apologies for a lack of post last week. the world of gainful employment has once again clasped me against its (not) ample busom.
anyhoo.......
Fascinating Weekend of 'English Barclays Premier League Football' as Ray Wilkins would so delicately put it...
1930 was the last time Man Utd had shipped 6 goals at Old Trafford. Buts that what happened against the worst possible opponents (from a geographical point of view) on Sunday afternoon. by the conclusion of the game I was making noises and squeals of apoplexy most often reserved for that of a monkey enclosure. Lets look at the key factors in the game.
We have to begin with yet another tour-de-force outing for David Silva. It is becoming a cliche in itself to say I have run out of superlatives for this man. But I have. Majestic. Magical. Mesmeric. Those are just the 'm's'. In every single game this season, except for the Villa game at Eastlands, which he was rested for, if David Silva has not either scored, assisted or created a goal, his tireless work rate and movement around the pitch - not to mention his first touch when getting the ball - has contributed to a monumental effort toward a team victory.
that t-shirt is already on my Xmas list...
Throw in excellent performances from City's oft criticised wide man James Milner and Micah Richards bear like stature and powerful surges down the right and City were too strong for a Utd side lacking Cleverley's, well, cleverness. City are really starting to look a very good unit and with a five point lead few would argue they look good to win already. But lest we forget, Chelsea had a 9 point lead in late November and by January were 3rd. Things can change....
Newcastle are also starting to look like a top 6 side. Alan Pardew has not received the plaudits he deserves for his sides excellent start to the season. Yes they are yet to play Utd, City, or Liverpool but with points against Arsenal and Spurs at St. James Park, few could argue that they have passed early tests.
Many expected the magpies to brush aside a forlorn Wigan side but could only manage a single goal courtesy of a delightful swerving shot form former Lille man Yohan Cabaye; a player I picked out at the beginning of the season as a potentially excellent signing for Newcastle. Cabaye has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League, but who wouldnt? Gradually he has formed a fluid partnership with Ivorian powerhouse Cheik Tiote in the midfield and Tiote's presence allows Cabaye to bomb forward on many occasions and create havoc. In tandem they then supply the forwards Ba, Ameobi and Best with the ammunition to convert chances into goals.
Perhaps, though the secret of Newcastle's unbeaten start to the season is the back four. They pick themselves. Ryan Taylor is a wonderful creative outlet at left back, not so adept at defending but has a wonderful freekick ability in his locker as shown in his goal against Sunderland back in August. He has pace in abundance and frequently gets high up the field notching up assists from time to time. Danny Simpson also has a great deal of pace and is a great crosser. Personally I feel his inability to defend and make silly mistakes hinders his game.
The big part of Newcastle is the Centre back partnership of Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor. Coloccini is a born leader. Crazy hair in the vein of Marouane Fellaini but the same work ethic. Big Strong frame with a excellent aerial ability in both penalty areas and also has a great right foot on him. Taylor is very different to Coloccini but is the perfect foil for him. Hes not huge. 5'11, infact, but is strong and often in the opposing penalty area is adept at wriggling away from his marker, setting up set piece goals. Curiously Steven Taylor was frozen out by former manager Chris Hughton after Taylor returned from a lengthy spell out with cruciate ligament damage. But after a few weeks of Pardew's regime, he was reinstalled ahead of Mike Williamson after he was banned following a series of poor challenges in a league game against Chelsea last November.Newcastle have a tough run of games in November playing all of the top three. After those games we will have a better indication of whether they are a top four contender...
Finally it appears that Arsenal Football Club may have began to turn the corner and put their hideous start to the 2011/12 campaign behind them. September was not kind to Arsene Wenger. After the unlucky 2 1 defeat to Spurs on October the 3rd, Arsenal have recorded victories against a beleaguered Sunderland but more impressively against Marseille at Stade Velodrome and Stoke at the Weekend. Its no secret that in no small part are those victories - at least league ones - are down to the prolific Robin van Persie who is enjoying his longest career spell to date, without an injury. already notching up 9 league goals already. One could argue he is the most in form striker in the world right now.
Those words I type as I expect any day for his legs to shut down...
But Arsenal's recent resurgence is not, as some pundits are saying due to one man. Gervinho's contibution on Sunday was excellent winning man of the match setting up both of RVPs goals but also converting a delightful Aaron Ramsey chip over the Stoke defence. He started the season in lively fashion, but as so many of Arsenals signings of recent years have flattered to deceive; looking lively, creating chances but ultimately wasting them. Gervinho has now scored 3 goals and notched up 3 assists. The guy will always try and fingers crossed as his confidence grows so will his goal tally. Now this blogger is still very dubious about said resurgence, as Chelsea could quite easily expose come Saturday lunchtime, but if this is the case, it's down to hard work from two particular men.
Koscielny and Mertesacker are starting to form a really strong partnership in the absence of the belgian god that is Thomas Vermaelen. I have never doubted Koscielny's potential; he is quick and is an ox. Surprisingly so. Early on, fans seriously doubted that the German and the Frenchman could form an effective partnership. But where Mertesacker lacks pace and mobility, Koscielny makes up for. Where Koscielny lacks power and steadfastness, Mertesacker makes up for. It's a good team. With Thomas Vermaelen back in the Carling Cup Squad to face Bolton this evening, if he plays 90 mins, the belgian could be installed back into the team to play Chelsea. That leaves a question over who to partner him at the back. I'd say Mertesacker and Vermaelen would operate even more succesfully. So then what about Laurent? As much as I prefer to see Johann Djourou play at right back, away from the responsibilities that come from being a centre back and the resulting mistakes he is BOUND to make, I would much rather have pace on the right wing as well as the ability to defend, to boot. Therefore, for me, its a no brainer to play Koscielny at right back on saturday.
But that's just me.
Goodness only knows what Mr Wenger thinks..... hmmmm......
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