Life’s a Pitch: Is gung-ho the way to go?

This season’s Premier League big guns have opted to shunt solidity to one side in search of more spectacular eye-catching football, and it’s made for a lively few weeks.

While fans have feasted themselves on a glut of glorious goals ever since August, there is a nagging feeling – especially at Manchester United and Chelsea – that their chances of lifting silverware at the end of the season might be better served by lowering the entertainment factor and focusing at least some of their energies on a decent defence.

This is a point well covered on Life’s a Pitch this week, where Jason Burt of the Sunday Telegraph was particularly perturbed by the porous nature of United’s defending against Portuguese minnows Braga, where they had to rely on their superlative forward play to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the Champions League.

League leaders Chelsea, who host Sir Alex Ferguson’s cavalier outfit at Stamford Bridge this week, are another side that’s thrown caution to the wind in search of flair-filled football this term, inspired by the terrific trio of Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard.

Mike Calvin has been mightily impressed by the Blues’ attacking prowess, and suggests that with the signing of an additional striker to share the workload with Fernando Torres – plus a disciplined defensive midfielder to cover their frequent forays forward, that Roberto di Matteo might be adding the Premier League title to his CV come May.

Former Chelsea gaffer Andre Villas-Boas may have failed in his bid to gain revenge on his former employers last weekend, but both Iain Macintosh and Mike Calvin have written about the Tottenham Hotspur boss in relatively glowing terms during the past seven days.

One of Spurs’ star turns Emmanuel Adebayor hasn’t impressed Mike anywhere near as much however, who feels the Togo striker is already a shadow of the player who performed so spectacularly for the north London side last season.

Elsewhere, some really interesting transfer rumours have emerged and the Life’s a Pitch panel eagerly run the rule over all the latest gossip that’s doing the rounds on the grapevine.

What’s the most likely move? Daniel Sturridge to quit Stamford Bridge in January, but The People’s Janine Self thinks the England forward will choose an alternative destination to White Hart Lane…

Expert pundit videos

Manchester United “will get caught out by a decent side”

After their second-half escape against Braga, Jason Burt of the Sunday Telegraph warns Man United that they can’t keep giving opponents head starts.
Leaky defence >

“I could see Curbishley going to Ipswich”

The Life’s a Pitch team argue over who will take the vacant hot seats at Ipswich and Blackburn, while assessing Dougie Freedman’s decision to join Bolton.
Championship fever >

Arsenal want Hernandez, Chelsea eye Lulic, Clasie to Spurs?

The Life’s a Pitch panel chews over the possibility of Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs signing three talented overseas stars in January.
London bound? >

Sturridge to Spurs, Chelsea eye Paulinho, Reds want Turan?

What’s the truth in rumours linking Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs with a trio of talented young stars? The Life’s a Pitch panel take a look…
January tips >

Lively opinion blogs

Chelsea could be two signings away from the title

The Blues are finally playing like European champions, and with a couple of quality additions the future will look extremely bright, writes Mike Calvin.
Title tilt >

Will Ferdinand be one of Fergie’s final challenges?

Rio Ferdinand was brave to defy Sir Alex last weekend, explains Mike Calvin, as he asks if both men are nearing the end of their Old Trafford adventures…
United we stand >

Villas-Boas is proving his detractors wrong

Iain Macintosh is pleased André Villas-Boas is making a success of managing Tottenham, given the amount of negative press he has attracted in the job.
On the Up >

New season, same old Adebayor

Mike Calvin argues that being second choice striker at Spurs has seen Emmanuel Adebayor revert to type.
Spurs sinner >

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