Joga Podnito Episode 6 - The Cream Rises To The Top

Andrew returns as we discuss Week 3 of the Premier League campaign. We focus on Chelsea, City, and United's undefeated starts, and look ahead to the Manchester Derby. Subscribe to Joga Podnito on iTunes!

Joga Podnito Episode 5 - Both Manchesters March On (Week 2 Review & Week 3 Preview)

With Andrew traveling for work, I man the ship solo and provide an abridged Joga reviewing Week 2 of Premier League action. Given the show's late recording time (Wednesday), I also preview next weekend's notable games, and provide a couple betting tips for our listeners. Subscribe to Joga Podnito on iTunes!

Joga Podnito Episode 3 - Premier League Season Preview

Andrew and I return with Episode 3 of Joga Podnito - Premier League Season Preview. We discuss Manchester United's victory in the FA Community Shield, share predictions for the 2016/2017 Premier League season, and end with a bit of gambling chat. Enjoy!

Joga Podnito: Episode 2 - Euro 2016 Semi-Finals Preview

Andrew and I return with a (much improved) second effort for Joga Podnito. We discuss Euro 2016 up to the semis, as well as our picks to make it to the final. Have a listen, and let us know what you think!

Joga Podnito - Episode 1

After 3 years - years consumed with moving to Boston, Grad School, becoming an adult, and meeting a girl - Joga Blognito is once again my outlet for soccer-related posts. This comeback post, however, will introduce a new medium for Joga. In addition to (hopefully) regular blogs, Joga Podnito is now live. This podcast, hosted by myself and fellow soccer-head Andrew Acker, will be used to discuss whatever interests us in the world of footy at the time of recording. Our inaugural episode, predictably, is centered around Euro 2016. So have a listen, and know that (like with anything in life), we will improve with time. This first episode was more of a 'Proof of Concept' than a finished product, but without further ado, enjoy episode #1 of Joga Podnito!

AN EARLY LOOK AT THE NEW CHELSEA FC

     Trailing 2-1 in this afternoon's encounter against Reading, Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo decided to take off John Obi Mikel in favor of the notoriously inconsistant Daniel Sturridge on the 68' minute mark. Upon doing so, Chelsea's attacking six appeared as such; Frank Lampard deployed behind Juan Mata and Oscar, with Fernando Torres flanked by Edin Hazard and the aforementioned Sturridge up front. In few words, a scary offensive force.

     This new-look Chelsea is now top of the Premier League table, and is of particular interest to me granted how brilliant they look going forward, and how inescapably vulnerable they look at the back. Today's fixture against Reading may prove a microcosm of Chelsea's season to come. Looking lively from the off, Chelsea comfortably dealt with Reading's occasional offensive forays with ease, and both Hazard and Mata looked likely to unlock the Royals' defense. This proved to be the case on 18' minutes, when Hazard jinked his way into the penalty area before fainting a cross and drawing a stone-wall penalty, duly dispatched by the otherwise quiet Frank Lampard...

ON VAN PERSIE TO UNITED

     On January 22nd 2002, Manchester United had a 7 million pound bid in the January transfer market accepted for one Diego Forlan. Viewed by scouts as a potential scorer of important goals for United's run-in, Forlán joined the third-placed Reds and was expected to help guide United back to the top of the Premier League table for the clubs fifteenth championship. What happened in the next 5 months for the Uruguayan is still looked back on ponderously by Premier League fans; Forlán made 18 appearances for United before the end of the season, contributing not a single goal. United ended the season still languisihing in third place, and trophyless for the first time since the 97-98 campaign. Furthermore, Diego Forlán would spend three more wretched seasons in Manchester, before being transferred away to Villareal, where he would most certainly play out the rest of his career in relative anonymity...