish international brought in another fan favourite in the form of ex Forest starlet Roy Keane as his assistant.

O'Neill may have the fans on side due to his heroics as he guided the club to two European cups in the late 70's, but with a reputation for agricultural football the honey moon period may be cut short. Nottingham Forest FC have now been out of the top flight of English football since 1997, unfortunately it will take more than a familiar face and route one football for them to return to the Premier League anytime soon. O'Neill has now been in charge for three games at the club, bringing him two losses, to Bristol City and Birmingham City, as well as a win at home to Wigan. Unless him and his right hand Roy Keane can bring some passion back to a lacklustre Forest side O'neill could become Nottingham Forest's 17th sacked manager since 2006.

Dementia Awareness Campaign

Like many people, when asked what it is like having had a loved one suffer with Alzheimers disease, I find talking about it extremely difficult. To such a degree that until now, I never have. I assume it is a coping mechanism we adopt to hide the pain. Perhaps because it is hard for those who have not experienced the heartache, to comprehend how the devastating disease can take someone so dear to you away so slowly then so suddenly.

I lost my Grandma in 2018 to the disease. She was independent working woman, once capable of juggling her work life and the care of her 7 of children, then later on all 25 of her grandchildren. She began to show signs of Dementia in her early 70's but my family and I deemed them as her 'getting older' and 'being depressed' due to the loss of my grandad.

Until her memory lapses and deteriorated mood became regular occurrences, at this point it was decided medical intervention was the only option. Where she was later diagnosed with early stages of dementia. Her condition deteriorated quite suddenly, meaning she was sadly placed into a residential care home specialising in the aid of Alzheimers patients. The dementia quickly hindered her ability to complete day to day tasks including the ability to recall the names of her family grandchildren, that she had spent so many summers taking care of.

Even throughout her later years, as she struggled more and more to complete simple daily tasks, she would always begin our visits to the care home, by asking my brother and I the same question 'Are you courting?' She would smile waiting for our response, a smile that became increasingly vacant as her condition deteriorated.

Having a loved one with Alzheimers is difficult, as they begin to deteriorate, they start to lose the characteristics that as a collective created their personality. For my grandma it was her smile. After  almost a decade of suffering from the disease my grandma Jean passed away last year aged 84; with a sense of release and relief in some ways. As her passing meant she was no longer lost in a world that she used to thrive in.

Alzheimer's effects 25 million people in the UK, that is 43% of the population, who are either sufferers of the disease or know someone suffering from it. Yet it is a topic rarely discussed. Is it deemed as taboo? Or is due to the lack of knowledge on the devastating disease. A survey commissioned by the alzheimers society suggested that 50% of the people interviewed believed they did not know enough by the disease to spend a considerable amount of time with a Alzheimars patient.

Alzheimers is a disease, that despite the great work already being done is in need of more funding and awareness, to help both those suffering from the disease and those caring for patients. The Alzheimers Society have released statistics that the number of Alzheimer patients will rise from 700,000 to around 1.7 million by 2051. This number can only be reduced with help from charities such as Alzheimers Research UK.

For more information please visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
To make a donation please call 0330 333 0804.

DMU Global takes 1000 students to New York in order to enhance their employability

For many, visiting New York is a pipe dream. 'The Big Apple' is not your usual destination of choice for those on a student budget. For over 1000 undergraduates at De Montfort University their dream turned reality earlier this month. With the help of DMU global, a section of the University's funding department, dedicated to ensuring that a number of willing students are able to travel to different parts of the world enhancing both their employability and their life experiences. For this particular trip I'm sure New York's infamous shopping district left each students wallets all but enhanced.

One of the university's students lucky enough to be selected for the trip was Faith Cunningham, a third year Textile Design student. This was Faith's first opportunity to venture across the Atlantic, she was not going to let this opportunity surpass.
'Thankfully the DMU global bursary gave me the opportunity to visit new york. Had they not, as a student from a working class background, visiting the states at this age would have just not been an option for me.' The sum gifted to each student covers around 50% of the trips cost. Ensuring students from all background at least have the option to visit one of the worlds great cities should they want to take it. Students were also given the opportunity to visit Tokyo, a DMU global trip that is  also running this academic year.

'It gave me the opportunity to leave Europe for the first time. I would say I'm well travelled but a visit to America is something entirely new to me I was anxious of course for my first long hall flight but I felt it was an opportunity that I could not let pass.'

Faith spoke of the excitement she felt as her and her Textile Design classmates arrived at JFK airport, after a 14 hours stint of travelling beginning with a trek from Leicester to Gatwick airport by coach, they had arrived at their final destination.
They were just a short 'cab' journey from their home for the week. Now all they could think about was where they would be staying 'I was quite worried to see the hotel, considering how reasonable the price of the trip was.' Faith said.

 Luckily for the students of the Leicester based university they were not staying in a run down motel 3 buses and a subway ride from Manhattan, in fact it was far from it.  'The hotel we stayed in was unbelievable, the location was perfect, Time Square was actually around the corner.' Faith said with a beaming smile plastered across her face. Their hotel was on 8th street, a prime location for any tourist wanting to explore the 'big city'.

For many tourists visiting New York involves strutting around Soho and meandering around Manhatten, enjoying all the sight seeing and calorific food as they go. Of course as it is an academic trip the time each student spent in the 'big city' was not all like the glitz and glamour. As each student was encouraged to better their job seeking prospects through their experiences whilst on the university funded trip.

'For my course related activity whilst in New York I visited The Fashion Institute of Technology, where their was an exhibition called PINK which was very informative about the colour and connotations surrounding it.' Faith said as she discussed the way the activities organised by her course leader for her time in 'The Big Apple' actually helped her with her studies as well as providing her with a break from the gruelling first year schedule. 'The exhibition provided me with both inspiration and actual content that I will be including in the colour palette for my upcoming end of year project.' Faith explained as she spoke ofhow the trip benefited her both in terms of her university work and how it has developed her as a person. 

'I cannot recommend the DMU global trips enough, New York provided me with content for my upcoming projects, a break from the stresses of life as third year undergraduate and I got to visit one of the most thriving cities in the world, a city I hope to some day return to through my career aspirations.'

Meek Mill's 'Championships' Reviewed

Meek Mill’s ‘Championships’ is intense, entertaining, and in parts aggressive. The rappers first full length album since the Philadelphia-bred rapper’s controversial two-year imprisonment is driven and inspiring in parts. The West Coast artist was released early this year as a number of celebrity driven campaigns supported by millions on social media fought to have the rapper released based on false imprisonment.

 

Robert Rihmeek Williams, known as Meek Mill was sentenced to serve a minimum of two years for a breach of bail. The breach being in the form of perfoming a ‘wheelie’ on a dirt bike when recording a music video in upper Manhattan.  The two-to-four-year sentence was deemed too heavy by the majority, it was also suggested that there was a lack of credibility surrounding the arresting officer, this resulted in the rapper’s early release as he served a total of 5 months.

 

Since his release this year Meek Mill has received a hero-like welcome. As he was invited to ring the infamous bell at the beginning of Philadelphia 76ers play-off game immediately after his release. He was reported to have been flown in via helicopter directly from his prison release in time to sit court side. Where his precious 76ers took the L as the Boston Celtics won the series 4-1 progressing to the Eastern Conference finals.

 

It is evident that the West Coast rapper had the ‘bit between his teeth’ when writing this album, it holds a crusade like style. As he speaks of his mistreatment and the experience of being imprisoned ’23 hours a day’. Mill also described the thin line between ‘success and jail’ for people who come from a background similar to his. After the death of his father, aged just 5 Meek Mill and his widowed mother struggled until his success as a ‘teenage rap sensation flowing on Philadelphia street corners’. Mill is now proclaimed as one of the world’s most charismatic rap stars.

 

‘Championships’ brings together past and present stars of Hip Hop, paying homage to giants such as Mobb Deep and The Notorious BIG. Mill also incorporates a number of new names from the genre, including collaborations Cardi B and Kodak Black.

 

Mill uses the album as a platform to discuss the rights of African Americans, for example he discusses the 13^th Amendment and the work of NFL player turn activist Colin Kaepernick, who famously ‘took a knee’ whilst the national anthem was performed before a NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the San Diego Chargers.

 

A long side this Meek Mill discussed the life of a young black American growing up in any one of many poor neighbourhoods. 'When the drugs have hold of your mama, and the judge got a gold of your father, got to school, bullet holes in the locker.' Taken from the track 'Trauma' the rapper attempts to give his listeners an insight into what it is like for young black children living in poverty across America.

The album in its entirety is a success as it celebrates the release of the Philadelphia native, from an extremely controversial prison sentence. Following this it tells the stories of the less fortunate children of America, supplying the exposure needed to encourage change. Tracks such as 'Trauma', 'On me' and 'Whats Free' are no doubt the highlights of the collection of high paced tracks.

Keeping Your Grades and Yourself in Shape As a Third-Year Student

As a final-year student myself, I know how hard it is staying in any kind of shape, other than a circle. This blog post will provide you with a number of important guidelines to stick by in order to maintain your physical health, whether you wish to follow a strict diet alongside frequent gym going; or whether it is simply losing those stubborn excess pounds you have not been able to shift since the festive season.

If we are being completely honest, the majority of us are subject to, lets call it a lapse in concentration, beginning in late December and continuing throughout the limbo period in-between Christmas and New Year. We all know that short period when we are unsure of what day it is never mind keeping track of your micros, macros and being calorie conscious. Selection boxes become adequate breakfast and pork pie becomes a permanent fixture in your daily diet.

As we crawl through early January, it is easy to become a 'hermit', refusing to leave the comfort of your warm home at all costs. Except of course for your 9am's. Suddenly its the second term of the dreaded third year. You have a matter of months to write a dissertation; complete 2 end of your products; secure that beach body all whilst trying to solve world peace and reverse global warming. Third year has become a whirlwind of unanswered questions;

Will I get a first?

What am I going to do after graduation?

Am I getting fat?

Have I got time for the gym?

Will I get a 2:1?

Will I even pass my degree?!

Before you know it, you're in your bathroom mirror contemplating all of life's important and unimportant questions, and in reality wasting time that you could be putting to good use to answer the questions above.

During possibly the most stressful period of your life to date, you may think you are entitled to 'let yourself go' in terms of your physical well being. Comfort eating here, comfort eating there. However an American study carried out in California found a correlation between being classified as 'obese' and achieving a lower grade when graduating.

Before you have even finished reading this blog post you have opened a new tab and googled some generic fitness question like 'how to get fit fast'. Sadly Hugo with his perfectly sculptured six pack and his fitness programme 'thats just £19.99 a month' doesn't have the answers you're looking for.

Motivation. Motivation is the key factor that can both drag your lazy arse to the gym whilst also dragging your mediocre 2:2 to the promised lands that are the 2:1 or first. Everyone has their own way of self motivation whether you watch motivational videos, or just listen to the 'eye of the tiger' on repeat. However you do it, if you're motivated you've won half of the battle.


Shop Weekly. No this does not mean browse the ASOS sale page weekly. Do a weekly food shop. Preventing the 'it is 2 for 1 at Dominos' and the 'one more kebab won't do any harm'. Installing some organisation into your diet will mean you actually have food in the cupboards to feed your midnight cravings rather than lacing the pockets of your local takeaway of choice.


Wake Up Early. Students notoriously don't wake up at first light, in fact some of them wait until it starts getting dark again to leave their state of hibernation. As simple as it sounds, if you wake up early you have more time in the day to manage university work and staying on top of your physical well-being.


This advice alone will not get you a six pack and a first class degree, but it will surely improve both your mental and physical state putting you in the best possible position to succeed.

Welcome To My Blog

I have made this blog to practice writing a number of different types of journalism, including: sports, mental health, travel and an advice based column. Thanks for giving it a read.