1. Is the Partnership back in fashion?
One of the things that interests me most in football is how formations come and go over time. I grew up very much in the 4-4-2 era before modern shifts placed more emphasis on midfield and creativity. Nowadays, most teams line up in a 4-5-1/4-3-3. This season there has been a bit of a shift backwards though, particularly of late. Indeed, there have been almost twice as many goals scored in the last 5 game weeks as there were in the first 4 and, whilst we can’t credit them all to Luis Suarez... he has certainly helped. Sturridge & Suarez looks a real partnership in every sense of the word. They feed off each other, create space for each other and have currently scored ten goals in four games together. Elsewhere, Man City had blossomed with the Aguero/Negrado axis before dropping it this weekend and dropping three points. Swansea have pushed Michu up alongside Bony to good effect and lower down the league Norwich, Fulham, West Brom and Newcastle have all been played 2 up for most of the season. And then there is RVP & Rooney, lauded by Hansen this weekend as the most fearsome partnership in the Premier League. In short, what utter tosh. RVP and Rooney are phenomenal players, but they are not a partnership. Indeed, the Utd striker conundrum is a good example of how important a partnership is. Good partnerships don’t just score goals, they create space for their team mates, work defensively and offensively and set the tone and balance of the whole team. Utd could lay claim to having the three best strikers in the whole league if you look at finishing (RVP), the number 10 (Rooney) and the super sub (Hernandez). But none of the three work together and Man Utd’s lightweight midfield is struggling as a result. It is no surprise that all of Utd’s good performances this season have come in cup games (and the first match vs Swansea) when one of Rooney or RVP have been absent. Ferguson knew this. It is why he bought Kagawa and it is why he tried to push Rooney out of the club. Moyes, ailing as he is, is faced with an impossible problem. Dropping one of his only two genuine world class players for the sake of the balance of the team. He won’t do it of course, and Utd will continue to struggle to dominate games. Even if, ironically, because the said two players are that good... they may well still bail them out of enough games with moments of genius.
2. West Ham. If in doubt... play no strikers at all.
Of course there is always the other option to playing 4-4-2 (or in Liverpool’s case, what appears to be 2-3-1-1-1-2) - and that is going away to the might of Swansea and playing with no strikers whatsoever. Now I’m the Swans biggest fan these days, but going to the Liberty Stadium is not like going away to Man City (previously Man Utd). Indeed, Swansea have a better record away from home this season. Big Sam of course, spent most of the summer buying the same player over and over again (average winger, who can cross sometimes) in order to feed his Plan A - Carroll & Nolan. West Ham’s Plan B hasn’t really got going this season, that freak, planet aligning Spurs result aside. Sure they’re defensively sound, as any team managed by Big Sam would be. But they’ve scored less than a goal a game even including that Norton Coin moment at White Hart Lane. Big Sam had one thing in mind this weekend. Kill the game and hope for a long shot to go in to sneak the points. Part one happened and as part two didn’t, the game was as much of a wash out as the weather. It’s ok though, soon we’re have Tony Pulis back in the league again as well...
3. How far can Saints really go?
Can anyone explain this one, very simple point to me? Fitness issues aside, of which there should be none at the highest level, why don’t more teams press? I mean, people can look at Barca and Spain all they want and say “we’ll never be able to pass the ball like that” - and they’ll probably be correct. But the thing both teams also do so well is harry you all over the pitch to get the ball back once they’ve lost it. Man Utd would sometimes do it under Ferguson, like wise Chelsea under Jose. Arsenal, to name but one team at random, never do it. The mind boggles how good they might be if they did. (Citation: Flamini has been doing it great this year, and they have already struggled badly in the last two games without him). All of which brings us to Southampton. Who press the hell out of you, defend in numbers, are organised in every position and can hit you on the break just as well as from a set piece. The Saints are 5th in the league at the end of it’s first quarter and still boast the best defensive record in Europe. In. Europe. They are ahead of both Manchester clubs and play two of the bottom four next up. What’s more, is that they’re not reliant on any one player. I mentioned a month ago about how they were achieving all this with English players and it’s a point worth reiterating following the weekend. Both of their goals were made in England with Lambert, Jay Rodriquez and Adam Lallana directly involved. Indeed, Saints front four were all English and all played exceptionally well. I don’t expect them to finish the season in the top spots, but a European place remains an outside bet if they carry on playing like this. If they get anywhere near that come May they will deserve every accolade going and their manager needs to be consulted by every young coach in the land about how to get their team playing like this. With... er... a translator.
4. Do Spurs feel lucky?
The league table doesn’t lie is the old chestnut. Perhaps at the end of the season, but right now it puts Spurs in 4th and just 3 points behind Arsenal. You have to go down to Man Utd in 8th to find anyone playing worse than AVB’s side, yet there they remain thanks to the brilliance of Hugo Loris and continuous Roberto Soldado penalties. Spurs have had an easy start, of the two tough games they have played, they have just a point from. They have won half of their games 1 nil and have scored just 4 goals, discounting penalties. But, like Man Utd in the past, they seem to so far have the one quality that you also need to make you champions. Luck. Spurs are not playing fluent football, although they are highly organised. It probably shouldn’t be a surprise given over half the entire team has been changed and, it is worth noting, they didn’t play well for the last ten games of last season either. Then they had Bale to bail them out. Now they have fortuitous penalty decisions. As with Arsenal, the next month should tell us whether Spurs are serious title contenders, or vying for the last champions league spot with an increasingly large number of other clubs. They play Everton and Man City away and Man Utd at home in their next four league matches. Of course, there is an argument that Spurs are being unlucky rather than the other way around. They are dominating games and perhaps it’s only a matter of time before they start opening up and beating teams by 3 or 4 every week? That’s not an argument I’me going to make. But someone could...
5. Where’s the heart Gareth, I can’t see it...
Given I’m bashing Spurs for a change, I’ll round off this week’s elongated blog with a short entry on everyones favourite Simian.
Gareth... it’s not going well is it. That is all.
https://twitter.com/HinduMonkey
Monday, 28 October 2013
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Five Things We Learnt From Watching Football This Weekend - Week Eight
1. Arsenal’s opening
goal was worthy of any stage
Arsenal managed to take their intimidating start to the season to new levels this weekend with a three act play worthy of any bard. The second, the tragedy, flirted with an improbable comeback before the heart stopping third combined pace, artistry and clinical finishing leaving the audience in raptures. But I’m here to talk about Act One. The score sheet will simply record the details Wilshere, 18 by it. But such words could never do justice to a goal that was sent from all the gods themselves. Team goals rarely get as much praise as individual pile drivers do; and in a sense that’s right. Argentina’s famous 25 passes goal sounded impressive… but let’s be honest, it was dull to actually watch. Passing football is at its best when it is so quick it takes the breath away. Usually only Barca and Spain are capable of this fast paced tiki-taka, with the other great teams of recent times relying on quick counter attacking (Man Utd, Real Madrid), resilience and strength (Chelsea) or being German (Dortmund, Munich). Wilshire’s strike against Norwich combined some of the most ridiculous first touches you’ll likely to see. The build up to the build up was good enough, but the build up to the goal itself between Santi, Giroud and Wilshere was jaw dropping. Hell, Arsenal deserve to win the title for this goal alone. Sure they’ll get injuries, run out of steam and probably fade away come May. But for every Arsenal fan come the end of the season… at least they’ll have this.
Arsenal managed to take their intimidating start to the season to new levels this weekend with a three act play worthy of any bard. The second, the tragedy, flirted with an improbable comeback before the heart stopping third combined pace, artistry and clinical finishing leaving the audience in raptures. But I’m here to talk about Act One. The score sheet will simply record the details Wilshere, 18 by it. But such words could never do justice to a goal that was sent from all the gods themselves. Team goals rarely get as much praise as individual pile drivers do; and in a sense that’s right. Argentina’s famous 25 passes goal sounded impressive… but let’s be honest, it was dull to actually watch. Passing football is at its best when it is so quick it takes the breath away. Usually only Barca and Spain are capable of this fast paced tiki-taka, with the other great teams of recent times relying on quick counter attacking (Man Utd, Real Madrid), resilience and strength (Chelsea) or being German (Dortmund, Munich). Wilshire’s strike against Norwich combined some of the most ridiculous first touches you’ll likely to see. The build up to the build up was good enough, but the build up to the goal itself between Santi, Giroud and Wilshere was jaw dropping. Hell, Arsenal deserve to win the title for this goal alone. Sure they’ll get injuries, run out of steam and probably fade away come May. But for every Arsenal fan come the end of the season… at least they’ll have this.
(which doesn’t even feature the outrageous bit of skill in
his own half to set the move going)
2. City finally
banish away blues
With 1 point from 9 following on from last season’s tame effort; much has already been written about Manchester City’s away day blues. The jury is still out on Pellegrini’s team after they almost let West Ham back into things, but in truth this was a routine away win from a squad who should be clear favourites to win this year’s title. Chelsea and seemingly Arsenal remain key challengers, but neither of those teams possesses anyone in the class of Sergio Aguero. Despite being prone to incessant niggling injuries, Aguero has scored 43 goals in the 72 Premier League games he has played for City. A record bested by nobody who hasn’t played for Man Utd during that time. The core of City’s team is better than anyone and with David Silva sparkling again, Nasri having refound his mojo and the return of Micah “the human wall” Richards; few would bet against them retaining their title come May. Much of that will depend on results such as this though. City retain the ability to switch off at any moment and seem to genuinely consider Javi Garcia to be a better defender than Joleen Lescott. On their day, they remain unbeatable. Capable of scoring in a blink of an eye and out muscling anyone. Their fans will hope this win goes some way to banishing their away day blues and kicks them on to bigger and greater things once more.
With 1 point from 9 following on from last season’s tame effort; much has already been written about Manchester City’s away day blues. The jury is still out on Pellegrini’s team after they almost let West Ham back into things, but in truth this was a routine away win from a squad who should be clear favourites to win this year’s title. Chelsea and seemingly Arsenal remain key challengers, but neither of those teams possesses anyone in the class of Sergio Aguero. Despite being prone to incessant niggling injuries, Aguero has scored 43 goals in the 72 Premier League games he has played for City. A record bested by nobody who hasn’t played for Man Utd during that time. The core of City’s team is better than anyone and with David Silva sparkling again, Nasri having refound his mojo and the return of Micah “the human wall” Richards; few would bet against them retaining their title come May. Much of that will depend on results such as this though. City retain the ability to switch off at any moment and seem to genuinely consider Javi Garcia to be a better defender than Joleen Lescott. On their day, they remain unbeatable. Capable of scoring in a blink of an eye and out muscling anyone. Their fans will hope this win goes some way to banishing their away day blues and kicks them on to bigger and greater things once more.
3. Writing about
Stoke City doesn’t get any easier
People like Mark Hughes. They want him to succeed. No honestly. I know this to be true why? Because um… Mark Hughes says so. Need more proof? Well… um… er… how about the fact that after starting the season with some vague promise Stoke have defaulted instantly to their old ways? What about the fact that their best player remains their goalkeeper, who single-handedly keeps them in every single match they play? Or their goals for column!? Four in eight games! One in the last SIX HOURS. That’s worth shouting about isn’t it? What about Peter Crouch? He scored that amazing goal against Man City didn’t he!? Was that the last time he actually scored? I think it might be. Was that the last time Stoke scored? No, no… that cheeky chappy Jermaine Pennant popped up a few weeks ago didn’t he? Oh wait, that’s it. Jermaine Pennant! Everybody loves him! That must have been what Hughes was on about when he said people want him to succeed!?
People like Mark Hughes. They want him to succeed. No honestly. I know this to be true why? Because um… Mark Hughes says so. Need more proof? Well… um… er… how about the fact that after starting the season with some vague promise Stoke have defaulted instantly to their old ways? What about the fact that their best player remains their goalkeeper, who single-handedly keeps them in every single match they play? Or their goals for column!? Four in eight games! One in the last SIX HOURS. That’s worth shouting about isn’t it? What about Peter Crouch? He scored that amazing goal against Man City didn’t he!? Was that the last time he actually scored? I think it might be. Was that the last time Stoke scored? No, no… that cheeky chappy Jermaine Pennant popped up a few weeks ago didn’t he? Oh wait, that’s it. Jermaine Pennant! Everybody loves him! That must have been what Hughes was on about when he said people want him to succeed!?
Mark. Nobody wants Stoke to succeed. Or you to succeed.
Except Stoke fans. And you.
Infact probably just you.
You twat
4. Roberto Martinez is doing a very good job
Four points off top, four points above Man Utd and just one defeat in 8 games. Roberto Martinez has taken a lot less time to settle in his new role than David Moyes has. Unlike Utd, Everton have retained the qualities of their departing manager whilst adding new ones into the mix. Martinez had a reputation for poor defensive management at Wigan, but Everton currently look as good as ever in that regard. The back five picks itself and it’s a solid, dependable unit full of attacking thrust from the flanks. What the Spaniard has added, is fluent, passing football combined with genuine movement. Barkley has been a revelation this season and there is a certain irony that the area where Utd continue to struggle the most is the main area Everton have strengthened in. The new look midfield of McCarthy, Barry and Barkley looks better than any combination Moyes’ new team can put together and Everton are starting to control games as well as win them. Everton fans cannot have expected this in their wildest dreams. Whilst Utd fans clung to what are fast becoming very false hopes and belief in a squad quite clearly not good enough, Evertonians spoke of a slide from any European challenge and some even mentioned relegation. That looks absurd right now. The season remains young, with 30 games still to play. But three months ago you would have been put in an asylum for suggesting Everton would finish above Man Utd this year. Injuries permitting, it now looks more like even money.
4. Roberto Martinez is doing a very good job
Four points off top, four points above Man Utd and just one defeat in 8 games. Roberto Martinez has taken a lot less time to settle in his new role than David Moyes has. Unlike Utd, Everton have retained the qualities of their departing manager whilst adding new ones into the mix. Martinez had a reputation for poor defensive management at Wigan, but Everton currently look as good as ever in that regard. The back five picks itself and it’s a solid, dependable unit full of attacking thrust from the flanks. What the Spaniard has added, is fluent, passing football combined with genuine movement. Barkley has been a revelation this season and there is a certain irony that the area where Utd continue to struggle the most is the main area Everton have strengthened in. The new look midfield of McCarthy, Barry and Barkley looks better than any combination Moyes’ new team can put together and Everton are starting to control games as well as win them. Everton fans cannot have expected this in their wildest dreams. Whilst Utd fans clung to what are fast becoming very false hopes and belief in a squad quite clearly not good enough, Evertonians spoke of a slide from any European challenge and some even mentioned relegation. That looks absurd right now. The season remains young, with 30 games still to play. But three months ago you would have been put in an asylum for suggesting Everton would finish above Man Utd this year. Injuries permitting, it now looks more like even money.
5. Watching England was almost fun again…
And so England are going to Brazil. And the whole country waits… and expects… well not much this time actually. If there is one thing Roy Hodgson deserves credit for, it’s managing the expectations of England fans so that even the most deluded follower of St George doesn’t believe we can win it. None of which should take away from some of the good work that Hodgson has done. After a slow start to the group England eased to the top of the table with two convincing victories against sub rate opposition (waves flag). If Roy wanted to get England to the moon, he found the right Space Monkey for the job (sorry). The best thing about Andros Townsend’s performances last week wasn't his ability or youthful abandon, is what that he approached the games without fear or apprehension and that rubbed off on all the other players. England played some of their best attacking football in years and much of it went through the freshman astronaut (sorry again). England can’t win the World Cup, but they have earned the right to be there and not being seeded will at least put to bed some of the ludicrous delusions of grandeur. We have some very good young players, mixed with experienced old heads. People who talk of our centre backs not having proved it at the highest level seem to have misplaced the knowledge that our number one defender, Gary Cahill, started, played and won the Champions League final and Europa final in successive seasons. If that isn’t proving it at the highest level, I’m not sure what is. Gerrard seems to have finally settled into the setup as the elder statesmen and he has proved himself a dependable captain. A team of Hart, Walker, Jones, Cahill, Gibbs, Wilshire, Barkley, Townsend, Welbeck, Rooney and Sturridge could well get to the Quarter Finals and all would be under 27. Add in Gerrard, Cole, Baines, Walcott and for no possible reason that I can fathom… Jermaine Defoe. And England are going to… ah who I am kidding. I don’t even care.
And so England are going to Brazil. And the whole country waits… and expects… well not much this time actually. If there is one thing Roy Hodgson deserves credit for, it’s managing the expectations of England fans so that even the most deluded follower of St George doesn’t believe we can win it. None of which should take away from some of the good work that Hodgson has done. After a slow start to the group England eased to the top of the table with two convincing victories against sub rate opposition (waves flag). If Roy wanted to get England to the moon, he found the right Space Monkey for the job (sorry). The best thing about Andros Townsend’s performances last week wasn't his ability or youthful abandon, is what that he approached the games without fear or apprehension and that rubbed off on all the other players. England played some of their best attacking football in years and much of it went through the freshman astronaut (sorry again). England can’t win the World Cup, but they have earned the right to be there and not being seeded will at least put to bed some of the ludicrous delusions of grandeur. We have some very good young players, mixed with experienced old heads. People who talk of our centre backs not having proved it at the highest level seem to have misplaced the knowledge that our number one defender, Gary Cahill, started, played and won the Champions League final and Europa final in successive seasons. If that isn’t proving it at the highest level, I’m not sure what is. Gerrard seems to have finally settled into the setup as the elder statesmen and he has proved himself a dependable captain. A team of Hart, Walker, Jones, Cahill, Gibbs, Wilshire, Barkley, Townsend, Welbeck, Rooney and Sturridge could well get to the Quarter Finals and all would be under 27. Add in Gerrard, Cole, Baines, Walcott and for no possible reason that I can fathom… Jermaine Defoe. And England are going to… ah who I am kidding. I don’t even care.
Sunday, 29 September 2013
Five Things We Learnt From Watching Football This Weekend - Week Six
1. Content is key
MOTD… not computers.
There are few shows that get more abuse on television than Match of the Day. Everyone has an opinion on football; and being the central round up show for all top flight action, airing at a time when most people have come back from the pub after a few beers, it’s little wonder that over the years its pundits and presenters have come in for some serious flak. Of late, the show had reached a nadir of banal analysis from preened, overpaid presenters whose names usually began with Alan. It was refreshing then, to see none of its usual pundits in action this weekend and instead listen to Danny Murphy giving the regulars a lesson in how to actually do their job. Roberto Martinez offered likeable light relief, but Murphy’s defensive dissection of Manchester United was the best piece of analysis for years on the show. It was, in short, exactly what Sky do every week. Contrast this to last week’s horror show of an MOTD2 where we had to witness a standing Alan Shearer try and explain physicality with Mark Chapman. It didn’t work… at all. Because it was Alan Shearer. Sky may have fancy gadgets and computers, but the reason it continues to be the standard bearer for televised football is the content itself. I’m sure we’ll be back to the two Alan’s comparing whose shirt is more starched before long, but this Saturday, it was refreshing to be educated rather than bored for a change.
There are few shows that get more abuse on television than Match of the Day. Everyone has an opinion on football; and being the central round up show for all top flight action, airing at a time when most people have come back from the pub after a few beers, it’s little wonder that over the years its pundits and presenters have come in for some serious flak. Of late, the show had reached a nadir of banal analysis from preened, overpaid presenters whose names usually began with Alan. It was refreshing then, to see none of its usual pundits in action this weekend and instead listen to Danny Murphy giving the regulars a lesson in how to actually do their job. Roberto Martinez offered likeable light relief, but Murphy’s defensive dissection of Manchester United was the best piece of analysis for years on the show. It was, in short, exactly what Sky do every week. Contrast this to last week’s horror show of an MOTD2 where we had to witness a standing Alan Shearer try and explain physicality with Mark Chapman. It didn’t work… at all. Because it was Alan Shearer. Sky may have fancy gadgets and computers, but the reason it continues to be the standard bearer for televised football is the content itself. I’m sure we’ll be back to the two Alan’s comparing whose shirt is more starched before long, but this Saturday, it was refreshing to be educated rather than bored for a change.
2. Jol may be back
under a bridge before too long.
Fulham have not started the season well. A fortunate win away at struggling Sunderland aside, they have now mustered a single point from 5 games and sit firmly entrenched in the relegation zone. Jol could point to a difficult start and niggling injuries to his forwards. But goalkeeper aside, Fulham were at full strength on Saturday as they were humbled at home by promoted Cardiff. The big Dutchmen resembles a creature that belongs under a bridge, picking off wandering farmyard animals as they attempt to cross to the other side. If he’s not careful, he’ll… he’ll… I’m sorry this metaphor is making about as much sense as Jose’s egg speech. I’ll cut to the chase. Fulham have a new man up top and Jol needs to start winning games and fast. Or a Michael Jackson statue won’t be the only thing leaving Fulham Football Club this year.
Fulham have not started the season well. A fortunate win away at struggling Sunderland aside, they have now mustered a single point from 5 games and sit firmly entrenched in the relegation zone. Jol could point to a difficult start and niggling injuries to his forwards. But goalkeeper aside, Fulham were at full strength on Saturday as they were humbled at home by promoted Cardiff. The big Dutchmen resembles a creature that belongs under a bridge, picking off wandering farmyard animals as they attempt to cross to the other side. If he’s not careful, he’ll… he’ll… I’m sorry this metaphor is making about as much sense as Jose’s egg speech. I’ll cut to the chase. Fulham have a new man up top and Jol needs to start winning games and fast. Or a Michael Jackson statue won’t be the only thing leaving Fulham Football Club this year.
3. Ramsey is Reborn.
I’ve refrained from writing a Ramsey piece until now for two reasons. Firstly is that a lot of people have already penned something about his dramatic change in form and I wanted to see if he could keep it up for a few more games. Secondly… last season against Swansea I wrote a piece absolutely slating him and holding him up as an example for everything that was wrong with Arsene Wenger. Well… he showed me. The Welshman has got better and better with every game he’s played this season and currently isn’t just the in-form player for Arsenal, but for the entire league. His team sit at the top of the table and have started well in Europe. In the 8 games Ramsey has been involved in since that opening day reverse Arsenal have scored 18 goals and Ramsey has scored or created 12 of them. He is currently the Premier Leagues top scorer. Numbers of course, don’t always tell the whole story. Ya Ya Toure scored again to join Ramsey at the top of the scoring charts but was woeful against a determined and slick Aston Villa. Ramsey, by contrast, has been the man of the match in almost every game he’s played since August. Wenger maintains that he always had this ability in his locker and famously courted him as much as any player during his Arsenal career. Many purists would love for the Gunners to still be top of the tree come May and for Ramsey himself, anything like that as an end game would represent a remarkable turnaround from last season where he was continuously hopeless and bereft of form. I have rarely seen such a poor performance as the one he gave away to Swansea in January, but he has turned his entire game on its head and is now playing with confidence and vigour. There is however, one final point regarding his turnaround which is relevant to all of the bigger squads in the league. Ramsey was maligned and playing poorly, but he was often stationed out of position and wide on the left (seemingly the stock “out of position” role that any attacking player must be subjected to). His form has coincided with being moved into his favoured central role where he can burst forward from deep. My point about Ramsey was that he wasn’t a bad player per se, but that he wasn’t good enough for an Arsenal team who had the likes of Wilshire, Rosicky and Santi playing in his position. It is very much a modern day football decision to become a “squad player” at a bigger club or a first choice regular at a smaller one. I felt that Ramsey at his age could benefit from playing 10-20 games in a row at a club that would play him in his favoured role. As it happens, Arsenal ended up doing that and both player and club have reaped the rewards. So, just to clarify Ollie Harris… technically I was right all along. Now if only Man Utd would try and do this with Shinji “45 minutes at left wing and replaced by a teenager reserve” Kagawa…
I’ve refrained from writing a Ramsey piece until now for two reasons. Firstly is that a lot of people have already penned something about his dramatic change in form and I wanted to see if he could keep it up for a few more games. Secondly… last season against Swansea I wrote a piece absolutely slating him and holding him up as an example for everything that was wrong with Arsene Wenger. Well… he showed me. The Welshman has got better and better with every game he’s played this season and currently isn’t just the in-form player for Arsenal, but for the entire league. His team sit at the top of the table and have started well in Europe. In the 8 games Ramsey has been involved in since that opening day reverse Arsenal have scored 18 goals and Ramsey has scored or created 12 of them. He is currently the Premier Leagues top scorer. Numbers of course, don’t always tell the whole story. Ya Ya Toure scored again to join Ramsey at the top of the scoring charts but was woeful against a determined and slick Aston Villa. Ramsey, by contrast, has been the man of the match in almost every game he’s played since August. Wenger maintains that he always had this ability in his locker and famously courted him as much as any player during his Arsenal career. Many purists would love for the Gunners to still be top of the tree come May and for Ramsey himself, anything like that as an end game would represent a remarkable turnaround from last season where he was continuously hopeless and bereft of form. I have rarely seen such a poor performance as the one he gave away to Swansea in January, but he has turned his entire game on its head and is now playing with confidence and vigour. There is however, one final point regarding his turnaround which is relevant to all of the bigger squads in the league. Ramsey was maligned and playing poorly, but he was often stationed out of position and wide on the left (seemingly the stock “out of position” role that any attacking player must be subjected to). His form has coincided with being moved into his favoured central role where he can burst forward from deep. My point about Ramsey was that he wasn’t a bad player per se, but that he wasn’t good enough for an Arsenal team who had the likes of Wilshire, Rosicky and Santi playing in his position. It is very much a modern day football decision to become a “squad player” at a bigger club or a first choice regular at a smaller one. I felt that Ramsey at his age could benefit from playing 10-20 games in a row at a club that would play him in his favoured role. As it happens, Arsenal ended up doing that and both player and club have reaped the rewards. So, just to clarify Ollie Harris… technically I was right all along. Now if only Man Utd would try and do this with Shinji “45 minutes at left wing and replaced by a teenager reserve” Kagawa…
4. Saints are all marching to the same beat.
It seems remarkable that so far this season Maurico Pochettino has come under criticism. Everything from “he hasn’t picked up the language quick enough” to “why has he bought players he doesn’t even need?” Southampton currently sit in 5th place, boast the best defensive record in the league and possess a team who, above anything else… are simply that. A team. Since taking over in January Pochettino has managed Saints for 25 games and only lost 6 of them. That’s less than both Manchester City and Utd, just so we’re clear. Pretty good going for a team tipped to be relegation strugglers throughout most of that time. The Argentine has installed a calmness at St Mary’s but more than that, he has coached his team into playing as a wonderful unit. The likes of Swansea and Arsenal continue to win admirers for their style but there is nothing less pleasing about the way Southampton work and play for each other. The signing of Wanyama was derided in some quarters but he has been instrumental to their success this season. Jay Rodrigquez has been converted into an old fashioned inside right and Pochettino has used the dead ball specialism of Lallana and Ward-Prowse to solid effect, without ever trying to shoe horn both into the team to do so. The most remarkable thing about the transformation of both Swansea and Southampton over the past 12 months hasn’t been the managers though; it’s been the completely English spine that runs through both teams. Here are two clubs playing attractive, passing football in a continental style with predominantly English and British players. Any future manager of this country should be taking a long hard look at both clubs and asking for some serious tips. As well as stopping picking the reserves of Man Utd and Liverpool for no fucking reason whatsoever.
5. Qatar probably
wasn’t a good choice.
Everybody knows Fifa is corrupt. It’s not even worth saying anymore such is the obviousness of the statement. It’s like saying the Tories don’t care about the NHS or that America might just have a gun problem. But when the dust settles on the disgraceful reign of Sepp Blatter, the Qatar world cupbribe
bid will probably be held up as the poster of it. Awarding the biggest sporting
tournament in the world to a country with absolutely zero pedigree in the sport
was strange to begin with. But it was seemingly done without even a cursory
amount of research into how the country would accommodate so many teams, so
many fans and so many matches in a climate that averages a cool 41 degrees in
July. Recent stories have now broken about human rights, health and safety and
a simply appalling level of human fatalities during the construction phase of
the event. Add to this the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and we have
a back to back campaign of racial and homophobic hatred to look forward to as
well. Talk of a shift to winter is stupid for so many reasons that I can’t be
bothered to name them here; but the only one that matters is that it’s stupid
to continue to consider Qatar as a viable option for a World Cup anyway.
Blatter and his cronies need to suck it up, realise they’re probably rich
enough anyway and give back the huge pile of money they were certainly NOT
given in order to award the tournament to Qatar in the first place. This just
wouldn’t happen with Cricket. I mean the ICC is a fine body of upstanding
gentlemen free from any sort of corruption, woeful decision making or possible ulterior
motives.
Everybody knows Fifa is corrupt. It’s not even worth saying anymore such is the obviousness of the statement. It’s like saying the Tories don’t care about the NHS or that America might just have a gun problem. But when the dust settles on the disgraceful reign of Sepp Blatter, the Qatar world cup
Hmmm… I’ve lost you haven’t I…
Monday, 23 September 2013
Five Things We Learnt From Watching Football This Weekend - Week Five
1. Arsenal fans are
starting to believe.
Top of the league, a fantastic start in Europe, Aaron Ramsey playing like he’s Mesut Ozil and well… signing Mesut Ozil. If you offered that to Arsenal fans after the season started with them being beaten at home by Villa they wouldn’t just have bitten your hand off, they would have checked you into a mental asylum to boot. Football is a funny old game and you should never underestimate how important one player can truly be to a team. Arsenal were on a good run before Ozil joined their ranks, but his very presence seems to have given them that extra bit of belief that they have lacked for so long. The German was simply mesmeric on Sunday afternoon, not so much passing the ball but making gentle love to it with his boot. Questions remain about Arsenal’s defence and concentration levels, not least under pressure; but if they can get to Christmas with this sort of momentum anything remains possible. It already looks like one of four teams could win the title this year. The biggest surprise so far, isn’t that Man Utd aren’t one of those four… but that Arsenal are.
Top of the league, a fantastic start in Europe, Aaron Ramsey playing like he’s Mesut Ozil and well… signing Mesut Ozil. If you offered that to Arsenal fans after the season started with them being beaten at home by Villa they wouldn’t just have bitten your hand off, they would have checked you into a mental asylum to boot. Football is a funny old game and you should never underestimate how important one player can truly be to a team. Arsenal were on a good run before Ozil joined their ranks, but his very presence seems to have given them that extra bit of belief that they have lacked for so long. The German was simply mesmeric on Sunday afternoon, not so much passing the ball but making gentle love to it with his boot. Questions remain about Arsenal’s defence and concentration levels, not least under pressure; but if they can get to Christmas with this sort of momentum anything remains possible. It already looks like one of four teams could win the title this year. The biggest surprise so far, isn’t that Man Utd aren’t one of those four… but that Arsenal are.
2. Norwich are all
kids of boring.
Last season only Stoke and QPR scored less goals than Norwich City. The former sacked their manager and the latter sacked one and finished bottom with the other. Indeed, Norwich’s paltry haul of 41 goals was swelled by two final dead rubbers, without which they had scored 34 goals in 36 matches. It was clear then where Chris Hughton needed to strengthen and strengthen he did this summer, bringing in three new strikers and a couple of attacking midfielders at significant cost. The result? Norwich have scored 3 times in 5 games and once in the last 400 minutes. There’s no way to flower that up so I’ll just cut to the chase, Norwich are fucking boring. They don’t create enough chances and they don’t take enough chances, a combination to make nobody but opposition managers happy. They have only had 2 shots on target in over 3 hours of football. Whatever is going on down at the training ground, it just isn’t working. Norwich are away at Stoke next and then have Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City in their next four games. Paulo Di Canio did everything he can to win the first manager sacked race, but if Norwich win none of those games and are bottom in November, it will be hard to make a case for the Hughton to carry on either.
Last season only Stoke and QPR scored less goals than Norwich City. The former sacked their manager and the latter sacked one and finished bottom with the other. Indeed, Norwich’s paltry haul of 41 goals was swelled by two final dead rubbers, without which they had scored 34 goals in 36 matches. It was clear then where Chris Hughton needed to strengthen and strengthen he did this summer, bringing in three new strikers and a couple of attacking midfielders at significant cost. The result? Norwich have scored 3 times in 5 games and once in the last 400 minutes. There’s no way to flower that up so I’ll just cut to the chase, Norwich are fucking boring. They don’t create enough chances and they don’t take enough chances, a combination to make nobody but opposition managers happy. They have only had 2 shots on target in over 3 hours of football. Whatever is going on down at the training ground, it just isn’t working. Norwich are away at Stoke next and then have Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City in their next four games. Paulo Di Canio did everything he can to win the first manager sacked race, but if Norwich win none of those games and are bottom in November, it will be hard to make a case for the Hughton to carry on either.
3. Chelsea have a lot
of unanswered questions still.
Chelsea stuttered past a miserable looking Fulham on Saturday evening to record a well overdue first victory since the opening week. 2 points off the top doesn’t sound so bad but the truth is everyone has stumbled to some extent so far and Chelsea were many peoples favourites for the title. Woeful in midweek against Basel, Chelsea look like a collection of overrated individuals rather than a fully functioning team. It’s early into the second reign of Jose, but given his history it’s a shock to see Chelsea playing as badly as this. Unanswered questions you say? Well here are five for starters. One: Why praise Mata all summer, fail to sell him and then make a speech how he was never going to fit into your plans anyway? Nobody is denying the ability of Oscar, Jose, but to treat the club player of the season for two years like this is perverse. Two: Why try and fix the one part of the team that isn’t broken? The central attacking trident of Oscar, Mata and Hazard sung in unison last year, tearing teams apart and driving Chelsea to Europa League glory. Where Chelsea needed a change was defensive midfield, full back and up front. Instead Jose has added an absurd three players to his strongest area (Willian being the most shamelessly unnecessary) and none to his weaker ones. Three: Why allow your best striker to go on loan and then buy someone who’s 32 on four times the wages? Lukaku took what, twenty minutes to score on Saturday? Eto has been indescribably bad to date. Four: Why turn down a £35m bid for David Luiz from a club not even in your league and then make him your 4th choice centre back and admit you’ll never play him in midfield? This one is just stupid. Five: Why talk about trying to play attacking, open and fluent football when the evidence on the pitch could not point further in the opposite direction? Nobody likes a liar Jose. But a boring liar… hell that’s really bad. And boring.
Chelsea stuttered past a miserable looking Fulham on Saturday evening to record a well overdue first victory since the opening week. 2 points off the top doesn’t sound so bad but the truth is everyone has stumbled to some extent so far and Chelsea were many peoples favourites for the title. Woeful in midweek against Basel, Chelsea look like a collection of overrated individuals rather than a fully functioning team. It’s early into the second reign of Jose, but given his history it’s a shock to see Chelsea playing as badly as this. Unanswered questions you say? Well here are five for starters. One: Why praise Mata all summer, fail to sell him and then make a speech how he was never going to fit into your plans anyway? Nobody is denying the ability of Oscar, Jose, but to treat the club player of the season for two years like this is perverse. Two: Why try and fix the one part of the team that isn’t broken? The central attacking trident of Oscar, Mata and Hazard sung in unison last year, tearing teams apart and driving Chelsea to Europa League glory. Where Chelsea needed a change was defensive midfield, full back and up front. Instead Jose has added an absurd three players to his strongest area (Willian being the most shamelessly unnecessary) and none to his weaker ones. Three: Why allow your best striker to go on loan and then buy someone who’s 32 on four times the wages? Lukaku took what, twenty minutes to score on Saturday? Eto has been indescribably bad to date. Four: Why turn down a £35m bid for David Luiz from a club not even in your league and then make him your 4th choice centre back and admit you’ll never play him in midfield? This one is just stupid. Five: Why talk about trying to play attacking, open and fluent football when the evidence on the pitch could not point further in the opposite direction? Nobody likes a liar Jose. But a boring liar… hell that’s really bad. And boring.
4. Swansea are the best run club in the league.
I try and remain impartial on this blog (coughs) but I’m not afraid to admit that I fucking love Swansea City. The way they play, their ethos, their manager, their fans… everything. Swansea have gathered a preposterous amount of steam since they regained their place in the Championship back in 2009. Since their promotion to the Premier League they have managed themselves and their finances in the best possible way without once compromising their commitment to passing, attractive football. They are perhaps helped by the fact that their supporters own 20% of the club. The most high profile example of any such involvement from fans in this country. After a slow start to this season not helped by a vindictive fixture list, Swansea have gone from strength to strength and are unbeaten in their last four games. After stopping Liverpool’s run they completed a comfortable win today, but it was the midweek destruction of Valencia that really stood out. For a little team from Wales to go away to a La Liga superpower and receive a standing ovation from the home fans takes some doing. Swansea won’t keep hold of Laudrup forever, but the best thing you can say about the club is that when he does leave, almost every ambitious, unsettled or unemployed manager across Europe will be sending their CV to the Liberty Stadium.
5. David Moyes is not
good enough to manage Manchester Utd.
I’d like to clarify from the off that this heading is not calling for David Moyes head. I don’t think he is a manager currently capable of the biggest job in English football, but that is not to say he won’t become capable given adequate time and resources. Whether he will get that time remains to be seen following a start to the season that can politely be described as “disappointing.” Moyes has not inherited the strongest squad Utd have ever had, which made the decision to not strengthen it this summer even more baffling. Releasing feeble statements that the manager had only been in place for a short space of time just don’t cut it. The board and even Ferguson himself should have ensured there was adequate provision to ensure summer targets were sought and secured. But even that aside, Utd have been woeful for all but two half’s of football this season (the second against first Swansea and then Leverkusen). They have played three of their rivals in Chelsea, Liverpool and City and have scored one consolation goal, which was direct from a free kick. They have created next to nothing in all of those games, won none of them and have just been humiliated (again) by their noisy, local neighbours. City have flattered to deceive so far this season but they blew Utd away on Sunday simply by possessing the ability to pass the ball and actually make tackles. Moyes has to take some responsibility. His tactics have been negative in all of the games to date and he doesn’t appear to know how to set his team up to win a match. He has never been a good reactive manager and that simply has to change at Manchester Utd. Ferdinand and Vidic haven’t played three games in a week for half a decade so I have no idea what Moyes was thinking when he selected them for each of the past few fixtures. Both were visibly jaded against City and it’s not even open to debate that Ferguson would have rotated both in and out of the team ready for the bigger games. Did either need to play against Crystal Palace at home when Jonny Evans was fit, unused and the best centre back at the club for two years? No is the simple answer David. There have been several rumours of tough, draconian training measure leaked to the press and it’s worrying that Van Persie has already picked up a couple of niggling injuries again. Add to this the miserable form of any winger associated with the club, whilst the best player in preseason (Zaha) doesn’t get in the squad. The golden chance overlooked to actually play Kagawa in his favoured position against City once Van Persie got injured. The pathetic undervaluing of Leighton Baines whilst he hammers in two match winning free kicks for Everton. I could go on, but I’m depressing myself. As a measured critic I find myself a bit baffled that Utd have started the season so flat footed and are already playing catch up. I’d have thought at least the desire to impress a new manager would be there and carry them over the first few games. As a bias, heartbroken and prone to massive exaggerations fan… I am witnessing the top to bottom destruction of the greatest football team this country has known for the past twenty years.
I’d like to clarify from the off that this heading is not calling for David Moyes head. I don’t think he is a manager currently capable of the biggest job in English football, but that is not to say he won’t become capable given adequate time and resources. Whether he will get that time remains to be seen following a start to the season that can politely be described as “disappointing.” Moyes has not inherited the strongest squad Utd have ever had, which made the decision to not strengthen it this summer even more baffling. Releasing feeble statements that the manager had only been in place for a short space of time just don’t cut it. The board and even Ferguson himself should have ensured there was adequate provision to ensure summer targets were sought and secured. But even that aside, Utd have been woeful for all but two half’s of football this season (the second against first Swansea and then Leverkusen). They have played three of their rivals in Chelsea, Liverpool and City and have scored one consolation goal, which was direct from a free kick. They have created next to nothing in all of those games, won none of them and have just been humiliated (again) by their noisy, local neighbours. City have flattered to deceive so far this season but they blew Utd away on Sunday simply by possessing the ability to pass the ball and actually make tackles. Moyes has to take some responsibility. His tactics have been negative in all of the games to date and he doesn’t appear to know how to set his team up to win a match. He has never been a good reactive manager and that simply has to change at Manchester Utd. Ferdinand and Vidic haven’t played three games in a week for half a decade so I have no idea what Moyes was thinking when he selected them for each of the past few fixtures. Both were visibly jaded against City and it’s not even open to debate that Ferguson would have rotated both in and out of the team ready for the bigger games. Did either need to play against Crystal Palace at home when Jonny Evans was fit, unused and the best centre back at the club for two years? No is the simple answer David. There have been several rumours of tough, draconian training measure leaked to the press and it’s worrying that Van Persie has already picked up a couple of niggling injuries again. Add to this the miserable form of any winger associated with the club, whilst the best player in preseason (Zaha) doesn’t get in the squad. The golden chance overlooked to actually play Kagawa in his favoured position against City once Van Persie got injured. The pathetic undervaluing of Leighton Baines whilst he hammers in two match winning free kicks for Everton. I could go on, but I’m depressing myself. As a measured critic I find myself a bit baffled that Utd have started the season so flat footed and are already playing catch up. I’d have thought at least the desire to impress a new manager would be there and carry them over the first few games. As a bias, heartbroken and prone to massive exaggerations fan… I am witnessing the top to bottom destruction of the greatest football team this country has known for the past twenty years.
I’m a Swansea City fan now.
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Five Things We Learnt From Watching Football This Weekend - Week Four
1. Gareth has still
got it.
No not the $100m Simian with the trademarked celebration. I’m talking about Gareth Barry… who over 90 minutes on Saturday evening gave a lesson in how to close down space, find the right pass and play composed, intelligent football. Barry has always come in for unfair stick over the years; primarily for just being English and thus… well, having the misfortunate of having to play for England. It seems forgotten that he was Aston Villa’s best player for near a decade and was one of the most sought after midfielders in the land in his prime. He has been consistent for City ever since he joined them and was a lynchpin in their title winning team. Sure he doesn’t have much pace… but then a good defensive midfielder shouldn’t need pace. Barry outplayed Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle et all on Saturday… all of which would probably reduce him to dust over 50 yards. He read the game better and controlled the game better. He was the man of the match in a performance of real quality from Everton, especially in the second half. It’s early days in the Martinez reign, but thus far he seems to be turning Everton into an easy on the eye, passing team whilst retaining their defensive qualities. If he can get Lukaku playing and scoring, the sky’s the limit. Or, you know… 6th.
No not the $100m Simian with the trademarked celebration. I’m talking about Gareth Barry… who over 90 minutes on Saturday evening gave a lesson in how to close down space, find the right pass and play composed, intelligent football. Barry has always come in for unfair stick over the years; primarily for just being English and thus… well, having the misfortunate of having to play for England. It seems forgotten that he was Aston Villa’s best player for near a decade and was one of the most sought after midfielders in the land in his prime. He has been consistent for City ever since he joined them and was a lynchpin in their title winning team. Sure he doesn’t have much pace… but then a good defensive midfielder shouldn’t need pace. Barry outplayed Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle et all on Saturday… all of which would probably reduce him to dust over 50 yards. He read the game better and controlled the game better. He was the man of the match in a performance of real quality from Everton, especially in the second half. It’s early days in the Martinez reign, but thus far he seems to be turning Everton into an easy on the eye, passing team whilst retaining their defensive qualities. If he can get Lukaku playing and scoring, the sky’s the limit. Or, you know… 6th.
2. Does David Moyes
actually know what he’s doing?
Utd recorded a seemingly comfortable win this Saturday, but as is often the case, that only told half the story in what was another worryingly disjointed performance shorn of any pace, zest and creativity. Fergie got by on sheer force of will at times and, in truth, Utd have struggled in the bigger fixtures for a couple of years. But this was the sort of the game where a Ferguson team would have showed no mercy. Palace were there for the taking and Utd were far too slow out of the blocks. Moyes seems too apprehensive a manager and whilst that might change, the decision to not start Fellani after the farce that the summer transfer activity had become was strange to say the least. Rooney huffed and puffed but beyond him it’s hard to make a case for any offensive Utd player looking dangerous. RVP needs service to survive and can’t always rely on Ashley Young diving to win penalties. Valencia is getting worse every week, Anderson should have been sold three seasons ago and one can only assume the 5 year contract given to Nani this week was a bet that went very, very wrong. Nobody even knows where Shinji Kagawa is… except not on the football pitch. Moyes has so far got away with a slow start from a difficult set of fixtures because Chelsea and City have also stumbled. But with a tough Champions League draw and Arsenal and Spurs clearly improved, Utd cannot afford to slip up. Next league game? Away to City. Who look about as toothless as Utd do. Can’t wait. No… really.
Utd recorded a seemingly comfortable win this Saturday, but as is often the case, that only told half the story in what was another worryingly disjointed performance shorn of any pace, zest and creativity. Fergie got by on sheer force of will at times and, in truth, Utd have struggled in the bigger fixtures for a couple of years. But this was the sort of the game where a Ferguson team would have showed no mercy. Palace were there for the taking and Utd were far too slow out of the blocks. Moyes seems too apprehensive a manager and whilst that might change, the decision to not start Fellani after the farce that the summer transfer activity had become was strange to say the least. Rooney huffed and puffed but beyond him it’s hard to make a case for any offensive Utd player looking dangerous. RVP needs service to survive and can’t always rely on Ashley Young diving to win penalties. Valencia is getting worse every week, Anderson should have been sold three seasons ago and one can only assume the 5 year contract given to Nani this week was a bet that went very, very wrong. Nobody even knows where Shinji Kagawa is… except not on the football pitch. Moyes has so far got away with a slow start from a difficult set of fixtures because Chelsea and City have also stumbled. But with a tough Champions League draw and Arsenal and Spurs clearly improved, Utd cannot afford to slip up. Next league game? Away to City. Who look about as toothless as Utd do. Can’t wait. No… really.
3. How did Spurs get
Eriksen so cheap?
In a summer of record breakings dealings across Europe, it seemed that Fergie’s famous words of the transfer window offering “no value” had finally come true. But, as last summer’s outrageous £2m for MIchu proved… there are always bargains to be had. Christian Eriksen has been one of the most talked about young midfielders across Europe for three or four years. Yet another product of the famous Ajax youth team (all be it sourced late), Eriksen has been capped 39 times for his country and in his 150 matches for Ajax, has scored 32 times and contributed a further 54 assists. Which is pretty good going for a central midfielder… who is only 21. Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Munich have all been linked with the Dane over the past couple of years yet it seems Spurs were able to swan in at the end of a transfer window and pick him up for next to nothing. £11m can never be considered cheap in the broad scheme of things, but in this climate it’s almost a free transfer. Eriksen slotted seamlessly into the Spurs line up this weekend, looking generally superb and creating one goal with a Cantona esque piece of vision (he’s not even looking where’s he’s passing it! – exclaimed a perplexed Alan Shearer). Spurs have spent and spent big this summer and if their team can gel they have a genuine chance of winning what looks like a pleasingly wide open title race. Eriksen, which his twinkling toes and dashing, world war fighter pilot haircut, could prove to be the best of the lot.
In a summer of record breakings dealings across Europe, it seemed that Fergie’s famous words of the transfer window offering “no value” had finally come true. But, as last summer’s outrageous £2m for MIchu proved… there are always bargains to be had. Christian Eriksen has been one of the most talked about young midfielders across Europe for three or four years. Yet another product of the famous Ajax youth team (all be it sourced late), Eriksen has been capped 39 times for his country and in his 150 matches for Ajax, has scored 32 times and contributed a further 54 assists. Which is pretty good going for a central midfielder… who is only 21. Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Munich have all been linked with the Dane over the past couple of years yet it seems Spurs were able to swan in at the end of a transfer window and pick him up for next to nothing. £11m can never be considered cheap in the broad scheme of things, but in this climate it’s almost a free transfer. Eriksen slotted seamlessly into the Spurs line up this weekend, looking generally superb and creating one goal with a Cantona esque piece of vision (he’s not even looking where’s he’s passing it! – exclaimed a perplexed Alan Shearer). Spurs have spent and spent big this summer and if their team can gel they have a genuine chance of winning what looks like a pleasingly wide open title race. Eriksen, which his twinkling toes and dashing, world war fighter pilot haircut, could prove to be the best of the lot.
4. Could this be Ben Arfa’s year?
Amidst all the Joe Kinnear comedy, transfer failings, stadium renaming, a manager who is the Anti-Christ and general soap opera running of one of the league’s BIGGEST clubs… it is worth remembering that Newcastle have some very, very good players. Their problem of late has been two fold; firstly a general sense of malaise and harddonebyness (it’s a word…look it up) and secondly, getting everyone on the pitch at the same time. Krul, Coloccini, Santon, Cabye & Ben Arfa remain quality players and if the forwards can actually find their shooting boots at some time, any fears Newcastle fans had of a relegation scrap will be quickly forgotten. Of all the aforementioned players though, it is Ben Arfa who remains the most enigmatic. The Frenchman has struggled with injury since he arrived on Tyneside but now looks fully fit and is playing with composure and self-assurance. Ben Arfa is a similar player to Nani, if Nani was actually any good. He can dribble, pass and head the ball but his real weapon is a fearsome shot. Having won his side all three points before the soul destroying international break, he was the man of the match again away to Aston Villa. Scoring one and creating another, his all round play was fantastic. Being the sort of player that he is (i.e. almost entirely dependent upon confidence) – one hopes he can continue this form for some time and kick on properly. At his worst, Ben Arfa is frustrating and hopeless, but at his best… he is the reason people pay their money to watch the game.
5. Are West Brom dark
horses for relegation?
Tipped by a few to go down last year, Steve Clarke’s strong start and the form of Lukaku soon silenced the doubters and West Brom finished in an impressive 8th spot. That position only tells half the story however, literally in this case. The Baggies had a shocking end to last season and have picked up where they left off this time around. With Lukaku gone and a previously creative midfield firing blanks, it’s hard to see where the goals are going to come from. In 2013 West Brom have played 22 Premier League games and they have won just 3 of them. Indeed, they have taken just 12 points from their last 66. Numbers that scream relegation form whichever way you look at it. Nobody really mentioned them as possible candidates at the start of the season but they sure look like it now. Especially with the strong start made by some of the other contenders. Still, there is good news on the horizon in the fact they play Sunderland at home next, the team currently worse than they are. Of course, should they lose that they then play Arsenal at home and Man Utd, Stoke and Liverpool all away. So no pressure then.
Tipped by a few to go down last year, Steve Clarke’s strong start and the form of Lukaku soon silenced the doubters and West Brom finished in an impressive 8th spot. That position only tells half the story however, literally in this case. The Baggies had a shocking end to last season and have picked up where they left off this time around. With Lukaku gone and a previously creative midfield firing blanks, it’s hard to see where the goals are going to come from. In 2013 West Brom have played 22 Premier League games and they have won just 3 of them. Indeed, they have taken just 12 points from their last 66. Numbers that scream relegation form whichever way you look at it. Nobody really mentioned them as possible candidates at the start of the season but they sure look like it now. Especially with the strong start made by some of the other contenders. Still, there is good news on the horizon in the fact they play Sunderland at home next, the team currently worse than they are. Of course, should they lose that they then play Arsenal at home and Man Utd, Stoke and Liverpool all away. So no pressure then.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
Five Things We Learnt From Watching Football This Weekend - Week Three
1. £3Billion’s worth
of total and utter rubbish.
With three weeks of the season gone and the transfer window, unforgivably, still open; it’s safe to say this has been the worst August in the history of English top flight football. A safe enough statement given it’s only recently that the season has been stretched to start so early. Last weekend was pretty bad, but this time around the viewing public were treated to just 13 goals and not a single game of genuine merit. Over £500m will have been spent on new players by close of play tomorrow and barely a penny of it contributed to a goal or inspiring bit of play this weekend. What rare moments of quality there were came from established stars like Toure and Ben Arfa, or from Jermaine Pennant. I’ll say that again. From Jermaine Pennant. The transfer window has been a huge distraction but aside from that there have never been more “new” managers in the league. Over half of the teams in the division have managers that have barely or never managed a game in this league with their current club. A slightly convoluted sentence I’ll give you, but one in which I was able to include 11 of the current entrants into the hallowed cash cow that is the Premier League. This season smacks of one which hasn’t got going yet and come Sept 14th that needs to change and fast. Already falling behind the German and Spanish league, the last thing the league needs is for the cash rich French to overtake it also. The Premier League hasn’t attracted the best talent over the past few years but has got by on entertainment and drama. 30 goals across the last 20 fixtures isn’t going to cut it. Shape up lads.
With three weeks of the season gone and the transfer window, unforgivably, still open; it’s safe to say this has been the worst August in the history of English top flight football. A safe enough statement given it’s only recently that the season has been stretched to start so early. Last weekend was pretty bad, but this time around the viewing public were treated to just 13 goals and not a single game of genuine merit. Over £500m will have been spent on new players by close of play tomorrow and barely a penny of it contributed to a goal or inspiring bit of play this weekend. What rare moments of quality there were came from established stars like Toure and Ben Arfa, or from Jermaine Pennant. I’ll say that again. From Jermaine Pennant. The transfer window has been a huge distraction but aside from that there have never been more “new” managers in the league. Over half of the teams in the division have managers that have barely or never managed a game in this league with their current club. A slightly convoluted sentence I’ll give you, but one in which I was able to include 11 of the current entrants into the hallowed cash cow that is the Premier League. This season smacks of one which hasn’t got going yet and come Sept 14th that needs to change and fast. Already falling behind the German and Spanish league, the last thing the league needs is for the cash rich French to overtake it also. The Premier League hasn’t attracted the best talent over the past few years but has got by on entertainment and drama. 30 goals across the last 20 fixtures isn’t going to cut it. Shape up lads.
2. David Moyes is
going to have to learn very, very fast.
It’s very early days into the reign of David Moyes, but for those who questioned his appointment it’s safe to say that every single reason they had for doing so has already come out to say hi. No presence in the transfer market? Check. Undervaluing of players? Check. Solid defence in the absence of creativity? Check. No idea how to manage strikers? Check. Absolutely appalling when playing away at Anfield? Check. United’s performance earlier today could, at best be described as terrible. At worst? As bad as I've seen this football club play in a derby for over twenty years. Liverpool played Utd off the park for 45 minutes before realising that, actually, one was enough all along. The second half was played out with an almost embarrassing ease as Liverpool barely broke sweat (the excellent Daniel Agger aside) keeping a Utd side so devoid of attacking nous it bordered on the criminal. With Wayne Rooney injured the decision to not even include Shinji Kagawa in the squad seemed perverse. Nani came on for twenty minutes and looked as bad as any footballer could ever hope to look. Which at least set a new benchmark for everyone else. Moyes now has 24 hours to buy some midfielders and then two weeks to set this Utd team up as a fluid, attacking unit ready for the next set of games. Nobody expected anything but decline following Ferguson’s retirement… but I suppose one hoped it wouldn’t be quite so soon.
It’s very early days into the reign of David Moyes, but for those who questioned his appointment it’s safe to say that every single reason they had for doing so has already come out to say hi. No presence in the transfer market? Check. Undervaluing of players? Check. Solid defence in the absence of creativity? Check. No idea how to manage strikers? Check. Absolutely appalling when playing away at Anfield? Check. United’s performance earlier today could, at best be described as terrible. At worst? As bad as I've seen this football club play in a derby for over twenty years. Liverpool played Utd off the park for 45 minutes before realising that, actually, one was enough all along. The second half was played out with an almost embarrassing ease as Liverpool barely broke sweat (the excellent Daniel Agger aside) keeping a Utd side so devoid of attacking nous it bordered on the criminal. With Wayne Rooney injured the decision to not even include Shinji Kagawa in the squad seemed perverse. Nani came on for twenty minutes and looked as bad as any footballer could ever hope to look. Which at least set a new benchmark for everyone else. Moyes now has 24 hours to buy some midfielders and then two weeks to set this Utd team up as a fluid, attacking unit ready for the next set of games. Nobody expected anything but decline following Ferguson’s retirement… but I suppose one hoped it wouldn’t be quite so soon.
3. Spurs are far from
the finished article.
Spurs fans who have spent the last month laughing at Arsenal after lavishly splurging over £100m in the transfer market look away now. It takes time to gel a team of course, and today’s match gives no real indication which of these teams will finish higher come May, but the fact remains that for all Spurs talk and bluster they head into week four without having scored a goal in open play. A record boasted by nobody in the league but themselves. The odd goal mouth scramble aside, that never looked like changing against an Arsenal side torn apart by Aston Villa a fortnight ago. The Gunners look calm and composed and deserved to win the game by more on the counter attack. The Bale saga has dragged on to epic proportions and on paper Spurs have bought well. But the Welshman scored or created almost all his sides goals in 2013 and a few more people are going to have to step up to the plate to plug the hole his absence has created. Spurs look better defensively than they’ve ever looked, but AVB is far from the expansive manager he often pretends to be. His 4-2-3-1 currently features Paulinho in the number 10 role, who last time I checked was a holding midfielder. Townsend looks a talent, all be it a selfish one, but as they did last season when he didn’t play Spurs already look to be missing the pace and directness of Lennon. Him and Walker were the best right sided partnership in the league last season and the full back looks a little bit lost without him. Spurs have signed some excellent players, but how they will all fit into a balanced team together still looks unclear. Two weeks with the entire squad away on International duty should help. Oh wait.
Spurs fans who have spent the last month laughing at Arsenal after lavishly splurging over £100m in the transfer market look away now. It takes time to gel a team of course, and today’s match gives no real indication which of these teams will finish higher come May, but the fact remains that for all Spurs talk and bluster they head into week four without having scored a goal in open play. A record boasted by nobody in the league but themselves. The odd goal mouth scramble aside, that never looked like changing against an Arsenal side torn apart by Aston Villa a fortnight ago. The Gunners look calm and composed and deserved to win the game by more on the counter attack. The Bale saga has dragged on to epic proportions and on paper Spurs have bought well. But the Welshman scored or created almost all his sides goals in 2013 and a few more people are going to have to step up to the plate to plug the hole his absence has created. Spurs look better defensively than they’ve ever looked, but AVB is far from the expansive manager he often pretends to be. His 4-2-3-1 currently features Paulinho in the number 10 role, who last time I checked was a holding midfielder. Townsend looks a talent, all be it a selfish one, but as they did last season when he didn’t play Spurs already look to be missing the pace and directness of Lennon. Him and Walker were the best right sided partnership in the league last season and the full back looks a little bit lost without him. Spurs have signed some excellent players, but how they will all fit into a balanced team together still looks unclear. Two weeks with the entire squad away on International duty should help. Oh wait.
4. Who has hidden the
midfield maestros?
What do Mata, Carzola, Walcott, Hazard, Coutinho, Gerrard, Navas, Michu, Snodgrass, Fellaini, Schurrle, Young, Pienaar, Miralles & Johnson have in common? They haven’t scored a goal yet this season. Infact, 21 of the 25 most expensive midfielders on fantasy football (a solid source of quality if ever there was one) have yet to score this season. 18 of them haven’t even managed an assist. I don’t mention this point because I’m a bitter fantasy football manager. I mention this because… ah who I am kidding. Seriously lads… SHAPE UP.
What do Mata, Carzola, Walcott, Hazard, Coutinho, Gerrard, Navas, Michu, Snodgrass, Fellaini, Schurrle, Young, Pienaar, Miralles & Johnson have in common? They haven’t scored a goal yet this season. Infact, 21 of the 25 most expensive midfielders on fantasy football (a solid source of quality if ever there was one) have yet to score this season. 18 of them haven’t even managed an assist. I don’t mention this point because I’m a bitter fantasy football manager. I mention this because… ah who I am kidding. Seriously lads… SHAPE UP.
5. Watch out
Sunderland… the implosion is coming.
The implosionometer ™ swung firmly back round from Newcastle to Sunderland this week following their dramatic late collapse at Palace as the Geordies were bailed out by Ben Arfa’s magical boot. Sunderland looked in control for most of the second half against Palace and it was hard to see how they could end of losing the game. But then… IMPLOSION. A red card for their captain, some calamitous defending and the Mackems were looking at just 1 point from 3 very winnable opening fixtures. Di Canio’s comments post match was the stuff of journalistic dreams. Despite having signed an entirely new team (12 at current count and indeed having signed more players than any current top flight club over the past four years) the Italian described his team as “pathetic” and that it was “obvious” he needed new faces. You know when your mate starts going out with a girl who’s like, obviously bad news and you know isn't remotely suitable for him. There’s always that moment isn't there when you probably feel you should just tell them straight from the start rather than watch as the relationship inevitably hits the rocks via several car crashes. But you never do, because you’re a mate and there’s that small part of you which thinks… maybe, just maybe she’ll change and it all might work out. Well Sunderland fans… this is me… telling you… that Paulo Di Canio is not going to change. He is not going to be a great manager for you and he will get sacked at some stage as manager of your football club. The only question is how much damage will he have done before that happens. Or whether Newcastle will implode first. I suppose there’s always that.
The implosionometer ™ swung firmly back round from Newcastle to Sunderland this week following their dramatic late collapse at Palace as the Geordies were bailed out by Ben Arfa’s magical boot. Sunderland looked in control for most of the second half against Palace and it was hard to see how they could end of losing the game. But then… IMPLOSION. A red card for their captain, some calamitous defending and the Mackems were looking at just 1 point from 3 very winnable opening fixtures. Di Canio’s comments post match was the stuff of journalistic dreams. Despite having signed an entirely new team (12 at current count and indeed having signed more players than any current top flight club over the past four years) the Italian described his team as “pathetic” and that it was “obvious” he needed new faces. You know when your mate starts going out with a girl who’s like, obviously bad news and you know isn't remotely suitable for him. There’s always that moment isn't there when you probably feel you should just tell them straight from the start rather than watch as the relationship inevitably hits the rocks via several car crashes. But you never do, because you’re a mate and there’s that small part of you which thinks… maybe, just maybe she’ll change and it all might work out. Well Sunderland fans… this is me… telling you… that Paulo Di Canio is not going to change. He is not going to be a great manager for you and he will get sacked at some stage as manager of your football club. The only question is how much damage will he have done before that happens. Or whether Newcastle will implode first. I suppose there’s always that.
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Five Things We Learnt From Watching Football This Weekend - Week Two
1. The Transfer
window needs to close before the first game
Much has been written about the transfer window this summer, possibly born more than ever from the frustrating and now epically boring sagas revolving around the likes of Bale, Rooney, Suarez and any Real Madrid player. One thing however has emerged as clear as the purest crystal… the transfer window is a terrible idea and the most terrible thing about it is that it shuts a full three weeks after the season starts. Who exactly does this system benefit other than agents? Do players really benefit from not being played because their head isn’t in the right place? (Bale) Or from refusing to play because their head has been turned? (Cabaye) Do clubs or fans benefit from not knowing who the true make up of their squad is prior to starting a campaign? Do bookmakers or gamblers benefit from having to make start of season punts based on lies and hearsay? Take Man Utd for example; right now I make them 3rd favourites to win the title. If they sell Rooney and buy nobody they’ll slip further away. But buy Ronaldo and Modric and keep Rooney and suddenly they look favourites again (p.s. this won’t happen… just an example… a fan can dream). The most damning thing about the transfer window, in particular the last few weeks once the season has kicked off, is that it has become stale. It was supposed to make things more exciting and over time has done the complete opposite. We just want to watch the football now please, not listen to managers be asked zero questions about the game and twenty questions about who they’re going to buy/sell in the coming days.
Much has been written about the transfer window this summer, possibly born more than ever from the frustrating and now epically boring sagas revolving around the likes of Bale, Rooney, Suarez and any Real Madrid player. One thing however has emerged as clear as the purest crystal… the transfer window is a terrible idea and the most terrible thing about it is that it shuts a full three weeks after the season starts. Who exactly does this system benefit other than agents? Do players really benefit from not being played because their head isn’t in the right place? (Bale) Or from refusing to play because their head has been turned? (Cabaye) Do clubs or fans benefit from not knowing who the true make up of their squad is prior to starting a campaign? Do bookmakers or gamblers benefit from having to make start of season punts based on lies and hearsay? Take Man Utd for example; right now I make them 3rd favourites to win the title. If they sell Rooney and buy nobody they’ll slip further away. But buy Ronaldo and Modric and keep Rooney and suddenly they look favourites again (p.s. this won’t happen… just an example… a fan can dream). The most damning thing about the transfer window, in particular the last few weeks once the season has kicked off, is that it has become stale. It was supposed to make things more exciting and over time has done the complete opposite. We just want to watch the football now please, not listen to managers be asked zero questions about the game and twenty questions about who they’re going to buy/sell in the coming days.
2. Is Lucas Leiva the
most underrated player in the league?
A line that has been trotted out around 30 times over the last week is that Liverpool are unbeaten since Luis Suarez got suspended. It is a statement that almost defines the type of lazy journalism and punditry we now have to endure week in week out. Whilst true, it takes into account no other outlying factors and works on the assumption that Liverpool are seemingly a better team without Suarez. Which is absurd. No, a key factor for Liverpool’s form since last Easter has been the re-emergence and return to form of Lucas Leiva. Unlike the Suarez suspension issue, it is not coincidence that Liverpool went on their worst run for some 40 years from the moment Lucas got injured at the start of King Kenny’s last season… right up to his return midway through the current reign of Brendan Rodgers. Leiva is criminally underrated. Initially maligned when he joined, seemingly for not being Steven Gerrard, any Scouser worth his salts now recognises the importance of Lucas to Liverpool’s team. Sitting at the base of what has become a fluid 4-3-3; Lucas is a classic destroyer in the mould of Makelele. He does the simple things well and his reading the game has got better each year. Him staying injury free is the only way Liverpool have a punt at finishing in the top 4 this season. It doesn’t matter how good the players ahead of him are, Liverpool are twice as strong defensively and statistically concede 30% less goals when he plays (in the last 4 years). As Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea all look, flail or just keep buying number 10’s until the cows come home… the greatest compliment you can pay Lucas is that he would get in all three of those clubs first XI.
A line that has been trotted out around 30 times over the last week is that Liverpool are unbeaten since Luis Suarez got suspended. It is a statement that almost defines the type of lazy journalism and punditry we now have to endure week in week out. Whilst true, it takes into account no other outlying factors and works on the assumption that Liverpool are seemingly a better team without Suarez. Which is absurd. No, a key factor for Liverpool’s form since last Easter has been the re-emergence and return to form of Lucas Leiva. Unlike the Suarez suspension issue, it is not coincidence that Liverpool went on their worst run for some 40 years from the moment Lucas got injured at the start of King Kenny’s last season… right up to his return midway through the current reign of Brendan Rodgers. Leiva is criminally underrated. Initially maligned when he joined, seemingly for not being Steven Gerrard, any Scouser worth his salts now recognises the importance of Lucas to Liverpool’s team. Sitting at the base of what has become a fluid 4-3-3; Lucas is a classic destroyer in the mould of Makelele. He does the simple things well and his reading the game has got better each year. Him staying injury free is the only way Liverpool have a punt at finishing in the top 4 this season. It doesn’t matter how good the players ahead of him are, Liverpool are twice as strong defensively and statistically concede 30% less goals when he plays (in the last 4 years). As Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea all look, flail or just keep buying number 10’s until the cows come home… the greatest compliment you can pay Lucas is that he would get in all three of those clubs first XI.
3. Newcastle need a
rethink
When you play at home, to a team managed by Big Sam and you’re even more boring than they are, you’ve got real problems. Newcastle v West Ham on Saturday was the sort of game that could put you off football for life. It was less interesting than the 4th days play at the Oval, which was entirely rained off. In West Ham’s defence they… well… that kinda of is their only defence really… their defence. But Newcastle? At home after just being thumped by Man City, with a transfer policy that makes Arsenal look busy, they simply had to make a statement. They didn’t have a single shot on target. Not one. At Home. To West Ham. A club who’ve just bought Stewart Downing. For no reason. Sadly for Newcastle, creatively this was bad as it gets. They treated their strikers as if they were invisible and don’t think for a moment that means I’m letting Papiss Cisse off the hook. The striker looked so bored I thought he was just going to sit down at one point. Newcastle are in real trouble, and not just because they employed Joe Kinnear for no logical reason whatsoever. Having recruited every C-list French player in the game, they need a couple of major and crucially English signings to instil a bit of steel back into the team again. How many captains have left Newcastle in the past decade alone? Five or six easy and Coloccini will almost certainly join them if this farce continues. The Geordies don’t have long to put things right and whilst I would never, ever advocate panic buying towards the end of a transfer window that should have shut a fortnight ago… for God’s sake lads panic buy the life out of this window. Go. Go now.
When you play at home, to a team managed by Big Sam and you’re even more boring than they are, you’ve got real problems. Newcastle v West Ham on Saturday was the sort of game that could put you off football for life. It was less interesting than the 4th days play at the Oval, which was entirely rained off. In West Ham’s defence they… well… that kinda of is their only defence really… their defence. But Newcastle? At home after just being thumped by Man City, with a transfer policy that makes Arsenal look busy, they simply had to make a statement. They didn’t have a single shot on target. Not one. At Home. To West Ham. A club who’ve just bought Stewart Downing. For no reason. Sadly for Newcastle, creatively this was bad as it gets. They treated their strikers as if they were invisible and don’t think for a moment that means I’m letting Papiss Cisse off the hook. The striker looked so bored I thought he was just going to sit down at one point. Newcastle are in real trouble, and not just because they employed Joe Kinnear for no logical reason whatsoever. Having recruited every C-list French player in the game, they need a couple of major and crucially English signings to instil a bit of steel back into the team again. How many captains have left Newcastle in the past decade alone? Five or six easy and Coloccini will almost certainly join them if this farce continues. The Geordies don’t have long to put things right and whilst I would never, ever advocate panic buying towards the end of a transfer window that should have shut a fortnight ago… for God’s sake lads panic buy the life out of this window. Go. Go now.
4. Are Spurs genuine
title contenders?
No club has had more false starts than Spurs over the past decade. Despite always been kinda there for first the title, then the champions league spots, then the cups… each and every season has seen them fall away and end up with nothing (a token Carling Cup aside). Post Bale that surely looked like being the case again. But Spurs have spent and have spent big. Even with Willian moving to Chelsea (for no reason that I can fathom given they need him about as much as Arsenal need another lightweight, injury prone, occasionally creative midfielder) – Spurs have a solid looking squad which looks set to be added to further before September. But it’s not the numbers this time, after all Spurs have always had a predilection for buying midfielders; it’s the quality of the signings that stands out. After capturing the superb Dembele last year, not to mention Vertonghen, both Paulinho and Soldado walk tall as A-listers. Both have started the campaign well, with the latter already scoring more than Adeboyer did in 30 games last season. Spurs haven’t had the toughest start and it will be interesting to see how they get on at the Emirates for next week. For now though, given they appear capable of keeping clean sheets now as well as scoring goals, I’m happy to say with a degree of confidence that this is the year they may just get in amongst the big boys again.
No club has had more false starts than Spurs over the past decade. Despite always been kinda there for first the title, then the champions league spots, then the cups… each and every season has seen them fall away and end up with nothing (a token Carling Cup aside). Post Bale that surely looked like being the case again. But Spurs have spent and have spent big. Even with Willian moving to Chelsea (for no reason that I can fathom given they need him about as much as Arsenal need another lightweight, injury prone, occasionally creative midfielder) – Spurs have a solid looking squad which looks set to be added to further before September. But it’s not the numbers this time, after all Spurs have always had a predilection for buying midfielders; it’s the quality of the signings that stands out. After capturing the superb Dembele last year, not to mention Vertonghen, both Paulinho and Soldado walk tall as A-listers. Both have started the campaign well, with the latter already scoring more than Adeboyer did in 30 games last season. Spurs haven’t had the toughest start and it will be interesting to see how they get on at the Emirates for next week. For now though, given they appear capable of keeping clean sheets now as well as scoring goals, I’m happy to say with a degree of confidence that this is the year they may just get in amongst the big boys again.
5. Cardiff deserved
to paint the town red
After the opening performances of both these clubs this result seemed about as likely as the second coming. City could have an off day sure, but could Cardiff really score a couple of goals to nick it? No chance. Indeed, following Dzeko’s blistering opening strike the odds on Cardiff winning at all were 40/1. The Welsh team winning 3-2 was well over 100. This, of course, is the Premier League. And whilst the cream rises to the top over a whole season each and every game weeks tends to throw up at least one result that nobody saw coming. This was exactly the sort of match that City struggled in last year, ultimately costing them the title and their manager his job. To see a further £100m ploughed into the team and watch them toil again away to a relegation candidate will surely not sit well with the clubs hierarchy. Joe Hart looks increasingly unstable at the back and whilst excuses can be made with the injuries to the centre backs, the refusal to replace Gael Clichy with anyone who can actually defend appears strange. Toure was as bad as I’ve ever seen him and only Silva and Dseko can walk away with any credit from a front line that failed to spark all afternoon. For Cardiff though, this was an exceptional performance full of determination but also imagination. The front three caused problems all game and as the space opened up in the second half they cut loose several times. They may have changed their kit colour, but the fans won’t mind painting the town red after this effort. After a week of pretty dreary stuff, this was the moment the league woke up from its summer slumber. Let’s hope it’s for good.
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After the opening performances of both these clubs this result seemed about as likely as the second coming. City could have an off day sure, but could Cardiff really score a couple of goals to nick it? No chance. Indeed, following Dzeko’s blistering opening strike the odds on Cardiff winning at all were 40/1. The Welsh team winning 3-2 was well over 100. This, of course, is the Premier League. And whilst the cream rises to the top over a whole season each and every game weeks tends to throw up at least one result that nobody saw coming. This was exactly the sort of match that City struggled in last year, ultimately costing them the title and their manager his job. To see a further £100m ploughed into the team and watch them toil again away to a relegation candidate will surely not sit well with the clubs hierarchy. Joe Hart looks increasingly unstable at the back and whilst excuses can be made with the injuries to the centre backs, the refusal to replace Gael Clichy with anyone who can actually defend appears strange. Toure was as bad as I’ve ever seen him and only Silva and Dseko can walk away with any credit from a front line that failed to spark all afternoon. For Cardiff though, this was an exceptional performance full of determination but also imagination. The front three caused problems all game and as the space opened up in the second half they cut loose several times. They may have changed their kit colour, but the fans won’t mind painting the town red after this effort. After a week of pretty dreary stuff, this was the moment the league woke up from its summer slumber. Let’s hope it’s for good.
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